Tuesday Volume 525 22 March 2011 No. 137

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 22 March 2011

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Mr Osborne: If my hon. Friend will allow me, I will House of Commons keep my personal views on this matter private while we await the publication of the independent commission that has been set up to look at this issue, and which I, Tuesday 22 March 2011 the Business Secretary and the whole House will have to consider. It is producing its interim report in April, and The House met at half-past Two o’clock will produce a final report in September. Let us remember that the commission was set up by this Government to ask the difficult questions of the kind that he is asking, PRAYERS because we are determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Looked-after Children (Saving Schemes)

2. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): If he will bring forward proposals for a scheme to provide Oral Answers to Questions looked-after children with a savings account or trust fund funded by contributions from the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement. [47919]

TREASURY The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): In October, the Government announced that we will The Chancellor of the Exchequer was asked— create a new tax-free children’s savings account to be known as the junior ISA. We expect the accounts to be available from this autumn, and will be setting out Financial Regulation details of how they will work next week. As the hon. Lady and the right hon. Member for Wythenshawe and 1. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What assessment Sale East (Paul Goggins), who is my constituency neighbour, he has made of the effects on the economy of the trade will know, Barnardo’s and Action for Children have in mortgage-backed securities and collateralised debt proposed that these accounts be used to support saving obligations. [47918] for looked-after children. I know that these children face particular challenges, and I can tell the House that The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): the Department for Education will work with others to The rapid increase in mortgage-backed securities and make the necessary funding available to ensure that we collateralised debt obligations contributed to a build-up can provide the support that they deserve. We will work of excessive and unstable levels of private debt in the with charities and interested parties to develop detailed UK in the years running up to the financial crisis. proposals funded by the Government, so that junior Although we would wish to see a properly regulated ISAs can best support these children. securitisation market reopened to help with lending, this must happen under a much more effective supervision Sheila Gilmore: There were warm words on this last regime. That is why we are abolishing the failed tripartite summer when the child trust funds were abolished, and system and have restored to the Bank of England the there are warms words now, but will the Chancellor tell responsibility for monitoring overall levels of debt in us when such a savings scheme, backed by the Government, the economy. We have already established a new Financial will be introduced for looked-after children? Policy Committee to assess risks to the stability of the system, such as the emergence of excessive debt. Mr Osborne: I have just announced the money for the scheme that the hon. Lady asked me about, and we will Bill Esterson: Although I accept the analysis in the now engage with Barnardo’s and Action for Children. first half of the right hon. Gentleman’s answer, I wonder I have seen their report, “On Our Own Two Feet”, and whether the fact that financial services companies donated we will provide the funding to make the scheme a reality 51% of all funds to the Conservative party has led to a for looked-after children. conflict of interests that prevents adequate regulation. Mr Edward Timpson (Crewe and Nantwich) (Con): Mr Osborne: I think that I pointed out in an earlier As chairman of the all-party group on looked-after exchange that an ex-Lehman Brothers and RBS banker children and care leavers, I warmly welcome my right contributed to the leadership campaign of the shadow hon. Friend’s announcement today. Is he aware that the Chancellor, so if the hon. Member for Sefton Central proposal has widespread cross-party support? The fact (Bill Esterson) wants to make that point again, and if that the Government have listened to all representations you would allow, Mr Speaker, perhaps he could intervene. and taken steps to make provision for the most vulnerable children in our society is extremely welcome. Sir Peter Tapsell (Louth and Horncastle) (Con): Does the Chancellor agree, as I do, with the Governor of the Mr Osborne: I thank my hon. Friend for those words Bank of England in asserting that if we are to avoid of support. I know that he has personal experience, another banking crisis in this country, we must have a through the work his family have done with children in complete separation between commercial and investment care, of the contribution that society can make to banks, which of course create these collateralised debt helping these children. Frankly, all Governments have obligations? struggled to provide a decent level of care for the 835 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 836 children to whom we owe the greatest obligation. As I The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine said, I will engage with interested Members of Parliament, Greening): The VAT forecast is estimated on an aggregate particularly my constituency neighbour, the right hon. basis, as registered traders are not required to record in Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East, and the two their VAT return the type of goods or services on which charities that produced the report to make this a reality VAT has been collected. and get it up and running as soon as possible. Albert Owen: I agree with the Prime Minister that Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): May I remind the VAT is a regressive tax that hits the poorest hardest. Chancellor that he broke his original election promise—a Today’s figures show that the rise has also pushed up promise he made in the general election and ripped up inflation, hitting people in their pockets and at the on 3 January—to provide a trust fund for the poorest pumps. Will the Treasury team look again at the VAT third of families? I welcome his announcement today, rise on fuel—which is hurting motorists, hauliers, businesses but we will look at the detail. We pushed on this issue in and families across the country—and reverse it? Committee on the abolition of the child trust fund Bill, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe Justine Greening: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s and Sale East (Paul Goggins) has pushed outside that concern for motorists. However, I note that when the Committee. We welcome this announcement, but can VAT rise passed through Parliament on 13 July 2010, he the Chancellor say what that contribution will be and, did not vote against it. I assure him that the Government given that this is a Department for Education issue, as are looking at what we can do to support motorists, he has said, whether the provision will extend to Scotland, hauliers and businesses with the cost of fuel, but I have Wales and Northern Ireland, as the trust fund originally to say that his party’s proposal on VAT is illegal, unworkable did? and unfunded.

Mr Osborne: First, of course we will ensure that the Vernon Coaker: Does the Minister agree with the scheme is available across the UK, although the exact Transport Secretary—who, on the “Daily Politics” show design has to be determined with the charities. I have on 2 March, dismissed the rise in VAT as a spurious listened to the case made not so much by those on the argument—or does she agree with my constituents that Opposition Front Bench—if the right hon. Gentleman by adding £1.35 to the cost of filling up a 50-litre tank does not mind my saying so—but by the right hon. with fuel, the VAT rise is the wrong tax at the wrong Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East and the two time? charities concerned. The sum of money involved will be around £5 million. Justine Greening: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should talk to his former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, or the Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), There is a bit of good neighbourliness breaking out on the former Chancellor, who both said that our decision the eve of the Budget. I welcome the announcement to raise VAT was necessary to tackle the huge deficit that the Chancellor has made this afternoon. Three that was left by his party. Again, if he is so concerned quarters of young people leaving care do so with no about the VAT rise, how come he did not vote against it savings whatever, yet they are expected to be almost last July? totally self-reliant. As ever, the devil will be in the detail, but I am certainly prepared to work with the charities and his Ministers to ensure that we get a scheme that is Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con): Will my hon. Friend effective in giving support to care leavers. confirm that the Government inherited plans for six increases in fuel duty from their predecessor, four of which have yet to come into effect? Of all the groups of Mr Osborne: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for people who are quite reasonably concerned about the his support—we are one big happy coalition on this increasing cost of fuel, surely the least qualified is the issue. I will ask Treasury officials to engage with him so Labour party. that we get this right. We have to work in a way that is not bureaucratic, but gets money to those who really need it. Having looked at the issue, I think perhaps the Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. best route is to work closely with the charities that know In fact, the previous Government introduced 12 duty the sector best. Let us work together and make the rises during their time in office. As he pointed out, they scheme work. also legislated for a further six rises, bringing in the fuel duty escalator, and these would have been on top of inflation rises. It was absolutely amazing to see the VAT (Road Fuel) Labour party table a motion last week bemoaning the amount of tax that motorists are paying, when they 3. Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): If he will estimate legislated for all— the revenue to the Exchequer attributable to receipts from the increase in the standard rate of value added Mr Speaker: Order. I am grateful to the Minister, but tax on road fuel. [47920] we must concentrate on the policy of the Government.

5. Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): If he will estimate Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): I am sure that the revenue to the Exchequer attributable to receipts the Chancellor will respond to the concerns of the motorist from the increase in the standard rate of value added tomorrow in a fiscally responsible and environmentally tax on road fuel. [47922] sustainable way, but does the Minister agree that road 837 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 838 fuel duty is a blunt instrument for taxing motoring, and Lindsay Roy: I thank the Minister for that answer. that what we need in the long run is a more flexible, Will he tell us what impact the VAT rise has had so far market-oriented mechanism for taxing road use? on himself and his family?

Justine Greening: Obviously, my hon. Friend has his Danny Alexander: The VAT rise of course leads to ideas about how he would like to see motorists being increased prices in the shops, and that affects everyone taxed in relation to the environment. He will be aware in the House. that the way in which vehicle excise duty is structured encourages motorists to purchase and use cars with Mike Gapes: The Chief Secretary to the Treasury had lower emissions. a meeting—a crisis meeting, according to The Daily Telegraph—with senior retailers a few weeks ago. Was Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): On the day that there any discussion of the impact of the VAT rise at diesel prices have hit a new high and inflation has that meeting? jumped higher still, making the squeeze on living standards even worse, why do not the Government admit that they Danny Alexander: I did indeed meet senior retailers got it wrong on VAT and give struggling working people from the British Retail Consortium and we discussed a some much-needed support by reversing the Tory VAT whole range of issues in a private meeting. If the hon. rise on petrol, which would take 3p off the price of a Gentleman is interested in the consortium’s views, he should litre? Just do it! listen to what its director general said on 20 October, the day of the spending review. He said that delays in Justine Greening: The hon. Lady says, “Just do it!”, public expenditure cuts but she should know that that is simply not legally “would just store up more pain for later, risking increased borrowing possible. She fully understands that. The reason that the costs, higher taxes and more job losses.” Opposition are talking about that is that the fuel duty rises that are coming through were legislated for by Labour, so they are desperately looking for something Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): Which to say about an issue that they themselves created. She does my right hon. Friend think is the lesser evil: a rise knows that her policy on the VAT rise is illegal, totally in VAT that does not apply to food or children’s clothes, unworkable and completely unfunded. Labour wants to or taking almost 1 million of the lowest paid workers take seven years to support motorists; we want to see out of income tax altogether? what we can do to support them now. Danny Alexander: I certainly think that our Government Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Will the Minister tell have got their priorities right when it comes to lifting us by how much duty has risen in recent years, and the burden of income tax on low-income workers. The whether the person who put the duty up is in the House increase in the personal allowance by £1,000, which will today? come into effect in April this year, will ensure that 880,000 low-income workers will no longer pay income tax. Furthermore, 23 million basic rate taxpayers will Justine Greening: When the Labour Government came see a tax cut of £200 next year. to power in 1997, fuel duty was 36.86p per litre. By the time they left office, it had risen to 57.19p per litre. As I am sure my hon. Friend is aware, one of the architects John Thurso (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) of those tax rises was then the chief economic adviser (LD): Has my right hon. Friend considered the letter to the Treasury; he is now the shadow Chancellor. sent to him by the chair of the tourism group of the Sutherland Partnership, which outlined the importance of tourism for employment in the area and the barriers Employment (VAT Rise) that VAT is creating, particularly in relation to road fuel? Is there anything that the Government can do to 4. Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): What assessment mitigate that effect? he has made of the effect on levels of employment of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax. Danny Alexander: I have seen that letter and, as a [47921] fellow highland MP, I am fully aware of the impact that high fuel prices have on families and individuals. We 8. Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): What have already taken steps to deliver a 5p duty discount to assessment he has made of the effect on levels of island communities, and I hope that we will be able to employment of the increase in the standard rate of do what we can tomorrow, but that will be a matter for value added tax. [47925] the Chancellor to announce in the Budget statement.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): Mr Speaker: Eric Joyce is not here. I call Andrew The Government have taken urgent and unavoidable Stephenson. action to tackle the deficit and to put the public finances on a sustainable footing. That is essential for jobs and Manufacturing growth. Raising the standard rate of VAT is an important element of the plan and, in November, the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast, which took full account 7. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What fiscal of the VAT increase, was for total employment to rise measures he has taken to support economic growth in by 1.1 million in 2015. the manufacturing sector. [47924] 839 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 840

12. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) economist at the CBI said contrasts with the hon. (Con): What fiscal measures he has taken to support Gentleman’s remarks about manufacturing. The chief economic growth in the manufacturing sector. [47929] economist said: “The outlook for UK manufacturing output growth is very The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): encouraging.” Manufacturing is now expanding after years of contraction. We are going to support manufacturing. We have the In order to support it, the June Budget contained four corporation tax cut that I announced in last June’s reductions in the main rate of corporation tax and a Budget, and we have the new centres for innovation and cut in the small companies rate from 21% to 20%. The manufacturing. We are going to help manufacturing, manufacturing sector is expected to gain over £250 million whereas Labour shrank manufacturing. annually when the package is fully implemented. We have committed ourselves to 75,000 more apprenticeships Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): and nine university-based centres for manufacturing. Talking of making things, a small manufacturing firm Tomorrow’s Budget will set out further details of the in my constituency is investing in the development of a Government’s plan for sustainable, private sector-led, new engine. If it moved into production, hundreds of balanced growth. jobs would be created in the 15th most deprived area in the country.Will the Chancellor tell us why the Government Andrew Stephenson: On Friday I visited Kirk have cut Labour’s investment allowances, which would Environmental, a company in Nelson that specialises be just the thing to help and support a small and vital in turning waste into electricity and usable biogas. It is manufacturer like the one in my constituency? experiencing rapid sales growth internationally, is recruiting more locally, and is at the forefront of the United Mr Osborne: Manufacturers, including the one to Kingdom’s transition to a low-carbon economy. What which the hon. Lady has referred, benefit to the tune of incentives is my right hon. Friend providing to encourage £250 million from the reductions in corporation tax such companies to invest more in Pendle and in the that we announced in the June Budget. That is what we United Kingdom? have done to support British industry. As I have said, under the Labour Government British industry shrank: while the share of the economy taken by financial Mr Osborne: As I am sure my hon. Friend knows, in services grew by a third, the manufacturing share halved. the spending review we allocated £860 million to the new renewable heat incentive, and earlier this month, in George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Does my right the House, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hon. Friend agree that, as we see signs that business for Energy and Climate Change announced the introduction confidence in the economy is being restored, tomorrow’s of the first phase of the scheme. It provides financial Budget presents a key opportunity to support the high- incentives to support a range of technologies and fuels, technology entrepreneurs who put their own wealth at including those involving the use of biogas. I hope that risk in starting the businesses of tomorrow? that will help excellent companies such as Kirk in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. Mr Osborne: Yes, we will support enterprise and innovation in tomorrow’s Budget, but my hon. Friend Stephen Metcalfe: Does the Chancellor regret the will have to be patient and wait until then to hear about fact that manufacturing declined by 50% under the last the precise measures that are involved. Government? What plans has he to reverse that trend as we rebalance our economy, so that companies actually Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): start to make things again in the United Kingdom, as Manufacturers up and down the country and the whole they are already doing in South Basildon and East House are awaiting the Chancellor’s long-delayed growth Thurrock? strategy to be published tomorrow, but I have a copy of that document with me today. It says: Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend is right. The share of “Growth comes first for this Government” manufacturing in our economy halved during the years and that their strategy will of the Labour Government. However, there is good “underpin private confidence, investment and job creation.” news today: the CBI industrial trends survey shows that total order books are growing for the first time in three The Chancellor has no need to worry however, as I will years. We are determined to move from an unbalanced not be handing this document to the press. I read it last economy that placed all the bets on the City of London night and, frankly, there is nothing in it worth leaking. to an economy that grows across the regions and in all Has this document been audited by the Office for sectors. Budget Responsibility? Is the Chancellor really clear that getting rid of maternity and paternity rights and enterprise zones will boost jobs and growth in our Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op): The trade- economy? Is this going to be enough to stop the Budget weighted exchange rate has fallen by 20% in the last few growth forecast tomorrow being downgraded for this years. Manufacturing has not increased as much as we year and next? expected, and there are even worse figures for the investment industry. What is the Chancellor doing to ensure that Mr Osborne: I am not sure that that is the document we gain the advantages of that exchange rate depreciation? in question—but if the right hon. Gentleman hands it over, I will have a look—because we are not getting rid Mr Osborne: I do not know why Opposition Members of maternity and paternity rights, so I do not know want to talk down the British economy. What the chief where he got that from. Besides, I have a copy of his 841 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 842 document, and it contains all the spending commitments Debbie Abrahams: Will the Chief Secretary explain to he has been making. If he cannot control his own my constituents who are either unemployed or facing Front-Bench colleagues, how on earth is he going to redundancy how his Government’s catastrophic economic control the nation’s finances? policy is in the interests of the country? Clearly, we are not all in this together. Ed Balls: Is this really the best the right hon. Gentleman can do? I bet he will have Treasury officials scrabbling Danny Alexander: I hope the hon. Lady will take the around all afternoon trying to deliver a further 1p cut in opportunity to explain to her constituents that it is the corporation tax tomorrow and a further tax cut for the legacy of the previous Labour Government that has banks. Let us wait and see. The fact is that a year ago caused the enormous mess and all the problems in our inflation was low and unemployment was falling, and economy. They left us with the largest Budget deficit in a year on, as we see today, inflation is up to 4.4% and Europe, and one of the largest in the world. Countries borrowing is higher than a year ago, not to mention in our position have to take the sort of action we have unemployment. If the Chancellor will not listen to me, taken, or risk being in a much deeper mess. If that is will he listen to his colleague who said: what she is advocating, I suggest she tells her constituents. “We must not cut Government spending too soon and risk plunging a fragile recovery back into recession. Cuts without Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): We are spending economic growth will not deal with the deficit”? £120 million a day on debt interest—£1 billion by the The Business Secretary was right. Why will the Chancellor end of next week. How many representations has my not listen? right hon. Friend received from reputable international and national organisations advising him to slow the pace of deficit reduction? Mr Osborne: The right hon. Gentleman really needs to brush up on his question practice, but let me say this Danny Alexander: None. The hon. Lady will be aware to him: the idea that we were somehow left a fantastic of the report that the OECD published last week, which economy by the Labour party is quite the most ludicrous strongly endorsed our plans. Its general secretary, Angel claim in the country, and the only reason he makes it is Gurría, said that the fiscal position we inherited was because he was responsible for the economic mess that “clearly unsustainable” and that the left this country on the brink of bankruptcy. “consolidation measures and plans that the”— Government— Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): One of this country’s great manufacturing success “have put in place were therefore vital.” stories is world-leading subsea engineering that has I agree with that. grown up on the back of investment in the North sea oil and gas industry, based in my constituency but working Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Today’s throughout the United Kingdom. What reassurance inflation figures show a sharp leap in the retail prices can the Chancellor give my constituents that the index to 5.5%, the highest level in 20 years. That hits not Government will build on their constructive relationship only living standards, but public service expenditure to ensure a fiscal regime that maximises investment in plans. Is the Chief Secretary sticking to the coalition North sea oil and gas production and exploration and agreement guarantee of real-terms growth for the NHS that boosts the manufacturing that supports that? in each year or is he resolutely sticking to his plan A, regardless of economic realities? Mr Osborne: Of course we want to ensure that we prolong the life of the North sea fields. One area on Danny Alexander: We are sticking to the spending which we can work with the industry is ensuring greater plans that we set out in the spending review, and that is certainty about decommissioning costs and about the the right thing to do. Of course I understand that tax regime that was operated under previous Governments inflation has an effect on people’s living standards, and how that will apply over the next 10 years. I hope to which is why it is particularly important to emphasise work with the industry on that. the increase in the personal income tax threshold—£1,000 extra on the threshold—that comes into force this April, which will put £200 back into the pockets of hard-working Public Expenditure Reductions people in this country. That is the action this Government are taking to help people through these difficult times. 9. Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab): If he will review the pace of proposed reductions Budget Deficit in public expenditure to take into account GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2010. [47926] 10. Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con): By what date he expects revenue to the Exchequer The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): to match levels of public expenditure. [47927] I welcome the hon. Lady to the House. The short answer to her question is no. Of course, growth in the The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark final quarter of last year was disappointing, but, as we Hoban): Excluding capital expenditure, the Office for always said, the recovery in the early stages would be Budget Responsibility forecasts revenue to exceed current choppy. Deficit reduction is the essential precondition expenditure by 2015-16. This is further evidence that for growth, and the OBR’s November forecast stated this Government believe that the country should live that we would see growth in every year of the forecast. within its means. 843 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 844

Stephen Phillips: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David that answer. The shadow Chancellor was reported as Gauke): Consistent with the approach taken at the June saying in Saturday’s The Daily Telegraph: Budget, the Government will publish analysis on the “The idea that Labour profligacy caused the crisis is utter Budget’s overall impact on households across the income tosh.” and expenditure distributions in the Red Book. The Does my hon. Friend agree that the only tosh to be seen Budget is an overall statement of economic policy in that statement is the suggestion that Labour had not containing a wide range of measures, and it is not created the mess we are in? Is it not the case, as the CBI possible to make a robust assessment of its overall has said, that the previous Government’s target of balancing impact on specific groups. the budget by 2018 was set too far off to— Helen Goodman: I am surprised by that answer. Since Mr Speaker: Order. We are asking about current policy, the general election, the Government have made 17 distinct and some of these questions are simply—[Interruption.] cuts to tax credits and child benefit, which are paid to Order. We have got the gist. women. Tomorrow, the Chancellor will announce increases in personal allowances, which will benefit millions more men than women. Does the Minister think it is fair that Mr Hoban: My hon. and learned Friend is absolutely money should be taken from women to give it to men? right, and a number of organisations, both at home and abroad, have criticised the lack of ambition of the previous Chancellor’s plans. That is why the Obama Mr Gauke: All I can say is that I am surprised that the Administration, the International Monetary Fund, the hon. Lady is opposed to increases in personal allowances OECD, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the CBI, the and I suspect that she might be somewhat lonely in the Governor of the Bank of England, 35 leaders of British Lobby opposing it. businesses, the European Commission, the World Bank, three major credit rating agencies and the world’s biggest Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): Is the Minister aware of bond trader have been backing our plans—the only my freedom of information request from last September person the shadow Chancellor can find to back his is which found that the previous Government never carried The Guardian. out an equalities impact assessment—not in the March Budget, the December pre-Budget report or the March Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): Public 2010 Budget? They never did it either. expenditure is to be matched by revenue in 2015, but has the Treasury made any estimate of the amount of Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry but I must repeat, and growth and employment that will have been forgone by I hope that the message will be heeded, that questions these policies of making too-deep cuts too quickly? must be about the policy of the current Government.

Mr Hoban: The hon. Gentleman should pay attention Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Does to the forecast produced last year by the OBR indicating my hon. Friend agree that raising the income tax threshold, that the economy would continue to grow in each year protecting spending on the NHS and increasing spending of this Parliament. on social care will definitely benefit women?

Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): Does my Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to hon. Friend agree that real progress on growth has to be highlight this point. Some of us recall the difficulty in made through not only matching expenditure, but cutting getting distributional analyses out of the previous the deficit, and that the OECD says that the only way Government and it has to be said that this Government we will get future growth is by ensuring that the deficit are taking great steps forward. plans are continued and this Government pursue their policy? Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): The Chancellor chose to hit women three times as hard as men in his Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Budget last year and now, as living costs rise and the OECD is one of a number of organisations that have public sector is slashed, he wants to hit them yet again supported our plans. The IMF has said: by changing the rules around maternity and paternity “The government’s strong and credible multi-year fiscal deficit leave and flexible working in small companies. Is it reduction plan is essential to ensure debt sustainability.” really women whom the Prime Minister has in mind when he talks about taking on the enemies of enterprise, That theme continues to come across from international and can the Minister reassure the House that it will not organisations, which demonstrates that we are on the be women who bear the brunt of tomorrow’s Budget? right track to get this economy growing again and ensure that Britain continues to live within its means after a decade of a Labour Government who maxed out Mr Gauke: This is pretty desperate stuff. It is in the on the nation’s credit cards. interests of the entire country that we sort out the public finances, even if the Labour party will not accept that. Budget (Impact Assessments) Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): Does the 11. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): If he Minister agree that the fact that we are not cutting the will (a) prepare and (b) publish an assessment of the NHS will really support women because they are so relative effect of his forthcoming budget on women, often carers in their family and it is so important that families and ethnic minorities. [47928] we support them in that important role? 845 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 846

Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is absolutely right and it The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark is striking that the previous shadow Chancellor and the Hoban): The Government have received a number of previous shadow Health Secretary said that it was madness representations for the Budget referring to the need to to ring-fence the NHS. That is not the view of this reduce the budget deficit. In addition, the Government’s Government. strategy has been endorsed by a number of organisations, including the OECD, which said in January that the VAT (Road Fuel) Government should “stay the course…The fiscal situation in the UK absolutely requires this approach”. 13. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): What assessment he has made of the effect on road fuel prices Mark Lancaster: The Government’s plan to eliminate of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax. the deficit by 2015 is in stark contrast to the Darling [47930] plan, which was simply to reduce it by half. What assessment has the Minister made of the likely impact The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David of the Darling plan on the level of debt and the cost of Gauke): How much of the rise in the standard rate of servicing it? VAT is passed on to consumers is a commercial decision for retailers. Mr Hoban: If we had continued with the previous Government’s deficit reduction plan, debt would still be Anas Sarwar: I thank the Minister for that answer. rising in 2015, not falling, meaning that we would have Treasury Ministers are very wrong to suggest that the to spend an extra £3 billion in one year on debt interest calls to scrap the VAT increase on fuel is illegal and while still having to make spending cuts. The lack of unworkable. There is precedent for it: the French President ambition in the previous Government’s plan put our recently got a derogation from EU laws for French credit rating at risk, thus threatening the prospect of restaurants. Will this Government stand up for UK higher interest rates and putting a brake on the recovery. families who have been hard hit by the rise in fuel costs and look for derogation powers on fuel duty? Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): When such representations were being made, was the Minister Mr Gauke: A week ago, the shadow Chancellor was conscious of the effect that these cuts might have on saying that we needed an immediate cut in the tax on young people in our country? Did he look at last week’s fuel and now the Labour party is saying that we should level of unemployment among young people? When start a process that will take about seven years. That will his Government do something for young people in does not strike me as being terribly helpful. this country?

Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): In terms of the Mr Hoban: The legacy left by the previous Government value for money of decisions taken by the Treasury, was that youth unemployment was continuing to rise. whether on road fuel tax or other things, does the The other problem with which the Opposition left us Minister agree that one of the best value creations of was that our children and grandchildren would have to this Government has been the increase in apprenticeships, pick up the tab for Labour’s mismanagement of our which is widely appreciated around the country? Does economy. We need to get the deficit down to create the he agree that apprenticeships are critical both to our foundations for economic growth to ensure that more growth strategy and to the reduction of youth— young people are back in work.

Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry, but that question Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Chief Secretary suffers from the disadvantage that it bears absolutely no to the Treasury has certainly received representations relation whatever to the question on the Order Paper. from me on such measures, including about the estimated loss to the Exchequer of more than £100 million due to Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I suggest tax avoidance through low value consignment relief on a much quicker way of changing the VAT rate without VAT. Will the Minister at least confirm that the that being illegal—by pulling out of the European Government’s conclusions on that will be shared with Union? us in tomorrow’s Budget?

Mr Speaker: I have to say that that was not much Mr Hoban: I encourage my hon. Friend to be patient. better, but the Minister may have a go. Economic Growth Mr Gauke: To be fair, if we wanted to reduce tax on fuel through the VAT rate that is exactly what we 15. Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): What would have to do, so perhaps that is not the best way of recent assessment he has made of the effect on economic doing it. growth of the spending reductions set out in the June 2010 Budget. [47932] Budget Deficit 16. Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) 14. Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the effect What recent representations he has received on measures on economic growth of the spending reductions set out to reduce the budget deficit. [47931] in the June 2010 Budget. [47933] 847 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 848

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine Greening): yet today the UK enjoys one of the lowest interest rates The independent Office for Budget Responsibility’s of any major country. Does the Minister have an November economic and fiscal outlook takes into account explanation for that? the spending plans set out in the 2010 spending review. The hon. Gentlemen ask about a recent assessment, Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is right to point and I can tell them that the OBR will publish an out that the previous Government maxed out the country’s updated forecast alongside tomorrow’s Budget. credit card. Worse still, they want us to hand on those debts—their debts—to our children and grandchildren. Mr Kevan Jones: Durham university’s economic model The reason that we have been able to enjoy lower shows that between 45,000 and 50,000 individuals will interest rates for our borrowing than countries such as lose their jobs in the north-east of England as a direct Ireland is that the markets know that we have a plan to result of public expenditure cuts, including 20,000 in get our public finances back into shape. That is benefiting the private sector. What message does the Minister have this country every day. for those individuals and also for the 10.2% of the north-east population who find themselves unemployed? Topical Questions

Justine Greening: Coming from a Labour Member, T1. [47943] Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) given that unemployment rose during his party’s time in (LD): If he will make a statement on his departmental government, people will find that pretty hypocritical. responsibilities. The only way in which we will get sustainable jobs and a sustainable economy that is not as reliant on the public The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): sector will be to carry out our deficit reduction plan. The core purpose of the Treasury is to ensure the The hon. Gentleman will hear more about our growth stability of the economy, promote growth and jobs, review tomorrow. reform banking and manage the public finances so that Britain finally starts to live within her means. Mr Robinson: Is not the Minister aware that all the independent indicators and forecasters suggest that there Tom Brake: More than 1,500 people in Sutton will be will be a sustained period of low growth below forecast, taken out of paying income tax altogether from next and that almost every single economic indicator is month as a result of the increase in the tax threshold. going in the wrong direction? Can she not therefore see What estimate has the Chancellor made of the number that the Chancellor’s plan is simply not working? Why of people who will be taken out of paying tax altogether are the Government in denial about that? in 2015, when the tax threshold is increased to £10,000?

Justine Greening: I simply do not agree. As we have Mr Osborne: I think my hon. Friend is getting a little heard, every independent forecaster is backing our fiscal ahead of himself. The commitment is to a real-terms consolidation plan. The hon. Gentleman talks about increase in the personal tax allowance in each and every evidence, but the retail sales volume grew strongly in year. People will have to wait for the Budget tomorrow. January. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and The increase of £1,000 in the personal tax allowance Supply purchasing managers index grew faster in January has taken 900,000 people of out of tax. than analysts expected, while manufacturing reached a record high. Only today, the CBI industrial sector survey T4. [47946] Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) says that orders are going up. Our economy is rebalancing (Lab/Co-op): Writing in The Independent at the end of over time, and although the hon. Gentleman says that 2009, the then shadow Chancellor said: there is no evidence for that, there is such evidence. “If I become Chancellor, the Treasury will become a green ally, There is job creation, and that is what we will need if we not a foe.” are to turn our public finances around. Will that pledge be reflected in tomorrow’s Budget?

Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): Is it Mr Osborne: Yes, it will. not the case that the Government’s debt reduction plan is absolutely right, as we see in the gilt market and the country’s credit rating? Is it not also true that, throughout T2. [47944] Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) history, coalition and Conservative Governments clean (Con): The Financial Services Authority’s mortgage up the economic mess left by socialists? market review stated: “Our existing regulatory framework has been shown to be ineffective” Justine Greening: My hon. Friend is right. The consequence of that economic mess is that Labour and that Governments always leave unemployment higher than “regulatory reform is needed to reduce the probability and severity when they came into office. It is always that that we seek of future financial crises”. to tackle. He is right that there is no alternative plan. Does the Minister agree? We have heard about a defunct plan for VAT and petrol, but we have not heard from the Opposition any plan to The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark tackle the deficit. They said they would have some Hoban): My hon. Friend is right. The mortgage market thoughts. Clearly, they are totally thoughtless. needs reform, but it needs stability as well, which is why I welcome the statement by the FSA today. It says that Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) (Con): The Government it will not introduce reforms this year and will take into inherited the largest budget deficit of any major country, account overall economic stability before it introduces 849 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 850 any further changes. It has also made it clear that place and it is supported by the international community. lenders should not pre-empt any conclusions from its The result of all this is that we have interest rates that review. are closer to Germany’s, despite having been left a deficit that is bigger than Portugal’s or Greece’s. T5. [47947] Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Can the Chancellor confirm that between 1990 and 1997 the Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): Will the Chancellor proportion of tax paid on a litre of fuel rose from 59% make every effort to keep the House informed about the to 75%? Can he also confirm that the proportion of tax cost of our operations in Libya by providing an estimate paid then fell by more than 10% between 1997 and at the earliest opportunity? Will he also tell us whether 2010? those costs will be funded from the Ministry of Defence budget or drawn from the Treasury reserve? Mr Osborne: What I can confirm is that Labour left us with six duty rises. Now they are wriggling desperately to find some excuse to get off the hook they put Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend alerted me to the fact themselves on. that he might ask this question. The House will understand that it is too early to give a robust estimate of the costs T3. [47945] John Pugh (Southport) (LD): Can the of the operations in Libya, but I can say that they Chancellor tell me when the Treasury’s detailed investigation should be modest compared with some other operations, of the feasibility of incorporating a general anti-avoidance such as Afghanistan. The MOD’s initial view is that rule in British tax law will conclude? they will be in the order of tens of millions of pounds, not hundreds of millions. I can tell the House today The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David that whatever they turn out to be, the additional costs Gauke): My hon. Friend is right to highlight the matter. of operations in Libya will be fully met from the reserve. We have asked Graham Aaronson QC to undertake a study on the matter and he will report in the autumn. T9. [47951] Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): The Chancellor said on Sunday that the present financial T6. [47948] Mrs Linda Riordan (Halifax) (Lab/Co-op): difficulties were the result of “a decade of overspending”, Following the announcement last week by Lloyds of so can he tell the House why in July 2008, 11 years into more job cuts, many of them in my constituency, to a a Labour Government, the then Leader of the Opposition, work force that has showed total loyalty to the company, now the Prime Minister, told the CBI conference and as the Government own a large percentage of the “we are sticking to Labour’s spending totals”? company—a company that made more than £2 billion profit last year—will the Chancellor intervene to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods, and stop the constant Mr Osborne: What we did on coming into office was drip-feed of job losses by Lloyds? set out a credible plan to reduce the budget deficit that has moved this country out of the financial danger Mr Osborne: Of course we are concerned when people zone. One month ago, the shadow Chancellor told his lose their jobs, including in the banking sector, but what entire Front Bench not to make any spending commitments, Lloyds is undergoing is the process of merging HBOS and after that they committed to more than £10 billion with Lloyds bank, which was waved through by the of spending commitments. They have opposed £50 billion previous Government. of the cuts. It is completely incredible, and that is why they cannot find any reputable organisation in the T7. [47949] Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I world to agree with them. have had the privilege of talking to the Chancellor about a charter for entrepreneurs that I drew up, based Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): How high on discussions with entrepreneurs in and around would inflation need to be before we halted further Cambridge. I am sure he will not want to pre-empt quantitative easing, stopped printing money and raised what he will say tomorrow, but can he say that he has interest rates? looked carefully at some of those issues, in particular reforming the enterprise investment scheme and enterprise management incentives, and making research and Mr Osborne: The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy development tax credits easier for small companies? Committee is of course independent. It is set a target by the Chancellor, and I expect the Bank to pursue that Mr Osborne: I have a copy of the hon. Gentleman’s target. document here. He has some excellent ideas on promoting enterprise and entrepreneurs. He will have to wait until T10. [47952] Graeme Morrice (Livingston) (Lab): Contact tomorrow to see how we respond to them. a Family and the Children’s Trust have been campaigning for a change to the current rule that suspends disability T8. [47950] Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North living allowance payments for children under 16 once West) (Lab): Can the Chancellor not see that the figures they have spent 84 days in hospital. The cost of this is —current and forecast—for inflation, unemployment, around £3 million, compared with the overall deficit growth, borrowing and even the deficit are all way off reduction measures of £80 billion. As this is a financially his target? Can he not see that the plan is not working, driven measure, will the Chancellor undertake to discuss or is it a sad case of him not wanting to see? the funding issue with colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions so that some of the most severely Mr Osborne: What I would say to the hon. Gentleman disabled and sick children and their families continue to is this: we inherited a record budget deficit and there receive the financial support required when they need it was no credible plan to deal with it. We put a plan in most? 851 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 852

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): Treasury Committee that without the current austerity The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is bringing measures, our international borrowing rates would be forward proposals to reform the disability living allowance some 3% higher? system and replace it with a new personal independence payment. I am sure that he will have heard what the Mr Osborne: Of course, the Governor of the Bank of hon. Gentleman said and will be very happy to discuss England is one of many people who have pointed out the matter with him. that there was no credible plan when we came into office and that we have put a credible plan into place. Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The previous Government’s beer duty escalator was damaging to pubs, ill-considered and did not raise the revenue that it Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): The Chancellor should have done. Considering that the Prime Minister and other Ministers have cited investor confidence as has said that he wants this to be a pro-pub Government, the reason why they cannot revise their original plan for will we get some good news for pubs tomorrow? fiscal consolidation, but Jonathan Portes, the immediate former chief economist at the Cabinet Office, said: The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine Greening): “This is not a justification, economic or otherwise, for” The hon. Gentleman will have to wait until tomorrow’s not changing policy. He said that Budget, but he will recognise that in the emergency “it relies on an odd view of market psychology, one that says Budget last year we left beer duty frozen. markets have more confidence in governments that never adjust policy, even when it is sensible, from an economic perspective, to Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The Chancellor change course.” knows that the long-term solution to the spikes in fuel Why is he wrong? prices is a stabiliser or a regulator, and hopefully we will hear about that tomorrow. However, is he aware that the price rises in fuel over the past four of five weeks equate Mr Osborne: Our country’s credit rating was on to an additional £1,000 a year for running every truck in negative watch when we came to office and as a country the country? Does he not agree that that is hugely we did not have a credible plan to reduce the budget inflationary and utterly unsustainable? deficit. Since that plan has been put in place we have been able to see the effects because our market interest Mr Osborne: Of course, the very sharp rise in the world rates and our spreads over bunds have come down. We oil price has posed a challenge to lots of economies—all have interest rates that are closer to Germany’s despite, but the oil-exporting economies. That is one of the as I have said, having a budget deficit left to us that was headwinds currently facing the global economy.Specifically higher than either Greece’s or Portugal’s. on fuel duty and other issues, the hon. Gentleman will have to wait for the Budget. Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con): Would my right hon. Friend the Chancellor like to inform the House Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): which organisations have made representations to him Will my right hon. Friend undertake very carefully to that the deficit should be halved over the course of this consider improving the diversification of financial services Parliament? provision in the way that United Kingdom Financial Investments Ltd divests itself of taxpayers’ shareholdings Mr Osborne: The Guardian newspaper. in the banks? Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): The Chancellor Mr Osborne: I am very happy to consider a number might know that my constituent, Jenifer Herald, employs of ideas that have been put forward, but we have not yet 40 people in Northern Ireland in a number of Subway reached that stage. If we sold the bank shares today, cafés. The chief executive officer of that company has we would still be making a loss as a nation. That is an written to the Chancellor to say that inconsistent VAT indication of the scale of the banking crisis. When we policies on toasted sandwiches are damaging the growth come to put those banks back in the private sector, I am of that industry. Does the Minister intend to review sure that there will be a healthy debate in this Parliament how VAT applies to toasted sandwiches and does he, and elsewhere about how we treat the proceeds. like me, want to get his toasted sandwiches at a reasonable price? Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): Ministers will be aware that there is a sunset clause in the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010, which comes Mr Gauke: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for into effect in June. Does the Treasury have a view about his question. I, too, have received many representations renewing this important landmark legislation, which on this point. Of course, we keep VAT under review tackles the worst abuses of vulture funds? within the restrictions that exist.

Mr Gauke: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): Is the asking that question. That legislation will remain on the Minister aware that according to the Institute for Fiscal books and—I do not think we have announced this Studies, if we only halve the deficit rather than close it formally before—we will put it on a permanent footing. completely over the lifetime of this Parliament, we will spend an extra £10 billion on interest? Does he think Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) that that is money that would be better spent on schools (Con): Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Governor and hospitals in this country rather than foreign investment of the Bank of England confirmed to me recently in the bankers? 853 Oral Answers22 MARCH 2011 Oral Answers 854

Mr Osborne: I certainly do. This country is spending the corporation tax. More broadly, we have to get away £120 million a day on debt interest, which is now one of from a model of growth that was pursued over the last the largest items of Government spending. These are decade—based on excessive debt, and growth in one taxes we raise from people and money we borrow to pay sector, the City of London, in one corner of the country, debt interest. The truth about Labour’s plan is that it the south-east. We must have more balanced and sustainable would mean billions of pounds more in debt interest— growth in the future. something that will become clear later in the Parliament. Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): Does the Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab): I am sure the Chancellor of the Exchequer recall saying at the end Chancellor and his Front-Bench colleagues will be aware of 2007: of the recent Scottish Affairs Committee report on the “Today I can confirm for the first time that a Conservative computer games industry in the UK, which states that Government will adopt these”— there are “compelling reasons” for introducing tax relief. Labour’s— Can he tell me, the House and people in my constituency, where the industry is very important, just what progress “spending totals…to…the year 2010-11”? has been made? Does he regret calling the article, “Tories cutting services? That’s a pack of lies”? Mr Gauke: That industry, like other industries, will benefit from the policies that we have introduced to Mr Osborne: We got into office in 2010-11, and we ensure that we grow more strongly and have pro-business abandoned those spending plans for the years ahead. policies. On video games tax relief, we looked at it and did not feel that it achieved good value for money for Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): the taxpayer. The Chancellor has a strong commitment to open and transparent government. Will he therefore ask his officials Jessica Lee (Erewash) (Con): May I welcome the to look again at the number and value of special severance recent visit by the entire Cabinet, including of course payments paid by foundation trusts, which must be my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, to the city of reported to his Department but which his Department Derby, near my constituency? Manufacturers and wealth is not currently willing to disclose? creators have been waiting for a long time for some support in the east midlands, and I would be grateful if Danny Alexander: I should be very happy to look my right hon. Friend could set out what plans are in again at the matter and to talk to the hon. Gentleman place to assist in that important area. about it. Mr Osborne: At that meeting at Rolls-Royce, John Rose made a very compelling case for how little we had Several hon. Members rose— done as a country to support our manufacturing sector. We will set out policies tomorrow to assist, and we have Mr Speaker: Order. As usual, demand has exceeded already, as I said, put in place four annual reductions in supply, but I am afraid we must move on. 855 22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 856

Student Visas Legitimate colleges should still be able to recruit legitimate overseas students, but we need to stop the abuse and return some common sense to our student visa system. 3.32 pm The current system is based on a sponsorship regime The Secretary of State for the Home Department that trusts educational institutions to assess the quality (Mrs Theresa May): The UK has a worldwide reputation and ability of students, and puts the responsibility on for providing quality education to overseas students, the institution to ensure that the student is in fact and Britain is rightly the destination of choice for many studying and obeying the immigration rules. That trust people wishing to study abroad, but under the previous has been well placed in some sectors: universities, Government the student visa system became the symbol independent schools and publicly funded further education of a broken and abused immigration system. Labour colleges mostly take their sponsorship duties seriously claimed that it had capped unskilled immigration at and act responsibly. But some, particularly in the private zero, but it was happy just to sit back and watch as FE sector and parts of the English language college unskilled migrants abused the student route to come sector, are not exercising the due diligence we expect. here. We had too many people coming here to work and Those institutions make up the largest single group on not to study, we had too many foreign graduates staying the sponsor register. The sector is essentially unregulated; on in the UK to work in unskilled jobs, and we had too those institutions are not subject to a statutory system many institutions selling immigration, not education. of education inspection and can offer any type of We want to attract only the best and the brightest to course they like. Although some of them are legitimate, Britain. We want high-quality international students to for many their product is not an education, but immigration, come here, we want them to study at genuine institutions together with the ability to work here. whose primary purpose is providing a first-class education, and we want the best of them—and only the best of It is absolutely clear that the current regime has failed them—to stay on and work here after their studies are to control immigration and failed to protect real students complete. That is exactly what we are doing across all from poor-quality colleges. That is why the proposals I the immigration routes: tightening up the system, tackling am announcing today are unashamedly targeted at the the abuse and supporting only the most economically least trustworthy institutions. Our proposals protect the beneficial migrants. interests of our world-class universities, protect our leading independent schools and public FE colleges I have already announced and begun to implement and, ultimately, are in the best interests of legitimate our plans to limit economic migration—cutting the students. numbers by more than one fifth compared with last year. I will return to the House later this year with a In future, all sponsors will need to have been vetted consultation that will set out proposals to break the link by one of the approved inspectorates—Ofsted and its between temporary migration and permanent settlement. devolved equivalents, the Quality Assurance Agency or I also intend to consult on changes to the family migration the relevant independent schools inspectorate—and all route. I will be bringing forward proposals to tackle must become highly trusted sponsors. Once they achieve sham marriages and other abuse, promote integration that status, private colleges offering quality, bona fide and reduce the burdens on the British taxpayer. We aim training programmes of genuine educational value will to reduce net migration from the hundreds of thousands be able to continue to recruit legitimate international back down to the tens of thousands. students. All current sponsors who do not meet the The most significant migrant route to Britain is the requirements will be allowed to stay on the register for a student route, and we must take action there, too. short period from April 2011. During that time they Immigration by students has more than trebled in the will be limited in the number of students they may past 10 years, and it is now far larger than immigration sponsor. They will first have to apply for highly trusted through the work or family routes. It is unsurprising sponsor status and accreditation. They will then be that more and more overseas students are attracted by required to achieve highly trusted sponsor status no our world-renowned higher education institutions, but later than April 2012, and accreditation by the relevant there has also been an increase in abuse in the private agency by the end of 2012. further education sector. As well as cracking down on bogus colleges, we will Students now make up the majority of non-EU migrants: crack down on bogus students. Students who want to including their dependants, they accounted for about come here should be able to speak English, to support two thirds of the visas issued last year under the points- themselves financially without taking paid employment, based system. When Labour introduced the current and to show that they are coming for study, not for system in 2009, almost a third more student visas were work. So we will toughen up the entry requirements. issued that year than the year before—an increase from First, we will strengthen the evidence that students need 230,000 to 300,000. Numbers were so high that the UK to demonstrate that they have the financial means to Border Agency had to suspend student applications in fend for themselves. Secondly, we will streamline the some parts of the world because it could not cope with requirements for students from low-risk countries and the demand, and much of that demand was simply not prioritise resources on high-risk students. Thirdly, we genuine. We have so-called students turning up at Heathrow will toughen up the rules on English language competence. airport who cannot answer basic questions in English Those coming to study at degree level will have to speak or even describe what their course is about. One institution English at upper intermediate level; others will have to has an intake of 90% international students and asks speak English at intermediate level. UKBA officers will only for GCSE-level qualifications to do a supposedly be given the discretion to refuse entry to students who degree level course. Another college’s own sales agent cannot speak English without an interpreter and who actually helped a student to cheat in their entry exam. do not meet the required minimum standards. Let me 857 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 858 be clear: you need to speak English to learn at our We recognise the need to implement these changes in education establishments; if you can’t, we won’t give a staged manner that minimises disruption to education you a visa. providers and students. We will therefore implement the measures in three stages, starting with new rules, which If someone is coming to the UK as a student, study will be laid by the end of this month. I will publish the should be their main purpose, not work. So we will end full details shortly. permission to work during term time for all students other than those at university and publicly funded FE The package of measures that I have outlined today colleges. Students at public sector FE colleges will be is expected to reduce the number of student visas by allowed to work for 10 hours per week in term time, and between 70,000 and 80,000—a reduction of more than students at university for 20 hours per week. We will 25%—and it will increase the outflow of foreign students reduce the amount of work that can be done on work after they have concluded their studies. There will be a placement courses for non-university students from 50:50, proper system of accreditation to root out bogus colleges; as now, to two thirds study, one third work. At present, tough new rules on English language skills, financial students on courses of six months or more can bring guarantees, working rights and dependants, to root out their dependants with them. In 2010, over 31,000 student bogus students; and new restrictions on post-study work dependants came here. We will remove this right for all to make sure that all but the very best return home after but postgraduate students at universities and Government- study. This package will stop bogus students studying sponsored students. meaningless courses at fake colleges, protect our world-class institutions, stop the abuse that became all too common Coming to the UK to study for a course should, by under Labour, and restore some sanity to our student definition, be a temporary step, so we will limit the visa system. I commend this statement to the House. amount of time that students can spend in the UK. Too many students who originally came here for short courses have been staying for years and years by changing Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) courses, often without showing any tangible academic (Lab): I thank the Home Secretary for the half-hour’s progress. We will limit the overall time that can be spent advance sight of her statement, as has become the form on a student visa to three years at lower levels, as now, for the Home Office. Helpfully, however, we were, of and five years at higher levels. There will be exceptions course, able to read about the main changes in the for longer courses such as medicine and veterinary newspapers this morning. As has become the form for science, and for PhD study, but no longer will students this Government, we were also able to read opposing be able to stay here and switch from course to course to stories in opposing newspapers. The Business Secretary course. briefed the Financial Times that the policy had been completely changed so that he could support universities We want the best international graduates to stay and in expanding the number of their foreign students; the contribute to the UK economy.However, the arrangements Home Secretary promised The Sun that the policy meant that we have been left with for students who graduate in slashing foreign student numbers. Different policies for the UK are far too generous. They are able to stay for different papers, policies changing all over the place, two years, whether or not they find a job and regardless and an unseemly row at the heart of the Government—such of the skill level of that job. In 2010, when one in 10 UK is the chaos at the centre of the Government’s immigration graduates was unemployed, 39,000 non-EU students policy for students. with 8,000 dependants took advantage of that generosity. The Home Secretary is right to say that migration We will therefore close the current post-study work makes an important contribution to our economy, the route from April next year. In future, only graduates strength of our business and our vibrant society. She is who have an offer of a skilled graduate-level job from also right to say that migration needs to be properly an employer licensed by the UK Border Agency will be controlled to sustain social cohesion and an effective allowed to stay. Post-study migrants must be paid at labour market. She will recognise the importance of the least £20,000 or the appropriate rate for the occupation, higher and further education sector to the British economy. as set out in the relevant code of practice, whichever is Non-EU students contribute an estimated £5 billion to higher. That will prevent employers from recruiting the UK economy, support thousands of jobs in teaching migrants into skilled occupations but paying them less and related areas, and make education an extremely than the going rate. We estimate that had this measure important export industry.It is important that we recognise been applied last year, it would have halved the numbers that economic value in providing workable migration staying in the UK through this route. We will not policies. She will know that the Home Affairs Committee impose a limit on that group next year, but we will keep stated in its important report that it the position under review. If the number of foreign students entering the labour market as post-study workers “would caution against measures which could be detrimental to a increases significantly and unexpectedly, we will ask the thriving, successful industry.” Migration Advisory Committee to look at how abuses Does she recognise, too, that CentreForum has said that can best be addressed. That would potentially include moves to tighten the restrictions on overseas students the introduction of a separate temporary limit on post-study will risk nearly 12,000 jobs in education and another workers. 12,000 in the wider economy? As we restrict the post-study work route, we will Some of the damage has already been done. Anecdotally, ensure that innovative student entrepreneurs who are some universities are already noticing a significant drop creating wealth can stay in the UK to pursue their ideas. in applications from foreign students as a result of the The message to the brightest and the best students signals being sent out by the Home Secretary’s consultation. around the globe is clear: Britain’s world-class universities Does she believe that the 80,000 drop in student visas to remain open for business. which she has referred will consist entirely of visas for 859 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 860

[Yvette Cooper] the people on those visas will not be included in the net migration figures? Does that not expose the real con at bogus students on bogus courses, or does she believe the heart of her policy? Although she is making restrictions that some legitimate students, too, will be put off as a in one area, she is increasing the student visitor visas in result of the measures that she has announced? another area that does not count towards her net migration We agree that we should not tolerate bogus colleges targets. and fake students. People who want to come to this country The Home Secretary promised that she would put an need to play by the rules. That is why the Labour end to non-EU students working once they had finished Government introduced a system of highly trusted sponsors their course: the plan is ditched. She promised that she through our respected universities, and we support measures would put an end to non-EU applicants taking courses that will build on that, so long as they are introduced in that were not degrees: that plan is ditched. She promised a workable way. It is also why we closed 140 bogus a new border police force, and that is still on the colleges. Conservative party website, but instead the Government Can the Home Secretary tell the House how the have cut 5,000 staff from the UK Border Agency. UKBA is going to increase its checks on colleges and Time and time again policies are switched backwards students when it is facing staff cuts of 9,000? and forwards, and in the end, it is all because the Home What is the Home Secretary’s position now on free Secretary knows she cannot meet the promise that she degree courses? In the consultation she said that she made to cut migration numbers to the tens of thousands would introduce substantial restrictions on pre-degree by the end of this Parliament. Is that still her target, will level courses being covered by tier 4 visas, but there was she still deliver it by the end of this Parliament, and is it silence from her on that issue in her statement today. not time she made policies that are in the interests of Can she confirm that she has now ditched that proposal British universities, the British economy and a sensible, to remove pre-degree level courses? controlled migration policy, rather than taking risks with an important export industry for the sake of We also agree that there should be appropriate restrictions promises she knows she cannot keep? on students’ employment. It is welcome that the Home Secretary has taken into account some of the evidence about the international competitiveness of UK higher Mrs May: I have to say that I am incredibly disappointed education, but she put that into the context of trying to by the right hon. Lady’s response—but to be fair to her, help youth unemployment. Is not the truth that her there was one bright spark in it: she actually gave a figures will mean restricting post-study work permits statement on Labour’s immigration policy, which she for non-EU students by about 19,000 at a time when has failed to do for two months. She said that the youth unemployment is nearer 1 million? If she were Labour party agreed that migration should be properly serious about tackling youth unemployment she might controlled. Sadly, however, in every other statement be talking to the Chancellor about reversing some of his that the Opposition have made, be it in response to this cuts, and reinstating the future jobs fund. Is not the announcement or the announcement on curbing the truth that this policy is not about youth unemployment number of non-EU economic migrants, they have refused or bogus courses, but about hitting higher education to support the measures that will bring about that because she cannot meet her promise to cut net migration proper control. We see that policy approach from the to tens of thousands over the course of this Parliament? Labour party in relation to other things as well, such as public spending. The Opposition say they want to do What is now the Government’s policy towards foreign something, but do not support anything that would students studying bona fide courses at legitimate enable it to be done. institutions? Does the Home Secretary want their number to increase or fall? The Business Secretary has said of The right hon. Lady made an amazing series of the higher education sector: statements and asked an amazing series of questions. It would have helped her if she had actually listened to my “It’s an export industry; we want to grow it.” statement and looked at it properly before she responded. But the Home Secretary has said that she wants the She asked me whether it is still our aim to reduce net numbers cut. The Business Secretary wants more foreign migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens students, and she wants less. If Britain’s major universities of thousands, but as Hansard will confirm, the answer and colleges, faced with nearly £3 billion of cuts, decide to that was on page 3 of the text of my statement. The to expand their courses and double the number of very sentence I used was, “We aim to reduce net migration legitimate foreign students paying full fees in order to from the hundreds of thousands back down to the tens subsidise British students, will she support them or not? of thousands.” I said that in my statement; she did not If they increase their legitimate students by 80,000, will need to bother with that question. she support them or not? Let me go through the right hon. Lady’s other points. Finally, will the Home Secretary tell the House what I find it difficult to take some of her statements. She the position is on student visitor visas, which she did said that the previous Labour Government targeted not mention? Will she confirm that although she is bogus colleges, but listening to her, one would have restricting tier 4 student visas, in December she increased thought that immigration was fine under the previous the number of students and courses eligible for student Government—that it was controlled, and there were no visitor visas? Will she confirm that under that visa, problems with abuse of the student visa system. I could people can still apply for non-degree courses that are take such things from her a little better if student visas not run by highly trusted sponsors and do not have any had not increased by a third to 300,000 when the minimum language requirement? Will she confirm that Labour Government closed tier 3 of the points-based she has done nothing to prevent an increase of perhaps system. They were not controlling the student visa 80,000 in student visitor visas, and will she admit that system or immigration at all. Because of their lack of 861 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 862 control, the most recent figures show net migration of from legitimate overseas students in the coming year. over 200,000 in the last year. Far from Labour controlling Will she promise the House that in taking the necessary that, it was going up under the previous Government. tough measures in one area she will change the hyperbole There are one or two other facts that the right hon. and send the message to legitimate students across the Lady might like to reconsider. She claims that 9,000 staff world that they are welcome in the United Kingdom? have been cut in the UKBA, but that is not the correct figure; the correct figure is around 5,000. She said that Mrs May: As I said in my statement, the message to the Government were not going to do anything about the brightest and best students around the globe is courses below degree level. The whole point of the clear: Britain’s world-class universities remain open for private FE college sector is that it offers courses below business. However, as I have said to the university degree level. We intend to remove the bogus courses, colleges sector, we need to work together to ensure that that and students so that we can do what her Government positive message is the one given, not the negative one failed to do: deal with and control immigration. given by the shadow Home Secretary. The right hon. Lady made a lot of statements about the importance of universities to the UK. Yes, universities Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): are an important part of the UK economy. That is I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement, particularly precisely why the measures that I have introduced take on the retention of a reformed post-study work route, great pains to ensure that we protect universities. We are on which I was especially keen. Given her estimate that protecting universities, our independent school sector the reforms will lead to about 80,000 fewer student and public sector FE colleges, and we are ensuring that migrants, does she believe that our world-class universities, those who want to come here as legitimate students on such as the two excellent universities in my constituency, legitimate courses of study at legitimate institutions will still be able to recruit the brightest and the best, can do so. We are doing what she failed to do: we are which is what our economy so urgently needs? cracking down on the abuse. Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for her question, Several hon. Members rose— and for the considerable interest that she takes in the university sector. I can assure her that the proposals we Mr Speaker: Order. A great many hon. and right hon. have introduced today will ensure that universities are Members are seeking to catch my eye. I should like to protected and will continue to be able to attract the accommodate everyone who has an interest, but brevity brightest and best students from across the world. is vital if I am to have any realistic chance of doing so.

Mr Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West) (Con): Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): I welcome the Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have an unremunerated Home Secretary’s statement, particularly on behalf of interest as a governor of Manchester Metropolitan my unemployed constituents who are desperate to find university. work. Given that the numbers coming in and leaving the country are crucial to the whole debate, when will she Will my right hon. Friend clarify two points? First, be able to come to the House and announce a system what is her view of students progressing from courses for border controls that counts people in and counts on English for academic purposes to degree courses. them out again? Secondly, what about those progressing from proper undergraduate degree qualifications to postgraduate courses within the same or other British universities? Mrs May: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. This is an issue in which he has taken a long-standing interest. I will give two answers to his Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for his question, question. The e-Borders system, which is being put in because it enables me to clarify a point about students place, is partly working at the moment; complete application who currently do so-called pathway courses for English will come in 2015. In the next couple of months we will language. One of the points made clear to us by the also make proposals on settlement, in which I know he university sector was that it often has arrangements has taken a particular interest. with colleges to allow students without the required level of English to come and learn it at a pathway college and then progress to university. They will be able Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): Does to continue to do so, but the students entering the the Home Secretary agree that higher education in the college must be sponsored by the university.The university’s UK is world class, and that our top institutions should highly trusted sponsor status will cover those students, remain open for business to genuine students, but that and undergraduates who wish to progress to postgraduate bogus colleges, which provide nothing more than an studies will be able to do so. Our requirement for excuse for entry into the UK, should be forced to close progression is that it is clear that academic progression their doors promptly? is taking place, and obviously moving on to postgraduate study is exactly that. Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The package that we have introduced today will protect our Mr David Blunkett (Sheffield, Brightside and universities, which provide a world-class education. Students Hillsborough) (Lab): As a lifelong expert in hyperbole, should want to come here for that quality of education, I advise the Home Secretary to ease off on it in the and we need to crack down on bogus colleges. It gives message to undergraduate and postgraduate students the UK a bad name when people see that they can across the world. Some £25 million will be lost to the come here supposedly as students but not get a proper university of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam university education. 863 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 864

Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): problem of bogus colleges and bogus students, which It is estimated that the loss of income to higher education the Home Affairs Committee has been warning about resulting from the Government’s current policies on the for a long time, but on which no action had been taken. issuance—or non-issuance—of tier 4 permits for pre- She has announced that she will return a measure of university pathway courses is costing higher education independence to entry clearance officers, which is welcome. an enormous amount of money. I waited in vain during Will she consider returning to them—as recommended the Home Secretary’s statement for clarification on the by the Home Affairs Committee and Migrationwatch—the position pending the announcements. Will she make it wider discretion that was removed under the points-based clear whether tier 4 applicants can now come here to do system, which would be in the interests of both facilitating pre-university pathway courses? genuine students and keeping out bogus students?

Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman is correct: I did not Mrs May: Having spoken to UK Border Agency mention that in my statement; I referred to it in response officers at points of entry, I am conscious of the frustration to my hon. Friend the Member for Altrincham and Sale that they have felt at not having the discretion to deal West (Mr Brady). Pathway courses for students without with people whom they have plainly seen were not the correct level of English to enable them to study at coming here as bona fide students, so I am pleased to university will continue, but the student will need to be restore a degree of discretion to them. My hon. Friend sponsored by the university concerned—the highly trusted tempts me to go further than that, but that is not a path sponsor. down which I intend to go at the moment. There were some issues raised about the greater degree of discretion Mr Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) available previously, but we are constantly looking at (Con): In recent years I have been on the advisory our immigration system and the way in which UKBA board of the London School of Commerce. officers operate. I want to ask the Home Secretary about post-study work, as did my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): West and Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood). I have slight I welcome the continuation of the notion of trusted reservations. Given the excellence of our offering and status among the universities. When the Home Secretary the idea that we will get some phenomenally innovative finesses the rules, will she ensure sufficient scope for students from across the globe who will go back as universities to take into account the realities of the ambassadors for this country, has any research been circumstances that face them? In some areas of science done in the Home Office showing that we might lose and engineering, students come here with weak English some of those students to places such as the United but amazing skills and the ability to learn very quickly. States or Australia, or are we confident that the changes Equally, some post-doctoral or post-graduate students will have no such adverse impact? come here with spouses who do not speak English. Will she ensure that universities have the capacity to deal Mrs May: I am happy to tell my hon. Friend that with all those complex cases? there is no evidence that that will be the upshot. Our system is similar to those in operation elsewhere. It is Mrs May: We have already introduced some English wrong to say that the United States has a formal post-study language requirements for people coming here to marry work route; it does not. There are some abilities for somebody in the UK, but the English language requirement people to stay and do some work in the United States, relates to the post-graduate student who will be at but they are different. Indeed, in some ways our university, not to a spouse entering as the dependant. It requirements will continue to be less tough than those has been put to me that there are potentially a small in countries such as Australia. number of cases of people who are extremely bright, Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I thank the Home but who do not have the correct level of English. My Secretary for keeping to her promise to publish her answer to that is twofold. First, it will be open to those proposals after the Select Committee on Home Affairs people to go through a pathway course to the university. had published its report last week. I hope that she found However, secondly, we will retain a small margin of the report helpful. There is much to welcome in her flexibility where academic registrars have an individual statement—we recommended action on bogus colleges, student who is particularly brilliant but whose English reform of the post-study route and better accreditation—but they do not think will improve to the necessary level will she look at the two most important recommendations, within the time scale required. on whether students are migrants if they come here genuinely to study and then to leave, and on the issue of Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): May I congratulate data. Unless we have proper data, we can make only the Home Secretary and her Minister of State on this flawed policy. important and long overdue measure to put right years of neglect in the system? After the system has had time Mrs May: Obviously one is always looking to improve to settle down, will she consult the Migration Advisory the quality of the evidence on which policy can be Committee and ask for any recommendations it might based. As for whether students are migrants, we use the have on how to tighten up on bogus students? internationally accepted United Nations definition of “migrant”, which is somebody coming to stay for over Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for his welcome for 12 months. the statement. We are asking the Migration Advisory Committee generally to look annually at the immigration Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): I warmly arrangements that we are putting in place, but it will be welcome the package that the Home Secretary has consulted, as I made clear in my statement, if we find announced today and her determination to tackle the that the number of students staying on for post-study 865 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 866 work rises unexpectedly and significantly. We would ask Friend and the Business Secretary undertake to report the MAC to look into such a situation and to determine back annually to Parliament on this matter, to ensure whether any abuse was taking place, and that could that the successful import of academics into this country include the possibility of a limit. can continue?

Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): Mrs May: I can assure my right hon. Friend that we Will the Home Secretary tell us what the tone has been will be giving regular reports to Parliament on what we of the representations that she has received on this issue are doing on the immigration system. People will also from the Scottish universities and the Scottish Government? be able to see what is happening with other aspects of What have they said about the funding issues and about the system, as I have said; I shall be coming back to the competitive situation? The Home Secretary knows Parliament to discuss those as well. I am absolutely that we do not have a fixation with immigration in clear that what the coalition Government have announced Scotland; in fact, we are experiencing a structural fall in today will ensure that our universities can continue to population numbers. We also have no evidence of bogus attract students from across the world and to provide colleges. Will she consider an exemption for Scotland, world-class education. so that any unforeseen consequences of her announcement today do not impact on our universities north of the Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): Some of border? the brightest and best international students attend Trinity Laban, the dance and music conservatoire in my Mrs May: During the consultation, we had discussions constituency. Will students who wish to progress from with the Scottish Government and the Secretary of undergraduate to postgraduate studies have to return State for Scotland. He and I spoke about the concerns home to obtain visas, and will students be able to work that Scottish universities had raised with him, one of in this country if they are offered a job paying less than which related to students who had an entrepreneurial £20,000 a year, which is possible? Many have international idea and wished to stay on to launch a business. That is careers ahead of them. why we are ensuring that, within the post-study work rules, there will be a possibility to protect student entrepreneurs. Mrs May: Let me deal with the right hon. Lady’s second question first. A code of conduct will be agreed between the UKBA and the Department for Business, Lorraine Fullbrook (South Ribble) (Con): The shadow Innovation and Skills—obviously the Home Office will Home Secretary claimed last month that, under the look at it as well—and will set out the requirements for points system, “a lot of progress” was being made. Will the post-study work route. I outlined those requirements my right hon. Friend assess the progress that Labour briefly in my statement, but it will be necessary to made in controlling migration? consider particular sorts of occupation and the appropriate rates applying to them. As for the right hon. Lady’s first Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for her question. point, no, those students will not be required to return The answer is a very short one, because Labour did not home. make any progress in controlling migration, as we saw from the fact that it closed tier 3 of the points-based system, as though that would have some magic result Mr David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): for immigration, and all that happened was that the I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement, number of student visas went up instead. and congratulate her on her approach. Can she assure me that she will be tough and allow only legitimate Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): institutions on to the highly trusted sponsor list? That Given that a substantial segment of the economy of the would of course benefit us in the United Kingdom, but city of Manchester depends on the success of its world-class we must also be fair to students who come to the UK to universities, one of which occupies the biggest campus study. in western Europe, and that those universities have already begun to cut courses as a result of other Mrs May: My hon. Friend has made an extremely Government policies, can the right hon. Lady assure important point. It will not benefit the UK if people Manchester that her policies will not irrevocably damage throughout the world who have received the message the city’s economy, which is already suffering dreadfully that they can come here and be given an education end under this Government? up in a bogus college. We will certainly be tough on highly trusted sponsor status. We will ensure that there Mrs May: Yes, I can confirm that. The message that is proper accreditation in terms of the educational the right hon. Gentleman can take back to his constituents qualifications and educational standard that colleges is that the universities in Manchester are open for must offer, while the UKBA will look into whether they business to first-class international students, as they are observing immigration rules. always have been. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) Co-op): What level of English language qualification (LD): I thank the Home Secretary and her Cabinet will be required for students attending English language colleagues for listening to the representations of the schools? I understand from the proposals that even university communities. As the questions of exit visas students taking short courses will require an intermediate- and bogus colleges and the success of our students and level qualification. If that is the case, will it not prove universities are a continuing matter of concern for the damaging to many genuine colleges that make an important growth of the British economy, will my right hon. contribution to the economy in our constituencies? 867 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 868

Mrs May: The requirements will be B2 for university-level throughout the statement and in response to a number study and B1 for below degree-level study, so there will of questions, that the whole point of what we are be a B1 requirement for the pathway courses. As the proposing is to protect the universities while dealing hon. Gentleman will know—this enables me to answer with the bogus colleges. I think that is the right approach, a question asked earlier by the right hon. Member for and I hope it meets with agreement across the entire Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) House. —we are piloting a system enabling student visitor visas to remain valid for 11 months. The right hon. Lady Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): I welcome appeared to suggest that they were included in the the general thrust of the statement, and my constituents migration figures, but they are not. will be delighted to hear about it. I particularly welcome the statement that Britain’s universities are open for Yvette Cooper: That is the point. business to the brightest and best, but I must tell the Home Secretary that that perception does not hold Mrs May: They are not included in the migration good in China. In fact, the Chinese think we are closed figures, and they are therefore not covered by my statement. for business. What specific measures will the Home However, as the hon. Gentleman will probably know Secretary take to improve that situation? from discussions in which he has engaged in the past with, among others, the Minister for Immigration, my Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for his opening hon. Friend the. Member for Ashford (Damian Green), comment, but I do not think that there is any reduction the requirements of the English language colleges were in the number of applications from Chinese students of particular concern to us, and we have dealt with that wanting to come to the UK. However, as I have said in by piloting the extension of the visitor visas. answer to a number of other questions, we are absolutely clear about the purpose of what we are announcing Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I declare an today, and I have talked with the university sector about interest as a member of the university of Cambridge, the responsibility that it also has for ensuring that the one of the three excellent universities in my constituency. message is given that UK universities are open for I welcome the changes that the Home Secretary has business. announced, because the original proposals in the consultation would have caused a great deal of harm to Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): Which criteria much of our education industry. I was interested to hear will the Home Office use to differentiate low-risk and what she said about student entrepreneurs. How will high-risk origin countries, and will they change as a that system operate? Will it form part of the post-study result of today’s announcements? work system, and will it apply only to new applicants? Will we be telling students who came here expecting a particular set of post-study work rules that they will be Mrs May: We already have a list of low-risk countries— changed while they are in the middle of their studies? I think about 15 countries are on it. The quality of documentation that can be provided to back up students’ Mrs May: We will make absolutely clear when the applications is an example of the sort of criteria we will new post-study work route proposals will be implemented. consider for determining that. Students will have reached various stages in their courses, but there will be a specific point at which the post-study Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): I also welcome work route requirement is introduced. Those who are the Home Secretary’s statement, as will my constituents. already studying in the UK and may have expected to She will be aware of the recent Home Affairs Committee stay will still be able to stay, provided that they obtain report, which noted from the evidence taken that the graduate-level jobs. It is the qualification level for the student visa system was likely to remain leaky until an jobs that will change. effective method of counting students in and out of the As for the arrangements for student entrepreneurs, country was established. She has already said something we are considering how best to position them in the about that to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead immigration system. I hinted earlier that they might (Mr Field), but can she say a little more? form part of the post-study work route, but we might consider other routes. The intention is to enable a Mrs May: There are various aspects of that particular student who is graduating from university and who has issue, of course. In addition to the response I gave to the a first-class idea to set up a business and put that idea right hon. Gentleman on the e-Borders system, I might into practice, and I think it right for us to do so. add that the UK Border Agency will, as part of its assessment of whether institutions can become highly Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): I trusted sponsors, examine whether they ensure that understand the right hon. Lady’s concern to reduce their students go home after their period of study. That abuse in the visa system, but what is she doing to ensure is another way in which we will try to ensure that the that the measures announced today do not simply send issue is addressed. a message to bona fide students applying to legitimate institutions that they are not welcome, especially as that Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I would create huge problems for our excellent universities serve on the external board of Birmingham university’s and colleges? business school and I must tell the Home Secretary that both Birmingham university and Aston university are Mrs May: What I am doing at every possible opportunity experiencing a reduction in the number of applications, is saying that our universities are still open for business so her message is not being heard. May I challenge her a to overseas students. I have said at every stage, both little further on post-study work? Is she working with 869 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 870 business schools on that, because they have very specific become highly trusted sponsors? Can she confirm that requirements, and if we lose sight of them we will harm that will also apply to universities and in particular to ourselves greatly? the university of Derby in my constituency?

Mrs May: We have been discussing with business and Mrs May: Yes, I am happy to say to my hon. Friend the university sector what might be the appropriate that universities are highly trusted sponsors and will criteria for the post-study work route, and the message need to continue to be so. As they are audited by the both those sectors have given me loud and clear is that if Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, they international students graduating from UK universities fall into that definition, as I set out in my statement. I are to go into a job, that should be a graduate-level job. would expect our universities to continue to be highly trusted sponsors. Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): Three months ago, the Home Secretary proposed closing the Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): I welcome post-study work route, expressing concerns that it was the Home Secretary’s recognition of the importance of adding to graduate unemployment. Will she explain to the post-study work route as a significant part of this unemployed graduates in my constituency why she now country’s attractiveness to international students compared says that foreign students can stay on, so long as they with our competitor countries, but I fear that her proposed take a graduate job earning at least £20,000 a year? changes will not go far enough in convincing potential students that this country really is open for business. Mrs May: We have looked at the balance of interests Would it not be better to take the advice of the vice- among universities, the UK economy, businesses and, chancellors of both the Sheffield universities in my of course, those currently resident in the UK who are constituency, which is that we should simply exempt graduating from UK universities and looking for jobs. highly trusted sponsor institutions from any changes to That is why we have not said that graduates can stay on the post-study work arrangements? under the terms of the current post-study work route, which allows them to stay on and go into unskilled jobs Mrs May: As I said in response to an earlier question, or stay on and not be in employment. We think it is both the universities sector and the business sector have right that the brightest and best should have an opportunity indicated in my discussions with them that they think it to stay here for a limited period of time, but they must is right that the post-study work route should allow to be in a skilled graduate-level job. We have been absolutely stay on only those individuals who are going into graduate- clear, however, that if the numbers unexpectedly or level jobs. The hon. Gentleman says that the post-study significantly increase, we will ask the Migration Advisory work route is an important attraction for international Committee to look at how we can ensure that abuses do students in deciding to study in the UK. Frankly, what not continue—if that is happening—and that could should attract international students to the UK is the include limiting the numbers. quality of education provided by our universities.

Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): The Home Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): The Home Secretary will get support—not least from me—for her Secretary is absolutely right to crack down on bogus previous answer, because it is important to get that colleges, which are at the heart of this problem, and I balance right. Will she clarify something for me? One of welcome her assurance that legitimate colleges can continue the things involved in the post-study work route that to attract legitimate students. One such highly trusted she has described is a system of UK Border Agency institution in my constituency is the university of Worcester. licensing. If that is to exist, will those who operate it be How will she ensure that highly trusted universities of properly trained and will they operate with proper that sort can continue to attract the best and can benefit flexibility? That has not always been the case in the from these changes overall? past. Does she recognise the point made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Mrs May: First, as I have just said, I expect the Ruddock) that for some graduate professions, such as universities to continue to retain their highly trusted the performing arts and dance, the £20,000 limit could sponsor status and therefore to be open to attract be impossible to attain in post-study work? individuals to come from overseas to study at them. Many universities have done a very good job of advertising Mrs May: I am happy to say to the hon. Gentleman themselves and promoting the quality of education that that we are not creating a new process at the UKBA; it they can offer. It is for the universities and for us to be already has such a process for tier 2 of the points-based absolutely clear in saying to people that our universities system. The UKBA is used to operating the system and remain open for business and provide a first-class education. to discussing with business and others the appropriate codes of conduct and measures within those codes, in Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): order to ensure that people stay on in the right level of Liverpool’s three universities attract approximately job. The UKBA is well used to employing a degree of £66.6 million in gross income from international students. flexibility in dealing with occupations that do not fit That income is a significant driver for Liverpool’s economy into a more stereotypical approach in terms of levels of and is absolutely vital at a time when university funding salary. is being so drastically cut. Will the Home Secretary please expand on what the tougher entry requirements Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): May I welcome for demonstrating international students’ financial means the Home Secretary’s decision to ensure that all sponsors will be and can she guarantee that the proposals will not will now need to be accredited by the relevant body and prevent genuine students from coming to study in Liverpool? 871 Student Visas22 MARCH 2011 Student Visas 872

Mrs May: The proposals will not prevent genuine whether the measures in her statement will end that students from coming to study, but we do need to look type of abuse of the system? at things such as documents provided by banks to ensure that they are genuine institutions that are genuinely Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes an extremely valid backing up the financial claims being made by individuals point. I am happy to tell him that the time limit on how who come here to study. It is in nobody’s interests to long a student can stay in the UK will address precisely allow people to use documents that are not legitimate the point he raises. when they apply for a student visa to come to the UK. As regards the three universities in Liverpool, as I have made absolutely clear, they will continue to be able to Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): attract international students. Universities across Wales will welcome today’s statement, particularly as the right hon. Lady has been able to Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): I congratulate address so many of their concerns. Will she commit to the Home Secretary on facing down some of the hysterical maintaining the dialogue with the vice-chancellors that hyperbole from the Opposition, parts of the media and has proved so productive over the past couple of months parts of the further and higher education sector. On so that we can ensure that the proposals deliver in the English proficiency and integration, will she please work way that they are intended? with our colleagues across government to address the very specific issue of the hundreds of millions of pounds Mrs May: I am happy to confirm to my hon. Friend spent by British taxpayers on translation and interpretation that we will be happy to continue speaking with the services—a non-statutory duty—and to reduce such vice-chancellors. expenditure in these financially straitened times? Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): I strongly welcome Mrs May: My hon. Friend is taking me down a road the Secretary of State’s statement, particularly as I have that goes beyond the Home Office’s area of responsibility, learned that in one private college there was no classroom large though that is. I fully accept the thrust of his tuition whatever and there were so-called work placements comment about the importance of people being able to up to 280 miles from the college. Does she agree that it speak English, which is precisely why we introduced a is important that student visa holders should be studying requirement last year that those who come here to and not working? marry or join a partner should be able to speak English to a particular standard. Mrs May: I could not agree more. If someone comes Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): I welcome much to the UK to study and do a course of education, that is of the sentiment in the Minister’s statement. Will she precisely what they should be doing. They should not facilitate a meeting with representatives of Queen’s university use the student visa route as a back-door entry into Belfast and the Royal Victoria hospital? They provide migration for work. many opportunities for students to come and learn about medicine and then to go into those teaching Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con): I congratulate institutions and provide services to many of our patients my right hon. Friend on her statement, which will be in Northern Ireland. warmly welcomed by the legitimate private language college sector throughout the country. There are a number Mrs May: I note the hon. Gentleman’s comment and of such legitimate colleges in Wimbledon, so will she request; my hon. Friend the Minister for Immigration outline the changes that she expects that they will need will be happy to meet him. to make to comply with her statement?

Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): One popular Mrs May: A process will be set out for those legitimate scam involves students deliberately failing their examinations colleges by the UK Border Agency. It will be necessary repeatedly in order to retake them and hence prolong that they apply for highly trusted sponsor status and for their stay in the UK. What action is my right hon. accreditation, and we will set out the time limit for that Friend proposing to tackle such scams? application process soon. They will need to receive highly trusted sponsor status by April 2012 and educational Mrs May: I referred in my statement to students who accreditation by the end of 2012. stay on and move from course to course but I had not got as far as those who deliberately, as my hon. Friend Mr Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase) (Con): Last and suggests, fail their exams. There will be a time limit on hopefully not least, I am sure that I am not the only how long someone can stay in the UK—three years for Member of the House who is astonished by how widespread a below degree-level course. The limit will be extended the abuse of the student visa system has become. May for postgraduate studies and to accommodate those I ask the Home Secretary whether our policy to reduce who are doing medicine and longer courses, but there net migration from hundreds of thousands to tens of will be a limit on the number of times that someone can thousands is supported by the shadow Home Secretary? try that ruse.

Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): One in five of Mrs May: That is a very good question, and perhaps the students granted a student visa in 2004 was still here the shadow Home Secretary would like to answer it at in 2009. Will my right hon. Friend please confirm some stage. 873 22 MARCH 2011 Points of Order 874

Points of Order “There is no rule to prevent Members not connected with the government from citing documents in their possession, both public and private, which are not before the House, even though 4.31 pm the House will not be able to form a correct judgment from Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): On a point of order, partial extracts.” Mr Speaker. Have you received any communication Whether or not, in the words of the late Lord Birkenhead, from Vodafone to explain its poor network coverage in we are any the wiser, I hope that we are at least, as a the Westminster area since last Friday? Fortunately, result, somewhat better informed. I am on another network, but other Members are experiencing irregular reception and failing to get Rapide Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): On messages, which is quite unacceptable. Are you able to a point of order, Mr Speaker. Youare the custodian and do anything about the situation, which is highly disruptive guardian of the courtesies and conventions of the House, to the work of the House and its Members? so I would be most grateful for your guidance on a matter of which I have given you advance notice. Is it Mr Speaker: I fear that that is not a point of order not customary for an hon. Member to inform another and that the right hon. Gentleman perhaps entertains Member in advance of a visit to their constituency? unrealistic expectations of my powers, although I take Was it sufficient, for example, for the shadow Secretary his point in the constructive spirit in which he volunteered of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs his remarks. I have received no communication from simply to announce at DEFRA questions that she Vodafone on this important matter. However, I think intended to visit, for political reasons, a forest in my that I am right in saying that it would be of interest to area? Would it not have been normal for her to write in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, advance to inform me of the matter? I am sure that this representatives of which, I hope, will get to hear of was an oversight on her part, but your guidance would what he said. be most helpful.

Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): On a Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her point of order, Mr Speaker. During Treasury questions, point of order. The answer is that if a Member is the shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. visiting the constituency of another Member on official Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls), brandished or public business, it is courteous for them to notify that what he claimed to be a leaked copy of a Government other Member of their intention to visit, preferably document due to be published tomorrow. Is it in order reasonably in advance. This convention has been breached for Government documents that have been obtained on both sides of the House, and I hope not to have illicitly to be brought into the Chamber or, indeed, to be continually to make the point that it is really a matter of referred to? elementary courtesy that we should adhere to this convention. Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Lady both for If there are no further points of order, we come to the her point of order and her courtesy in giving me advance ten-minute rule motion, for which the hon. Member for notice of it. Not only was that courteous, but it gave me South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom) has been the chance to look into the matter, as she would wish. patiently waiting. May I appeal that Members who are “Erskine May” is helpful on the subject, and I quote leaving the Chamber do so quickly and quietly so that from page 443 for the benefit of the hon. Lady and the these important matters can be addressed? House: 875 22 MARCH 2011 Dangerous and Reckless Cycling 876 (Offences) Dangerous and Reckless Cycling The police and the Crown Prosecution Service had an (Offences) alternative to the dangerous cycling charge. The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 carries a section on “drivers Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order of carriages injuring persons by furious driving”. It No. 23) declares: “Whosoever, having the charge of any carriage or vehicle, shall 4.34 pm by wanton or furious driving or racing, or other wilful misconduct, or by wilful neglect, do or cause to be done any bodily harm to Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I any person whatsoever, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and beg to move, being convicted thereof shall be liable, at the discretion of the That leave be given to bring in a Bill creating new offences of court, to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding two years, causing death or serious injury through dangerous or reckless with or without hard labour.” cycling; to make provision regarding minimum sentencing and The Act is still in force, but for obvious reasons it is little fines for those convicted of such offences; and for connected used. It was developed to deal with the century during purposes. which horses pulled carriages and coaches, and is now I am a keen cyclist and I heartily support the many completely out of date. From what little information I people who leave their cars at home and cycle to work have found on it, this law is rarely, if ever, invoked. In and school. Over the last few years, there has been an any case, the CPS found that the charge of dangerous upsurge in cycling, which is a great way to keep fit and cycling was the most appropriate in Rhiannon’s case. healthy and a green initiative that I fully welcome. Let There are other offences, such as manslaughter and me be clear from the beginning that it is not my intention grievous bodily harm, that could theoretically be used to criminalise cyclists or to discourage people from against a cyclist, but these are also rarely appropriate in using their bikes. the case of road accidents. In fact, in the vast majority of cases, it is the cyclists What is needed is an offence that fills the gap in the themselves who are the victims on our roads when they law and provides a charge that reflects the seriousness are killed or injured by motorists who simply fail to and the consequences of a cyclist’s actions. In other spot them. The penalties for dangerous or careless words, an updated law is required so that cyclists can be driving for motorists are as they should be—very strict. charged with similar offences and given similar punishments Occasionally, however, it is the cyclist who injures or to those that motorists currently face. For a motorist, kills while riding their bike, and this is the area I want to causing death by dangerous driving carries a penalty of address today. At the moment, the punishment for one to 14 years in prison; causing death by careless or cyclists falls far short of the crime, and I believe we need inconsiderate driving carries a penalty of up to five to update the law so that all road users are equally years in prison. We need to give justice to the small protected and take equal responsibility for their actions. number of pedestrians killed each year by dangerous I want to tell the House the tragic story of Rhiannon cycling, by applying similar penalties to those that exist Bennett, the beloved daughter of Michael and Diana for causing death by dangerous driving and causing Bennett, who was knocked down and killed by a cyclist death by careless or inconsiderate driving. in your constituency of Buckingham, Mr Speaker. I am grateful that you are presiding over this ten-minute rule It is worth making it clear that the cyclist who killed Bill. I know that you are aware of this case, Mr Speaker, Rhiannon Bennett was most definitely found guilty of a and that you have been very sympathetic to Rhiannon’s crime. The problem of achieving justice arose because family, for which I also know they are grateful. there simply is no charge that is appropriate to the crime. The Crown Prosecution Service even acknowledged In April 2007, Rhiannon Bennett was walking with this when it stated: friends on the pavement near her home. She was 17 years old. A cyclist approached the group at speed, jumping “The real problem is the fact that as yet there is no offence of from the road to cut across the pavement, yelling “Move, causing death by dangerous cycling.” I’m not stopping!”. He was travelling so fast that the The cyclist responsible for the death of Rhiannon Bennett group had no time to react. He hit Rhiannon, knocking was convicted of dangerous cycling and fined £2,200. her over and smashing her head against the kerb. She His bicycle was worth an estimated £6,000, almost three was rushed to hospital with severe head injuries, but she times the amount of his fine. I have not met anyone who died six days later. considers this to be fair punishment for someone found It is not possible fully to explain the grief that Rhiannon’s guilty of a crime in which a young girl died. There needs parents, Michael and Diana feel—but the pain did not to be a charge and an offence that reflect the reality of end there. They had to sit in Aylesbury magistrates what is happening on our roads and pavements in the court at the trial of the cyclist, a man who lived just 21st century. around the corner from them, and hear the verdict of The idea of creating a new law to deal with this the court. He was convicted by the magistrates of dangerous problem was last considered in 2005 by the Ministry of cycling and his punishment was a fine of £2,200. There Justice, which decided that no such law was required at was no prison sentence. Mr and Mrs Bennett did not that time. Six years later, with the growing number of just lose their daughter; they had to go through the pain bikes on our roads, more and more cycle lanes being of discovering that their daughter’s reckless killing did introduced and the introduction of excellent schemes not merit a prison sentence. We should just imagine that I take advantage of myself, such as the cycle hire what would happen if a motorist drove on to a pavement scheme in London, we need to look at the matter again, and killed a teenager. If the driver had walked away and I ask the House to support the Bill. with only a fine, there would have been a national outcry. Question put and agreed to. 877 Dangerous and Reckless Cycling 22 MARCH 2011 878 (Offences) Ordered, Budget Responsibility and National Audit That Andrea Leadsom, Amber Rudd, Dan Byles, Bill [Lords] Damian Hinds, Mark Lancaster, Harriett Baldwin, Mary Macleod, Chris Heaton-Harris and Margot James. [Relevant document: The Fourth Report from the Treasury Committee, Office for Budget Responsibility, HC 385, Andrea Leadsom accordingly presented the Bill. and the Government’s response, Cm 7962.] Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Public Bill Friday 4 November 2011, and to be printed. (Bill 168). Committee

Clause 1

CHARTER FOR BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY

4.43 pm Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): I beg to move amendment 1, page 1, line 13, at end insert— ‘(d) the Treasury’s objectives in relation to economic policy and policy for the advancement of jobs and growth in the UK economy. (e) the means by which the Treasury’s objectives in relation to economic policy will be attained (“the growth mandate”).’.

Mr Speaker: With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Amendment 3, in clause 4, page 2, line 20, at end insert ‘and the impact of Treasury policy on jobs and economic growth’. Amendment 4, page 2, line 26, at end insert— ‘(c) an assessment of the extent to which the growth mandate has been, or is likely to be, achieved and the impact on employment and economic growth within all regions and nations of the United Kingdom.’.

Chris Leslie: It is fitting that we are discussing the Bill the day before the Budget. I understand that there are particular reasons, which the Minister will no doubt explain to the House, why the Bill needs to receive Royal Assent this evening, before we reach Budget day, so I am conscious that the ministerial clock is ticking. I pay tribute to the Public Bill Committee, whose members scrutinised the Bill in what I regard as sufficient detail. Essentially, the first half of the Bill sets out the establishment of the Office for Budget Responsibility, and the second half makes a series of changes to the National Audit Office governance arrangements. It is fair to say that the Committee spent less time on the second half of the Bill, as the House had previously scrutinised many of those measures, but for various reasons that legislation was not included in the wash-up before the last general election. Most of our attention today will focus on the OBR. Clause 1 relates not specifically to the OBR, but to the creation of a charter for budget responsibility. As we know, the Government have their reasons and rationale for making this set of legislative proposals. It was notable in Committee that Members were quizzical about why the charter for budget responsibility has been quite narrowly defined and why the OBR’s duties are similarly quite controlled and slimline. My view is that any realistic definition of budget responsibility must take account of the impact on jobs and growth of the wider economy and Treasury decisions on fiscal policy, particularly in the current context. 879 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 880 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Chris Leslie] employment and some of those very important issues that affect all our constituents—would be a deficiency We know that Her Majesty’s Treasury is currently in the role of the OBR. grappling to acquire a growth strategy, some of which might have been left on a number of photocopiers Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): The shadow Minister around the building before Treasury questions, although and I took part in a debate the other day that goes to I have not been party to the memo that my right hon. the heart of these questions. Does he not agree that Friend the shadow Chancellor picked up—I will try to although fiscal policy is regarded—with qualifications get hold of him later to see what was in it. Clearly, the as the result of the motion the Government put before real economy has clashed with the Government’s plan the House the other day—as exclusively a matter for the A, which they have refused to depart from, which meant House of Commons, unfortunately and disastrously, that in the fourth quarter of 2010, as GDP figures show, European economic governance affects the question of the economy went into reverse and shrank. The Chancellor growth and the issues that go with it? Does he not agree blames the wrong kind of snow, but evidently the that his proposals would be overtaken by the proposals Government’s approach to fiscal policy has created that are going through the European Union? circumstances that have not only put the brakes on economic growth, but unfortunately seem to have put it into reverse. Chris Leslie: I understand where the hon. Gentleman When we debated clauses 1 and 4 in Committee, is coming from. I hope that he would acknowledge that Members felt that it was important to try to challenge we have tried to table a constructive set of amendments, the notion that we should somehow have an Office for we do not believe that a purely fiscal mandate for the Budget Responsibility that confines itself to fiscal, deficit Treasury or the OBR is wide enough. His view is that and debt issues, to the exclusion of other equally important growth and fiscal policy will also be influenced from indices drawn from the wider economy. beyond these shores and especially by European Union policy. That may well be true. Mr Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): The course of events that the hon. Gentleman Mr Cash: I do not wish to correct so much as to describes is surely a tribute to the independence of the advise the hon. Gentleman that my position is exactly advisory body—the OBR—during its first phase following the opposite. Fiscal policy remains in this House and last June’s Budget, but does he not share my concern should do so, despite what the Government did the that if it were to have the increased powers, it would other day, and economic growth should also be determined cease to be advisory and independent, which it should here and not in other arenas. In the Public Bill Committee, be, and in some way would become a challenge to he referred to judicial authority as a result of the Treasury policy? It is correct that it has relatively limited interpretation of the statutory duties imposed in this powers, but above all those powers should remain place. Does he really want the Supreme Court to apply independent and advisory to the Treasury. its determination of its ultimate supremacy over both fiscal policy and economic growth? Chris Leslie: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s point about creating a third institution when it should be Chris Leslie: No, I do not. That was one reason why Parliament’s job to challenge the Executive and the we raised this issue in Committee. The Bill sets out tests Treasury on their policies. The point we want to make on the responsibilities of the OBR and the Treasury yet through the amendments is essentially that, simply to there was not really an adequate response from the have a fiscal mandate in the charter for budget responsibility Minister about the justiciability of those tests. For is inadequate. We feel that it is important to have a example, the Minister gave no cut-and-dried answer to growth mandate to supplement the fiscal mandate in the question of a member of the public who might wish the charter and, more than that, that the Office for to sue the OBR on its efficiency or effectiveness, what Budget Responsibility should also have a duty to assess sort of legal process that might entail and where it the impact of the Treasury’s policies on the real economy, would eventually go. The hon. Gentleman makes an on employment and on growth. I do not think that that important point. necessarily sets the office’s face against or in juxtaposition to the Treasury—it would simply give it absolute clarity In a cynical moment in Committee, I raised an eyebrow that it had the right and appropriate remit to consider about the fact that 10 clauses are necessary to establish those wider real economic effects. the OBR. I queried whether we needed 10 clauses to do that. The Bill contains a number of embellishments Mr Field: But there is already a clear monetary that, in a more sceptical moment, made me suspect that mandate in the hands of the Bank of England. Surely a it was slightly padded out to make it appear to be a growth mandate along the lines that the hon. Gentleman grander piece of legislation when a couple of clauses suggests would muddy the water, if not necessarily and a schedule would probably have done the trick. between the Treasury and the OBR, then between the Perhaps I was unfairly cynical. Bank and the OBR? Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): The hon. Member Chris Leslie: Perhaps this is where I differ from the for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr Field) draws hon. Gentleman. I think that a slightly dry and narrow a useful parallel with monetary policy and the Bank of focus on the accountancy issues in the draft charter for England, but in reality the bank’s Monetary Policy budget responsibility, as well as a monetary policy focus Committee currently interprets its remit flexibly because at the Bank of England and in the charter, with no or of the state of the economy. If the committee interpreted scant focus on the real economy—economic growth, its remit rigidly, it would raise interest rates, because 881 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 882 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] inflation is above the target level. It is not doing so, whether it should be broader and take account of wider however, because it is sensibly looking at the wider economic and social policies. So, for example, we tested interests of the economy. out the notion of whether the OBR could have responsibility for assessing the impact of Treasury policy on child Chris Leslie: My hon. Friend is entirely correct, and I poverty, or whether it should have responsibility for am glad that the Bank of England is being flexible, but assessing the impartiality of the local government finance absolutely, if such mandates are set out rigidly in legislation, settlement. as the mandate is before us, and if they are interpreted One promise in the Conservative party’s localism as they currently are, it is hardly any wonder that the paper, which came out before the general election, was Treasury has a blinkered view of the economy and is to have the Audit Commission undertake an independent obsessively—some might say, fetishistically—focused on test of whether there was impartiality in the settlement. deficit reduction and debt to the exclusion of almost That has been dropped subsequently. any other facet of the economy. What we need right now is a flexible approach to economic policy which can John Mann: It’s been dropped? take account of environmental and external facts, jobs and growth, and those are the issues we are raising today. Chris Leslie: It has been dropped, and that is indeed something which we should come back to at another John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): I thank my hon. Friend point. for giving way on the point about flexibility. Where does This time, on Report, we thought, “Let’s look as he think the 2% inflation target, set for the Bank of strategically as anybody could possibly want to,” and England, should be, not least in the context of the having a growth mandate—a responsibility for growth Japanese economic crisis, with the pressures on US and employment—and assessing the impact of Treasury dollars and the insurance industry, and with the potential policy seemed quite unobjectionable, at least to me for rapidly growing inflation, which might require the when tabling the amendment. This time, on Report, we 2% figure to be reconsidered imminently? felt we should look at this as strategically as anybody could wish. Having this growth mandate—this responsibility Chris Leslie: Of course, those issues are in the hands for growth and employment and assessment of the of the Chancellor. He has a Budget tomorrow, and I do impact of Treasury policy—seemed quite unobjectionable, not know whether he is thinking of revising his monetary at least when I tabled the amendment. policy mandate, but I would be very surprised if he were. My hon. Friend will notice, however, because I know he follows the small print of the Budget and of 5pm financial documents, that in the small print the Treasury Mr Field: It would probably be unwise for these has chosen for its GDP deflator, when it comes to provisions to be too wide. The credibility of inflation public expenditure, an inflation rate of 1.9%, which is targeting would be undermined if the target were to be slightly at odds with the fact that the retail prices index changed even on an irregular basis, if at all. As the hon. is 5.5%. Again, the cynic in me would suggest that the Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins) said, the Treasury has chosen that approach, because to do otherwise remit of the Bank of England covers not only inflation would blow a hole in the middle of the Government’s targeting but the greater interests of the overall economy. financial plans. The latter remit is less well known than the former, but it is the reason interest rates have stayed at a very low John Mann: I thank my hon. Friend for generously level given the high levels of RPI and CPI that we are giving way a second time. The reason for exploring the experiencing. issue is in this “charter”—this grandiose term—set out before Parliament. Chancellors might change their point Chris Leslie: I would recommend that all hon. Members of view, perhaps sensibly, if they look at the real economy, take a look at the draft charter for budget responsibility, but how hamstrung will a Chancellor be in the future if which has several interesting facets. I have no doubt some back-dated charter has been agreed but is itself that the Minister will explain, in layman’s terms, what is too restrictive and requires change? Is not the measure meant by a before us rather a stranglehold—purely presentational—that could come to haunt this or future Chancellors? “rolling, five-year forecast period” in relation to the cyclically adjusted current balance. Chris Leslie: My hon. Friend suggests that the measure Some hon. Members might find it difficult to envisage is phantom paraphernalia, enrobing the creation of the how that rolling forecast will operate in principle. Many Office for Budget Responsibility simply to give it a of us can understand the concept of a fixed year or a sense of grand importance, and in fact it could have fixed date against which a set of targets are to be judged, deleterious consequences. That is certainly one crucial but if the horizon shifts continually, that is different. It reason why we felt it important to table the amendment, would be interesting to hear the Minister explain that stating that at the very least there should be a broader when she responds. set of mandates within the charter, and that a growth mandate would be especially important. Mr Cash: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman also has in mind clause 6(3), which imposes the following obligation: Mr Mark Field rose— “The Office must, in the performance of its duty…act consistently with any guidance included in the Charter”. Chris Leslie: Before I give way to the hon. Gentleman, As he well knows, I am rather particular about the I just want to point out that in Committee we debated words used in legislation. I like to know, first, what they the remit of the Office for Budget Responsibility and mean and, secondly, what their consequence would be; 883 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 884 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Mr Cash] “send a powerful signal to business in the forthcoming Budget that government has a clear strategy to address the barriers to I do not think that is unreasonable. I worry about the growth” extent to which he would effectively be taking away and calls for from this House or, for that matter, from the Minister, “a Parliament long programme to deliver on it.” any responsibility whatsoever for any aspect of the Terry Scuoler, the chief executive of the EEF, has said running of the macro economy. I have sympathy with that a growth mandate should be introduced to his objective, but I am worried about how it fits into the framework of these provisions. “report on the progress at each Budget in the same way it does with the Fiscal Mandate.” Chris Leslie: I would not want the hon. Gentleman to The EEF also states that misunderstand the point of our amendment. It would, “like the Fiscal Mandate, the Growth Mandate should span the in essence, ensure that the charter for budget responsibility lifetime of a parliament with each subsequent Budget and policy had a wide enough definition to give the new Office for announcement showing further incremental progress.” Budget Responsibility, if it is indeed an independent The EEF makes a good point about the impact on the body, more latitude to look across the wider set of industries that it represents, which are in the real economy. economic indices and make its analysis and assessment Ultimately, that is what matters to our constituents. of the impact of the Treasury’s policy on the ground—in the real world and the real economy—instead of looking merely at the desiccated issue of deficit reduction. Kelvin Hopkins: In line with that, would it not be sensible to ensure that the members of the OBR, when Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): I understand they are appointed, represent a range of views? The why the hon. Gentleman wants this provision, but I am Monetary Policy Committee has hawks and doves, who not unsupportive. I am worried that he would conflate have widely differing views on what should happen to the work of the OBR with that of the Financial Policy interest rates. Equally, there ought to be voices in the Committee. We should remember that the FPC is charged OBR putting the case for the real economy, as well as with looking at the macro economy, which may well simply for the Budget. mean looking beyond monetary policy—the responsibility of the Monetary Policy Committee—and the macro- Chris Leslie: That is absolutely right. The Government prudential. It might be able to look at the other aspects have given the concession to the Treasury Committee that he is expecting the OBR to look at, and that could that it can hold pre-appointment hearings for three of muddy the waters even further. Does he see the potential the five members of the OBR board. That is, of course, for conflict between the OBR, with the role that he welcome. wants to set, and the FPC, with the role it is likely to have? John Mann: Why not all five?

