Thursday Volume 573 9 January 2014 No. 101

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 9 January 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 427 9 JANUARY 2014 428

Dan Rogerson: thank the hon. Gentleman for bringing House of Commons a cultural dimension to our proceedings so early this morning. I share his concern, and that of John Clare, for ancient woodland, and that is why the guidance is Thursday 9 January 2014 very clear. In any discussions about development, the guidance we offer to all local authorities is very clear The House met at half-past Nine o’clock that ancient woodland should be protected. Mr Speaker: Not for nothing is the hon. Gentleman PRAYERS known as culture vulture Sheerman.

Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Which tree [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] species does the Minister regard as most at risk from disease?

Dan Rogerson: There are a number of threats, as my Oral Answers to Questions hon. Friend will know. We are of course concerned about ash, although ash dieback is a disease that takes several years to progress, and we are obviously concerned about larch as well. Across the range of species, we ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS maintain under review all potential threats that are not yet in this country. The Secretary of State was asked— Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): I want to press Tree Diseases the Minister on the issue of protecting our ancient woodlands. Today’s written ministerial statement talks 1. Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): What steps he is about planting lots of new trees, but does he accept that taking to safeguard trees from the threat of disease. that is no replacement for the destruction of ancient [901854 trees? The quantity of new trees will not be a substitute for the diversity and quality of such woodland. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): Dan Rogerson: The hon. Lady is absolutely right to We have made rapid progress towards implementing point out that, given the maturity of such ecosystems, three of taskforce’s recommendations: ancient woodland has a whole range of things that new we have produced a prioritised plant health risk register, planting cannot hope to replicate. That is why the undertaken work on contingency planning and initiated planning guidance is absolutely clear that the hierarchy recruitment of a senior chief plant health officer. We should protect ancient woodland. have accepted the remaining taskforce recommendations, and we are working with stakeholders to develop a new Farming Industry (Red Tape) plant health strategy, to be published this spring, which will set out a new approach to biosecurity for our 2. Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): What assessment plants. he has made of the scope for cutting red tape in the farming industry. [901855] Sir Tony Baldry: Is my hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient attention is being given to import checks? Are The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for we doing sufficient to help other countries manage the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): risks of pests and diseases that may be transferred in We are committed to freeing farmers from red tape to plants and woods exported to the UK, and how are we help them to seize economic opportunities. We are agreeing priorities for action? reducing paperwork burdens and making guidance clearer and simpler. Farmers who play by the rules now receive Dan Rogerson: I thank my right hon. Friend for his fewer inspections. For example, 740 members of the question. We have introduced further restrictions on, Environment Agency’s pig and poultry scheme are inspected for example, the import of sweet chestnut and plane once every three years, rather than annually. I expect to trees before the 2013-14 planting season. Our negotiators make an announcement shortly on further opportunities are successfully influencing the review of the EU plant for cutting red tape as a result of the agriculture red health regime, which will maintain strict controls and tape challenge. simplify the broad range of legislation. Nigel Mills: I thank the Minister for that answer, but Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The for many farmers in my constituency overly complex Minister will know that this year is the 150th anniversary livestock identification and movement controls remain of the death of one of our greatest poets of the countryside, a burden on their businesses. What plans does the John Clare. He wrote a great deal about diseased trees— Minister have to simplify this regime? there was a plague of oak disease in his lifetime—and he was certainly a great defender of the English countryside. George Eustice: My hon. Friend makes a good point. What does the Minister think John Clare would have Considerable progress has already been made on livestock thought of giving up our ancient woodland and replacing identification and the complex rules governing animal it with new growth? movements. We introduced electronic reporting for pigs 429 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 430 in 2011, and we will do the same for sheep from the The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and spring. We have negotiated changes to the EU sheep Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): About 5 million tagging rules for the historic flock, generating savings of properties in are at risk of flooding. The flood up to £11 million for sheep farmers. We will also implement defences protected more than 1 million properties during the recommendations made by the farming regulation recent events. More is being spent during this spending taskforce to simplify how we define livestock holdings review period than ever before. That will better protect in England to avoid confusion around the rules, and we 165,000 houses from flooding. In the six-year period will phase out cattle tracing links and sole occupancy from 2015-16, we will invest a record £2.3 billion in authorities to further streamline the regime. capital improvement projects, which will improve the protection for a further 300,000 households. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Will the Minister confirm that one matter that is not red tape is the Bill Esterson: That is a remarkable answer, given that establishment of a food crime unit? Will he indicate on 9 September, the former Minister, the hon. Member when he intends to do that and how he will discuss the for Newbury (), told my hon. Friend matter with the devolved Administrations, particularly the Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) that total that in ? expenditure on flood defences was projected to fall from £646 million in 2010-11 to £546 million in 2015-16. George Eustice: The right hon. Gentleman is referring Given those figures and the scale of the recent flooding, to the interim report by Professor Elliott. We will look will the Secretary of State say how flood defences such at all his recommendations and respond to the final as those in my constituency will be repaired? Will he report when it is published later this year. confirm whether he will press for additional funds for flood defence repairs? (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): Farmers in Cumbria and elsewhere have their hands tied by excessive restrictions, such as the six-day movement Mr Paterson: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman rule. Given that the Government agreed in full to the for his question, because it gives me the chance to tell recommendations of the Macdonald report two years the House, yet again, that the Government are spending ago, when will farmers in this country see them put into more in this spending round than was spent by the practice? previous Government and that we plan to increase the amount to a record £2.3 billion up to 2021. Thanks to the fact that we have galvanised local councils through George Eustice: It is difficult to remove the six-day the partnership funding scheme, there will be all sorts of movement rule because it was a key measure that was opportunities for his constituents to work with him and brought in to combat the spread of diseases such as foot his local council to access more funds for flood schemes. and mouth. We are clear that we want to get rid of unnecessary regulation, but we do not want to do anything that would compromise animal health or safety. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): It is I am willing to talk to the hon. Gentleman about this remarkable that the flood defences have held to the particular point. It has been raised with me by farmers. extent that they have during the battering that the However, it is not a simple matter because we do not country has taken. Will my right hon. Friend give a want to jeopardise animal health. commitment to the House that he will review the budget for repairs to existing flood defences and look favourably Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): Wholly on schemes such as the maintenance by drainage boards disproportionate financial penalties for minor and often of the regular watercourses that protect farmland and unavoidable regulatory infringements, such as lost ear other properties? tags, have been a characteristic of the common agricultural policy in recent years. What guarantee can the Minister Mr Paterson: I thank the Chairman of the Environment, give that the new regime will distinguish between wilful Food and Rural Affairs Committee for her question. disregard of the rules and the unintentional and What she says about maintenance is absolutely correct. inconsequential infringements that are currently being In November, it was found that 97% of the defences penalised? were in a good condition and would remain so within our existing budgets. I repeat again that we have made a George Eustice: These issues are a devolved matter. clear commitment up to 2021. I would love to see the We are looking at the rules in England. The hon. Lady shadow Secretary of State stand up and say that the is right, although the EU regulations do emphasise the Labour party will back that commitment. need for proportionality in the application of sanctions. The regulations are being reviewed. We are making the case to the European Commission that there should be 10. [901866] Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab): changes to the rules from the beginning of 2015 so that Although there were major flood alerts, there was a the sanctions are more proportionate. The negotiations lucky escape for the vast majority of residents of my are ongoing. constituency. I thank all those involved, particularly Natural Resources Wales, which has improved defences in recent years and, crucially, ensured that there have Flood Defences been no flood protection job losses. Given how severely Wales was affected by the floods, the size of our 3. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What recent coastline and our exposure, will the Secretary of State assessment he has made of the sufficiency of flood consult the Welsh Government closely about the defences; and if he will make a statement. [901856] resource to be given to Wales in the future? 431 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 432

Mr Paterson: I thank the hon. Lady for her comments recent reduction across Departments I specifically excluded about those who have worked so hard, and that situation flood defence, so the reduction is spread across the rest was reflected across the country. As she rightly says, of DEFRA. Uniquely, we have a programme going this is a devolved issue, and the Welsh Secretary and right out to 2021, with £2.3 billion. Yet again—this is representatives of the Welsh Government have obviously the fifth opportunity—the hon. Lady has not agreed to been involved in our numerous Cobra meetings. I will match our commitment. If you want flood defences, be happy to pass on her comments, but I suggest that you vote Conservative. she takes up the matter directly with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Secretary. Mr (South West Devon) (Con): Every time—[Interruption.] Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): The Secretary of State will be aware of the extensive damage along Mr Speaker: Order. I want to hear the voice of South the coastline, particularly in Ceredigion in West Devon. the Aberystwyth and Borth areas. Flooding is a devolved Mr Streeter: Every time we have floods in the far matter, as he says, but is the prospect of a bid to the south-west, our vital rail link with the rest of the European Union solidarity fund, specifically set up for country is either severed completely or severely disrupted. the restoration of defences and infrastructure, a feature Is my right hon. Friend confident that, within the of the discussions that he has had and will have with existing resources and his excellent existing budget in colleagues in Cardiff and the Secretary of State for the Department, sufficient priority is being given to Wales? flood prevention measures for vital transport infrastructure? Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend makes a good suggestion, Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend makes an important which is well worth the Welsh Government and the point. When I went to Exeter, I saw the real damage to Welsh Secretary taking up. We are happy to help liaise the economy of the south-west caused by the important with him, but ultimately we have to respect devolution, link to Exeter being interrupted by floods last year. I and if it is an issue of money for Wales, it is down to the can reassure him that there have been senior Ministers Welsh Government to negotiate it. from the Department for Transport at our Cobra meetings, (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): When and they are fully aware of the consequences and have he became Secretary of State in September 2012, the been working hard to ensure that our transport links right hon. Gentleman reviewed his Department’s priorities. have been restored rapidly. Why did his new list of four priorities make no reference Badger Cull Pilots to preparing for and managing risks from flood and other environmental emergencies, as the old list of 4. Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): priorities and responsibilities had done? What his Department’s latest evaluation is of the badger cull pilots. [901857] Mr Paterson: That gives me a perfect opportunity to explain the huge gain for the economy from our ambitious The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and flood schemes. Very shortly after I took over, I met the Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): We are waiting for noble Lord Smith, the chairman of the Environment the independent expert panel to report its findings, and Agency, at a brilliant £45 million scheme in Nottingham, we will consider all information the pilots have generated which was not just protecting 12,000 houses but, on the and decide on our next steps in due course. other side of the river, freeing up a whole area of blighted land, which is now up for development. Jim Fitzpatrick: Everybody wants bovine TB to be defeated, but there is great scepticism out there that this My first priority is to grow the rural economy, and I tactic was ever going to work. Will the Secretary of am delighted to say that our ambitious schemes will State say when we can expect all the evidence to be help to do that. I just wish that, in her second question, published on the risks associated with culling? the hon. Lady would say the Labour party endorse our plans. Mr Paterson: That is a perfectly valid question but we must wait for the independent panel. That panel is Maria Eagle: When asked by the Select Committee independent and I do not want to put any pressure on on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where the it. It has a large amount of data from the two pilots that £54 million of extra savings from his departmental it will analyse for safety, humaneness and effectiveness. budget announced by the Treasury in June 2013 would We must be patient and wait for it to report. come from, he said: “We will concentrate on my four priorities, so it is as simple as Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): The Secretary that. Pretty well every single activity in Defra has to be focused of State is to be congratulated on taking action to hold through those four priorities.” the pilot culls, but it is now necessary to analyse them Those priorities do not include flood protection. How and in particular to look at the Somerset scheme, where can people facing an increasing risk of flood damage trapping was very effective. In Devon we need a full-scale due to the effects of climate change have any confidence cull to get control of this disease, as they have done in in a Secretary of State who has downgraded flood the Republic of Ireland. protection as a priority and thinks that climate change is benefiting Britain? Mr Paterson: I thank my hon. Friend for his comments and he is right to say that we cannot ignore this disease, Mr Paterson: Dear, oh dear, this is lame stuff. We are as the previous Government did. He is absolutely right spending £2.3 billion over the course of this Parliament, to draw the House’s attention to the Republic of Ireland. with £148 million of partnership money. We have an I met Simon Coveney, the Irish Minister for Agriculture, extra £5 million for revenue, and in the course of the Food and the Marine, at the Oxford Farming Conference, 433 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 434 and he told me that thanks to the policies adopted by think again and consider supporting Labour’s proposals the Republic of Ireland, the disease there is at its lowest to introduce a reduced social tariff to help families who level since records began. are struggling to pay their water bills?

Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Secretary Dan Rogerson: As I made absolutely clear to the hon. of State has delivered an unscientific cull that has Gentleman in my previous answer, many water companies spectacularly failed, that his own Back Benchers are are now taking such action, but there are other things openly questioning, that has weakened the reputation we can do to help people who are struggling with their of DEFRA and Natural England for evidence-based water bills. The biggest thing we can do is to ensure that policy, and from which the Prime Minister’s office is we bear down on charges for everybody. My right hon. reported to be working up an escape plan. Will he now Friend the Secretary of State has been clear in his commit to bring the report of the independent expert expectations, Ofwat has been clear in the way it has panel to this House for a debate in Government time, entered into the price review period and companies are and put to a vote any further proposals on badger now responding. We will see, in the vast majority of culling? cases, bills going with inflation or even perhaps, in some cases, going below inflation. That is a real improvement Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for on the last price review period, given the opportunities his question but I remind him that last time this issue companies have had with low borrowing. came before the House, the Government had a good majority of 61. I am not prepared to put any pressure Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): on the independent panel; it is up to it to take its time to Water bills have increased by almost 50% in real terms evaluate the evidence and report to us, and we will come since privatisation, yet in the past financial year the back in due course. regional water companies made £1.9 billion in pre-tax profits and paid out a staggering £1.8 billion to shareholders. Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): If the panel finds that Will the Minister explain why on Monday his Government the pilots were ineffective, what will the Government rejected Labour’s proposed amendment to the Water do? Bill for a national affordability scheme with clear and standardised criteria set by the Secretary of State to Mr Paterson: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. replace the Government’s failed voluntary approach? We will obviously analyse the reasons the panel puts forth in its report. He asks a hypothetical question, and Dan Rogerson: I am happy to reiterate to the hon. all I can say is that we just have to look at other Gentleman what I said on Report on Monday. His countries. There is no doubt that if we look at Australia, proposal to fund some sort of national affordability the scientific evidence shows that it is now TB free. We scheme out of excess profits relies on the regulator can look at the United States and the white-tailed deer, allowing excess profits in the first place. This Government’s the brushtail possum in New Zealand, or Ireland, which robust price review period will press down. Under the I have just cited. The Republic of Ireland is a scientific, previous Government, when the previous spending review practical example because by bearing down on the took place, there was a lack of guidance. It is a very disease in cattle and in wildlife, it has got it down to the different situation now. lowest level since records began. We will follow its example. Bovine TB

Water Companies (Social Tariffs) 6. Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): How many cattle were slaughtered as a result of bovine TB in 2013. [901859] 5. Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): What progress he has made in requiring water companies to The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and introduce social tariffs; and if he will make a statement. Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): Between January [901858] and September 2013, 24,618 cattle were compulsorily slaughtered as reactors or direct contacts in Great Britain. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and That is an average of more than 90 cattle a day. In Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): The Government do Staffordshire over the same period, 2,245 cattle were not require water companies to introduce a social tariff. slaughtered for TB control purposes. Water companies are best placed to take decisions on the design of social tariffs as part of their charges Andrew Griffiths: Each one of those instances is a schemes, in consultation with their customers. Social tragedy. Farmers in Burton, Uttoxeter and across the tariffs are funded by cross-subsidy between customers, country are having their lifetime’s work destroyed by so it is vital that they take account of local circumstances this disease. Does the Secretary of State share my and the views of local people. Most water companies concern that the Opposition seem to criticise constantly will have a social tariff in place by 2015-16. the work to tackle this disease, while having no plans of their own and offering no support to my farmers? Grahame M. Morris: I am grateful to the Minister for that answer but I draw his attention to the fact that a Mr Paterson: I entirely endorse my hon. Friend’s cost of living crisis is affecting about 2 million households comments, particularly as my constituency is so close to in England and Wales who are classed as living in water his. Having got this disease down to 0.01% in 1972 when poverty, which means they are paying at least 3% of we had a bipartisan approach—in those days, there was their household income in water bills. Will the Government absolute unity on the need to bear down on the disease 435 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 436 in cattle and in wildlife—it is tragic that we let that go. those who may otherwise struggle. Food aid providers Since then, 305,000 perfectly healthy cattle have been are local organisations responding to specific community hauled off to slaughter at a cost of £500 million. If we needs. It is not the Government’s role to tell these do not get a grip on this, as my hon. Friend says, we are organisations how best to run the service they provide. heading for a bill of £1 billion. We just wish that we could get back to that bipartisan approach, which has Mr Cunningham: The Minister will be aware that care been endorsed by every other country I cited in my professionals issue food bank vouchers to those they previous answer. identify as being in crisis, but I am concerned that many people are not accessing food banks, either because David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): TB is causing they cannot contact care professionals because of mobility chaos in the county of Monmouthshire. Does my right or disability issues or because they are not aware that hon. Friend agree that we need a completely open-minded they are eligible. Will he take steps to ensure that people and united approach? If culling works, then all sides of are made aware of food bank services and are encouraged the House should support it. If it does not work, after to use them if they are in food poverty? we have seen the independent survey, we should unite in supporting an alternative. George Eustice: Different food banks take different approaches. Some give one-off support for an immediate Mr Paterson: I have to respect the rules of devolution crisis, and many have people coming through only once and the Welsh Government are pursuing a vaccination or twice in six months, while others enable people to policy. Our belief is that vaccination is, sadly, expensive self-refer if they have not been referred by social services and pointless on diseased animals. There is an interesting or other agencies. There is a range of different approaches, role for ring vaccination once the pool of disease has therefore, and the Government would be reluctant to been reduced, and I think we can probably learn from start interfering with these charities and telling them both areas. how to run their services. They are on the ground and developing policies to deal with these problems. Elliott Review Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): What discussions 7. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): What has the Minister’s Department had with the Department plans he has to propose changes to the responsibilities for Work and Pensions about the latter’s decision to of the Food Standards Agency following the Elliott remove from forms the tick-box indicating that people review into the integrity and assurance of food supply might be going to food banks because of benefits networks. [901861] changes? Should we not know why people are going to food banks and should his Department not be saying so The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and to the DWP? Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): This is an interim report which Professor Elliott plans to discuss further George Eustice: On delays to benefits payments, the with interested parties in the coming months. The DWP’s performance has improved: 90% of payments Government are interested in hearing the views of others, are now made within the time scale set out. Benefits as we consider all of Professor Elliott’s interim matters are for the DWP. My Department deals with recommendations, before responding to his final report food, and I am happy to talk about food prices and in the spring. food inflation, but I will not interfere in benefits policy.

Mrs Glindon: Given the emphasis on criminality in Environmental Permitting Regulations the food chain in the Elliott review, what are the Government doing to ensure that unscrupulous people 9. Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): who deliberately defraud the public will be brought to Whether his Department has any plans to strengthen justice? the enforcement provisions of the 2010 environmental permitting regulations. [901865] Mr Paterson: The hon. Lady makes an important point. I can tell her that investigations continue at a The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and number of sites across the UK. The City of Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): There are no current police are the co-ordinating police force for all of those proposals to alter the enforcement provisions of the investigations and five arrests have been made. The 2010 environmental permitting regulations. The 2010 Food Standards Agency continues to liaise with the regulations and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 City of London police and, through them, is sharing together provide a range of enforcement powers at information on UK investigations with Europol. regulated and illegal sites. I would consider the case for strengthening these or other regulatory provisions if Food Banks there is evidence that exercising them is proving insufficient in preventing harm to health and the environment. 8. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): What assessment he has made of how easy it is to Robert Neill: If the Minister wants evidence, would access and use food banks. [901864] he like to look at the waste-for-fuel site in my constituency, which has so far had 15 fires in the past two years, at a The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for cost of £568,000 to the fire service and 1,900 hours of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): firefighters’ time—more than the clear-up cost of removing No such assessment has been made. I welcome the work this rogue operator—and where repeated attempts by of charities providing access to nutritious meals to the Environment Agency to secure an injunction have 437 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 438 so far failed? Will he press the agency to honour its Mr Paterson: I enjoyed the visit with my hon. Friend. commitment to give my constituents the results of toxicity It was astonishing to see that that was a one-in-500-years testing on that site? incident. I totally endorse his view that there should be involvement of local people. I am happy for him to Dan Rogerson: I am happy to pass on that request to write to me, and we can negotiate with the Environment the Environment Agency. As the hon. Gentleman knows, Agency. I strongly urge him to get his local councils I have met him and local representatives to consider involved so that they can participate in our partnership what is occurring at that site, and subsequently I met regime. the chairman and chief executive of the Environment Agency specifically to talk about how it could intervene earlier on new or untested operators to prevent these Topical Questions vast amounts of material from appearing on sites such as the one in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. As he T1. [901843] Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): If he will knows, however, there is an action at the High Court, make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. and there is now a deadline to clear the site by 1 May. The agency will have to respect that in the enforcement The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and action it takes. Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): DEFRA’s priorities are growing the rural economy, improving the environment Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): The waste and safeguarding animal and plant health. As the country gasification plant proposed at the Brookfield site on the continues to experience significant flooding, I would edge of Corby is causing great local concern. Will the like to thank the emergency services, the Environment Minister assure me that any changes to the environmental Agency, local authorities and public utilities for their permitting regulations will not prejudice the proper tireless work in seeking to safeguard both life and planning process by allowing a waste permit to be property. Despite those valiant efforts, eight people issued in advance of planning consent being received? have lost their lives as a result of the severe weather conditions over the Christmas and new year period. I Dan Rogerson: As I believe the hon. Gentleman is know the House will want to join me in extending our aware, we have been consulting on how the planning deepest sympathies to their families and friends. With and permitting processes can be better aligned. If he water levels still rising in many areas, I ask the public to would like to raise with me specific problems regarding continue to take heed of the Environment Agency’s that potential development, I would be happy to hear warnings. We must remain vigilant. I shall chair a from him by letter. further Cobra meeting this afternoon.

Flooding (Northern Lincolnshire) Lyn Brown: Children growing up near busy roads in West Ham are, because of the quality of air that they breathe, likely to enter adulthood with smaller lungs. 11. (Cleethorpes) (Con): What Now that the Secretary of State has abandoned proposals reports he has received on the recent floods in northern to reduce air quality monitoring—a decision roundly Lincolnshire; and what discussions he has had with the condemned by professionals—will he explain what action Environment Agency on its plans to improve flood he is going to take to deal with this growing public defences. [901867] health crisis?

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): I visited my hon. raising an important question about what is a real and Friend’s constituency on 7 December and saw some of growing problem in certain conurbations. In fairness, the damage caused. The flooding caused an estimated however, it is exactly the opposite of what she says, as £40 million-worth of damages to Immingham docks. we are consulting on how to bring in more effective The Environment Agency is currently updating its Humber regimes. She has raised a key question that affects large flood risk management strategy, which looks at long-term numbers of people. justification, funding and solutions for the management of flood-risk communities along the Humber. Data and T2. [901844] (York Outer) (Con): learning from recent flooding will also be used in the Following the new year celebrations, farmers in my development of the strategy. constituency have voiced their concerns about the dangers of Chinese lanterns not only to the welfare of Martin Vickers: I thank my right hon. Friend for his their livestock, but to property and, ultimately, their reply. I draw his particular attention to the village of livelihoods. Following bans in Germany, Spain, Barrow Haven, between Barton and Immingham, which Australia and much of south America, is it not time to has twice suffered floods in the past six years. It is consider banning these flying death-traps? unacceptable that the local community should have to live in constant fear of a repeat. I urge my right hon. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Friend, as part of his review to look at involving more Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): I local people in the task of how best to alleviate floods. thank my hon. Friend for his question. We share some People who serve on drainage boards and the like want of the public’s concerns about the potential risks posed to be able to input their local knowledge. by sky lanterns. However, we commissioned an independent study, which was published in May last year, and it Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman gives the impression concluded that the overall impact of sky lanterns on that he feels an Adjournment debate coming on. animal welfare was quite low. We are therefore focusing 439 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 440 our efforts on ensuring that people are aware of the now being analysed. The Government recognise that risks and trying to improve voluntary action to deal there is a significant debate about acceptable levels of with the problem. contamination from biodegradable plastics in the recycling stream, and have therefore called on industry to develop T3. [901845] Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) new ways of separating plastic bags from the waste (Lab): I am sure Ministers will agree that we need to be stream. Two companies have been awarded contracts vigilant against rabies. There has been a huge increase for the research, and will complete their feasibility in the number of illegal puppies smuggled into the UK, studies by April. many from eastern Europe. Will the Minister commit to re-evaluating the procedures for protections against T7. [901851] Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Will rabies entering the UK? the Secretary of State clarify his earlier statement about an increase in his Department’s funding for flood George Eustice: An increase in the number of illegal protection? During the second half of last year, the imports of puppies has been reported, but the trading hon. Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), who standards authorities are monitoring the position carefully, was then a DEFRA Minister, told me in a written and intercepted the illegal movement of a number of parliamentary answer that in the year in which his puppies last year. We consider the pet passport scheme party came to power, the Department spent £646 million. to be proportionate to the risk, but we also monitor the Spending in the current year is £113 million less, at position carefully and work closely with agencies in £533 million. Did the Secretary of State’s earlier statement other European countries. mean that the Government have now increased funding T4. [901848] Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): for flood protection in this and future years, and does Flooding has continued in my constituency, as it has in that mean that he can now abandon the proposals to many other constituencies throughout the country. cut 1,700 jobs at the Environment Agency? Seaton sea defences have held, but will the Secretary of State carry on devolving powers and money to parish Mr Paterson: I know that those in the Labour Whips councils and local land and property owners so that Office struggle with slow learners, but I shall put it on they can clear culverts and ditches when they become the record again: this Government are providing more blocked? Will he also ensure that silt from rivers can be than any previous Government in the current spending spread on fields as a fertiliser rather than a waste? review. We are spending £2.3 billion, which is in addition to £148 million of partnership money. Exceptionally, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the present Government have a £2.3 billion programme Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): of capital spending up to 2021. Will Labour Members The hon. Gentleman has maintained an interest in these please ask those on their Front Bench to endorse that issues for a long time. Pilot studies are being carried out spending programme? to assess the impact and potential benefits of the dredging of watercourses, but if the hon. Gentleman wishes to Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) raise any further points about the use of materials or (Con): In parts of rural Hampshire, the cost of high-speed has any other ideas relating to local management of broadband runs to many thousands of pounds per river catchments and watercourses, I shall be happy to connection. Can my hon. Friend reassure those living in hear from him. villages such as Barton Stacey that resources from, for instance, the rural community broadband fund might T6. [901850] Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): Yesterday, provide them with high-speed connections? during Prime Minister’s Question Time, the Prime Minister said that he strongly suspected that the recent Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend is right to refer to the abnormal weather events had been a result of climate benefits of broadband connections to the rural economy. change. Does the Secretary of State agree with the Through the work that the Department for Culture, Prime Minister? Media and Sport is doing with Broadband Delivery UK, and also through the rural community broadband Mr Paterson: What the Prime Minister said was that fund, we are providing resources that will deliver projects we should consider the practical measures that we are in locations such as the one to which she referred. Some taking, and I entirely endorse his remarks. Perhaps the 10,000 properties a week are already being connected to hon. Gentleman will ask those on his party’s Front superfast broadband, and we expect the figure to rise to Bench whether they will now endorse our very ambitious about 40,000 a week by the summer. spending plans for flood defences, which they have so far been very reluctant to do. T8. [901852] Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) T5. [901849] Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Will the (Lab): Will the Secretary of State clarify how the Minister confirm that his Department intends to exempt remarks he made on allowing ancient woodland to be small and medium-sized businesses from its proposed lost to development meet the spirit of his Department’s tax on plastic carrier bags? Given that biodegradable forestry policy statement which states categorically: plastic in the waste stream is a contaminant and will “Protection of our trees, woods and forests, especially our reduce the number of plastic bags being recycled, will ancient woodland, is our top priority”? he withdraw that exemption? Mr Paterson: I am absolutely delighted to be able to Dan Rogerson: I am happy to confirm that there is a reassure the hon. Lady and the hon. Members for proposal for the exemption of small businesses. DEFRA’s Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) and for Bristol East (Kerry call for evidence in relation to a charge on single-use McCarthy) that the idea that biodiversity offsetting plastic bags closed on 20 December, and the results are could be used as a means of imposing unwanted houses 441 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 442 on ancient woodland is an absolute travesty.It is absolutely ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE clear: all along we have always said that should we bring in offsetting—I made this clear to the all-party group—all The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the current protections of the planning regime and all the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission the mitigation hierarchy remain. Only at the very last was asked— moment could offsetting be considered, and we have always said that some assets will be too precious to Payments to Candidates (Speaking Engagements) offset and—[Interruption.] Exactly, and that might well be ancient woodland. 1. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The hon. Lady should look at examples of offsetting If the commission will take steps to ensure that political in countries like Australia, where there has been an 80% parties are fully accountable to the commission when shift of planning applications away from fragile receiving payment made to candidates for speaking environments. Used properly, therefore, biodiversity engagements. [901873] offsetting could be a tremendous tool to protect those ancient woodlands which she and I value. As someone Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): The Electoral who has planted an arboretum over recent years, the Commission informs me that political parties have to idea that I am going to trash ancient woodlands is an report to it every three months regarding all donations absolute outrage to me personally. they receive above a certain value, which would include any donation to a candidate that is then passed on to Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): that candidate’s party. The law sets out clearly how Following the damage caused by the tidal surges in the political parties and individual politicians are responsible Kent estuary on more than one occasion last week, will for reporting the political donations they receive, and the Minister confirm that draft flood defence schemes the Electoral Commission is not aware of any issues along the whole of the River Kent will now be prioritised? that would require a change to the current system. Mr Sheerman: There is a scam that we all know has Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend knows that, as we been going on for some time and it runs like this: a heard from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, politician has a book ghosted for them—a biography or the Government are making investment in flood protection whatever—and it is then published, and that person is schemes a key priority. We have secured record investment invited to go on a highly paid tour of the United in the next spending review period to do that. If my Kingdom talking about the book that was ghost-written hon. Friend would like to write to me about those by somebody else, and the money flows either to leading specific schemes, I would be happy to hear more. candidates of the party or to the party itself. It is a scam. We know it goes on, but what is the hon. Gentleman (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): The remit doing to stamp it out? of the independent expert panel was originally restricted to the planned six-week badger cull period and my Mr Streeter: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for understanding is that that remit was not extended when clarifying the purpose of his question. I must confess the badger culls were themselves extended. Can the that I am not aware that that is a matter for the Secretary of State reassure the House today that the Electoral Commission at the moment, but if he would independent expert panel’s scope and report will cover like to write to me setting out his concerns in more the whole of the culling period and not just the first six detail, I will ensure that the commission investigates the weeks, because it is really important that his decisions matter thoroughly and responds to him. are informed by wider experience of the whole cull?

George Eustice: The independent expert panel will cover the initial cull period, not the extensions. CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): The The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the consultation on abstraction reform has just started. Church Commissioners, was asked— Can my hon. Friend assure me that there will be consultation events, particularly in areas where there is Pilling Report water stress, like Suffolk Coastal? 2. Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): What assessment the Commissioners have made of the Pilling report, Dan Rogerson: That is part of our programme, which published by the House of Bishops working group on includes the Water Bill, and, as my hon. Friend rightly human sexuality in November 2013; and if he will points out, the abstraction reform consultation opened make a statement. [901874] before Christmas. There will be opportunities for everybody to contribute to that process and of course if my hon. Friend would like to take up some specific constituency The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony issues with me, I will be happy to hear them. Baldry): The report was discussed by the House of Bishops in December and its recommendations will be considered by the College of Bishops later this month. Several hon. Members rose— Mr Bradshaw: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to disappoint colleagues that the report’s recommendation that parishes should but we must now move on. be allowed to offer same-sex couples some sort of 443 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 444 blessing would in effect simply formalise what already Commission and representatives of the political parties happens in practice in many Anglican parishes? Does and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and attempts he agree that the vast majority of Anglicans in this are being made to increase awareness among expats country would welcome a more generous approach to that they have the opportunity to register to vote in the long-term, faithful, same-sex relationships? next election. There will be a significant public awareness campaign in overseas literature and online to try to Sir Tony Baldry: I agree with the principle that everyone encourage more voter registration, and there will also should be welcome at the communion rail. The working be an expat voter day in February this year. The success group did not recommend a new authorised liturgy, but of that event will be reviewed after the May elections. a majority of its members did recommend that vicars should, with the consent of parochial church councils, be able to mark the formation of a permanent same-sex Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ relationship in a public service. I am sure that that is one Co-op): Given that the franchise for the Scottish of the issues that the House of Bishops will be considering independence referendum will extend to 16 and 17-year-olds, very seriously in the context of its consideration of the will the Electoral Commission make a major effort on Pilling report’s recommendations. national voter registration day and at similar events to ensure that as many of that group as possible are registered to vote in the referendum later this year? ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission is keen to the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission ensure that young people who are legally entitled to was asked— vote should register and take part in any elections. Let us not forget the vital role of the electoral registration National Voter Registration Day officers in every local authority throughout the . They have a duty to promote voter registration 3. Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East in their locality, and each of us has the opportunity to Cleveland) (Lab): What steps the commission is go to our own local authorities and ask what they are taking to promote national voter registration day on doing in this regard, and to make an assessment of 5 February 2014. [901875] whether they are doing it well enough. Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): The Electoral Commission supports any initiative to encourage voter Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Will the Electoral registration, particularly among under-registered groups, Commission encourage the Cabinet Office to co-ordinate and it provides resources to help others to do this, in all Government Departments to ensure that every time addition to its own public awareness campaigns. The a member of the public comes into contact with a commission has provided such resources to Bite the Department, a check is made to ascertain whether they Ballot, which has organised national voter registration are on the electoral register and, if they are not, that day, and it will also be informing electoral registration they are helped to fill out an application form there and officers about the initiative so that those who are able to then? support it will do so. Tom Blenkinsop: What assessment has been made of Mr Streeter: My hon. Friend raises an interesting the commission’s proposals to require people to provide idea, which I will certainly take back to the Electoral photo identification in order to vote by 2019? Does the Commission. This is perhaps more a matter for the hon. Gentleman believe that there could be a reduction Cabinet Office than for the commission, but my hon. in the number of young people voting as well as registering Friend has raised it in this forum and it is worth to vote in the first place? investigating further. Mr Streeter: Those hard-to-reach groups are certainly a matter of concern to the Electoral Commission. There Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): I was a little will be a significant public awareness campaign between disconcerted by one thing the hon. Gentleman said in now and this year’s elections, and it will be reviewed to reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough determine how successful it has been. I think the hon. South and East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop), which Gentleman will be reassured to learn that, in the transition was that electoral registration officers will be informed to individual electoral registration, those who are already of what is happening on 5 February. EROs are operating on the register will automatically be transferred to the in local authorities, which are pressed for cash, and if register for the next general election. they do not already know about this important day, the opportunity to increase electoral registration, particularly Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con): In addition to in constituencies such as mine, where there are many the hundreds of thousands of expatriate United Kingdom hard-to-reach voters, will be lost. What is the hon. citizens who—like Harry Shindler, 93, who received an Gentleman doing about that? MBE in the new year’s honours list—are disfranchised because of the 15-year rule, there are also tens of thousands of expat citizens who could vote but who are Mr Streeter: The hon. Lady raises an important not registered. What is the commission doing to ensure point. She may be interested to know that the Electoral that they can be registered to vote? Commission has only just been officially notified of the national voter registration day, which is why it is now in Mr Streeter: My hon. Friend raises an important the process of informing EROs. Obviously, until the question; this is a matter of concern across the House. Electoral Commission knows about something, it cannot A recent meeting was held between the Electoral pass the news on to the people to whom it is responsible. 445 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 446

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS the examples she mentioned. Holy Trinity church in Darlington needs just £16,000 to restore a painting by the wartime artist John Duncan. The whole point of The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the this campaign is to try to lever in funds from other Church Commissioners, was asked— donors, trusts and individuals who might not normally Homelessness give money to supporting Church heritage but who would be minded to give money specifically to support 4. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What steps the a particular piece of artwork or heritage in this way. has taken in to support The campaign is already having some success. the homeless and people in poverty over the Christmas period. [901876] Violent Attacks on Clergy

The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony 6. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): Baldry): A lot happened in the of What discussions the Commissioners have had with over the Christmas period. In my hon. Friend’s constituency, Government Ministers on recent trends in the number the Colne and Villages parish held a Christmas café, of violent attacks on clergy. [901878] and many parishioners also worked with local businesses and schools to support food banks. I am told that one Sir Tony Baldry: Figures on these cases are not held local business in Pendle donated more than 60 hampers centrally, and supporting clergy who have suffered attacks of food, toys and clothes, which were then distributed is the responsibility of the individual diocesan bishops. by the local ecumenical Church network. Diana Johnson: I think we all recognise the excellent Andrew Stephenson: I thank my right hon. Friend for work that the clergy do in our local communities. that answer. I have in the past mentioned the work of Unfortunately, at times, they do put themselves in harm’s St Philip’s church in Nelson and its food bank. Does he way. Would the right hon. Gentleman support a agree that although food banks are particularly important Government review of these attacks, and is it time to over the Christmas period, they do not tackle the root look at designating them as religious hate crimes? causes of food poverty? Will he say more about the Church Commissioners’ work to rebalance the Church’s Sir Tony Baldry: As the hon. Lady says, clergy are activities towards addressing the underlying problems often on the front line in supporting the most vulnerable and finding long-term solutions to food poverty? in the community and, sadly, that sometimes results in their being attacked. I wonder whether she would mind Sir Tony Baldry: The Church urban fund would if I discussed this matter with the Archbishops of acknowledge that food banks do not tackle the causes Canterbury and York to see whether they feel that such of food poverty. We need to know more about why a review is necessary in these circumstances. people use food banks, which is why the Church urban fund is undertaking detailed research on this matter. The report was published in September. Homelessness

Church Treasures 7. Andrew Selous (South West ) (Con): What recent steps the Church of England has taken in 5. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): What the diocese to support the homeless and progress has been made in the Church of England’s people in poverty. [901879] campaign to save 100 church treasures. [901877] Sir Tony Baldry: The has supported Sir Tony Baldry: The 100 Church treasures campaign a number of projects, particularly those working seeks to protect 100 of the unparalleled array of artworks, with homeless people in , St Albans, including monuments, wall paintings, stained glass, textiles , , and . The annual and mediaeval timberwork, which are at risk in our December sleep-out, which was supported by my hon. parish churches, in order to keep our buildings open, Friend, has managed to raise nearly £1 million over the and our national and local heritage on public display past 20 years to support homeless people in the diocese for years to come. of St Albans by making funding grants available, encouraging volunteers and helping to raise further Helen Goodman: I am grateful to the right hon. money. Gentleman for that answer. It is remarkable that for only £3 million 100 Church treasures can be preserved. Andrew Selous: Will my right hon. Friend join me in Obviously, I am particularly interested in what is happening thanking the staff of the diocese, the volunteer organisers, to those in the Durham diocese: the William Morris security guards and the Women’s Institute, which provided carpet at Monkwearmouth; the Church masonry at hot soup all night for all of us on the sleep-out? The St Hilda’s church in Hartlepool; and the painting in money raised has helped a lot of local homeless charities, Holy Trinity church in Darlington. Some of those not least Linton- Homeless Service, which does communities will find it difficult to raise the money. such good work in my own area. What more might we do to support them? Sir Tony Baldry: Indeed. Churches throughout the Sir Tony Baldry: The hon. Lady is absolutely right: country support a whole number of initiatives that for quite modest sums, really important pieces of national encourage large numbers of volunteers. I know that my heritage can be protected. Let me deal with just one of hon. Friend is patron of the Linton-Linslade Homeless 447 Oral Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 448

Service, which offers short-term emergency shelter, supplies the settlements. In this House, we must be careful about and support to people who are homeless or about to what is seen as religious tolerance and about not tolerating become homeless and does invaluable work in the area. intolerance or breaches of international law. Grade I Listed Churches Mr Speaker: The right hon. Gentleman may choose to prepare a detailed paper on the matter and to lodge it 8. John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): What assistance is in the Library of the House where I feel confident it will available for grade I listed church buildings in need of be a well-thumbed tome. major repairs. [901880] Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): On the subject of Sir Tony Baldry: The most significant funder of repairs religious tolerance, what discussions has the Commissioner for grade I listed churches is the Heritage Lottery Fund, had with media outlets such as TV and radio with under the grants for places of worship scheme. The regard to Christian programming? Does he agree that it Wolfson Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and is important to retain a level of programming that the Veneziana Fund also provide funding in some reflects the Christian status of this nation? What can be circumstances. done to promote such programming?

John Mann: The right hon. Gentleman will be aware Sir Tony Baldry: To be honest, I do not think that of the incredibly diverse array of grade I listed churches Christians do too badly. If one gets up early enough, in the Bassetlaw constituency. Would he be prepared to one find a perfectly good programme between 7 and use his good offices to ensure that the Church 8 o’clock on BBC Radio 4 every Sunday. I do not think Commissioners can better advise the volunteers running we can feel that we are in some way discriminated those churches on how to access the funds and that the against by the broadcasters. north of England and the more deprived communities get a fair crack of the whip? Mr Speaker: Last but not least, I call Fiona Bruce. Sir Tony Baldry: The hon. Gentleman makes a fair Christian Celebration of Christmas point. He is fortunate in having 26 fantastic listed churches in his constituency. Some, such as All Saints, 10. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): What recent go back to the 10th century. I entirely agree that it is assessment the Commissioners have made of difficulties very important that parochial church councils and others faced by Christians in celebrating Christmas in certain know how to access funds such as the Heritage Lottery parts of the world. [901882] Fund, and I will discuss with the churches and cathedrals division at Church House how we can better promulgate Sir Tony Baldry: The House will, I am sure, have the way that that advice can be obtained. noticed that the Archbishop of Canterbury used his Religious Tolerance first Christmas day sermon to condemn the treatment of Christian communities in the middle east. Archbishop Justin said that the persecution of Christian minorities 9. Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): What discussions represented injustice and observed that Christians the Commissioners have had with Government Departments on the promotion of religious tolerance. “are driven into exile from a region in which their presence has always been essential”. [901881] Sadly, Christians are attacked and massacred, and we Sir Tony Baldry: I think everyone in this House have seen terrible news from South Sudan, the Central would wish to see religious tolerance supported. After African Republic and elsewhere, where political ambitions all, the Martyrs’ Memorial in Oxford is a daily reminder have led to ethnic conflict. of those who were burned at the stake for their beliefs. It was not far away from here, at Tyburn, that people Fiona Bruce: I thank my right hon. Friend for that were hanged, drawn and quartered for their religious reply. In the light of the escalation in religious persecution beliefs. Indeed, one only has to see the plaque in Westminster in many countries across the world, will he kindly Hall to remember where Sir Thomas More was put on arrange a meeting with the appropriate Minister and trial in part for his beliefs. In this country, we have bishop responsible for foreign affairs and international learned through the Reformation and the counter- development to highlight the need for the Department Reformation and beyond the essential need for religious for International Development to form a policy to tolerance in our nation. address such issues and that of freedom of religion as a fundamental human right? Robert Halfon: As well as discussing religious intolerance with Government Departments, will my right hon. Friend Sir Tony Baldry: I should be happy to do so, but discuss it with St James’ church, which has held a taking human rights violations into account when aid shockingly anti-Israel exhibition over the past couple of decisions are made does not necessarily mean refusing weeks? Far from promoting religious tolerance, it did to give aid to countries in which such violations take much to undermine it. place. It may be in precisely these difficult contexts that we need to be engaging with aid, as religious persecution Sir Tony Baldry: My hon. Friend raises a conundrum: is often linked to problems in education, economic to what extent should the tolerant tolerate the intolerant? development and conflicts over natural resources where The demonstration at St James’ Piccadilly was not aid can and does make a huge difference. My hon. against Judaism or Jews but against the illegal occupation Friend makes an extremely good point that is worth under international law in the west bank and some of pursuing with ministerial colleagues in DFID. 449 9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 450

Business of the House government who have been recognised, including the principal private secretary to the Patronage Secretary, Mr Roy Stone. 10.36 am Mr Speaker: I thank the Leader of the House for Ms (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader what he said about those who work in the service of the of the House give us the business for next week? House and have been recognised. All of them are thoroughly deserving. As many right hon. and hon. Members will The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew know, Michael Carpenter and John Pullinger are especially Lansley): First, Mr Speaker, let me pay my personal well known to me, as I work with both of them closely tribute to Paul Goggins, a colleague held in the highest and on a very regular basis. They are deeply deserving respect and affection throughout the House. His loss of the recognition that has been afforded to them. will be felt widely and for a long time. The business for next week is as follows: Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for his MONDAY 13 JANUARY—Second Reading of the European tribute to Paul Goggins and wish to add my own. His Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords], followed by a debate on untimely death this week has shocked and saddened all a motion relating to welfare reforms and poverty. The Members across the House. He was a kind and caring subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench man who campaigned tirelessly for social justice, including Business Committee. his recent work securing the passage of the Mesothelioma Bill. All our thoughts are with his wife, his children, his TUESDAY 14 JANUARY—Remaining stages of the Offender family and his many friends. Rehabilitation Bill [Lords]. May I also associate myself with the Leader of the WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY—Opposition day [17th allotted House’s comments, and yours, Mr Speaker, about those day]. There will be a debate on an Opposition motion, recognised in the new year’s honours list? I cannot help including on the subject of banking. wondering, given his appearance today, whether his THURSDAY 16 JANUARY—General debate on child neglect hairdresser feels somewhat left out—perhaps it is an and the criminal law, followed by general debate on easier job with hair like his. nuisance calls. The subjects for both debates were I thank the Leader of the House for announcing next determined by the Backbench Business Committee. week’s business—although, if we take away Opposition FRIDAY 17 JANUARY—Private Members’ Bills. days and Back-Bench business, we yet again have very The provisional business for the week commencing little meaningful Government legislation. Will he tell us 20 January will include: whether that is what we can expect for the next 16 months? I note that the Government’s self-proclaimed flagship MONDAY 20 JANUARY—Second Reading of the Intellectual Immigration Bill is still mysteriously absent from future Property Bill [Lords], followed by business to be nominated business, despite its consideration in Committee concluding by the Backbench Business Committee. on 19 November. Can we expect consideration on Report TUESDAY 21 JANUARY—Opposition day [18th allotted soon, or is the Prime Minister still running scared of the day]. There will be a debate on an Opposition motion, 69 Tory Back Benchers who have signed the rebel including on the subject of pub companies. amendment? WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY—Consideration of Lords We expect the Queen’s Speech some time in the amendments to the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party spring, but the Government have yet to confirm a date. Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, With the European and local elections scheduled to followed by motion to approve a European document take place on 22 May, the pre-election purdah will be in relating to the Commission work programme 2014. force from the beginning of May. Unless the Government THURSDAY 23 JANUARY—Business to be nominated by are planning a state opening with no announcements at the Backbench Business Committee. all—I would not put it past them—it looks as though FRIDAY 24 JANUARY—Private Members’ Bills. the Queen’s Speech will have to take place in June, after the Whitsun recess, the dates of which the Leader of the I should also like to inform the House that the House has already announced. What conversations has business in Westminster Hall for 16 January will now he had with the Cabinet Secretary on the matter? Can be: he now tell us the date of the Queen’s Speech? THURSDAY 16 JANUARY—Select Committee statement The universal credit fiasco continued this week as we on the publication of the 10th report from the Justice discovered a war between the Secretary of State for Committee on Crown Dependencies: Developments Since Work and Pensions and the Minister for the Cabinet 2010, followed by a combined debate on the second Office over IT support. Last night the Minister for the report from the Justice Committee on Women Offenders: Cabinet Office slammed the DWP’s implementation as After the Corston Report and the fifth report on Older “pretty lamentable”. Will the Leader of the House Prisoners. arrange for him to make a statement to the House on May I also take this opportunity to congratulate all why the Cabinet Office and the Government Digital those who were recognised in the new year’s honours? Service have walked away from that costly chaos? We take pleasure, of course, not only in Members of The Chancellor this week wished everyone an unhappy this House being recognised for their service but in the new year with a speech underlining his ideological recognition of those who give service to Parliament and obsession with rolling back social progress and shrinking take part in voluntary and public service. They include the size of the state to pre-war levels. He announced his Michael Carpenter, the Speaker’s Counsel, John Pullinger, ambition for a further £25 billion of spending cuts in the House Librarian, and Nicholas Munting from the first two years of the next Parliament, with £12 billion the Catering Service. I also congratulate those within coming from the social security budget. The Deputy 451 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 452

Prime Minister immediately called it a “monumental The hon. Lady asked about universal credit. It has mistake”, and even the Secretary of State for Work and always been very clear—I have heard my right hon. Pensions briefed against it. Treasury Ministers were Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions unable to say which benefits would be targeted, but make it very clear to the House on a number of refused to rule out those for the sick and the disabled. occasions—that the Government have welcomed what The Chancellor told us in his speech that 2014 would the National Audit Office has said and have taken steps be a year when Britain faces a choice, and he was to put it in place. Yes, there is an adjusted timetable for right—a choice between a Government who give tax the roll-out of universal credit, because we have listened, cuts to millionaires while prices rise faster than wages, learned and acted in order to make sure there is safe and and a party that wants the economy to work for the sound implementation. Part of that was always in many, not the few. He is doing his best to hide his failure anticipation of the transfer of responsibility from the to balance the Government’s books by 2015, but people Government Digital Service to the DWP’s own digital across the country are £1,600 worse off under his watch team. and we will not let him rewrite history to cover up his I thought the highlight of the hon. Lady’s remarks failed economic plan. Will the Leader of the House was her question on hairdressing. I am quite pleased arrange for the Chancellor, rather than making these that people up in the Gallery can have a good look at announcements where he cannot be questioned on them, the—[Interruption]—try to get that one into Hansard, to come to the House and tell us where his £12 billion of Mr Speaker. When I visit Mr Polito’s in Cambridge, as I extra social security cuts would come from? perhaps will this weekend, he will be able to advise me. I hope that all Members had a good break over [Interruption.] Mr Polito’s is not a person but a shop. Christmas and have returned refreshed and ready for [Interruption.] Actually, it costs £15, so I am getting my the new year. If the Leader of the House and his hair cut cheaper than the Deputy Prime Minister, which Cabinet colleagues had a new year’s resolution to be just shows that you can come to the Conservatives for better at their jobs, I must say that they have made a value for money. pretty shaky start. We have only been back a week and The shadow Leader of the House asked about the we have already seen the Secretary of State for Work Chancellor. The Chancellor will be here to answer and Pensions rowing with the Treasury and the Cabinet questions on 28 January. In a way, I would rather he Office about the gargantuan mess that is universal were able to be here more often. Every time he comes credit, we have seen the Education Secretary slapped here he is, as the hon. Lady says, able to make very clear down by his colleagues for trying to politicise the the choice, which will become increasingly apparent as commemoration of the first world war, and we have had we go through this year, between a Government with a the spectacle of Liberal Democrats frantically trying to long-term economic plan that is delivering sustainable distance themselves from a Government they are a part recovery for this country and, as we have heard only in of while simultaneously accusing the Tories of stealing the past few days, leading to business confidence at their policies. All the Liberal Democrat press office can close to all-time highs, with employment in the private do is desperately retweet a BuzzFeed item listing sector up by over 1.6 million; or, under Labour, more “ten reasons the British public will fall back in love with the borrowing, more debt, more taxes, and the consequences Deputy Prime Minister.” of a second Labour recession. I would like to disagree with the Mayor of London, who this week called the Deputy Prime Minister a “prophylactic protection device”. Now I know I am not Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): I welcome the world’s greatest expert in this area, but I thought the “help for high streets” initiative announced by the you were supposed to be able to trust contraception. Chancellor in the autumn statement, which will undoubtedly help small businesses to flourish. Nevertheless, Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the shadow Leader of small district shopping centres such as Park Farm in my the House for her further questions. I agree with her: constituency are suffering as a result of seemingly flawed listening to the debate on the Mesothelioma Bill earlier evaluations of rateable value by the Valuation Office this week, I thought it was a cruel irony that Paul Agency, with business owners in Park Farm paying up Goggins was not able to be there to see it come into law to £300 more per square metre of floor space than those and to continue to pursue the campaign he had fought in the centre of Derby. May we have a debate about our on behalf of his constituents and others so very well. district shopping centres and how to ensure that the The hon. Lady asked about Government business. rates imposed on them are not too excessive? We still have 19 Government Bills before the two Houses of Parliament and we are making progress on a wide Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for range of legislation, some of which is of considerable raising an important point on behalf of her businesses. importance, including, as I have announced, the remaining I am sure that she, like me, welcomed what the Chancellor stages of the Offender Rehabilitation Bill. She seemed had to say in his autumn statement in support of small to dismiss it but it is a very important measure in businesses, specifically in relation to rates, including the achieving much higher levels of rehabilitation for those announcement of £1 billion of support for business rate with sentences of below 12 months, which will contribute payers and the £1,000 discount, which will benefit to overcoming the high levels of recidivism. approximately 300,000 shops, pubs and restaurants. I cannot give the hon. Lady a date for the Report That is very important. My hon. Friend raises the issue stage of the Immigration Bill—otherwise I would have of rateable values, which are assessed by estimating announced it—or for the Queen’s Speech; both are rental value in the open market at a standard valuation subject to the progress of further business. I will make date, currently 1 April 2008. Of course, any ratepayer announcements in due course. can appeal their valuation if they feel it is inaccurate. 453 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 454

[Mr Lansley] be sent into the Department for Work and Pensions to track it down and then publish it? While that is being The Department for Communities and Local Government done, may I offer the Prime Minister the opportunity to recently published proposals to help speed up that visit a food bank in my constituency that is open, so appeals process. that he can avoid doing what he did last time—when he visited a food bank in his own constituency that was Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): The shut? Prime Minister promised—very vocally—action on minimum alcohol pricing, but that seems to have waned Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will know that as influence from lobbyists has grown. Could we please both my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for have a statement in the House on the Government’s Work and Pensions and the Prime Minister have repeatedly precise position on this policy area? responded to questions about food banks, as we will continue to do. For my part, I know, having visited a Mr Lansley: We have been very clear that we are not food bank, the value of food banks’ work. It is important at this stage proceeding with proposals on minimum to recognise that, and we have supported them. That is alcohol unit pricing. We are going to learn more, for why, when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State example, about what the consequences of the introduction came into office, he changed the decision of the previous of such a policy might be in Scotland. I have two things Government not to refer people from jobcentres to food to say to the hon. Lady. First, it was only ever part of an banks. alcohol strategy that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced to the House, and a wide range of Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): In February measures can have a substantial impact, including local 2009, Zac Knighton-Smith, who was five, was diagnosed alcohol partnerships, on reducing alcohol content. Secondly, with neuroblastoma and given only a few weeks to live when I had meetings with the drinks industry, they were without a new monoclonal antibody therapy.That treatment not about lobbying against minimum unit pricing, but was not available on the NHS, but thanks to the efforts about getting a commitment from the industry to take of the former health Minister Ann Keen, John Parkes 1 billion units a year out of the content of alcohol sold of Northamptonshire primary care trust and the then in this country, which would be extremely valuable. shadow Secretary of State for Health—the Leader of the House—Zac received the treatment in Germany, Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Given the increasing which the NHS paid for. On Saturday, this lovely, violence and political instability in Niger, the Central full-of-life and happy little boy passed away. He will be African Republic and South Sudan, may we have an sadly and greatly missed. However, without politicians early debate on Africa and in particular on improving of different parties working together, he would not have relations between the French and British Governments had the last five years of life. May we have a statement regarding capacity and governance building? There is on how this Parliament can make a difference? good practice on counter-terrorism issues and if that could be extended to helping one another to build up Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his civic society and political institutions, that would, I question. I recall the case to which he refers, and he is hope, play a part in reducing the violence. absolutely right that we in this House can make a difference, not least by working together, but especially Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend makes important points. where Members of Parliament pursue their constituents’ The Government are working very closely with our cases and concerns. I pay tribute to the way in which he allies and some of the multilateral mechanisms to try to did so on behalf of Zac’s family. deliver greater stability in this area. With regard to the We can also make a difference by the policies we Central African Republic, for example, we have welcomed bring forward. In that respect, I am proud that as the Africa-led security mission and December’s United Secretary of State for Health in this Parliament I was Nations Security Council resolution. We continue to able to introduce the cancer drugs fund, which has work with our partners in the UN and the European delivered treatments to 38,000 patients. We also decided Union to support the Economic Community of Central to undertake investment in the delivery of proton beam African States and the African Union. Our working therapy in this country, because the only way patients relationship with the French Government concerning could otherwise access that treatment was by going to the Central African Republic and the Sahel is a good Germany. one and that should continue. Given the range of issues in the Sahel, central Africa, Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): As the Leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, the House will know, 15 world health experts have my hon. Friend makes an important point about whether today launched Action on Sugar, a campaign to tackle there may be an opportunity for a debate at some stage obesity and diabetes. Given that the Prime Minister said on African issues. I cannot promise one in Government last year that obesity was one of the biggest challenges time, because there is pressure on Government time. facing our public health service, may we have an urgent [Interruption.] I have explained why previously. There statement on the content of food and drink, the amount may be an opportunity through the Backbench Business of sugar in food and drink and the links between that Committee. I will, if I may, take the issue away and and the deaths of so many people each year? continue to think about the possibilities. Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): May we for his question. In so far as the campaign announced have an urgent statement on the Government’s lost this morning models itself on Consensus Action on Salt report on food banks? May I suggest that a search party and Health and its approach, I will be very supportive 455 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 456 of it, because I worked very closely with CASH and Lewis), who has responsibility for fire services, to look Professor MacGregor, and we have had significant success at that issue and respond to the hon. Gentleman. Of in reducing the amount of salt in food. course, we should always try to have fair competition in It must be understood that such campaigns will be markets and there should be no unfair subsidies from achieved only by working with the industry on a voluntary the public sector. basis—that is what the responsibility deal is about—and only on an incremental basis. The level of sugar in food Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May we have a cannot be slashed suddenly—otherwise, people simply debate on the , which would enable will not accept it—but that is what the campaign intends many Members from all parts of the House to argue and we should do that. However, inaccurate analogies that it should be increased significantly now? The cost do not help: I just do not think that the analogy to the Government of any increase in the minimum between sugar and tobacco is appropriate. We have to wage would be largely met by more income tax coming understand that sugar is an essential component of in and fewer tax credits being paid out. An increase in food; it is just that sugar in excess is an inappropriate the minimum wage could simultaneously help the lower and unhelpful diet. paid and save money for the Treasury.

Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con): Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. I The Leader of the House will recall that on 19 December cannot promise a debate immediately. I hope that there I raised with him the woefully inadequate 56 days given will be opportunities for Members to discuss issues for people to respond to a 50,000-page environmental relating to the minimum wage, including the situation statement on High Speed 2, and I thank him for sending for low earners, who have benefited from the Government’s me a letter and making a formal correction to his approach to income tax. Changes to the national minimum response in Hansard. wage are introduced on 1 October each year. I say Is my right hon. Friend aware that it has transpired gently that there are good reasons for that. Changes in since I asked that question that information has been October are an established part of the labour market left off the memory sticks and the online and hard and many companies operate their pay reviews to coincide copies of the environmental consultation material, and with them. Although I completely understand the point that environmental groups are not able to get hold of he makes, I do not sympathise with the idea of accelerating vertical profile maps with contours, which are particularly the timing of any increase in the minimum wage. important in the light of the decision to dump 1 million cubic metres of soil in an area of outstanding natural Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): I was beauty? among the many Members who wanted to speak in last Is the Leader of the House also aware of a report in month’s debate on food banks but did not get the the Lichfield Mercury about HS2 Ltd having confirmed chance to do so. The Meadows Advice Group in my that individuals can petition against the HS2 hybrid Bill constituency tells me that more and more people are only if they have responded to the environmental being forced to turn to food banks to survive as a result consultation by 24 January? I do not believe that that of stagnant wages, rising debts, the bedroom tax and can be true—it would have been slipped in as a way to other benefit changes. Will the Leader of the House short-circuit the process and to reduce the number of make time for a debate on the Government’s response people petitioning against HS2—but will he look into to the crisis in the cost of living before the Chancellor that report and tell me whether it is true? Will he also hits poor and vulnerable people with even deeper cuts? tell me how the consultation period can be extended, given all the administrative failures by HS2 Ltd and the Government? Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady may not have noticed, but following the debate on the European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] on Monday there will be a Mr Lansley: In order to be as helpful as I can to my general debate on welfare reform and poverty, which right hon. Friend and other Members who have a was selected by the Backbench Business Committee. I constituency interest in the procedure for the HS2 hybrid do not agree with her about the reasons people are Bill, I will, if I may, look into the issues that she raises accessing food banks, of which there are many, but the and, in co-ordination with my right hon. Friend the points she wishes to raise could legitimately be raised in Secretary of State for Transport, ensure that we reply to that debate. her and place a copy of the letter in the Library of the House so that Members can see the procedure for the hybrid Bill. Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): May I express my personal sadness at the loss of Paul Goggins, Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East with whom I worked closely on the Intelligence and Cleveland) (Lab): May we have a debate on whether the Security Committee over the past three years? He was a commercial arms of fire brigades, such as community patriotic humanitarian who reflected the greatest credit interest companies, should have to pay to receive publicly on the Labour party and on Parliament. funded diesel for their appliances and vehicles, and May we have a statement from a Defence Minister on whether such commercial arms have an unfair advantage the slow progress of the sale of the freehold of Marchwood over their competitors in the market? military port in my constituency for not very much money and possibly to a company, Associated British Mr Lansley: If I may, I will ask the Under-Secretary Ports, that poses a threat to the New Forest with its of State for Communities and Local Government, my burgeoning plans to build a container port on the edge hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon of that precious area? 457 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 458

Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will recall that a Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Constantini commitment was made in the strategic defence and family, in my constituency, recently fled Syria, where security review to sell Marchwood sea mounting centre they had lived for many years. In normal circumstances, during the current spending review period. The intention as refugees, their children would be granted home student is to grant a long-term concession that will include the status for fees. Unfortunately, or fortunately for them, sale of a lease for the port and the delivery of sea the Constantinis are British citizens, and as such they mounting services. That will ensure that the military fail to meet the residency requirement. I am sure the requirement can still be met, while allowing greater Leader of the House will share my concern about the economic and commercial benefit to be realised from fact that, unlike other refugees from Syria, British citizens the site. A concession will be granted only if the Ministry appear to be disadvantaged in that circumstance. I of Defence is satisfied that it represents good value for wrote to both the Department for Business, Innovation money.On timing, a prior information notice was published and Skills and the about 10 days before on 29 November last year to initiate a market engagement Christmas, and I have yet to receive a response. I would process. Twenty-five parties have shown an interest in be grateful if he looked into the matter and tried to see participating, although clearly we cannot identify who that justice is done for people who have fled the conflict they are. The intention is to begin the formal sale in Syria. process in the spring of this year. Mr Lansley: I will of course, as I always seek to do, try to expedite a helpful response from both Departments Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Will the to which the hon. Gentleman has written. Leader of the House find time for a debate on the disgraceful sentence of 12 months, suspended for three It is as well for the House continuously to recognise years, handed out to a terrorist involved in the despicable how we as a country are leading the way in helping murder of two young soldiers in my constituency? That Syrians suffering from the humanitarian crisis. Although has outraged my constituents, and I believe it is worthy we contribute in many ways, including by seeking to of debate in the House. protect humanitarian convoys taking aid into Syria, there are of course refugees. In the year up to September, we accepted more than 1,100 Syrian asylum claims Mr Lansley: I can understand how the hon. Gentleman made in this country in the usual way. feels about these issues, but if I may say so, generally speaking I do not think it is appropriate for the House Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): May I say how much I to debate individual sentences. That would be a will miss Paul Goggins in the House? He was not only constitutional intrusion by the legislature into decisions one of the most able people in Parliament but, crucially, made by the judiciary. However, it is appropriate for he was also one of the nicest. I will miss him greatly. him to raise the matter, and if he wishes to do so again I understand that the Labour party and the Liberal my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Democrats are conniving to prevent the European Union Ireland will reply to questions next Wednesday. (Referendum) Bill—so expertly steered through this House by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): South (James Wharton)—from coming into law. If they The UK is currently among the fastest-growing economies are successful in blocking the Bill going through the in the western world, mainly due to the Government’s in this Session, as they seem to intend, tough economic decisions. By contrast, the French socialist will the Leader of the House introduce a carry-over economic model that the leader of the Labour party so motion to allow the Bill to be taken forward in the next vehemently supports is crippling its country, with rising Session? unemployment and a probable triple-dip recession. May we have a statement comparing the recent performance Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what of the UK and French economies, which I am afraid he said, not least about our former colleague. I hope would turn into a French tragedy? that the House of Lords will consider the European Union (Referendum) Bill, but also recognise that it has responsibility to consider it timeously—[Interruption.] Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend makes an interesting Timeously; it is a perfectly normal word, I think—in point. Comparisons are of course odious, but I would good time. The Lords should consider the Bill so that it say two things. First, I was interested to see the Centre can be passed in this Session of Parliament—[HON. for Economic and Business Research’s annual review of MEMBERS: “Timely!”] Hon. Members must not make the world economic league, published on Boxing day. me laugh; it makes me cough. Not least, the will of this Among other things, it said that the United Kingdom House must be respected. My recollection is that the was the west’s second best performing economy after Bill passed Third Reading in this House by 304 votes to the United States, and that by 2030 it was likely to nil, which I think was a powerful expression of its view. overtake Germany and become the largest western European economy. That was partly attributed to its Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Yesterday at Prime being a relatively low-tax economy. By contrast, the Minister’s questions in an answer to my right hon. CEBR saw France moving to about 13th position in Friend the Leader of the Opposition, the Prime Minister the world economic league by that point—that is only said that he was very concerned about fixed odds betting its view, not mine. Secondly, we have to ask the Leader terminals. He also stated that a report would be coming of the Opposition, who said that what President Hollande forward in the spring, which I understand is March and was doing for France, Labour would do for Britain, April, according to sources. Will the Leader of the whether the Labour party continues to adhere to that House guarantee that when that report comes forward, philosophy. it will be in spring and that the House will debate it? 459 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 460

Mr Lansley: I think that issue was fully covered by Transport will continue to look at how we can reduce the debate yesterday. underlying costs to protect those who are necessary rail users. Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): I am proud to be part of a parliamentary party that is seeking to legislate Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): This week my constituents to let Britain decide through an European Union Mr and Mrs Mann were refused medication for their (Referendum) Bill. In the meantime, may we have a baby Harley by a supermarket pharmacist because the debate about greater EU democracy, and in particular directions to the parents written by the GP were in the idea that the UK should directly elect its commissioner? Welsh. A greater proportion of public services are now being delivered by private organisations from outside Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend and I Wales, so may we have a debate on those organisations’ fully agree with him about giving the British people a adherence to the principles and requirements of the say. Given the particular circumstances of this year, I do Welsh Language Act 1993? not think it possible to contemplate what he proposes for the nomination of the next European commissioner. Mr Lansley: This comes a short while after the sad Speaking at the Dispatch Box it is probably sensible for death of Wyn Roberts, who was such a passionate me to say that I do not necessarily subscribe to the view advocate of the Welsh Language Act and the use of the that the Prime Minister is not best placed to make a Welsh language in services, which we have to ensure is decision about who our next commissioner should be. maintained. I will raise the issue with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales to ensure that Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): May I declare the intentions of the Act are being seen through. an interest as a patron of Gate Safe, for which there is no financial remuneration? Gate Safe was set up following Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): May we have a number of deaths of children, including Karolina a debate on effective political representation? The Leader Golabek in my constituency. It was to ensure the safety of the House will notice that, while we have the honourable of electronic gates across the industry, which had led to presence of Members from minority parties in the the crushing to death of a number of children. Today I Chamber, there are no Back-Bench Members from the have been contacted by a company that has had its Liberal Democrat party in their place. They apparently invoice rejected because it followed Gate Safe’s standards, have no interest whatever in the future business of the which were said to be merely an attempt to increase House, and there were no Liberal Democrat Members prices. May we have a debate on how we can ensure that present at the important debate in Westminster Hall on industry-wide accepted standards can be enforced when Romanian and Bulgarian immigration just before it comes to paying bills? Christmas. Is it true that the Liberal Democrats have passed a new year’s resolution to take Thursdays off? Is Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Lady, and if I it not clear that there is very little point in people voting may I will raise that issue on her behalf with colleagues for Liberal Democrats, because they do not turn up and in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. represent them? There may be a case for a debate, but it may be that my colleagues can take action to help the hon. Lady. Mr Lansley: I hear what my hon. Friend has to say. I take an alternative construction, which is to say that Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): At the end of Members of the Liberal Democrat party are, as part of this month the Transport Minister will unveil the next this coalition Government, so content with the proposals generation of Thameslink trains, delivered as part of for business, as brought forward by the Deputy Leader the £6.5 billion Thameslink programme. Although that of the House and me, that they do not see any need to will be welcomed in my Hendon constituency and other question them. parts of the country, it comes at a price. May we have a debate to look at rail fares, and consider how the Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): We have programme has been delivered at the same time as the learned in the past 24 hours through leaks to the media Government have limited the cap on average regulated that the Cabinet Office has accelerated the withdrawal rail fare increases to RPI for 2014, and see what further of the Government Digital Service from the universal action the Government can take to keep rail fares credit programme. On a point of order yesterday, I down? inquired whether the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Mr Lansley: I am glad my hon. Friend raises the Horsham (Mr Maude), would be making a statement to Thameslink programme, which is part of the Government’s the House. I was therefore surprised to see him making long-term strategy to transform the rail network. He a statement on ITN news last night, not in this House. I and other Members will know that this is the most was not surprised when he said that the implementation significant investment in rail since the 19th century. of universal credit had been lamentable and that money However, for all its benefits in terms of capacity and had been wasted, but is it not discourteous of him to reduced journey times there is an implication for underlying have made the statement to the media last night? When costs to the system, which is why we have to look will he make a statement to this House on the role of constantly at protecting the families and hard-working the Cabinet Office on universal credit? people who use the railways and why we have reduced the average regulated fare rise to RPI—to which he Mr Lansley: No, there was no discourtesy involved. referred. We will continue to look at that. I cannot The ministerial code is clear that when Parliament is promise a debate immediately, but I can promise that sitting Ministers should make announcements of policy my right hon. and hon. Friends at the Department for to this House first. The Minister for the Cabinet Office 461 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 462

[Mr Lansley] Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who fully share the concerns of the House and are working with our partners, made no announcement of policy; he was simply reiterating pressing for the political progress necessary, including the fact, which I told the House a few moments ago, the implementation of the agreement in April. Time is that it was always the intention for the Government not on our side, and our concerns increase day by day. Digital Service to transfer responsibility to the Department for Work and Pensions’ digital team. Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): May I say how much I will miss Paul Goggins? I was looking John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): I was visited by two forward to working with him this year on holding the constituents late last year who adopted their children in Government to account on the promises they made to 2005. Will my right hon. Friend make time for a statement mesothelioma sufferers in the Legal Aid, Sentencing to explain why children adopted before 1 January 2006 and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012—an issue that I do not qualify for the pupil premium, whereas those know was very dear to his heart. adopted since then do? Has the Leader of the House seen ’ letters Mr Lansley: As ever, my hon. Friend is assiduous in page, particularly the letter from the chairman of the representing the interests of his constituents. The Criminal Bar Association, who complains that in interviews Government took the decision to link eligibility for the this week the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the pupil premium to adoptions under the Adoption and hon. Member for North West Cambridgeshire (Mr Vara), Children Act 2002, which was implemented on 30 December who has responsibility for legal aid, has exaggerated 2005, to ensure consistency with the Government’s policy barristers’ average earnings by more than 300%? Is not on priority school admissions for children adopted the problem that, while making the biggest attack on from care, and in the light of the need to balance the criminal justice system in a generation, the Government competing funding priorities during the current difficult have allowed no legislative time or debate? Will the economic climate. The criteria for the pupil premium Justice Secretary now table a debate in Government are reviewed annually. As part of that process, the time so that at least we can get to the bottom of some of Government will revisit the decision to limit access to these dodgy statistics? the pupil premium to adoptions under the 2002 Act in time for the 2015-16 financial year. Mr Lansley: I know that my hon. Friends would never use dodgy statistics. At nearly £2 billion a year, Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): May we have a statement ours is one of the most expensive legal aid systems in on the use of non-custodial sentences for serious offences? the world. I understood there to be consensus across The public are rightly questioning why some people political parties that savings needed to be made. That is found guilty of very serious and violent crimes are why we are taking these steps. Previously, the Leader of avoiding prison. Victims of crime need confidence that the Opposition said that his party supported cuts in the those guilty of serious crimes will be properly punished, legal aid budget. If he and his hon. Friends are changing but there is growing concern that one reason for the their position, it would be helpful if they would explain many non-custodial sentences is cost. how they would pay for it. It is of course open to the Opposition—and to the hon. Gentleman to tell his Mr Lansley: The issue that the hon. Lady raises is one Front-Bench team this—to raise these matters: they about which we all feel strongly. I remind her, however, have two Opposition days in the next two weeks, and if that the sentencing regime we had was substantially they wish to raise these issues, as they have done before, inherited from the Labour Government. We have taken they can do so. action to improve the very things people are concerned about. For example, if someone commits a serious Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): crime under this Government, they are nearly 10% With the economic recovery taking hold, some businesses more likely to go to prison than in the last full year of are now experiencing rapid growth. Oracle Finance in the Labour Administration, and the average sentence Knaresborough, for example, is dramatically increasing for sexual offences is nearly one year longer than it was the size of its sales team. This period of the economic in 2008 under Labour and two years longer than it was cycle places great pressure on companies in terms of in 2002. recruitment and skills, operational issues and especially Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): Yesterday, I received cash flow. These challenges are compounded for businesses an e-mail from a pastor in the Central African Republic facing particularly rapid growth, so may we please have describing the entire destruction of his village and the a statement from the Department for Business, Innovation slaughter of many innocent men, women and children. and Skills on what it is doing to support companies This is occurring in many communities across the country. facing such challenges? My hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mark Pritchard) has already rightly talked about the brave Mr Lansley: I know that my hon. Friend works hard involvement of the French and other forces there doing with his local community and local businesses to stimulate important work, but may we have a debate on the speed the economy, which is doing very well in Harrogate and of the UN’s reaction and the implementation of its surrounding districts. We will continue to put weight responsibility to protect? Sometimes I feel it is too slow behind training initiatives, including the new traineeships, to respond. the expansion of the number of apprenticeships and support for local enterprise partnerships in delivering Mr Lansley: I will not repeat what I have said previously, focused training to meet the needs of employers. It is but in the light of the points that my hon. Friend and also for employers themselves to invest in training. In my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mark that respect, one of the many positive results reported Pritchard) have made, I will talk to Ministers at the in the British Chambers of Commerce economic survey 463 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 464 for the fourth quarter of 2013, which was published this ensure that Members were provided with an opportunity week, was that manufacturing intentions to invest in to debate issues relating to women. Last year, we were training were at their best level since the third quarter of able to debate particular issues such as violence against 2007, while service sector intentions to invest in training women and girls, and I know that important themes also rose to the best level since the fourth quarter of will be taken up this year, too. 2007. Companies are thus seeing the intention to invest both in plant and equipment and in training for the Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Has my right hon. future. Friend seen my early-day motion 908? (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): [That this House is disappointed that the Co-operative May we have a debate on the impact of universal credit Energy company has contacted its customers to say that on eligibility for other Government schemes? A recent they will be charged an extra £63 if they do not begin to inquiry from a heating company in my constituency to pay their bills by direct debit; notes that the Government Ofgem found that people who transfer to universal is taking measures to reduce energy bills by an average of credit will apparently not be eligible for energy company £50; further notes that this move will hurt the poorest the obligation funding, which is designed to make their most; believes that energy companies should not try to homes warmer and more efficient and tackle fuel poverty. recoup this money by raising money in other areas; and As a shadow energy Minister who represents one of the calls for Co-operative Energy to treat all its customers pathfinder areas for universal credit, I would be extremely fairly, regardless of their chosen payment method.] concerned—as would many other Members—if that It condemns the way utility companies charge extortionate were the case, so I would welcome any clarification that rates for consumers who do not pay their bills by direct the Leader of the House could obtain for me. It seems debit. One of my constituents was charged £63 by the yet again that with this Government and universal Co-op which, amazingly, is at the lower end of the scale. credit, no one really knows what is going on. Some consumers are charged as much as £100. This hurts pensioners, the poorest and the most vulnerable. Mr Lansley: On the contrary, I think that some of the May we have an urgent statement on this issue? decisions about passported benefits in relation to universal credit have been very clear. If I may, however, I will Mr Lansley: I have seen my hon. Friend’s early-day inquire further with my colleagues at the Department motion, and I think that many Members will be concerned for Work and Pensions on the hon. Gentleman’s particular by the issue he raises. As so often, my hon. Friend question. It is, of course, open to him to raise the issue identifies an issue that is of importance not only to his with Ministers when they respond to parliamentary constituents, but to those on the lowest earnings and questions on Monday. those most in need. I will take this issue away and discuss it with my colleagues in the Department for Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): Has the Leader of the Business, Innovation and Skills to see whether they can House seen the recent BBC report showing that councils assist him in any way. We want to make sure that we do in England are holding £1.5 billion in unspent section not impose the greatest costs on those who have the 106 moneys, which are funds paid by developers for least. community projects when planning permissions are granted? In some cases, failure to spend the money has meant Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): I shall certainly sign that councils have handed it back to developers. At a the early-day motion tabled by the hon. Member for time when budgets for councils are particularly tight, Harlow (Robert Halfon), because I have been campaigning people will find it hard to understand that money is on the same topic for some time in the House. Following being wasted in this way, so could we have a debate to the power disruption over the Christmas period, may consider the matter further? we have a statement, or indeed a debate, about the power distribution companies? Many of them are making Mr Lansley: I did see the BBC survey, albeit not in huge profits and pushing consumer prices up, but they detail. I shall ask my colleagues at the Department for did not provide adequate cover over Christmas, and Communities and Local Government to respond to my numerous households have suffered as a consequence. hon. Friend in detail, but it is important to recognise the benefit that the community infrastructure levy will bring in relation to future practice, as compared to Mr Lansley: As the hon. Gentleman will know, my section 106 agreements in the past. right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy is currently undertaking a review. We hope that within Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): International women’s two months we shall see a report on people’s experiences day is on 8 March. At a time when the women of the over the last few weeks of the storms and the response world do two thirds of the world’s work and earn only to them by the power companies, not just in relation to 10% of its income, when rape is used daily as a weapon reconnections, but more especially—given the sentiments of war and when the Prime Minister admits that he has that were expressed in the House on Monday—in relation failed to reach his target for promoting women to the to the extent to which the companies communicated Cabinet, may we have a debate in Government time on with customers. I should add, however, that when I was international women’s day? in Anglesey on the Thursday and Friday after Christmas our power was off for 16 hours, and I thought that it Mr Lansley: I cannot at this stage clarify the arrangements was reconnected reasonably promptly. for debates at or around the time of international women’s day. I hope that the hon. Lady will recall that Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) the Government, the Opposition and the Backbench (Con): As my right hon. Friend may know, Plymouth’s Business Committee worked well together last year to truly excellent Theatre Royal, which is in my constituency, 465 Business of the House9 JANUARY 2014 Business of the House 466

[Oliver Colvile] Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): Members who have walked through New Palace Yard in is one of only five production companies in the United recent weeks will have noticed a large number of ministerial Kingdom, and the principal theatre in the south-west. cars sitting with their engines running for up to an hour Shortly before Christmas, the Department for Culture, at a time. Not only is that an absurd waste of taxpayers’ Media and Sport published its response to the Culture, money, but it sets an incredibly bad example in the Media and Sport Committee’s report on creative industries. context of climate change. Will the Leader of the House May we please have a debate, in Government time, on arrange for the Department for Transport to announce the coalition’s arts policy and on regional arts funding? to all drivers, and confirm to the House, that the practice will cease, given that it is bad for both the environment Mr Lansley: I am very glad to acknowledge the and the taxpayer? excellent work of the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, for which the Government provide more than £1 million a Mr Lansley: I must confess that I had not particularly year via Arts Council England. We also support Attik noticed that, although I spend a lot of time in New Dance Ltd, the Institute of Digital Art and Technology, Palace yard coming and going, but I will talk to the the Plymouth Arts Centre and the Barbican theatre, all Department for Transport, which is responsible for of which are in my hon. Friend’s constituency. the Government Car Service, and see what its view of The issue of the distribution of arts funding is inevitably this is. complex, but the Arts Council is seeking to achieve a Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): When meeting with better balance between public funding and lottery the Education Committee before Christmas the Education investment throughout the country. I cannot promise a Secretary gave a commitment to publish the impact debate at present, but other Members may share my assessment on the cut in funding for 18-year-olds. This hon. Friend’s interest in the issue, and may wish to ask commitment was reiterated by Ministers at the Dispatch the Backbench Business Committee to allocate time for Box on Monday. Having checked with the Vote Office a debate on it. My hon. Friend will recall that the and Committee members, it is my understanding that Opposition Front Bench chose arts and the creative that still has not been published. One would think that industries as the subject of a debate in the middle of last at the time of making a decision the impact assessment year. would be available. May we have a debate as soon as possible on the impact of this decision to damage the Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): education of 18-year-olds? May I appeal to the Leader of the House not to allow any further debates on the commemoration of the first Mr Lansley: I was in the House and I heard what was world war? I am sure that much of the nation has been said and I will ask the Department when it intends to appalled by attempts to politicise the event over the past publish in the way proposed. week, and by the unedifying trench warfare that has emerged between the Government and the Labour Front Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): May we have a Bench. May I appeal to both Front Benches to cool it, debate on the Government’s relationship with their to show some dignity and respect, and to ensure that public health responsibility deal partners, and not just the centenary is marked sensitively and with decorum? on alcohol pricing and the issue about sugar, which was raised earlier today? An authoritative report was published Mr Lansley: I felt that the debate that took place in last year about the link between fast food consumption the House late last year exemplified the importance of and childhood asthma, yet the public health Minister commemorating the events of 100 years ago. Although has said that she sees no reason to discuss that with the I cannot confirm that there are plans for another debate companies that are responsibility deal partners. If they on the subject, I can say that there is probably a case for are not there to discuss issues like that with the Government, further such debates in the future. what are they there for?

Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): Over the last Mr Lansley: I am responsible for establishing the year unemployment in my constituency has fallen by responsibility deal, which is there for the Government 25%, from 903 to 682. May we have a debate in which to work together with health organisations and experts we can consider the policies that have delivered such a and the industry in order to improve public health. spectacular result, and ensure that we continue those There is a programme of measures under the responsibility policies in order to build on it? deal. That is why the issue of sugar is coming forward. We took action on salt and on fast food with the Mr Lansley: I think that the figures cited by my hon. publication of calorie data—there has been an enormous Friend are testimony not only to the achievements of increase in the visibility of calorie information on fast businesses in his constituency, but to the effectiveness of food and at food outlets on the high street. The hon. the long-term economic plan that the coalition is pursuing. Lady’s response may simply reflect the fact that this is Flexible labour markets are also important. There have not intended to be a wide-ranging debate on all issues been widespread pressures on many economies throughout relating to public health; it is a focused agenda agreed the world, some of which have manifested themselves in between the parties. rapidly rising unemployment. The fact that we in this country have been able to produce 1.6 million extra Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): May we have a private sector jobs is testimony to the fact that we have debate on the Chancellor’s failed bank levy, which we been prepared to make difficult decisions in controlling now discover has fallen £2 billion short of what it was public sector expenditure and the reduction of public supposed to collect at a time when the Chancellor is sector jobs, and maintaining a flexible labour market. speaking with relish about taking billions of pounds off 467 Business of the House 9 JANUARY 2014 468 the most sick and disabled people in this country? Is it Points of Order not typical that it is not those with the broadest shoulders who get targeted; it is those who are limping already? 11.40 am Mr Lansley: My recollection is that in the autumn statement the Chancellor further increased the contribution Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): On a point of order, from banks through a special levy, but, to respond to Mr Speaker. I notified my right hon. Friend the Member the hon. Gentleman’s question, I have announced that for Banbury (Sir Tony Baldry) that I intended to raise the Opposition are intending to have a debate on issues this point of order. I have enormous respect for him, relating to banking next Wednesday during which he and he has been a great help to me over an issue in my will no doubt have an opportunity to make his point constituency. In reference to the answer that he gave me and hear the reply. during Church Commissioners questions, I should like to clarify that the anti-Israel exhibition at St. James’s Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): This week church was primarily about the Israeli fence, of which Russia blocked a UN Security Council statement 5% is wall, and which has prevented 95% of suicides. condemning the Syrian Government for their use of air That is why I argued that it was a one-sided exhibition strikes against civilians in Aleppo. The House last debated that would do a lot to harm religious tolerance. Syria in August last year, and an oral statement was provided in October last year. When might we expect a Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for debate in Government time on the issue of Syria? that clarification. I am sure that the House will now feel Mr Lansley: If I may, I will just say that I expect that better informed. my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will update the House shortly on the situation in Syria. I cannot Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): On a promise a debate, but the hon. Gentleman will know point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance on that we have regularly kept the House informed and we the potential use in proceedings of the old Wiltshire will do so again soon. word “ganderflanking”. I have sought the help of Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): “Erskine May”, but found none. Loosely translated, As reported in the media last weekend, TPIM—terrorism “ganderflanking” means aimless messing around. Would prevention and investigation measures—orders on all you agree that this archaic but colourful word might, if individuals will end this month because of the way the considered to be in order, become a useful tool not only legislation was drafted. May we have an urgent statement for hon. Members but for the Chair itself? about what the Government’s approach will be to these individuals who will be in our communities without any Mr Speaker: Beyond acknowledging the hon. restrictions, rather than read about it in the weekend Gentleman’s courtesy in giving me advance notice of papers? his intention to raise this point of order, I would say two things to him. First, I note his implicit and rather Mr Lansley: I will ask my right hon. Friend the Home interesting distinction between “aimless” messing around Secretary to respond directly to the hon. Lady and, if and what I presume is to be interpreted as purposeful necessary, to inform the House. messing around. Secondly, I am always grateful to the Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Speaker, I hon. Gentleman insofar as he seeks to protect the am sure that the whole House was pleased when you interests of Members and, especially, of the Chair. A chose to grant the urgent question on the written statement cynical soul might hazard a guess that he had been in on the provisional local government finance settlement, consultation with representatives of BBC Wiltshire, to which was put before the House very late on 18 December. whom I know this word is a matter of great interest, but Given the scale, pace and deep unfairness of the cuts in it would be unworthy of me to make any such allegation many areas of the country, will the Leader of the House and I do not do so. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, confirm that when the final settlement is announced, and we will leave it there for today. there will be a proper oral statement in the House so that Members will have the opportunity to question it. Mr Lansley: The publication of the provisional local government finance settlement by means of a written ministerial statement was not unprecedented; that has happened before, including under the last Government. My recollection is that it would be virtually unprecedented for the final settlement to be the subject of an oral statement, although it will be the subject of a written ministerial statement at the very least. 469 9 JANUARY 2014 470

is under threat. Off-grid households are currently prevented Backbench Business from accessing the same incentives and finance to improve their properties as are available to on-grid households. I Rural Communities am delighted to see that the Treasury is extending the ability of rural areas such as Thirsk, Malton and Filey [Relevant documents: Sixth Report from the Environment, to apply for rural fuel duty discount, and obviously we Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Rural Communities, will look to make sure that the EU funding under the HC 602, and the Government response, HC 764.] state aid rules criteria will apply equally across the board to such rural and sparsely populated areas as 11.43 am mine. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I beg to move, Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this debate and the Backbench That this House has considered rural communities. Business Committee on allowing it. She is making an I am delighted to have secured this debate, and I important point, because her community, like mine, has should like to thank the Backbench Business Committee to make an application, which is not straightforward to for giving us this opportunity to debate rural communities. do, and the criteria are not clear. I welcome the steps the I am honoured to represent what must be one of the Government have taken in other areas, but surely they most beautiful rural parts of the kingdom, so I feel should examine this issue, do this detailed work themselves particularly well placed to speak in the debate today. I and set the criteria so that rural communities across the should like to take this opportunity to thank all members United Kingdom can benefit from the rebate on fuel. of the Select Committee, past and present, and its staff for their help in preparing the report. When we started Miss McIntosh: Indeed. Obviously, the purpose of the inquiry, we were joined on the Committee by the today’s debate, as the hon. Gentleman is highlighting, is hon. Members for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas the “Rural Communities” report and the Government Docherty) and for Brent North (Barry Gardiner), who response to it. We published our report in July and they have now been called to do greater things on the Opposition responded in October. It is a source of disappointment Front Bench. More recently, the Committee lost my that the Government are leaving it to rural communities hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall (Dan to make their own arrangements; some will be better Rogerson), who is now the Under-Secretary of State for placed than others to do so. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I am delighted Let me go back to the report’s highlights. We believe to see him in his place today. We also lost my hon. that school funds should revert back to varied lump Friend the Member for Camborne and Redruth (George sum payments going to rural schools according to their Eustice) when he became the Under-Secretary of State need. We also looked at the rolling-out of superfast for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. broadband to rural areas, finding that it should be It is true that many in rural communities live in prioritised to those with the slowest speed. We urge the relative comfort and prosperity, particularly in my area, Department to impress upon BT that it must refocus its but there are also enormous challenges. There are pockets priorities. It is pointless giving those who have a fast of rural poverty and isolation, as well as poor public speed an even faster speed; we believe that we should services. Public services cost more to deliver in sparsely improve access for communities that have no, or extremely populated rural areas, where there is also a high slow, broadband. We also urge BT to indicate which concentration of the elderly population. All those factors areas will be covered by 2015 under the rural broadband represent a challenge to the delivery of public services. programme, thus allowing the areas that will not be The extra cost of providing these services to rural covered to make alternative arrangements. communities is evident across the public sector, yet in The Department is proceeding to “digital by default” 2012-13 rural local authorities received less than half of when the next round of the common agricultural policy the per head funding that urban authorities received. If comes into effect, but we urge the Department to ensure we look at areas such as education, we find that the that all rural areas will have fast broadband. We must Government are reducing local authorities’ flexibility to ensure that the Department is able to provide the outlying allocate extra funding to small rural schools with higher farms that are too far from the cabinet and do not have running costs. We urge the Government to recognise fast broadband with paper copies of things in the that the current system of calculating local government interim. Incredibly, when I try to use my mobile phone finance is deeply unfair to rural areas in comparison at home in a rural area, I find that I do not have mobile with their urban counterparts. I congratulate my hon. phone coverage; voice not spots should also urgently be Friend the Member for North Cornwall, who is now a addressed. Minister in the Department and was one of the co-chairs of the Rural Fair Share campaign, whose work I would Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): My wish to recognise. The Committee concluded: hon. Friend makes a crucial point about the so-called “The Government needs to recognise that the current system last 10% in rural areas, such as Devon and Somerset, of calculating the local government finance settlement is unfair to where roll-out has taken place. Unless we achieve 100% rural areas” accessibility for high-speed broadband, we will do an in comparison with urban areas. immense disservice to people in very rural areas. Does I wish to take the opportunity to highlight some she agree that when those areas or properties are identified, areas where that is the case and go on to discuss them in the Government should make funds available to ensure more detail. The cost of heating homes and filling car such accessibility? We want not a bidding system or fuel tanks in rural areas is very high, yet rural public matched funding, which is not available in rural areas, transport is infrequent and, as we know, the bus subsidy but the Government to finish the job. 471 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 472

Miss McIntosh: I welcome my hon. Friend’s intervention, Miss McIntosh: Indeed, and I, as an individual, am and I will come back and say more on that point. part of the rural fair share campaign. The reason for The Department for Environment, Food and Rural calling this debate is to lend support to that campaign, Affairs must address the matter of higher than average which goes to the heart of delivering public services in house prices and the lack of affordable housing in rural rural areas. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for allowing areas. Allowing the rural economy to grow, overcoming me to make that point. barriers to growth and improving rural businesses’ access Let me turn now to housing, another key part of the to finance should be among its top priorities. We ask report. Parts of rural England are among the most local enterprise partnerships to address the needs of unaffordable places to live in the country. Ryedale, in rural businesses, and we urge the Government to ensure my area, stands out as the people working there earn that financial support is offered to the business sector. less on average than those working in urban areas or in The business bank, the single local growth fund and other parts of Thirsk, Malton and Filey. Rural homes other such funds are available to rural businesses. We are more expensive than urban ones. The average house recognise the needs of rural communities. Currently, price in the countryside is equivalent to 6.3 times gross deprivation, affordability and provision of public services annual average earnings, compared with 4.9 in urban need to be addressed. areas. Potential first-time buyers are particularly hard hit by high property prices and are increasingly frozen Let me explain why we called for this report. In 2010, out of rural areas. If we do not address those problems, the Government abolished the rural watchdog, the the consequences for rural communities will be grave. If Commission for Rural Communities, and replaced it young people are priced out of rural areas, we lose the with a beefed-up rural communities policy unit in DEFRA pool of labour for the local economy and the service that operates as a centre of rural expertise, supporting sector, and demand for services, schools, shops and and co-ordinating activity within and beyond the pubs will also decrease, making their existence less Department. It champions rural issues across the viable. Rather than addressing the problems on the Government. We were told that the unit would play an demand side, we urge the Government to do much more important role in helping all Government Departments to increase the supply of housing in rural areas. ensure that their policies are effectively rural-proofed before decisions are made. We recommended that small rural communities should be exempt from the bedroom tax. In my area, there is a Earlier this year, we commenced an inquiry into rural chronic shortage of one and two-bedroom homes. Until communities to assess how successful DEFRA and the such a time as we can rehouse those who wish to new unit have been at championing rural issues across downsize, allowing larger families to move into larger Government to achieve their target of fair, practical properties, housing will remain a problem. Sadly, the and affordable outcomes for rural residents, businesses Government rejected that recommendation. In their and communities. Our findings led us to conclude that response, they suggested that those affected by the the rural communities policy unit faces a difficult task if bedroom tax should simply work more hours to make it is to meet that ambition. Too often, Government up the shortfall or should move into the private sector. policy has failed to take account of the challenges that When I visited the food bank in my area, run by the exist in providing services to a rural population that is local church, volunteers and the Trussell Trust, I found often sparsely distributed and lacks access to basic the story of one lady who volunteers there very affecting: infrastructure. she wants to work more hours for her employer, but the I have mentioned the local government settlement work is simply not there. and how rural communities pay higher council tax bills Regrettably, there are also planning issues—the elephant per dwelling yet receive less Government grant and have in the room that no one wants to mention. Whenever a access to fewer public services than their urban counterparts. planning authority in a nice area makes a proposal for I will not go over all our conclusions in that regard, social housing or smaller units, people always write to but the Government have, in part, recognised their their MP—I do not think I am an exception in this misjudgement by announcing an extra £8.5 million regard—to say, “I know just the place for that development: efficiency support payment for one year only for the at the other end of the village from where I live.” Until most rural councils. Some payments are as small as we can get over that barrier, we will have a smaller stock £650. As welcome as any extra funding is, that is clearly of social homes. The bedroom tax means that tenants not the long-term solution to the problem of rural are expected to move greater distances, away from friends, councils not getting their fair share. Regrettably, the family and schools. We must have a policy that allows Government rejected our call for the gap in funding key workers to live in the areas where they perform a between rural and urban councils to be reduced. We vital role. When the Minister sums up, will he explain must and we will continue to press the case. what input his Department had into that policy from a different Department, and why he believes that it is Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I suitable for rural communities that lack the variety and congratulate my hon. Friend on this debate. In Cornwall, volume of social housing stock on which the policy the reality is that we have higher than average council depends? tax, lower than average earnings and less money spent Let me turn in more detail to rural broadband. It is per head in the rural areas than in the urban areas. crucial to rural businesses, allowing economic growth in Closing that gap by just 10% a year for the next five rural areas and allowing rural businesses to compete years would mean an additional £16 million of income with their urban counterparts. I have mentioned digital for people in Cornwall. Does she not agree that the by default, and we must ensure that any new computer Government should push ahead with this idea of getting system the Government bring into effect is fit for purpose a fair share for rural areas? before it is introduced and that it reaches every farm on 473 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 474

[Miss McIntosh] The need exists and the funding exists, so how has DEFRA managed to make such a mess of administering which the Department is relying to fill in a digital form. the rural community broadband fund that much-needed Rural communities and their businesses, schools and financial support might be returned to the European households have fallen behind their urban counterparts Union unspent? I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister on broadband access. The roll-out of superfast broadband will tell me that that is not the case, because that would to 90% of rural areas will, I am sorry to say, be delivered be serious and regrettable. late and it is unclear when the target to which we all I will briefly mention schools. There are concerns aspire of universal access to basic broadband will be about school transport, the extent to which the pupil achieved. premium reaches rural areas and falling school rolls, It seems that some communities, including some in which is partly the result of the lack of affordable Thirsk, Malton and Filey—the Minister is living very housing, which I mentioned earlier. The problem with dangerously there—might have to wait up to three years rural funding is not limited to the finance settlement. before they see any benefit. That is unacceptable, particularly The Government are reducing local authorities’ flexibility as the Government are making ever more services digital to allocate extra funding to schools with higher running by default, as I have mentioned. A recent and notable costs, a move that will affect smaller rural schools in example is the new CAP deal, which will come into particular. The Government are demanding that all force in January 2015. primary schools receive the same level of lump sum funding, regardless of size, location or other circumstances. Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): Does the hon. That also applies to middle and secondary schools. The Lady agree that even in areas where it is claimed that recent Ofsted report on the achievement of the poorest there is decent broadband coverage, the reality on the children in education states: ground is that there are so many not spots that many “The areas where the most disadvantaged children are being individual houses and farms still cannot get access? let down by the education system in 2013 are no longer deprived inner city areas, instead the focus has shifted to deprived coastal towns and rural, less populous regions of the country”. Miss McIntosh: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman, whose experience reinforces the point I am trying to I hope that the Minister will use his good offices to make. We must ensure that universal access is prioritised liaise with his opposite number in the Department for over increasing speeds for those who already have an Education to correct that situation. Will he today explain adequate service. Will the Minister therefore tell us the the benefits that will be gained by removing local authorities’ date by which all rural homes will have access to 2 megabit ability to target funding where it is most needed, and basic broadband? whether his Department was consulted on that? The roll-out of broadband is being funded largely I commend all the conclusions that I have not been from the public purse, yet many constituents cannot able to cover, particularly those that look more closely find out whether they will benefit from improved at housing, the rural economy, community rights and broadband. The Committee insists that communities transport; I briefly mentioned the bus subsidy. I commend are told whether they will be covered by rural broadband the entire report and our recommendations to the House so that they can seek alternative means if they are not. and to the Minister. Again, I thank the Backbench Some local authorities are now publishing projected Business Committee for the opportunity for this debate. coverage maps, but many are not. I look forward to my hon. Friend the Minister summing The Government have committed to spending up what steps his Department is taking to ensure that £300 million that they are receiving from the BBC on pockets of rural deprivation that might otherwise be rural broadband. Some rural communities might be overlooked in the official statistics are recognised across hoping that even if they are not included in the initial Government. I urge him to state what is being done to roll-out, they might benefit from additional funding. redress the balance between rural and urban spending We need clarity, which is sadly lacking. Will the Minister and to ensure that we eliminate these pockets of rural therefore tell us how rural communities can find out deprivation. We look forward to receiving the review whether they will benefit from extra funding? that the Government have ordered to be conducted by the noble Lord Cameron of Dillington. We are told in With regard to rural communities going it alone, one the Government’s response that the findings will be source of funding might have been the rural community included in DEFRA’s annual report and accounts. broadband fund, but last week disturbing reports suggested that it will be wound down in March and that much of I leave the Minister with this question: is not the the available funding will be returned to Brussels. It whole subject of rural communities worthy of an annual aimed to deliver £20 million in funding and to connect statement or update in its own right, giving the Department 70,000 homes, but so far—I hope that the Minister can the opportunity to report to this place on exactly how correct me—only three projects have been approved, rural policy is being co-ordinated through the rural claiming less than £1 million in total, and they will communities policy unit? connect just 2,500 homes. A member of the public behind a proposed broadband scheme in Dorset said 12.6 pm last week that although funding existed, officials had made it impossible to spend and that therefore the rural Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): May I begin, Mr Deputy community broadband fund was dead. Another member Speaker, by wishing you and Members of the House a of the public said: belated happy new year? “The officials running it got so tied up in their own process it I thank the Chair of the Environment, Food and was impossible to deliver. This has happened because of the Rural Affairs Committee, the hon. Member for Thirsk incompetence and ineptitude in central government.” and Malton (Miss McIntosh), for securing this debate 475 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 476 and for giving a very measured speech with references I am very proud of my constituency and that it is to the document that we are considering. It is important both rural and urban and that there is interdependency to stick to that document, because many of us in the between both communities. When we talk about rural Chamber represent areas that are not covered by DEFRA communities, we need to point out the interdependency and have devolved Administrations who deal with many between them and nearby large market towns, villages rural issues. However, the House of Commons still and larger conurbations. The new A55 means that retains some reserved matters, and it is very important Lancashire is very close to north Wales. We need that that Members from Northern Ireland, Scotland and connectivity with other parts of the United Kingdom. Wales are present. Obviously, I make particular reference Many rightly say that people choose to live in a rural to Wales. It is good to see here representatives from area, but the challenges mentioned by the hon. Member Wales from three of the four parties. Without making for Thirsk and Malton often lead to many people any partisan point, Plaid Cymru Members often have a choosing to leave rural areas due to a lack of work knock when Labour Members do not turn up for debates, opportunities and facilities. I say genuinely to the Minister and they need to look in the mirror on this occasion. that it is a challenge to us all and to all governments—local I will adopt the hon. Lady’s tone in debating these government, the Welsh Government and the UK issues, but I will make one partisan point in saying—I Government—to work with the European Union and will go further than her—that my constituency is the others to ensure that we get the balance right between most beautiful area of the United Kingdom. If Members industry and tourism. It is not a question of either/or—we do not believe me, they need only visit the Isle of can have both. Rural areas can have quality industrial Anglesey—I know you have been a regular visitor in the jobs alongside farming and food production and tourism. past, Mr Deputy Speaker—to see one of the most That is the challenge for us all and I appreciate the way beautiful areas, if not in the whole world, then certainly in which the hon. Lady and her Committee have shadowed in the United Kingdom. It is blessed with rural and the Department. coastal communities, and it is those two aspects that make it such a unique place for people to visit. I am sure I am at a slight disadvantage because, although I have that many will take me up on that offer. read the report, I have not read the Government’s response to it. I shall do so after this debate, because I want to mention two of my predecessors. Brigadier- some of the issues raised by the hon. Lady are disturbing General Sir Owen Thomas was the first rural Labour and I wish that the Government would look more MP to sit in the House of Commons. He won the seat in positively at some of the recommendations. We need to 1918. He was very independent-minded and fell out get the balance right. with the parliamentary Labour party on a number of occasions, but he did stand as a Labour candidate. The Depopulation is one of the big issues. When an area second and only other Labour Member of Parliament loses many people, capital grants are reduced and that for my constituency was Lord Cledwyn Hughes, who makes it even more difficult to sustain and regenerate was a Secretary of State for agriculture. They were both local communities. In the 1980s and 1990s, our county— great champions of rural issues in Parliament. which is coterminous with my constituency—was the only one to lose population during the two census I know the hon. Lady’s area very well. I often tirelessly periods from 1981 to 2001. We lost a lot of talent and a promote my own constituency, as I have just done, but it lot of families who had been there for many years. is Yorkshire that I visit in my downtime. I say to those Economic decline is an issue in rural and periphery who live in Anglesey that if they want a break in the areas. We have the double whammy of being on the United Kingdom, Yorkshire is the place to visit. periphery, which has made it very difficult for people to travel to visit in the past. I am pleased with the great David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): Will the hon. improvement in road and rail infrastructure, but a lot Gentleman give way? more needs to be done to help areas on the periphery such as north-west Wales and Anglesey. Albert Owen: Before I give way, I will finish the I want to concentrate on an issue that the hon. Lady punchline: to those from outside Anglesey, I continue to and her Committee have not addressed on this occasion: say, “Visit Anglesey.” energy. I also want to discuss tourism, farming and food and infrastructure, but energy is rightly a dominant David Rutley: I am a little disturbed by the hon. issue for debate. As a member of the Energy and Gentleman’s comments. Given that so many members Climate Change Committee, I have raised many of of the public from and residents of Macclesfield and these issues for some time. Cheshire visit Anglesey, would it not be entirely appropriate for him to come to Macclesfield and enjoy the Cheshire My area—the facts and statistics bear this out—is a Peak district rather than travel even further to the net producer of energy and a net generator of electricity. Yorkshire dales? Wales as a country is a net producer of energy and a net generator of electricity, but it is also a huge, main hub for imported gas. Areas of west and north-west Wales, Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Let us not Pembrokeshire and various other areas actually supply concentrate too much on which is the best holiday a lot of the United Kingdom with its energy, electricity destination, because we know it is Lancashire and the and liquefied petroleum gas imports, and yet we pay Lake district. some of the highest electricity prices in the country, which is hugely unfair. Much of that—I raised this issue Albert Owen: I would welcome people from Lancashire, during business questions and have raised it for many the Lake district and other areas to debate that question years—is due to the energy market’s failure to provide a in my constituency. level playing field for the distribution and transmission 477 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 478

[Albert Owen] never get on to mains gas, but heating oil is an alternative. We have to get more competition and get the prices down of electricity, particularly to rural areas. We produce the for people in rural areas who use oil for their heating. bulk of the energy, yet we have to pay more for it. I hope the Government will seriously look at that issue. Albert Owen: The hon. Gentleman raises a very important point. Many Members, including those from We have highlighted the problems with power outage the Cornwall and Devon area, have been campaigning in rural areas, some of which are blighted by power on that issue for some time. The Office of Fair Trading transmission lines running through their communities. called for a number of inquiries into it and made a The figures clearly show that households and businesses recommendation to the Competition Commission. in north-west and south Wales are paying higher prices Unfortunately, it did not find that there is no competition, for their energy. I stress that businesses are paying more but I think that is blindingly obvious. That is why I as well. As Members throughout the House will know, welcome—I am not just making a party political point—the energy costs are one of the biggest factors for businesses. Labour party’s intention that Ofgem, the regulator, Their margins are squeezed in very difficult and austere look at off-grid as well, because it could give the same times and, on top of that, high energy costs are having a protection to off-grid customers. It is there to champion huge negative impact on rural communities. consumers and businesses, and that would be a good, Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman is making a very positive step forward. important point about energy costs in rural areas. He Hon. Members from rural areas will know that many will know—he may intend to go on to say this—that the of their constituents try to buy their fuel before winter. issue is about not just electricity, but LPG, fuel oil and In line with a cross-party campaign, I urge the Government the fact that houses in rural areas are often much more to look at mechanisms to allow people in rural areas to difficult, if not impossible, to insulate because they do get their winter fuel payments earlier, so that they can not have cavity walls; they have solid walls and are in buy in advance and do not have to pay premium prices damp areas. All those things put together mean that for coal, oil and other energy sources. I have pressed my people living in rural areas face very high and unsustainable party on that important point, and it has agreed, if it bills simply to keep warm. comes into government in 2015, to bring that measure in. I know there are IT issues, but I am sure that Albert Owen: Absolutely. It is good to have the hon. postcodes could be used to distribute payments earlier Gentleman back on-side. He and I debated this issue than happens now. during the previous Parliament and my arguments were I raise the issue of winter fuel payments because there very consistent when I sat on the Government Benches. have been lots of delays and glitches, including in I am glad to see that, now he does not have ministerial non-rural areas, with people receiving their payments. responsibility, he is again championing those off-grid, That is certainly the case in my constituency and those which is the next topic I wish to address. of colleagues I have spoken to about the issue. If the Energy Ministers are taking the off-grid issue seriously, software was amended, people in rural areas would but not enough practical steps have been taken. I am have the advantage of receiving payments earlier so that very pleased that my party is now calling for something they can buy in bulk earlier, at prices that suit them. for which I have been campaigning for some time: for I have covered the issues relating to off-grid customers the energy regulator to take responsibility for those and the distribution companies, but I welcome the not on the mains grid. This is an historic element of important energy investment that will be made in my privatisation. When the energy markets for gas and constituency in north-west Wales. I am not someone electricity were set up, they encompassed the old generators who stands here and picks winners. There is a nuclear that were on-grid and left an unregulated off-grid, power station in my constituency, and I support moves which means that many people are paying a lot more in to low carbon as well as the new build there. However, energy costs for their gas supplements. we have to have the right balance of biomass and other When the Government, the energy companies and, forms of renewables—it is important to have gas and indeed, the regulator talk about discounts and dual-fuel clean coal in that balance—and my constituency is discounts—this issue affects every Member who represents certainly playing its part. I make no apology for repeating a rural community—that does not apply to people who that it is unfair that people in our areas pay more for the do not have mains gas. They are paying considerably end product. more for their energy. The average price is a luxury for Having highlighted energy issues, I want to move on many people in rural areas. They pay considerably to fuel—petrol and diesel—which was mentioned by the more, not only for the distribution and transmission hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton. In previous decades cost, but for not benefiting from the energy companies. in this House, many people were encouraged to buy I have been pressing for many years, with some albeit diesel, because it was more energy efficient, with cars limited success, for the energy companies—the electricity able to do a greater mileage on diesel than on petrol. companies, in this case—to give loyalty bonuses to The price of diesel has now of course gone up considerably, people who stay with them. It is perverse that the energy which is hampering businesses and individuals in rural market encourages switching and gives dual-fuel deals areas. There is a massive difference in the price of petrol when it could and should give loyalty bonuses and help and diesel on some independent and supermarket forecourts. those in rural areas who do not have access to dual fuel. I very much welcome the Government’s moving the Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I very fuel rebate forward, but it does not cover all rural areas. much agree with the hon. Gentleman about the off-grid When they brought it in, there should have been a rule situation in rural areas. There also does not seem to be for the whole United Kingdom; it should not have been enough competition between oil companies to deliver done piecemeal. I am sorry to make a slightly partisan heating oil. Many constituents of ours will probably point, but Scottish Liberal Democrat seats should not 479 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 480 have been in the first wave, with other areas having to On food and farming, it is very important to have a play catch-up and make applications. There should brand: we should brand British goods and local goods. have been proper criteria covering the whole of rural There have been a few hiccups with labelling issues, but Britain and Northern Ireland. I again give credit to the Government for moving in this direction. People want to know exactly what they are Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): Will the hon. buying and where it comes from. Some bland labels just Gentleman give way? say, “British” or “European”, and I want labelling to be Albert Owen: Even though the hon. Gentleman is not more localised, so that local farmers can sell their a Scottish Liberal Democrat, I will certainly give way to produce in their area and have marketing opportunities him. if they choose to export it to other areas. Food is a very important industry, and we should take a greater lead Mr Williams: Is the hon. Gentleman as worried as I on labelling issues, including clear labelling and transparency. am that one of the criteria, about which there is some Those issues are important, and I welcome the progress concern, is distance from an oil refinery? My area was that has been made. not included in the consultation, while his was; but that My final point is about broadband and infrastructure, means that no areas would be considered because none which is also important. I absolutely agree with the hon. fit the criteria. Lady that although the Welsh Government have certain responsibilities, the provider is British Telecom: Wales Albert Owen: Yes, I agree; that is absolutely ridiculous. is a monopoly area in which there is no competition. It I do not think that has come from the EU, but from the is a fallacy to say that, since privatisation, there is Government and the Treasury. I have asked for a meeting competition, because there is not; there is a mass monopoly with the Economic Secretary and the Chief Secretary to called BT. In my view, BT Openreach has not been the Treasury to deal with just such problems. rolled out to rural communities as quickly as it should I am pleased that the hon. Member for Thirsk and have. Malton said that her Committee has put pressure on Let me give an example. In the last century, everybody DEFRA, but other Departments have to work with in the United Kingdom, wherever they were located, DEFRA to resolve the issue. I am not talking about could have a telephone line and telephone poles—including luxury journeys but essential journeys—people bringing in some very remote areas in my constituency, and I am their families to visit relatives, or taking carers, sure in others—so it is important that, in the 21st century, schoolchildren and anybody else who needs to get from the same communities should get fast broadband at A to B in rural areas. They need to have private transport equal speeds to those in the rest of the United Kingdom. because public transport is not available. They have We need to work towards that position. Unfortunately, been penalised not only by the very high energy prices, the market does not help, because many companies as I have said, but by fuel prices for transportation. We start off in urban areas where there is a large customer can all unite on the issue and work towards a solution, base, while rural areas very much have second-class and I hope the Government change their mind. status when it comes to broadband. Governments—including mine when they were in Broadband is of course more important in rural office; I make no bones about that—at first resisted areas, because it can cut down on the need for taking forward the rebate scheme because of European transportation. Many people locate businesses in rural issues. Now that it is up and running in certain areas, we areas because that is where they want to be, but they have a responsibility to introduce fairer criteria so that cannot access broadband. I will certainly push the all rural areas are covered. I do not buy the idea that Welsh Government on this, and Governments at all people will come from towns to buy their petrol in such levels should work together to get the best broadband areas: if they do, that would be good, but it is unlikely connectivity and high-speed broadband across all rural to happen. People currently have to travel great distances communities. to get cheaper fuel in rural areas, which is obviously counter-productive from a carbon emissions perspective. It has been a great pleasure to participate in this We need to look at the issue very seriously, and I am debate, and I again thank the Backbench Business pleased it has been highlighted by the Environment, Committee for allowing it to take place. I agree Food and Rural Affairs Committee. wholeheartedly with the Chair of the Select Committee I want to move on to food and farming, because it is that there should be an annual debate on rural communities, important to have a balance between industry and rural as there is on fishing, on the Floor of the House. issues. I want to pay tribute to the farming industry— [Interruption.] No, I am not going to take note of the Several hon. Members rose— time, because I want to cover these significant issues. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Salisbury (John Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): May I just Glen) waves at me to sit down, but it is important to go say that nine hon. Members are due to speak? I will not through this dimension of the debate. I agree with the impose a time limit, but they should bear in mind how hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton that the Government long they take. should hold an annual debate on rural communities, as they do on fisheries, so that hon. Members can express 12.29 pm their views. Not enough Government time is given to rural issues, which is why the Backbench Business Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): My hon. Committee has given us this time. We should use it, so I Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh) make no apologies for extending my speech. I have has done the House a great service in ensuring that we taken several interventions, including from Government have a debate on rural affairs—a subject we do not talk Members. about enough. 481 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 482