Chris Leslie: I understand where the hon. Gentleman Chris Leslie: We debated that point in the Public Bill is coming from. As I understand it, however, the Committee. Having consulted the Treasury Committee Government, in creating the Financial Policy Committee Chair subsequently, I understand that it has to weigh at the Bank of England, propose to give it a particular up how much time it has for such matters versus other responsibility for macro-prudential regulation. That is things. That may well be a matter for the Treasury quite different from the role of the OBR, which, as an Committee to revisit. I urge it to ask for the ability to analytical and assessing independent body, will have a appoint all five members, not least because the two duty to provide comment and analysis on, and a degree non-executive members who will not have a pre- of scrutiny of, the proposals of the Treasury and, more appointment hearing are essentially appointed by the narrowly, the Treasury’s policy in relation to the accounting Chancellor of the Exchequer. To ensure their impartiality aspects of fiscal policy alone. If we are to have an Office beyond doubt, it would seem necessary for the Treasury for Budget Responsibility—or, as some hon. Members Committee to have the right, if it saw fit, to scrutinise have suggested, the equivalent of the Congressional all five. Budget Office, with some kind of parliamentary Budget office, which we will discuss later—it must be an independent body, so it must have the indisputable right to comment John Mann: As a member of the Treasury Committee, on the Treasury’s policies writ large on macro-economic I wholeheartedly back the principle that all five members and fiscal policy. I do not feel that there is necessarily a should be scrutinised appropriately, not least because of conflict with the Government proposals on changing the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Luton financial services regulation, although we have not yet North (Kelvin Hopkins) made about ensuring that there seen their proposals, and we do not really know what is the maximum possible specialist input, including powers they intend to vest with the Bank of England from the labour market, in the decision making. Let us on macro-prudential regulation. We will come to that scrutinise all five. another day. I will explain why I think it is important that we focus Chris Leslie: I look forward very much to those on the concept of a growth mandate. It is not something pre-appointment hearings and the reports of them. It is that was just dreamed up by the Opposition. The important to have people who understand the real Engineering Employers Federation has also called for a economy. That is the gist of our amendments. We are growth mandate to supplement the fiscal mandate in worried about these matters. the charter for budget responsibility and in the Budget. It states that a growth mandate would Mr Cash rose— 885 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 886 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] Chris Leslie: If the hon. Gentleman will allow me, I However, it is not clear enough that growth and employment will make a little progress, because I want to ensure that are matters that the OBR can make comment and other Members have the chance to comment in this analyse. I absolutely would not want to give it the power debate. to determine the mandate, but the Treasury should be One reason we feel it necessary to put the concept of big enough and ugly enough to withstand commentary a growth mandate in the charter for budget responsibility from such an independent body. is our anxiety that the current Chancellor of the Exchequer and Treasury are slightly blinkered when it comes to Mr Cash: May we park that matter for now, without growth and employment. We know that in all probability, in any way undermining the hon. Gentleman’s main point the Chancellor will announce tomorrow that the OBR about judicial authority? What he said in the Public Bill is to downgrade the growth forecast. [HON.MEMBERS: Committee was completely right—if we impose a statutory “No!”] Yes, my hon. Friends may be shocked at that duty, we have to accept that the courts will adjudicate. piece of advance news, but apparently it says on the That is important enough, but how would the hon. front page of the Financial Times today that the growth Gentleman reconcile clause 6(3), which states: forecast for 2011 will be downgraded from 2.1% to “The Office must, in the performance of its duty…act consistently 1.8%. The British Chambers of Commerce has also with any guidance” downgraded its 2011 gross domestic product forecast under the charter with, for example, European directives and is now expecting GDP growth of only 1.5%, down that will emerge under the 2020 strategy? Under his from a forecast of 1.9%. Other consensus forecasters proposals, which would prevail? are moving in the same direction. Chris Leslie: The growth mandate that we are suggesting Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): Will my hon. would be a responsibility of the Treasury, not of the Friend explain to the House, and particularly to us new OBR, but it would give the OBR a duty to have regard Members, whether the OBR has reduced its forecast at to whatever else was in the charter. Simply inserting the any other time in the past year? fact that the Treasury had to follow a growth mandate would give the OBR the right to comment on the Chris Leslie: It is a one-way journey, unfortunately. Treasury’s performance in respect of that mandate. The OBR started with high expectations of growth Whether there are European or other influences on the soon after the general election, and at every stage at Treasury’s policies and performance is a debate for which it has made adjustments, the spiral of the economy’s another time, I suspect. growth prospects has descended. Mr Cash: There are. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): Like the Lib Dem poll rating. Chris Leslie: I am quite sure that there are influences, but we tabled the amendment to draw out answers to Chris Leslie: Possibly, but in a more tragic and important some of these questions. way that affects real lives and real people. It does not really matter what happens to the Liberal Democrat John Mann: One statistic that is not currently provided poll rating, but growth falling behind and diminishing by the OBR is its projection of the number of new as unemployment rises is a really important issue in the employees entering the country from abroad, including real world. from within the EU. The amendment might mean that the OBR must provide that statistic, which is important Stewart Hosie: May I bring the hon. Gentleman back in social and economic policy. At the moment, the OBR to the amendment for a second? I am sure he is not gives only a general figure from which we cannot deduce, suggesting that the OBR should have any role in setting without more detailed and hidden questioning, precisely the fiscal mandate. I understand why he wants the how many new jobs come from abroad. My understanding consideration of growth to be part of its mandate, but is that currently, 700,000 to 800,000 of the new jobs the Treasury Committee stated that the OBR’s commentary being created will involve EU migrants. What does my function hon. Friend say to that? “should be one of informing public debate through disseminating better understanding of fiscal policy and long-term economic 5.15 pm trends, identifying possible risks” Chris Leslie: If the OBR is to do an adequate and and so on. Those long-term trends would inevitably holistic job in commenting on economic prospects, it include growth. Although none of us would want the surely needs the clear and explicit right to comment on OBR to comment on individual policy measures, even employment policy, growth policy and so forth. My the Government’s response—I certainly do not defend hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise the issue of them—states that the OBR would be employment and jobs. The most recent figures show “examining and reporting on…the long-term impact of the that the jobseeker’s allowance claimant rate is 8% of the Government’s decisions.” population, which is a 17-year high, and a prediction of Again, that would include their impact on growth. Does 2.6 million unemployed. Again, that is likely to be the OBR not already have the ability that he is looking revised upwards by the OBR when it comments on the to give it? forthcoming Budget. My constituency, Nottingham East, symbolically passed Chris Leslie: I suspect that the Economic Secretary the 10% claimant count rate, which is a very depressing will make that point in her retort, when she eloquently milestone. For those reasons, and because long-term resists all amendments, as is her usual pattern of behaviour. unemployment is increasing so quickly—it is up 24% in 887 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 888 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Chris Leslie] which a completely independent central bank with no democratic controls sets interest rates that might or the last year—and more than one in five young people might not be appropriate for different nations. There between the ages of 16 and 24 are out of work and on are Maastricht rules and a rigid currency that cannot be the dole, surely we need the charter for budget responsibility flexed by countries that need to do so. Our situation is to include a growth mandate, and for the OBR to have so much better because we have preserved a degree of the ability to assess the impact of the Treasury’s polices flexibility so that we can manage our economy in the on jobs and growth. interests of our people.

Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The Bill states: Chris Leslie: Indeed, and we should pay tribute to the previous Prime Minister for maintaining and establishing “It is the duty of the Office to examine and report on the those freedoms and that independence. However, you sustainability of the public finances.” would rule me out of order, Mr Speaker, if we departed The sustainability of public finances involves three factors: too much from the amendments. tax, spend and growth. In tomorrow’s Budget, the Chancellor is expected to say, “This is a Budget for A growth mandate is necessary on the four principal growth with very little change in tax and spend,” but it components of growth. The Government’s strategy on would be remarkable and ridiculous if two massive consumer spending is falling apart by the day. The parts of the sustainability of public finances were not nationwide consumer confidence index published this properly accommodated within the OBR. week showed a record low among the general public. One reason consumers are losing confidence is the Chris Leslie: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It possibility of VAT going to 20%. Real disposal incomes would be such a pity if this edifice—the OBR—did not are falling back to the 2008 level, and medium income is scrutinise the things that the Government know they falling more than at any time since the 1980s. John are vulnerable on, and on which their policies are deficient. Lewis reported falls in sales last week, Debenhams is The Government do not have a strategy for growth and saying that trading conditions are tough, credit levels jobs, and we need the OBR to be able to expose that. are contracting, and from April onwards, of course, Growth has a number of drivers— some of the tax credit changes and other changes will take money out of the pockets of consumers. We know Kelvin Hopkins: Will my hon. Friend give way? therefore that on the consumer spending components of growth the Government have already lost control of a Chris Leslie: I will not, if my hon. Friend will allow decent growth strategy. me, because I want to focus on what the OBR needs to On business investment, banks are still slow to lend take account of. to high-growth businesses. More than 20% of commercial real estate loans are in default or in breach of their The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine Greening): covenants, and the much-trumpeted national insurance I have been listening to the hon. Gentleman for a while, holiday that Ministers offered to new start-up businesses but I want to draw his attention to the OBR economic has not been taken up to the extent predicted by Ministers, and fiscal outlook, which was published in November owing to the complexities they have imposed on the last year. I do not know whether he has looked at that, arrangements. The Government’s growth strategy currently because it contains 50 pages that consider the forecasting seems to depend on a number of odd assumptions, issues about which Opposition Members are raising including that it is the fault of employee rights, which concerns. I thought I would mention that because I get need to be eroded to boost growth. That is the kernel of the impression from what he is saying that he has not their growth strategy. read it. On planning law, the Government are sometimes Chris Leslie: Quite the contrary, Mr Deputy Speaker. localist and sometimes not; sometimes they devolve Perhaps that was published in the free phase when the powers but sometimes they do not want to give certain OBR, untrammelled by legislation and existing in the powers to councils. Their approach on planning is confused. ether, as it currently does—we are post-hoc legislating Will they relax Sunday trading laws? There is speculation now—had its moment of freedom when it could comment all over the place. There is even confusion over business on such things. If the Bill locks the OBR into a narrow rates. The Minister’s colleagues in HMRC have issued band of responsibilities and duties, it is reasonable to 40 different consultations, discussion documents, updates worry that it will be limited to commenting on a certain and responses on tax changes since the previous Budget, number of aspects. I accept absolutely that, as the which, as many businesses complain, brings uncertainty Minister says, fiscal policy is affected by growth, and and confusion. And to cap it all, with the abolition of that therefore the OBR has an implicit right to comment, the regional development agencies, they have created but that has not been made clear enough, which is a sign these local enterprise partnerships, with no clarity about that she still does not understand the centrality of their role or budget. We will see tomorrow about the growth and employment policy to what the Treasury enterprise zones, but on business investment the growth should be pursuing. strategy is very deficient. The Government are relying totally on an export-driven Kelvin Hopkins: My hon. Friend is right to focus on miracle to be the salvation of their growth strategy, yet the importance of flexibility and the ability to deal with if the Treasury predictions are correct we would need the problems he has described in his own constituency. the highest export growth every year for the next three However, the hon. Member for Stone (Mr Cash) made years, which last occurred in 1974, I think. That means, a useful point about the EU’s arrangements, under for example, that our exports to the USA would have to 889 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 890 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] triple or our exports to China would have to grow be useful to have an independent, authoritative budget twentyfold. That is not a growth strategy, but a prayer office to comment on that and to flag it up—to put out for a miracle. a red alert, as it were—as something that parliamentarians To cap it all, we know what is happening with public ought to comment on. I would not have a problem with sector expenditure. The rush to reduce the deficit so that level of commentary. We should be big enough deep and so fast is causing great harm to the growth to cope with that level of challenge, audit and scrutiny. prospects of the economy and taking out a number of We would not be giving the OBR any power to make posts, particularly in parts of the country that are least decisions; the point is simply to shine a spotlight on resilient. Treasury and Government policies. Amendment 3 would add to the Office for Budget Geraint Davies rose— Responsibility’s duties the requirement to assess the impact of Treasury policy on jobs and economic growth. Defining responsibility as such a purist, accountancy-type Chris Leslie: If my hon. Friend will allow me, I will concept is to take a slightly dry and aloof approach, not give way. I have been speaking for rather a long time which seems to us irresponsible, given the real-world and I want to stop, but hon. Members may wish to impact on people, jobs and society. We need to ensure make their own comments individually. that the OBR is a more rounded organisation that is Clearly we need a proper growth strategy, but a grounded in the real economy, not just a narrow, bean- growth mandate would also help. We need to start counting institution that looks at statistics or just one focusing on future growth industries and maximising aspect of economic policy. It needs to be strategic, our comparative advantage. We need to cast forward predictive, competent and authoritative, and it can do with a growth strategy not just for a decade, but for that only by having a duty to analyse the Treasury’s several decades. We need to focus on skills and, yes, a impact across the board. That would be one way of fiscal strategy, but we also need to focus on job creation, creating longer-term sustainability for the Office for and a growth mandate with the clarity for the OBR to Budget Responsibility, beyond the Government’s current make its own assessments would certainly be a step in plans for deficit reduction. the right direction. Amendment 4 would give the OBR a duty to assess the impact of growth in our regions and nations. We Mr Cash: Some time before the general election, as know that the Government’s spending cuts are hitting the financial crisis was developing—particularly in relation less prosperous parts of the country disproportionately. to the banks—there was a certain amount of talk about The disparities in our economy are growing as a result the idea being put forward by the then Opposition for of the Government’s policies, and clearly that is harmful. an office for budget responsibility.I remember participating Indeed, we saw that in the unemployment statistics this in some of those debates, and saying that I thought that week, for example, with 27,000 more people made it was an extremely good idea to have a much clearer redundant in the west midlands and 8% unemployment picture of how we organised our finances. However, at in my region of the east midlands. that time the true level of debt was not being revealed by the then Government. We had reason to believe that the actual amount of debt was very different from what Stewart Hosie: We have indeed seen unemployment was being put forward. That had significant repercussions statistics, which show unemployment in Scotland falling for the question of how we should deal with it. The for three months in a row, employment rising for three OBR, or whatever else was going to be put in place, months in a row and construction up massively, specifically would have had to deal with the reality of the debt. because of decisions taken by the Scottish Government to re-profile capital expenditure. How would the OBR relate, for example, to the Scottish Government on the 5.30 pm different routes that they had taken over the same I take the simple view, which I put forward in my period? How would that technically work? election address, that not one penny of public expenditure can be derived from any source other than taxed private Chris Leslie: If the OBR could explicitly comment on enterprise. In fact, I challenge anyone—short of printing employment and growth policy, it would be able to look the money—to tell me that I am wrong. The next at the different tactics employed in the economic policies question is: how do we get the revenues to pay for that of the different regions and nations. If there were good public expenditure, except through growth in the area or poor policies in different corners of the country, the where the private enterprise is being generated? OBR would be able to analyse and pass comment on I have sympathy with the concept that the hon. them. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) has incorporated in his amendments, because in order to Stewart Hosie: The hon. Gentleman is being generous arrive at a sensible approach to reducing the deficit, we in giving way, but I am quite keen to probe this issue. must have the growth. It is impossible, in my mind, to What he has said makes perfect logical sense, but at that separate the idea of growth and employment from the point the OBR would be commenting not on UK policy, question of how much growth we are able to generate. I but on regional or national policy. If it were commenting also believe that, in the present times, it is impossible for on a micro-policy, rather than policy at the UK level, us to generate growth when, as I said in a debate a few would that not put it in difficult political territory? weeks ago, about 50% of our trade takes place with the European Union, whose member states, except for Chris Leslie: If a policy were having a significantly Germany, are effectively bankrupt. I also mentioned adverse effect on jobs, such as some of the policies The Economist last week, because we were discussing pursued by the current, Tory-led Government, it would economic governance. We also have the competitiveness 891 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 892 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] pact, and the motion that we shall have to vote on judicial authority. I need make no further points, because tomorrow, on the manner in which we try to square the in a nutshell, if those issues cannot be reconciled with circle of economic growth with economic governance. what is in the Bill, and if the duties of the Office for Lord Eatwell yesterday drove a coach and horses through Budget Responsibility are to examine and report on the the Government’s arguments on the motion regarding sustainability of the public finances, to prepare “fiscal section 6 of the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008, and economic forecasts”, to make assessments and which we have not yet passed; there is a deferred Division analyse sustainability, and to act consistently with the on it tomorrow. charter as a matter of law, we are surely entitled to ask: The accumulation of all those factors, like the Bill which law will prevail? itself, are subject to one enormous elephant in the room. Obviously, I agree with all the ideas that are being I have looked through the proceedings in the Public Bill presented. We all want an efficient economy, we all Committee and elsewhere, and I can see no reference to want jobs and we all want growth. We cannot survive the one thing that troubles me about the Bill. I understand without growth, and we cannot generate the revenues to the desire for a good fiscal policy, and the need to relate pay for the public sector without that growth in the that to economic policy, job creation and growth; that is private sector. What worries me is that all those ideas all good, but how do we reconcile all that with the are being imposed through a Bill, rather than through factors that cannot be avoided? the judgment of Ministers who are accountable to the The elephant in the room is the implications of European House of Commons, and should not be required to Union policy. As Chairman of the European Scrutiny refer back to the judicial authority of the courts or the Committee, I can assure the shadow Minister, the hon. alleged primacy of the European Union. Member for Nottingham East, of the importance of I fear that we are embarking on one of those Lewis this. He told me the other day that when he took on this Carroll-type situations. I am reminded of “The Hunting job he had no idea just how much the European Union of the Snark”. Members may recall the phraseology. was affecting his functions. Indeed, the same goes for We know that we want it, we know it is there, but the the Government. The European dimension overlays the question is, what is it going to do? I have a serious provisions of the Bill. The duties that the Bill imposes problem with the Bill for that reason. I fear that we are will be subject to the requirements that European law engaged in a process of wishful thinking rather than will impose on top of them. That raises the second achievement, and that we are being locked into a withdrawal question referred to by the hon. Gentleman: the question from parliamentary accountability—and, as some Members of judicial authority. may know by now, I regard that as the ultimate test of our democratic system. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. The hon. Gentleman knows what I am going to say. I do not Ian Murray: It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member want to spoil what he is going to say on Third Reading, for Stone (Mr Cash). At the end of his contribution he so it might be better if he stuck to the subject of the referred to wishful thinking. Labour Members certainly amendments. That would be more useful to us at this think the Chancellor’s gamble with the UK economy is stage. wishful thinking. The recent reduction in GDP came as a shock to everyone, and serves to highlight some of the Mr Cash: I am very glad to be able to follow that wishful thinking indulged in by those on the Treasury Bench. advice. In order for the provisions contained in the I think that everyone supports the establishment of amendments to be inserted in the Bill, it is essential for the Office for Budget Responsibility. One of the best the House to be aware of the implications of judicial measures taken by the Labour Government was the authority, the assertions of the Supreme Court in that courageous step of making the Bank of England context, and the sovereignty of Parliament. There is, for independent. We have all seen the benefits of that, in example, the question of fiscal policy and the charter, good times as well as bad, as it can now make decisions which is set out in clause 1(2) and to which the question for the benefit of the economy, rather than the benefit of economic growth and job creation would be added of the Government. by the amendments. Clause 6(3) states: In the establishment in law of the OBR, the Bill “The Office must, in the performance of its duty under section 4, should focus on more than just deficit and debt issues. act consistently with any guidance included in the Charter by Clause 1(1) states that the Treasury must look at virtue of this section.” “the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy and policy I am deeply worried about the legal status of the charter for the management of the National Debt.” in this context. That narrow focus takes us away from what we need As for fiscal policy, I remind the House that the other most, which is economic growth. It does not even give day, probably for the first time since 1640—Pym and the OBR the ability to take account of various specific Hampden and all that—the Government passed a motion objectives the Government may want to achieve, such saying that we were only primarily responsible for it. I as on child poverty or unemployment, or in terms of the voted against the motion—as did my hon. Friend the impact on the economy of decisions made by the Chancellor Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) and a number of and his team. others—but the whole House should have voted against it, because in fact we are exclusively responsible for Justine Greening: To reassure the hon. Gentleman, fiscal policy, and that is what the Bill is supposed to be may I point out that the OBR is free to consider the based on. impact of any Government policy on the sustainability What worries me particularly is the inconsistency of the public finances? It therefore does have the discretion with fundamental questions that are in the background, to conduct analysis that it may think necessary to assess involving the primacy of European law, sovereignty and whether the public finances are in a sustainable state. 893 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 894 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] Ian Murray: I am grateful to the Economic Secretary. spirals down to 2.1%—and even that may be reduced As I have said previously in the House, she is one of the when the Chancellor has spoken at the Dispatch Box more capable Ministers, but she does occasionally fail tomorrow. So the OBR has been a good antidote to the to see the wood for the trees, and I would point out to propaganda that we have heard from those on the her that the OBR’s remit is purely fiscal, and its fiscal Government Benches. forecasting may not always take into account what is happening on the ground in all the local communities 5.45 pm that we represent. I wonder what the Chief Secretary to the Treasury That brings me neatly to my next point, which is would say about the OBR’s forecast that under Labour’s about independent forecasting. That is certainly no plans consumer prices index inflation would have been panacea, nor is it a substitute for the judgments made at 1.6% in 2011, compared with the current 2.8%, which about the public finances by the Chancellor and Prime is partly due to the VAT rise. I wonder whether he now Minister. We need to be able to hold the Government regrets having called it a “Tory tax bombshell”, because to account on the accuracy of the forecast and the according to the OBR’s CPI inflation figures, it seems consequences of the judgments and choices that they that it is probably a Tory inflation bombshell. That is make. The Conservatives have repeatedly claimed that why the OBR needs a growth mandate, and why these the Labour Government fiddled the figures, but that is are perfectly reasonable amendments to make at this not borne out by the statistics published by the Library. stage of the Bill’s proceedings. In all the years before the crash, in only two years did According to the OBR’s somewhat optimistic forecasts, the growth forecasts fall below the range that the Treasury in order to get the deficit down the Chancellor is had published, so the Treasury was dealing with those banking on an almost unprecedented boom in business issues. The Government are wrong if they believe that investment and net trade, the like of which has not been the OBR would have prevented a crisis, or that it will seen in Britain since two years before I was born. That protect us from the consequences of some of what in statistic should show that extreme economic growth is my view are the Chancellor’s misjudgments. required. My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) mentioned the sort of increase in Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): If the OBR is trade and investment that would be needed to produce such a good idea, why did the previous Government not that kind of almost unprecedented boom in the economy, introduce it during their 13 years in office? But leaving which has not been seen since 1974. that aside, will the hon. Gentleman concede that if we It would be wrong of me not to highlight the issues had had an office for Budget responsibility in the last associated with where the OBR should be based, which Parliament, the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and have been raised during earlier proceedings. Many of Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) would have found it much my hon. Friends have said that it should not be based in harder to dismiss warnings about the economy overheating, Whitehall, so that it would be less influenced by Whitehall. because those would have come from an independent That is why it should be based in a major growth sector office such as that created by this Bill? in the economy. Basing it in my home town of Edinburgh, which includes my constituency and has the second Ian Murray: I am grateful to my hon. Friend; I get on largest financial sector, after London, would mean not very well with the hon. Gentleman, so I consider him to only that the OBR could have its finger on the pulse of be my hon. Friend— what is happening in the economy, but that it would have a growth mandate right in the heart of that area. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): The reason why a growth mandate is needed is reflected Shame! directly in amendment 4, and relates to the OBR revising down its growth strategy—[Interruption.] I will change my remarks every time I look at the Clerk, perhaps to Ian Murray: That may not please every Labour Member, avoid being chastised for going slightly off the point; I but nobody is objecting to the setting up of the OBR. am grateful for his animated guidance. Let us examine My point is about the previous Government’s record: in some of the myths about growth. When Labour left only two years did the growth forecast fall below the office the recovery was picking up: growth was 1.1%—its range that the Treasury had published. I am not claiming highest level in 2010—unemployment was falling, and that the OBR does not do sterling work. as I have said, according to the OBR the deficit came in That last intervention brings me neatly to my point more than £20 billion lower. So if growth had been about what the OBR has been able to do. It serves as a included in the OBR’s strategy when we set it up on a strong antidote to the propaganda about the figures statutory basis, we would have been able to see the real that we have been hearing from the Government. The projections on unemployment and on growth, and the OBR said that because of the actions of the Labour real consequences of some of the decisions that the Government, the deficit in 2009-10 was more than Chancellor will announce at that Dispatch Box tomorrow. £20 billion less than had been expected. It also said that I shall conclude by making two further points, the under the Tory-led Government’s plans there would be first of which relates to the myths about this country’s 110,000 more people on the dole by the end of this level of deficit and national debt. Parliament than would have been the case under Labour’s plans. Those are the OBR’s figures, which is why I am so Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): I delighted that it was set up—the hon. Member for welcome the fact that the OBR is in place. Does the Bristol West (Stephen Williams) can check the figures if hon. Gentleman think that if it had been formed back he wishes. The OBR forecasts based on Labour’s plans in 1997, it would have advised the Labour Government until the election were that the economy would grow by against increasing the national debt by a stonking 2.6% in 2011, whereas the figure under this Government £74.9 billion in the boom years between 1997 and 2004? 895 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 896 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] Ian Murray: One would have thought that the three someone at Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs: they interventions I have taken were scripted across the have listed the cost of all the changes to their family Chamber, because the hon. Gentleman leads me to the budget, which amount to a loss of £4,000 a year. One second point in this part of my speech. I was talking member of the family earns just into the upper tax about the deficit and the national debt, so let us dispel bracket, and his partner works part-time and tends to some of the propaganda in the OBR’s reports. He is look after the children. When the national insurance welcome to read both them and the fantastic summary increase and the child benefit cut—because he is a of performance indicators in the economy that the higher tax bracket earner—are taken into account as Library has produced. This point shows why it is incredibly well as the increase in VAT and pension contributions, important that the OBR should examine a wider set of the overall consumer prices index increase to pensions, figures, rather than just fiscal and national debt. Public his public sector pay freeze, the extra cost of fuel going sector net debt was down to 36.5% of gross domestic into the car, the increase in utility bills, food inflation product in 2007-08, compared with the 42.5% that was and general inflation in the economy, it all has a rather inherited in 1996-97. Most of that borrowing was to do hard-hitting effect on the family budget. That is why I with financing capital investment, and not day-to-day think the amendments are sensible, and why the OBR expenditure as the Conservatives claim. needs a growth mandate to get the Chancellor out of a hole—because he does not have a plan B, and it does Stewart Hosie: Unfortunately that is not quite true, not really look as if he has a plan A, either. because the bulk of the capital expenditure took place through private finance initiative. If memory serves, John Mann: I shall speak solely to the excellent the outstanding balance on the credit card for that is amendment that my hon. Friend the Member for £200 billion—of which, under the Labour Government, Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) so eloquently put forward. two thirds was off the balance sheet. In doing so, I shall argue why it is in the Government’s interests to accept the amendment. I am certain that by Ian Murray: The figures are there for people to see. I the end of my speech the Minister will wish to accept it am delighted that we have had a contribution from the and will accede by nodding that she will do so. hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) on this subject, because in the past four years of Scottish The amendment is a pro-Government amendment National party government not one brick has been laid and would be pro-Government whoever was in government, to build new infrastructure in Scotland. They have because unlike the usual party-politicking that we tend refused even to set up anything to do with building to get on Report, particularly early on, the amendment public infrastructure. is a highly pragmatic and practical amendment to a process that, as the Government stated when they set up the OBR, was itself meant to be independent, practical Stewart Hosie rose— and pragmatic. The shame is that we could be in a Public Bill Committee given the paucity of the number Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. We of Members present to debate this rather important Bill are not going to be drawn into the party politics of and an area of the economy that is the most fundamental Scotland. Let us stick to the amendment. issue that we face, along with every other Parliament in the world. I know we will not have a green Budget Ian Murray: Thank you, Mr Hoyle. I will resist the tomorrow, but today the Green Benches are largely empty temptation to have another go at the Scottish National of hon. Members ready to participate in and listen to party in the Chamber, and will take your guidance. the debate. That is an indictment of the confidence that I shall finish on two quick points. First, the level of Back Benchers from both halves of the coalition have in borrowing before the financial crisis did not cause the their Government’s economic policies on the verge of recession. Every country in the world was affected, so it the Chancellor’s second Budget. does not take a rocket scientist to work out that it was a We have an opportunity to shape the independent worldwide financial crisis. The coalition Government’s analysis that will sit alongside this and all future Budgets, propaganda— including when, at some stage, the coalition parties are in opposition—although I appreciate that the Liberals Stephen Williams: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? are, in essence, already in opposition. It is extraordinary that so few of them are present. If I were a Liberal Ian Murray: I may just carry on, as I know you are now—I never will be, but if I were—I would be thinking, trying to get through the speakers, Mr Hoyle. “Here is an opportunity, with this amendment, to try to The coalition would have us believe that the previous have a smidgen of influence over this tawdry Government.” Government were responsible for the economic crisis That smidgen of influence is entirely lacking now, because in, to name but a few countries, Germany, France, the the Liberals are nothing more than lapdogs to the US, Japan, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Iceland, and Tories’ economic policies. that member of the arc of prosperity, Ireland. I shall illustrate my point with two examples, the first Finally, I want to give a human story and show why of which concerns the labour market and issues such as there is a need for a growth factor mandate at the OBR. immigration and why it is so relevant to what the OBR On Sunday in my constituency I met a family who is not doing and, I believe, will not do in its report that raised the spectre of what the Government’s changes will be presented with the Budget tomorrow. When mean for them and the problems that they face as a assessing job creation, it is essential from a Treasury result. The OBR reflects these issues in the figures it and from a social policy point of view to ascertain produces, but not in terms of growth. That family gave precisely what new jobs there are. In doing so, work me a list, which follows on from a list given to me by should not be broken down to the micro-level of particular 897 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 898 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] kinds of jobs, as policy makers do not need to know still managed to lose 1 million manufacturing jobs in that. However, they do need to know about the people those years—this was before the recession—and I am who have entered the labour market and were not in it not sure how the growth mandate would have helped to before. If it is projected that just over 1 million jobs will inform us that we had lost those jobs, given that net be created in this Parliament, it makes a world of growth was being identified and, presumably, reported difference if those jobs are taken by young people on, as it would be by the OBR. coming into our economy from the accession countries of eastern Europe, perhaps on a temporary basis, to John Mann: We, like other countries in the western participate in those elements of growth in our economy world, are losing manufacturing jobs because of our rather than being taken by the domestically resident, refusal to deal with Chinese imports and the consumer unemployed, underemployed, retired or partially retired myth of buying ever cheaper from China. The inherent population. trade imbalances and problems that accrue as a result The economics of this issue are as important to will come back to haunt us, and while I know that the decision making as the social policy side, which I am Government will want to allocate time to discuss that sure all hon. Members will recognise is very important. vital subject in the near future, it is slightly outside our If the majority of jobs being created are semi-permanent, present debate. service sector-based jobs in the south-east, particularly The hon. Gentleman is partly right and partly wrong. in London, and if they are filled by people from overseas, While it would be wrong to discuss policy issues relating there will be economic and social consequences. One to the economy now, if the statistics had been broken economic consequence will be an overheating of the down at that time to allow his assessment to be made London and south-east economies. more accurately, it is rational to assume that the situation The failure to take that into account in economic could have been debated more regularly and in a more planning was by far the biggest fault line under the informed way. That might have had a positive impact previous Labour Government. It is foolhardy of the for Opposition Members such as him as well as Labour current Government, with the cheering on the Conservative Back Benchers. Indeed, such information might also Back Benches that there has been, to do exactly the have informed the previous Government’s policy making, same thing given that a tool has been created that would which explains why amendment 1 is in the Government’s allow that objective analysis—if it were allowed to do favour. that job. If the OBR’s report tomorrow gives a breakdown of where jobs are coming from, how many are in the We need to know about job creation and what jobs south-east and London, and how many are new jobs are available not only in London and the south-east, but going to people coming into the country for the first in other parts of the United Kingdom. I have talked time, that will give us far greater certainty about the about immigration, but there is an equally vital factor economic and social consequences. Some of those economic for economic and social policy: the blurring, albeit for consequences, as well as social consequences, will be for rational reasons, of retirement age. We have to consider an overheated housing market in London and the south- early retirement, late retirement and the retirement age east, which has previously been an impediment to certain itself, as well as the vital question of pensions. Some forms of growth and to those who have wished to get employers in areas such as mine have deliberately targeted into the labour market but have not been able to do so. getting the over-60s back into employment. That is perfectly rational, and it is good for those people, for 6pm the social economy and, perhaps, for the economy overall. We need the information, however; not because I have set out this rather crude point in the past, but I that is a bad thing, but because we need to know shall do so again. If there is the option of employing a whether the new jobs in our regions and constituencies 20-year-old Slovakian—or even a 21-year-old; perhaps are getting those people who are deemed to be retired a graduate—or a 57-year-old person who has not worked into the labour market, as opposed to people who are for 10 years, and therefore has no record of recent not working—whether they want to work or not. If we employment or testimony from recent employers, who are to crack the problem of those who choose not to will the rational employer be more likely to employ? work, or who are incapable of getting work—again, the The previous Labour Government failed to get their rational employer goes for the person with work history— head fully around that conundrum, which was why such understanding will be vital to our economic and there was an imbalance in the growth of the economy social policy. I put it to hon. Members that the rational that caused London and the south-east to overheat. employer is far more likely to employ a 67-year-old with That overheating led to social consequences, not least in an excellent work history who is re-entering the labour the housing market, and the public policy response was market, perhaps in a part-time job, than a 57-year-old a demand that more public money should be thrown at who has been unemployed for 10 years. those social consequences to try to adjust the housing market and build more housing. Such social policy was The decisions taken by employers and those individuals perfectly reasonable and rational, but it had implications who wish to re-enter the labour market are not necessary for the public finances, which is why information about matters for us, but the consequences of their decisions the precise nature of the jobs is critical not only to are important to us, and especially to economic policy economic decision making, but to social policy making. making. An understanding of the precise breakdown of new jobs and job losses is fundamental to economic Stewart Hosie: The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting policy making. Several of the economic assumptions point about the nature of employment, but I am not that can be made about consumer behaviour, pensioners sure whether the growth mandate to which amendment and wage demands flow from such analysis. That is why, 1 refers would help. There were years under Labour in as a slight aside, it would be foolhardy not to give the which there was net growth, but the Labour Government Treasury Committee a role in all five OBR appointments, 899 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 900 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [John Mann] John Mann: I struggle with the humour, Mr Deputy Speaker. because such a role would ensure that if a Chancellor The facts cannot be hidden. The facts about immigration were so foolish as to skew the appointment process cannot be hidden because they can be rooted out. My towards people with a certain mindset or from a certain point is that the facts should be there and they should discipline in economics, as opposed to trying to achieve be presented. The facts on the semi-retired, part-retired, a balance, that Chancellor could be corrected through would-be-retired, past-retired and those back in the appropriate cross-party decision making. I am talking labour market are not there, but they would help with about any Chancellor—the present one, whoever replaces some of our social policy making and, I repeat, are vital him in future reshuffles and our Chancellor, when we to our economic policy making. are in power. It is vital that there is an evidence base that When it comes to the price of petrol and the level of stands independent of the Government so that we can tax on it, I imagine that some Greens and others—there all decide how to vote on the various measures that the are not many Green Members, of course—would see Government bring forward. How can we possibly make those statistics as important for social policy. As I have an informed decision otherwise, except by political instinct, said, however, I am mainly interested in economic policy. which is important but insufficient compared with having I am interested in knowing about the impact in my area all the information? on small businesses as well as the larger businesses that I am therefore puzzled by why the Government are rely on vehicles. I used to rely on vehicles when I had my not leaping to thank my hon. Friend the Member for own small family business, driving lorries across Europe. Nottingham East for tabling the amendment. Labour We know how much it costs to fill up, but as a new MP Members might see the fact that his approach would entering Parliament in 2001, I would have been interested help out such a Tory Government as somewhat treacherous, in challenging Labour Chancellors over what they were but this is clearly the new politics. It is coalition gone going to do with the historic tax on fuel that had been mad when a Labour Front Bencher is putting forward a imposed by their Conservative predecessors, particularly proposal that would help Conservative Back Benchers, between 1979 when it was 6.6p and 1997 when it was the handful—a tiny number—of Liberals who are anywhere about 45p—the biggest increase in petrol duty anywhere near government and the Government themselves. in the world. I appreciate that statistics can be embarrassing Let me give another example about policy making. to Governments. Who knows what will be determined about petrol policy tomorrow, but that is a good example of something that Stephen Williams: The hon. Gentleman objects to should be covered by the OBR’s analysis. We need to taxes on fuel—we hear a lot from many Labour Members know what has happened, including in the past, so that about their objections to different tax rises by this and we can assess the impact of VAT on petrol, as well as on previous Governments—so where does he think that petrol duty, and the changes to petrol duty itself. The the tax burden should fall, given that billions of pounds Chancellor might decide not to cut the price of petrol are raised by fuel duties? and yet not to increase it further, even though the price paid by drivers such as myself has gone up by ten quid John Mann: I will have to resist—not because I am since he became Chancellor. If he decides not to increase not keen to respond, but because I see immediately that the price further, we will need to see a breakdown of the Mr Deputy Speaker does not want me to stray into relevant information. We could go back through history, taxation policy. This is about the statistics, and the although I can guarantee that such a consideration will statistics are fascinating when we know that Labour not be in the report that the OBR produces tomorrow. I Chancellors have put up petrol duty so little in comparison could assist the office, however, because I have statistics with Conservative Chancellors. We know why: it is that demonstrate that 70% of the existing tax on petrol because we are on the side of industry and of business. was brought in by Conservative Chancellors since 1973. We have not said that enough; we have not been proud One might ask why Conservative Chancellors pick on enough to say it, and we need to say it far more. the motorist to such an extent, but that is a debate for tomorrow rather than today, although I know that you, When it comes to economic decision making and the Mr Deputy Speaker, and others in the rural community ability to have comparators, the statistics are vital. That will want to know why that is the case. is why I emphasise that, in essence, amendment 1 is a pro-Government amendment. I predict that, at tomorrow’s The point, in the context of the amendment, is that Budget, the Office for Budget Responsibility will not we must know precisely what is going on. I imagine that provide such analysis. It is wrong that it will fail to do Conservative Back Benchers would be shocked to find so, but its excuse will be that it does not have a mandate. out that Conservative Chancellors are responsible, as of We have an opportunity to put that right. I look to the today, for 70% of the tax on petrol. If the OBR had the Minister to nod to show that she is going to accept this mandate, however, those statistics could be laid out for excellent amendment in order to strengthen decision us at every Budget and the pressure would be on. The making and to be on the side of the motorist and those pressure would, of course, be on Labour if the reverse who want a proper debate on the labour market and had been the case and Labour Chancellors such as my jobs in this country. I commend the amendment to the right hon. Friends the Members for Kirkcaldy and House. Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) and for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) had been responsible for the rise. Geraint Davies: The amendment is essentially about Andrew Bridgen: I applaud the hon. Gentleman’s honesty making growth a centrepiece of the Office for Budget in saying that Conservative Chancellors are responsible, Responsibility—for very obvious reasons. The OBR’s because there is no doubt that Labour Chancellors have remit, as set out in clause 4, is to been extremely irresponsible. [Interruption.] “report on the sustainability of the public finances”. 901 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 902 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] That sustainability consists of tax, expenditure and can have some more money. What we will do is make growth. We are not saying that the OBR makes no the cuts twice as fast in just one way—through savaging implicit consideration of growth, but that growth needs public sector jobs and services”. to be made a much more central part of the information Then, remarkably, growth starts to recede so that available for our deliberations. the sums no longer add up, as there is obviously an interrelationship between private sector growth and 6.15 pm public sector funding. Thus they suddenly realise that they have to do something about growth. The amendment Justine Greening: Clause 5(1) states: is about recognising that the centrepiece of macro-economic “The Office has complete discretion in the performance of its planning and fiscal responsibility is growth. It is all very duty under section 4”. well for the Minister to say, “Oh well, the OBR will have Does the hon. Gentleman think that that is somehow absolute discretion; it can look at growth if it likes, but insufficient to provide the OBR with the absolute discretion if it doesn’t want to, it doesn’t have to”. That is the it needs to do any analysis it wants to fulfil the main problem; its eye is off the ball. We need to get the duty he mentioned? finances in proper balance without destroying communities, which is what Labour Members stand for. Geraint Davies: Having complete discretion is useful, but the word discretion means that something remains a Stewart Hosie: If I may take the hon. Gentleman matter of discretion—these things do not have to be back, he mentioned Greece and banking regulation. done. The OBR has the discretion to go around looking Can he explain to the House how the failure of Greek at whatever it likes, but the amendment is saying something banking regulation had anything to do with the sovereign different—that the centrepiece of our economic future debt crisis, and what on earth the amendment, which is is economic growth. That has belatedly been recognised about a growth mandate, has to do with that? by the Chancellor, as we will see in tomorrow’s Budget, when he will say, “I have done all the tax and spend, Geraint Davies: I will try and speak more slowly. My but, oh no, everything is going wrong because growth point was that the international financial crisis affected is going down the chute, so I had better belatedly do all countries’ debt, not least that of Greece. Obviously, something about it”. The previous Government had it has its own banking system, underneath the European sent us on a trajectory of positive growth, albeit that it Central Bank. There was a common cause for many of was a fragile recovery after a financial crisis. The Chancellor the deficit problems around the globe. It was not uniquely has seen that we are going into negativity, so he has Labour’s fault, as the Government make out. The scratched his head and realised that growth has something amendment seeks to clarify the factors that are generating to do with the public finances. the fiscal future, including growth. We have been lambasted by Conservative Members who say that the deficit is terrible and Labour left the Justine Greening: The hon. Gentleman keeps talking cupboard bare. They conveniently forget that, as reported about the deficit as though it was something that descended by all the economic forecasters, including the Institute upon us. The bottom line is that the UK had a structural for Fiscal Studies, two thirds of the £84 billion deficit deficit. That means that his Government were spending came from the international financial crisis. That was more money on public services than was being generated not Labour’s fault. When Conservative Members suggest, in taxation, even in the good years, so we were never “Oh, well, we should have had more regulation”, they going to be in a position to start paying off any of our seem to forget that when we created the Financial debts, which is why the markets got so concerned about Services Authority to introduce more regulation, they continuing to lend to us. That is a structural deficit, said they wanted self-regulation and complained about and it is a fact, even if the shadow Chancellor will not red tape. In fact, it would have been much worse had it accept it, and that is why we have to have a deficit not been for the Labour Government. Furthermore, reduction plan in place. that regulatory hole in the armoury was commonplace across the globe. That is why Governments in Greece, Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. This is America, Spain and elsewhere have had problems dealing a fascinating debate, but not for today. If we could get with the financial deficits they inherited. Obviously, we back to the specifics of the amendments before us, were more vulnerable to sub-prime debt, as we know perhaps we could make some progress. because the financial sector is larger in Britain. Let us get away from the myths about why we have Geraint Davies: I am grateful for your advice, Mr Deputy the deficit and deal with the challenge of how to get rid Speaker, and for the Minister’s intervention. In a way, of it. We get rid of it by striking a proper balance her intervention makes the case for having growth at the between growth, making savings over time and ensuring centre of the OBR. I am sure that when she reads her that the bankers pay their fair share. It is convenient for words, which I appreciate were spoken with some emotion the Conservatives to say that there is only one way of and anger, she will wish that she had picked them more achieving the task. Instead of having a balanced approach carefully. to maximising growth, making the bankers pay their When we look at the facts and strip out the impact of fair share and making credible savings that are realistic the international financial crisis, which is about £84 billion over time and would halve the deficit in four years, in terms of our structural deficit, there was a residual Conservative Members say, “No. We don’t want to deficit, to which the hon. Lady refers. There was an halve the deficit in four years; we want to get rid of it in excess of expenditure over income, but that was taken four years, and we do not want to use growth or involve into account in future planning. There was a savings the bankers. The bankers are our mates after all, so they plan from the previous Chancellor, as she knows, to cut 903 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 904 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Geraint Davies] That is why growth as the centrepiece of the Office for Budget Responsibility is so important. To release the the deficit in half in four years. That was not exclusively entrepreneurial spirit and focus it on export-driven reliant on cutting public services and jobs. Rather, it growth is the primary aim of Labour, but not of relied on stimulating growth. Government Members, who have let down business. The OBR’s estimates of growth have been downgraded. Those higher levels—2.6%—would have provided more Stewart Hosie: I am trying to understand the amendment. fuel to get the deficit down. I recall that the projected To have a growth mandate in the OBR would have deficit in the pre-Budget report was £30 billion less than allowed it to explain precisely where the £57 billion of had been predicted previously. In other words, growth cuts every year under Labour from 2013-14 onwards had been occurring faster than was thought. Now it is would have come from. Is that correct? The growth growing less fast—in fact, it is growing negatively. mandate would have explained where the £57 billion of fiscal consolidation would have come from. Is that Justine Greening: Just on the off-chance, I wonder correct? whether the hon. Gentleman would be able to set out what the £14 billion of cuts were that his party was Geraint Davies: I really am speaking too fast, aren’t I? planning to start in April. Chris Ruane: No. The hon. Member for Dundee East Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. We are (Stewart Hosie) is listening too slowly. going much wider than the amendments. Could we please confine our comments from now on to the Geraint Davies: There was never any suggestion that amendments before us? the OBR could miraculously conjure up the optimum strategy, which has not even been launched by the Opposition, to solve the deficit problem more effectively. Geraint Davies: The point I was making before I was The Government are struggling with a one-string bow. distracted was why there should be growth in the OBR. They said, “We’ll get the deficit down by sacking everyone What were the previous Government’s plans to get the quickly,” forgetting that that would grind growth into deficit down? That is what the hon. Lady asked. It is the ground. We need to evaluate the changes in policy important to recognise that the plans that we had were and particularly cuts in growth-creating capacity. largely growth plans, which will now not be taken up. I shall give one simple example. The problem might not be RDAs. It might be that we are undermining the capacity of our universities to The Government said, “We’ll cut some expenditure. ensure that the most able students are not deterred from We’ll cut the regional development agencies.” So there going and that they become future growth generators I was, going to speak to UK Trade and Industry which, and entrepreneurs. It might be the failure to provide as Members know, is the marketing operation for Britain connectivity between industry and universities to ensure abroad, about encouraging inward investment and trade that good ideas are commercialised and that there are with foreign countries. I was talking to UKTI in Germany, opportunities for clusters of SMEs around universities. as it happens— There are lots of ideas that can be calibrated for their impact on the public accounts. This move is an attempt Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): In German? to refocus all our minds on the importance of engines for growth, instead of cutting the legs away from the Geraint Davies: No, in Welsh. I was in Dusseldorf, players. talking on behalf of the Welsh Affairs Committee. This is relevant, Mr Deputy Speaker. UKTI had been marketing Stephen Williams: Given that the hon. Gentleman Britain, and various German companies had been saying, wants growth-led manufacturing and university clusters, for example, “We want to invest in a food and drinks does he welcome the announcement made last week by factory. We want these skills and this site, and ideally the Business Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister these grants and these communications.” That would of technology and innovation centres around the country, have been put on a computer platform and pulled down including the composites centre in Bristol? by regional development agencies to encourage inward investment. I asked what was happening now, and was Geraint Davies rose— told, “All these bids are coming forward for creating jobs in the UK, and the RDAs are not pulling them Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. We seem down because they have been abolished.” to be skiing off-piste every time there is an intervention That is a simple example of how the cuts in and trying to tempt Mr Davies on to territory that is not administration and red tape are stopping quality jobs relevant to the amendment. being created in Britain. The cuts undermine growth and are false economics. To answer the question about 6.30 pm where we would cut the deficit, Labour would reduce the deficit by encouraging growth and jobs. I was talking Geraint Davies: I am grateful for your guidance, to a business man last week in Swansea. He said, “I run Mr Deputy Speaker, because I would not want to be a business. Why are the Government always talking tempted in the least. I will resist temptation. about cuts? If I was making a loss and wanted to cut my The focus of the amendment is very much on the costs, I would not sell my tools. Yes, I’d keep my costs important area of growth. As I have mentioned, the down, but I’d invest in sales.” The Government’s position important opportunity is to refocus our entrepreneurial is like paying off the mortgage by selling the furniture, activity on export-driven growth. For example, in the rather than getting a job. That is ludicrous. Budget tomorrow the Chancellor might announce tax 905 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 906 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] breaks for investment in small and medium-sized enterprises, way, rather than in the narrowly defined way that the which I would welcome. I do not think that he will, Government prescribe. With those thoughts, I will give because he does not particularly care about SMEs; he other Members the chance to make their own unique will just say something about not giving mothers and contributions. fathers rights to see their children. The fact is that, with regard to the engines of growth, the liquidity has been Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op): After the epic taken out by the banks, which are just rebalancing their speeches from my hon. Friends the Members for Bassetlaw balance sheets. They should be pressurised into providing (John Mann), for Swansea West (Geraint Davies) and the fuel to allow the entrepreneurial engine to move for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray), I will keep my forward, because so many companies have full balance comments succinct and tight, and I will try to keep to sheets but no cash flow because the banks are letting the amendment. them down. The most important thing about the amendment is It would also be a good idea to have a tax break for that growth is key and that there must be some plan for investment in SMEs in order to push things forward, as growth. It is all very well saying, as many Members that way people could put in their own money and it have, that there is no plan B, but it seems to me that would produce a better rate of return from the point of there is no plan A. There is no rationale for a plan A or view of the business and venture capitalists. I do not a plan B. It is important to know what that rationale think for one moment that the Chancellor will announce will be. We need to know how the Government reach such a tax break—he does not have the imagination—but their decisions. if he did, that could be factored into the growth figures I am going to say something quite shocking: I do not for the OBR, because obviously the money we would believe that the majority of people in this country care spend on the tax break would be recovered from business about the deficit. Government Members can call me a growth, particularly if it was targeted at export-driven, deficit denier all they want, but I believe that when high-quality manufacturing. people are sitting around their kitchen tables at night they are most concerned about their jobs, their borrowing, Andrew Bridgen: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? their mortgages and their houses. That is what keeps them awake at night, not the deficit. Yes, the deficit is Geraint Davies: I will give way to the man with the important. badge. Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Does the hon. Andrew Bridgen: Does the hon. Gentleman believe Gentleman think that people such as me who are parents that the OBR, had it existed before the financial crisis, of young children do not worry about the deficit and would have been able to tell the previous Government the legacy that the Labour Government left their children that much of the growth they were claiming was actually and mine? a mirage? That growth was driven by a Government who were spending more than they were gaining in Chris Evans: If I was in the hon. Gentleman’s position, taxes and so creating a deficit. To pick up on a point I would be more worried about whether I will have a job made by the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann), in four or five years’ time. That is what most people are they were also exporting manufacturing jobs to the far concerned about, but they are concerned about what east and importing cheap goods, which was having a will happen in six month’s time— deflationary effect on our economy, allowing interest rates to be kept artificially low and feeding a housing Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. I will bubble that was getting ever bigger. When it burst, that tell Members what I am concerned about: no one is was when it all happened. talking to the specific amendments before us. If it is at all possible for you, Mr Evans, to mention the amendments Geraint Davies: I am glad that the hon. Gentleman is now and again, that really would be very useful. wearing a badge saying that he has a GCSE in economics, but I doubt it. Chris Evans: Thank you for your advice, Mr Deputy On a serious point, I have already accepted that prior Speaker—I have not been here very long. to the financial crisis there was a marginal deficit to be Getting back to the amendment, it is important that confronted, and it was going to be confronted through we have the rationale for growth and know how the growth initiatives. We have since had the financial crisis, Government reach their decisions. We cannot talk about and the important thing now is to move forward with this in the microcosm of a dry subject of forecasts. We ideas for investing in growth. Clearly, there are big cannot debate forecasts in this House; we can only questions on tax and spend and where those will be debate judgments on how the Government arrive at deployed. Many new ideas might emerge in the Budget, those policies. such as a windfall tax on the energy giants, whose profit margins have suddenly increased by 38% because they Geraint Davies: The hon. Member for Nuneaton did not adjust their prices when costs changed and so (Mr Jones) mentioned his children. Surely the important ripped off Britain’s consumers. That is obviously a point about growth and the amendment is that if we legacy of the previous Conservative Government’s invest in his children, in their education and in the privatisation and the lack of controls. opportunity to go cost-effectively to university, to add There is money available to invest in growth and value and to promote future growth, that is the future services and close the deficit gap. The point about the they can look forward to. That is why his children are amendment is that we must put growth centre stage, probably a bit disappointed that he supported the increase as that will enable us to move forward in a balanced in tuition fees. Let us have growth. 907 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 908 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] Chris Evans: I totally agree. If I may digress a little Let us be clear that the duty of the OBR is very clear from the amendment, it is all very well paying off the and is set out in clause 4. It should examine and report deficit, but if there is no economy at the end of it we can on the sustainability of public finances but, as hon. forget about it all and worry about all our futures. I Members have said, Government policy clearly impacts have tried to keep my comments brief and say in closing on that. By definition, the OBR will consider how that I support the amendment because we need to know policy impacts on the sustainability of public finances. how the Government arrive at their decisions so that this House can properly scrutinise them. John Mann: From what the Minister is saying, I presume that if the OBR—or even the Treasury Committee, Justine Greening: I am pleased to have the opportunity but the OBR in particular—were to say that it was finally to respond to some of the points that have been unable to provide the analysis that it would like to made and to the amendments that have been tabled. It because it was not sufficiently resourced, that would be is important to say first that I very much welcome the seen as a serious question for the Government to address. contribution that Members not only in this House but in the other place have made to get the Bill to its current stage. Despite the debate we have had on growth, which Justine Greening: The hon. Gentleman will be aware of course is important, I think that there is broad through his role as a member of the Treasury Committee support across the Chamber, as there was in the other that when the chair of the OBR, Robert Chote, was place, for what the OBR is intended to do and for asked whether he felt it was sufficiently resourced he setting up such an office that can work effectively. said he felt it was. The hon. Gentleman will also be All the amendments relate to growth, so perhaps we aware that one reason we have carved out sufficient have stared the debate that will not doubt continue money not just for this year but for the whole spending tomorrow after the Budget. We believe that economic review period, which will be reported on separately, is to growth and job creation are absolutely vital, and Members ensure that the OBR understands that it is sufficiently will see tomorrow that that is a core part of the Budget. resourced not just for this year but for the years ahead, I agree with many of the comments that have been so that it has that certainty about its resource base to do made about why we need to see growth as part of the the work it needs to do. Budget. I want to take the time to clarify some points that have been raised. John Mann: That is a vital point, because Robert The debate so far has been about policy and strategy, Chote was speaking as the first permanent employee. but the OBR is not a policy making body; it is there is Others are now employed by the OBR who might have look at the forecasting and produce the official forecast different perspectives and priorities. There is a critical for the UK Government. It is precisely not intended question: if the OBR feels restrained by resources, will to make policy. One of the things we have been very that become a politically contentious issue as regards careful to do in setting out how the clauses and the objective statistics? Presumably, in such a case, if the charter work is ensure that the OBR’s independence, OBR was kicking up about being unable to provide the impartiality and transparency, which are also vital, are detail in independent statistics, the Government would not compromised. regard it as vital to address that resource need.

Geraint Davies: Having said that, will the hon. Lady Justine Greening: I can go back to the reply I just gave accept that some of the OBR’s responsibility should be the hon. Gentleman. The charter and the Bill clearly set to forecast what it regards as the impact of policy out the OBR’s duties and Sir Alan Budd, as the interim changes from the Chancellor? For example, if he was to chair, produced his report and talked about what he announce suddenly that he will let the private sector thought that the duties of the OBR should be, about its deliver public services so that entrepreneurial capacity resourcing and about how it should be run. Of course, will be taken out of export-driven growth and put into we reflected many of those comments as we introduced making easy money out of monopoly-provided public this Bill to set up the OBR. If we take that together with services, would it not be right for the OBR to say, “Hold the fact that the permanent chair, Robert Chote, has on, that capacity has gone over there so our growth will said that he does not feel that there will be an issue with go down”? resourcing, we can be relatively confident that the OBR will be adequately resourced to fulfil the duties clearly Justine Greening: I hope I can provide some clarification. set out in the Bill. The OBR has the freedom to consider the impact of policies on sustainable public finances, including Let me turn briefly to the amendments. They all employment policies. If the hon. Gentleman looks at concern growth and the problem is that they start to some of the forecasts the OBR has already made, he stray into the OBR’s becoming bound up in policy will see forecasts for employment, average earnings, rather than analysis. Amendment 1 would require the ILO unemployment, the percentage of the claimant charter to include the Government’s economic policy count and, of course, growth. Hon. Members talked objectives and the means by which that objective would about the OBR’s assessment of growth and what it will be attained—what has been called a growth mandate. show over the coming years. The OBR is already producing The charter, however, is a fiscal policy document that an awful lot of the analysis that hon. Members want to transparently sets out the fiscal policy framework. The see, but it is fair to say that today’s debate will—I purpose of the charter, the OBR and the Bill is to create hope—be of interest to the OBR in understanding what the fiscal policy framework that supports the Government’s information and analysis it might feel it needs to provide delivery of our fiscal policy objectives. Rightly, the to convey what it wants to, which is some assessment of charter focuses on fiscal policy issues, as was the case the economic growth forecast for this country. with the previous Government’s code for fiscal stability. 909 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 910 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] 6.45 pm a richer understanding of the growth scenarios in the The charter quite rightly does not seek to cover all future. I appreciate that some of that is done, but we the Government’s economic policy issues. If it did, it want more. would need to cover a wide set of issues, including monetary policy, financial stability policies and micro- Justine Greening: Ultimately, a key clause—I think economic policies. All those areas would require detailed clause 5—sets out that it is at the OBR’s discretion to consideration and the charter is not the right place for decide how to carry out its duty. A fundamental building that, as it is not the Government’s overall economic block of the OBR’s credibility is its independence. I policy framework. assure the hon. Gentleman that the risks he mentions, such as the concern that the OBR might not carry out The Government’s fiscal objectives and mandate have robust analysis, are mitigated by other safeguards in an economic rationale, but they support the overall the Bill. For example, one duty of the OBR will be to economic objective alongside other tools and frameworks. produce a report on the accuracy and robustness of its As we will see tomorrow in the Budget, the policies we forecasting. As he will be aware, there are also non-executive will announce to stimulate growth, jobs and enterprise directors who will be there on a day-to-day basis to are another part of the economic policy that we as a challenge how effectively the OBR works and every five Government want to have in place to ensure that we can years, at a minimum, there will have to be a completely rebalance the economy on a more sustainable footing external peer review of the OBR’s workings. and to sort out our public finances. I think we have managed to strike a balance by Amendment 3 would create an additional requirement setting up the OBR in the way I have described—on the on the OBR specifically to examine and report on the one hand by giving it independence, so it has that key impact of Treasury policy on jobs and economic growth. element of credibility, and on the other by including That point was made by the hon. Member for Swansea some safeguards, in terms of its structure, its management West (Geraint Davies) but, as I have said, the OBR is and the review, so that, if for some reason it does not already free to consider those impacts. If hon. Members produce the quality of forecast that we need, those look at the forecasting work that the OBR has done safeguards will be in place to ensure that we tackle the on Government policy, they will see that those are issue. Let us not forget that the OBR is accountable not precisely the things that the OBR agrees it is important just to Parliament, but to the Chancellor, because it to consider. produces the official forecasts. As I pointed out in an intervention, the OBR’s Finally, amendment 4 suggests another new related “Economic and fiscal outlook”, published in November role for the OBR, which as we have heard would be to of last year, devoted 50 pages to considering economic assess the Government’s growth mandate. As I said in forecast issues. Specifically, it considered in detail the response to amendment 1, the Government seek to prospects for economic growth and employment under achieve their economic policy objectives through a range current Government policy. Moreover, it set out the of policy tools and frameworks, not just through fiscal detail of its central forecast, including GDP, inflation policy, but the OBR has been established to increase the and employment and each forecast included the impact credibility of the Government’s economic and fiscal of all relevant Government policy. The OBR is already forecasts and to hold the Government to account for producing considerable analysis of the impact of their economic and fiscal policies. Government policy on growth and employment, including under alternative economic scenarios. That highly valuable role is recognised by a wide range of domestic and international commentators. That is not all happening by chance. For the OBR to The hon. Member for Swansea West mentioned the be able to consider the sustainability of the public Institute for Fiscal Studies, and it warmly welcomed the finances, it must have a detailed understanding of the establishment of the OBR, which, through its role, has economy and the impact that policy has on the economy already provided forecasts of key economic variables. today and in the future. That work and the points raised In its November report, the OBR set out forecasts for by many hon. Members about how Government policy the next five years, covering a range of key macroeconomic will feed through into economic impact will always be variables, such as GDP and its forecast growth, inflation, at the heart of what the OBR does. employment, average earnings, unemployment and the output gap. In addition, the OBR will have the freedom Geraint Davies: In conversation with the Institute for to consider the impact of Government policy on economic Fiscal Studies, I asked various questions about growth growth and employment within our regions and nations, and its calculations and it was pointed out to me that and in line with its main duty. I therefore consider all the IFS was in essence made up of micro-economists the amendments to be unnecessary, and I hope I have who were aggregating up to deliver predictions about addressed the issues that hon. Members have raised. Government fiscal outputs. I respect what the hon. Lady is saying, but it seems to me that she is basically Mr Cash: I do not want to put my hon. Friend on the saying that the OBR will be doing something very spot, but I am troubled by a motion that the Government similar. It is very easy to make such predictions if we tabled in relation to a European document. I have an say, “Assuming that everybody is still employed, that idea that they did not really mean to do so, but I just we have taxed them this and that they spend that, this want to make the situation completely clear. The motion will happen.” What is more difficult is to model the said that the Government and the House of Commons impact of individual policies in a Budget on growth were only primarily responsible for fiscal matters and and hence on the public finances. The hon. Lady is direct taxation. Will the Minister be kind enough to get giving us some reassurances, but I think the point of that out of the way, so that we might now know that our amendment was to push her to say that this would they are exclusively and solely, not merely primarily, become a priority for the OBR so that we could have responsible? 911 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 912 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] Justine Greening: I do remember the motion to which Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): With this it my hon. Friend refers. We were trying to be very clear, will be convenient to discuss amendment 6, in clause 8, as he will be aware, and no doubt deeply unhappy, that page 3, line 29, at end insert ‘subsequently’. some aspects of our fiscal and taxation system—for May I remind the House that by contrast with the example, VAT—are set in relation to a broader pan- amendments in the previous group, which were very European directive. As we have discovered, that is one narrow, these amendments are very, very, very narrow? reason why the Opposition’s policy on reducing VAT on I do not want Members to consider that a challenge to fuel alone is simply illegal, and I hope I can reassure see how long they can make a speech on the amendments. him that we were trying to be very clear that it is May I also remind the House that we have several days primarily the UK Parliament that takes those decisions. ahead of us when we will be able to talk about the Perhaps I can reassure the rest of the House that economy, growth, jobs, taxation—and they start tomorrow? growth is already an integral part of this Government’s approach to turning around our country’s public finances Chris Leslie: It is early, Mr Deputy Speaker, but I and economic fortunes. I understand why the amendments understand your point about the ticking clock. have been tabled, but they are unnecessary. Amendment 2 seeks to require the Treasury to place in the Library the costing methods, models and assumptions Chris Leslie: I am grateful to the Minister for her that underpin all the revenue projections, implications, generosity in at least admitting that our debate and yield estimates and so forth from each Budget amendments will be of interest to the Office for Budget announcement. Hon. Members will know that the Red Responsibility. Indeed, I hope that is the case. We have Book produced at each Budget contains a number of tried our best on many occasions, and my hon. Friends costing projections, and there is always a fantastic table the Members for Bassetlaw (John Mann), for Swansea somewhere towards the end of the document which West (Geraint Davies), for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) gives a sense of the revenue gains or losses, depending and for Islwyn (Chris Evans) in particular have in plain on each tax or public spending measure in the Budget. terms tried to impress upon the Treasury Minister our In Committee, it became clear that the Office for anxiety that the Chancellor, in his blinkered obsession Budget Responsibility will have the right to gain some with hasty deficit reduction, risks harming the wider insight into the detailed methodologies that the Treasury society and economy, particularly when it comes to jobs uses to underpin the assumptions and costings. The and economic growth. We have said that on several methodologies are therefore publishable, because they occasions, and it was important to reiterate the point can be transferred to the OBR, and all that amendment 2 today. seeks to do is to share them with the wider world, and in I understand, however, that the Minister has explained particular with Parliament, because if hon. Members that the implied terms of the Bill do, indeed, allow for are to scrutinise effectively the assumptions on which the OBR to focus on economic growth and employment the Chancellor makes various decisions, the methodologies matters. The Opposition hope that the OBR, at least, and costings used to underpin those calculations should will do so, even if there is a deficiency in the Government’s be transparent. strategy on the matter. We will no doubt debate those In order to support full and proper scrutiny, and to questions more, in terms of substantive policies, over ensure that we can debate those Budget decisions effectively, the coming days. we think it a reasonable request that the Treasury The Opposition feel that fiscal policy cannot be looked should place those costings and methodologies in the at in isolation from economic growth, because the two Library.It would be inconsistent, given the Prime Minister’s are inextricably linked, and we will continue to make protestations about that point, even if Ministers seek to separate them. For “a new generation that understands and believes in openness, the time being, however, I do not feel it appropriate transparency, accountability”, to push the amendment to a vote, so I am happy to for those models not to be in the public domain. We withdraw it. I think the Minister has heard the point. should not have to rely on freedom of information My hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw has accused requests to elicit such information from the Treasury; if me of tabling pro-Government amendments, and for the OBR has it, so should Parliament. The amendment that reason alone I should take them off the Table, is very simple, and we should not simply have to have given that we have other matters that the House will want faith to trust the Chancellor’s judgments. If we are to to consider on Report. I beg to ask leave to withdraw have such transparency, we should all be able to see the amendment. right through to the methodologies, and perhaps to Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. challenge and test them. Amendment 6, on a different matter, seeks to ensure that the OBR, when it does publish its reports, gives Clause 2 those changes to Parliament first. If hon. Members look in the Bill, they will see a simple clause that states: ANNUAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS “The Office must— publish the report, Chris Leslie: I beg to move amendment 2, page 2, line 14, at end add— lay it before Parliament, and ‘(5) The Treasury must place in the House of Commons send a copy of it”— Library the costing methods and assumptions underpinning all revenue implications and projections of each Budget I am not sure whether it is to be sent first class— announcement.’. “to the Treasury.” 913 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 914 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] All our amendment seeks to do is to place the word That is a simple question, and I am sure that the “subsequently” after the words “Parliament, and”. In answer is yes; I certainly hope so. There is no reason other words, Parliament should have those reports first why we should not have that transparency so that we and the Treasury should get them subsequently—although can all guarantee the efficacy of the reports that the I do not particularly mind if it gets them at the same OBR produces. time. Justine Greening: On amendment 2, the Government 7pm are committed to increasing transparency in public life. If we are in an era when the Office for Budget That transparency is essential to good fiscal policy, as Responsibility is truly impartial and does not help one the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) said. political party, or the governing party of the day, more In fact, the Government already provide the costing than it would the Opposition, I am sure that we could methods and assumptions for policy proposals. Those come to some arrangement whereby the official Opposition were made available in policy costings documents at the would happily respect any market-sensitive data contained last Budget and spending review, and copies were made within the OBR reports—but we should have access available to the House. That is a step change in transparency to them at the same time. The Chancellor suggested, I in fiscal policy making. Specifically in relation to the think, during his interview with Andrew Marr at the OBR, the additional transparency referred to in the weekend, that he knew what the OBR’s growth forecasts amendment is already required by the statutory charter would be when it downgraded those forecasts. He has for budget responsibility, which says at paragraph 3.9: days and days to prepare his case and the Budget, but of “The Budget Report shall provide, at a minimum: an explanation course the rest of Parliament does not have that time. If and costing of the impact of all significant fiscal policy measures the legislature is as important as the Executive—as I introduced by the Government since the last Budget and an believe it is—there is a reasonable case to be made for explanation of the methodology used to cost the fiscal impact of the legislature to have access to the reports from the each of those measures”. independent OBR simultaneously when the Treasury In relation to the Bill, I draw the hon. Gentleman’s receives them. That is the essential point about attention to clause 4(6), which explicitly refers to the amendment 6. The amendments embody two simple OBR’s reports being clear in explaining the factors that requests to help to improve transparency and access for it took into account when preparing the report—not Parliament. only the assumptions that he mentioned but the main risks that it considered to be relevant. So there is a Stewart Hosie: Amendment 2 calls for the OBR’s safeguard not only in the charter but in the Bill to reports to be published. The Treasury Committee said: ensure that there is transparency about how the official “The OBR should have discretion in the models it uses in forecasts have been arrived at. drawing up its forecasts. It is a matter for the organisation itself as On amendment 6, the OBR is accountable to Parliament to whether it is content to use is the Treasury models, or wishes to in order to enhance Parliament’s ability to hold the make changes. Whatever course the OBR takes, there would be benefits in it being as transparent as possible about the models it Government to account for fiscal policy. The OBR’s uses.” forecasts and analysis will be laid directly before the House. The budget responsibility committee will be I assume that that would also include the assumptions appointed with the consent of the Treasury Committee, that underpin those models. The Government’s response and will be available for scrutiny. There will be separate was positive. They said that they would reporting to Parliament of the OBR’s expenditure, and, “provide the OBR with full access to Treasury and other forecasting as many Members have already discovered, relevant models, as well as support to scrutinise and develop these models.” written questions will be answered by the OBR. The Again, I assume that that means the assumptions that OBR is also accountable to the Chancellor, reflecting its underpin the Treasury models and whatever other modelling role in producing the official forecast, which will form it wishes to undertake. The hon. Member for Nottingham the basis of the Chancellor’s Budget decisions. East (Chris Leslie) said that the OBR could take those models and assumptions from the Treasury, and he is Herein lies the challenge to Labour Members. The absolutely right about that. OBR will provide the Government with timely access to the information necessary to reach policy decisions The OBR currently publishes a number of assumptions. ahead of fiscal policy events. The Treasury Committee For example, the impact multipliers were included in recognised that in its report last year, when it said: the June 2010 report, showing the one-for-one impact of capital expenditure cuts. Reports at the time of the “Involvement In the Budget process necessarily involves close contact between the Treasury and the OBR”. Labour Government published assumptions about oil prices, and North sea corporation tax and petroleum Close working also means that the OBR has access to revenue tax was used to calculate those yields. Given all Government information to ensure that its conclusions that several such assumptions are already published, reflect the most accurate and up-to-date information. It and that the OBR can take all those assumptions, is therefore right that the OBR provides the Government models and changes and create new ones, does it have with pre-release access to its forecast in order to ensure the discretion to publish what it sees fit? Would it not be the accuracy of both it and the Budget documents, better to have a guarantee from the Minister that it will which are published simultaneously. not unnecessarily withhold assumptions where it is It is also right that there is transparency in the important for us all to have transparency? Instead of approach to the sharing of information. The OBR has the Treasury putting the material in the Library, we chosen to follow the well-established pre-release practices should ensure that the OBR has the ability to do that, put in place by the Office for National Statistics. I can so that we have the information and can come to a assure the House that this arrangement does not proper, reasoned view on whether we believe its figures. compromise the OBR’s independence. It is an approach 915 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 916 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Justine Greening] As part of a new and enhanced fiscal framework, the OBR is being established to make independent assessments that has worked well for the ONS. The OBR has been of the public finances and the economy. For the first transparent about when reports have been shared. It time the judgments underpinning the official forecast confirmed in its November “Economic and fiscal outlook”: will be determined by independent experts, not Treasury “We have come under no pressure from ministers, advisers or Ministers. Since the coalition was formed last year, officials to change any of our conclusions.” every official forecast for the economy and the public The OBR’s access to Government information distinguishes finances has been produced by the independent OBR. it from other UK forecasting organisations, and ensures When the Chancellor presents his Budget tomorrow, it that the Chancellor and Parliament are provided with will be accompanied by the OBR’s official forecast. The the most up-to-date information regarding the latest establishment of the OBR has been welcomed by the UK economy and public finance figures. International Monetary Fund and the OECD. I understand the rationale behind amendment 6. The main duty of the OBR, as we have heard, is to However, given the practicalities of the OBR’s accountability examine and report on the sustainability of the public to the Chancellor and its role in producing the official finances. The Bill makes it explicit that the OBR has forecasts, we feel that it is better for it to act on its own complete discretion over how it carries out its statutory decision to follow the ONS pre-release guidelines. I will duties. That is a broad remit. It is not limited to forecasting, resist both amendments. but the OBR will be required, as a minimum, to produce economic and fiscal forecasts at least twice a year; make Chris Leslie: I am getting used to the hon. Lady’s an assessment of the likelihood of the Government resistance to our amendments. One day we will persuade meeting their fiscal mandate alongside those forecasts; her to accept even the smallest, most generous Opposition publish a sustainability report at least once a year; and amendment, but perhaps not to this Bill. publish a report on the accuracy of its forecasts at least once a year. I understand the points that the hon. Lady made about The OBR must perform its duty objectively, transparently, amendment 2 and costings. I know that there have been impartially and on the basis of Government policy. attempts to broaden access. If and when we hit obstacles Those principles will protect independence and ensure or refusal to publish, we will come back to her to try to that there is a clear separation between analysis and get more information into the public domain. However, policy making. Analysis is rightly the domain of the I accept that she is committed to a particular direction OBR, but policy making is the responsibility of publicly of travel, so we shall not press the amendment. elected Ministers. On amendment 6, the Minister seems to understand The charter for budget responsibility will set out that several members of the Public Bill Committee further details on the OBR’s remit. A full draft was might have hoped for an Office for Budget Responsibility published in November, and a final version will be laid that looked more akin to the Congressional Budget before Parliament once the Bill has come into force. The Office or a parliamentary budget office, and was a little OBR will report directly to Parliament on the public bit closer to the legislature and less cosy with the finances. The budget responsibility committee will be Executive. She knows why we want that. If the OBR places available for Select Committee scrutiny. The OBR’s absolute primacy on its independence and impartiality, forecasts and analysis will be laid before the House. On we must surely move away from any perceived suspicion funding, there will be separate reporting of the OBR’s that it is too close to or cosy with the Executive of expenditure in the estimate that the Treasury presents to the day. Parliament. In addition, the OBR will be able to submit We know that there is due to be a review of the OBR an additional memorandum, alongside that of the Treasury. within a number of years. How that review will take As we have heard, written questions will be passed to place is a bit of a moot point, but we will come to that the OBR to be responded to. All those measures will in due course. The Economic Secretary understands enhance the ability of Parliament and the public to hold that we will be watching carefully for circumstances in the Government to account for their fiscal policy. which the OBR is too close to the Chancellor of the The OBR will have its own legal identity, and will be Exchequer. It is vital for it to remain distant from, and a civil service employer, to allow appropriately skilled impartial between, the political parties. It must also staff to move easily to and from the OBR. The OBR’s have a good dialogue with Parliament. executive responsibilities will be led by the three-person Those are the important points that we wanted to budget responsibility committee. Its members will be make, and we know that the OBR will be listening to appointed by the Chancellor, and the Bill provides the this debate. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Treasury Committee with a veto over their appointment Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. and dismissal. The Chancellor has said that he is giving the Treasury Committee that veto to ensure that there is Third Reading no doubt that the individuals leading the OBR are Queen’s consent signified. independent and have the support and approval of the Treasury Committee. All staff will report to the chair of 7.11 pm the OBR, and that person will control the hiring and firing of staff. To provide support and constructive Justine Greening: I beg to move, That the Bill be now challenge, there will be at least two non-executive members. read the Third time. Advertisements for those members will be issued shortly, As we have heard, this is an important Bill. It puts the so that they can be in place before the summer recess. new Office for Budget Responsibility on a statutory Part 2 of the Bill modernises the governance of the footing, and puts in place reforms to the corporate National Audit Office. It will strengthen the resilience governance of the National Audit Office. and integrity of that body, which is best placed to assess 917 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 918 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] the Government’s use of public funds at this time of her promise that substantive details of the contact fiscal constraint. It builds on the recommendations of between OBR staff and the Minister’s special advisers the all-party Public Accounts Commission’s 15th report and private office staff will be published. and has commanded support on all sides of this House. We were also concerned about the potential overlap The provisions passed through the House in substantially between the OBR’s responsibilities and the Bank of the same form in the previous Parliament, when they England’s economic forecasts. We therefore proposed were considered as part of the previous Government’s that the Bill provide for a memorandum of understanding Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010, just to ensure that there was clarity from the outset for all before the election. parties. I urge the Economic Secretary to ensure that The Bill has benefited from much parliamentary scrutiny. the memorandum is subject to proper scrutiny in this Before it was introduced, the Treasury Committee produced House. I hope that the OBR and the Bank of England a detailed inquiry into these matters. I am pleased to say will in time formally agree their working relationship. that the Bill is very much in line with the recommendations We consider that a crucial way to secure the independence made in that report. I thank the Committee for the of the OBR is to ensure transparency in its funding so interest it has taken. When the Bill was introduced in that the budget responsibility committee is not at the the other place it received extensive debate. The Government mercy of the Treasury and vulnerable to the whim of tabled a number of amendments to bolster the OBR’s the Chancellor. Comparisons with other countries were remit and to enhance the arrangements for the scrutiny made earlier. In Canada, the Parliamentary Budget of its work, which were welcomed. Officer published two critical reports of the Government Finally, the Bill has been debated at length in this in its first year. It is difficult to divorce that from the fact House. I thank all hon. Members who have spoken and that its budget was frozen, despite promises that it participated, in particular the Opposition spokesmen, would be increased by a third. Some people would say the hon. Members for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy) that that was not a coincidence. and for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie). I hope that Likewise, Sweden has a similar organisation to the hon. Members will agree that even though we have not OBR in its Fiscal Policy Council, which reported that reached a meeting of minds on some of the detail, there its resources were not sufficient to enable it to carry out is much more on which we agree in principle. its remit properly. In response, the Minister for Finance The Bill is a key part of the Government’s fiscal suggested that the council’s budget be cut. We obviously reforms. It will provide an independent assessment of want to avoid a situation like that, and we have received the public finances and the economy, with official forecasts assurances from the Economic Secretary that the OBR’s from independent experts, not Treasury Ministers. The funding is secure for the next five years. We very much Bill will provide a strong institutional foundation for the welcome that. future through the OBR, and I commend it to the House. Much of the OBR’s decisions and remit will be based on the charter, so it is disappointing that we have not had the opportunity to scrutinise the revised charter 7.16 pm today alongside the Bill given that it is so central to the Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): The Opposition OBR. The Economic Secretary has assured us that it support the Bill. It has been debated at length in the will be published promptly after Royal Assent, which other place and in this House on Second Reading, in we expect in no time at all, so we look forward to a full Committee and—perhaps at greater length than some debate on the charter in the Chamber before too long. of us anticipated—on Report today. Although we support the principle of the OBR and the Bill, we have reservations about how the OBR will Not much has been said during the passage of the work in practice. A major concern is the Treasury’s Bill about part 2, which relates to the National Audit insular conception of economic policy and sustainability, Office. That is not least because it implements the which seemingly allows it to focus narrowly on the measures that were introduced in the Constitutional deficit and to ignore the consequences of its own policies. Reform and Governance Act 2010. It is fair to say that Rising unemployment, rising inflation, as seen in today’s there is widespread agreement on part 2. figures, and falling growth are not sustainable and As was clear in previous proceedings, there is similarly cannot be ignored, so we hoped that the Government common agreement on the creation of the Office for would allow the OBR the latitude to take into account Budget Responsibility and on placing it on a statutory those crucial determinants for the long-term recovery, footing. We did, however, table a number of amendments even if the Treasury will not. Unfortunately our in Committee to challenge some of the details of how amendments were rejected, so we could not enshrine the OBR will function, as one would expect from the that in the Bill, but we hope that a truly independent Opposition. In particular, we addressed the concern OBR will include those matters in its remit. The House that has been expressed inside and outside this House may well return to the definition of “sustainability” and that the OBR may not turn out to be sufficiently the issue of intergenerational fairness when we come to independent from the Government. For the public to debate the revised charter. have confidence in the OBR, it has to be seen to be During Labour’s last Budget, the present Prime Minister independent. That is why we proposed measures that was fond of claiming that our growth forecasts did not would have made it more accountable to the House and match those of the independent experts. In fact, they measures that would have increased the role of the were consistently much more reliable than he made out. Treasury Committee. We also wanted to ensure that the He concluded: division between the Treasury and the OBR in terms of “What we need is a proper independent office of Budget staffing and premises was enshrined in law. We are responsibility, which we would set up to set independent forecasts grateful for the assurances that the Economic Secretary and to keep the Chancellor honest.”—[Official Report, 24 March gave in Committee on those points. We also welcome 2010; Vol. 508, c. 268.] 919 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 920 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] [Kerry McCarthy] contracted by 0.6% in the last quarter of 2010, proving that the Government’s policies had undermined the I agree with the present Prime Minister, for once, about economic recovery, but the Chancellor ignored the evidence the need for that, but as is so often the case, the reality and blamed it on the snow. The question for the House does not match his rhetoric. Now we have the OBR, but is whether we can do enough to secure the status of the its independence has been undermined by the release of OBR so that ideologically driven Ministers cannot just favourable figures in time for a recent Prime Minister’s disregard its reports. Question Time. Moreover, the British Chambers of Commerce has Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): Will the described the OBR’s growth forecasts as “too optimistic”, hon. Lady give way? and despite the Prime Minister’s concern that official forecasts should match those of independent experts, it Kerry McCarthy: No, I am just drawing to a close. seems that other independent experts disagree with the I urge the Minister to ensure that the principles of Government’s independent experts. In February, the objectivity, transparency and impartiality are respected, consensus forecast for 2011 was 1.9% growth, which particularly when she lays the revised charter before the was downgraded to 1.8% in March, whereas the OBR House. Most importantly, we seek assurances that Ministers forecast was a more optimistic 2.1%. The discrepancy will actually listen to the evidence provided by the OBR increases for next year’s forecast. The consensus forecast and respond accordingly. is 2.1%, compared with the OBR figure of 2.6%, which When the Chancellor came to office, unemployment it has already had to downgrade once thanks to the was falling, growth was predicted at 2.3% for this year, Government’s policies. inflation was lower and falling, and borrowing had The differences between the OBR and consensus come in £20 billion lower than was forecast in 2009. I do forecasts could be critical. The Institute for Fiscal Studies, not need to tell the House again how the Chancellor has which the Government seem to respect on the occasions reversed that recovery, but that is the context in which when it says anything favourable about their policies, we must consider the role of the OBR. The office is has reported that they will fail to achieve their fiscal intended to report on responsibility, but it cannot guarantee mandate to responsibility. That is the Chancellor’s role, and it is “achieve cyclically-adjusted current budget balance by the end of about time he realised it. the rolling, five-year forecast horizon” if growth does not meet the OBR’s central economic 7.25 pm forecast. Whether the Chancellor will achieve his fiscal mandate is clearly in the balance, and although he may Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): This is a short use the OBR figures, it would be a great mistake if we but very important Bill which I hope will change the held the OBR responsible for whether he fulfils that conduct of economic debates. Of course, we have a mandate. Only the Treasury can determine that. Budget and days of economic debate starting tomorrow. I do not know whether the former Prime Minister and Fundamentally, and finally, we have to remember Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and that the Bill places no enforceable obligations on the Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), is going to be with us in Chancellor for responsible fiscal policy. The OBR can person, but I am sure that his parliamentary ghost will report on the state of the economy, and its analysis will be with us as we remember Budgets from previous no doubt be very valuable, provided it is genuinely years. We remember his earlier Budgets and his close independent. However, the Government already have a relationship with Prudence, and we remember that after track record of ignoring expert advice and indisputable the 2001 general election was safely out of the way, evidence that their policies are failing. spending soared. So began the structural deficit, long The British Medical Association and almost every before the intervention of the banking crisis. health organisation that we care to think of warned I remember listening to those Budgets, autumn statements against the Health Secretary’s reckless experiment with and pre-Budget reports year after year, both in a the national health service, but with the Prime Minister’s professional environment before I became a Member of full backing, he ignored the evidence and carried on Parliament and, from 2005, as an MP. I remember regardless. The IFS published independent research listening to the then Chancellor’s reports of rosy growth proving that the Government’s June Budget and and nirvana ahead of us. We heard a bit more of that comprehensive spending review would disproportionately today from my neighbour, the hon. Member for Bristol hurt women and children and the most vulnerable people East (Kerry McCarthy). One would swear that the in our big society, but the Chancellor ignored the evidence current Government had inherited a golden legacy in and carried on regardless. May 2010 rather than the catastrophic public finances The Office for National Statistics reported that that we are actually having to cope with. unemployment had reached a 17-year high and that youth unemployment was at its highest level ever, and Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): Does the hon. the OBR itself reported that the Tory-Liberal Democrat Gentleman recall that at the time, the Liberal Democrats plans would mean 110,000 more people on the dole by were attacking the Government by saying that they the end of this Parliament, but did the Chancellor and were not spending enough, not that they were spending the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions review too much? their policies in the light of that evidence? No, they ignored the evidence and carried on regardless. Stephen Williams: I recall very well that from 2001 The OBR downgraded growth forecasts after the onwards I and my colleagues, whether candidates or coalition’s emergency Budget, and again as a result of Members of Parliament, were saying that the Government its comprehensive spending review, and the economy should spend more on health and education, but we 921 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 Budget Responsibility and National 922 Audit Bill [Lords] Audit Bill [Lords] actually said where the money was going to come from. Non-execs provide an opportunity for two-way traffic. It may not have been popular, and it did not lead to If the OBR chairman becomes a patsy, they have a great electoral success in 2001, but we said it should good chance of alerting the Treasury Committee at an come from an increase in taxation, not from building up early stage. If the Chancellor or the Treasury lean on a structural deficit over the next six years. the chairman too much, the non-execs offer a first line We all remember the Budgets back then—they were of defence. If the OBR chairman gets carried away and essentially a combination of forecasting, policy, boasting starts to offer a running commentary beyond his brief and spin. That is why the OBR is so welcome. In the on the overall conduct of fiscal policy, the non-execs, as Budget tomorrow, the Government will take political a first port of call, can say, “Steady on.” responsibility for the difficult decisions that we have to The Committee looked carefully at how the OBR’s make. I welcome that, and I welcome the scrutiny of it. success ought to be measured. Economic forecasting is It will be based on a separation of forecasting by an imprecise art, and success on that cannot necessarily independent experts and policy making by elected tell us much. To be seen as successful, the OBR must politicians. provide clear, impartial forecasts and a commentary There will certainly be no scope for boasting, and I that improves public debate on the key issues. It must think it will be some time yet before the coalition guard against optimism and pessimism, and above all, it Government can take credit for rescuing this country must avoid being drawn into political controversy. The from the dire economic circumstances in which we find Treasury Committee will monitor how the OBR fulfils ourselves. I cannot promise a complete absence of spin— those performance criteria. We will watch carefully and that would be asking too much of all of us—but we will speak up if we feel that the OBR is not doing its job have a Budget based on independent forecasts and properly. sound political judgment, and it will be a better Budget Of course, ultimately and simply, the OBR will be for that. judged on the quality of its publications and its responsiveness to reasonable requests from Parliament or the Government for information or work. A few 7.28 pm weeks ago, I wrote on behalf of the Treasury Committee Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): The Chancellor to the OBR chairman to seek further information on took a major step by handing responsibility for fiscal the treatment of privatisation receipts in the accounts. forecasting to an independent body, and he took an Frankly, I was not encouraged by his reply. These are equally bold step by asking it produce a long-term early days, and I very much hope that there is more assessment of the strength of the public finances. He responsiveness to future requests. could have opted for a validation model, and instead he In two ways, the Government did not fully implement has gone for something much more adventurous. the Treasury Committee’s recommendations. The The first inquiry of any significance that the Treasury Committee asked that an independent group accountable Committee undertook after it was reformed at the start to Parliament be set up after five years to review the of this Parliament was on this subject. Rather than wait OBR’s work. We said that among other things, that for the Government to come forward with a draft Bill, group should examine whether the model for the forecasting we took the initiative and tried to make some suggestions body chosen by the Chancellor was the right one in the on how we thought it should look. We set eight criteria light of experience. To make that judgment, the group as minimum requirements for the new body, which for would need to examine both the validation model and the most part the Government met. I thank the Treasury the much more independent model—the fully independent team for their co-operation in doing what they could to model—implied by the Congressional Budget Office in accommodate the Committee’s points. the United States. I think, and the Committee concluded, Absolutely crucial to the success of the new body will that judging which model is best should be done after a be its credibility on independence. To achieve that, period of experience of the OBR’s work, which is why some new, groundbreaking arrangements have been we suggested the five-year review. I urge the Government made in the relationship between parliamentary Committees to agree, on a non-statutory basis, that the five-year and the Executive. The Bill establishes a statutory veto review should report directly to Parliament rather than for the Treasury Committee over the appointment of to the Government via the non-executives, as the legislation the chairman and executive members of the OBR. This currently envisages. is the first time that a Select Committee has been given One other proposal in the Treasury Committee report such a veto over public appointments, which reflects the is that the OBR should retain the ability to assess the importance of cross-party parliamentary oversight of robustness of the fiscal plans of major political parties the OBR’s work, and the need for people of the highest in the run-up to an election. That would enhance the calibre and independence to take on the job of running quality of debate and take us forward from the world of the OBR. claim and counter-claim on Labour tax bombshells and The Treasury Committee has already held its first Tory stealth cuts and so on, which often leave the public appointment hearings for the OBR committee, and perplexed and do not necessarily move the debate forward endorsed the appointments of Robert Chote, Stephen much. Although the Bill does not rule that out, it strongly Nickell and Graham Parker. We also welcomed the discourages such a role. appointment of two non-executive members. We were I understand the OBR’s reluctance to get involved particular eager that there should be non-exec oversight in anything that could prejudice its appearance of of the work of the executives. The non-execs will provide independence, but I hope the door is not completely an important check to ensure that the OBR lives up to closed to the idea. Public understanding of what is at its requirement to act transparently, objectively and stake in elections could be enhanced by the OBR’s independently. involvement. Furthermore, the need for such scrutiny 923 Budget Responsibility and National 22 MARCH 2011 924 Audit Bill [Lords] [Mr Andrew Tyrie] Driving Test Centres (Closure) Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House might make parties more careful with their claims and do now adjourn.—(Mr Dunne.) improve their pre-election proposals. I hope we can return to that idea when the OBR’s reputation for independence has been firmly established after a run of 7.37 pm years—that could also form part of the five-year review Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab): to which I alluded. I am very pleased to have secured this important debate Overall, the Treasury Committee was greatly heartened on behalf of my constituents in Cumnock and Girvan. by the degree of engagement from the Government and I will shortly present to the House a petition signed by from the Opposition over the creation of the OBR. thousands of local people who are against the closure That demonstrates that the Select Committee corridor of driving test centres there. A pattern is being repeated can influence policy rather than just offer critiques of it, throughout the length and breadth of the country, with which I hope marks a way ahead for improving legislation dozens of closures over the last two years. Many closures more widely. have happened without any consultation with those Question put and agreed to. directly affected or the local community. As many hon. Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, with Members have said, including those who signed early-day an amendment. motion 1294, which is in the name of the hon. Member for Angus (Mr Weir), such closures are against the Government’s own policy of localism. PETITION The overall policy of the Driving Standards Agency has national implications. The proposed closure of the Sentencing Guidelines (Manslaughter) Cardiff office will involve a loss of 70 to 80 jobs. Union members in the DSA already have very low morale 7.36 pm resulting from pay restraint, and attacks on redundancy Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): The petition is terms and possibly pensions. There is now a commitment of residents of Alyn and Deeside and neighbouring to strike action following a ballot of union members. areas, totalling some 3,000 persons. Are the closures driven by a rationalisation programme, which is referred to in documents that, I believe, have The petition states: been leaked to the public domain? Those documents The Petition of residents of Alyn and Deeside, mention a wish to move from 350 to 400 current testing Declares that Peter Jones, a 24-year-old former pupil of Alun locations, not all of which are full time, to about 150 main School, Mold, died in hospital following an attack by Gafyn centres. Alternatively, does the rationalisation of test Thomas Denman, 21, who is from the Mold area; notes that centres into a network of multi-purpose test centres Gafyn Thomas Denman was found guilty of manslaughter and make a more attractive package for a future privatisation? was jailed for 40 months for an unprovoked attack; further notes that, at the time of sentencing, Judge Merfyn Hughes QC explained The Minister’s public statements appear to indicate that his hands were tied by the sentencing guidelines in cases of that his plan is to take testing to the customer by “one-punch” manslaughter such as this. sending examiners to casual hire locations to deliver The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons tests. He talks about testing from libraries, community urges the Government to review sentencing guidelines for those centres and the like, but in many parts of the country convicted of manslaughter so that sentences can better reflect the these facilities are being closed as well. There are potential severity of the offence. problems with, for example, operating out of supermarkets And the Petitioners remain, etc. in terms of what facilities may or may not be made [P000905] available, dedicated parking slots, suitable test routes and whether there would be too much congestion in and around retail parks for the tests to be uniform and fair. Having said that, if this leads to an appetite to revisit the closure decisions in Cumnock and Girvan, I will welcome it, and I intend to raise practical ways in which this could be done. I would like to concentrate my remarks on the two centres in my constituency and the resultant loss of local service. Both are in rural areas, both are only too familiar with the never-ending withdrawal of local services and both have suffered from structural changes. In Cumnock, the closure of deep mining devastates the community to this day, and in Girvan, which is a seaside town, there has been a downturn in tourism as people have increasingly taken holidays abroad. Both town centres have been decimated and are in need of urgent regeneration, and in the case of Girvan even the local swimming pool has closed. It would be difficult to overstate the strength of local feeling in both of these communities at what they see as continual neglect and particularly a lack of understanding and empathy about what it is like living in a rural area 925 Driving Test Centres (Closure)22 MARCH 2011 Driving Test Centres (Closure) 926 and the difficulties of accessing services. However, given The DSA is obviously unaware of the logistics around that it is my privilege to represent both communities, I Cumnock and Girvan and has taken the decision to am also very much aware of their resilience and ability close the facility purely on a theoretical basis of mileage. to look at constructive solutions to problems. Many rural villagers already need to travel some distance to get to Cumnock or Girvan in the first place. As one I want to highlight my disappointment at how these constituent told me: closures were handled in my constituency. There was a consultation process of some four weeks basically over “My local test centre is Girvan, but I live a further 15 miles the Christmas holiday period, which was totally inadequate away and the total mileage I would have to travel to the Ayr Driving Test Centre is 37 and a half miles.” and frankly reprehensible. There was never any intention in my view to really acknowledge—far less listen to—local I want to say a word about the new Ayr multi-purpose opinion. I hope that the Minister will feel able to redress test centre, which is to serve Cumnock and Girvan that situation this evening. I am proud of the representations following these closures. I welcome the new facility and both communities have made, and I congratulate them, lobbied the then Government to make sure it went including those who took the time and trouble to collect ahead. It is great to have a new super-duper facility in signatures for a substantial local petition with the help any area, but it should not be at the expense of services of local Labour councillors. to rural areas, especially when there are other ways of cutting costs. The DSA conducted 789 tests at Cumnock What response did they get to their representations? and 268 at Girvan in the last financial year. I think that On 3 December 2010, Mr Jonathon Hall from the I have made it clear that the decision should not just Driving Standards Agency corporate correspondence be about numbers, but it is recognised in both these unit replied to Girvan community council: communities that driving tests being conducted in the “Decisions on the number, location and size of centres must areas could be less frequent. However, can the Minister therefore take into account affordability, existing levels of demand confirm that the same examiner passes through Girvan and the Agency’s service level travel-distance criteria, where most once each week to go to Stranraer? customers travel no more than 7, 20 or 30 miles to their nearest Surely a common-sense solution could be found here. test centre, depending on the population density of the area.” Both communities have suggestions for maintaining a How does that tie in with localism? I will go on to say reduced service at little cost in accommodation. East why I think those distances are unreasonable in these Ayrshire council has unanimously agreed, on a cross-party two specific cases. basis, that it will look at offering the premises it owns in Cumnock at a peppercorn rent. Girvan community I will also challenge other comments made by DSA council has acknowledged that there is no need for an corporate services and by the Minister, but before that I examiner every week given the numbers, but that every would like to highlight a number of questions and four to six weeks would suffice. I said earlier that these points made to me by local people. In areas where local communities are proactively seeking a solution, rather jobs and small businesses are struggling already, the than just talking about it. Will the Minister be prepared, livelihoods of local driving instructors are now under as the Prime Minister has done in other cases, to look at threat. Whatever the DSA says about a full licence this again, given the goodwill there is to seek an agreement? allowing a person to drive on any public road, not simply those on which a person was trained or tested, My worry about what is being done by the DSA is the reality is that most people prefer, at least for some of that in rural Scotland, the test demand may not be the time, to practise near a test centre. Those in Ayr and sufficient to justify a proper test centre. However, these surrounding areas will still be able to do this, while people pay the same fee as those in more populous those in the rural area will not. I believe this is discrimination parts, so why should they get a lesser service? All this, as as well as a diminution of rural services, as I have I have tried to indicate, could add to the costs of already stated. learning to drive and increase the problem of unlicensed driving, which has road safety implications and will For reasons of familiarity, people will not want to impede the economic development of areas already take their lessons in areas where they are not sitting hard hit by the current economic situation. I look their test. To take a driving test on an unfamiliar route forward to the Minister’s reply, which I know will be is an extra problem for any learner driver. If that is not followed closely by my constituents, and I hope that he the case, why do instructors make a point of taking can suggest a positive way forward. their customers to streets they know are part of the test runs in their area? If learners know the route of their 7.49 pm driving test and have driven it numerous times with a driving instructor, they are surely much more likely to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport pass the test. Driving instructors in the rural areas in (Mike Penning): I pay tribute to the hon. Member for my constituency will lose business to those in Ayr. Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock (Sandra Osborne) for securing Girvan, for example, had a driving test centre in the this debate. I am sorry but I am not responsible for town for more than 60 years. It can take 45 minutes to swimming pools or libraries in her constituency—I drive to Ayr, which is a fact I am very familiar with believe it is a devolved issue that she needs to take up because I do it often. Having a driving lesson and with the Scottish Parliament. However, I understand another 45 minutes to drive home can come to two and where she is coming from. a half hours for an hour’s lesson. Taking public transport I was surprised to hear that the hon. Lady was to lessons with a local driving instructor in Ayr is not campaigning so hard for the Ayr centre. What Ministers unproblematic, because transport is often not that frequent should have said at the time to the hon. Lady was that if and adds to cost. For that very reason it is essential for the plans went ahead, there would closures in her many people in these rural areas to drive for access to constituency at the other centres, given the capacity that education and employment. the Ayr centre was designed to have. That is a fact, and 927 Driving Test Centres (Closure)22 MARCH 2011 Driving Test Centres (Closure) 928

[Mike Penning] Public and Commercial Services Union is fully on board with that, but I am sure that we will get there eventually, given the capacity of what was designed, that is exactly because what it wants to do is the same as what I want what is happening. If I had been the Minister, I would to do, which is to provide a service to the community. not have gone ahead with a programme of that size in The previous Government’s policy was to implement Ayr, because—I agree with her on this—it is taking a closure programme. I have suspended the closure away a service from her constituency. I know that she programme while we address the question of how we has heard me speak before on this subject; indeed, she can deliver facilities and tests to communities. I cannot extensively quoted my views on where tests should be. go back on the campaign that the hon. Lady said she They should be in the community—they should be a was so in favour of, but the new Ayr centre is now in service to the community that the Driving Standards place. It has a rather large capacity—much greater than Agency provides, not a Soviet-style system that makes the needs of Ayr—and was designed so that other areas everybody come to us. would close their facilities, which would then come into a hub. I will not repeat myself too much, but I would Sandra Osborne rose— not have done that, and it does not fit with this Government’s ideas of how we should deliver the service. Mike Penning: If the hon. Lady does not mind, I will However, what I am doing—I have asked my officials continue. It is unusual to give way in an Adjournment to proceed with this, and they have already started—is debate, because of the limited time we have. speaking to local stakeholders, including councils in the I understand the concerns that have been raised, areas where closures are taking place, to see whether we particularly by driving instructors, and I will try to deal can deliver a service in the hon. Lady’s community that with them. There are some big issues that we need to is not about bricks and mortar, but about tests being deal with, not least the many people who go out with given. In two areas we are looking at delivering around someone who they think is a licensed and qualified 1,300 tests in the average year, with about 80% in one driving instructor, but who is not actually qualified. centre and 20% in the other. She is absolutely right that That is an issue that I am taking up with the industry. It the figures suggest that we could send a tester every is wrong that people pay good money and in good faith, day—or every other day—to do one test, or we could thinking that they have a fully qualified instructor, bring the tests together in a package and have a tester when what they have is someone who is just trained. arrive every four to six weeks. My figures indicate that it Not all driving schools allow that, but it is allowable would be closer to every four weeks, particularly in under the existing legislation, which I will look at certain parts of the year, when there tend to be more carefully. tests than in others. The hon. Lady is absolutely right about the service It is crucial that the community understand that the that is provided, within reason, in the kind of urban service is for them. I know that my officials have been and rural communities that she and I serve. I accept that talking to the chief executive of the local authority hers is a much larger rural community than mine, but about how we can facilitate that, which is something I have many parts of the beautiful Chilterns in my that the hon. Lady mentioned. As she is aware, in one constituency. I see lots of learner drivers, particularly at case we were using a hotel in her constituency as a the weekend, learning how to drive on rural roads—as headquarters before we got a hub centre. I do not mind well as on urban roads—because that is a skill that they if it is in a hotel or a supermarket; indeed, if the need to adjust to as they learn to drive. libraries in her constituency stay open, I do not mind if We have reformed the test quite extensively in the it is based in one of their car parks or in a civic centre. short period in which I have been the Minister. One of It is crucial that the service should be delivered locally, the reforms that I have introduced is to ensure that although let us remember that this is not all about the instructors do not know exactly what the route is, instructors. I stupidly sat next to my daughters on because people can learn a route, but does that teach several occasions when the L plates were up, and it was them to drive? The purpose of the test is to give people the most frightening experience known to man—for skills so that they can enjoy driving on the road, while at them, I should stress, not for me. This debate is not all the same time ensuring that others are safe. What about instructors, but there is an industry out there and currently happens—the hon. Lady is absolutely right I am conscious of their needs. If everything is done in about this—is that instructors know exactly what the Ayr, there will perhaps be an issue with people looking routes are, within reason. They take people round and to the Ayr driving schools rather than their local schools. round the circuit in their lessons, so that when they take I want everything done in Ayr, in the hon. Lady’s their tests, they normally go along one of three or four constituency. We are working hard to ensure that localism routes, which they probably know back to front. We will is delivered, because people pay for a service and they stop the routes being published. We will develop new are entitled to it. routes, so that instructors will not know what the likely Let me quickly touch on some of the other changes routes are. to the test, which is vital to the hon. Lady’s constituents. It is a testament to the hon. Lady’s understanding of I do not think that the test in its present form delivers her constituents’ needs that, as well as putting a petition what it is intended to, which is not a group of people together, the local authorities and the community have who can pass a test, but people who have the skills that come together to look carefully at what the service allow them—this is particularly true for young people—the provision needs to be and how it can be delivered. As freedom to enjoy the road while at the same protecting she knows, neither I nor this Government is fixated on others. I have already said that we will ban the publication bricks and mortar. What I am interested in is the service of routes, so that when people leave the test centre, the being delivered to the community. I am not sure that the Sainsbury’s car park or the local council offices, they 929 Driving Test Centres (Closure)22 MARCH 2011 Driving Test Centres (Closure) 930 will not know exactly where they are going to go—clearly what is being done, because it will protect jobs rather they will have to go left or right, but they will not know than cause them to be lost. We will need people, albeit exactly where they will go after that. that they will not be sitting in a building. I remember At the same time, people who are learning need the the vicar of the first church I went to in my constituency skills for when they do not have someone sat next to saying to me, “It’s not about buildings, Mike. It’s about them, as a companion or guide, or as someone telling people. That is what the church means.” The same them when they have done something wrong. Therefore, applies to services in the community. we are introducing a part of the test where people will We need to deliver this much-needed service in the be asked to go from one place to another without being community, so that people can have the skills that they told how to. They will have to find a route themselves need—and at cost, so that they can afford them. In a by reading the road signs. Some people have said that rural community, passing the driving test is one of the they are concerned about this, and have asked whether great freedoms that we can give to young people. We people will fail their test if they go in the wrong direction. need the skills to do that, and we need to bring that No, they will not; it is how they react to making a service to them at no extra cost to them. That is crucial. mistake that is crucial when we are trying to teach them Buildings cost a lot of money. The hon. Lady mentioned how to be good drivers. a peppercorn rent, but in some cases, there might be no We have a massive issue in the whole of this great rent involved at all. Some commercial organisations nation of ours with young drivers. That is one of the might welcome the footfall that would come to them reasons their insurance premiums are so high. With two while people were waiting to take their test, if their daughters, I am proud to say that lady drivers—and location became known as the test centre. particularly younger lady drivers—are much safer than I have an open mind on who should deliver these boy drivers. Indeed, 17 to 25-year-old girls are some services. As I have said, discussions are going on in the four times safer than 17 to 25-year-old boys. We must hon. Lady’s constituency with her local authority, and I work together to ensure that they have the skills that am more than happy to share with her after the debate they need to go forward. One of the proposals that we the information on who we have been talking to. Perhaps have made is for qualified driving instructors to be able she also has ideas about who we should talk to. We will to use roads that learners do not usually use, particularly deliver driving tests in the community, where they should motorways. It seems ludicrous that someone can pass be, rather than a huge distance away, which was the their test with someone else sitting next to them, then previous Government’s policy. I have inherited that leave the test centre—perhaps the instructor will have policy, but I will not continue with it. taken someone else out on another test, in another car—and be legally allowed, on their own, to drive for 7.49 pm the first time ever at 70 mph on a motorway. Frankly, Sitting suspended (Order, 21March). they will probably be petrified—I know I was very frightened when I first went on a motorway, and I know 8.29 pm my daughters were as well. We are therefore looking at giving fully qualified ROYAL ASSENT instructors the ability to teach enhanced skills, including post-test. Indeed, a lot of work is being done with the Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Ihaveto Institute of Advanced Motorists, the AA and the RAC notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent on what skills we can give people when they have passed Act 1967, that the Queen has signified her Royal Assent their test, so that they face less of a liability in their to the following Acts: insurance. That is the sort of steer and guidance that we National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 need from the DSA and Government. It is not about regulating, but about giving people the skills that they Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011. need. Question put, That this House do now adjourn. The hon. Lady asked me for an assurance that we will Question agreed to. bring testing to her community. Yes, we will, and we will do it as soon as we can. Pilots have already started 8.30 pm around the country. I hope that the union will support House adjourned.

181WH 22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 182WH

that we are striving for a quality of fairness. Does she Westminster Hall also agree that we need to ensure that such fairness is not patronising to women and does not replace one form of apparent discrimination with another? Tuesday 22 March 2011 Mrs Grant: My hon. Friend makes a very good [MARTIN CATON in the Chair] point—I could not agree more. I shall cover that issue later. I am grateful for his intervention. Promotion of Women in Business In Britain, we have much to do. Only 5% of FTSE Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting 100 companies have a female chief executive, and only be now adjourned.—(Angela Watkinson.) 12% of board directors are women. Our Government have promised to promote gender equality, and I am encouraged by coalition policies on flexible working 9.30 am and parental leave. Lord Davies of Abersoch is leading Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con): a review on women on boards, and his report has just Balance is the centrepiece of science; it is the fulcrum of been published. He has got it just about right and is philosophy; and it is stability in society—light and seeking to accelerate glacial rates of change without dark, hot and cold, yin and yang. We need to balance causing global warming. Recommendations include the resources at our disposal in order to exist and grow. encouraging head-hunters to put more women on shortlists, Good business managers embrace balance in so many requiring chairmen to explain why boards lack female ways—risk and return, investment and innovation, supply representation, inviting investors to take more responsibility and demand. However, an imbalance that is common in in holding their plcs to account on matters of gender business, the professions and politics is the one between balance and, importantly, introducing voluntary targets men and women in senior positions. to raise the number of female directors in Britain’s That imbalance is often labelled a gender equality biggest companies while not ruling out quotas. issue, but actually it is a business performance issue. Enforced quotas worry me. I am really, really sceptical Men and women bring different things to the business about them, because such positive discrimination can table, which are not mutually exclusive. Women can be demean a woman’s real value among her peers and great at multi-tasking; men can be cool under pressure alienate men. Some would also say that quotas treat and very spontaneous. Both have different attitudes symptoms, not causes, and there is some truth in that. towards risk and confrontation. However, if we put the Surely our aspiration must be the creation of fair, real two together, it is no surprise that gender-balanced and equal opportunities, where meritocracy wins the businesses are more stable, more sustainable and more day. Change is coming, and whether it comes eventually profitable. Those involved with such businesses tend to through quotas or by more gentle pressure will be a make better decisions about people, risk and customers. matter for serious and ongoing debate. Even without Let us not forget that women make 80% of consumer legislation, some British companies are already committed purchase decisions in many countries. to gender balance and a variety of methods are being If we can share the best of what we have as men and used. Mentoring and sponsorship, setting targets and women, our diversity will enrich us all. There are many using best practice illuminated by the light of transparency barriers to progress. Business is a man’s world built by can all work very well. Part-time working arrangements men and, because people tend to recruit in their own can improve female retention. In fact, any family-friendly image, male imbalance prevails. In the home, women strategy that allows women just a little more flexibility, are still the primary carers, and the struggle to juggle especially when their children are young, can pay big domestic duties and a demanding job can be a major dividends—and word gets around because women talk. hurdle. Silly stereotypes have been created in relation to On an individual level, women can help themselves, too. both domains. Men are characterised as being confident, We may need to be more assertive in our approach and aggressive and direct, while women are characterised as not be afraid to take credit for our achievements. being kind, warm and gentle, and therefore as perhaps not having quite what it takes to tackle tough business David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): I congratulate decisions. The truth could not be further from the myth. the hon. Lady on obtaining the debate. I promised my However, even today, some people still argue that gender wife that I would be here this morning, because she is a difference in attainment is simply because of personal business woman—it is more than my life is worth not to choice, aspiration and preference. be. Although we perhaps have an issue around Government Some Governments have already taken action. Eight policy, does she agree that dealing with the matter years ago, Norway passed legislation requiring all public should start earlier in life and that our colleges and and state-owned company boards to be 40% female. universities could help to encourage women in Spain and France are now following suit. Norway has entrepreneurship, so that things are more equal across achieved its quota, but succession is now a problem. the boardroom table? Board members typically come from senior management in private companies. However, in Norway, only 6% of Mrs Grant: The hon. Gentleman makes a very important those posts are held by women. Clearly, a root-and-branch intervention—I am sure that his wife will be proud. I approach is still required. could not agree more. Part of dealing with the problem is considering how to ensure that our girls—our young Gareth Johnson (Dartford) (Con): I congratulate my ladies—have much brighter, bigger, bolder, ambitious hon. Friend on securing the debate. I know that the career advice when they are at school and university. issue is very important to her. I hope that she agrees The sky should be the limit—I agree with him completely. 183WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 184WH

[Mrs Grant] women in business at senior levels. I worked for more than 20 years in the City in different sectors and have I come back to men. Men, too, need to become better seen the lack of women at senior levels. I fundamentally listeners. They need to learn to hear a woman’s voice believe that that is not necessarily because women are and embrace the enlightenment of a broader horizon, doing something wrong—although I agree with my because when courageous women and enlightened men—we hon. Friend that they can promote themselves better—but have a few of those here today—come together, there is because there are serious issues about how we select little that cannot be achieved. The non-believers should women and people on to the boards in the City. consider the following comment made by an all-male board member: Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): Does my “Our board is really effective. We all think the same way. We all hon. Friend agree that part of the challenge is the have the same views. Discussions are very short and we always structuring of the career path? We are all now living reach the same conclusions”. longer. If we could find ways of structuring career That all sounds very happy, but is that board healthy? paths, whether in the corporate or professional worlds, Balanced boards are a noble aspiration, but there is a so that men or women could go into it at different times, bigger picture. Boards are central in corporate life, but that might ease the problem. In the professional and senior executives and managers create the wealth. That corporate worlds, we see a hub at the age of 30 where it is where gender balance can be so effective. If we can is either make or break—the same time that many recruit more women to those senior executive positions women want to have their families. That puts on undue and train, nurture, promote and encourage them, then pressure and makes that decision much harder than it the transition to CEO and the board should be a much would be if we had a career span that was much longer, more natural step. In many ways, dealing with that is over the many years that we are going to be working. more difficult than dealing with quotas. Enlightened leaders, both male and female, cast a Mary Macleod: I agree with my hon. Friend. There is lengthy shadow. Our Prime Minister, David Cameron, not a one-size-fits-all way of doing things. Different has set himself a target of one third of Ministers to be women will have different career paths and will do female by 2015. Likewise, a group of powerful London things at different stages of their lives. We want the businessmen are aiming at one third female boards by flexibility to adapt to those different career paths and 2015. A few weeks ago, the Financial Times published still to allow people to get to the top levels in business. I its list of the top 50 women in world business. Those have seen the lack of opportunity and meritocracy that women run organisations such as PepsiCo, Kraft Foods, currently exists in business. We are not drawing from Yahoo! and Xerox. Their success is cause for much the possible range of talent that exists. That means that celebration and they stand as much-needed role models. organisations suffer, that business and the economy The aspirations of those leaders encourage millions. I generally suffer, so the country suffers. We need to do take great heart in their initiatives, because it says to me something about that, because there is a huge untapped that there is room at the top and the door is open. pool of talent. In conclusion, this is an exciting time for the promotion Why is this issue important? As my hon. Friend the of women in business, the professions and politics. Member for Maidstone and The Weald has mentioned, Government have an important role to play, but legislation some of the reports and studies are not only about alone will not fix the problem. We need chairmen, chief aspiration, but performance. Studies such as one by executives, investors and head-hunters to all take action. McKinsey’s have looked at a range of statistics that The Davies report is a step in the right direction. I urge show that companies with a higher proportion of women the Government to accept its sensible recommendations in senior management teams, in essence, outperform and to reconsider the whole issue of child care. Inadequate their rivals, with a 42% higher return on sales, a 66% higher and unaffordable child care prescribes many women to return on invested capital and a 53% higher return on the home, or to not having children. If some improvements equity. There is improved decision making, as was can be made, many capable women will be released mentioned. Such companies may also be more responsive back into the working economy as taxpayers, entrepreneurs to the market, make better decisions and have improved and wealth creators, which is exactly what our country corporate governance. needs at this difficult time. The current position is an issue. Only 12.5% of directors of FTSE 100 companies are women and only 7.8% of 9.42 am directors of FTSE 250 companies are women. Some Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): I 52.4% of companies have no women on their boards at congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone all. That is a disgrace. There are a few reasonably good and The Weald (Mrs Grant) on securing this important examples. GlaxoSmithKline, in my constituency, has debate on an issue that, for me, is all about aspiration 38% of senior positions held by women. It is good that and allowing individuals—men and women—to achieve that has improved year-on-year in the past five years, their potential. We know that many women are stopped and that it has improved at the different levels—whether from achieving that potential, from being the best they manager, director, senior vice-president or vice-president. can be and from delivering real value at senior levels in That is what we want to see: an ongoing improvement at business. We need to do something about that. all levels so that there is opportunity for all. I welcome the report from Lord Davies. He has In so many organisations, the frustrating thing is that looked at the issue in detail, involved many people in progress has plateaued. Contrary to the widely held the discussion and come out with a good series of myth, there is no evidence to suggest that there is a suggestions. I am a strong believer—as might be imagined shortage of appropriately qualified women in the pipeline. from me being here—in the importance of having more There are plenty of women to take on board-level roles, 185WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 186WH but we need to start to change the thinking about what and more people creating their own business. We must the requirements are. As Lord Davies said, we must do something about the issue. Women must be recruited promote on the basis of merit and skills. That is important to senior levels in business based on their merit and if we want a true meritocracy, and to have true fairness skills. Perhaps the definition and assessment of the and opportunity. Lord Davies’ report mentions getting skills that are required need closer attention, but I have companies to talk about and publish their figures. That no doubt that plenty of women with the right skills to is a great starting point and something that we absolutely take companies forward are waiting for the opportunity should do. to do so. If we could let everyone, both men and Other measures that need to happen include the women, aspire to be their best and achieve everything better mentoring and sponsoring of the next generation that they want, businesses across the country would of executives. One programme that exists and works flourish. very well is the FTSE 100 cross-company mentoring programme. Many chairmen of FTSE 100 companies 9.52 am are trying that new mentoring approach that will help in Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): I join this the long term, because it aims to sponsor, nurture and debate as a head-hunter—I declare that interest—who, mentor the next generation and help them with the until recently coming into the House, worked on senior-level skills and experience to get to the next level. executive search assignments for global organisations. I More also needs to be done with networking for am the employer in an all-women company and the senior women in business. A study by Higgs and Tyson proud husband of a wife who has just set up a business found that almost half of the directors they surveyed as part of a job-share situation. I am also a colleague of had been recruited through personal friendships and some exceptional new MPs on both sides of the House, contacts. That is probably something that we all recognise, many of whom are women. It is unfortunate that more so it is important to build up those networking of my Opposition colleagues are not here today. opportunities. As a small business owner, I have spoken frequently We also need to fight media images and stereotypes. about the avalanche of regulation and red tape that hit The more we can create, promote and highlight role small businesses over the 13 years of the Labour models, the better it will be, because we want the Government, and the impact of such legislation globally younger generation of women to see that it is possible on Britain’s competitive position in respect of inward to get to the top of their business or sector, and that that investment compared with Hong Kong, Asia and other will happen purely on the basis of fairness and merit. international locations. As a head-hunter, I saw that Also, we should promote companies that have a good people were beginning to hire in those locations rather record on gender diversity and flexible working options, than the UK as a result of our employment law. which, for some people, is important. We have to work Therefore, I was pleased that Lord Davies chose not with the chairmen of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies to advocate legislation in his report, “Women on boards”, so that, as Baroness Bottomley put it, they look through which came out in February. I add that I could not find the window when recruiting boards and not in the a copy of it in the House of Commons yesterday when I mirror. That is something that needs to be adjusted so sought one—that was not a great indication of the that, as my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and importance of the topic. The Weald said, people do not recruit only those who When I first sat on the Government Benches last are similar to them and who are already on boards but May, I realised that never in my life had I been involved see the value of having new and different skills on in something so male. When I reflected on the companies boards. for which I had recruited as a head-hunter, I thought again about the stark differences between those that Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): My hon. Friend is had seriously taken an interest in diversity and put it at doing a fantastic job of setting out many of the challenges the top of the agenda of their organisations, and those that need to be overcome, and how we might do that. that had not. When I listened to the debate on UN Does she agree, though, that perhaps there is another Women, which I thought was one of the most productive approach, which is to think about how we actually and positive debates in this House, I resolved to try to structure roles? It is inevitably the case that those of us play my part on this issue. I compliment my hon. Friend with families end up being torn in our daily lives. I have the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) always thought that job shares—potentially having a on securing this debate, and on all her work in this Cabinet position as a job share—would send a powerful country and internationally—recently in Malaysia, I signal, allow women to achieve their best and also believe—on the issue. recognise the complexity of many of our lives. Things have been improving, but progress is so slow. Statistics in the Lord Davies report show that 12.2% of Mary Macleod: My hon. Friend makes an excellent directors of FTSE 100 companies are women, and that point. If there were job sharing in politics—there is no 7.3% of people on the boards of FTSE 250 companies reason why the role of MP or Cabinet Minister could are women. That is appalling. Our economy, which is not involve a job share—we would show that we have on its knees, and which needs to use all its talents to get made a real difference and made ground, and that there out of the current crisis and to deal with a competitive is no reason why that cannot happen in business. world, needs to address that. There are moral reasons as The time has come to address the issue and really do well: in a society that aspires to be equal, such statistics something about it. It has been talked about for so long are not acceptable. but very little has been done. The opportunities for The best companies I have worked with in recruiting business right now are too significant, at a time when at senior level have not focused solely on women. Their we really need enterprise and growth, flourishing businesses, big focus has been on diversity.They have been hard-wiring 187WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 188WH

[Julian Smith] approach of the head-hunters. I was pleased that Lord Davies advocated a voluntary code for head-hunters, into their organisations the approach that it is not and some are doing great work in this area, but we will acceptable to come up with a shortlist of white males probably end up having to look more closely at this but instead it is better to come up with a diverse list of unregulated part of the business world, and push hard people and then select on merit. However, the number if they do not move quickly on their voluntary code. of organisations and companies that think that way is On parental leave, child care and other matters that not as large as it should be, and we need to increase it have been discussed this morning, I hope that the over the next few years. Government, with their moratorium on regulations for small businesses, will advocate a frank conversation Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): between employers and female employees. My best Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee announced employee relationship was with someone I could talk to that it was recruiting another white man, and that it was about her plans for child care and family development, absolutely delighted—as, indeed, we all are—with the and we interweaved her talent and desire to build her extremely talented gentleman whom it had chosen. In family with the business’s needs. That employee was small print at the end, as an afterthought, it said that paid more and performed better than any other person only one of the 27 applicants was a woman, and that it in my company. wished that more women had applied. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be a good idea proactively to As well as the Government’s role, there is a strong encourage more women to apply for senior roles? role for Parliament. There is a strong argument for setting up a new Select Committee for the lifetime of Julian Smith: My hon. Friend makes an important this Parliament to focus on women and diversity. It point. There is a great deal of work to be done in the could be wrapped up at the end of this Parliament, but public sector as well as the private sector, but the in the meantime it could be used as a vehicle to demonstrate Government now need to put significant pressure on that parliamentarians in the class of 2010 will ensure the private sector, and not just on targets. One area I that we move the issue on, drag companies in and would advocate as well worth looking at is performance question them. We want to ensure that the matter is management generally in organisations. Can the nailed once and for all. Government do more to highlight those organisations My concern and my message to business, whether that performance manage their staff and that look at head-hunters, global businesses or small businesses, is things such as the approach that my hon. Friend the that if we are still here in 2015 having these arguments Member for Devizes (Claire Perry) suggested? Can we about the paltry number of women in the senior echelons highlight, as well as company growth, those companies of our businesses, it will be very difficult for people such that manage their human resources positively? as me, as a great supporter of less regulation and red tape, to stand up and say that there should not be Mary Macleod: Does my hon. Friend think that it is legislation and intervention. This Parliament has an important to have real performance measures and that opportunity, as does business, to go for it, and to make that should affect how people are remunerated? If they a substantial change along the lines of what Lord are not assessed on that, which might affect what they Davies said, but it must be done now. We must get on earn, people tend to forget about it. It is a nice-to-have, with it. but there is no focus on it and nothing ever gets resolved. If people are actually measured on that and remunerated accordingly, something might change. 10.2 am Julian Smith: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): I congratulate my hon. client that I worked with that did best in this area had Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald such considerations hard-wired into compensation and (Mrs Grant) on securing this important debate. I also promotion at all levels in the organisation, not just at echo the excellent suggestion of my hon. Friend the board level. To get a pipeline of candidates for board Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) to introduce positions, one has to work right down the organisation, a Select Committee on women and diversity. The Minister at every level of management. In that organisation, the will be listening carefully, and I shall make representations key question at every performance review was, “What through the Liberal Democrats’ Business, Innovation diversity hiring have you done in the past six months?” and Skills parliamentary committee, which I co-chair. A relentless focus is required in the House and at We have heard excellent contributions this morning, every level of government. I am not convinced that and I need not reiterate why we must bother with having a unit on women and equality is the right way to women on boards. The aspiration of equal opportunities go. We need this to be driven from the highest level in clearly does not work. It is 40 years since the Equal the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Employment Opportunity Act 1972, but still only 12.5% of and we need to showcase with awards and in every way members of FTSE 100 boards are women, and only five possible those organisations that are doing the right are run by women. Evidence shows that companies that thing. increase the number of women in leadership positions outperform those that do not. Clearly, it is good for Mrs Grant: Could my hon. Friend say something business to have more women. about how head-hunters might be incentivised? On stereotyping, Martin Vander Weyer said in The Spectator on 26 February: Julian Smith: The role of head-hunters is important. “Women are more risk-averse, less driven by raw competitive The reason for stressing companies is that head-hunters urges, and more likely to stay focused on generating steady are driven by their fees, and if the underlying companies returns; and those are precisely the qualities needed in non-executive are pushing them, that is when there is a change in the directors to counterbalance the machismo of thrusting executives.” 189WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 190WH

Such stereotyping is dangerous. Not all women are like I want to finish by referring again to Lord Davies. I that, any more than all men are testosterone-fuelled have spoken about head-hunters and the requirement risk-takers. We all have a bit of yin and a bit of yang on listed companies to disclose annually the proportion in us, and it is important not to accept stereotypical of women on boards, how many are senior executives opportunities. and how many are in the work force generally. That Who is calling for change? Last year, the CBI called would shame a lot of companies into looking at the for a comply-or-explain policy for all businesses, and poor representation of women. Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Justice, is Lord Davies leaves formal quotas as a future possibility, considering calling for quotas. She has started a five-year but states that there is overwhelming opposition to them. strategy to achieve 30% of women on boards by 2015 Well, there would be. To require someone to comply and 40% by 2020. would challenge the stereotypical grey men in grey suits. Will we need quotas? The Davies challenge is for the What are the problems? Many have been discussed make-up of boards to include 25% of women within this morning, and they include lack of flexibility, and four years. I believe that we will probably need to move linear advance patterns. My hon. Friend the Member towards some form of quota system if boards do not for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary Macleod) talked comply with that. This is the last chance saloon for the about whole-life careers. We now have many careers grey men in grey suits. during our lives, and the idea that one must go from one step to another clearly does not work for women or for Martin Caton (in the Chair): I will now call Andrea men. Leadsom, but I advise the Chamber that five hon. The male culture of people of the same sex, who Members wish to speak and I want to start the winding-up perhaps went to the same school or who even belong to speeches by 10.40 am. We need more brevity and more the same club, is harmful in achieving diversity of view speakers. and opinion and opening up boards to new ideas in all sorts of ways. On nominations committees, we heard an 10.11 am expert speech on the position that head-hunters are in. Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): They may be eager to please, but I welcome the voluntary I, too, congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for code that is being promoted by Lord Davies. Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) on securing this There are many things we can do to help—for example, important debate. I start by saying that I absolutely love flexible working. I am delighted that the Government men. I have two beautiful sons and a nigh-on perfect are committed to flexible working not just for women husband, and I assure the Chamber that this debate is and not just for men with children, but for everyone, not about bashing men; it is about trying to promote because quality of work and life makes people better more good and fantastic women, and even—let us face contributors to the work force. We must recognise people it—more mediocre women. In any society not everybody for their contribution, not for the number of hours their can be fantastic but everyone can achieve a lot more coat is on the peg at work. I call that “presentism”. than they currently do, and that particularly applies to women. Let us bring on more women of all shapes and Collaborative leadership styles would be much more sizes, whether mediocre or utterly brilliant. positive and helpful in some circumstances, as would I want to be a tiny bit selfish and talk about my story. effective succession planning. Women respond really I represent a classic tale of someone who has suffered well to coaching and mentoring, and we are often our from the determination of society to promote one type own worst enemies, because we do not recognise how of structure. My parents divorced when I was very good we are. I had to have a stiff talking to by a friend young, and for a long time it was just me, my two sisters before I accepted that I would be good enough to and my mum. My mother taught us that, “The world become a Member of Parliament. Talent must be recognised does not owe you a living; you get on and you do it for in organisations. My hon. Friend the Member for yourself, my girl,” and that was very much the mantra Maidstone and The Weald referred to the leader of the with which I grew up. My sisters and I were all driven to Conservative party and said how well the Conservatives do well in our careers, while still loving men and having have done in bringing on women. One could argue a place for them in our hearts. You can rest assured, whether that constitutes positive discrimination, but the Mr Caton, that my two boys are clear that women are A list has certainly introduced a new generation of their equals and every bit as good as them. women MPs, and I assure you, Mr Caton, that there are no token women in this Chamber; they are all full-on, I went on to jump out of my political science degree first-class Members of Parliament. and into the City with huge enthusiasm. I worked 60 hours a week and did all the things that the men did—I worked shoulder to shoulder, neck and neck, Mary Macleod: Does my hon. Friend agree that the competing with the best of them. At the age of 30, I Conservative party increased the number of its women discovered the wonderful thing that was being married MPs at the last general election partly because we had a and having a child. When I was eight months pregnant— leader overseeing the matter from the top? He promoted nobody could accuse me of concealing the fact that I it and ensured that it was at the top of the agenda. The was about to have a baby—I was promoted to be the same must happen on boards. Does she agree that it is youngest senior executive that Barclays had ever had. important for chairmen, chief executives and board That was a huge privilege and honour and I was thrilled. members to say, “This is really important; we must do I was also, however, about to have a baby. something about it.”? If that happens, something will I went away and had about three minutes’ maternity be done? leave. I worked until two weeks before the birth and came back after less than three months. I was desperate Lorely Burt: I could not agree more. to get back into the job, but I was knocked for six by the 191WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 192WH

[Andrea Leadsom] yesterday, it suddenly occurred to me that for 10 years I have run a business with about 80 staff of whom more whole experience. Within a year of trying to hold down than 90% are women. That had not occurred to me in such an enormously challenging job, I spoke to my boss the context of this debate, because we did not go out about whether it would be possible to do it part time. I looking to recruit women or in any specific area. I fully will not name names, but the answer was, “We’ve managed agree with the comments about discrimination made without many women directors until now, and we certainly earlier by my hon. Friends. Discrimination is not acceptable, don’t need part-time ones.” I struggled on for another but equally, we do not want positive discrimination. year, but two miscarriages later I gave up, went away I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and thought, “Right, I’m just going to be a mum.” I had and Ripon (Julian Smith) that we should not seek a second child and worked as the managing director of Government legislation that makes work more difficult a hedge fund. It might seem rather ridiculous to go for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is already from working in a mainstream bank to becoming a difficult enough to employ more people under the existing senior person in a much smaller organisation, but somehow regulations, which puts companies off. The Government that worked better. It involved less process and more can set an ethos, however, and perhaps I can add my interpersonal relationships, and people talking to each experiences to the debate, and say what it is we do that other and understanding what was necessary to get the means we attract more women, and why that works so job done. Even though I had an important position, it well. was understood that I also had other priorities. My story is indicative of what so many women go Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): The hon. through. They start off neck and neck, fighting on Gentleman is right to say that there is a limited role for equal terms, but then something happens—they start a Government in terms of imposing rules. Does he agree family and their career is never the same again. The past that it is important to encourage mentoring? A lot of 10 years of my career were happily spent in a funds studies show that all people benefit from mentoring, management organisation at senior level, but with no and women do not get as much of that as possible. prospects of promotion because I was working part Organisations such as Enterprising Women do a lot to time. I recognised that and was happy to pay the price try to promote that aspect, and I hope that the hon. because being a mum has always been the most important Gentleman will mention it. thing in my life. At the moment, however, that price must be paid, which I do not think is right. It holds Brandon Lewis: The hon. Gentleman is right. People women back, and many women give up altogether. A across the board benefit from mentoring, and men are wealth of evidence suggests that women deliberately sometimes afraid of saying, “Look, I need a bit of apply for more junior jobs that do not meet or challenge help.” Some women I have worked with do that better their skill sets, simply because they want the time and and have benefitted from it. Women hold top positions space to raise their family. That is a tragic waste of across my business. As declared in the Register of talent, and I believe that so much more could be done. Members’ Financial Interests, my business involves a I do not plead for quotas. As my hon. Friend the couple of schools and a nursery in which the head Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) so eloquently teachers are women. My administration team that runs said, employers should be encouraged to talk to their the business is also made up of women. I have to say staff about what works for them. Such flexibility is not that they do a far better job now that I am not there legislated for, but we need to get away from the situation interfering than was the case when I was. As an employer, where an employer can never ask someone if they are we have appealed to women partly because primary planning to have a baby, or whether they need to go to education, on which we focus, tends to attract women. parents’ evening, because that is a taboo subject. The tougher part of our job has been recruiting men Inadvertently, legislation and workers’ rights have made into primary education, which is important because of that an even more knotty topic, but if we could get away the issue of balance. from that problem and arrive at a position where employers can talk to staff about their priorities and the things When I was a council leader, I was always proud that that they need to do, we would be in a much stronger I had a council group with very good balance. My hon. position due to that mutual recognition. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald made the point that for any business or organisation, it In my office I employ a fantastic caseworker whose is balance that makes it work. The balance of men and wife is about to have their second child. That is bearing women in my council group was about 50:50. I was very down on us all, and we will accommodate his needs as a proud of that and made a big point of it, because we father. It is not just about women; it is about families. achieved it before many authorities could get anywhere Accommodating the needs of families will go a long near it. We also had people from different walks of life way towards improving the talent base in this country, and different business backgrounds. They ranged from and it will improve business across the board. a councillor of 18—the youngest councillor in the country—through to councillors in their ’70s. It was the 10.17 am balance of members—members who agreed with one Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth) (Con): I, too, another and members who did not—that made it a congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone more powerful team. and The Weald (Mrs Grant) on securing this debate. In my business, it is the balance that works, and Ever since I left university, I have worked in business, flexible working also appeals. As we are an educational and over the past 10 years I have run a couple of establishment, we have a slight advantage, in that we businesses. I was not sure what I, as a man, could bring can advertise jobs for people who want to work only in to the debate, but when I spoke to my hon. Friend term time to fit with their families. More men might 193WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 194WH consider that, too. This is a time when we are looking I wanted to take part in the debate to talk about the for more opportunities for men, and men are sometimes untapped potential of women as entrepreneurs. As a afraid of admitting that they want to spend more time business owner myself, I have experienced at first hand with their families. I am sure that many of us in the the challenges that women face in starting their own Chamber would fall into that category, if we could. companies. It is a world dominated by men. I have However, the ability to work in term time—the ability experienced for myself the days of walking into a trade to work part-time hours—has meant that we have attracted show or a builders merchant and it being a bit like the women, which is benefiting our business. Our turnover saloon in the wild west where everyone stops what they of staff is extremely low. I think that in the 10 years that are doing and turns round to look at the strange being I ran the main administration team, we lost only one that is among them. When four of the five dragons from member of staff, who went on to a promotion elsewhere “Dragons’ Den” are male and men such as Richard and has been very successful as a result. Business can Branson and Alan Sugar fly the flag for UK consider those issues. This is about achieving a good entrepreneurship, it is not surprising that less than half balance across the board, with different types of input of businesses are started by women. The stereotype of from people with different backgrounds, from men and the ambitious, ruthless male entrepreneur needs to change. women, from different age groups and from people with Women can bring a huge amount to business and different professional backgrounds. the economy. Worldwide, women have been shown to With regard to being flexible about work, the hon. be successful and conscientious business leaders. In Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt) made the point microfinance initiatives in Africa, 90% of female about “coat peg hours”—a phrase that has stuck with entrepreneurs plough the profit from their businesses me for many years. When I first qualified in law, I spent back into the community, compared with only 50% of some time in a law firm and it always struck me as the men. In the UK, we have inspirational women such bizarre that the lawyers, particularly in the corporate as Deborah Meaden and Tamara Mellon, who prove law departments, seemed to feel that they had to be in that it is possible for women to succeed in starting their the office from 8 am until 10 pm or later just to prove own business. With women making more than 70% of that they could be there. They were sitting in a square household purchasing decisions, they surely know what box, staring at a wall, doing work that they could easily the market wants. So why are those inspiring business have been doing at home, probably more productively. women so few and far between? Therefore, I have always taken a different view with Anyone starting a business will face daunting tasks. people in my company, whether they are men or women. They must win over potential investors, persuade their What interests me as a boss is that the work gets done family that it is worth it and, perhaps more importantly, and is of high quality. Unless there is a particular time persuade themselves that they are capable of succeeding. demand, I am not interested in whether it is done at That is often the most insurmountable hurdle for women— 8 am in an office or at 8 am in someone’s home. With summoning the self-confidence to take on that task and the way communications work these days, businesses that risk. should think outside the box and be more open-minded I am involved in a fantastic project in my constituency about allowing staff, of whatever background and sex, of Gosport. It is called AWESOME—all women to do their work to the best of their ability and not be so entrepreneurs supporting opportunity and motivating focused on “coat peg hours” and sitting in an office for their expertise. It brings budding female entrepreneurs the sake of being seen to be there. That in itself would together to provide a network of support. Despite be a big step forward for business. having brilliant ideas, they tend to hold themselves back, perhaps due to a fear of rejection. It is almost as If we can do nothing else in the next few years but though they regard their business idea being rejected by encourage businesses to be more open about their working a potential customer as a rejection of themselves. They practices to allow people to be more flexible in that have difficulty separating themselves from their business respect, we will see more women in business and certainly idea. more production for business, without the need for legislation. I agree wholeheartedly with what hon. Members Mrs Grant: My hon. Friend makes a very important have said about how business has an opportunity now point about confidence. I agree that there is a fundamental to make progress on this issue and to have more diversity confidence issue for us, which has come from years of across the board. Otherwise, we will end up having to sexism. Does my hon. Friend agree that if there were look at more legislation, something which all of us who more female role models, that might help to correct the have been in business agree that business can do without. situation? Caroline Dinenage: Absolutely. That is exactly right 10.23 am and it is the point that I was going to make and probably will in a second. Even when a woman succeeds, Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): I congratulate the challenges posed by approaching a bank or taking my hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The on greater responsibility sometimes prevent her from Weald (Mrs Grant) on securing the debate, which is taking those steps and expanding the business to its full incredibly valuable. We have heard some excellent potential. I have seen so many women who have got to a contributions and some interesting ideas, particularly certain stage and thought, “I don’t know whether I can the idea about job shares in the Cabinet. take that final step,” and have then just stopped where I endorse the comments made by my hon. Friend the they are. It is tragic to see that amazing potential go to Member for South Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom). waste, especially when our economy desperately needs Every mum faces huge dilemmas in her everyday working the passion, hard work and vision of all entrepreneurs, life. Productive women are those who feel that their but particularly female entrepreneurs. We just need to family life is respected. find a way of unlocking that talent. 195WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 196WH

[Caroline Dinenage] right environment. We need to look at the issue, however, because we will all live longer and need to work longer. By bringing female entrepreneurs together, as we This is not, therefore, just a women’s issue, but a cross-gender have in Gosport, a network of moral support is created issue. that allows a woman’s true passion for her business to shine though. Women say that they cannot do the hard Brandon Lewis: I am sorry to delay my hon. Friend, sell. They say that that is the one thing they cannot do. but having had two children, my wife has gone back They say, “I can’t do the hard sell. I can’t go into into work and successfully set up her own business, in business.” However, when they are asked to talk about exactly the way my hon. Friend has described. Does my their businesses, their passion and enthusiasm for their hon. Friend agree that part of the issue is the need for product sells it for them. I could tell hon. Members us all to highlight the fact that such things can be done? about the number of times that I have walked out of a More women, and indeed men, would then realise that meeting, having subscribed to things that I did not even being a certain age does not mean that they cannot believe I needed—including a cat sitter when I do not achieve something and do something new. Highlighting even have a cat. They are incredible saleswomen, but such things would raise the profile of this issue in the they do not know that they are doing it. way that my hon. Friend has. Successful business women get involved in the group to which I am referring. They inspire confidence in Anne Marie Morris: I absolutely agree. That is absolutely those starting out and help to overcome the little barriers right. However, the real challenge is changing that and difficulties that hold people back. We need to culture. develop a network of such groups throughout the UK. My second point builds on the idea of confidence They are self-started; they are not funded; and they are and experience. I welcome the idea of a Select Committee, just self-help groups. We need to develop a network of which would be a first-class way of encouraging more such groups throughout the UK to ensure that in every thought on this issue. I was delighted to hear about the constituency women are getting the support that they FTSE 100 mentoring programme, which sounds like a need. first-class initiative. The challenge is to have more role Most importantly, we need to foster a culture of models and better mentoring programmes—I agree that female leadership. We need to inspire and build self- they should be for men and women—and to help rebalance confidence in people from a young age, whether that is individuals, so that they have the broad suite of skills done through debating clubs or programmes such as that we all need. Young Enterprise. I did Young Enterprise at school. In that respect, perhaps I can dwell on men for a The business that we had was called Big Time and minute. If we look at what is happening in schools, we designed clocks—given my reputation for timekeeping, see the reverse of that. Boys’ results are not as good as people find that quite surprising. girls’. Girls are tenacious and exam focused, and they We also need to tap into the potential of the media are good at the process involved in passing exams. More and popular culture in promoting entrepreneurship. I and more women are going into the professions, and visit many schools in my constituency, and nearly every more women than men are going into the junior level—not time I ask the kids what they want to do when they leave the top level—of medicine and law. Leaving aside the school. Very rarely does a girl say to me either that she leadership issue, we therefore also have a problem with wants to start a business or that she has an entrepreneurial the gender balance in those professions. We need to help idea, yet so many want to be actresses, models and men to go into those professions and to compete, just as performers, which always staggers me. We need some we need to help women to go into the corporate world more positive business role models in the media. After and compete there. The gender balance in the professions all, why should only Alan Sugar have an apprentice? and corporate life is completely different. There will be great benefits for women and for the One of the challenges facing us is that the skills that economy in promoting female-led business. It will bring make people successful in the corporate world are not fresh ideas and different qualities to the business world, embedded at school, and I suspect that that may be an while allowing women to set their own hours and agendas, issue for the Secretary of State for Education. The issue which is what we are talking about. Entrepreneurship is is which skills we need people to gain at school to help not the preserve of men. It is our responsibility to us right the imbalance that I have described. Another ensure that women have the support and confidence to challenge is to ensure that we have better integration be entrepreneurs. between school and the workplace. One of my frustrations is that the children we talk to about the requirement to 10.29 am do work experience talk about it as if it were a tick-box exercise; there is no real sense of the role they will have Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): Many of in the workplace. Indeed, there is still a bit of a sense the points that I might have made have been made that the expected option is to stay at home. already, given that I am speaking towards the end of the debate, but perhaps I can dwell on a couple of them and Mrs Grant: Does my hon. Friend agree that embedding give them a little more thought. enterprise awareness in school education would be helpful? In an intervention earlier, I raised the idea of flexibility over career timing. The ability to start a career later— Anne Marie Morris: That would be very helpful. In perhaps after having children—is often not open to the same way that we have looked at the intellectual those of us who work in the City or the professions. I aspects of education, including issues such as the English agree with other speakers that that is perhaps not something baccalaureate, we are now looking at the skills aspects that can be legislated for; rather, it is about creating the of education through the Wolf report. I agree that we 197WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 198WH need to develop a fundamental understanding of these we can articulate that, it would be a good way forward. issues among boys and girls at school. I do not have an However, I am conscious of the time, so, on that note, I answer as to how we can more effectively integrate will conclude my contribution. business into education, but the issue absolutely needs to be resolved. 10.39 am My third point relates to child support, which is a Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): I warmly congratulate real issue. Partly, it is about money, but is also partly the hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald about culture, expectation and provision. A number of (Mrs Grant) on her excellent opening speech and on organisations are looking at the issue of crèches, part-time securing the debate. I thank the many Members who working and job sharing. However, it is one thing to have contributed in a positive way. There is much that look at introducing such provisions and to recognise we can agree on in terms of the need for encouragement, that they are the right thing to do, but another thing to mentoring, sponsorship, role models and enterprise work out how to make them really effective. There is a awareness, and those are very much the steps we need to bit of a tick-box approach, with people thinking that take. they have ticked the box because they have a crèche. In that respect, I was really struck by the comments of my Ensuring that women can participate as fully as possible hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian in business and enjoy full recognition of their abilities Smith). What is important is the ability to sit down and and potential is vital not only to promote a more equal have a meaningful conversation about how we can work and just society, but to make the best possible use of together and take on board the fact that, biologically their skills to increase wealth creation and make a more speaking—certainly in our lifetimes—only women will prosperous society. Women are, of course, involved in have children. The question is how we make a different many different types of business, from the self-employed outlook more of a reality, and a Select Committee woman who works just a few hours a week to the could probably sensibly spend some time looking at the woman with the busy corner shop or the woman working issue. in the very largest of companies. Many of the difficulties they face are not necessarily specific to women. When I was thinking about today’s debate, I remembered Generalisations over the huge diversity of business can that we had a married man’s allowance in the old days, be misleading, and there are, of course, many excellent and I wonder whether a working mother’s allowance examples of good practice and success stories. might be appropriate in the modern world. I put that Over the past 30 years, women’s employment has out as a thought, and I appreciate that the piggy bank is significantly increased and women are making a greater a little empty at the minute, but such a proposal might financial contribution than ever to family incomes. be food for thought. We need a holistic approach to the Therefore, it is not surprising that more women’s jobs, fact that women have the babies. We need to integrate particularly jobs in the service sector, have been affected that and enable women to contribute in the workplace, in the current economic crisis than in previous recessions. which is crucial. With the expected job losses in the public sector likely My final point relates to the corporate issue. I was to affect women disproportionately due to the high impressed by what I read in the report to which a concentration of women in the public sector, it is important number of contributors have alluded. Diversity is certainly that the Government do more than simply hope that the key. I agree that it would make a lot of sense to ensure private sector will grow. There needs to be a clear that the numbers of women coming through an organisation strategy for growth and encouragement for women to are published in the accounts. Although I agree that we take up jobs in the private sector, particularly those who do not want more bureaucracy, such a process would have not worked there previously. not be a big issue for the top FTSE companies. We have During Labour’s time in office, we introduced measures information about the very senior women, because of that have supported women. We extended maternity the reports to Companies House, but we need to see the leave and introduced paternity leave. We also introduced progression planning, and we will not get it without the right for parents and carers to request flexible information about the women coming through the working, and many speakers today have mentioned its organisation. That is what I would describe as a nudge, importance. There is more to do to ensure that employees rather than a push. I agree that legislation is not the and employers are aware of the right to request flexible answer, because we need to shape and encourage. Once working. It can be daunting to be the first in a workplace organisations begin to see that there is a spotlight on the to make the request. Many women are worried that issue, it will begin to make a difference. such a request might harm their career prospects or The real difference in corporate life will come, however, make them look half-hearted about work. Properly with the review of the governance code, which is important. managed, flexible working, such as changes in working How do we ensure that we are really talking about hours to allow a parent to drop off children at school in diversity, not trying to right the gender balance? We the morning, can result in the mum or dad feeling much have to acknowledge that women want to be recognised less stressed and better able to concentrate on their for the different skills that we bring. I would almost like work. For some women, it can make the difference to see job descriptions that show that companies have between continuing in work and having to leave a job. thought through the different skills that they need and how roles might work slightly differently to encompass Lorely Burt: I agree with all the points that the hon. the broader range of skills that are available through Lady has made. Is it not good that the Government are employing women. When we look at the governance introducing flexible working for everyone, because that code, we could try to give some guidance on what might deals with the stigma of asking? Anyone can ask for go into it. We are not talking just about men and flexible working, whether they are picking up their women, but about the qualities of good management. If children or going to the golf course, so it is seen as part 199WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 200WH

[Lorely Burt] set their own challenging targets to ensure that more talented and gifted women can get into top jobs in of the norm and not a condescension for someone companies across the UK, and that those targets be set because they happen to be a parent. in the next six months and chief executives review the percentage of women they aim to have on their executive Nia Griffith: Indeed, the opportunity to have flexible committees in 2013 and 2015. working is extremely important. That is why it is particularly The question is how we ensure that companies really perturbing that news is coming through of an exemption make progress. The lesson from Norway, which is often for microbusinesses. That effectively denies employees quoted as having 40% women on boards, is that it does in businesses with fewer than 10 employees the right to not happen simply by exhortation. That was tried first, request flexible working. I question the Government’s but it took quotas to achieve the 40%. It is not nice to be rationale for making that exemption. They seem to be accused of being on a board solely to make up a quota saying that denying employees that right will somehow or to be used as a symbol that a company is addressing stimulate growth in the economy. gender equality, but companies need to ask themselves If we cast our minds back a few years, we will exactly how appointments to boards are made. Does remember that the Prime Minister, in his speech to the the process stand up to scrutiny? Is the best person for 2007 Conservative party conference, spoke about flexible the post appointed? It may be that the best person for working: the post may not even be encouraged to apply. I hope “Companies that have adopted this have found that they are that the recommendations in the report will make companies able to grant the request in the vast majority of cases, they have look very carefully at the whole pattern of promotion actually found that productivity has gone up, profits have gone within the organisation, as many hon. Members have up, staff morale has gone up and keeping staff is easier.” suggested, and identify whether there are factors, such So what exactly has changed? Will the Minister explain as particular types of socialising after work, which tend what sort of analysis his Government have done that to exclude women. It may be that much more subtle suggests that flexible working hampers growth? What forces are at work, which amount more or less to that economic impact assessment did his Government do well documented tendency to select people like oneself. before deciding the exemption for microbusinesses? How What exactly will the Government do to ensure that will this move impact on women in business? How is it the recommendations in Lord Davies’s report are fully compatible with the Prime Minister’s promise when he implemented? Will the Government require companies was in opposition that a Government whom he led to disclose each year the proportion of women on would be the “most family friendly ever”? boards and in senior executive positions, and the proportion The loss of the right to request flexible working will of female employees in the whole organisation, as affect both men and women, but at the moment, it is recommended by Lord Davies? Will the Government likely to affect women far more widely than men. It will insist on the disclosure of meaningful information about be yet another obstacle to women being able to combine the company’s appointment process, as recommend by work and family responsibilities. It might mean some Lord Davies? How will the Government take forward women giving up work altogether, or it might deter the recommendation that a women from seeking promotion. Was an equalities “combination of entrepreneurs, existing providers and individuals impact assessment undertaken on the exemption decision, needs to come together to consolidate and improve the provision and if not, why not? We are getting used to the Government of training and development for potential board members”? breaking promises, and that action is usually accompanied The situation of part-timers needs particular attention. by some sort of lame explanation, so I am curious to Some women find that they need to go part-time to learn how denying employees the right to request flexible combine work and a family. Other women would like to working will stimulate growth in the economy. To most work part time, but are afraid of the consequences of people, it just looks like a backwards step. doing so, knowing that too often going part time will When in office, the Labour Government introduced set them back a long way in the pecking order. I have the Equality Act 2010, which not only streamlined the employed women part-timers, and have always found law by replacing nine major pieces of legislation and that their attitude to work is anything but part time. around 100 statutory instruments with a single Act, but They invariably give over and above what is required for introduced measures to create a more level playing field the hours they work. We need companies to take a and make life fairer for women. Those measures include serious look at how they deal with employees, largely requiring gender pay reports, using public procurement women, who are working fewer hours than the full to improve equality, extending the use of positive action working week. Are they included in decision-making in the workplace, and protecting carers from meetings? Are they encouraged to further their careers discrimination—although that, of course, applies equally and seek promotion while remaining part time? Are to men and women, the reality is that women are more they given training opportunities? Are they allowed to likely to be carers. Can the Minister confirm that his work part time only if they can find a person with Government will implement in full all the measures in whom to job share to replicate the exact pattern of a the 2010 Act? full-time post? Is part-time working considered appropriate We, on the Opposition Benches, welcome the work only in the lower ranks of the company? undertaken by Lord Davies of Abersoch in producing What is happening in other countries? In Spain, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills gender equity laws passed in 2007 obliged IBEX 35 report, “Women on Boards”. In particular, we welcome firms to get a minimum of 40% women on boards in his recommendations that UK-listed companies in the eight years. France passed a Bill applying a 40% quota FTSE 100 aim for a minimum of 25% female board for female directors by 2016. In Germany, the Justice member representation by 2015, that FTSE 350 companies Minister has threatened legislation if boards do not 201WH Promotion of Women in Business22 MARCH 2011 Promotion of Women in Business 202WH achieve a better balance in the next 12 months. Can the the sort of conversation that employers are allowed to UK also move forward and can that be done without have with their employees—for example, about maternity introducing quotas? Will the Government give companies leave and workers’ plans. It is important that we change sufficient encouragement to make the necessary changes some people’s perceptions about employers. Actually, voluntarily or will we find ourselves back here in two, employers have rights if they behave reasonably, and three or four years’ time ruing the lack of progress? they can therefore work productively with their employees. Right-to-request legislation, which was mentioned 10.49 am today, is a sort of nudge. It is about enabling employers and employees to have a conversation about flexible The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, working. I have some concerns about the way in which Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Davey): This has been the previous Government implemented right-to-request an excellent debate, and I congratulate my hon. Friend legislation. They took a prescriptive approach, and the Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) some employers find it rather regulatory and over the on securing it. We heard some powerful speeches, in top. However, the Government are committed to right- which Members showed their experience and knowledge to-request legislation. We will consult on it in due of the matter. course. As I made clear in a written statement— One of the key things mentioned by my hon. Friend, which was picked up by others, is that it is not only Nia Griffith: Will the Minister give way? about equality but about business performance. I shall stress that aspect because I believe that the issue is Mr Davey: In a moment, but first I want to reply to about growth. We have the Chancellor’s Budget tomorrow. my hon. Friend. The hon. Lady may want to intervene I believe that the Budget and other such measures are if she does not like my answer. aimed at improving corporate performance and thus the performance of the wider economy. When we consult on extending the right-to-request legislation to all employees, we will also consult on My hon. Friend spoke of the extra benefits and skills whether there should be an exemption for micro-businesses. that women bring to the boards of our great companies— That may be appropriate because conversations are their attitude to risk, how they manage employees and more easily had in small businesses. As my hon. Friend how they think about customers. She was right to say the Member for Skipton and Ripon (Julian Smith) said, that the studies cited in Lord Davies of Abersoch’s by and large smaller firms are better at having such report and elsewhere are unequivocal on the subject. conversations than larger companies. We will listen to The evidence is unambiguous that having more women people when we consult; the hon. Lady may believe too on boards improves corporate performance. much of what she reads in the papers. The debate focused on the leadership of women on boards, following Lord Davies’ report. It was good to Nia Griffith: The question is whether people have the see such widespread welcome for his report. We also right to request flexible working. As everyone who has heard about practical support for women and families spoken today has been very much in favour of the right in the workplace and about supporting women to request it, and as no one is obliging anybody to grant entrepreneurs. I shall try to cover all those aspects. it, what is the difficulty with insisting that micro-businesses Before doing so, however, I make two further comments do the same as every other business? on my hon. Friend’s speech. First, my hon. Friend reminded us of the Prime Mr Davey: The hon. Lady anticipates our consultation Minister’s aspiration for a third of Ministers to be document. I believe that we will get the balance right, female by 2015. Her speech may be an early suggestion and better than the previous Government did; their that she is heading for promotion. Secondly, she made approach was over-prescriptive. Indeed, that points out the important point that men need to listen to women in one of the differences between the two parties. I regret this debate. One of my favourite books when reading on to say that for the vast majority of this debate, the hon. the subject at university was a book about men and Lady was the only Labour Member here, but the Labour women in conversation called “Youjust don’t understand Government seemed often to think that the only way to me” by Deborah Tannen, a socio-linguist. Listening to secure progress in this area was through regulation and each other, particularly across sectors, is most important. legislation. Sometimes that is needed, but it is often not We need to understand each other. necessary.For example, the employee engagement taskforce It is not only about listening in this debate, as we try led by David MacLeod and Nita Clarke, which is business- to improve business and Government performance on led and is trying to promote best practice in employee the matter, but about putting that message across in the engagement, and the employers charter that I mentioned workplace, with employers and employees listening to earlier both take a non-legislative approach, and that each other and having grown-up, adult conversations. can have a big impact. Indeed, many of the concerns that lie behind what was Other questions raised this morning relate to the said this morning can be addressed in a way that does wider debate, particularly on how to take forward Lord not require legislation or regulation. My hon. Friend Davies’report. That report focuses not only on Government spoke well and to the point. but on companies, their chairmen and chief executives Many Members spoke of legislation and non-legislation, and on the head-hunting industry.However, it recommends and it is important that we realise the power of the how the Government should ask quoted companies to nudge—the power of the non-legislative approach. That report on their performance on this matter. We will be is one reason why I was keen to publish what has been publishing proposals on improving narrative reporting called the employers charter. It sets out what employers following our consultation—the document was published can do under current legislation, and gives examples of in July 2010—and that issue will be included. I assure 203WH Promotion of Women in Business 22 MARCH 2011 204WH

[Mr Davey] Regional Development (North-East) hon. Members that the Government strongly welcome 11 am the report, which paves the way to massive improvements in this important matter, on which the previous Government Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East did little. Cleveland) (Lab): At the risk of making this Adjournment The hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) asked debate appear like the alternative Budget for the north- whether the Government were taking forward measures east—or of the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South in the Equality Act 2010, but she may have missed the and East Cleveland—I warn the Minister that the breadth fact that most of its provisions were brought into force of coverage of this speech will be large. However, I am on 1 October 2010. We have concerns about one or two sure, as I know my hon. Friends are, that such a diverse areas, particularly to do with section 78, which provides speech can only partially cover the wide sectoral diversity for mandatory reporting on gender equality, and we are that has been achieved in 13 years of patient investment working with business to see whether we can take a in the region by the previous Labour Government. voluntary approach, which we think is right. While we Let me give the Minister a brief overview of some of engage with business on that matter and try for a the issues of concern that face my region. I hope I speak voluntary approach, we will not commence, amend or for all parliamentary representatives of the north-east repeal section 78. region when I say that a north-south divide still exists in England; it is deep, long term, continuing and persistently Another matter raised by the hon. Lady was that separates a nation on the basis of where an individual is child care is inadequate and often unaffordable. I am born and raised, without due regard to the exceptional proud to say that, in the spending review, the Government talent at hand within the boundaries of the Tees and the did not merely maintain spending on that but increased Tweed. Indeed, the current economic gap—which is the opportunity for child care, particularly for the young perpetuated by the current economic climate—between of deprived families. Our commitment in that area is the north-east and the rest of England is likely to strong. widen, with the serious economic and social consequences That brings me to the debate about maternity leave, that that entails. paternity leave and parental leave. We will be consulting PricewaterhouseCoopers’ analysis of the comprehensive on that later this year. We already have a lot of legislation spending review indicates that the north-east will be on the matter, but it does not work terribly well. It is disproportionately hit by spending cuts and job losses. inflexible, gender-biased and it does not work with the Unfortunately, the coalition Government’s hope that grain of many companies. Our consultation paper will private sector growth alone will fully compensate for take forward the coalition agreement, and I believe that such consequences ignores broad economics and, therefore, we can achieve a win-win by making things more flexible looks highly unlikely. Indeed, with the Government for employees and employers. We want them to work doing less—or rather, intervening less—in the north-east better together to ensure that we have more family-friendly in particular, the economic position of the region will workplaces, but that it does not come at a cost for be made far worse, not better. The coalition Government employers. are not supporting with adequate institutional arrangements It has been an excellent debate. I pay tribute to my or money their declared aim of rebalancing. Rebalancing hon. Friend the Member for Maidstone and The Weald. without the support of adequate resources is a recipe I believe that the House could play a critical role. I do for failure. not know whether we could go for the Select Committee Ministers have consistently disputed the need for option put forward by my hon. Friend the Member for proactive regional policy or strong Government Skipton and Ripon, but I am sure that he will want to intervention. That stands in stark contrast to what raise the matter with the Leader of the House. It happened this time last year, when the parties in the certainly received support this morning. current coalition, unaware of the then Labour Government’s actions behind closed doors, called for direct state intervention in Teesside Cast Products. They disingenuously confuse and coalesce the logic of the “crowded-out private sector” with a laissez-faire, sideline observing position, away from the crucial brokering of integral business deals necessary for a burgeoning and diverse manufacturing sector. For my sub-region within the north-east, “primers”, or large industrial foreign and domestic investments, still dictate the pace of a regional economy outside a city. They historically work in our region, and our region, more than most in England, wants them. The new orthodoxy, rooted to agglomeration, relies on the purely local—almost parochial—delivery of economic planning. I do not decry that in its entirety, but for local partnerships with very limited resources, manpower, expertise, clout, cash and perspective, to deliver will be difficult and will only get more difficult. Localism and equity are not the same thing. If the objective is to ensure that northern authorities have the resources both to support their local economies and to 205WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 206WH provide local public services, the greater the extent to The north-east economy is booming in some areas, and which the business rate is devolved, the more extensive that should be welcomed. Far from falling behind the an equalisation scheme would be needed. Such a policy rest of the country, we are showing all the signs of approach remains spatially blind, with absolute priority powering ahead, rebalancing our regional economy and given to the destruction of existing regional economic getting the private sector up and running again. structural drivers, such as the regional development agencies, which is simultaneously delivered cap-in-hand Tom Blenkinsop: The hon. Gentleman is a strong with grossly exaggerated local government budgetary advocate for Stockton South and a worthy adversary cutbacks in the north-east. It is evident that, for this indeed. He is right: Teesside has a fantastic industrial Government, deficit reduction takes primacy over economic economy and many new projects have opened up across rebalancing and any notion of localism. the region, in his own patch as well as my own. However, RDAs were emasculated before any local enterprise those jobs will be created over a certain time period. partnership was fully set up, allowed to root itself or to Many of those were to have been announced before the be fully financed in and around the expectations of the general election, but for a number of reasons the present Government. That is not the fault of the LEPs—in announcement was halted until after the election was my case the Tees Valley LEP—because the structures, called. It would be false to say that One NorthEast did finance and guidance were delivered to them by the not have a prime role in bringing those businesses to our Government. A plan to allow LEPs organically to transform region. As a former union official in the steel industry, I themselves and direct themselves—or perhaps that is know how much One NorthEast has worked with both the lack of a plan—has been the Government’s prevailing Governments in trying to get Sahaviriya Steel Industries philosophical hobby, rather than occupation. However, into the region. What I am trying to say is that a list of that is a smokescreen. It only proves again that deficit failings was produced but there was never an equitable reduction takes primacy over any economic rebalancing, list of positives and negatives when we were assessing and trumps any new trumpeted localism for this RDAs. Government. We strongly require support for the emergence of a If we are to make LEPs work, they must be properly range of different financial sources for infrastructure funded and have access to funds. They should not have development, including the green bank, and a greater to bid with raffle tickets for funds from a regional localised and decentralised source of capital explicitly growth fund—such a fund is less than the total budget held for manufacturing entrepreneurship. That will allow for a still non-defined mutualisation model for post risk-takers to take those industrial strides around the offices—that is suffering under the gross weight of existing capital and skills inherent in the cultural demands. LEPs need a proper funding apparatus, whether demographics of our region. I hope that, unlike the localised or national in source. Secretary State for Energy and Climate Change, the The rush to condemn the RDA within the crucible of Minister will consider a manufacturing green bank that the coalition’s gaze has been pursued with a vigour that works with the agencies to deliver the technology and borders on an almost McCarthyite zealotry.On 12 October product design that will give us green technologies—working 2010, the Minister said: and operating out of Edinburgh, the Secretary of State’s “The economic divide between the Greater South East and the preferred location—rather than holding debates on “green” rest of England is as wide today as when the RDAs began their ISAs or other financial products that simply have the work. That by any measure is a failed policy.” term “green” before them. That green finance must be The case against One NorthEast totally and utterly aimed at manufacturing and not solely at financial reduced it to a list of failings, without due or proportionate high-street products if the Government’s own agglomeration regard to its obvious successes, which, unfortunately, policy is to be pursued for manufacturing. did not come to light until after it had effectively been However, I understand where the Government are dismantled. Many of the coalition’s policies, including coming from on industry. Agglomeration is fine, but the new homes bonus and impending reforms to the industrialised clustering works even better, as we have business rate, are likely to favour the south over the seen in Germany and the Netherlands, when industry north, and the north-east in particular. Recent spending has its own access to funding to implement its own decisions in key areas such as science and technology decisions, or when financiers are educated in industry largely favour a strong southern bias. and are located nearby, as documented in yesterday’s The bias in research and development towards the Financial Times. However, that connection between finance south is cumulatively increased when areas that produce and industry is still vague and I very much doubt that traditional industrial products, such as Teesside, require Ministers at DECC and the Treasury are concerned further state investment, such as grants for business about it at present, as both Departments appear to have investment schemes, job creation programmes, and public a more obvious preoccupation with carbon floor pricing sector relocation. If that investment is not forthcoming, than with industrial finance. Carbon floor pricing, which the north-east will remain behind the curve in comparison I will discuss later, is perhaps the most important issue to its sister regions in England. for Teesside. I also challenge the Government’s huge assumptions James Wharton (Stockton South) (Con): The hon. about another topic that I will discuss later: export-led Gentleman speaks very passionately on the subject; growth. It is obvious to any man and woman in the none the less, I find it hard to agree with some of his street that all Governments at any point in time want comments. He says that the north-east is falling behind, export-led growth. A healthy balance of trade is integral but since mid-August there have been announced almost to a modern industrialised economy. However, we have 26,000 new private sector jobs, investment worth some to be vigilant about the economic mood music emanating £9 billion and private sector contracts worth £1.5 billion. from Asia at present. 207WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 208WH

[Tom Blenkinsop] For example, the north-east regional development agency—One NorthEast—was one of those rarest of Enterprise zones—an issue particular to my area—are things: a public body with almost unanimous support the Thatcherite reprise of this Government. The enterprise that attracted praise from public and private sectors zones policy is not wholly bad, but previous examples alike. However, a subtle criticism I have of the agency is have shown that they are best used in certain sectors that the region should have capitalised on the opportunity such as retail and finance. Our financial capitals are that it provided to take strides on its own. With a established overwhelmingly in London, although Leeds regional assembly that is democratically legitimate, our has developed in that regard in recent years. A previous region would certainly be in a stronger position to example of enterprise zone growth in the north-east is attract business as well as to retain it, rather than evident at Gateshead’s Metro centre. However, what we witnessing what we are seeing in some areas: a partial do best on Teesside is not best suited to enterprise and gradual leakage of industry from our region. zones, and they ignore the broader view of industrialists Praise for One NorthEast is well deserved. An in the port and chemical sectors. independent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers showed I also want to look at particular areas in my constituency, that regional development agencies return £4.50 to regional such as our local high streets in Middlesbrough, gross value added for every £1 spent, if allowance is Guisborough and East Cleveland. made for the expected persistence of economic benefits. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): I promise not to intervene Furthermore, the National Audit Office’s independent often, as many Members are here for this debate. My performance assessment concluded that One NorthEast hon. Friend mentioned my home town of Gateshead, was performing strongly. So why has it been abolished, and the Metro centre, which was viewed as a tremendous especially after the Business Secretary said that the success in the 1980s, when it was initiated. However, did regions could decide what best suits their area? The only not the Metro centre have a profoundly negative effect answer can be that the Conservative-led Government’s on Gateshead town centre? That is the real danger that business policy is dictated from an informed position, exists with any introduction of enterprise zones. They but one that looks from London. It is a policy that will might assist a very small geographical area, but they work, but not for all, and is ultimately submerged in an might also create what is almost a wasteland outside ideological fervour. It is formed not by regional or local their boundaries. opinion but Whitehall dogma. However, I reiterate that I do not believe that Ministers are stupid or ignorant of Tom Blenkinsop: I thank my hon. Friend for his economics; they are simply applying a view that does intervention and I have to agree with him. Obviously, not have a kernel within my region, and which does not there are benefits from enterprise zones. They bring a redistribute wealth. certain percentage of business in, but they also displace existing business. I will go into that issue in more detail One NorthEast is the body that helped to set up and later. support the North East of England Process Industry What can we do for small and medium-sized businesses Cluster, which made £1 billion gross value added in six and the self-employed? I have already talked to the years with just £3 million of public support. However, Minister about that, and I believe my comments were in addition to the scrapping of One NorthEast, we have received very positively. Ultimately, however, the direction now seen the abrupt end to the emergency package of the north-east must be viewed from the perspective devised for Teesside in the wake of steel job losses. That of the north-east. Until our region has more command of fund targeted jobs growth in the chemicals sector, its economic destiny, it will continually have to bid particularly in the growth area of agri-chemicals, as an against other English regions and Scotland and Wales alternative to lost steel jobs. Obviously, we have had the for attention and investment. excellent news of the investment by SSI at Teesside Cast Products. However, that emergency jobs scheme has Economic development in the north-east is a subject been axed, even though it is still allocating work and of deep concern to my constituents and the people of has £18 million in uncommitted funds that could have the wider region. Indeed, it should also be of concern to been used to support and enhance the objectives of all the people of the UK, because without shared NEPIC members’ companies. growth our country can never travel the road to prosperity. In the coalition agreement last year, the Prime Minister Now we hear that a long-standing and successful job and the Deputy Prime Minister said: creation fund, which in the past decade has helped to “We both want to build a new economy from the rubble of the create many hundreds of thousands of jobs in areas old. We will support sustainable growth and enterprise, balanced such as the north-east, is to be axed by stealth. That across all regions and all industries”. fund—the grants for business investment scheme, under That was and is an admirable pursuit, but my constituents the name regional selective assistance—has been responsible are not seeing words being translated into action. In in the north-east for pumping £112 million into poorer contrast, despite the north-east having the highest parts of the region, helping to create 25,000 jobs. In proportion of workers in the public sector of any English various forms and under successive Governments, the region, the Conservative-led Government have vague scheme has been in place since the late 1960s. It survived plans for growth in the north-east’s private sector, while the Heath years, the 1970s Labour Governments and simultaneously attacking its public sector base and the even the Thatcher and Major years, as well as the businesses—small and medium-sized, as well as self- following Blair and Brown Governments. Despite differences employed—that thrive as a result of that public spending. of economic policy, all those Administrations recognised The Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister the value of regional selective assistance. Throughout may have likened the economy under the last Government that whole post-second world war period, that element to “rubble”, but the last Government understood the of consensual “Butskellism” remained and only now regions and gave real teeth to regional development. has it been totally dismantled. 209WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 210WH

The Chancellor has announced the creation of at within the frameworks and structures that they are least 10 enterprise zones across Britain, in a scaled-down given, and they have to make those frameworks and revival of Margaret Thatcher’s flagship urban renewal structures work. However, this is a broad debate about programme of the 1980s. The Chancellor hopes that the policy, and if I did not talk about the economic those zones, which will offer simpler planning rules and implications of the policy, I would not be doing a corporate tax breaks, will accelerate development in proper service to my constituents. areas that already have high growth potential. They will Reviving enterprise zones will prove ineffective, even not simply be created in areas of physical decline. if that aim is achieved at less cost than that of the 1980s However, sceptics believe that they could be ineffective model and the zones are redesigned for today’s and that the appeal of the tax breaks will be limited by circumstances. The Work Foundation and the Centre the fact that only £100 million of Government subsidy for Cities think-tanks argue in recently published reports will be available, spread over four years. that zones created under the now Lady Thatcher and The Chancellor’s announcement is part of a wave of Sir John Major created too few jobs and were too initiatives to be unveiled by Ministers before the Budget expensive. The Work Foundation has said that such tomorrow, all of which are intended to prove that the zones typically created only a three-year boost before Government have a coherent strategy for growth. He areas lapsed into depression, and that up to four fifths will announce at least 10 zones, which are expected to of jobs were simply displaced from other areas, often be chosen by Ministers on the basis of submissions by within the same town. councils and business leaders. To address fears that this London’s Isle of Dogs—now Canary Wharf—was is a top-down initiative that might sideline town halls among the most successful of 38 enterprise zones created and local enterprise partnerships, the Chancellor will between 1981 and 1996, but others in places such as say that local authorities will be able to keep all of the Middlesbrough, Speke, Hartlepool and Swansea left a business rates that they raise in the new zones. less impressive legacy.The EEF manufacturing association However, retention of the business rates will almost has said that the policy sounds like a return to the past. certainly benefit a number of London and south-east The rhetoric deployed by the Government indeed sounds areas. In fact, the special interest group of municipal attractive, but I signal real caution and suggest to them authorities, or SIGOMA, analysis of 2009-10 settlement- and to supporters of enterprise zones that they reacquaint based grants showed that the top 10 councils to benefit themselves with Teesside’s history in the 1980s. Enterprise are Westminster, City of London, Surrey, Hertfordshire, zones offer potential relief on local business rates, reductions Hillingdon, Hampshire, Camden, West Sussex, Kent in corporation tax or national insurance contributions, and Essex. The London boroughs of Westminster, tax credits or capital gains allowances on investment in Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, premises, and the relaxation or fast-tracking of planning and the City of London will gain £1.6 billion in total in processes and capital expenditure subsidies. Did that local spending, whereas the north-east, north-west and work in the ’80s throughout the north-east, and throughout Yorkshire will lose out by £760 million in total. all sectors and, more importantly, will it work now in The Chancellor insists that the coalition’s initiative 2011? I had a look at my old economics notes from will shift growth from London and the south-east to Teesside university, and all the evidence from the past other regions, and he says that it contrasts with what he suggests that enterprise zones did not work, and possibly claims was Labour’s attempt to micro-manage the economy. will not again. He told his party’s spring conference in Cardiff: Locally, Middlesbrough’s Riverside Park, which has “Our approach is different: tax breaks and less bureaucracy, since been very successful, was designated as an enterprise not quangos and more regulation.” zone, but all that happened was a rush to get speculative office development off the ground with no tenants and James Wharton: As I sense that the hon. Gentleman no businesses to fill the new buildings. That, of course, might be moving on in his speech, it is important to put did not worry the developers, who simply benefited very clearly on the record that, although he and I from the tax perks from building in an enterprise zone disagree about enterprise zones, there is a great deal of and allowed the empty buildings to be used to make support right across Teesside for the campaign to get an artificial losses, which reduced the total taxation on enterprise zone in our local area. That support comes their developments elsewhere. Such experiences, bar from not only me and the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian perhaps the Metro centre and Black and Decker in Swales) as local MPs but Ray Mallon, the mayor of Durham and the London Docklands, were admitted as Middlesbrough, and business people such as Steve Gibson, a failure at the time by the Thatcher Government. In who is the chairman of Middlesbrough football club, as their official evaluation, the Government admitted that the hon. Gentleman knows. Moreover, the local enterprise between 1981 and 1986 they poured £300 million into partnership is extremely keen to secure an enterprise the scheme but created only 13,000 new jobs nationally, zone. It is important that the Minister hears those which equates to £45,000 of public cash per job at the comments, which should be on the record. We really mid-1980s value of sterling. The same study also stated want an economic zone, although I acknowledge that that enterprise zones mainly encouraged job displacement the hon. Gentleman, who represents a neighbouring rather than real new jobs, and it showed that 25% of constituency, has a different view of the success of such new jobs in enterprise zones were displaced from within zones from me. the same town. Repeated today, that type of local displacement risks Tom Blenkinsop: Yes, I know Steve Gibson—I am a seriously destabilising our local economy, as it involves season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC. I partially artificially enticing businesses into what could be seen agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said. Local as less competitive areas within the same town. On the authorities, business leaders and LEPs have to work face of it, it might seem obvious that lower taxes boost 211WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 212WH

[Tom Blenkinsop] from our region of good companies that provide long-term, well-paid, skilled work. EU competitors have attempted business, but that was not borne out by experience. It and then pulled away from equivalent policies. Changes quickly became clear for the majority of small businesses to the carbon reduction commitment scheme, which that their biggest concern was about making a profit in amount to a £1 billion tax, will also delay green investment the first place, and about the risks associated with and hurt small downstream industry that aids steel achieving that, rather than about tax on revenue or production in the UK. Ultimately, potential and existing profit. Questions of rent, skilled workers and access to investors will move abroad to less efficient and less markets were more significant than a temporary lifting green arrangements, which will not benefit our economy of a tax burden in a specific area rather than across the either nationally or regionally. board. The only people who benefited in the 1980s were the Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): Yesterday developers, not wealth-creating manufacturing businesses. evening, some other MPs and I met some of the major We should not dismiss out of hand any proposals to companies in the energy-intensive industries, many of encourage job creation and, for the sake of my area, if which are in our constituencies in the north-east. The the plan goes ahead I will wish it every success, but the Government plan to have carbon capture programmes, evidence of actual gain is thin indeed. Some already but none of them takes into account the specific needs established businesses and their owners might see it as a of those industries. Does my hon. Friend believe that helpful tax avoidance scheme, but that only benefits the the Government should think again, and instead of just already rich by possibly multiplying their wealth and concentrating on energy plans concentrate on the needs does not create any added value. of industries as well? Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate, because it is a Tom Blenkinsop: My hon. Friend hits the nail right very helpful process. I have listened for 23 minutes now, on the head. Whatever policy we have—an agglomeration and there is a great deal of criticism of what is being policy, or a slightly different industrial policy—the energy tried by the Government but no alternative being put factor, which I will go into in more detail later, will have forward. I look forward with great interest to hearing a more and more profound impact on industry’s ability what the alternative will be— to retain and maintain its current position as well as to invest. Teesside is potentially one of the key areas in the Ian Lucas: Labour. country, never mind the region, for that investment, particularly in the chemical and steel sectors. My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Guy Opperman: The hon. Gentleman says that, but someone has to pay back the £120 million-a-day debt. Of anything that I say today, I beg the Minister to Speaking as the son of manufacturers who have been in take that message about carbon floor pricing back to the industry for many years, what the hon. Member for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom Treasury and the Department of Energy and Climate Blenkinsop) describes is not necessarily how my family Change, to block any moves that will hurt our north-east have found it. in general, and Teesside’s industrial core in particular. The announcement of a supposed regional growth strategy Tom Blenkinsop: I will come on to discuss the alternatives. for the north-east as part of the comprehensive spending We have seen borrowing increase by £2 billion, and review is at best misleading and at worst a smokescreen certain policies, which I will come on to later, have to hide the deep cuts that will stunt economic growth in economic effects on the national economy, and more our region. The regional growth fund will also have to profoundly on that of the north-east. Those effects will finance bids for housing and transport plans, so it is be part and parcel of the package due to inflation, and obvious that even a successful LEP bid to the fund will the retail prices index is currently running at a 20-year mean only a small slice of a very small cake. The fund high. Such national policies are being put in place to was designed to redress the regional imbalance in the deal with the deficit, but they seem to do only that, economy, so surely providing funds to companies in the rather than presenting a progressive or prospective economic affluent south-east will undermine its objectives. plan. I am also extremely concerned that the Government Turning to industry, chemical firms with major operations may well be turning away millions of pounds of EC on Teesside, as well as our local steel producers Tata, funding for new economic initiatives and infrastructure have grave and well-founded concerns about industrial projects, because their blunders over the winding-up of growth policy. I am, of course, talking about carbon the regional development agencies means that they do floor prices. A consortium of firms, including SABIC, not have the match funding for those job-creating schemes. Lucite International and GrowHow, has recently criticised On Teesside that is made worse, as the back-up service the Government’s energy strategy, justly claiming that it for a Tees valley LEP will rely on the existing Tees hinders the competitiveness of UK manufacturers more Valley Unlimited agency and its staff. However, that too than any employment regulation or tribunal. The has had £7 million of its £9 million budget slashed. implementation of a minimum price for carbon will add There will also be a real terms cut of 9% to the science a minimum of 20% to energy-intensive users’ energy budget, which threatens to leave the UK behind bills. If the policy is implemented, our nearby EU international competitors such as the US and Germany, competitors will no doubt exploit the situation, as will which are still increasing their science spending despite competition further afield. The policy will hinder further the economic climate. Even the Minister for Universities inward investment, and might lead to the departure and Sciencesaid recently that scientific research contributes 213WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 214WH to long-term growth. If the Chancellor agrees with that, high levels. More importantly, coal, gas and oil markets why are we not increasing the science budget like other are peaking as Japan, China, and Germany re-evaluate countries? their nuclear policies, which is already affecting our The Government announced in the CSR that £1 billion access to fossil fuels and their domestic and industrial would be provided to fund carbon capture and storage. usage and price. That will undoubtedly affect not just According to Jeff Chapman, chief executive of the our north-eastern industry but our national export Carbon Capture and Storage Association, that will capability. fund one project, By betting the house solely on exports, we expose “but it’s not enough for four”. ourselves to a potential backfire. However, public sector I argue that the Wilton site, in the constituency of the investment and an export policy need not be mutually hon. Member for Redcar, is ideal for the project in exclusive. Obviously, we can pursue an export policy many respects. while retaining our levels of public sector investment in We must be able to capitalise on foreign export the north-east. Again, however, an export policy with opportunities, yet we must not rely wholly on them. As no real investment and no public sector expenditure I have said, this Government have given absolute economic belies the coalition’s policy of giving economic primacy primacy to deficit reduction. That has massive implications to deficit reduction. We should not reduce the deficit at for a sector-led agglomeration anywhere in England, the price of our public sector and, in turn, of the small but it will particularly affect how potential foreign and medium-sized businesses in the north-east that rely export purchasers view England, especially the north-east. on it. Chemicals are a major player nationally as well as The planned changes implemented so far include a locally on Teesside, and they make up more than 30% of rise in VAT to 20%, which will affect consumer spend. UK economic exports. Teesside has massive potential, Businesses such as leisure, hotels, restaurants and retail with projects such as Chain Reaction by PD Ports at will bear the brunt. Indeed, figures from the Office for Teesport and Hartlepool, agrichemicals as a new growth Budget Responsibility stated today that the consumer sector, petrochemical developments, SSI and Tata at prices index was at 4.4%, double the Tory-led Government’s Teesside Cast Products and many more. estimates. I am a traditionalist, and as a former union US ambassador Louis Susman has questioned the officer I never dealt in CPI, but always in RPI. The wisdom of the Chancellor’s massive spending cuts, warning OBR says that the retail prices index has risen from that they risk plunging Britain into a double-dip recession. 5.1% to 5.5%, the highest in 20 years. Funnily enough, His remarks echo those of leading economists at the that was the last time there was a Tory Government. We International Monetary Fund, who said last week that have had the wrong kind of snow from this Chancellor, the US and EU economies remain too fragile to absorb and now he claims, as he did on the front page of the major deficit cuts, concluding that additional spending Financial Times, that we have the wrong kind of inflation, and tax breaks would be a much more sensible strategy. causing him to have to borrow £11.8 billion, up from In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Susman £9.5 billion last year. I thought that we were making praised the Chancellor’s determination to eliminate the cuts in order to reduce loans. deficit within a single Parliament as “very admirable”, The effects of the Government’s policies resonate but warned: hugely, and nowhere more than in the north-east. R3, “But the question is, is it too much, too fast? We worry about the association of business recovery professionals, regularly double-dip recession and the lack of growth.” contacts me regarding time-to-pay arrangements for So do I. small and medium-sized businesses, especially given the China reported a trade deficit in February of £4.5 billion. impact of oncoming public sector cuts. Time to pay is Exports from China grew by 2.4%, which was less than crucial in the north-east to help the self-employed and expected, mainly due to the appreciation in value of small businesses currently in trouble to avoid insolvency China’s currency.However, growth in imports also decreased and prevent the further private sector redundancies that from an expected 30% to 19.4%. We must remember will be inevitable after public sector cuts. that under Labour, between January and August 2010, exports to China from the UK rose by 44%, which R3 surveyed 300 small businesses and found that one especially helped manufacturers. Between January and third relied wholly on public sector spending in one April 2010, manufacturers boosted UK exports by form or another. The survey was nationwide, and things £21.3 billion. The demonstrable reduction in Chinese will undoubtedly be more severe in the north-east. The demand is having huge effects on other international situation will be more acute, of course, if interest rates economies that export or rely on exports. increase on top of the inflationary figures estimated today by the OBR. The coalition Government must understand that an export-led growth strategy alone will not suffice. Besides On behalf of small businesses, I welcome the the obvious structural unemployment issues—the skills Government’s potential simplification of tax, especially of redundant public service workers in the north-east if national insurance and income tax are combined. will not match the growing sectors, if any grow— However, the Government could go further for the manufacturing sector credit squeezes in China, the terrible north-east and its small businesses. High streets in floods in Australia that have limited coke exports, desperate ancient market towns such as Guisborough, Brotton, earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan and ongoing events Loftus, Skelton, Saltburn and other East Cleveland in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and the wider villages need help. Some great small businesses are middle east and north Africa will affect an overly optimistic developing in my constituency. Coastal View, for example, and wholly reliant British exports policy. Iron ore, steel, is a new free monthly paper that advertises other local cotton and other commodities are peaking at extraordinarily businesses. In south Middlesbrough, retail is also key at 215WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 216WH

[Tom Blenkinsop] describe enterprise zones as a bad thing and to say that policies should be implemented in a way that ignores shopping areas such as the Parkway in Coulby Newham, tremendous benefits. I am sure that my hon. Friend the Easterside, Marton, Marton Manor, Hemlington and Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) would describe the great Park End. benefits of Corus, and we should not ignore the fact Self-employed women and men in my region need that the North East of England Process Industry Cluster quick assistance. On behalf of small businesses, I ask has come forward. All of those are good things. the Minister this: rather than enterprise zones, could Frankly, it is important, at this moment in time, to the north-east as a whole pilot a 5% VAT rate for deal with deficit reduction. If there is a manifest difference construction? Evidence in France has shown it to have between the proposals of the hon. Member for turnover benefits of 7%. The Government must act on Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and ours, it VAT and fuel duty, and the consensus on that is cross-party, is about whether the deficit is the key or not. I suggest especially on fuel. The 5% VAT rate could be extended that, at a time in which we are in so much debt, the in turn to public houses, restaurants and food service in deficit is always the key, because if we do not address it, general, helping struggling small businesses while aiding we will disappear into a situation akin to that of Greece our region’s burgeoning activity tourism economy.Similarly, or Portugal. VAT exemption rates could be lifted from £60,000 to £90,000 for small businesses and the self-employed, Tom Blenkinsop: I do not deny that the Government’s bringing in broadly the same revenues for the Treasury plans are sensible, have a point and a logic, and that while giving small business a break. Again, that could they might work. The point is about who they will be piloted in the north-east. benefit. Is this yet more trickle-down economics, or are I give the Government credit for relaxing planning we genuinely talking about redistributive economics? regulations to allow some commercial properties to be Redistributive economics favours the north-east, but I changed to housing accommodation. It might prove a am afraid that trickle-down economics favours the south- more viable solution in rural areas of my constituency, east. The Chancellor’s plans may indeed work, but to particularly on certain high streets in East Cleveland. whose benefit? Even so, small businesses will become increasingly key in the fine economic blend of the north-east region. Guy Opperman: The dispute between us is fairly stark I understand that I have raised many sectoral topics in terms of the extent to which we have the potential to and a diverse array of issues, but I look forward to any repay. My view is that the Chancellor is trying—this is response that the Minister can give. not something he wanted to inherit—to address the £120 million-a-day debt and to be in a position to do that. I believe that he will take the issue forward and 11.37 am that there are real opportunities in the way ahead. I speak as the representative of a fundamentally rural Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): It is a great pleasure constituency, but jobs are up and the points made by to follow a fine, long and detailed speech that took us my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton South (James on a lovely journey through your constituency and Wharton) are fair. It will be difficult, but I am absolutely touched on many local areas, but not on many others. I certain that the Chancellor has the right policy. waited—I probably waited too long to intervene—for you to acknowledge that the £120 million-a-day debt with which the Chancellor must deal is something that 11.42 am you caused. It did not arise out of nowhere. I hope that Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) it is accepted that whoever was in power—this applies (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for just as much to your good selves as it does to us—would Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland (Tom have had to deal with that debt. To ignore the huge debt Blenkinsop) on securing this timely and important debate, that we must deal with when addressing the economics and on his excellent overview of the north-east economy. of the situation is unacceptable. Given the particular challenges faced in a region such as If I counted correctly, there were few things of which ours, and the already felt and anticipated impact of this you were in favour: simplification of tax, a possible Conservative-led Government’s policies, I could touch VAT cut to 5% and the relaxation of some planning on so many issues in this debate. However, given that regulations. In 35 minutes, almost no description of Newcastle airport is based in my constituency, I think it anything that we are doing did not chime with McCarthyite appropriate to address the important role played by zealotry, which is the most eloquent and powerful aviation in the development of the north-east economy. description of what you were trying to do— With about 3,000 people on site, the airport is the largest employer in Newcastle upon Tyne North. It Martin Caton (in the Chair): Order. Mr Opperman, contributes about £400 million to the north-east economy you keep saying “you” and “your”. You are supposed to annually, and it handles more than 5 million passengers be addressing me, and you are ascribing to me views a year. The excellent service provided by Newcastle that perhaps I do not hold. airport to domestic and international passengers has been nationally recognised by its peers, having been Guy Opperman: I apologise. That is entirely true, voted the best UK airport by the British Air Transport Mr Caton. I could not possibly comment on whether Association for two years running. anybody had McCarthyite zealotry. Indeed, the service provided by Newcastle airport has I have listened to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough become increasingly important to the region’s economy South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) and hope over the years, with the growth of the tourism industry that he will advance the issue. It is wrong, however, to in the past decade or so being one of the real success 217WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 218WH stories for the north-east. Tourism is now worth nearly Newcastle airport has, therefore, played an integral £4 billion to the region’s economy and employs more part in the north-east’s economic past, and will continue than 65,000 people, while the increase in visitor numbers to do so in the future. However, a key, ongoing issue for to north-east England has been outstripped only by the airport and north-east businesses has been the impact London in recent years. To give just one example of the of air passenger duty and the Government’s proposals airport’s impact on the north-east economy, the new to move to a per plane duty. Notwithstanding the Emirates route that launched in 2007 saw the region’s importance of ensuring a greener, low-carbon economy first ever scheduled long-haul route. It flies daily from and the important part that aviation must play in achieving Newcastle to Dubai, and it has opened up onward that, this and any other taxation policy must concentrate connections to more than 50 destinations around the not only on increasing revenue for the Treasury and world. It has also opened up a whole new tourism greening our economy, but on rebalancing our economy market for north-east England, leading to One NorthEast’s in a way that will not impact disproportionately on our award-winning “Passionate People, Passionate Places” regions. campaign heading as far afield as Australia and New The Newcastle Journal’s long-standing campaign, “A Zealand to target those people who were then within Tax Too Far”, has called on Governments, past and easier reach of our region. present, to recognise the disproportionate impact of The Conservative-led Government’s cuts, however, APD on regional airports. It urges that APD or PPD be and their decision to abolish our regional development restructured in line with the impact they have on regions, agency, mean that north-east England no longer has the compared with London, and for consideration to be capacity to promote itself as a tourism destination given to reduced rates of APD for new start-up routes either nationally or internationally. This situation and in and out of the north-east. The Newcastle Journal’s the abrupt end to the “Passionate People, Passionate campaign has clear support from the business community. Places” campaign have been rightly and roundly criticised In January, the Emirates vice president for the UK and in the region. Ireland, Laurie Berryman, made it clear that larger As the Minister should be aware, north-east England airlines would be forced to consider their position at is also one of the few regions in the UK with a positive UK regional airports if APD becomes too great and balance of payments—recently published figures indicate passenger numbers fall. Moreover, earlier this month, that the total value of north-east exports was £11.91 billion the North East chamber of commerce wrote to the in 2010. At the same time, inward investment has played Secretary of State for Transport to call for an overhaul an increasingly important role in the north-east economy, of the APD system, stating that it has a disproportionate creating or safeguarding more than 6,500 jobs in our impact on our region’s businesses. The NECC is calling region in 2009-10 alone, and levering in £720 million in for differential rates for regional airports, to replace the capital. About 82% of the inward investment came as a current blanket duty, in order to ensure that the north-east direct result of One NorthEast. I hope that the Minister economy does not suffer and that its export businesses will reflect on that serious point. can continue to grow. As the NECC chief executive, Newcastle airport plays an important role in supporting James Ramsbotham, has pointed out: the strength of the north-east export market and our “North East businesses already face heavier costs than their foreign trading links, providing the region’s businesses counterparts in other regions in order to access common markets with easy access to key international markets. Direct due to high fuel prices, so addressing the anomalies that APD flights from Newcastle to Stavanger in Norway, for gives rise to will ensure that our exporting businesses have a much example, have proved crucial in supporting the development better chance of realising their potential.” of the north-east’s offshore and subsea industries. Moreover, Of course, if differential rates of APD or PPD were the Emirates link to Dubai, which I have mentioned, introduced for regional airports, it would also reduce now provides easier access to commercial opportunities pressure on Newcastle airport’s already overcrowded in China, the far east and India, as well as the middle south-east counterparts. In the words of Graeme Mason, east. head of corporate affairs at Newcastle airport: Another key area vital to the growth of the region’s “By freezing or reducing the rate of APD out of regional economy is ensuring that we have the skilled work force airports, the Government could, at a stroke, rebalance the economy, of the future. I am a passionate supporter of vocational reduce the North-South divide, and take the pressure off the South East.” education and apprenticeships, which is why I tabled my Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) An announcement on the issue is expected in the Bill. Recently, it was a pleasure to go to the airport and Chancellor’s Budget tomorrow. Will he recognise the meet one current and one former motor technician regional impact of tax and provide a real stimulus for apprentice—one at the start of their career, the other at regional economies like ours in the north-east in his the end—who have both trained and worked at the so-called “Budget for growth”? Like Newcastle airport, airport. I also pay tribute to the £3.3million Newcastle the North East chamber of commerce and many other Aviation Academy, which was officially launched in north-east businesses, I—and I am sure my colleagues— 2009 having received investment from Newcastle college, await the Chancellor’s announcement tomorrow with One NorthEast and the Learning and Skills Council. great anticipation. This top-of-the-range facility, based at Newcastle airport, 11.50 am provides a wide range of training in all aspects of the aviation industry, including aircraft engineering, aeronautical Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): I congratulate my hon. engineering, and airport and airline management. It is neighbour—as I suppose I should call him—the hon. exactly the sort of thing that the previous Labour Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Government invested in to support young people, rather (Tom Blenkinsop) on securing the debate and on his than write them off, which is what some of the powerful and very well-researched speech. He has done Government’s policies are doing. excellent work. 219WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 220WH

[Ian Swales] In business, I always used to say that one could tell whether a committee was any use, first, by how it was As we know, the north-east economy is largely founded formed—did it form itself?—and, secondly, whether on the historic industries of coal mining, ship building people attended it. Teesside Valley Unlimited formed and steel manufacture. For decades, we have had issues itself as a private-sector led, private-public partnership with both the run-down of those industries and the about five years ago, because of the perceived needs of run-down of employment in those industries, even those the Tees valley and the difficulties there. It is no surprise that continue. Although the news of the revival of the that that organisation was very quick out of the traps steel industry is very welcome in my constituency, I do when it saw the opportunity to have a local enterprise not think it will employ 10,000-plus people again, which partnership for the area. I know that that enraged some it did not so long ago. There has been a long history of people further north and that it was felt to be a assistance being given to the north-east in relation to fragmentation of effort that may lead to outcomes that various coal and steel closure areas and regional are not as good. development grants. In the 1980s, I remember filling in the forms for regional development grants in a former Alex Cunningham: I have always been a one-region life. There has been a long history of needing to do person. Although I congratulate the people of Tees something about the north-east, and various Governments valley on putting together the first LEP in the region, have continued that. does the hon. Gentleman not agree that it is important I accept the points made about the RDA. RDAs that the north-east—the smallest region in the country— around the country have had patchy success. However, I works closely together and has a tremendous partnership think that even the other RDAs would recognise that with our local authorities and other organisations in One NorthEast was probably the best and most successful. order to drive the region forward? We should not simply I pay tribute to the former Minister for the North East, try to plough our own furrow, as some people would the right hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East have us do. (Mr Brown), for his passion and advocacy both of RDAs and the region. Something we should all recognise Ian Swales: I was about to come on to that matter. I in this place is that what divides us politically is far less thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Absolutely, than what joins us when it comes to regional issues. we need one regional voice on a number of issues. This Government perhaps differ from the previous Government The RDA did good work but, as I said in the recent in that we do not see the need for such an approach to debate in the House led by the right hon. Member for be prescribed in detail for every region. I hope that the Newcastle upon Tyne East, we need to consider the existing structures can make decisions, create what they study done last year by Experian and the BBC. They think they need and make it work. If there are two looked at 324 areas in the country in terms of economic LEPs in an area, the Government are not prescribing strength and rated Hartlepool as 314th, Redcar and that they cannot talk to each other and say, “Okay, let’s Cleveland as 319th and Middlesbrough last at 324th. jointly work on this.” A good example is European Whatever else has happened, we have not driven the funding. The Government have already decided to retain Teesside area up the economic league. The only time we a regional focus for European funding, because that is had any significant urban renewal in Teesside was from what is necessary. 1987 to 1998, when we had Hartlepool marina, Stockton riverside and university campus, Teesside barrage and Tom Blenkinsop: The hon. Gentleman is an excellent waterpark, Teesside retail and leisure park, and advocate for the region, and it has been a pleasure Middlesbrough riverside. That was the period of the working with him on getting steel back to Teesside. flawed but, nevertheless, energetic and focused Teesside However, there are some fundamental problems with development corporation, which was scrapped by the the LEP structure. Let us consider, for example, Hitachi. Labour Government when they came to power. Much As he has rightly mentioned, that is a great success story less has happened since in that regard. for the region. How will small and medium-sized enterprises I shall turn to transport. The Tees valley is the birth in the Tees Valley LEP that want to grow around place of passenger railways. If someone were to ask in a Hitachi, which is not in the Tees Valley LEP, interact pub quiz where the first passenger railway was, most with the new LEP, the North East Economic Partnership people would say that it was Stockton to Darlington, and the other structures in trying to grow up on the which runs along the Tees valley. So where are we today Hitachi investment? with our railways? We still have a railway that runs from Darlington, almost touches Stockton and goes all the Ian Swales: I thank the hon. Gentleman for mentioning way through to Saltburn. It passes very close to the that. Not everything happens through Government agencies. Riverside stadium, but does not stop there; it passes Business is business. If I were running a business, or if I very close to Teesside retail and leisure park, but does wanted to run a business in the Tees valley, and I knew not stop there; and it passes within half a mile of that a train manufacturing facility was being set up Teesside airport, but does not stop there. Is there another 10 miles away, I would not need a Government agency airport in the country that has virtually no public to lead me to talk to people and make things happen. transport? The failure to even allow a railway that We have suffered from the idea that people wait to be already exists close to Teesside airport to be part of the told what to do, and that is a good example. transport structure in the area shows that there is an awful lot to do. Middlesbrough is the largest town in the Tom Blenkinsop: That still does not answer my point. country without a direct link to London, which is If an SME wants to get regional growth fund funding, another example of what is left to do. We have some which LEPs does it talk to? Does it talk to both? Does it real issues to deal with and real work left to do. also talk to the NEEP, or does it talk to the Department 221WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 222WH for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Treasury On rebalancing the economy—yes, the process is directly? It seems that the need for further meetings will redistributive, but as the hon. Member for Hexham increase, rather than decrease. (Guy Opperman) has said, what is it redistributing?—we know that the country has a huge economic problem at Ian Swales: Okay. I will be more specific for the hon. the moment. I welcome mechanisms such as the regional Gentleman. Clearly, if a business wants to base itself in growth fund, but we have a massive issue in terms of the Tees valley and has customers—wherever they are—it small and medium-sized enterprises. I hope that the should talk to the Tees Valley LEP. If those customers Minister will respond specifically to this point: 97% of happen to be in the region, that is fine. I do not see a the grants given out by One NorthEast were less than problem with that. As I have said, there is no law that £1 million. That £1 million threshold has to be very states people cannot talk to each other. short-term. If the board of the regional growth fund An almost religious adherence to the regions has had cannot consider hundreds and hundreds of projects, some benefits, but it has also created some problems. In then we need a programme mechanism beneath that 2004, the people of the north-east firmly rejected the board. idea of regional government. Some of us regretted that more than others, but the decision was absolutely Ian Mearns: It has been estimated in some quarters overwhelming—not just from the fringes of the north-east that the potential growth in supply chain jobs from the but from the heartlands of Tyneside and Wearside. Hitachi development is as much as 7,000 jobs. There is very little chance, however, of 7,000 supply chain jobs in Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): I welcome that point the north-east of England coming from the SME sector, being made by the hon. Member for Redcar, but I think if there is not much more flexibility in the distribution that he accepts that if he wanted to put together a worse of the regional growth fund and in grants that are fit for set of circumstances to get a yes vote, it probably could the SME sector. At the moment, such grants are out of not be done. Does he agree with that? reach for many businesses.