[Sir Edward Leigh] that they will have some influence and power, and that knowing their local areas gives them some right, in There is an altogether too rosy picture of rural life, broad terms, to determine how much new housing particularly in metropolitan circles. Some of the people should be built. who write our national newspapers seem to think that To turn to a vexed issue, I want to disagree with one we all live in lovely stone houses in Cotswold villages of the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for inhabited by media moguls and retired admirals having Thirsk and Malton, because there is no bedroom tax—it country lunches. That is not to say that retired admirals really is a spare room subsidy. In rural areas, we have to can afford to live in the Cotswolds any more—it is try to find a way—she was feeling her way towards this probably only retired hedge fund managers who can. point—to distribute low-cost housing and to move people However, the reality of life in remote rural areas that on from housing that is under-occupied so that younger are, dare I say it, less fashionable than the Cotswolds or families can get into it. As she said, this is a complex Buckinghamshire, such as the part of north Lincolnshire issue because there is not enough low-cost, single-bedroom that I represent, which is three and a half hours from social housing in rural areas. Local councils such as London whatever form of transport one takes, is often East Lindsey and West Lindsey district councils in my very tough indeed. That is why this debate is important. area are working on the problem and the local housing My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton associations are very aware of it. I agree with her to the and the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) extent that localism comes into this. In this complicated outlined in a very measured way some of the extra costs area, central Government must work with local councils of living in rural Britain. I will deal with those costs in a to ensure a good supply of low-cost housing. few moments, but first I will talk about planning and The cost of living in rural areas is often not recognised. localism. One can get bogged down in statistics and details, but it If I walk out of my cottage on the edge of the is important that we, as Members of Parliament who Lincolnshire wolds, which is an area of outstanding represent rural areas, put on the record the sheer cost of natural beauty, I can walk up the hill and have an living in rural Britain, compared with living in urban uninterrupted view over the vale of Lincoln to the Britain. People who live in entirely rural seats a long Lincoln edge. The hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Nic way from the capital are very under-represented in this Dakin) knows that view very well. It is a fantastic view. city. Often, our voice does not get through. That affects Perhaps it is not as good as the view that you have, all essential public services. In policing, despite high Mr Deputy Speaker, in the forest of Bowland, but we rural crime—I am a victim of rural crime myself— do almost as well in Lincolnshire as you do in Lancashire. Lincolnshire is bottom of the heap for funding per We are very proud of that. head. It affects transport and hospital services. Again It is likely, however, that local people will soon be and again, despite the fact that incomes are lower in ignored by the planning authorities and that vast wind rural areas, the funding that we receive from central farms, higher than Lincoln cathedral, will be built along Government is inadequate. Our political voice is not the Lincoln edge. This is not a debate about wind farms, powerful enough. We do not have a sufficient number of but it is a debate about rural areas and surely it is a Members of Parliament or, dare I say it, Members in debate about the right of local people to have a say. The marginal seats, but we have a right to speak out because planning committee of West Lindsey district council there is a clear injustice in the national funding formulas has opposed unanimously the application for those vast against rural people, who are often living in poverty. wind farms. I believe that the planning process should That is not just rhetoric; it is fact. There have been a respect the views of local people, particularly given that number of academic studies on the minimum income there are good planning reasons relating to local standard. That concept was invented by researchers and archaeology and the proximity to RAF Scampton, as is carefully worked out. It is based on what members of well as the famous view that I have mentioned. the public think people need in order to have the Localism affects other parts of the planning process. minimum acceptable standard of living. There is no If Members read the front page of doubt that people in rural areas tend to have to spend today, they will see a banner headline that contains 10% to 20% more on everyday requirements than those remarks made by my hon. Friend the Member for in urban areas, even though they often have lower wages Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi), who sits in the or salaries. To reach a minimum living standard on 2010 No. 10 policy unit and is therefore a man of some levels, the research indicates that single working adults influence. He talks about the national planning policy need to earn at least £15,600 a year in rural towns, framework and makes the point that the views of local £17,900 in villages and £18,000 in hamlets or remote people about new housing must not be overridden by countryside. Those in urban areas need earn only £14,400. central Government. For couples with two children, the annual earnings Local councils are not naturally nimbyist. The people requirement is much higher at about £33,000 to £42,000, who sit on them are democratically elected. They recognise depending on the circumstances. I assure the House the need for new housing and for new affordable housing that many people who live in rural areas do not earn in particular. Surely we believe in localism. I thought anything like £42,000 a year. The Minister, who is an that localism was a primary undertaking of the coalition excellent Member of Parliament, knows the scale of the Government. It does not behove central Government to problem in Cornwall. Rural poverty is a real problem. impose their views about the nature of house building The hon. Member for Ynys Môn mentioned fuel on rural councils. I am all in favour of encouragement poverty. The Government’s statistical digest of rural and of a broad framework. However, if people of worth England for 2013 notes that, proportionally, more and ability are to be encouraged to serve on councils in households in rural areas are in fuel poverty than the Lincolnshire and other rural areas, they must believe national average. That is obvious—it is a clear fact. Fuel 483 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 484 poverty is even greater in sparse villages and hamlets are going to encourage people to avoid heavy transport than it is in rural towns. Some 36% of rural households costs and so on by working at home, are we not? How are off the gas grid, as the hon. Gentleman said, as can we charge the rural economy if we have such slow opposed to only 8% in urban areas. As we all know to broadband speeds? our personal cost, those households are reliant on much I turn briefly to support for farming. I welcome my more expensive domestic fuels than others. I do not right hon. Friend the Secretary of State’s announcement pretend that I know the answer to that problem, but I that the Government will reduce the planned common know that the Minister will address it when he sums up. agricultural policy modulation rate from 15% to 12%, Average weekly household expenditure on transport which shows that the Government are listening. Like in urban areas is £55. In rural towns and their fringes it many rural Members of Parliament, I have been approached is £62, in villages it is £78, and in hamlets and isolated on the matter by farmers, and the National Farmers dwellings it is £90. The average for England is £58. In Union has rightly been concerned about it. rural areas, the highest proportion of income that is I know it is a matter for Europe rather than for us, spent on an individual commodity or service goes on but my personal view is that we should still try to transport. We should consider the sort of wages that transfer more agricultural subsidies from larger farms people in rural areas earn. There are a lot of retired and estates and towards working farmers, many of people on relatively modest pensions. They have to whom are struggling. We need to help them more. spend an average of no less than £90 a week on transport if they live in hamlets or isolated dwellings, which is an It is obvious that we have a problem of poverty in enormous burden. rural areas, and that there is not sufficient political weight to address it. The idea of minimum income It is obvious that most people who live in rural areas standards is, in some ways, tied to that of the living travel further than other people—45% further per year wage. There has been a lot of debate about the living than the English average and 53% further than those wage, but mainly focusing on areas such as London and who live in urban areas. Plainly, the very DNA of rural the other big cities. I believe that the concept applies existence requires travel over longer distances. We in even more powerfully to the countryside. The social Lincolnshire know all about long distances. Some 96% teaching of the Churches, which is a rich vein of thought of urban households have a regular bus service, and the and very much to be recommended as a read, puts 72 Members of Parliament who represent constituencies strong emphasis on justice in the relationship between in Greater London have fantastic tube and bus services. employers and their employees. For an employer to Only 42% of households in rural areas have a regular deprive a worker of his justly earned wage is traditionally bus service. Famously, in my constituency in north described as “a sin crying out to heaven for vengeance”. Lincolnshire, we have the train service between It is that important. Provided that an individual is Gainsborough, which I represent, and Cleethorpes, which working full time, it is basic justice that he or she be runs once a week. Imagine a train that runs once a paid enough to support himself or herself and their week—it is truly bizarre. family. We cannot assume that everybody in a rural area, in We Conservatives would be foolish to concede the the type of village in which I live, has access to a car, forum of debate on economic justice to Opposition although there have been tremendously impressive efforts Members. Conservatism has never existed, and should such as dial-a-bus services. Even if they do have access never exist, in some hyper-capitalist vacuum. Of course, to a car, the cost that I have mentioned—£90 a week—may we know the value of economic freedom and the be truly prohibitive. There was a local couple from marketplace, because we can see the unimaginable leaps north Lincolnshire on television who could not even in prosperity and the reduction of poverty that have afford to go on holiday in England, because they could taken place under free market economies over the past not afford the petrol to get where they wanted to go on 200 years. the coast. People are having real difficulty in affording petrol, and some people in rural areas do not have a car Nia Griffith () (Lab): Does the hon. Gentleman and so have virtually no transport. regret the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board, I do not want to say a great deal about access to which provided some of the very things that he is broadband internet, because my hon. Friend the Member speaking about, such as decent levels of pay and a clear for Thirsk and Malton dealt with the matter so skilfully. indication of what work is worth what pay? However, we all know that average broadband speeds are much slower in rural areas than in cities, and that a Sir Edward Leigh: That is an interesting point, but we higher proportion of rural households have slow or no cannot go back in time to a structure created under the broadband. I am a bit technophobic, I admit, but when Attlee Government whereby agricultural wages boards I am sitting in my cottage trying to use my local wi-fi determined what wages were paid in the agriculture and get on to broadband to do my parliamentary sector. Let us look at the farming economy in Lincolnshire. business, it is ridiculously slow. It is absurd—if I were I live on an estate of 5,000 acres—I do not own it, I trying to run a business, I would be out of business by hasten to say. When the boards were created, there now. I simply could not work in my own rural area. I would probably have been 40 or 50 agricultural labourers have to do all my work from a computer in London. working the estate. Now, there are only one or two. The internet simply does not work fast enough in rural Although the hon. Lady’s point is fair, I do not believe areas. that agricultural labourers’ wages are quite the problem In 2010—again, this is fact, not rhetoric—only 5% of in current rural Britain that they were in the immediate urban areas had broadband speeds lower than 2 megabits post-war period. I am thinking more of the problems a second, whereas the figure was 23% of rural areas. that are loaded on to the great majority of people in the Surely that must be a priority for the Government. We countryside, who are not farmers and do not work for 485 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 486

[Sir Edward Leigh] largely invisible and unavoidable extra tax on people who live in rural areas and have to cover long distances farmers but who are living in fuel poverty, are retired or to access shops, amenities and public services and often find difficulty with their transport costs. Their children to get to their work. Those people often have no option have difficulty in getting housing, and they perhaps other than to use a private car. That places an additional work in low-paid jobs in the catering industry in local tax burden on rural businesses and households alike, towns. That is more typically the structure of the current which will not be fully mitigated by the Government’s rural economy than the historic structure of large numbers fuel rebate measures. of people working in agriculture. It is not only the cost of road fuel that adds to I was talking about economic freedom and the value household expenses. It is a supreme irony that although of the marketplace, but also about the common good, North sea gas comes ashore at St Fergus in my constituency, and I want to finish on that point. The freedom of the many people living in the surrounding rural area—including, marketplace must be protected within an orderly context, probably, some who work at the gas terminal—are not with the best being conserved and the important and on the gas grid and have to depend on more expensive vital things that might otherwise be destroyed by the forms of domestic heating. My part of the world is one cold calculations of mere profit being preserved. In of the colder and more exposed parts of Scotland rural areas such as mine in Lincolnshire, that means during the winter months, and everyone, without exception, businesses, farmers, employers and local and central has taken the hit of soaring energy prices in recent Government coming together to co-operate for the months. The points raised earlier about that issue by the common good, whether on agricultural subsidies, flood hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) were salient, defences, the price of petrol or many other matters. particularly on the energy market. I am sure the Government are trying to listen to country people, but it is important that we speak out People who are off the gas grid tend to spend a higher and put pressure on the Government. We need action proportion of their income heating their homes and are on fuel poverty, the cost of living and disparities between more susceptible to fuel poverty. Even those on respectable rural and urban areas, particularly with regard to incomes, who one would think are doing quite well Government funding, which is in the Government’s financially, find that they are not because it costs so control. I hope and trust that the Minister will give us much to heat their homes through the winter. One good news in those regards when he responds. simple and cost-neutral way the Government could help low-income households that are off the gas grid to stay warm in winter is by making winter fuel payments 12.47 pm to those households in advance. Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I My hon. Friend the Member for Angus (Mr Weir) begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Thirsk recently brought forward the Winter Fuel Allowance and Malton (Miss McIntosh) and her Committee on Payments (Off Gas Grid Claimants) Bill, which would their report and the issues raised in it. provide for the early payment of the winter fuel allowance I believe that all Members taking part in today’s to pensioners whose homes are not connected to the debate represent rural communities, and I am no exception. mains gas grid, and whose principal source of fuel is In fact, Banff and Buchan has one of the highest home fuel oil, liquid petroleum gas or propane gas. proportions of any constituency in these islands of Bringing forward payment of the winter fuel allowance people living in the countryside or in very small settlements. would allow low-income consumers who have no access Although there are many positive things to be said to reduced tariffs and no possibility of changing supplier, about rural life, it undoubtedly presents day-to-day to fill their tanks prior to the onset of winter, at a time challenges and generates a lot of extra costs, not all of when prices tend to be a little lower. Unlike those of us which are justifiable. Those costs put huge pressure on who get quarterly bills, those with oil tanks have to pay the household finances of people on low and middle large four figure sums up front to fill them, and it would incomes who live in rural areas. cost nothing for the Government to simply re-sequence This is an extremely broad topic to debate in limited payments for those affected. time, but I wish to touch on a range of public policy Another key issue for our rural communities is postal issues where rural communities have distinct needs and services. Our post office network has shrunk dramatically where I believe Westminster is currently letting them over the past 10 years, and it is critical to protect our down. Many of those concerns echo the issues that remaining post offices in rural areas. Often the post other Members have raised, and the first is the cost of office will be the last business in a village, and the last getting about. vestige of any accessible financial services. A reliable Petrol and diesel prices are significantly higher in my universal mail service is essential to businesses in rural constituency than in urban areas or less remote rural areas and to efforts that encourage the growth of such areas. People in areas such as Aberdeenshire and Banffshire businesses, particularly as online retail continues to are much more dependent on private cars than those in expand and create new opportunities. If we are to other parts of the country. They have further to travel re-energise small businesses in the rural economy, they and very few public transport options—we have no must have access to a full, reliable and—above all— trains at all in my constituency, and as one would expect reasonably priced postal service that will ensure they in a remote and not densely populated area, bus services can send and receive packages quickly and efficiently. are not particularly frequent. We must recognise that post offices are an essential I am concerned about the fact that more than 60p in piece of our economic infrastructure in the digital age. every pound spent at the pump goes straight to the Despite all the good intentions and words, however, the Exchequer. That means that there is a disproportionate, reality is that postal services continue to decline. Until 487 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 488 we see the establishment of more Government and not benefit from that process because the UK Government financial services in post offices, the future does not have decided to use the £230 million convergence uplift look all that bright. they received because of Scotland’s historically low Given that the regulator has already removed price levels of support to plug gaps in CAP funding elsewhere caps from every service apart from second-class mail, I in the UK, instead of using it as intended. have little confidence that it will provide rural consumers By 2019, Scotland will have the lowest levels of CAP and those in remote areas with protection against big funding per hectare of any country in the EU—money price increases in postal services. The record of regulators that could be used to make tremendous investments in in other privatised industries has shown how ineffective our rural communities, improve our rural environment, a protection they can be—we need only look at the and support jobs and economic growth in rural areas. energy market to see that in action. Scottish farmers, those living in rural areas and running Another aspect of our essential rural infrastructure is rural businesses do not want special treatment, but they broadband and mobile connectivity, and a lot of attention do want equitable treatment and parity with their has been paid to that today. Parts of my constituency neighbours in the UK and the rest of the EU. are still black holes for phone reception, and many Around 30% of Scotland’s economic output is generated households in rural areas have wholly inadequate by the rural economy, so the issue is critical for our broadband speeds, if they have it at all. Sizeable areas of future development. With better support, we could do a my constituency are simply not online. Moreover, in whole lot better and on all those issues—rural development areas where broadband is available, it is comparatively funding, fuel costs, heating costs, postal services and expensive and people will pay around £40 or £50 a broadband—the UK could, and should, be doing a lot month for a service that they would easily get for less more to support rural communities such as the one I than £10 a month in London. As somebody who pays represent. I hope Ministers will use their opportunities phone bills in both areas, I know that there can sometimes in the remainder of this Parliament to give the issue the be a £45 difference in the monthly charge. That hidden priority it deserves. cost for people in rural and remote areas does not necessarily come to the fore very often, but even when they have access to the internet, they are likely to pay 12.57 pm through the nose for it. Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): This hugely To my mind, the underlying problem is the way that important debate is of great interest. I often speak in spectrum licences have been issued. It is all very well to debates in the House, but if I raise an issue about rural say that 90% or 95% of the UK will have broadband by areas or rural policy, it is usually tangential or an add-on a certain date, but if the remaining 5% is mostly in rural to another debate. A debate wholly about rural affairs Scotland, that is a problem. As Government services is, therefore, hugely welcome and I am pleased to take part. increasingly move online, digital exclusion is becoming I have always lived in rural Wales. I was born on a hill an ever more pressing problem in rural areas, compounding farm in rural Montgomeryshire, where I have always economic exclusion and the existing challenges of rural lived, and nearly all my relations are still from there. life that already create a lot of hurdles for people in our Throughout my public life—now decades old—my interest rural communities. Other countries in Europe with similar has been the promotion of the economy of rural areas, geographical challenges have done a much better job and that involves not only farming, which was my than the UK of delivering access to mobile and broadband occupation, but the recognition that rural areas must connectivity, and we could—and should—learn a great change and develop other forms of employment if they deal from them. are to thrive. I will conclude by touching on agriculture. The economic vitality of our rural communities is underpinned by our The report, which was so ably presented by my agricultural industries and the food and drink processing hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton and distribution sectors that derive from them. In many (Miss McIntosh), covers a huge range of issues. One parts of rural Scotland, common agricultural policy could probably speak for days on this topic, but I want support is essential to the viability of primary producers to consider those areas that have an impact on my and the sustainable development of our rural areas. constituency. Inevitably, most of those issues are related CAP rural development funding has played a crucial to policy in England, but they have a big impact on Wales role in enabling the 52% rise in exports of food and and particularly on my constituency. Montgomeryshire drink since 2007, mainly by investing in the facilities is a beautiful constituency that marches alongside another and infrastructure that those businesses need to grow. beautiful constituency in Shropshire, and many policies in mid-Wales depend on what is happening there. Wales However, keeping up with our neighbours in Europe is developing as its own nation in a great and welcome is increasingly difficult. Historically, Scotland has had way that I support. The reality, however, is that the low levels of CAP support relative to the area of land in economy of mid-Wales is still connected and dependent agricultural use. Currently, we receive an average of on Shropshire and the west midlands, so the link between ¤130 per hectare, compared with an EU average of ¤196. Shropshire and Montgomeryshire is important. Within the UK, Scotland’s ¤130 per hectare compares with an English average of ¤265 per hectare, a Welsh The four headings I want to speak on briefly relate to average of ¤247 per hectare, and a Northern Irish average the cross-border issue: health care; transport infrastructure; of ¤335 per hectare. Therefore, compared to other parts rural community empowerment, touching on onshore of the EU and UK, Scotland has been short changed wind farms; and farming, which is not covered massively on the CAP for a long time, putting our agricultural in the report but is important to all of us. sector at a competitive disadvantage. In that respect, The report covers the difficulty of access to health moves towards convergence are an important step in the care for people living in rural areas. Strokes and right direction, but Scotland’s rural communities will heart attacks in particular require quick access, and 489 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 490

[Glyn Davies] Glyn Davies: The hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr Williams) is here and is nodding in agreement, and that is problem for those living in rural areas, especially I am sure that my opponent in the forthcoming election when the ambulance service is nothing like as good will be of the same view. We know the massive impact it as it should be. Although a relatively small number will have and it is exactly the same for north Shropshire. of people in the west of my constituency depend on One important point is how the communities feel. Bronglais general hospital, we depend substantially for Having a public meeting in Montgomeryshire is difficult specialist services, including obstetrics and paediatrics, to organise because people have to travel big distances on those in England, in Shropshire. A £38 million and make a big effort—they cannot just walk down the development is going ahead in Telford, which will serve road. Despite that, 1,500 people not only turned up at my constituency of Montgomeryshire. The situation is meetings I organised, but travelled, in 38 buses, all the the same in relation to orthopaedics and elective care, way from Montgomeryshire to Cardiff to emphasise which are crucial. their point. They feel that their opinion has been completely sidelined. We sometimes read, usually in The Telegraph, Devolution affects how the Governments in Westminster that the Government are listening and that perhaps and Wales work together. There has been a tendency, more weight will be given to local opinion and that certainly with some Ministers in Wales, to want to there might be some change to the way in which planning develop a Wales solution, and that influences policy in policy works, but it is not happening. Rather than Shropshire to the huge detriment of my constituents promises to secure favourable headlines, we want something in Montgomeryshire. If the people developing services real delivered. The people of mid-Wales and north in Shropshire are seeking to serve their community of Shropshire have a sense of hopelessness and helplessness Shropshire, that almost inevitably points to the middle about how central Government, both in Cardiff and in of it, which is Telford. Although the £38 million Westminster, are responding to the views of people development is going ahead at Telford hospital, the area living in cities and other urban areas by imposing served is Shropshire and mid-Wales, so Shrewsbury something on rural areas that they do not want. We should be the centre. Any sensible consideration, which have to be very careful that we do not just look at looked not at two separate Governments but at the numbers and the big populations, and ignore the opinion people they serve, would make investment in Shrewsbury of rural areas. hospital more likely. That point needs to be made here The final point I want to touch on relates to farming. and in the National Assembly for Wales. There is not a huge amount in the report on farming, but I want to touch on the impact of bovine TB on The second issue, which I have touched on previously, farming communities, which is not properly understood. is transport infrastructure. Transport is largely devolved, This has always been a difficult issue for me. I have a but investment in cross-border issues depends on good understanding of the farming industry, but I have commitment from both sides of the border. There are always been involved in the local Wildlife Trust and schemes where the Welsh Government are keen to go understand the implications and sensitivities. We must, ahead and would make the commitment to go ahead, however, have a policy that deals with the issue. Most of but they require a commitment from England. When my eight years at the National Assembly for Wales was the Welsh Government are making their assessment of spent as Chairman of the agriculture Committee. The the value of a scheme, they know how important it is to position was that the Welsh Government wished to go have access to markets. From an English perspective, ahead with a cull, but the United Kingdom did not. there is no access to markets consideration. Devolution There was a mistake in introducing the legislation, so is, therefore, resulting in schemes that would have gone that did not happen. The Minister was removed and a ahead, because the Welsh Government want them to, new Government came in and pursued a vaccination falling with no prospect of going ahead at all. That is policy, which is a reversal of the position here. We must not the way devolution is supposed to work. In relation consider all the ways of dealing with the issue to find to cross-border road schemes, it is causing great disbenefit the most effective and best way of going forward. If we to my community. I have mentioned this on a number can recognise that we must deal with the issue in the of occasions and I will probably do so on a number of most effective way, there will not be so much sensitivity occasions again. I hope that in the next few months, as about it. we consider the Silk commission, we will have opportunities I would have liked to raise a number of other issues to return to the matter. on farming, but I am conscious of time, so I will just mention how the levy is distributed for promoting food. The third issue is tangential to the onshore wind The promotion of food in England and Wales depends debate. Mid-Wales and Shropshire are again linked on the levy for slaughter. A lot of the livestock in Wales together by the Mid Wales Connection. I should say is slaughtered in England, so the levy is available to the briefly that the Mid Wales Connection takes in north Meat and Livestock Commission in England, not Wales, Shropshire and Montgomeryshire and amounts to between so we are probably about £1 million down and at a huge 500 and 600 wind turbines on top of what is there disadvantage. We should look seriously at how to introduce now—there are probably more in Montgomeryshire a degree of fairness in the system for distributing the than anywhere else. It is a monster, with about 100 miles levy so that food promotion can follow where the animals of cable, that will completely transform the whole area. are farmed and bred, rather than where they are slaughtered. Politicians of all parties, including my two Liberal In my constituency, an awful lot of animals go over the Democrats colleagues in mid-Wales, have exactly the border to Shropshire to be slaughtered. same view as me. Finally, to reinforce the point made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mr Mark Williams indicated assent. earlier in the week, it is important for everybody to eat 491 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 492

British food wherever possible. I cannot imagine anyone in the daytime, because people commute out. One of not wanting to eat Welsh lamb. Why go anywhere else? the problems facing the fire station, which I am pleased Why eat anything but British beef or British dairy to say we convinced the fire authority to keep open, is products? It seems crazy not to do that. If we want beer, that it now needs a major recruitment campaign to there are microbreweries dotted all over the country, identify people it can train up as retained firefighters. and there are two in Montgomeryshire. Why import That is symptomatic of the lack of working-age adults when we have wonderful stuff at home? I appeal to in the community during the day. everybody in Britain to help our rural areas by, whenever possible, using British produce. That brings me to the issue of transport out of the villages and how much more difficult that is for people in rural areas. As more and more people have acquired 1.9 pm cars, it has become even more difficult because bus Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): I congratulate the hon. services have become less and less viable. If it were not Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh) on for the pensioners with their passes, some buses would her excellent work as Chair of the Environment, Food not have any passengers on them. That is a major issue and Rural Affairs Committee and her very good exposé we have to consider, particularly when transport costs today. make it difficult for people to take up work opportunities. My constituency is a mix of rural, semi-rural and Rural areas face much higher fuel bills—both types urban. Some choose to live in the countryside, some go of fuel: the fuel people put into their vehicle, if they for more space, some were born and brought up there, have one, and the fuel they use to heat their home. As but there is a real problem of rural poverty. Some of the hon. Members have said, there is much less choice in hardest-hit areas are former mining areas, places nobody rural areas. If someone is not on mains gas, they cannot would ever have dreamt of building houses had there benefit from dual fuel deals, and many areas in my not been mines there. We have people from mining constituency are not on mains gas and so face either families who were born and brought up there, many in higher oil prices or even higher coal prices. On liquid old terraced or social housing, and the difficulty for petroleum gas, there are real problems with tied deals, them is that costs escalate, it is hard to find work, where groups of houses have to order and switch at the transport costs are high and all the local costs, such as same time, which raises competition issues. How can buying in the local shop rather than a supermarket in anyone escape from the provider they are forced to take town, are much higher, yet their incomes are not comparable on when they move into a property? I raised this matter to those of the sort of people who can commute, have with the former Member Chris Huhne and with the two cars and all the rest of it. Rural poverty is a major regulator, but it was not entirely sorted out. We need a issue, therefore, particularly in many of the former regulator that can deal with these off-grid issues, which mining areas of south and west Wales. is something Labour is committed to doing. As was On social housing, in the past people were allocated mentioned, Wales also has particularly high electricity rooms, bedrooms and homes on the basis of what was costs—electricity usage in rural areas tends to be higher available in their village. I am pleased that the EFRA because of the lack of gas, and again, a tough new Committee has identified the bedroom tax as a major regulator could look into that and make much sharper problem for these areas, but I am disappointed in the recommendations. Government’s response, which repeats a fallacy peddled by Ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions: I welcome Labour’s decision that the winter fuel that a person needs only two or three hours’ work at allowance should be paid earlier, and if we get into the minimum wage to make up the £15. Worryingly, government, we will certainly implement that proposal. given that these are DWP Ministers, this completely It is important that people be able to buy when prices misunderstands how housing benefit is calculated and are low in the summer months and prepare for the the idea of clawback. Things such as housing benefit winter, but of course, the Government have cut the and tax credits depend on a person’s income, so extra winter fuel allowance—we had forgotten that. One of hours do not simply equal extra income because there is the very early cuts, it took £100 off the over-80s’ allowance a clawback; they do not get the extra housing benefit and £50 off the over-60s’ allowance. It is a significant when they do the extra work, so they actually have to do cut that has affected many people, particularly in rural an awful lot more hours, which obviously is a major areas, over the past few years, as prices have rocketed. problem for people in rural areas, where sometimes I wish to repeat my dismay at the abolition of the even getting the bus to do an extra day’s work can be Agricultural Wages Board, which was supported by the almost counter-productive. Unless they do six, seven, Farmers Union of Wales because it provided a framework eight hours’ work, the price of a bus, if they only do for settling disputes and enabling farmers to calculate three or four hours or have a split shift, makes it how much to pay neighbours, friends and relatives—people completely impractical. There are some particular difficulties it is sometimes difficult to bargain with—for the work in rural areas, therefore, and I am pleased that we are they did. Furthermore, there was its “standard of committed to repealing the appalling legislation that accommodation”clause for workers working on agricultural has brought in the bedroom tax. premises. Especially disappointing have been the In rural areas there is very little employment. Interestingly, Government’s efforts to prevent Wales from retaining there was recently a campaign to keep open Pontyates an equivalent board. Having spent £150,000 going to fire station, which was run by retained firefighters—people the Supreme Court to dispute Wales’ right to pass the who work in other jobs but get called out when there is byelaw legislation, they have spent more money this an emergency. Obviously, whereas there used to be year going to court over the board. All this could have many miners and other people working in the villages been easily sorted out through discussions between the and valleys, some of those areas now have nobody there Welsh Government and the Government here and need 493 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 494

[Nia Griffith] Let me deal with the specific issue of the derogation of rural fuel duty and some of the experiences we have not have cost the taxpayer all that money. It is a real had—or, rather, not had—in Ceredigion in trying to get shame, particularly as it obviously went against the will included in the list of areas to be considered for it. As of people in Wales. the Select Committee report notes, those who live in a I turn now to Royal Mail. In my Christmas visit to rural area are likely to travel 10,000 miles a year, whereas Royal Mail, it was interesting to learn that the big rush those who live in urban areas travel 6,400 miles. That, now takes place in November, not December, because along with poor access to public transport, means that so many people shop on the internet. The preference for our cars are a necessity, not a luxury. There is simply no internet shopping is even higher in rural areas. I was other means of getting around, as the hon. Members told that proportionately, more packages were going to for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) and for Ynys rural areas than to urban areas, because obviously—it Môn (Albert Owen) both argued: there is simply no all makes sense—if it costs someone too much to get in alternative. A single rail line comes into the top of the car and drive to the shops, they will be more Ceredigion, passing through beautiful Montgomeryshire tempted to go on the internet and pay the postage costs. and the beautiful parts of my constituency, ending in But, of course, those postage costs are also an important Aberystwyth, which is very much the end of the line. issue for rural businesses, many of which rely on postal There are no other rail lines across the constituency and services, particularly where internet access is not as fast we have somewhat fragmented bus routes. There is no as it might be. choice other than having a car for oneself and one’s It is worrying, therefore, that with the privatisation of family, so the cost of fuel has a huge impact on household Royal Mail, we might see the erosion of the universal expenditure. As the Select Committee report also notes, service obligation. Moya Greene has openly said, “Well, average expenditure on transport accounts for 17.7% of in Canada, a delivery once every two or three days is total expenditure for rural residents, compared with sufficient in rural areas.” Given that she is the head of 14.5% for urban residents. Royal Mail, we can see the direction of travel, and it is The hon. Member for Banff and Buchan talked worrying because it could affect the many rural businesses about travel costs to work. The Countryside Alliance that depend on Royal Mail. The other problem is whether did some useful work, and I am pleased to see in his Royal Mail will keep its link with the post office network, place the hon. Member for West and South because without that link, the network will be much Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart)—whatever his association weakened. While I welcome a recent announcement on with it. The Countryside Alliance showed that in Ceredigion, safeguarding several rural post offices in my constituency, people were travelling 540 miles a month just to get to others have not benefited from any safeguard. work. We are not talking about a little trip around the Whatever issue we are considering, right across the corner; we can be talking about long distances and board, it is important to think about the impact on round trips of 100 miles a day across large rural areas. people in rural areas. We must continue, time and That has been recognised in part by our Government, again, to look at how to decentralise our employment who have abolished the fuel duty escalator, made cuts at opportunities—whether it be through better broadband the pump of 20p a litre—over and above what the or investment in small villages and communities— previous Government were planning—during the last and we must not let everything become centralised. three and a half years and frozen fuel duty, which has Decentralisation is the key to building more prosperous been welcomed. rural communities. The Government have talked specifically about the challenges of living in rural areas. My party has long 1.20 pm supported proposals for a rural fuel duty rebate from Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): It is a privilege the EU, and I am glad that the Government said in their to be called in this debate, and I thank the Backbench response to the report that they would consider extending Business Committee for providing the opportunity and, it. Indeed, when questioned on the issue at the end of course, the hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton of the comprehensive spending review statement on (Miss McIntosh), the Chair of the Select Committee, 5 December, the Chancellor said: for her report. Many Members with Welsh constituencies, “We would like to extend the scheme more widely, but we are as well as friends from Scotland and, of course, Cornwall, constrained by European Union rules, which we are challenging.”— are present today, so the Celtic nations are well represented [Official Report, 5 December 2013; Vol. 571, c. 1123.] here. Speaking as a Welsh Member, I note that many areas of the Select Committee report relate to the I very much welcome that. It was immensely frustrating responsibilities of our National Assembly Government— when, on 1 August, the Treasury set the wheels in and rightly so—but there are some specific issues relating motion to gather data from different areas, but my to UK Government responsibility that I shall also mention. county of Ceredigion was not included. There was a lack of clarity about the collection of that data, which One of the messages in the Select Committee report the hon. Member for Ynys Môn mentioned. I have been is about rural education, which will resonate in the disappointed by the breadth of evidence being gathered communities of Dihewyd, Llanafan and Llanddewi Brefi and by the lack of clarity about how it was to be in my constituency, whose village schools are under collected. threat. Another issue is funding for rural health care, which affects the Cardigan and Bronglais hospitals in A call for evidence went out, although I am not sure my constituency. There will be a huge public meeting in whether it was directed at the retailers themselves, at Aberystwyth tomorrow night on the challenges of delivering county councils, at the Welsh Assembly Government or rural health care. There is thus huge commonality between at the Scottish Government. It was so unclear that I the issues identified in England and in Wales. took on the initiative myself in my constituency and 495 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 496 contacted all 27 fuel stations, trying to gather data that local pub shut some time ago. Those are the challenges could then be submitted on their behalf during the that face my communities. I hope that the scheme can allotted time frame. I did that, despite not being included be extended to encompass large parts of rural Wales. in the list. Very late in the day, the Treasury said it This has been a good debate in which, as ever, we would welcome any data for Ceredigion, but there was have observed a huge amount of commonality between this lack of clarity, as I say. When the list was published different parts of United Kingdom. Let me give two by the Treasury, 10 areas in the UK were included, anecdotal examples from my constituency. The first seven of them in Scotland, one in North Devon, another concerns a couple whom I met in the village of Penrhiwllan. in Yorkshire and the other in Cumbria—sadly, none in They were forced to decide whether it was more worth Wales. their while to pay an extra fiver to get Tesco to deliver Then, in November last year, we had an unexpected their shopping to them, or to pay for petrol so that they second call for evidence, which this time included additional could take the car and do it themselves. The second criteria—not just price, as before, but additional criteria concerns a farmer who was required to submit his VAT about population density. I was confident that Ceredigion return to HMRC online. Of course, he had no internet could be included because it is sparse, with 147 communities provision, so he rang HMRC and asked whether he scattered across a large area and 600 farming families. could submit it on paper. HMRC said yes, and he did We could meet those criteria. The additional part, however, not expect to receive the £100 fine that was subsequently was that it did not allow for data gathered from an area delivered to him. He had no alternative: HMRC advised situated 100 miles from an oil refinery. him to submit his return from a library in future, but he would have to travel many miles to find a library in If we look at the location of oil refineries, we find Ceredigion. them on and in south Wales, for example. Let me end by making a more general point. We There is Milford Haven, and the hon. Member for should put ourselves in the place of people who move Llanelli (Nia Griffith) will recollect that the Select into our village communities in Wales. Will someone Committee visited the refinery there. That criterion who has a young family and is lucky enough to have a automatically excludes Wales from consideration, giving job, go and live in a village if the school, post office, pub rise to the question why in the initial consultation there or shop has shut, if public transport is minimal, and if was a call for evidence from the good counties of he cannot afford to put petrol in his tank? That is the Gwynedd, Powys, Monmouthshire and the Isle of Anglesey. reality for many of us in rural parts of Britain. In response to questions to the Treasury and to Wales 1.31 pm Office colleagues, it has been asserted that the criterion has been directed from Europe. I remain unclear about Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I want to change its origins. However, if, as the Chancellor says, we are the tone slightly, because many of the points I wanted constrained by European Union rules, I am confident to make have already been made by other Members. that our Government will challenge them robustly to As we all know, “rural communities” is a broad term encourage the breadth of the scheme. On the other that covers many issues. It is easy to envisage every rural hand, might this be not so much an EU instruction as community in an idyllic picture-book setting, and admittedly the Treasury’s interpretation of what is more likely to be that is true of my constituency—now that you are in the successful? If that is the case, I understand it, but it does Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker, we can go back to not address the many concerns we have about rural saying that ours are the most beautiful constituencies; areas. I believe that the criteria being pursued are too Mr Deputy Speaker has left, so he cannot tell us off—but tight and too much focused on proximity to an oil no matter how desirable my constituency and, no doubt, refinery. Ceredigion is an incredibly sparse area. I have many others may be, they face challenges that are very no doubt that the initial criteria used the first time the different from those faced by inner-city areas. Government applied to gain the derogation for the I was born and bred in High Peak, and grew up in a islands in west Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and for rural community. When I was elected to this place, I the Scottish islands were appropriate. I have frequently moved to London and lived in a city for the first time. been to the Scillies, so I understand the cost of transporting I am not ashamed to admit that, and indeed in many fuel by boat from Penzance over to the solitary pump in ways I appreciate High Peak even more when I go home St Mary’s. I understand the criteria used there, but I on a Thursday evening or a Friday. Living in a city hope that in this new round and for future rounds, we during the week—as all Members do—made me realise can be much more flexible so that the large tracts of how many things are much more available than they are rural England represented here today, rural parts of in rural areas. Scotland and rural Wales can be included. Examples have been given today by Members in all It may not sound like it, but I commend the Government parts of the House, one of which is public transport. I for what they have done so far. We waited a long time. I know that a bus will arrive every five or 10 minutes in remember sitting in Westminster Hall debates in the last the city, whereas in High Peak they are nowhere near as Parliament making the case for rural fuel derogation; frequent. Another example is broadband. Urban areas we did not get very far and we have not gone far have superfast broadband and fibre but rural areas do enough. We have certainly not gone far enough if we not, and the potential impact of that is huge, as I have look at the proportion of income being spent, as the often observed in the House. I consider broadband to hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh) be the fourth utility, because it is vital to businesses. reminded us, on travelling to work, taking children to That is of concern to me in High Peak, because broadband school, going to the dreaded supermarket because the can not only attract new businesses into the area to village shop or the post office shut some years ago or create employment, but enable us to retain the businesses getting a friend to drive to a pub elsewhere because the that we already have. 497 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 498

[Andrew Bingham] to work towards purchasing it from its current owners, Admiral Taverns. Like COGS, it developed a business Another example is the cost of fuel. I applaud the plan. It launched a share issue, and embarked on discussions Government for what they have done with fuel duty, with the Post Office about the transfer of the local because, as others have pointed out, a car is not a luxury branch to the newly opened Anglers Rest. I met the but a necessity in rural areas. group’s members, looked at their plans, and listened to I have made many of those points in other debates, so what they had to say. It was apparent that a great deal I shall not expand on them on this occasion. Let me of work and thought had gone into their business plan, instead say something about the power of rural which had been professionally prepared. The share communities, and what people within them can achieve issue among the villagers raised nearly £200,000, which, when they come together and work together. High Peak along with some further finance, made the purchase of contains many rural communities, and every one of the pub a reality. them has a tale to tell. Good things are happening At the eleventh hour there was a hiccup that threatened throughout the constituency. I could stand here and the whole deal, but I am glad to say that we managed to talk about all of them for the entire length of the work around it, and the pub was duly purchased in the debate, but as I am conscious of the time, I shall focus autumn. A few things had to be pulled out of the fire, on just two . but again, following discussions between the BCS, Admiral The village of Furness Vale sits in the middle of my Taverns and me, an element of common sense broke constituency, between the larger towns of New Mills out, and the post office will be opening in the Anglers and Whaley Bridge. It contains a football field that has Rest soon. This week saw a development that appeared been close to the hearts of the local community for to be problematic as recently as yesterday, but that many years, but is not level and has had dreadful difficulty was ironed out as well. drainage problems. People have wondered what to do I pay tribute to Post Office Ltd, which, following about that for a long time. rapid discussions over the last 48 hours between its Six years ago, some of the villagers got together and representative Adrian Wales, representatives of the BSC decided to make the field usable again, so that it could and me, considered its position and, despite recognising benefit the community. They formed a group called that the project might involve problems, concluded that Furness Community Organising Green Space, or COGS, having a branch in the Anglers Rest could be of advantage with the aim of turning a dream into a reality. They to it. I must emphasise, to be fair to the Post Office, that approached the local authority, the county council and it has done the right thing, gone the extra mile, and me; they consulted local residents; they had plans drawn made this project possible. up; they worked out a budget; and they even produced a So, yet again, the power of the community has yielded 3D model of what the field would look like eventually. great results. The big companies, Admiral Taverns and They encountered some difficulties along the way—there Post Office, have seen the potential benefits of the was, for instance, an obstacle involving land use project, and—after their initial hesitation and, it may be notifications—but they stuck at it, and, as a result of said, some mistakes—adopted a flexible approach. They their own tenacity and their work with elected are dealing with the community, and they have played representatives at all levels, an outbreak of common their part in making the dream of the Bamford Community sense enabled them to keep their dream alive. Society a reality. I pay tribute to the residents of Bamford, The group’s aim, stated on its website, is simple: it is as I paid tribute to those in Furness Vale, for all their “to provide a much needed recreational and sporting facility that efforts: they have provided us with a fantastic example. can be used all year round”. We have heard a great deal today about the challenges Last June COGS was awarded £50,000 by Sport England, facing rural communities, and I agree with most of which provided a huge boost. Moreover, the field has what has been said about, for instance, fuel, access, now been granted QE2 status, which means that it will roads and transport. However, I have made numerous be protected for ever. Through its work, its fundraising, comments about those issues in the past. What we must its energy and its commitment, the group has made a never underestimate is the feeling of community in huge amount of progress. I am proud of those people, rural areas. As I said at the outset, I was born and bred and I want to place on record my tribute to the way in in a rural area, and I know that better than anyone. The which they came together as volunteers. That is the power of the rural community has ensured that the power of the rural community as we have seen it working Yeardsley Lane playing field in Furness is being improved in Furness Vale. and remains available to all, and that is thanks to the At the other end of my constituency is the village of community of Furness Vale. The Anglers Rest in Bamford Bamford, which is in the Hope valley and is part of the is saved, the village post office will open soon, and the Peak District national park. It is a truly beautiful village. new café that operates in the Anglers Rest during the In Bamford sat an empty pub, the Anglers Rest, which day is going great guns. That, too, is thanks to the local was put up for sale. Fearing that the pub would be sold community. to developers and redeveloped, a group of residents On occasions such as this it is very easy for elected formed the Bamford Community Society with the aim representatives to clamour for the opportunity to bask of securing its future by bringing it into community in the reflected limelight, but we should never forget ownership. At the time, the post office was looking for a that the progress made in those two instances was due new home. The BCS saw an opportunity to bring the to the enthusiasm, work, drive and commitment of a post office into a newly operating Anglers Rest and help local community. Nowhere are the power, drive and to make it a viable proposition. potential of a rural community more apparent than in The BCS used the Localism Act 2011 to register the the two areas in the High Peak about which I have pub as an asset of community value, which gave it time spoken today. 499 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 500

1.39 pm BT, through the relevant Minister, a little clarity about exactly what criteria BT is applying to its roll-out because Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) that is not immediately obvious to the average customer (Con): May I add my congratulations to the Environment, and voter. This is not a selfish request, and there is also Food and Rural Affairs Committee on its work on this the encouraging news that in Wales the 100,000th household report and the issues it raises? I cannot deny that I am has been connected to superfast broadband this week, slightly underwhelmed by the turnout in the Chamber so thumbs-up to the Government for having achieved this afternoon. The manifestos of all the political that milestone. The clarity we require from BT is not a parties have always over the past few years stressed the selfish request because we want to enable those people importance we attach to rural communities and rural who may be further down the priority list and who may voters. When we have an opportunity to express that not be due superfast roll-out for a number of years to support, albeit on a one-line Whip Thursday, I think we make sensible decisions in investing in alternative providers, should all reflect on the fact that we mustered a maximum whether wireless or satellite. At present they feel restricted of 15 Members—I could probably have fitted them into in doing that because they do not know where they sit in my office—and at our worst, at the moment, about 11, the list of BT priorities. A perfectly straightforward and and at least 50% of the representation has come from justified commercial interest is being expressed by businesses Wales, as has been said. It is important to have debates across the UK and, I suspect, especially in Wales: that such as this, however, because minorities are important they should be able to make some sensible decisions and the fact that the rural community represents a small based on BT being a little more open about its criteria. voice at times—and a numerically small one when it For BT to cite commercial sensitivities as a reason not comes to elections—is all the more reason we should to do that—as I believe it has done—is not a satisfactory treat it with the greatest respect, and with enhanced answer because it creates a two-tier society, particularly respect in our political deliberations in this Chamber. in Wales, with those who know they are going to get it I want to touch on a few matters that I have extracted and know when they are going to get it and those who from the report and which to some extent are treated have absolutely no idea and have no idea how much differently in Wales thanks to the devolution settlement, they can spend on alternative provisions. but first I want to comment briefly on the definitions The hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr Williams) and that are tucked away in an appendix towards the back I have previously exchanged comments in the Chamber of the report. The definition of “rural areas” we would and Westminster Hall about mobile phones because it have come up with 20 years ago would have been very does seem ludicrous that in parts of our two constituencies different from the current definition. That is in part we seem to be somewhat behind the Alps, Norway, down to the fact that there is no longer an area we can parts of Africa and, indeed, Kazakhstan in people describe as exclusively or truly rural, any more than we being able to communicate with one another via mobiles. can describe an area of London as exclusively urban. Again, this is not about kids being able to have a laugh The fact is that we have a much more dynamic population by texting each other; it is about sensible, commercial, that spends a lot of its time, if it possibly can, in other contemporary requirements. Indeed, the emergency services areas. The—almost geographical—line that used to exist are a whole lot more dependent on decent mobile separating city centre from suburb and suburb from coverage for providing the protection we expect from countryside does not really exist any longer and we them than they were five or 10 years ago. Mobile need to be very careful not to isolate elements of the fingerprinting machines will not even work in certain community and describe them as being different from parts of rural Wales because there is not a mobile signal other parts. That contributes to what can be an unhelpful to support them. This is not about luxuries, therefore; it element of this debate, when people say, for instance, is about an everyday essential commercial requirement “Townspeople do not understand us” and some sort of for people going about the sorts of businesses we want cultural distinction is drawn between those who live in and need and providing the services that keep us safe. the countryside and derive their living from it and those There are economic consequences of our lacking the who love and respect the countryside and wish to visit it mobile coverage that in other countries is seen to be from time to time. If through our loose use of words in absolutely standard. this Chamber we create a distinction between those two I have been raising for some time the topic of planning valuable contributors to the rural economy, we will do and affordable housing, particularly in the context of ourselves harm rather than good. the national parks. In a Westminster Hall debate just The first subject I want to discuss is broadband, before Christmas I raised the problem of affordable which all contributors have mentioned. It is seen as housing provision in my own national park on the basis almost essential when people are buying or renting their that the affordable housing subsidy—a policy that is not house that it has a decent electricity or gas supply, and universal across all national parks in the UK, but is estate and letting agents say that one of the first things a certainly adopted by some—was acting as a deterrent to client will now do when walking into a house is look at people developing affordable housing, rather than their mobile phone and see what the reception is like encouraging it. I am pleased to say that that has resulted and ask what the broadband provision is like, and if it is in an internal review of this policy by Pembrokeshire not up to the standard they expect or require there is a coast national park. It accepts that the policy has pretty good chance they will look at other properties not worked as well as it would like and that there instead. was a distinction between rural and urban, and, most encouragingly, this month it is engaging with all rural The role of BT and the broadband roll-out has been stakeholders and interested stakeholders in my area to mentioned, and the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert see if the policy can be improved so that the landscape Owen), who is not in his place, rightly pointed out that can be enhanced and protected at the same time as the situation is slightly different in Wales. We need from kick-starting the currently flagging affordable housing 501 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 502

[Simon Hart] The latest statistic I have seen suggests that rural Members of Parliament represent only 2% of the electorate, building and provision in the county. The message, but we represent a great deal more than 2% of the therefore, is a thumbs-up and full marks to Pembrokeshire national value of the UK, and of Wales in particular. coast national park for recognising in the first instance We rightly champion rural communities and rural that there was a problem and, secondly, for doing landscapes, but when it comes to double-checking and something about it, not through its own auspices but by rural-proofing the legislation that affects them, we inviting all those in the area with an interest in this topic sometimes fall short of the standards that we should to engage in a process. I hope other Members will take attain. I hope that the Government will refocus their some encouragement from that and perhaps try to attention on the unintended consequences of their persuade their own national parks to undertake a similar legislation. exercise if there is a similar problem, because that The Government’s commitment to doing things for returns influence and power to the communities where rural Britain, rather than to rural Britain, is largely it should be held and where these decisions can have a welcome. I was pleased to hear the examples from my huge benefit if decided correctly—or a huge negative hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Andrew Bingham) impact if not. just now; he illustrated how things can go well. We are My penultimate subject is fuel and fuel costs. Other all accused of moaning like mad and complaining about Members have made quite a lot of this, but one point everything, but there are lots of success stories in rural has not yet, I think, been mentioned: the steady decline Britain at the moment, even if some of them are happening in the number of filling stations in rural areas over despite the Government rather than because of them. several years. Slowly but surely where there was once By and large, we can commend the EFRA Select Committee one five miles away there is now one 10 miles away or for the balanced way in which it has addressed these even 15 miles away, and each and every closure not only issues, and commend the Government for the progress imposes greater expense and inconvenience on rural they have made so far. communities, but some other services often go, too—a shop, or an outlet where people can buy their gas canisters or whatever. This has been another little difficulty 1.53 pm layered on top of all the other difficulties of living in John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): It is a great privilege to rural areas. be able to speak in the debate. I represent Salisbury, When we talk about rural-proofing, we sometimes which I always think of as a constituency of two halves: overlook the fact that Treasury decisions on fuel duty one half is a suburban area; the other is full of rural for independent fuel retailers can have a disproportionately communities. The two work closely together. I echo the hard-hitting effect on rural areas. I believe that, at remarks of my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen present, the duty is payable within 28 days of the West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart). He hit moment the fuel leaves the refinery. A small independent the nail on the head when he said that it is unhelpful to fuel retailer in a rural area will therefore have to fork make too clear a distinction between the interests of out a significant amount—80% of the value of the rural and urban communities. load—before they have a chance to sell any of it on to the customer. Consequently, they are uncompetitive. I want to focus today on the challenges to rural They place small orders, and their supplies often run businesses. Those businesses in Salisbury and south out when the weather is bad. This can contribute to a Wiltshire are growing, and they form a vibrant and delicate and fragile situation with regard to fuel resilience. wholly necessary part of the economy, which is now doing better. The jobs that they provide are also really That problem could easily be rectified by altering the welcomed by members of the local community. Those date by which the fuel duty became payable. The Treasury people tell me that the most significant challenge they would be no worse off, and the independent fuel retailers face is what the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in rural areas would be much more competitive. They Committee report calls a “key barrier to growth” for the could buy more, and they could compete better against rural economy—namely, the lack of superfast broadband the bigger suppliers. To coin a phrase, everyone would provision. As other Members have said, it is no longer a be a winner. I wonder whether the Minister or anyone luxury but a necessity for everyday life, and certainly for else here today could persuade the Treasury to do that everyday business life. in a way that came as close as possible to being cost neutral. I suspect that that is a matter for the Department Significant challenges relating to flows of information rather than for those on the Back Benches. Such a have still not been overcome. We wholly welcome the change would make a significant difference to the ability substantial investment to ensure that 95% of households of those independent retailers to run sustainable businesses will have access to superfast broadband, but there is a and support rural communities. real sense of frustration among those in the most rural Almost no legislation is passed here or in the House parts of my constituency about when that is going to of Lords that does not have a significant consequence happen and whether they will be included. If they will for rural dwellers. We might not think that that is the not be included, what alternatives exist? case, but it almost invariably is. As I said earlier, there is I want to mention the Dun Valley Broadband Group, no longer a big black line between rural and urban a well organised and well motivated group located communities; we are not as diverse a society as we once primarily around the village of Pitton. Members of the were in that respect. I urge the Government to pay as group first approached me more than six months ago, much attention as they can—perhaps even more than when they were unsure whether they would fall within they already do—to the unintended consequences of the zone or which phase of the roll-out they would be their legislation on rural communities. Fuel duty is but included in. We have had meetings with Wiltshire council, one example; there are countless others. which has been excellent in trying to move things forward 503 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 504 and pressing BT for more clarity. The maps and the not be able to function reliably without it. If they need postcode check-up have been mentioned today, but we to transfer lots of data to clients abroad or in London, have found them quite inadequate for identifying specific there must be no doubt about the quality of the provision communities. People do not want general answers about in their rural business. I welcome the steps that have 95% coverage; they want specific information on whether been taken so far, but I hope that the Minister will they will be able to access superfast broadband and address the point about the resources that will be available. when they will be able to do so. Those communities that I hope that he will also address improved information are unable to access it want to be able to take steps to flows and the point made earlier by my hon. Friend the move forward with alternatives. This particular group Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire has been working with Gigaclear, a wholly commercial about commercial confidence and sensitivities, which scheme, and it has been challenged to reach a certain prevent a good deal of progress from being made in the threshold of applicants. most rural areas. I hope we can ensure that this happens As the report states, the biggest challenge faced by because this is all that rural businesses want to talk to smaller companies is the ability to meet up-front costs. I me about, and I am anxious to ensure that we deliver. am also concerned about the challenge to poorer households that fall outside the 95%. What will they do if a well 2.2 pm motivated group reaches the threshold for alternative David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): I am grateful to provision that is outside the protection of the regulator the Backbench Business Committee for facilitating this in regard to the escalation of costs in subsequent years? debate, and I recognise the important work done by my They will have no option but to sign up and go along hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Miss with the alternative provision that the rest of the community McIntosh) and her Committee, which enables us to has put in place. have this debate. It is much appreciated, because rural My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton life is vital. It is a mix of tradition and innovation, and (Miss McIntosh) suggested that we should start by it is such a distinctive part of English and British concentrating on the communities with the greatest culture. We need to protect and nurture it. Most importantly, eligibility. I am not an expert on these matters, but I all of us here, and the Government in their work, need would urge caution with regard to the “spidering out” to enable it to thrive and flourish for decades to come. process. As I understand it, BT will work out the logical One of the greatest privileges in my role is working location for hubs, stations and bases. If any of that were with rural communities, from prime Cheshire dairy then skewed according to deviations of speed within farms to those in the hills of the Peak district; there are those communities, there could be a massive escalation real contrasts in such a beautiful part of the world, in costs, which could undermine the end result for the which adjoins the constituency of my hon. Friend the community. Member for High Peak (Andrew Bingham). I hold The information flows should be improved, so that regular farmers forums with the Macclesfield branch of communities can get organised and find alternatives. It the National Farmers Union. The work that our farmers is important that those who are outside the current do is essential. Despite the fact that their number has intervention areas should have access to a superfast been declining in recent decades, it is clear that they service, but that must not be at the expense of those punch well above their weight in ensuring that our who cannot afford to pay an additional subsidy. If the communities thrive and flourish, and we need to support smaller schemes are to be commercially viable and them. To have a vibrant future, we need to ensure that accessible to the whole population, we need to look at these communities are able to innovate and diversify to how public subsidy can effectively address the initial seize the opportunities before them. That is what this costs for small businesses and poorer rural householders. debate is about: making sure that we can shape the The other thing I wish to mention is my concern future, as that will be vital. about the plans to extend to 95% coverage for superfast Last year, I was able to participate in four fell races. I broadband by 2017. My local authority is concerned needed to do that because the work we do here is not about not wasting time planning for that when there is a particularly conducive to physical fitness. I also thought lack of clarity about whether and when the money will I would do what I could to support local community be delivered, and how it will be delivered. Wiltshire events. The Wincle trout run is to be commended, with council has invested considerable time and money in an its 350 participating runners each getting a trout at the outstanding programme, but it wants clarity about what end of the race—so there is an added incentive if is going to happen. It is keen to extend its existing anyone wants to participate. I should also mention the contract arrangements with BT so that it can bring Macclesfield sheep dog trials, which also has a wonderful more households into the remit of the roll-out, but it fell race. The organisation that runs it is wonderful and does not want to spend hours of council time and lots I am proud to be a supporter, although the race is of resources on tendering, and it does not want to particularly gruelling. All the events in which I participated spend months dealing with the state aid issues and so brought home to me the fact that even our traditional on. We need to ensure real clarity and that things do not village fêtes are adapting to new trends, and to increased get lost in conversations which seem to go quiet when interest in physical and outdoor activities, and how we get within 12 months of a general election. We must important physical pursuits are to our rural communities. be clear about what local authorities can expect until I co-chair the all-party group on mountaineering—I 2017, so that rural communities in my part of Wiltshire will avoid doing the usual thing of saying that it is the know what is going to happen. summit of all APPGs. I draw hon. Members’ attention There is no doubt that local authorities and villages to the register of interests for APPGs, and to the are working hard to secure superfast broadband. It will benefits of rural diversification and of getting involved be the measure of the Government’s success or otherwise with these vital outdoor pursuits, be it walking, fell when going into the next election. Small businesses will running, climbing, mountaineering, cycling or kayaking. 505 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 506

Andrew Bingham: May I politely remind my hon. just as the cycling lobby has been very successfully Friend that he has forgotten potholing? He and I went doing over the past couple of years. It has to be commended, down a pothole some time ago, at which point he and I support that fully, but we now need to get to the managed to get me stuck. I would like to thank him for next level and bring that to walking, which is an important that publicly. and sustainable form of transport.