Ian Swales: Absolutely. One issue was whether central Ian Swales: I welcome that intervention, which powerfully Government were prepared to release enough powers. I supports the point that I was just making. I hope that remember reading the document and being unimpressed the Minister will respond to that point. by such statements as the “power to advise Ministers”, I would just like to mention two other issues that the which did not strike me as a particularly powerful Minister could perhaps touch on. One issue relates to power, so I agree with that. Regionalisation, however, energy prices. has had some impacts—I will come on to wider issues in a moment—on the Tees valley. For example, our Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): Order. I hope to start area, which contains 750,000 people, has been deemed the winding-up speeches at 10 minutes past 12, and the unable to run our own ambulance service, which has hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Cunningham) been moved out of the area. The fire service was about wants to come in. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will to be moved, and the police have been trying to get bring his remarks to a close. them to merge with another organisation. We need to stand up strongly for what is a very natural, large area Ian Swales: I will do that, Mr Leigh. of population, and, sadly, regionalisation has not always Energy pricing has already been mentioned by the helped. hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. [MR EDWARD LEIGH in the Chair] I also want to press the Government on the Infrastructure I am not a “little Teessider”—my wife comes from Planning Commission. We have a large project in my Stanley, which is quite a bit further north. My right constituency at the moment that must divide itself, hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir completely artificially, in two. Part of the project is Alan Beith) would not let me get through this debate supposedly covered by the Infrastructure Planning without mentioning the dualling of the A1. Just in case Commission and part of it will be approved by the local hon. Members did not think that was going to happen, authority. It is costing the business a fortune to fight it has happened. [Interruption.] Sorry, it has not happened, two planning processes. because I have said it on behalf of my right hon. Friend. I will draw my remarks to a close now. Again, I It would be great if that dualling were to happen. I congratulate the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South recognise that the north-east has a lot of coherence, and East Cleveland. As I have said, there is a lot more though it seems a long way from the end of my constituency that joins us on these issues than that separates us. to the north of my right hon. Friend’s constituency. The north-east has a lot of strengths. In many cases, 12.5 pm we can work together. In other cases, it is not appropriate to work together. There are enormous strengths in Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): I will cut terms of industrial background and the conversion of parts of my speech to make your deadline, Mr Leigh. people and industries in those historic sectors to doing In the past 10 years or more, there has been a radical new things. We have people who are highly skilled, as change in the mix of industry, business and public the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North service in the north-east. Much of that was led by One (Catherine McKinnell) has said. We already show, NorthEast, the regional development agency, and by particularly through process industries and other forward-looking local authorities of all political colours manufacturing, that we can make and export things, working in partnership. The result was that the north-east and I know that the Government are very keen to see was slightly less vulnerable when the world economic that happen. crisis hit us, but we still need major change and investment 223WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 224WH

[Alex Cunningham] region, and without growth there will not be enough new jobs. So far, the Government have been much too to ensure that the region does not slip way back to focused on the Budget deficit, cutting too far and too where we were in the 1980s and 1990s. The number of fast. I hope that they have finally realised that without a unemployed claimants in my constituency of Stockton genuine plan for growth and real resources, the economy North in February 2011 was 3,812. That is 9.2% of the will continue to be sluggish. economically active population aged 16 to 64, which is a good reason why we need growth not only for my constituency, but for the whole north-east, where 10.2% of 12.9 pm people are unemployed. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): It is a pleasure to address I would like to make a final comment on the RDA—I colleagues under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh, for the am sure that many hon. Members will welcome my first time, I believe. I congratulate my hon. Friend the saying that. Other RDAs may not have been a resounding Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland success, but One NorthEast was. It was an organisation (Tom Blenkinsop) on securing this debate, and hon. that we could be proud of. It played a huge role in Members on their interesting contributions. I wish we developing the region’s renewable industries and in helping had more time, because I am sure that more could be local firms grow. More importantly for me was that it added to the debate. I shall not deal with each of the also put together strategic land and other assets— speeches now but will refer to them in my comments. packages—to build on for the future. With the demise It is imperative that the north-east has a strong voice of One NorthEast comes the question of what will in Parliament. The new generation of MPs who came happen to its assets. I am very worried that the Government into Parliament in the last general election are a powerful might be preparing a fire sale for billions of pounds of group who have contributed hugely to the voice of that RDA assets, such as business parks and development region being heard in Parliament, and I am sure that land, or that they will just pool them into some central they will continue to do that. That is enormously important bureaucracy in London. We argue that local enterprise when we know that regional assemblies have gone away partnerships should have first say over the RDA assets, for a while and that the Government’s focus is on local which would enable real local influence. LEPs currently government. have one hand tied behind their backs, with no dedicated The north-east is a powerful region. I was born there, funding stream to aid them with their start-up costs and and I am proud of the fact that I come from there. It has initial research. That would give them a real boost and a distinct identity within England, and Ministers have real clout. To deny them operating funds is like giving a to understand that. The voices that we have heard child a toy and forgetting to put the batteries in it. included that of my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle Tees Valley Unlimited, the new LEP in my area, has upon Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell), who spoke confirmed that it has submitted 20 bids to the Government’s about Newcastle airport. She told us how important its regional growth fund, asking for almost £80m of support. development has been to the region and how it has If granted, I am told that those plans have the potential introduced so many more tourists to the area. People to create a significant number of jobs. However, as we are able to see what a beautiful region it is and what a know all too well, the total pot of money for the superb place it is to invest in. regional growth fund is not nearly enough at £1.4 billion We heard from my hon. Friend the Member for over three years. In comparison, in 2010-11 alone, the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland about the RDA fund for one year was £1.4 billion. It is clear that varied industries in the north-east, from the chemicals the money will be spread thinly. In the first round, sector, which is long established on Teesside, through, which closed in January, bids worth £2.78 billion were of course, to coal, steel and shipbuilding, which, I am made to the regional growth fund. Clearly, many bidders afraid is long gone. The demise of those industries will be disappointed tomorrow, when I understand that under the previous Conservative Government largely we will learn who has, and who has not, been successful. forged my identity in politics. The concern of Opposition On a more positive note, I was pleased to learn in Members is that the policies that are being pursued by October that the Government are committed to offshore this Government are a rerun of policies in the 1980s. We wind and did not cut Labour’s £60 million investment in profoundly disagreed with what happened and think our ports to ensure that that part of the renewable that it is a mistake to repeat it. industry is supported and encouraged to invest in the The hon. Member for Wrexham—I am sorry, the north-east. We are yet to see whether the Government hon. Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman)—made will deliver on that. If we are to meet EU targets that some succinct comments about the deficit. Labour Members require Britain to increase the proportion of electricity accept that it needs to be reduced, but we remember that comes from renewable sources, from 7% to 30% by that 3.5 million people were unemployed in the United 2020, the Government must do more on the renewable Kingdom under the previous Conservative Government, industry. Despite rising unemployment and the sluggish as opposed to the 2.5 million who are unemployed now. economy, there are a few good stories in region. The All those people received benefits that were paid from Hitachi trains were mentioned earlier, and the campaign taxpayers’ money, and largely funded by the benefits led by my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Phil the Conservatives received from the North sea oil revenues Wilson) for investment from Sahaviriya Steel Industries that were available at the time. That waste and spending in Teesside steel, will create or secure hundreds of jobs. of public money will be repeated if this Government We wait to see whether there will be a Budget for real continue with their policies, which will create a lack of growth, backed by substantial resources when the confidence in the economy and business community, Chancellor stands up tomorrow. Resources must be the and less demand in the economy, less consumption by key. A jobless recovery would be a disaster for our people and a smaller market. All that will lead to 225WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 226WH increased unemployment, increased burdens on the state localities but on a small group of people in a centralised and the type of long-standing depression that we had in area making decisions for areas about which they know the ’80s and again in the ’90s, when unemployment little. That is the tragedy of the operation of the regional reached 3.5 million again. growth fund. Fortunately, the north-east has developed its economy We all know that the fund is too small. The number since the 1980s. There has been development in the of bids that have been made to it do not correspond in constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for any way to the money that was available through RDAs, Newcastle upon Tyne East (Mr Brown) at the Clipper and we all know, as the hon. Member for Redcar site, which is a magnificent site on the banks of the pointed out, that the limits on the application of money Tyne, and development of the low-carbon industry in by the regional growth fund are such that many of the the north-east with companies such as Romag, which grants and support that were given to small businesses brings so much benefit and forward thinking to industry. in the regions will no longer be available to them. That I should mention at this juncture the appalling decision is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed by the by the Government to bring forward the review on Government. feed-in tariffs, which is hugely damaging for companies The other urgent issue that needs to be addressed is such as Romag. The Government purport to know the lack of investment by banks and regional bodies in something about business, but that review will result in business and industry. We heard a massive amount a lack of long-term stability for decision making. Business about that from the Government when they were in complains about so much about that. The Government opposition—day in, day out—but it has largely disappeared are changing a successful scheme, bringing forward a from their public pronouncements. I regret that the only review, creating instability and creating difficulties for thing that this Government have done as far as investment successful businesses that are benefiting not from state in business is concerned is to extend Labour’s successful support but from direct investment, often from outside enterprise finance guarantee scheme, which was a strong the UK. The whole industry would welcome the support for business and industry at a time when it was Government’s looking at that again. difficult to secure investment and keep businesses going. It is important that we accept that regional development agencies are no more. I have attended several debates, Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland and know about the success of One NorthEast. The West) (Lab): Will my hon. Friend give way? hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) recognised it in an interesting speech. However, we are moving on. The Ian Lucas: I have only a minute left, so I cannot give Government, as they are entitled to, are talking about way. local enterprise partnerships now, and we need to ensure I remember being criticised by the Minister when I that they work for the benefit of the north-east region. sat where he is sitting now, and I shall criticise him now, We need to address what I consider to be some of the although he and I get along very well. I do not recall his failings of LEPs. criticising me for spending too much money at the time. The first failing is the lack of resources. LEPs cannot I remember his criticising me for not getting money out sensibly contribute to driving the region forward if they more quickly in support of the car industry. I do not do not have the resources to set up and develop businesses remember the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats in their area. It is important that the partnerships opposing the introduction of the car scrappage scheme, should have resources. Of course they need to work and I do not remember their opposing any of the with other LEPs in the region, but it is interesting that support that brought fundamental investment to the the Government themselves are showing a lack of UK and benefited regions such as the north-east. Only confidence in LEPs; for example, on the hugely important now do we hear their constant mantra. The Government’s issue of broadband. The authority that will contract for problem is that they will not reduce the deficit. They are the provision of broadband services in the north-east damaging the economy in the same way as they did in and other areas of England will not be the LEP but the the north-east in the 1980s and again in the 1990s. I local authorities in individual regions. Having so many hope and pray that they do not make the same mistake contracting bodies trying to formulate an infrastructure again. for a communications industry will be complex and difficult, and relying on delivery by individual local authorities which may or may not decide to take forward 12.20 pm applications to develop broadband services in their area The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation is a big mistake. LEPs, which cover larger areas and and Skills (Mr Mark Prisk): I congratulate the hon. which more closely involve business than some local Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland authorities do, should have a role in formulating a (Tom Blenkinsop) not only on the debate, but on an policy to take that forward. interesting contribution. We may disagree about the The instruments that need to be used by LEPs must outcomes and the analysis, but a debate on how to be made available to them by the Government. That enable different parts of the United Kingdom to grow must include, to some extent, financing, and it must sustainably is important. This is the first time I have also include the ability at least to be involved in securing been described as a McCarthyite zealot, but I shall funding. work my way through it, and the hon. Gentleman We have heard references to the regional growth hinted that he was perhaps not fully serious. Nevertheless, fund. There is general agreement in this room that there I shall put that comment up on the wall and remember. should be a rebalancing of the economy. The irony of I thank other hon. Members for their contributions. the regional growth fund is that it is not regional at all. We have had an excellent and balanced debate, and it Its approach is entirely centralising. It is based not on has been helpful, not least because I shall be travelling 227WH Regional Development (North-East)22 MARCH 2011 Regional Development (North-East) 228WH

[Mr Mark Prisk] important for businesses outside the greater south-east, so that for more smaller businesses that fixed overhead to the north-east tomorrow night, and I am looking will fall instead of remaining as it is. Six months ago, we forward to meeting some of the businesses that have introduced the national insurance contribution holiday been referred to. On the tourism front, if I am allowed a for new firms. couple of days off during the Easter holidays, I am As the hon. Gentleman rightly said, we must encourage hoping to start at the north-eastern end of Hadrian’s more entrepreneurs in the north-east. I have spoken to wall and to head westwards. many SMEs throughout the country, and the shift in relief for entrepreneurs—10% capital gains tax—has Alex Cunningham: I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman given a boost to people who start a business, build a will spend some of his money in our tourist industry in business and create jobs. Taking the limit up to £5 million the north-east of England. Is he aware that money to is an important improvement. promote tourism in the north-east was choked off through the regional development agency this year, and that we Mrs Hodgson: Will the Minister give way? saw an increase in the number of visitors to Yorkshire and Cumbria to the detriment of the north-east? Mr Prisk: With respect to the hon. Lady, other hon. Members have spoken and I should first respond to Mr Prisk: The hon. Gentleman started well, before their points in the five minutes remaining. coming to a money issue. We are looking not only at the The tax changes are important, and I hope that hon. need to deal with public finances, which my hon. Friend Members recognise that they have been matched with a the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman) accurately clear commitment to the Federation of Small Businesses described, but at how they are organised as we change on Friday that, for three years, microbusinesses—those the landscape for public bodies. We must revisit the with up to 10 employees—will have a three-year moratorium regional approach to tourism, allied with the RDAs’ on all domestic regulation. Many SMEs have told me work, which is what VisitEngland will do with local that the problem is not just one measure, but the fact enterprise partnerships and so on. I greatly value the that the Government constantly provide things to do role of tourism, but I want to move on. when they want to get on and grow their business. That The hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North moratorium will be important, and it has been warmly (Catherine McKinnell) referred to airports, and she will welcomed. More will be said about the regulatory issue understand that as it is just 24 hours before the Budget, later. I would be wise not to pre-empt the Chancellor, not My opposite number, the hon. Member for Wrexham— least if I hope to continue to be Minister of State, for a moment, I thought there had been a geographical Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. shift when he referred to my hon. Friend the Member We all share the wish of the hon. Member for for Hexham (Guy Opperman) as the hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland that the north- Wrexham—talked about finance. He was right to say east enjoys sustainable and long-term economic growth, that there are issues. We have extended the enterprise which is certainly our overriding priority. We are seeking finance guarantee, which is a scheme that needed to be not only to tackle the public finances, as any incoming extended, and we are proud that we have ensured an responsible Government would need to do, but to ensure additional capital opportunity of some £2 billion. That that we have a new model for growth. In practice, that should help about 6,000 additional viable businesses. means not just rebalancing the geography, challenging We have gone further and put another £200 million to as that will be—I will come to RDAs and LEPs—but one side for capital for equity investment programmes. ensuring more sustainable roles in different sectors. Those are important plans to help high-growth businesses The hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) was a throughout the UK. In addition, we have managed to Minister, and we jousted when he was, but he and his secure from the banks a £1.5 billion growth fund to colleagues were right when they established, for example, inject into SMEs. I hope that the hon. Gentleman the sector skills council, Automotive Skills, so that the recognises that those are important changes. Government could be a better partner. We have continued it, and that sectoral role is important. In the Budget Mrs Hodgson: Will the Minister give way? tomorrow, we will seek not merely conventional tax and spend, but to set out the detailed work that has been Mr Prisk: With respect to the hon. Lady, I have three undertaken throughout Whitehall on a growth review minutes left. She did not make a contribution to the looking at manufacturing, construction, retail and other debate, and I must respond to hon. Members who core parts of the economy, so that we have an agenda spoke. and a strategy that is the most comprehensive, pro-enterprise On the balance, there are challenges in the north-east, and pro-growth Budget for a generation. and no one denies that, but we should recognise that The hon. Member for Middlesbrough South and manufacturing there is doing well. A survey by British East Cleveland mentioned both at the beginning of his Chambers of Commerce shows that for the most recent comments and later the role of small and medium-sized quarter manufacturing grew most quickly in the north-east enterprises. Before I go into the specifics of the north-east’s out of all the regions. Hon. Members have rightly economy and LEPs, it might be worth reminding hon. referred to the decision on Tata Steel and Sahaviriya Members of the key changes that will help, and have Steel Industries, and we hope that it will progress in the already been announced, irrespective of what may or next few days or weeks, so that the agreement that was may not be said tomorrow. As hon. Members know, we tragically mothballed a while back will be developed. are reducing corporation tax to 20p. We are doubling Some 800 jobs will be created at the site, which will sit the threshold for small business rate relief, which is very alongside the existing 700 jobs, but that is not all. There 229WH Regional Development (North-East) 22 MARCH 2011 230WH is a £420 million investment by Nissan, and the Hitachi Pakistan development in County Durham, which are very welcome and very important. I turn to RDAs and LEPs, where there may be a 12.30 pm difference. No one denies that the RDAs, including One Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): In January, a NorthEast, made successful and worthwhile ventures cross-party group of eight UK parliamentarians, including during their time—I accept that—but in 11 years, that myself, visited Pakistan to look at the challenges facing agency received £2.7 billion to spend, and the reality is that country. Given the close historical, economic and that the gap between the north-east and elsewhere grew. social ties between our two nations—over 1 million The reality of the gross value added—the measure per people living in the UK trace their roots to Pakistan, person—is that when it started it was approximately and that country is on the front line in the war on 83% of the national average in the north-east. Eleven terror—getting the policy towards Pakistan right is years later, having spent £2.7 billion, it fell to 78%. It crucial to the UK. has not only not improved, but gone backwards. The aims of the visit were to give UK politicians a There is a challenge, and the two partnerships that better understanding of the democratic challenges facing have been created, which I greatly welcome and am our parliamentary colleagues in the national and provincial looking forward to meeting tomorrow and Thursday, assemblies, to understand the impact of amendment 18 have an opportunity to address their local priorities on the constitution, to energise existing bilateral links, rather than what we think is best for them, which is an and to learn more about the work of the UK Foreign important shift. They can work together, as my hon. Office, the Department for International Development Friend the Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) has rightly and the British Council in Pakistan. pointed out, because they do not need Government All those in the delegation hope for a longer and permission to do so. I have every confidence that the broader debate on UK Government policy on Pakistan business and civic communities will make that alliance in the future, and I am sure that other hon. Members in and work together. We will set out the specific actions the Chamber will wish to participate in that. Today, that they will be able to undertake. I will respond to my however, I will focus my remarks on one specific issue: hon. Friend the Member for Redcar in writing about the murder on 2 March of Shahbaz Bhatti in Islamabad, the regional growth fund. and the plight of Christians in Pakistan. The enterprise zones, which my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton South (James Wharton) has campaigned During our visit, our delegation met Shahbaz Bhatti on— in the Ministry for Minorities. We discussed a range of issues, including interfaith dialogue and the murder of Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): Order. the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, a Muslim politician who was killed by one of his bodyguards after he criticised Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. Shahbaz Bhatti was the only Christian in the Pakistani Cabinet, but he stood up for all minorities in Pakistan and wanted to see the tolerant, liberal and secular country envisaged by the country’s founding father, Jinnah, who said “let all people worship freely in churches, masjids and temples.” I will explain a bit more about Shahbaz Bhatti and his work. From 2008 until his assassination at the age of 42, he was the first Federal Minister responsible for minorities. At the time of his appointment, he said that he had accepted that post for the sake of “the oppressed, down-trodden and marginalised” of Pakistan, and that he would dedicate his life to “struggle for human equality, social justice, religious freedom, and to uplift and empower the religious minorities’ communities.” He added that he wanted to send “a message of hope to the people living a life of disappointment, disillusionment and despair.” During his time as a Federal Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti took steps in support of religious minorities. Under his guidance, the Government introduced for minorities affirmative action regarding 5% of all federal employment, and designated 11 August as a holiday to celebrate minorities. The sale of properties belonging to minorities while law enforcement authorities took action against them was banned, and a national campaign was launched to promote interfaith harmony through seminars, awareness groups and workshops. Shahbaz Bhatti initiated comparative religious classes in schools and universities, introduced a prayer room for non-Muslims in the prison system, and started a 24-hour crisis hotline to report 231WH Pakistan22 MARCH 2011 Pakistan 232WH

[Andrew Stephenson] President Zardari vowed to combat the forces of obscurantism and said, acts of violence against minorities. He began a campaign “we will not be intimidated nor will we retreat.” to protect religious artefacts and sites belonging to The Government declared three days of mourning and minorities. Prime Minister Gillani led a two-minute silence in Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, was also a critic of Pakistan’s Parliament. blasphemy laws, and that was what led to his recent and untimely murder. He had been the recipient of death Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): The hon. Gentleman threats since 2009 when he spoke in support of Pakistani will be well aware of Release International and Open Christians attacked in the 2009 Gojra riots in Punjab, Doors, two organisations that work on behalf of Christians and those threats increased following his support for in Pakistan, highlighting and cataloguing brutality against Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian who was sentenced to them by radical groups. Does he feel it is important for death for blasphemy in 2010. our Government to convey to Pakistan in strong terms that something must be done on behalf of Christians in Pakistan, to ensure that they are not subjected to Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): I thank the hon. authoritarian and critical blasphemy laws? Gentleman for securing this important debate and I have some brief comments. I accompanied him to Pakistan Andrew Stephenson: I agree. There are growing calls some weeks ago, and had the pleasure of meeting across the country from people of all faiths saying that Shahbaz Bhatti. From that visit, we learned that the we must engage more effectively with the Pakistani country is more progressive that one might have initially Government, and that the rights of all citizens must be anticipated. Some laws are very progressive, such as the respected, whether they are Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Christian 18th amendment that concerns devolving power and or of no faith at all. The rights of all Pakistanis must be money to provinces and regions. This Government, and respected. the previous Government, could learn from that. It is not for us to tell other countries what laws to Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): I thank my hon. have, but the issue with the blasphemy law is not so Friend for securing this important debate. He will know much the law itself but rather the interpretation of that that as vice-chairman of the all-party group on Pakistan, law, both formally and informally. Formally, the penalties I was due to host an event with Shahbaz Bhatti in this linked to the law are far too severe, and informally—this House, just a few weeks before he was assassinated. is the problem— Unfortunately, he had to return to Pakistan because of the instability of the Government. My hon. Friend will also know that I visited Islamabad recently. I am sure Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): Order. This is an that, like me, he has received a huge number of e-mails intervention. Please bring it to a close. and letters from the Pakistani diaspora in Britain, where people are equally as outraged about the assassination Simon Danczuk: The interpretation of the blasphemy of Shahbaz Bhatti. Does he agree that we have a law is the problem. responsibility to ensure that the voice of those people is heard, and that their condemnation is relayed to the Andrew Stephenson: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. Pakistani Government, urging them to take action? As he pointed out, we met Shahbaz Bhatti during our visit to Pakistan and we saw different sides to the Andrew Stephenson: I thank my hon. Friend for that country. Some things filled us with hope for the future, point. I agree that we must work across faiths. I think and some things led to real concern. That is why I hope that all people recognise that Shahbaz Bhatti was not that we can have a longer debate in which all hon. just a Christian, but one of Pakistan’s most progressive Members may participate fully and relate their experiences politicians. His death is a blow not just to the Pakistani of the country. Christian community, but to all Pakistanis and to the nation of Pakistan. Asia Bibi is a 45-year-old mother of five from Punjab province. She has become the first Christian woman to Following Shahbaz Bhatti’s death, I tabled early-day be convicted and sentenced to death, by hanging, under motion 1518 not just to condemn his murder, but to Pakistan’s blasphemy law. As of today, she remains in recognise the work that he had done in Pakistan and to jail despite many people acknowledging that she was urge the Government of Pakistan to consider reviewing falsely accused of blasphemy, and repeated international section 295 of the Pakistani penal code, commonly calls for her release. referred to as the blasphemy laws. I am pleased to see that as of this morning my early-day motion has gained According to the BBC, on the day he was murdered, the support of 82 other Members of Parliament. Shahbaz Bhatti was travelling to work through a residential The blasphemy laws were first introduced by the district having just left his mother’s home, when his British in 1860 in a mild form that gave equal protection vehicle was sprayed with bullets. At the time of the to all faiths and provided for a maximum sentence of attack he was alone and without any security. The two years in jail. Unfortunately, they were given their group Tehrik-i-Taliban—the Pakistani Taliban—told present form by General Zia ul-Haq in 1986. There is the BBC that it carried out the attack, and it left now a mandatory life sentence for desecrating the Koran pamphlets at the scene stating that it had done so and a death sentence for blaspheming Mohammed. because Shahbaz Bhatti was a “known blasphemer.” Unlike the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 in the The assassination was condemned by the Pakistani UK, which prohibits people from stirring up hatred against Government, whose spokesman stated: religious groups or individuals on religious grounds, the “This is a concerted campaign to slaughter every liberal, Pakistani blasphemy laws protect the Islamic scriptures progressive and humanist voice in Pakistan.” and the person of Mohammed from criticism or insult. 233WH Pakistan22 MARCH 2011 Pakistan 234WH

Although all of Pakistan’s population of 170 million That was before the trials were heard. It is worrying that people are subject to the blasphemy laws, it is worth religious zealots in Pakistan have now deemed man-made remembering that religious minorities make up only laws non-negotiable, with a very real threat of death about 4% of that number. hanging over anyone who disagrees. I would therefore welcome the Minister’s comments Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): I on the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and, more importantly, congratulate my hon. Friend on initiating the debate as other hon. Members have pointed out, their abuse and on his work as chairman of the all-party group on and misuse in the settling of scores and other disputes Pakistan. I also congratulate my hon. Friend the Minister against Christians and other minorities in the country. I on his moving words last Thursday at the memorial hope that he will agree that we should stand shoulder to service for Shahbaz Bhatti. Like other colleagues, I had shoulder with those of all faiths who want to see a met him; in fact, I met him two weeks before his debate about reform of the laws, so that they can no untimely death and was extremely impressed by him. longer be used as a tool of oppression against Christians The practical point that I want to make is that it needs and other minority groups. to be pointed out continually—I think that the hon. I met a group of Pakistani Christians on Sunday Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk) was coming to 13 March at Woodlands Road Baptist chapel in Nelson this point—that the majority of people affected by the in my constituency.In addition to many Pakistani Christians blasphemy laws are Muslims. People use the laws quite who live in Pendle, such as David Dean, who organised often in vexatious business disputes to get rid of the the event, we were joined by others, including Canon person with whom they are arguing on a trumped-up Yacub Masih and Wilson Chowdhry from the British charge, while they carry through the business deal that Pakistani Christian Association. I know that the Minister they wanted. If we are to win the hearts and minds of is aware that a number of Pakistani Christians live in the Pakistanis, who are the only ones who can alter Pendle, as some time ago, before the election, he attended those laws, we need continually to be pointing out that an event at which some of them were present. I know yes, the treatment of Christians is appalling, but equally that he will remember talking to them. many Muslims in Pakistan suffer from the abuse of the laws by their fellow co-religionists. At the meeting, I heard from many about their shock at the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, but also about their Andrew Stephenson: I thank my hon. Friend for that desire that his death should be a wake-up call not just point. for the Pakistani Government, but for the international community. Those at the meeting felt that there was no Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): It is a pleasure better illustration of the rising problems of anti-Christian to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh. I congratulate discrimination in Pakistan than the murders of Salmaan my hon. Friend on securing this important debate, Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti over reform of the blasphemy which is about Government policy on Pakistan. I have laws. visited Islamabad myself. I visited the Nowshera region, Concerns were also expressed about whether the UK the flood-hit region to the north of Islamabad, in could not do more, given the amount of money that we November and I went on to Kashmir—to Mirpur and give Pakistan in foreign aid. As the Minister will be Dadyal. I would therefore like to take this opportunity aware, that issue was picked up by Cardinal Keith to hear my hon. Friend the Minister reaffirm the O’Brien last week, when he criticised the Government Government’s position—their stated thoughts—on the for increasing overseas aid to Pakistan to more than situation in Kashmir, because if we are to have security £445 million without demanding religious freedom for and peace and an end to the violent murder in Pakistan Christians and other minorities, such as Shi’a Muslims. that we are hearing about, it would be a great asset—a Cardinal O’Brien was quoted in the press as saying: great positive move forward—if there were peace and “I urge William Hague to obtain guarantees from foreign stability in Kashmir as well. That is a real cause of governments before they are given aid. To increase aid to the instability in the region. Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy.” Andrew Stephenson: I thank my hon. Friends the Members for Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) Although I share the cardinal’s concern about the plight and for Colne Valley (Jason McCartney) for their of Christians in Pakistan, I am not sure whether contributions to the debate. My hon. Friend the Member withdrawing or cutting aid in response to Shahbaz for Lancaster and Fleetwood is exactly right to say that Bhatti’s death would be the most productive thing to do the majority of people affected by the blasphemy laws right now. I would, however, welcome the Minister’s are Muslims. However, we have seen a disproportionate comments on what the cardinal said, because many effect on some of the minority communities. Also, even people would agree with them. simple allegations made under the blasphemy laws have To date, no one has been arrested and brought to quite often led to mob violence that has killed many justice over Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder, which makes matters hundreds in Pakistan before cases have ever come to even more painful for the religious minorities that hold court. him in such high regard. It is of course possible that the security services in Pakistan and the Government do There was an interesting article by the daughter of not know who the killers are or where they are. However, Salmaan Taseer in The Guardian recently. Shehrbano with no one being arrested and held accountable for so Taseer wrote that many other incidents of violence against minorities, “more than 500 Muslims, 340 Ahmadis, 119 Christians, 14 Hindus such as in Sangla Hill in 2005— and 10 others have been charged under the laws. Thirty-two of those accused—and two Muslim judges—have Jim Shannon: Does the hon. Gentleman share my been mowed down by Islamist vigilantes.” concern and the concern of many that it seems that the 235WH Pakistan22 MARCH 2011 Pakistan 236WH

[Jim Shannon] Friend’s work as chair of the all-party group on Pakistan and for the fact that he raised this subject during the gentleman who was murdered had requested a bullet-proof Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s visit earlier car and bodyguards just a few days beforehand? None this year. of those requests was agreed to, and shortly after that Time is tight, so let me say just a couple of things he was murdered. Is there not concern about that as about the relationship between our two countries before well? turning to the meat of my hon. Friend’s remarks. The United Kingdom and Pakistan are close and historic Andrew Stephenson: Many have raised those concerns. friends and partners, and that partnership is set to Having visited Pakistan and seen the security available continue. Nearly 1 million British citizens claim Pakistani not just to Ministers but to all politicians in the country, heritage. More than £1 billion of trade flows between at provincial level as well as national level, it strikes me our two countries each year. There are 1.4 million as somewhat unusual, shall I say, that on the day when journeys between Pakistan and the UK each year. We Shahbaz Bhatti was murdered, he had no security and are building on the many strong ties we share. no armoured car to use on the way to work. At the end of his remarks, my hon. Friend said that That no one has been brought to justice for Shahbaz he had focused on one area of our relationship and that Bhatti’s death is a real concern for many. As I was he feared he had given a negative impression of Pakistan, saying, there have been so many incidents in the country— but I can assure him that those of us who are friends of not just against individuals but much larger incidents, Pakistan recognise that there are many parts to our such as in Sangla Hill in 2005 and in Gojra in 2009, and relationship, and we will continue to build on our no arrests have been made for those incidents. history, our extensive cultural and business links and all In the time allowed, I have tried my best to describe the deep family connections. My hon. Friend need have the situation in Pakistan. I could have added numerous no fear that his remarks will be misinterpreted. other incidents of persecution. Many were detailed to The Pakistani diaspora in the UK makes a huge me by Pakistani Christians now living in this country. I contribution to our national life, including our Parliament, believe that the only way in which we will see Pakistan our schools, our legal system and our universities. Its become a liberal and tolerant nation, which values and members make a remarkable contribution in the media, treats all its citizens fairly, is through increasing rates of business, sports, entertainment and many other areas. It education in the country. I was therefore pleased to see is clear that the British Pakistani community has offered, an increasing focus on education in DFID’s recent aid and will continue to offer, much to this country. review. The Minister may like to touch on that in his reply. The Government of Pakistan also need to do Pakistan faces many challenges. Last year’s flooding more to reverse the gun culture, to promote tolerance prompted a huge outpouring of support from this and to ensure that no part of the Government, the country.That support came not only from the Government military or the security services appeases or supports but from churches, mosques and every community in extremists. the UK. The Government provided £134 million, giving I pay tribute to organisations such as Christian Solidarity a very strong sense of support. Worldwide, the British Pakistani Christian Association Our bilateral aid review indicates that UK aid to and many others, which do so much good work in Pakistan is likely to more than double to an average of promoting interfaith harmony and raising the profile of £350 million a year until 2015. That will help to tackle issues such as those I have outlined, which would rarely poverty and, with the Pakistani Government, build a make it into the British press without their help. stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan. The country By focusing only on Christian and minority rights, I faces economic challenges, and we are working with its fear I have painted a fairly bleak picture of Pakistan Government to tackle them. We support the difficult and its future, but that was not my intention. With the reforms that Pakistan seeks to introduce. We also have right leaders, things can and will change for the better. strong links in terms of combating terrorism, which The country has so much potential, and we need to afflicts us both and which has echoes in some of the work with it to ensure that issues such as those I have issues that my hon. Friend raised. outlined are resolved. In doing so, we will ensure that My hon. Friend the Member for Colne Valley (Jason Shahbaz Bhatti did not die in vain, but gave his life to McCartney), in particular, discussed the situation in make Pakistan a greater and more tolerant nation. Kashmir. The Government’s long-standing position is that it is very much a matter for the Indian and Pakistani Governments to deal with, although we understand the 12.50 pm wish for self-determination among the people of Kashmir. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign We continue to encourage the parties to do as much as and Commonwealth Affairs (Alistair Burt): It is a pleasure they can to deal with the situation—it is clearly difficult, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh. I thank and that has been the case for a long time—so that my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Kashmiri people have the opportunities they seek. We Stephenson) for securing the debate. Many colleagues will encourage that dialogue wherever we can, but it is in the Chamber also went on the visit to Pakistan and not the UK’s position to mediate in that situation. share our communal passion for Pakistan, and I thank Let me turn now to freedom of religion, which was at them, too, for their contributions. the heart of the remarks by my hon. Friend the Member Time is desperately short, and colleagues will understand for Pendle. The many links between the UK and Pakistan if I am not able to answer all the questions that have mean that we engage with each other on many subjects, been raised, but I do want to make some remarks. I also such as counter-terrorism, security policy, trade, want to put on record my appreciation for my hon. development and the rule of law. A theme that underlies 237WH Pakistan22 MARCH 2011 Pakistan 238WH all that is human rights, which is critical to the conduct Those who champion such values in Pakistan are of UK foreign policy. It is as relevant to our relationship now under threat. The assassination of Governor Salmaan with Pakistan as it is to our relationship with many Taseer in Islamabad on 4 January was shocking. He was other countries. We do not shirk our responsibilities to a strong advocate of religious tolerance and of the highlight our concerns about human rights to our friends. importance of reforming the blasphemy legislation to We will raise our concerns about human rights wherever prevent its misuse. The scenes of congratulation following and whenever they occur, without compromise. We are his murder and the behaviour of the lawyers who strewed improving and strengthening the work of the Foreign rose petals in the path of his killer outside the courts and Commonwealth Office on human rights. That will were sickening, and those involved are a lasting disgrace be underpinned by British values and by our support to their profession. for democratic freedoms, universal human rights and Shahbaz Bhatti spoke out courageously on the issue the rule of law. before us, and his assassination marked a new low point My hon. Friend has set out compelling reasons why in Pakistan’s struggle against violent religious extremism. freedom of religion and the rights of minority groups He was a powerful voice against extremism and a fearless are issues on which we need to speak out. It is vital that voice for tolerance and respect for minorities. His death the Government of Pakistan uphold the fundamental is a tragic loss for Pakistan and for us all. I met him on a rights of all Pakistani citizens, regardless of their faiths number of occasions as a fellow Minister, and also as a or belief. Pakistan can benefit only if all its citizens can believer in the rights of minorities and a Christian. I did play a central role in society. All Pakistani citizens all I could to support my friend in his difficult role and should be able to live their lives without fear of in his attempts to revise his country’s blasphemy laws. It discrimination or persecution, regardless of their religious is deeply saddening that his courage in urging peaceful, beliefs or their ethnic group. I can assure my hon. moderate change was met with such violence. This was Friend and all hon. Members present that we regularly an attack not only on a dedicated Government Minister reinforce the importance of upholding those fundamental but on the people of Pakistan and their future. I was rights to colleagues at all levels in the Government of proud to speak at his memorial service last week. Following Pakistan. his murder, the Prime Minister wrote to express his condolences to President Zardari. The Foreign Secretary, The Government of Pakistan have taken some positive Baroness Warsi and I all made statements condemning actions on the rights of minority groups. They have his killing. reserved quotas for minorities in the public sector and The Christian community in the UK is correctly very Parliament. They have set up a complaints procedure active in supporting the persecuted Church wherever it for those encountering discrimination or abuse. Through is under pressure. I commend the work of the Barnabas our lobbying and project work, we will continue to Fund, Open Doors and others in this field. As a member support those who wish to see reform in Pakistan. of the board of patrons of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Worryingly, however, allegations continue that the I understand these issues very well. The Government blasphemy legislation is being misused against Muslims will take up cases and we will do more work, including, and non-Muslims. That abuse often results in prison I hope, a Wilton Park conference. sentences for those accused of blasphemy, and we continue to hear of cases in which those accused of blasphemy I wish the solution was as simple as a declaration of offences have died in custody. freedom of religion that was instantly acceptable and enforceable in any society with which we have contact. As well as raising the wider issues of freedom of However, the sad truth is that that is not the case, and religion and minority rights, we continue to engage nor will it be, no matter how loudly we shout about it. directly with the authorities in Pakistan in relation to We are talking about conservative societies that are Asia Bibi. She was found guilty under the blasphemy fearful of change. We are sensitive and patient in addressing laws and is the first woman in Pakistan to be sentenced their fears, and we recognise that our overt intervention to death. We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. may be harmful or dangerous. However, we wish to In December 2010, I raised Asia Bibi’s case with the make sure that we continue to raise these issues and former Pakistani Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti. work with people in these countries in the way they I have also discussed the blasphemy laws with the think best, so that we can free people from religious Pakistan high commissioner in London. Baroness Warsi persecution and fear. In that way, we can get to the highlighted our position to the Speaker of the National position we all want. I commend my hon. Friend for Assembly in Pakistan when they met on 17 January. raising this issue. 239WH 22 MARCH 2011 Cross-border Child Custody 240WH

Cross-border Child Custody considered it looked very closely at Mr Bennett’s rights under the legislation as a parent and legal guardian of 1pm his daughter. The 1986 Act provides that Mr Frank Doran (Aberdeen North) (Lab): I want to “Where a child…becomes habitually resident outside that part of the United Kingdom...he shall be treated for the purposes of this use this debate to highlight a case that shows that our Part as continuing to be habitually resident in that part of the legal system has badly failed one of my constituents, United Kingdom for a period of one year beginning with the date Mr Robert Bennett. I raised his case in an Adjournment under which those circumstances arise.” debate on 4 December 2007, when there were ongoing That section therefore applies only where the child has legal proceedings in England and Scotland involving already become habitually resident in another part of the custody of my constituent’s child. He has now the UK, and it postpones the legal effect of that habitual exhausted all remedies in the courts, but there are legal residence for a period of one year. Correctly construed, issues that I want to discuss. I rely heavily on the advice it does not operate as a time limit of one year on given to my constituent by Mr Alan Inglis, a barrister habitual residence as held later by the Court of Appeal and advocate, who has considerable experience of family in England. law in the courts of Scotland and England. The facts of the case are fairly straightforward. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Is the hon. Gentleman Mr Bennett married and had a child. The family lived in aware of examples similar to the one that he clearly Aberdeen, and therefore were habitually resident in outlines? Is this an isolated case or do many others fall Scotland. Without Mr Bennett’s knowledge, his wife into this category? left the matrimonial home in September 2000 with the child and moved to London. He did not know her exact Mr Doran: There are lots of examples of couples whereabouts and at no time did he consent to his splitting up and moving to different jurisdictions, but, daughter’s removal. A few months after Mrs Bennett as far as I am aware, this is the only case in which the left the family home, she commenced legal proceedings 1986 Act has not been properly construed—at least, in Willesden county court, where she obtained an ex that is my allegation. parte residence order and an order preventing Mr Bennett from removing the child from her care. In Mr Bennett’s case, for the child to have become habitually resident in England and, therefore, to give A key part of the law that determines such matters is the English courts jurisdiction, both parents would the Family Law Act 1986. Section 41 is the key part have been required to consent, and even then there here, and I can summarise its effect as follows: where a would have been a delay in operation of one year. There child under the age of 16 is moved from, for example, is ample legal authority to show that habitual residence Scotland to England, as in this case, then in certain cannot be changed by the unilateral action of a parent circumstances a court in England would have jurisdiction who shares parental responsibility with another. That is to deal with any issue relating to the child after one year also the law in Scotland, and it follows that the courts in has elapsed. One of those circumstances is set out in England have never had jurisdiction in this case because subsection (2)(a), which states that it is required to be both parents had not given their consent. shown that there is “the agreement of the person or all the persons having, under the Despite those facts, at every stage in the court proceedings law of that part of the United Kingdom, the right to determine in England, from the judge at first instance through to where he is to reside”. the Court of Appeal, section 41 has been interpreted as In this case, that means both parents. Mrs Bennett had giving the English courts jurisdiction as soon as the effectively abducted the child from Scotland to England, child’s stay in England had exceeded one year. In its and Mr Bennett, as a legal guardian of the child, had judgment, the Court of Appeal, through Lord Justice not given his consent. Wall, said: Mrs Bennett made her application to the court before “on the facts of this case Section 41 ceased to have effect in September 2001”. the year set out in the legislation had expired, and Mr Bennett also entered appearance in the case within As additional cover, the court also argued that even the time limit. Notwithstanding those facts, the judge in though there was no jurisdiction, the original decision the Willesden court made an order in favour of Mrs was not a nullity. Lord Justice Wall said: Bennett. It is clear that none of the lawyers involved at “The normal rule about orders, which on their face are regular, that stage—the solicitors or the judge—properly understood but which are in fact made without jurisdiction, is that they the implications of the 1986 Act, or, for that matter, remain in force until they are discharged”. indicated that they were even aware of its existence. He quoted the case of Hadksinson v. Hadksinson in Mrs Bennett’s solicitors had a duty to the court as 1952, but I am advised that it is questionable whether well as to their client, and should not have raised the that case supports the Court of Appeal’s position. The action, because any interpretation of the Act would ratio decidendi of that case is that there is an make it clear that the Willesden court had no jurisdiction. “unqualified obligation of every person against…whom an order The judge should not have granted the order, and has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction to obey it Mr Bennett’s solicitors should not have neglected to until it is discharged”. raise the point of jurisdiction before the court, despite The difference between that case and Mr Bennett’s his explicit instructions. I should add that Mr Bennett case is that the Willesden court was not took action subsequently against his solicitors for that “a court of competent jurisdiction”. neglect and received an award of compensation. I have been directed to “Halsbury’s Laws of England”—as That was the first stage before the one-year period a Scottish lawyer by training, I am not very familiar had expired. As the case moved through its various with it—and page 314, chapter 10 of the fourth edition stages, it seems clear that none of the judges who later says: 241WH Cross-border Child Custody22 MARCH 2011 Cross-border Child Custody 242WH

“Where a court takes upon itself to exercise a jurisdiction was not taken seriously. He desperately wanted contact which it does not possess, its decision amounts to nothing”. with his daughter and felt that he was the more suitable When it was clear to Mr Bennett how the English parent to look after the child. He also strongly believed courts were dealing with his case, he raised the issue in that it should be for the Scottish courts to decide the the Scottish courts by raising an action of divorce. I will matter. It is probably fair to say that he was not learned not go through all the processes, but the case eventually in the law and did not treat judges with the respect that reached the inner house of the Court of Session, having they are used to. He also became frustrated at what he started its processes in the Aberdeen sheriff court. The believed was their refusal to consider his arguments. inner house decision is directly in conflict with that of I have had the opportunity to meet Mr Bennett and the Court of Appeal. Among other points, it noted that his child, who is disabled. He visited my office several the order that initiated the proceedings in England was times with the child on a previous matter. When we made without jurisdiction—a very clear statement. It spoke about the difficulties that he was having with this agreed that the habitual residence of the child of a case, I was in no doubt that he had a strong relationship marriage cannot be changed without the consent of with his daughter and was able to care for her. He and both parents. It doubted that the effect of section 41 of his wife—they are not divorced—split care between the 1986 Act was automatically to change habitual them, and he made quite a contribution to the care of residence one year after an abduction. It recorded the the child in the household. Unfortunately, he never had failure of the English courts to hold a welfare hearing the opportunity to have his side of the argument on during the whole period when the matter was before residency or access considered by the court. them, despite a recommendation from Children and In Scotland, the inner house of the Court of Session Family Court Advisory and Support Service that it was made it clear that the court could have been obliged to necessary, which is quite a serious matter. However, the consider the interests of the welfare of the child by inner house of the Court of Session also accepted that carrying out the usual investigations and having an “the Court of Appeal considers that the English courts have appropriate hearing regardless of the other issues in the jurisdiction to make orders respecting the child with which this case. The courts in England took no action in this divorce action is concerned”. respect. In addition, Mr Bennett was told by a legal The word “considers” is very important. The inner adviser that if he tabled a motion on residency or house does not cede jurisdiction, but recognises that the contact, it would prejudice his argument on jurisdiction. English court thinks it has jurisdiction. It is clear that He would effectively cede jurisdiction to the English the inner house of the Court of Session did not wish to court. That matter needs to be considered seriously by get into a direct conflict with the English courts, and it the Minister. has been tactful and diplomatic in the way in which it Cases such as Mr Bennett’s are not that unusual. has questioned the decisions of the English courts. What is unusual is his tenacity in pursuing this point of Over the years, I have written to the Ministry of law. It is wrong that, in all the years while the English Justice and the Scottish Government about the apparent courts were considering the matter, no consideration conflict in the law. I understand that meetings were held was given to the interest of the welfare of the child—apart, between representatives of the Scottish Government of course, from Mr Bennett’s continuing interest in and the Ministry of Justice. I have not been formally maintaining contact with his daughter. advised of the conclusions of those meetings, although I practised in the Scottish courts for a number of I received a brief letter from Scotland’s deputy Justice years, and family and child care law were my special Secretary, who said that the meetings had concluded areas of interest. I have not held a practising certificate that section 41 of the 1986 Act did not require changing. since 1988 and do not claim any special expertise, but I It was as blunt as that. That view is probably correct. do know that the guiding principle in all child care cases As I pointed out earlier, the problem seems to be one is and should always be the paramountcy of the welfare of interpretation and application rather than the legislation and interests of the child. Those interests cannot be met itself. However, I am deeply concerned about the way in if a court has a case before it for about four years and which the courts have acted in this case and the impact does not itself inquire into that child’s situation. I am that the decision of the Court of Appeal could have in not significantly well versed in English law to know other cases. I find it extraordinary that all the lawyers whether that suggested failure is a failure of the various involved in the initial proceedings in the Willesden courts in this case or a failure of the system, but I court could either be so ignorant of the legal position in believe that the Minister should look into the matter such cross-border cases or so easily misinterpret the urgently. legal position. As I said earlier, Mr Bennett was put in an invidious As the case moved on through the system, all the position, because he was told by legal advisers that if he arguments that I have presented today were presented tabled a motion on contact or care and control, he by Mr Bennett, my constituent. Part of the tragedy is would prejudice his case on jurisdiction. He should not that once he had discharged the lawyers who so wrongly have faced that dilemma. If they do not already have advised him and who refused to carry out his instructions, the power to investigate a child’s situation of their own Mr Bennett found it virtually impossible to find another volition—I suspect that they do—the courts in England solicitor to represent him, and he was forced to represent should have that power, without prejudice to any other himself. He is a very single-minded individual and has issue before them. become extremely knowledgeable in this area of law. When there is a clear conflict between the decisions Reading through the various judgments, it is quite of the courts in England and Scotland, public confidence clear that the judges viewed Mr Bennett as an obsessive in the system requires there to be a proper inquiry. I do who was more concerned about legal principles or not know what understanding was reached by the Scottish niceties than his daughter. I get the impression that he and English civil servants who met to discuss this case, 243WH Cross-border Child Custody22 MARCH 2011 Cross-border Child Custody 244WH

[Mr Doran] paramount in all cases involving decisions about his or her life. The welfare of the child is paramount in the law but I do know that nothing has been published. It is not in all parts of the United Kingdom. English courts are enough to say that everything is okay and that everything required to consider the child’s situation and hear any is working fine, when clearly it is not. I should like a application made by a parent; the courts can also make report published on the discussions that took place and orders on their own initiative, as required under the on the details of the conclusions that were reached and Children Act 1989. why they were reached. The Government appreciate that disputes about Of course, there is another way to resolve this case: to arrangements for children—for instance, where the child take the matter to the Supreme Court. That might seem is to reside, contact and the continuing involvement of appropriate, given the conflict between the two jurisdictions. both parents in the child’s life—will be extremely upsetting Unfortunately, when Mr Bennett and his advisers—he for all concerned, and will frequently be damaging for now has legal advice—attempted to take the case from the child. The Government firmly believe that it is in the the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, his application best interests of the child for both parents to continue was refused. to be involved with his or her upbringing, and for both Without fully understanding all the mechanics, the parents to have regular contact with the child, provided idea that courts in Scotland dealing with the same it is safe. circumstances and the same legislation could be in The Government are conducting a review of the complete conflict with the courts in England is difficult family justice system in England and Wales, and one for the lay person to understand. It is extremely regrettable consideration is increasing contact between children that this important issue has not been considered by the and the non-resident parent following divorce or relationship Supreme Court. I know how important it is that politicians breakdown. The serious problems that can arise for do not interfere in any way whatever with the judicial parents in maintaining a relationship with their children process, but I believe that a number of serious matters when a relationship has broken down will be increased need to be fully considered, and the best place for that is if the child is moved from one part of the UK to the final court of appeal of both civil jurisdictions—the another. There is then a cross-border element in the Supreme Court. family situation. The hon. Gentleman made clear the The issues that I have raised primarily affect my distress caused to his constituent by the circumstances constituent and his daughter, who is denied access to surrounding the removal of his child and subsequent her father. However, breakdown of marriage and movement events. When a child is taken without consent, it inevitably between jurisdictions is not uncommon in our society. I causes great distress for the parent who is left behind. believe that the courts in England have got the interpretation The parent can also be left facing considerable difficulties of the law completely wrong as it is applicable to this in obtaining the return of their child. As the child has case. Now that the case is concluded, I hope that the been moved from one part of the UK to another, the Minister will agree that a serious injustice has been parent has to deal with the question of which court will done and that Mr Bennett is fully entitled to feel that have jurisdiction. The Family Law Act 1986 provides the legal system has let him and his daughter down rules of jurisdiction in the different territorial parts of badly. It is incumbent on our legal system and the the UK. The primary rule is that the courts of the part Government to do something to correct the situation. of the UK where the child is habitually resident will As I said, changes do not necessarily need to be made to have jurisdiction in any proceedings regarding the child. the Family Law Act 1986—unless section 41 can be That much is clear. amended so that it is more clearly understood, particularly Identifying habitual residence is a question of fact for by lawyers. the courts. However, the 1986 Act contains rules to I ask the Minister to give serious thought to the prevent a person who removes a child from his or her matters that I have raised today, and to consider how we habitual residence without consent from benefiting from can move forward, so that the case of B v. B does not that wrong. That benefit could occur if the person stand as a precedent to be applied in similar cases of could take advantage of any change in the child’s habitual conflict. residence resulting from the unlawful move to claim that another part of the UK now had jurisdiction. Allowing jurisdiction to change immediately in those 1.17 pm circumstances would encourage child abduction, which The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice is clearly contrary to a child’s welfare. Lengthy disputes (Mr Jonathan Djanogly): I congratulate the hon. Member about which courts should hear a case delay resolution for Aberdeen North (Mr Doran) on securing this debate. for the child and are also clearly not in the child’s best It has enabled him to raise the concerns of his constituent interests. It is important that clear rules exist to prevent on the difficulties that can arise when a child is taken abuse of jurisdiction through child abduction. from the part of the United Kingdom where he or she is As the hon. Gentleman describes, section 41 of the habitually resident. May I say how sensitively he put his Family Law Act 1986 deals explicitly with the situation constituent’s case? He did so in the personal context a in which a child under the age of 16 who is habitually concerned parent. That should not be forgotten. resident in one part of the UK becomes resident in At the outset, I should make it clear that in all cases another part without the agreement of all the people involving a child’s upbringing—including where the who have the right to determine where the child should child should reside and who should have contact with reside. In those circumstances, the 1986 Act provides the child, as the hon. Gentleman rightly said—the that the child shall be treated as still habitually resident court’s paramount consideration must always be the in the part of the United Kingdom from which he or welfare of the child. The welfare of the child should be she was removed for a period of one year from the date 245WH Cross-border Child Custody22 MARCH 2011 Cross-border Child Custody 246WH of removal. In practice, that usually means that the including in international law, that the interests of a courts of the part of the UK in which the parent from child are usually best determined by the courts of the whom the child was taken lives will have jurisdiction territory in which the child is habitually resident, as that over any proceedings regarding the child during that court is best able to judge the child’s needs and situation year even if the child becomes habitually resident elsewhere. there—the court is “proximate” to the child. To ensure that children are always protected, a court in A year is a long time in the life of a child, especially a the jurisdiction in which a child is present can take young one, and circumstances can change very quickly. urgent, provisional action to protect the child. If nothing is done in the original jurisdiction to address In that way, the 1986 Act promotes child protection; the removal promptly, and within the year at most, that it discourages wrongful removal of children by removing child’s life will have moved on and courts need to be any jurisdictional advantage that the person removing able to address the child’s situation as it is at the time the child hopes to gain. The Act also provides an any application is made. There seems to be little point in important protection for the parent who did not consent making the child’s habitual residence the primary rule to the child being taken, as the person has a significant of jurisdiction in the Act to ensure a close connection period of time in which to challenge the removal of the between the court hearing the case and the child’s actual child and to make an application to the courts of the situation, only then to refuse to acknowledge the reality child’s original habitual residence for the child to be of the child’s situation in determining jurisdiction because returned. Once jurisdiction is accepted by the correct a non-consensual removal occurred quite some time in court, it will consider the merits of the case in the light the past—even more so when that removal could have of the child’s welfare. That may or may not involve a been dealt with promptly by the courts of the child’s return of the child to the original habitual residence. original habitual residence had they been seized of the The court will consider with whom the child will live, case by the left-behind parent within a year. and how contact with the non-resident parent should be The hon. Gentleman has asked for the Government supported. to examine this matter and consider a review of the Mr Doran: I am grateful to the Minister for the way provisions of the Family Law Act 1986. The Government in which he is explaining this situation, but he is talking do not consider that a formal inquiry would be appropriate about when the law is operating as it should. What I am here as the provisions of the law are quite clear and dealing with is a situation in which the law has not generally provide reasonable protection for children operated as it should. who are wrongfully removed. The Government do not believe that it is necessary to amend the provisions of Mr Djanogly: The hon. Gentleman makes a fair the Family Law Act 1986. However, it is important that point, and I was coming on to that. However, I will say the provisions of the Act should be operated properly in now that it is accepted that the original English without- practice and that the courts should follow its provisions notice decision was made without jurisdiction. However, as they determine the question of jurisdiction for there were numerous ways in which the order could proceedings. have been challenged, either on the point of the lack of jurisdiction or on the terms of the order made. It must The Government have undertaken to consider whether also be accepted that courts can make orders, and the question of jurisdiction regularly causes difficulties. sometimes have to make orders, for the welfare of the Following the hon. Gentleman’s previous debate on child without all parties being informed of the application, cross-border contact issues in December 2007, officials if that is felt to be appropriate in the circumstances of wrote to the Law Society in England asking for its an individual case. Such orders would usually be drawn assistance in identifying the extent to which jurisdictional up so as to provide for a review at an early stage—perhaps issues arose in cross-border cases and the extent to after seven days—so that all parties can make which they prevented people making substantive representations. applications and having their cases resolved and whether If the courts of the part of the UK to which the child any procedural or other changes might be required. has been taken make an order in respect of the child, Similar inquiries were made by the Northern Ireland then the parent who did not consent to the child’s Court Service with the Law Society of Northern Ireland, removal can challenge that order in the court which and by the Scottish Government with the Law Society made it on the basis that the court did not have jurisdiction of Scotland. Following receipt of the replies, officials to make it. It is very regrettable if an impression has have discussed the question of what further should be arisen that to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to done to address the jurisdictional issues. Concern was make an order is, by implication, to accept the jurisdiction expressed about the courts’ability to deal with jurisdictional of that court. That is absolutely not the case in English issues, particularly by Scottish colleagues. law, and indeed nothing in the 1986 Act seems to I am not convinced that jurisdictional issues are suggest it. The law is clear that to challenge the order in preventing people from having their cases resolved. the court in England and Wales, which made it in this However, I fully accept that the sort of unfortunate way, is not to surrender to or accept the jurisdiction of circumstances underlying this debate today must be that court. This is a rule which is clear both at national avoided if at all possible. We will consider whether and international level. However, even orders made anything more needs to be done. without jurisdiction must be obeyed until such time as The underlying question in all proceedings relating to they are successfully overturned, and proper action children must be the welfare of the child or children must be taken to overturn them. concerned. The provisions relating to jurisdiction in the However, balancing the requirements of a child’s Family Law Act 1986 are intended to support the child’s welfare requires that the rule in section 41 does not last welfare by deterring wrongful removal of children, but indefinitely. Habitual residence is a question of fact for also by ensuring that the court with the closest connection the courts to determine, and it is generally accepted, to a child makes the decision about that child. Underlying 247WH Cross-border Child Custody 22 MARCH 2011 248WH

[Mr Djanogly] Civil Recovery (England and Wales) the Act is the premise that it is normally better for decisions about a child’s upbringing to be made by the 1.30 pm courts of the part of the UK where the child is habitually Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) resident. That continues to be the case, even if the child (LD): I am grateful for the opportunity given by Mr Speaker was moved without consent. to have this debate and to the Minister for doing a The hon. Gentleman mentioned that the Scottish back-to-back session by responding to two successive courts have criticised the English High Court. It is not debates. for the Government to comment on the observations of Colleagues who have looked at the Order Paper and a judge in deciding individual cases. seen that this debate is about civil recovery in England and Wales may not have realised immediately what the Mr Doran: The hon. Gentleman referred to a survey subject of the debate is. “Civil recovery” is not a phrase of the various law societies. May I have the summary or that people regularly use. I want to introduce the debate the details of the responses? by giving two examples of incidents that came to my attention as an MP in Southwark and that precipitated Mr Djanogly: I will certainly correspond with the my interest in the subject. hon. Gentleman on those issues. With that comment, I A constituent of mine came to me after her 15-year-old bring my points to a conclusion. daughter was accused of stealing £6 worth of goods from a London store. The daughter was then sent a demand on behalf of the store from which she was alleged to have stolen those items asking for £137.50. The explanation given was that she was being asked to compensate the store for the £6 worth of items and to pay the rest of the costs of the administration, the store security and so on. Another constituent then approached me on behalf of one of her daughters, who had been with two friends at Primark. One of the three girls—not my constituent’s daughter—was accused of stealing, but demands for £87.50 were sent to all three girls on behalf of Primark. These two incidents alerted me to what I have since discovered is a very widespread practice.

Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): My right hon. Friend is right that this is a widespread practice. I want to draw to his attention to a very similar case involving a constituent of mine. She was stopped and accused of shoplifting. Nothing was found, and she was released by the police, but subsequently she received a letter from a civil recovery company saying that she needed to pay £70.

Simon Hughes: Like my hon. Friend, all Members of this House who are MPs for any length of time will discover, if they go through their casework files, that this practice is being brought to their attention. At the beginning of this debate, I unambiguously want to pay credit to the citizens advice bureaux and in particular to Richard Dunstan, who had done some work on this issue long before I became aware of it. On behalf of the CAB, he has brought together all the examples of this practice in the best possible place. As a result of his work, two briefings have been published by the CAB, which I recommend to colleagues and others who have an interest in this subject. The first, “Unreasonable demands?”, was published in December 2009, and the second, “Uncivil recovery”, was published in December 2010. The subtitle of the second briefing tells us succinctly what we are talking about. It is: “Major retailers’ use of threatened civil recovery against those accused of shoplifting or employee theft.” Colleagues in both the last Parliament and this one have shared my interest in this subject. In the previous Parliament, I know that Ian McCartney was particularly concerned about the issue, and in this Parliament I know that Baroness Hayter has already registered her 249WH Civil Recovery (England and Wales)22 MARCH 2011 Civil Recovery (England and Wales) 250WH interest in the subject. I am grateful to her for her When I began thinking about how I would raise this continuing interest, which I think that she will want to issue, I wondered which Government Department I pursue in the other place. would, as it were, “summon to answer” to me in the first place, because it is very clear that this matter is not only None of us who are here for this debate are defending the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. However, I shoplifting or employees who shoplift or take property thought that I would start there, because it is a justice from their employer. However, there are proper procedures, issue, and I am very grateful for the Minister’s presence proper criminal processes and proper civil processes. today and for his Department’s interest in this subject. What should not happen is that people who often are Shortly, I want to put to him some specific issues that I young—that is, under the age of majority—vulnerable, hope his Department can pick up, because I believe that mentally ill, distressed or disturbed are intimidated, it has a responsibility to do so and that it can do things. charged extortionate fees or threatened with what are, bluntly, bogus actions, either by the shops themselves or There is no way that that we should continue to more frequently nowadays by those who are employed permit this system of civil recovery, and I hope that by shops to act for them. today’s debate will precipitate a working-together across Government Departments. Obviously, there is a Home I have discovered that this problem is significant. In Office interest in this issue and there is also an interest each of the past three years, some 100,000 people have for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, received one or more letters demanding a substantial as well as an interest for the Ministry of Justice, in sum of money as “compensation” for their alleged trying to ensure that we shut down this business and shoplifting or employee theft, and threatening civil court make those who are involved, which are otherwise action and associated extra costs if the sum demanded reputable major retail outlets, behave in a much more is not paid promptly. Since 2000, more than 600,000 reasonable way. people have received such civil recovery demands, issued Nobody condones retail theft. It is a big issue, and we by one of a handful of agents acting for well known need to ensure that stores are not pilfered and that there high street retailers such as Asda, Boots, Debenhams, is the best possible policing of them. However, even if Tesco and TK Maxx. In the great majority of those one accepts that retail theft is a big problem, the percentage cases, the value of the goods or cash allegedly stolen of the money stolen from shops that is recovered by was relatively low. If the accusation is of shoplifting, these means is a very small proportion of the total. So it the value was just a few pounds. In four out of five is not as if the retailers involved are able to cover all cases, the goods were recovered intact for resale. In their costs by doing this type of thing. I will turn to many cases, somebody was apprehended when they some examples. were accused of leaving a store with an item—for example, an eyeliner worth £2 or a grocery item worth Tom Brake: Has my right hon. Friend considered that £1.60—without having paid for it. They then paid for it we should take up this issue in a protection of freedoms and were released, but they still received the civil recovery Bill No. 2? It is probably too late for the Protection of demand later. Among those cases reported to the CAB, Freedoms Bill that is about to start its Committee stage, one in four of the recipients of such demands are but it could be considered in a future Bill. teenagers, most of them aged between 14 and 16, and other recipients are particularly vulnerable. Simon Hughes: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s In many cases, the alleged theft is strongly denied, so suggestion, and I hope that the Minister will address the it is not always the case—indeed, it is normally not the areas that the Ministry of Justice can pick up. If over case—that these allegations are accepted by the person the next few weeks, with concentrated efforts in both who is charged. In some cases, there was clearly an Houses, we can get a coalition—as it were—of innocent mistake; in other cases, there was an error; and determination to do something, I, with my hon. Friend in other cases there was confusion. However, it matters and others, will look for the earliest available opportunity not, because these stores have behind them a small but to deal with the legislative changes that I think are part growing army of lawyers and other companies that are of the response that is needed. making a hefty profit from this business. On the protagonists, I have listed some of the major retail players, and I will now deal with the agents. In There is a common feature in these cases. If the sum eight out of 10 of the cases reported to citizens advice demanded is not paid, the threat of county court action bureaux the demand was issued by a Nottingham-based is often repeated. There is a second threat and then a company called Retail Loss Prevention Ltd. Since 1999, third threat, giving ever closer dates of notice. However, that company has issued more than 550,000 demands at the end of all these threats county court action does on behalf of dozens of retailers, including Argos, E.H. not materialise, because it was invalid and unjustified in Booth, Debenhams, Harrods, Iceland, Lidl, Matalan, the first place. Morrisons, Mothercare, Netto, Primark and Waitrose. The most prolific civil recovery agent, a firm called The company retains some 40% of any money it recovers Retail Loss Prevention, is the biggest player among a and the remainder goes to the retailer client. The owner small army of players in this sector. It has confirmed and managing director of the company, who is being that it has never successfully litigated a fully contested pursued by Citizens Advice and by others in the media, county court claim in respect of an unpaid demand. has said that the company is The CAB has also received advice, which I have seen, “passionate in our belief that we are helping the community by suggesting that there is no obvious legal authority for going after the ‘soft’ criminals who are often seen as lower most of these demands. Taken together, those two facts priority by the police”. suggest that the practice of threatened civil recovery In seven out of 10 of the cases that have come to the relies on fear and/or shame, as well as ignorance of the notice of citizens advice bureaux, the demand was law, for its effectiveness. issued on behalf of one of just six retailers—Boots, TK 251WH Civil Recovery (England and Wales)22 MARCH 2011 Civil Recovery (England and Wales) 252WH

[Simon Hughes] is limited to cases involving serious, determined and/or persistent criminal activity for which there has been a Maxx, Tesco, Wilkinson, B&Q and Superdrug. The criminal trial and conviction. I would like the Ministry, predetermined fixed sum demanded by RLP in most if as a matter of urgency, to prepare and disseminate not all shoplifting cases varies according to, and is public information and advice on threatened civil recovery, determined by, the total value claimed of the goods or and in particular on the options available to people who cash involved. If the value is between nothing and £10, might receive a civil recovery demand from Retail Loss the sum demanded is £87.50 and the 21-day settlement Prevention, Drydens or other civil recovery agents. That offer is £70; if the goods are worth between £10 and could be done through the Government’s public information £100, invariably £137.50 is asked for, with a discounted service—Directgov—citizens advice bureaux and other 21-day-period amount; if the value is more than £100, advice outlets. £187.50 is asked for, with a quick-pay discounted amount I also want the Ministry of Justice to talk to the of £150; and if it is more than £300, £250 is asked for, Solicitors Regulation Authority to see whether it needs with a quick-pay amount of £200. It is clear that the to take further action to ensure that the civil recovery company has never justified the legitimacy of its action. practice of solicitors, including employed solicitors, is It has been asked persistently about the evidence for its consistent with the solicitors’ code of conduct. I would actions, and it has repeatedly declined to produce any then like the Home Office, the Department for Business, evidence that claims have regularly and successfully Innovation and Skills, the retail industry and the police been pursued by means of county court proceedings. to identify and develop a range of alternative ways of The company has also clearly misrepresented the dealing with those involved who, if they are young, position. Until last November, RLP’s website stated mentally ill or vulnerable, are often better dealt with by that cautions and the early stages of the pre-criminal procedure “we have established operating procedures for Civil Recovery and in my experience. agreed guidelines with the Association of Chief Police Officers As the total amount recovered by the civil recovery (ACPO) and Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS)”. agents for their retailer clients each year seems unlikely However, in October last year, the assistant chief constable to be more than £16 million, the practice is clearly who leads on retail crime for ACPO wrote to Jackie completely unacceptable, given that they say that they Lambert at RLP stating: lose £4 billion every year as an industry. I hope that “Whilst there may have been agreements in the past about some major retailers will hear this debate and agree to exchanging data and operating civil recovery with ACPO…there review their practice. Most of all, it is clear to me that are no such agreements in place now and indeed on several the practice has become an opportunity for great profit- occasions over the last few years I and my colleagues have asked making by a few at the risk of improperly influencing that such references be deleted. Please remove from your website and intimidating people who ideally should not be in any and all references which state or imply that RLP operates its the criminal process, unless they are regular offenders, civil recovery in agreement or cooperation with the Police Service. and certainly should not be the victims of communications Clearly if you have an agreement with an individual force you could make reference to that, but I know of none.” that distort the facts, misrepresent the law and often put the fear of God into people who certainly do not have In November last year, ACPOS said: the money to pay large sums. “At no time have ACPOS entered into any formal agreement I hope that the Minister can be helpful, that he with RLP or assisted them in any civil recovery”. understands the importance of this issue to all our The other players are Drydens, a law firm based in constituents, and that today will be the beginning of the Bradford, Nottingham-based Civil Recovery Solutions end of this practice. I am very grateful to all those and, more worryingly in a way, a Florida-based law people who have brought the issue to the public’s attention, firm, Palmer, Reifler and Associates, which is a major and I hope that there will be continued significant player on the United States civil recovery scene but is public reporting, until the practice is ended. not regulated to practise in the UK and uses Wigan-based law firm Goddard Smith as its agent. Lastly, there is the London-based firm Civil Recovery Limited, which acted 1.48 pm for only Tesco and was closely related to a security The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice company called TSS, which supplies security guards to (Mr Jonathan Djanogly): I am grateful to my right hon. Tesco, Boots and other retailers. Civil Recovery Limited Friend the Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark ceased trading last summer. (Simon Hughes)for providing me with this opportunity Penultimately, there is of course a civil wrong if to outline the Government’s position and the action someone steals something from someone else. There is a being taken in respect of civil recovery. tort as well as a crime, and there is a breach of contract The Government are firmly committed to working if an employee steals from their employer. I am not alongside business and trade associations to find effective arguing that there might not be proper civil proceedings, solutions and responses to business crime, including but this is a contrivance. It is an intimidation, with the retail theft. My right hon. Friend identified that civil protagonists selling their services to the retail fraternity recovery is dealt with by a number of Departments in and then recovering a large amount of money under addition to the Ministry of Justice—for example, the clearly false pretences. What please can we do about it? Home Office, in preventing and tackling retail crime; I would like the following from the Ministry of Justice. the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, in I would like it to ask the Law Commission, which retail business, sponsorship of Citizens Advice and has a report in the pipeline, to ensure that it urgently employment relations; and both DBIS and the Office of reviews the entire law on civil recovery, with a view to Fair Trading, in consumer protection legislation. As my eventually ensuring, by law if necessary, that civil recovery right hon. Friend requested, and as I will come to later, 253WH Civil Recovery (England and Wales)22 MARCH 2011 Civil Recovery (England and Wales) 254WH the Law Commission is reviewing this area, and officials by most companies involved in the sector is to write to in the Departments that I have mentioned will respond individuals demanding payment. Failure to pay is followed in due course. by a threat of a court action for unpaid damages and Civil recovery is the legal means by which anyone the subsequent use of debt collection agencies. Such who has suffered a financial loss due to the wrongful individuals are advised that their details will be entered actions of someone else can seek appropriate compensation on a national database, which can be accessed by retailers, under civil law. Civil recovery schemes are used by many prospective employers and credit providers. high-street retailers to deter shoplifting and recover Let me be clear that the Government are entirely from shoplifters the management, administration, security satisfied that retailers have a legal right to recover the and surveillance costs incurred in dealing with the case, value of any goods lost or destroyed as a result of an including the costs of the civil recovery action itself. individual’s actions. Defendants can go to their local That ambition is both understandable and justifiable. CAB and receive advice about what to do with the Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. Businesses employ claim. The Government accept that a retailer arguably civil recovery agents to recover through the civil courts has a legal right to recover any additional costs or losses often relatively low-value losses arising from, for example, directly caused as a result of dealing with a case. However, shoplifting or employee theft. The alternative would be we appreciate that there is no statutory or other clear criminal proceedings rather than a suit, with the likelihood basis for setting the amounts of such costs or losses that of a criminal record for the person being prosecuted. can be recovered in an individual case. Therefore, the Retailers have a clear legal right to recover the costs amount of money, if any, that a retailer can recover of goods that they lose as a result of crime. The Government from an individual accused of low-level theft in respect recognise the appropriate and proportionate use of civil of its wider costs is entirely a matter for the courts recovery as one option available to retailers for dealing based on the circumstances and facts of the case. with low-level criminal activity that also amounts to a I say “if any” because my officials have not yet been civil wrong. We believe that civil recovery, when used able to identify any cases in which the issue has been proportionately, provides an effective response to low-value tested before the courts and a definitive judgment given. and often opportunistic crime that often involves teenagers A specialist recovery company confirmed to Citizens and other vulnerable people. Advice in 2010 that it had never issued a claim seeking The national retail crime steering group set up by the recovery where an alleged shoplifter had failed to pay Home Office with the British Retail Consortium provides the sum requested. Therefore, that area of the law a forum for the Government, law enforcement agencies remains untested. CitA—the new name for Citizens and retailers to discuss and devise strategies for tackling Advice—has undertaken a lot of valuable work, for crimes of concern to retailers. At that national level, the which we are grateful, to highlight what it believes are Government are working with industry and business to the relevant problems. I will refer to that valuable broker solutions that cannot be solved by local action contribution later. However, given that some civil recovery alone and to promote the sharing of effective practice. is clearly entirely legitimate, we consider that the question The group focuses on the significant crime issues affecting deserving further examination involves the means used businesses, including tackling shop theft, violence against and the proportionality of losses recovered. staff and the growing threat of e-crime, to adopt a task-focused, action-orientated approach. Simon Hughes: Has any work done by the Minister or We are encouraging businesses to do more to protect his officials confirmed that the amounts sought in such themselves from crime. Effective crime prevention advice cases have no relation to the costs incurred? People is available for businesses to use, and we are making it a should be entitled to recover the £5 cost of a stolen priority to share effective practice examples of businesses item, but the £135 or £235 top-up fee does not appear to working together and in partnership with the police and have any basis in reality. other law enforcement agencies to tackle retail crime across their local areas. Mr Djanogly: That would be a matter for the courts to decide, and as I have just tried to explain, there has As the right hon. Gentleman said, most retailers who not yet been a test case. A test case might be a good adopt the civil recovery procedure normally employ idea. specialist civil recovery companies to seek damages on their behalf, to meet the losses caused by individuals There is no clear basis for setting claims for additional who steal from them. I understand that in addition to costs at a specific level. Indeed, retailers can seek to the actual cost of any goods stolen or damaged, retailers recover such additional costs only to the extent that seek to recover the overall costs that they have incurred they can show that they have been incurred directly as a in dealing with the matter. The additional costs are result of dealing with a case, so it is not at all clear how usually claimed to cover the costs of general store such costs could be set at standard levels. However, as I security measures such as CCTV, security tagging and said, the point has yet to be tested fully in the courts. security staff, as well as any administrative costs incurred As I said, Citizens Advice has raised a number of by the retailer. concerns about how civil recovery companies operate In the great majority of cases, the value of the goods and has conducted valuable work on the matter, culminating or cash allegedly stolen is relatively low, sometimes just in two reports. “Uncivil Recovery”, which was published a few pounds. However, the sum sought in damages can in December 2010, set out detailed case studies drawn be substantially higher once additional costs are included. from 300 CitA-reported cases in which individuals had Such costs are often charged as a fixed sum of between been accused of shoplifting or employee theft and were £100 and £150, depending on the value of the goods or then pursued for substantial sums of money as cash involved. I note that the right hon. Gentleman compensation for what was described as mentioned the amount of £137. The practice adopted “loss and damage caused by your wrongful actions.” 255WH Civil Recovery (England and Wales)22 MARCH 2011 Civil Recovery (England and Wales) 256WH

[Mr Djanogly] The issue is not beyond doubt, but on a broad interpretation of the meaning of a commercial practice, I understand that in the vast majority of cases the the directive could apply to civil recovery where it is police were not involved, nor were criminal charges used against shoplifters. That would not make civil brought. CitA suggested that it is unfair to use the civil recovery illegal, but specialist recovery companies would courts in such circumstances, argued that the practice of not be permitted to send misleading or aggressive letters. civil recovery effectively relies on fear and ignorance More generally, the Law Commission is also considering of the law for its effectiveness and made a series of whether there should be a statutory right of redress for recommendations. people to reclaim, along with moderate and appropriate damages for distress and inconvenience, any moneys We believe that the recommendation that the law that they might have paid as a result of a misleading or should be clarified to prevent any civil recovery unless aggressive letter. there has been a criminal trial and conviction would result in undesirable additional pressure on the criminal The Citizens Advice report implies that civil redress is justice system. As I have mentioned, the Government sometimes uncalled for, but the Government do not accept fully that some civil recovery is entirely legitimate. support that position. The report is certainly useful in Accordingly, we consider that the question of the means raising important issues, not least those that concern used and the proportionality of losses recovered might aspects of consumer protection, but I accept that some deserve further examination. However, we accept that technical issues need to be resolved. one important issue is what approach companies acting Simon Hughes: I see that the Minister is on his last on behalf of retailers adopt when pursuing such cases. page, so I will ask him one last question. A Law In that context, I am pleased to be able to tell my Commission report is imminent. Do the Government right hon. Friend that the topic, and whether any guidance have a plan to bring together views across Departments needs to be issued or other action taken, is being and produce a coherent collective response later in this considered across a number of Departments, and good parliamentary Session? I am sure that it would be progress is being made. For instance, the Law Commission welcome in both Houses. intends to seek views on the question in a paper soon to Mr Djanogly: I cannot guarantee the timing today, be issued on consumer redress for misleading or aggressive because it will need to be agreed among several practices. The Law Commission project reviews the Departments, but the issue will be considered on a directive on unfair commercial practices implemented cross-departmental basis, and we will come back with in the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trade Practices proposals. Regulations 2008 and asks whether consumers should have a right of redress of breaches of the regulations, 2pm and that includes the question whether civil recovery is Sitting adjourned without Question put (Standing Order a commercial practice within the meaning of the directive. No. 10(11)). 49WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 50WS

Defence business services will deliver corporate services Written Ministerial —human resources, finance, information, commercial and vetting—from a single structure to all areas of the Statements Department. This new single organisation will allow us to provide high-quality professional services more efficiently and with fewer civil servants. We are exploring options Tuesday 22 March 2011 to strengthen our ability to manage this change, including the possibility of bringing in outside professional management expertise to lead and direct the new BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS organisation. By making these changes we expect to reduce the Sunset Clauses (New Regulations) overall civilian work force by about 2,000 corporate services posts with a net saving of £73 million per The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation annum by 2014. This will make a significant contribution and Skills (Mr Mark Prisk): I am publishing today the to the civilian staff reductions set out last October in guidance prepared by the Better Regulation Executive the strategic defence and security review. to assist Departments in implementing the Government’s These proposals are a development of the commitment to introduce sunset clauses in new regulations. recommendations made in Gerry Grimstone’s independent The policy that is set out in the guidance will contribute review into the use of civilians in defence in 2010. Along to the Government’s goal of transforming the role of with the creation of a new defence infrastructure regulation in our society. Where regulation is no longer organisation, which I announced to Parliament on needed, or where it results in disproportionate burdens, 16 February 2011, the corporate services reforms are the use of review and sunset clauses will help ensure the first changes arising out of the work of the defence that it is removed. It will strengthen the current process reform unit chaired by Lord Levene on restructuring of post-implementation review, and also promote greater the Department. There will be more such changes as we transparency and scrutiny of Departments’ regulatory receive and consider further proposals. activities. The initial focus for the policy will be new domestic FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE regulation introduced by Whitehall Departments that results in a net burden on business and civil society organisations, and domestic legislation implementing Consular Services (Fees) new EU obligations. The Government’s intention is that all measures that are in scope will be subject to a The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth statutory review obligation, with those domestic measures Office (Mr Jeremy Browne): In addition to its assistance implemented through secondary legislation also subject to British nationals in distress, the Foreign and to a sunset provision. For secondary legislation, Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides a range of consular implementation in each case will be subject to the vires services to British nationals who live, work and conduct under which the relevant regulations are made. business overseas. On 16 March 2011 Her Majesty in Ministers will be under an obligation to carry out Council approved the Consular Fees Order 2011. Part I and publish a review of the regulation within five years of that order, which has been deposited in the Library of it coming into force. The review will look at whether of the House, sets what the FCO charges for these the regulation is effective in meeting its original objectives, services (and for emergency passports, travel documents, whether it is still required, and whether it can be improved. and transferring money to those in distress overseas) Where there is a sunset clause Ministers may also, from 6 April 2011. At the same time the FCO is also depending on the outcome of the review, need to renew making broader changes to these services, most of the legislation in order for the regulation to remain in which will affect very few British nationals. force. The renewal, amendment, or revocation of regulations From 6 April 2011 we will no longer provide as resulting from the new policy will be carried out through standard some niche administrative services. We will existing legislative processes. cease offering searches in foreign archives for personal The guidance is being published on the BIS website documents, such as for foreign birth certificates. Modern at: http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/better-regulation/ communications allow customers to approach the relevant better-regulation-executive/reducing-regulation-made- authority themselves, and where necessary we will offer simple /reviewing-existing-regulations/pirs-and-sunset-reviews. guidance on how to do this. We will no longer automatically Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. offer management of estates overseas for the deceased; instead, we will provide customers the details of local DEFENCE lawyers who are better placed to provide this service. And we will stop offering translation or interpretation on notarial services, instead putting customers in touch Defence Business Services with expert local translators and interpreters. These changes should contribute to reducing the time The Secretary of State for Defence (Dr Liam Fox): As consular officers spend processing documents and increase part of the process of departmental reform, today we the time they have to focus on the most vulnerable in are announcing the commencement of consultation on most need of assistance. They will not diminish the a significant organisational change within the Ministry FCO’s assistance to British nationals in distress nor its of Defence, with the proposed establishment of a defence crisis response capability, including its ability to assist business services organisation. and evacuate British nationals from a country or region. 51WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 52WS

It is right that, as a general principle, those who It is vital that we remain prepared for a new pandemic, benefit from consular services should meet the cost of the threat of which remains undiminished. Given the them, rather than the general taxpayer. The increases to uncertainty about the scale, severity and pattern of the fees in part I of the order will result in income from development of any future pandemic, three key principles the fees increasing by 3.85%. Some fees are reduced, underpin the new strategy. These are that the response and some are increased by more than this amount. The to a new pandemic should be precautionary, proportionate new fees represent the full economic cost of what we do, and flexible. The draft strategy sets out our proposed and will ensure that British missions continue to provide strategic approach to apply these principles to pandemic a high standard of service to consular customers. They preparedness. are also a sensible rationalisation of the structure of the The strategy is intended to inform the development fees charged. of updated operational plans by local organisations Fees in part II for passport applications made in the and emergency planners. As a result of their experience United Kingdom and overseas remain at current levels. in the H1N1 (2009) influenza pandemic, many other Fees in part III for receiving applications for entry organisations and individuals have extensive experience clearance to Commonwealth countries, British overseas of the challenges that can be posed by a pandemic and territories and Crown dependencies continue to be charged will have given these challenges much thought. The in the order. These fees are “Home Office fees” and are Government are keen to ensure that this experience is approved by the Home Office Minister but are still fully reflected. Therefore, we are inviting comments and contained within the Consular Fees Order. views on the strategy set out in this document. The consultation runs until 17 June 2011. We intend to publish the finalised strategy later this year. Torture and Mistreatment Reporting Guidance The strategy has been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office. The Affairs (Mr William Hague): I wish to make the House document is also available at www.consultations.dh.gov.uk aware that I have updated and reissued guidance on A plan for improving the response to seasonal influenza reporting torture and mistreatment to all FCO staff, will be published shortly. including contractors, secondees and temporary staff and staff from other Government Departments. I have made this guidance available to the public by publishing HOME DEPARTMENT it on the FCO website. The UK Government’s policy is clear. We do not EU Directive (Human Trafficking) participate in, solicit, encourage or condone the use of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): Iam punishment for any purpose. We have consistently made writing today to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees clear our absolute opposition to such behaviour and in both Houses, seeking their views on the Government’s our determination to combat it wherever and whenever intention to apply to opt in to the EU directive to it occurs. We take all allegations and concerns about combat human trafficking upon its adoption. The torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or Government’s view remains subject to parliamentary punishment very seriously. scrutiny. We are determined to strengthen the FCO’s institutional In June, the Government took the decision not to opt capability on human rights at home and overseas. The in at the outset to the proposal for a directive to combat updated guidance reiterates existing advice, setting out human trafficking but undertook to review the position the process for FCO staff and other staff working in when there was a finalised text. We have now carefully Her Majesty’s diplomatic missions and offices for reporting considered the finalised text. The main risk associated information about torture and mistreatment. with the text has now been overcome: by waiting to Timely, accurate, specific and full reporting is crucial apply to opt in, we have a text that has been finalised in strengthening the Government’s work to eradicate and we have avoided being bound by measures that are torture and CIDT around the world. The FCO is committed against the UK’s interests. to this work and staff already report cases, raise concerns The new text still does not contain any measures that and take action. would significantly change the way the UK fights trafficking. A copy of the guidance will be placed in the Library However, the UK has always been a world leader in of the House by 22 March 2011. fighting trafficking and has a strong international reputation in this field. Applying to opt in to the directive would HEALTH continue to send a powerful message to traffickers that the UK is not a soft touch, and that we are supportive UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy of international efforts to tackle this crime. The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): I am publishing today, for consultation, a new “UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy”. This cross- Equality and Human Rights Commission Government strategy updates the previous national framework, published in 2007, in the light of the experience from the H1N1 (2009) pandemic including the findings The Secretary of State for the Home Department of the independent review chaired by Dame Deirdre (Mrs Theresa May): I am today launching a public Hine and the latest scientific evidence. The strategy has consultation on the Government’s plans to reform the been developed jointly with the devolved Administrations. Equality and Human Rights Commission. 53WS Written Ministerial Statements22 MARCH 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 54WS

The coalition programme for government commits to Ireland) Act 2000—Review of Temporary Recruitment “reduce the number and cost of quangos”. In order to Provisions”. The response document has been placed in deliver this, the Government carried out a major review the Library of this House. The temporary provisions of public bodies last year. Following that review, the came into force in 2001 and the previous Administration decision was taken to retain the commission but renewed them by order on 29 March 2010 for a period substantially reform it to focus it on the areas where it of one year. alone can add value, and to increase its accountability to Government, Parliament and the public. A total of 162 responses were received to the consultation. Of these 152 were in favour of letting the provisions We want the Equality and Human Rights Commission lapse on 28 March 2011, six were against this proposal to become a valued and respected national institution. and three did not express a definite view. One respondent To achieve this aim, we have today set out our proposals was in favour of letting the provisions lapse for PSNI for legislative and non-legislative reform in three key officer recruitment, but called for the provisions to be areas: retained for support staff. Clarifying the EHRC’s remit—the Government will amend the legislation that established the EHRC, the Equality Act The Government have considered the responses to 2006, to clarify the commission’s core functions. This will the consultation. They have noted the considerable allow the EHRC to focus on the work that really matters, progress made towards securing a police service that is where it alone can add value. At present, vagueness in the more fully reflective of the community in Northern Equality Act, for example, the duty to “promote understanding of the importance of equality and diversity”, has led to the Ireland. This follows the recommendation in the Patten EHRC undertaking a wide range of activities that are not report that in order to make a police service representative, regulatory in nature, including running summer camps for community leaders should take steps to remove all young people. discouragement and make it a priority to encourage Stopping non-core activities—one of the causes of the members of their communities to apply to join the commission’s difficulties was the breadth of its remit, extending police service. beyond its core role to, for example, operating a helpline and grants programme. The commission has struggled to do At the time of the Patten report only 8.3% of Royal these things well in the past, so we have decided that we Ulster Constabulary officers were from a Catholic should not fund it to do them in the future. The evidence community background. Today 29.76% of officers are suggests that this work could be done better or more cost- from a Catholic community background, the top end of effectively by others. the critical mass identified by Patten. Improving transparency and value for money—problems with financial controls mean that each set of the EHRC’s Against this background and given that policing in accounts have been qualified since its creation, and it has Northern Ireland is now, rightly, devolved and under struggled to deliver value for money. Today’s proposals local control, the Government consider that the continued include a legal requirement for the EHRC to publish an use of the temporary provisions can no longer be justified annual business plan in Parliament, and comply with the same rules as all other public bodies when spending money. and they will therefore lapse on 28 March 2011. Patten Where the commission fails to show that it has spent taxpayers’ himself said the use of special measures should be money wisely, financial penalties will apply. revisited after 10 years. Copies of the consultation document will be placed The Government believe that maintaining a police in the House Library and can also be found on the service which is reflective of the society it polices is as Government Equalities’ Office website at the following important as ever. This view is shared by the Department link www.equalities.gov.uk. of Justice and the PSNI themselves and they will continue to work to this end in the years ahead. We want to see this progress continue and for Catholic representation NORTHERN IRELAND in the PSNI to grow further over time. Patten’s vision of a fair, impartial and effective police service does not end with the provisions. “Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 - Review of Temporary Recruitment Provisions” PSNI recruitment issues are regularly monitored by the policing board which will continue to hold the PSNI to account. The PSNI shared future strategy agreed by The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen the board demonstrates the PSNI’s continuing commitment Paterson): I have today published the Government’s to promoting equality and diversity, achieving good response to the public consultation on the “Police (Northern relations and building trust with the community.

889W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 890W Written Answers to Departmental Public Bodies Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Questions Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the Written Ministerial Statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform Tuesday 22 March 2011 programme, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from the abolition of three public bodies NORTHERN IRELAND within his Department’s area of responsibility. [48148]

Anti-Semitism Gregory Barker [holding answer 21 March 2011]: On 16 March 2011, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Member Northern Ireland what discussions he has had since for Horsham (Mr Maude) issued a Written Ministerial May 2010 with (a) the First Minister and (b) the Statement updating Parliament on progress on public Deputy First Minister on steps taken by the Northern bodies reform. That statement also announced that Ireland Executive to combat anti-Semitism in Northern departments estimated that cumulative administrative Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [47685] savings of at least £2.6 billion would flow from public bodies over the spending review period. Mr Swire: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I anticipate net overall administrative savings for the my right hon. Friend the Member for North Shropshire Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) of (Mr Paterson), and I have not had any such discussions £70,000 per year over the spending review period as a as these are devolved matters. result of the abolition of three of our public bodies. The Office of the First and Deputy First Minister’s Overall administrative reductions across DECC and its vision for racial equality and good relations is set out at: departmental public bodies will be £167 million over http://www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/index/equality/race.htm the spending review period. Final decisions on where the reductions will fall have not yet been taken by Bill of Rights Ministers.

Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Theft Northern Ireland what recent progress he has made on the establishment of a Bill of Rights for Northern Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [47728] Energy and Climate Change what items with a value of over £100 have been taken without authorisation from Mr Swire: The lack of consensus in Northern Ireland his Department since his appointment; and what steps on the issue of a Bill of Rights remains a considerable have been taken to recover such items. [48444] barrier to further progress. Northern Ireland Office Ministers and officials will continue to have discussions Gregory Barker: No items over £100 have been taken with interested parties and consider how best to take from DECC departmental premises without authorisation. matters forward in the coming months. Two laptops and five blackberry devices have been stolen from DECC staff outside departmental premises. In all instances, the police were notified. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Electricity Generation Departmental Lights Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what meetings (a) he and Energy and Climate Change whether his Department (b) Ministers in his Department have had to discuss has installed motion-sensitive energy-saving lighting in electricity market reform proposals with UK electricity its estate; and what plans he has for the installation of supply companies which are not one of the six major such lighting. [48330] UK electricity suppliers; and if he will make a statement. [46356] Gregory Barker: Motion-sensitive lighting was installed as part of the refurbishment of 3 Whitehall Place in Charles Hendry: Ministers regularly meet with 2004-05. Since occupying the building, the Department independent electricity supply companies to discuss has enhanced the lighting system, and continues to do energy issues, including electricity market reform. so. Concerted efforts are made by all Ministers and The Department also occupies a portion of Atholl officials in the Department to engage all stakeholders House in Aberdeen, where motion-sensitive lighting is with an interest in electricity market reform, including installed in some parts of the building but not in the UK electricity supply companies, by attending meetings general office areas. The Department does not manage and speaking at events all over the UK. the building but is working with the managing agents to Ministers and officials generally have meetings with improve its energy efficiency. interested stakeholders on a weekly basis. 891W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 892W

Nuclear Power Stations Charles Hendry: Ministers and officials at the Department of Energy and Climate have regular discussions with Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy stakeholders in the oil and gas industry. and Climate Change if he will extend his Department’s Details of external meetings held by DECC Ministers review of the implications of the situation concerning and its permanent secretary are published on the DECC nuclear power stations in Japan to include website at consideration of the (a) costs and (b) timetable for http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/accesstoinform/ new nuclear build in the UK. [48018] registers/registers.aspx Charles Hendry [holding answer 21 March 2011]: Details of meetings senior officials have had with The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, staff, agents or representatives of these companies is my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris not held centrally and could be obtained only at Huhne) has asked the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr disproportionate cost. Mike Weightman, to provide a report to the Government on the implications of the unprecedented events in Renewable Energy Japan and the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry. Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for He has asked for an interim report by mid May 2011 Energy and Climate Change what proportion of and a final report within six months. The reports will be electricity generation came from (a) renewable sources shared widely and made public. and (b) offshore wind in the latest period for which The detailed scope of Dr Weightman’s report will be figures are available; and what estimate he has made of confirmed as information from Japan becomes clearer. the proportion of electricity that will be generated from The report will be conducted in close cooperation with each such source in 2020. [48105] the International nuclear community including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Japanese Charles Hendry: In 2009, renewable sources provided authorities and other regulators to carefully establish 6.7% of electricity generation in the UK, while offshore the lessons to be learned and will include existing nuclear wind provided 0.5%. In 2010 quarter 3, renewable sources installations in the UK and the proposed new reactor provided 8.5% of electricity generation, while offshore programme. wind provided 1.0%. Nuclear Power Stations: Emergencies The UK National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), published in July 2010: Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/ored/ukaction_plan/ has made of the adequacy of the plans of the UK’s uk_action_plan.aspx nuclear industry to respond to a natural disaster. estimates that around 30% of the UK’s electricity could [48512] come from renewable sources in 2020. It also estimates that 12 per cent of the UK’s electricity could come from Charles Hendry: The Secretary of State for Energy offshore wind. However, the actual generation from any and Climate Change, my right hon. Friend, has asked renewable technology will depend on how the market the Chief Nuclear Inspector, Dr Mike Weightman, to responds to the incentives that we put in place. provide a report to the Government on the implications of the unprecedented events in Japan and the lessons to be learned for the UK nuclear industry. Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs He has asked for an interim report by mid May 2011 and a final report within six months. The reports will be Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State shared widely and made public. for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the The detailed scope of Dr Weightman’s report will be Answer of 28 February 2011, Official Report, column confirmed as information from Japan becomes clearer. 242W, on solar power: feed-in tariffs, whether his The report will be conducted in close co-operation with Department’s decision to cap uptake under the feed-in the International nuclear community including the tariff scheme was taken in consultation with the solar International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Japanese photovoltaic industry; and if he will make a statement. authorities and other regulators to carefully establish [46444] the lessons to be learned and will include existing nuclear installations in the UK and the proposed new reactor Gregory Barker: There has been no decision to cap programme. uptake under the Feed-in Tariff scheme (FITs). On 7 February the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Oil: Industry Change, my right hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) announced that the comprehensive review Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for of the FITs scheme had commenced. He also announced Energy and Climate Change what meetings (a) he, (b) that, alongside the comprehensive review there will be Ministers and (c) senior officials in his Department fast-track considerations for solar photovoltaic (PV) have had with the staff, agents or representatives of (i) installations over 50kW and a short study on farm-scale Shell, (ii) BP, (iii) Anglo Siberian Oil Company, (iv) anaerobic digestion (AD). On 18 March we published Gazprom Neft/Sibneft Oil Group, (v) Chevron Texaco, the fast-track consultation which will close on 6 May (vi) Esso/Exxon, (vii) Total, (viii) Gulf Oil and (ix) 2011. We are proposing to amend the tariff rates paid Mobil since his appointment; and on what date each for solar PV above 50kW and for farm scale AD up to such meeting took place. [48331] 500kW. 893W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 894W

Any changes proposed will be subject to consultation Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me and Parliamentary scrutiny as set out in the Energy that during the Act 2008. last five years it has provided funds for 19 charities as Wind Power part of its ‘partnership grants’ programme. Grants were made to these charities under Section 13 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for to help them run programmes to increase voter registration Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made and democratic engagement. of the number of megawatts of offshore wind development required to meet (a) UK and (b) EU The Commission closed the partnership grants targets for renewable energy. [48062] programme in March 2010 but the amounts awarded to each charity for the four years prior to that are displayed Charles Hendry: The UK National Renewable Energy in the following table. Action Plan (NREAP), published in July 2010 estimates The Electoral Commission does not plan to fund any that around 13 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind will be charity over the next five years. required to help meet the UK’s target for renewable energy in 2020: £ http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Total uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/ored/uk_action_plan/ ukaction_plan.aspx Area 43 21,528 45,695 45,795 23,976 136,994 Barnardo’s 12,000 96,998 85,475 90,910 285,383 The Government do not set targets for individual British Youth Council 46,618 77,969 88,002 — 212,589 energy generation technologies but takes a market-based Council for Ethnic Minority 29,662 83,819 80,503 74,340 268,324 approach to energy generation. The actual generation Voluntary Organisations from any renewable technology will depend on how the (CEMVO) Scotland market responds to the incentives that we put in place. Disability Action 32,314 66,921 62,359 65,035 226,629 DECC does not estimate the amount of renewable Leonard Cheshire 12,702 39,243 41,991 33,387 127,323 energy required across the EU, but a summary of EU Outside The Box 15,260 26,250 — — 41,510 renewable energy action plans can be found at Rethink 18,432 71,404 114,470 64,920 269,226 SACOMA (Sahara 42,317 80,295 79,925 35,549 238,086 http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2010/ Communities Abroad) e10069_summary.pdf United Response 10,069 29,208 58,505 30,213 127,995 This suggests that 41 GW of offshore wind is planned YMCA 11,989 81,330 61,005 44,425 198,749 across the EU to meet the EU target for renewable Fawcett — 4,476 74,439 78,988 157,903 energy. Princes Trust — 3,732 53,461 82,194 139,387 Scottish Council on Deafness — 3,641 80,900 67,713 152,254 Speaking Up — 5,281 68,657 52,142 126,080 ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE UK YP — — 94,119 105,879 199,998 252,891 716,2621,089,606 849,6712,908,430 Stress

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on CABINET OFFICE the Electoral Commission, what arrangements are in place in the Electoral Commission to (a) reduce levels Cabinet Committees: Sustainable Development of work-based stress and (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress. [48196] Barry Gardiner: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which Cabinet committees and sub-committees Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me have had responsibility for sustainable development that it has a work-related stress policy and procedure since 6 May 2010; and for what periods. [47870] and runs stress management and awareness programmes for staff. Mr Maude [holding answer 18 March 2011]: The Any staff diagnosed with stress are supported via the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural employee assistance programme, which provides face to Affairs has lead responsibility for sustainable development face and telephone counselling sessions and online resources and sits on the Economic Affairs and Home Affairs on stress management. Staff may also be referred to the Committees to enforce the Government’s commitment Commission’s occupational health service following which to mainstreaming sustainability across all Departments. any recommendations to assist the employee are Census implemented. Third Sector Mike Weatherley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what account the Office for National Statistics Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South took of the proportion of the population who do not West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on follow a religion in preparing the forms for the (a) the Electoral Commission, how much the Electoral 2001 and (b) 2011 Census. [47621] Commission provided to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how much he has allocated Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the for funding to each such charity in each of the next five responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have years. [48282] asked the authority to reply. 895W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 896W

Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 22 March 2011: The National Statistician and the Registrar General of Scotland, and the Registrar General of Northern Ireland meet regularly to As Director General for the Office for National Statistics discuss census matters and the harmonising of approaches. Such (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the discussions included the approach to outsourcing some services Minister for the Cabinet Office asking what account he took of for the 2011 Census. the proportion of the population who do not follow a religion in preparing the forms for the (a) 2001 and (b) 2011 Census. (47621) Although the operation of the 2011 Censuses in the UK is the responsibility of the different census offices, there is close co-operation; A question on religion was included in the Census in England for example the date of the census was agreed jointly. A formal and Wales for the first time in 2001 following the Census (Amendment) agreement between the National Statistician and the Registrars Act 2000. Responses to the question helped provide information General is reviewed regularly by the UK Census Committee. A which supplemented the output from the ethnicity question by copy of the agreement and updates are published on the website at identifying ethnic minority sub-groups, particularly those originating from the Indian sub-continent, in terms of their religion. The http://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011-census/2011-census- wording and design of the question and response categories were project/index.html determined after extensive consultation with users and other key The co-ordination of the census across the UK permits stakeholders and a programme of question testing. Information harmonisation of the 2011 Census results. from the religion question is used to supplement ethnicity data to gain a general understanding of society; to inform service provision Charities Act 2006 and resource allocations; and for fulfilling legal obligations to monitor inequalities. Mr Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Consultations in 2005 and 2007 revealed again a high demand on what date each section of the Charities Act 2006 for the inclusion of a question on religion in the 2011 Census. The currently in force was brought into force; how many majority of users responding to the 2007 consultation indicated a sections have not yet been brought into force; and if he requirement for comparability between the 2001 and 2011 Censuses. will make a statement. [47702] ONS recognised that no single religion question could meet all user needs and after a programme of research and testing, ONS Mr Hurd: Various provisions of the Charities Act 2006 decided that religious affiliation - the number of people who (“the Act”) have been brought into force either on identify with a religion irrespective of the extent of their religious belief or practice—was again the most appropriate concept to enactment, or by commencement orders. Section 79 of measure. Affiliation is a socially significant indicator in its own the Act lists the sections that came into force on enactment right that relates to a person’s cultural background and values. on 8 November 2006. The other sections of the Act that Consequently, the UK Statistics Authority proposed in the are in force were commenced on various dates as listed White Paper ‘Helping to shape tomorrow’ (published in December in the following commencement orders, which are available 2008) to repeat the 2001 question as one of a suite of census in the House Library: questions that would allow individual respondents to indicate The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No 1, Transitional their identity in the way they consider most appropriate. As was Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007 No. 309) the case in 2001, and in accordance with the provisions of the The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No 2, Transitional Census Act, the question is—unlike all other questions in the Provisions and Savings) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007 No. 3286) Census—voluntary. The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No. 3, Transitional The question wording takes account of the fact that a significant Provisions and Savings) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008 No. 751) number of people are likely to choose to respond by indicating that they have no religion. Thus to make the facility for making The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No. 4, Transitional such a response explicitly clear, the ‘None’ tick box has been Provisions and Savings) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008 No. 945) placed first in the list of optional responses. The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5, Transitional and Transitory Provisions and Savings) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008 Lady Hermon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet No. 3267) Office on what occasions his Department has had The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No. 4, Transitional discussions with the devolved Administrations in (a) Provisions and Savings) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009 No. 841) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland on (i) the company chosen to carry out the 2011 Census and (ii) The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No.6 and Commencement No.5, Transitional and Transitory Provisions the operation of the census in those regions. [47801] and Savings (Amendment)) Order 2009 (S.I. 2009 No. 2648) The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No.7, Transitional Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the and Transitory Provisions and Savings) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010 responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have No. 503) asked the authority to reply. The Charities Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5, Transitional Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated 22 March 2001: and Transitory Provisions and Savings) (Amendment) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010 No. 1942) As Director General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking The main provisions of the Act yet to be implemented on what occasions discussions have been had with the devolved are: administrations in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Provisions relating to the Charitable Incorporated Organisation Ireland on (i) the company chosen to carry out the 2011 Census (CIO) (section 34 and schedule 7). These are due to be implemented and (ii) the operation of the census in those regions. (47801) later this year. ONS, as the executive office of the UK Statistics Authority, is Provisions relating to licensing and regulation of public charitable carrying out the 2011 Census in England and Wales. The statutory collections (Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Act). There no immediate responsibility for the administration and conduct of the census is plans to implement these provisions. not a matter that has been fully devolved in Wales, although the Welsh Ministers played a formal role in determining the conduct Mr Amess: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office and content of the census in Wales. The Registrars General of Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively are responsible for what plans he has to bring sections 45 to 66 of the carrying out the census in Scotland and Northern Ireland where Charities Act 2006 into force; what recent the census is a fully devolved matter, and this includes the representations he has received on this matter; and if he awarding of contracts. will make a statement. [47703] 897W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 898W

Mr Hurd: There are no immediate plans to commence EU Law: Parliamentary Scrutiny Chapter 1 of Part 3 of the Charities Act 2006. Instead, the future licensing and regulation of public charitable Mike Weatherley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet collections will be considered as part of the review of Office how many statutory instruments relating to the the Charities Act 2006, due to begin later this year. In implementation of EU legislation laid before the current economic climate implementation of the Parliament have not been approved by Parliament in Charities Act 2006 licensing provisions has to be weighed each year since 2001. [47620] against other priorities. Affordability and value for money are likely to be determining factors in whether the new Mr Maude: Since the beginning of the 2000-01 Session licensing regime is implemented. Whatever the outcome of Parliament, a total of 381 statutory instruments of the review, we want to make it easier for legitimate subject to affirmative procedure have been laid before charities to fundraise responsibly, while deterring bogus the House of Commons but not approved by Parliament. collectors and preventing nuisance for members of the This includes instruments which were withdrawn by the public. Government but not instruments which are currently I have received several written representations from awaiting approval. I have placed a complete list of these interested parties about the future regulation of public instruments in the Library. charitable collections, but as it will be considered by the Information about whether each of these instruments review of the Act, I do not intend to make a statement related to the implementation of EU legislation could at this time. be provided only at disproportionate cost. Departmental Assets Government Departments: ICT Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether receipts from the sale of assets owned Mr Blunkett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet by regional development agencies are reflected in the Office what progress his Department has made on the spending plans of his Department for (a) 2012-13 and proposed G-cloud computing strategy; and when he (b) 2013-14. [47412] plans to publish it. [46215]

Mr Maude: My Department’s spending plans reflect Mr Maude: The Government have published eight the Cabinet Office and its NDPBs. The regional documents on their work to date on the G-Cloud development agencies are not part of the Cabinet Office. programme. Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers The G-Cloud documents are at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/g-cloud- programme-phase-2 Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Minister for the The following reports are included: Cabinet Office how much his Department has spent on (a) salaries and (b) pension entitlements for special 1. G-Cloud Vision advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date. [46585] 2. G-Cloud Commercial Strategy 3. G-Cloud Strategic Outline Business Case Mr Maude: The Government publish on a quarterly 4. G-Cloud Implementation Strategy basis the names of special advisers by Department, 5. G-Cloud Service Management, Organisational Structure including each special adviser’s pay band, and actual and Governance salary where this is £58,200 or higher, together with the 6. G-Cloud Service Specification details of the special advisers’ pay ranges. 7. G-Cloud Technical Architecture The latest list, which includes an estimate of the total 8. G-Cloud Foundation Principles pay bill including pension costs, was published on the The G-Cloud programme is continuing to develop Cabinet Office website on 10 March 2011 at: the forward looking Cloud Strategy and Implementation http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special- Plan. adviser-data-releases Departmental Secondment Higher Education: Finance

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many staff from organisations outside Office whether his Department has (a) had any Government are on secondment to his Department; discussions with and (b) provided any assistance to from which organisation each has been seconded; and British universities in securing (i) contracts and (ii) what the period is of each secondment. [47261] financial support from Libya in the last 10 years. [46073] Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office central staff database shows 10 staff seconded from organisations outside the Mr Maude: Since the appointment of the coalition civil service. The organisations from which staff are Government, the Cabinet Office has had no discussions, seconded are: nor provided any assistance, to British universities interested Equality and Human Rights Commission, Environment Agency, in trading with Libya. I refer my hon. Friend to the Metropolitan Police Service, Big Lottery Fund, Volunteer England, answer provided by the Minister of State for Business Royal Navy, Price Waterhouse Coopers, House of Lords (3). and Enterprise, my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford The period of the secondment varies from between and Stortford (Mr Prisk) on 15 March 2011, Official four months and three years. Report, column 306W. 899W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 900W

Ministerial Policy Advisers: Pay Arts Council England

Chris Bryant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Office how many special advisers receive a salary of Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Arts more than £64,000. [48033] Council England allocated per head of population in (a) Walsall North, (b) Walsall South and (c) Aldridge Mr Maude: Special advisers with a salary of more Brownhills in the last year for which figures are than £64,000 are listed in the table of special advisers available. [47322] published on 10 March 2011 which can be found on the Cabinet Office website at: Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England estimates spend in http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special- 2009-10 at 50p per head in Walsall North, £10.87 per adviser-data-releases head in Walsall South and 50p per head in Aldridge Brownhills. Public Sector: Property Additionally, a number of organisations funded by the Arts Council tour their work in the constituency, Julian Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet though their funding is not represented in the figures Office what progress has been made on the review of above. public property undertaken by the Government Property Unit. [40733] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether Arts Mr Maude: The Government has introduced a new Council England has put in place arrangements to (a) system of national property controls across the central assess and (b) publish an assessment of the effects on civil and operational estate. In addition, the Government arts and cultural organisations of (i) local government, believe there could be substantial gains to be made from (ii) regional development agency and (iii) higher a more co-ordinated approach to property asset education spending reductions. [48451] management in the public sector and will set up property vehicles for the central London and Bristol office estate Mr Jeremy Hunt: Arts Council England (ACE) actively from 2011-12. monitors the situation regarding local government future To date, the lease moratorium, introduced in May support for the arts, particularly how this may impact 2010, has saved around £50 million and has strengthened on the decisions relating to their new National Portfolio discipline in the management of the public estate. which will be announced on 30 March. The Regularly Funded Organisations annual survey, including details Voluntary Work: Young People of local government income, will be published in January 2012. Additionally, ACE is supporting the National Mr Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Association of Local Government Arts Officers Office whether funds allocated and not spent on the (NALGAO) which undertakes a national survey of National Citizen Service by the end of March 2011 can local government support for the arts which is expected be carried over into the following financial year. to be published in May 2011. [48259] ACE does not collect data on regional development agency or higher education expenditure on the arts. Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office does not expect an under-spend relating to funds allocated to the National Arts Council England: Expenditure Citizen Service. Decisions concerning the carry forward of funds from one financial year to the next are made Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for by HM Treasury. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he last met the (a) chair and (b) chief executive of Arts Council England to discuss their future funding decisions. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT [48452]

Creative Economy Programme Ministerial Board Mr Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet with the chair and chief executive of Arts Council England (ACE) to discuss a range of issues. Funding decisions on the new Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for National Portfolio will be made by ACE at arm’s length Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the from Government and announced on 30 March. membership is of his Department’s Creative Economy Programme Ministerial Board; and when that board Arts Council England: Flowers last met. [48453]

Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Creative Economy Programme Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ministerial Implementation group, formed under the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Arts last Government, no longer meets. However Ministers Council England spent on (a) flowers and (b) from my Department and the Department for Business, receptions and entertainment in 2009-10. [47785] Innovation and Skills have recently met senior representatives from across the Creative Industries, and Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England spent approximately have agreed to ensure there is co-ordinated action on £435 on flowers and £55,300 on entertainment and barriers to growth. hospitality in 2009-10. 901W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 902W

BBC More generally, Ofcom’s public interest test report of 31 December includes a discussion of the role of websites Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for in relation to media plurality. A copy Ofcom’s report Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans he has can be found at the following link: to review the commitments imposed on the BBC http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/ relating to local news content; and if he will make a OfcomPITReport_NewsCorp-BSkyB_31DEC2010.pdf statement. [47623] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Vaizey: The BBC’s commitments to particular Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has forms of content will be reviewed as part of the next any plans to meet representatives of other media BBC Charter review, which will take place before the organisations before reaching a final decision on end of 2016. NewsCorp’s proposed acquisition of BSkyB. [48458] BBC: Radio Mr Jeremy Hunt: I will consider all requests for meetings from representatives of other media organisations Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for before reaching a final decision on News Corporation’s Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent proposed acquisition of BSkyB. discussions he has had with the BBC Trust on the funding of BBC local radio; and if he will make a Broadband statement. [47510] Mr Vaizey: No recent discussions have been held with Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, the BBC Trust on the future of BBC local radio. The Olympics, Media and Sport what definition of high- Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and speed for the purposes of broadband provision he uses. Sport will not be making a statement. [47321] British Sky Broadcasting Mr Vaizey: Government are developing a scorecard to measure themselves against the target of having the Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many (a) The first iteration of the scorecard was published in individuals and (b) organisations have made “Britain’s Superfast Broadband Future” on 6 December representations to his Department on the proposed 2010. Further work on the precise set of parameters merger between News Corporation and BSkyB since to be included in the scorecard is continuing in the date on which he assumed policy responsibility for consultation with industry but will include a group of the matter. [47574] measures of broadband speed taken from established published sources. Mr Jeremy Hunt: My Department launched a public consultation on 3 March seeking views as to whether Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, the undertakings in lieu offered by News Corporation Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made are sufficient to remedy, mitigate or prevent the public of the number of local authority areas in (a) England, interest concerns in relation to media plurality raised by (b) Wales and (c) Scotland with access to high-speed this merger. broadband by the end of (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013, We have said throughout that we do not propose to (iv) 2014 and (v) 2015. [47327] give a running commentary on the process but a summary and analysis of the representations will be published Mr Vaizey: The Government have not made an estimate shortly after the end of the consultation process. of the number of local authorities in the UK that will have access to high-speed broadband by the end of the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for years specified in the question. Published private sector Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment plans will deliver superfast broadband access to he has made of the effects of his decision on the News approximately 50% of the country by 2012 and at least Corporation bid for BSkyB on news websites provided 66% of the country by 2015. The Government have by newspapers other than those owned by News made universal broadband a high priority and have Corporation. [47787] allocated funding of £530 million over the lifetime of this Parliament to stimulate private sector investment to Mr Jeremy Hunt: The European Commission looked deliver the best superfast broadband network in Europe at the competition effects of the proposed merger. In by 2015. respect of online news, the EU reported that the vast majority of newspapers’ online editions—apart from Fibre Networks News Corp titles—as well as other sources are currently free of charge and they found no evidence that this will Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, dramatically change in the foreseeable future. For these Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the cost reasons, the Commission conclude that competition of installing fibre networks to reach every household in concerns in the newspaper publishing sector would the UK. [48117] arise from the proposed merger. Details of the European Commission decision can be found at the following Mr Vaizey: A 2008 study by Analysys Mason for link: the Broadband Stakeholder Group put the cost of http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/ universally available Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at up 10/1767&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&gui to £29 billion and Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) at up to Language=en £5 billion. 903W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 904W

Olympic Games 2012 Mr Vaizey: Responsibility for increasing the accessibility of the arts in England lies with Arts Council England. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Arts Council funding for theatre in Ipswich and the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions surrounding region was £1,111,844 from grants for the he has had with the Mayor of London on arts in 2009-10 and £3,445,390 for regularly funded implementation of the Olympic Truce. [48083] organisations (inclusive of Ipswich constituency). The Arts Council currently invests a total of £105,970,891 Hugh Robertson: The UK will introduce a UN resolution in theatre through grant in aid across England. In in support of the Olympic Truce this autumn. My 2009-10 they awarded £13,811,298 in grants for the arts Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to theatre in England. are currently preparing a draft text for negotiation with other UN member states which I will share with the Tourism Mayor, and the other Olympic Board members, shortly. Public Bodies Reform Programme Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration he gave to including proposals for Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for changes to daylight saving hours in the Government’s Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the tourism strategy. [47311] written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report , columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies John Penrose: The tourism strategy is a policy document reform programme, what estimate he has made of the that outlines what the Government plan to do to support savings to his Department net of costs incurred in the the tourism industry. The Government are willing to assumption of additional departmental responsibilities listen to arguments both for and against daylight saving (a) to accrue from the abolition of 11 public bodies proposals, but it is a rather wider issue than purely (b) within his Department’s area of responsibility, the tourism, which is why it does not form part of the (c) merger of eight such bodies and the change in tourism policy on its own. function of three such bodies. [48145] Video Games: Children Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The decision to reform our public bodies was taken in order to achieve the aims of the Government’s public Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for bodies reform programme to deliver greater accountability, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring reduce the number and overall cost of public bodies forward proposals to regulate the marketing of and streamline the public bodies landscape. computer games to children. [47515] On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, Mr Vaizey: The advertising of computer games is the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster controlled through the UK Advertising Codes, which General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), are robustly administered by the independent Advertising issued a written ministerial statement updating Parliament Standards Authority (ASA). The Codes require that all on progress on public bodies reform. That statement video games advertising should be socially responsible also announced that Departments estimate cumulative and that ads for games carrying a Pan European Games administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow Information (PEGI) rating of 15+ are not targeted at from public bodies over the spending review period. audiences below the age of 16. Should the ASA find DCMS’s share of this is estimated at £206 million. that an advertiser has breached the Advertising Codes, We expect our public body reforms to generate further they will not hesitate to take action. administrative savings and will monitor this closely as the reforms are implemented. Video Relay Service Squatting Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for he has made of the benefits to the UK economy of Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many introducing a universal video relay service. [47537] buildings on his Department’s estate were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 and 2010; and on Mr Vaizey: No Government assessment has yet been how many occasions his Department sought interim made of any contribution to the economy of introducing possession orders to remove squatters from such a universal video relay service. buildings in each of those years. [47617] The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) John Penrose: None of the Department’s buildings is currently considering responses to its consultation on were occupied by squatters between 2006 and 2010. proposals to implement the revised EU Electronic Communications Framework. Many of these provide Theatre useful contributions to the impact assessments we are undertaking in relation to implementing the revised Ben Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for framework, including those provisions aimed at providing Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring services for deaf and disabled end-users. forward plans to increase the accessibility of theatre in In addition, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) (a) Ipswich and the surrounding region and (b) is currently undertaking a review of relay service provision England. [47330] for hearing- and speech-impaired users of electronic 905W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 906W communications. A consultation document will be published The principal budget headings under which spending in the spring which will include Ofcom’s analysis on the will be reduced across the CSR period are: costs and benefits associated with video relay services and an impact assessment. £000 A research report which will help inform that review Staff costs 96 was published on 4 February 2011 and can be read at: Accommodation 309 http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/ Overall administrative costs 179 telecoms-research/ofcom-relay-services/ Total reduction 584 This report seeks to quantify the value to deaf people of the various options for relay services. PRIME MINISTER Alcoholic Drinks LEADER OF THE HOUSE Local Government: Electronic Government Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister how much 10 Downing Street has spent on the contents of his drinks cabinets since 11 May 2010. [48399] Stephen Mosley: To ask the Leader of the House when he expects the transfer of e-petitions to the The Prime Minister: Details of the cost of entertainment Direct.gov portal to be completed. [48067] and hospitality in Downing street and Chequers are published annually. Sir George Young: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation Bedford (Richard Fuller) on 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 845W. Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) individuals and (b) organisations have made The Government have announced their intention to representations to 10 Downing Street on the proposed transfer the online petition system to the Direct.gov merger between News Corporation and BSkyB since portal by the summer. Officials within the Cabinet his appointment. [47575] Office are working on an effective verification system to ensure that petitions become a useful and mature tool The Prime Minister: The Secretary of State for Culture, for engaging with politics. Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), is consulting on the proposed response and any representations should be made to the Department for Culture, Media and ATTORNEY-GENERAL Sport. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate: Finance USA

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Prime Minister on (1) what the (a) resource and (b) capital budget of what dates he has spoken directly with the President of HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is (i) in the United States since his appointment. [48269] 2010-11 and (ii) in each financial year of the The Prime Minister: I speak to President Obama Comprehensive Spending Review period; [46226] regularly, most recently on the evening of 17 March (2) what the (a) resource and (b) capital budget of 2011. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (i) is in 2010-11 and (ii) will be in each year of the Comprehensive Spending Review period; [46231] SCOTLAND (3) under what budget headings expenditure reductions will be made by HM Crown Prosecution Alcoholic Drinks Inspectorate following the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and by how much Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for expenditure will be reduced under each heading. Scotland how much his Department has spent on the [46280] contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May 2010. [48469] The Attorney-General: HM Crown Prosecution Service David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not have a Inspectorate agreed resource budgets over the spending ministerial drinks cabinet. review period are shown in the following table. There is no capital expenditure budget. Departmental Plants Resource and Capital budgets Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Resource (£) Capital (£) Scotland how much his Department has spent on 2010-11 3,684,000 Nil indoor and outdoor plants and trees since his 2011-12 3,500,000 Nil appointment. [48416] 2012-13 3,400,000 Nil 2013-14 3,200,000 Nil David Mundell: Since 30 May 2010, the Scotland 2014-15 3,100,000 Nil Office has spent £37 on indoor and outdoor plants and trees. 907W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 908W

Departmental Theft much he has allocated for funding to each such charity in each of the next five years. [48281] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what items with a value of over £100 have David Mundell: The Scotland Office does not currently been taken without authorisation from his Department fund any charities. However, in 2005-06, the Scotland since his appointment; and what steps have been taken Office, in conjunction with the Wales Office and Ministry to recover such items. [48435] of Justice, funded a series of reports on devolution from University College, London, which is an exempt charity David Mundell: Since 30 May 2010, no items with a in accordance with the Charities Act 2006. The Scotland value of over £100 have been reported as being taken Office agreed to contribute £25,000 over three years to without authorisation from the Scotland Office. fund the work. Stress COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place in his Departmental Food Department to (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for stress. [48198] Communities and Local Government if he will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for David Mundell: The Scotland Office follows Ministry (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the of Justice policies concerning work-based stress. non-departmental public bodies for which he is Managers and staff share responsibility for assessing responsible that (i) was on the Marine Conservation and managing stress at work. Detailed guidance is Society’s list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with provided on how these actions should be carried out sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either and the arrangements which should be followed. the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Third Sector Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date. [45026] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department provided to each Robert Neill: The Department has used the following charity it funds in each of the last five years; and how proportions of seafood in the last two financial years:

Included in On the Marine Marine Conservation Conservation Society’s list of Society’s list of 2009-10 2009-10 2010-11 value 2010-11 Item Sourced fish to avoid fish to eat value (£) proportion (%) (£) proportion (%)

Cod Atlantic No Yes — — — — Salmon Organic farmed No Yes 4,284 32.98 3,300 31.77 Haddock North Sea No Yes 3,014 23.20 3,480 33.50 Smoked Haddock North Sea No Yes 141 1.09 56 0.54 Plaice fillet North Atlantic No Yes 2,052 15.80 1,711 16.47’ Mackerel North Sea No Yes 1,148 8.84 769 7.40 Tuna steak South Pacific No Yes 632 4.87 290 2.79 Red Mullet fillet Atlantic No Yes 480 3.70 0 0.00 Crayfish in brine Farmed Not listed — 607 4.67 107 1.03 Frozen prawns Atlantic No Yes 232 1.79 319 3.07 Smoked salmon Organic fanned No Yes 194 1.49 335 3.23 Mussels Farmed No Yes 50 0.38 0 0.00 Scallops Diver caught No Yes 45 0.35 10 0.10 Anchovies in oil Mediterranean Not listed — 0 0.00 10 0.10 Crab meat Pot caught No Yes 110 0.85 0 0.00 — — — — 12,989 100.00 10,387 100.00

The Department’s agencies figures are as follows:

Planning Inspectorate Included in On the Marine Marine Conservation Conservation Society’s list of Society’s list of 2009-10 2009-10 2010-11 value 2010-11 Item Sourced fish to avoid fish to eat value (£) proportion (%) (£) proportion (%)

Prawns NE Atlantic No Yes 182 7.99 444 15.39 Plaice NE Atlantic No Yes 468 20.58 460 15.94 909W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 910W

Planning Inspectorate Included in On the Marine Marine Conservation Conservation Society’s list of Society’s list of 2009-10 2009-10 2010-11 value 2010-11 Item Sourced fish to avoid fish to eat value (£) proportion (%) (£) proportion (%)

Haddock NE Atlantic No Yes 663 29.14 851 29.50 Cod NE Atlantic No Yes 962 42.29 1,129 39.17 — — 2,274 100.00 2,883 100.00

Fire Service College Included in On the Marine Marine Conservation Conservation Society’s list of Society’s list of 2009-10 2009-10 2010-11 value 2010-11 Item Sourced fish to avoid fish to eat value (£) proportion (%) (£) proportion (%)

Mackerel North sea No Yes 2,693 9.59 3,104 10.67 Tuna Maldives No Yes 18,720 66.69 18,720 64.32 Cod Atlantic/Arctic No Yes 6,656 23.71 7,280 25.01 — — — — 28,069 100.00 29,104 100.00

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre Departmental Official Hospitality The QEII Conference Centre Have confirmed that they are not using any seafood on the Marine Conservation Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Society’s list of fish to avoid but could supply a full Communities and Local Government (1) how much breakdown only at disproportionate cost. Ministers in his Department spent on meals in Details of seafood procured by non-departmental restaurants in the course of their official duties in (a) public bodies are not held centrally and could be provided 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10; and in which restaurants; only at disproportionate cost. [43778] (2) pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers for Don Valley of 26 January 2011, Official Report, column 302W, on departmental official hospitality, what the (a) cost and (b) venue was of each meal Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State taken outside the Department at events involving its for Communities and Local Government how much his Ministers in the final two years of the previous Department has spent on (a) salaries and (b) pension administration. [43861] entitlements for special advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date. [46583] Robert Neill: In line with established convention, present Ministers are not accountable to Parliament for Robert Neill: For the purpose of clarity, I have separated events which took place under a previous Administration. out information for the pre and post-election periods This is outlined in the Directory of Civil Service Guidance for 2010-11. (volume II page 11)—copies of the guidance are available Pre-election, in 2010-11, the Department spent £6,173.31 in the Library of the House. on salaries for special advisers and £1,443.43 on pension contributions—£7,616.74 in total. Special advisers also Departmental Public Appointments received £3,966.67 in lieu of annual leave not taken and £54,300.03 in severance payments. This gives a total Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for amount received of £65,883.44. Communities and Local Government which public Post-election, in 2010-11, the Department has spent bodies sponsored by his Department (a) have been and £101,778.21 on salaries and £11,226.11 on pension (b) are to be closed, merged or reorganised following contributions to date—£113,004.32 in total. his appointment; and how many (i) women and (ii) men By way of comparison, in 2009-10, the Department who are public appointees at each body will no longer spent £209,253.98 on salaries and £40,716.97 on pension hold such an appointment in consequence. [47095] contributions—£249,970.95 in total. Special advisers also received £2,393.19 in lieu of annual leave not taken Robert Neill: Following the coalition Government’s and £44.288.53 in severance payments. This gives a total commitment to cut the number of quangos, the National amount received of £296.652.67. Housing and Planning Advice Unit closed in June 2010 As part of the new Government’s transparency agenda, and the Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning the individual salaries of special advisers in the current Inspectorate, the Local Innovation Award Scheme and Administration are published on the Cabinet Office National Tenant Voice closed in July 2010. Five women website; the pension arrangements are as laid out in the and 16 men relinquished their positions. Individual Cabinet Office’s model contract for special advisers. figures for each body are as follows:

Further to the answer of 29 March 2010, Official Female Male Report, column 838W, I would note that the total wage bill of special advisers in this Department has been cut Advisory Panel on Standards for the 25 Planning Inspectorate by 40% compared to the last Administration. 911W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 912W

relate to minor technical revisions. Having reviewed Female Male them, I can confirm that none of these statutory instruments Local Innovation Award Scheme 1 2 impose new net additional costs on business or the National Housing and Planning 05voluntary sector (compared to the policy status quo). Advice Unit Four of them are effectively deregulatory, as they serve National Tenant Voice 2 4 to reduce regulatory and administrative costs on local A further 12 bodies are due to close or transfer to the government or business relative to the status quo. In private or voluntary sector by 2012. For each, the exact this context, I would maintain that over this period numbers of public appointees who will relinquish their there has been a net reduction in four sets of ‘regulations’, positions will not be known until closer to the time of as a result of these changes to statutory instruments. A reform. table with details of the statutory instruments that have been introduced has been placed in the Library of the Departmental Regulation House. Departmental Security Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for regulations sponsored by his Department have been Communities and Local Government for what reasons (a) introduced and (b) revoked since 24 November persons not employed by Government Departments or 2010. [44362] agencies are issued with passes entitling them to enter his Department’s premises. [43209] Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what regulations Robert Neill: Passes may be issued to individuals who his Department (a) introduced and (b) revoked have valid business reasons for making frequent visits to between 9 and 28 February 2011. [47147] specific Government sites (e.g. contractors), subject to the usual security checks. Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government is committed to removing bureaucracy Disabled Facilities Grants and unnecessary burdens contained within existing secondary legislation and other forms of regulation. Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for In this context, I refer my hon. Friends to the answer Communities and Local Government how much his I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham Department distributed in disabled facilities grants in (Mr Redwood) of 24 November 2010, Official Report, each year since 1995. [47986] column 304W, illustrating how the core programme of the Department is deregulatory. Andrew Stunell: Disabled facilities grants were introduced Subsequent to that answer: by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration 1. We have scrapped planning rules which forced up parking Act 1996. The following table shows the allocations for charges and imposed artificial caps on parking spaces in new disabled facilities grant. homes. 2. We have made changes to the regulations governing homes Disabled facilities grant funding in multiple occupation to allow areas experiencing problems with (£ million) homes in multiple occupation to put in place local solutions 1997-98 56.0 without imposing unnecessary burdens on the whole of the country. 1998-99 59.0 1999-2000 64.8 3. We have cut red tape to make it easier for communities to hold street parties for the Royal Wedding. 2000-01 71.8 4. The Localism Bill has been introduced to Parliament. The 2001-02 84.8 Bill seeks to achieve a substantial and lasting shift in power away 2002-03 88.0 from central Government and towards local people. Reducing 2003-04 99.0 bureaucracy is one of the key aims of this Bill and we have 2004-05 101.1 committed to a number of bold and transformative measures in 2005-06 103.3 order to achieve this aim. 2006-07 120.8 5. We have also carried out an extensive review to identify the 2007-08 126.8 changes that are needed to building regulations and are working up detailed proposals for consultation towards the end of this 2008-09 146.0 year, taking forward the spending review 2010 commitment to 2009-10 156.9 reduce the overall regulatory burden on house builders. 2010-11 169.0 6. We are also working to remove bureaucratic barriers that 2011-12 180.0 hold back local action, and have opened up a ‘barrier busting’ 2012-13 180.0 website for communities to identify them. 2013-14 180.0 All future regulations will be developed in full compliance 2014-15 185.0 with the Government’s One, In—One, Out rules—meaning that new regulatory burdens we impose on businesses Families will be given full consideration to ensure that the costs being imposed are offset by reductions in the overall Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for cost of regulation imposed by the Department. Communities and Local Government what steps he has In the period since 24 November 2010, we have taken to reduce the incidence of family breakdown introduced 19 new statutory instruments. Most of them since his appointment. [48122] 913W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 914W

Andrew Stunell [holding answer 21 March 2011]: We We are already working with the “Community Self have committed £6.5 billion of funding over a four-year Build Agency” and a wide range of community period for Supporting People, which provides housing organisations and other industry experts on a Government- related support to vulnerable individuals. This includes industry working group, which will prepare an action homeless families. plan setting out the concrete steps needed to make it Homelessness can be a driver and an outcome of easier for people to build their own homes. family breakdown. We have allocated £400 million to local authorities and the voluntary and community Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for sector over the course of the spending review to support Communities and Local Government (1) what them with their work in tackling and preventing information his Department holds on the number of homelessness. plots of land available for self-build projects; [47610] We are working with lenders, the debt advice sector (2) how many planning applications for self-build (a) (b) and local authorities to prevent repossessions and have homes were approved in Brighton and Hove, (c) made over £200 million available for the Mortgage Sussex and England in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) Rescue Scheme, to help keep vulnerable households at 2010; [47893] risk of repossession in their homes. (3) how many planning applications for self-build homes were submitted in (a) Brighton and Hove, (b) In addition, from April 2011, the first Community Sussex and (c) England in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) Budgets focused on families with multiple problems, 2010. [47897] will be in place in 16 areas, enabling a more flexible, integrated and cost-effective approach to delivering the Grant Shapps: This information is not held centrally. help these families need. We intend to develop Community Budgets further and have them available nationally Housing: Finance from 2013-14. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Fire Services Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that funding for the housing market Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for renewal pathfinder initiative from New Homes Bonus Communities and Local Government what discussions funding does not take account of demolition in the he has had with ministerial colleagues on arrangements pathfinder areas. [47512] to improve liaison between fire services and other Grant Shapps: Councils will be rewarded under the blue-light responders; what assessment he has made of New Homes Bonus for an increase in effective housing the preparedness of fire services to handle major stock—either building new homes or bringing long-term incidents; and if he will make a statement. [48151] empty properties back into use. This empty homes incentive will thus encourage refurbishment of empty Robert Neill: The strategic defence and security review properties, which will deliver social and environmental records Ministers agreed intention to improve resilient benefits. telecommunications and the ability of the emergency services to work together during emergencies. Notwithstanding, councils will not be financially penalised for demolishing long-term empty properties. I recently met the Minister of State, Department of If such a demolition is replaced with a new build Health, the right hon. Member for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), property, the New Homes Bonus will still be paid on the to discuss the collaborative work between the fire and new property. rescue service and ambulance services. Where an authority demolishes more homes than it In addition considerable work is being undertaken by builds in a given year, as in regeneration areas, the police, fire and ambulance personnel and departmental negative will not be carried forward. The authority will officials. This includes, implementation of procedures start from a zero base in the subsequent year. to enable the emergency services and other responders to make best use of the Airwave radio network during Judicial Review major incidents and the development and refinement of operational plans for dealing with a range of different Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for types of incident. The recent Exercise Watermark is just Communities and Local Government how many one example of our work to improve the preparedness concluded judicial reviews of his Department’s actions of the emergency services to handle major incidents. were brought in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10; what the name was of the applicant in each case; and what the Housing: Construction outcome of each case was. [36936]

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: The following six judicial reviews were Communities and Local Government if he will work in concluded between April 2008 and March 2010: partnership with (a) the Self Build Agency and (b) Slough Borough Council and others v. SSCLG [2008] (SSCLG other community organisations to assist those in won) housing need to build homes. [47609] Michael v. SSCLG, Salford CC [2008] (SSCLG won) The Bard Campaign, David Bliss v. SSCLG and Weston Front Grant Shapps: Self-builders form an important part [2009] (SSCLG won) of the Government’s strong commitment to increasing Pascoe v. SSCLG [2009] (SSCLG won) the supply of affordable and sustainable homes and Mellor v. SSCLG [2009] (SSCLG lost) promoting economic growth. Hayes v. SSCLG [2009] (SSCLG won) 915W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 916W

There were 34 judicial reviews in 2008-09 and 33 in Local Government Resource Review 2009-10 respectively. The above list of cases relates to substantive judicial reviews of the Department’s actions Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for concluded by way of hearing between FY 2008-09 and Communities and Local Government (1) what remit he 2009-10 and do not include those claims for judicial has set for the Local Government Resource Review; review that were commenced but not concluded, either and if he will make a statement; [44537] because permission to proceed was not granted, or the (2) when his Department expects to (a) begin and matter was withdrawn by consent order or otherwise, (b) publish its Local Government Resource Review. before a court hearing. The list does not include those [44538] reviews which are made pursuant to statutory provisions such as those under the Town and Country Planning Robert Neill [holding answer 7 March 2011]: I refer Act 1990 and judicial reviews in which the Department the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement intervened as an interested party. of 17 March 2011, Official Report, columns 19-21WS, on the Local Government Resource Review. The review Judicial Review: Legal Costs will deliver proposals by July 2011. Local Government: Translation Services Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Department spent on legal costs associated with for Communities and Local Government whether he judicial reviews in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. intends to update his Department’s guidance to local [36894] authorities on the translation of documents; and if he will make a statement. [47876] Robert Neill: The Department spent £1,433,000 in 2008-09 on 257 challenges of which 34 were judicial Andrew Stunell [holding answer 21 March 2011]: At reviews and £1,035,000 in 2009-10 on 230 challenges present, I have no intention of updating or issuing new and of which 33 were judicial reviews. A further breakdown guidance to local authorities on the translation of of legal costs associated with judicial reviews can be documents. Local authorities have the freedom and the obtained only at disproportionate cost. responsibility to determine what translation is necessary in their area. Local Government Finance In 2007, DCLG issued guidance on translation to local authorities, which currently remains on the DCLG website: Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when the Local http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/ Government Resource Review will be concluded. 580274.pdf [48217] This guidance reaffirmed the importance of the English language and concluded that: Robert Neill: The Local Government Resource Review “In short, we would encourage local authorities to consider whether translation is necessary, for which documents it is appropriate, will deliver proposals in relation to business rate retention whether it should be available on demand, and whether it can be and Tax Increment Financing by July 2011. done in a way that helps people learn English.”

Local Government Finance: Islington Non-domestic Rates Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate Communities and Local Government what he has made of the amount each local authority will representations he has received from the London collect in national non-domestic rates in each year from borough of Islington on its level of central 2010-11 to 2013-14; [47727] Government support for 2011-12; what assessment he has made of the effects of the settlement; and if he will (2) pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2010, Official Report, column 57W, on non-domestic rates, make a statement. [48454] how much each local authority in England has collected in national non-domestic rates in 2010-11 to Robert Neill: The London borough of Islington date; how much each such authority received in (a) responded to the consultation on the provisional Local redistributed non-domestic rates, (b) revenue support Government Finance settlement for 2011-12 on 9 December grant and (c) other grants in that period; and what the 2010. The Minister for Housing and Local Government, net income from such transactions was for each local my right hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield authority in that period. [47819] (Grant Shapps), also met the chief executive, leader of the council and others to discuss the provisional settlement Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the on 11 January 2011. House a table which shows the amount of national The funding settlement shows that the Government non-domestic rates each local authority in England will not shy away from the decisions needed to tackle estimates it will collect in the financial year 2010-11. the public sector deficit that we inherited from the last The table also includes the amount each local authority Administration. It is a progressive, fair and sustainable had budgeted to receive in (a) redistributed non-domestic settlement that helps restore real responsibility and rates, (b) revenue support grant and (c) other grants authority to councils. for the financial year 2010-11. 917W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 918W

The contribution to the pool from local lists expected Discretionary relief is part funded by the national to be collected in the financial year 2011-12, for England, non-domestic rates pool and part by the local authority is estimated to be £20,845 million. This figure is available itself. For both charity relief and community and amateur only at national level. sports clubs relief, the central pool funds 25% of any No estimates have been made at either a national or discretionary relief granted and the local authority local level on the amount of national non-domestic funds the remaining 75% of the relief. The following rates expected to be collected in the financial years table shows the amount of discretionary relief local 2012-13 or 2013-14. authorities reported the pool contributed towards i.e. this figure is 25% of the total amount of discretionary relief granted. We do not collect information on the Non-domestic Rates: Third Sector amount of discretionary relief funded by local authorities.

Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for £ Communities and Local Government how many (a) 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 charities and (b) community amateur sports clubs in Charity relief each local authority area received mandatory rate relief Contribution from the 8,775,000 9,065,000 10,141,000 on national non-domestic rates in each of the last three pool reported on NNDR years for which figures are available; and what the cost forms to the public purse of such relief was in each such year. Estimated contribution by 26,325,000 27,195,000 30,423,000 [47586] local authority

Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the Community and amateur House two tables containing details, at local authority sports club relief Contribution from the 169,000 230,000 247,000 level, of (a) the number of hereditaments that were in pool reported on NNDR receipt of either mandatory charity or discretionary forms community and amateur sports clubs rate relief on their Estimated contribution by 507,000 690,000 741,000 national non-domestic rates as at 31 December 2007, local authority 2008 and 2009 and (b) the amount of mandatory These figures are as reported by local authorities on charity or discretionary community and amateur sports their annual national non-domestic rate (NNDR) returns club relief granted in 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. and can relate both to the year in question and previous These data are as supplied annually by local authorities years. to the Department for Communities and Local Government on national non-domestic rates returns. Oldham Council: Pay

Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) Communities and Local Government if he will take charities and (b) community amateur sports clubs steps to ensure that Oldham Council publishes details received discretionary rate relief on national non- of all staff earning over £58,000 a year. [47968] domestic rates in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what the cost to local Robert Neill [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The authorities of such relief was in each such year. [47587] Government believe a threshold of £58,200 should apply for publication of salaries in local authorities to increase Robert Neill: Details of the number of hereditaments accountability and ensure pay is consistent with levels that were in receipt of either discretionary charity or of responsibility. The Department recently consulted discretionary community and amateur sports clubs rate on the use of this threshold in a statutory Code of relief on their national non-domestic rates as at 31 Recommended Practice on Data Transparency. The December 2007-09 are shown in the following table. It is proposed Code is intended to complement publication not possible to determine how many individual charities and disclosure requirements under the Freedom of or clubs were in receipt of the reliefs. Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI2004/3391). The consultation closed As at 31 December each year to comments on 14 March 2011 and the Department is now considering these responses. 2007 2008 2009 Voluntary Organisations: Playing Fields Charity relief 30,000 30,900 32,100 Community and 1,000 1,200 1,300 amateur sports Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for club relief Communities and Local Government what his policy is on permitting locally-constituted charities or other These figures are also available in table 5 of the groups to manage (a) village playing fields and (b) statistical release “National non-domestic rates collected other local services independently of (i) district and (ii) by local authorities in England 2009-10 (Revised)” that parish councils. [47570] was published on 25 January 2011 and which is available on the Department for Communities and Local Andrew Stunell: The Localism Bill will give new rights Government website at: to charities and other groups to enable them to challenge http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/ to take over running local authority services, and help localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/ them save assets and facilities that are important to nondomesticrates/outturn/ them. In particular, the Community Right to Challenge 919W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 920W will enable voluntary and community bodies, local authority work. Figures are not available specifically on all employees wishing to deliver the service as a mutual, conservation type projects; however, the following table and parish councils, to express an interest in running a shows the amount spent by Natural England for service on behalf of a county, district or London borough conservation projects for the last four financial years. council. This challenge may trigger a procurement exercise for the service in which the challenging organisation Conservation projects spend (£) can bid. 2007-08 14,900,000.00 Waste Management 2008-09 3,372,877.58 2009-10 4,239,242.38 Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 2,717,264.06 Communities and Local Government what recent 1 Approximate—from Natural England’s ALSF annual report discussions his Department has had with representatives of local authorities on (a) waste Birds of Prey management and (b) waste prevention. [47192] Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Local Government is working with the Department for she has made of the effect of sparrowhawk breeding on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on its waste the songbird and racing pigeon population in the UK. review, looking at all aspects of waste policy and delivery [47770] in England. Ministers and officials in both Departments are liaising closely on these issues. The Department has had no separate discussions with representatives of Richard Benyon: DEFRA set up a Raptor Working local authorities except when dealing with planning Group in 1995 to consider issues arising from perceived issues. conflicts between the recovery of some raptor populations and their impact on game birds, moorland management Written Questions: Government Responses and racing pigeons. The group noted in its final report, which was published in 2000, that in its view there was Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for no scientific evidence that sparrowhawks or other birds Communities and Local Government when he plans to of prey have had significant population effects on British answer Question 42092, on regulations, tabled on songbird populations. The group also reported that the 17 February 2011 for answer on 28 February 2011. evidence showed that changes in agricultural practice [46949] were more likely to have caused the substantial changes in farmland bird populations. The report is available on Robert Neill: Question 42092 was answered on 16 March the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website. 2011, Official Report, column 333W. In relation to predation of pigeons a study commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Regions (Shawyer, C, Clarke, R&Dixon, N 1999, “A Communities and Local Government when he plans to study into the raptor predation of domestic pigeons answer question 42086 on regulations, tabled on Columba livia”) to support the work of the Raptor 16 February 2011 for answer on 28 February 2011. Working Group, on which the Royal Racing Pigeon [46988] Association was represented, concluded that failure to home or straying appeared to be the most significant Robert Neill [holding answer 15 March 2011]: Question underlying reason for losses of racing pigeons whereas 42086 was answered on 16 March 2011, Official Report, sparrowhawk attacks were estimated to account for column 333W. only 3.7% of losses in the UK. A 2004 study funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Homing Union, suggested there is no ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS evidence that birds of prey cause major losses of racing pigeons at lofts or during races. The report “Racing Aggregates Levy Pigeons—Impact of Raptor Predation” concludes that much more could be done to use deterrents and other Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for novel techniques to reduce the small number of successful Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much raptor attacks that do take place. The report is available revenue accruing from the aggregates levy was on the Scottish Natural Heritage website. disbursed to conservation projects by her Department There has also been a recent review of an exploratory in each of the last four financial years. [47836] trial of two management practices designed to reduce sparrowhawk attacks on racing pigeons at pigeon lofts Richard Benyon: The aggregates levy sustainability which is available on the Scottish Executive website. fund (ALSF) was created to compliment the objectives of the aggregates levy in 2002 to reduce the impact of primary aggregates extraction on the environment. The Birds: Conservation two are separate—in that the levy does not pay directly for the fund. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for ALSF monies have been used, through primary national Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance delivery partners, on many conservation-based projects her Department issues to bird ringers on the number of across a number of themes of the ALSF programme of rings which should be fitted per bird. [48316] 921W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 922W

Richard Benyon: Ringing of birds in the UK is regulated To this end, we have reinvigorated the Dairy Supply through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) under Chain Forum, challenging key representatives to discuss delegated authority from country conservation agencies issues and opportunities, the health and future of the (as relevant licensing bodies) via formal agreement with dairy sector, and how the industry might address the the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). BTO’s trade balance and secure its own sustainability and Ringing Committee oversees ringing activities and regulates long-term British milk supply. The first meeting in this permission for the use any new or ‘unconventional’ more productive format was 20 January 2011. The focus marks proposed for use on birds. of the next forum this summer will be how individual In addition to conventional metal rings, coloured businesses and groups of suppliers and customers through rings (which are sometimes engraved with symbols) are the chain need to establish clear strategies to secure the used to enable the identification of individual birds in long-term sustainability of British milk supply and the the field without the need for their recapture. The industry as a whole. number and type of coloured rings used varies according The Government are committed to ensuring that to the species of bird concerned and the objectives of food and drink procured by Government Departments the relevant scientific study. Since the purpose of bird meet British or equivalent standards of production ringing is to collect information on the movements and where this does not lead to an overall increase in costs. survival of a representative sample of wider populations, We want Government to lead by example and to see top it is essential that ringing (or other forms of marking) quality British produce on public sector plates, which does not influence the health or behaviour of the birds provides value for money, meets customers’ requirements concerned. and delivers on sustainability. We aim to introduce Government buying standards, which will be mandatory John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for for central Government, by the end of March 2011. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate We are establishing a groceries code adjudicator (GCA) she has made of the number of birds which were ringed to monitor and enforce the groceries supply code of in the latest period for which figures are available; and practice (GSCOP). The GSCOP was introduced so that what assessment she has made of the health risks posed major retailers with buyer power would be prevented to birds by excessive ringing. [48317] from passing excessive risks or unexpected costs on to suppliers. In a period where input costs are rising and Richard Benyon: Ringing of birds in the UK is regulated forecast to rise further, this is more important than ever. through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). According The GCA will investigate complaints from anyone in to BTO, 1,032,013 wild birds were ringed in the UK in the supply chain that is directly or indirectly affected by 2010. BTO’s Ringing Committee oversees ringing activities a breach of the code and can deal with them anonymously. and regulates permission for the use any new or This means suppliers from both the UK and overseas ‘unconventional’ marks proposed for use on birds. Since will be able to complain confidentially for the first time the purpose of bird ringing is to collect information on about breaches of the code. A Bill is currently being the movements and survival of a representative sample drafted. of wider populations, it is essential that ringing (or Dairy Farming other forms of marking) does not influence the health or behaviour of the birds concerned. Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for BTO works with other national schemes through the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate European co-ordination scheme EURING. As well as she has made of the number of dairy cows in England exchange of data, this international co-operation ensures in each of the last 10 years. [47633] there is regular exchange of information on issues relating Mr Paice: The number of dairy cows in England for to ringing, and bird health and welfare. each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table. This is just one element of the structural changes that Cheese have taken place in the sector. The long-term trend in dairy production is towards fewer, larger and more Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for productive herds. The table also shows how the decline Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is in the number of dairy cows has been offset by an taking to support the cheese industry. [48489] increase in average herd size and milk yields. So while the number of dairy cows, in England has fallen by Mr Paice: The Government aim for a cheese industry 20% between2001 and 2010, the level of milk that is part of a profitable, thriving and competitive UK production (at the UK level) has only fallen by 5%. dairy sector. Dairy cows and milk production 2001-2010

Average UK milk yield UK milk production (litres per cow per Number of dairy cows in England (thousand) (million litres)3 year) Number1 Number2

2001 — 1,490 14,284 6,346 2002 — 1,462 14,440 6,493 2003 — 1,435 14,576 6,621 2004 — 1,374 14,127 6,763 2005 — 1,311 14,052 6,986 2006 1,259 1,290 13,902 6,977 923W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 924W

Average UK milk yield UK milk production (litres per cow per Number of dairy cows in England (thousand) (million litres)3 year) Number1 Number2

2007 1,236 — 13,619 6,913 2008 1,199 — 13,319 6,943 2009 1,163 — 13,197 7,068 2010 1 160 — 13,533 7,301

Percentage change between 2001 and 20104 -20 — -5 +15 1 Sourced from Cattle Tracing System (CTS), Dairy cows are defined as female dairy cows aged two years and over with offspring. 2 Sourced from June Survey. 3 Sourced from DEFRA and RPA statistics. 4 Allows for the break in series in 2006 with the switch to the CTS.

Departmental Land Nappies: Waste Disposal

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will steps to reduce the size of her Department’s estate; and estimate the potential saving to the public purse of 10 if she will make a statement. [46218] per cent. of parents switching from use of disposable nappies for their children to re-usable nappies. [47191] Richard Benyon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Richard Benyon: Using data on the typical use of Innovation and Skills (Mr Davey), on 14 March 2011, disposable nappies from the Environment Agency report Official Report, column 150W. “An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies” (2008), and population estimates for England from the Office for National Statistics, the Forests estimated cost of collecting and disposing of disposable nappies in England was approximately £39.5 million in Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009. This estimate does not include landfill tax. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she The potential saving of 10% of parents switching plans to set up an advisory panel on forestry; and if she from use of disposable nappies to reusable nappies will make a statement; [47628] implied would therefore be £3.9 million per year. This (2) who will serve on the advisory panel on forestry; savings estimate does not account for any costs of [47665] disposing of reusable nappies, however. (3) what representations she has received on setting National Wildlife Crime Unit up an advisory panel on forestry. [47666] Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: The membership of the advisory panel on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much forestry was announced in a written statement on 17 March funding her Department provided for the National 2011, Official Report, column 23WS. It includes Wildlife Crime Unit in each of the last three years. representatives of key environmental and access [48100] organisations, alongside representatives of the forestry industry. It will draw on a broad range of expertise to Richard Benyon: In each of the year 2008-09, 2009-10 inform its work. The membership of the panel is as and 2010-11, DEFRA’s contribution to funding the follows: National Wildlife Crime Unit was £150,000. Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (Chair); Shireen Chambers (Institute of Chartered Foresters); Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Dr Mike Clarke (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds); discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Tom Franklin (Ramblers); the Home Department on the future of the National Stuart Goodall (Confederation of Forest Industries); Wildlife Crime Unit. [48101] Stephanie Hilborne OBE (Wildlife Trusts); Sue Holden (Woodland Trust); Richard Benyon: Discussions about the National Wildlife Crime Unit have taken place at official level between Alan Knight OBE (Single Planet Living); DEFRA and the Home Office and both Departments Dame Fiona Reynolds (National Trust); have agreed to commit a further two years’ funding. Sir Harry Studholme (Forestry Commissioner); Petrol Stations and Garages: Health Hazards John Varley (Clinton Devon Estates); William Worsley (Country Land and Business Association). Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for We received representations from a wide range of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what organisations and individuals requesting to be members assessment her Department has made of the potential of the panel, and offering advice as to how the panel health risks associated with siting a petrol station could work. within 50 yards of a residential area; [47865] 925W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 926W

(2) if she will make it her policy to introduce Setting minimum EU standards for energy using products, and regulations to prevent petrol stations from being sited mandatory Government buying standards for central Government within 50 yards of residential areas. [47866] procurement. These standards cover a range of environmental issues including waste prevention. The action plans from the pilot product roadmaps on milk, Richard Benyon [holding answer 18 March 2011]: All clothing, plasterboard and windows all include actions to reduce but the smallest petrol stations are subject to control waste. over vapour emissions from the unloading and storage The landfill tax, which makes it more costly to dispose of of petrol, in accordance with the EU Stage I Directive waste. on petrol vapour recovery (1994/63/EC). Larger petrol stations in England were also required to fit equipment to minimise vapour emissions from refuelling of vehicles Water Supply by 1 January 2010. The EU Stage II Directive (2009/126/EC), which also Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for deals with emissions-during refuelling, was adopted in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make 2009 and will be transposed into national legislation by it her policy to enable a local authority to apply for the end of this year. The development of all these inset appointments to alter the designated (a) water measures took account of health impacts. Where a and (b) sewerage service provider for the area covered planning application is required for the siting of a new by that authority. [47773] petrol station, it is a matter for local planning authorities to decide whether the application should be granted, Richard Benyon: Ofwat, the water industry regulator, having regard to the policies in their development plans may grant inset appointments to local authorities to and any other material consideration. alter designated water and sewerage service providers in the following cases: Copies of the directives are available from the DEFRA website at: where an area does not contain any premises that receive services from an appointed water or sewerage company (ie it is http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/industrial/eu- ‘unserved’); international/petrol-vapour-recovery-directives/ where a customer uses (or is likely to use) at least 50 million litres of water a year (in England) or 250 million litres of water a Waste Disposal year (in Wales) at each of its premises and wants to change its supplier (a ‘large user’); or Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for where the existing appointed company agrees to transfer part Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent of its area to a different company (a transfer by ‘consent’). assessment her Department has made of the variation It is therefore possible for a local authority to replace in the cost to the public purse in each local authority of a local water company where the local authority owns (a) waste prevention and (b) recycling. [47189] or manages eligible sites, or if it is responsible for the delivery of new developments. Richard Benyon: DEFRA has not made a formal An inset appointment can only be made for part of assessment of the variation in costs between different an area covered by an existing water company’s licence. local authorities of either waste prevention or recycling. It is not possible to take over the whole of a water Costs will vary depending upon local demographics, company’s area by means of an inset appointment. environments and facilities, and it is for local authorities The Government are considering recommendations to determine how best to provide services. The Waste made by Professor Martin Cave in his review of competition and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) works with and innovation in water markets to reform the inset councils on benchmarking quality of service and regime. However, there are no plans to give local authorities performance. WRAP reported in 2008 on relative costs roles designating new inset appointees on behalf of of different collection systems; the report is available on premises outside of their control. its website. Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision is Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent available for (a) business and (b) residential steps her Department has taken to encourage the use of consumers to choose the provider of their (i) water and products which prevent waste. [47190] (ii) sewerage services. [47774]

Richard Benyon: Our range of activities to encourage Richard Benyon: Business customers with premises the use of products which prevent waste includes: that use 50 megalitres of water or more a year (or Free advice and support for businesses, and consumers on 250 megalitres if the premises are located in the reducing waste. Advice for businesses on preventing waste and areas served by water companies wholly or mainly in saving money is provided on the Business Link website and Wales) can replace their water and sewerage company through the delivery body the Waste and Resources Action with an alternative supplier under a new appointments Programme. Guidance for consumers about how they can prevent regime. This allows a new entrant to replace an existing waste through the goods and services they buy and use is on the provider for a specific geographic area. Directgov website. Business customers with premises in England and Working with businesses to develop and implement a range of voluntary initiatives to reduce waste from their products and Wales that use 50 megalitres or more of water a year services. For example, the Courtauld Commitment with the grocery can also switch to a new supplier under the water supply sector includes work on lightweight drinks bottles and refillable licensing regime (WSL). However, the WSL does not washing detergent pouches. currently permit eligible customers to switch their 927W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 928W sewerage service provider. The Government intend to HOME DEPARTMENT lower the WSL threshold to five megalitres a year Alcoholic Drinks: Fixed Penalties within the area of water companies that are wholly or mainly in England at the earliest opportunity. This Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the would increase the size of the competitive water Home Department how many fixed penalty notices supply market from 2,200 eligible customers to around were issued for (a) consumption of alcohol and (b) 27,000. selling alcohol to under-age people in each police force area in the latest period for which figures are available. Household customers (and ineligible business [47596] customers) do not have the opportunity to change their supplier under the above regimes. Options for extending James Brokenshire: The number of Penalty Notices choice in the water sector will be considered in the for Disorder (PND) given for consumption of alcohol forthcoming Water White Paper. in a public place and selling alcohol to under-age people offences by police force area in England and Wales in 2009 (latest available) are shown in the following table.

Penalty notices for disorder issued to persons aged 16 and over for selling alcohol to under-age people and consumption of alcohol in a public place by police force area and offence, England and Wales 20091 Supply of Sale of Delivery of alcohol alcohol to alcohol to to person under 18 or Allowing consumption person under person under allowing such of alcohol by under 18 Consumption of alcohol Police force area Total 18 18 delivery on relevant premises in public place

Avon and Somerset 63 4 40 3 1 15 Bedfordshire 37 3 29 0 0 5 British Transport police 3 0 0 0 0 3 Cambridgeshire 36 0 15 1 0 20 Cheshire 34 0 31 1 0 2 Cleveland 47 0 44 2 0 1 Cumbria 47 0 35 3 0 9 Derbyshire 99 0 73 19 0 7 Devon and Cornwall 100 5 93 2 0 0 Dorset 46 5 34 4 0 3 Durham 194 0 190 3 0 1 Essex 110 1 67 8 0 34 Gloucestershire 23 0 22 1 0 0 Greater Manchester 152 2 98 12 0 40 Hampshire 230 0 191 21 0 18 Hertfordshire 50 0 14 4 0 32 Humberside 157 2 78 11 0 66 Kent 63 0 20 4 0 39 Lancashire 232 1 199 4 0 28 Leicestershire 140 4 125 1 2 8 Lincolnshire 34 0 30 3 0 1 London, City of 0 0 0 0 0 0 Merseyside 129 0 100 8 0 21 Metropolitan 1,297 5 345 3 0 944 Norfolk 26 0 17 0 0 9 North Yorkshire 4 0 2 2 0 0 Northamptonshire 21 0 16 3 0 2 Northumbria 50 0 38 11 0 1 Nottinghamshire 70 34 34 0 0 2 South Yorkshire 328 0 244 14 0 70 Staffordshire 52 0 31 3 0 18 Suffolk 33 1 21 6 0 5 Surrey 56 0 55 1 0 0 Sussex 112 6 103 2 0 1 Thames Valley 165 12 123 3 0 27 Warwickshire 33 5 24 3 1 0 West Mercia 32 5 25 2 0 0 West Midlands 175 1 87 4 0 83 West Yorkshire 169 1 139 0 0 29 Wiltshire 51 0 5 1 0 45

England 4,700 97 2,837 173 4 1,589

Dyfed Powys 29 6 21 2 0 0 Gwent 22 0 19 3 0 0 929W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 930W

Penalty notices for disorder issued to persons aged 16 and over for selling alcohol to under-age people and consumption of alcohol in a public place by police force area and offence, England and Wales 20091 Supply of Sale of Delivery of alcohol alcohol to alcohol to to person under 18 or Allowing consumption person under person under allowing such of alcohol by under 18 Consumption of alcohol Police force area Total 18 18 delivery on relevant premises in public place

North Wales 79 1 67 6 0 5 South Wales 66 0 58 6 0 2

Wales 196 7 165 17 0 7

England and Wales 4,896 104 3,002 190 4 1,596 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Asylum Asylum: Scotland

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date she expects her Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department to have resolved all older unresolved Home Department (1) what proportion of asylum asylum cases. [47903] seekers living in Scotland were (a) granted asylum and (b) refused asylum and returned to their home country Damian Green: The UK Border Agency provides in each of the last five years; [47960] regular updates on performance of the “legacy” cases, (2) what proportion of asylum seekers living in including a breakdown into grants, removals and “other” Scotland have live appeal rights. [47961] cases such as duplicates or errors, to the Home Affairs Select Committee. On 2 March, the Agency reported to the Home Damian Green: We have taken “live appeal rights” to Affairs Select Committee that it had concluded over mean appeals that are awaiting an outcome (i.e. an 403,000 cases as at 31 January 2011 and is on track to unconcluded appeal). conclude the legacy backlog by summer 2011. The following table shows the proportion of asylum seekers living in Scotland who were granted asylum, Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the refused asylum and removed to their country or origin. Home Department what recent progress her The table also shows the proportion with unconcluded Department has made on speeding up the processing of appeals. asylum applications. [48005] Asylum applications, excluding dependants, proportion granted, proportion refused and removed, proportion with unconcluded appeals, for individuals Damian Green: The average percentage of asylum 1 claims that have received an initial decision within residing in Scotland, 2006-10 Percentage 30 days is 61% for cohorts since May 2010, compared to Percentage Percentage refused unconcluded 46% for cohorts in the 12 months before May 2010. The granted2, 3, 6 and removed4, 6 appeals5, 6 average percentage of asylum cases concluded (granted or removed) within six months was 53% for cohorts 2006 34.2 31.9 0.0 since May 2010, compared to 48% for cohorts in the 12 2007 35.7 17.4 1.8 months prior to May 2010. 2008 45.4 18.9 1.4 2009 43.5 12.9 0.6 Both of these indicators form part of a new framework 2010 43.1 4.1 6.5 that measures our progress towards an asylum system Grand 41.8 14.7 2.3 with swifter case conclusions and no backlogs, delivered total at significantly lower cost to the taxpayer. Through the 1 All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject Asylum Improvement Project we have been testing a to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. number of new ideas to improve the speed of the system 2 Cases relate to first Asylum Claims and only include main applicants. including increased use of specialist case owners, tools 3 Individuals granted asylum and refugee status, or refused asylum but granted to improve the flow of decision-making, and a more Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave. 4 Removed includes enforced removals, port removals, voluntary departures, structured approach to interviews and decisions. and include persons leaving under various assisted voluntary return programmes. Asylum: Finance 5 Unconcluded appeals relates to applicants who have lodged an appeal that is as yet unconcluded. 6 Data relate to applicants whose last known address was in Scotland. Subjects Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the detained outside Scotland prior to removal will not be identified. Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of Azure cards issued in (a) the Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the City of Manchester, (b) Greater Manchester and (c) Home Department how many failed asylum seekers the UK. [48384] living in Scotland have (a) returned voluntarily to their Damian Green: The number of Azure cards issued country of origin and (b) been removed in each of the and actively being used in the areas referred to are: last five years. [48080] (a) City of Manchester: 141; (b) Greater Manchester: 96; Damian Green: The data requested are shown in (c) UK: 2,984. table 1. 931W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 932W

Table 1: Failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, residing in Scotland, the system. If it is appropriate the UK Border Agency 1 returned to their country of origin, 2006-10 will also seek information from children’s services Voluntary Enforced Year2 departures3, 4 removals4 Total4 departments. Where a family has chosen not to leave the country 2006 133 206 339 voluntarily, either though an assisted voluntary returns 2007 118 202 320 package, under their own steam or via a self-check in 2008 126 211 337 return, the UK Border Agency will refer the case to an 2009 111 217 328 independent Family Returns Panel who will advise on 2010 114 207 321 the best method of ensuring their return taking account Grand total 602 1,043 1,645 of the welfare of the children. Under the new arrangements 1 All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National for managing family returns, families without any criminal Statistics protocols. history would be separated by detention only in exceptional 2 Year relates to the year of removal. circumstances and after advice had been sought from 3 Voluntary departures includes subjects removed via various assisted voluntary return programmes as well as voluntary departures. the independent Family Returns Panel. 4 Data relates to applicants whose last known address was in Scotland. Subjects detained outside Scotland prior to removal will not be identified. Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State Avi Benayahu for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency is taking to safeguard child welfare in cases of families separated by immigration detention. [47780] Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department held on the identity to be used by Mr Avi Benayahu for Damian Green: Safeguarding children and concern entering the UK prior to his entry; and if she will make for their welfare is a consideration in every case where a statement. [47514] an adult who is known to have children is held in immigration detention. There are three main situations Damian Green: The UK Border Agency does not involved. The most typical cases are those where a routinely comment on individual cases. member of the family is also a former foreign national prisoner and a decision has been made to maintain their Children: Protection detention pending deportation. In these cases care arrangements will already be in place having been made when the sentence of imprisonment began. Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how information on the In those cases where it is necessary to detain a parent effect on child welfare of the new return process will be in an immigration removal centre who then states that (a) collected and (b) analysed. [47778] they have a child in the community, the UK Border Agency will seek to facilitate contact between the parent Damian Green: An evaluation of the new family and child, subject to the wishes of the family, and in returns processes is planned for this year. liaison with the local authority where appropriate. The aims of the evaluation are to: Finally, under the new arrangements for managing the return of a family whose members are already 1. examine the effectiveness of the overall process in achieving its stated objectives and associated Government commitments; together, families without any criminal history would be separated only in exceptional circumstances and after 2. support and challenge the new processes in order to improve them, with an emphasis on child safeguarding issues; and advice had been sought from the independent Family Returns Panel. 3. promote opportunities for continuous learning and improvement as the new process beds down across the agency. The intention is to (a) collect and (b) analyse data, Crime: Motor Vehicles through: a process based assessment of the various parts of the new Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for process—including interviews with key workers and staff. the Home Department what discussions she has had understanding the end to end process using interviews with with representatives of the transport industry on the families, in order to gain detailed feedback on: how families future of the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. understood the options made available to them; child safeguarding/ [47989] welfare issues; and for those families housed in pre-departure accommodation, their experiences of the services made available to them. James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have had no such discussions. Home Office officials meet on a Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State regular basis with representatives of the transport industry, for the Home Department what information the UK including at the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service Border Agency holds on (a) the health and welfare of (AVCIS) Governance Board. children in immigration cases and (b) the effects of their separation from their parents has in such cases. Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for [47779] the Home Department how much her Department provided to the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Damian Green: The new process for managing family Service in each of the last three years for which figures returns emphasises the importance of engaging with the are available. [47990] family and understanding their heath and welfare needs. These will be recorded on a family welfare form which James Brokenshire: Home Office grants to the ACPO will be updated through the family’s progress through Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service were as follows: 933W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 934W

Deportation: Finance Financial year £

2008-09 200,000 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10 300,000 the Home Department how much her Department 2010-11 300,000 spent on deportations in each of the last five years. [47446] Cybercrime Damian Green: The UK Border Agency annual accounts Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the for 2009-10 can be viewed at: Home Department whether her Department has any http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ plans to undertake a study of internet bullying and aboutus/annual-reports-accounts/ electronic harassment of individuals in England and A copy has also been placed in the House Library. Wales. [47729] These accounts include the costs of Public Expense Removals, and also of the various voluntary removal James Brokenshire: New questions on stalking and schemes which the Agency operates. The gross costs to harassment will be included in the British Crime Survey the Agency of removals between 2005 and 2010 are from April 2011. This will provide a clearer picture of shown in Table 1; these figures include the total programme the incidence of stalking and harassment which involves costs of the voluntary return schemes including any form of unwanted online communication or text re-integration assistance, flights and running costs. The messaging. The Home Office is also working closely Agency also receives funding from the EU for its removals with the charity Network for Surviving Stalking, which programme and the amounts received and expected recently commissioned research in this area from the from this source are shown in Table 2 which will offset University of Bedfordshire. The results will be available some of the gross costs. in June 2011. EU Funds received for 2008-09 and 2009-10 remain The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), subject to audit and possible amendment. co-chaired by Ministers from the Home Office and Department for Education, is looking to implement Annex: Net costs of public expense and voluntary removals policies to help users protect themselves and report schemes unacceptable behaviour, including internet bullying. Table 1: Gross removal costs 2005-10 Public Expense Removals (PERs) Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the £ million Home Department what information her Department 2005-06 2.6 holds on trends in the incidence of harassment by 2006-07 20.2 electronic means. [47730] 2007-08 22.3 2008-09 27.0 James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not hold 2009-10 27.5 information on trends in the incidence of harassment by electronic means. However, new questions on stalking Voluntary Removals Schemes and harassment will be included in the British Crime Survey from April 2011. This will provide a clearer £ million picture of the incidence of stalking and harassment 2005-06 12.6 which involves any form of unwanted online 2006-07 22.2 communication or text messaging. 2007-08 21.7 2008-09 10.8 Departmental Compensation 2009-10 20.4

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Table 2: EU Funding for Removals 2005-10 Home Department how much (a) her Department and £ million (b) each (i) agency and (ii) non-departmental public 2005-06 2.0 body for which she is responsible spent on 2006-07 3.2 compensation payments to members of the public for 2007-08 3.2 errors made by such bodies in each of the last five 2008-09 6.3 years. [47427] 2009-10 4.1 Note: Damian Green: The Home Office, agencies and non- EU funding for 2008-09 and 2009-10 is subject to audit and possible departmental public bodies do not separately identify amendment. compensation payments in their accounts. Because this information is not readily available an answer could not Detention Centres: Children be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. The majority of compensation payments are included Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the within ‘special payments’ in the notes to the published Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure accounts of each organisation. Special payments are that children and families do not become destitute as a both compensation and ex gratia payments made to result of their progress through the new family returns members of the public and organisations. process. [47797] 935W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 936W

Damian Green: The new family returns process does Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the not change existing arrangements to provide financial Home Department what recent assessment she has support to destitute families with children. Failed asylum made of the effects on university (a) science and (b) seeking families with children may apply for support engineering departments of proposals to limit the from the UK Border Agency which is provided under number of non-EU students studying in UK sections 4 and 95 of the Immigration and Asylum universities. [48022] Act 1999. Damian Green: The results of the student consultation Drug Seizures: Northern Ireland and an impact assessment will be published in due course. We are not intending to impose a set limit on Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the non-EU student numbers. Home Department what quantity of illegal drugs the Serious Organised Crime Agency has seized in (a) the Forensic Science UK and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [47249] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written James Brokenshire: The majority of drug seizures by ministerial statement of 14 December 2010, Official weight resulting from the Serious Organised Crime Report, columns 94-96WS, on forensic science, what Agency (SOCA) activity are made before they reach the evidence she evaluated to determine that the size of the UK. Figures for total seizures worldwide are published forensic science market would fall over the next few in SOCA’s Annual Reports. The SOCA Annual Report years. [48064] for 2010-11 will be published in July 2011. The following table contains volumes of cocaine and James Brokenshire: Falls were expected as past trends heroin seized by SOCA in the UK since the Agency was showed the market contracting, police budgets previously established in 2006. SOCA is a UK-wide organisation included ring-fenced amounts to ‘build up’ the national and does not publish seizure data by geographical area. DNA database and this artificially inflated the market. A significant part of SOCA’s operational activity in More efficient practices by forces have also contributed Northern Ireland is in support of the PSNI. Part of that to the market contraction and this is expected to continue. support includes activity leading to the seizure of drugs by the PSNI. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to Tonnes ensure an adequate level of competition in the forensic Cocaine Heroin market following the closure of the Forensic Science Service. [48154] 2006-07 2.1 0.8 2007-08 0.6 0.6 James Brokenshire: There are currently 11 companies, 2008-09 0.5 0.6 excluding the Forensic Science Service (FSS), offering 2009-10 0.4 1.0 services through the National Forensic Framework Agreement. This is already a competitive market and Drugs: Young People we do not believe this will change following the managed closure of the FSS. Our priority is to ensure the continued provision of effective forensic science services to the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the criminal justice system (CJS). We also want to see a Home Department what estimate she has made of the healthy and competitive future market for forensics. proportion of children aged under 15 in England who have used cannabis in the last 12 months. [48250] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements she plans to put James Brokenshire: The Smoking, Drinking and Drug in place to ensure consistent standards across police Use survey among young people in England provides forces in the conduct of in-house forensic work estimates of the proportion of secondary school children following the closure of the Forensic Science Service. who have used cannabis. Latest figures from the 2009 [48155] survey show that 9% of pupils aged 11 to 15 years reported using cannabis in the last 12 months. For those James Brokenshire: The forensics regulator has received aged under 15 the proportion for those aged 11, 12, 13 support and co-operation for his quality standards from and 14 was 1%, 2%, 4% and 12%t respectively. the laboratories (both private and state funded), professional bodies, prosecuting authorities, the judiciary and the Entry Clearances: Overseas Students Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and to date, has not been hindered in dealing with any complaints Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the about quality standards. Although there is currently no Home Department when she plans to respond to the need to give the regulator powers to compel compliance UK Border Agency consultation on the student with the standards, this position will be kept under immigration system. [47732] review and the creation of new powers will be considered if that is appropriate. Damian Green: An announcement will be made as soon as possible. The results of the student consultation Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the and an impact assessment will be published in due Home Department what assessment she has made of course. the cost to police forces of spending on forensic 937W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 938W laboratories and associated accreditation following the Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the closure of the Forensic Science Service during the Home Department which commercial providers will be comprehensive spending review period. [48156] responsible for the provision of forensic science for terrorism cases following the closure of the Forensic James Brokenshire: Police force spending on forensic Science Service; and what process she plans to use to laboratories is controlled by police forces and police determine the selection of such providers. [48162] authorities. We do not believe that there will be a need for forces to increase their spending on laboratories as a James Brokenshire: The Home Office is working with result of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) closure. If a wide range of stakeholders through the Forensic forces choose to increase laboratory capacity these would Transition Board to consider options for forensic provision need to be appropriately accredited and appropriate after the Forensic Science Service wind up is completed, funding would need to be met from within their existing with a view to ensuring operational continuity is secured. budgets. Human Trafficking Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the capacity of police forces to conduct a greater Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the proportion of forensic science work in-house. [48158] Home Department what steps she is taking in accordance with Article 6 of the Council of Europe James Brokenshire: Our priority is to ensure the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human continued provision of effective forensic science services Beings to discourage demand for trafficking of people to the Criminal Justice System (CJS) working to the for forced labour. [47132] highest professional standards. We also want to see a healthy and competitive future market for forensics. We Damian Green: Discouraging demand for people are working closely with the Association of Chief Police becoming victims of trafficking for forced labour is an Officers (ACPO) and other key partners across the CJS important element of a successful approach to combating to make decisions about how forensic services will be trafficking for forced labour. We work closely with provided once the Forensic Science Service has ceased voluntary organisations involved in awareness-raising trading. and provide educational programmes in schools emphasising the importance of equality and mutual Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the respect. Home Department what estimate she has made of the The Government are committed to providing effective proportion of forensic work that will be conducted protection for workers against abuses of basic workplace in-house by police forces following the closure of the rights, and to ensuring that reputable businesses are not Forensic Science Service; and what assessment she has undercut by those trying to avoid their legal responsibilities. made of the potential effects of the Police Act 1996 The UK Border Agency takes robust action against (Equipment) Regulations 2011 on the level of forensic employers of illegal workers and by taking action against science work that will be outsourced to the private businesses that flout the law we are able to crack down sector during the Comprehensive Spending Review on illegal working, one of the drivers of forced labour. period. [48159]

James Brokenshire: We are working closely with the Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and other Home Department (1) who is carrying out the review key partners across the Criminal Justice System to into whether the UK should opt in to the European make decisions about how forensic services will be Directive on Human Trafficking; and what provided once the Forensic Science Service has ceased consultations have been carried out as part of the trading. The Police Act 1996 (Equipment) Regulations review; [47837] 2011 deal only with the procurement of specified categories (2) when she expects the review into whether the UK of equipment by the police service and will have no should opt in to the European Directive on Human effect on the outsourcing of forensic science work. Trafficking to be concluded. [47838] Proposals for separate services regulations that would require the police service to use the national framework Damian Green: The Government decided not to opt for forensic analysis services to purchase forensic services in to the European Directive on Human Trafficking at have currently been put on hold. the outset, but to review their position in line with the revised text. That process is now complete and I have Forensic Science: Terrorism written to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees notifying them of our intention to apply to opt in. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the the availability of expertise in terrorism events in the Home Department what procedures her Department commercial forensic science sector. [48161] has in place to combat the trafficking of (a) people, (b) weapons and (c) drugs. [48006] James Brokenshire: Operational continuity is one of the main objectives of the transition process. Where Damian Green: The UK Border Agency, Police, Serious functions do not already exist outside the Forensic Organised Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs Science Service we will look at the possibility of transferring work together at local, regional, national and international these functions and expertise. levels sharing intelligence and resources as appropriate, 939W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 940W in order to understand the nature of the threat to the James Brokenshire: The British Transport Police estimated UK from all these forms of trafficking and to prevent in September 2010 that the total cost of metal theft and detect them. amounted to at least £770 million annually, covering both the public and private sectors. Identity and Passport Service: Ripon Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Home Department what recent discussions she has Home Department what (a) meetings were held with had with representatives of the British Transport Police whom and (b) other consultations took place on the on metal theft. [48077] closure of the Ripon Identity and Passport Service office. [47901] James Brokenshire: I have had a meeting with senior Damian Green: On 18 January 2011, the Identity and representatives of the British Transport police to discuss Passport Service (IPS) completed a 90-day consultative metal theft. consultation process with staff and trade unions on the future structure of the Interview Office Network, which Military Aircraft: Fuels includes the interview office at Ripon. As part of the formal consultation process, IPS met with trade union Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for representatives and with staff on a regular basis. Letters the Home Department what information her were sent to Members of Parliament in whose constituency Department holds on the number of road fuel tankers an interview office was located on 14 October 2010 stolen in each calendar month since January 2010. setting out proposals for restructuring. [47517] On 16 March 2011, the chief executive of IPS wrote to Members of Parliament with a passport interview James Brokenshire: Information on the number of facility in their constituency and to Members of Parliament road fuel tankers stolen is not collected centrally. Such and elected representatives to the Scottish Parliament offences would be recorded under the classification of and the National Assembly for Wales who responded to ‘theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle’. However, the consultation process. The letter set out the final the recorded crime statistics are based on aggregate decision in the light of the outcome of the consultation data and it is therefore not possible to separately identify process. Full details of the restructure and the summary the types of vehicle stolen or their contents. of responses to the consultation can be found on the IPS website at: Public Bodies Reform Programme http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/files/ips/live/assets/documents/ ION_Summary__responses_.pdf Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Missing Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Persons Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for programme, what estimate she has made of the savings the Home Department on how many occasions since to her Department net of costs incurred in the May 2010 the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group assumption of additional departmental responsibilities on Missing Persons has met; who chairs the group; and to accrue from (a) the abolition of three public bodies which Departments are represented in the group. within her Department’s area of responsibility and (b) [48103] the merger of two such bodies. [48135] James Brokenshire: The Government are committed to improving services to missing persons and their Damian Green [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The families and I acknowledge that successful delivery in Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General this arena requires an effective response across a range (Mr Maude) issued a written ministerial statement on of Departments and agencies. 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That Good progress has been made in taking forward statement also announced that Departments estimate relevant recommendations from the Missing Persons cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion Taskforce report and I can confirm that I have already will flow from public bodies over the spending review met with my counterparts at the Departments of Health period. and Education to ensure we are working effectively to tackle these issues. I am committed to continuing to meet Overall administrative reductions from reform of all with them as and when there is a need, and to including Home Office non-departmental public bodies are estimated Ministers from the Department for Communities and to be £94 million over the spending review period. This Local Government and the Ministry of Justice when figure is based on current planning assumptions. required. The Home Office is not yet in a position to estimate net overall administrative savings from structural reforms. Metals: Theft The main structural reform will be the creation of the National Crime Agency. The Secretary of State for the Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member the Home Department what assessment she has made for Maidenhead (Mrs May) will publish a statement of the cost to the public purse of metal theft in each of shortly about how the National Crime Agency will the last three years. [48013] operate. 941W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 942W

Robbery DEFENCE Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the roundtable on crime Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for involving cash and valuables in transit convened by her Defence what development work is being undertaken Department last met. [47987] by UK armed forces in Afghanistan. [48365] James Brokenshire: The Home Office roundtable on Nick Harvey: The Department for International cash and valuables in transit met on 21 March 2011. Development is the lead UK Department on development activity in Afghanistan. The armed forces support Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for stabilisation efforts in Helmand through military the Home Department what assessment she has made stabilisation support teams (MSSTs), which are a key of recent trends in the theft of cash from vehicles in component of the joint civil-military Helmand provincial transit. [47988] reconstruction team. James Brokenshire: According to industry data for The MSSTs work with their civilian counterparts in 2010, there were 751 offences against cash and valuables the provincial reconstruction team to identify and aid in in transit vehicles; a decrease of 29% from 1,060 offences the delivery of stabilisation projects, and provide a in 2009. This compares to 1,000 offences in 2008 and foundation for broader development activities. 1,059 offences in 2007. Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Smuggling: Fuels Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Defence what financial savings his Department expects Home Department what volume of illegal fuels the to make from the abolition of the Animal Welfare Serious Organised Crime Agency has seized in Advisory Committee. [48315] Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [47247] Peter Luff: In my statement to the House on 21 July 2010, Official Report, column 15WS, I set out my James Brokenshire: It is the responsibility of Her intention to dissolve the Animal Welfare Advisory Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deal with Committee (AWAC). Given that the AWAC has not met fuel smuggling. The Serious Organised Crime Agency since 2007, there will be no direct financial savings has not seized any fuel since its inception, but supports compared with recent years. HMRC’s operational activity as required. Collaborative Armed Forces: Discharges law enforcement activity against organised crime in Northern Ireland is driven by the cross-agency Organised Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Crime Task Force (OCTF). Defence what assessment he has made of the extent of Stress the entitlement of members of the armed forces under the age of 18 years and three months to discharge Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the themselves without notice; and if he will make a Home Department what arrangements are in place in statement. [43438] her Department to (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed Mr Robathan: The current arrangements covering the right to discharge for those personnel under the age of with such stress. [48204] 18 have been considered in the course of the passage of Damian Green: The Home Office policy for managing the recent Armed Forces Bill and found to remain the risk factors of work-related stress is based on the appropriate. This policy will continue to be monitored. industry recognised Health and Safety Executives Armed Forces: Recruitment Management Standards approach. In addition we have introduced a Wellbeing Framework to promote the Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for wellbeing of staff at work. The Department’s policy Defence what his policy is on the recruitment age for requires all line managers to play their part in reducing the armed forces. [47549] and managing the risk factors which lead to workplace stress, and where stress occurs, to identify and address Mr Robathan [holding answer 18 March 2011]: The the root causes. Information on our policy and well-being United Kingdom armed forces will accept applications framework, as well as supporting guidance and e-learning from individuals from the age of 16, depending upon packages, are available to line managers and staff on which service they wish to join. The upper age limit for our intranet. recruitment in the regular armed forces is dependent The Home Office has in place an Employee Assistance upon which career the individual wishes to pursue. This Programme which provides a confidential 24 hour/365 policy continues to be monitored. days telephone line staffed by fully qualified counsellors, to staff and their dependents on a range of issues Armed Forces: Redundancy including stress. In addition the Department may also refer individual cases to its Occupational Health Service Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for provider, where the line manager and the Department Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement need independent medical advice. of 1 March 2011, what estimate he has made of the 943W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 944W cost to the public purse of redundancies in (a) the Departmental Pay Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force announced on 1 March 2011. [44300] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential Mr Robathan: As a result of the financial situation savings resulting from the changes to allowances and inherited from the previous Government it was necessary bonuses announced on 20 January 2011 in (a) 2011-12, to announce significant reductions to both civilian and (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15. [43983] military personnel as part of the strategic defence and security review. The costs of redundancies will depend Mr Robathan: The estimates requested are given in on detailed implementation of these reductions, which the following table: will include early release and natural wastage, as well as redundancies. Estimates are subject to change and the Financial year Estimated savings (£ million) Ministry of Defence is therefore not in a position to provide detailed figures at this time. 2011-12 100 2012-13 170 Armed Forces: Young People 2013-14 230 2014-15 250 Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he acts in loco parentis for members of the The figures provided include the estimated savings armed forces who are under the age of 18 years. made as a result of changes to allowances announced [40998] by my the Minister for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) on Mr Robathan: No. While there is a clear duty of care 16 December 2010, Official Report, column 116WS, for all personnel, the Secretary of State and the Chiefs and those which I announced on 20 January 2011, of Staff do not act in loco parentis to those aged Official Report, columns 45-47WS. under 18.