David Rutley: I was not going to draw attention to Albert Owen: The hon. Gentleman rightly highlights that memorable event, but it is true that potholing is walking and the coastal paths in Wales. Many voluntary another outdoor pursuit that should be remembered. organisations have taken things a step further and are It is a privilege for me to be able to work with these merging with health bodies and local health groups. organisations, be it the Outdoor Industries Association They are going “from the couch to the 5K” and are or the British Mountaineering Council. The economic training people. These organisations have obesity, health benefits of these pursuits are clear. The Ramblers and fitness in mind, and they are going that step further, organisation has recently produced evidence to support whether we are talking about walking or running. that, which says that in 2010 alone £7.2 billion was spent on visiting the countryside. In England walkers spend David Rutley: I thank the hon. Gentleman for making about £6 billion a year and thus support 245,000 jobs in that point. He spoke eloquently earlier, and I know that the rural community. The figures are staggering, and he feels passionately about these issues, too. We need to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural get behind these things, because not only are they good Affairs recently reminded the Oxford farming conference for society, for residents and for our citizens, but they that in rural England £33 billion is spent on tourism, are vital to our rural communities. which accounts for 14% of employment and more than I want to say a few words about broadband. From 10% of businesses. having helped to prop up the back of a fell race, I know So the contribution made by these outdoor pursuits that it is not great to be left behind, and when we look at should not go unnoticed; it should be encouraged. what is going on in our rural communities, particularly These pursuits have health and well-being benefits, not the isolated ones, we find that there is a sense that they only for me when I participate in the occasional fell are getting left behind. That is particularly the case in race. It is clear that physical inactivity is one of the one of the most important parts of our infrastructure public health challenges faced by this country. It leads in the digital age—broadband. We have to make sure to long-term health conditions; it is estimated that that it is provided across our communities, including in 37,000 premature deaths result from this lack of activity; the rural areas. That was brought home to me recently and it costs the NHS and the wider community about when I was in the not-so rural area of Tytherington—the £10 billion a year. So real action is required, and this is a part of Macclesfield in which I live. For two days, I had good debate in which to point to that. no access to broadband. I could not do my work, access Let me give some examples. The Britain on Foot banking accounts, or keep in touch with friends and campaign, brought about by the Outdoor Industries family, and my children could not do their homework. Association, in conjunction with the , Broadband is now such a fundamental part of our the Ramblers and all the other organisations I have everyday life that it just has to be made available to talked about, is helping to draw attention to the need to people. get active outdoors. The GREAT campaign, being taken When I was campaigning in Gawsworth recently, forward by the Department for Culture, Media and broadband was the issue raised at every other door—it Sport, VisitBritain and VisitEngland, also helps to draw was not the health service or the local economy.Everybody attention to our great outdoors, which is a part of our was saying, “What are you doing to improve rural tourism mix. Sadly, it is under-appreciated by visitors broadband?” We all need to wake up to that concern in from overseas, as it is sometimes by visitors from home. our rural communities. I recognise the work that the We could be supporting a vast array of other local Government are doing in this area and that the Connecting initiatives, be they, as in my case, the Bollington walking Cheshire partnership and the council are doing in my festival or other such festivals across the country. Walkers part of the world. Along with my hon. Friend the are Welcome does vital work in trying to accredit local Member for Salisbury (John Glen), I encourage Ministers communities and welcome walkers in. The Peak District to accelerate the pace of the roll-out wherever possible. national park also provides walks for many people to They should also make it clear where the roll-out will access and enjoy.The Ramblers organisation has highlighted take place next, so that people can plan and prepare for the case for the English coastal path. I know that Wales what might take place and then be clearer about where has benefited significantly from such a path, as have the the not spots are. Those communities that will not be communities along it. We in England need to take steps part of the roll out will need to be able to work out what forward to ensure that our coastal communities get solutions are available to them. similar benefits. I was encouraged to hear from my hon. Friend about Thinking a little more radically, there is a case for the community-led solutions that are available in his clinical commissioning groups and our general practitioners part of the world. Since I have been working for to recognise the role that walking plays and, on occasion, communities in the Macclesfield area, I have been staggered to prescribe walking for people as a way for them to by the lack of information out there—the lack of case improve their life; I agree that it may be difficult for studies and other best practice that is available for these grumpy teenagers, but there is a case to be made for communities. There is an important role for BT, encouraging more people to do this. I very much hope Government and local authorities to communicate on that in the year ahead we can make significant progress what community-led solutions are available, and I urge on walking and connecting that to our rural communities, them to do that as soon as possible. 507 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 508

As I am on my soap box, I will make one final point My hon. Friend mentioned the fact that transmission about rural broadband. If internet service providers costs of energy are much higher in rural areas such as such as BT charge for a particular broadband scheme north-west Wales. He also talked about off-grid energy and businesses or households receive a substantially costs. More than 126,000 people in Wales rely on off-grid slower speed than is advertised, it is down to the internet energy, and they are not all in areas that we would service providers to improve the quality of the service customarily regard as peripherally rural. They are often or revisit their pricing tariffs. Our rural communities in mining communities such as my own. I pay tribute to should not be taken advantage of in that way. They him for championing these off-grid energy issues for should not be sold a product and then not receive the many years. speeds that they have been promised. Like other Members, my hon. Friend raised the issue In conclusion, there are some fantastic and vibrant of petrol rebates. He made the interesting observation opportunities out there. My hon. Friend the Member that the rebates seem to be going to those areas that are for High Peak highlighted the power of rural communities. of a particular colour on the political map of this I cannot add anything to what he said; he made his country. I am sure that that will change over time with speech incredibly well. The opportunities are about his strong representations. diversification, and outdoor pursuits are an important The hon. Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward part of that. Innovation is critical, whether it is through Leigh) spoke well for his constituents and highlighted encouraging entrepreneurialism among our local rural the fact that poverty and deprivation can be hidden businesses or even in public services. The area between behind this idyllic rural image of thatched cottages and Port Shrigley and Bollington St John’s, for example, is leafy lanes, or even, as he mentioned, hedge-fund home to a great federation of small local schools. We millionaires’ mansions. He also talked about the additional must be innovative in the way that we provide local costs of living in rural areas and of accessing services services in a cost-effective way. The future must be and said that 20% more is spent on everyday goods than underpinned by proper infrastructure and proper and in urban areas. That theme was picked up by other adequate funding that recognises sparsity, which comes Members including the hon. Member for Banff and back to the points made by my hon. Friend the Member Buchan (Dr Whiteford), who also mentioned petrol for Thirsk and Malton. costs. I support the principles that are being put forward on The hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies) both sides of the House today. I hope that through the —we had a lot of Celts here today from the Celtic efforts in this debate, we can help shape and provide a fringes, from the south-west of England, through Wales future for our rural communities in the decades to and elsewhere—talked about the costs of providing come. rural services such as health in places like Powys and 2.12 pm the need for good cross-border work on this and on other aspects such as transport. I certainly subscribe to Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): It is a pleasure such a view as my wife works for the NHS in Powys. It is to take part in this excellent and wide-ranging debate. a very real issue. There have been experienced and knowledgeable contributions from all Members who have taken part. I The hon. Gentleman also talked interestingly about thank the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, a potential review of the red meat levy and how it is under the sterling stewardship of the hon. Member for properly allocated around the regions and nations of Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh), for its sixth report the UK. He recognised, though, the good work that is on rural communities. There are 143 pages of recorded done centrally. His call on that matter is timely, and evidence—written and oral—from, among others, the hopefully the Minister will have heard him. Rural Coalition, the County Councils Network, BT, the My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) Dispensing Doctors Association, Calor Gas, the Consumers powerfully reminded us that some rural communities, Association, the Plunkett Foundation and all other including my own, were previously at the heart of the groups with strong rural interests. It is a thorough piece industrial and extractive industries such as steel and of work that should be commended. coal. Curiously, they are often missed from these debates This has been a good debate, and I want to touch on rural areas. In a fairly short time frame, those areas briefly on some of the contributions. First, the hon. have been exposed to all the problems characteristic of Member for Thirsk and Malton summed up all the rural isolation and peripherality, so it is good to see matters raised in the sixth report, which was a real tour them strongly represented today. de force, and I will return to some of them in a moment. My hon. Friend also picked up on the abolition of Interestingly, her proposal for an annual debate on the Agricultural Wages Board, which was opposed in rural communities received good feedback from all Wales not just by Labour but by the National Farmers parts of the House. In fact, there has been a great deal Union in Wales, the Federation of Young Farmers and of support for it in the Chamber today. I am sure that others, but I suspect that that matter is for another day. you, Madam Deputy Speaker, will have noticed that, as She also touched on the fears over the long-term future will have the Leader of the House and the Minister. It is of rural post office deliveries and the link between certainly something that we would support in line with Royal Mail and the health of the post office network. other good debates we have on matters such as fisheries. The hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr Williams) spoke Let me turn to the contribution of my hon. Friend well for his constituents, but was slightly derogatory the Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen). I can vouch about the fact that his area had not been included in the for the beauty of his constituency, which he waxed rural derogation for petrol proposals, and a few other lyrical about. It is second only to the beautiful hidden Members picked up on that, and put in pitches for their gem of the sources of the Rivers Ogmore and Llynfi area as well. He also talked about the additional costs and the surrounding acres of heaven. of living in rural areas. 509 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 510

[Huw Irranca-Davies] the serried ranks of landed privilege and wealth—but I spluttered again over my breakfast, this time toast and No one has talked specifically about the research that jam, when I read that it was inspired by the criticisms of has been done to show the additional cost of food in the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi), rural areas, which was mentioned in the report. I am a Conservative Member of Parliament and, apparently, sure the Minister will remark on that matter when he an adviser to No. 10, too. I have cancelled my subscription comes to speak. The hon. Member for High Peak to Socialist Worker, so taken am I by the successful (Andrew Bingham) talked about the power of rural attacks on the Government by this new revolutionary communities to come together to help and protect each cell in No. 10 and our fourth estate. Rumours are other. It reminds me of much of the co-operative movement circulating that the hon. Gentleman is what we term a or even, dare I say it, the old slogan used by Labour and “sleeper”, who has spent years burrowing into Tory the union movement, which says, “In unity is strength.” high command and is now under instruction to tear the The hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South house of cards down from within. Time will tell. Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) observed that the numbers Ultimately, the debate is set against a rural backdrop in the Chamber were not as high as we would all like. of tough times, including for working families. We Perhaps they will be in future debates. We may be in few know that across the UK working families are struggling in number, but we are among the best. He summed up because of the impact of the policies being pursued. A well the false and dangerous metaphorical wall that we typical family will be £1,600 worse off at the end of the put up around “rural” issues and communities. In fact, Prime Minister’s tenure, but research shows that there is the health and wealth of our cities, market towns, an added impact on rural communities across the country, hamlets or crofts and all points in between are seamlessly where wages fell in real terms by £1,300 between 2010 interwoven, a point also made by the hon. Member for and 2012. The nature of rurality means that rural Salisbury (John Glen). families are spending £2,700 more on everyday goods The hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South than their urban counterparts. Pembrokeshire mentioned in closing that 2% had been We know that the bedroom tax hits rural households suggested as the proportion of the electorate represented disproportionately severely, as working families, who by rural MPs. I would challenge that, as it depends on are already struggling to find affordable homes where how we define rurality. As I said earlier, a wide range of they were brought up, close to where they work and to rural issues also affect places with industrial parts. My their families, are displaced further and further afield, area is 20 miles from the M4 corridor and the main weakening community ties, driving up the cost of living south Wales rail network, yet it has issues with off-grid and working and ultimately undermining the sustainability energy, rurality, isolation and so on. of those rural communities. The hon. Member for Salisbury talked about the The viability of rural communities is intimately tied roll-out of superfast broadband and said that it would up with their ability to access markets, to sell goods, to be the measure of success as the election approached. trade, to access services and to engage with Government At that point, I looked across and I am sure that I saw and agencies remotely and digitally. Whether we are the Minister gulp. I know that he is not at all worried talking about a farmer sorting out forms for single farm about it—[Interruption.] The Minister is indicating payments on his handheld device or at the kitchen table from a sedentary position that he was smiling. on a laptop, a bed and breakfast or a field of yurts The hon. Member for Macclesfield (David Rutley) selling accommodation, a surf school in Cornwall, a talked with passion about his constituency and mentioned school-child accessing online educational materials for the Wincle trout races. He also mentioned the Macclesfield homework, or just Mr and Mrs Jones trying to take up sheep dog trials—not guilty, say I. The old ones are the the Prime Minister’s advice to switch energy providers best. He talked with some fluency about the economic and save money or looking to make a fleecy purchase impact of the Ramblers, and I declare an interest as after taking up the Energy Secretary’s advice to wear a president of the Glamorgan Ramblers and vice-president jumper to cut down on heating costs, they all need of Ramblers Cymru. We need to do more and to see a access to the internet. However, the National Audit speedy and resourced roll-out of the England coastal Office damned the Government early last spring for path. That will be a huge benefit for rural coastal being two years behind schedule and £200 million over communities. budget, a point that has also been picked up by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee in its As I was preparing for today’s debate over my breakfast, work. I picked up my daily breakfast reading. I was surprised by the fact that who knows what glorious conjunction Things might be changing, but as the days of autumn of the stars had brought about, on the same day as we closed in last year, the hon. Member for Somerton and were to debate rural communities, the front-page headline, Frome (Mr Heath), who was in the Chamber earlier, “Coalition’s legacy could be harm to the countryside.” I freed from the shackles of DEFRA ministerial office, spluttered over my Weetabix. One might expect such a said: headline ripping into the coalition’s record from the “A man with a stick would be quicker at delivering a message Morning Star, or from revolutionary pamphleteers such than my so-called broadband” as or The Independent, but from the and as we approached Christmas, he further complained: Telegraph—The Daily Telegraph, the voice of the Tory “The rural equivalent of waiting for Godot is waiting for shires? Incidentally, I must say that the Telegraph’s high-speed broadband”.—[Official Report, 4 December 2013; rugby coverage is very good. Vol. 571, c. 912.] One might expect such a headline to have been generated Those words came from a former Minister. At least by a clarion voice of the left—a flag-waving, “Red flag” with “Waiting for Godot” some deep philosophical singing, barricade-storming sentinel of socialism, attacking point is being pondered—the wait is the very thing—and 511 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 512 there is ultimately an end point as we all return home planning and providing affordable houses to rent and from the theatre. People in rural communities cannot purchase are stopping those communities growing and see the end of the long-running broadband and mobile forcing young people to move away from the area. drama. I do not have time to touch on the cultural, social I realise I risk sounding a little negative about the and economic importance of farming, on the food and Government’s record on rural communities, so let me drink sector or on transport, education and so on. be a little more positive by suggesting some ideas that Other Members did. would help the hard-stretched rural communities, businesses If I have been provocative in parts, let me be consensual and households struggling under a prolonged cost of in conclusion. I think we can all agree that this has been living crisis. We know that the Government have turned a good and strong debate and we thank the hon. Member their back on one proposal that would help many rural for Thirsk and Malton and the Select Committee for households by refusing to accept a price freeze while the securing it. Perhaps we can all support her call to make market is reset for the consumer—we will have to wait it a regular fixture in the parliamentary calendar. for the next election for that—but they could do something for off-grid energy users in two ways. First, they could bring off-grid under a regulatory structure to bring 2.29 pm long-term thinking to the sector and give certainty to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for consumers and investors that their interests are being Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): I, looked after. Secondly, they could bring forward payment too, pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for of the winter fuel payment so that vulnerable elderly Thirsk and Malton (Miss McIntosh), and indeed the householders could purchase oil and gas outside autumn/ other members of the Environment, Food and Rural winter when typical costs can increase by hundreds of Affairs Committee—I want to be inclusive—for the pounds, as I know from experience. The Government report. I thank the Committee, and all those who have could also look at the lamentable delivery to those same an interest in these matters, for bringing forward evidence households of the energy company obligation and green and engaging with the Government on a number of deal installations on energy efficiency.Of 379,297 measures other areas. installed before the end of October 2013, how many I disagree with a number of the points that the hon. have been delivered under the carbon saving community Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) made, which obligation rural sub-obligation? Only 51. That is not I will come to later, but I agree that there is sometimes good enough. an artificial divide between urban and rural areas when Labour would, with no additional spending commitment it comes to service provision. The fact is that both rural and within existing resources, transfer £75 million from and urban areas depend on each other for different the super-connected cities programme into a digital services, whether outdoor activities, as we heard from inclusion fund of clear and direct benefit to the businesses, my hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield (David communities and households in rural areas that could Rutley), the natural capital that is cared for and provided, make the internet work better for them. As my hon. the food that is grown and all the opportunities provided Friend the Member for Chesterfield (), the in rural areas, or the economic and other activities shadow Business, Innovation and Skills Minister, has provided in urban areas, such as industrial activities, made clear, Labour’s proposals on business rates would which support rural areas. The hon. Gentleman was lead to an average reduction of £410 in year one for the absolutely right about that artificial divide, although I 1.5 million businesses with turnover below £50,000, a disagree with him on many other points and will come disproportionate number of which are in rural areas. to them in due course. That initial saving would be followed by a business rates Rural growth is a key priority for DEFRA, just as freeze the following year. growth in general is for the Government. The Government Affordable housing has been talked about by many have placed a strong emphasis on unlocking the potential Members from all parties. As we have heard, purchasing of rural communities and businesses to allow them to a home in a rural community requires six and half times grow and thrive sustainably. We have established five the rural average wage. More must be done. pilot rural growth networks aimed at tackling the barriers to economic growth in rural areas, such as the shortage Sir Edward Leigh: So, a Labour Government are of work premises, slow internet connectivity, fragmented going to transfer resources and funding from marginal business networks, competitiveness, skills and support seats in the great cities to Conservative seats in rural for micro-enterprises. areas, are they? Several hon. Members mentioned the resourcefulness and resilience of rural communities. For example, we Huw Irranca-Davies: The point raised by the heard about what is going on in High Peak to provide Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on community facilities and safeguard resources. My hon. funding allocations in rural and urban areas is Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire (Glyn Davies) interesting and merits consideration. There are pockets talked about rural life in general and the great contribution of deprivation. that people in rural areas make to the wider economy, The point I was making about affordable homes something that I think we should all reflect on and when the hon. Gentleman intervened is that we need to celebrate in this debate. build more homes, but they need to be the right homes The pilot rural growth networks expect to create up in the right place, well designed and with bottom-up to 3,000 new jobs and support up to 700 new businesses input from communities. We need to get on with it. through a local approach to local issues, but their legacy The hon. Member for Carmarthen West and South will go beyond that. We are evaluating the lessons they Pembrokeshire made exactly that point: the obstacles to learn and will share them with local enterprise partnerships 513 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 514

[Dan Rogerson] offline counterparts, and broadband allows more services to be delivered directly into the home. We heard how and local authorities. LEPs are working with local important that is in many contributions from both sides partners, including those with rural economic and social of the House. interests, to agree draft European structural investment The Government are investing £530 million to 2015 fund strategies. DEFRA is discussing the development through Broadband Delivery UK. BDUK’s rural of those strategies to ensure that they give appropriate broadband programme, which is being delivered by consideration to rural economies. It is absolutely right local bodies, will deliver superfast broadband of 24 megabits that some LEPs are very rural in focus while others have a second and above to 90% of premises in each local a balance between urban and rural. We must ensure authority area. The remaining 10% hard-to-reach areas that the rural interest is at the forefront as they introduce will receive standard speed broadband of at least 2 megabits their strategies. a second. DEFRA’s rural development programme for England A number of hon. Members asked how representatives has invested more than £400 million in projects, created can access more detailed aspects of those programmes. over 8,500 new jobs and safeguarded a further 9,700. I urge those who have concerns about how the programme An impressive area of delivery, and certainly one that is running in general to write to me or to the Under- has helped bring forward the local engagement that Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my other Members have talked about, is the 64 LEADER hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr Vaizey). If local action groups in England. They were allocated there are specific issues, they should raise them with the £137.9 million from the total £3.7 billion of the current local delivery bodies to ensure that their voices are programme. They are on target to spend that in full by heard. I think that BT, which has been mentioned, will the end of the programme. Their key achievements welcome engagement with local representatives on how include over 1,000 civil society representatives involved; the programme will make a difference in those areas over 4,200 projects approved; over 21,000 training days and what the expectations should be. delivered; over 2,600 jobs created; 700 micro-enterprises supported; and nearly 200 new micro-enterprises created. Under the rural broadband programme, the pace of There are other sources of funding from other routes, progress is accelerating, as 42 out of 44 local projects whether the public sector or charitable sources, that are contracted, which accounts for 98% of the Government unlock the potential of the community schemes that funding. We are currently connecting 10,000 rural properties hon. Members have talked about, which will make a week. It is anticipated that the figure will rise to significant changes in their communities. around 25,000 per week by the spring and 40,000 per week by the summer. Under the new rural development programme, which will run from 2014 to 2019, we will transfer 12% from My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton direct payments to go towards environmental, farming talked about the smaller rural community broadband competitiveness and rural growth schemes in England. fund and asked what progress DEFRA was making That is a significant change in the way we administer with delivering the scheme. We have approved five projects, CAP money and it is important that we get the change starting with Rothbury in Northamptonshire, which right. In 2016 we will review the demand for agri- got its first live cabinet in time for Christmas—the environment schemes and the competitiveness of English Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and agriculture with the intention of moving to 15% for the Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Camborne final two years of this CAP period. The overall investment and Redruth (George Eustice), was there at the time. equates to £3.5 billion for environmental and rural We continue to work hard with BDUK, local bodies development schemes over the next seven years. That and community groups to develop the remaining projects. means that, even with a smaller overall CAP budget, the Local authority-led projects have until 28 February to Government will be spending a bigger proportion on complete their applications. Of course, there are important the environment than before. things to consider to ensure that we get the best value We want growing the economy to be an important for money in all those projects, so we need to consider part of that. There will be a meaningful role for LEPs to each one carefully. Universal coverage of 2 megabit help deliver growth. Some 13% of the new rural broadband is expected by 2016. development programme funds will be spent on growth- I will turn to local government finance settlements. focused schemes. Some 5%—£177 million—will be allocated The Committee, and indeed many hon. Members, to LEPs through the growth programme, with LEADER highlighted their concerns about the system for calculating and farming and forestry competitiveness being allocated local government finance. Addressing the needs of rural around 4% each, or around £140 million. and urban authorities is a difficult balancing act. As my Many hon. Members spoke about the delivery of hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton pointed rural broadband and mobile communications. Indeed, out, I have been very much engaged in that from the we must remember that the report was from the Back Benches and continue to be in government, talking Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, not with colleagues, communities and local government the Welsh Affairs Committee, because so many hon. about how the funding formula works and the implications Members from Wales spoke. There was a certain for rural communities. commonality in the contributions we heard from across The Efficiency Support for Services in Sparse Areas the United Kingdom on connectivity and the need to grant of £8.5 million during 2013-14 helped the top ensure that we get the injection of investment absolutely quartile of rural authorities by sparsity of population. right. It is important for unlocking the potential of The Government will be providing further support worth rural economies and communities. We know, for instance, £9.5 million so that the most rural local authorities can that online small businesses, whether rural or urban, drive forward efficiencies in their areas. That is an grow between four and eight times faster than their increase on the grant paid for this purpose in 2013-14, 515 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 516 and it offers further protection. Let me be clear, however—I When the hon. Member for Ogmore discussed this, he hope that my hon. Friend would not expect me to say did not say that under the previous Government the anything else, given my past interest in this area prior to number of affordable socially rented homes that were coming into Government—that we need to change the available fell, a trend that this coalition Government approach towards assessing the longer-term funding will reverse through the investment that we are making. needs of rural local authorities, and we must bear that It is important to recognise that that applies in rural in mind as we move forward. We need to consider how areas as well as in urban areas. The Government support we support rural local authorities in increasing their rural exception sites, which, as hon. Members will know, income from business rates retention, and we need to are small sites that can be used for affordable housing in develop a longer-term solution to supporting the transition. perpetuity, making a crucial difference. On rural-proofing, I want to leave the House under The hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) no illusion. The Government take rural-proofing incredibly was the first speaker to refer to post offices and postal seriously, and my ministerial colleagues and I champion services in general—a very important matter. On it strongly across Government. We are supported in 27 November, the Department for Business, Innovation that role by DEFRA’s centre of rural expertise, the rural and Skills announced a further £640 million for the post communities policy unit, which was mentioned extensively office network to complete its network transformation in the report. Lord Cameron’s review of rural-proofing programme. That programme is not suitable for about will report separately from what we are doing in 3,000 post offices. Those branches predominantly serve Government. In a new element, all Government small, often remote communities, and they may be the Department annual reports and accounts will report on last shop in the village. For the first time in post office their rural-proofing activities. It is very important to history, the updated programme specifically allocates DEFRA that we have that level of engagement in £20 million to this part of the network. As a Member of reporting back, and I welcome it. At our last count, we Parliament during the previous Government’s period in were actively assisting other Departments with over office, I saw what happened when their network review 60 different policy areas to ensure that rural dimensions closed so many rural post offices and the effect that that are being appropriately and proportionately considered. had on those communities. We are now looking at Importantly, we do not do this in isolation from the opportunities to secure the network that now exists to rural communities and businesses we serve. I am grateful make sure that we are not dropping back into that to the EFRA Committee for recognising DEFRA’s territory. comprehensive engagement framework with key rural Returning to rural transport, which I mentioned stakeholders and civil society groups and representatives. briefly in reply to the hon. Member for North Herefordshire I should like to highlight some particular examples of (Bill Wiggin), who is no longer in his place, the Government this. My hon. Friend the Member for Thirsk and Malton have distributed £20 million to rural transport authorities mentioned education funding. The Government recognise in England to support the development of community that in some areas, particularly where schools are small, transport schemes, which provide services that are vital it is unreasonable to require pupils to travel long distances in many rural areas. We are funding more than 20 Wheels to alternative schools. That is why, following a review of to Work schemes through the local sustainable transport the funding arrangements conducted with DEFRA’s fund. Those schemes enable many young people to rural communities policy unit, the Department for access employment and training opportunities. We have Education announced in June that it would allow local protected the statutory entitlement to concessionary authorities to use a new sparsity factor when allocating bus travel, ensuring that older people can maintain funding. The Government have made it clear that the greater freedom and independence. As we stated in the sparsity factor will be kept under review to consider Government response to the EFRA report, the Department whether adjustments need to be made in 2014-15 and as for Transport has committed to setting up a monitoring we move towards a national funding formula in the and evaluation framework to assess the changes to the longer term. bus service operators grant. The issue of fuel was regularly raised, with regard to Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): All the transport fuel and the fuel duty discount. I am pleased aspects that the Minister has mentioned so far will that hon. Members across the House acknowledged really help rural communities such as my constituency. what the coalition Government have done in opening On school transport, the Government have been generous the door to the concept of recognising rurality and the in funding new places in rural schools, but the local challenges faced in relation to fuel prices. Many rural authority has cut the transport budget allowing people communities aspire to explore whether the scheme is a to take advantage of those new places. Is there anything good fit for them, with processes that are appropriate he can do to allow county councils to use that money to for their areas. Several Members, particularly those ensure that children get to school safely? from west Wales, suggested that it could operate slightly Dan Rogerson: Local authorities have a statutory role differently. I am sure that if they write to my colleagues in the provision of school transport, but there are a in the Treasury about how they think it could be changed, number of other ways in which they can engage with their contributions can be borne in mind. the wider transport infrastructure in their areas to Several hon. Members talked about domestic fuel provide opportunities not just for school transport but and the people in communities in rural areas who are for all the other vital forms of transport that we have off the gas grid. We are working with the Department been debating. of Energy and Climate Change to support the promotion I agree that providing affordable homes is crucial in of buying groups to bring down costs for gas and oil. allowing rural economies to grow and welcome the fact On winter fuel payments, as part of the ministerial that this Government are investing in affordable housing. round table on heating oil and liquid petroleum gas, we 517 Rural Communities9 JANUARY 2014 Rural Communities 518

[Dan Rogerson] is not just to do with DEFRA but relates to all the tentacles of Government—it is multi-agency and multi- are working with DECC and the Department for Work departmental. and Pensions to look into bringing payments forward. I very much enjoyed the beauty contest as to who has A number of hon. Members raised that issue. the best constituency, but no one has yet come close to Thirsk and Malton. I fell into a trap at one point, so to Albert Owen: Will the Minister give way? save any grief in any quarters, let me say that of course I meant to refer to the spare room subsidy in the context Dan Rogerson: I am afraid that I cannot. However, I of the importance of affordable housing. thank the hon. Gentleman for his contribution and for I welcomed the contributions on the sheer cost of extolling the virtues of his constituency; he set off a living and the fact that rural communities are under- rash of such remarks around the Chamber, as was represented and underfunded. The examples given show entirely justified. that we look to rural communities to give the sort of I am afraid that, given the time available, I may have help we need, but we expect the Government to remove been unable to engage with all the issues in as much some of the barriers. I referred briefly to the fact that detail as I would have liked. I am happy, as always, to off-grid energy households have to be able to access the hear from the Select Committee, from all hon. Members same incentives and finance to improve their properties who have been present, and from those who have not and reduce their heating bills as those on-grid. been able to join us, about how we can build on the No one can doubt after today’s debate the importance work that the Government are doing to support rural of rural growth, and in particular broadband, to farming communities, and how we can ensure that we are and other rural businesses. We would have liked the challenging, in a helpful, constructive and friendly way, Government to keep to 9% modulation—I will just all Government Departments to ensure that they are throw that into the mix—but 12% is still less than 15%. delivering for rural communities and having at the heart We now have a better understanding of what it is like of their policy making the interests of those rural for those of us who live in and represent rural communities communities as well as urban ones. I hope that this and a better idea of how best to meet the challenges. I debate demonstrates that the Government have strong hope we can persuade the Government and the Backbench rural credentials, that we are serious about advocating Business Committee to hold an annual debate to give the needs of rural areas, and that we are driven towards the Department the say each year as to how we are unlocking the potential of rural communities and businesses. bringing rural communities to the heart of Government, and that policy formation, whichever Department is responsible for a particular policy, will reflect the needs 2.47 pm of rural communities. Miss McIntosh: I thank everybody who has participated Question put and agreed to. for their positive and constructive contributions to this Resolved, excellent debate, which has demonstrated that this matter That this House has considered rural communities. 519 9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 520

Inter-City Rail Investment capable of carrying lorry trailers on trains and serving the north-east would have an enormously beneficial effect on the economies of the regions? 2.50 pm Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): I beg to move, Ian Swales: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that That this House has considered inter-city rail investment. intervention. I certainly agree with him and will mention rail freight later in my speech. He makes a powerful As well as London, the eight largest English cities point which I know he has raised in the House before. have city deal status and another 20 are being agreed at present. I want to talk about rail travel between these With excellent assistance from the House of Commons city regions, especially those journeys that do not involve Library, I have conducted research on all the journeys London. My speech will not be about HS2, except in between the English city regions, comparing fastest rail passing, partly because that subject has already been journey times against road miles as the best indicator of aired at length, but also because journeys between the the actual distance between them. Many interesting 29 city regions involve 465 possible trips, only 13 of facts emerge. The fastest journey times from nearly which are directly covered by HS2. Those figures do not every single city region are on the lines to London. include Welsh or Scottish cities, but I am sure other Average speeds range from 63 mph from the south coast Members may wish to comment on them. to well over 100 mph from many other parts of the country. If we look at past priorities for inter-city rail investment, For journeys between cities outside London, however, we see that there has often seemed to be an assumption the overall fastest miles per hour speeds are in the 20s, that the only thing people want to do when they get on a and many are in the 30s and 40s. Fastest journeys can train is travel to or from London. Research shows that involve absurd dog-legging through London—for example, prioritising transport heavily on connections to a capital Cambridge to Sheffield, Ipswich to Newcastle and Swindon tends to suck economic activity into that capital. As to Leicester—and journeys between the 29 key city Chris Murray, director of Core Cities, observed recently, regions can involve as many as four changes. Those this over-concentration is bad for the national economy figures are the consequence of past investment focused in the long term. In contrast with other developed on hub-and-spoke systems based on London, and of countries, such as France and Germany, the UK remains under-investment on other routes, which has helped to one of the most economically centralised countries in concentrate economic and administrative power in the the world. The vast majority of significant companies capital. and other institutions are headquartered in and around London. The record of the previous Government was poor, with too much micro-management but only nine miles London itself has major capacity issues, whether they of electrification investment. Fares went up by 66%, but be housing, schools, airports, local transport, water, subsidies went up £1.7 billion as well. Journey times are sewage treatment or even land and labour. Immigration slower than they were 15 years ago, and 61% of UK pressures from abroad or from elsewhere in the UK are businesses are concerned that the UK’s transport felt heavily in London as it deals with its overheated infrastructure lags behind international competitors. economy. A London MP recently exemplified affordable housing in her constituency, it being defined as a two- I welcome the steps that this Government are taking. bedroom flat costing £750,000. There is constant pressure A good example of the work needed is the Milton for billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to be spent Keynes to Oxford route. At 22 mph, it is one of the addressing those capacity problems in the capital. slowest possible journeys, so the Government’s decision Meanwhile, other areas, such as the one I represent, to revive the east-west route to join those two city have all those assets freely available, including houses, regions is very welcome and will provide the connectivity none of which cost £750,000, surplus school places and to help release potential. However, the Milton Keynes capable people ready to take jobs. to Cambridge route, at 24 mph, will remain one of the slowest in the country. Other examples of very slow The Government have a stated aim to rebalance the connectivity are the routes from Leicester to Coventry, economy and I believe that inter-city rail investment Bournemouth to Bristol, Southend to Ipswich, Sunderland can play a pivotal role in that endeavour. Others share to Darlington—I could go on. my concerns. The former Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, said recently: It is certainly welcome that the east coast main line is at last due to get modern rolling stock. Despite being “There are literally dozens of rail and public transport projects urgently needed across the country that would make a significant one of the most profitable lines in the country, botched economic and social impact.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, franchising deals have led to a sense that it is somehow a 24 October 2013; Vol. 748, c. 1228.] basket case, with consequent high fares and old trains. Passengers richly deserve the investment in new rolling He also commented on the cuts to other inter-city stock and, as a regular user, I suppose that I should services that accompany the HS2 proposals, including declare an interest. loss of service from Stoke, Stockport, Coventry and Wilmslow, and long journey times to Carlisle. The It is worrying that a briefing I received for today’s Institute of Directors reports that 80% of its members debate from the Rail Delivery Group, a consortium of support increased investment in the existing inter-city Network Rail and the train operators, states that the network. east coast line “essentially serves two main destinations…Leeds and Edinburgh”. Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): I commend the It makes no mention of services that terminate in hon. Gentleman on what he has said so far. Does he not Newcastle or Aberdeen, of the 750,000 people in the also agree that a spinal, dedicated rail freight route Tees valley served by Darlington, or of numerous other 521 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 522

[Ian Swales] London? The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills was stunned recently when he discovered how towns and cities served directly or through connections. long he had to spend on the train when travelling from Sadly, the geography of many of the decision makers Liverpool to Darlington. Ironically, he was making the seems to get sketchy outside the M25. trip to be present at the inauguration of the new inter-city One area that I want to highlight is the wide corridor train factory at Newton Aycliffe, which is hugely welcome of national importance through south Yorkshire and in my part of the world. south Lancashire. It contains four of the six biggest Rail investment is not just about passengers, but cities in England, as well as many significant towns and about freight, as the hon. Member for Luton North other cities, and it is home to more than a quarter of the (Kelvin Hopkins) mentioned. It was good to see the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses. Although it is recent but long-overdue investment by the Government already an economic powerhouse, it could be so much to enable modern-sized containers landing at Teesport better with proper inter-city rail investment. Our forefathers to join the east coast main line. However, a large modern recognised its importance by building one of the first port needs good connections to a wide hinterland and, cross-country motorways, the M62, to link Hull and again, the cross-country links are very poor. If such a Liverpool. How is the rail service through the region? container was destined for Preston, which is less than The answer is, very poor. The 120-mile journey from 100 miles away, it would have to go via Birmingham, so Hull to Liverpool takes 30 minutes longer than the poor are the trans-Pennine links. 214-mile journey from Hull to London, which means that it is at exactly half the speed. The vital commercial Kelvin Hopkins: I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman centres of Leeds and Manchester are joined by a service is talking about freight, even though this debate is that runs at only 46 mph, whereas they both already essentially about passengers. Some 80% of freight in have services to London at more than 100 mph. Britain and across the channel goes by lorry, not by Slow train times lead to far more people travelling by container. Containers are splendid things and lorries road, which in turn has an impact on train passenger are the problem. Do we not need to be able to get lorry numbers. They also give the appearance of low demand: trailers on to trains? To do that, we need a dedicated no doubt that affects perceived investment, but this is route with the height and gauge capacity to deal with it. surely a classic case of “Build it and they will come”. Getting people, and of course freight, off the roads also Ian Swales: The hon. Gentleman makes an excellent has major environmental benefits. point. I am certain that the current trans-Pennine links I welcome the many improvement projects contained would also be inadequate for that solution. I agree with in the northern hub initiative and the associated forecast what he says. This matter needs to be considered seriously. of growth in passenger numbers, but they fall short of What is the point of investing heavily in rail freight providing the kind of radical improvements that could handling in the Trafford area of Manchester, which is transform the economy of the region. We need speedy going to happen, if there is no easy route to the major train services to link our northern cities to each other, ports on the Tyne, the Tees and the Humber? The not just linking them separately to London and the ability of east coast ports to collect goods from northern south. businesses for export and to deliver imported goods and Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) materials to them by rail should be a key economic (Con): My hon. Friend is making a very strong point, driver. but does he agree that the issue relates not only to the As part of rebalancing the economy, the Department north, but to the south-west and the west country? for Transport should be accelerating inter-city investment Frankly, we have not had the kind of investment in our in the regions for three reasons. First, the economic railways that we would like. benefits of constructing that infrastructure would be felt most strongly in the regions concerned. Secondly, Ian Swales: I absolutely agree. I look forward to the the manufacture of infrastructure materials tends to be speeches of other hon. Members who have stayed late concentrated away from the south-east. An example is on this Thursday to hear more about other regions. I Tata Steel’s construction beam mill in my constituency. know that my hon. Friend the Member for St Austell Finally, the provision of good infrastructure tends to and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) is likely to talk about lead to more economic development in the local region. the south-west. Rail investment should be used proactively to drive Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I our regional economies, not just reactively to address congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important overcrowding. Quicker travel would make existing businesses debate. With hon. Members piling in to put their own more efficient. Better city links would allow regionally inter-city and other rail services on the table, may I based businesses to set up and expand more easily, and make a plea for the Brighton main line? We need more to take on London-based competitors. capacity, with a second line from Brighton to London As Jim O’Neill, the chair of the City Growth so commuters do not get stuck in Brighton, as they do Commission, observed in a recent article in The House on the many occasions when that line is not operating. magazine entitled “Going for growth”, Ian Swales: I thank the hon. Lady. I am sure the “We already know that around the world, mid-tier cities generate Minister is logging the various bids that are being made. higher economic growth relative to their populations.” My area of the north-east has good journey times to In the same magazine, Alexandra Jones, the chief executive London, but very poor journey times to other places. of the Centre for Cities, noted that Is it right that it takes longer to get from Darlington “most of the UK’s largest cities…punch below their economic to Manchester on a single train than it takes to get to potential.” 523 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 524

The underperformance in the UK is due partly to our We also have no air link to the city of Plymouth, and transport infrastructure. The excessive focus on London people often ask whether that is sensible for a city of recently led the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation such a size. Frankly, it is unlikely that there will be an and Skills to say that London airport, despite the hard work of a lot of local groups, “is becoming a giant suction machine draining the life out of the without some guarantee of slots in London when the rest of the country”. airport there is extended. In closing, I want to emphasise the following points. We have only two strategic road links into Plymouth. A business person’s time is just as valuable when they When I chaired the South West Regional Committee in are travelling from Newcastle to Bristol or from Norwich 2010 and we reviewed transport across the south-west, to Liverpool as it is when they are travelling to or from the evidence that we received made it clear that the London. It should be possible to run an effective, infrastructure, whether road, rail or air, was inadequate competitive national or international business from any and could not support the level of growth that many of our city regions, not just from London. The Government local authorities and businesses feel we are capable of have a key aim of rebalancing the economy. I commend producing and adding to the wider UK economy. the work that is being done on city deals and through Over the years, we have had less investment than any the regional growth fund. The Department for Transport other part of the United Kingdom, with the possible needs to take up the challenge and play its full part in exception of the north-east. Journeys to major cities that rebalancing. After decades of under-investment, I such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool welcome the renewed focus on rail investment that the all take much longer than a journey to London and are Government are driving. I hope the Minister will explain convoluted. Part of the problem that we have on our how the Department’s inter-city rail investment policy stretch of line—the main line between Penzance and will meet the ambition of making the whole economy Paddington—is that to get to those cities we have to go more successful, and not just that of London and the on the slow, shared section of line between Taunton and south-east. I look forward to his response. Plymouth, which goes along Dawlish sea front and is frequently disrupted. Inter-city train services that connect with community 3.4 pm rail services and buses, with reasonably priced car parks at hubs, come at a price, a large part of which has to be Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): It is a borne by the passenger. I was gobsmacked to read the real pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Redcar lobbying document that we received prior to the debate (Ian Swales). I was pleased to hear him say that we from the Rail Delivery Group, which made me ask should talk about something other than High Speed 2. whether its members ever travel on trains. The main The money being spent on it is an issue in the far thrust of the document was to act as an apologist for south-west, but we also have a lot of common concerns the privatisation process and laud the fact that it has with his constituency. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for allowing this debate, which is important “significantly increased revenue whilst controlling operating costs.” to my constituents and those of other Members who Really? Apparently, that has led to a financial surplus, are in the Chamber. but who benefits from that? Passengers on my wi-fi-less inter-city trains to Plymouth, who sometimes have to I have lost count of the number of times that I and stand as far as Exeter, are certainly not feeling the other Members with seats in the south-west have raised benefit. concerns about the need for investment in our inter-city services and improved resilience. Yet again, extreme Kelvin Hopkins: I wish to reinforce my hon. Friend’s weather is causing pressure, so we need that investment, point about privatisation. Sir Roy McNulty concluded but we keep getting batted away by London and Whitehall. that our railways cost 40% more to operate than continental My constituents, local authorities and businesses all railways that are integrated and publicly owned, and rely on rail connections, which have to be reliable and that before privatisation, British Rail had—believe it or affordable. They also have to work around the need for not—the highest level of productivity of any railway freight, the importance of which I know my hon. Friend system in Europe. the Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins) will speak about again today. He is right—if we want to Alison Seabeck: My hon. Friend makes a strong grow our economy in the south-west, we need freight point about the different ways of managing a rail network. services that work and that fit around essential inter-city When we compound that with the botched franchising services. process, which exacerbated problems, particularly in the We need to manage and plan growth to ensure that south-west, I think the travelling public are beginning people are not priced off trains because of massive rises to lose faith. Of course those companies have invested in ticket prices. Plymouth is more than three hours away in their services, and there is no doubt that their staff from London—it can be three hours-plus-plus, depending are working hard to ensure that the passenger experience on how fortunate people are on the day, and in the improves—indeed, it has improved and they deserve not-too-distant future it will take even longer because credit for that. I am still not sure, however, how much of the continuing works at Reading. Those works, that increased revenue has reached down to the far which were started under the last Government, will south-west where we still have slam-door rolling stock. make a difference, and there is no doubt that they are On our line, the new fare for an anytime standard valuable, but they will extend the travelling public’s open return from London to Plymouth with First Great journeys for the moment. Of course, there is also the Western is £271, and to Penzance—where at least some work on the Whiteball tunnel, which I suspect will consideration has been given to the needs of the area—it mean a journey of closer to five hours. is £284. If families who are struggling with the cost of 525 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 526

[Alison Seabeck] (Mr Streeter) asked a question on that issue. Significant remedial investment is needed if the far south-west is to living decide to holiday in the lovely south-west—who have more than a fair-weather inter-city service. would not want to come to the south-west?—that starts My key asks for Plymouth and its inter-city connections to look like a very expensive option, unless they can get are: that the Secretary of State continue to guarantee one of the cheaper deals which, as we know, disappear the money for the resilience work at Exeter and beyond, very fast indeed. I genuinely feel that passengers do not and that it is clearly aimed at keeping the network open think they are getting value for money. and not just blocking it off; that we get an early morning Plymouth’s inter-city connections are vital to the city’s arrival in Plymouth from London, which was promised growth plans, yet spending per person in the south-west by the franchisee but appears to have drifted off the is now in negative real-term figures—the hon. Member agenda, like so much else; and that we benefit from for Redcar spoke about how his region is suffering in a newer rolling stock, rather than the ancient units that similar way in terms of investment. How does that currently serve our railway and undoubtedly slow the square with the supposed policy of regional growth? service down. Demand is expected to outstrip capacity The total identifiable expenditure on rail in my region on both branch and inter-city services, so we need has slumped from £286 million in 2008-09 to just confirmation from the Minister today that the displaced £218 million in 2012-13. So much for a Government diesel stock following the electrification of the main line who believe that growth and investment in infrastructure in south Wales will be cascaded on to the main line are linked. Actions speak louder than words. between London and Penzance. On that, I will finish and allow other Members to express their concerns. We in Plymouth are also concerned that we are not on the strategic national corridor, which for some bizarre reason stops at Exeter and does not go on to the 3.15 pm 15th largest city in England. As long as that continues Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): I am and we are not part of the strategic national corridor, pleased to have the opportunity to speak and to follow we will continue to see poor levels of investment in our the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison routes in inter-city services. Indeed, I would go further Seabeck), who made some interesting points. and suggest a real lack of interest in Whitehall in any I congratulate the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian area outside that corridor. Swales) and the Backbench Business Committee on There is no doubt that distance and accessibility securing this debate on an issue that is very important impact directly on the way business costs are assessed to people in my constituency. He will not be surprised if and on the logistics of companies. It has been estimated I mention London and that other great city, Brighton that for every 100 minutes of travel time from London, and Hove. productivity drops by 6%. Tackling that underperformance I am one of the many people from Brighton who by supporting our rail links, inter-city services and frequently commute to London for work, and over the connections to the main line could be hugely beneficial years I have come to know the Brighton main line very to the wider UK economy. We are, however, talking a well—better than I ever wanted to know it, if the truth little bit about jam tomorrow. I am sure the Minister be known. I know how important the train service is to will mention the benefits of electrification, but those people in my constituency and to the whole economy of will not percolate down as far as Plymouth—certainly the south-east. I also know, unfortunately, how frustrated in the immediate future—partly because of the unresolved regular rail users in Brighton are with the service they issue of the line between Exeter and Plymouth via receive. Dawlish. Any benefits of electrification are decades When I tweeted about this debate on my way up to away, and whoever is in power after the next general London this morning, I was inundated with responses election must stop pushing the issue away. That is why from fellow passengers who have simply had enough. we must ensure—as those on the Labour Front Benches One person told me that he has been late to work every have insisted—that High Speed 2 is not some open-ended day this year because of the trains. Another pointed out cheque, and that we keep a lock on how much money that 44% of Southern trains operating on the Brighton goes into it. main line last year were late. Another tweet described I have not even mentioned resilience and the importance the daily commute as “grim” and rightly protested that of keeping the rail line open to rail companies as well as people in Brighton deserve better. our local economies. Some £178 million was lost when Concerns about rail services are raised with me by the line was closed last year because of flooding at constituents every week, perhaps more frequently than Exeter and further down the line, and we had no inter-city any other issue since I was elected in 2010. Concerns service for some considerable time. I cannot understand over cancellations, delays, overcrowding, cold and dirty why it has been so difficult to get the head of the trains and a lack of information feature most prominently. Environment Agency and Network Rail to agree on a Last year’s Which? survey confirmed that rail passengers plan. We were told that £31 million had been earmarked in the south-east have the lowest customer satisfaction for work to ensure the trains could get through, but we in the whole of the UK. First Capital Connect, which now hear that that has gone down to single figures. operates on the Brighton main line, finished bottom of What is going on? Perhaps the Minister will answer that the pile with a 40% satisfaction rating. The understandable when he responds to the debate. Is the CEO of the anger among commuters is exacerbated by increases in Environment Agency correct when he says that cuts rail fares, which went up again last week. As one constituent will impact on that type of maintenance? In questions put it to me, people simply do not feel that they are to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and getting value for their money. That is backed up by the Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for South West Devon 2013 national passenger survey, which revealed that 527 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 528 only 32% of First Capital Connect customers and 36% (Ian Swales) on securing the debate and on what he of Southern customers feel that they get value for said during his speech, which contained a good deal of money for the cost of their ticket. That is hardly surprising common sense. In fact, it reflected the conclusions when only about 40% of customers feel that they are of the Eddington report of some years ago, the focus of likely to get a seat. which was on improving the network as it was, rather Clearly, there are serious problems that need to be than on more adventurous schemes. addressed. At their root is the problem of capacity. The Railways are clearly the major mode of land travel huge demands on the line present challenges for Network for the long-term future. Anyone who tries to drive by Rail and the train companies, and their current failure car to and from London these days has a problem, to meet them is having a terrible effect on passengers. despite some improvements in motorway traffic. It is Projected employment growth along the main line between the railways that will provide the transport of the future. Brighton, Crawley, Gatwick and London means that Passenger numbers are increasing massively in spite of demands on the line are only going to increase. A report privatisation and higher fares because rail travel is the from WSP group last year revealed how serious the only practicable way to get to and from work. I speak as situation could become. It concluded that the capacity a 45-year rail commuter on Thameslink and its predecessors problem on the Brighton main line would reach critical from Luton. I see every day the problems on the other levels within the next 20 years and prevent rail services side of London—on the same line that the hon. Member from operating efficiently, but none of the people who for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby) mentioned. use the service today would say it will take 20 years to Fortunately, I live far enough out to get a seat most reach critical levels; they would say it is operating days, but by the time we get to St Albans passengers inefficiently as we speak. have to stand. Indeed, yesterday, there simply was not A number of solutions have been proposed, all of enough space on the train and many passengers were which would require significant investment as a matter left on the platform, having to wait for later trains—it of urgency. The WSP report proposed an upgrade of was that crowded. the current line to allow more trains to more destinations There are severe difficulties on those commuter routes, and reduce journey times. Another option, which I have but we are talking today about inter-city rail. Forty thrown my weight behind, is the Brighton main line 2 years ago, I was responsible for transport policy at the proposal. I am happy to work with my Brighton colleague, TUC. In those days, railways were seen to be in decline the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), and people lauded the car as the future. Even then, I if it means that we can make it a reality. It would passionately believed that railways were the future and provide a new line between Brighton and the capital that we had to preserve what we had. Fortunately, we and obviously reduce pressure on the current line while hung on to just enough to make it credible, and we still avoiding the bottleneck that is Croydon, which currently have the great Victorian-built lines providing city centre causes many of the problems. Network Rail is assessing to city centre travel, which is so valuable. The convenience plans to link Lewes and Uckfield as part of its long-term of being able to get on a train in a city centre and be planning process and acknowledged the attraction of a taken directly to another city centre is an enormous new route that does not involve the congested east advantage. Croydon corridor. I urge the Minister to support specific investments, Last year, in the House, I received assurances from some of which are already moving forward—rather too the previous rail Minister that the Government were slowly and very late, but they will, I hope, get there considering Brighton main line 2 as a potential solution eventually. It is vital to continue the electrification of all to the capacity problems affecting the south coast and major routes, so that we have electrified major routes would be looking to take the issue forward in due across the country. course. My constituents would welcome an update from the new Minister. If he can reassure me this afternoon that Brighton main line 2 is still being considered, I, like Oliver Colvile: The hon. Gentleman makes a serious many of my constituents, will be very grateful. I would point about electrification. Tim Smit runs the Eden also like to take this opportunity to invite him to project. In the last five or six years he was asked what Brighton to experience the daily commute and see at one thing would make a great difference to the south-west. first hand some of the issues that my constituents face He told the then deputy leader of the Conservative every day. party that electrification down to Plymouth would do an enormous amount of good for the west country. In closing, I welcome the work being done to improve the Brighton main line in the short term and the £18 million of improvements carried out over the Christmas period— Kelvin Hopkins: I entirely agree, and I was intending not without their own inconveniences—which will deliver to mention the point later in my speech. benefits, but clearly they are not the long-term major We need to extend direct electrified services not merely investment solution required to expand the rail network to cities on the major routes. I support electrification to in the south-east and to give my constituents in Brighton, Hull, so that direct electrified services can run from Kempton and Peacehaven the service they deserve. King’s Cross to Hull without the need to change trains. I see in his place the hon. Member for Cleethorpes 3.22 pm (Martin Vickers), who represents an area on the other side of the Humber. Electrified services to Grimsby and Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): It is a great Cleethorpes would be a good thing, too. My hon. pleasure to speak in this debate on a subject about Friend the Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison which I feel very strongly and in which I have a great Seabeck) mentioned the south-west, and it is clear that interest. I congratulate the hon. Member for Redcar that area needs improvements. 529 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 530

Ian Swales: As we are all bidding for electrification, Heathrow and possibly removing some of the pressure let me point out that the Grand Central service from from the growth of passenger traffic there, as well as Sunderland to London runs on a non-electrified line being advantageous to workers in Birmingham. north of Northallerton through Eaglescliffe and Hartlepool. I believe that the scheme would be enormously beneficial economically at both ends of the route. It would breathe Kelvin Hopkins: I think we are well behind the rest of extra life into the economy of the west midlands, and it the world in electrifying our rail routes and we need to would take a bit of pressure off London. It would also do a lot more. It is happening, but it is going to take be helpful to services going further north. It would be some time yet. We should have done this years ago. possible to travel to the airport from Birmingham New Street and on to that route directly as well. There are Hon. Members have mentioned some of the corridor numerous exciting possibilities, provided that the whole routes I intended to speak about, such as that from line is electrified and upgraded. Even now, it would be Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds to York. A modern, capable of 125 mph services, which I think would be electrified fast service linking those great cities would be sufficient for the journeys to which I have referred. a tremendous boon to the north. I am obviously not I urge the Minister, Opposition Front Benchers and speaking on behalf of Luton here; I am speaking about Network Rail to give serious thought to my proposal. It my interest in railways and in the country in general. is not just my own idea; it is based on detailed advice A second electrified route should link York, Sheffield, from experienced railway engineers. It would work, it Derby, Birmingham, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and would be easy to construct, and it would bring great Penzance, which would provide a real chance for growth, benefits at modest costs. I commend it to fellow Members, particularly in the south-west, as my hon. Friend the and especially to those on both Front Benches. Member for Plymouth, Moor View said. Those are two important corridors, and I could provide more detail on 3.31 pm others. Fast electrified services would greatly benefit the relevant regions. Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Luton North (Kelvin In a rail debate on 31 October I set out a scheme for Hopkins), who always speaks so knowledgeably about upgrading and improving the east coast main line from railway matters. London to Edinburgh. I shall not go over the detail again now, as I want to reserve my time to deal with I join others in congratulating my hon. Friend the other schemes, other than to say that this is another Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) on securing the debate. important investment that should go ahead to improve It has given us an opportunity to praise the Government capacity and speed on the east coast. for a remarkable and very welcome increase in funding for our rail network—a network which, since privatisation, I want to focus today on a particular scheme. I have has seen a staggering increase in passenger numbers mentioned it before, but I want to re-emphasise its and in the amount of freight carried. It has also given importance. I believe it would be a major advance to Members an opportunity to argue in favour of yet more upgrade the Birmingham, Snow Hill to London line, investment in their constituencies, or, at the very least, which passes through Solihull, Leamington Spa, Banbury the transfer of some of the existing resources to their and other towns, on which only a handful of trains own areas. I shall say more about that shortly. currently run each day to and from Marylebone. The My hon. Friend the Member for Redcar spoke of the line also runs directly to Paddington—a much more importance of connections to London and, indeed, to useful London terminus that links directly with Crossrail other areas. My constituency suffers badly as a result of and thus to the City. Snow Hill is in the centre of its lack of such connections. There was a time, in living Birmingham and easily accessible to the business district. memory, when it was possible to get on to a train in There is, however, a much more compelling and exciting Cleethorpes and travel to other major cities such as possibility for this route. If it were to be electrified, a Leeds, Birmingham and Leicester. I know that Ministers simple link to Crossrail at Old Oak Common would are fully aware of the importance of good transport provide direct passenger services between the centre of links to the economic development of all parts of the Birmingham and the City of London and, indeed, country, but I must emphasise their importance to more Canary Wharf. Business travellers would have available peripheral areas such as northern Lincolnshire. direct travel from city centre to city centre with no The Government have recognised the importance of changes required, thus saving time and inconvenience. northern Lincolnshire and the wider Humber region as But there is more: the electrified Snow Hill to London a major centre for the renewable sector, and have line could also branch off at Greenford to join Crossrail demonstrated their commitment to the area by creating going west, thus providing a direct service from Birmingham the largest enterprise zone in the country and providing city centre to Heathrow. The electrification of that line support through the recently signed Humber city deal. and those two links with Crossrail would together cost More recently, the Department for Transport gave Able no more than £500 million. UK permission to go ahead with its South Humber There is still more. The Snow Hill line has a branch at energy park and associated developments, which should Leamington linked to Birmingham airport, which opens provide thousands of new jobs. That is all good news, up the possibility of direct, non-stop electrified 125 mph but if we are to maximise the benefits to the area, we services between Birmingham and Heathrow airports, shall need improved rail connections. as well as a direct link between Birmingham airport and The main passenger services to northern Lincolnshire the City of London via Crossrail. A journey time of are provided by First TransPennine Express. There is a one hour between the airports would be a boon to both good hourly service between Cleethorpes and Manchester of them, making Birmingham effectively a satellite of airport in each direction, which, with stops at 531 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 532 and Sheffield, connects with the wider network, but traffic, must make a case for, at the very least, a feasibility changes are inconvenient and add to journey times. Let study into the viability of electrification of the final me give a couple of examples. Last autumn, I attended section of the south Trent-TransPennine line, the Doncaster the annual dinner of the Grimsby and Immingham to Immingham and Cleethorpes section. Chamber of Commerce and Shipping. One of the guests Despite considerable capital investment over recent was the Finnish Ambassador, who expressed his surprise years the main route from Cleethorpes to Doncaster, at how long it had taken him to travel to Grimsby from which covers just 50 miles, takes 70 minutes. We must London. Another example can be found in an article in do better than that, particularly since we describe the The Sunday Times on 29 December. The journalist A. trains on that route as TransPennine Expresses. A. Gill travelled to Cleethorpes last October and in his article he says that he could have flown from London to In this afternoon’s earlier debate on rural communities Moscow quicker than it took him to get from London I heard my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough to Cleethorpes. (Sir Edward Leigh) refer to the Saturdays-only service The Grimsby-Cleethorpes area needs more direct from Sheffield through Gainsborough and Brigg to train services, particularly to London, in order to achieve Cleethorpes. This line was the Great Central main line the full economic potential I mentioned. To give an and yet it has come to this—a once-a-week service. It historical perspective, until 1970 there were two direct provides a shocking service not only for my hon. Friend’s trains between the Grimsby-Cleethorpes area and London rural community, as he said, but for the industrial via the then east Lincolnshire line through Louth, Boston centres around Immingham and Grimsby and for the and Spalding through to Peterborough and on to the east coast premier seaside resort of Cleethorpes. main line. I remember travelling on the last service train on 4 October 1970. The service fell at long last after a Ian Swales: I am sure that it will be no consolation to seven-year fight; it was sacrificed to the Beeching plan. my hon. Friend that I have just done the maths in my For the following 22 years we retained direct services head and discovered that the rest of the trans-Pennine to London. They ran via Market Rasen and Lincoln. service is no quicker than the service he has just described. That remains one of the options for a new franchise-holder. Certainly improvements are needed on that line, which Martin Vickers: I have experienced that full journey is the Cleethorpes to Lincoln line. Most of the services on a number of occasions, and I have to agree with my are provided by a single car unit. hon. Friend on that. Kelvin Hopkins: The hon. Gentleman mentioned I was describing the Saturdays-only service on the Beeching, and there are still a large number of corridors Gainsborough to Cleethorpes line. It begins its journey that are unused. Does he agree that it is vital to protect in Sheffield. I believe that that service illustrates the those corridors for possible future use, when, hopefully, need for more flexibility in the franchise system. Northern we invest in even more railways than we have now? Rail operates the service and, because of the type of services it operates, it is highly dependent on public subsidy. I would have thought, however, that if it had Martin Vickers: I certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman any sort of commercial drive behind it, it would see the and I think that even people who were connected with possibilities in that route. It is already running a train to producing the Beeching plan have since acknowledged Cleethorpes on a Saturday, and it would surely be even that the closure of the east Lincolnshire line was a more viable to run the service on a sunny summer marginal decision at the time and certainly in today’s Sunday as well. There should be some incentive to try to climate it would not have been closed. Unfortunately, expand the market in that way. however, at various points that line has now been blocked off and it would take billions of pounds to reinstate it. My constituency contains 10 railway stations, the I was mentioning the services on the Lincoln-Cleethorpes largest port complex in the country and an international line provided by a single unit. When passengers get on airport, yet it has no trains to London. It does not even the conductor says. “When we reach Market Rasen, need investment to provide such a service; it just needs passengers will have to stand. Please make sure that all the Minister’s say-so. It just needs him to insist on it seats are clear.” East Midlands Trains acknowledges being part of the new east coast franchise, or to give the that the service it provides with that single unit is go-ahead to one of open access providers such as Alliance inadequate, but apparently there is such a shortage of Rail, which is currently exploring the possibility of units that it is unable to improve on it. providing such a service. The Government have an excellent record on The debate pack states: electrification. Electrification of the route from Manchester “Inter-city rail investment covers a wide-range of projects, to Sheffield is edging nearer and the possible extension including electrification, line enhancements, service improvements through to Doncaster is being considered. If that becomes and new rolling stock.” a reality, which it must, then completion of the final My constituents would be happy with just a little progress 50 miles into Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes under each of those headings. I should like to draw the must surely be worthy of inclusion. Minister’s attention to one urgent enhancement that is Immingham is a major centre for railways; indeed, it needed on the east coast main line, which is plagued by was the railways that built it. It was a creation of the the wires being brought down in high winds. I know Great Central Railway just over 100 years ago in 1912. that the Department has committed £1.2 billion to Today, measured by tonnage, around 25% of the freight transform the line, but I am not aware that the upgrading moved by rail starts or ends its journey in Immingham, of the electric wires is included in that. My understanding much of it of strategic importance—oil, coal and the is that a relatively modest investment in certain sections like. That, together with the growing potential for passenger of the line could deal with the problem to some extent. 533 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 534