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Private Finance Initiative Defence whether there is guidance in place for commanding officers on their use of discretion with Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for respect to his Department’s policy which provides for a Defence which private finance initiative projects person under the age of 18 years who has shown a sponsored by his Department have been funded from genuine and persistent unhappiness with service life to the Exchequer due to a shortfall in funds in each year be discharged outside of their statutory right to leave since 1997; and how much funding was provided in within the first six months; and if he will make a each case. [45008] statement. [41580] Mr Robathan: Since 1997, there have been no Ministry Mr Robathan: Guidance, including Queen’s Regulations, of Defence private finance initiative projects that have single-service communications and centrally issued defence required additional funding from HM Treasury. information notices, is issued to outline the commanding officer’s role in considering the discharge of a person under the age of 18. commanding officers are encouraged Departmental Public Appointments to treat such cases sympathetically. Officials are currently reviewing these communications to ensure that guidance is clear and unambiguous. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which public bodies sponsored by his Departmental Ministerial Special Advisers Department (a) have been and (b) are to be closed, merged or reorganised; and how many (i) women and Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State (ii) men who are public appointees at each body will no for Defence how much his Department has spent on longer hold such an appointment in consequence. (a) salaries and (b) pension entitlements for special [47108] advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date. [46581] Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement Mr Robathan: Special adviser numbers and pay bands made by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support were released by the Cabinet Office; the information is and Technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid available at: Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 21 July 2010, Official http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special- Report, column 15WS. This announced the abolition of adviser-data-releases the Animal Welfare Advisory Body. The proposals for The website lists the names of the special advisers in the majority of bodies across all Departments was post in each Department and details each special adviser’s subsequently announced and published on 14 October pay band, actual salary where it is £58,200 or higher, 2010. An updated list reflecting changes since October together with details of special advisers’ pay ranges for 2010 has been published by the Cabinet Office and can 2010-11. It also shows the total pay bill cost of special be downloaded from: advisers for the period up to 31 March 2011. The www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb estimated pay bill includes pension costs, and details of The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee had not pension arrangements are set out in the “Model contract sat since 2007 and one public appointment (male) was for Special Advisers”, available at the same link. affected by its abolition. 945W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 946W

Departmental Rail Travel Officials Month Expenditure (£)

Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010 Defence how many and what proportion of civil January 598,377 servants in his Department are entitled to travel first February 878,861 class by rail within the UK. [47073] March 1,184,851 Mr Robathan: While civil servants who are pay band April 720,111 C2/higher executive officer (HEO) and above are technically May 850,764 entitled to first-class rail travel when travelling on official June 980,177 duty; they have since late 2009, forgone that entitlement July 1,027,671 and been asked to travel standard class unless there are August 726,718 exceptional circumstances. In such cases this must be September 896,716 endorsed by a senior line manager. Staff at C2/HEO October 984,761 and above represent 30% of the work force. All staff November 1,214,982 must ensure they get the best value for money when December 722,189 making their travel arrangements (for example, by booking tickets in advance and avoiding where possible flexible 2011 and open return tickets). January 694,639 February 849,351 Departmental Regulation Ministers Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions his Department has We do not hold the information in the format requested consulted representatives of small businesses on the and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost effects of proposed new regulations since 6 May 2010. as all bills for accommodation would need to be analysed [46142] manually to extract the information sought. Special advisers Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence routinely holds Month Expenditure (£) meetings with businesses of all sizes, both individually and via their trade associations, as part of its regular January 2009 47 consultation with industry. We do not hold meetings February 2009 0 specifically to discuss proposed new regulations, as we March 2009 476 are not a regulatory Department. April 2009 0 May 2009 188 We are particularly aware that the UK’s defence June 2009 542 capabilities rely on many thousands of small and medium- July 2009 to January 2010 0 scale enterprises and have recently announced plans to February 2010 272 increase their ability to engage with Minsters and officials, March to June 2010 0 through the new Defence Suppliers Forum. July 2010 74 Hotels August and September 2010 0 October 2010 281 November and December 2010 0 Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for January 2011 75 Defence what his Department’s expenditure was on February 2011 482 hotel accommodation for (a) officials, (b) Ministers and (c) special advisers in each month since January The figures for officials and special advisers reflect 2009. [45766] the amount reimbursed for the cost of hotel rooms and any meals or refreshments that can be identified as Mr Robathan: Information available on the Ministry taken in the hotel. They do not include payments for of Defence (MOD)’s expenditure on hotel accommodation hotel accommodation made by Government Procurement is as follows: Card (where no distinction is made between service Officials staff, officials and special advisers or between different Month Expenditure (£) types of overnight accommodation) or other subsistence costs related to the official duty necessitating the overnight 2009 stay or other subsistence costs related to the official January 1,205,511 duty necessitating the overnight stay in the hotel (such February 1,422,030 information is not recorded by type of overnight March 1,733,053 accommodation). April 1,127,684 We constantly seek to get the best value for money May 1,438,426 out of our travel arrangements and maximise the MOD’s June 1,446,285 corporate leverage in the business travel market. July 1,565,474 August 983,825 Military Aircraft September 1,191,520 October 1,455,565 Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence November 1,326,392 what plans the Royal Navy has for the purchase of December 892,960 maritime patrol aircraft. [47975] 947W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 948W

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence is currently Sealand conducting a capability investigation into its long-term requirements for a wide area maritime surveillance Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for capability, which will report in September 2011. We Defence which Minister in his Department took the currently have no plans to procure a maritime patrol decision to refuse access to the Defence Support Group aircraft. site at Sealand to the hon. Member for Alyn and Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency Deeside; and if he will make a statement. [48017]

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan [holding answer 21 March 2011]: No Defence what level of customer satisfaction was most Minister made any decision to refuse the hon. recently recorded by his Department in respect of Member access to the Defence Support Group Ministry of Defence Police in defence community (DSG)’s site at Sealand in his constituency of Alyn police officer roles. [48031] and Deeside. The hon. Member has previously visited the site on several occasions for business updates Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence Police customer and discussions with DSG’s senior management and satisfaction survey 2010 recorded a satisfaction rate of trade unions. However, any visit to a Ministry of 92.3% for Defence community police officers. Defence site requires the prior approval of the appropriate Defence Minister in advance. I know that Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for if he contacts the office of DSG’s chief executive then Defence what the budget for the Ministry of Defence a mutually convenient date for a visit may then be Police and Guarding Agency functions is in respect of arranged. (a) defence business continuity, (b) defensive armed policing, (c) uniformed policing, (d) guarding and (e) Trident crime investigation in each of the last five years. [48032] Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Robathan: The following table provides the budget what assessment he has made of the effect of the time for the identified Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding taken to pass the initial gate stage on the 2016 start Agency functions for the last five financial years: date for construction of the first Trident replacement submarine in 2016. [47771] £ million Defence Defensive Peter Luff: We expect an announcement on initial Business Armed Uniformed Crime gate in the coming weeks. As the Secretary of State for Continuity Policing Policing Guarding Investigation Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for North 2006-07 1— 86.000 3.300 103.300 8.800 Somerset (Dr Fox) said on 14 March 2011, Official 2007-08 10.309 60.252 1.893 117.114 10.776 Report, column 8: 2008-09 11.181 63.311 2.197 118.095 11.115 “there remain ongoing discussions, which have simply taken 2009-10 11.258 62.747 2.212 117.950 11.191 longer then it was anticipated a few weeks ago. It is important, 2010-11 8.998 54.072 4.485 98.511 11.132 given the size of the project, that we get the decision right.” 1 Not recorded There has been no change to our plan to build the Radioactive Waste first Trident replacement submarine, outlined in the Strategic Defence and Security Review, as a result of Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence the short delay to initial gate. for what reasons his Department project increases in aerial and liquid discharges of tritium from the defence Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence sector in the UK Strategy for Radioactive Discharges. what measures have been introduced to ensure that the [47135] decision on Trident taken at initial gate will ensure the cost effectiveness of the process of renewing the Peter Luff: I will write to the hon. Member. independent nuclear deterrent. [47772] Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport Peter Luff: Following the value for money study, we took a number of decisions during the strategic defence Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for and security review (SDSR) to ensure that the successor Defence when he expects to announce the future deterrent programme will be delivered effectively. These arrangements for contractor management and included deferring the in-service date of the submarine operation of the Royal Naval Armaments Depot at to 2028, reducing the number of operational missiles Coulport. [47826] and warheads and improving the way we work with industry under the submarine enterprise performance Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has programme. been assessing options on how best to sustain elements of strategic weapons systems support at Coulport in the We have also previously announced that we will work future. On current plans, a decision is expected later this with the US to deliver a common missile compartment year. The safety, security and effectiveness of the UK’s for the successor submarine, which will reduce costs strategic deterrent remain paramount. Irrespective of through the sharing of development costs. the outcome, Coulport will remain under the ownership The decision taken during the SDSR allowed us to and control of the MOD. save and defer £3.2 billion over the next 10 years. 949W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 950W

TREASURY Bank Bonuses

Public Expenditure Reductions 22. Heidi Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals for a 17. Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the further tax on bank bonuses. [47939] Exchequer if he will review the pace of proposed reductions in public expenditure to take into account Mr Hoban: We have been clear that we want the the GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2010. [47934] banks to make a greater contribution to the Exchequer, which is why we introduced the permanent banking levy. The reality is that, in steady state, the bank levy 18. Barry Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the will raise more revenue every year from the banking Exchequer if he will review the pace of proposed sector than the bank payroll tax. reductions in public expenditure to take into account the GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2010. [47935] The hon. Member should remember the words of the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), who Ian Mearns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the bank payroll tax did not work. if he will review the pace of proposed reductions in public expenditure to take into account the GDP figures for the fourth quarter of 2010. [47940] Economic Growth: Kent

Danny Alexander: Deficit Reduction is a pre requisite 24. Mrs Grant: To ask the Chancellor of the for sustainable economic growth. While recognising the Exchequer what fiscal measures he has taken to recovery could prove choppy, the Government are support economic growth in Kent. [47941] committed to the consolidation programme announced in the June Budget and providing the conditions for Danny Alexander: This Government have taken steps growth. to tackle the big issues that matter for growth, and The UK economy grew by 1.3% in 2010 and the macroeconomic stability: to ensure access to finance for OBR’s November 2010 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, SMEs and to protect incentives for innovation; to reform which takes into account all the measures announced in the skills and labour market systems; to ensure the UK the June Budget and spending review, forecasts the tax regime is competitive; and to prioritise investment economy to grow in every year of the forecast to 2015-16. in infrastructure. The Local Growth White Paper published last October Petrol Prices provides the framework through which we will deliver growth at the local level, including powerful incentives for local authorities to go for growth. 19. John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of Manufacturing trends in duty and value added tax on petrol. [47936] 25. Amber Rudd: To ask the Chancellor of the Justine Greening: The previous Administration raised Exchequer what fiscal measures he is taking to support fuel duty 12 times while in office, including on four economic growth in the manufacturing sector. [47942] occasions between December 2008 and April 2010, proposed introducing a fuel escalator from 2011, and planned for a further series of six consecutive fuel duty Justine Greening: The June Budget announced reductions rises of nearly 6p in total plus rises linked to inflation in in the main rate of corporation tax from 28% to 24% over each year up to 2014. four years, and of the small profits rate from 21% to 20%. The manufacturing sector is expected to gain over The standard rate of value added tax was increased £250 million annually when the package is fully to 20% in order to help tackle the fiscal deficit that was implemented. The Budget and growth review will set inherited from the previous Administration. out further details of the Government’s plan for sustainable, private sector-led, balanced growth. Inflation HM Revenue and Customs 20. Mr Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce the rate of Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer inflation. [47937] what assessment he has made of the contribution of HM Revenue and Customs to reducing the budget Justine Greening: The independent Monetary Policy deficit. [47938] Committee (MPC) of the Bank of England is responsible for maintaining price stability and achieving the 2% annual Mr Gauke: The scale of the deficit means there has inflation target set by the Government. never been a more important time for HMRC to be The remit for the MPC allows it to look through more efficient and flexible in dealing with customers short-term movements in inflation that are driven by and more effective in bringing in revenues. temporary shocks. The MPC continues to judge inflation HMRC’s spending review 2010 (SR10) settlement is likely to fall back during 2012 due to the effects of reflects the vital dual role that HMRC plays in reducing spare capacity in the economy. the deficit. 951W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 952W

HMRC will make significant savings-reducing costs Mr Hoban: Information on Junior ISAs is available by 25%, including a 33% reduction in administrative to members of the public on the Directgov website. costs and reduce capital spend by 25% compared to However it is not possible, on this website, to record 2010-11, but will also reinvest £917 million of these expressions of interest in Junior ISAs. savings to tackle avoidance, evasion and fraud. The Government continue to consult with a wide For SR10 HMRC will bring in additional revenues in range of interested stakeholders on Junior ISAs. each year of the SR rising to £7 billion a year by Means-tested Benefits 2014-15. The total additional revenues from tackling tax avoidance, evasion and fraud over the SR period is Stephen Timms: To ask the Chancellor of the £18 billion. Additionally, HMRC is committed to reducing Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of fraud and error in the tax credit system by £2 billion a working heads of family in receipt of income-related year. benefits or tax credits, facing a marginal rate of deduction of over (a) 60 per cent., (b) 70 per cent., VAT: Retail Industry (c) 71 per cent., (d) 72 per cent., (e) 73 per cent., (f) 75 per cent., (g) 76 per cent., (h) 77 per cent., (i) 78 Eric Joyce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer per cent., (j) 79 per cent. and (k) 80 per cent. in (i) what assessment he has made of the effect on consumer 2010-11 and 2011-12 as a result of the March 2010 confidence of the increase in the standard rate of value Budget and (ii) 2011-12 as a result of the June 2010 added tax since his recent meeting with representatives Budget. [42358] of the retail industry. [47923] Mr Gauke: The following table sets out our estimate Mr Gauke: Sustainable public finances will increase of the numbers of working heads of family in receipt of consumer confidence in the medium-term. income-related benefits or tax credits facing a marginal rate of deduction in excess of the requested thresholds. Decisive action taken by the Government in the spending review and June Budget including the increase Marginal in VAT, will put the public finances and spending on a deduction rates1 2010-11 2011-122 2011-123 sustainable footing. Over Excise Duties: Fuels 80% 270,000 335,000 330,000 79% 270,000 335,000 330,000 Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the 78% 270,000 335,000 335,000 Exchequer whether liquefied petroleum gas will be 77% 275,000 335,000 335,000 included in his application to the European 76% 275,000 360,000 355,000 Commission for a rural fuel duty rebate pilot scheme. 75% 315,000 365,000 360,000 [48085] 73% 330,000 365,000 360,000 72% 330,000 365,000 1,705,000 Justine Greening: Liquefied petroleum gas for road 71% 330,000 365,000 1,710,000 use is a fuel type with an existing UK wide duty 70% 330,000 1,680,000 1,710,000 discount. The Government intend to submit a formal 60% 1,895,000 1,895,000 1,935,000 1 Marginal deduction rates are for working heads of families in receipt of proposal to the European Commission for a pilot scheme income-related benefits or tax credits where at least one person works 16 hours that will deliver a maximum of five pence per litre duty or more a week, and the head of the family is not receiving pensioner or discount on petrol and diesel in remote rural areas. disability premia. 2 Following March 2010 Budget. 3 Following June 2010 Budget Income Tax: Underpayments Note: Figures are cumulative. Estimates for the 2011-12 tax benefit system are calibrated to tax credit statistics for April 2010, and earlier data for housing and Mr Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer council tax benefits. what his policy is on the recovery by HM Revenue and At spending review, the Government announced the Customs (HMRC) of underpaid income tax where the new universal credit introduced over two Parliaments, underpayment was caused by an error or errors made which will replace the current complex system of means- by HMRC; and if he will make a statement. [47715] tested working-age benefits with a simple streamlined payment. The universal credit will improve financial Mr Gauke: Extra Statutory Concession A19 (ESC work incentives by ensuring that support is reduced at a A19) sets out the conditions that must be met before consistent and managed marginal deduction rate (generally HMRC can forgo the recovery of income tax at no more than around 76p in the pound as compared underpayments. The concession requires the underpayment with 96p currently) as people return to work and increase to have arisen as a result of HMRCs failure to make their working hours and earnings. proper and timely use of information provided. It also Members: Correspondence requires the individual to show that they had reasonable belief that their tax affairs were in order. Amber Rudd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department plans to reply to the Individual Savings Accounts: Children letter from the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye of 6 December 2010 Ref AR/JA/243 on behalf of Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer constituents Mr and Mrs Gordon. [47507] how many expressions of interest in his proposed junior ISA his Department has received via the Mr Gauke: I replied to the hon. Member on 10 March direct.gov portal. [48111] 2011. 953W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 954W

Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property These totals only include PAYE/NIC and VAT and are only a snapshot, valid only on the date taken and, as Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Chancellor of the with any snapshot, the amounts are likely to have been Exchequer whether he is reviewing the application of significantly different if taken on a different day as business rates to empty property as part of the Budget liabilities can become due and payments can be made process. [47719] on a daily basis.

Mr Gauke: As with all taxes and reliefs HM Treasury keeps the application of business rates to empty property FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE under review. Bahrain: Human Rights

Public Sector: Pensions Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he Dr Wollaston: To ask the Chancellor of the has had with the government of Bahrain on the Exchequer what legal advice he and his colleagues have protection of human rights during periods of unrest; received on proposals to change the basis of index and if he will make a statement. [48347] linking of public sector pensions already in payment, including on amendments to such schemes whose Alistair Burt: The Government are gravely concerned members made a specific contribution in return for about the security situation in Bahrain and are monitoring the situation closely.The Prime Minister spoke by telephone index linking in a particular way. [47600] to King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa on 15 March, calling Danny Alexander: Where relevant the Government on the King of Bahrain to end the violent suppression consider legal advice before announcing and implementing of street protests in Bahrain. new policies. In line with longstanding practices and to The Secretary State for Foreign and Commonwealth protect legal privilege this advice is not released. Affairs, my right hon. Friend, spoke to Bahraini Foreign Minister H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Tax Allowances: Married People Al Khalifa on 16 March, and expressed serious concern at the situation on the ground and urged for restraint on all sides and the need to return to law and order to Gavin Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the enable genuine political reform. Exchequer when he expects to bring forward legislation for a transferable tax allowance for married couples; BBC World Service whether the allowance will be available to (a) couples without children, (b) civil partners and (c) cohabiting John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for couples; and whether HM Revenue and Customs holds Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the information to enable the production of lists of (i) answer of 15 March 2011, Official Report, column single earner and (ii) dual earner couple households. 270W, on the BBC World Service, how many [47713] representations overseas UK embassies have received on the reductions in the BBC World Service. [48363] Mr Gauke: Proposals that recognise marriage and civil partnerships in the income tax system will be Mr Jeremy Browne: This information is not held brought forward by the Chancellor at the appropriate centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate time. cost. HMRC does not hold information on individuals’ Bosnia and Herzegovina: Anniversaries household status, with the exception of tax credit recipients. Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Taxation: Football Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the Government at the Srebrenica anniversary commemorations in Bosnia on 11 July 2011. [48104] Gavin Williamson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the sums Mr Lidington: No decision has yet been taken in owed to the Exchequer by football clubs in the Premier respect of our representation at the 2011 Srebrenica League and Football League at the end of the 2009-10 anniversary commemorations. In 2010 the Government tax year. [47595] was represented by Lady Warsi, Minister without Portfolio. Mr Gauke: In response to a recent Freedom of Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Information request HMRC released the following Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent information about the amount of direct and indirect discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his tax outstanding as at 30 April 2010. This is shown in the Department have had with representatives of the following table. survivors of the Srebrenica massacre; and if he will make a statement. [48169] Direct tax Indirect tax Division outstanding outstanding Mr Lidington: Our embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has periodic contacts with representatives of survivors Premier League 5,779,948 8,607,106 groups. The Government have condemned, on many Football League (inc. 6,059,617 1,348,854 Championship) occasions, the appalling acts of genocide committed at th Total 11,839,565 9.955,960 Srebrenica. At the 15 anniversary of the massacre at Srebrenica, the Prime Minister stated that: 955W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 956W

“We must never forget the act of genocide that happened at Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Srebrenica. It was a crime that shamed Europe. We are committed Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his to bringing those responsible to justice”. Department is taking to assist women and children in Through our programme funding, the Foreign and the Democratic Republic of Congo who are at risk of Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides financial support sexual violence. [48115] to fund international personnel working in the Srebrenica team in the State Prosecutors Office in BiH. These staff Mr Bellingham: We are making considerable efforts have contributed to the successful prosecution of war towards helping victims of sexual violence. We continue crimes cases relating to events in Srebrenica in 1995. to lobby the Government of the Democratic Republic The FCO has also provided support to the work of the of Congo (DRC) to implement their zero tolerance International Commission of Missing Persons in BiH policy on sexual violence and end impunity for these in identifying the remains of victims of the genocide at appalling crimes. We have lobbied hard to ensure protection Srebrenica. The FCO has contributed to the cost of the of civilians is the UN Organisation Stabilization Mission Memorial Centre in Srebrenica. It has also supported in the DRC’s (MONUSCO) top priority. The UK’s work on infrastructure reconstruction and socio-economic assessed contribution to MONUSCO is around £62 million activities to support sustainable return in the Srebrenica per year. The UK has also provided in excess of £35 million area. to the United Nations’ Humanitarian Pooled Fund for DRC, which funds medical and psychological care for Cote d’Ivoire: Politics and Government victims. The UK National Action Plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was published in for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what November 2010 and includes a specific sub-plan covering discussions he has had with the government of Cote UK assistance to the DRC. d’Ivoire on the killing of demonstrators in Abidjan on Departmental Public Appointments 3 March 2011. [47764] Mr Hague: I condemn the violence which led to the Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for loss of innocent lives on 3 March 2011. Those responsible Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which public must answer for their actions, and we support calls for bodies sponsored by his Department (a) have been and an international commission of inquiry into this and (b) are to be closed, merged or reorganised following other instances of violence during the political crisis in his appointment; and how many (i) women and (ii) men Cote d’Ivoire. who are public appointees at each body will no longer hold such an appointment in consequence. [47104] We are in regular contact with President Ouattara and his Ministers, including on the human rights situation Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are committed through our diplomatic representation in Abidjan. I to increasing the accountability of public bodies, and spoke to President Ouattara last night. The UK Permanent this involves reducing their number and their cost to the Representative to the UN in Geneva spoke to President taxpayer. The proposals for the majority of bodies Ouattara’s Foreign Minister, M. Jean-Marie Kacou Gervais across all departments was announced and published on 14 March 2011 about the situation. on 14 October 2010. An updated list reflecting changes I call on all sides in Cote d’Ivoire to exercise restraint since October 2010 has been published on the Cabinet and avoid further violence. Mr Gbagbo must respect Office website this month. the voices of the Ivorian population and the united Summary information on public appointments is international community to step aside and allow a published annually by the Cabinet Office. This includes peaceful transfer of power. data on gender. Copies of the most recent report can be downloaded from Democratic Republic of Congo: Females www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Rail Travel Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Democratic Republic of Congo on steps to counter and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what sexual violence against women and children in that proportion of civil servants in his Department are country. [48114] entitled to travel first class by rail within the UK. [47070] Mr Bellingham: While in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year, I met Foreign Minister Thambwe Alistair Burt: We have common rules for rail travel and urged the Government of the DRC to implement for all grades, so where there is an entitlement to first fully President Kabila’s zero tolerance policy on perpetrators class travel it is the same for all staff. of sexual violence. I also stressed to other DRC Ministers All staff travel standard class where the published that the DRC’s human rights record must improve. On one way rail journey time is less than five hours, unless 23 February 2011, I welcomed the convictions of the there are exceptional circumstances such as illness, disability senior commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mutuare Daniel or where first class facilities are essential for working Kibibi, and eight other Congolese soldiers responsible while travelling. for the terrible rapes at Fizi in January 2011. Our First class rail travel is otherwise only permitted on embassy in Kinshasa also maintains close links with the rail journeys within the UK that are five hours or longer Ministry of Gender, Family and Children including by the quickest and shortest route. In the past 12 months, through the funding of a gender adviser posted in the 99 percent of all railway journeys made by staff within Ministry. the UK were in standard class. 957W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 958W

Egypt: Politics and Government Libya

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of he has made of the steps taken by his international his Department are based in (a) Libya and (b) Tripoli. partners to ensure that the views of the Egyptian [46708] people are fully taken into account before any change Alistair Burt: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the constitution of that country is made. [47984] (FCO) staff in Libya are based at our embassy in Tripoli. In light of the deteriorating situation in Libya, Alistair Burt: There is broad consensus between the operations at our embassy in Tripoli were suspended on UK, European member states and other international 26 February 2011. Before operations were suspended, partners on policy towards Egypt. The European Council there were approximately 80 FCO employees at our Conclusions of 31 January 2011 made clear that the embassy in Tripoli. This figure includes UK-based civil legitimate democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people servants and staff employed locally. We continue to should be listened to carefully and addressed through employ our locally engaged staff in Tripoli but they are urgent, concrete and decisive measures. Following the not able to perform their normal duties in current referendum on Constitutional reform on 19 March circumstances. UK-based staff from our embassy in 2011, it will be vital to sustain support for genuine Tripoli continue to monitor the situation in Libya, political reform, with a fully inclusive process. It is also reinforcing the Libya team at the FCO in London. important that a credible election timetable is set out. For operational and security reasons, we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown. Indonesia: Religious Freedom Middle East: Armed Conflict Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign he has had with his Indonesian counterpart on (a) and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has freedom of religion and (b) violence against religious received on levels of arms smuggling into Gaza; what minorities. [48119] recent discussions he has had with (a) the Government of Israel, (b) the Palestinian Authority, (c) the Mr Jeremy Browne: We have strong relations with the Government of Egypt, (d) the Arab League, (e) the Government of Indonesia and this includes raising any Government of Jordan, (f) his EU counterparts and issues of concern, including freedom of religion, both (g) the United Nations Secretary General on this issue; bilaterally and through the EU. On 11 February 2011 and if he will make a statement. [R] [47698] our chargé d’affaires in Jakarta discussed our concerns of the recent attacks on the Ahmadiyya community and Alistair Burt: Despite the efforts of Israel, Egypt and churches in central Java with senior officials at the the international community, weapons continue to be Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We stressed the smuggled into Gaza. We continue to work with the importance of ensuring that there was a full investigation international community to support all efforts to implement and that those responsible be brought to account. the steps set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1860 of January 2009, including the prevention and The EU issued a public statement expressing its concerns interdiction of illicitly trafficked arms into Gaza and on 8 February 2011. The importance of tackling the alleviation of the humanitarian and economic situation. discrimination and ensuring protection for minority Officials from a number of countries, including the UK, communities was a focus of discussion at the most US and Israel, met in Rome on 9 and 10 February 2011 recent EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels to take forward this work. on 9 March 2011. Middle East: Politics and Government Japan: Tsunami Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Department has commissioned research on the role of for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) social media and (b) satellite television in the contingency arrangements he (a) has and (b) plans to recent unrest in the Middle East. [45318] put in place to (i) provide consular support for and (ii) assist with the evacuation of British nationals in Japan. Mr Hague: Social media and satellite television are a [47973] fundamental part of today’s networked world. Their role in the middle east is of great interest to us, particularly Mr Hague [holding answer 21 March 2011]: Our in light of recent events, and is an important focus of Consular Crisis Centre in London and consular teams the political reporting which informs our internal policy at two locations in Japan (Tokyo, and Osaka) have been development. It is also the subject of widely available working round the clock to provide assistance and external research and analysis. advice to British nationals. In Japan we are providing an enhanced package of consular assistance for British Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign nationals directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami, and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he including financial support for people who need essentials has made of the promotion of democracy in the middle such as food, accommodation and clothing, assistance east; what recent discussions he has had with the Arab with medical treatment, telephone calls home, and travel League on this issue; what response was received; and if both within and out of Japan. he will make a statement. [R] [47683] 959W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 960W

Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary Mr Hague: We monitor closely the issue of religious of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs’ speech freedom in Pakistan. We are concerned about intolerance during the debate on the middle east and north Africa and violence perpetrated against minority groups and in the House on 17 March 2011, Official Report, columns that public debate around issues of religious freedom 494-583. has become difficult. An unprecedented wave of change is sweeping across The Minister for South Asia (Alistair Burt), raised the Arab world. Almost every middle eastern country issues of religious freedom with the Pakistan high has been affected by demands for greater openness and commissioner in London, and Baroness Warsi discussed freedom. these issues with a number of senior Pakistani leaders Reform must be a home-grown process, and leadership during her visit in February.The British high commissioner must come from within countries. However, the international to Pakistan, Adam Thomson, has also raised this issue community, including the UK, can play a positive role with the Government of Pakistan. We will continue to in supporting the countries of the middle east put in engage with the authorities in Pakistan on these issues place the building blocks for more open, plural and free as part of our wider human rights work. societies. Palestinians: Overseas Aid As part of the UK’s long-term approach, on 8 February 2011 in Tunisia, the Secretary of State announced the Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign launch of the Arab Partnership to support the reforms and Commonwealth Affairs what recent support he the countries of the region need for a stable and prosperous has provided to moderate forces in the Palestinian future. This is not about imposing Western democratic Territories; what recent discussions he has had with (a) models and prescribing outcomes, but about promoting the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Secretary more open societies. of State for International Development on the I also discussed progress towards democratisation provision of funding for moderate forces in the with Amr Moussa, Secretary-General of the Arab League, Palestinian Territories; and if he will make a statement. and senior Egyptian figures during his visit to Cairo [R] [47668] from 9-11 March 2011. Alistair Burt: The UK provides financial and technical Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA). President Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Abbas underlined during his recent visit to the UK his assessment he has made of the political situation in the commitment to peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian Middle East; and if he will make a statement. [47738] conflict. In the 2010-11 financial year, the Department Alistair Burt: As the Secretary of State for Foreign for International Development’s (DFID) support has and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, said totalled £31.1 million: £30 million in direct financial in his speech to the House during the debate on 17 March assistance and £1.1 million for technical assistance to 2011, Official Report, columns 494-583, an unprecedented the Ministries of Planning and Finance. wave of change is sweeping across the Arab world In addition the UK is supporting capacity building triggering a series of simultaneous crises. In Egypt and and leadership training for the Palestinian Authority Tunisia this has led to new Governments and hope of a Security Forces. Support in the 2010-11 financial year more democratic future. In Libya, legitimate protest has (from a tri-departmental conflict pool) totalled been followed by bloody civil strife, at the hands of a £2.759 million. The majority of this work is delivered Government willing to countenance any loss of life in by the British support team in Ramallah, which works order to retain power. There is continued unrest in with the PA to raise the standards of the security Bahrain, and deep instability in Yemen. And we expect agencies. This includes International Committee of the further instability in the region in the coming weeks. Red Cross human rights training for senior and intermediate Our immediate priorities remain the welfare of British PA security officers. nationals as well as the need to support dialogue and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, DFID and political reform. Across the region, we continue to press HM Treasury work closely on these issues at both Governments bilaterally and through the EU and UN official and ministerial level. to respond to the legitimate aspirations of their people Population for greater political and economic freedom. In Tunisia the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, announced our new Arab Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Partnership which will support the development of the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is core building blocks of more open democratic societies, on (a) permitting and (b) promoting the provision by including a free media, broad political participation Government agencies of technical support to overseas and private sector development. The United Kingdom countries seeking (i) information on and (ii) control will continue to press for progress on the Middle East over their domestic population. [47982] Peace Process. Our work to tackle Iran’s nuclear threat also remains vital. Alistair Burt [holding answer 21 March 2011]: We place the values of human rights, democracy and the Pakistan: Religious Freedom rule of law at the heart of our foreign policy. Human rights are essential to, and indivisible from our foreign Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State policy objectives. The Government consider requests for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent for technical support from other countries on a case by assessment he has made of the state of religious case basis, taking account of risks at all levels and in freedom in Pakistan. [47559] line with foreign policy objectives and values. 961W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 962W

Serbia: War Crimes Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Serbian counterpart reports he has received on the situation in on the extradition of Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic; Matabeleland, Zimbabwe. [48039] and if he will make a statement. [48170] Mr Bellingham: We are concerned at the recent increase in politically motivated intimidation and violence and Mr Lidington: The Government remain acutely conscious the disruption of political and civil society meetings of the importance of the need to apprehend the remaining throughout Zimbabwe, including Matabeleland. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia political situation in Matabeleland is particularly complex. (ICTY) fugitives and raises this issue regularly with Although the three provinces strongly supported Morgan Serbia. Tsvangirai in the 2008 presidential election, it is also The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth where the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Affairs, my right hon. Friend, met Serbian Foreign Change won all their parliamentary seats. Minister Vuk Jeremic in Belgrade in September 2010 and then in London in November 2010. On both occasions he made clear that the Government expect Serbia’s full WORK AND PENSIONS co-operation with the ICTY including exerting maximum effort to apprehend Mladic and Hadzic. I have made Apprentices: Middlesbrough clear that Serbia’s future accession to the EU is conditional on its full co-operation with the ICTY.Our ambassador Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for in Belgrade also consistently reinforces this message in Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the his dealings with the Serbian Government. number of small and medium-sized businesses in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency USA: Visits which employed apprentices in the latest period for which figures are available. [47591] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hayes: I have been asked to reply. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) Information is not available at parliamentary constituency representations and (b) submissions he has received on level on the size of the employer for apprentices. his Department’s procedures for arranging visitor tours The National Employer Skills Survey (NESS) shows of the White House; and what role the British embassy a national estimate of the proportion of apprentices in Washington plays in arranging such tours for UK employed by employer size. These data are based on nationals. [48068] repeated surveys of up to 79,000 employers across all business sectors in England. Table 1 shows information Alistair Burt: Requests to arrange visitor tours of the from the published 2009 National Employer Skills Survey1 White House were previously made through our embassy on the proportion of apprentices employed by the size in Washington, which facilitated such tours for visiting of employer, expressed as a percentage of all apprenticeships. UK nationals. However, this practice was discontinued 1 Figure 8.4, page 208 in: in September 2010 as a result of the increasing difficulty http://www.ukces.org.uk/upload/pdf/ of securing tour places for UK nationals. This is due to NESS%20main%20report_1.pdf the rise in demand from US citizens for White House tours and the fact that the White House gives priority to Table 1: Percentage of apprentices employed by employer size (NESS 2009) American visitors over those from other countries. This Percentage change brings us into line with many other embassies in Number of employees of employer 100- 200- Washington that similarly do not offer to process White 2-4 5-24 25-99 199 499 500+ Total House tours for their citizens. Apprentices 13 34 23 8 11 10 100 employed Voluntary Work Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for and high quality training opportunities like apprenticeships Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) he are key to supporting their growth and success. I know and (b) Ministers in his Department are participating that small businesses place great value on an apprenticeship in volunteering activities as part of his Department’s and are prepared to invest in them. Indeed, the National Employer Skills Survey suggests that small and medium- involvement in the big society initiative. [42657] sized businesses employ proportionately more apprentices than larger employers. Alistair Burt: Ministers carry out their duties in line with the Ministerial Code. Any volunteering activities Children: Maintenance in a personal capacity are a private matter for them. Relevant interests, which may include voluntary activities, Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and are published by the Cabinet Office in the List of Pensions what estimate he has made of the savings to Ministers’ Interests at: his Department attributable to the operation of the http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/list- Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission in ministers-interests each of the next four financial years. [46830] 963W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 964W

Maria Miller: As we announced at the Spending cost of function is not the same as procurement expenditure Review, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement which is paid to external suppliers. DWP has a largely Commission are not exempt from making significant joined-up procurement function where the corporate savings across SR10. Work is continuing, through the centre provides services to DWP, its agencies and most Department’s continuous planning process, with the NDPBs. As a result of past efficiency and modernisation emphasis on realising savings through both a reduction programmes the cost of the procurement function has in corporate and operational costs. Savings in operational reduced by 35% over the last seven years. A current expenditure will be greatly assisted by the implementation Commercial Improvement Programme will develop plans of the future scheme. for the function to reduce by a further 40% over the SR10 period. Children: Poverty The Department is reviewing all expenditure with a view to driving out inefficiencies and delivering value Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work for money for the taxpayer. and Pensions whether he has had discussions with Ministers in the (a) Scottish Government, (b) Welsh Disability Living Allowance Assembly Government and (c) Northern Ireland Executive on the members they propose to appoint to the Child Poverty Commission. [48348] Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) with reference to paragraph 7 of his Maria Miller: The devolved Administrations have Department’s impact assessment on reform of been involved in discussions on how best to take forward disability living allowance, what assessment he has proposals on the Child Poverty Commission. made of the potential effect of his proposed reforms of We believe the Commission must have a remit which disability living allowance on the willingness of will allow it to hold Government to account and drive residents of care homes to travel outside their care progress towards reducing child poverty. We cannot home; [46389] justify establishing an independent commission which (2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of does not perform these functions effectively. This is why residential care homes which do not fulfil their we have chosen to consult with our stakeholders and to responsibilities for the provision of mobility support. carefully consider how the Commission should be taken [46390] forward, rather than rushing to set it up. Our plans for establishing a Commission will be set out in the Child Maria Miller: As paragraph 7 states, the Government Poverty Strategy, to be published shortly. We will ensure have listened to charities and other stakeholders and Ministers in the devolved Government and Northern will no longer remove this payment from October 2012. Ireland Executive are kept fully informed. We are currently in the process of reviewing existing Departmental Procurement evidence and gathering more evidence. In recent months I have met disabled people who are care home residents, their families and care home staff, so that I can listen Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and directly to their views about how mobility support Pensions what the cost to the public purse was of the works in practice on the ground. (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency and (B) Our work has so far established that the current non-departmental public body for which he is support for the mobility needs of disabled people in responsible in the last financial year for which figures residential care is inconsistent. There is a lack of clarity are available. [43948] about funding leading to confusion about who should provide what, leaving the most vulnerable people at the Chris Grayling: In the Department for Work and risk of variable provision. Pensions outsourcing forms part of the procurement Any subsequent changes to the mobility component function. All DWP commercial activity is covered by a of the disability living allowance for people in residential DWP commercial strategy and most is conducted as a care will be included in the design of the new Personal corporate service covering the DWP centre, agencies independence payment. Any changes are not intended and most NDPBs. The cost of the DWP corporate to remove disabled people’s mobility but will remove procurement function for 2009-10, and of those non- any overlaps in public funds. departmental public bodies that have their own procurement teams is as follows. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what savings his Department proposes to Cost of procurement function Organisation 2009-10 (£) make in respect of the reform of the mobility component of disability living allowance in (a) DWP 47,305,125 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15; [46831] Health and Safety Executive 1,338,515 (2) what recent estimate he has made of the level of Child Maintenance Enforcement 582,000 savings which will arise from the reform of the mobility Commission component of disability living allowance in (a) The Pensions Regulator 422,875 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15; [46879] Total 49,648,515 (3) what discussions he has had with the Chief This response reflects the cost of delivering the Secretary to the Treasury on savings to be made procurement function across DWP in 2009-10, the latest through reform of the mobility component of full financial year for which figures are available. The disability living allowance. [47002] 965W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 966W

Maria Miller: Support in the new benefit will be and support allowance following reassessment of their focused on those who face the greatest challenges to live existing incapacity benefit award. independent lives. The detailed eligibility criteria that will be used in the new assessment which includes the Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for mobility component are currently being developed. As Work and Pensions (1) in how many cases where more detailed design is completed savings estimates will couples made a joint claim for jobseeker’s allowance be updated to reflect the increased level of detail. The the nominated recipient was (a) a man and (b) a Chancellor announced in June 2010 that he anticipated woman in the last year for which figures are available; that the overall impact of reform will result in savings [48092] equivalent to 20% of forecast working age DLA expenditure (2) in how many cases where couples made a joint overall but savings have not been attributed separately claim for (a) income-related jobseeker’s allowance, (b) to the care and mobility components of DLA. Further income support and (c) income-related employment information is available in the impact assessment published and support allowance the claim was made by (a) a on 16t February: man and (b) a woman in the last year for which figures http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dla-reform-wr2011-ia.pdf are available. [48093] As the assessment is further developed work will be Chris Grayling: The information requested in respect undertaken which will inform subsequent impact of joint claims for income support (IS) and income assessments. based employment and support allowance (ESA) is not The Secretary of State regularly meets with the Chief available because for both these benefits only one member Secretary to the Treasury. These meetings cover a number of a couple can make a claim. While many income of issues and policy areas. based IS and ESA customers do receive an additional amount of money for their partner these claims are not Employers’ Liability Insurance made jointly. The information we do have for the number of joint Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Work claims in respect of JSA (IB) are in the following table: and Pensions when he plans to publish his Jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) income based (IB), joint claims, by gender and Department’s response to the consultation on benefit type, August 2010 proposals to improve the tracing of employers liability All joint Male joint Female joint insurance policies and establish a fund of last resort to claims claims claims make payments in cases where employers are insolvent Income-based and 1,800 1,300 500 and insurers cannot be traced. [46437] Contributory-based JSA Income-based JSA only 18,700 10,500 8,100 Chris Grayling: In February 2010, the previous Notes: 1. Totals may not sum due to rounding. Government published their consultation document in 2. Figures have been uprated using 5% proportions against 100% WPLS totals. Great Britain, “Accessing Compensation—Supporting 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. people who need to trace employers’ liability insurance”, 4. Data provided are the most recent available. Source: which set out proposals for people who need to find DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study their employers’ liability insurance policies in order to (WPLS) Information Directorate, 5% samples claim compensation. The consultation closed on 5 May Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010. Work and Pensions whether recipients of jobseekers’ There were two proposals; firstly an Employers’ Liability allowance who are attending interviews and work trials Tracing Office, that would manage a database of employers’ receive assistance from the public purse with the cost of liability policies. Secondly, an Employers’Liability Insurance travel and meals. [48256] Bureau which would be a compensation fund of last resort for those individuals who are unable to trace Chris Grayling: Jobseeker’s allowance is intended to employers’ liability insurance records, ensuring they are cover all normal day-to-day living expenses. However, able to receive compensation for injuries or diseases customers attending job interviews that are considered sustained during the course of their employment. to be outside the local travel to work area may get help We are in active discussions with all stakeholders on with the cost of their fares through the Travel to Interview how this situation can be addressed and we will bring Scheme and in exceptional circumstances help with forward our proposals in due course. accommodation. Customers participating in a Work Trial are also entitled to claim their travel expenses. No Jobseeker’s Allowance meal expenses are paid in relation to attending interviews or a Work Trial. Personal Pensions Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what transitional arrangements (a) Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work there are and (b) he plans to introduce for those who and Pensions what progress has been made on giving are moved onto jobseeker’s allowance following a work people greater flexibility in early access to part of a capability assessment where the change results in a personal pension fund. [48007] difference in benefit payments. [44617] Mr Hoban: I have been asked to reply. Chris Grayling: There is no transitional protection The Government published a call for evidence on for claimants who move from employment and support early access to pension saving on 13 December 2010, allowance to jobseeker’s allowance and there are no which closed on 25 February 2011. The Government plans to introduce such arrangements. There is however, are currently considering the responses received and transitional protection for those who move to employment will make further announcements in due course. 967W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 968W

Social Security Benefits DWP and Jobcentre Plus continue to make an active contribution to cross-government work towards making a reality of the Adult Autism Delivery Plan through, for Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work example, involvement in the Department of Health-led and Pensions with reference to his Department’s autism steering group. Jobcentre Plus is working in impact assessment on requiring consideration of partnership with external medical professionals, disability revision before appeal, whether this policy is to apply specific organisations, and service users to improve the to (a) appeals against sanctions and (b) appeals about customer service experience for young people with more claimant conditions. [46411] complex needs through the Hidden Impairments National Group. Chris Grayling: The proposed permissive power in the Welfare Reform Bill to require consideration of State Retirement Pensions revision before appeal could be used in relation to all appealable social security decisions. Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for These powers would make it possible to require claimants Work and Pensions how many people received the state to apply for a decision to be revised before they are able second pension in each of the last seven years; in how to appeal to the first-tier tribunal. many cases contracted-out deductions were made; and The change is being introduced to enable more disputes what the total value of such deductions was in each to be resolved through the internal reconsideration such year. [45438] process. The process would allow a claimant’s decision to appeal to be informed by whether reconsideration Steve Webb: The available information is in the following had provided them with a clear justification for the table. original decision. Claimants would make a positive Numbers in receipt of additional state pension and with contracted-out choice to appeal after their case had been reconsidered—in deductions applied to accruals of additional state pension, with total weekly contrast to the present position where they have to value of contracted-out deductions, as at 31 march of the years shown (recipients in Great Britain only) make a positive decision to withdraw their appeal if Numbers with Total weekly value they are content with the outcome of a reconsideration. contracted-out of contracted-out deductions applied deductions for all These powers could be used in relation to appeals Numbers in receipt to accruals of individuals (£ p.w. against sanctions and appeals about conditions of of additional state additional state nominal terms)4 (£ entitlement. We plan to consult on any proposals for pension1 pension2,3 million) regulations in due course. 2004 9,309,200 4,053,400 112 2005 9,493,500 4,232,500 122 Special Educational Needs 2006 9,603,300 4,375,900 132 2007 9,794,800 4,556,000 142 Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State 2008 10,035,900 4,768,600 155 for Work and Pensions what steps his Department 2009 10,269,900 4,993,700 168 takes to assist into employment those with learning 2010 10,536,300 5,236,100 182 1 Additional state pension includes payments under the graduated retirement difficulties at the point at which they leave school. benefit, state earnings related pension and state second pension schemes. [46043] 2 Contracted-out deductions may be applied to accruals under the state earnings related pension scheme between 1978 and 1996. 3 A small number of individuals have contracted-out deductions but no net Maria Miller: The Department for Work and Pensions additional state pension entitlement. These individuals are not represented (DWP) is committed to improving the life chances of under ‘Numbers in receipt of additional state pension’. 4 Figures for total annual value of contracted-out deductions are not available. young people with learning difficulties and disabilities Notes: and this has been reflected through, for example, active 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 individuals or £1 million. 2. Figures are for recipients in Great Britain only. engagement with the Department for Education during 3. Figures include own and inherited additional state pension and contracted-out their preparation of the recently launched Green Paper deductions. for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities- Support Source: and Aspiration: a new approach to special educational DWP, Information Directorate 5% sample administrative data needs and disability. Through this, we have highlighted Universal Credit the important contribution DWP will make towards the delivery of more flexible services across government for Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work people with complex needs with the introduction of the and Pensions what assumptions he has made in his Universal Credit and through both the Work Programme estimate that £2 billion from fraud and overpayment and Work Choice. will be saved by the introduction of universal credit; Our goal is for disabled young people and young and how much he estimates will be saved in each (a) people facing complex barriers to have the best opportunities category and (b) year. [45062] and support so that as far as possible they can succeed in transition from education to adult working life. Chris Grayling: The greater simplicity of the universal DWP is also working closely with others across credit scheme will generate savings from a reduction in government to embed fully the learning from cross- the scope for fraud and error and in-year overpayments. government initiatives such as Valuing Employment Savings will be generated from reforms including the Now. This involves, for example, active support for abolition of the de-minimus rule, whereby changes in delivery in Project Search demonstration sites and support earnings within certain limits are disregarded in any for the evaluation of the Getting a Life demonstration calculation of tax credits, access to real time earnings sites. data and better sharing of information. In addition, 969W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 970W because more customers will continue to claim universal assistance with the costs of childcare under each of the credit, for example, after a move into work, there will be options set out in his proposals for universal credit in more opportunities to recover any overpayments. each of the next four financial years. [46892] The estimated savings of £2 billion per annum are based on the steady-state position once universal credit Maria Miller: As the Secretary of State said at Second is fully implemented and there are no longer any households Reading of the Welfare Reform Bill, we will be supporting on the current benefits and tax credits. the cost of child care with an additional element in the universal credit and we will invest at least the same The Department has not produced yearly estimates amount of money as in the present system. More detailed for the transitional period. The savings for the transitional proposals are under consideration and will be announced period will depend on the detailed process for moving during the passage of the Bill. customers on to universal credit, which has not yet been finalised. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the (a) number of families Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work on incomes between £16,000 and £24,000 who will be and Pensions with reference to the impact assessment affected by the introduction of universal credit and (b) on his proposals for universal credit, what estimate he likely effect on average annual incomes in this group of has made of the sums attributable to universal credit to the implementation of universal credit. [46898] be accounted for in his Department’s (a) annually managed expenditure, (b) departmental expenditure Chris Grayling: Transitional protection will ensure limit resource and (c) departmental expenditure limit that there are no cash losers at the point of transition as capital in each year covered by the assessment. [45063] a result of changes in the way benefit is calculated. Chris Grayling: The impact assessment refers to the It is estimated using the Department’s Policy Simulation (a) cost associated with Universal Credit once fully Model that in steady state 1.4 million families on implemented. At this time it is expected that the annually incomes between £16,000 and £24,000 will have either a managed expenditure cost of Universal Credit will be higher or a lower entitlement under universal credit (b) £2.6 billion and the departmental expenditure limit will than under the current system, It is estimated that be reduced by £0.5 billion as a result lower administration the average effect on annual entitlement in this group costs. will be an increase of £570. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Pensions if he will estimate the (a) number of families Work and Pensions what change he expects in the with savings (i) above £16,000 and (ii) between £6,000 number of people working (a) one to five, (b) six to and £16,000 who will be affected by the introduction of nine, (c) 10 to 19, (d) 20 to 29 and (e) 30 or more universal credit and (b) the likely effect on average hours per week following introduction of the universal annual incomes in each group of the implementation of credit. [46501] universal credit. [46899]

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not Chris Grayling: The Government have made a available. We are currently considering whether there is commitment that there will no longer be losers purely as a way of robustly estimating these effects. a result of the move to universal credit. At the point of Universal credit will improve incentives to work by a change a comparison will be made between current combination of earnings disregards and a single withdrawal amount received in tax credits and/or benefits and the rate to reduce the credit when earnings exceed the household entitlement under universal credit. If the disregard. This will make the benefits of work clearer universal credit entitlement is less, and no other and simpler: encouraging people to move into work and circumstances have changed, a cash amount will be see the financial benefits of increasing the number of paid in order to make up the difference. hours they work or provide a clear incentive for people It is estimated using the Department’s Policy Simulation to try out a ’mini-job’. By actively putting work at the Model that in steady state: centre of working-age support we want to create a new (i) 100,000 families with savings above £16,000 would have a contract with the British people. We will help them to lower entitlement under universal credit than they would have find work and make sure work pays when they do. had under the current system. It is estimated that the average The number of hours work a person does will not be effect on annual entitlement in this group will be a decrease of part of the qualifying conditions for universal credit. £2,720; (ii) 200,000 families with savings between £6,000 and £16,000 Overall we expect the number of workless households would have either a higher or a lower entitlement under Universal to fall as a result of improved incentives to work under Credit than under the current system. It is estimated that the universal credit. average effect on annual entitlement in this group will be a decrease of £210. Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will assess the proportion of the cost Welfare State: Reform of childcare to be funded by the recipients under each of the options set out in his proposals for universal Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work credit in each of the next four financial years; [46891] and Pensions with reference to his Department’s (2) if he will estimate the number of families in (a) impact assessment on conditionality measures in the Glasgow North East constituency, (b) Glasgow, (c) Welfare Reform Bill, what estimate he has made of (a) Scotland and (d) Great Britain who will receive the number of people who will claim jobseeker’s 971W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 972W allowance hardship payments in each of the next four their disputes, including mediation, which can be provided years and (b) the average sum to be claimed in each by qualified surveyors where appropriate. The Government such year. [46382] are considering the responses to the Ministry of Justice’s consultation “Proposals for Reform of Civil Litigation Chris Grayling: We have not made any estimates of Funding and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation the number of people who will claim JSA-related hardship of Lord Justice Jackson’s Recommendations”. This may payments over each of the next four years or what the lead to changes that are relevant to the cost of resolving average sum claimed each year will be. boundary disputes.

British Sign Language JUSTICE Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Bailiffs Justice what facilities his Department provides for British Sign Language users to access legal services. Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for [47536] Justice what progress has been made on developing options for a public consultation on the better Mr Djanogly: British Sign Language (BSL) users in regulation of bailiffs; and if he will make a statement. England and Wales are able to use the Community [48345] Legal Advice (CLA) telephone helpline or the CLA website to access legal services. CLA is funded by the Mr Djanogly: The Government have given a commitment legal aid scheme which is administered by the Legal to provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs. Services Commission (LSC). We have identified options for public consultation on BSL users may access the helpline by using a text or this commitment including the better regulation of bailiffs, web based ‘call me back’ service, and can then use web the powers of bailiffs, their costs and how complaints cameras to communicate with legal advisers who are should be dealt with. We are currently preparing the fluent in BSL. This service is currently available at paper and intend to publish in spring 2011. specialist level in the categories of Debt, Housing, Boundary Disputes Employment and Welfare Benefits. BSL users may also search through the directory Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for function on the CLA website to find a face-to-face legal Justice (1) if he will bring forward proposals to reduce adviser local to them that provides BSL translation. the (a) time taken in, (b) complexity and (c) cost of boundary dispute resolution procedures; and if he will Departmental Compensation make a statement; [47556] (2) whether he has considered the merits of Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for resolution of boundary disputes through mediation by Justice how much (a) his Department and (b) each (i) and agreement between qualified surveyors; [47584] agency and (ii) non-departmental public body for (3) if he will assess the implications for his which he is responsible spent on compensation Department’s policies of the outcome of the case of payments to members of the public for errors made by Huntley and another v. Armes (2010) EWCA Civ 396. such bodies in each of the last five years. [47426] [47585] Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Ministry of Justice was Mr Djanogly: “Huntley v. Armes” shows how difficult created in May 2007 from the former Department for it can be to resolve a boundary dispute but does not Constitutional Affairs and part of the Home Office. raise any new issues for my Department and there are There is no comparable data from before that time. no specific plans to change the ways in which boundary Some agencies and Executive agencies were in existence disputes can be settled. The Government already encourages before those machinery of government changes, so are potential litigants to consider alternative ways of resolving able to give data for the last five financial years.

£ Organisation 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06

MoJ HQ 0 0 0 0 0 HM Courts Service1 729,000 1.15 million 1.1 million 630,000 520,000 NOMS2 2— 2— 2— 2— 2— Tribunals Service3 92,000 86,000 71,000 63,000 3— Office of the Public Guardian 143,000 169,000 89,000 188,000 558,000 Criminal Cases Review Commission 0 0 0 0 0 Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority4 10,000 10,000 866 57,000 4— Information Commissioner’s Office 0 0 0 0 0 Judicial Appointments Commission 0 0 0 0 0 Legal Services Board 0 0 0 0 0 Legal Services Commission5 52,000 35,000 95,000 96,000 258,000 Office for Legal Complaints 0 0 0 0 0 Parole Board 0 0 0 0 0 973W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 974W

£ Organisation 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06

Youth Justice Board 0 0 0 0 0 1 HMCS made compensation payments to court users, including defendants for errors made by court staff. 2 Although NOMS’ accounting system records compensation payments made, it does not categorise them in a way that distinguishes the recipient eg member of the public, staff member, prisoner etc. It would cause disproportionate costs to manually research each compensation payment made to find out if it metthe criteria in the question. 3 The Tribunals Service came into existence on 1 April 2006. 4 CICA’s financial records for 2005-06 are stored on a separate accounting system that has been archived to an offsite location. It would incur disproportionate costs to retrieve them. 5 In 2008-09 the Commission was also ordered to pay £98,158 in relation to a judicial review.

Driving under Influence: Sentencing Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication in the spring of 2011. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice The Home Office are responsible for information how many (a) arrests and (b) convictions for relating to arrests, but the information requested on drink-driving resulted in custodial sentences in each arrests is not collected centrally. police force area in each year since 1997. [47676] The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers Mr Blunt: From information held by the Ministry of arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, Justice, the number of defendants found guilty, sentenced broken down at a main offence group level, covering to immediate custody and sentence breakdown at all categories such as violence against the person and robbery. courts for drink and drug related driving offences by Offences of drink-driving do not form a part of this police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 2009 collection. (latest available) is shown in the following tables.

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Avon and Somerset Found guilty 2,453 2,296 2,447 2,230 2,000 2,153 2,374 Sentenced6 2,454 2,301 2,449 2,231 2,002 2,154 2,375 Of which: Immediate custody 74 76 81 71 52 41 70 Other sentence7 2,380 2,225 2,368 2,160 1,950 2,113 2,305

Bedfordshire Found guilty 1,039 964 777 713 845 880 977 Sentenced6 1,039 965 776 714 845 881 977 Of which: Immediate custody 84 63 52 58 50 47 41 Other sentence7 955 902 724 656 795 834 936

Cambridgeshire Found guilty 971 956 848 699 713 762 854 Sentenced6 973 955 847 699 711 761 856 Of which: Immediate custody 35 23 13 21 20 21 31 Other sentence7 938 932 834 678 691 740 825

Cheshire Found guilty 1,738 1,705 1,600 1,488 1,396 1,799 1,700 Sentenced6 1,742 1,706 1,601 1,491 1,395 1,799 1,701 Of which: Immediate custody 41 64 77 75 47 51 51 Other sentence7 1,701 1,642 1,524 1,416 1,348 1,748 1,650

City of London Found guilty 410 281 225 156 147 209 207 Sentenced6 410 281 225 157 147 209 207 Of which: Immediate custody 76245124 Other sentence7 403 275 223 153 142 197 203 975W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 976W

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Cleveland Found guilty 836 726 709 679 777 808 800 Sentenced6 835 726 709 679 778 809 800 Of which: Immediate custody 41 23 21 23 29 37 20 Other sentence7 794 703 688 656 749 772 780

Cumbria Found guilty 802 740 771 710 665 686 737 Sentenced6 802 740 771 710 666 688 738 Of which: Immediate custody 16 14 15 17 16 16 11 Other sentence7 786 726 756 693 650 672 727

Derbyshire Found guilty 1,412 1,325 1,281 1,240 1,216 1,300 1,421 Sentenced6 1,412 1,327 1,280 1,240 1,218 1,303 1,421 Of which: Immediate custody 88 118 104 65 72 93 89 Other sentence7 1,324 1,209 1,176 1,175 1,146 1,210 1,332

Devon and Cornwall Found guilty 2,149 2,088 2,098 2,052 2,225 2,271 2,489 Sentenced6 2,150 2,089 2,100 2,055 2,226 2,271 2,492 Of which: Immediate custody 52 64 48 50 68 49 59 Other sentence7 2,098 2,025 2,052 2,005 2,158 2,222 2,433

Dorset Found guilty 1,044 1,051 1,000 974 1,001 1,032 1,103 Sentenced6 1,045 1,052 1,000 974 1,002 1,032 1,103 Of which: Immediate custody 45 42 54 33 38 31 22 Other sentence7 1,000 1,010 946 941 964 1,001 1,081

Durham Found guilty 901 913 1,024 1,025 982 1,004 1,015 Sentenced6 901 913 1,023 1,024 981 1,004 1,015 Of which: Immediate custody 29 23 36 43 39 29 33 Other sentence7 872 890 987 981 942 975 982

Essex Found guilty 2,545 2,231 2,309 2,262 2,231 2,290 2,366 Sentenced6 2,545 2,229 2,308 2,263 2,232 2,290 2,367 Of which: Immediate custody 163 150 169 134 148 147 153 Other sentence7 2,382 2,079 2,139 2,129 2,084 2,143 2,214

Gloucestershire Found guilty 969 894 791 711 809 859 823 Sentenced6 969 894 791 711 809 859 824 Of which: Immediate custody 26 14 26 17 21 27 21 Other sentence7 943 880 765 694 788 832 803

Greater Manchester Found guilty 4,161 4,079 4,126 4,054 4,067 4,063 4,111 977W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 978W

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Sentenced6 4,161 4,085 4,128 4,056 4,068 4,063 4,113 Of which: Immediate custody 248 222 225 212 230 234 207 Other sentence7 3,913 3,863 3,903 3,844 3,838 3,829 3,906

Hampshire Found guilty 3,402 3,263 3,429 3,158 3,185 3,542 3,328 Sentenced6 3,402 3,264 3,430 3,158 3,181 3,539 3,328 Of which: Immediate custody 142 131 123 135 140 123 119 Other sentence7 3,260 3,133 3,307 3,023 3,041 3,416 3,209

Hertfordshire Found guilty 1,519 1,515 1,514 1,409 1,538 1,762 1,750 Sentenced6 1,519 1,513 1,518 1,411 1,540 1,764 1,749 Of which: Immediate custody 47 45 32 44 47 47 42 Other sentence7 1,472 1,468 1,486 1,367 1,493 1,717 1,707

Humberside Found guilty 1,122 1,203 1,161 1,200 1,120 1,251 1,357 Sentenced6 1,123 1,203 1,161 1,200 1,120 1,253 1,357 Of which: Immediate custody 48 44 60 67 69 65 84 Other sentence7 1,075 1,159 1,101 1,133 1,051 1,188 1,273

Kent Found guilty 2,094 2,429 2,422 2,389 2,390 2,540 2,508 Sentenced6 2,095 2,433 2,423 2,390 2,390 2,541 2,510 Of which: Immediate custody 57 97 86 86 102 92 82 Other sentence7 2,038 2,336 2,337 2,304 2,288 2,449 2,428

Lancashire Found guilty 3,003 2,591 2,349 2,312 2,059 2,316 2,393 Sentenced6 3,003 2,593 2,351 2,313 2,059 2,317 2,395 Of which: Immediate custody 125 93 90 81 78 67 64 Other sentence7 2,878 2,500 2,261 2,232 1,981 2,250 2,331

Leicestershire Found guilty 1,476 1,327 1,412 1,363 1,380 1,489 1,537 Sentenced6 1,476 1,328 1,414 1,363 1,380 1,491 1,540 Of which: Immediate custody 113 81 98 84 68 75 82 Other sentence7 1,363 1,247 1,316 1,279 1,312 1,416 1,458

Lincolnshire Found guilty 1,019 913 855 757 808 779 1017 Sentenced6 1,019 913 855 757 808 780 1018 Of which: Immediate custody 31 23 29 28 35 35 22 Other sentence7 988 890 826 729 773 745 996

Merseyside Found guilty 2,347 2,129 1,874 1,891 1,950 2,059 2,386 Sentenced6 2,346 2,129 1,874 1,893 1,948 2,057 2,385 979W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 980W

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Of which: Immediate custody 157 195 171 172 125 121 105 Other sentence7 2,189 1,934 1,703 1,721 1,823 1,936 2,280

Metropolitan Police Found guilty 14,795 12,656 11,300 10,803 10,374 11,857 11,406 Sentenced6 14,793 12,655 11,306 10,802 10,371 11,855 11,404 Of which: Immediate custody 848 705 554 545 639 583 563 Other sentence7 13,945 11,950 10,752 10,257 9,732 11,272 10,841

Norfolk Found guilty 1,025 1,034 915 838 1,018 1,109 1,150 Sentenced6 1,025 1,035 915 838 1,018 1,109 1,150 Of which: Immediate custody 31 27 39 19 31 26 25 Other sentence7 994 1,008 876 819 987 1,083 1,125

North Yorkshire Found guilty 1,204 1,080 1,008 986 982 1,026 1,085 Sentenced6 1,201 1,080 1,008 986 982 1,026 1,087 Of which: Immediate custody 39 46 31 39 29 33 24 Other sentence7 1,162 1,034 977 947 953 993 1,063

Northamptonshire Found guilty 1,006 957 943 703 343 205 726 Sentenced6 1,007 957 942 704 342 206 726 Of which: Immediate custody 73 53 54 53 38 19 31 Other sentence7 934 904 888 651 304 187 695

Northumbria Found guilty 2,248 2,101 2,088 2,272 2,154 2,220 2,362 Sentenced6 2,248 2,103 2,089 2,272 2,154 2,222 2,362 Of which: Immediate custody 72 83 89 84 78 61 58 Other sentence7 2,176 2,020 2,000 2,188 2,076 2,161 2,304

Nottinghamshire Found guilty 1,747 1,539 1,556 1,508 1,394 1,232 1,437 Sentenced6 1,749 1,539 1,556 1,513 1,395 1,234 1,442 Of which: Immediate custody 153 137 151 122 111 69 81 Other sentence7 1,596 1,402 1,405 1,391 1,284 1,165 1,361

South Yorkshire Found guilty 2,004 1,722 1,690 1,866 1,807 1,710 1,829 Sentenced6 2,005 1,723 1,689 1,867 1,806 1,709 1,829 Of which: Immediate custody 107 84 86 90 77 80 55 Other sentence7 1,898 1,639 1,603 1,777 1,729 1,629 1,774

Staffordshire Found guilty 1,820 1,735 1,503 — 1,303 1,487 1,512 Sentenced6 1,820 1,735 1,502 — 1,303 1,482 1,508 Of which: Immediate custody 69 75 76 — 55 74 63 Other sentence7 1,751 1,660 1,426 — 1,248 1,408 1,445 981W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 982W

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Suffolk Found guilty 944 946 980 808 856 997 1,081 Sentenced6 944 944 981 808 856 998 1,081 Of which: Immediate custody 26 31 43 46 31 44 31 Other sentence7 918 913 938 762 825 954 1050

Surrey Found guilty 1,244 1,223 1,306 1,403 1,469 1,492 1,339 Sentenced6 1,245 1,226 1,307 1,404 1,469 1,492 1,339 Of which: Immediate custody 32 27 19 28 33 31 21 Other sentence7 1,213 1,199 1,288 1,376 1,436 1,461 1,318

Sussex Found guilty 2,178 1,954 2,021 1,925 2,205 2,158 2,251 Sentenced6 2,178 1,952 2,021 1,926 2,204 2,158 2,253 Of which: Immediate custody 63 60 58 57 68 84 59 Other sentence7 2,115 1,892 1,963 1,869 2,136 2,074 2,194

Thames Valley Found guilty 3,743 3,593 3,416 3,219 3,013 3,994 3,614 Sentenced6 3,744 3,593 3,417 3,218 3,014 3,995 3,618 Of which: Immediate custody 110 96 93 103 98 100 81 Other sentence7 3,634 3,497 3,324 3,115 2,916 3,895 3,537

Warwickshire Found guilty 725 708 784 714 820 770 847 Sentenced6 725 710 784 714 820 769 847 Of which: Immediate custody 13 25 13 20 15 13 15 Other sentence7 712 685 771 694 805 756 832

West Mercia Found guilty 1,748 1,599 1,558 1,477 1,567 1,584 1,613 Sentenced6 1,748 1,597 1,559 1,478 1,568 1,584 1,614 Of which: Immediate custody 47 45 57 47 41 48 37 Other sentence7 1,701 1,552 1,502 1,431 1,527 1,536 1,577

West Midlands Found guilty 5,578 4,897 4,185 4,026 4,284 4,435 4,594 Sentenced6 5,580 4,899 4,184 4,030 4,288 4,437 4,597 Of which: Immediate custody 285 225 249 230 222 225 193 Other sentence7 5,295 4,674 3,935 3,800 4,066 4,212 4,404

West Yorkshire Found guilty 3,426 3,223 3,224 2,958 2,848 3,170 3,284 Sentenced6 3,425 3,221 3,222 2,958 2,850 3,167 3,282 Of which: Immediate custody 196 186 186 135 161 125 113 Other sentence7 3,229 3,035 3,036 2,823 2,689 3,042 3,169

Wiltshire Found guilty 948 992 914 852 913 891 908 Sentenced6 949 991 914 853 914 891 909 983W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 984W

Number of defendants found guilty and sentenced at all courts for drink and drug related driving offences by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area/outcome 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003

Of which: Immediate custody 20 20 23 16 23 24 18 Other sentence7 929 971 891 837 891 867 891

Dyfed-Powys Found guilty 893 877 845 748 770 828 872 Sentenced6 894 875 845 750 769 829 873 Of which: Immediate custody 24 18 28 19 18 25 28 Other sentence7 870 857 817 731 751 804 845

Gwent Found guilty 1,033 1,059 953 1,058 1,016 947 1,008 Sentenced6 1,033 1,058 953 1,058 1,016 948 1,008 Of which: Immediate custody 33 50 37 45 43 36 45 Other sentence7 1,000 1,008 916 1,013 973 912 963

North Wales Found guilty 1,167 1,149 1,102 1,169 1,086 1,124 1,182 Sentenced6 1,167 1,149 1,100 1,169 1,086 1,124 1,184 Of which: Immediate custody 47 55 40 48 41 34 33 Other sentence7 1,120 1,094 1,060 1,121 1,045 1,090 1,151

South Wales5 Found guilty 2,371 2,411 2,192 2,300 2,383 2,343 2,429 Sentenced6 2,371 2,411 2,196 2,301 2,382 2,344 2,433 Of which: Immediate custody 108 95 115 114 124 96 65 Other sentence7 2,263 2,316 2,081 2,187 2,258 2,248 2,368

England and Wales4 Found guilty 89,259 83,074 79,505 75,105 76,109 81,433 83,782 Sentenced5 89,272 83,092 79,524 75,138 76,113 81,444 83,817 Of which Immediate custody 4,065 3,754 3,653 3,380 3,475 3,290 3,051

Other sentence6 85,207 79,338 75,871 71,758 72,638 78,154 80,766

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Avon and Somerset Found guilty 2,457 2,379 2,170 2,242 1,966 1,850 Sentenced6 2,457 2,382 2,174 2,245 1,965 1,850 Of which: Immediate custody 70 54 68 42 44 28 Other sentence7 2,387 2,328 2,106 2,203 1,921 1,822

Bedfordshire Found guilty 986 969 1,060 963 805 716 Sentenced6 987 969 1,061 963 806 719 Of which: Immediate custody 45 55 26 21 10 23 Other sentence7 942 914 1,035 942 796 696

Cambridgeshire Found guilty 994 1,088 1,150 1,150 1,021 871 Sentenced6 993 1,089 1,150 1,150 1,023 873 985W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 986W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Of which: Immediate custody 18 27 27 26 40 26 Other sentence7 975 1,062 1,123 1,124 983 847

Cheshire Found guilty 1,933 1,542 1,655 1,662 1,487 1,501 Sentenced6 1,934 1,541 1,654 1,663 1,489 1,500 Of which: Immediate custody 55 59 45 37 31 30 Other sentence7 1,879 1,482 1,609 1,626 1,458 1,470

City of London Found guilty 148 165 158 177 120 95 Sentenced6 148 166 158 177 120 95 Of which: Immediate custody 421401 Other sentence7 144 164 157 173 120 94

Cleveland Found guilty 915 838 907 865 920 826 Sentenced6 915 838 909 864 918 824 Of which: Immediate custody 21 20 12 20 19 14 Other sentence7 894 818 897 844 899 810

Cumbria Found guilty 799 749 768 772 690 614 Sentenced6 800 749 769 772 691 613 Of which: Immediate custody 19 25 12 22 23 20 Other sentence7 781 724 757 750 668 593

Derbyshire Found guilty 1,660 1,468 1,396 1,316 1,118 1,076 Sentenced6 1,659 1,471 1,398 1,317 1,121 1,077 Of which: Immediate custody 72 64 61 60 45 24 Other sentence7 1,587 1,407 1,337 1,257 1,076 1,053

Devon and Cornwall Found guilty 2,341 2,299 2,199 2,140 2,054 1,911 Sentenced6 2,340 2,300 2,203 2,140 2,056 1,912 Of which: Immediate custody 52 65 50 20 29 19 Other sentence7 2,288 2,235 2,153 2,120 2,027 1,893

Dorset Found guilty 1,119 1,093 1,069 1,109 986 848 Sentenced6 1,119 1,092 1,070 1,108 988 849 Of which: Immediate custody 24 23 14 14 13 7 Other sentence7 1,095 1,069 1,056 1,094 975 842

Durham Found guilty 1,105 1,034 900 933 809 793 Sentenced6 1,105 1,034 899 932 809 794 Of which: Immediate custody 37 27 14 23 11 10 Other sentence7 1,068 1007 885 909 798 784 987W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 988W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Essex Found guilty 2,598 2,354 2,472 2,353 2,226 2,332 Sentenced6 2,597 2,354 2,472 2,356 2,232 2,333 Of which: Immediate custody 210 165 112 101 83 68 Other sentence7 2,387 2,189 2,360 2,255 2,149 2,265

Gloucestershire Found guilty 842 762 769 686 741 718 Sentenced6 841 762 769 685 741 718 Of which: Immediate custody 14 11 16 11 9 10 Other sentence7 827 751 753 674 732 708

Greater Manchester Found guilty 4,178 4,130 4,074 4,051 3,524 3,412 Sentenced6 4,178 4,131 4,079 4,054 3,523 3,419 Of which: Immediate custody 191 171 122 123 82 78 Other sentence7 3,987 3,960 3,957 3,931 3,441 3,341

Hampshire Found guilty 3,431 3,099 2,674 2,765 2,527 2,280 Sentenced6 3,432 3,103 2,678 2,768 2,529 2,282 Of which: Immediate custody 95 105 71 76 63 39 Other sentence7 3,337 2,998 2,607 2,692 2,466 2,243

Hertfordshire Found guilty 1,736 1,685 1,692 1,703 1,503 1,525 Sentenced6 1,738 1,685 1,693 1,704 1,502 1,526 Of which: Immediate custody 38 42 24 28 28 9 Other sentence7 1,700 1,643 1,669 1,676 1,474 1,517

Humberside Found guilty 1,424 1,397 1,367 915 497 1,058 Sentenced6 1,425 1,398 1,367 915 496 1,062 Of which: Immediate custody 47 63 44 45 40 36 Other sentence7 1,378 1,335 1,323 870 456 1,026

Kent Found guilty 2,746 2,611 2,542 2,569 2,293 2,050 Sentenced6 2,746 2,611 2,544 2,569 2,292 2,049 Of which: Immediate custody 74 76 74 48 44 33 Other sentence7 2,672 2,535 2,470 2,521 2,248 2,016

Lancashire Found guilty 2,427 2,432 2,503 2,439 2,265 2,079 Sentenced6 2,427 2,433 2,504 2,439 2,265 2,081 Of which: Immediate custody 57 61 52 31 34 29 Other sentence7 2,370 2,372 2,452 2,408 2,231 2,052

Leicestershire Found guilty 1,546 1,458 1,352 1,384 1,172 1,116 Sentenced6 1,547 1,458 1,354 1,383 1,172 1,117 989W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 990W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Of which: Immediate custody 60 67 54 33 34 29 Other sentence7 1,487 1,391 1,300 1,350 1,138 1,088

Lincolnshire Found guilty 1,104 1,072 1,132 1,136 1,087 955 Sentenced6 1,104 1,072 1,133 1,135 1,089 955 Of which: Immediate custody 24 18 24 26 29 19 Other sentence7 1,080 1,054 1,109 1,109 1,060 936

Merseyside Found guilty 2,485 2,572 2,414 2,269 1,838 1,771 Sentenced6 2,484 2,573 2,414 2,269 1,841 1,775 Of which: Immediate custody 129 129 106 76 43 28 Other sentence7 2,355 2,444 2,308 2,193 1,798 1,747

Metropolitan Police Found guilty 11,892 11,760 12,023 11,317 10,587 9,933 Sentenced6 11,896 11,763 12,025 11,318 10,588 9,934 Of which: Immediate custody 507 470 398 314 307 275 Other sentence7 11,389 11,293 11,627 11,004 10,281 9,659

Norfolk Found guilty 1,105 1,141 1,241 1,119 988 867 Sentenced6 1,106 1,141 1,241 1,120 988 869 Of which: Immediate custody 37 26 23 36 19 10 Other sentence7 1,069 1,115 1,218 1,084 969 859

North Yorkshire Found guilty 1,025 1,143 1,121 1,094 1,029 1,059 Sentenced6 1,024 1,142 1,121 1,093 1,031 1,058 Of which: Immediate custody 13 21 15 13 17 21 Other sentence7 1,011 1,121 1,106 1,080 1,014 1,037

Northamptonshire Found guilty 844 764 919 807 894 854 Sentenced6 844 764 919 809 894 854 Of which: Immediate custody 33 30 46 56 39 50 Other sentence7 811 734 873 753 855 804

Northumbria Found guilty 2,346 2,266 2,262 2,213 2,101 1,928 Sentenced6 2,348 2,265 2,262 2,215 2,100 1,930 Of which: Immediate custody 84 38 26 32 29 22 Other sentence7 2,264 2,227 2,236 2,183 2,071 1,908

Nottinghamshire Found guilty 1,467 1,454 1,531 1,400 1,406 1,376 Sentenced6 1,467 1,456 1,530 1,402 1,407 1,373 Of which: Immediate custody 48 52 45 33 31 35 Other sentence7 1,419 1,404 1,485 1,369 1,376 1,338 991W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 992W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

South Yorkshire Found guilty 1,955 1,985 1,785 1,851 1,772 1,734 Sentenced6 1,956 1,988 1,785 1,849 1,773 1,735 Of which: Immediate custody 51 56 45 56 61 47 Other sentence7 1,905 1,932 1,740 1,793 1,712 1,688

Staffordshire Found guilty 1,533 1,511 1,450 1,520 1,460 1,373 Sentenced6 1,527 1,510 1,446 1,518 1,461 1,374 Of which: Immediate custody 58 49 37 33 28 34 Other sentence7 1,469 1,461 1,409 1,485 1,433 1,340

Suffolk Found guilty 1,186 997 1,064 963 833 800 Sentenced6 1,186 996 1,063 963 833 800 Of which: Immediate custody 45 29 28 26 17 20 Other sentence7 1,141 967 1,035 937 816 780

Surrey Found guilty 1,368 1,380 1,312 1,394 1,273 1,194 Sentenced6 1,369 1,383 1,312 1,394 1,274 1,195 Of which: Immediate custody 25 24 24 18 23 15 Other sentence7 1,344 1,359 1,288 1,376 1,251 1,180

Sussex Found guilty 2,295 2,157 2,273 2,279 2,030 1,769 Sentenced6 2,295 2,157 2,273 2,279 2,029 1,772 Of which: Immediate custody 46 48 35 49 43 37 Other sentence7 2,249 2,109 2,238 2,230 1,986 1,735

Thames Valley Found guilty 3,282 3,211 3,161 3,102 2,763 2,323 Sentenced6 3,283 3,211 3,163 3,101 2,762 2,326 Of which: Immediate custody 94 96 85 70 91 58 Other sentence7 3,189 3,115 3,078 3,031 2,671 2,268

Warwickshire Found guilty 789 807 829 913 758 788 Sentenced6 789 807 829 914 759 788 Of which: Immediate custody 11 9 11 12 9 13 Other sentence7 778 798 818 902 750 775

West Mercia Found guilty 1,616 1,739 1,821 1,708 1,561 1,473 Sentenced6 1,617 1,740 1,816 1,700 1,545 1,471 Of which: Immediate custody 51 54 45 32 32 23 Other sentence7 1,566 1,686 1,771 1,668 1,513 1,448

West Midlands Found guilty 4,948 5,080 5,030 4,994 4,197 3,975 Sentenced6 4,947 5,082 5,036 4,995 4,202 3,980 993W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 994W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Of which:

Immediate custody 213 154 137 146 142 140 Other sentence7 4,734 4,928 4,899 4,849 4,060 3,840

West Yorkshire

Found guilty 3,458 3,495 3,266 3,131 2,824 2,666 Sentenced6 3,458 3,495 3,267 3,134 2,824 2,668 Of which:

Immediate custody 125 80 67 60 64 56 Other sentence7 3,333 3,415 3,200 3,074 2,760 2,612

Wiltshire

Found guilty 903 919 899 741 630 559 Sentenced6 903 917 899 742 630 559 Of which:

Immediate custody 14 158663 Other sentence7 889 902 891 736 624 556

Dyfed-Powys

Found guilty 873 837 829 814 728 632 Sentenced6 872 837 828 814 729 632 Of which:

Immediate custody 18 17 13 10 14 9 Other sentence7 854 820 815 804 715 623

Gwent

Found guilty 1,057 999 1,070 990 909 786 Sentenced6 1,056 998 1,069 990 910 786 Of which:

Immediate custody 27 38 32 28 32 19 Other sentence7 1,029 960 1,037 962 878 767

North Wales

Found guilty 1,189 1,207 1,226 1,194 1,021 996 Sentenced6 1,190 1,208 1,224 1,193 1,017 995 Of which:

Immediate custody 32 33 31 18 21 21 Other sentence7 1,158 1,175 1,193 1,175 996 974

South Wales5

Found guilty 2,492 2,492 2,440 2,334 1,742 2,038 Sentenced6 2,493 2,491 2,440 2,336 1,743 2,038 Of which:

Immediate custody 95 86 75 66 50 59 Other sentence7 2,398 2,405 2,365 2,270 1,693 1,979

England and Wales4

Found guilty 86,597 84,540 83,975 81,477 73,155 69,520 Sentenced5 86,602 84,562 84,000 81,487 73,167 69,560 Of which

Immediate custody 2,983 2,754 2,255 2,001 1,829 1,547 995W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 996W

Police force area/outcome 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Other sentence6 83,619 81,808 81,745 79,486 71,338 68,013 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Includes the following corresponding offence descriptions, statutes and sections of said statutes: Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs (impairment), s.4(1) Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having a breath, urine or blood alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit, s.5(1)(a) Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath if at the relevant time driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle, s.7(6) Being in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment), s.4(2) Being in charge of a motor vehicle while having a breath, urine or blood alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit, s.5(1)(b) Being in charge of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath if at the relevant time driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle, s.7(6) Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen of breath for a preliminary test, s.6(6) Failing to allow specimen of blood to be subjected to laboratory test, s.7A, s.56, s.31A, s.52 Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs (impairment)—drink, s.4(2) Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs (impairment)—drugs, s.4(1) Being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment)—drink, s.4(2) Being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment)—drugs, s.4(2) 4 Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table. 5 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. 6 The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty, and committed for sentence at the Crown court, may be sentenced in the following year. 7 Includes: absolute/conditional discharge, fine, community sentence, fully suspended sentence, and otherwise dealt with. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Employment and Support Allowance: Tribunals appointed. A further medically qualified tribunal member exercise is scheduled to begin 23 March 2011; Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Scotland region has bid for a further 10 members. Justice how many tribunal (a) chairs and (b) members At the same time, a new post of salaried medically have been recruited by the Tribunal Service in Scotland qualified tribunal member will also be advertised to since May 2010 for the purposes of (i) assisting in assist in, among other things, dealing with the reducing the backlog of appeals against refusal of additional demands resulting from expected increases employment and support allowance and (ii) dealing in workload. with anticipated appeals which may arise from the The Lord Chancellor also has the power to extend transfer of claimants from incapacity benefit to individual appointments for tribunal judges and members employment and support allowance in the next two upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70, up to years. [47744] 75 on annual basis. This has been exercised for members in Scotland with a supporting business case provided by Mr Djanogly: Appointments to the First-tier Tribunal the chamber in respect of 11 medically qualified tribunal are made by the Lord Chancellor, in consultation with members and three tribunal judges. the Lord President in Scotland, following an open Where a particular region experiences a shortage of competition which is the responsibility of the independent members, procedures exist for deploying members from Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). Tribunal neighbouring regions within the chamber with the consent judges and members may be asked to hear cases on a of the regional tribunal judge. range of issues across the jurisdiction and are not limited to one benefit type. Employment Tribunals Service: Trade Unions Legally qualified tribunal judges and medically qualified tribunal members hear appeals on decisions made by Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on how many complaints of unjustifiable discipline by a employment and support allowance and are appointed trade union were (a) heard and (b) upheld by an to the Social Security and Child Support jurisdiction of employment tribunal in each year since 1996. [48261] the Social Entitlement Chamber. The 2010-11 recruitment exercise for fee-paid legally Mr Djanogly: An individual who thinks he or she has qualified tribunal members is currently under way. The been unjustifiably disciplined by their trade union may, original bid for Scotland was for 11 vacancies, increased under certain circumstances, bring a claim to an to 18 to take into account increased intake. Appointments employment tribunal. This is set out in sections 64-66 of are expected in May. A Social Entitlement Chamber the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) salaried tribunal judge exercise was launched 20 January Act 1992. It is also possible to bring a claim for unreasonable 2011 including a bid for two judges for Scotland, one to exclusion or expulsion from a union (under sections 174-75 replace planned retirement and one for an additional of the 1992 Act). vacancy to assist in dealing with increased intake. Complaints under these jurisdictions are relatively The 2010-11 medically qualified tribunal member rare. Using data held and collated centrally by the recruitment exercise concluded in November 2010. In Tribunals Service, it is possible to identify claims made light of increased intake, the original bid for Scotland annually under these jurisdictions for the period 1996 to of 10 members was increased to 15, and 15 were 2004. Table 1 sets out the relevant figures. 997W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 998W

Table 1: Claims accepted, heard and ultimately successful under the trade union discipline jurisdictions, 1996 to 2004 Dismissed at Year claim Successful at Unsuccessful at Preliminary Default judgment, accepted hearing hearing Hearing claimant successful Total hearings

Unjustified discipline 1996 1 5 3 — 9 by a trade Union 1997 2 7 4 — 13 1998 1 6 1 — 8 1999 3 6 2 — 11 2000 2 7 1 — 10 2001 0 4 1 — 5 2002 1 2 — — 3 2003 0 11 3 — 14 2004 0 3 1 — 4 Total 105116—77

Unreasonable 1996 5 2 — — 7 expulsion or exclusion from trade union 1997 2 1 — — 3 1998 0 1 — — 1 1999 9 3——12 2000 2 2 1 — 5 2001 1 1 — — 2 2002 2 0 — — 2 2003 0 5 1 — 6 2004 0 1 2 — 3 Total 21164—41 Note: Rounding: Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add to totals. The following conventions have been used: Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. Source: ET Central database 2010.

In 2004, the way in which employment tribunals union-related claims. Therefore, using the Tribunals collated their management data was revised. As a result, Service’s centrally held data since 2005, it is only possible data specifically in relation to these claims has not been to show the claim volumes across this more generic recorded centrally. Instead, all such claims have been group of claims. Table 2 sets out the data that the recorded as ones within a more generic group of trade Tribunals Service holds in this regard.

Table 2: Claims heard and final outcome where those claims were about detriment relating to being, not being, or proposing to become a union member (someofwhich may include claims under the trade union discipline/exclusion jurisdictions), 2004 to 2010

Dismissed at Year claim Successful at Unsuccessful at Preliminary Default judgment, accepted hearing hearing Hearing claimant successful Total hearings

Suffer a detriment 2004 5 9——14 and/or dismissal relating to being not being or proposing to become a member of a trade union

2005 350 64 11 1 430

2006 21 52 11 — 84

2007 69 44 14 2 130

2008 18 62 9 — 89

2009 17 43 10 2 72

2010 8 18 7 2 35 999W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1000W

Table 2: Claims heard and final outcome where those claims were about detriment relating to being, not being, or proposing to become a union member (someofwhich may include claims under the trade union discipline/exclusion jurisdictions), 2004 to 2010 Dismissed at Year claim Successful at Unsuccessful at Preliminary Default judgment, accepted hearing hearing Hearing claimant successful Total hearings

Total 490 290 62 7 850 Note: Rounding: Figures in the tables are rounded independently and thus may not add to totals. The following conventions have been used: Values less than 100 remain as unit values; Values from 100 to 999 are rounded to nearest 10; Values of 1,000 and over are rounded to the nearest 100. Source: ET Central database 2011.

European Convention on Human Rights Number of interim possession orders issued by each county court1 in England and Wales, 2007-10 Q3 2010 Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Court name 2007 2008 2009 Q1-Q3 what reports he has received on progress in negotiations for the EU to become a signatory to the Aberdare 0 0 0 0 European Convention on Human Rights. [47809] Aberystwyth 0 0 0 0 Accrington 0 0 0 0 Mr Djanogly: This question has been passed to the Aldershot 0 0 0 1 Ministry of Justice to reply as lead Department on the Altrincham 0 0 0 0 EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Ashford 0 0 0 0 Rights. Tameside 0 0 0 0 The Council of the European Union appointed the Aylesbury 1 0 0 0 Commission to negotiate on behalf of the EU in June Banbury 0 0 0 0 2010, on the basis of an agreed negotiating mandate. Barnet 3 7 9 3 The Commission has since met regularly with a group Barnsley 0 0 0 0 of experts elected by the member states of the Council Barnstaple 0 0 0 0 Barrow-in- 0000 of Europe, including one from the United Kingdom, to Furness prepare the accession agreement, including any necessary Basingstoke 0 0 0 0 adaptations to the convention system. An early draft of Bath0000 the agreement was recently prepared by the Council of Bedford 0 0 0 0 Europe Secretariat based on these negotiations, which Birkenhead 0 0 0 0 will now form the basis of further discussions and Birmingham 0000 drafting refinement. CJC The accession agreement must not extend the Bishop 0000 competences of the EU, affect the powers of its institutions, Auckland nor affect the position of the United Kingdom and Blackburn 0 0 0 0 other member states in relation to the ECHR. The Blackpool 0 0 0 0 Government will continue to participate fully in the Blackwood 0 0 0 0 negotiations with these principles in mind. Bodmin 1 0 0 0 Bolton 0 0 0 0 Immigration: Judges Boston 0 0 0 0 Bournemouth 0 0 0 0 Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Bow0400 Justice when he plans to publish revised guidelines for Bradford 0 0 1 1 immigration judges; and if he will make a statement. Brecknock 0 0 0 0 [47956] Brentford 15 13 7 4 Bridgend 0 0 0 5 Mr Djanogly: The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of Brighton 2 1 0 0 State for Justice (Mr Clarke) does not provide any Bristol 0 0 0 0 guidance to immigration judges as the judiciary is entirely Bromley 0 0 0 0 independent of the Government. Basildon 0 0 0 0 Burnley 0 0 0 0 Interim Possession Orders Burton-on- 0000 Trent Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Bury 0 0 0 0 Justice how many interim possession orders were issued Bury St 2210 by each county court in England and Wales in each Edmunds year since 2007. [47717] Buxton 0 0 0 0 Caernarfon 0 0 0 0 Mr Djanogly: The following table shows the number Cambridge 0 0 0 0 of interim possession orders made in each county court Canterbury 0 0 0 0 in 2007, 2008, 2009 and in the first three quarters Cardiff 0 0 0 0 (January to September) of 2010, the latest period for Carlisle 0 0 0 0 which data are available. Carmarthen 0 0 0 0 1001W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1002W

Number of interim possession orders issued by each county court1 in England and Number of interim possession orders issued by each county court1 in England and Wales, 2007-10 Q3 Wales, 2007-10 Q3 2010 2010 Court name 2007 2008 2009 Q1-Q3 Court name 2007 2008 2009 Q1-Q3

Chelmsford 0 0 0 0 Lewes0000 Cheltenham 0 0 0 0 Lichfield 0 0 0 0 Chepstow 0 0 0 0 Lincoln 0 0 0 0 Chester 0 0 0 0 Liverpool 0 0 0 0 Chesterfield 0 0 0 0 Llanelli 0 0 0 0 Chichester 0 0 2 0 Llangefni 0 0 0 0 Chorley 0 0 0 0 Lowestoft 0 0 0 0 Clerkenwell 0 0 0 0 Ludlow 0 0 0 0 Colchester 0 0 0 0 Luton 0 0 0 0 Consett 0 0 0 0 Macclesfield 8 0 0 0 Conwy and 2010Maidstone 0 0 0 0 Colwyn Manchester 0 0 0 0 Coventry 0 0 0 0 Mansfield 0 2 0 0 Crewe0000Mayors and 0000 Croydon 0 0 0 0 City Darlington 0 0 0 0 Medway 0 0 0 0 Dartford 0 0 0 0 Melton 0000 Derby 0 0 0 0 Mowbray Dewsbury 0 0 0 0 Merthyr 2000 Tydfil Doncaster 0 0 0 0 Teesside 0 0 0 0 Dudley 0 0 0 0 Mold 1 0 0 0 Durham 0 0 0 0 Monmouth 0 0 0 0 Eastbourne 0 0 0 2 Morpeth 0 0 0 0 Epsom 0 0 0 0 Neath and 0000 Evesham 0 0 0 0 Port Talbot Exeter 0 8 0 15 Nelson 0 0 0 0 Gateshead 0 0 0 0 Newark0000 Gloucester 1 1 0 0 Newbury 0 0 0 1 Grantham 0 0 0 0 Newcastle- 0000 Gravesend 0 0 0 0 upon-Tyne Grimsby 1 0 0 0 Newport 0000 Guildford 0 0 0 0 (IoW) Halifax 0 0 0 0 Newport 0000 (Gwent) Harlow 0 0 0 0 Northampton 0 0 0 0 Harrogate 0 0 0 0 North Shields 0 0 0 0 Hartlepool 0 0 0 0 Northwich 0 0 0 0 Hastings 1 0 2 0 Norwich 4 0 0 0 Haverfordwest 0 0 0 0 Nottingham 0 0 0 0 Haywards 0000 Heath Nuneaton 0 0 0 0 Hereford 0 0 0 0 Oldham 0 0 0 0 Hertford 0 0 0 0 Oswestry 0 0 0 0 Oxford 0 1 0 0 High 1001 Wycombe Penrith 0 0 0 0 Hitchin 0 0 0 0 Penzance 1 0 0 0 Horsham 0 1 0 0 Peterborough 0 0 0 0 Huddersfield 0 0 0 0 Plymouth 0 0 0 0 Huntingdon 0 0 0 0 Pontefract 4 9 1 0 Pontypool 0 0 0 0 Ilford0000 Pontypridd 0 0 0 0 Ipswich 4 4 5 1 Poole 0 0 0 0 Keighley 0 0 0 0 Portsmouth 0 0 0 0 Kendal 0 0 0 0 Preston 0 0 0 0 Kettering 0 0 0 0 Rawtenstall 0 0 0 0 Kidderminster 0 0 0 0 Reading 1 1 0 0 King’s Lynn 0 0 0 0 Redditch 0 0 0 0 Kingston- 0005 upon-Hull Reigate0000 Kingston- 0000Rhyl 0 0 0 0 upon-Thames Rotherham 0 0 0 0 Lambeth 0 0 0 0 Rugby 0 0 0 0 Lancaster 0 0 0 0 Runcorn 0 0 0 0 Leeds 0 0 0 0 St Albans 0 0 3 0 Leicester 0 0 0 0 St Helens 0 0 0 0 Leigh 0 0 0 0 Salford 0 0 0 0 1003W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1004W

Number of interim possession orders issued by each county court1 in England and Number of interim possession orders issued by each county court1 in England and Wales, 2007-10 Q3 Wales, 2007-10 Q3 2010 2010 Court name 2007 2008 2009 Q1-Q3 Court name 2007 2008 2009 Q1-Q3

Salisbury 0 0 0 0 Weymouth 1 1 0 0 Scarborough 0 0 0 0 Central 0350 Scunthorpe 0 1 0 0 London Sheffield 0 0 0 0 Whitehaven 0 0 0 0 Shoreditch 0 0 0 0 Wigan 0 0 0 0 Shrewsbury 0 0 0 0 Willesden 0 0 1 3 Skegness 0 0 0 0 Winchester 2 0 0 0 Skipton 0 0 0 0 Wolverhampton 0 0 0 0 Slough 0 0 1 0 Woolwich 0 0 0 1 Southampton 0 0 0 0 Worcester 0 0 0 0 Southend-on- 0000Workington 0 0 0 0 Sea Worksop0000 Southport 0 0 0 1 Worthing 0 0 0 0 South Shields 0 0 0 0 Wrexham 2 0 0 0 Stafford 0 0 0 0 Yeovil1100 Staines 0 0 0 0 York1000 Northampton 2000Romford 2 0 0 0 Bulk Centre Milton 0000 Stockport 0 0 0 0 Keynes Stoke-on- 0000Total86706747 Trent 1 These manually collected data are not quality assured as part of standard Stourbridge 0 0 0 1 statistical processes (except for as mentioned by footnote 3 below) and cannot Stratford 0 0 0 0 be verified by data from the main administrative systems in the county courts. The data for Edmonton county court are excluded as they are being subjected Sunderland 0 0 0 0 to further quality assurance checks. Swansea 0 0 0 0 Notes: Swindon 0 0 0 0 1. Data from 2007 to March 2009 were gathered from the Department’s Management Information System. Data from April 2009 were collected from Tamworth 0 0 0 0 the courts online data monitoring system One Performance Truth (OPT). Taunton 2 1 0 0 2. 2010 Q3 is the latest period for which data are available. Thanet 0 0 0 0 3. Quality assurance checks have been carried out to remove outliers. However, these decisions have not been verified by contact with the courts. These figures Torquay 0 0 0 0 should therefore be treated with caution. Trowbridge 2 1 1 0 4. IPOs can be given for the possession of both commercial and residential Truro0100properties from trespassers. 5. Data for 2010 are provisional. Tunbridge 2000Source: Wells Ministry of Justice Uxbridge 8 2 0 0 Wakefield 0 0 0 0 Knives: Convictions Walsall 0 0 0 0 Wandsworth 0 0 0 0 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Warrington 0 0 0 0 how many people were convicted of carrying a knife in Warwick 0 0 0 0 a public place in each police force area in each year Watford0220since 1997. [47820] Wellingborough 0 0 0 0 Telford0000Mr Blunt: The number of persons found guilty at all Welshpool 0000courts for having an article with blade or point in public and Newton place, by police force area in England and Wales, for the West 0000years 1997 to 2009 (latest available) is shown in the Bromwich following table. West London 6 3 25 2 Weston- 0000Court proceedings data for 2010 will be available in super-Mare the spring of 2011.