[Martin Vickers] I wish to make some brief remarks on High Speed 2 and public investment in inter-city rail generally. There There are electrification plans for the Great Western are different views across the House on HS2, but those line, which provides services into Wales, and the northern of us who support it must deal with the danger of a hub will greatly enhance services in the north-west. My perception that it will not have any benefits for the rest hon. Friend the Member for Redcar has described the of the network. HS2 will enhance capacity on other key needs of the north-east. My plea is, of course, for routes: trains will continue on the classic network to northern Lincolnshire and the Humber region in general. serve other destinations; space will be freed up for As I have said, the area has great economic potential, services to smaller towns and cities; and, providing but if we are to maximise that, we need better rail and high-speed platforms are properly integrated into existing other transport connections. We need to close down the stations, people across the country will have access to arguments about nationalisation, even if only in the high-speed trains. We need that form of travel, in both context of the east coast main line. Privatisation has directions. I understand the fear about the pull to the revitalised what was a dying industry. Let us also get on south-east, but that pull is happening in any case, for all with HS2. The Cleethorpes to Manchester services run sorts of other reasons, not least the lack of employment via Meadowhall, which would provide our link into in the north. We need to address that, but not grasping HS2. However, that 70-mile journey to Meadowhall the nettle is the wrong way to go. currently takes about 90 minutes. My plea is for direct Futurologists from 40 or 50 years ago might well have services to London—an absolute necessity—and for a thought that people would not need to travel now feasibility study into the electrification of the final because they would be able to talk to each other by all section of the south TransPennine line between Doncaster sorts of new mechanisms, and indeed they can. I used to and Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes. tease my husband, who works in IT, in the academic community, which has always been quite far ahead on 3.43 pm things such as networking, by asking him why he needed to travel to conferences and to London because he Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): I congratulate could do everything by video conferencing. I asked why the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) on securing on earth he was going yet again. Of course, as I pointed the debate, and I thank the Backbench Business Committee out to him when I thought about it, people cannot have for allowing it to take place. I cannot help but reflect conference dinners by video conferencing. That is not that, should our predecessors of 40 years ago walk in an entirely facetious point to make, because, as we all here today, they would be surprised to see the extent of know from our party conferences, when people meet at the interest across the House in rail investment. We events what goes on outwith the main setting in terms might disagree on some of the mechanisms for achieving of networking, catching up with people and having it, but there is now a high level of agreement that this is those debates and conversations is hugely important. the way forward. This follows a period in which, sadly, Human communication has not been supplanted by all we were diverted towards the wrong future, and I hope the technology at our fingertips. that we are now heading towards the right one. Regrettably, some decisions are still going the wrong Kelvin Hopkins: My hon. Friend is making a sensible way. For example, the Scottish Government have chosen point. Does she agree that trains also provide opportunities to build a new road bridge across the Forth, connecting for human interaction, business talk, discussion and Fife and Edinburgh, without any new rail connection. work to be done? Trains are wonderful things in that That is a missed opportunity. We had an opportunity to respect. put in some sort of double-decker bridge; there are ways to build both road and rail together, if we did Sheila Gilmore: They certainly do provide those indeed want more road capacity. We are going to regret opportunities, but occasionally I hear more about other this decision in the not-so-distant future. The building people’s business on the train than I want to know. For has started, so the bridge is, unfortunately, going to go that reason, I am glad to see more quiet coaches. When ahead, but I think that within months of it opening the my father used to complain about people talking on call will be, “What on earth did you do that for when the mobile phones on the train, I used to think that he was congestion in the area and the car drive into the city are being an old fusspot. However, I have to say that going to get worse and the rail link would have been a although it is good to have some sort of business fantastic advantage?” Of course, we do have a rail interaction on the train, it would be nice not to have it bridge, of considerable antiquity. It is an iconic piece of right in my ear when I am trying to work. Interestingly, rail architecture for the whole UK, but it does act as a on the east coast main line, the quiet coaches are now bottleneck on a journey that more and more people the most popular and most booked up of all the coaches. want to make, in a way that they did not before. Even in That suggests that I am not in a minority on the matter. a general atmosphere where railways have come back It is true to say that we can do a lot of work on trains into their own, we are at times in danger of making the that we cannot do flying. wrong decision. I wish to discuss the mechanisms and the Government’s Alison Seabeck: Does my hon. Friend agree that there decision to re-privatise inter-city services on the east is perhaps a case for a business class on some of these coast main line, because that is having an impact on long-distance trains, rather than a first class? investment on other inter-city routes. I have raised this matter previously and I do not apologise for doing so Sheila Gilmore: I suspect that the quiet coach operates again, because it is important; I have not yet been given to a large extent as a business class. Perhaps operators any clear answers from Ministers, so I am going to ask should consider expanding the number of those coaches. some of the same questions. Many people want to use that time on the train—whether 535 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 536 it is two hours, three hours or more—productively, even would be let before April 2015. As the Government if they are only recharging their batteries and reading a accepted the recommendations of the reports produced book or whatever. If we are serious about the environmental after what happened with west coast that only one advantages of rail over air, we need to make that journey major franchise should be dealt with at a time, that was as productive and as comfortable as we can, and also to only made possible by giving the current operator of speed it up. The big advantage of HS2 in Scotland the west coast main line—Virgin—a four-and-a-half-year would be a cut in journey times, even without the high franchise extension to April 2017. The operator of the speed rails reaching us. The city centre to city centre Great Western line, First, was given a two-and-a-half advantage of HS2 is huge, and it works both ways. For year extension to September 2015. That is 77 months of example, 11% of employment in Edinburgh, even after extensions between the two operators. the recession, is in the financial service sector. The links Ministers who prioritised the east coast franchise and from Edinburgh to other financial centres are important. justified it by referring to the Brown review are presumably If we are to continue to be the headquarters of some reiterating their belief that competition in the bidding very important financial institutions, rather than a sub-office process should drive private investment. Although franchise of somewhere else, it is just as important that people competition might achieve that, franchise extensions can come to us as it is that we can go to them. clearly do not. The Government have lost any bargaining chip they had in the process. Having made that set of Ian Swales: The hon. Lady mentions HS2, so I ask decisions, they had no option but to negotiate with the this question in a spirit of genuine inquiry, because I existing operators. The only bargaining chip Ministers only know the figures for Newcastle. How much will could use would be to threaten to call in East Coast’s HS2 enable trains from Edinburgh to save time? Does parent company, Directly Operated Railways. The operators she think a similar time could be saved by investing in know the Government’s reluctance to do that and the the straight and relatively flat current east coast main very fact that they want to extract the east coast franchise line, as referred to by the hon. Member for Luton North from DOR shows that, quid pro quo, they would not (Kelvin Hopkins)? want to put the other routes into DOR’s hands. That means that competition is effectively absent. Sheila Gilmore: My understanding is that when phase 2 is in place, we could save a full hour—perhaps slightly The companies have no incentive to invest during the more—of the journey time. As we are talking about a remaining time for which they are operating the routes long time scale, I am not averse in any way to looking at and have every incentive to demand significant subsidies. ways of improving the speed on existing rails. One thing The extensions are likely to cost us, the taxpayers, East Coast has done, which is helpful, is introduce a dearly. In 2011-12, Virgin paid the Department a premium train that leaves Edinburgh early in the morning and of £165 million and First Great Western paid £110 arrives in London at a time that allows people to attend million. Will the Minister confirm that following the meetings. It does that by having fewer stops, so there is agreement of the extensions, payments of such an order always a trade off. By only stopping at Newcastle and are unlikely to be made? Perhaps he could confirm what then coming straight through, it has shaved off time. sort of payments he anticipates. Will the Minister also The only downside is that the train departs very early in confirm that apart from the roll-out of wi-fi on First the morning. We are privileged here in the House of Great Western, which we would have expected from any Commons. As we go through until 10 pm on a Monday operator, the two extensions offer no improvement for night, we do not start work at 10 am, which would be passengers? difficult. My key contention is that if the east coast franchise Leaving aside the whole HS2 debate, we welcome the had not been prioritised, those extensions would not fact that intercity lines in other parts of the country are have been necessary and the competitions for the west receiving significant public investment for electrification, coast and Great Western franchises could have been new rolling stock and so forth. Of course, it is important held much sooner had the Government wanted to pursue to emphasise that all that investment is public and them. coming from the taxpayer. That fact was reinforced last month when the Office for National Statistics announced Kelvin Hopkins: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. that it would reclassify Network Rail as a central Does that not illustrate that the determination to re-privatise Government body from September. That is an the east coast main line is driven by dogma, not reality? acknowledgement that it is not outwith the Government. Part of the promise of privatisation was that it would Sheila Gilmore: I think that it is. I do not propose to generate investment, but it has not done so. We must be reiterate all that has been said by so many of my realistic about that. What about the level of private Opposition colleagues in several of the debates we have investment in other inter-city routes following the had on this subject about how East Coast has performed. Government’s decision to prioritise the franchise Given the history, it is particularly frustrating. As I have competition for the east coast? I am sure that Members campaigned on the issue and talked to people about it, I will remember that under the Government’s initial have found that the levels of support we get are extremely franchising timetable, a new contract for the west coast high. main line was due to start in October 2012, with Great People who are not politicians and who are not Western starting in April 2013 and east coast in December involved in the debate at that level are baffled as to why, 2013. when the east coast main line has already been through After the debacle of the west coast bidding process, a two difficult franchising periods, this should be happening new timetable was announced last March. The east in that way. Given what we have learnt, they ask, “Why coast main line, which was previously last in the queue are we doing this if it is working well? If it is working of those big franchises, was brought forward so that it well, why not leave it in place and see what happens?” 537 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 538

[Sheila Gilmore] that that issue has affected not only the coalition Government, because they inherited many problems, As I have said, that would not necessarily have prevented but we need to work as hard as we can to improve the the Government proceeding with other franchises, if transport infrastructure into the south-west, especially that is what they were determined to do—some people down to my constituency. would certainly have preferred it if they had not been. It Plymouth has a global reputation for marine science seems particularly perverse to pick this one. That is engineering research. That includes not only one of the what many members of the public feel, and not just most famous naval dockyards in the country, but the those who travel on the line regularly. seventh largest university, which has a brilliant reputation There is a lot of concern about how this will work for marine engineering research. out. If East Coast had been performing badly in the I have known my hon. Friend the Minister for more public sector, it would have made sense. An imperative than 30 years, so he and I know each other very well, to turn it around might have trumped the disadvantages and no doubt if I say something very wrong he will take of negotiating extensions on the west coast main line me to one side afterwards and put my cap on straight. and the Great Western main line. But East Coast was However, I am going to use this opportunity to remind and is performing well, and that defence is simply not him, as I always remind other Ministers, that Plymouth available to Ministers. is not Portsmouth. We are not 20 minutes away from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Bristol, and we need to make sure that a large amount (Stephen Hammond): I have listened carefully to the of attention is paid to our part of the world. Plymouth hon. Lady, who says that there is no excuse. She will of is an economic motor for what happens in west Devon, course want to point out that, in terms of punctuality, and also down into Cornwall. I am sure that my hon. the east coast main line is the worst performing long- Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen distance franchise and that it has been for at least the Gilbert) will want to express a view on that. last year. Some 38% of people who work in our city work in the public sector, so there is a strong wish to get primary Sheila Gilmore: It is quite clear from the figures on investment into the place in order to build on that. We punctuality that the problems East Coast has faced need to make sure that the city deal that I hope is about have been substantially about track and weather. A to come to fruition is a success, because that will mean previous speaker referred to the problems with the lines, that in return for some money being paid to clear up particularly in the Peterborough area, over the past and decontaminate the dockyard, 10,000 new jobs could couple of years. Those problems need to be addressed be created at the marine energy park, for which I have well in advance of any other changes. If we discount been campaigning. those problems, I do not think that anybody in the rail Plymouth’s is a low-skills and low-wage economy. In industry is suggesting that that has been due to the that sense, it is very similar to Portsmouth and places operator. such as Gravesend and Chatham, where unfortunately My contention is that we have reduced our ability to there has been too much dependency on the public get improvements on other important lines and that sector, which has always wanted to make sure that it that is regrettable at a time when there is real support gets all the bright boys and girls to go and work for it, and appetite for rail investment, and for good reasons. especially in places such as the dockyard. If we are to That has given us an opportunity to move ahead with rebalance our economy, we need to make sure that we this and perhaps make up for past mistakes. It seems to not only have a better skills base but try to increase me to have been an opportunity missed. private sector wages. 4.2 pm We desperately need better transport links. The really big issue for Plymouth and the west country is that Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) every time it rains, everybody holds their breath, because (Con): May I start by wishing you, Madam Deputy we do not know whether there will be enough resilience Speaker, and the staff in the Speaker’s office, a rather to allow us to continue to travel from Plymouth up to belated happy new year? I congratulate my hon. Friend London following any damage caused by the storms the Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) on securing the that take place. I urge my hon. Friend to consider an debate and the Backbench Business Committee on having alternative line going north through Tavistock, because the common sense to try to ensure that we have a debate that would be very helpful should, at any stage, the on rail, because we have not had one for some time. I Dawlish route fall to pieces. Last year, landslips caused have been pressing for such a debate for the past three very big problems on the line. Unfortunately, we have years, particularly in relation to the south-west, but also lost our airport. I am afraid that there is therefore a have failed miserably—my hon. Friend is obviously sense in Plymouth that we are somewhat isolated from much more charming that I am. the rest of the country. Others have been campaigning Transport in general in my neck of the woods is an to try to get Newquay involved. There is great concern incredibly emotive issue. I hope over the next few moments about this, and 37,000 people in Plymouth signed a to speak with one voice with the hon. Member for petition to keep the airport open. Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck), because we Other than the trains, we are dependent on our roads have been working very closely over the past three years as the only way to get in and out of the peninsula and to try to improve the transport infrastructure. Frankly, into Plymouth. I thank my hon. Friend for his work in without her help we would not have got as far we have. ensuring that there will be a case study on the dualling Plymouth is the 27th largest urban conurbation in the of the A303, which will be incredibly important. During country and the 12th largest city. That its transport the past two or three weeks when I have been going to infrastructure is so bad is a bit of a disgrace. I recognise and from Plymouth, I have somewhat aquaplaned my 539 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 540 way down the M4, M5 and bits of the A38, and I 4.12 pm have found that incredibly worrying. Dualling the A303 will be just one activity whereby we end up with good Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I add transport links, and I am therefore grateful that my my congratulations to the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian hon. Friend has been able to press for it. We also need Swales) on securing this important debate. I apologise, real political leadership. I am delighted that Labour as others have, for the fact that I shall discuss a line that Members, as well as the Conservatives and the Liberal connects to London. I accept his broader point that we Democrats, have been campaigning hard to make sure should not be so southern-centric, but I hope he will that we have the necessary level of investment and forgive me, given that my constituency depends a lot on continuing to press the Government to take note of the line between Brighton and London. that. I find myself in agreement with the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby), who is not in his There are several little things that I would like to ask place—I hope this is an area on which we can have for. I have already called for electrification of our line, cross-party agreement—that the current rail system is and I thank the Government for sorting out the junctions failing our constituents in Brighton and Hove. The at Reading, because that will certainly help, but there Brighton-to-London commuters I meet almost every are several other things as well. First, we need more day are, without exception, frustrated and angry about three-hour train journeys between Plymouth and London, the poor quality of the service that they pay through the as well as better links to Manchester and other parts of nose to use. It is a huge amount of money and, as has the country, including the north, the north-east and the been said, the cost just went up again earlier this month. north-west. Secondly, we need to get trains into Plymouth An annual season ticket between Brighton and London from London before 11.17 am, as is currently the case. Victoria is nearly £4,000; to be fair, there would be £28 If I were a business man seeking to do some work, I change, but that is still a huge amount. What do people would want to make sure that I arrived in Plymouth at get for their £4,000? The main line from Brighton is in 9 am, rather than 11.15. That is incredibly important. dire trouble. It struggles and creaks through inadequate Thirdly, I am delighted that progress is being made capacity. on getting free wi-fi on our railway line. We also need to Last month I attended a Network Rail event on the make sure that people who catch a train can be certain future of the Brighton main line to make the case for that not only will they sit on it for three rather than more capacity between the capital and Brighton. The seven hours—which is what I am campaigning for—but connection between the two cities is critical to my that it will actually go through. It is incredibly important constituents and we do not want to wait for the crumbs for there to be resilience in the network. from the table. Many Members have said that this is not Another small point is that the Environment Agency a debate about HS2 and it certainly is not, but I think proposed at one stage that, if there was going to be bad we should remind ourselves of the amount of money flooding, it would cut off the line at Exeter, which that can be found when the political will is there to would have created real problems for those of us further invest in our rail infrastructure. I would far rather that west. I hope the Government will address that important that money was invested in the general rail systems on issue. which so many of our constituents depend, rather than what I see as pretty much a massively expensive vanity We also need to make sure that the travelling public project that will not deliver the gains that we need. in Plymouth are given certainty. Given that 90% of the Brighton is a dynamic, internationally successful city Devon and Cornwall MPs are members of the coalition and a major tourist destination, but it needs more parties, this is a real opportunity for the Government to investment in its rail lines: far too often the city is cut off demonstrate that we are serious about delivering better because of problems at East Croydon or elsewhere on infrastructure in the south-west. the line. We need some real vision and commitment to I want to set my hon. Friend the Minister a very small invest to get Brighton the second London line that we challenge. In 2020, Plymouth will commemorate the so desperately need. It is essential to have not only Mayflower. The founding fathers left Plymouth to find increased capacity, but a fast alternative route for passengers America; I think it was called the American colonies in at times of disruption. those days. This is important because we will potentially In October, Baroness Kramer, the Transport Minister get a flood of tourists from America. I and others have in the other place, said: been pressing for the G8 to be held in Plymouth. It would be brilliant if we could get the President of “It is anticipated that Network Rail will provide a copy of its Brighton Main Line Pre-Report…to this Department before the America to visit the homeland of civilised activity in end of the year. It will include…the potential role of new line America. I am fully aware that President Obama will schemes, including Lewes to Uckfield.”—[Official Report, House not be in office then, but his successor will be very of Lords, 22 October 2013; Vol. 748, c. WA166.] important. Have Ministers received that report, and if so when will I ask my hon. Friend the Minister to give me a it be made public so that we can see it? In the autumn commitment. First, would he be willing to meet me and statement, the Chancellor said that he will accelerate the other Plymouth Members of Parliament to discuss the Network Rail study into improvements in the Brighton how we can deliver a more resilient and better train main line. Is that the same pre-report that was supposed service? Secondly, if we deliver a proper transport to have been done by December, or is it an additional infrastructure by 2020—I wish to carry on being here study? Weary commuters would welcome some clarification. for much longer than that—there will be real hope and Either way, we need to know the exact official terms of my hon. Friend will have demonstrated true political reference of the report and when we will get to see it. It leadership. is critical that the study should be a thorough review of 541 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 542

[Caroline Lucas] The Office of Rail Regulation agrees with me. It says clearly that the east coast main line is the most cost-efficient capacity between the Sussex coast and London, covering line. Even the Financial Times says that it is all the options to end the chaos that we so regularly “the most efficiently run rail franchise in terms of its reliance on experience on this critical rail artery into London. taxpayer funding”. As well as talking about the specific needs of Brighton, It receives the lowest level of Government funding. including for a Brighton main line 2, I will say a few However much the Minister chunters, there is plenty words about this country’s broader rail system. I believe of evidence—this Government like to say that they are that it is failing us, which is unforgivable in the sense an evidence-led Government—from the east coast main that there is an alternative to the overcrowded, unreliable, line that bringing rail back into public hands works. It is overpriced and fragmented private services that we have precisely the threat of a good example that makes the to put up with. We could have an integrated, publicly Government want to sell it off as quickly as possible, so owned and run railway that does not waste money on that it is not there as a standing embarrassment to the profit, and there is a model for doing that gradually and rest of their rail policy. It really does beggar belief that affordably. the Government want to re-privatise the line. Despite the standard mantra that privatisation saves Stephen Hammond: Will the hon. Lady give way? money, the cost to the public purse of running the railways has risen by a factor of between two and three Caroline Lucas: With pleasure. since they were sold off. The report “Rebuilding Rail” from the Transport for Quality of Life group makes Stephen Hammond: Let us look at the evidence if that clear the key reasons for that increase, which include is what the hon. Lady wants to do. She should know high interest payments to keep Network Rail’s debts off that the rolling stock costs for the east coast main line the Government balance sheet—the Government have came in at £85 million in 2012, whereas the bill for recently been made to put those debts on the books—as Virgin was £302 million. That is a substantial difference. well as debt write-offs, costs arising from the fragmentation The access charge costs are substantially lower and are of the rail system into many organisations, profit margins likely to rise. Those are two pieces of evidence that of complex tiers of contractors and subcontractors, place question marks over her line that it is the most and dividend payments to private investors. efficient railway line. The only way to sort out that mess and waste, as well Caroline Lucas: It is not just my line. As I have said, it as the rising fares, overcrowding and the rest is for the is the line of the Office of Rail Regulation. I would state to take back control of the railways. That is why I suggest that there is cherry-picking going on in the am actively campaigning for them to be brought back figures that are being presented. There are questions into public ownership through my private Member’s over what the start time is and over how much of the Bill, the Railways Bill. I hope that the official Opposition responsibility for the costs can be laid at the door of will make clear in their response whether they might Directly Operated Railways and how much at the door back that Bill. If we want to improve our inter-city of the previous private franchises, given the lack of services, we have to nail the myth that buying back investment that went in earlier. My position stands assets that have been sold off would be too expensive. strongly and I am backed up by independent regulators The step-by-step approach in my Bill would allow the and others. assets of the railways to be reacquired for the public at minimal cost, with substantial ongoing savings over If the Government really want to make savings and time as franchises expire or companies break the terms to improve our transport network for everyone, they of their franchise agreements. There is strong current should recognise that privatisation has failed and bring evidence that it is better for passengers, railways and railways back into public ownership as the franchises taxpayers when franchises are in public hands. expire. According to calculations in the “Rebuilding Rail”report, reuniting the railways under public ownership The Minister has been chuntering—if I may use that could save more than £1 billion a year of taxpayers’ word—during my speech. I have not picked up what he money. To put that figure in context, if all unnecessary has said, but I suspect that he is not entirely in agreement costs were eliminated and the resulting savings were with me. I challenge him about the east coast main line. used entirely to reduce fares—I am not saying that that He put some facts and figures to the hon. Member for would necessarily be the best thing, but it gives one a Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore), but, frankly, they are sense of what we are talking about—it would equate to misleading. The east coast main line was brought back across the board cuts of 18%. Fares that are price into public hands because of market failure, but it is the regulated because of their social importance could be UK’s most successful rail franchise. Its passenger satisfaction cut substantially more. levels are the highest on record, and it pays millions Under public ownership, all the public money that is back to the taxpayer, as opposed to most other train invested in the railways could be used to deliver a better companies, which deliver millions to shareholders. service for passengers, while also achieving wider social The Minister mentioned punctuality, so let us look at and environmental goals, rather than to line the pockets that. The facts show that the punctuality of the east of private shareholders. Train travel could once again coast main line is 0.1% different from that of the west be a pleasure and something to be proud of. That is the coast main line: on the east coast main line, with very kind of bright future that I want for our railways. I urge little Government investment, it is 82.8%, but on the Ministers to wake up to the potential of public investment west coast main line, with massive Government investment, in our inter-city infrastructure and to look at the evidence it is 82.9%. That seems to suggest that on overall clearly and objectively, rather than cherry-picking the efficiency, the east coast main line is doing very well. figures, as I fear the Minister has done this afternoon. 543 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 544

4.22 pm Stephen Gilbert: I am surprised and shocked, as I am sure my hon. Friend is, and I can only assume that the Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): It Minister has heard his pleas and that that will be part of feels appropriate to be the last speaker in this debate, the ongoing discussions with the train operating companies. given that the journey time from my constituency to We need trains that are fit for the 21st century so that London to talk about inter-city rail travel is probably people can use them as part of their daily routine. the longest of anyone here. I think that it is longer than Where businesses use them, we need to ensure that they that of the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila have wi-fi, food, sockets and, of course, toilets. Gilmore) at four and a half hours from St Austell on the main line. I join other Members in paying tribute to my I also welcome the project to refurbish the Night hon. Friend the Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) for Riviera, which is the sleeper service between Paddington securing this debate. and Penzance. It is a vital service for the business I congratulate the vast majority of Members on community, allowing people to come to London for avoiding long and drawn-out references to High Speed 2. early-morning meetings, spend the day here and leave As I have often remarked, in the south-west of England, again. It is welcome that we are to have additional we would just like average-speed rail, please. I am very coaches, that they are to be upgraded and that there is supportive of the plans for high-speed rail. It is a to be a new lounge. necessary part of our economic diversification and of One of my frustrations when I have used the Night the future-proofing of our rail infrastructure and network. Riviera service, much like the one that my hon. Friend However, the journey time of almost five and a half the Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby) hours from Penzance to Paddington means that one can mentioned, has been that there are no sockets inside the fly from London to New York in about the same cabins. Someone can sit down on the train hoping that amount of time as one can get from Cornwall to the they might be able to do some work or watch a movie Commons. We would therefore very much like to see on their iPad, only to lose power and have no ability to investment in average-speed rail. charge up their device. That is a point of detail, but I As hon. Members will know, rail connectivity is vital hope that the Department might be able to raise it with for the peripheral parts of our country, whether to the people who are designing the new sleeper carriages. deliver the visitors to Cornwall who spend so lavishly and support a good quarter of the local economy or to enable businesses in Cornwall to take their goods and Alison Seabeck: The hon. Gentleman will also have services to markets in London, the south-east and further noticed that, as those sleeper trains are currently designed, afield. That rail connectivity is a vital part of the overall if someone wants to stretch out on the seats because transport network, which also includes Newquay airport, they have not managed to get a berth, of which there to which colleagues have referred, and the A30 and the are too few, they find that the arms of the seats are A38. That network enables businesses and others to fixed. They have to spend their time sleeping either travel around our country, with all the benefits that that wrapped around a fixed metal arm or on the floor. brings. I wish to place on the record my support, along with Stephen Gilbert: The hon. Lady will know that, often, that of my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, what happens on the sleeper train must stay on the Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) and the hon. sleeper train, but she makes a good point about the Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck), comfort of the seated part of the service. If we are to for the Government to make a priority of resolving the invest significant money in that important service, we issue at Cowley bridge in Exeter, which threatens to cut need to ensure that we get it right for the future. That off the south-west every time there is significant rainfall—or, includes moveable arms, as she says, and sockets to as we say in Cornwall, if there is rain in Exeter, England charge mobile and other devices. is cut off. That is part of the future-proofing and resilience that we need to ensure happens promptly in The introduction of wi-fi, the revamped sleeper service the rail network if we are to continue to experience and the intercity express programme, which will see weather events such as those at the moment, which I am more rolling stock delivered to the south-west, are all sure we will. Such events have become all too common. welcome. For too long now, customers on the Penzance to Paddington line have had to put up with a patchy I welcome some of the developments on the network, service, often with no food aboard and with frequent such as the wi-fi that First Great Western is rolling out. delays and cancellations, out-of-date rolling stock, no I have long campaigned for that, because it has been wi-fi, as I have mentioned, and expensive ticket prices. absurd that inter-city travellers from Penzance to Paddington have not been able to access it. A business man or any The Liberal Democrat party is clear that long-term other worker has had to sit on a train for about five investment in our rail network can secure an 8% dividend hours without being able to access reliable internet boost to the local economy in Cornwall. One key project services, meaning that they could not use that time as that I hope the Minister will address is improving productively as they might have done. I am delighted signalling in the south-west. Up to £15 million needs to that my campaign, along with others, to secure wi-fi on be spent before 2017, which and the the network has been successful. local transport board are keen to co-fund. That will improve capacity on the line by creating the prospect of Simon Kirby: Would my hon. Friend be surprised to a half-hourly main line service, improving journey times, learn that in the south-east many First Capital Connect and helping the route absorb the predicted increase in trains not only have no wi-fi but no sockets, and that passenger numbers. I also put on record my support for some Southern trains have no toilets? It is a long way to the proposed Traincare centre in Penzance, which is a go without them. £14 million investment to house the new First Great 545 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 546

[Stephen Gilbert] As we begin to plan for control period six spending in the next Parliament, we must consider how other links Western rolling stock and the new sleeper. It will create can be strengthened, new links made, and Beeching-era up to 60 new jobs and move the maintenance of the lines reopened where there is a clear business case to bulk of the First Great Western fleet to Cornwall. do so. I will conclude with a couple of parochial points that It is worth remembering just how far the rail industry I hope the Minister and I can correspond on in the has developed in the past 15 years. The 1997 Labour future. There is a real need for improvements to St Government inherited a fragmented rail network. Years Austell station as there is currently no waiting room on of underinvestment had left a dated fleet, much of it the up platform, and no disabled access between the up still using slam-door carriages, which was to prove and down platforms. The Minister’s predecessor and I inadequate against a backdrop of rising passenger numbers. were in correspondence about additional Government The popular and successful inter-city brand had been funding to make those renovations. The funding has broken up. There had been 1,000 days without orders, been forthcoming but the project has not yet been which had caused permanent damage to the supply delivered, so I hope the Minister will be able to return to chain. Disastrously, the recently privatised infrastructure his Department tomorrow and kick the necessary people body had little understanding of its assets, and Railtrack’s into ensuring that the project stays on time and—excuse over-reliance on subcontractors put passengers’ safety the pun—on track. People in Newquay value the fact in danger. that over the summer months a direct Newquay to other cities service comes through the branch line into Newquay, providing much relief for local traffic, particularly on Kelvin Hopkins: I congratulate my hon. Friend on her the A30. That service needs to be maintained. speech. Would she say that it is a tragedy that Britain, which gave railways to the world and built them all over In summary, in recent years the south-west has fallen the world, is now importing railway equipment because behind other parts of the country in terms of rail in some cases we cannot build it ourselves? infrastructure. The Government have taken action through the extension of the franchise to encourage investment. I welcome much of that, but we continue to need a Lilian Greenwood: I certainly agree with my hon. concerted long-term approach to ensure that the entire Friend that it is important that we support and develop region—Cornwall, Devon and indeed the rest of south-west our railway engineering industry, which has such a England—benefits from what our rail services could, proud history and continues to provide important sources and should, be. of employment, particularly in my area in the east midlands. 4.32 pm Contrary to what the hon. Member for Redcar said—I have to disagree with him on this—I think we should be Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): I proud of Labour’s achievements. After ending the failed congratulate the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Swales) Railtrack experiment and establishing a tough new on securing this debate, which has addressed some regulator, our railways became the safest major European national issues. Important constituency concerns have network by 2010. There was a major programme of been raised by hon. Members, including those who investment in rolling stock. More than 5,000 new vehicles represent Plymouth, Brighton, Cleethorpes, Luton, were ordered between 1997 and 2006 alone, both to Edinburgh, and St Austell and Newquay. replace older trains and to allow for an expansion of There has been shared agreement across the House services. The number of long distance passengers, and that strengthening rail links between our cities is an the services run to accommodate them, doubled since important step to achieving balanced economic growth the mid-1990s, and with that growth came new pressures for individual cities, city regions, and the nation as a on our existing lines. We are now accommodating the whole. I am sure that all Members who have spoken same number of passengers as we did in the 1920s, but today will work to ensure that although individual on a network that is less than half the size. That is why disagreements may arise, the commitment to an ongoing the previous Government committed to a number of programme of investment endures. important projects to improve capacity and overall There has been much positive talk today about future performance of the network, including the electrification developments, and I know that for many hon. Members, of the Great Western main line to Swansea and key those projects cannot be delivered fast enough. I entered lines in the north-west, and a new generation of inter-city Parliament with a pledge to campaign for the electrification express trains to replace the ageing rolling stock on the of the midland main line, and although some issues still Great Western and east coast main lines. need to be addressed, the improvements look on course It was the Labour Government who committed to to reach the east midlands by 2019, and Sheffield by Crossrail and introduced a £6 billion upgrade of the 2020. Thameslink route that will massively increase capacity Electrification will ensure faster, more reliable services, on one of the busiest stretches of track in Europe. After as well as delivering environmental and efficiency gains. the completion of HS1 in 2007, Lord Adonis set out We have heard other examples of how planned projects plans for a new network to relieve capacity constraints will benefit communities, including from my hon. Friend on our north-south main lines, and to provide better the Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck), connections between cities in the midlands and the and other south-west MPs who are very much looking north. They will address some of the very slow journeys forward not only to electrification, but to modern Intercity highlighted by the hon. Member for Redcar, and provide Express Programme trains, investment in improved improved capacity and connectivity to our national resilience, and even wi-fi and power sockets. network. 547 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 548

Caroline Lucas: The hon. Lady is talking about Labour’s leadership of the Department. The failure of the franchising successes. I welcome the fact that Labour has agreed to system has cost the taxpayer at least £55 million, and keep the east coast main line in public hands. Will she the Government’s refusal to consider Directly Operated confirm whether it will follow the logic of that position Railways has left civil servants in an exceptionally weak and support my Railways Bill, which would bring all bargaining position when agreeing direct awards. Under the franchises back into public hands as they expire? the terms of the Great Western contract extension, FirstGroup will pay only £17 million in premium payments Lilian Greenwood: As the hon. Lady says, we think next year, compared with £126 million in 2012-13. the east coast main line is providing an important Investment has been delayed and orders have been put public sector comparator that will help us to evaluate on hold, hurting the supply chain and threatening jobs the future of the rail industry. What is clear is that the and skills. current structure is not delivering enough for passengers. At a time when Ministers have been overtaken by That is why, unlike the Government parties, we are problems of their own making and the Department is prepared to review it and to look at alternatives that will struggling to get essential projects out of the sidings, it deliver the best deal for passengers and taxpayers. is remarkable that the Government’s top priority is Unfortunately, all of the essential projects that I set selling off the east coast main line franchise before the out a moment ago were subject to delays after the next election. I commend my hon. Friend the Member general election. That caused uncertainty and, in some for Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore) and the hon. Member cases, pushed back completion dates. for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas) for their persistence in raising this question with Ministers. Since 2009, East Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ Coast has gone from strength to strength. It has delivered Co-op): I have been at the Westminster Hall debate this a new timetable, achieved better punctuality and passenger afternoon, otherwise I would have been here earlier. My satisfaction scores than the previous failed private operators, hon. Friend mentioned the east coast main line. May I won multiple industry awards and developed a five-year endorse the comments, which I know were made earlier plan for improving inter-city services on the line. by hon. Members on both sides of the House, on the The casual reader will be forgiven for not getting this need for the excellent services on the east coast to be impression from the Government’s franchise perspective, improved by ensuring that the electrification system but thanks to a leaked draft of that document, we know works and that the overhead lines do not come down that positive references to the company’s performance too often and disrupt traffic in a way that, unfortunately, were removed at the last minute, as Ministers desperately they have done all too often in the recent past? tried to rewrite history. But East Coast’s commercial performance speaks for itself. By February 2015, it will Lilian Greenwood: I will return to the east coast main have returned almost £1 billion to the taxpayer in line in a few moments. premiums, and it has invested every penny of its profits— Electrification of the Great Western main line, which some £48 million—back into the service, but under the has come up several times today, is a case in point. After Government’s plans, that money would be split between pausing the project in May 2010, electrification to Newbury private shareholders instead. was announced in November that year, but the project’s Before Christmas, East Coast announced that half its extension to Cardiff was not announced until March fares to London would be frozen and that most of its 2011. Ministers said then that the line to Swansea fares would be cut in real terms in 2014. Will the would not be electrified, and it was not until they faced Minister tell us how many private operators have announced further pressure that, over a year later, they agreed that a cut in the average cost of their fares? The truth is that the route to Swansea would be electrified after all. In the Government have allowed train operating companies other words, thanks to the Government’s prevarication, to raise prices by up to 5%—more than double the rate a project initially announced in July 2009 was not of inflation—and the average season ticket is now 20% confirmed until three years later. Given the importance more expensive than it was in 2010. So at a time when of bringing forward infrastructure projects to deliver passengers are facing a cost-of-living crisis, why are the sustainable economic growth, even a Tory-led Government Government seeking to abolish the publicly owned operator can surely do better than that. that is cutting the cost of fares? There has been a similarly sorry tale in rolling stock It is difficult to resist the conclusion that East Coast procurement. In March 2011, the Prime Minister met has risen to the top of the Secretary of State’s to-do list the chairman of Bombardier and said that he was because it has proven itself as a successful alternative to “bringing the Cabinet to Derby today with one purpose – to do franchising, and that is why Ministers are so determined everything we can to help businesses in the region create the jobs to push it out the door before the election. and growth on which the future of our economy depends”, We know from written answers that the public cost of but just four months later, Bombardier announced 1,400 refranchising could reach £6 million, along with other job losses as a result of his Government’s decisions. wasted millions lost due to the west coast shambles. All Even after this debacle, there was an unacceptable two-year this money could have been spent instead on alleviating delay before financial close was reached on the contract. the cost-of-living crisis or investing in the railways. As it The Public Accounts Committee said recently that it stands, the refranchising of East Coast represents the was triumph of ideology and short-term political calculation “sceptical about whether the Department has the capacity to over passengers’ best interests and a wilful disregard for deliver the remainder of the programme by 2018.” public resources. After the Government’s failure to keep HS2’s cost I urge Government Members, particularly Liberal under control and the collapse of rail franchising on Democrat Members who before the election were opposed their watch, it is difficult to have faith in the political to selling off East Coast, to think again and halt this 549 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 550

[Lilian Greenwood] December of the report to which Baroness Kramer referred—the London to south coast rail study, which un-needed, unwanted and wasteful privatisation. The was carried out by Network Rail—and I expect to see a priority must be delivering a fair deal for passengers final version within the next couple of months. and ensuring that the essential projects that so many I can bring some good news to my hon. Friend the Members wish to see are completed. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby) on Ian Swales: The hon. Lady makes an interesting point the basis that Thameslink will see 116 new trains of about East Coast. During the 13 years of the Labour eight and 12 cars coming into operation, which will Government, how many times was the franchise renewed directly benefit his constituents. I am delighted to tell and did the Government consider taking it into state him that when he opens his post tomorrow morning, he ownership? will find a letter from me accepting his challenge to come and travel on the early morning train. I very much Lilian Greenwood: I would accept that we were perhaps look forward to doing that. too accepting of the overall franchising model. There I was not entirely surprised to hear the contribution were many problems on the railways that the Labour of the hon. Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins). Government had to sort out, but we are at least prepared He and I have enjoyed sparring over issues for the last to look at alternatives, which is more than can be said at few years. I listened with interest to his comments about the moment for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. the Birmingham Snow Hill line, and I am sure that he With all the inter-city franchises expiring in the next will want to raise his point about it with us again. Parliament, we are right to look again at the best way to I understand the call of my hon. Friend the Member structure the railways to deliver real value for passengers for Cleethorpes (Martin Vickers) for more initiative and and taxpayers. private sector innovation in franchising. I hope that, My message to the Government is clear: “Call off the through the direct award and the new refranchising privatisation, get the Department in order, and make process, we will be able to deliver that for him. sure that essential investments in our inter-city lines are kept on track.” I enjoyed the contribution from the hon. Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore), although I had obviously 4.46 pm heard it before in previous debates of this nature. The simple fact is that the east coast main line is the worst- The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport performing of the long-distance franchises. Its passenger (Stephen Hammond): It is an honour to address the satisfaction figure may be up, but it is still six points debate this afternoon. I congratulate the hon. Member behind the figure for the west coast main line. for Redcar (Ian Swales) on securing the debate and on the way he conducted it. His speech was interesting and We heard a wide range of contributions today, and I thoughtful, and he proved by his journey time calculations am grateful to Members for taking the time to be here. and recalculations that he can do mathematics. The debate has shown how valuable the railways are to our country, and to communities throughout it. We heard some fascinating contributions from a number of other Members. The three Members from the south-west Kelvin Hopkins: Will the Minister give way? were united across the political divide in wanting to see improvements to train services in the south-west, particularly the three-hour train to Plymouth. I remember campaigning Stephen Hammond: I am sorry, but I do not have in the city, along with the hon. Member for Plymouth, time. Moor View (Alison Seabeck), back in 2007. The failure As for what was said by the hon. Member for of investment about which she complained has not Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood), let us have happened only under this Government. I can, of course, some honesty in this debate. When Labour was in office bring her good news. She quoted a fare of £271. Should it crashed the economy, and gas and council tax bills she choose to travel tomorrow morning, there is a doubled. Had her party been in office today, the average return fare of £92, so one needs to be careful about fare would have risen by 11% rather than 3.1%. Moreover, saying that only one fare is available. in 13 years, we saw just 9 miles of electrification. Just as I heard the pleas of my hon. Friend the Member for we are dealing with the economic mess that was left Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) about behind by the last Government, we are determined to Mayflower 2020 in Plymouth. I do not know whether deal with the massive infrastructure deficit that we he will see President Christie turning up there. He inherited. [Interruption.] invited me to come to a meeting, and I would be delighted to do so. I follow his lark in saying that I hope Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. he is here for rather longer than just for 2015, and I am The hon. Member for Nottingham South (Lilian sure he will be. Greenwood) must not shout from the Dispatch Box. I say to the hon. Member for St Austell and Newquay She was listened to in silence for a considerable time, (Stephen Gilbert) that I can only imagine how frustrating and she must let the Minister finish his speech. it must be to go back to the constituency in the middle of the night to find that the film has been lost. The Stephen Hammond: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. prospect of corresponding with him fills me with According to the World Economic Forum, in 1998—just unbounded joy. I look forward to receiving and acting after the last Conservative Government left office— on his suggestions none the less. the United Kingdom ranked seventh in the world for The two Members representing Brighton shared a infrastructure spending. By 2009-10, we had fallen to moment of political unity. I certainly hear their pleas. I 33rd. I am pleased to note that we are rising again, but can confirm that the Department received a draft in there is much more work to be done. The failure of the 551 Inter-City Rail Investment9 JANUARY 2014 Inter-City Rail Investment 552 last Government is epitomised by the fact that, according them to bring real innovation through their own investments to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, between in projects that will genuinely benefit their passengers. 2000 and 2007, the UK’s infrastructure investment was The west coast main line is a great example of successful lower than that in any other OECD state. inter-city investment. Working in partnership with Network Rail is just one part of an unprecedented programme Rail, over £9 billion has been spent to modernise the of transport investment that this Government are route and improve journey times from 2008. That introducing to drive growth and job creation. As a investment has been so successful that in order to meet result of the tough decisions that we made in order to the increased demands and expectations of passengers, get the public finance mess that we inherited under further investment on the franchise has been necessary. control, we have been able to achieve the longest period Some 28,000 more seats per day were provided on the and the largest amount of rail modernisation since the line by 106 new Pendolino carriages procured when the Victorian era. That will mean faster journeys, more direct award was negotiated with Virgin at the end of seats, improved access to stations, better freight links, 2012. To those who say no benefits come from direct and a rail network of which the country can be proud. awards, I say I suspect that the passengers who fill those The Government are delivering their vision of a railway 28,000 extra seats may well feel there is some benefit. that will be more financially and environmentally This Government are also investing a huge amount in sustainable, support growth and deliver benefits for electrification. Our rail investment strategy included both passengers and freight customers. It has been our plans for the “electric spine.” This major investment agreed on both sides of the House that since privatisation links the core centres of population and economic the railways have been successfully carrying more passengers, activity in the west, east midlands and Yorkshire with more safely, on many more and newer trains, many of the south of England. It will complete the full electrification which arrive more punctually, and that levels of passenger of the midland main line out of London St Pancras satisfaction have been higher than ever before. and provide electrification of the lines from Nuneaton At the heart of the growth to which I have referred, and Bedford to Oxford, Reading, Basingstoke and and at the heart of today’s debate, are the historic Southampton. All this will provide faster, more reliable inter-city routes, which provide a vital link between the services on many important strategic routes, and not towns and cities of the country. The impact of those just routes into London. This is massive investment routes is clearly significant: they provide links for from this Government on a scale not previously seen. communities, businesses and freight, and drive the country’s By 2020, three quarters of the passenger miles travelled economy. They are important because they do exactly in England and Wales will be on electric trains, compared what a railway should do. They serve local communities, with 58% today and under 40% previously. they serve people, and they serve markets. They move The Department has big plans for the inter-city East people to jobs, connect industry with its markets and Coast and Great Western franchises. At the heart of suppliers, and connect regions with one another. The revitalising those railways is the £5.8 billion intercity high capacity and reliability of inter-city networks is express programme, which will deliver 122 new state-of- crucial. the-art trains across those vital routes. The majority of As was pointed out by the hon. Member for Redcar, the construction for those new trains will be carried out it is easy to think of inter-city services as merely connecting at Hitachi’s new factory in the north-east. This investment one end of a route to the other, but it is important to is great news for British manufacturing, creating more recognise the importance of intermediate stops and the jobs for the area and strengthening the supply chain in rail networks that spread out from them. They provide the UK. This programme, together with the major the inter-regional and intra-regional connectivity that investment in Thameslink in the south-east, will open allows us to keep the country moving. Good inter-city up the opportunity for a cascade of rolling stock to rail services make it possible to live in one place and other parts of the network, where, as we recognise, it is work in another, or to live in one place and socialise in needed. This is all aimed at upgrading rolling stock and another. They open up opportunities for employment improving inter-city services. throughout the country. We must therefore continue to As we have seen in recent weeks, regardless of the invest in increasing, extending and enhancing services levels and types of investment, some situations will that are already improving rapidly during the current always prove challenging. The rail network’s performance period of investment. and resilience has, with some exceptions, been sorely As many Members said, the inter-city network is all tested by the severe weather this autumn and winter and too often seen only in terms of connections to London. done reasonably well. There is no room for complacency, It must not be so. It is a driver of change in the however, and I hear the points made by Members from economic geography of the country, decreasing journey the south-west about the spend on resilience and I am times and improving links between all our nation’s sure that will be borne out in Oxfordshire and a number major cities and regions, providing agglomeration benefits of other places. The Government are determined to for business, increasing productivity and, importantly, ensure we have the best resilience in place. providing access to new markets. The major cities of the The Government’s commitment to investment in inter- north—Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield—will city rail services cannot be in question. We must work soon benefit from the huge investment in the northern with the industry to ensure investment is used to its hub, a transformative package of rail enhancements maximum potential across the country and delivers real radiating from Manchester. benefits for passengers and taxpayers. This significant Investment needs to flow not only from the Government investment in our inter-city routes will transform travel and Network Rail. We must continue to find ways to across the nation, and future capacity challenges must adapt our contracts and contacts with the private sector also be met. Only by committing to this new route and to ensure that we work in partnership with them, allowing this investment—we are making the hard decisions and 553 Inter-City Rail Investment 9 JANUARY 2014 554

[Stephen Hammond] Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Hospitals Trust putting the economy right—can the Government continue to promise a programme of investment in inter-city Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House routes unparalleled and unseen before. do now adjourn.—(Mr Gyimah.) 5pm 4.59 pm Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): Madam Deputy Ian Swales: I thank all Members who contributed to Speaker, I would like to ask you to convey my thanks to the debate. We had a wide-ranging discussion and I Mr Speaker for selecting this Adjournment debate today. learned more about train design than I probably ever On the last sitting day before Christmas, I asked for this wanted to. More importantly, we learned about the debate because of what I considered to be the bad importance of inter-city rail investment for economic behaviour of the Secretary of State for Health. I was development. That was the thrust of my speech, and my informed on 17 December that an announcement would view has been supported by many others across the be made the following day—embargoed until 2 pm—that House. I thank the Minister for the tone and the content would have profound implications for my constituents of his response. He should feel emboldened by the and the many other people in the London boroughs of cross-party enthusiasm for investment in our rail system. Barking, Havering and Redbridge. That announcement, More power to his elbow, and I hope we hear of a lot by the chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Sir Mike more plans in the future. Richards, was that the Barking, Havering and Redbridge Question put and agreed to. University Hospitals NHS Trust was to be put into Resolved, special measures following inspections by the Care Quality That this House has considered inter-city rail investment. Commission. I attempted to raise the matter by intervening on the Secretary of State during a debate that took place DRAFT MODERN SLAVERY BILL following the announcement. I waited until after 2 o’clock (JOINT COMMITTEE) so as not to break the embargo. I stood several times, Resolved, but he did not accept my intervention. I therefore That this House concurs with the Lords Message of 18 December thought that the least I could do was to put in for an 2013, that it is expedient that a Joint Committee of Lords and Adjournment debate on the subject, and I am grateful Commons be appointed to consider the draft Modern Slavery Bill that it has now been chosen. I have also raised a point of presented to both Houses on 16 December 2013 (Cm 8770), and order about this matter. that the Committee should report by 10 April 2014. That was not the first time that I have found Ministers Ordered, reluctant to engage with me directly on the question of That a Select Committee of seven Members be appointed to the NHS trust that covers the King George hospital in join with the Committee appointed by the Lords; my constituency as well as the Queen’s hospital in That the Committee shall have power– Romford. Nearly a year ago, on Thursday 7 February, I (i) to send for persons, papers and records; took part in a debate on accident and emergency provision (ii) to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; in London. I asked the then Minister, the hon. Member (iii) to report from time to time; for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry)—who has since been moved (iv) to appoint specialist advisers; and away from Health—to respond to my request to set aside the decision of the previous Secretary of State, the (v) to adjourn from place to place within the United Kingdom; right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), That Fiona Bruce, Michael Connarty, Mr Frank Field, Fiona in 2011. I also asked for the decision to plan for the Mactaggart, Sir John Randall, Mrs Caroline Spelman and closure of the accident and emergency department at Sir Andrew Stunell be members of the Committee.—(Mr Gyimah.) King George hospital within two years of October 2011 to be reconsidered. The then Minister failed to respond or even to mention the King George or the Queen’s hospitals in her response to the debate. I have tried on several occasions to get ministerial responses to my requests to reconsider that decision. It was clearly a strange decision, given that we are now in 2014 and that—for reasons I shall outline—the timetable and the absolute chaos of this failing NHS trust make it absolutely impossible to close the accident and emergency department at the hospital in my constituency. Sadly, in 2013, we lost our maternity services, which have been transferred to Queen’s hospital. I asked the Secretary of State to reconsider this issue, but on 15 January 2013 he said: “The decision has been taken”. However, he also said that “we have made it absolutely clear that we will not proceed with implementing it until there is sufficient capacity in the area, particularly at Queen’s hospital in Romford, to cope with any additional pressures caused by it, and that undertaking remains.”— [Official Report, 15 January 2013; Vol. 556, c. 734.] 555 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 9 JANUARY 2014 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 556 NHS Hospitals Trust NHS Hospitals Trust I asked him again in May, and I got a similar answer. suggestion is to recruit staff from overseas to deal with I was told that it the crisis caused by a lack of consultants in NHS trusts “will not be closed until it is clinically safe to do so.”—[Official in north-east London? Report, 21 May 2013; Vol. 563, c. 1064.] The report criticises the inadequate record-keeping. What is the current situation? The Care Quality It talks about the need for significant management Commission published its report in December. That improvements. I do not have time in this short Adjournment report does not just deal with accident and emergency; debate to go into the great detail that is in the report, it also raises issues relating to other departments in but I will say that there are hard-working and dedicated both Queen’s hospital and King George hospital. On members of staff and good practice in some departments Queen’s hospital’s accident and emergency department, in the trust. it states: I must declare an interest. This week, I was an out-patient “The service is not responsive enough to people’s needs. People in the ear, nose and throat department at King George were waiting too long to be either discharged or admitted. The hospital. I was seen quickly and before my appointment trust is not dealing with enough people within the national time and I was dealt with in an efficient manner. I want four-hour target. The initial care pathway for children does not meet their needs, and unnecessarily delays their initial assessment. to place it on the record that the morale of the staff in the two hospitals remains remarkably high, but they are Queen’s Hospital has consistently failed to achieve the 95% NHS target for the number of attendees that were discharged, to some extent lions led by donkeys. They are suffering admitted or transferred within four hours of arrival. Between the from years, perhaps decades, of problems in the health 1 April 2013 and 8 September 2013, 9,359…out of 59,038 patients service in north-east London. I have been an MP for were not seen within four hours of arrival. The department 21 years and have seen a succession of chief executives struggles to meet the target at all times, however, Mondays and and significant reorganisations, and yet the fundamental Sundays provide the greatest difficulties. The A&E at problem is that the trust has a deficit of £100 million, Queen’s…performs significantly worse than at King George Hospital. which is clearly one of the driving forces in the These delays mean that patients are more likely to have poor reorganisation, and, at the same time, it has a massive outcomes.” catchment area of between 700,000 and 800,000 people. So the report said that there was “significantly worse” It is one of the largest trusts in the country with a huge, performance at Queen’s hospital, yet the Government diverse population, a lot of churn and movement of are still planning the closure of the A and E at King people, and, as a result, some inadequate GP and George hospital, even though they know that Queen’s primary care services and problems at the A and E. The hospital has been failing, is failing and will continue to fundamental issues are not being solved by whatever fail unless massive investment is made there, and that reorganisation is happening. the King George is the better performing of the two hospitals in the trust. My constituency has a very young Let me make a few more remarks before the Minister population with a large number of children. Some 30% responds. The report says: of the people who go to A and E at the two hospitals in “There was widespread concern from staff that the trust has my local trust are children, yet the children in my not fully supported the A&E” constituency will have to move, with their parents, to when concerns were raised. One member of staff said: the Queen’s hospital to attend A and E, rather than be “We never see any of the management over here and all the treated in the better performing of the two hospitals in important meetings are held at Queen’s.” this failing trust. The larger of the two hospitals, the hospital built for The CQC report is absolutely damning. It points out: 90,000, now has 140,000 admissions in a year. The “The trust faces significant difficulties in recruiting medical report went on to say: staff for A&E, and has done since 2011.” “The staff also felt that they were not kept up to date on the Of course, October 2011 was when the Government planned closure of the A&E at King George Hospital by senior decided that King George hospital would be run down management in the trust. One nurse told us, ‘There is a lot of and that this trust would have only one hospital in unrest about the closure; we feel they are doing it by the back around two years. I do not think that date is a coincidence. door. It makes it more difficult to recruit and keep staff.’” The reality is that there is a damaging impact on morale The problems we face at the King George and Queen’s and on the future of the services in my borough and the hospitals cannot be resolved even by a change of neighbouring ones as a result of this decision. management. I understand that the current chief executive The report also states: has indicated that she will be leaving in a couple of months. Having been involved in the reorganisation and “The College of Emergency Medicine recommends that, for the number of patients seen in the A&E at Queen’s Hospital, it running down of Chase Farm, she has now done her should have 16 consultants to provide cover 16 hours a day, seven job at King George hospital and will no doubt be days a week.” moving on to some other unfortunate trust. I also A separate part of the report reveals that about understand, although it is not yet quantified, that there 10 consultants would be needed at King George hospital, will be some form of special new management structure yet: and things associated with special measures. Perhaps the Minister can clarify what special measures mean as “The trust has eight consultants in post out of an establishment regards the day-to-day running of the organisation. of 21 to cover both A&E departments at Queen’s and King George Hospitals. The heavy reliance on locum staff is putting Will there be additional financial support? Will there patients at risk of receiving suboptimal care. Joint work with be additional resources? The Barking, Havering and other trusts has not achieved the desired results and additional Redbridge clinical strategy document—I have the work is underway, including recruiting staff from overseas.” presentation for stakeholders, patients and the public Will the Daily Mail, the Daily Express, the UK in my hand, as well as the document itself—contains Independence party and Ministers please note that the interesting phrases. For example, it says that areas of 557 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 9 JANUARY 2014 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 558 NHS Hospitals Trust NHS Hospitals Trust [Mike Gapes] deliver an acceptable level of patient care in the face of a difficult situation. We thank and pay tribute to them King George hospital will be “liberated” for use by for that. other services and facilities. I thought when I read that I do not have a huge amount of time, so will give an that it was some sort of Maoist cult trying to have a undertaking now to get in touch with the hon. Gentleman people’s liberation army of consultants and NHS after the debate if there are any issues that I cannot bureaucrats coming in to seize the stable base areas in respond to or that I have not picked up on. It is worth the centre of my constituency. The NHS bureaucracy’s saying—he will be disappointed, but it is better to say it jargon sometimes amazes me. What is being talked straight away—that there has been no change in the about is running down services in Ilford and transferring position on the reconfiguration plans as laid out by the facilities out of other buildings in the borough or elsewhere Secretary of State in the most recent official correspondence. that will then be sold off, presumably for use as housing I will therefore focus my remarks on the special measures to add to the population demanding services from the situation and some of his questions about it, as I have trust while the total number of beds is run down drastically some more detailed information to put across. from 1,250 to about 800 to 900. As we have heard, the NHS Trust Development King George hospital serves a population that includes Authority has decided to place the trust in special some of the poorest people in north-east London. I measures. The decision was not taken lightly; it follows worry about the long-term implications. We were told—this the findings of an inspection by the Care Quality has been repeated in various trust documents—that the Commission’s chief inspector of hospitals, which original plan was to wait for about two years, until new demonstrated unacceptable failings in the trust. The facilities had been established at Queen’s hospital, for chief inspector acknowledged that the trust has the A and E at King George to be run down. That has demonstrated improvements in some areas, such as the obviously slipped, as we are now two and a half years maternity service, but that good work has not been on. I was told informally a few months ago that they replicated throughout the trust. He highlighted that were talking about the end of 2014 to the early part of long-standing difficulties in the two A and E departments 2015, yet the clinical strategy reveals that the new are clearly affecting patients and that attempts by the facilities at Queen’s hospital will not be ready until the trust to address the problems have not had the hoped-for middle or the autumn of 2015. One document says that impact. the plan is to: I share the hon. Gentleman’s disappointment that the “Move all emergency medicine and surgery to Queen’s Hospital much-needed improvements to A and E have not been by mid 2015”, achieved. All our constituents—I am a fellow London whereas another says that that will be done by early Member—deserve the best health care that we can 2016. provide. I recognise his characterisation of the local catchment area, as I see many of the same characteristics The whole process is still uncertain. Given the in my constituency. London is an extremely challenging uncertainties, the problems, the management issues that health economy. The city’s diversity brings both exciting have arisen and the poor morale of the staff, there challenges and big pressures, so I understand what he is should be a moratorium with a review. My ideal solution alluding to. Those are some of the reasons why the chief would be to go back to having a trust that would run the inspector recommended that the trust should be placed hospital in Ilford—the better performing of the two A in special measures, whereby the trust’s leadership can and Es—and keep an accident and emergency department get the support it needs to tackle the scale of the in Redbridge, as we have had since 1931. That would problems it faces. mean that the people of my borough, which at that time Special measures provide an open and transparent had a population of 85,000, would today, with a population way for the trust to take swift action to improve the approaching 300,000, have a hospital to serve them quality of the services it provides for local people, which when they need it to meet their emergency needs. is what we want to see. I have been informed that the I hope that the Government will seriously reconsider TDA has set out an intensive and focused programme the situation, given the unprecedented action of the of support. It includes the development of an improvement CQC—this is the first time an NHS trust has been put plan by the trust, which the TDA expects to see implemented into special measures in this way—recognise the serious over the next 12 months, and the appointment of an problems and recognise the dysfunctional nature of the improvement director to support the development and Barking, Havering and Redbridge trust. delivery of the trust’s improvement plan. I recognise that the hon. Gentleman feels that he has seen people come and go with that objective in mind, but clearly it is 5.19 pm extremely important that the improvement director is The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health appointed, grasps the situation and makes a real difference. (Jane Ellison): I congratulate the hon. Member for There will also be a review of the capability of the Ilford South (Mike Gapes) on securing the debate. I trust’s board and senior management team, to be have heard him raise this issue in the House before, and undertaken this month by Sir Ian Carruthers. It aims to it is clearly one of enormous interest and importance to ensure that the organisation has the capacity and capability his constituents. Like him, I wish to pay tribute to NHS to respond to the chief inspector’s report and deliver the staff in his area, particularly in the trust, as it has faced improvement plan. I hope that it will report very soon significant financial and performance challenges over after this month’s assessment so that it can be one of the recent years, as he outlined, including substantial problems building blocks on which the trust can move forward. with recruitment and retention. It is therefore particularly The trust’s plan will also need to identify the support important to pay tribute to those front-line staff who it needs from partner organisations to improve services, have endeavoured—with some success, it sounds—to including its commissioners and local authorities. I 559 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 9 JANUARY 2014 Barking, Havering and Redbridge 560 NHS Hospitals Trust NHS Hospitals Trust understand that the relationships are not as good as has been earmarked for A and E recruitment, and they could be and that there have been problems for another £4 million was allocated throughout the local some time. Work is already under way to identify partners health economy by the urgent care working group to support the trust in recruiting and retaining staff. I responsible for the area. That money was allocated recognise that the figures on vacancies that the hon. based on clinical need and went to a range of organisations, Gentleman set out, particularly for A and E, which including the local mental health trust, the London were given to me in the briefing for this debate, are not ambulance service, and the local authority. acceptable. That is a real challenge, and one that the There is no time to talk about this in detail now, but trust needs to respond to. the Government are taking longer-term action with I can reassure the House that the trust’s plan will be regard to reducing demand at A and Es. Some of that published on the NHS Choices website and will be falls within my own portfolio of public health in seeing freely available to the public. We also expect regular what health and wellbeing boards can do to reduce updates to demonstrate how the trust is progressing. I demand as regards people going to A and E when that believe that progress will be posted against that plan in is not the appropriate place for them to be. Of course, a transparent way as the period for improvement progresses. the extension of GPs’ opening hours through new The TDA will keep close to the trust as it works to make contractual arrangements is highly relevant in a population the necessary improvements and will hold board-to-board that is, as the hon. Gentleman described, to a large meetings with the trust. It has also arranged to buddy-up extent young, highly mobile, highly diverse, and often and provide support, as appropriate, with a high-performing working in London’s 24-hour economy. foundation trust. Special measures are designed to produce I strongly recommend that the hon. Gentleman and results quickly. The trust will have one year to improve other hon. Members on both sides of the House who sufficiently, as judged by the chief inspector of hospitals, have expressed concern about the situation for some in order to exit special measures. time should continue to engage with the trust at every As the hon. Gentleman said, the safety of A and E opportunity—clearly, there have sometimes been challenges departments is very important. The trust has been in the relationship—and with their local health and subject to an external clinical review of the safety of its wellbeing board. The challenges facing the trust cannot A and E services commissioned by the local clinical be tackled alone and will best be tackled by the local commissioning groups and undertaken by the London NHS and all the partners—local authorities and so Clinical Senate. I understand that this was in response on—working together. It is absolutely vital to get that to a request from local CCGs following concerns raised right. about potentially unsafe levels of medical staffing within The priority now is to make sure that the trust is able the A and E units, as we have discussed. The TDA has rapidly to improve the care that it provides to the hon. confirmed to me that this review, which published interim Gentleman’s constituents. The TDA will work closely findings in September 2013, concluded that neither the with the trust to help it to improve and will take every A and E at King George hospital nor the A and E at necessary action to make sure that the issues raised in Queen’s hospital was unsafe, but it made a number of the chief inspector’s report are addressed. I will meet recommendations to improve the service. It has also the London team within NHS England shortly. I will been made clear to me that the A and E review was very raise the issues highlighted in this debate, among others, much independent of the chief inspector of hospitals’ and I will continue to keep the hon. Gentleman and inspections at the trust and the TDA’s decision to put other hon. Members who are interested in the situation the trust into special measures. informed as we go through this important year for his Let me touch on some of the support that has been local NHS. put in for A and E. We have provided further support Question put and agreed to. to the trust through the funds available to respond to winter pressures. The local health economy in the hon. Gentleman’s area has received about £7 million, while 5.28 pm the trust itself has received £3 million. Some £1.4 million House adjourned.

151WH 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 152WH Transport) the lessons learned from the transport provided during Westminster Hall the Paralympics. The issue is important, as was shown earlier this week when the Committee viewed a film Thursday 9 January 2014 made by Sarah Gayton of the Sea of Change campaign about the problem that shared space presents for many disabled people. It requires urgent attention. Can the [NADINE DORRIES in the Chair] Minister tell us when the review of the 2005 provisions will take place? Disabled People (Access to Transport) In relation to rail, the response to our report was [Relevant documents: Fifth Report of the Transport encouraging in some respects. The Office of Rail Regulation Committee, Access to Transport for Disabled People, has now taken over the monitoring and enforcement of HC 116, and the Government response, HC 870.] train operators’ disabled people’s protection policies. The Government told us that the ORR will raise awareness Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting of existing provisions. One prime candidate for action be now adjourned.—(Karen Bradley.) must be making known more widely the requirement for an operator responsible for an inaccessible station to 1.30 pm provide a free accessible taxi for a passenger to the Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): nearest accessible station. I wonder how many people It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, are aware of that right. If a greater number made use of Ms Dorries. I am pleased to have this opportunity to it, train operators might invest more in making stations debate the Select Committee on Transport report, “Access disabled-friendly.Can the Minister give us any information to Transport for Disabled People”, which we published about how the ORR is progressing with that important in September last year. The topic was suggested to us by work? members of the public. It is a vital issue in relation to We raised the important issue of staff availability at equality of opportunity for disabled people and their stations, against the background of anticipated ticket ability to access employment, education and health and office closures and general concerns about possible social amenities, for example. Without appropriate reductions in staffing on trains. The Government responded transport, that is not possible, and people may suffer that future changes to ticket office opening hours should isolation. mean no overall reduction in—and, in some cases, an Our report is wide-ranging. It identifies problems improvement to—the services provided to disabled such as the availability of information on planning passengers. It was good to read that, but we need a clear disabled-friendly journeys, the physical accessibility of explanation from the Government of exactly what that transport, spaces for wheelchairs on buses and the means and how it will be carried out. The information training of transport staff, and stresses the importance from the Department argues that the service provided of interdepartmental working. by staff in future on the station concourse will be an improvement on that offered by those in ticket offices. There are 11.5 million disabled people in the UK, one Will the Minister clarify what that means? Is it really the fifth of whom report difficulty with transport. The case that any change in ticket office staff will not reduce number of disabled people will grow as the population the overall level of trained staff at the station? The issue ages, and most people will face some type of disability is important, and it is creating a lot of anxiety among at some time in their lives. We started our inquiry in the travellers, particularly disabled people, but also many aftermath of the successful Olympic and Paralympic other members of the public with safety issues. games and as the Government published their accessibility action plan, which contained a number of encouraging We raised concerns in our report about the requirement proposals for improvement. However, a year after the to book ahead to receive assistance when travelling by Paralympics, we were concerned that some of its schemes train. I was pleased to receive a letter following our were falling by the wayside. inquiry from the Association of Train Operating Companies stating that ATOC would produce clearer guidance for Karen Lumley (Redditch) (Con): One of the most disabled travellers booking assistance. It also stated that valuable parts of the inquiry for me, as a fellow member in London, ATOC is identifying point-to-point routes of the Transport Committee, was the opportunity to where staff are available to provide assistance for disabled travel on public transport in my constituency and learn people who want to turn up and go, rather than pre-booking exactly how difficult it can be. Does the hon. Lady agree help. I welcome that initiative, but I want to know more that one good thing that came out of it was that the about it, including how it will work in London and how Diamond Bus Company in Redditch went to Disability many routes will be available in that way, so that people Action to discuss how things could be improved locally? need not book ahead. I would also like to know what will happen outside London. Is this a pilot scheme that Mrs Ellman: The hon. Lady is a very active member will start in London and then be extended? I would be of the Transport Committee, and I agree with the point pleased if the Minister gave us some more information she makes. It is important to experience the problems at on that point. first hand in order to understand fully what they are and what the solutions might be. Dame (Aberdeen South) (Lab): I apologise We were concerned that some of the schemes in the for being late, Madam Chairman, but the lift was not Government’s plan were falling by the wayside. For working, which happens all too frequently in transport. example, the Department planned to review the 2005 Did the Select Committee take evidence from people inclusive mobility guidance for pedestrian and transport who do not book ahead with train companies, but infrastructure to take account of changes in design and discover that they sometimes get a better service than 153WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 154WH Transport) Transport) [Dame Anne Begg] Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): In Northern Ireland, people who are registered blind or nearly blind get free those who do? My experience is that very often booking bus passes. In April 2013, nine out of 10 people who ahead does not ensure that help is in place, but a lot of were registered blind or nearly blind expressed concern the train companies are much better these days if I just that there were no announcements on bus routes and turn up. That suggests that it can be done on an requested an audio system. The needs of blind and arrive-and-help basis, rather than requiring booking nearly-blind people are relevant not only to England, ahead. but to the whole United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Does the hon. Lady agree that those Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend makes some important nine out of 10 people deserve to have audio systems comments. We received evidence during our inquiry fitted in transport systems across the whole of the from people who had tried the pre-booking service, United Kingdom? some of whom had complaints about it. The points she makes are important in looking ahead to how policy Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman has made an important might be developed. point. I will speak specifically about audio-visual systems I have mentioned some positive signs, but we need shortly, reinforcing the point he has raised. guarantees on other issues relating to rail. In particular, On training, one issue that has been raised with me is we need guarantees that future rail infrastructure will whether the content of training is adequate. There is be designed to provide step-free access from street to also the issue of whether training takes place. It was train, in order to give more independence to those with disappointing that the Department rejected our physical impairments. Can the Minister give us that recommendation that bus and coach drivers should be commitment? Can he tell us specifically what is planned required to have disability awareness training. Instead, in that regard for Crossrail and High Speed 2, for the Department defended its decision, taken last year, example? to opt out of the EU requirement for such training. Will The response to our concerns about buses was simply the Minister think again about this issue and discuss it not good enough. I was disappointed that the Department with his colleagues? rejected our recommendation that bus and coach drivers I have listened with interest to hon. Members’ comments should be required to have disability awareness training. today. They have all referred to practical examples of difficulties that occur because the right facilities are not Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): The hon. Lady in place. I joined campaigners from the Royal National is making an excellent speech. Like many colleagues, I Institute of Blind People on a local bus journey in have been written to by the excellent charity Whizz-Kidz Liverpool. They showed me how important it is to in strong support for the Select Committee’s receive information, at the right time, about the numbers recommendations in the report. Does she accept that of the buses that are operating, the routes being run there are examples of good practice within the bus and, indeed, where the buses have stopped. It was clear industry? The First bus company in my constituency that the lack of practical information deters many took part in the “Swap with me” initiative piloted by people from travelling, including people with sight Sight Concern and the Royal National Institute of impairments, learning difficulties or mental health problems, Blind People, which involved taking the place of blind and undermines people’s confidence to undertake journeys people by going blindfolded, as I did in Worcester, to and lead independent lives. Drivers play an important see what it is like to use a bus in those circumstances. part in providing information, so it is important that Does she commend those examples of good practice they are given disability awareness training so that they and support their extension more widely? have the confidence to do so. I cannot emphasise too much that training should be adequate, available and Mrs Ellman: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his compulsory. comments. We did indeed hear from Whizz-Kidz, which Hon. Members have raised the issue of audio- gave us valuable evidence. I commend the initiative that visual systems, which are vital. In May last year, of the he mentioned. It is important for good examples to be 46,300 buses in the UK, only 8,500 were equipped with given and for local initiative to be used, but what audio-visual equipment. Most of those are in London. matters is that that initiative and those examples are then widened out across the whole network. Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): People who use buses in London soon get to Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): know that audio-visual systems work. It seems odd that Leamington is home to a Guide Dogs training school. the rest of the country does not get to benefit as fully as Like my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester London does from those systems. It is not just blind and (Mr Walker), I am pleased to have accepted the challenge partially sighted people who benefit, but tourists, visitors of travelling on a bus with a blindfold and being guided and people who do not know an area. Especially in by a hugely intelligent dog. I recognise that buses without rural areas, knowing where a stop is plays an important audio-visual systems can make missed hospital part in informing people, so that they can make the best appointments, job opportunities and family occasions use of their bus journey. something of a routine. The costs of social isolation are well known, and helping older and disabled people to Mrs Ellman: I thank the hon. Gentleman for those get around seems to make great sense. comments. I have noted a number of instances where facilities that are available on buses in London are sadly Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman raises important lacking in other parts of the country. Considering why issues, to which I will refer shortly. that might be the case could take us off in another 155WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 156WH Transport) Transport) direction, but he raises another important point, namely Is the Minister aware of these concerns, and will he that facilities required by people with impairments of raise them with colleagues in other Departments? Does some sort are also required by many others. Those he have any suggestions for mediation that could prevent facilities make journeys easier and give people more legal action? confidence in using public transport, so both his points The list I have given is not exhaustive. I have used the are extremely relevant. time available to point to the main areas covered in the report, but there are other important issues, including Dame Anne Begg: Given that, is it not disappointing concerns that the change from the disability living allowance that the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s to the personal independence payment might deprive recommendation was that there was no economic case many disabled people of transport mobility. for audio-visual systems? As my hon. Friend has pointed The Transport Committee conducted this inquiry to out, it is not just disabled people but tourists and those highlight the importance of transport to disabled people who are unfamiliar with a bus route who benefit from as an equality issue. Departments must work together the speaking buses that we enjoy here in London. and with local government, transport operators and campaigners. It is important to remember that improvements that help disabled people help all passengers. Mrs Ellman: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. The response we have received to our inquiry has confirmed The report focuses on the needs of disabled people that this is a vital area where much more needs to be in accessing public transport, but many of its done. Will the Minister assure me that he will continue recommendations would make travel better for everybody to pursue the issues that the report raises, so that and are extremely important. transport barriers that prevent disabled people from In the report, the Committee called for audio-visual participating fully in society can be removed? Doing so information systems to be phased in on all new buses will benefit everybody. now and on all buses over a decade. That is a modest objective that would help bus users concerned about Several hon. Members rose— missing stops or those who are travelling in unfamiliar areas. As hon. Members have said, it would give all Nadine Dorries (in the Chair): Order. I will call the passengers, disabled or not, more confidence to use Front-Bench speakers at 2.40, and instead of imposing buses more often. Such equipment is surely essential, a time limit, I ask hon. Members to self-regulate and to yet our very modest proposal was rejected. Will the use their judgment to work out among themselves how Minister look at it again? Although implementing it long they have to speak. might require consultation with colleagues, our proposal was extremely modest, but extremely important. 1.50 pm Our report also called for fines to be imposed when buses are misleadingly advertised as being accessible Mike Thornton (Eastleigh) (LD): I congratulate the but in fact are not. Again, that recommendation was hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) not accepted by the Department. and her Committee on their excellent and valuable report. There are more than 11 million people in Great Many improvements to transport for disabled people Britain with a disability, and current circumstances are devised and implemented at a local level. I saw an mean that many feel they are treated like second-class example in Liverpool: I made a journey with a young passengers. It is evident from the report that the status woman with learning difficulties and was shown a travel quo is not acceptable. Disabled people should receive training scheme. These are local schemes that aim to the same service and treatment as others, but the report support disabled people who might otherwise rely on shows that that is far from the case. door-to-door transport. A successful scheme can provide the disabled person with more independence and reduce Many of us take for granted access to public transport the cost of door-to-door services for the local authority. and we are quick to grumble when we wait half an hour Will the Minister offer us an assurance that travel for a bus or four turn up at once, or we have to make a training schemes will be supported by the Government, different connection because of a late train, but the at least with their initial set-up costs? reality is that such inconveniences are insignificant compared with the difficulties that disabled people face every time I want to raise one more important issue, concerning they travel. I congratulate the Committee on a report the ability of disabled people to claim their rights. The which brings this situation to the fore. is a piece of civil law. In practice, making sure that transport operators comply with Personal testimony from disabled people about their Government requirements for equal access to transport access to transport can be harrowing. I think we all has too often required individuals to pursue civil court remember Baroness Grey-Thompson’s comments in 2012 actions. Disabled users of transport are rarely wealthy when she described having to crawl off a train at midnight, enough to pay the legal fees of their solicitors and risk despite having warned the operators in advance that she funding those of the transport operator should they would need assistance from staff. I am aware that that is lose their case. Most challenges to transport operators not an isolated incident. under the Equality Act are undertaken as pro bono The charity, Whizz-Kidz, has been mentioned, and work by solicitors, who take out insurance to cover the provided in its briefing testimonies from young people costs if the case is lost. However, the civil justice reforms on its Kidz Board. One says: enacted last year will change that. As a result, cases “I would like to see drivers of taxis and buses put down the might not be pursued and transport operators might ramp straight away without you having to ask and without not believe that breaches will be challenged in court. argument or being made to feel as though you are a nuisance.” 157WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 158WH Transport) Transport) [Mike Thornton] which many desire. Given that, we must ask what wider effect access to transport is having on people’s overall A testimony in a briefing provided by Leonard Cheshire well-being. Transport is more than just getting from one Disability states: place to another; it is a vital part of everyone’s life, “Some of the service bus drivers are nice but others let you whether getting to work, visiting family and friends, know that it is a major inconvenience to have a wheelchair on the going out for the evening or even getting to a hospital. bus. You have to develop a rhino hide and just insist on your right It is not good enough that for some of us these normal to travel and…put up with the tutting.” activities are fraught with difficulty. Given those testimonies, it is disappointing that the This has been a useful debate so far and it is good to Department for Transport exercised an exemption from see mostly cross-party consensus on some of the issues, the EU requirement for bus operators to provide disability but in the end, the question is about the sort of society awareness training. I hope that that can be revised in we want to live in and whether everyone should have the March 2014, as evidently increased training is necessary same opportunities as everyone else. for some staff. It is important that the training includes how to respond positively to those with hidden disabilities, 1.55 pm such as problems with speech and mental health difficulties, which is a particular concern of mine. I recognise that Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): It is a many transport staff are more than willing to take all pleasure to see you in the Chair, Ms Dorries. I am this into account positively and helpfully, but it is vital pleased to follow the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mike that best practice is spread across the whole sector. Thornton) and the Chair of the Select Committee on Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, The issue is not just about staff training. Improvements Riverside (Mrs Ellman). I am now a Member of the to infrastructure are necessary. I continue to campaign Committee, but was not when the report was compiled. for disabled access to stations in my constituency—Hedge I hope to be in line with your recommendation to be End is an example—and it is imperative that if a route brief, Ms Dorries, but I want to cover a few points. claims to be accessible, it actually is when the passenger I thank the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association comes to use it. I noted the section of the Committee’s and Rhiannon Hughes, Public Affairs and PR Manager report that refers to lack of consistency. Consistency is of Whizz-Kidz, for their briefings, and the disability key, and action must be taken to ensure that companies groups that gave a presentation to the Committee on no longer let down disabled passengers, but provide Monday night. As the Chair of the Committee said, the them with the service they deserve. Committee’s second recommendation was about shared Infrastructure improvements must go further than space. I want to refer specifically to one of the shared just the bigger physical challenges, such as level access spaces shown on the film: Exhibition road in west and ramps, which of course are vital. They also encompass London. It is situated between the Victoria and Albert the smaller changes that can make a massive difference museum, Imperial College London and the Royal Albert to a journey. As hon. Members have said, audiovisual hall, and is a major thoroughfare for tourists, children destination and next-stop announcements are important. and all manner of people. I share the disappointment of the Chair of the Committee The shared space is very attractive and its arrival is that the DFT has rejected the call to require bus operators welcomed by everyone, but particularly by people with to introduce audiovisual systems across the bus network. young children, people in wheelchairs and people with When I was younger, we had audiovisual systems. They shopping. However, the film demonstrated graphically were called bus conductors and, at their best, they were that Exhibition road is a race track. We seem to be really helpful. We seem to have lost them now, so we falling down in the UK in the demarcation between must substitute something for them. where what was the pavement finishes and where the I agree with the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association road starts. The recommendation addresses that, and and many other disability charities that audiovisual the Department’s response, which refers to work that announcements are vital. Lack of information apparently has been undertaken to look at that, and says specifically causes 89% of blind and partially sighted passengers of the guidance to local authorities on the introduction regularly to miss their stop. As the association states, of shared space that missing a stop is a pain and an inconvenience for most “work…has been halted for the time being, as a consequence of of us, but for a partially sighted or blind person it can corporate planning and resource constraints.” cause major difficulties and could be dangerous. It My first question for the Minister is: what is the latest genuinely puzzles me why it is too much to ask that on shared space and guidance from the Department to audiovisual systems be introduced gradually over 10 years, local government? as the Committee suggested. They could be introduced I next want to refer to recommendation 4 and the as new buses enter the fleet or older ones are refitted. submission from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. They exist on trains, so why not on buses? Audiovisual As my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside systems also have benefits for the wider population, and the hon. Member for Eastleigh said, 89% of blind including older people, children and those with mental and partially sighted passengers report having missed a health difficulties. If buses are more accessible and stop. The Department’s explanation that there has not appealing to use, more people will use them, improving been a business case seems flimsy. There is a social need bus company revenue, so it would be win-win all round. and I suspect that the business case is stronger than that A Department for Work and Pensions survey showed which was accepted by the bus companies. We have that 37% of disabled respondents found transport talked about inability to get to work, and missed hospital accessibility a significant barrier to work. That leads me and medical appointments and interviews. That results to the conclusion that improving access to public transport in a cost on the state and on taxpayers. The business would play a role in reducing Government expenditure, case may seem to be less strong than it is. 159WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 160WH Transport) Transport) The Government’s response mentioned that the Minister’s Some one in six people in Hartlepool are over 65 and by predecessor, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), 2030 they will constitute 23% of the town’s population. had written to the bus companies encouraging them to That means that an extra 7,100 people in Hartlepool work in partnership with local authorities to see if the will be over the age of 65, and possibly suffering from uptake of audiovisual systems could be increased sight problems, in a little over 15 years’ time. voluntarily. My second question for the Minister is: In those circumstances, a reliable, inclusive and, above what was the outcome of the letter, the encouragement all, practical—I have heard that many times already to bus companies and the discussions with local authorities, today—public transport system is vital for my constituents and has there been any progress? and would allow those with physical impairments and I have received a briefing from Whizz-Kidz, which disabilities to enjoy a better quality of life. It would also made three recommendations: encourage, as the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mike “That transport providers treat young disabled people like any Thornton) said, greater use of bus services, which would other passenger…That disabled people play a key role in auditing make them more viable and be, as he said, a win-win and assessing the transport services…That accessible transport is situation. a key focus of the Paralympic Legacy”. That last point was mentioned by the Chair of the I have to be blunt, however. Hartlepool does not have Select Committee. The briefing also referred to three a public transport system—not really. It has a private recommendations from the Select Committee report sector monopolistic service, run by Stagecoach. It disregards that it particularly supports: for the Department for choice, quality and provision of service and concentrates Transport to involve disability organisations and charities on profit at the expense of passengers, especially those in the prioritisation of transport, for it to provide with disabilities. That is why the company can boast of disability awareness training for staff in the bus and a 17.1% profit margin in its UK bus operations. coach industry and for it to develop and publish a Those are “sector-leading profit margins”, as the methodology on that. company said in its latest annual report, and that is why The Whizz-Kidz briefing covers a variety of it can increase its earnings per share and dividends to recommendations, but specifically refers to recommendation shareholders this year. It is also why it can abolish 16. The Government’s response said that the evening and Sunday bus services in my constituency. I “DfT remains committed to review the use of exemption in a wrote to Stagecoach on behalf of my constituents on year’s time”. the campaigning matters of audiovisual announcements Both the hon. Member for Eastleigh and the Chair of and better accessibility through the use of low-floor the Select Committee referred to that. The Government boarding devices and new stock. I was told about said that the exemption will be reviewed by March Transport for London and the trial of a system on the 2014, which is only six weeks away. The question, which service 7 route in Perth, but the company’s letter did not I am sure the Minister will be able to respond to, is even mention Hartlepool. about whether that review is on course and what its I was struck by the opening remarks of the Chair of outcome has been. the Transport Committee, who mentioned that we need In conclusion, I congratulate the Transport Committee to have modern buses to provide greater space for on another excellent report. I have seen many reports wheelchairs. Far too many of the buses used in my over the years, as both Transport Minister and shadow constituency are 20 or 30 years old. They need to be Minister, and this one lived up to all my expectations. I modernised and that is not happening. am sure that the Minister, who is known to take a keen I do not want to discourage enterprise and rising interest in these issues, will respond as positively as he profits for companies, but when it is done at the expense can. Having read the Government’s response to the of a deteriorating service to customers, particularly report, I have to say that its tone is not as positive and those with physical disabilities, and without the option optimistic as it should be, although I am sure that he for those passengers to move to a more appropriate can correct that. competitor that can provide a better service, it is clear that competition is not working and something needs to 2.1 pm change. In these circumstances, it is important that we have a smarter regulatory system that works in the Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): I wish you, interests of passengers, particularly those who, for reasons Ms Dorries, and all hon. Members a very happy new of disability, would find it difficult—if not impossible—to year. Best wishes for 2014! It is a real honour and travel by other means in a safe, reliable and affordable pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member for way. Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick). He is knowledgeable and passionate about these matters. I wrote to the Minister’s predecessor at the Department, I want to participate in today’s debate because I have the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), and I was received a large number of representations from my disappointed to receive quite a blunt response: constituents about access to transport for disabled people, “At the Guide Dogs Parliamentary Reception in March 2011, I particularly for those suffering from visual impairments. announced we do not intend to legislate to make audio visual That is not entirely unsurprising. Poverty, deprivation systems on buses mandatory.” and an ageing population are all factors that contribute I am disappointed at the Government’s response to the to physical disability and some degree of sight loss. Select Committee’s eminently sensible, reasonable and Hartlepool has a higher than average level of deprivation, measured recommendations, particularly on bus travel. and some 40% of all households there include a person The Government’s responses are complacent—even with a physical disability of some kind. An ever greater dismissive—and are letting down people in my constituency, proportion of my constituency population is over 65. particularly those at risk of being vulnerable. Without 161WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 162WH Transport) Transport) [Mr Iain Wright] should require all new buses to have audiovisual systems and for that to be phased in over no longer than 10 appropriate public transport as the country ages, a years—hopefully, quicker than that. Of course, that growing proportion of my constituency will be left issue applies not just to England, but throughout Great isolated. Britain and perhaps Northern Ireland. It is certainly The issue is not just about an ageing population, relevant to my constituency, and I hope that the however. Tonight, sunset is at 4.11 pm, well within the Government will reconsider their refusal to make the working day. Often, people with visual impairment will provision mandatory. not be able to go to work, contribute and have a The argument that there is no business case for the rewarding career because they are frightened that they mandatory introduction of audiovisual systems—that a will be unable to get home; it is dark and they will not mandatory rule would place new financial obligations know where they are. We are undermining the potential on operators in a difficult economic climate—is one of many hundreds of thousands of people in this country that I do not think we can accept. First, no one can say and reducing our economic potential if we do not that a transitional period of perhaps up to 10 years just address that issue, which is why it should be a priority for new buses will in any sense place excessive burdens for the Minister. on operators, unless the Government think that there I cannot understand why the Government are not will be a bad economic climate for the next 10 years; being smarter and encouraging innovation in the use of that is another issue. technology in this field. Why is the Minister’s Department Phasing such a system in will surely not be impossible not pooling together with the Department for Business, for the vast majority of operators. We do not accept Innovation and Skills to provide seedcorn funding that that buses can go around without having destination could utilise big data and technology? That could be boards or numbers; it should be as automatic that new through the development of a smartphone app that buses should have audiovisual information in them. I could plot where a passenger was and inform him or her do not see that there is a case against that. when the bus was arriving at their bus stop. Can we not have smarter street furniture that would allow that to As many hon. Members have said, the provision of happen? audiovisual information benefits not just passengers with visual or hearing impairments; the public as a Mike Thornton: Velvet Bus in my constituency is whole benefit from such provision. We see that in London working on such an app. It would be encouraging if the when we travel on buses. I represent another city that Government got behind that kind of private development has many tourists. We can see how it benefits tourists, and worked with the company to provide it nationwide. and others who are not used to the city, to have that information available. It is obvious to me that that should Mr Iain Wright: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I be mandatory. Another reason why it is important is want to see these ideas developed. It would be a good that otherwise we will be penalising the operators that demonstration of what private enterprise working with are prepared to put the facility in place. Government can achieve. It would help visually impaired people, as well as stimulate British enterprise and innovation I am fortunate, in that Edinburgh has Britain’s largest into providing a product that could generate revenue municipally owned bus company, Lothian Buses, which, here and around the world. I hope that the Minister will like many operators in London, is increasingly providing look at the issue closely and talk to his colleagues in audiovisual announcements on buses. On five routes, Government to see what can be done. they are provided as a matter of course, and they will be added to other routes in the summer. I will embarrass the Minister by saying that he is a good man, who cares about transport and knows about I am glad to say that the new Edinburgh tram system it, as my hon. Friend the Select Committee Chair does. I will be fully operational within a few months, and know he has family in Hartlepool, so he knows better audiovisual information will be provided on the new than most Ministers how an inclusive public transport trams as well. That decision has been taken by Lothian system can benefit my constituency. I hope that he takes Buses itself. The company has not been made to do that on board the concerns of my constituents and the by the Government and nor has it had any assistance—from sensible and measured recommendations made by the the Scottish Government, in this case—in providing Select Committee. I hope that he ensures that people that help. It has made the facility available because, as a suffering from sight impairment in my constituency and publicly owned operator, it has a commitment to providing elsewhere can benefit. as accessible a transport system as possible. Indeed, Lothian Buses won an award from the Scottish 2.8 pm Accessible Transport Alliance a couple of years ago for Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ its work in this area. Of course, it is common sense to Co-op): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, provide all passengers with the facility. There should be Ms Dorries. I am glad to have the opportunity to take no difficulty in the Government making it mandatory part in this debate. I congratulate my hon. Friend the for all new buses over a period. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) and My second point is about provision on buses for other hon. Members who have spoken in this debate on people with disabilities and particularly those who require the powerful points they have made in support of the wheelchair access. As we know, the regulations provide case for better access to transport for disabled people. that all bus and coach operators will have to make their First, I take up the point made by my hon. Friends vehicles, both new and old, accessible to disabled people about the need for more and better audiovisual over a transitional period, but in practice that is taken announcements on buses. I fully support the Committee’s up much more actively by some operators than others. I recommendation that the Department for Transport am glad to say that again, in Edinburgh, Lothian Buses 163WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 164WH Transport) Transport) has a good record in this respect: 100% of Lothian DPTAC. The issue was raised with me by campaigners buses are now wheelchair-accessible and that will also in my constituency. As someone who is always ready to be the case for the trams in the future. Again, that has criticise the Government when they do the wrong thing, been done without any assistance from any governmental I am also prepared to recognise when they have done source. the right thing. However, as we have heard, the situation is not as I am glad that the Government have listened to good in every part of the UK. I certainly support the disabled passengers’ organisations and other groups recommendation in the Select Committee report that that wanted the DPTAC to be retained. I hope that they the Department for Transport should introduce financial will now take the next step forward, which is to listen to incentives for bus operators to replace older non-accessible the views expressed by disabled persons organisations buses, particularly where no alternative bus route is and transport organisations generally and to make the available. We all know of cases in which a route is meant changes that will improve the transport experience for to be accessible, but then suddenly the bus operator, for passengers with disabilities in the way that the Select some operational reason, puts on a service that is not Committee has recommended. accessible. That means that a person who wants to get I urge the Minister in particular to change the on the bus with a wheelchair may have to wait half an Government’s stance on audiovisual announcements hour or two hours or not be able to travel at all in a on buses. That is an easy thing to do. The necessary rural area, because the so-called accessible service has legislative changes could be made quickly and would not been provided. make such a difference to so many passengers—those That takes me to my third and last point. Much more with disabilities and others—throughout our country. I work must be done to create a seamless journey for all urge the Government to think again on that point in passengers, but particularly for people who have disabilities particular. and especially, in this context, those who require access for wheelchairs, although not only them. For example, a 2.17 pm passenger travelling in my constituency on one of the new No. 10 buses, with full wheelchair access, to Edinburgh’s Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): It is a pleasure Waverley station can look at the mobile app that has to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Dorries. I am already been developed by Lothian Buses; it provides pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this important information on many of the issues on which the hon. debate. I am very grateful that my hon. Friends have Member for Eastleigh (Mike Thornton) was looking for given so much attention to the issue of wheelchair assistance on behalf of people with disabilities and accessibility, but there is one specific issue—the need for travellers more generally. audio-visual announcements on public transport—that The passenger gets to Princes street in the centre of I wish to address. Edinburgh, gets into the new lifts, which take them Before the Christmas break, I marked the international down to the platform, and gets on to a train with a day of persons with disability by navigating Middlesbrough wheelchair-accessible place run by East Coast Trains. town centre blindfolded, with the help of the Guide They go to London, use the lifts at the new King’s Cross Dogs association. I was joined by representatives and station and get on a wheelchair-accessible bus to wherever service users from Middlesbrough Shopmobility, as well they are going in London in due course. Then, at the as Linda Oliver and her guide dog Zoë. Wearing a end of their journey, they find that they cannot get off a blindfold and experiencing the world without sight was bus or they have difficulty because they cannot get to extremely unsettling and it gave me a greater understanding the kerb, as someone has parked in the way. of what it is like for a blind or partially sighted person Alternatively, the passenger gets off the bus without to do what we, the fully sighted majority, take for difficulty but then has difficulty getting across the road granted. With many blind or partially sighted people at a pedestrian crossing because of the limited time reliant on buses for mobility and freedom of movement, allowed for pedestrians to cross. As hon. Members, we it is concerning and disappointing that they are often all know the Streets Ahead Campaign, which began prohibited from accessing such a lifeline. recently and which, among other things, wants to extend I welcome the progress that has been made to make the amount of time allowed for pedestrians and others public transport more accessible for those with disabilities, to get across pedestrian crossings. but I urge the Minister to go further. Blind or partially We must have an integrated approach, a seamless sighted people whom I met told me that accessing approach, to travel planning. That means, in particular, public transport can be a very difficult and disorientating much better integration of the needs of disabled people experience. I know that to be true, as I was given the into planning at an early stage, tackling issues such as experience of being blindfolded and taken on a short street clutter, thoughtless parking and broken kerbs, journey on a bus around a town that I am so familiar which are, in their own way, just as important to providing with. I soon lost my bearings and all sense of my accessibility to transport for people with disabilities, surroundings and became completely reliant on assistance because that is all part of the whole travel experience. I from those around me to get on the bus, find my seat therefore strongly support the Select Committee’s and get off at the correct stop. I agree entirely with the recommendation on the need for co-ordination in this hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mike Thornton) and with area. the Guide Dogs association, which has pointed out that I would like to conclude by recognising that the when we get off at the wrong stop, it is an annoyance, Government did think again on the abolition of the but for a blind person it can be very dangerous. Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. I was The changes to the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility one of the hon. Members who raised that issue with Regulations 2000 to make buses more accessible for the Minister’s predecessor and I am glad to say that the disabled people are welcome, but sadly fall short of Government reconsidered the proposal to abolish the including audio-visual announcements. The Transport 165WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 166WH Transport) Transport) [Andy McDonald] 2.23 pm Mr ( South) (Lab): Let Committee rightly highlights the fact that the lack of me begin by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for onboard AV information reduces the willingness of the Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) and her Committee visually impaired, as well as the wider public, to use for a striking, effective and comprehensive report. I buses. AV announcements would help the elderly, who cannot do full justice to the report in the time available, may not be as confident as they once were, or those with but I would like to comment on some of the pressing special needs, who could strike out more independently issues that the Committee has highlighted. I commend if they had the reassurance that AV announcements the excellent contributions that have been made across would bring. Indeed, AV announcements would also the Chamber, particularly by my parliamentary colleagues help the fully able first-time visitor to a town or city to including my distinguished predecessor, my hon. Friend navigate around. the Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick). It is not always possible for a blind or partially More than one in five people with a disability have sighted person to rely on a bus driver or fellow passenger experienced difficulties using transport, according to to tell them when to get off. Bus drivers have a great research by the Department for Work and Pensions. In deal to do these days: they are not only drivers but rail alone, the number of journeys made by disabled conductors. It is simply unrealistic to expect them to be people is estimated to have increased by 58% over the able consistently to offer extra assistance to the visually past five years. The Labour party is proud its work in impaired. That is backed up by the figures from the government on accessibility issues, which included updating Guide Dogs for the Blind Association report, “Road to the Disability Discrimination Act in 2005 and working Nowhere”, which states that around half of travellers on rail, aviation and access to taxis and minicabs in the surveyed are not told when to get off at the correct stop. Equality Act 2010. Sir Robert Smith: A constituent contacted me who Nothing stands still, however, and it should not do so had taken a bus from Aberdeen to Westhill, and had under this Government. The Transport Committee’s told the driver that they needed to know when they got report is comprehensive, with 107 written submissions to the Tesco store. The driver forgot, which meant that and 34 witnesses interviewed. Difficulties using transport my constituent had to stay on the bus until it returned affect about a fifth of the population. My disappointment to the depot and then have another go with another bus at the Government’s response, which is shared by several driver. There was no way that they could have found hon. Members present, is that they have not engaged their way if they had got off at the wrong stop. adequately with many of the Committee’s key recommendations. The tone of much of the response Andy McDonald: That is a stark illustration of the drifts between complacency, defensiveness and world- point I am making. The problem will not cost a lot to weariness about the whole issue. We accept that the put right. Research by the TAS Partnership found that problem presents complex challenges, but surely it also it would cost only £2,100 to install a system to make AV provides opportunities to increase disabled people’s ability announcements on a single-decker bus and £2,500 on a fully to participate in society and in the economy, as my double-decker bus. The systems could be introduced hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) over a number of years, as new buses are brought into ably pointed out. the fleet, to mitigate the burden on bus companies. Is it The Department for Transport had to be taken to not ridiculous that we are talking about such sums of task by the Transport Committee for the lack of information money, when AV devices should be an integral part of it provided on the accessibility action plan. The Department the plant and machinery of any bus operation? Windscreen finally released the report on progress on Christmas eve, wipers were not compulsory years ago. Such devices but if it thought it was playing Santa to disabled people, should be part and parcel of the ordinary running of a it was deluding itself. In the same way, the Department bus company. When it comes to the business case, I have gave a dismissive response to the perfectly sensible not run a bus company, but it would not surprise me if suggestion for a cross-government working group on making buses more attractive for people attracted more accessibility—a response that might be characterised as passengers and encouraged a greater flow of income. It “carry on silo-ing.” I hope the Minister does not share is not rocket science. that world view, as I am sure he does not. The introduction of AV announcements will give My hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside, greater independence to passengers, I urge the Government the Chair of the Transport Committee, has stressed—as to take account of the Transport Committee’s have so many other hon. Members—the importance of recommendations and ensure that such announcements phasing in universal audio-visual systems over the next are phased in over the next 10 years and on all new 10 years. The response so far, as we have heard, has buses. I applaud the determination of the Guide Dogs been to encourage bus operators to adopt such systems for the Blind Association, which is campaigning for the voluntarily, and to say that the business case has not creation of a fund to encourage local authorities and been made. Disabled bus users make it clear that such bus companies to install AVannouncements. Ultimately, systems are key as they make journeys, and the statistics the issue is one of equality, and indeed of disability from Guide Dogs have already been quoted. My hon. discrimination. I urge the Minister to consider closely Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) the suggestions made in this debate. They will give our described, from a sighted person’s perspective, his own fellow citizens the dignified assistance they request to experience of how hugely dangerous it can be for a overcome the hurdles and difficulties they face as they blind person to be left stranded in an unfamiliar area. endeavour to play their full and rightful role in our It is fine to encourage voluntary take-up—as the society—difficulties that the majority of us simply never Minister’s predecessor, the hon. Member for Lewes encounter. (Norman Baker), did—but has it been successful? Guide 167WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 168WH Transport) Transport) Dogs suggests that only one operator has responded on and retraining, and should work closely with sector the issue. However, operators that have installed the skills councils such as People 1st, which has done good system say it has proved to be good value for money. A work in this area, to develop the best strategies for representative from Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach doing so. Company said: The Committee also mentioned financial incentives. “AV systems punch above their weight due to how valuable The Government response was that they would probably they are for the blind and partially-sighted.” contravene EU state aid law—my hon. Friend the Member Will the Minister or his officials tell us which operators for Hartlepool will be only too familiar with how that are resisting the Transport Committee’s modest proposal? catch-all argument has been used with procurement If operators have not yet put forward a business case issues. What discussion has the Minister’s Department that the Department considers reasonable, can it not do had with Government lawyers, or preferably an independent more to seek one out and to recognise the full social legal adviser, to confirm that such incentives would not benefits that such systems offer? The Department has be possible under EU law? Just because not all disabled said that it does not have a method for assessing the full people require a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, why will quantitative benefits of access to transport, such as the Government not consider incentives to make more social inclusion and links to skills and jobs. Is it not available for those who do? Why not listen to the calls about time that the Department developed one or worked from Leonard Cheshire to ensure more regular checks with similar economic models that have been produced on accessibility equipment, so that disabled-access bus elsewhere? Departments have to produce an equality routes are not left without an appropriate vehicle? impact assessment for each piece of legislation, and the The Committee also talked about journey planning. Department for Transport should use such a mechanism As Leonard Cheshire commented, the Government should when it looks at issues such as this. not be complacent or self-congratulatory about what has been achieved so far. The Committee suggested that Mark Lazarowicz: On the business case, is it not the Government should consult disability organisations remarkable that in two UK cities with among the highest over decisions about what stations should be prioritised levels of bus use, London and Edinburgh, operators for improvements. The Government said that third parties have chosen to install AV systems as far as possible? would only recommend their local stations and such The operators are realising the benefits from doing so consultation would not add value to the process. I voluntarily, so why do the Government not make that dispute that, as I think most MPs would. It is a very mandatory throughout the country? Eeyore-ish attitude. I talked to my local bus users group, working with Blackpool Transport in Blackpool, Mr Marsden: My hon. Friend makes a good suggestion. where we have retained our municipal status for both Notwithstanding the difference between major cities the bus services and the trams. The group works on a and the rest of the country, I might suggest that the range of issues, including disability and accessibility. Department for Transport should get off its bottom The expertise of such organisations is vital, as access and look at what is being done in London and Edinburgh. to stations is a key issue. The progress being made is Perhaps they might discover a mechanism for producing important, but is it not awful, in the 21st century, that a business case. The cost, as we know, is around £2,500 the majority of rail services and stations have yet to for a double-decker bus, compared with £190,000 for achieve step-free access via lifts and ramps? I am thinking the whole process. of examples in my neck of the woods of older Victorian Do the Minister and the Department recognise that stations, such as Preston. For disabled people, getting although many services are delivered locally, his Department into and across the station is a bit of a lottery—the can play an essential role in bringing together local Blackpool Gazette reported a disturbing case last year stakeholders and encouraging dynamic partnerships? of a lady from Blackpool who tried to do it. In my constituency, I have been privileged to be president Whizz-Kidz has been mentioned. I have been proud for the past 17 years of Rideability, a disability organisation to work with it in the past as an ambassador. It has that provides on-call access to people with disabilities. achieved good things, helping two young people in my The organisation has recently entered into an agreement constituency and providing life-changing equipment worth with my local council that allows it to secure its future more than £1 million. Should the Government and the while retaining its input to an expansion of the scheme. Department for Transport not seek to engage more That shows what can be done through intelligent broadly with such national bodies, as policy is developed co-operation between local government, consumer groups and accessibility criteria are set? Should they not recognise and the third sector. Surely the Minister’s Department the expertise and objectivity that charities that serve should be incentivising the formation of such groups. people with disabilities can contribute to the process? The Committee also said that the exemption to EU It was a huge privilege to host the Paralympics in this law, which the Government brought in, that prevents country in 2012. It did the country’s reputation, and its bus and coach operators from being required to train reputation for addressing issues for people with disabilities, their staff in disability support should end. My hon. an enormous amount of good. One of the many benefits Friends have asked the Minister whether he would that the games brought was that they shined a light on review the exemption in March 2014, and I echo that some barriers that disabled people still face when using question. What evidence do we have to show that the public transport. The games sparked a renewed attempt current approach is working? Replies to the parliamentary to make transport accessible for all. questions I have tabled claim that, currently, 75% of I emphasise what colleagues have said. The Minister drivers have had basic training. Progress on that will not is a reasonable man. I know that, as a regional MP, he be reviewed until March 2014. The Government need to will not simply take a London-centric view. Is it not sad, be far more proactive in targeting 100% rates of training however, that the Government response to the report 169WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 170WH Transport) Transport) [Mr Marsden] and identifying suitable funding. There has been criticism in the press and Parliament about Crossrail not providing offers thin gruel for those striving for these golden step-free access at all stations. However, Crossrail will ideals? We risk squandering the potential and optimism dramatically improve accessibility to rail transport in of that summer and making little of our Paralympic London, with 31 of the 38 stations on the route having legacy. We were capable then of putting the wonderful step-free access and an estimated 93% of journeys on success of our Paralympic athletes on stamps, which the route starting and ending at step-free stations. went out across the UK. Surely we should now make All central London Crossrail stations will be fully more effort for the people themselves, so that the Paralympic accessible from street to train, and there will be step-free athletes and all those with disabilities can do likewise. access from street to platform at 20 of the 27 service stations on the route. At a further two stations—Taplow 2.35 pm and Langley—there will be step-free access to the eastbound platform, which will be used by Crossrail, but not to the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport westbound platform. There are currently no plans to (Mr ): I congratulate the Select Committee deliver step-free access to Iver, Hanwell, Maryland, on Transport on its excellent report, which is certainly Manor Park and Seven Kings stations. food for thought. As a former member of the Transport Crossrail is meeting its legal obligations. The stations Committee, I participated in an earlier report on the that will not be made step-free will have minimal or no issue, when we looked at plans to make the Olympics infrastructure work carried out on them, and therefore fully accessible for disabled people. Indeed, the Olympics there is no requirement for them to provide step-free were delivered with wonderful opportunities for everyone access. Work is now under way to look at finding to access events. technical solutions to make the remaining seven stations Mention was made of Christmas eve. The report step-free and to explore potential sources of funding. appears to be a little like the sort of list that my children Based on the time frames for the feasibility work and used to bring me to give to Santa, but on such occasions, the decisions around the Access for All programme, the I could not always give every gift on the list; I hope that position should be much clearer by the spring of this the Government’s response at least shows that we are year. behind the moves to make all our transport accessible to as many people as possible. Mr Iain Wright: How does what the Minister is I welcome the opportunity to update the House on suggesting comply with existing disability legislation? some of the many developments that the Government Mr Goodwill: As I thought I had made clear, where and transport industry are taking forward to improve Crossrail is carrying out substantial construction work transport for disabled people. My noble Friend Baroness at stations, it has an obligation to make those stations Kramer leads for the Department on the issue. Reference accessible, but where stations are not being modified, was made to a world-weary approach. I met my noble Crossrail is not forced to make them accessible to be Friend this week and can say that she is absolutely legally compliant. However, as I have said, work is enthusiastic about this topic and the phrase “world-weary” ongoing, and we will be in a much better position by the does certainly not apply. Although the Government spring. May I also point out that the wonderful new were not able to agree with all the Committee’s north-south railway line that we are endeavouring to recommendations, Committee members raised a number build will be fully accessible on High Speed 2? of important matters and I hope to tackle the main points on which the Government were challenged. Before Jim Fitzpatrick: The Minister must be very frustrated I do so, I shall address one or two of the points made by this situation, because Crossrail will be the showcase during the excellent contributions that we heard this for UK plc—the latest 21st century addition to our afternoon. major national infrastructure. He knows, as we all do, The hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) how difficult it is to retrospectively make all these kinds asked about the 2005 regulations and whether they of changes. Crossrail is being built now; if this work is would be updated. The Department remains committed going to happen, it should be happening now. I hope to renewing and updating “Inclusive Mobility: A Guide that he will make his best efforts to ensure that Crossrail to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport finds a solution to the problem of the small number of Infrastructure” during 2014, as set out in the accessibility stations that are still being left out at present. action plan. She also asked if many disabled people were aware that they had a right to a taxi if they could Mr Goodwill: I hope that what I said did not close the not get access to a train at a station; I did not realise door on doing something. The points that the hon. that people had that right. I hope that it can be publicised Gentleman makes are absolutely valid, and we will be more widely, so that people are aware of it. able to make the position much clearer by the spring of this year. hon. Member for Aberdeen South (Dame Anne Begg), who is no longer in her place, that often turning up and Mark Lazarowicz: I fully endorse what my hon. Friend hoping to get help can be better than booking in advance. the Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) Constituents have written to me about delays on the has just said about taking the opportunity now to trains that mean that the assistance they hoped to ensure that access is provided at all the stations on get—for example, at York station to make a connection Crossrail. to Scarborough—is unavailable. A related point is that if Crossrail is approaching this Particular reference was made to access on Crossrail. work on the basis of meeting its legal requirements, I Sponsors are keen to make the line accessible, but must say that we often find situations where accessibility delivering that will depend on cost, technical feasibility at some stations requires someone in a wheelchair to 171WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 172WH Transport) Transport) use four, five or six different lifts to get from one point systems to the use of apps. Such apps may all be useful to another within the same station. Obviously, I accept and helpful, but I caution him that the idea, the practice that there are difficulties in terms of what can be done and the roll-out sometimes take a little longer than in many stations. Nevertheless, I hope that every effort people think, even in this digital world. However, we are can be made to ensure that, where accessibility is provided, talking specifically about costs now for audiovisual it is provided in a way that is as convenient as possible systems. The Minister has quoted some figures, so will and not in a way that forces passengers in wheelchairs he make the results of that research publicly available to to go on a magical mystery tour to get from one part of all Members and place them in the Library, so that a station to another. Members can judge them for themselves?

Mr Goodwill: Absolutely—I could not agree more. Mr Goodwill: Yes, by all means. I am happy to ask my Sadly, one of the problems that we face is that we are officials to do that. However, we are keen to ensure that dealing, of course, with upgrading some Victorian we do not place undue burdens on operators, many of infrastructure that was not built with disabled people in whom—on certain routes—are facing particular financial mind at the time. difficulties, although I noted the points that were made I am sorry that members of the Select Committee about Stagecoach and its profitability. were not entirely satisfied with the response to the Committee’s recommendation that the Government should Mr Iain Wright: I am grateful to the Minister for require bus operators to introduce audiovisual systems giving way again; he is being very generous in doing so. across the bus network. We recognise that many people I think that I am right in saying that he quoted a range find audio and visual announcements useful for travelling, of costs from £5.8 million to £8.4 million. Can he tell and we understand the social benefits of having such the House how much that is per bus? Has any work systems on buses—in fact, they are useful for all bus been done in respect of the additional revenue that users—but we are aware that this technology comes at a might accrue to bus companies as a result of widening considerable cost. Our findings show that installing their customer base? audiovisual technology on all new buses could cost between £5.75 million and £9.7 million per year. These Mr Goodwill: Well, if 2,500 buses cost £5.75 million, figures are based on projections that between 2,500 and that is just over £2,000 per bus by my calculations. I 2,800 new buses could be registered each year through have taken note of the points that the hon. Gentleman to 2015. made about the age of some of the buses in Hartlepool, and I will certainly write to Stagecoach managers and Mr Marsden: On that point, will the Minister give invite them to Scarborough to visit the Alexander Dennis way? bus factory, where I am sure they will be able to place an order for state-of-the-art Enviro200 single-decker or Mr Goodwill: May I just make some progress, because Enviro400 double-decker buses. The factory will be there is good news? more than happy to supply Stagecoach with such buses. We have previously written to the bus industry to encourage it to work in partnership with local authorities Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I welcome to see whether the uptake of these systems can be my hon. Friend the Minister’s remarks about smartphone increased on a voluntary basis. However, the Government technology. However, will he ensure that, in consultation support the industry’s drive towards developing and with local providers, the problem of connectivity— promoting the use of smartphone technology to assist particularly in rural areas—is addressed, because we all blind and partially sighted passengers, as well as able-bodied know that a smartphone is a wonderful gadget in town passengers, as an alternative to audiovisual announcements. but very often it just will not work on rural bus routes? Indeed, as the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) May I briefly welcome the initiative to do more to said, while the technology on the bus can give information improve awareness of the Transport Direct website, to the person on the bus, smartphone technology can because pre-planning for journeys is so important, give that person information on their journey to the bus particularly for people with hidden disabilities, which stop and at the bus stop, as well as other information we have not really discussed today? I urge the Minister that may be useful to them. to ensure that that work happens as quickly as possible If we are not careful, we could be guilty of looking at and, if appropriate, to set a timetable for early meetings the last generation of technology without looking at the with stakeholders to ensure that that portal is accessed next generation of technology, which has tremendous by as many people as possible. potential to give people information they need about all types of transport delays or updates. Indeed, the Mr Goodwill: Certainly—I would be delighted to Government’s innovation transport systems catapult ensure that that happens. Indeed, my own house does fund is available for this type of technology, and the not have a mobile phone signal, so I am aware that there Government and Transport for London are keen to are numbers of people who do not have a signal for a share data and to make their data open, so that there smartphone and that many people from poorer families can be innovation in the use of apps and other smartphone do not have smartphones. technology to ensure that people can access the information We will continue to work with the bus industry to that is freely available. identify the best solutions to improve access to the public transport system for all passengers. Having met Mr Marsden: I am grateful to the Minister for giving various bus stakeholders in December to discuss accessibility way and I strongly appreciate the point that he makes issues, my colleague at the Department for Transport, about leapfrogging from existing situations with audiovisual Baroness Kramer, who leads on accessibility issues, will 173WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 174WH Transport) Transport) [Mr Goodwill] On rail, I believe that we have a good story to tell, as borne out by a recent study by the European Commission, write to bus industry representatives shortly to encourage which stated that the UK has the best major rail network the development of simpler and more affordable audiovisual in Europe, with passengers recording an overall satisfaction systems for buses. score of 78%. Aside from the use of audiovisual technology, as members of the Committee will be aware, the Government Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): I congratulate have placed a requirement on bus operators to ensure my hon. Friend the Minister on what he is saying. In that all buses used on local or scheduled services are north Herefordshire, we have disabled access in Leominster, fully compliant with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility but not yet in Ledbury. Will the Minister do all he Regulations 2000—or PSVAR—by 2015, 2016 or 2017, possibly can to ensure that, next time that it is possible depending on the bus type. The regulations require to sort the station out and change it so that it is buses to include facilities such as low-floor boarding accessible to disabled people, it is high enough on the devices, visual contrast on the edges of steps, handholds list to get the funding? and handrails, and priority seating for passengers in wheelchairs. Mr Goodwill: Yes, I note my hon. Friend’s good As of September 2013, 78% of the total fleet had point. Sadly, there is a surfeit of applications, compared PSVAR accessibility certificates and the figures are with the money that there is to go round, but we are rising steadily. The transition will take place over time, making progress every year. with transport operators inevitably using a mixed fleet The UK scored higher than some EU countries on of accessible and non-accessible vehicles in the run-up accessibility for passengers with limited mobility, although to full compliance, but the change will have a significant a 65% satisfaction rating still means that there is a lot of impact on disabled people’s access to the bus network. room for improvement and we are not complacent On disability awareness training for bus staff, raised about that. by the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mike Thornton), the As with buses, we have targets for an accessible rail Government appreciate the important role played by network. All rail vehicles must be accessible by 1 January staff providing assistance—as well as their awareness of 2020, incorporating features that facilitate travel by and attitudes towards disabled passengers’ needs—in disabled people, including wheelchair spaces, audiovisual disabled passengers’ ability and willingness to travel. passenger information systems, priority seating, contrasting EU regulation 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger handrails and accessible toilets, where toilets are fitted. rights came into force in all member states on 1 March Already, more than 7,600 rail vehicles being used on the 2013. The Government took steps to apply a number of network were built or have been refurbished to modern exemptions within that regulation, including—many access standards, including half of all trains. There are hon. Members expressed their disappointment about many plans to upgrade train fleets ahead of the 2020 this—exempting UK bus and coach drivers from a deadline. It is worth mentioning that all older rail requirement to undertake mandatory disability awareness vehicles have features that already make them accessible training. This exemption was applied in line with to most disabled people, even if they have yet to receive Government policy on adopting any EU legislation, to the full suite of improvements. make full use of any derogation that would reduce costs We also take seriously improving access to stations. to business. This policy ensures that UK businesses are Unfortunately, though, many of our mainline railway not put at a competitive disadvantage compared with stations date from Victorian times. These 19th century their European counterparts. stations were not built with the needs of 21st century To mitigate the impact of applying the disability passengers in mind, and this has left us with a huge task awareness training exemption, in July 2013 my predecessor in terms of opening up the rail network to disabled as Minister, now Minister for Crime Prevention, my passengers. Currently, more than 450 out of a total of hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), 2,500 stations have step-free access between all platforms. wrote to bus and coach industry representatives to By 2015, we expect that some 75% of rail journeys will encourage the completion of disability awareness training start or end at a fully step-free station, up from around by all drivers at the earliest opportunity. It is estimated 50% in 2005. The number of stations fully accessible to that approximately 75% of all bus and coach drivers disabled people other than wheelchair users is significantly have completed some form of disability awareness training higher. and this figure continues to rise. Accessible stations have a significant impact on people’s My noble Friend Baroness Kramer will also write to journey experience, not only for disabled and older bus operators to obtain examples of their disability people, but also those carrying heavy luggage or travelling awareness training and statistics on customer satisfaction. with a child in a pushchair. My colleagues and I are, of In response to concerns from the public about the course, concerned that only around 20% of our national disability awareness training exemption, the Department rail stations have step-free access to every platform. agreed to review its use in March this year, one year on That is why we have continued the Access for All from commencement, to ensure further progress has programme that was launched in 2006 and have made been made and that drivers are receiving adequate plans to expand it, to provide a step-free route at more training in this area. The hon. Member for Blackpool than 150 stations by 2015. That programme has already South (Mr Marsden) mentioned this. Bus and lorry delivered smaller-scale improvements at 1,100 stations. drivers have to engage in compulsory certificate of We know from research into Access for All projects professional competence training, one day a year. Many that passenger numbers—for both disabled and non- bus operators regard this as an opportunity to use that disabled passengers—rise significantly once a project is training to help in this regard. complete, so we have added £100 million to extend the 175WH Disabled People (Access to 9 JANUARY 2014 Disabled People (Access to 176WH Transport) Transport) programme until 2019. We have already received hon. Gentleman was the Minister, that enthusiasm has nominations for more than 200 stations for this funding, waned somewhat. I am not aware that large numbers of which is about seven times the number that we can local authorities are keen to introduce these schemes, support with the money available, and that tells me but if hon. Members from around the country have there is an appetite in the industry to further improve knowledge of any, I should be pleased if they fed them access to stations. I recently visited Morley station, with in. This does not seem to be a movement that is gathering our excellent parliamentary candidate, , force. to see the problem first hand in Leeds. The Government remain committed to changing the Of course, as well as having accessible infrastructure, transport industry’s approach to disabled and older disabled passengers need to have confidence that staff people in British society. I am grateful for the opportunity will be available to assist them. The Government have to have this debate and to stress that the Government no plans to impose cuts in staffing on trains or at are committed to improving the travel experience for stations. It is and will remain a matter for train operators disabled people who use public transport. In 2012, we to determine their staffing levels, to provide the required delivered the most accessible Olympics and Paralympics standard of service for passengers. in history, by prioritising and planning accessibility Ticket-buying habits are changing and passengers are from the start and working co-operatively. We have booking their travel through a wider range of sources, shown that we can do it, and the Government want to often using the internet and mobile devices, as well as build on that success. using systems such as Oyster. As part of the Department’s [KATY CLARK in the Chair] review into fares and ticketing, we set out proposals to improve the way in which we manage opening hours at 2.58 pm ticket offices. We are keen to see a shift towards more Mrs Ellman: The debate has reinforced the importance efficient forms of ticketing, such as better self-service of this issue and the importance of the Committee’s ticket machines, websites and mobile applications. We conducting its report, securing its reply and debating want to make it easier for the rail industry to propose this further with the Minister. I thank all hon. Members innovative changes that harness new technologies for who have participated in the debate and contributed the overall benefit of passengers and taxpayers, but we to it. also want to ensure that all passengers, including disabled people, continue to enjoy a high level of service. Will the Minister write to us with more information on the availability of staff at stations to assist passengers? We recognise that passengers feel strongly about changes I was a little bit concerned when he stated that the to ticket offices that may have an effect on staffing, so Government had no plans for cuts and that this was to before agreeing to any changes, we would need to be do with the operators. I should like more information confident that passengers will continue to enjoy ready on that. Could there be more urgency in addressing access to ticket buying. We plan to give passenger some of these issues, particularly the installation of bodies a stronger role as part of the proposed change, audiovisual systems? Smartphones are not an alternative enabling them to have more input in shaping any proposals, to audiovisual systems. Step-free access to trains and as well as the ability to raise objections on a wider range training require more urgent attention. of grounds than previously, such as the impact of any I am sure that all these issues will continue to be proposal on disabled passengers. debated and that campaigning on all of them will The hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim continue. I thank everybody who has brought us to this Fitzpatrick) raised the issue of shared space. I have seen point. I advise and, indeed, warn the Minister that I am Exhibition road first hand and I have to say that, having sure that there will be more to come. I thank him for his previously been an enthusiast for share space, when the replies. 177WH 9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 178WH