Number of persons found guilty at all courts for the offence of having an article with blade or point in public place, by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Avon and 50 68 113 87 104 144 152 146 128 168 163 145 184 Somerset Bedfordshire 24 37 23 40 32 40 57 67 77 61 62 71 83 Cambridgeshire 23 35 31 15 26 46 34 62 54 67 53 77 71 Cheshire 59 65 52 51 36 54 54 48 80 83 108 95 117 City of London 16 8 4 8 9 17 18 20 18 11 9 6 6 Cleveland 16 32 31 21 42 69 70 80 71 75 89 118 103 Cumbria 32 27 37 27 28 37 45 46 50 39 46 37 75 Derbyshire39313640536882997877997195 Devon and 46 78 75 69 71 108 128 126 140 119 137 142 165 Cornwall 1005W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1006W

Number of persons found guilty at all courts for the offence of having an article with blade or point in public place, by police force area, England and Wales, 1997 to 20091, 2, 3 Police force area 1997 1998 1999 20004 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085 2009

Dorset 19413231325549596066625373 Durham 25 30 34 42 34 76 64 68 89 91 91 43 84 Essex 84 93 96 99 99 103 141 200 174 173 156 144 220 Gloucestershire 16 34 18 17 24 26 32 42 38 38 41 50 61 Greater 198 239 206 222 280 298 303 344 347 389 390 341 405 Manchester Hampshire 96 110 93 106 113 112 152 174 162 160 169 230 218 Hertfordshire 31 28 28 27 24 53 83 84 91 84 68 52 109 Humberside 44 47 65 53 46 69 63 105 114 123 147 126 159 Kent 28 73 84 76 74 33 34 13 12 6 5 83 139 Lancashire 105 120 96 87 105 98 135 157 149 143 148 129 173 Leicestershire 50 65 62 53 65 75 86 97 87 111 115 94 78 Lincolnshire 18 38 54 46 41 50 71 64 53 68 47 88 82 Merseyside 176 168 131 124 120 159 164 198 197 218 214 202 315 Metropolitan 1,258 1,327 1,081 1,162 1,501 1,866 1,681 1,606 1,693 1,680 1,449 1,720 1,609 police Norfolk 29 50 46 36 41 59 69 70 69 61 77 88 106 NorthYorkshire38334533455250696557514080 Northamptonshire 6 11 14 822236143179 Northumbria 93 101 114 120 150 169 181 208 212 215 254 230 330 Nottinghamshire 46 42 45 46 56 68 85 114 117 144 150 144 197 South Yorkshire 53 61 63 65 114 145 147 116 169 149 137 138 185 Staffordshire 23 38 42 * 33 68 63 69 60 91 84 56 88 Suffolk 31 22 26 30 30 61 52 68 68 106 89 37 78 Surrey 17111225322537403537424566 Sussex 57 65 92 83 100 127 123 114 121 138 140 148 169 Thames Valley 60 78 74 53 77 84 75 116 144 177 138 136 236 Warwickshire 16 30 24 19 18 26 18 25 23 30 32 50 48 WestMercia213721763313999610082110 West Midlands 174 149 135 203 318 343 327 356 316 380 390 400 455 West Yorkshire 46 40 56 56 87 103 108 172 166 170 189 223 237 Wiltshire 22 36 32 28 36 36 39 50 52 67 48 22 67 Dyfed-Powys 16 22 29 27 31 34 36 38 45 29 35 38 40 Gwent 24 18 20 21 20 33 23 47 36 56 66 49 70 NorthWales475560425174616777113898578 South Wales 69 95 100 82 93 113 111 124 119 153 140 125 193

England and 3,341 3,788 3,532 3,487 4,299 5,281 5,308 5,784 5,961 6,320 6,123 6,284 7,536 Wales 1 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed fortwoor more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Includes the following offence description and corresponding statute: Having an article with blade or point in public place Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.139 as amended by the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 4 Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table. 5 Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Magistrates Plants

Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for what proportion of applications to become a justice of Justice how much his Department has spent on indoor the peace were successful in the last three years for and outdoor plants and trees since his appointment. which figures are available. [47534] [48418] Mr Djanogly: Based on data from 88 of the 101 advisory committees responsible for the recruitment Mr Djanogly: The MoJ does not have a budget for and selection of magistrates in England and Wales, in purchasing flowers for its buildings. Some buildings each of the two years 2007-08 and 2008-09, approximately may have plants in reception areas to create a welcoming one third of applicants were successful in becoming a atmosphere for staff and visitors. justice of the peace. In 2009-10, approximately one However, it would incur disproportionate costs to go quarter of applicants were successful. to all the buildings the MOJ and its Executive agencies 1007W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1008W occupy (over 800 locations across the UK—mainly Blood: Contamination courts, tribunals, prisons and local offices) to find out if any trees or plants have been bought since May 2010. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Public Bodies Reform Programme Health what consideration he has given to the merits of screening those infected with hepatitis C for the Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice extra-hepatic manifestations identified in the pursuant to the written ministerial statement of Government’s recent review of contaminated blood 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10W, on the products. [46375] public bodies reform programme, what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department net of costs Anne Milton: We would expect the need for investigation incurred in the assumption of additional departmental of possible extra-hepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis responsibilities to accrue from (a) the abolition of C infection to be considered on an individual patient 11 public bodes within his Department’s area of basis as part of clinical care. responsibility, (b) the merger of four such bodies and (c) the change in function of four such bodies. [48147] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason he has maintained the Mr Kenneth Clarke: I will reply to the hon. Member classification of the hepatitis C virus in two stages; and as soon as possible. if he will make a statement. [46377] Substantive answer from Kenneth Clarke to Lisa Nandy: On 16 March 2011 the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Frances Anne Milton: The two-stage payment scheme for Maude) issued a Written Ministerial Statement updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced eligible individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection, that departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at has been maintained because of expert advice on the least £2.6bn will flow from public bodies over the Spending impact on life expectancy and quality of life of those Review period. individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection and of For the Ministry of Justice, I anticipate net overall cumulative those individuals who go on to develop related serious administrative savings from structural reforms over the Spending liver disease. Review period of £72.1 million. Overall cumulative administrative The “Review of the support available to individuals reductions from reform of all departmental public bodies are infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV by NHS supplied estimated to be £74.4 million over the Spending Review period. blood transfusions or blood products and their dependants”, which has already been placed in the Library, has further details on this. HEALTH Freedom of Information Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has plans to end the two-stage Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health system of classification of Hepatitis C for patients who whether he plans to extend the provisions of the suffer from a bleeding condition or a condition which Freedom of Information Act 2000 to GP pathfinder increases the risks arising from the liver biopsy consortia. [48216] required to ascertain whether a patient is in stage 1 or stage 2 of the disease. [47306] Mr Simon Burns: Throughout 2011-12, a growing number of groups of general practitioner (GP) practices Anne Milton: There are no plans to change the current will become pathfinder consortia, and start to take on two stage system of classification of hepatitis C, for increasing responsibilities for commissioning on behalf individuals applying to the Skipton Fund. The two-stage of primary care trusts (PCTs) within the current statutory payment scheme for eligible individuals with chronic framework. PCTs will remain statutorily responsible hepatitis C infection, is based on an expert review of the and accountable during the transition period and will impact on life expectancy and quality of life of those continue to be subject to the provisions of the Freedom individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection and of of Information Act 2000. those individuals who go on to develop related serious Commissioning consortia established in accordance liver disease. The “Review of the support available to with the provisions proposed by the Health and Social individuals infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV by Care Bill would be statutory public bodies and will NHS supplied blood transfusions or blood products become fully statutorily accountable from April 2013 and their dependants”, which has already been placed onwards. The Bill amends the Freedom of Information in the Library, has further details on this. Act 2000 to include commissioning consortia. Patients have never been required to undergo a liver Blood : Diseases biopsy in to establish whether they may be eligible for a stage 2 payment. There is a range of evidence that can Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for be provided, including the results of liver function tests, Health what consideration he has given to the merits of ultrasound scans and radiological examinations. screening for pathogens for those at greater risk of being infected with such pathogens as a result of Brain Cancer: Children having received pooled blood products for the treatment of bleeding disorders. [46376] Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Anne Milton: Clinicians are best placed to advise Health whether he plans to increase his Department’s their patients and offer any appropriately validated tests funding allocation for specialist care for children with that they believe to be necessary. brain tumours during the current Parliament. [47831] 1009W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1010W

Paul Burstow: It is currently the responsibility of Cataracts Treatment primary care trusts to commission services for the care of children with brain tumours from their funding Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for allocations, including specialist care. From 2013-14, the Health if he will re-introduce an 18-week waiting time National Health Service Commissioning Board (CB), target for cataract treatment; and if he will make a will take over responsibility for commissioning guidelines statement. [47611] and the allocation of resources from the Department. During the transition to the NHS CB, the Advisory Mr Simon Burns: The right to start consultant-led Committee on Resource Allocation, an independent treatment, including consultant-led cataract treatment, committee comprising general practitioners (GPs), within maximum waiting times remains in the NHS academics and NHS managers, will continue to oversee constitution as set out in the NHS Operating Framework the formulae for the distribution of NHS resources. for 2011-12. Commissioners should ensure that waiting Further detail on the allocations and processes will be times performance does not deteriorate and where possible announced in due course. improves during 2011-12. “Improving Outcomes - A Strategy for Cancer”, published on 12 January 2011, sets out a range of Commission on Assisted Dying measures to improve outcomes for all patients, including children with brain tumours. A copy has already been placed in the Library. Backed by more than £750 million Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health over the next four years, the Strategy sets out our plans whether his Department has been requested by the to improve earlier diagnosis, access to screening and Commission on Assisted Dying to submit (a) oral and treatment and improve patients’ experience of care. (b) written evidence to its inquiry; and if he will make This Strategy includes £150 million for the expansion a statement. [47705] of radiotherapy services, which includes funding for proton beam therapy (PBT). PBT is a very precise Paul Burstow: Professor Sir Mike Richards, National form of radiotherapy which has been shown to deliver Clinical Director for End of Life Care, has met with the improved outcomes and reduced acute and late effects Commission to inform them of progress in implementing in treating children with cancer, including those with the End of Life Care Strategy. The Department has brain tumours. received no requests for written information. The Strategy also confirmed that the principles in “Improving Outcomes in Children and Young People Equality and Excellence: Liberating the NHS with Cancer”, published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, will continue to be a Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health feature of all commissioned services. This guidance with reference to paragraph 2.22 of his Department’s serves to assist NHS trusts in planning, commissioning White Paper, Equality and Excellence: liberating the and organising services for children and young people NHS, Cm 7881, July 2010, if he will make an with cancer. assessment of personal health budget pilots and their effect on welfare provision. [47853] Cancer Paul Burstow: An independent evaluation of the personal Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for health budgets pilot programme is being led by the Health what recent steps his Department has taken to personal and social services research unit at the university increase the provision of (a) cancer services and (b) of Kent. The overarching aim of the evaluation is to mental health services in South Devon. [47796] identify if personal health budgets ensure better health and social care outcomes when compared to conventional Paul Burstow: We expect the national health service service delivery, and how they should be implemented. in South Devon to comply with the national policies on It does not include analysis of their effect on welfare increasing the availability of cancer and mental health provision. Full details of the evaluation can be found at: services. The national policies are outlined as follows: www.phbe.org.uk ‘Improving Outcomes—A Strategy for Cancer’, published on Personal health budgets are not income, and are not 12 January 2011, sets out a range of measures to improve the counted as such when calculating tax obligations or quality and efficiency of cancer services in England. Backed by benefit eligibility, even when paid in cash to an individual more than £750 million over the next four years, the strategy as a direct payment. sets out the Department’s plans to improve earlier diagnosis, access to screening and treatment and improve patients’ experience of care. Health Education: Schools The Department published the national ‘No Health Without Mental Health’ Strategy on 2 February 2011. It has the twin aims Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for of promoting and sustaining good mental health and well-being in the wider population, and improving the quality of existing Health when he expects to issue an invitation for services for people across the full range of mental health problems. expressions of interest in the Healthy Schools It looks at prevalence of problems and effective approaches at Programme. [48258] different stages in life, stressing the importance of prevention and early intervention. Anne Milton: The Department of Health expects to Copies of both publications have already been placed publicly request expressions of interest for running in the Library. Healthy Schools late in spring of 2011. 1011W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1012W

Health Services as set out in ‘Commissioning safe and sustainable specialised paediatric services: a framework of critical inter- David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for dependencies’. Health whether he plans to make a decision on the This guidance, in addition to clarifying that co-location recommendations from the Co-operation and means services either on the same hospital site or on a Competition Panel on regional health commissioning neighbouring hospital site also sets out which services in the North West following the complaint from should be co-located. The relevant professional associations Hanover Healthcare; and if he will make a statement. endorse the guidance. [47523] Sir Ian’s findings and recommendations, including those on the extent to which the centres meet the Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Member to the answer co-location requirements, have been considered by the I gave the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts in its deliberations. (Tom Brake) on 9 March 2011, Official Report, column Sir Ian’s full report is in the public domain and is 1156W. available on the NHS Specialised Services website at: Health Services: Privatisation www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/safeandsustainable The review also proposes to reduce journey times for Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health non-surgical care by bringing assessment and follow-on what research his Department has (a) conducted and care closer to home through the development of congenital (b) commissioned which supports the proposition that heart networks. the privatisation of healthcare providers will increase Heart Diseases: Surgery performance and healthcare provision. [47850] Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Simon Burns: The Government reject the notion Health what recent representations he has received on that we are pursuing a programme of privatisation. We cardiac surgical outcomes; and if he will take steps to have no plans to privatise national health service providers, maintain adequate time for the collection and indeed this is not Government policy. Accordingly, there benchmarking of data related to such outcomes in the has been no research commissioned or conducted on job plans of consultants. [48134] this. Heart Diseases: Children Mr Simon Burns: The Department has received one representation about cardiac surgical outcomes. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for The White Paper ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating Health what assessment he has made of the potential the NHS’ set out how the Government would introduce risks arising from increased journey times to children’s a new system of accountability for the national health heart surgery units. [47625] service based around the outcomes achieved for patients. As part of this, the first ever NHS Outcomes Framework Mr Simon Burns: Journey times have been looked at was published on 20 December 2010. extensively as part of the review process. All of the The collection and benchmarking of data on quality options comply with the standards developed in 2010 and outcomes in all clinical areas is an integral part of by the Paediatric Intensive Care Society that stipulate raising standards. However, it is for NHS organisations maximum journey times for children who require emergency locally to ensure that clinicians have the time to participate retrieval by ambulance. in such activities. Histiocytosis Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what opportunity hospital trusts had to (a) comment on and (b) suggest corrections to the Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for assessments undertaken by Sir Ian Kennedy in respect Health whether his Department funds research into of children’s heart surgery units before the options for histiocytosis. [47828] consultation were finalised. [47626] Mr Simon Burns: The Medical Research Council Mr Simon Burns: The interim findings were shared (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the with the centres in August 2010. Responses received by Government supports medical and clinical research. the national review team from the centres were shared The MRC is a non-departmental public body that receives with Sir Ian Kennedy’s panel members so that the panel its grant in aid from the Department for Business, could consider how to use this information in the Innovation and Skills. The MRC provided funding for a preparation of its final report to the Joint Committee of recently completed research project entitled ‘Homeostasis Primary Care Trusts in December 2010. of Langerhans and Dendritic Cells in Health and Disease’. The Department’s National Institute for Health Research Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for welcomes applications for support into any aspect of Health what assessment he has made of the merits of human health. Funding is dependent on the volume co-locating services for treatment and follow-on care of and quality of scientific activity. The Department is not children’s heart surgery patients. [47627] currently funding research specifically on histiocytosis.

Mr Simon Burns: Sir Ian Kennedy and his panel Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for assessed the centres on the co-location requirements Health what plans (a) his Department and (b) each with reference to the accepted definition of co-location agency or non-departmental public body for which it is 1013W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1014W responsible plans to raise awareness of histiocytosis Anne Milton: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has among (a) health practitioners and (b) the wider consulted across the United Kingdom on proposals for public. [47832] full cost recovery by removal of current discounts, with options for a phased introduction and a reduction in Mr Simon Burns: There are no such plans. Information charges for low throughput businesses. about histiocytosis for health practitioners and patients On the basis of the information available prior to the is available from a number of sources, including “Clinical consultation, the FSA estimated that full cost recovery Knowledge Summaries” on NHS Evidence and the for meat controls would cost the Welsh meat industry website Patient UK. approximately £2.2 million, and the meat industry across Great Britain approximately £29.41 million. Of these HIV Infection amounts, the FSA estimates that £1.14 million would be attributable to low throughput, small, and medium meat plants in Wales, and £17.92 million would be Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for attributable to low throughput, small and medium meat Health what consideration he has given to the merits of plants across Great Britain. The term ’independent introducing two stages of classification of HIV; and if meat industry’ has been interpreted as meaning the he will make a statement. [46378] smaller scale businesses, and the low throughput, small and medium meat plants have been used as a proxy. Anne Milton: No consideration was given to the introduction of two stages of classification for HIV. The FSA has identified 10 abattoirs in the small category in Wales which are considered most likely to feel the greatest impact of the proposed changes. Meetings Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for or telephone discussions took place with nine of these Health (1) if he will publish the submissions he has businesses, and views expressed will be included in the received in the course of his Department’s recent consultation process. review of the (a) morbidity and (b) quality of life of those diagnosed with HIV following the administration In the draft impact assessment1, the FSA notes of contaminated blood products by the NHS; [47841] constraints on the potential to pass costs forward along (2) what recent assessment he has made of the (a) the supply chain, and has assumed that slaughterhouses morbidity and (b) quality of life of those diagnosed will absorb approximately one-third of the cost associated with HIV following the administration of with full recovery charging and farmers the remaining two-thirds. The FSA is currently refining the impact contaminated blood products by the NHS. [47842] assessment in light of information received in responses to the consultation. Anne Milton: Hepatitis C was the focus of the terms of reference of the review in relation to the level of ex 141 written consultation responses have been received gratia payments. No submissions were received from across UK, 20 in Wales, including 11 from Welsh independent experts on the morbidity and quality of slaughterhouses of varying sizes. A number of stakeholder life of patients infected only with HIV by contaminated meetings have also taken place, and views expressed at national health service supplied blood and blood products, these meetings have been captured. FSA is in the process and no assessment of those issues was made, during the of giving detailed consideration to all comments prior course of the review. to determining its advice to Government. However, the expert group which provided advice on 1 The FSA impact assessment has been published on the FSA the spectrum and impact of disease associated with website at: hepatitis C infection was asked to consider the comparison http://food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/consultation/ of living with HIV. The final report of the review (a meatcharges1110eng.pdf copy of which has already been placed in the Library) acknowledges that the advent of more effective anti- retroviral therapy has improved the quality of life of Medicine: Education individuals with HIV, and is likely to markedly improve the prognosis for their hepatitis C infection. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training places for medical students there Meat: Hygiene were in each higher education institution in the academic year (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; how many Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health he expects there to be in the academic year 2011-12; (1) what assessment he has made of the potential effect and if he will make a statement. [48455] of proposed charges to recover the costs of meat hygiene inspection on the independent meat industry in Anne Milton: The number of medical undergraduate (a) Wales and (b) Great Britain; [47741] places is agreed with the Higher Education Funding (2) what estimate he has made of the number of Council for England (HEFCE) periodically. The current small and medium-sized abattoirs in Wales at risk of agreement is for around 6,200 places to be available in closure as a result of proposed charges for the recovery England each year. of the cost of meat hygiene inspections; [47742] The information (from HEFCE) in the following (3) what proportion of the cost of complying with tables shows the intake of medical students (including proposed charges for recovery of the cost of meat overseas students) in each higher education institution hygiene inspection he estimates will be met by (a) the (HEI) in the academic year 2009-10, provisional intake abattoir and (b) customers. [47777] for 2010-11 and target numbers for 2011-12. 1015W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1016W

Intake of medical students (including overseas students) in 2009-10 Target number of training places for medical students (including overseas HEI Intake students) 2011-12 HEI Target University of Birmingham 428 University of Brighton1 147 Keele University 139 University of Bristol 268 King’s College London 415 3 University of Cambridge 306 University of Leeds 263 University of East Anglia 169 University of Leicester 245 University of Hull2 160 University of Liverpool 371 Imperial College 309 University of Manchester 372 4 Keele University 135 University of Newcastle 352 King’s College London 417 University of Nottingham 336 University of Leeds3 280 University of Oxford 186 University of Leicester 284 Peninsula School of Medicine and 216 Dentistry5 University of Liverpool 397 Queen Mary, University of London 324 University of Manchester 406 St George’s Hospital Medical School 264 University of Newcastle4 357 University of Sheffield 241 University of Nottingham 348 University of Southampton 246 University of Oxford 185 University College London 330 Peninsula School of Medicine and 218 University of Warwick 178 Dentistry5 Total 6,195 Queen Mary, University of London 387 1 University of Brighton submitted a joint return with the University of St George’s Hospital Medical School 274 Sussex. University of Sheffield 255 2 University of Hull submitted a joint return with the University of York. 3 University of Leeds submitted a joint return with the University of University of Southampton 252 Bradford. University College London 285 4 University of Newcastle and Durham submitted separately but for University of Warwick 186 comparison purposes have been combined here. 5 Joint return by University of Plymouth and University of Exeter as Total 6,453 Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry. Source: HEFCE Provisional intake of medical students (including overseas students in 2010-11 HEI Intake NHS: Accountability

University of Birmingham 375 Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health University of Brighton1 139 what assessment he has made of the potential University of Bristol 261 contribution of the existing framework of primary care University of Cambridge 307 trusts, strategic health authorities and other University of East Anglia 167 organisations to achieving the Government’s aims for University of Hull2 152 efficiency, accountability and quality in the NHS. Imperial College 381 [47852] Keele University 137 King’s College London 401 Mr Simon Burns: When developing the White Paper 3 University of Leeds 275 “Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS” the University of Leicester 273 Government considered whether their aims could be University of Liverpool 422 achieved through the existing framework of primary University of Manchester 376 care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities (SHAs), 4 University of Newcastle 369 and concluded that they could not. University of Nottingham 347 University of Oxford 185 First, PCTs and SHAs lack accountability. The Peninsula School of Medicine and 222 Government’s proposals will bring together elected Dentistry5 councillors with decision-makers from the national health Queen Mary, University of London 286 service, public health and social care on new health and St George’s Hospital Medical School 248 well-being boards within local authorities. This will University of Sheffield 272 radically improve local democratic legitimacy, in a more University of Southampton 254 effective and cost-effective way than the original proposal University College London 333 in the coalition agreement of introducing elected members University of Warwick 187 on to PCT boards. Total 6,369 Second, our proposals will improve the quality of commissioning, which under the current system has Target number of training places for medical students (including overseas failed to deliver sufficient improvements in outcomes students) 2011-12 for patients. General practitioner (GP) consortia will HEI Target bring clinical expertise, with decisions made closer to University of Birmingham 385 patients, while a stronger role for local councils will University of Briqhton1 138 bring greater expertise in assessing population needs, University of Bristol 256 and greater integration between local services. University of Cambridge 299 Third, our aim is to decentralise decision-making, to University of East Anglia 168 free front-line professionals from political interference University of Hull2 141 and central targets that distort local priorities. It is not Imperial College 330 possible to achieve this aim through the hierarchical 1017W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1018W structure of SHAs and PCTs, which are entirely subject steps”. The impact assessment that was published alongside to the direction of Ministers. The Health and Social the Health and Social Care Bill in January details Care Bill creates a transparent legal framework where expected impacts arising from the reforms. local organisations have their own clearly defined functions, Copies have already been placed in the Library. with no ability for Ministers to micromanage. Fourth, the management costs of PCTs and SHAs NHS: Surgery have risen disproportionately and are not sustainable. The Government’s plans will cut administration spending, Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for saving £1.7 billion every year from 2014-15, to reinvest Health what plans he has for the (a) collection and (b) in front-line NHS services. Savings on this scale would publication of NHS (i) surgical audit and (ii) clinical not be possible while retaining the superstructure of outcome data; and what timetable he has set for this PCTs and SHAs. exercise. [47747] PCT and SHA staff will continue to play an important role during the transition. They will increasingly be Mr Simon Burns: The “NHS Outcomes Framework involved in supporting the emerging GP consortia to 2011/12” sets the direction for the national health service ensure that existing skills are retained. in focusing on outcomes, and sets out the high level outcomes, which the NHS as a whole will be aiming to NHS: Contracts achieve. Data for all of the indicators in the NHS Outcomes Framework will be published in an open and Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for transparent way. Health if he will take steps to reduce barriers to the It is too early to provide complete details of how award of NHS contracts to small and medium-sized outcome data will be collected, but the majority of the enterprises. [48257] outcome indicators are based upon existing data sources. During 2011-12, we will work to refine the indicators in Mr Simon Burns: In terms of suppliers of goods and the framework as well as finalising the approaches to non-clinical services to the national health service, the measuring and reporting outcomes. We anticipate this Department is currently considering a number of measures detail will be included in the second NHS Outcomes to reduce the burden such suppliers face bidding for Framework published for 2012-13. NHS contracts. These will be announced as part of The Department funds the national clinical audit and ‘The Growth Review’ which will be published shortly by patient outcomes programme, comprising 30 national the Department for Business Innovation and Skills clinical audits covering a range of clinical conditions (BIS). and interventions. The programme will be extended In terms of suppliers of clinical services to the NHS, during 2011-12 to a wider range of conditions and the Government’s policy is that for most services, patients interventions. However, the national clinical audits work will have a choice of ‘any willing provider’. This will independently of the Department. The audit suppliers involve a qualification process for providers and means determine methodologies, data collections and the timing the need for tendering by commissioners for such services of publications. should diminish considerably. In addition, it is expected More generally, we are currently analysing responses that the NHS Commissioning Board, when established, to the consultation document “Liberating the NHS: An will be reviewing contracting and procurement procedures Information Revolution” and a Government response to both simplify them and ensure a greater focus on will be produced in due course. In this document, we quality. stated our intention to move to a culture in information characterised by openness, transparency and comparability. NHS: Performance Standards Prescriptions: Fees and Charges Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) conducted and Jack Lopresti: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) commissioned which supports the proposition that Health what progress has been made in (a) the reform establishing an independent commissioning board will of the prescription charging system and (b) the increase performance and healthcare provision in the extension of categories of long-term chronic NHS. [47851] conditions which are exempt from such charges. [47678]

Mr Simon Burns: The Health and Social Care Bill Mr Simon Burns: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer builds on many of the reforms introduced by the previous I gave on 17 March 2011, Official Report, columns Government and are based on setting the conditions to 630-631W,to the hon. Member for Hove (Mike Weatherley). ensure quality and productivity increase in the national health service. Respiratory System: Children An independent commissioning board will be free to allocate resources in the best interests of patients based Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for on clinical evidence, free from political distractions. Health how many children were admitted to hospital The consultation White Paper “Equity and Excellence: due to a respiratory condition in (a) England and (b) Liberating the NHS” set out the Government’s vision to each primary care trust area in the last year for which create a more autonomous and accountable NHS. We figures are available. [47541] took on board responses which gave overall support for the health reforms outlined in the Command Paper Anne Milton: The table shows the number of finished “Liberating the NHS: legislative framework and next admission episodes (FAEs) where the primary diagnosis 1019W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1020W was diseases of the respiratory system for the under 18 A count of FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of diseases of the respiratory system for the age group 18 and under in England and PCT of main age group in England and by primary care trust (PCT) provider for 2009-10; Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS in 2009-10. commissioned activity in the independent sector A count of FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of diseases of the PCT of main provider 18 and under respiratory system for the age group 18 and under in England and PCT of main provider for 2009-10; Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS Lewisham PCT 1,209 commissioned activity in the independent sector Wandsworth PCT 972 PCT of main provider 18 and under Tameside and Glossop PCT 1,520 England 228,481 Brighton and Hove City PCT 1,123 South Birmingham PCT 105 South Gloucestershire PCT 128 Shropshire County PCT 1,945 Havering PCT 1,920 Walsall Teaching PCT 880 Kingston PCT 864 Sutton and Merton PCT 1,171 Barnet PCT 1,660 North Somerset PCT 237 Hillingdon PCT 617 Coventry Teaching PCT 1,612 Enfield PCT 474 Wolverhampton City PCT 1,960 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 939 Heart of Birmingham Teaching 5,822 Tower Hamlets PCT 1,294 PCT Leeds PCT 2,621 Newham PCT 666 Kirklees PCT 2,328 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 3,893 Wakefield District PCT 2,759 Herefordshire PCT 933 Sheffield PCT 3,548 Milton Keynes PCT 1,462 Doncaster PCT 2,638 Newcastle PCT 2,614 Derbyshire County PCT 1,335 North Tyneside PCT 1,347 Derby City PCT 1,414 Hartlepool PCT 1,657 Nottinghamshire County Teaching 1,364 Nottingham City PCT 1,915 PCT Plymouth Teaching PCT 2,151 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 2,117 Salford PCT 733 Waltham Forest PCT 1,367 Stockport PCT 1,853 Cumbria Teaching PCT 3,441 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 2,814 Central Lancashire PCT 2,387 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 1,322 East Lancashire Teaching PCT 11 Luton PCT 2,260 Sefton PCT 1,322 Rotherham PCT 1,258 Wirral PCT 1,828 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 898 Liverpool PCT 6,431 Blackpool PCT 1,054 Western Cheshire PCT 1,385 Bolton PCT 2,424 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 2,261 Ealing PCT 865 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale — PCT Hounslow PCT 900 Trafford PCT 455 Warrington PCT 1,434 Manchester PCT 8,592 Knowsley PCT 1,576 North Yorkshire and York PCT 2,641 Darlington PCT 2,521 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT — Barnsley PCT 1,242 Hull Teaching PCT 1,640 Swindon PCT 1,317 Bradford and Airedale Teaching 3,111 Brent Teaching PCT 2,119 PCT Camden PCT 2,798 South East Essex PCT 659 Islington PCT 589 Bedfordshire PCT 470 Croydon PCT 779 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 1,459 Gateshead PCT 1,157 West Hertfordshire PCT 859 South Tyneside PCT 753 Surrey PCT 4,534 Sunderland Teaching PCT 1,747 West Sussex PCT 1,646 Middlesbrough PCT 2,748 Hastings and Rother PCT 1,549 Southampton City PCT . 2,210 West Kent PCT 2,686 Medway PCT 2,343 Leicester City PCT 4,599 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 1,518 Northamptonshire Teaching PCT 3,489 Westminster PCT 1,366 Dudley PCT 1,697 Lambeth PCT 870 Birmingham East and North PCT 4,183 Southwark PCT 1,757 Stoke on Trent PCT 3,353 1021W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1022W

A count of FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of diseases of the This includes data on the performance of hospitals of respiratory system for the age group 18 and under in England and PCT of main provider for 2009-10; Activity in English NHS hospitals and English NHS the South London NHS Trust. The national health commissioned activity in the independent sector service is finalising integrated plans which will set out PCT of main provider 18 and under proposals for the NHS to meet the quality and productivity challenge of realising up to £20 billion of efficiency South Staffordshire PCT 2,698 savings by 2014-15 while driving up the quality of Worcestershire PCT 2,276 services they provide. All savings will be reinvested back Warwickshire PCT 1,161 in front line care. These plans will be submitted to the Peterborough PCT 1,840 Department by 25 March 2011 as set out in the 2011-12 Operating Framework. Cambridgeshire PCT 2,164 Norfolk PCT 2,970 Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 797 what recent reports he has received on the adequacy of Suffolk PCT 2,622 staffing at the hospitals of the South London West Essex PCT 665 Healthcare NHS Trust. [47535] North East Essex PCT 1,348 Mr Simon Burns: The Care Quality Commission Mid Essex PCT 955 (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult South West Essex PCT 879 social care services in England. Providers of regulated Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 2,224 activities must be registered with CQC, and comply Hampshire PCT 1,873 with registration requirements regulations that set out essential levels of safety and quality. CQC assesses how Buckinghamshire PCT 1,356 trusts comply with these legal requirements and it has Oxfordshire PCT 1,711 the power to impose a range of sanctions where breaches Berkshire West PCT 1,792 are found. CQC published its review of South London Berkshire East PCT 1,611 Healthcare NHS Trust on 14 January 2011. It found Gloucestershire PCT 2,172 moderate concerns for the three staffing standards which were assessed. Bristol PCT 2,587 Wiltshire PCT 647 Squatting Somerset PCT 1,700 Dorset PCT 617 Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Bournemouth and Poole Teaching 2,231 Health how many buildings on his Department’s estate PCT were occupied by squatters in each year between 2006 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 2,292 and 2010; and on how many occasions his Department Devon PCT 2,034 sought interim possession orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each of those years. [47614] Isle of Wight NHS PCT 420 Bexley Care Trust 1,833 Mr Simon Burns: In 2006 one property on the Torbay Care Trust 765 Department’s estate was occupied by squatters and a North East Lincolnshire Care Trust 1,747 Possession Order obtained. In 2007 two properties were Plus occupied of which a Possession Order was obtained on Notes: one. The properties have now been sold. 1. Finished admission episodes (FAE) A FAE is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission Tobacco: Young People episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. Primary diagnosis Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effect 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) on the health of young people of secondhand tobacco data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. smoke in confined spaces; [47538] ICD:10 codes used; J00-J99 Diseases of the respiratory system (2) what steps he is taking to reduce the level of 3. PCT of main provider exposure of children to secondhand tobacco smoke in This indicates the PCT area within which the organisation providing treatment cars. [47539] was located. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The WHS Information Centre for health Anne Milton: The Tobacco Control Plan for England, and social care. published on 9 March 2011, sets out the action Government South London NHS Trust will take across the six internationally recognised strands that make up a comprehensive, approach to tobacco Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health control. This includes protection from exposure to what assessment he has made of the performance secondhand tobacco smoke. The Plan is informed by against objectives for productivity in the hospitals of The Impact of Smokefree Legislation in England an the South London NHS Trust in the latest period for academic review of the evidence on the effectiveness of which figures are available. [47533] the 2006 smokefree law (which was published alongside Mr Simon Burns: Performance data collected centrally the Plan) and by Passive Smoking and children: a are published on the Department’s website at: report of the Royal College of Physicians. The reports www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/ include evidence of the impact of the law on the exposure Performancedataandstatistics/index.htm of children to secondhand smoke. 1023W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1024W

Although the exposure of children to secondhand Mr Gibb: At present, six schools in the Rochester and tobacco smoke has come down in recent years, there is Strood constituency have expressed an interest in becoming no room for complacency. We want smokers to change an academy. Of these, The Rochester Grammar School their behaviour so as to make sure that they do not and Fort Pitt Grammar School, have signed funding harm those around them, particularly children in the agreements in place and opened as academies on home or in family cars. We will work with national 1 November 2010. The Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical media to raise awareness of the risks in exposing children School has an academy order and is due to convert to secondhand smoke. The Department’s new marketing soon. In addition, The Hundred of Hoo Comprehensive strategy for tobacco control will set out further details School is due to open as a sponsored academy on of how we will support efforts to encourage smokefree 1 September 2011. The Strood Academy opened as a homes and family cars. sponsored academy in September 2009. A copy of both Departmental publications have already In England, as of 4 March the total number of been placed in the Library. academies now open is 467, of which 264 opened since September 2010, and 195 of these are converters. Full details of schools that have formally applied for EDUCATION academy status, as well as a list of academies that have Academies opened in the academic year 2010/11 can be found on the Department of Education’s academies website at: Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/ Education how many officials of his Department are typesofschools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting- employed or contracted to work with schools applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011 considering or seeking to become Academies. [38484] Mr Gibb [holding answer 4 February 2011]: There are Academies: Rotherham currently 59 full-time equivalent officials working exclusively in the Department’s Academy Converter Division. Of John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for these staff, the majority are Project Leads who work Education if he will place in the Library a copy of the directly with schools seeking information about becoming proposal he has received for the Three Valleys an Academy or which have applied to convert. Independent Academy, Rotherham. [45360]

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Gibb [holding answer 10 March 2011]: We intend for Education what plans he has to allow academies to publish the funding agreements of successful free access to his Department’s eligibility checking service. school proposals in due course because that is the point [46780] at which a project will definitely be going ahead. Mr Gibb: The Department for Education has worked closely with other Government Departments to develop Adoption a free school meals eligibility checking system (ECS). This has made it much easier for parents to apply for Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for free school meals (FSM) and to reduce the stigma that Education what plans he has to review guidance on can be associated with applying for them. The ECS forced adoption. [44205] enables local authorities to check data simultaneously from the Department for Work and Pensions, Home Tim Loughton: The term ‘forced adoption’is a misleading Office and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in one. The law and guidance on adoption make clear that order to ascertain whether a parent qualifies for FSM children cannot be adopted without their parents’ consent and removes the need for paper proof of benefit. An unless the court is satisfied that the welfare of the child increasing number of local authorities allow parents to requires their consent to be dispensed with. We have no apply online for FSM and receive immediate notification plans to change this position but I am currently looking of their eligibility. at ways we can insure that contested adoptions are The ECS reduces the burdens on schools associated handled fairly and be seen to be handled fairly and with FSM administration. This is as a direct result of a always in the best interests of the child. Cabinet Office study and report that called for a reduction in the involvement of school staff on administering Building Schools for the Future Programme FSM. As a consequence, the use of the ECS is restricted to local authorities. Academies receive funding for FSM processing through Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for their funding formula. Local authorities may check Education whether any Building Schools for the Future FSM eligibility on behalf of academies and schools and projects which had reached financial close have since are entitled to charge for this service. Where an authority had their funding reduced. [14007] decides to charge, we would expect the charges to be reasonable so that parents of pupils in academies are Mr Gibb: When he announced the specific school also able to benefit from the ECS. projects that were cleared to go ahead under the Building Schools for the Future programme, the Secretary of Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for State also announced that he would continue to look at Education what recent assessment he has made of the scope for savings in all these projects. To that end, progress on schools acquiring academy status in (a) Partnerships for Schools has been working with local Rochester and Strood constituency and (b) England. authorities on a case by case basis to identify potential [47188] savings. 1025W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1026W

Projects which had reached financial close when the Sarah Teather: The following table sets out the funding process of identifying potential savings began have not allocations for each of these programmes in 2008-09, subsequently had their funding reduced. 2009-10-and 2010-11.

CAFCASS £ million DfE grants to local authorities 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Sure Start Early Years and 626,630,517 607,180,130 666,595,113 Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Childcare Grant (SSEYCG)1, 2 Education what the average time taken was for the Sure Start Children’s Centres 966,164,392 1,192,142,034 1,236,147,890 Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Funding (SSLP and CCs Service to (a) process and (b) complete care cases element)3, 5 referred to it in the latest period for which figures are Aiming High for Disabled 22,363,495 112,927,387 237,146,050 Children (AHDC) (SSEYCG) available. [47045] 2 Year Old Offer—Early Learning 16,994,418 58,306,293 66,744,167 and Child Care (SSEYCG) Tim Loughton: The support that CAFCASS provides Foundation Learning4 17,000,131 18,522,649 19,881,920 through the appointment of guardians is only one of Challenge and Support Grant 5,200,000 3,900,000 3,900,000 the factors that contributes to the length of care proceedings. Intensive Intervention Project 1,074,897 2,596,482 2,800,000 In public law the most reliable measure of case duration Children’s Fund 131,804,428 131,804,428 131,804,428 is the Ministry of Justice figures showing the average Children’s Social Care Workforce6 18,155,996 18,156,004 18,156,008 time from when a care application is made to the courts Child Trust Fund 818,970 1,122,023 1,325,269 to its completion. Across all levels of court, the average 1 Includes all revenue and capital funding paid via SSEYCG excluding case duration for care proceedings in England and Children’s Centres element and Sure Start Local Programmes (SSLP), AHDC and 2 year old offer blocks, which are listed separately Wales for the period June to September 2010—the 2 The Early Years Sustainability and Early Years Workforce categorisations latest period for which figures are available—was 51 were not in existence for the spending review period 2008-11. Funding which weeks. came directly from the Department to support these areas was included within the SSEYCG. Other funding for the Early Years Workforce came indirectly via CWDC and other organisations. Children: Finance 3 Includes revenue and capital funding. 4 Formerly Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme. 5 Published allocations for Sure Start Children’s Centres are not individually ring-fenced within the main revenue block of the SSEYCG and therefore are Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for notional. Local authorities have the freedom to spend the available funding Education (1) what funding his Department allocated flexibly within that block to best meet local objectives and priorities. 6 Funding which came directly from the Department. Other funding for the to Sure Start children’s centres in (a) 2008-09, (b) Children’s Social Care Workforce came indirectly via CWDC. 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40703] (2) what funding his Department allocated to the Children: Missing Persons Disabled Children Short Breaks scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40705] (3) what funding his Department allocated to the Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Children’s Fund in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) Education what recent discussions he has had with (a) 2010-11; [40606] local authorities and (b) police forces on arrangements for safeguarding children and young people who run (4) what funding his Department allocated to the away or otherwise go missing from home or care. Early Years Workforce in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and [45221] (c) 2010-11; [40699] (5) what funding his Department allocated to the Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education Early Years Sustainability schemes in (a) 2008-09, (b) and I have had no recent discussions with local authorities 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40700] or police forces specifically on missing children and (6) what funding his Department allocated to the young people. However, the issue is extremely important Two Year Old Offer in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and to this Department, not least because we know that (c) 2010-11; [40706] children who go missing or run away regularly are at (7) what funding his Department allocated to the risk of harm, including sexual exploitation. We are fully Challenge and Support scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) committed to working with the Home Office and other Government Departments to consider what further action 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40709] is necessary. In so doing, we are taking account of (8) what funding his Department allocated to the relevant developments including the Munro Review of Intensive Intervention Grant in (a) 2008-09, (b) Child Protection and the transfer of responsibility for 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40712] missing children from the National Policing Improvement (9) what funding his Department allocated to the Agency to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Children’s Social Care Workforce in (a) 2008-09, (b) Centre. 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40713] (10) what funding his Department allocated to Key Children: Protection Stage 4 Foundation Learning in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11; [40714] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for (11) what funding his Department allocated for the Education what proportion of children in each (a) Child Trust Fund as part of the Early Intervention local authority area and (b) parliamentary Grants in financial years (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and constituency in England were on the Child Protection (c) 2010-11. [41275] Register in each year since 2006. [44597] 1027W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1028W

Tim Loughton: Information on the rate of children Children1 who were the subject of a Child Protection Plan2 at 31 March each who were the subject of a Child Protection Plan per year; Years ending 31 March 2006-10; Coverage: Local authorities in England 10,000 children aged under 18 years for 2006 to 2010 Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years has been placed in the Library. Due to the small numbers 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 involved compared to the overall population, rates per Doncaster 38 36 50 48 49 10,000 children are used rather than percentages. East Riding of 20 17 17 17 19 Yorkshire Rates have not been provided at a parliamentary Kingston upon 47 28 23 27 43 constituency level due to comparability issues between Hull, City of the CIN census data and the ONS population estimates Kirklees 22 22 23 24 29 needed to calculate the rates, which are particularly Leeds 20 26 26 26 36 evident with data at a parliamentary constituency level North East 19 22 25 19 27 because of the small numbers involved. Lincolnshire North 24 23 26 25 34 Children1 who were the subject of a Child Protection Plan2 at 31 March each Lincolnshire year; Years ending 31 March 2006-10; Coverage: Local authorities in England North 25 19 11 19 n/a Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years Yorkshire3 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Rotherham 19 25 41 51 50 Sheffield 32 38 27 33 41 North East Wakefield 20 23 31 44 41 Darlington 29 22 23 30 36 York 13 17 23 28 22 Durham3 17 22 21 28 n/a Gateshead 36 37 40 34 36 East Midlands Hartlepool 36 42 27 38 65 Middlesbrough 43 40 66 82 109 Derby 49 57 32 25 41 Newcastle 43 67 61 60 64 Derbyshire3 18 20 23 31 n/a upon Tyne Leicester4258515046 North 24 29 27 31 42 Leicestershire3 12 11 18 19 n/a Tyneside Lincolnshire 26 25 19 15 19 Northumberland 25 28 41 41 42 Northamptonshire 12 12 10 15 15 Redcar and 22 19 40 54 56 Cleveland Nottingham 48 59 77 74 82 South Tyneside 26 34 44 35 53 Nottinghamshire 28 30 26 28- 39 Stockton-on- 24 30 37 49 65 Rutland 11 16 6—1313 Tees Sunderland 44 35 34 46 72 West Midlands Birmingham 42 50 41 55 49 North West Coventry 31 27 27 44 43 Blackburn 17 16 11 35 47 with Darwen Dudley 17 20 20 26 26 Blackpool 49 36 55 52 65 Herefordshire 17 15 19 29 32 Bolton2124314159Sandwell 26 18 28 31 27 Bury 2523343429Shropshire 26 27 23 28 43 Cheshire4 12 10 12 18 n/a Solihull2817121933 Cheshire East5 n/a n/a n/a n/a 19 Staffordshire 22 20 22 26 22 Cheshire West n/a n/a n/a n/a 24 Stoke-on-Trent 22 29 47 36 48 5 and Chester Telford and 26 34 42 40 47 Cumbria 12 16 23 27 30 Wrekin Halton3129242630Walsall 20 27 29 33 46 Knowsley3042303848Warwickshire 26 27 30 32 45 3 Lancashire 20 22 20 26 n/a Wolverhampton 35 24 22 31 46 3 Liverpool 24 36 40 58 n/a Worcestershire 16 24 23 28 32 Manchester 28 32 55 57 61 Oldham 16 24 31 43 55 East of Rochdale 14 21 15 29 39 England Salford 27 16 29 49 68 Bedford n/a n/a n/a n/a 33 Sefton2433415441Borough5 St Helens 37 27 23 31 52 Central n/a n/a n/a n/a 30 Stockport 21 21 23 28 27 Bedfordshire5 Tameside2017223440Bedfordshire4 15 12 15 22 n/a Trafford 34 33 42 45 42 Cambridgeshire 20 24 29 29 28 Warrington 23 22 24 22 30 Essex 17 21 18 22 26 Wigan 14 14 17 ’ 32 36 Hertfordshire 17 16 18 24 26 Wirral 36 35 17 33 35 Luton 30 26 21 31 41 Norfolk 25 20 18 19 31 Yorkshire and Peterborough 46 46 22 25 30 the Humber Southend-on- 29 34 46 44 45 Barnsley 40 28 30 35 31 Sea Bradford 22 16 20 24 32 Suffolk 27 27 31 26 20 Calderdale 19 26 29 35 34 Thurrock 17 20 41 35 53 1029W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1030W

Children1 who were the subject of a Child Protection Plan2 at 31 March each Children1 who were the subject of a Child Protection Plan2 at 31 March each year; Years ending 31 March 2006-10; Coverage: Local authorities in England year; Years ending 31 March 2006-10; Coverage: Local authorities in England Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years Rate per 10,000 children aged under 18 years 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

London Surrey1118192221 Inner London West Berkshire 9 11 15 16 18 WestSussex2120232530 Camden 54 50 49 69 64 Windsor and 13 22 22 23 21 City of 0 6— 6— 6—0Maidenhead London Wokingham 13 11 13 17 15 Hackney3 32 36 43 43 n/a Hammersmith 24 46 49 56 75 and Fulham South West Haringey 40 32 48 37 60 Bath and 17 20 18 22 21 North East Islington 39 33 33 41 39 Somerset Kensington 19 21 18 25 29 Bournemouth 14 19 33 33 51 and Chelsea Bristol. City of 36 40 34 43 37 Lambeth 39 45 48 39 56 Cornwall 34 33 27 33 34 Lewisham 41 35 31 35 35 Devon1619212129 Newham 64 72 58 45 51 Dorset 14 19 21 29 43 Southwark 44 42 48 58 61 Gloucestershire3 12 17 17 21 n/a Tower Hamlets 25 39 48 55 58 Isles of Scilly 6—0000 Wandsworth 26 28 37 37 32 North 18 20 23 28 22 Westminster 31 34 26 42 39 Somerset Plymouth3 27 38 38 38 n/a Outer London Poole2723272847 Somerset 17 18 22 21 25 Barking and 30 34 37 36 41 Dagenham South 18 14 15 25 26 Gloucestershire Barnet 16 17 21 20 26 Swindon 13 21 22 24 27 Bexley 15 12 12 17 17 Torbay 19 23 28 38 58 3 Brent 23 22 30 30 n/a Wiltshire 14 13 10 11 14 Bromley 23 21 21 25 37 n/a=Nodataavailable Croydon 27 30 32 34 43 1 Data includes unborn children. 2 If a child is the subject of more than one child protection plan during the Ealing3750575056 year, each will be counted. Enfield 27 23 19 30 26 3 These LAs provided aggregate data but did not provide data for the number Greenwich 31 34 36 52 52 of children who were subject to a child protection plan at 31 March 2010. 4 Data only available until 2009 due to local authority reorganisation. Harrow25282333375 The local authorities were formed as part of Local Government Havering3 27 15 14 19 n/a reorganisation and data were not available prior to 2010. 6 Figures have been suppressed to protect confidentiality. Hillingdon 14 22 26 30 39 Sources: Hounslow 34 37 29 37 38 2006 to 2009—CPR3 Survey Kingston upon 13 15 19 24 32 2010—CIN Census Thames Mid-2009 ONS population estimates Merton2230323330 Children: Separation Redbridge3 17 19 22 23 n/a Richmond 13 13 10 9 11 Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for upon Thames Education whether he has considered plans to give the Sutton1620253548non-resident parent a right of access to children in Waltham 33 20 18 25 31 [47298] Forest separation cases. Tim Loughton: The promotion of further contact South East rights for non-resident parents is being considered as Bracknell 13 16 20 16 26 part of the Family Justice Review. The Review Panel is Forest due to issue its interim report at the end of March 2011, Brighton and 27 32 40 62 78 with the final report due in the autumn this year. Hove Buckinghamshire 14 19 21 24 25 Connexions East Sussex3 27 36 36 46 n/a Hampshire 16 16 17 23 23 Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Isle of Wight 33 23 26 42 29 Education what assessment he has made of the effect Kent3 23 28 31 32 n/a of changes in the level of local authority funding to Medway3130302941Connexions services for 2011-12 on the integration of Milton Keynes 7 4 7 12 11 Connexions and Next Steps services into the All-Age Oxfordshire 20 16 16 18 19 Careers service. [47369] Portsmouth 41 26 44 48 45 Reading 31 42 35 35 52 Mr Gibb [holding answer 16 March 2011]: The Secretary Slough 33 20 20 47 38 of State for Education wrote to local authorities on Southampton 26 27 20 33 41 13 December 2010 to announce allocations under the 1031W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1032W

Early Intervention Grant (EIG), making clear that the Departmental Manpower EIG in 2011-12 will support local authorities’responsibilities in respect of careers guidance for young people. Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for It is for local authorities to determine how such Education how many members of staff were employed services for young people should be delivered, taking in the (a) Ministerial and (b) general correspondence into account locally identified priorities. units of his Department in each of the last two years. [24017] Departmental Billing Tim Loughton: In 2009 and 2010, the Department employed 14.7 full-time equivalent staff to handle ministerial Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for correspondence. The Department’s public communications Education what proportion of invoices from suppliers unit employed 117.5 full-time equivalent staff in 2009 his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in and 112.9 full-time equivalent staff in 2010. January and February 2011. [45085] Departmental Procurement

Tim Loughton: The proportion of valid invoices paid Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for on behalf of the Department for Education within five Education which procurement projects engaged upon and 10 days of receipt respectively was: by (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public body and Executive agency for which he is Percentage responsible had a designated senior responsible owner Within five days Within 10 days in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date each officer was appointed in each such January 2011 74.1 92.5 case. [45550] February 2011 78.4 93.7 Tim Loughton: Based on information held centrally Departmental Land on procurement projects during the financial years 2009-10 and 2010-11, the Department was engaged on thirty nine procurement projects, all of which had a senior Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for responsible owner appointed. Non-departmental public Education if he will take steps to reduce the size of his bodies and executive agencies were involved with Department’s estate; and if he will make a statement. 10 procurement projects between 2009 and 2011 which [46221] the Department is aware of and all had a senior responsible owner appointed. To gather additional information on Tim Loughton: The Department for Education plans procurement projects from non-departmental public to reduce significantly the size and cost of its estate over bodies and executive agencies and to identify the dates the forthcoming spending review period, as part of the when senior responsible owner were appointed would drive to reduce costs. This will include a number of key take costs above the cost threshold for parliamentary measures, such as making more efficient use of the questions. buildings we retain, the expansion of our existing Flexible Working Policy and enabling surplus space to be disposed Departmental Public Expenditure of or used by other Government Departments. Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for In accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines and Education how much his Department has spent on Property Controls, the Department will also take newspapers and magazines since May 2010. [36041] opportunities to not renew any commercial lease at expiry and to operate break options wherever possible. Tim Loughton: For the period 12 May 2010 to The Government announced in spending review 2010 31 December 2010 the Department has spent £2,848 on that as a first step to introducing a more co-ordinated newspapers and magazines. approach to property management in the central civil office estate it would set up, through the Government Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Property Unit, Property Vehicles for the Central London Education how much Barnett consequential funding and Bristol office estate from 2011/12. his Department has provided to each devolved Administration in (a) 2010-11 to date and (b) in each Property Vehicles will be responsible for managing a of the last three years; and with which programmes more co-ordinated Government-wide approach to property. such funding was associated. [39399] They will manage the estate strategically, achieving more efficient use of the property assets, as well as work Tim Loughton: In the 2010 spending review changes with Departments to reduce their estates and maximise in the DEL budgets of the devolved Administrations the commercial potential of their property portfolios. were determined by the Barnett formula in the normal Furthermore the Government announced this month way. The settlements for the years 2011-12 to 2014-15 a new system of National Property Controls across the were published in table 2.22 of the 2010 spending central civil estate. These controls require Departments review document (Cm 7942). to adopt a common, disciplined commercial approach Barnett consequentials relating to each of the devolved to the use of the estate. These build on the success of Administrations for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11 are the Lease Moratorium introduced in May 2010, which published as part of the Public Expenditure Statistical to-date has reduced property costs by around £50 million. Analyses Supplementary Material on the Treasury’s DFE is co-operating fully with both these GPU led website under the heading House of Lords Select initiatives in order to drive down the size of the Committee on the Barnett formula: Department’s estate. http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pespub_pesa10.htm 1033W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1034W

Updated tables taking account of adjustments since Departmental Regulation the publication of the 2010 edition of PESA will be published alongside the next edition of PESA later this Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for year. Education what regulations his Department repealed Information on the block grants paid by the territorial between 27 January and 28 February 2011. [45979] offices to the devolved Administrations is published alongside the Main and Supplementary Estimates. Tim Loughton: In the period 27 January to 28 February, two sets of regulations were revoked: the School Finance Departmental Rail Travel (England) Regulations 2006 and the School Finance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007. These were largely replaced by the revoking instrument, the School Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Finance (England) Regulations 2011. Education how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department are entitled to travel first Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for class by rail within the UK. [47074] Education what regulations his Department introduced between 9 and 28 February 2011. [47149] Tim Loughton: At present, 1,253 (49%) of staff in my Department at the senior executive officer (SEO) grade Tim Loughton: In the period 9 to 28 February 2011 and above, have a contractual entitlement to first class (“the relevant period”), the Department for Education rail travel. Despite this entitlement, we have considerably made four statutory instruments. In addition, two statutory reduced the use of first class travel, as part of our wider instruments made before the relevant period came into drive to reduce spending and ensure more value for force during the relevant period. money. This financial year, we have reduced the level of The following statutory instruments were made during first class travel from 33% in April 2010 to 2% in the relevant period but will come into force after 28 February February 2011. 2011:

Title Made Laid In force

The School Finance (England) Regulations 2011 11 February 2011 18 February 2011 15 March 2011 The Care Standards Act 2000 (Enforcement of Care Standards) 26 February 2011 4 March 2011 1 April 2011 (Notification) (England) Regulations 2011 Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 26 February 2011 4 March 2011 1 April 2011 (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 The Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 (Consequential 28 February 2011 n/a 1 March 2011 Modifications) Order 2011

The following statutory instruments were made before 9 February 2011 but came into force during the relevant period:

Title Made Laid In force

The Education (School Day and School Year) (England) (Amendment) 26 January 2011 2 February 2011 25 February 2011 Regulations2011 The School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Amendment) Order 2011 31 January 2011 4 February 2011 25 February 2011

Departmental Telephone Services Resourcing and efficiency Reporting and data capture Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Account management and administration Education what criteria his Department uses to assess Technical and back-end staff the merits of applications for contracts to provide advice line services; and if he will make a statement. Fulfilment [45495] B. Their values and approach: Experience of delivering TUPE Tim Loughton: The Department uses criteria specific to the requirements of each individual helpline, this Flexibility includes asking contractors to demonstrate: Delivering customer service excellence—quality assurance and A. How they will deliver the requirements outlined: continuous improvement Contact handling requirements Culture and approach to integration, collaboration and a sense of responsibility to deliver System requirements Proactivity/initiative and commitment to the improvement of Provision of a pool of skilled multi-channel advisers the service delivery and customer service experience Recruitment, training and quality management Experience of working on services which involve liaising with Data security and transfer protocols local services and regional variation in service options 1035W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1036W

C. and include: Tim Loughton: The latest figures available are published Two examples/case studies of similar central Government/public in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) sector projects that have been engaged upon in the last five years, 2010 by Her Majesty’s Treasury. demonstrating how all criteria in section2AandBabove, (a) Estimated public expenditure on education as a percentage have-been met of GDP in 2009-10 is 6.3%. Two references from existing central Government/public sector (b) Estimated public expenditure on education as a percentage clients where a similar service has been undertaken of total public expenditure is 13.1%. An organisational structure List of quality standards/accreditations achieved in recent Educational Psychology years, including a listing of any industry/trade bodies of which you are a member Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for A full project plan showing timings for set up and ‘go live’ Education how many educational psychology posts Written agreement to abide by COI’s standard framework there were in March 2010; and what estimate he has agreement/terms and conditions made of the level of such posts in March 2011. [45678] Any other information that they may consider appropriate to support their contract bid Sarah Teather [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The latest available figures, from the Annual Survey of Teachers Education Maintenance Allowance in Service and Teacher Vacancies, show that there were 2,156 full time equivalent educational psychologists in Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for service in England in January 2009. Education if he will estimate the effect on the number Information on educational psychology posts is not of students currently participating in the first year of held centrally.Educational psychology services are demand study and receiving education maintenance allowance led and it is the responsibility of local authorities to who will participate in the second year of the study in assess the need and to determine the capacity to meet (a) Hartlepool constituency, (b) North East of that need. England and (c) England following the ending of The Department announced on 9 March 2011 a education maintenance allowance. [47513] review of the training arrangements for educational psychologists. We are taking advantage of the opportunity Mr Gibb: The information requested is not available presented by the consultation on the Green Paper “Support centrally as we do not hold data which links EMA and aspiration: A new approach to special educational recipients to the courses they take or the duration of needs and disability” to consider options for placing the their courses. training of educational psychologists on a more secure Education: Ofsted footing. Full details of the scope of the review and how to Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for respond to the Green Paper consultation can be found Education if he will take steps to ensure that provision on the Department for Education’s website. Those wishing for people aged 16 to 19 in (a) school six forms, (b) to participate in the review or request further information sixth form colleges and (c) further education colleges may contact: is inspected and graded by Ofsted using the same [email protected] criteria in accordance with the proposal in paragraph 6.9 of the Education White Paper, The Importance of Free School Meals Teaching; and if he will make a statement. [44553] Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: School sixth forms are inspected as part of Education what steps his Department is taking to (a) the inspection of the whole school and graded using the identify and (b) support children who qualify for free criteria in the Framework for the Inspection of Maintained school meals. [25905] Schools. Sixth form colleges and further education colleges are inspected and graded using the criteria in the Common Mr Gibb: The Department for Education has worked Inspection Framework. Ofsted seeks as much alignment closely with other Government Departments to develop as is appropriate between the frameworks. There are, a free school meals eligibility checking system, known however, different statutory requirements for the inspection as “the ECS”. This has increased identification and of the different types of provision and, consequently, it support for free school meals because it enables local is inevitable that there are differences between the two authorities to check data simultaneously from the frameworks. We believe it is right to continue to inspect Department for Work and Pensions, Home Office and the sixth form as an integral part of the rest of the Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in order to ascertain school. whether a parent qualifies for free school meals and Paragraph 6.9 of the White Paper envisages common removes the need for paper proof of benefit. An increasing performance measures for 16-19 education and training number of local authorities allow parents to apply and we are working towards this aim. online for free school meals and receive immediate notification of their eligibility. Education: Public Expenditure Take up of school lunch is rising. Every day three million children are eating a healthy school lunch which Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for meets the school food regulations. The latest school Education what estimate he has made of public lunch take-up survey shows that for the second year expenditure on education as a proportion of (a) GDP running, take up of school lunches has increased; it is and (b) total public expenditure in the latest period for now 41.1% in primary from 39.3% in 2009, and 35.8% which figures are available. [44267] in secondary schools from 35.0% in 2009. 1037W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1038W

From 2011-12, the Government will be introducing a Mr Gibb: We are currently undertaking a review of pupil premium worth £2.5 billion by 2014-15, to support the 16-19 funding formula to investigate how the formula the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The pupil premium might in future better support the coalition Government’s will provide schools with an additional £430 for each aims of transparency and fairness, including alignment child known to be eligible for free school meals, in order with the pre-16 funding and Pupil Premium. The review to help them boost their attainment. Schools are already will also take account of the recommendations from promoting and supporting parents in applying for free Professor Wolf’s review of vocational qualifications. school meals. We therefore expect that the pupil premium, We have not yet completed school sixth form allocations- together with the ease with which parents can now for 2011/12 but will do so before the end of this financial apply, will increase take-up further. year. An overall assessment of the average change in budgets for schools in 2011/12 has not been possible Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for because we do not yet have the information to do this. Education for what reasons students from households Local authorities are responsible for determining pre-16 in receipt of working tax credit are not eligible for free school funding and we do not receive returns for 2011/12 school meals. [46973] budgets until 31 March 2011 at the earliest. Mr Gibb [holding answer 15 March 2011]: Free school For pre-16 funding, the overall funding in 2011-12 is meals are intended to provide additional help to children at flat cash per pupil over 2010-11, and the pupil in non-working families as they are not able to claim the premium is in addition to that. For post-16 funding, we additional working tax credit that is available to low are committed in 2011-12 to a reduction in the per-pupil income working families with adults working 16 or funding of no more than 3%. more hours a week. The current eligibility criteria are designed to ensure GCSE that those most in need receive the additional help that free school meals provide Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for The Welfare Reform Bill will introduce a universal Education what proportion of children taking GCSEs credit, beginning in 2013, to replace current benefits achieved (a) an A*-C grade in both English and with a single payment, and will therefore remove the mathematics, (b) five or more A*-C GCSE grades current thresholds. It is intended to be a simpler approach including English and mathematics in (i) 2000-01, (ii) and a fairer way of determining entitlement, but it will 2007-08 and (iii) 2008-09. [44775] mean that the current criteria for identifying entitlement to free school meals no longer exist. An alternative way Mr Gibb: In the following table, figures for 2001 are of identifying entitlement is being developed. based on pupils aged 15; figures for 2008 and 2009 are Free Schools: Lancashire based on pupils reaching the end of Key Stage 4.

Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Percentage Proportion of pupils taking Proportion of pupils taking Education what applications he has received from GCSEs who achieved an A*-C GCSEs who achieved five or groups in Lancashire to establish a new free school. grade in both English and more A*-C grades including [43030] mathematics English and mathematics 2000/01 41.9 40.7 Mr Gibb: As at 16 March 2011, we have received five 2007/08 48.2 47.6 proposals from groups and individuals in Lancashire to 2008/09 50.2 49.8 establish a free school. Source: School and College Performance Tables Free Schools: Norwich Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 28 February Education when he plans to announce his decision on 2011, Official Report, columns 265-66W, on GCSEs, the free school application from the OPEN Youth Trust what the average cumulative number of GCSE entries in Norwich; and if he will make a statement. [31974] was per student reaching school year 11 amongst students entered for at least one GCSE up to and Mr Gibb: After assessing The OPEN Youth Trust’s including year 11 in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2009-10. Free School proposal in the same way as all other Free School proposals and in light of the decision to progress [45525] the Norfolk university technical college to feasibility stage, we have decided not to take forward the OPEN Mr Gibb: The average number of GCSE entries among Youth Trust’s proposal. The proposer was informed of pupils entered for at least one full GCSE aged 15 at the this decision on 10 January 2011. start of the academic year 1996/97 was 8.51. The average number of GCSE entries among pupils Further Education: Finance entered for at least one full GCSE at the end of key stage 4 in 2010 was 7.79. Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the future funding of The averages include attempts and achievement in post-16 education; what assessment he has made of the previous academic years. average change in budgets of (a) 13-18 high schools Short courses have been counted as half a GCSE and (b) 11-18 secondary schools in 2011-12; and if he entry and double courses as two entries. Also, in 2010, will make a statement. [46897] accredited iGCSEs have been included. 1039W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1040W

Prior to 2005, statistics were based on pupils aged 15. far too small. We want to encourage more pupils to take In 2005, statistics based on pupils reaching the end of these core subjects and to bring about greater fairness key stage 4 were introduced, which aimed to take better of opportunity. account of the attainment of pupils learning at different The English Baccalaureate does not include all the rates. Since 2009, all figures have been based exclusively subjects worthy of study. We recognise that study in on pupils reaching the end of key stage 4. other subjects will be just as valuable to pupils and we Source: will encourage all pupils to study non-English Baccalaureate School and College Performance Tables. subjects alongside the English Baccalaureate in order to benefit from a well rounded education. This is why we have kept the number of core subjects small enough to Members: Correspondence allow wider study. Subjects, such as music, which do not count towards the English Baccalaureate, can and will Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for play a part in a well rounded, rigorous education. Education when his Department plans to respond to Achievement in these subjects, as with all GCSEs, will the letters from the hon. Member for Basildon and continue to be recognised in the performance tables as Billericay of 19 January and 21 February 2011 on Miss part of the A*-C measure, which will remain the basis Susan McCaffery. [47996] for secondary school floor standards. Pupil Exclusions Tim Loughton [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The Minister of State for Schools, my hon. Friend the Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr Gibb), Education how many and what proportion of pupils at replied on 18 March. secondary schools with (a) fewer than 800, (b) 800 to 1,000 and (c) more than 1,000 pupils have been permanently excluded in each year since 2000. [17920] Music: International Baccalaureate Mr Gibb: The requested information for 2005/06 and 2008/09 is shown in the table. Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Data on permanent exclusions was collected via the Education what consideration he has given to the school census from 2005/06. Prior to that year, permanent merits of including music in the English Baccalaureate. exclusions were collected via the pupil level annual [47573] school census. For consistency, data on permanent exclusions has been provided for the earliest and the Mr Gibb: We are concerned that the number of most recent year available using school census data. To pupils, especially those in disadvantaged areas, who provide data for further years would incur disproportionate receive a broad education in core academic subjects is cost.

State-funded secondary schools1, 2: Number and proportion of pupil enrolments3 with permanent exclusions by size of school4, 2005/06 and 2008/ 09, England Schools with fewer than 800 pupils4 Schools with 800 to 1,000 pupils4 Schools with over 1,000 pupils4 Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of Number of Percentage of enrolments with school population enrolments with school population enrolments with school population permanent with permanent permanent with permanent permanent with permanent exclusions5 exclusions6 exclusions5 exclusions6 exclusions5 exclusions6

2005/06 1,860 0.29 1,640 0.25 4,180 0.20 2008/09 1,520 0.23 1,230 0.19 2,690 0.14 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes city technology colleges and academies. 3 Pupils may be counted more than once if they moved schools during the year, or are registered at more than one school, 4 Headcount or solely registered pupils taken from the January school census. Schools which were not open at the January census have been excluded from the analysis. 5 Data is as returned by schools. 6 The number of pupil enrolments expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered) pupils as at the January school census. Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School census.

Pupil Exclusions: West Midlands (SFR), which will include national and local authority level data on permanent exclusions, is due to be published in July. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Information on permanent exclusions for the 2008/09 for Education how many school children were excluded academic year is provided in the following table. permanently from schools in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands in 2010. [47881] The information has been published as part of the SFR Permanent and Fixed Period Exclusions from Schools in England 2008/09, in Table 17, at: Mr Gibb: Exclusions data for the 2009/10 academic http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000942/ year are not yet available. A Statistical First Release index.shtml 1041W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1042W

Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1, 2 number of permanent exclusions3 2008/09 in west midlands Government office region and Coventry local authority (estimates) Maintained primary; state- funded secondary and Maintained primary1 Maintained secondary1 Special2 special schools1, 2, 4 Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage Number of of the Number of of the Number of of the Number of of the permanent school permanent school permanent school permanent school exclusions population5 exclusions population5 exclusions population5 exclusions6 population5

West midlands6 120 0.03 600 0.17 10 0.06 770 0.09 Coventry 7— 7— 15 0.07 0 0.00 20 0.05 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. 3 Figures are as confirmed by local authorities as part of the data checking exercise. 4 Includes city technology colleges and academies (including all-through academies). 5 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils {excluding dually registered pupils) in January 2009. 6 Regional totals and the local authority total have been rounded to the nearest 10. 7 Less than five, or a percentage based on less than five. Source: School Census

Pupils: Bullying Mr Gibb: The YPLA’s 16-19 funding statement set out the Government’s key priority to rebalance funding Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for towards disadvantaged students and those needing Education what plans he has to issue guidance to (a) additional support. That is why we are allocating teachers, (b) schools and (c) local authorities on £150 million of the savings made from removing the online and cyber bullying. [27699] requirement to deliver specific activities through enrichment funding in order to increase the targeted funding in the Tim Loughton [holding answer 30 November 2010]: national funding formula which addresses deprivation. In our Schools White Paper, The Importance of Teaching, Funding for young people that live in the most we announced measures to ensure head teachers take a disadvantaged areas of England and those who are strong stand against all forms of bullying, including disadvantaged by other circumstances will increase by cyberbullying. These measures include radically reducing over a third in 2011/12 to a total of some £770 million. the existing 481 pages of bullying guidance for schools This, along with the additional funding we have also to make it sharper. We will also encourage the promotion made available to support foundation learning, will and sharing of good practice, so that what works in one ensure that funding is targeted where it is most needed. school or area is learnt by others. This will help ensure We have committed to reviewing the funding formula to that excellent ways of tackling bullying and cyberbullying determine how a ‘young person’s premium’ might operate are replicated everywhere. in future in order to increase attainment by the most We continue to work with the UK Council for Child disadvantaged students. Internet Safety (UKCCIS), which is co-chaired by Ministers; We will not be directing schools and colleges to use the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department the increases in funding for disadvantaged young people (James Brokenshire) and I. Several of its members, for in any particular way, because they know best the needs example Childnet and BeatBullying, work directly with of their students. However, we expect at least some of it children, young people and families, as well as in schools, will be used to support the sort of enrichment activity to promote e-safety and tackle cyberbullying. Industry that will benefit the hardest to reach young people. is also working with UKCCIS to self-regulate and promote good practice to make cyberbullying easier to report, and enable prompt removal of harmful content, while Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State making it harder for users to engage in such activity. for Education what estimate he has made of the number of pupils in Peterborough constituency who Pupils: Disadvantaged will qualify for the pupil premium. [46809]

Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 March 2011]: The pupil Education what the monetary value of the pupil premium for 2011-12 will be allocated to local authorities premium will be per qualifying pupil in each year to and schools with pupils that are known to be eligible for 2014-15. [28829] Free School Meals (FSM) as recorded on the January 2011 School Census, Pupil Referral Unit Census and Mr Gibb: The level of the pupil premium in 2011-12 Alternative Provision Census. Each pupil known to be will be £430 per pupil. The total amount allocated for eligible for free school meals will attract £430 of funding the pupil premium is £625 million for 2011-12, rising to which will go to the school or academy via the local £2.5 billion in 2014-15. We have not yet determined how authority or YPLA if the pupil is in a mainstream much it will be in the interim years and will review setting or will be managed by the responsible local which pupils will be eligible in the future. authority if the pupil is in a non-mainstream setting. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Local authorities will also attract the Looked After Education what assessment he has made of the effects Child Pupil Premium for 2011-12 which will be allocated of reductions in enrichment funding for 16-19 to local authorities for pupils who at some point in the providers on students in deprived communities. [42422] year to 31 March 2010 were looked after continuously 1043W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1044W for at least 6 months, and who were aged 4 to 15 on Mr Gibb: We do not require schools or sixth form 31 August 2009 as recorded on the April 2010 Local colleges to provide this information. Authority return. Each pupil will attract £430 of funding However, we estimate based on reports of freedom of which will go to the responsible local authority that will information requests carried out by the media and pass it to maintained schools for eligible pupils. interest groups that approximately 30% of secondary The January 2010 School Census allows an estimate schools and five percent of primary schools use such of the number of pupils known to be eligible for FSM systems. We have no similar estimate for how many to be made. In the Peterborough constituency in January sixth from colleges use biometric systems. 2010 there were 3,352 pupils known to be eligible, which Legislation in the Protection of Freedoms Bill will would give rise to a pupil premium of £1,441,360. In ensure that no children’s biometric data are taken, in addition to this there were 37 pupils known to be schools or colleges, without parental permission. The eligible for the Service child premium, paid at a lower Protection of Freedoms Bill will also give children the rate of £200 per pupil, which would give rise to a further right to refuse to use biometric systems and ensure that £7,400. However, these are estimates only and are not alternatives are provided for children who opt out or necessarily indicative of how the pupil premium will be whose parents opt out of using biometric technology. distributed. It is not possible to determine the number The Government believe that with these safeguards in of parliamentary constituency pupils recorded on the place schools and sixth form colleges should be left to Alternative Provision census or recorded as Looked decide if biometric technology is appropriate for them After as they are both local authority, rather than to use. establishment level, returns. Schools: Bradford Pupils: Per Capita Costs Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate his Department has made of Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the additional school places needed to meet population Education what estimate he has made of the financial growth in the Bradford district by 2020. [47169] effect on the per pupil funding of each local authority of a school becoming an academy school. [22601] Mr Gibb: It is the responsibility of each local authority to manage the supply and demand for primary and Mr Gibb: Adjustments are made to funding for local secondary school places in their area and secure a place authorities for funding that would otherwise have been for every child of statutory school age who wants one. available to a school, including its share of central The Department will continue to provide capital funding services. and work with local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places. Religion: Education The Department does collect information from each local authority on school capacity in maintained schools Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for through an annual survey, which includes local authorities’ Education what his policy is on (a) ensuring that free own pupil forecasts (five years for primary places and schools are not permitted to teach creationism outside seven years for secondary places). The most recent the religious education curriculum and (b) requiring survey data relates to the position at May 2010 and is evolution to be taught as a science in such schools. available on the Department for Education’s website: [39598] http://www.education.gov.uk/ Schools: Discretionary Learner Support Fund Mr Gibb [holding answer 10 February 2011]: Academies and free schools will benefit from having freedom over the curriculum they deliver. However, we have been Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State clear that creationism should not form part of any for Education on what date he plans to inform schools science curriculum or be taught as a scientific alternative and further education colleges in Coventry of their to accepted scientific theories. We expect to see evolution allocation of discretionary learner support for 2011-12. and its foundation topics fully included in any science [47378] curriculum. Under the Government’s planned reforms to school inspection, there will be stronger focus on Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 March 2011]: We will be teaching. Teachers will be expected to demonstrate that announcing details of the new arrangements for financial their subject knowledge is secure. If creationism is being support for young people aged 16-19 shortly. taught as a scientific fact in science or any other areas of Schools: Drugs the curriculum outside denominational RE and collective worship, this would be noted in the Ofsted report. John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the revised guidance on managing Schools: Biometrics medicines in schools will be published; and what steps he plans to take to publicise the guidance to all relevant Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for school staff. [45454] Education which information his Department holds on the number of (a) primary schools, (b) secondary Sarah Teather: This Department, together with the schools and (c) sixth form colleges which are using Department of Health, is currently reviewing the Managing biometric systems; and if he will make a statement. Medicines in Schools and Early Years Settings guidance, [46750] published in March 2005. The aim of the review is to 1045W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1046W produce some clear and concise guidance that clarifies Tim Loughton: A total of £2.4 billion of Exchequer roles and expectations, and signposts good practice. We and lottery funding has been allocated to deliver the plan to publish the revised guidance in time for the start previous Government’s PE and sport strategy since of the next academic year in September. 2003. This includes lottery funding, and joint funding The revised guidance will be published on the from consecutive spending review settlements for the Department’s website at: Departments for Education, and for Culture, Media www.education.gov.uk/ and Sport, as follows:

We will look for opportunities to publicise it as widely £ million as possible. 2004-05 to 2007-08 from lottery funds 686 Schools: Finance 2003-04 to 2005-06 419 2006-07 to 2007-08 519 Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 to 2010-11 783 Education how much funding he (a) has allocated and It is not possible to calculate the additional funding (b) plans to allocate to the (i) acquisition, (ii) schools will have allocated to school sport from within equipment and (iii) running costs of the (A) West their own budgets over this period. London free school and (b) Ark Conway primary school. [44790] Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: The Secretary of State for Education has Education pursuant to the oral answer from the Prime approved the funding agreement for the West London Minister of 24 November 2010, Official Report, free school, but has not yet approved a funding agreement columns 258-59, how much he plans to spend on sports for Ark Conway primary school. in schools in each of the next three years following the ending of the Schools Sports Partnerships scheme; and As acquisitions for both sites are ongoing, we are if he will make a statement. [28051] unable to release cost details at this stage. Equipment and running costs for both free school projects have yet to be finalised. Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education has said he expects levels of provision of sport in Full details of costs for both free school projects will schools at least to remain the same. To help make this be made available shortly after the schools open, and possible, school sport partnerships will receive funding when costs will be fully finalised. to allow them to continue to function up until the end of the 2011 summer term. This funding will be used to Schools: Rural Areas fund the provision of physical education and sport; to embed existing good practice throughout the system; Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for and to introduce sporting competitions for more pupils Education if he will introduce an education funding as part of the coalition Government’s School games. formula with the purpose of providing specific support In addition, we will make available £65 million of to schools in rural areas. [45885] new funding for schools to enable them to provide more opportunities for competitive sport. This funding will Mr Gibb: As we said in the White Paper “The Importance pay for one day a week of a secondary PE teacher’s time of Teaching”, our long-term aspiration is to move to a to be spent out of the classroom, encouraging greater national funding formula for schools to ensure that take-up of competitive sport in primary schools and resources going to schools are transparent, logical and securing a fixture network for schools to increase the equitable. In order to ensure any move to a new national amount of intra-and inter-school competition. We will funding formula is fair, transparent and managed carefully, be writing to schools with further details shortly. we will invite views on: the merits of moving to such a formula, the right time to begin the transition to a The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media formula, the transitional arrangements necessary to and Sport (Mr Hunt) recently announced the creation ensure that schools and local authorities do not suffer of a network of school games organisers. These games undue turbulence, and the factors to take into account organisers will work with released PE teachers to ensure in order to assess the needs of pupils for funding every primary school pupil has access to high quality purposes. The particular needs of rural areas will be competitive sport. looked at as part of the review. We will also invite views This approach will mean that funding and support on how to ensure that the transparency of the Pupil are there so that schools can continue to work in Premium as additional resources for schools is maintained partnerships to deliver sport if they wish to, in order to as the funding system is reformed. We will publish a increase competitive sport. consultation in the spring of 2011, following discussion with partners including local authorities, school leaders Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for and teachers’ associations. Education whether he has undertaken an assessment of the effects on the level of participation in sport among Schools: Sports young people of the withdrawal of funding for School Sports Partnerships. [30923] Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding from the public purse was spent on Tim Loughton: We do not expect any adverse effect sport in schools from each funding source in each year on the level of participation in sport resulting from our since 2003. [26792] new approach to funding school sports. 1047W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1048W

The new direction of travel, and initial funding, for we have made clear that we will retain the requirement the coalition Government’s new approach on school for all maintained schools to continue to provide PE for sports was announced by the Secretary of State in all pupils of compulsory school age. December 2010. The proposals will encourage more The number of students on the roll of maintained pupils to play competitive sports and to give schools primary and secondary schools in Rochdale local authority and teachers more control over what is taught and how area in 2009 and 2010, and the number of students they teach. estimated to attend in 2011 and 2012, are set out in the Furthermore, physical education (PE) is a compulsory table. subject of the National Curriculum, and all pupils must take part in sport activities that are part of their school’s Student numbers teaching of PE unless they are disapplied. In announcing the review of the National Curriculum in January 2011, 2009 31,790 we have made clear that we will retain the legal requirement 2010 31,410 for all maintained schools to continue to provide PE for 2011 30,360 all pupils of compulsory school age. The first phase of 2012 30,500 the review will refocus the programme of study for PE 1 Source: school census and school capacity survey. 2 School census data is collected in January every year. to encourage competitive sport. 3 Student numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding his Department Education when he expects school sport partnerships allocated to school sports partnerships in Brighton and in Warrington to receive formal notification of their Hove in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009. [33163] funding for 2010-11. [37178]

Tim Loughton: All maintained schools in the City of Tim Loughton: The Department for Education notified Brighton and Hove belong to the Dorothy Stringer all School Sport Partnerships of their final funding for School Sport Partnership. The funding allocated to this 2010-11 on 20 January 2011. This covered final payments partnership in 2007, 2008 and 2009 was as follows: to School Sport Partnerships up to the end of the £349,771 in 2007, £388,308 in 2008, and £388,287 in summer term 2011. The Department had previously 2009. informed all School Sport Partnerships, on 21 December 2010, of the basis for calculating the grant for 2010-11. Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the Sixth Form Education: Repairs and Maintenance long-term effects of his Department’s changes to school sports funding on public health. [33268] Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the Tim Loughton: The Government are putting in place, proportion of sixth form colleges that have carried out and funding, a simpler and more sustainable approach zero-rated capital works which have made use of the to physical education and sport in schools. By setting statutory concessions permitting up to five per cent. clear expectations for all pupils in the National Curriculum, business use in the last 10 years. [46929] by giving schools the freedom and funding to deliver as they see best, and by encouraging pupils to play more Mr Gibb: Sixth form colleges are independent sport through the creation of a new School Games, the organisations responsible for the management of their Government expect to contribute to the long-term good own estates and the delivery of their own programmes health of all pupils. and services. Neither the Department nor the Young People’s Learning Agency collects or holds information Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for pertaining to the proportion of sixth form colleges that Education what proportion of school students in (a) have made use of the statutory concessions in relation Wallasey constituency and (b) Wirral borough council to zero-rated capital works. participate in five hours or more of school sports each week. [33872] Sixth-form Colleges: Capital Investment

Tim Loughton: The Department does not collect Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for information about student participation in five hours or Education which sixth form colleges undertook capital more of school sport per week, including by constituency works of a monetary value of more than £1 million in or local authority. the last 10 years; and which such projects attracted a zero rate of value added tax in respect of (a) less than Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for 10 per cent., (b) between 11 per cent. and 50 per cent., Education if he will estimate the number of students in (c) between 51 per cent. and 90 per cent. and (d) 91 Rochdale school participating in school sports in each per cent. or above of the monetary value of the project. of (a) the last two financial years and (b) next two [45639] financial years. [35606] Mr Gibb: Information held by the YPLA has recorded Tim Loughton: Physical education (PE) is a compulsory that 73 sixth-form colleges undertook capital works, the subject of the national curriculum, and all pupils must costs of which totalled more than £1 million over the take part in sport activities that are part of their school’s last 10 years. The list of the 73 colleges is listed as teaching of PE unless they are disapplied. In announcing follows and excludes those institutions that are no longer the review of the national curriculum in January 2011, sixth-form colleges. In addition, some sixth-form colleges 1049W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1050W will have undertaken capital works that did not require Queen Mary’s College approval and for which the YPLA does not have Reigate Sixth Form College information. Richard Huish College The YPLA has not been required to report on VAT Sir George Monoux College rates and levels, but does have access to some information Sir John Deane’s College on the amount of VAT that has been paid on each Solihull Sixth Form College project. However, the information is not readily available St Brendan’s Sixth Form College and can be obtained only at disproportionate costs. Sixth-form colleges themselves would hold the VAT St Charles Sixth Form College information relevant to works that did not require St Dominic’s Sixth Form College approval. St Francis Xavier College Sixth-form colleges with projects with a cost of more than St John Rigby College £1 million during period of April 2001 to March 2011 St Mary’s College, Blackburn College name: Stockton Sixth Form College Alton College Strode’s College Aquinas College Taunton’s College Ashton under Lyne Sixth Form College The College of Richard Collyer in Horsham Barton Peveril College The Sixth Form College Colchester Bexhill College The Sixth Form College Farnborough Birkenhead Sixth Form College Thomas Rotherham College Blackpool Sixth Form College Totton College Bolton Sixth Form College Widnes and Runcorn Sixth Form College Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College Wilberforce College Cadbury College Winstanley College Cardinal Newman College Woodhouse College Carmel College Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College Christ the King Sixth Form College Wyke College City of Stoke on Trent Sixth Form College Xaverian College Coulsdon College East Norfolk Sixth Form College Special Educational Needs Farnborough Sixth Form College Farnham College Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria his Department uses to Franklin Sixth Form College determine which children should be referred to a Gateway College special needs school; and if he will make a statement. Godalming College [32243] Greenhead College Hartlepool Sixth Form College Sarah Teather: Other than in prescribed circumstances, Havant College such as for the purposes of an assessment, only children Havering Sixth Form College who have a statement of special educational needs (SEN) can be admitted to a special school. Decisions on Hereford Sixth Form College whether to place children with statements in special Hills Road Sixth Form College schools are for local authorities, acting in accordance Holy Cross College with the Education Act 1996 and taking account of the Huddersfield New College Department’s statutory guidance the SEN Code of Practice John Leggott College (2001) and Inclusive Schooling (2001). John Ruskin College The parents of children with SEN statements can Joseph Chamberlain College request that their children are admitted to a maintained Josiah Mason Sixth Form College special school. Where they do so, the local authority King George V College must place the child in that school unless it is unsuitable to the child’s age, ability, aptitude or SEN or attendance Leyton Sixth Form College at the school would be incompatible with the efficient Long Road Sixth Form College education of the other children with whom the child Loreto College would be educated or the efficient use of resources. Luton Sixth Form College Parents can also make representations to the local authority New College Pontefract for their child to be educated at an independent or Newham Sixth Form College non-maintained special school. The local authority must Notre Dame Sixth Form College consider those representations and can arrange for the child to be admitted to such a school if doing so is Palmers College necessary to meet the child’s SEN. Peter Symonds College Local authorities can admit children with SEN statements Portsmouth College to special schools even where there parents have requested Priestley College a mainstream education for their child. If the parents Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College have requested that the child is educated in mainstream 1051W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1052W schooling without requesting a particular school, the Teachers: Pay local authority can instead place the child in a special school if mainstream education is unsuitable to the Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for child’s age, ability, aptitude and SEN or attending a Education if he will bring forward proposals for the mainstream school would be incompatible with the reimbursement to local authorities in outer London education of other children and there were no reasonable boroughs of the full cost of payment of inner London steps that could be taken to prevent that incompatibility. salary scales to teachers. [47647] If the parents request a particular mainstream school then the local authority also has to consider whether Mr Gibb [holding answer 18 March 2011]: In the placing the child at the school would be incompatible White Paper ‘The Importance of Teaching’ we said that with the efficient use of resources. we will consult on developing and introducing a clear, On 9 March the Department published a Green transparent and fairer national funding formula based Paper, “Support and Aspiration: A new approach to on the needs of pupils, to work alongside the pupil special educational needs and disability”, for consultation premium. We are aware of the concerns of six London until 30 June. The document mentions Inclusive Schooling boroughs which are treated as inner London in terms of in the context of parental choice of school for their teachers’ pay but outer London for the Area Cost children and asks readers whether they: Adjustment in the calculation of their funding. The “feel that the statutory guidance on inclusion and school whole question of the Area Cost Adjustment is being choice, Inclusive Schooling, allows appropriately for parental considered as part of the proposals for a national preferences for either a mainstream or special school”. funding formula and will be included in the consultation The Government will consider responses to the questions which will be issued shortly. in the Green Paper carefully. The Green Paper refers to the Government’s White Teachers: Redundancy Paper “The Importance of Learning” which sets out plans for a new school system. These plans include an Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for expanded Academy programme which will give special Education what estimate he has made of the number of schools, starting with those judged by Ofsted to be teachers who will be made redundant in the academic outstanding, the opportunity to become Academies year 2010-11. [47274] and the opportunity for teachers, charities, parent groups and others to open special free schools, in response to Mr Gibb: No such assessment has been made centrally. parental demand. The Government intend to introduce The funding settlement for 2010-11 protects funding legislation to ensure that the parents of children with per pupil for schools in cash terms, and provides additional statements, or the Education, Health and Care Plans funding for the pupil premium on top of that. which will replace them, have equivalent rights to request It is for schools and employers to make their own any state-funded school, whether that is a special school, decisions in respect of planning any necessary redundancies, mainstream school, Academy or free school. although we would expect schools to look to make efficiency gains in areas such as procurement and back Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for office before they consider reducing their teaching staff. Education whether he has plans to require schools to record (a) pupils with a disability and (b) the type of University Technical College: Houghton Regis disability. [37898] Sarah Teather: From 2011 the School Census enabled Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for schools in England to provide information on the disability Education what progress has been made on plans for a of children on a voluntary basis. Future collection and university technical college in Houghton Regis; when it publication arrangements for data on disability will be will open; and if he will make a statement. [47862] considered in the light of data and collected response to January 2011 School Census returns which will become Mr Gibb [holding answer 18 March 2011]: University available in the spring. technical colleges will be newly-established 14-19 academies which focus on delivering technical education that engages Students: Attendance young people and meets the needs of modern business. There has been a very high level of interest in this John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for programme and we need to ensure that we support the Education what the average attendance rate was of proposals which best meet the criteria. The sponsors of students in further education in each year since 2004 in the proposed university technical college at Houghton each local authority area. [41243] Regis will shortly be invited to send in an application, alongside other proposed UTCs with opening dates of Mr Gibb: Information on absence is not collected for 2012 and beyond. The Department will then decide further education establishments. The Department collects whether to approve the proposal for further development. information on pupil absence for pupils aged five to 15 Final agreement to open will be subject to satisfactory at the start of the school year from maintained primary, resolution of any issues identified during the development maintained secondary, all special schools, city technology phase. colleges and academies. Information on absence can be found in Statistical Vocational Guidance First Release 07/2010 ‘Pupil Absence in Schools in England, Including Pupil Characteristics: 2008/09’ at: Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000918/ Education how many meetings officials of his index.shtml Department have had with officials of the Department 1053W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1054W for Business, Innovation and Skills on the Mr Gibb [holding answer 18 March 2011]: As outlined implementation of the All-Age Careers Service since in the reply of 9 March 2011, Official Report, columns November 2010; and at what level each such meeting 1117-8W, the Department covered the travel and has taken place. [47397] accommodation costs for each of the international speakers who spoke at the Free Schools Conference in January. Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 March 2011]: Department This included a return economy flight from the US, for Education officials meet very regularly with officials accommodation costs at a Government approved hotel from the Department for Business, Innovation and and one evening meal. Skills, at different working levels, to discuss the The total cost came to £5,265.89, of which £3,054.89 implementation of the all-age careers service. Both was spent on flights, £2,160 spent on accommodation Departments are represented on a formally established and £51 spent on meals. Careers Guidance Project Board and Advisory Group on the all-age careers service. Written Questions: Government Responses

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much of his Department’s funding to Education when he plans to answer questions (a) local authorities for careers advice and guidance 34896, (b) 34897, (c) 34894, (d) 34873 and (e) 34874 activity in 2010-11 is to be transferred to (a) All-Age tabled on 17 January 2011. [44869] Careers Service, (b) schools and colleges and (c) other associated bodies in future years. [47398] Mr Gibb [holding answer 7 March 2011]: Responses to the hon. Member’s questions have been issued as follows: Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 March 2011]: Local authorities will receive funding through the Early PQ 34896—4 March 2011, Official Report, columns 657-58W Intervention Grant (EIG), which will replace a number PQ 34897—7 March 2011, Official Report, column 889W of 2010-11 funding streams including the Connexions PQ 34894—14 March 2011, Official Report, column 55W grant. It will provide substantial funding (a total of PQ 34873—15 March 2011, Official Report, column 182W £2,222 million in 2011-12 and £2,307 million in 2012-13) PQ 34874—14 March 2011, Official Report, column 55W with new flexibility to enable local authorities to act more strategically and target investment early, where it Mr Raynsford: To ask the Secretary of State for will have the greatest impact. We have not proposed Education when he plans to respond to Question indicative allocations for careers advice or for any other 39943, on allocation of funding through the pupil activities. This is for local authorities to decide. Schools’ premium, tabled on 7 February 2011. [44907] budgets are funded through the Dedicated Schools Grant, which is not ring-fenced for specific activities. Mr Gibb [holding answer 8 March 2011]: A response to the right hon. Member’s question was issued on Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for 15 March 2011, Official Report, columns 176-77W. Education what arrangements he has made for interim information advice and guidance to young people in connection with Connexions services which have been withdrawn prior to the introduction of the All-Age TRANSPORT Careers Service. [47399] Aviation: Security

Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 March 2011]: Local Mr Marcus Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for authorities will retain their statutory duty to make Transport if he will take steps to introduce a US-style available services to encourage, enable or assist the crew personnel advanced screening system at UK effective participation of young people in education or airports; and if he will make a statement. [47093] training. Decisions about the design and targeting of such services, including any changes to Connexions Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of services, are for local authorities to make. 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 831W, given to We recognise the importance of communicating clearly the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr Gray). to schools how their responsibilities for careers guidance will change, and are developing plans to do so, in order Biofuels: EU Law to inform the decisions schools make about appropriate levels of support for their pupils in advance of the Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for formal commencement of the duty to secure access to Transport what assessment he has made of the independent careers guidance in the Education Bill. potential effects of the European Renewable Energy Directive’s target of 10 per cent. biofuel use for road Westminster Academy transport by 2020 on (a) European wheat prices, (b) the total amount of agricultural land required for the production of the amount of biofuel required to meet Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for this target and (c) the pump price of (i) diesel and (ii) Education pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011, petrol in the UK. [47670] Official Report, columns 1117-8W, on Westminster Academy, what the total (a) travel and (b) Norman Baker: The European Renewable Energy accommodation costs were in respect of each of the Directive (RED) requires member states to source 10 per international speakers. [47867] cent of transport energy from renewable sources by 1055W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1056W

2020 and sets mandatory sustainability standards for First Great Western biofuels and bioliquids. It is anticipated that all member states will meet the majority of this requirement through Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the deployment of biofuels. Transport what recent discussions (a) he and (b) The Department published an Impact Assessment to officials in his Department have had with the accompany the 2009 Renewable Energy Strategy. This management of First Group on the (i) First Great estimates that in 2020 the biofuel supplied to meet the Western franchise and (ii) the exercise of the 2013 RED target will add between 1 and 2.4 pence per litre break clause in the franchise agreement. [47395] (ppl) to the price of diesel with petrol prices change within a range between a 2.7 ppl price reduction and a Mrs Villiers [holding answer 17 March 2011]: The 3.2 ppl price increase. The ranges reflect varying projections Secretary of State and Department for Transport officials of fossil fuel price and agricultural yields. meet with franchised train operators and their owners We have made no specific assessment on the impact regularly. These discussions have included First Great on wheat price or agricultural land. The European Western’s options in relation to the termination date of Commission has published several studies into the projected the franchise should it pass the franchise Continuation land use for biofuels supplied to meet the RED. These Review. are available at: Highways Agency: Finance http://ec.europa.eu/energy/renewables/studies/ land_use_change_en.htm Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for BRB (Residuary): Finance Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the Highways Agency revenue budget; how much each action he plans to take will save; and how much will be Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for saved by each such action in each financial year of the Transport what the budget for BRB (Residuary) Ltd comprehensive spending review period. [46640] (a) was for (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 and (b) will be for (A) 2011-12, (B) 2012-13, (C) 2013-14 and (D) Mike Penning: The Highways Agency is currently 2014-15. [46648] working on plans to make the necessary reductions in expenditure within the spending review period ending Mrs Villiers: Financial results for 2009-10 are published in 2014-15. in BRB(R)’s annual report. The report and accounts for The three key areas where savings are planned to be the company are available on their website at: made are; www.brbr.co.uk the delivery of efficiency savings on maintenance Audited accounts for 2010-11 will be published on their the delivery of efficiency savings on major road schemes website in due course. Spending and income in respect the delivery of Traffic Officer Service reforms of the company’s activities in future years are commercially sensitive. The document published on the 28 October 2010, “Investment in Highways Transport Schemes” describes some of the key actions required. More details on the Departmental Public Expenditure Highways Agency indicative budgets for the next four years will be published in the 2011-12 Highways Agency Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for business plan which will be available at the end of this Transport what the revenue budget for departmental month. administration was as allocated (a) for 2010-11 by the previous Administration and (b) in the March 2010 Large Goods Vehicles: Driving Offences budget. [46644] Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: The 2010-11 administration cost limit Transport what steps his Department is taking to for the Department for Transport was £276,102,000. ensure drivers of light and heavy goods vehicles This figure was agreed as part of the spring supplementary registered overseas are prosecuted for motoring estimate process under the previous Administration offences committed in England and Wales. [45883] and was not revised in the March 2010 budget. Mike Penning: The police and examiners from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee: Department’s Vehicle and Operator Services Agency Finance (VOSA) are empowered to demand on-the-spot deposit payments from those offenders who do not have a satisfactory UK address. Such payments are taken either Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for to cover the fixed penalty for the relevant offence or as a Transport what estimate has been made of the budget form of surety covering the potential fine for an offence for the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory which will be prosecuted in court. Committee in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15. [46645] Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Norman Baker: The budget for Disabled Persons Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Advisory Committee in 2010-11 is £496,000. Transport if he will assess the progress of the No final budget allocation has been made for DPTAC development of infrastructure in the North East to for 2011-12. support low-carbon vehicles. [47856] 1057W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1058W

Norman Baker: The North East was awarded £3 million (2) what estimate he has made of the economic through the Government’s Plugged-ln Places programme benefits to (a) Northampton, (b) Rugby and (c) to support the delivery of around 1,900 public, workplace Milton Keynes as a result of High Speed 2; [46170] and domestic chargepoints for plug-in electric vehicles (3) what his estimate is of the monetary value of the by March 2013. The project’s delivery is currently on-track. benefits of High Speed 2 in each financial year from Piracy: Horn of Africa 2026-27 until completion of the line; [46175] (4) what estimate he has made of the effect on the Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for economic output of (a) Birmingham, (b) Leeds, (c) Transport what discussions he has had with ministerial Manchester, (d) London, (e) the North West, (f) the colleagues on the effect on UK shipping of the North East, (g) the East Midlands and (h) the South incidence of piracy off the coast of the Horn of Africa. East of completion of the High Speed 2 line to (i) [46738] Birmingham, (ii) Leeds and (iii) Manchester. [46176]

Mike Penning: I am in regular contact with my ministerial Mr Philip Hammond: A national high speed rail colleagues in other Government Departments regarding network would support balanced and sustainable economic physical protection of vessels, the possible use of armed growth across the UK. The Government’s proposed security companies, and land based solutions for the Y-shaped network is estimated to bring quantifiable causes of piracy. Cross ministerial meetings with industry benefits of £44 billion to the UK over a 60-year period, representatives have also been held to discuss the issue. as well as significant additional non-monetised benefits from its contribution to job creation and regeneration Piracy: Somalia and its long-term effect in stimulating growth. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for The analysis undertaken at this stage in the overall Transport what recent assessment he made of the project on where and when these benefits might accrue effects on the UK economy of piracy launched from is set out in the suite of documents published to support the coast of Somalia. [46458] the current consultation on high speed rail. Further information is available in previous reports prepared by Mike Penning: Piracy is a global issue and it is difficult HS2 Ltd and published by the Department for Transport. to fully calculate the cost to the UK both in terms of All of this information is available on the consultation costs to industry and the Government’s costs to resource website at: the international efforts on counter piracy off the coast http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk of Somalia. The Department is working with industry and the Department’s website at: to estimate costs to the UK and I have met with them on a number of occasions to discuss this issue. A http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/ recently published paper from the One Earth Foundation calculates the global economic costs of maritime piracy Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for to be between $7 billion and $12 billion. Transport what recent steps he has taken to ensure that (a) highways, (b) rail and (c) local transport schemes Railways: Construction that his Department is committed to build before 2015 are completed before the opening of High Speed 2. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for [46159] Transport (1) what the change will be in the number of fast trains to London from (a) Coventry, (b) Mr Philip Hammond: The status of existing committed Liverpool, (c) Manchester, (d) Stoke-on-Trent, (e) projects will be unaffected by the introduction of HS2. Wolverhampton, (f) Tamworth and (g) Nuneaton as a result of the High Speed 2 line; [46153] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) how many passenger journeys on conventional Transport (1) what recent meetings he has had with (a) trains are projected to be (a) slower and (b) disrupted individuals and (b) organisations which may offer by the High Speed 2 line; [46154] third party funding for High Speed Rail 2; and what (3) which train services would be (a) slower and (b) estimates he has made of the level of third party cancelled due to High Speed 2 being built; and which funding for the construction of High Speed 2; [46160] routes would be affected. [46155] (2) when he plans to publish further information on funding arrangements for the cost of High Speed 2. Mr Philip Hammond: A national high speed rail [46161] network would provide significant opportunities to improve services on the existing network by releasing capacity Mr Philip Hammond: The funding principles that the currently used for long-distance services between major Government propose to employ are set out in the conurbations. Such released capacity could be used in consultation document. Further work on funding options many ways, including additional fast commuter or regional would be undertaken in preparation for a hybrid Bill. services, or improvements to east-west routes. At this stage, no decisions have been taken on timetables that I have had discussions with large numbers of companies will not be in operation for at least 15 years. and other organisations about a wide range of issues related to HS2. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what analysis his Department has Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for undertaken on the timescales for the realisation of Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the annual economic benefits from High Speed 2 in (a) passenger numbers using the proposed link between Birmingham, (b) Manchester and (c) Leeds; [46156] the High Speed 2 and High Speed 1 lines; [46162] 1059W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1060W

(2) over what time period the construction cost of Mr Philip Hammond: The level of additional capacity the link between High Speed 1 and High Speed 2 will provided would depend on the service pattern run and be paid off. [46163] the rolling stock used. For example, services through- running onto the existing network would use shorter, Mr Philip Hammond: Information on the proposed classic-compatible rolling stock. The service pattern link to HS1, including on the potential demand for modelled by HS2 Ltd for the full proposed Y-shaped services using the link, is set out in a report prepared by network is set out in the Economic Case for HS2, HS2 Ltd, which is available at: published on the consultation website at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110131042819/ http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/ proposedroute/hs1connection/ Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for No estimate has been undertaken at this stage of the Transport (1) what estimate he has made of the number commercial viability of the HS1 link that is the extent of buildings that will be demolished during the to which the revenues generated by the HS1 link would construction of High Speed 2; and what the location is be expected to exceed its construction cost. of each of those buildings; [46169] (2) what his estimate is of the cost to his Department Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for of compensation to be paid to (a) individuals, (b) Transport what estimate he has made of the annual private companies and (c) local authorities affected by cost of potential delays in completion of the High construction of the High Speed 2 line. [46179] Speed 2 line to Birmingham beyond the target date. [46165] Mr Philip Hammond: Data on the likely property impacts of the London to West Midlands line broken Mr Philip Hammond: The Government have set out a down by area are available in the Appraisal of Sustainability clear programme for achieving their target opening published as part of the current consultation. This is date. available on the consultation website at http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/appraisal- Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for sustainability Transport (1) what assessment he has made of potential carbon emissions expected to be generated An estimate of the total land and compensation cost during the construction of High Speed 2; [46166] is set out in the Economic Case document published as part of the current consultation. This is available on the (2) what his estimate is of the annual reduction in consultation website at carbon emissions which sum to 23 million tonnes as a result of modal shifts following the introduction of the http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic- case High Speed London to West Midlands line; [46167] (a) (3) what estimate he has made of the carbon Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for emissions expected to be produced by High Speed 2 Transport (1) what his estimate is of the proportion of (b) annually and the expected change in national the jobs to be created by High Speed 2 (a) as a result of carbon emissions as a result of High Speed 2 being the proposed station at Old Oak Common, (b) in the operational. [46180] West Midlands and (c) around Euston that will be (i) permanent and (ii) part-time; [46171] Mr Philip Hammond: Information on the carbon savings generated by the initial London-West Midlands (2) what recent estimate he has made of the number phase of HS2, as well as its construction and operational of (a) full-time and (b) part-time jobs to be created by carbon impacts, has been published as part of the High Speed 2; and what estimate he has made of the (i) current consultation on high speed rail. In particular I location and (ii) type of such jobs; [46177] refer the hon. Member to the main consultation document (3) what proportion of the jobs that will be created and to the Appraisal of Sustainability. These are available by High Speed 2 will be in (a) London, (b) the North at: West, (c) the North East, (d) the South East, (e) the http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/ South West, (f) the East Midlands, (g) the West consultation-document Midlands and (h) the East of England. [46475] and http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/appraisal- Mr Philip Hammond: Information on the numbers, sustainability types and location of jobs supported by the initial respectively. London and the West Midlands phase of the Government’s proposed high speed rail network have been published The Government expect that the full Y-shaped high as part of the current consultation on high speed rail. In speed rail network would have the potential to deliver particular I refer the hon. Member to the main consultation more significant reductions in carbon, as it would be document and to appendix 3 to the Appraisal of likely to attract higher levels of modal shift from road Sustainability, available at and aviation; however, no detailed estimate has been http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/ made at this stage. consultation-document Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for and Transport what increase in capacity would result from http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/appraisal- (a) 14, (b) 15, (c) 16, (d) 17 and (e) 18 new train sustainability paths per hour from High Speed 2. [46168] respectively. 1061W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1062W

The number of new jobs supported by the full proposed However, the consultation process has been designed network would be expected to be significantly higher to allow all those interested to learn more about the than those from the initial London-West Midlands Government’s proposals and to register their views - phase alone; however, no detailed assessment has been including through a series of public road shows, a carried out at this stage. dedicated phone line and comprehensive online information. The Government also believe that new high speed Railways: Fees and Charges links would support broader improvements in economic performance and productivity, as well as helping attract Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for inward investment which would have the potential to Transport (1) what economic analysis his Department support further increases in employment. has undertaken on the anticipated ticket pricing plan for travelling at (a) peak and (b) off-peak periods on Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for High Speed 2; [46157] Transport what estimate he has made of the annual (2) what recent assessment he has made of the effect revenue the High Speed 2 will generate once the line of ticket price on modal shifts to other forms of has reached (a) Birmingham, (b) Leeds and (c) transport following the introduction of High Speed 2; Manchester. [46172] [46164] (3) what estimate he has made of the proposed cost Mr Philip Hammond: This information is already in of travel between (a) London and Manchester, (b) the public domain. Details of the estimated fares revenues London and Leeds and (c) London to Birmingham on generated by both the proposed Y-shaped high speed High Speed 2; and what proportion of the ticket rail network and the initial London to west midlands revenue is expected to be used for expenditure on (i) the phase are set out in the ‘Economic Case for HS2’, High Speed 2 line and (ii) conventional rail published on the consultation website at: improvements. [46173] http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic- case Mr Philip Hammond: The modelling work undertaken by HS2 Ltd in preparing an economic case for high Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for speed rail assumes that the existing fares structure on Transport what assessment he has made of the the conventional network would also be employed on socio-economic composition of passengers expected to the high speed rail network. This appraisal work use the new High Speed 2 line. [46174] demonstrates that the high speed line could operate effectively, generating sufficient demand and revenues, without needing to charge premium fares. Mr Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd estimate that around 30% of journeys on the London-West Midlands line “The Economic Case for HS2”, published on the would be made by people travelling for business purposes consultation website at: and the remaining 70% would be made by people travelling http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk for other reasons, with leisure trips likely to be particularly and HS2 Ltd’s original report to Government “High prominent. Speed Rail: London to the West Midlands and Beyond”, available on the Department for Transport website at: Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/pi/highspeedrail/ Transport whether the High Speed 2 line will be a set out the results of a number of high-level sensitivity dedicated high speed track for the route between tests relating to different approaches to pricing on HS2 Manchester and Liverpool. [46488] and across transport modes. As the first line would not open, subject to the results of consultation, for another Mr Philip Hammond: The Government are currently 15 years it would be premature to speculate in relation consulting on their proposed national high speed rail to the precise fares on any given route. network. Under the Government’s proposed strategy, Railways: Finance Liverpool would be served by high speed services on the London Manchester route through-running on to the Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for conventional network from the main high speed line. Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the rail revenue budget; how much each action he plans to take Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for will save; and how much will be saved by each such Transport what criteria he applied to the selection of action in each financial year of the comprehensive interested parties who were invited to the launch of his spending review period. [46639] Department’s High Speed 2 consultation; and for what reasons members of anti-High Speed 2 action groups Mr Philip Hammond: One of the Government’s key who had registered to attend were not invited. [47282] objectives is to ensure our railways become more affordable and sustainable. Measures we are taking to reduce the Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 17 March 2011]: rail revenue budget include: The launch event for the high speed rail consultation Increasing rail fares by RPI+3% for three years from January had limited space, and focussed on national and regional 2012; business leaders and local Government representatives. Reforming the rail industry, including through reforming how Invitations were issued to individuals inviting them to rail franchises are let; register. These invitations were personal and it was Reprofiling the delivery of the Thameslink and Intercity Express made clear that they were not transferable without Programmes; and prior agreement. Improving the procurement of various HLOS interventions. 1063W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1064W

The Department for Transport is currently engaging 2008, (c) 2009 and (d) 2010; and what information his with the industry in order to agree how all of these Department holds on instances of employees (i) changes will impact on levels of subsidy and premia it operating trains and (ii) managing infrastructure on the receives from train operating companies. Norwich to London railway line without the Sir Roy McNulty is nearing completion of his report appropriate safety certificate or authorisation in each into value for money on the UK Railway and I expect such year. [45836] his recommendations to lead to further actions to reduce the rail revenue budget over time. Mrs Villiers: This information is not held by the Department for Transport. Issues of operational rail Railways: Greater London safety are a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), as the independent health and safety regulator Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for of Britain’s railways, and the relevant rail industry duty Transport what estimate he has made of the number of holders. The hon. Member may wish to contact the rail services each day which will be slowed down by the Office of Rail Regulation for further information at the proposed High Speed 2 interchange at Old Oak following address: Common; and how many passenger journeys this will Office of Rail Regulation affect. [46152] One Kemble Street Mr Philip Hammond: No decisions have been or London should be taken at this stage about what proportion of WC2B 4AN Great Western Main Line services would stop at the proposed HS2 interchange station at Old Oak Common. Sea Rescue Passengers on any services that did stop at Old Oak Common would see a small increase in journey time Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for into central London, but would benefit from enhanced Transport what the (a) payroll and (b) running costs connectivity to Crossrail, and Heathrow Express, as of (i) Brixham and (ii) Falmouth Maritime Rescue well as to the proposed new high speed network which Co-ordination Centre (A) were in (1) 2008-09 and (2) would reduce travel times for many journeys to the 2009-10 and (B) are estimated to be in 2010-11. [47061] midlands and the north. Mike Penning: The payroll and running costs of Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Brixham and Falmouth Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Transport what recent discussions he has had with (a) Centre (MRCC) are shown in the following table: the Mayor for London and (b) train operators on the reliability of Oyster card readers at ticket barriers at £ mainline rail stations; and if he will make a statement. 2008-09 Costs 2009-10 Costs 2010-11 Forecast [46982] Brixham Mrs Villiers: There have been no discussions between MRCC Payroll 666,075 681,790 696,291 Department for Transport Ministers and the Mayor of costs London or train operators specifically about the reliability Running 121,147 154,479 123,699 of Oyster card readers. costs The maintenance of Oyster validators is the responsibility Total 787,222 836,269 819,990 of Transport for London. costs

Rescue Services: Helicopters Falmouth MRCC Payroll 723,121 764,120 787,040 Mr Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for costs Transport how much funding he has allocated to Running 166,130 152,906 154,981 meeting current requirements for search and rescue costs helicopters in the UK; and if he will make a statement. Total 889,251 917,026 942,021 [46362] costs

Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has allocated £179 million for funding search and rescue Costs include: operations at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s The running costs include some accommodation costs which helicopter bases during this spending review period. relate to other Maritime and Coastguard Agency co-located Following the cancellation of the search and rescue offices and non separable district office costs. helicopter procurement in February, an announcement Costs exclude: regarding future search and rescue arrangements will be Running and maintenance of National Information made once a way forward has been agreed. Communication Technology infrastructure such as radio communications networks, mast and towers, as costs are not held Rolling Stock: Safety on a site by site basis. Similarly, capital project costs such as IT and equipment Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for refresh are not held on a site by site basis. Transport on how many occasions trains or rolling Sector Managers (those responsible for managing the volunteer stock used on the Norwich to London railway line Coastguard Rescue Officers) pay and cost of Coastguard Rescue failed reportable safety inspections in (a) 2007, (b) Officers. 1065W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1066W

Small Businesses: Regulation BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Angel Investors Transport on how many occasions his Department has consulted representatives of small businesses on the Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for effects of proposed new regulations since 6 May 2010. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress he has made in improving incentives for angel investors. [46146] [47954] Mike Penning: The information requested can be Mr Prisk: Government continue to support the early provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I can stage market through Enterprise Capital Funds which inform you that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can include angel finance as part of the requisite private are represented on specific sector policy working groups investment. Often loans to high growth small and medium wherever possible. In addition, when impact assessments enterprises (SMEs) comprise a balanced package of for new regulations are being produced, there is a finance comprising Enterprise Finance Guarantee-backed specific test to ensure that SMEs are not disproportionately loans and angel finance. affected. Tax incentives, including the Enterprise Investment Transport: Sustainable Development Scheme (EIS), support business angel investment. The Government’s Green Paper “Financing Business Growth” Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for published in November 2010 set out that Government Transport how much revenue budget has been will continue to ensure that the targeted tax incentives allocated to the local sustainable transport fund in for investment, the EIS and venture capital trusts, effectively 2010-11; and what measures this allocation will be used meet their objective of incentivising additional equity to fund. [46638] investment into small companies, and will continue to seek viable options to ensure the tax system supports, Norman Baker: Funding for the local sustainable where possible, access to equity finance for SMEs. transport fund will commence in 2011-12 and the annual The Government have encouraged its SME investment allocations are set out in the following table: arm, Capital for Enterprise Ltd., and Business Angel groups to put together a bid to the regional growth fund £ million for a business angel co-investment fund. If the bid is 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Total successful, this will boost angel investment in early Revenue 50 100 100 100 350 stage high growth potential companies across England. Capital 30 40 60 80 210 Apollo Group and University of Phoenix Total 80 140 160 180 560

The overwhelming majority of funds will be used to Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for support projects advocated by local authorities. Business, Innovation and Skills whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met The remainder of funds will be used to support representatives of (i) Apollo Group Inc and (ii) the Bikeability training in each financial year, with £11 million university of Phoenix to discuss higher education in revenue funding set aside in 2011-12. The level of Bikeability England since his appointment. [48457] funding from 2012-15 has yet to be determined. In addition, the following projects will be funded in 2011-12 Mr Willetts: Ministers and officials have not met with only, in order to maintain momentum on sustainable representatives of Apollo Group Inc. nor with travel while local authorities prepare their proposals: representatives of the university of Phoenix. £13 million for Links to Schools, Bike Club and walking to I have met with representatives of BPP University school initiatives; College of Professional Studies, a wholly-owned subsidiary £1 million for the Transport Direct cycle journey planner; and of Apollo Group, as a part of wider meetings. Officials £250,000 to take forward business to business initiatives on will have had conversations with staff from BPP as part alternatives to travel. of the normal course of business. West Coast Railway Line: Construction Apprentices: Females

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the costs of a Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of full recast of the West Coast Main Line timetable as a apprenticeships in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) result of High Speed 2. [46158] Teesside and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency were taken up by women in the Mr Philip Hammond: There would be costs associated last 12 months. [47735] with the reuse of released capacity to improve commuter, freight and other services on existing lines, including the Mr Hayes: The following table shows the number and West Coast Main Line. However, these costs are anticipated percentage of apprenticeship starts by gender for England, to be significantly lower than the cost savings generated the North East region and Middlesbrough South and by the removal of many long distance services from the East Cleveland parliamentary constituency for 2009/10, existing infrastructure, which would be replaced by the latest year for which full year data are available. We services on the high speed network. However, no final hold information only at region, local education authority decisions have been or should be taken at this stage and parliamentary constituency levels of geography, about service patterns or the use of released capacity. therefore data for Teesside is not presented. 1067W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1068W

Female Male Total Count Percentage Count Percentage Count Percentage

England 138,640 49.6 141,030 50.4 279,700 100 North East 9,550 51.6 8,960 48.4 18,510 100 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 350 55.0 290 45.0 640 100 Notes: 1. All Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 apart from Total England figures which are rounded to the nearest 100. Percentages are calculated based on unrounded figures. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record

Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Female Male Total is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 27 January: Count Percentage Count Percentage Count Percentage http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ Totnes 210 48 230 52 450 100 statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current constituency Notes: Both the Department for Business Innovation and 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are calculated based on Skills, and the Department for Education are responsible unrounded figures. for the promotion of equality of access to apprenticeships. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: The National Apprenticeships Service (NAS), as the Individualised Learner Record body responsible for promoting apprenticeships to employers and to potential apprentices, manages its Information on the number of apprenticeship starts systems to ensure equal access to information about the is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). programme and to apprenticeship vacancies. A priority The latest SFR was published on 27 January: for NAS is to address stereotyping and under-representation http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ across apprenticeships including gender, race and disability. statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current Both the Department for Business Innovation and Apprentices: Totnes Skills, and the Department for Education are responsible for the promotion of equality of access to apprenticeships. The National Apprenticeships Service (NAS), as the Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for body responsible for promoting apprenticeships to Business, Innovation and Skills how many employers and to potential apprentices, manages its apprenticeships were created in Totnes constituency in systems to ensure equal access to information about the the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of programme and to apprenticeship vacancies. A priority the number to be created in the next 12 months. for NAS is to address stereotyping and under-representation [47597] across apprenticeships including gender, race and disability. Mr Hayes: There were 450 apprenticeship starts in Totnes parliamentary constituency in 2009/10, the latest Arms Trade year for which full year data are available. The apprenticeships programme is demand led; Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Government does not set targets for apprenticeships Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary but provides funding and forecasts the overall number value was of the sale of (a) arms systems, (b) weapons of places that may be afforded. We rely on employers and (c) munitions to (i) each other EU member state, and providers to work together to offer sufficient (ii) each other member of the Commonwealth and (iii) opportunities to meet local demand. each other country in each year since 2000. [46279] This is underpinned by this Government’s commitment that by 2014-15, we will have in place sufficient funding Mr Prisk: Information on arms exports is published for 75,000 more adult apprenticeship places than the in the annual and quarterly reports on strategic export previous Government were providing. controls. These reports contain detailed information on Information on the number of apprenticeship starts export licences issued, refused or revoked, by destination, is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). including the overall value, type (e.g. military, other) The latest SFR was published on 27 January: and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to view at: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/publications-and-documents/ publications1/annual-reports/export-controls1 Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for The information on the website refers to licences Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of issued and does not necessarily equate to goods exported. apprenticeships in Totnes constituency were taken up Information on the value of defence export deliveries by women in the last 12 months. [47716] by commodity type and region was published in the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) UK Defence Statistics. Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows the number and percentage The MOD no longer compiles estimates of identified of apprenticeship starts by gender for Totnes parliamentary defence equipment export deliveries because the data constituency for 2009/10, the latest year for which full does not directly support MOD policy making and year data are available. operations. 1069W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1070W

The final estimates were published in the 2008 edition Business: Government Assistance of UK Defence Statistics (UKDS). Data up to and including 2007 is published online in Anna Soubry: To ask the Secretary of State for past editions of UKDS (formerly tables 1.13 and 1.14) Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking at: to ensure that small and medium-sized businesses are (a) aware of and (b) have access to financial support http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2008/c1/ measures provided by his Department. [44384] table113.html http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2008/c1/ Mr Prisk: The Business Link website is the primary table114.html channel to provide businesses with information regarding the Government’s financial support measures for small Arms Trade: Africa and medium-sized businesses, such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG), Enterprise Capital Funds, grants, and regional support, along with a range Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for of practical guides and advice on how to access finance Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer and business support. of 9 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1096-97W, The Enterprise Finance Guarantee is available to on Arab states: arms trade, (1) what the cost to the unlock lending to viable SMEs who lack sufficient public purse has been of hosting each official collateral or financial track record to access a normal delegation cited in the answer; [47283] commercial loan. Front line staff at the 44 accredited (2) which members of the Libyan delegation which EFG lenders (including the major retail banks) are attended FIAS ’10 also visited Royal Air Force offered information and training on EFG and will offer establishments; which establishments they visited; and viable businesses an EFG backed loan if the business is at what cost to the public purse. [47284] not suitable for a normal commercial loan. Businesses seek venture capital funding through a Mr Prisk [holding answer 17 March 2011]: The majority number of referral channels including their accountants of the costs of hosting these delegations were met by and business support intermediaries who have relationships the private sector. with fund managers. A key feature of the publicly The estimated costs which were met by public funds supported investment readiness programmes is that they were: support the referral of suitable SMEs to potential investors (in particular business angels and their networks, and £ regional venture capital funds).

May 2008 Bahraini Army delegation visit to 3,705 Business: Regulation demonstration of artillery fire control equipment Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for July 2008 Bahrain delegation to Farnborough 2,908 Business, Innovation and Skills how many employees International Air Show 2008 would lose the right to (a) request flexible leave, (b) November Libyan delegation visit to defence 1,929 statutory maternity rights and (c) shared parental 2009 companies leave if an exemption from such rights is introduced for March Egyptian delegation at the Home Office 2,492 micro-businesses. [48221] 2010 Scientific Development Branch 2010 exhibition Mr Davey: The Government has no plans to exempt micro-businesses from current statutory maternity or Four members of the Libyan delegation visiting parental leave provisions. Farnborough International Air Show 2010 also visited We will repeal the regulations extending the right to RAF Boulmer and RAF Cranwell. The Libyan delegation request flexible working to parents of 17-year-olds, was lead by two Air Force brigadier generals, and which were due to come into force on 6 April 2011. accompanied by two Air Force colonels. The visit was We estimate that 291,000 parents of 17-year-olds at no cost to the UK Government. would have been eligible to request flexible working under the regulations. However the extension was expected Beer: Competition to generate only 4,600 additional or new requests, as many employers already accept and grant requests for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for all employees regardless of parental status. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment The Government remains committed to extending he has made of the effect on public houses of the the right to request flexible working to all employees in operation of the beer tie. [48058] due course. We will consult on this extension later in the spring. This consultation will include questions on the Mr Davey: The Government are currently relationship between the micro business exemption on monitoring the industry’s progress towards self-reform new domestic regulations and the right to request flexible within the timeframe set out by the Business, working. Innovation and Skills Select Committee. The Office of Business: Rural Areas Fair Trading’s final decision on the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) super complaint regarding pub ties Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for concluded that the pub sector in the UK is competitive Business, Innovation and Skills what support his overall and it has not found evidence of competition Department provides to (a) reduce the burden of (i) problems that are having a significant adverse impact taxation and (ii) administration on and (b) increase the on consumers. rates of lending to small rural businesses. [47601] 1071W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1072W

Mr Gauke: I have been asked to reply. Departmental Pay To reduce the burden of taxation on small business, the Government announced in the June 2010 Budget Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for that it will reduce the small profits rate of corporation Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to tax from 21% to 20% from 1 April 2011. This reduction ensure that his published departmental organisational will enable approximately 850,000 companies with chart includes the names and responsibilities of all staff profits below £300,000 to retain a greater a share of paid over £58,200 per annum in his Department and in their profits to reinvest. For small business with the non-departmental public bodies and agencies for employees, the Government announced, from April which he is responsible. [43545] 2011, a rise in the secondary threshold for national insurance contributions and income tax personal Mr Davey: The coalition Government is committed allowance. These measures will reverse the impact of to improving transparency and the coalition programme the previous Government’s planned £6 billion a year includes commitments to publish salary information for rise in the taxation of labour and will reduce the amount the most senior civil servants and to publish organograms the government takes, from what an employer sets aside for the entire organisation. to cover wages, before it becomes take home pay. As a first step, the Government published the details The Government launched the independent Office of of 345 senior officials in Departments, agencies and Tax Simplification in July 2010 and tasked them with a non-departmental public bodies in post at 31 March review of tax reliefs and a review of small business 2010 whose rate of pay was £150,000 or more. Publication taxation. The Office of Tax Simplification’s final report of name, job title and base salary details was then on tax reliefs was published on 3 March while the extended to some lower levels of the senior civil service interim report on small business taxation was published (SCS) as part of the organograms that were published on 10 March. The Government will respond to these last October. reports at Budget. The Government is committed to Although individualised salary details for the most simplification and easing the burden of tax administration junior level of the SCS (Pay Bands 1 and 1A) were not on business. released, the numbers and grades of staff in each of On 9 February the Chancellor announced a new their teams and the total salary costs of that team were lending commitment by the UK’s biggest high street published. Organograms will next be updated by the banks. As part of these commitments: end of May to show structures as at 31 March. The banks intend to lend £190 billion of new credit to businesses Good progress is being made across the civil service in 2011, up from £179 billion in 2010. If demand exceeds this, the and beyond in improving transparency of how government banks will lend more. £76 billion of this lending will be to small works and uses its resources. We are now in a period of and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). This is a 15% increase on consolidating and embedding transparency processes 2010 lending of £66 billion. into business as usual. We are always looking to go The banks have also proposed to increase the size of the further and we will continue over the coming months to £1.5 billion Business Growth Fund (set up by the British Bankers review, and where necessary improve, the quality and Association Taskforce), announced in October last year, which extent of data being released. will invest in small businesses with strong growth potential. The four major UK banks had already pledged £1.5 billion to the I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Business Growth Fund. They have now committed to increase its Service, Companies House, the National Measurement capital by a further £1 billion over the next three years, front-loaded Office, the Intellectual Property Office and the Skills over the next two years so that more help can be given to Funding Agency and they will respond to the hon. businesses sooner. This will increase the amount of equity investment Member directly. allocated to SMEs, at the same time helping to attract further bank lending to these businesses. Letter from John Alty, dated 10 March 2011: I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office These measures apply to all small businesses, including to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25th February 2011 to the rural small businesses. Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Coalition Government is committed to improving transparency Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers and the Coalition programme includes commitments to publish salary information for the most Senior Civil Servants and to publish organograms for the entire organisation. Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State As a first step, the Government published the details of 345 for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his senior officials in departments, agencies and non-departmental Department has spent on (a) salaries and (b) pension public bodies in post at 31 March 2010 whose rate of pay was entitlements for special advisers in the financial year £150,000 or more. Publication of name, job title and base salary 2010-11 to date. [46586] details was then extended to some lower levels of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) as part of the organograms that were published last October. Mr Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the information Although individualised salary details for the most junior level provided on the Cabinet Office website: of the SCS (Pay Bands 1 and 1A) were not released, the numbers http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special- and grades of staff in each of their teams and the total salary adviser-data-releases costs of that team were published. Organograms will next be updated by the end of May to show structures as at 31 March The estimated pay bills shown include pension costs. 2011. Details of pension arrangements are set out in the Good progress is being made across the civil service and ‘Model contract for Special Advisers’ also available via beyond in improving transparency of how government works and this link. uses its resources. We are now in a period of consolidating and 1073W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1074W embedding transparency processes into business as usual. We are Insolvency Service. As part of its annual report, The Insolvency always looking to go further and we will continue over the coming Service publishes a remuneration report providing salary information months to review, and where necessary improve, the quality and for the members of its directing board, which includes all members extent of data being released. of the Senior Civil Service within The Insolvency Service. Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 10 March 2011: Departmental Policy Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills asking him to ensure that his Departmental organisational chart includes the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for names and responsibilities of all staff in the Skills Funding Business, Innovation and Skills what account he has Agency (the Agency) paid over £58,200 per annum. taken of the Compact between the Government and Please be advised that the Coalition Government is committed Civil Society in policy development. [42613] to improving transparency and the Coalition programme includes commitments to publish salary information for the most senior Mr Davey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer civil servants and to publish organograms for the entire organisation. given by the Minister for Civil Society, the Parliamentary As a first step, the Government published the details of 345 Secretary, Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for Ruislip, senior officials in departments, agencies and non-departmental Northwood and Pinner (Mr Hurd) on 4 March 2001, public bodies in post at 31 March 2010 whose rate of pay was £150,000 or more. Publication of name, job title and base salary Official Report, column 680W. details was then extended to some lower levels of the Senior Civil Departmental Press: Subscriptions Service (SCS) as part of the organograms that were published last October. Although individualised salary details for the most junior level Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, of the SCS were not released, the numbers and grades of staff in Innovation and Skills whether his Department has a each of their teams and the total salary costs of that team were subscription to the Financial Times Online. [47855] published. Organograms will next be updated by the end of May to show structures as at 31 March 2011. Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation Good progress is being made across the civil service and and Skills, does not have a Department wide subscription beyond in improving transparency of how government works and to the Financial Times online. There are 38 individual uses its resources. We are now in a period of consolidating and user accounts for accessing FT content online. embedding transparency processes into business as usual. We are always looking to go further and we will continue over the coming Departmental Public Bodies months to review, and where necessary improve, the quality and extent of data being released. Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 9 March 2011: Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which public bodies I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 25 February 2011, UIN 43545 to the Secretary of sponsored by his Department (a) have been and (b) State for Business, Innovation and Skills. are to be closed, merged or reorganised following his In line with guidance issued by the Civil Service Capability appointment; and how many (i) women and (ii) men Group on 9 October 2010 Companies House publishes the names who are public appointees at each body will no longer and responsibilities of all staff in the Senior Civil Service in its hold such an appointment in consequence. [47111] Annual Report, which is available on our website. We are not required to publish the names and responsibilities of all staff Mr Davey: Since May 2010, the Hearing Aid Council, earning over £58,200, this applies to Non Departmental Public Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board, SITPRO Bodies only. Ltd., Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Letter from Peter Mason, dated 10 March 2011: and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Advisory Body have closed. This has resulted in the Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to following number of men and women who are public your Parliamentary Question tabled on 25 February 2011 reference appointees relinquishing such an appointment in 2010/4219 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, consequence. Innovation and Skills, asking if he will take steps to ensure that his published Departmental organisational chart includes the names and responsibilities of all staff paid over £58,200 per Male Female Body appointees1 appointees1 annum in his Department and in the non-departmental public bodies and agencies for which he is responsible. The Hearing Aid Council 12 1 The Agency publishes the names and positions of all staff paid SITPRO Ltd. 5 — over £58,200 per annum within the remuneration report of our Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual 42 Annual Report and Accounts as they are all members of the Property Management Board. This is available on our website along with a Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory 71 more detailed organogram of the whole Agency. Board The Agency will also publish required staff and salary information Waste Electrical and Electronic 16 5 as part of the Departmental organisation chart. Equipment Advisory Body 1 Ministerial appointments as at 31 March 2010, as in BIS Public Bodies Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 21 March 2011: Report 2010. The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation In addition the Government have announced proposals, and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, if he will take subject as necessary to legislation and consultation, to steps to ensure that his published Departmental organisational abolish: the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration chart includes the names and responsibilities of all staff paid over £58,200 per annum in his Department and in the non-departmental Tribunal; British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.; British Shipbuilders; public bodies and agencies for which he is responsible. Competition Service; Consumer Focus; the regional The Insolvency Service executive agency of the Department development agencies. In the event that decisions are for Business, Innovation and Skills is committed to improving taken to abolish these bodies, the following numbers of transparency and continuing the Government Coalition programme, men and women who are public appointees would which includes a commitment to publish organograms for The relinquish such an appointment in consequence: 1075W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1076W

innovation centre, which will focus on high value manufacturing, Male Female was announced on 17 March. The manufacturing technology Body appointees1 appointees1 centre in Ansty Park, owned by the universities of Birmingham, British Shipbuilders 1 — Nottingham and Loughborough, was one of seven centres that Competition Service — 1 will come together to form the technology and innovation centre; Consumer Focus 19 11 on 17 March, the Government also published a new streamlined Solutions for Business portfolio of 13 business support products and a good practice guide to help local enterprise partnerships Regional development agencies provide support to business; Advantage West Midlands 12 3 also on 17 March, the Government announced the first phase East Midlands Development Agency 10 4 of the Local Government Resource Review. This review will East of England Development Agency 9 5 consider the way in which local authorities are funded, with a North West Development Agency 11 4 view to giving local authorities greater financial autonomy and One North East 10 5 strengthening the incentives to support growth in the private sector and regeneration of local economies; South East England Development 11 4 Agency the Government have also announced that they are to review South West of England Regional 10 5 almost 22,000 business regulations as part of a drive to cut red Development Agency tape and will exempt small firms from new domestic laws for three Yorkshire Forward 10 5 years. Other measures identified as part of the growth review into 1 Ministerial appointments as at 31 March 2010, as in BIS Public Bodies regulation include: Report 2010. repealing the regulations extending the right to request flexible There are no public appointments to British Nuclear working to parents of 17-year-olds for all businesses, which was Fuels Ltd. I am not aware of any current appointments due start on 6 April; to the Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration not extending the right to request time off to train for firms Tribunal. with less than 250 people; introducing more transparency into the Government’s One-in, The Government have also announced proposals to: One-out rule by publishing the opinions of the Regulatory Policy Merge: the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Committee where they do not believe the evidence supports a new Commission; the Central Arbitration Committee and the Certification regulation; and Office; and Postcomm and Ofcom; freeing small companies from unnecessary audit fees by matching Change the status of or reorganise: Competition Appeals the minimum required by EU directives. Tribunal; Copyright Tribunal; Design Council; Local Better Regulation The Government will also continue to provide targeted Office; NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts); UK Commission for Employment and Skills. support for trade and investment, and refocus support for businesses through a national website and contact The majority of these proposals are subject to further centre, a business coaching for growth programme and, review, consultation and/or implementation of legislation with the banks and others, a mentoring service with at (primarily the Public Bodies Bill.) It is therefore too least 40,000 mentors. In addition, the banks have committed early to say what the impact on public appointments to invest up to £1.5 billion to provide equity funding to will be. small and medium-sized enterprises through their Business Economic Growth: Birmingham Growth Fund. Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department took to promote economic growth and Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for activity in Birmingham in each of the last six months. Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his [43115] Department is taking to diversify the economy of areas with high proportions of public sector jobs. [47590] Mr Prisk: The White Paper on Local Growth, published in October 2010, sets out the Government’s approach to Mr Davey: The Local Growth White Paper launched rebalancing the economy and driving sustainable growth. the regional growth fund the objectives of which are Initiatives include encouraging local enterprise partnerships aimed at stimulating enterprise by providing support that will see local business and civic leaders working for projects and programmes with significant potential together to support jobs and growth in their communities, for economic growth, creating additional sustainable and establishing the Regional Growth Fund, which will private sector employment and, in particular, supporting provide funding of £1.4 billion over three years to help those areas and communities that are currently dependent communities make the transition to private sector-led on the public sector make the transition to sustainable growth and prosperity, particularly in areas currently private sector-led growth and prosperity. dependent on the public sector. Other measures include: In addition, the Chancellor has said that the Budget the budget for apprenticeships is set to increase to over £1,400 will introduce enterprise zones focused on reducing the million in the 2011-12 financial year with £799 million of this barriers to businesses growing. More on the location of budget set to fund apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds and the the zones will be announced in the Budget, but some of remaining £605 million for those aged 19 and over; them may be in areas with high proportions of public in the June 2010 Budget, the Government announced that new sector jobs. businesses that start up outside the Greater South East will European Southern Observatory benefit from a three-year scheme that will exempt them from up to £5,000 of employer national insurance contributions; Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Government will invest over £200 million to establish a network of elite technology and innovation centres to commercialise Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment new and emerging technologies in areas where there are large he has made of the benefits to the UK of membership global market opportunities in which the UK has a critical mass of the European Southern Observatory; and if he will and capability to take advantage of. The first technology and make a statement. [47453] 1077W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1078W

Mr Willetts: The UK is represented in the European applications were (a) made by and (b) granted to each Southern Observatory (ESO) by the Science and Technology higher education institution in each of the last five Facilities Council (STFC), who most recently assessed years; and if he will make a statement. [47431] the benefits of membership prior to the 2010 spending review. Mr Davey: Global data on the numbers of patent Through the UK’s membership of ESO, the UK has applications and granted patents obtained by higher access to world-class astronomy facilities, including the education institutions is not readily accessible, especially Very Large Telescope—the world’s most advanced optical in relation to those obtained by UK higher education instrument. institutions in other countries or through routes other than direct to the Intellectual Property Office. ESO membership also allows the UK to participate in the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter array However, the Intellectual Property Office is able to project (ALMA), a partnership of Europe, North America, provide details of the numbers of published patent and East Asia, to build an advanced telescope to study applications and granted patents which it has processed light from some of the coldest objects in the universe. for UK higher education institutions for each of the Early observations are due to start later this year. previous five years 2006-10. There are 166 higher education institutions in the UK1, of which 84 have had UK UK industry benefits from ESO contracts worth patent applications published since 2006. about £15 million per annum. A full table giving the numbers of published patent applications and granted patents processed by the Further Education Intellectual Property Office for each of the 84 institutions follows: Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 http://www.hesa.ac.uk/index.php/component/option,com_hei Business, Innovation and Skills how many patent contacts/itemid,87

Number of published patents by year Number of patents granted by year Total number of published Total Higher UK patent number education applications granted Ranking institution 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

1 The University 59 17 6 14 8 14 11 0 1 4 4 2 of Sheffield 2 The University 4011137631505316 of Cambridge (Cambridge Enterprise) 3 Sheffield 2674195805003 Hallam University 4 The University 2368333911223 of Southampton 5 King’s College 2175252900036 London 6 The University 2024248600024 of Oxford (Isis Innovation) 7 De Monfort 19311050711041 University 8 Cardiff 1709224300102 University 9= The University 1534431300111 of Dundee 9= The University 1521228500014 of Manchester 11= Cranfield 1441513200011 University 11= The University 1432216402020 of Nottingham 11= The University 1402723800044 of Plymouth 14= The University 1311425000000 of Bolton 14= The University 1324322301200 of Edinburgh 16= Imperial 1215204000000 College (Imperial Innovations) 16= The University 1220334201001 of Lancaster 1079W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1080W

Number of published patents by year Number of patents granted by year Total number of published Total Higher UK patent number education applications granted Ranking institution 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

16= The University 1271301500212 of Warwick 19= The University 1126111400040 of Durham 19= The University 1123510510013 of Wolverhampton 21= The University 1001135100100 of Aberdeen 21= The University 1014023300102 of Surrey 23= The University 941202 201010 of Bristol 23= The University 932121 100001 of Hull 23= The University 933021 100100 of Kent 23= The University 921231 301011 of Newcastle 27 The University 802105 100100 of Glasgow 28= Brunel 701231 100010 University 28= London South 703202 101000 Bank University 28= The City 713012 200011 University 28= The 710114 100001 Nottingham Trent University 28= The University 723110 521011 of Bradford 28= The University 711320 401210 of Leeds 28= The University 704210 302100 of York 35= Edinburgh 601113 100001 Napier University 35= Loughborough 603012 100001 University 35= The University 600303 000000 of Exeter 38= The University 511210 301011 of Bath 38= Aston 521020 000000 University 38= Coventry 510130 110000 University 38= The Open 503011 100001 University 38= The University 521020 000000 Of East Anglia 38= The University 504001 100100 of Westminster 44= The University 410030 000000 of Liverpool 44= The University 421100 000000 of Northumbria at Newcastle 44= The University 420110 401111 of St Andrews 44= The University 401120 100001 of Sussex 44= University of 420011 210001 London 1081W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1082W

Number of published patents by year Number of patents granted by year Total number of published Total Higher UK patent number education applications granted Ranking institution 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

49= Liverpool John 310020 100010 Moores University 49= Oxford 302001 100010 Brookes University 49= Teesside 301020 000000 University 49= The 301020 100001 Manchester Metropolitan University 49= The University 300102 000000 of Brighton 49= The University 301110 100010 of Greenwich 49= The University 301002 100001 of Reading 49= The University 300120 200020 of Strathclyde 57= Bangor 200011 000000 University 57= Bournemouth 200101 000000 University 57= Glasgow 220000 101000 School of Art 57= London 200002 000000 Metropolitan University 57= Middlesex 200011 100010 University 57= Royal College 200011 100001 Of Art 57= Royal 211000 100010 Holloway and Bedford New College 57= The Queen’s 200200 000000 University of Belfast 57= The Robert 202000 100010 Gordon University 57= The Royal 200020 000000 Veterinary College 57= The University 220000 200110 of Birmingham 57= The University 201001 000000 of Huddersfield 57= The University 201010 200002 of Keele 57= University of 202000 101000 Hertfordshire 57= University of 200101 000000 Wales Institute, Cardiff 72= Aberystwyth 100010 000000 University 72= Anglia Ruskin 101000 000000 University 72= Birkbeck 101000 100100 College 72= Heriot-Watt 100100 000000 University 72= Imperial 100001 000000 College 1083W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1084W

Number of published patents by year Number of patents granted by year Total number of published Total Higher UK patent number education applications granted Ranking institution 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006-10 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

72= London 110000 000000 School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 72= Queen Mary 110000 000000 and Westfield College 72= Staffordshire 100001 000000 University 72= The University 110000 100100 of Leicester 72= The University 100010 000000 of Northampton 72= The University 100001 000000 of Salford 72= University of 100001 000000 Abertay Dundee 72= University of 110000 100010 the Arts London Total 629 123 140 118 116 132 173 7 28 27 49 62

Green Investment Bank proportion of UCAS applicants were accepted and enrolled onto university courses with (a) less than 80 Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, UCAS tariff points and (b) no UCAS tariff points in Innovation and Skills when he plans to publish the (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10. design for the Green Investment Bank. [47714] [47532] Mr Prisk: We will be making a detailed announcement in May. Higher Education: Admissions Mr Willetts: The information is in the following table. Information on tariff score is only available for UK Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for domiciled applicants. Business, Innovation and Skills what number and

UK domiciled accepted applicants to courses via UCAS with unknown or no tariff points and 1-79 tariff points 2006/07 to 2009/10 No points or unknown 1-79 points Percentage of Percentage of Applicants Accepted applicants applicants accepted Applicants Accepted applicants applicants accepted

2006/07 139,724 98,300 70.4 14,385 10,169 70.7 2007/08 161,384 117,449 72.8 21,473 15,598 72.6 2008/09 195,028 142,769 73.2 24,002 18,266 76.1 2009/10 211,015 145,694 69.0 28,249 21,455 75.9 Source: UCAS

For the 2008/09 cycle applications formerly handled for dealing with anti-Semitism in UK universities; what by the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS) sources are available to them to obtain up-to-date merged into the main UCAS system. Therefore, this information on anti-Semitism in UK universities; what year and 2009/10 are not directly comparable with recent reports he has received from officials in his previous years. Department on levels of anti-Semitism in UK Applicants with no points will include those whose universities; and if he will make a statement. [R] qualifications are not part of the UCAS tariff framework, [47706] and therefore do not carry a tariff score. Mr Willetts: There are four officials who cover policy Higher Education: Anti-Semitism on anti-Semitism as part of their remit—by grade these are two senior civil servants, one team leader and one Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for higher executive officer. Policy officials have access to a Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials of range of information sources from both across government each grade in his Department have policy responsibility and external partners, including published reports. I 1085W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1086W have received information about the most recent Trading review of the high cost credit market. Government Community Security Trust report on anti-Semitic incidents will make an announcement on next steps following the in the UK which reported a continued fall in incident May local elections. numbers in UK universities, from 97 incidents in 2009 The Consumer Finance Association is responsible to 44 incidents in 2010 (there were 67 incidents in 2008). for the Payday Loan Forum which is considering whether The 2009 figure includes 38 incidents, it is believed, to introduce a statement of practice in the payday loan committed by one perpetrator leading to a high overall industry. total Graduates: Medicine and Science There is no place for racism of any form, including anti-Semitism, in higher education. Universities have Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State access to a strong legislative framework and guidance to for Business, Innovation and Skills how many medical help them deal effectively with instances of intolerance, students graduated in (a) England and (b) the West racism and harassment in their institutions. Government Midlands in each of the last five years for which figures would expect them to vigorously tackle these issues are available. [47879] when they arise and has supported institutions with key guidance on promoting good campus relations in the Mr Willetts: The latest available information from sector. the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown in the table. Figures refer to graduates domiciled in Lasers: Children England and the West Midlands Government office region. Figures for 2010/11 will be available in January Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent Medicine1 qualifiers2 from England and West Midlands Government office representations he has received on the sale of laser pens region, UK higher education institutions, academic year 2005/06 to 2009/10 to children. [47228] Academic year England West Midlands

Mr Davey: We have had no recent representations on 2005/06 7,690 630 the sale of laser pens to children. 2006/07 8,195 725 2007/08 8,585 750 Loans 2008/09 9,070 770 2009/10 9,060 770 1 Covers pre-clinical and clinical medicine. Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for 2 Covers qualifiers from full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been courses. Note: made on implementing the recommendations of the Figures are based on a qualifications obtained population and have been review by the Office of Fair Trading on the high cost of rounded to the nearest five. credit in respect of payday loans; and what progress Source: has been made on establishing an industry-wide Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). statement of practice supporting greater transparency, Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for clarity and simplicity in the short-term loans industry. Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many medical [48328] students graduated from institutions in Greater London in each of the last five years; [47978] Mr Davey: This Department and HM Treasury are (2) how many students in universities in (a) Greater carrying out a joint review of consumer credit and London and (b) England graduated in science, personal insolvency that will look at all aspects of the technology, engineering and mathematics in each of consumer credit lifecycle from the decision to take out a the last five years for which figures are available. loan through the lifetime of the loan. A call for evidence [48030] connected with the review has recently concluded and Government are considering the substantial number of Mr Willetts: The latest available information from submissions received. The review will also provide a the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is shown framework for us to consider how best to take forward in the tables. Figures for the 2010/11 academic year will the recommendations from the recent Office for Fair be available in January 2012.

Qualifiers1 from science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects higher education institutions in London government office region and England academic years 2005/06 to 2009/10 Medicine and Subjects allied to Agricultural and Academic year dentistry of which; Medicine2 medicine Biological sciences Veterinary science related subjects

London Higher Education Institutions 2005/06 4,405 405 14,490 6,130 245 370 2006/07 4,340 435 15,375 6,515 260 405 2007/08 4,845 485 13,805 6,330 330 380 2008/09 5,270 605 13,295 7,255 380 460 2009/10 5,655 775 15,170 7,350 330 460 English Higher Education Institutions3 2005/06 10,300 1,140 71,670 32,630 645 3,770 2006/07 10,900 1,210 70,890 35,050 615 3,875 2007/08 11,845 1,430 70,190 37,150 665 3,955 2008/09 12,485 1,705 67,185 38,040 780 4,055 1087W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1088W

Qualifiers1 from science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects higher education institutions in London government office region and England academic years 2005/06 to 2009/10 Medicine and Subjects allied to Agricultural and Academic year dentistry of which; Medicine2 medicine Biological sciences Veterinary science related subjects

2009/10 13,155 2,160 68,160 41,150 675 4,350

Architecture, Mathematical Engineering and building and Academic year Physical sciences sciences Computer science technology planning Total STEM

London Higher Education Institutions 2005/06 2,365 1,320 7,090 5,875 3,010 45,300 2006/07 2,345 1,435 6,370 6,130 3,440 46,610 2007/08 2,415 1,500 5,685 6,220 3,565 45,075 2008/09 2,430 1,690 5,510 6,615 3,910 46,815 2009/10 2,555 1,725 6,390 7,905 4,410 51,955 English Higher Education Institutions3 2005/06 17,795 7,150 28,905 30,595 12,590 216,055 2006/07 17,310 7,530 26,205 31,375 13,465 217,215 2007/08 17,845 7,755 24,580 32,525 15,250 221,765 2008/09 18,250 8,165 22,650 34,165 15,995 221,775 2009/10 19,240 8,685 24,515 38,475 18,495 236,900 1 Covers qualifiers from all domiciles, levels of study and modes of study. 2 Covers both clinical and pre-clinical medicine. 3 Includes figures for London Higher Education Institutions. Note: Figures are based on a HESA qualifications obtained population and have been rounded to the nearest 5. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Overseas Trade Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State value was in real terms of UK (a) exports to and (b) for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of imports from (i) China, (ii) India, (iii) Brazil and (iv) UK trade was conducted with (a) Brazil, (b) Russia, Russia in each year since 2007. [48358] (c) India and (d) China in each financial year since 2001-02. [48332] Mr Prisk: The following table shows values at current prices for UK trade in goods and services on a balance Mr Prisk: The following table shows shares of UK of payments basis. There is not sufficient information exports and imports of goods and services on a balance available on price changes for trade with individual of payments basis. Trade statistics are usually presented countries to be able to produce real terms values. on a calendar year basis. £ million Percentage UK exports of goods and services UK imports of goods and services Share of UK exports of goods Share of UK imports of goods to: from: and services going to: and services coming from: China India Brazil Russia China India Brazil Russia Brazil Russia India China Brazil Russia India China 2007 5,460 4,634 1,563 5,126 19,744 5,660 2,338 6,171 2001 0.4 0.5 0.9 0.8 0.5 0.8 0.9 2.0 2008 7,538 5,908 2,286 6,419 24,517 6,772 2,962 8,000 2002 0.4 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.8 2.3 2009 7,772 4,605 2,439 4,180 25,491 6,541 2,852 5,887 2003 0.4 0.7 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.9 0.9 2.8 Note: 2004 0.4 0.8 1.1 1.2 0.5 1.2 1.0 3.3 Initial estimates for 2010 are due to be published on 29 March. Source 2005 0.4 0.9 1.2 1.3 0.5 1.5 1.1 3.7 : ONS UK Economic Accounts 2006 0.4 1.0 1.1 1.3 0.5 1.5 1.1 3.8 2007 0.4 1.4 1.2 1.5 0.6 1.5 1.4 4.7 2008 0.5 1.5 1.4 1.8 0.6 1.7 1.5 5.3 Overseas Trade: Brazil 2009 0.6 1.1 1.2 2.0 0.7 1.4 1.6 6.1 Note: Initial estimates for 2010 are due to be published on 29 March. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Source: for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he BIS from ONS UK Economic Accounts. has made of the monetary value in real terms of (a) Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State investment in Brazil by UK businesses and (b) for Business, Innovation and Skills which UK investment in the UK by Brazilian businesses in each companies has made the largest contribution to the financial year since 2001-02. [48360] economy of (a) Brazil, (b) Russia, (c) India and (d) China in the latest period for which figures are Mr Prisk: The Office for National Statistics publishes available. [48340] geographical data for foreign direct investment (FDI) in its annual Business Monitor MA4. Data are in current Mr Prisk: This information is not held centrally and prices on a calendar year basis. The following table could not be provided without incurring disproportionate shows FDI flows to and from Brazil since 2001 and cost. FDI stocks at 31 December 2009. 1089W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1090W

£ million £ million UK outward FDI to Brazil UK inward FDI from Brazil UK outward FDI to Russia UK inward FDI from Russia

Flows Flows 2001 352 1— 2001 498 19 2002 17 1— 2002 108 1— 2003 786 4 2003 2,030 1— 2004 386 1— 2004 1,831 1— 2005 48 6 2005 349 1— 2006 354 1— 2006 -13 1— 2007 791 2 2007 1,334 332 2008 832 1 2008 3,919 1,769 2009 377 1— 2009 -285 45

Stocks Stocks End 2009 4,956 1 End 2009 10,053 779 1 Indicates disclosive data 1 Indicates disclosive data. Note: A minus sign indicates a net disinvestment abroad (i.e. a decrease in the amount Overseas Trade: India due to the UK).

Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Post Offices: Bank Services for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value in real terms was of (a) investment in India by Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for UK businesses and (b) investment in the UK by Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions the Indian businesses in each year since 2001. [48409] Post Office has had with retail banks on the date by Mr Prisk: The Office for National Statistics publishes which all holders of (a) personal and (b) business geographical data for foreign direct investment (FDI) in accounts at UK retail banks will be able to undertake its annual Business Monitor MA4. Data are in current cash and cheque withdrawal and deposit transactions prices on a calendar year basis. The following table at Post Office counters. [47815] shows FDI flows to and from India since 2001 and FDI Mr Davey: This Government have made clear their stocks at 31 December 2009. ambition for all UK current accounts to be accessible through the post office network, and welcomes the £ million agreement that has been reached between Post Office UK outward FDI to India UK inward FDI from India Ltd. and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to allow RBS Flows and NatWest customers to access their current and 2001 135 33 business accounts at post offices. 2002 276 1 There have been discussions between Post Office Ltd 2003 193 7 and those banks yet to agree to provide access to 2004 274 -15 current and business accounts at post offices but the 2005 616 138 details of these discussions are commercially confidential. 2006 104 265 2007 650 151 Prisons: Higher Education 2008 437 2,638 2009 747 126 Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 March 2011, Official Report, column 1054W, on Stocks prisoners: education, (1) what the cost to the public End 2009 9,310 1,841 purse of providing Open University courses to 1 Indicates disclosive data. prisoners was in each of the last five years; [46837] Note: A minus sign indicates a net disinvestment abroad (i.e. a decrease in the amount (2) how many and what proportion of Open due to the UK). University courses prisoners have (a) completed and Overseas Trade: Russia (b) passed in the latest period for which figures are available; [46838] Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State (3) what level of education or qualifications for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he prisoners are required to hold before they are accepted has made of the monetary value in real terms of (a) on an Open University course; [46839] investment in Russia by UK businesses and (b) (4) what Open University courses prisoners are investment in the UK by Russian businesses in each undertaking; [46840] financial year since 2001-02. [48359] (5) how many prisoners on Open University courses Mr Prisk: The Office for National Statistics publishes are not UK nationals; [46841] geographical data for foreign direct investment (FDI) in (6) if he will consider the merits of amending the its annual Business Monitor MA4. Data are in current system for funding Open University courses for prices on a calendar year basis. The following table prisoners to bring it into line with funding, loan and shows FDI flows to and from Russia since 2001 and tuition fee arrangements for university study by those FDI stocks at 31 December 2009. not in prison; and if he will make a statement. [46842] 1091W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1092W

Mr Hayes: The cost to the public purse of prisoners Applications of Probability studying with the Open University in prisons over the Applying psychology financial years 2005-06 to 2009-10 is set out in the Approaching Literature following tables: Archaeology, the science of investigation Costs met from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (and Art and its histories predecessors) offender learning budget Beginners Chinese Financial year (April-March) £000 Beginners French 1 2005-06 538 Beginners German 2006-071 491 Beginners Italian 2007-081 692 Beginners Spanish 2008-091 827 2009-102 1,190 Beginners Welsh 1 England and Wales. Biological Psychology 2 England. Biology: Uniformity and Diversity Costs met from the Open University’s Access to Learning Fund budget Business Functions in context Financial year (August-July) £000 Business Organisations and Environments

2005/061 46 Capacities for managing development 2006/071 322 Challenging ideas in mental health 2007/082 352 Chemical Change and environmental applications 2008/092 379 Child development 2009/102 445 Communication and Information technologies 1 England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Communication in health in care 2 England and Northern Ireland. Community safety, crime prevention and social control In prisons in England in the 2009-10 academic year 1,513 (69%) of prisoners completed and 1,293 (59%) Computers and processors passed the Open University course1 for which they were Counselling: exploring fear and sadness studying. A typical course is worth 60 credit points and Creative Writing requires 16 hours of study each week over nine months. Crime and justice Students aiming for an Open Degree need to earn Data Computing and Information 300 credit points, the equivalent of five years of 60 credit Death and dying point courses. Design and designing Nearly all Open University undergraduate courses Designing Applications with visual basic have no formal entry requirements, either prior Developing concurrent distributed systems qualifications or experience: this allows people who have missed out on education to fulfil their potential Development context and practice and achieve a university-level qualification. The bar is Diabetes care set higher for prisoners, with prospective students who Discourse Analysis wish to secure funding through this Department required Discovering Mathematics to demonstrate that they have achieved level 2 qualifications Discovering Psychology and to show evidence of serious commitment to learning Diverse perspectives on mental health for rehabilitation purposes. All applications are considered Doing economics: People, markets and policy individually by the Prisoners’ Education Trust which administers the scheme on the Department’s behalf. Economics and Economic change Elements of Forensic science Prison Service Instruction 33/2010 requires the Prison Governor/Director (or their representative) to apply a Empire of the Microbes sift procedure to all prisoners wishing to apply for an Energy for a sustainable future Open University course1, regardless of the funding Engineering mechanics material design source. The sift ensures not only that applicants have Engineering small worlds been properly advised about the nature of study, and Engineering the future have the aptitude, ability and motivation to complete English grammar in context the course successfully, but also that the course the Enterprise and the environment prisoner is applying for is appropriate in the context of his/her conviction. Environment Environment: Journeys through a changing world Prisoners are currently undertaking the following Open University courses in English prisons: Environmental decision making 20th century literature: texts and debates Environmental modelling monitoring and control A world of whose making? Analysing International developments Environmental policy in an international context Advanced creative writing Environmental science Advanced French Europe: Culture and Identities Advanced Spanish Evolution An Introduction to Business Studies Exploring History: Medieval to Modern 1400-1900 An Introduction to Health and Social Care Exploring Mathematics An Introduction to Law Exploring psychology Analysing data Exploring science 1093W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1094W

Exploring the classical world Plants and people Exploring the English Language Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental decision making Film and TV History Postgraduate foundation module in philosophy Financial Accounting Power dissent equality Fossils and the history of life Project Management From Enlightenment to Romanticism Promoting public health Fundamentals of interaction design Pure mathematics Geology Putting Java to work Graphs: network and design Reading Classical Greek Language and literature How the Universe works Reading Classical Latin Human Biology Relational Databases: theory and practice Human genetics and health issues Religion in History Innovation: Designing for a sustainable future Renaissance Art Institutional development Science in context Intermediate French Science starts here Intermediate German Shakespeare: text and performance Intermediate Italian Signals and Perception Intermediate Spanish Social psychology International development Software development with Java Introducing astronomy Software Engineering with objects Introducing environment Sport and exercise psychology Introducing Environment (new version 15 credits) Starting with law Introducing religions Starting with Maths Introducing the social sciences Starting with psychology Introducing the Social Sciences Part 1 Starting with psychology (new version 15 credits) Introducing the Social Sciences Part 2 The 19th Century Novel Introduction to counselling The art of English Introduction to Sport Fitness and Management The Arts Past and present Investigating entrepreneurial opportunities The Greek Theatre Keeping ahead in information The molecular world Law: Agreements rights responsibilities The physical world Law: Ownership and trusteeships The relativistic universe Law: the Individual and the state The science of the mind: investigating mental health Learning to change The technology of music Linear Statistical Modelling Themes in philosophy Living in a globalised world Topology Living political ideas Total War and Social Change in Europe Making sense of strategy Understanding children Making sense of the arts Understanding cities Making sense of the arts (new version 15 credits) Understanding health Making social worlds Understanding health (15 credits) Managing care Understanding human nutrition Managing complexity: a systems approach Understanding Law Managing in the workplace Understanding Management Marketing and Society Understanding Music Mathematical methods and models Understanding Society Maths for Science Understanding systems Medicine and Society in Europe 1500-1930 Understanding the autism spectrum Molecules, medicines and drugs Understanding the continents Networked living: exploring information and communication Understanding weather Number theory and Mathematical logic Upper Intermediate Spanish Object Oriented programming with Java Using Mathematics Oceanography Voices and Texts Optimization Waves diffusion and variational principles Personal and career development in engineering Welfare crime and society Personal lives and social policy Words and Music Perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine Working and Learning in Sport and Fitness Philosophy and the Human Situation Working for Health Planets; an introduction You and your money: personal finance in context 1095W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1096W

The Open University’s data on nationality of current Mr Prisk: The Department has allocated funding to prisoner students are incomplete. However, in the financial meet its contractual commitments under existing Repayable year 2010-11, the Prisoners’ Education Trust has approved Launch Investment agreements. funding for three foreign national prisoners, and refused In common with the policy of previous Governments one. Foreign nationals are only funded if they make an there is no specific allocation for new Repayable Launch exceptionally strong application, taking into account Investment within departmental budgets. their previous employment history and their commitment to self-reform and avoidance of further crime. They Science: Females must also have sufficient time to complete the course inside custody. Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for The Government continue to believe that higher Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to education is an important learning progression route address the level of attrition between education and for some prisoners. A small number of prisoners are employment for women in (a) engineering, (b) science able to study higher education full-time as they approach and (c) other technology disciplines. [48023] the end of their sentences while released on temporary licence. They are expected to meet their own higher Mr Willetts: We will encourage diversity in the science, education costs, supported by access to fee loans in technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) work exactly the same way as other higher education students. force by embedding and mainstreaming best practice Maintenance loans are not available for prisoners. and lessons learnt, from the past few years, into the programmes we fund. We will also ask our partners and Mainstream students studying part-time higher education stakeholders to collaborate with us on this, and share courses are supported through grant arrangements: their own valuable experiences, and develop their own prisoners are not eligible for those grants. Where prisoners approaches. This aligns with the wider work of the have the means to support their own part-time higher coalition to promote inclusive workplaces. education study, they are expected to do so. Where a prisoner cannot afford to support their own learning, We have asked the Royal Academy of Engineering, we make arrangements to support that learning as exercising its significant influence over professional described in the answer of 8 March 2011, Official institutions, industry and others, to develop a diversity Report, column 1054W, on prisoners’ education. As programme in engineering, and also to work with science that earlier answer noted, we are considering how higher partners to reach the wider STEM work force in this education for prisoners should be funded as part of the activity. Government’s review of offender learning. We expect Squatting that review to be published shortly. 1 In the Open University context, a course is a module of study Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for that can count towards a qualification. Business, Innovation and Skills how many buildings on his Department’s estate were occupied by squatters in Regional Growth Fund each year between 2006 and 2010; and on how many occasions his Department sought interim possession Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for orders to remove squatters from such buildings in each Business, Innovation and Skills whether the method of those years. [47618] used by his Department to estimate the number of public sector jobs for the purposes of the Regional Mr Davey: None of the Department’s buildings have Growth Fund includes members of the armed services. been occupied by squatters during the years 2006 to [47991] 2010. Telephone Services Mr Prisk: One of a range of metrics used to assess the locality of bids to the Regional Growth Fund was the share of employee jobs in the public sector from the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Office for National Statistics Annual Business Inquiry Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding was (ABI). Employee jobs provide a count of jobs not allocated to the Pay and Work Rights helpline in each people/employment and do not cover self-employed of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. jobs, HM forces and Government-supported trainees. [47435] Public sector employee jobs are those in: public corporations/nationalised bodies, central Government Mr Davey: The Pay and Work Rights helpline was and local authority. The private sector is defined as: established in May 2009, and formally launched in company, sole proprietor, partnership and non-profit September 2009. Actual expenditure on running the body or mutual association. Full information on these helpline in 2009/10 was £1,166,000—against an allocation data can be found on the BIS website: of £1,200,000. This included one off development costs associated with establishing the service. Expenditure for http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ppse/index.asp 2010/11 is expected to be just under £850,000 against an allocation of £900,000. Repayable Launch Investment The Pay and Work Rights helpline provides a valuable single point of contact for workers and employers seeking Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, advice or wanting to report abuses of the national Innovation and Skills whether his Department’s budget minimum wage, the agricultural minimum wage, the includes an allocation of funds for Repayable Launch 48 hour average working week, employment agency Investment. [47857] standards and gangmaster licensing. In the 18 months 1097W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1098W since its launch, the helpline has received more than DFID has had regular discussions with the Government 140,000 calls, and referred 4,800 complaints and pieces of Vietnam throughout this process, including a visit by of intelligence about potential abuses to the five enforcement the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend the Member bodies who stand behind the helpline. for Rutland and Melton (Mr Duncan), in June 2010. The Government of Vietnam welcomed the UK Vocational Guidance Government’s decision positively, declaring our aid as highly effective. DFID also have regular dialogues with Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for donor agencies through a number of important forums Business, Innovation and Skills when he will announce such as the Government-Donor Consultative Group the proposed division in funding between the meeting (most recently in December 2010), the EU allocations of his Department and the Department for Development Counsellors meeting, and the Aid Education to the proposed the All-Age Careers Service Effectiveness Forum. in 2011-12. [47370] We will ensure the sustainability of our interventions beyond DFID’s presence in Vietnam through the high [holding answer 17 March 2011]: Mr Hayes We will level UK-Vietnam Strategic Partnership signed in September make an announcement shortly regarding the Government’s 2010. approach to careers advice policy. The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by Voluntary Work and Charitable Donations individual countries. Vietnam will continue to benefit from UK funding provided through the multilateral Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for development organisations. This amounted to £65.5 million Business, Innovation and Skills whether his in 2008-09. Department has a policy to encourage its employees to UK assistance accounted for 2.56% of the net Official (a) volunteer and (b) donate via payroll giving. Development Assistance that Vietnam received in the [43230] 2009 calendar year, the latest period for which figures are available for comparison purposes. UK support to Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation Vietnam over this period was just over £60 million and Skills (BIS) encourages staff to take part in volunteering (equivalent to about $96 million), of which £4 million opportunities by giving paid time off. was debt relief. BIS operates a ‘Give as you Earn’ policy, which allows staff to donate to charities of their choice directly from their monthly salary. Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) in which year his Department’s bilateral aid programme in Cameroon will be closed; and what arrangements he has made for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT phasing in the closure of that programme; [47563] Overseas Aid (2) what discussions he held with (a) the government of Cameroon, (b) multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral donors to that country prior to his Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for decision on the future of the bilateral aid programme, International Development (1) what discussions he had and on what dates; and what proportion of the official with the Government of Vietnam on his Department’s development assistance received by Cameroon his bilateral aid to that country prior to deciding to end Department’s bilateral aid comprised in the latest such bilateral aid; [47520] period for which figures are available. [47644] (2) what consultation he has had with (a) multilateral organisations active in and (b) other bilateral donors to Vietnam on the ending of his Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) Department’s bilateral aid programme to Vietnam; and considered which countries should receive UK bilateral on what date each such consultation took place; aid, how much they should receive and which countries [47521] should stop receiving this aid. The decision taken in 2008 to close the UK’s bilateral programme in Cameroon (3) in which year he expects his Department’s was confirmed as part of the BAR process. We are bilateral aid programme to Vietnam to close; and what continuing to discuss with the World Bank and the arrangements have been made for phasing the closure Government of Cameroon exit arrangements to help over a period of time. [47522] sustain and extend improvements in Cameroon’s forest sector management once our bilateral programme has Mr Andrew Mitchell: The bilateral aid relationship ended. We have extended the forest governance facility between Vietnam and the UK is based on a 10-year until 30 September 2011 to allow remaining programme Development Partnership Arrangement (DPA, 2006-16). activities to be completed. We will provide funding to Under the UK Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) process the the World Bank in Cameroon for a senior forestry decision was taken to end bilateral aid at the end of this adviser until the end of 2012 to provide technical advice DPA in 2016. The Department for International and policy guidance to the Government of Cameroon. Development (DFID) will continue to support Vietnam to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by targets in primary education, sanitation, and HIV and individual countries. Cameroon will continue to benefit AIDS, as well as focusing support on the key issues of from UK funding provided through the multilateral climate change, governance and accountability, and wealth development organisations. This amounted to £16 million creation. in 2008-09. 1099W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1100W

In 2009, Cameroon received $649 million in net official is that such small programmes often struggle to achieve development assistance. UK bilateral aid in that year sufficient impact, Lesotho is one of the highest per was £1.44 million (approximately $2.07 million)—less capita aid recipients in Africa. Even without the DFID than 1% of the total. bilateral programme, Lesotho will continue to receive more aid per person than most African countries, including Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for some which are far poorer in income terms. International Development (1) in which year his Senior DFID officials discussed these plans with the Department’s bilateral aid programme with Niger will Government of Lesotho in October 2010 and February close; what arrangements he has made for phasing in 2011. Future funding plans of other donors were assessed the closure of that programme; what discussions he prior to making our decision. had with (a) the government of Niger, (b) multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral donors to that The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by country prior to his decision on the future of the individual countries. Lesotho will continue to benefit from UK funding provided through the multilateral programme; and on what dates; [47640] development organisations. This amounted to £3.6 million (2) what proportion of the official development in 2008-09. assistance received by Niger his Department’s bilateral aid comprised in the latest period for which figures are In 2009-10 DFID’s bilateral programme to Lesotho available. [48027] totalled £3.2 million. This represented 4% of the £79 million official development assistance (ODA) received by Lesotho Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) in 2009. Total ODA to Lesotho has jumped since 2009— considered which countries should receive UK bilateral with local sources estimating disbursement of over £150 aid, how much they should receive and which countries million during 2010. should stop receiving this aid. The Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) bilateral programme Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for in Niger consisted of only one multi-donor education International Development in which year his project, funded through the French Development Agency, Department’s bilateral aid programme with Gambia which will end on 31 March 2011. The Bilateral Aid will close; what arrangements he has made for phasing Review found that scaling up our bilateral programme in the closure of that programme; what discussions he in Niger, where we have no existing office, would not be held with (a) the government of Gambia, (b) cost-effective and other donors are better placed to multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral continue working bilaterally in Niger. Discussions with donors to that country prior to his decision on the the Nigerian Government and other multilateral and future of the programme, and on what dates; and what bilateral partners were conducted through the delegated proportion of the official development assistance arrangement with France. As we have done in the past, received by Gambia his Department’s bilateral aid DFID remains ready to provide humanitarian assistance comprised in the latest period for which figures are to Niger if justified. available. [47642] The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by individual countries. Niger will continue to benefit from Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) UK funding provided through the multilateral development considered which countries should receive UK bilateral organisations. This amounted to £29.5 million in 2008-09. aid, how much they should receive and which countries should stop receiving this aid. The decision taken in In 2009, Niger received $470 million in net official 2008 to close the UK’s bilateral programme in The development assistance (ODA). UK bilateral aid comprised Gambia was confirmed as part of the BAR process. £3.96 million (approximately $5.6 million), or 1.2% of Since 2008 the UK Government have worked closely this total. with the Government of The Gambia and other donors to agree a responsible exit strategy to ensure that gains Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for made with DFID bilateral assistance are sustained and International Development in which year his extended into the future, including funding for a post in Department’s bilateral aid programme with Lesotho the European Commission office in Banjul. During the will close; what arrangements he has made for phasing course of the review I met the Gambia Minister of in the closure of that programme; what discussions he Finance. held with (a) the government of Lesotho, (b) multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by donors to that country prior to his decision on the individual countries. The Gambia will continue to benefit future of the programme, and on what dates; and what from UK funding provided through the multilateral proportion of the official development assistance development organisations. This amounted to £0.9 million received by Lesotho his Department’s bilateral aid in 2008-09. In 2009, The Gambia received $126 million comprised in the latest period for which figures are in net Official Development Assistance. UK bilateral available. [47641] aid comprised £2.39 million (approximately $3.4 million) or 2.7% of the total. Mr Andrew Mitchell: The decision to close the Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for bilateral aid programme with Lesotho on 31 August International Development in which year his 2011 was taken under the Bilateral Aid Review (BAR). Department’s bilateral aid programme with Cambodia DFID’s office in Lesotho will close on 31 March 2011. will close; what arrangements he has made for phasing All projects will come to an end as planned—none will in the closure of that programme; what discussions he be closed early. DFID’s bilateral programme represents held with (a) the government of Cambodia, (b) a small fraction of Lesotho’s overall aid. Our experience multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral 1101W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1102W donors to that country prior to his decision on the United States Agency for International Development future of the programme, and on what dates; and what (USAID) and the Belgian embassy—in June 2010. proportion of the official development assistance The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by received by Cambodia his Department’s bilateral aid individual countries. Burundi will continue to benefit comprised in the latest period for which figures are from UK funding provided through the multilateral available. [47643] development organisations. This amounted to £12.7 million in 2008-09. Mr Andrew Mitchell: A decision was made in 2009 to For the calendar year 2009, the most recent year for phase out the Department for International Development’s which figures are available, DFID support comprised (DFID) direct support to Cambodia. This was in keeping 2.6% of total donor aid to Burundi. with the original plan of having an in-country presence for 10 years, and confirmed by the Bilateral Aid Review. Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for The DFID office formally closed on 31 January 2011. International Development in which year his DFID agreed to honour all existing programme Department’s bilateral aid programme with Indonesia commitments and to exit responsibly from sectors in will close; what arrangements he has made for phasing which we were involved. Three projects will continue in the closure of that programme; what discussions he beyond the life of the office with the final project held with (a) the government of Indonesia, (b) scheduled to close on 31 December 2013. Management multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral of remaining programmes has been transferred to DFID donors to that country prior to his decision on the Vietnam. future of the programme, and on what dates; and what DFID’s bilateral spend in Cambodia for financial proportion of the official development assistance year 2010-11 stands at £14,555,299. This does not reflect received by Indonesia his Department’s bilateral aid any funding through central sources such as Civil Society comprised in the latest period for which figures are Challenge Funds or Regional Research Grants etc. available. [47646]

Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Andrew Mitchell: Indonesia is one of the world’s International Development in which year his fastest growing emerging economies, and over the next Department’s bilateral aid programme with Burundi period will transition from a traditional aid relationship will close; what arrangements he has made for phasing with the UK towards a new type of partnership. Under in the closure of that programme; what discussions he the Bilateral Aid Review, the Government decided to held with (a) the government of Burundi, (b) end the Department for International Development’s multilateral organisations and (c) other bilateral (DFID’s) bilateral aid programme in Indonesia in March donors to that country prior to his decision on the 2015. DFID programme funds to Indonesia will focus future of the programme, and on what dates; and what on climate change and decline over the final three years proportion of the official development assistance in a phased approach to closure. received by Burundi his Department’s bilateral aid DFID officials consulted with the Vice-Minister of comprised in the latest period for which figures are the Indonesian Ministry for Development Planning in available. [47645] November 2010 on DFID’s transition to a focus on climate change and to programme closure. The Government Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International consulted on closure with representatives in Indonesia Development’s (DFID’s) bilateral aid programme in of the United Nations and of Governments of Australia, Burundi will close in March 2012. This decision was Norway and Holland during January and February taken under the Bilateral Aid Review (BAR), which 2011. concluded that better value for money and results could The BAR also considered multilateral aid received by be delivered through our larger existing programmes individual countries. Indonesia will continue to benefit and regional support. from UK funding provided through the multilateral DFID Burundi has been working in four sectors—health, development organisations. This amounted to £24.5 million education, justice and regional integration. DFID is in in 2008-09. discussions with the European Union (EU) to transfer The 2010 Indonesia Country Report for the Paris programming in the health sector. The bulk of DFID’s Declaration for Aid Effectiveness shows DFID programme education funding is through a joint-donor basket fund funds contributed 0.4% of all bilateral aid to Indonesia with Belgium and France, which will continue following in 2010. DFID’s departure. The majority of funding for the justice sector is to an EU programme that will also Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for continue. From 2012, DFID will concentrate exclusively International Development what proportion of the on supporting Burundi’s integration into the East African official development assistance received by Vietnam his Community through regional funding, as we believe Department’s bilateral aid comprised in the latest this will be a critical factor in the country’s medium period for which figures are available. [48028] term growth. All remaining programmes will be coming to an end during the financial year 2011-12. No programmes Mr Andrew Mitchell: The latest period for which will be closed early. figures are available for comparison purposes is the Discussions about the closure of the bilateral programme 2009 calendar year. UK support to Vietnam over this were held with the Government of Burundi and other period was just over £60 million (equivalent to about partners in November 2010. Earlier discussions about $96 million), of which £4 million was debt relief. UK the likelihood and implications of closure were held assistance accounted for 2.56% of the net official with the two major bilateral donors in Burundi—the development assistance that Vietnam received. 1103W Written Answers22 MARCH 2011 Written Answers 1104W

Somalia: Overseas Aid for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). We will also work with the World Bank. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development with reference to his Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Department’s press release of 3 February 2011, on aid International Development with reference to his to Somalia, by what means his Department plans to Department’s press release of 3 February 2011, on aid help up to 45,000 people into jobs in that country. to Somalia, what proportion of the proposed increase [47721] in his Department’s aid for Somalia he estimates will be spent in (a) Somaliland, (b) Puntland and (c) southern Somalia. [47724] Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Development will work with UN agencies, the World Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Bank and other development partners to create an Development (DFID) has allocated £44 million to Somalia estimated 45,000 long-term jobs in Somalia, over the for 2011-12 and £46 million for 2012-13. Of this £90 million next four years. The programme will support people approximately 35% will go to Somaliland, 11% to Puntland working in the livestock, fisheries and agriculture sectors and 54% to South-Central Somalia. across Somalia. The programme will work with producers All allocations for 2013-15 will depend on results. We and service providers, and strengthen links between have provisionally allocated £80 million per year for producers and local and international markets. It will 2013-14 and 2014-15. Of the provisional total allocation also aim to improve the investment climate, initially in of £250 million for the period 2011-15, we plan to spend Somaliland. This will include helping to improve the 40% in Somaliland. The remaining funds will be allocated financial sector, port management, and the way government to other parts of Somalia depending on needs, opportunities engages with the private sector, including mobilising and progress. funds to invest in fisheries and other sectors. Somalia: Politics and Government Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions he International Development with reference to his has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Department’s press release of 3 February 2011, on aid Commonwealth Affairs on the merits of the to Somalia, with which organisations his Department recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. plans to work to deliver aid to that country. [47723] [47722] Mr O’Brien: The Secretary of State for International Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development is aware of the Secretary of State for Development (DFID) will initially channel the majority Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs’views from discussions of its funds for Somalia, from 2011-15, through the with the Department for International Development United Nations (UN), the International Committee of before the Secretary of State’s visit to Somaliland in the Red Cross and through international non-governmental January. The UK, like the rest of the international organisations (NGOs). We also expect to support Somali community, does not recognise Somaliland as an NGOs through international NGOs. independent state. While we keep this policy under Our UN partners will include the UN Children’s review, we continue to believe that recognition of any Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme new arrangement should begin in the region, ideally (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with the Somali people themselves determining their the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Office future relationship. 23MC Ministerial Corrections22 MARCH 2011 Ministerial Corrections 24MC

the rest of the world, but that will require the settlement Ministerial Correction of the nuclear issue, where the ball is firmly in Iran’s court. Until Iran negotiates seriously on that issue, the Tuesday 22 March 2011 international pressure on it will only increase. [Official Report, 17 March 2011, Vol. 525, c. 499-500.] Letter of correction from Mr William Hague: FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE An error has been identified in a statement given during my opening speech to the all day debate on North Africa North Africa and the Middle East and the Middle East on 17 March 2011. The following is an extract from the opening speech The correct statement should have been: given during the all day debate on North Africa and the Middle East by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Mr Hague: Iran, of course, is an exception to that. Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond Iran has shown breathtaking hypocrisy in claiming to (Yorks) (Mr Hague) on 17 March 2011. support freedom in the Arab world, while violently suppressing demonstrations and detaining opposition Mr Hague: Iran, of course, is an exception to that. leaders back home—acts that we deplore. We want Iran has shown breathtaking hypocrisy in claiming to Iranian citizens to enjoy full civil, political and human support freedom in the Arab world, while violently rights, and all the benefits of an open relationship with suppressing demonstrations and detaining opposition the rest of the world, but the latter will require the leaders back home—acts that we deplore. We want settlement of the nuclear issue, where the ball is firmly Iranian citizens to enjoy full civil, political and human in Iran’s court. Until Iran negotiates seriously on that rights, and all the benefits of an open relationship with issue, the international pressure on it will only increase.

ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY ...... 833 TREASURY—continued Budget Deficit...... 842 Looked-after Children (Saving Schemes) ...... 834 Budget Deficit...... 845 Manufacturing...... 838 Budget (Impact Assessments) ...... 843 Public Expenditure Reductions...... 841 Economic Growth...... 846 Topical Questions ...... 848 Employment (VAT Rise) ...... 837 VAT (Road Fuel)...... 835 Financial Regulation...... 833 VAT (Road Fuel)...... 845 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 49WS HEALTH...... 51WS Sunset Clauses (New Regulations) ...... 49WS UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy ..... 51WS

HOME DEPARTMENT...... 52WS DEFENCE...... 49WS Equality and Human Rights Commission...... 52WS Defence Business Services ...... 49WS EU Directive (Human Trafficking) ...... 52WS

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 50WS NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 53WS Consular Services (Fees) ...... 50WS “Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 - Review of Torture and Mistreatment Reporting Guidance..... 51WS Temporary Recruitment Provisions”...... 53WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 905W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate: Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 1090W Finance...... 905W Prisons: Higher Education ...... 1090W Regional Growth Fund ...... 1095W Repayable Launch Investment ...... 1095W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 1066W Science: Females ...... 1096W Angel Investors ...... 1066W Squatting ...... 1096W Apollo Group and University of Phoenix ...... 1066W Telephone Services...... 1096W Apprentices: Females ...... 1066W Vocational Guidance...... 1097W Apprentices: Totnes...... 1067W Voluntary Work and Charitable Donations...... 1097W Arms Trade...... 1068W Arms Trade: Africa ...... 1069W Beer: Competition...... 1069W CABINET OFFICE...... 894W Business: Government Assistance ...... 1070W Cabinet Committees: Sustainable Development .... 894W Business: Regulation ...... 1070W Census ...... 894W Business: Rural Areas ...... 1070W Charities Act 2006...... 896W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 1071W Departmental Assets...... 897W Departmental Pay ...... 1072W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 897W Departmental Policy ...... 1074W Departmental Secondment ...... 897W Departmental Press: Subscriptions ...... 1074W EU Law: Parliamentary Scrutiny ...... 898W Departmental Public Bodies ...... 1074W Government Departments: ICT ...... 898W Economic Growth: Birmingham...... 1075W Higher Education: Finance ...... 898W Employment ...... 1076W Ministerial Policy Advisers: Pay...... 899W European Southern Observatory...... 1076W Public Sector: Property ...... 899W Further Education ...... 1077W Voluntary Work: Young People...... 899W Graduates: Medicine and Science ...... 1086W Green Investment Bank ...... 1083W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 908W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 1083W Departmental Food...... 908W Higher Education: Anti-Semitism...... 1083W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 909W Lasers: Children...... 1085W Departmental Official Hospitality...... 910W Loans...... 1085W Departmental Public Appointments...... 910W Overseas Trade...... 1087W Departmental Regulation...... 911W Overseas Trade: Brazil ...... 1088W Departmental Security ...... 912W Overseas Trade: India ...... 1089W Disabled Facilities Grants ...... 912W Overseas Trade: Russia ...... 1089W Families ...... 912W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— EDUCATION—continued continued Departmental Procurement...... 1032W Fire Services...... 913W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 1032W Housing: Construction...... 913W Departmental Rail Travel...... 1033W Housing: Finance...... 914W Departmental Regulation...... 1034W Judicial Review ...... 914W Departmental Telephone Services ...... 1033W Judicial Review: Legal Costs ...... 915W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 1035W Local Government Finance ...... 915W Education: Ofsted ...... 1035W Local Government Finance: Islington...... 915W Education: Public Expenditure ...... 1035W Local Government Resource Review...... 916W Educational Psychology...... 1036W Local Government: Translation Services...... 916W Free School Meals...... 1036W Non-domestic Rates...... 916W Free Schools: Lancashire ...... 1037W Non-domestic Rates: Third Sector ...... 917W Free Schools: Norwich...... 1037W Oldham Council: Pay...... 918W Further Education: Finance...... 1037W Voluntary Organisations: Playing Fields ...... 918W GCSE ...... 1038W Waste Management...... 919W Members: Correspondence ...... 1039W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 919W Music: International Baccalaureate...... 1039W Pupil Exclusions...... 1040W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 899W Pupil Exclusions: West Midlands ...... 1039W Arts Council England ...... 900W Pupils: Bullying...... 1041W Arts Council England: Expenditure ...... 900W Pupils: Disadvantaged...... 1041W Arts Council England: Flowers...... 900W Pupils: Per Capita Costs...... 1043W BBC ...... 901W Religion: Education ...... 1043W BBC: Radio...... 901W Schools: Biometrics...... 1043W British Sky Broadcasting...... 901W Schools: Bradford ...... 1044W Broadband ...... 902W Schools: Discretionary Learner Support Fund ...... 1044W Creative Economy Programme Ministerial Board.. 899W Schools: Drugs...... 1044W Fibre Networks...... 902W Schools: Finance...... 1045W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 903W Schools: Rural Areas...... 1045W Public Bodies Reform Programme ...... 903W Schools: Sports ...... 1045W Squatting ...... 903W Sixth Form Education: Repairs and Maintenance.. 1048W Theatre...... 903W Sixth-form Colleges: Capital Investment...... 1048W Tourism...... 904W Special Educational Needs...... 1050W Video Games: Children...... 904W Students: Attendance ...... 1051W Video Relay Service...... 904W Teachers: Pay ...... 1052W Teachers: Redundancy ...... 1052W DEFENCE...... 942W University Technical College: Houghton Regis ...... 1052W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 942W Vocational Guidance...... 1052W Animal Welfare Advisory Committee ...... 942W Westminster Academy...... 1053W Armed Forces: Discharges ...... 942W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 1054W Armed Forces: Recruitment ...... 942W Armed Forces: Redundancy...... 942W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 893W Armed Forces: Young People...... 943W Stress...... 893W Departmental Ministerial Special Advisers ...... 943W Third Sector...... 893W Departmental Pay ...... 944W Departmental Private Finance Initiative ...... 944W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 889W Departmental Public Appointments...... 944W Departmental Lights...... 889W Departmental Rail Travel...... 945W Departmental Public Bodies ...... 890W Departmental Regulation...... 945W Departmental Theft ...... 890W Hotels ...... 945W Electricity Generation...... 890W Military Aircraft ...... 946W Nuclear Power Stations...... 891W Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency. 947W Nuclear Power Stations: Emergencies ...... 891W Radioactive Waste...... 947W Oil: Industry ...... 891W Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport...... 947W Renewable Energy...... 892W Sealand ...... 948W Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs...... 892W Trident ...... 948W Wind Power ...... 893W

EDUCATION...... 1023W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Academies...... 1023W AFFAIRS...... 919W Academies: Rotherham...... 1024W Aggregates Levy...... 919W Adoption ...... 1024W Birds: Conservation ...... 920W Building Schools for the Future Programme ...... 1024W Birds of Prey...... 920W CAFCASS ...... 1025W Cheese...... 921W Children: Finance ...... 1025W Dairy Farming ...... 922W Children: Missing Persons...... 1026W Departmental Land ...... 923W Children: Protection...... 1026W Forests ...... 923W Children: Separation ...... 1030W Nappies: Waste Disposal...... 924W Connexions ...... 1030W National Wildlife Crime Unit ...... 924W Departmental Billing ...... 1031W Petrol Stations and Garages: Health Hazards ...... 924W Departmental Land ...... 1031W Waste Disposal ...... 925W Departmental Manpower...... 1032W Water Supply ...... 926W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 954W HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Bahrain: Human Rights...... 954W Metals: Theft ...... 939W BBC World Service ...... 954W Military Aircraft: Fuels...... 940W Bosnia and Herzegovina: Anniversaries...... 954W Public Bodies Reform Programme ...... 940W Cote d’Ivoire: Politics and Government ...... 955W Robbery ...... 941W Democratic Republic of Congo: Females...... 955W Smuggling: Fuels...... 941W Departmental Public Appointments...... 956W Stress...... 941W Departmental Rail Travel...... 956W Egypt: Politics and Government ...... 957W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 1097W Indonesia: Religious Freedom...... 957W Overseas Aid...... 1097W Japan: Tsunami ...... 957W Somalia: Overseas Aid ...... 1103W Libya...... 958W Somalia: Politics and Government ...... 1104W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 958W Middle East: Politics and Government...... 958W JUSTICE...... 971W Pakistan: Religious Freedom...... 959W Bailiffs...... 971W Palestinians: Overseas Aid ...... 960W Boundary Disputes ...... 971W Population ...... 960W British Sign Language...... 972W Serbia: War Crimes ...... 961W Departmental Compensation...... 972W USA: Visits ...... 961W Driving under Influence: Sentencing...... 973W Voluntary Work ...... 961W Employment and Support Allowance: Tribunals.... 995W Zimbabwe: Politics and Government ...... 962W Employment Tribunals Service: Trade Unions ...... 996W European Convention on Human Rights...... 999W HEALTH...... 1007W Immigration: Judges...... 999W Blood : Diseases...... 1007W Interim Possession Orders...... 999W Blood: Contamination ...... 1008W Knives: Convictions ...... 1004W Brain Cancer: Children ...... 1008W Magistrates ...... 1005W Cancer ...... 1009W Plants...... 1006W Cataracts Treatment...... 1010W Public Bodies Reform Programme ...... 1007W Commission on Assisted Dying ...... 1010W Equality and Excellence: Liberating the NHS...... 1010W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 905W Freedom of Information ...... 1007W Local Government: Electronic Government...... 905W Health Education: Schools...... 1010W Health Services ...... 1011W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 889W Health Services: Privatisation...... 1011W Anti-Semitism...... 889W Heart Diseases: Children...... 1011W Bill of Rights ...... 889W Heart Diseases: Surgery ...... 1012W Histiocytosis ...... 1012W PRIME MINISTER...... 906W HIV Infection ...... 1013W Alcoholic Drinks ...... 906W Meat: Hygiene...... 1013W British Sky Broadcasting: News Corporation...... 906W Medicine: Education...... 1014W USA...... 906W NHS: Accountability ...... 1016W NHS: Contracts ...... 1017W SCOTLAND...... 906W NHS: Performance Standards...... 1017W Alcoholic Drinks...... 906W NHS: Surgery ...... 1018W Departmental Plants ...... 906W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 1018W Departmental Theft ...... 907W Respiratory System: Children ...... 1018W Stress...... 907W South London NHS Trust...... 1021W Third Sector...... 907W Squatting ...... 1022W Tobacco: Young People...... 1022W TRANSPORT ...... 1054W Aviation: Security...... 1054W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 928W Biofuels: EU Law...... 1054W Alcoholic Drinks: Fixed Penalties...... 928W BRB (Residuary): Finance ...... 1055W Asylum ...... 929W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 1055W Asylum: Finance...... 929W Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee: Asylum: Scotland...... 930W Finance...... 1055W Avi Benayahu...... 931W First Great Western...... 1056W Children: Protection...... 931W Highways Agency: Finance...... 1056W Crime: Motor Vehicles ...... 932W Large Goods Vehicles: Driving Offences ...... 1056W Cybercrime ...... 933W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 1056W Departmental Compensation...... 933W Piracy: Horn of Africa...... 1057W Deportation: Finance...... 934W Piracy: Somalia ...... 1057W Detention Centres: Children ...... 934W Railways: Construction...... 1057W Drug Seizures: Northern Ireland...... 935W Railways: Fees and Charges ...... 1062W Drugs: Young People ...... 935W Railways: Finance ...... 1062W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 935W Railways: Greater London ...... 1063W Forensic Science...... 936W Rescue Services: Helicopters ...... 1063W Forensic Science: Terrorism...... 937W Rolling Stock: Safety...... 1063W Human Trafficking ...... 938W Sea Rescue ...... 1064W Identity and Passport Service: Ripon...... 939W Small Businesses: Regulation ...... 1065W Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Missing Transport: Sustainable Development ...... 1065W Persons ...... 939W West Coast Railway Line: Construction...... 1065W Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY ...... 949W TREASURY—continued Bank Bonuses ...... 950W VAT: Retail Industry...... 951W Economic Growth: Kent ...... 950W Excise Duties: Fuels ...... 951W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 962W HM Revenue and Customs ...... 950W Apprentices: Middlesbrough...... 962W Income Tax: Underpayments ...... 951W Children: Maintenance ...... 962W Individual Savings Accounts: Children ...... 951W Children: Poverty ...... 963W Inflation...... 949W Departmental Procurement...... 963W Manufacturing...... 950W Disability Living Allowance...... 964W Means-tested Benefits ...... 952W Employers’ Liability Insurance ...... 965W Members: Correspondence ...... 952W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 965W Non-domestic Rates: Empty Property...... 953W Personal Pensions ...... 966W Petrol Prices ...... 949W Social Security Benefits...... 967W Public Expenditure Reductions...... 949W Special Educational Needs...... 967W Public Sector: Pensions ...... 953W State Retirement Pensions...... 968W Tax Allowances: Married People...... 953W Universal Credit...... 968W Taxation: Football ...... 953W Welfare State: Reform ...... 970W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Tuesday 22 March 2011

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not later than Tuesday 29 March 2011

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CONTENTS

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 833] [see index inside back page] Chancellor of the Exchequer

Student Visas [Col. 855] Statement—(Mrs May)

Dangerous and Reckless Cycling (Offences) [Col. 875] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Andrea Leadsom)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Budget Responsibility and National Audit Bill [Lords] [Col. 878] As amended, considered Read the Third time and passed

Petition [Col. 923]

Driving Test Centres (Closure) [Col. 924] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Royal Assent to Acts passed [Col. 930]

Westminster Hall Promotion of Women in Business [Col. 181WH] Regional Development (North-East) [Col. 204WH] Pakistan [Col. 230WH] Cross-border Child Custody [Col. 239WH] Civil Recovery (England and Wales) [Col. 248WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 49WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 889W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 23MC]