Global Food Security We are aware of how much food is thrown away in domestic bins. We all throw food away. We buy too [Relevant documents: First Report of the International much and we throw it away because we have not eaten it Development Committee, Global Food Security, HC 176, in time, but food is also wasted in the fields, in transit, in and the Government Response, HC 626.] storage and in a variety of other ways. By definition, addressing waste increases supply. That 3.2 pm includes investing in security, refrigeration and cold Sir Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): I am glad to have stores and trying to ensure that food is processed as the opportunity to initiate this short debate on the close to the point of production as possible. Many International Development Committee’s report on global developing countries have a problem in that area because food security. The report was published some time ago; the cost of setting up storage and cold stores is high, yet I believe the recommendations will have been read and without them food literally goes to waste. The Committee absorbed by the Members who are here, so I do not had an active discussion when we were in Afghanistan, intend to reiterate them. I will pick out some of the key where people were arguing that they have to process an points. awful lot of their food in Pakistan because they do not have the facilities in their country. That leads to waste in One of the things that we observed is that, although transit. Addressing that issue is clearly a relevant factor. we are the International Development Committee and our concern is for poor people in poor countries, global There are other problems. When a food price spike food security affects us all. Food prices have doubled happens, it affects different commodities differently. globally over the past 10 years, and food security, although One of the most volatile commodities is rice, but all the it is a crisis for the hungry, has an implication for every basic commodities can be affected. Some producers, as society. has happened in Thailand and Russia, for example, decide that they will protect their own populations by Indeed, it was pointed out to us in evidence that the banning the export of such foods, but that exaggerates UK is only three or four days away from a food crisis at the problem for the rest of the world; it does not solve any one time. The vast majority of our food is in transit the problem. The Committee’s view is that we should on our roads and railways, which is where it is mostly discourage countries from export bans and encourage stored. We saw that when we had a truck drivers’ strike; people to recognise that there is interdependence in the what brought that strike to an end was that the supermarkets supply of food. There are issues on the supply side and and shops were about to run out of food. The Committee on the demand side that need to be addressed. took the view that it was important to confront our There was an inevitable debate on the effect of biofuels own population, which rather backfired on us when we on food availability—I have got to that debate only at made the front page of the Daily Mail. As Members this point because, although I think it is important, it will appreciate, the Daily Mail does not support sometimes dominates the issue of global food security. international development spending. There is recognition that simple blanket encouragement There have been two severe food shocks in recent of biofuels can lead to a switch away from food crops to years, in 2008 and 2011. Every night nearly 1 billion biofuel crops, at the expense of food production. That is people go to bed hungry. We have reduced hunger, but not desirable, but it would be wrong to assume that we certainly have not improved nutrition. Indeed, biofuels are therefore inherently a bad idea. malnutrition, which in a way is hidden hunger, is a The issue is how to develop biofuels that do not major issue that is separate from the issue of people compete with food production. There are some successful who simply cannot get enough to eat on a regular basis. examples—Brazil is one of the better ones—of where There are a number of reasons for those spikes, some waste products from food production can be turned more convincing than others. There is obviously the into biofuels without affecting the delivery of food into pressure of population growth although that was outside the market. In some cases, there are areas of land on our report’s scope other than to acknowledge that, which food production is of limited value but where it is obviously, the more people there are in the world, the possible to produce biofuels. more pressure there is on food supplies. Therefore a The Committee is asking that we switch away from population policy, to the extent that that is possible, is the blunt instrument of setting targets for biofuel perhaps desirable. The experts also told us that they incorporation into our motor car and vehicle fuels—the believe it is possible to feed the planet’s projected population, UK recognises that, but the EU is still wrestling with it. provided that we are organised to do so. However, the The UK Government have accepted that we should to food spikes and the perpetual hunger and malnutrition try cap it at 5% and that we should try to ensure that, if that exist clearly demonstrate that we currently are not possible, 100% of that 5% is made up of non-food in that position. alternatives. Indeed, the former Under-Secretary of State Food waste is another issue. I was interested to hear for Transport, the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman reports this week that link to other aspects of our Baker), told us that encouraging the reuse or recycling findings. Obesity is increasing in emerging economies. of cooking oil has helped to increase the proportion of In places such as India, for example, there are people biofuels from less than 20% to more than 80%. Therefore, who are desperately poor and hungry, yet there is a these things can be done, and that is almost wholly middle class that is becoming increasingly overweight environmentally beneficial. because of its diet. At the moment, the EU seems to be locked in a tussle There are two issues in that context, one of which is over the level of the cap. The UK Government are food waste. We received conflicting evidence; some people committed to 5%, although they found themselves voting suggested that as much as 50% of world food production for 7% at one point. The European Parliament voted for is wasted, but the settled figure seems to be about 30%. 6%, but my understanding is that everything has gone 179WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 180WH back to the drawing board. I simply urge the Minister animals to supply a mass market. I think the Committee to use her good offices, and those of her Department would stand by the suggestion that, over time, that is and her colleagues in other Departments, to ensure that the sort of balance that needs to be sought. the principle should be to take the threshold down to It is estimated that, if we are to tackle hunger and 5% and to promote non-food-competitive biofuels. feed the world, we need to increase food production by Another logical and obvious point is that we need to between 60% and 70% between now and 2050. That is a improve the productivity of small farmers. It is important huge challenge, but we are assured it can be achieved if that people get to grips with the way the developing we introduce globally some of the measures recommended world has changed in recent years. There is an idea that in the report. the majority of poor people in sub-Saharan African or I want to conclude by pressing the Minister on a south Asia live on some kind of smallholding in a rural couple of points and commending a measure that we area or in the bush, scratching a living from subsistence saw in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s productive safety net programme farming. Well, many are, but half the world’s population pays people in rural areas for work—sometimes now live in towns and cities and are not engaged in construction work—thus giving them money to invest agriculture at all. in alternative activities, many of which improved their We therefore need to do two or three different things. farming productivity. We saw beekeeping and livestock One is to ensure that those on smallholdings get support rearing expanded, and living standards dramatically to maximise their own food production and then—and improved. The work also improved the physical only then—to sell food to provide additional support environment—roads, access and so forth—in the for their families. However, we must also improve yields community. to enable those people to supply towns and cities in Of course, the programme cost money, most of which their own countries, which often import food from came out of aid money, and the objective in the long outside. That goes back to the idea of improving storage run is to find a way of making the programme sustainable. and transport facilities. However, it definitely works, and we were very impressed There has been controversy over landholding. Different to hear from some of the people directly affected about approaches have suggested that large-scale farming will how their lives had been transformed and how they had somehow produce better yields than smallholders. The gone from being unemployed and unproductive to being evidence we had—I suspect my hon. Friend the Member very satisfied, employed and productive, as well as for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) will make a contribution having food and money in their pockets. on this—is that smallholding can improve productivity In two respects, the Government response was not in a comparable, but much more appropriate, way. quite as the Committee would have wished. One point Obviously, it is up to individual countries to decide how was about social support. I have spoken about urban they want to promote their agricultural mix. We have food shortages; the best way to deal with them is to give combined our farms to ensure we have larger-scale people the means to buy food—preferably from producers farming, so it would be wrong for us to criticise other in their own countries. However, only 14 of the 29 countries countries that seek to do the same. However, we should with which we have bilateral programmes have social not rush things, and, where large-scale farming is displacing protection networks. The Government’s answer was smallholdings, there are certainly questions as to whether that it was up to the country programme managers to that is the best way forward. make an assessment, and I accept that, as I think the I mentioned the Committee’s star coverage in the Committee does. However, we would still make the Daily Mail, which came about because of a particular point that, where possible and appropriate, provision interconnection with the fact that countries are changing could be improved and expanded. their eating habits as they become more prosperous, The other issue was nutrition. Again, the Committee which is also linked to the obesity issue. As the populations is pleased that, following previous reports, the Government of emerging countries such as India, China, Brazil, have prioritised nutrition to a greater extent and recognise South Africa and Indonesia become better off, they how important it is. Nutrition is about giving people aspire to eat a more elaborate diet—in particular, meat— not just food, but the right kind of food. While that is encouraging the production of cereal-fed livestock, diverting especially true of pregnant or nursing mothers and very food into meat production and forcing up the price of small children, it is also true of the rest of society. The meat globally, which, again, is something we notice in World Food Programme prioritises the issue, but there this country. is an overlap between its target programme and the We suggested that, over time, people in this country Department for International Development’s programme might want to consider eating less meat, which led to a in four of the UK’s bilateral partners. We would like the headline along the lines of “Mad MPs seek to ban meat Government to see whether they could, at least in those eating”. We were quite clear that we made no such countries, bring the two programmes together to help suggestion, but we did think that people should consider the WFP’s programme and DFID’s own programme to balancing their diet away from meat. As someone who be more effective in improving the nutritional element. represents a beef-producing constituency, I did manage In summary, people are still hungry. If we are to to win support from my local beef producers when I achieve the millennium development goals and their made it clear that there is a strong case for pasture successors, lifting everybody out of absolute poverty feeding and natural livestock production and that there and leaving no one behind over the next 17 years, we is a role for livestock. absolutely have to address the issue of global food What matters is how we raise that livestock, and I security and adopt measures, or encourage the adoption should put it on the record that the beef rearing we do of measures, that improve supply, eliminate waste, improve in my constituency exemplifies the kind of meat industry storage, increase productivity and ensure that food gets we want, as opposed to the forced production of cereal-fed to the people who need it, when and where they need it. 181WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 182WH

[Sir Malcolm Bruce] such as waste. Their production should not affect agriculture or the production of food for consumption. That must The Committee believes it has identified many of the be the basic principle. Although they have been pushing, areas where such work can be done. Much of it is being the Government must push much more actively for that done, but, with nearly 1 billion people going to bed at the EU level—I must say that I read a certain lack of hungry every day, there are clearly too many parts of priority into how the Government have dealt with biofuels the world where it is not happening. The UK is a major at the EU level. I would be interested if the Minister player on this issue, and we commend the Government could update us on EU developments on this issue. on what they are doing, but we hope they will accept Another point relating to biofuels, which the right that we have identified areas where they could do more. hon. Member for Gordon has already mentioned, is how we can do much more by developing biofuels that 3.18 pm come from food waste and other sources. That could Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ also produce jobs in the UK. As well as producing Co-op): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, biofuels from food waste, we must try to reduce food Ms Clark. It is also a pleasure to follow the Chair of the waste in the first place, as that has a major impact on Select Committee, who has excellently outlined the the demand for food. One estimate is that 30% of food Committee’s excellent report. Although things have moved produced in the world is wasted. That clearly does not on since it was first produced in May last year—that is make sense from any perspective. not the Committee’s fault—it still makes some important I want to say a few words about promoting agricultural points. The key points are, first, that there is still a crisis: development by small farmers in developing countries. 1 billion people go to bed hungry every day. At the same The right hon. Gentleman was right to point out that time, however, the report highlights the fact that positive this is not simply about small farmers being good and things are happening, that there is a way forward and anything else always being bad. It is much more complex that the situation can be tackled if the right measures than that. Nevertheless, in many countries there are still are put in place and the right policies adopted. That is a problems with excessive land acquisition and land banking, reminder of the enormity of the issue, but also points particularly by large multinational corporations. That out that we can move forward, which is an important must be recognised. I am certainly not against private antidote for those who sometimes despair about whether sector investment in developing countries, either from anything we do actually makes a difference. international companies or the private sector in developing I would like to make a couple of points before I have countries themselves, but there are still too many examples the delight of hearing the expertise of the members of of small farmers being forced off land that they may the Select Committee who will no doubt contribute have cultivated for generations because they have no to the debate. I would like to speak first on biofuels, to formal title to it or are driven off by powerful actors in which the right hon. Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm the countries concerned. Bruce) referred in his speech. As we all know, the One possible avenue might be for the Government to production of biofuels was once seen as a key part of do more to support land registration efforts to assist reducing carbon emissions. That is why, some three or small farmers and agricultural co-operatives, and smaller four years ago, the European Union adopted targets to producers in negotiating and agreeing contracts with ensure that an increasing proportion of transport fuel the large companies that acquire their produce. I notice comes from renewable sources. Although some criticised with interest the recommendation from the Fairtrade it at the time, that target had support across parties and Foundation—which is referred to in the Select Committee from groups outside politics because it was seen as the report—that companies that purchase crops from small right thing to do to try to tackle growing carbon emissions. farmers should offer to pay by instalment throughout We now recognise more widely that the clearance of the year, rather than in one go at harvest time. Such a land to grow biofuels can itself cause carbon emissions, simple measure could potentially make a real difference especially where it involves forests, which are part of the for small producers in many countries. I do not see how solution to global warming because they absorb carbon that could be imposed internationally through some dioxide. According to one estimate, the clearance of sort of legal framework, but it is the kind of good practice that the large, responsible British company, land for biofuels could produce as much CO2 by 2020 as between 14 million and 19 million cars. A more relevant among others, should be encouraged to adopt when point to this debate is that land clearance is a serious dealing either directly or indirectly with small producers. obstacle to addressing the problem of food security That is something practical that the Government and because it can cut the amount of land available for international bodies could be encouraging. agriculture, thereby pushing up food prices. As the right Given that the UK will shortly be marking Fairtrade hon. Gentleman pointed out, that affects the UK as fortnight again, let me close by suggesting that the well as many people in developing countries. Minister and her colleagues might take this opportunity Although there is an increasing recognition that energy to make an announcement in response to the suggestions from biofuels and food security are clearly interlinked from the Fairtrade Foundation about how the UK issues, there is still no international or European agreement could take that idea forward in the international negotiations on a way forward. The right hon. Gentleman pointed in which she and her colleagues will be involved. out that some countries, including the UK, have aimed for a 5% cap on the proportion of biofuels used in 3.26 pm transport fuels in the EU. Other countries want a higher percentage, but at this stage there is no agreement on Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): It is a pleasure to what it should be. However, the key principle is that serve under your chairmanship, Ms Clark. It is also an biofuels must be based on genuinely sustainable sources, honour to follow the hon. Member for Edinburgh North 183WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 184WH and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) and the Chair of the misinformation about the level of stocks in China, the Select Committee, the right hon. Member for Gordon system is a significant step forward and has helped to (Sir Malcolm Bruce). I would like first to declare an lessen the impact of more recent crises. However, we interest: in Twin, of which I am a director, an organisation need more than information and policy about food that has pioneered the promotion of fair trade in the supplies; we need action to react to crises. UK, and in Equity for Africa, which makes social The 2011 decision by the G20 to remove export bans impact investments in businesses, largely in Tanzania, or special taxes for food purchased for the World Food some of which are agricultural producers. Programme was welcome. As the report makes clear, As the Chair of the Select Committee said, global however, the hasty imposition of export bans still happens food security concerns us all. It is not just about developing and makes difficult situations worse. This goes slightly countries. It concerns us all because, as the Prime beyond what the report says, but I would recommend Minister has said, in a world of plenty, that, led by the G20 and the United Nations, the World “a billion people around the world do not get enough food, and Food Programme should put in place plans with every undernutrition holds back the growth and development of millions state in regions likely to be affected by shortages, so that of children.” if a neighbouring country faces a crisis, countries could The issue also affects us right here. The right hon. allow food to go where it is needed—instead of closing Member for Gordon has already referred to what happened their borders for exports—in the full and confident in 2000, when we were on the edge of a food supply knowledge that the World Food Programme would crisis as a result of the fuel strike. Shortages on the immediately support them with additional stocks if other side of the world raise prices here too, and when necessary to avoid a crisis for their own people. Export families are living at the edge of their budgets, as bans are based on the fear that a country’s own people many do, an increase in the price of food cannot be will face shortages. That fear would be unfounded if the accommodated. World Food Programme had definite plans in place, together with Governments, immediately to replace those I welcome the renewed emphasis that the Government stocks. have placed on supporting agriculture throughout the developing world, including enlarging the remit of the That brings me to the contentious issue of stocks, an Commonwealth Development Corporation—now called issue about which the international community retains the CDC—to look again at direct investments in agriculture. its worrying complacency. Our report recognised that The CDC was a pioneer in investing in agriculture after “maintaining large-scale food stocks can sometimes be problematic the second world war, and many of those investments and costly”, are still very productive, employing a lot of people in but we said that we believe that developing counties. The CDC rather lost its way on the “there may be a case for judicious use of stocks to relieve the issue of agriculture 15 or 20 years ago, so I welcome the tightness of markets.” return to its roots, along with investment in infrastructure and many other areas in which it has recently become We recommended that the Government conduct further successful. research, in particular to consider Food security must be taken more seriously by all “under what circumstances it would be appropriate for a national government to pursue strategic stockholding for national food Governments, not just those whose people live daily security purposes.” with the consequences of shortages. We recently saw an example, to which both previous speakers referred, of a That was a modest but important recommendation that lack of seriousness when the European Union failed to was rejected by the Government, who perhaps introduce a food-based biofuel cap of 5%, which I misunderstood what the Committee was really suggesting. believe the Government support and that was recommended I sometimes think that Governments—I am not referring by the Select Committee. Using precious land to grow to the UK Government—should take some time to read food that is then inefficiently converted into fuel costs a the book of Genesis to see what Joseph did during the lot of money in subsidies and pushes up food prices food crisis that affected Egypt for many years. He globally. As the Government support the cap, I urge suggested that emergency stocks be built up, which saw them to call on EU member states to do the same, and the country through a long period of famine. as rapidly as possible. Our proposal was not to manage prices on a day-to-day In 2008, the sharp rise in the price of food arising basis, in a way that would lead to the failed grain from shortages led to hunger, hardship and civil disturbances mountains and wine lakes that the Government response in many countries. At that time, the world managed to implies we were suggesting; it was specifically aimed at rouse itself from its complacency and slumber, and emergencies and food security when prices rocket. Indeed, took some important steps. The G20 formed the agricultural the Government’s response states: market information system, which includes the G20 plus “Evidence suggests that emergency food stocks, which do not Spain and seven other major agricultural exporters and attempt to manage prices but provide food to the most vulnerable importers, and of which the UK Government are a very at times of crisis, are a more effective way of improving food active supporter. It analyses data on production, security outcomes in developing countries.” consumption, prices, stocks and trade and uses that That is precisely the point. I do not believe that there is analysis to prepare short-term market forecasts, which such a marked dividing line between stocks for emergency have made a great deal of difference. It also has a rapid purposes and stocks to relieve pressure on prices. In response force, which meets as often as is necessary—I countries where the cost of food forms a major part of read “annually”, but I hope it meets more often than household expenditure, a sharp price rise is a food that, as it is supposed to be a rapid response force emergency, because it means that an ordinary person —to discuss policy co-ordination, which is vital. Given without much money cannot afford to buy food, which that one reason for the food price spike in 2008 was makes the situation almost like a famine, even though 185WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 186WH

[Jeremy Lefroy] substantial businesswomen and businessmen in their own right; they just happen not to have large expanses food is around. This is such an important matter that I of land. At the heart of the matter is the ability or ask the Government to look again at their response. confidence of farmers to know that they own their land Later in their response, they made a sensible reply to and have the rights to it in law. our recommendation about emergency food stocks. I I welcome the Department’s work on land tenure and ask the Government to combine the two responses and rights, which are often fragile or non-existent. In 2011, examine how we can improve the world’s view, and the Select Committee saw the programme in Rwanda, particularly the UK’s view, about the handling of food which has now documented almost the entire country stocks. as far as leases or freeholds are concerned. As a result, There have been major improvements in how crises everyone owning land and the millions of small farmers— are handled locally.The World Food Programme’s purchase men, women and families—know that they own the for progress scheme, which aims to procure much more land, can develop it and are not at risk of having it food regionally and locally, rather than shipping it in, is arbitrarily seized. In addition, if they need to develop eminently sensible. It supports local food producers and the land and have a good business case, they can go to a does not distort the market. It enables countries to local bank and secure borrowing on it to increase, we continue their normal way of life while helping to tackle hope, their incomes. DFID has also supported such a local or regional problem. Cash-transfer and voucher- work in India, Nepal and Mozambique. I hope the based schemes, such as those already referred to in Department will extend that support to other countries, Ethiopia and elsewhere, are also effective, and the because it is rapidly building up world-leading expertise Department for International Development is rightly in land registration for smallholders. Indeed, I would go regarded as a world leader in such schemes. I commend so far as to say that this is one of the best possible uses those who are developing and implementing those of UK taxpayers’ money that I have seen in DFID. programmes. There is also the question of water resources. Water is Two decades ago, development agencies substantially a huge problem, and helping to discover and make best withdrew from programmes supporting agriculture, use of water resources is one of the greatest gifts we can particularly small-scale agriculture, and it was left to offer. I therefore welcome the work being done to help non-governmental organisations and national Governments. countries to identify their vast underground water resources It was thought that agriculture was perhaps a business and exploit them for the benefit of the poor. I welcome of the past, that the problems had been solved and that the Unlocking the Potential for Groundwater for the they could concentrate on other areas. That was a big Poor research programme, which is supported by DFID. mistake, so it is good to see DFID once again strongly Rural infrastructure—irrigation, storage and rural supporting investment in agricultural research and roads—improves both pre and post-harvest production. productivity. The International Development Committee saw that in As the hon. Member for Edinburgh North and Leith the Congo, where a 400-km earth road financed at a mentioned, the fair trade movement has made a significant relatively reasonable cost by DFID meant that a journey contribution. Although it has concentrated on the cash that used to take about five days now takes two hours. crops, starting with coffee, cocoa, sugar and others, it Agricultural production can therefore be brought to has supported smallholder agriculture throughout the market in a city such as Bukavu. Previously, that would world. Let us not forget that most of the production of not have been possible, and produce would have rotted those smallholders is usually for their own local on the way. Infrastructure should of course largely be consumption of food crops, in addition to the cash the responsibility of national Governments, so I am crops that they have grown. We can rightly be, if not glad that the UK is now supporting the comprehensive proud, then satisfied that the UK is now the world Africa agriculture development programme. The work leader in fair trade in terms of volume of sales. It has can be done locally, perhaps with technical support adopted a pragmatic approach to fair trade, which is from the UK, so will the Minister update us on any not viewed as an ideological subject, but one that promotes progress made on that programme? good quality and the interests of producers. That is why Ultimately, agriculture is a business and a livelihood— supermarkets have taken it on board. In other countries, something that brings in an income for hundreds of the fair trade movement has perhaps rather shunned millions of people around the world. It is perhaps the supermarkets and has hence deprived the smallholders business or livelihood in which more people are employed of extremely large outlets for their produce. I reiterate around the world than any other. That is why—given my call for the Government to put their full weight that over the next decade, according to some figures, we behind Fairtrade fortnight in a few weeks’ time, because will have to create 1 billion new jobs globally, both to it is important that we do not lose the initiative that has tackle current unemployment and for the new entrants driven the movement for the past 20 years to the position into the labour market—agriculture is vital, because it now holds in this country. agriculture creates jobs effectively. In terms of investment, We also need to recognise, as was said earlier, that it is one of the most productive means of job creation. smallholders do not fit into one category. They can be I welcome the new FoodTrade initiative announced farmers with an acre or two, or they could have 10 or 20 last year, which boosts UK investment in African regional hectares—in fact, we have many examples in this country staple food markets. Again, that could play a significant that might be regarded as smallholders in developing role. Will the Minister update us on how that is going? countries around the world. They are not uniform. As It is important that such initiatives, once launched— my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon, the sometimes with great publicity—are followed through Chairman of the Select Committee, said, this is not just and are not left on one side, as can be the case on about farmers subsisting in the bush. Many of them are occasion. 187WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 188WH

Time and time again, speakers in previous debates Having visited various African countries, I am especially have brought up the question of world trade in food concerned that land grabbing by the private sector for products, which must open up. It is a great disadvantage the growing of biofuels, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, to developing countries that their products do not have could cause food crises due to the unavailability of land proper access—certainly not duty-free access—to many for food crops. Nevertheless, I feel that the recommendations of the world’s richest markets. That is simply not acceptable made by the report provide a pragmatic and sustainable in the modern world. By opening up the markets, we solution to the situation. The Government have not would see developing countries, which have a huge fully accepted or agreed with the recommendation made competitive advantage in agriculture, able to exploit by the report to put in place a cap on the level of that competitive advantage much better than they can food-based biofuel that can count towards the provisions at present, creating jobs, wealth and incomes for their of the European Union’s renewable energy directive, people. but I am confident that consensus can eventually be Climate change was touched on in our report. We did reached. not have the time, space or, indeed, remit to go further I am also encouraged that the European Parliament than to say not only that it impacts upon food security, has voted on the incorporation of indirect land use but that agriculture can make a massive contribution. change factors into the directive. The directive, if accepted On the one hand, I have seen for myself the effect of by the Government after discussions, combined with climate change on crop production—changes in the types the revision of the UK renewable transport fuel obligation of crop that can be grown, sometimes to the detriment to exclude agriculturally produced biofuel, as recommended of crop volume and productivity. On the other hand, by the report, will ensure that land grabbing is kept to a agro-forestry can make a huge contribution to the world, minimum and that local people are able to feed themselves although we do not place quite enough emphasis on it and their families for years to come. at the moment. Many countries are beginning to look I am in particular pleased at the news that the into it as a means of job creation, resisting and countering Government have agreed with the Committee’s report climate change, and encouraging carbon sequestration. on the need to improve rural infrastructure to ensure Compared with a decade ago, and certainly two global food security. I am pleased that my right hon. decades ago, the seriousness with which DFID and Friend the Secretary of State for International Development others treat agriculture has increased remarkably. That has launched a new challenge fund window for private is welcome, but it comes not a moment too soon. A companies willing to invest in eastern and southern couple of hundred years ago, Malthus was wrong in his African staple food markets. predictions, because the world woke up to the importance The Government will also offer grants to companies of improving productivity, investing in research and that seek to invest in storage and collateral systems; my cutting protectionism. We can still prove the Malthusians right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm wrong again, but only by doing the same: by investing Bruce) mentioned storage, refrigerated vehicles and cold in research to improve productivity and by cutting storage, which are problems particularly in parts of protectionism. DFID is doing a lot, if not most of that. Africa with little electricity. Perhaps we could encourage It is not doing all of it—I have pointed out areas where solar energy technology companies to invest in such there must be improvement—but it is doing most of it. I areas in Africa to help. They have so much more sunshine urge the Minister to keep going in the right direction. than we have here, and we are heavily investing in solar power, so there is no reason why they should not. The 3.46 pm more people who use it, the cheaper it will become for Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): I am pleased them. to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Clark. I am also The Government also hope to invest in import markets pleased to speak in today’s important debate on the and co-ordination and information systems in markets. International Development Committee’s report on global My hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) food security. The Committee put a lot of work into this mentioned roads going in. I am pleased to see that comprehensive report, responding to the call to act on happening. Roads open up markets and make it easier increasing worries about global food security, about for people to get their produce to market. I am also which the public are concerned. pleased that mobile phone technology is helping people In the early autumn, for a whole afternoon and early in African countries to find the best markets and the evening—five or six hours—I led a debate with the best prices for their food. Bishop of Derby in Derby cathedral about the IF Some encouraging things are going on in different campaign and global food security. The former Secretary countries. What DFID does well is to take best practice of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton from country to country and help people improve their Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), also came along and talked techniques. DFID’s plans will help encourage food about food security. The debate was well attended, production and save thousands of people, not just from which shows that people out there are concerned, in starvation but from malnutrition and undernourishment. particular about the taxpayers’money spent on international It will also ensure that countries and farmers have the development, because they want it to be used effectively. resources to build their own rural economies and help In this case, we can use it effectively. the global community reach the UN’s post-2015 millennium The need for immediate action was put beyond doubt development goal of halving global poverty. after average global food prices hit an all-time high in I would like to share one example with the Minister. 2011. According to the International Food Policy Research When we were in Ethiopia, I went to meet a British Institute, the three main reasons for the increases were glove manufacturer from the south-west that has always biofuel production, commodity trading and climate invested in Ethiopian sheep pelts for its gloves. It has change. now built a factory in Ethiopia and is manufacturing 189WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 190WH

[Pauline Latham] their parents, who can see that they get much more crop yield per acre or hectare than if they did not use that gloves over there, but the farmers there have stopped technology. dipping their sheep. As a result, the sheep get various There are ways for us to be innovative, as Free the infestations that cause holes in the pelts, which means Children has been, by working with schoolchildren, as that the pelts are not of such good quality. well as with our agricultural colleges working out there. The company was umming and ahhing about what to We can also encourage British and European businesses do. Its core business is glove manufacturing, but it felt investing in developing countries to think laterally and that if it could set up a model farm and train the local consider how they can help by setting up model farms farmers to dip their sheep, they would not produce and demonstrating ways to do things, so that best flawed pelts with holes. Not only that, but if they practice is spread as quickly as possible. Everything is showed them how to let the rams in only at certain times very good, but it is all fairly small-scale. It needs to be of the year, as we do—so that when the lambs are born much more rapid if we are to satisfy the world’s needs in they have plenty to eat—they would get bigger lambs, the next 25 years. bigger sheep, bigger pelts and more meat to share. That is the sort of lateral thinking that we can encourage. 3.57 pm Maybe DFID should consider how it can operate model farms to show farmers how best to do such things. Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): It is an honour to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Clark. It has Alternatively, because I believe that a lot of farmers been a pleasure to hear all the contributions from hon. in many countries need better education about farming Members. This debate has been postponed several times, practices, maybe we should be encouraging agricultural which is no reflection on its importance. It was postponed colleges to set up branches abroad or get people to once to accommodate the commemorations of the life come here to learn more about agriculture. However, it of President Mandela. However, it is right that we now would be better for people to learn in their own countries, have the chance to discuss the report, which deals with because we do not have to deal with the same climates the vital issue of food security. As others have said, the or water shortages as they do in African countries. If issue has impact both here at home and abroad. I am farmers could be taught to use fertilisers and much often struck by how many policy issues that we think better farming methods, including irrigation, we could affect people far away are, at heart, the self-same ones help improve farming practices throughout the continent, of public policy that we grapple with week in, week out which would inevitably improve productivity, which in the House of Commons. other hon. Members have discussed. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Another problem, discussed by my hon. Friend the Nations estimates that about 842 million people, or one Member for Stafford, is land tenure in Rwanda. We saw in eight of the global population, suffer from chronic on our visit that Rwanda has a problem. It has allowed hunger. Although the global trend of hunger is, thankfully, people to build all over the place, so that buildings are downwards, all too frequently there is a lack of resilience dotted about, meaning that there are no large amounts in food supply, which can put millions of people at risk of land for people to cultivate, but lots of smallholdings. of tipping into hunger as a result of external influences, Until such countries have better planning laws, they whether due to a spike in food prices, as the hon. cannot have large farms; they can only have various Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) mentioned, to sizes of smallholding. Maybe some education could be climate change or to conflict. It is worth noting that delivered, or work done with Governments of other 1.3 million people in the Central African Republic, for countries, to improve planning laws so that buildings example, are now at risk of hunger—that is a huge are not built all over the place. Countryside is lost when number; 40% of the country’s population—as a result that happens, and there should be better ways of planning of the ongoing internal conflict there. for the future. As this debate has shown, food security is a desperately The report’s recommendations are clearly having an important issue. As we have heard, it is connected to effect on Government policy. I am particularly encouraged infrastructure problems and to people’s income and by the partial consensus in the Government response position in society. I was pleased to hear the hon. that the UK will do its utmost in its role in Europe to Member for Stafford correctly judging Malthus as wrong. promote the food security interests of less economically Malthus made a mistake; he forgot—or did not know developed countries. I am hopeful that the International or work out—that we would use technology to meet the Development Committee will continue to be effective in challenge presented by the world’s finite resources as dealing with that important issue in future. As hon. the population grows. That is what we have done down Members have said, we will have to produce much more the years: it was true at the time of the industrial food for the world. The land is there; we just need better revolution, which changed where people lived and how technologies. We are well placed to help developing food was produced, and is true today for Africa and countries to produce more and better food. other countries around the world. It is sometimes frustrating I should perhaps declare an interest. I am involved to hear people to repeat as common-or-garden knowledge with a charity in this country called Free the Children, the idea that there is only so much space on the planet, which works internationally. It talks about adopting a so there can only be so many people, and that the village and does health and education work, but it also problem is countries with growing populations. Those spends a lot of time teaching children in schools how to people make the self-same mistake as good old Reverend grow crops, so they can then go back and teach their Malthus did all those years ago. We ought not to forget parents. Free the Children shows them how to use water that our responsibility is to support the development of and fertiliser, and what happens if they are not used infrastructure and technology, rather than spreading appropriately, so they can take the technology back to doom and gloom about the inevitability of food insecurity. 191WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 192WH

The Committee’s report is welcome and wide-ranging. It is encouraging that the report calls for greater It demonstrates not only the urgency of tackling food support for farmer organisations and co-operatives in security issues but the breadth of policy areas, both developing nations, to help strengthen small farmers’ international and domestic—from transport policy to bargaining positions with large corporations. In particular, food waste, from social protection to co-operatives and it calls for support to assist women and marginalised climate change—that have an impact on ensuring that farmers. Although Ministers have not rejected those food resources are used sensibly and sustainably and are proposals, their response, particularly on co-operatives, distributed globally in an equitable fashion. We heard feels lukewarm at best and makes no proposal to expand something of the breadth of the report from the Chair support for such organisations. Worryingly, the response of the Select Committee earlier. fails to mention the positive impact of co-operatives for women and marginalised farmers. Will the Minister The report rightly emphasises the impact of the two give some practical examples of how DFID is supporting major recent food price spikes, in 2008 and 2011. The farmer co-operatives and set out how the Department 2008 spike in particular caused a stagnation in the fight intends to expand that work? Again, the way that against global hunger and significantly set back efforts co-operatives can help to support food production and to meet the millennium development goals. The spikes equitable distribution of its rewards is a lesson that we demonstrate clearly the increasing volatility of food have learnt in this country. prices in an era of lower food stocks and a tighter balance between supply and demand. I encourage the Both the hon. Member for Stafford and my hon. Minister to speak with her colleagues in the Treasury if Friend the Member for Edinburgh North and Leith possible to investigate the impact that commodities mentioned the importance of Fairtrade, with Fairtrade trading has had on food prices. It is another symptom fortnight coming up. My hon. Friend made a specific of the fight about financial services regulation—a fight recommendation about payment in instalments. Will that must continue—that the ever more complex products the Minister comment on that? being bought and sold cause prices to become disconnected As the hon. Member for Stafford mentioned, the from fundamentals. Committee’s modest recommendation that the Government undertake further research into how small-scale, judicious The Committee is also right to take a strong position use of food stocks could act as a buffer to some of the on the impact of biofuels on food prices and supply, by worst impacts of food price volatility seems to have met concluding that the increasing use of agriculturally somewhat of a brick wall in the Government’s response. produced biofuels is driving up food prices and increasing The idea that we should go back to the common agricultural their volatility. By using land that could be feeding the policy is a bit of a straw-man argument. There is world’s poorest, the growth of those fuels makes the fight potential value in having up smaller scale food stocks against global hunger far harder. Further, the report for poorer nations. Perhaps Ministers should have a rightly notes that their use is potentially even more think about their approach to that issue. environmentally damaging than the use of fossil fuels—a point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh The report rightly argues that social protection schemes North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz). The report makes have a vital role in protecting the food security of the a strong case for a revision to the renewable transport poorest, but Ministers’ ambitions seem to be a bit fuel obligation’s equivalent target for biofuels in transport limited. Fundamentally, two things stop people starving: fuel volumes, to disincentivise the use of agriculturally money in their pockets and food in the shops that they produced biofuels. The Government’s response to that can afford to buy. We have systems of social protection recommendation is disappointingly non-committal and in place in this country, and countries as diverse as appears to play down the impact of biofuels on food Liberia and Brazil and south American countries have prices. When winding up, will the Minister commit the been investigating building up such systems. Social Government to revising the RTFO, or at least set out a protections inevitably mean that food price spikes are timeline for doing so? less catastrophic for the poorest. The report notes that DFID plans to support social protection schemes Further, the report urges Ministers to push for the in only 14 of the 29 countries where it has bilateral EU to revise the renewable energy directive, or RED, to programmes. The Government response to the report cap use of food-based biofuels and stop those fuels states: counting towards the RED target. There was a difference “It is important that DFID does not move ahead of local of agreement between the Commission and the recently political and practical reality in seeking to support social protection ended Lithuanian presidency over whether the cap should programmes.” be set at 5% or 7%. What discussions have Ministers That does not feel like an ambitious commitment. Will had with EU counterparts recently on revising the RED the Minister set out whether she sees DFID as having and where do the Government stand on the level of the an activist role as an advocate for and supporter of cap? social protection schemes, whether they are governmental It is disappointing that the Government reject, out of or are community-based? hand, the Committee’s recommendations for statutory This report once again reminds us that development targets and sanctions for food waste reduction, which issues do not exist in a vacuum. Our domestic policies although declining still stands at over 20% at a household on a wide range of areas can feed into food insecurity level in the UK. Is there a point at which the Government issues overseas. It works the other way round, too: food would consider waste to be unacceptably high and, as a price spikes, speculation and insecurity of supply impact result, reconsider their position? Food waste reduction on our constituents as well, as they struggle with the is an important challenge that does not always receive cost of living crisis. The Select Committee has made the attention that it deserves. We could all shine a light some very worthwhile suggestions on how the British on that issue. Government could step up their efforts across the board 193WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 194WH

[Alison McGovern] The growing potential of the private sector is recognised and the report reflects on how this sector may become a to tackle food insecurity. Unfortunately, in certain cases, hugely more significant player in securing food security the Government’s response seems lukewarm. However, goals, particularly by working more closely with smallholder I hope that through today’s debate and the Committee’s and commercial farmers, which is an area of great good efforts in its report, we can bring a greater focus expansion in DFID’s work. We recognise that food on the important issue of food security. security is as much about the quality of food as having enough to eat. Stunting is a critical issue to address 4.9 pm because it is the future of the nation. If 20% of children TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforInternational in a country, or even up to 50%, are stunted, the future Development (Lynne Featherstone): It is a pleasure to of that country is in jeopardy because it cannot achieve serve under your chairmanship, Ms Clark. I welcome the necessary skills base. this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Department The UK is scaling up nutrition programmes in more for International Development in response to the debate than 10 countries. In Bangladesh, for example, my on the report of the International Development Committee Department is integrating the delivery of vitamins, about global food security. minerals and other nutritional support into three The report was warmly welcomed by my Department. existing programmes that tackle extreme poverty. Those It addresses an area of critical concern, as many Members interventions will reach 243,000 adolescent girls, 103,500 have mentioned, and I congratulate all hon. Members pregnant women and 225,000 children under five. on their contributions today. There has been a lot of I was marginally upset that no one referred to the wisdom in the speeches from the Committee members Nutrition for Growth event, which was a great step and Opposition Members about this critical issue. It is forward and indicated our seriousness about tackling critical because feeding a growing human population nutrition and global food security. Food alone is not sustainably into the future, in the face of climate change enough to ensure the future of nations. At the event, and resource depletion, is challenging. In a world where DFID gave a commitment to triple investment in nutrition- 842 million people go to bed hungry and 26% of the specific programmes between 2013 and 2020, which will world’s children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition, reduce stunting by 20 million by 2020 and save the lives an equally difficult challenge to address, it is vital to of at least 1.7 million children. ensure that the UK’s aid and development efforts are On emergency assistance, DFID is not abandoning effective in making a difference. commitments to continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable and impoverished countries, including I want to address as many as possible of the points those affected by recent crises such as typhoon Haiyan raised, and to make some of my own. The report was in the Philippines and victims of the ongoing conflict in studied closely in DFID and other Departments, including Syria. These responses will continue to include emergency the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, assistance that may, when necessary, include direct provision the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the of food aid and, when appropriate, cash transfers rather Department for Transport. The Government’s response than food aid to allow disaster victims to purchase food combined all those perspectives and departmental priorities. when food availability is not the problem and available My opposite number, the hon. Member for Wirral cash is the bigger issue. Access to food is an issue and South (Alison McGovern), said that we are lukewarm, when it is available locally, it is much better to enable but I do not agree. The Government agree or partially people to purchase the food rather than simply giving it agree with 33 of the 39 recommendations in the report to them. and that is not a bad response to a report with so many In some areas, progress has been more difficult. The recommendations. Everyone wants DFID to do everything, Government have repeatedly stated that in relation to which is one of the challenges that we must try to investment in biofuels in developing countries, food accommodate. production must always take precedence over the production We disagree with only two recommendations. I will of energy from food crops. However, we are legally go into them in more detail, but one was food waste, bound under the EU renewable energy directive to our and DEFRA noted that voluntary controls rather than commitment to source 15% of our overall energy, and mandatory targets work best in reducing waste. On the 10% of the energy used in transport, from renewable recommendation on strategic food stocks, the Government sources by 2020. believe that functioning markets rather than Government As many hon. Members mentioned, the UK is, intervention are a better way to manage food stocks. I thankfully, the most progressive EU member state in will address that fully in a moment. addressing the developmental and food security impact In areas where my Department leads, the report of biofuel development. We actively lobby in Europe to addresses food and nutrition security, focusing on minimise that impact. However, it is recognised that production, the role of smallholder farmers, reducing many member states do not see eye to eye with us on waste and loss in the food system and providing social this issue. Securing strong political alliances with like-minded safety nets for the most vulnerable people. Hon. Members EU Governments is essential. The UK’s present position raised those points, and DFID already prioritises all of is not shared by a majority of states and we continue to them. The report also tackles more contentious areas, make our case forcefully. Balancing legitimate business including using food crops to produce biofuels, which I and investment concerns against the impact on the food will come to in a moment and which was raised by security of some of the poorest people in the world is many, if not all, hon. Members, and the role of genetic essential. modification in meeting yield gaps—especially in My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Derbyshire challenging natural environments, an issue that was not (Pauline Latham) said she was confident that we could raised during the debate. make progress on biofuels, but I do not totally share her 195WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 196WH confidence. EU members are not in line on this because Alison McGovern: I have a brief question on incomes. there is a conflict between two goods. The hon. Member The Minister did not mention anything about systems for Edinburgh North and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz) of social protection. Would she like to do so? referred to the EU renewable energy directive versus the use of land and inappropriate production of biofuels Lynne Featherstone: I am coming to that. I have a that could impact on global food security. whole list of points to get through. My right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm Bruce) Sir Malcolm Bruce: Will the Minister give way? asked why it was that only 14 countries are in the programmes when there are 29 DFID countries. I hope Lynne Featherstone: Perhaps my right hon. Friend to get to that. will wait a moment. My view is that we must start to The Government believe that functioning markets think about 2020, which will be the end of the current are a better way to manage food stocks than Government target period to which we have signed up and which we interventions. The hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy cannot get out of. We must negotiate so that the onus is Lefroy) made a number of points that went above and not on us and we can talk about fuel from waste and not beyond the recommendations made in the report. One from land that could be used for growing food. idea he mentioned was the World Food Programme All the comments from all hon. Members are important. holding universal stocks to improve availability. He also There is an issue and we must drive harder at it. We will mentioned involving neighbouring countries and so continue to press the EU, but we cannot control the on. As he said, those ideas go beyond the report’s issue so I want to lay plans in advance, if there is no recommendations. The evidence we have is that universal change up to 2020, so that we are ready then to force stocks are not the most effective use of money. through a change. I will not return to the cap as an example, because it is clear that Members did not favour that view, but Malawi, Sir Malcolm Bruce: I thank my hon. Friend for for example, has recently had food shortages. They hold explaining the position. It is as well to be up front and stocks, but when push came to shove and they looked at honest. The problem is not the Government’s position, their grain stock reserve, it was not as high as they but our partners’. However, too often the EU and thought. Much of it had disappeared. There are a sometimes our own Government do not look at the number of issues outside of simply whether stocks are joined-up impact of some policies. The challenge is that held for emergencies. We do not have the evidence to say if the EU really does care about poverty in sub-Saharan that that proposal is an effective use of money, but my Africa, it should be prepared to re-examine its own experience is that a whole range of unintended consequences policies and not put its commercial interests at the top come from stockholding. of the list. The same applies to CAP reform. The Minister would have the support of my Committee if Jeremy Lefroy: I fully understand what the Minister she argued that case energetically and tried to win is saying and agree that this is not an easy area. We support, but I accept that she is in a difficult position. received evidence from the deputy director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organisation. He said: Lynne Featherstone: I thank my right hon. Friend. I “The experience of the price spike and the impact of that in could not agree more. I am simply being open and various countries related in large measure, in India and China in straightforward about the challenge that lies ahead. I particular, to the ability to cushion the impact on their population am not saying that we will not tackle it and strive with by providing access to food at a lower price because of their grain European colleagues to change it before 2020, but I do reserve policies. Certainly in the 2008–09 experience, the impact not want to get to 2020 without having put in the work on poor consumers in India and China was much less than it was to ensure that if that is the point at which we have the in countries in Africa, for example, without the same capacity to opportunity to change, we have made enough allowances do that.” to make that change. It is the fall-back position. That is the basis of what we were saying. One area where perhaps the IDC report did not give a sufficiently strong emphasis is one that is close my Lynne Featherstone: I understand that there are differing heart: the status and economic empowerment of women views, but DFID does not have sufficient evidence and and girls. Women and girls benefit most from efforts to the evidence that we do have shows that attempts by strengthen people’s food and nutrition security and to Governments to manage price levels through public make them resilient to stresses and shocks. DFID recognises stockholding have not been effective in achieving food that as a high priority and is committing more time and security objectives. For the moment, we will have to resources to working with corporations and Governments differ on this issue. globally to ensure that women and girls equally benefit The issue of targets for food waste was mentioned. from new investment opportunities in agriculture, as Our experience shows that the voluntary approach is entrepreneurs and at a household level. effective and has allowed businesses to reduce waste For example, the new DFID-supported Propcom and become more efficient. The hon. Member for Wirral Mai-karfi programme aims to raise incomes by up to South asked at what level we would change that. The 50% for more than half a million people in northern Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Nigeria, half of whom are women. That speaks to has worked successfully with industry on a voluntary something else that Members raised, which was the basis through the Courtauld commitment to reduce improved productivity from agriculture. DFID puts an supply chain food and packaging waste by 7.4% over enormous amount of energy into that. I think we call it the past three years. Household waste is down by even “stepping up”, so that everyone improves their income more: 15% since 2007. Our approach is having an effect and their productivity through their actions. and there is not an ultimate target where we will suddenly 197WH Global Food Security9 JANUARY 2014 Global Food Security 198WH

[Lynne Featherstone] However, not all meat is good. Some meats are high in fat, especially saturated fat. I think it was the right change horses. We agree that waste is a big issue and we hon. Member for Gordon who mentioned UK farmers. are working through these voluntary mechanisms, which Encouraging people in the UK to eat less and to eat appear to be working. more healthily would not impact on UK farmers. UK commodity prices follow those in the wider international Mark Lazarowicz: Will the Minister give way? market, so trade flows would adjust. That, at least, is the evidence we have. The fortunes of UK producers are Lynne Featherstone: If the hon. Gentleman will forgive more dependent on their competitiveness within the me, I will not, because I want to give a couple of wider market. minutes to the Select Committee Chair at the end and I I am glad that the work that DFID does on land and have a huge number of points to get through. property rights has been recognised. We have signed a My right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon asked new agreement with Ethiopia to go the same way as we about the scaling up of safety nets, as did the hon. have with Rwanda. We are scaling up our land programmes Member for Wirral South. DFID is more than doubling in at least six other countries and we intend to continue the number of countries where it supports social protection our partnerships. programmes. We had seven countries in 2009 and we I make a grateful nod in the direction of the Chair of will reach 15 in 2014. It may be that that support is the the Select Committee for his recognition of our work answer everywhere, but with the best will in the world on beekeeping. The “World at One” bumped me on we cannot scale it up on our own without the mother Christmas eve, when I was going to expand on our countries agreeing with us, and not just in policy terms. international work on beekeeping. The weather in Britain Even with 0.7% of GDP spent on aid, we do not have took precedence. infinite funds to do everything in every country without I am sorry that I have not spoken to all the points, research and without working with mother country but, to conclude, my Department is working with Governments. international partners to prepare for the next series of We will continue to support such programmes. We international development goals after the millennium think that they are excellent and are demonstrating development goals. The IDC report helps my Department great benefits. We use evidence of that, where appropriate, to remain challenged, focused and a world leader in in conversation with Governments that are new to the international development policy and practice. I thank idea of social protection. I have been to some countries the International Development Committee for its continued that do not want these protection programmes introduced. engagement with the work of DFID and its insightful We disagree with that, but we are not a colonial institution and useful observations and recommendations, and I that says, “You must have this.” We try to demonstrate thank all Members here today. the evidence of how successful and useful the programmes 4.29 pm are and how they work in those countries. Sir Malcolm Bruce: I thank the Minister for that Alison McGovern: Will the Minister give way? reply. The Committee agrees that the Department does great work and that we are working in the right direction on pretty much everything. I welcome her update on Lynne Featherstone: No, because I will not get through the commitment on nutrition. We welcome Nutrition any of these points if I do. for Growth, and I am sorry we did not mention it in the On the Government’s support for the Fairtrade debate. We are well aware that women make up the Foundation, we absolutely recognise the important work majority of farmers, but perhaps we should have made that it does to promote smallholder access to global that more explicit. markets. We welcome the attention it has brought to We would still like more engagement on the social finance for small-scale farmers. The UK provides core transfers, particularly for urban food problems, recognising funding to the foundation and we look forward to that the Bolsa Familia programme in Brazil was a working with them and discussing the Committee’s radical way of delivering poverty reduction. I accept recommendations. that we cannot impose social transfers, but we still think On meat, the key to a healthy diet is getting the that the issue has a lot of mileage. I welcome the balance right. That means eating a wide variety of Minister’s response to our report. foods in the right proportions. Red meat can form part Question put and agreed to. of a healthy diet and is a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, such as zinc and B vitamins. It is 4.30 pm also one of the main sources of vitamin B12. Sitting adjourned. 17WS Written Statements9 JANUARY 2014 Written Statements 18WS Written Statements Single Payment Scheme

Thursday 9 January 2014 TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): I announced the Rural Payments Agency’s performance in making COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT single payment scheme (SPS) payments on 4 December 2013, Official Report, column 52WS. Building Regulations Advisory Committee The agency’s commitment in its business plan 2013-14, was to pay 86% of payments by value and 93% of customers by number by 31 December 2013. TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforCommunities The first target was exceeded on the first banking and Local Government (Stephen Williams): I am today day—2 December—when 89.3% of the estimated fund pleased to announce the publication of the triennial value was paid out. The second target was achieved review of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee. within the first week of December, three weeks ahead of Triennial reviews are part of the Government’s commitment schedule. to ensuring that all non-departmental public bodies continue to have regular challenge on their remit and By 31 December, 99,200 customers—95.9% of those governance arrangements. A copy of this report will be eligible for a SPS payment—had received a share of placed in the Library of the House. £1.581 billion or 95% of the total estimated fund value. The review concluded that there was an ongoing need In a critical and challenging period, the RPA continues for the committee’s function to support the Government’s to build on the huge progress made over recent years to agenda and priorities for changes to building regulations support farmers and food producers and boost rural both regulatory and increasingly deregulatory. Although economies. a number of other possible models were considered for delivering this function, its current form as an advisory non-departmental public body was felt to be the most Woodland Planting appropriate and represent good value for money while meeting the principles of effective corporate governance. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): Today I am announcing ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS that I intend to maintain levels of woodland planting that we fund in England through pillar 2 of the common agricultural policy, rural development, in 2014-15. Commons Act 2006 Following negotiation of the EU rules governing the transition from the old to the new common agriculture TheParliamentaryUnder-Secretaryof StateforEnvironment, policy and clarification from the European Commission Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): I am pleased to of their impact, we can now approve new applications announce the next stage in the implementation of part 1 for tree planting grants in 2014. of the Commons Act 2006, under which the registers of We will therefore continue processing existing applications both common land and town and village greens can be for woodland planting grants made by 31 December amended. 2013. If this fails to deliver a level of funded planting in Part 1 will be fully implemented in the counties of line with the overall annual rate under the existing rural Cumbria and North Yorkshire. These counties have development programme we will look at inviting further been chosen because they have the highest hectarage of applications later in 2014 before the new programme common land and are among the most agriculturally comes into effect. active counties in England, in terms of commoning. We also intend as part of the new rural development Many properties were wrongly registered when the programme to offer tree-planting grants in 2015 in advance registers were compiled in the late 1960s under the of new environmental land management agreements Commons Registration Act 1965 and commons registration coming into effect in January 2016. We will work with authorities have not had the power to amend them. The interested parties on what this could involve before we result is that those properties have been adversely affected submit the programme to the Commission for approval. for over 40 years. This has had a knock-on effect on the The total Government investment in creating and owners’ ability to sell those properties. I wish to enable managing woodland under the rural development this situation to be resolved so I intend to implement programme in 2014-15 will amount to £30 million. This section 19(2)(a) and paragraphs 6 to 9 of schedule 2 to consists of £6 million on new planting and £24 million the Act throughout England. on woodland management, including maintaining more Section 19(2)(a) allows for the correction of mistakes recent woodland planting. This will fund the creation of made by commons registration authorities when recording 2,000 hectares of woodland, equivalent to about 4 million entries in the registers. Paragraphs 6-9 of schedule 2 trees, and the protection or improvement of 200,000 hectares allow for the deregistration of land that was wrongly of existing woodland. It will help with extending woodland registered as common land or town or village green. cover to 12% of the country by 2060. The question of further implementation of part 1 in I remain committed to protecting, improving and England will be considered again as soon as resources expanding England’s woodland assets as set out in the permit, which I expect to be within the life of the next Government forestry and woodlands policy statement Parliament at the earliest. of January 2013. 19WS Written Statements9 JANUARY 2014 Written Statements 20WS

WORK AND PENSIONS Therefore, I have asked HSE to begin work immediately to examine commercial models for HSE in collaboration with HMT and the Cabinet Office, and to review the Health and Safety Executive (Triennial Review) HSE board to ensure it has the right skills to oversee future efficiencies and commercial income-generating options. Some of the other recommendations require The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions further consideration and therefore the Government (Mike Penning): On 25 April 2013, the Minister for will respond more fully later this year. employment, my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Wirral West (Esther McVey), made a written statement I will place a copy of the report of the triennial to Parliament announcing the triennial review of the review of HSE in the House Library later today. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and that Martin Temple, chair of the EEF, would lead that review. I am pleased to announce the conclusion of the review and Pension NDPBs (Triennial Review) publication of Mr Temple’s report later today. HSE is an Executive non-departmental public body The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (NDPB). It is the national, independent regulator for (Steve Webb): Today I am publishing the outcome of the work-related safety and health. Its mission is the prevention review of the Pensions Regulator, the Pensions Advisory of death, injury and ill health to those at work and Service, the pensions ombudsman and the pension protection those affected by work activities. fund ombudsman. I am pleased to announce that the The review has concluded that the functions performed Government support the continuation of these non- by HSE are still required and that it should be retained departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in their current as a NDPB. Mr Temple has recommended that HSE form. The Department for Work and Pensions has completed build on its well-deserved international reputation and a robust examination of the NDPB’s functions, delivery make more progress to grow its commercial income. arrangements and governance structures. The review I welcome these recommendations, but want to go was carried out in line with the Cabinet Office’s key further to introduce reforms of HSE to ensure that it principles for reviews of NDPBs. The Government are delivers value for money to the taxpayer, while ensuring satisfied that the organisations continue to be fit for safety for the nation. There is considerable potential for purpose and are delivering what they were set up to do HSE to become more commercial in outlook and in effectively—this is essential in order to maintain consumer’s delivery—increasing the pace of the work already started confidence in pensions. I will place a copy of the review within the organisation. report in the House Libraries. 11P Petitions9 JANUARY 2014 Petitions 12P

Accident and Emergency visits which reduces pressure Petition on local A&E services such as those at Russells Hall Hospital. Thursday 9 January 2014 The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to urge Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group to keep the Dudley Borough OBSERVATIONS Walk-in Centre open. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Chris Kelly, Official Report, 16 December 2013; Vol. 572, c. 588.] HEALTH [P001313] Proposed Closure of the Dudley Borough Walk-in Observations from the Secretary of State for Health: Centre at Holly Hall Clinic, Dudley The issue referred to has already been subject to a The Petition of residents of Dudley South, local consultation exercise. Dudley Clinical Commissioning Declares that the Petitioners believe that proposed Group is ensuring the views of the petitioners are taken closure of the Dudley Borough Walk-in Centre at Holly into account. Hall Clinic, 174 Stourbridge Road, Dudley DY1 2ER The reconfiguration of local health services is a matter by Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group should not for the local NHS. This Government expect that similar go ahead; further that the Petitioners believe that, with proposals for service change apply our strengthened its 08:00 to 20:00 opening hours, seven days a week, the criteria to ensure proposals are underpinned by sound walk-in centre currently provides a vital out-of-hours clinical evidence and local people are fully engaged. service for hardworking people in the Dudley Borough It is not for central Government to tell local NHS and the wider Black Country, especially on weekday commissioners to open, close, or change a walk-in evenings and at weekends; further that the Petitioners centre. Commissioners judge for themselves whether a believe that the accessibility of the walk-in centre service walk-in centre is an appropriate means for meeting the contributes significantly to a reduction in the number of health needs of their populations.

275W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 276W

Mrs Villiers: Decisions about, and information on, Written Answers to the allocation of resources from within Northern Ireland’s block grant are a matter for the Northern Ireland Questions Executive. Terrorism Thursday 9 January 2014 Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received from the Chief Constable or the Northern Ireland NORTHERN IRELAND Policing Board about resources for the Police Service of Northern Ireland following recent terrorist attacks in Belfast. [181288] National Crime Agency Mrs Villiers: I have regular dialogue with both the Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Northern Ireland what extra resources and funding her Ireland (PSNI) and the Minister of Justice in the Northern Department has allocated to the Northern Ireland Ireland Executive on a range of policing and justice Executive to take account of those aspects of the related issues, including police resources. My most recent National Crime Agency’s work which it does not carry conversation on police resourcing with the Chief Constable out in Northern Ireland. [181286] took place yesterday morning. The issue of police resources is primarily a matter for Mrs Villiers: No additional resources have been allocated the Northern Ireland Executive. However, in recognition to the Northern Ireland Executive to take account of of the security situation in Northern Ireland, the UK differences in the National Crime Agency’s powers in Government is providing the PSNI with additional Northern Ireland as compared to the rest of the UK. funding totalling £199.5 million over four years (2011-15) Although the focus of the National Crime Agency’s to enhance the PSNI’s ability to proactively tackle the work is different, the resources allocated by the National terrorist threat. The PSNI will receive a further £31million Crime Agency to Northern Ireland are the same as in 2015-16 from the Government to help protect the those allocated by the Serious Organised Crime Agency. people of Northern Ireland from terrorist activity, while ensuring the continuation of day to day policing Police Service of Northern Ireland responsibilities.

Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much additional funding has been allocated SCOTLAND for policing in Northern Ireland over and above the block grant in each year since 2007. [181291] Immigration

Mrs Villiers: Between 2007 and 2010 policing in Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was not funded through the block Scotland whether the Government plans to produce a grant. Funding for the PSNI only became part of the report on asylum and immigration as part of its block grant following devolution of policing and justice Scotland Analysis Programme. [181905] functions to the Northern Ireland Executive in April 2010. The figures for additional funding provided by David Mundell: The Scotland analysis programme the UK Government for policing in Northern Ireland has published eight papers to date examining how Scotland to tackle the severe threat for terrorism since 2010 are as contributes to, and benefits from, being part of the UK. follows: The programme will continue to look in detail at the main issues in the Scottish independence debate. £ million

2010-11 50.3 2011-15 199.5 PRIME MINISTER 2015-16 31 European Council As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, this additional funding has been committed despite this being a time of unprecedented pressures on the public finances as a Paul Flynn: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to result of the fiscal position inherited by the Government his written statement of 6 January 2013, Official in 2010. Report, column 7WS, on European Council, for what reason he did not make an oral statement to the House on the European Council on that day. [182125] Public Expenditure The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern answer given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ireland what proportion of the block grant allocated to Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) by the Minister for Europe, my Northern Ireland is related to (a) national security and right hon. Friend the Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) (b) border security and immigration controls. [181287] on 7 January 2014, Official Report, columns 174-175. 277W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 278W

JUSTICE Nationality Gender Region Agency type

Human Trafficking Ghanaian Female South East Legal Representative Guinean Female Wales Home Office Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Hungarian Female South East Police Justice how many victims of trafficking for labour Hungarian Male East Midlands Police exploitation received civil or criminal compensation in Hungarian Female North East Police (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012. [181074] Hungarian Male Yorkshire NGO Hungarian Male Yorkshire NGO Damian Green: Victims of trafficking for labour Hungarian Male Yorkshire NGO exploitation can apply for compensation from a number Italian Male South West NGO of different sources and through different legal proceedings. Italian Male South West NGO The Government does not currently compile statistics Ivorian Female East Midlands Home Office in relation to these awards. Latvian Female South East Self Referral Latvian Male East Police Sir John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Latvian Male East Police Justice what the (a) nationality and (b) gender was of Latvian Male East Police each suspected victim of trafficking referred to the Lithuanian Male South West Police Trafficking Victim Support Scheme operated by the Lithuanian Male East Police Salvation Army in November 2013; in which (i) region, Lithuanian Female East Police (ii) country and (iii) parliamentary constituency each Lithuanian Female Wales Police of the suspected victims were found; and which agency Lithuanian Female North West NGO referred each person to the scheme. [181260] Lithuanian Male North West NGO Nepali Male South Home Office Damian Green: In November 2013 there were 92 referrals Nigerian Female North West Home Office to the Government-funded support service for adult Nigerian Female South Legal victims of human trafficking in England and Wales Representative administered by the Salvation Army. In the interests of Polish Female South West NGO victim safety only the region in which the victim Polish Male South NGO was encountered is provided, and not the county or Polish Male Yorkshire NGO parliamentary constituency.Details are provided as follows. Polish Female Wales Other Polish Male South East NGO Nationality Gender Region Agency type Polish Female South East Police Romanian Female Yorkshire Police Albanian Female South Local Authority Romanian Female Yorkshire Police Albanian Female South East Home Office Romanian Female South East Self Referral Albanian Female South Legal Romanian Female Not Known Self Referral Representative Romanian Male Yorkshire Self Referral Albanian Female North West Home Office Romanian Female North West Police Albanian Female Yorkshire NGO Sierra Leonean Female South Home Office Albanian Female West Midlands NGO Slovakian Female North West Local Authority Albanian Female South NGO Slovakian Female North West Local Authority Albanian Female South West Home Office Slovakian Male Yorkshire Self Referral Albanian Female West Midlands Home Office Slovakian Female Yorkshire Self Referral Albanian Female South West Home Office Slovakian Male South Police Albanian Female Midlands Home Office Slovakian Male South Police Albanian Female North West Home Office Slovakian Female South Police Albanian Female South East NGO Sudanese Female Yorkshire NGO Albanian Female South East Home Office Thai Female West Home Office Albanian Female South Home Office Albanian Female East Midlands Home Office Albanian Female Not Known NGO British Female West Midlands Police Chinese Male Yorkshire Home Office HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Chinese Male Yorkshire Home Office Chinese Male South Home Office Voting: Child Care Chinese Female South East Police Chinese Male South East Police Mr Winnick: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Chinese Male South East Police Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of Czech Male Yorkshire Police Commons Commission, if he will undertake a consultation Czech Female East Midlands Police on measures to enable hon. Members carrying babies to Eritrean Female South Home Office be able to do so in the division lobbies. [181636] Eritrean Female Wales Home Office Eritrean Female South Other Gambian Female South East Home Office John Thurso: This is not directly a matter for the Ghanaian Male South Police Commission. Any hon. Member experiencing practical Ghanaian Female South East Self Referral difficulties in voting in person should speak to their Whips in the first instance. 279W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 280W

WORK AND PENSIONS Table 1: Annual expenditure on Cold Weather Payments between 2008 and 2013 Actual/Estimated Expenditure (£) Babies 2012 Estimated 131,090,000 : To ask the Secretary of State for Work 2013 Estimated 144,042,500 Notes: and Pensions what assessment he has made of the 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to trends in the number of baby banks; what estimate he answer all parliamentary questions using Official/National Statistics but in this has made of the number of baby banks in the most case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics. recent period for which figures are available; and what 2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. estimate he has made of the number of families accessing baby banks. [181576] Disclosure of Information

Esther McVey: Baby banks are not related to the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work work of the Department for Work and Pensions. and Pensions (1) whether Ministers in his Department The Government is committed to ending child poverty have discussed or received recommendations from other in the UK. Evidence is clear that work remains the best governmental agencies improving his Department’s response route out of poverty and we are helping more people to subject access requests; [181563] back into work through our welfare reform programme. (2) how many officials in his Department were (a) We also provide support to low income families to help responsible for and (b) available to complete subject with the cost of living, including new born babies. For access requests (i) nationally and (ii) in each region in example, we are investing £105 million per year in 2013; [181566] Healthy Start Vouchers for low income families with young children to help with essential foods and vitamins. (3) what procedures and contingencies his Department In addition the Department for Education has been has put in place to ensure that responses to subject allocated funding of over £1 billion (£449 million in access requests are completed within the 40 day deadline 2014-15 and £634 million in 2015-16) to fund universal stipulated by the Data Protection Act 1998. [181624] free school meals for infant pupils. Further, some low- income mothers will also be eligible for the £500 maternity Mike Penning: DWP Ministers have not discussed or grant benefit, which directly helps with the costs of new received recommendations from other governmental born children. agencies improving DWP’s response to subject access requests. DWP compliance with the Data Protection We have not made any assessment of the use of baby Act is regularly reviewed by the Information banks nor do we collect any statistics. Commissioner’s Office. Cold Weather Payments DWP takes its data protection responsibilities seriously and has a network of 86 Data Protection Officer (DPOs) Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for supported by 145 Deputy Data Protection Officers Work and Pensions how much his Department spent (DDPOs) who are available to cover for periods of on cold weather payments in each year since 2008. absence. They are responsible for dealing with subject [181553] access requests for personal information held by DWP, are all suitably trained and work to the statutory deadline. Steve Webb: Table 1 gives the expenditure on cold Data Protection Officers make themselves visible to weather payments in Great Britain in each year between other staff so they know who to pass requests to. All 2008 and 2013. The cold weather payment season runs DWP staff are provided with data protection awareness from November to March each year. Consequently, the training emphasising the timescales in which to handle calendar year figures given in Table 1 will include subject access requests. expenditure from two separate cold weather payment seasons. Employment and Support Allowance Expenditure figures for the 2011-12 cold weather payment season onwards are estimated based on the Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work number of eligible recipients on 31 October at the start and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December of each relevant season. Figures prior to this are actual 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker’s expenditure derived from scans of the payment systems. allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December Only the estimated figures are available from November 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment 2011 onwards. and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, (1) Since November 2008, a cold weather payment of how many people receiving employment and support £25 is made when the average temperature has been allowance were moved from the support group to the recorded as, or is forecast to be 0°C or below over seven work-related group; of those how many appealed that (a) consecutive days at the weather station linked to an decision and of those appealing how many were eligible recipient’s postcode. Prior to November 2008, moved back to the support group as a consequence of (b) the amount per cold weather payment was £8.50. the appeal, not moved back to the support group as a consequence of the appeal and (c) still awaiting their Table 1: Annual expenditure on Cold Weather Payments between 2008 and 2013 appeal decision in October 2012 and each month since Actual/Estimated Expenditure (£) then; [181648] 2008 Actual 12,346,800 (2) how many people receiving employment and 2009 Actual 253,830,700 support allowance were moved from the support group 2010 Actual 641,584,000 to the work-related group; of those how many sought a 2011 Estimated 30,449,500 review of that decision and of those seeking a review 281W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 282W how many were (a) moved back to the support group Generally speaking, when a higher education course as a consequence of the review, (b) not moved back to begins, a person would no longer be entitled to jobseeker’s the support group as a consequence of the review and allowance and would need to rely on the education (c) still awaiting the decision on their request for maintenance system for financial support. review in each month since October 2012; [181649] (3) many people receiving employment and support Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work allowance were moved (a) from the support group to and Pensions if he will estimate (a) the proportion of the work-related group and (b) from the work-related people who have received jobseeker’s allowance group to the support group in each month since sanctions who are disabled and (b) the proportion of October 2012. [181650] people of working age who have a disability in the UK. [181401] Esther McVey: The information requested to answer the above three questions is not readily available and to Esther McVey: In answer to part (a) the latest figures provide it would incur disproportionate cost. for those who have received jobseeker’s allowance sanctions and are disabled, in Great Britain, can be found in table Housing Benefit: Barrow in Furness 1.7a of the publication at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobseekers- John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for allowance-and-employment-and-support-allowance- Work and Pensions how many individuals in Barrow sanctions-decisions-made-to-june-2013 and Furness constituency are in receipt of housing The numbers from this published information can be benefit; and how many such people are (a) under 25 used to calculate the proportions requested. and (b) under 25 and with a dependent child. [181611] In answer to part (b) the following table shows the proportion of working age people in the UK who have Steve Webb: The information requested regarding the a disability: number of housing benefit recipients in Barrow and Furness constituency can be found at: People aged 16 to 64 by disability status United Kingdom, January to December 2012 https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Level (thousand) Percentage Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: Those with a 8,338 20.7 disability1 https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat- Not long-term 31,700 78.9 Xplore_User_Guide.htm disabled Housing Benefit: Liverpool Did not answer 149 0.4 All aged 16-64 40,187 100.0 1 People, aged 16-64, who have either work-limiting disabilities only, Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for disabilities that limit their day-to-day activities only, or both kind of Work and Pensions how many individuals in Liverpool disabilities. West Derby constituency are in receipt of housing Source: benefit; and how many such people are (a) under 25 Annual Population Survey. years old and (b) under 25 years old and with a dependent child. [182190] Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what measures are in place to record Steve Webb: The information requested regarding the whether people terminating their jobseeker’s allowance number of Housing Benefit recipients in Liverpool claims enter employment; [181420] West Derby constituency can be found at: (2) what estimate he has made of the number of https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk people who terminated their jobseeker’s allowance claims Guidance on how to extract the information required that (a) entered employment and (b) continued to be can be found at: unemployed in each of the last 12 months. [181421] https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat- Xplore_User_Guide.htm Esther McVey: Jobseeker’s allowance claimants are encouraged to tell the Department when they want to Jobseeker’s Allowance terminate their claim, and the reason for doing so, through the Department’s claim closure telephony service. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Alternatively, they can notify the Department by post Work and Pensions whether a claimant of jobseeker’s or in person at a Jobcentre Plus office. It is not mandatory allowance who is accepted onto a course of higher for a jobseeker’s allowance claimant to give the reason education beginning in January is eligible to claim for terminating their claim but when they do so this is benefit until that course begins. [181362] recorded on the Department’s computer systems. The information is not complete enough to produce Esther McVey: To be entitled to jobseeker’s allowance, regular statistics as a significant minority of claimants a person must satisfy the relevant conditions for benefit. do not provide a reason for ending their claim. A These include being available for and actively seeking destinations survey in 2011 found that 68% of those employment. leaving JSA moved into work. People leaving for other A person who has been accepted onto a course of destinations do not necessarily remain unemployed, as higher education may still be entitled to jobseeker’s the figures will include those starting an education or allowance, provided that they can satisfy these conditions, training course and people who have retired or left the during the period before they begin their course. labour force for other reasons. 283W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 284W

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and (2) what the current average waiting time in Wales Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December 2013, from a consultation being carried out by an independent Official Report, column 758W,on jobseeker’s allowance: health professional in relation to a personal independence Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December 2013, claim to an assessment being made in respect of that Official Report, column 756W, on employment and claim is; [181443] support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, how (3) what the current average waiting time in Wales many people receiving jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) had from commencement of a personal independence claim their JSA withdrawn as a result of their alleged failure to a consultation being carried out by an independent to comply with conditions laid down by his Department health professional in relation to that claim is. [181444] in October 2012 and each month since then. [181651] Mike Penning: Although limited data has started to Esther McVey: The information requested, by Jobcentre feed through from the PIP Computer System, we need Plus Office and District Group which includes North to wait until the data has been quality assured and Yorkshire and the Humber can be found on table 1.2 of meaningful figures for publication can be developed. the publication at: The Department is working to guidelines set by the UK https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/jobseekers- Statistics Authority to ensure we are able to publish allowance-sanctions statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest Guidance for users is available at: opportunity. We intend to publish official statistics on https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ new claims to PIP for the first time in spring 2014 attachment_data/file/203439/tab-tool-guidance.pdf aligned to the DLA National Statistics release.

Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions how many young people who have and Pensions if he will make it his policy to ask the been in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance for over a year Child Poverty Action Group for its views when policies have a degree. [181551] are being changed on (a) expenditure and (b) those of working age claiming benefits. [181554] Esther McVey: The information is not readily available and could not be obtained without incurring Esther McVey: Consultation is an important part of disproportionate costs. the policy making process and we will continue to seek the views of the public and interested groups when Pension Credit: Hyndburn developing policies in the future.

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions how many people have been in and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December receipt of pension credits in Hyndburn constituency in 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker’s each of the last five years. [181585] allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment Steve Webb: Statistics on pension credit are available and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, from 100% data and are published on the Department’s how many people were receiving (a) jobseeker’s allowance, website at: (b) employment and support allowance-support group http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/pc/tabtool_pc.html and (c) employment and support allowance-work-related group in (i) October 2012 and (ii) each month since Guidance for users is available at: then. [181647] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation- tool-guidance Esther McVey: Monthly statistics on the number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants and quarterly statistics Personal Independence Payment on employment and support allowance claimants can be found at: Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp Work and Pensions if he will require Capita to provide a freephone or 03 number for its personal independence Guidance for users can be found at: payment claimant helpline. [181361] https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.asp Employment and support allowance case load statistics Mike Penning: The Capita personal independence are not available monthly. payment claimant helpline telephone number, referred to in the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 17 December Standard of Living 2013, Official Report, column 583-84W, is a freephone number for landline users. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 December Personal Independence Payment: Wales 2013, Official Report, columns 48-49W, on standard of living, which reports and policy evaluations on the Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and subjective well-being of jobseekers and employment Pensions (1) how many claims for personal independence interventions his Department has published in the last payments have been (a) begun and (b) concluded in (i) 12 months; and if he will publish a web-link to each Wales and (ii) Wrexham since June 2013; [181442] such report and evaluation. [181345] 285W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 286W

Esther McVey: The Department has within the last Work Capability Assessment 12 months published a number of reports in the area of health work and well-being, listed below: Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Evaluation of employment advisers in the Improving Access to and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 December Psychological Therapies programme (DWP Research Report826) 2013, Official Report, columns 50-2W, on work (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of- capability assessment: Wales, what the (a) number and employment-advisers-in-the-improving-access-to-psychological- (b) proportion has been of people who underwent therapies-programme-rr826) work capability assessments and had a mental health Wellbeing and civil society: Estimating the value of volunteering condition in each region and constituent part of the using subjective wellbeing data (DWP Working Paper 112) UK to date. [181347] (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wellbeing-and- Mike Penning: The information requested is shown in civil-society-estimating-the-value-of-volunteering-using- subjective-wellbeing-data-wp112) the following table. All new claims to employment and support allowance General Practitioners’ attitudes towards patients’ health and work, 2010 to 2012 (DWP Research Report 835) (ESA) and for claimants with mental and behavioural disorders recorded as the main disabling condition that (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/general- underwent work capability assessments-October 2008 practitioners-attitudes-towards-patients-health-and-work-2010- to-2012-rr-835) to February 2013.

An evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note): Total with Proportion with Survey of employees (DWP Research Report 840) mental and mental and behavioural behavioural (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/an-evaluation- disorders as the disorders as the of-the-statement-of-fitness-for-work-fit-note-survey-of- recorded condition employees-rr-840) Region Total condition (percentage)

Evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work (fit note): Great Britain 3,042,700 1,134,300 37 quantitative survey of fit notes (DWP Research Report 841)

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of- England 2,482,400 906,900 37 the-statement-of-fitness-for-work-fit-note-quantitative-survey- East Midlands 209,400 73,700 35 of-fit-notes-rr-841). East of 230,100 84,200 37 The work of the Department in this area has been England summarised by a Cabinet Office publication entitled London 345,800 122,900 36 “Wellbeing Policy and Analysis: An Update of wellbeing North East 180,600 67,100 37 across Whitehall—June 2013”. North West 436,600 170,600 39 South East 295,400 109,000 37 (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/224910/Wellbeing_Policy_and_Analysis_ South West 218,800 81,200 37 FINAL.PDF) West Midlands 278,300 96,900 35 Yorkshire and 287,400 101,500 35 In addition, the Department has published two reports Humberside which focus specifically on the subjective well-being of Scotland 347,000 148,200 43 jobseekers, which were published more than one year Wales 210,400 78,300 37 ago. These are: Unknown 2,800 800 29 Evaluation of Support for the Very Long-Term Unemployed Notes: Trailblazer (RR824) 1. There is a reporting lag of approximately eight months at the issuing date of this statistical output owing to the time needed to process data and time (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of- allowed to enable each cohort’s assessment phase to elapse. support-for-the-very-long-term-unemployed-trailblazer-rr824) 2. Case load figures rounded to nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to the rounding method use. Proportions are rounded to the nearest whole Mental health in context: the national study of work-search number. and wellbeing (DWP Research Report 810) 3. Figures include those cases where the functional assessment has not been completed. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health- 4. Condition Groups are based on the International Classification of Diseases in-context-the-national-study-of-work-search-and-wellbeing- (2010). rr810) Source: Department for Work and Pensions benefit administration dataset Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Department for Social Development. Northern Trussell Trust Ireland statistics can be found at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/benefit_ Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for publications.htm Work and Pensions (1) for what reasons he has declined recent requests to meet representatives of the Trussell Trust; [181547] EDUCATION (2) what plans he has to meet representatives of the Children: Day Care Trussell Trust; and if he will make a statement. [181552] Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of Esther McVey: As food banks are not a Government (a) childminders, (b) school nurseries and (c) private responsibility, no regular departmental discussions have and voluntary nursery providers offering free nursery taken place. Ministers have met with Trussell Trust provision for (i) two year-olds and (ii) three and four representatives in their role as constituency MPs. year-olds. [181575] 287W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 288W

Elizabeth Truss: Information on the number of two- High Tunstall College of Science year-olds accessing funded early education provision by provider type will first be collected in January 2014 and Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for published in summer 2014. Education if his Department will provide funding to The number of providers delivering funded early High Tunstall College of Science in Hartlepool constituency education to three- and four-year-olds are given in the to replace the roof and building damaged in extreme table: weather in December 2013; and if he will make a statement. [181539] Type of provider Number of providers

Child minding networks1 320 Mr Laws: The cost of the work to repair the roof at Maintained schools2 16,520 High Tunstall College of Science will be met from Private and voluntary providers3 19,700 Hartlepool borough council’s insurance cover. Independent schools 890 The local authority has also confirmed that it is All providers 37,430 carrying out work to repair the covering of another 1 It is not possible to distinguish between child minding networks and individual roof at the school that was found to be in a similar child minders in the data. A figure for the number of child minding networks condition to the roof covering that was dislodged in the has therefore been provided. 2 Includes maintained nursery schools, state-funded primary schools, state-funded recent high winds using the contingency fund, which it secondary schools and special schools. sets aside for such matters. 3 Includes private day nurseries, playgroups or pre-schools, nurseries, family combined integrated centres, Sure Start children centres (main and linked), local authority day nurseries and other types of private and voluntary providers. Kings Science Academy Source: Early Years Census, School Census, and School Level Annual School Census A full breakdown of types of providers delivering Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Education funded early education to three- and four-year-olds can if he will publish the report Validation of Kings Science be found in the ’Provision for children under 5 years of Academy Financial Management and Governance Self- age in England: January 2013’ Statistical First Release Assessment covering the period 12 September 2011 to available on GOV.UK1. 21 October 2011. [181447] 1https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/provision-for- children-under-5-years-of-age-in-england-january-2013 Mr Timpson: The report of the Education Funding Agency’s validation of Kings Science Academy’s Financial Management and Governance Self-Assessment (FMGS), Free Schools: Autism covering the period September 2011 to December 2012, was published on the Department’s website on Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for 29 November 2013. This can be found at: Education how many free schools for autistic children have http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/r/ been set up in the UK; and how many such applications kings_science_academy_final_report.pdf are currently being considered by his Department. A copy has been placed in the House Library. [181364]

Mr Timpson: The free schools programme has made Teachers: Training it easier than ever before for parents, charities and other organisations to set up new schools, including special Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education schools for autistic children. what assessment he has made of the potential effect of There are currently three open special free schools more schools providing school-centred initial teacher and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater training on the role of universities in the provision of specifically for autistic children. initial teacher training. [181542] There are also three open special schools and three special free schools in the pipeline that cater in some Mr Laws: Department officials and Ministers are way for autistic children. working closely with universities and representative bodies, for example UCET and Million Plus, to discuss the These schools are being set up by groups such as the impact of initial teacher training (ITT) reforms. National Autistic Society (NAS). NAS has one open free school in Reading and two in the pipeline, which The proportion of ITT places allocated to new school- will be located in Cheshire and Lambeth. centred initial teacher training providers since March 2012 represents a very small percentage of the total We are currently assessing the most recent round of provision: 1% of all places for 2014/15. free school applications. Successful applicants will be announced shortly. Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what communications his Department has issued to (a) Further Education: Finance universities and (b) other providers in respect of the expansion of school-centred initial teacher training. Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education [181546] when he plans to publish an impact assessment on recent changes to further education support for 18-year-olds. Mr Laws: The Department for Education informed [181567] schools how they could become a school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) provider in the School Direct Matthew Hancock: We will publish an impact assessment bulletin in November 2013. This bulletin is copied to shortly. universities and other providers. 289W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 290W

Officials also regularly attend meetings and liaise Dr Murrison: The responsibility for ensuring the safety with organisations representing universities and other of vehicles operated by the Army ultimately rests with providers including UCET and NASBTT where operational the Ministry of Defence. Vehicle inspections are an initial teacher training policy, including the expansion essential aspect of the overall assurance regime and of SCITT, is discussed. shall remain so. Any diminution in safety standards would be inconsistent with the objectives of the sale and totally unacceptable. DEFENCE European Fighter Aircraft Armed Forces Covenant Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the breakdown Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2013, in negotiations between BAE Systems and the United Official Report, columns 474-5W, on armed forces Arab Emirates regarding the purchase of Typhoon covenant, what funding has been allocated to military fighter jets. [181363] charities covering Devon and Cornwall. [181357] Mr Dunne: BAE Systems, with Government support, Anna Soubry: The major military charities have received has worked very hard over the past 14 months to secure LIBOR awards for some 40 projects with UK wide benefit. a deal that would have seen the United Arab Emirates The awards to these 40 projects alone have totalled (UAE) become the eighth nation to select Typhoon for some £16.16 million. Examples include £2 million for their air force. The Government therefore shares the Combat Stress Community Outreach Teams, £2.7 million Company’s disappointment that, for commercial reasons, for the Help for Heroes ’Hidden Wounds’ programme, the Emiratis have decided not to pursue this option any £230,000 for Reading Force, and £325,000 to the RAF further at this time. Benevolent Fund for Airplay Play parks. Nevertheless, both the UK Government and BAE With regard to charities covering Devon and Cornwall Systems remain confident that, given the extent of specifically, the LIBOR awards allocated are set out in Typhoon’s current and planned future capabilities, it the following table: represents the best value-for-money advanced multi-role combat aircraft available on the export market today. LIBOR We continue to support other Typhoon export campaigns Organisation The Project County award (£) in the Gulf region and beyond. CHICKS To provide 32 children, aged Devon/ 23,520 between eight and 15, who are Cornwall from families who have been affected by service related injury ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE or bereavement, with the chance to benefit from a free week of Green Deal Scheme respite at one of their retreats in Devon and Cornwall. RMB Improvements to Service Families Devon 18,294 John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Chivenor Accommodation Play Areas at Energy and Climate Change what proportion of people Royal Marines Barracks Chivenor. who have had Green Deal assessments but chosen not Adjutant Replacement Welfare Caravan to Devon 28,774 to install Green Deal measures have made that choice General’s offer affordable holidays to for each known reason. [181797] Corps members of the Corps. Regimental Association Gregory Barker: DECC has carried out research on The China This project enables the Devon 50,000 Green Deal assessments that has gathered evidence on Fleet Trust refurbishment of five out of 40 barriers to installation. Households that have had an apartments to meet the needs of assessment were asked if they plan to install and if not, disabled Service and ex Service personnel and their families. why not. The latest research found that 81% of households said they had installed, were in the process or intend to Armed Forces: Pensions install at least one recommended measure. Of the 5% of households that said they will probably or definitely not Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence install a measure, cost of improvements (37%), hassle/ if he will amend the 1975 Armed Forces Pension Scheme disruption of making improvements (14%), would not so that no surviving spouse loses their entitlement if save enough money to make worthwhile (12%) and they re-marry or cohabit with a new partner. [181402] structural considerations (12%) were the most prominent answers. Anna Soubry: There are no plans to amend the 1975 Members: Correspondence Armed Forces Pension Scheme legislation to allow surviving spouses who remarry or cohabit to keep their pension. Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Support Group Energy and Climate Change when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 2 December 2013 from the right Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Defence what assessment he has made of the potential Dr R. Kelly. [181601] effect of the privatisation of the Defence Support Group on (a) the provision of military vehicle maintenance Gregory Barker: I replied to the right hon. Member investigations and (b) road safety. [181503] on 8 January 2014. 291W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 292W

Water-cooled Reactors I also refer the right hon. Member to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Baroness Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Stowell, in her answer to the private notice question of and Climate Change when he expects the generic 8 January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, columns design assessment for the Hitachi-GE advanced boiling 1509-12. water reactor to be completed by the Office for Nuclear No local authorities have made formal applications Regulation and Environment Agency; and what yet for assistance to meet the costs of flooding in the estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of last three months. As of 8 January 2014, my Department completing that assessment. [181660] has received 22 notifications from local authorities that they intend to make a claim under Bellwin for the recent Michael Fallon: The Office for Nuclear Regulation severe weather events in due course. and the Environment Agency announced on 6 January My Department does not centrally hold information that they are progressing to the next phase of Generic on households who have left their homes as a result of Design Assessment of the UK Advanced Boiling Water flooding. Individual local authorities may hold this Reactor. The assessment is a matter for the regulators information. but I understand that they expect to complete GDA by 2017. As with other such assessments, the full cost of Floods GDA will be charged to the Requesting Party which submits the design for assessment. John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wind Power Communities and Local Government what additional resources he has made available to each local authority Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for for clear up and repairs following the floods of Energy and Climate Change what steps he is taking to December 2013 and January 2014. [181613] update the ETSU-R-97 assessment methodology for the noise impact of wind turbine generators. [181385] Brandon Lewis: I refer the hon. Member to the statement by the Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend Baroness Gregory Barker: In May 2013, the Institute of Acoustics Stowell, in answer to the private notice question of 8 published a Good Practice Guide, which addressed January 2014, Official Report, House of Lords, columns various technical issues regarding the application of the 1509-12. ETSU-R-97 methodology.The Guide, which was endorsed I would note that the Bellwin Scheme provides emergency by the Department, provides a valuable technical financial assistance to local authorities to help them supplement to ETSU-R-97, helping to improve the meet uninsurable costs they incur when responding to a consistency of its application in the consideration of major emergency in their area. It operates by local wind farm projects. authorities retrospectively claiming spending back that The Department has no current plans to update the they have incurred. As of 8 January 2014, my Department ETSU-R-97 methodology for the assessment and rating had received 22 notifications from local authorities that of noise from wind turbines. they intend to make a claim under Bellwin for the recent severe weather events.

Food Banks COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Bellwin Scheme : To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funds his Department has provided to local councils to support Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for foodbanks since June 2010; and what estimate he has Communities and Local Government (1) how many made of how much will have been provided by May local authorities have made applications for assistance 2015. [181211] under the Bellwin Scheme to meet the costs of flooding in the last three months; [181548] Stephen Williams: Department has not provided any (2) whether his Department plans to provide specific funding to local authorities to support food assistance under the Bellwin Scheme in respect of banks; this was similarly the case under the last current flooding at a rate of 85 per cent or 100 per cent Administration. of eligible expenditure; [181549] Food banks which are charitable organisations and (3) how many households have left their homes as a paying business rates are likely to be eligible for mandatory result of flooding in the last three months. [181550] rate relief, and other food banks may be eligible for voluntary sector discretionary rate relief. Brandon Lewis: The Bellwin Scheme provides emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet uninsurable costs they incur when responding to a Rented Housing: Overcrowding major emergency in their area. It operates by local authorities retrospectively claiming spending back that Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for they have incurred. Assistance under the Bellwin Scheme Communities and Local Government how many (a) in respect of the current flooding will be at the rate of social and (b) private rented households were deemed 85% of eligible expenditure above threshold, which is overcrowded in (i) April 2010 and (ii) the most recent the default position under the scheme. date for which data is available. [176097] 293W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 294W

Kris Hopkins: Based on the English Housing Survey, Sajid Javid: The 2012 restructuring of Greece’s sovereign the figures are: debt is a matter for the Greek Government.

Social renters Private renters Motor Vehicles: Insurance Three year average to 2010-11 Kwasi Kwarteng: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Number of households 278,000 187,000 what responsibilities GPs have to inform patients of the Percentage of 7.3 5.6 households implications for insurance of ignoring medical advice to surrender a driving licence for medical reasons. [181145] Three year average to 2011-12 Number of households 249,000 207,000 Dr Poulter: I have been asked to reply. Percentage of 6.6 5.7 households General practitioners are not required to inform patients of the implications for insurance of ignoring medical The absolute figures for the private rented sector may advice to surrender a driving licence for medical reasons. reflect the fact that the size of the private rented sector It is the responsibility of individual drivers to inform has increased over the period. the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of The social housing reforms in the Localism Act have any medical condition which could affect their driving. given local authorities and social landlords the tools Failure to inform the DVLA could result in a fine of up they need to tackle overcrowding, while retaining the to £1,000. An individual may also be prosecuted if they ’reasonable preference’ provisions in the allocation are involved in an accident. legislation which ensure that overcrowded families continue to get priority for social housing. HomeSwap Direct is Public Finance: Scotland there to make it easier for overcrowded social tenants to swap with those who want to downsize. The removal of the spare room subsidy also encourages the more effective Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the use of social housing, by addressing the under-occupation Exchequer (1) with reference to the report, Fiscal of family homes. sustainability of an independent Scotland, published by This Government are committed to a bigger and the Institute for Fiscal Studies in November 2013, if he better private rented sector, which is why, following the will make an estimate of the tax rise or public expenditure Montague review, we have put in place the £1 billion reduction that would be required (a) per person and build to rent fund and the £10 billion housing guarantee (b) per household to close the fiscal gap identified in schemes, to help boost the provision of private rented that report.; [181224] accommodation. We have also avoided excessive regulation (2) with reference to the Institute for Fiscal Studies which would result in higher rents and restrict choice paper, The fiscal implications of an independent and supply, whilst helping councils take action against Scotland, if he will estimate the change in (a) taxation the very small minority of rogue landlords. and (b) public spending per household and per person if Scotland became an independent country. [180847]

Danny Alexander: Based on the main IFS projections, TREASURY an independent Scotland would need to make permanent tax increases or spending cuts in 2020 equivalent to £6.1 Children: Day Care billion (in 2012-13 prices) to put debt on course to reach 40% of GDP in 2062-63. This is equivalent to tax Lucy Powell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer increases or spending cuts of £1,150 per person and pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, Official £2,560 per household. Under their most optimistic scenario, Report, column 366W on children: day care, what the IFS determined that an independent Scotland would information his Department collects on claims made need to make a permanent adjustment in 2020 equivalent for tax relief for workplace nurseries. [181465] to increasing the basic rate of tax by 8 pence, which would add an average of £1,000 per year to the income Nicky Morgan: Taxable benefits in kind have to be tax of a basic rate taxpayer (in 2012-13 prices). reported to HMRC but there is no requirement for employers or employees to report non-taxable benefits, The most optimistic IFS scenario for an independent such as those in the form of workplace nursery schemes. Scotland still therefore means an adjustment that would be two and half times the size that the IFS forecast Therefore no “claims for tax relief” of the type in the would be required for the UK. question are made and no corresponding information is collected. Sovereignty: Scotland Government Securities: Greece Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost incurred by the UK Exchequer Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that all is for national security; and what the difference is between holders of Greek Sovereignty Bonds comply with the a pro rata allocation of those costs to Scotland and the agreed 2012 debt restructuring, including bonds estimates by the Scottish Government of the costs in governed under UK law. [181836] 2016-17. [180844] 295W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 296W

Danny Alexander: National security is organised, HEALTH resourced and managed on a UK-wide basis to provide a high level of protection for all parts of the UK and its Brain: Tumours citizens. The security budget is for the whole of the UK and is not apportioned on a regional basis. Scotland Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for and the rest of the UK derive mutual benefit from an Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to integrated approach to national security and cyber, as ensure that GPs diagnose brain tumours as quickly as well as from security exports and international alliances possible; [181449] and relationships. (2) if he will take steps to ensure clinical nurse The UK Government’s paper “Scotland analysis: specialists are available to everyone living with a brain security”, set out that the costs of providing both defence tumour; [181452] and national security in an independent Scotland would (3) what steps he is taking to ensure that quality of have to be met from within the Scottish Government’s life issues inform the process of deciding which proposed budget of £2.5 billion per year. This is only treatments are available nationally for people living about 7% of the combined UK budgets for defence, with brain tumours; [181454] intelligence and cyber—the UK spent over £34 billion on defence in 2012-13 and over £2 billion per year for (4) what performance indicators his Department uses the security and intelligence agencies and the National to measure the quality and accessibility of care and Cyber Security Programme. The Scottish Government’s support services for people living with rare cancers; proposed budget for both defence and national security [181460] in an independent Scotland is less than countries such (5) what his Department and the NHS are doing to as Denmark and Norway spend on defence alone. improve access to care and quality of life services for The UK Government is not planning for an independent patients and carers affected by brain tumours in light of Scotland and cannot pre-negotiate details of independence the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey 2012-13. ahead of the referendum. It is for those advocating [181461] independence to explain the security implications of the establishment of an independent Scottish state. In the event Jane Ellison: Through the Mandate, we have asked of a vote to leave the UK, it would be for the Scottish NHS England to deliver continued improvements in Government to determine the security budget for an relation to patients’ experience of care, including cancer independent Scottish state. care. Since 1 April 2013, NHS England has been responsible Mr Gordon Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the for the National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer which provides an invaluable insight into cancer patients’ of renewable subsidies for projects in Scotland in each experience of care and support across the whole treatment year to 2016-17. [180868] pathway. The survey includes the responses of patients with brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumours. Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf On 30 August 2013, NHS England published the of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. report of the 2013 Cancer Patient Experience Survey which included the responses of over 68,000 patients. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave With regard to local support services, according to the him on 8 January 2014, Official Report, column 248W. 2013 survey’s findings, 85% of patients diagnosed with brain or CNS tumour stated that they had been given Tax Avoidance information about support or self-help groups, compared to 80% in the previous survey. In addition to this, the Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Chancellor of the survey found that 90% of patients diagnosed with brain Exchequer how many and which tax avoidance partnership and CNS tumours said that they were given the name of a clinical nurse specialist, compared to 87% in the schemes are undergoing legal proceedings. [181573] previous survey. NHS England’s service specification for brain and CNS cancers sets out that patients should Mr Gauke: Under their statutory duty to maintain have access to a clinical nurse specialist as part of their taxpayer confidentiality, HM Revenue and Customs multidisciplinary team to support them through the (HMRC) is unable to provide details of individual cases care pathway. which have not already been published by the courts. To drive improvement locally, reports have been produced HMRC is however very successful in tackling avoidance for individual trusts, so that commissioners can directly through litigation—over 80% of cases were won in the challenge and incentivise improvements; and so providers past year, with over £1 billion of revenue protected from can benchmark their performance against one another. court wins. NHS England is also working with high performing The latest example of success against tax avoidance trusts in the survey to identify best practice that can be using partnerships was a judgment handed down in shared and developed into toolkits and will then work December 2013 in the case of the Eclipse 35 scheme. with trusts with poorer scores to review how they use The Upper Tribunal found that this scheme did not insight to develop service improvement plans. work because the partnership was not carrying on a “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published trade. on 12 January 2011, stated that general practitioners This is only the latest in a series of successful challenges need easy access to the right diagnostic tests to diagnose on tax avoidance schemes involving partnerships, and or exclude cancer earlier. The strategy committed over on its own it protected £117 million of tax. £450 million to achieve early diagnosis of cancer, including 297W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 298W improving access to key diagnostic tests, such as magnetic Total spend in future years by the NIHR on CFS/ME resonance imaging scans to support the diagnosis of research depends on the volume and quality of scientific brain cancer. activity. The usual practice of the NIHR is not to In addition to this, since 2005, the “Referral Guidelines ring-fence funds for expenditure on particular topics: for Suspected Cancer”, published by the National Institute research proposals in all areas compete for the funding for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has supported available. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for GPs to identify patients with the symptoms of suspected research into any aspect of human health, including cancer, including brain tumours, and urgently refer CFS/ME. These applications are subject to peer review them as appropriate. NICE is in process of updating and judged in open competition, with awards being this guidance to ensure that it reflects the latest evidence. made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals made. To increase GP awareness of brain tumours, in 2012, the Department funded British Medical Journal Learning Over the period 2010-11 to 2012-13 the Medical to provide an e-learning module for GPs on diagnosing Research Council (MRC) spent over £0.4 million on osteosarcoma and brain tumours in children. research into CFS/ME. Finally, to ensure that quality of life issues inform the Research into CFS/ME is a priority area for the process of deciding which treatments are available nationally MRC. In 2011 £1.6 million was awarded to support five for people living with brain tumours, NICE takes into research grants following a call for proposals which account health benefits, including quality of life, in aimed to improve understanding of the mechanisms of developing its guidance to the NHS on the use of new CFS/ME. A highlight notice identifying further areas and existing medicines and treatments and on the where applications are encouraged is currently in place. appropriate treatment and care of people with specific The MRC does not normally allocate funds to particular diseases and conditions. topics and research proposals in all areas compete for the funding available. Awards are made according to Further to this, NHS England’s service specification their scientific quality and importance to human health. for brain and CNS tumours makes it clear that one of Details of MRC research can be found on the RCUK the aims of the service is to deliver care that promotes Gateway to Research website at: optimal functioning and quality of life for each individual patient. Service specifications clearly set out what providers http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk need to have in place to offer evidence-based, safe and and further information on MRC support for CFS/ME effective services. can be found on the MRC website at: www.mrc.ac.uk/Ourresearch/ResearchInitiatives/CFSME/ index.htm Breastfeeding Headaches Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has allocated to fund the Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health breastfeeding pilot scheme in South Yorkshire and (1) what the total number of emergency hospital admissions Derbyshire. [181577] with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome for each year recorded by the Health and Dr Poulter: The Department has allocated no funds Social Care Information Centre was for each primary for the pilot scheme in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. care trust and clinical commissioning group in England; [181166] Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (2) how many emergency hospital admissions in England with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome had a pre-existing medical diagnosis of migraine Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for or primary headache syndrome prior to the emergency Health what funds the Government has spent on research admission between 2011 and 2013. [181167] for myalgic encephalomyelitis since 2010; and what funds the Government plans to spend on the study of Jane Ellison: Information on finished emergency that condition in the next five years. [181399] admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome (ICD10 codes G43 and Dr Poulter: Expenditure by the Department on research G44) by primary care trust (PCT) and clinical on chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis commissioning group (CCG) of residence for the years (CFS/ME) through research programmes, research centres 2010-11 to 2012-13 has been placed in the Library. and units, and research training awards is shown in the For the years specified PCT boundaries were applicable. following table. CCG geographies have been applied retrospectively for the years 2010-11 to 2012-13. £ million Reference should be made to the notes when interpreting 2010-11 0.3 this data. 2011-12 0.4 Data cannot be provided on how many emergency 2012-13 0.6 hospital admissions in England with a primary diagnosis of migraine or other headache syndrome had a pre-existing Total spend on CFS/ME research by the Department medical diagnosis of migraine or primary headache is higher than this because expenditure by the National syndrome prior to the emergency admission between Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Research 2011 and 2013 as information about pre-existing conditions Network (CRN) on CFS/ME research cannot be is not available, only the conditions for which the patient disaggregated from total CRN expenditure. received treatment. 299W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 300W

Notes: Health Services: Foreign Nationals 1. Finished admission episodes A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs Health if he will make an assessment of the potential are counted against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of effect of the Government’s proposed immigration health inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within surcharge on the NHS as an employer. [181229] the period. 2. Primary diagnosis Jane Ellison: Under proposals in the current Immigration The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to Bill, non-European economic area nationals subject to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital immigration control who are coming to the United Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason why the Kingdom for more than six months would pay a health patient was admitted to hospital. surcharge as a contribution to the costs of their healthcare, 3. ICD10 Codes including those who are coming to work in the national The following ICD10 codes were used to identify migraine and health service. other headache syndromes: Although in the past the NHS relied quite heavily on G43 Migraine recruiting staff overseas, efforts to recruit, train and G44 Other headache syndromes retain staff in this country have had a positive impact in 4. SHA/PCT of residence recent years. For example data from the Nursing and The strategic health authority (SHA) or PCT containing the Midwifery Council show a 92% decline in registrations patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect of overseas nurses from 2004 to 2013. where the patient was treated as they may have travelled to We do not believe that the surcharge, which is proposed another SHA/PCT for treatment. to be set at £200 a year for workers, will have a significant A change in methodology in 2011-12 resulted in an increase in the impact on the NHS as an employer, but we will assess number of records where the PCT or SHA of residence was this if the surcharge comes into force. unknown. From 2006-07 to 2010-11 the current PCT and SHA of residence fields were populated from the recorded patient postcode. In order to improve data completeness, if the postcode was unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence were populated Human Papillomavirus from the PCT/SHA value supplied by the provider. From April 2011-12 onwards if the patient postcode is unknown the PCT, SHA and country of residence are listed as unknown. Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 5. CCG of residence when in 2014 the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation sub-committee will report its findings on The CCG containing the patient’s normal home address. This does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they the extension of HPV vaccinations to men who have may have travelled to another area for treatment. sex with men or adolescent boys. [181279]

Health Services Jane Ellison: The HPV sub-committee will report its findings to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation following consideration of a yet to be Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for completed study by Public Health England into the Health what the average cost per visit was to (a) aGP, cost-effectiveness of extending HPV vaccination to men (b) accident and emergency and (c) a walk-in centre in who have sex with men or adolescent boys. This study is (i) England and (ii) East Lancashire in the most recent expected to be completed in 2014 at the earliest; but it is period for which figures are available. [181586] not possible to be precise about a date until all relevant evidence has been assembled. Jane Ellison: The Department collects reference costs annually from national health service trusts and NHS foundation trusts in England. It does not collect the cost of the provision of care by general practitioners. Midwives This means it is only possible to provide the average cost of a visit to walk-in centres provided by NHS Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health trusts and NHS foundation trusts. what the attrition rate was for midwives in the last year The most recent period for which reference costs are for which data is available; what proportion of midwifery available is 2012-13. students (a) failed to complete their training and (b) failed to obtain their degree in the last five years; how Average cost per visit many midwives left the profession within two years of £ qualifying; and how many midwives are due to retire in England East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust the next two years. [181559]

Accident and emergency1 115 128 Walk-in centre2 44 n/a Dr Poulter: National non-medical average attrition n/a = Not available. rates are traditionally reported using data from completed Notes: cohorts. It can take up to five years for a completed 1 This includes all types of accident and emergency departments including type cohort to move through the system, as trainees can 04. 2 Walk-in centres provided by NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are defer, for reasons such as maternity leave. categorised as type 04 accident and emergency departments. Midwife attrition data collated by the Department, There is no walk-in centre at East Lancashire Hospitals for the years 2009 to 2012, is included in the following NHS Trust. table: 301W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 302W

Car Tax Percentage 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2005-06 start 2006-07 start 2007-08 start Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether payment of vehicle excise duty will Total midwifery 17.6 22.1 25.9 be monitored through (a) a chip on a vehicle windscreen Diploma 11.5 26.5 27.4 or registration plate or (b) the registration plate alone Degree 20.5 21.1 25.7 following the removal of the requirement to display a paper tax disk on vehicle windscreens. [181572] The latest quarterly data, September 2013, shows that the overall number of midwives has risen by an Stephen Hammond: There are no plans for the payment additional 1,152 (5.7%) more than there were in May of vehicle excise duty to be monitored by a chip on a 2010. There are now 21,284 (full-time equivalent) qualified vehicle windscreen or registration plate once the requirement midwives and from 1 April 2013 a record 6,000 in to display a paper tax disc is removed. training. However, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Health Education England are now responsible for (DVLA) and the police continue to use the registration this data collection and will be providing future midwife plate for enforcement action through the use of Automatic attrition data. Data regarding midwives who left the Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. The DVLA profession within two years of qualifying is not collected will also continue to use the information contained by the Department. within the vehicle register to prompt compliance and Midwives may choose to leave the profession for a enforce from the vehicle records. number of reasons, including retirement and specific information capturing reasons for leaving the midwifery profession is not collected. Crossrail Line

NHS: ICT Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department plans to announce Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for its preferred bidder for the Crossrail rolling stock Health what steps he is taking to ensure cyber security contract before the second quarter of 2014. [181556] and clinical safety for electronic medical applications. [181441] Stephen Hammond: Crossrail Limited (CRL) is managing the procurement of the Crossrail Rolling Stock and Dr Poulter: An Information Governance Assurance Depot contract. CRL is currently in the process of Framework and its Information Governance Toolkit evaluating the bids, with a view to announcing the has been provided to assist care organisations determine successful bidder by spring 2014. appropriate security controls. This contains a comprehensive I will give a statement to the House once this procurement range of security standards and good practice guidance has concluded. applicable for care organisations of all types. In addition, a new care system Cyber Security Leadership Forum has recently been established to improve awareness of Driving Tests cyber security issues and the sharing of relevant experience and skills. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for A Health and Social Care Information Centre system Transport what the annual cost of running the driving exists for the reporting of data losses. This system will theory test under his Department’s contract with Pearson be extended to allow reporting of cyber security incidents Driving Assessments Ltd is; and what estimate he has affecting both clinical and other information assets. made of the annual cost of running that test under the Clinical safety requirements are addressed through contract with Learn Direct from September 2016. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [181392] regulation or NHS England mandatory standards ISB 0129 and ISB 0160. Clinical incident reporting processes Stephen Hammond: The annual cost of running the also exist through the Health and Social Care Information Driving Theory Test under the contract with Pearson Centre. Driving Assessments in 2012-13 was £31.46 million. As a result of new contract arrangements, net costs per test will fall from September 2014 and again from September 2016. The cost of running the Driving Theory Test from TRANSPORT September 2016 with learndirect is largely dependent Bus Services: Concessions on the future volume of tests but DVSA estimates the annual cost will be between £21 million and £25 million. Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the continuation of a Helicopters national free bus pass for pensioners. [181557] Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Hammond: The right to free bus travel for what discussions he has had with the Civil Aviation both older and disabled people is enshrined in primary Authority on the weight of flight recorder equipment legislation. The Government has committed to preserving and the effect it would have on helicopter performance the current statutory entitlement to concessionary bus if universally equipped on the UK helicopter fleet. travel in this Parliament. [181619] 303W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 304W

Mr Goodwill: There have not been any discussions on Mr Goodwill: There have been no discussions between this subject with the Civil Aviation Authority. The the Department and helicopter manufacturers and weight of flight recorder equipment varies depending commercial operators on the potential for voluntary on its complexity. Any increase in equipment required initiatives to ensure the presence of flight recorder to be carried on a helicopter will have some effect on equipment on all helicopters. Any decision to voluntarily performance, but the effect will vary relative to the size fit such equipment is a matter for individual operators of the aircraft. to decide.

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Civil High Speed 2 Railway Line Aviation Authority on the likely cost of equipping flight recorder equipment in all public sector helicopter Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport fleets across the UK. [181620] if he will direct HS2 Ltd to undertake a primary study of the comparative effects of the proposed High Speed Mr Goodwill: There have not been any discussions on 2 route and the Alternative Tunnel Proposal developed this subject with the Civil Aviation Authority and the by Peter Brett Associates on the landscape, biodiversity, likely cost would be dependent on the level of equipment geomorphology and archaeology of the Chilterns Area required. The introduction of any new requirement of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and if he will make a would require a full impact assessment to be carried out statement. [181249] which would include an assessment of the likely costs. Mr Goodwill: An assessment has been made of the Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport tunnel options put forward from the community, specifically pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, Official the alternative proposed by Peter Brett Associates, and Report, column 324W, how many (a) deaths and (b) this assessment takes account of the environmental, injuries were caused in the 169 helicopter accidents in technical and economic costs and benefits. These factors the past 10 years where no flight recorder was present; are then balanced against one another to determine the and how many (i) deaths and (ii) injuries were caused in preferred outcome. This work has determined that the helicopter accidents in the last 10 years where flight Proposed Scheme as put forward in the hybrid Bill is recorder equipment was present. [181621] the correct option.

Mr Goodwill: The figures provided on 12 December Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport were incorrect due to a classification error in the original if he will estimate the potential difference in cost of dataset, which has since been rectified. I can now confirm High Speed 2 (a) land and property compensation and that in the past 10 years there have been 171 accidents in (b) all other types of compensation from the Chilterns the UK involving helicopters. In 160 of these accidents Alternative Tunnel proposal developed by Peter Brett no flight data recorder was fitted or required to be fitted Associates; and if he will make a statement. [181250] to the aircraft. Of the 11 accidents with flight recorders present, Mr Goodwill: The assessment of longer tunnel options there were 27 fatalities and four injuries. Of the 160 that HS2 Ltd has undertaken takes account of the cost accidents without flight recorders present, there were 49 of building tunnels, property compensation costs and fatalities and 95 injuries. the proposed additional environmental mitigation. As a result, the proposed scheme remains the preferred option. Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the European Aviation Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Safety Agency (EASA) or other European Ministers on if HS2 Ltd will provide detailed information relating to implications of EASA’s forthcoming rule making the calculation of the additional costs required to develop programme for the regulation of flight recorder equipment the full High Speed 2 rail tunnel option in the Chilterns in helicopters across European states. [181622] Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and if he will make a statement. [181251] Mr Goodwill: The European Aviation Safety Agency’s rule making programme is discussed regularly by the Mr Goodwill: Summary headline costs of tunnel works; agency’s management board-which includes representatives other civil works, rail systems and property/land have from all member states, including the UK. The current been made available as part of on-going dialogue with programme includes the enhancement of the technical local groups. While HS2 Ltd do have the detailed requirements for flight recorders. information relating to the calculation of additional The programme does not currently include any extension costs, they will not be released as they may undermine to the type of helicopters which are required to carry our negotiating position when the contracts for construction flight recorders. are put to tender.

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Transport what discussions he has had with helicopter whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of manufacturers and commercial operators in the UK on State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the the potential for voluntary initiatives to ensure the Alternative Tunnel Proposal report that was published presence of flight recorder equipment on all on 2 December 2013; and if he will make a statement. helicopters. [181623] [181252] 305W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 306W

Mr Goodwill: No discussions have taken place with details that are ancillary to the main content of the ES the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural and are not normally included in documents of this Affairs on the Alternative Tunnel proposal published kind. The omitted information largely consisted of images on 2 December. of maps and other minor data omissions—the substance of which are replicated elsewhere in the document. In Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport total, this amounted to 877 pages which represents a what proportion of the current High Speed 2 budget small fraction of the 48,000 page document. has been allocated to (a) land acquisition, (b) land and Upon identifying the errors, immediate steps were property compensation and (c) all other types of taken to rectify them and provide local authorities, compensation; and if he will make a statement. [181253] parish councils and libraries with replacements for the 167 memory sticks that were distributed to them. Mr Goodwill: There is no specific sum of money set Replacements were also provided for the two memory aside exclusively for property compensation and property sticks formally deposited to Parliament and 388 sticks purchase schemes associated with HS2. made available to Members and Lords by the House A consultation on discretionary support for residential authorities. property owners affected by the Phase One route of HS2 closed on 4 December 2013. The Government Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for expects to announce its decision by the summer of Transport what feasibility studies he has (a) recently 2014. The result of the consultation will be one of the commissioned and (b) is considering commissioning influences on the final cost of compensation for Phase for extensions to the planned HS2 network. [181462] One. It is therefore not possible to say at this stage how much land and compensation for HS2 will cost, but a Mr Goodwill: We announced in November of last figure of around £1.6 billion for Phase One has been year that the Department is undertaking a study in assumed. collaboration with the Scottish Government to identify Property and compensation payments both form a the broad options available to make further capacity call on the HS2 Property capital budget, which is and journey time improvements between northern England £100 million for 2013-14 and £150 million for 2014-15. and Scotland, including how to cut journeys from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London to three hours or less. There Other types of compensation for Phase 1 primarily are no other such studies planned or commissioned. comprises of compensation to Train Operating Companies for disruption caused by HS2 works. An indicative Midland Main Railway Line figure of around £440 million has been assumed but this will be kept under review as the detailed design and construction work planning matures. Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for On Phase Two, Government is currently consulting Transport when his Department plans to announce the on the line of route which once a decision has been procurement of new high speed electric rolling stock made, will help to determine the indicative costs for for the upgraded Midland Mainline. [181555] property compensation and acquisition and other types of compensation. Stephen Hammond: No decisions have been taken regarding the procurement of electric rolling stock for the Midland Main Line. The matter will be largely for Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the train operator. An announcement on this will be Transport if he will make a statement on the effects of made in due course. the second phase of High Speed 2 on (a) East Lancashire and (b) Hyndburn constituency. [181430] Motorways: Accidents Mr Goodwill: High speed trains on the western leg would be able to run onto the classic network to serve Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport destinations such as Preston, Lancaster and further how many road users have been killed or seriously north. Analysis of regional benefits carried out by injured between (a) junction 10 and junction 13 of the KPMG shows that while all regions benefit, the city M1 motorway, (b) junctions 19 and 20 on the M4 regions in the Midlands and the North do particularly motorway, (c) junctions 15 and 17 on the M5 motorway, well. This contradicts suggestions that London will (d) junctions 4 and 5 and junctions 8 and 10a on the benefit from HS2 at the expense of the North. KPMG M6 motorway and (e) junctions 3a and 7 on the M42 results for Preston, Fylde and Wyre show that HS2 will motorway in each of the last five years. [181582] lead to an annual increase in future economic output worth between £179 million and £141 million. Mr Goodwill: I have asked Highways Agency officials to compile the information, which will be placed in the Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Libraries of the House as soon as possible. I will also how many pages of the environmental statement on send a copy of the information to the hon. Member. High Speed 2 were omitted from USB sticks; and how many such sticks were distributed with information Northern Rail missing. [181445] : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mr Goodwill: As a result of a production error with if he will make an assessment of the potential benefits the USB memory sticks, some material from the technical to the public purse of Directly Operated Railways operating appendices contained in Volume 5 of the Environmental Northern Rail services if it is not possible to agree a Statement was omitted. This section includes technical new contract with the incumbent operator. [181459] 307W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 308W

Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has a Pedestrian Crossings statutory duty under the Railways Act 1993 (as amended) to maintain the running of rail passenger services. If he Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for is unable to secure a new contract for an operator for Transport whether his Department plans to review the such services, including those currently operated by current guidance on pedestrian crossings and the amount Northern Rail, Directly Operated Railways could fulfil of time given to pedestrians to cross the road. [181370] this requirement. Mr Goodwill: The Department’s guidance on designing Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pedestrian crossings, including setting timings, is given (1) what estimate he has made of the future government in Local Transport Note 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian funding requirements in the event that responsibility for Crossings, Local Transport Note 2/95: The Design of Northern Rail services is devolved; [181514] Pedestrian Crossings, and Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/05: (2) what the split in funding will be between central Pedestrian Facilities at Signal-controlled Junctions. government and local authorities in the event that The Department recommends that where a crossing responsibility for Northern Rail services is devolved. may be used by a large number of older people or those [181515] with mobility issues, for example outside residential care homes, this should be taken into account when Stephen Hammond: I refer the hon. Member to the setting timings. answer I gave on 6 January 2014, Official Report, columns The Department is currently undertaking a review of 122-3W, to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington traffic signing legislation, including the Zebra, Pelican (John McDonnell). and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regulations and General Directions. Once this is concluded, the Department will John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for consider the need to update guidance to reflect these Transport if he will make an assessment of potential changes. benefits to the public purse of Directly Operated Railways operating Northern Rail services in the event Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for that it is not possible to agree a new contract with the Transport what assessment he has made of the overall incumbent operator. [181986] benefits to local councils of upgrading pedestrian crossings to a puffin standard that detects pedestrians Stephen Hammond: The Secretary of State has a and can accommodate much lower walking speeds with statutory duty under the Railways Act 1993 (as amended) minimal impact on vehicle traffic. [181558] to maintain the running of rail passenger services. If he is unable to secure a new contract for an operator for Mr Goodwill: Decisions on what type of crossing to such services, including those currently operated by provide are for local traffic authorities, taking into Northern Rail, Directly Operated Railways could fulfil account local factors such as road layout, traffic speed this requirement. and volume, and pedestrian flow. The Department gives advice on assessing and designing Parking: Fees and Charges pedestrian crossings in two Local Transport Notes (LTNs), LTN 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings and LTN 2/95: The Design of Pedestrian Crossings. These Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for are available to download from: Transport how many complaints have been made about the issuing of private parking tickets in the last year; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-transport- how many have been upheld; and how many companies notes have been barred from access to the DVLA data base. Specific guidance on designing puffin crossings is [181480] provided in a joint DFT/CSS publication, the Puffin Good Practice Guide. This is available to download Stephen Hammond: Records show that the DVLA from: received 58 complaints about the practices of private http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120606202951/ parking companies in 2013. http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/puffin-crossings Complaints against the DVLA do not constitute Initial research was commissioned by the then appeals against the parking charges being pursued. Department of Transport (DOT) in 1992 to develop the Therefore, the DVLA does not hold information about puffin pedestrian crossing concept. This focused on two the number complaints that have been upheld. experimental sites and concluded that the results justified the extension of the experiment to a further 50 sites. 27 companies were suspended from requesting vehicle The report is available to download from: keeper details from the DVLA in 2013, of these 20 were private parking companies. http://www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/ trl_reports/cat_road_user_safety/report_the_puffin_pedestrian_ crossing_experience_with_the_first_experimental_sites.htm Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Further research commissioned by the DFT showed Transport how many companies were suspended from that Pelican crossings converted to Puffin crossings receiving vehicle keeper data in 2013. [181497] showed an average reduction in accidents of 17%. The report is available to download from: Stephen Hammond: 27 companies were suspended www.trl.co.uk/online_store/reports_publications/trl_reports/ from receiving vehicle keeper data from the DVLA in cat_traffic_engineering/report_puffin_pedestrian_crossing_ 2013. accident_study.htm 309W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 310W

Railways: Fares Three conflicts of interest were notified, two by Interfleet and one by Burges Salmon. In each case the Department Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for was satisfied that appropriate protection was in place. Transport what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of the Government’s proposal John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for to regulate longer distance rail tickets on a single leg Transport who will own the rolling stock provided for basis cost. [181580] (a) the Intercity Express programme, (b) the Thameslink Rolling Stock project and (c) Crossrail. [181924] Stephen Hammond: No decision has been made on whether to regulate longer distance rail tickets on a single leg basis. A trial of single leg tickets on an Stephen Hammond: The rolling stock for the Intercity inter-city route due to take place in 2015 will help Express Programme will be owned by Agility Trains. determine the feasibility and cost of making a permanent The new Thameslink rolling stock fleet will be owned change across the rail network. by Cross London Trains Ltd and the rolling stock for Crossrail will be owned by Transport for London. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for public purse of the Government’s pilot to sell longer Transport what consultancy costs his Department has distance rail tickets on a single leg basis cost. [181581] incurred in the last five years in respect of advice on train leasing arrangements. [181931] Stephen Hammond: The Fares and Ticketing Review, published in October 2013, included plans to trial single leg tickets on an inter-city route to enable Government Stephen Hammond: Train leasing arrangements are to consider the feasibility of making this approach generally a matter for train operating companies and permanent and extending it network-wide when it is rolling stock leasing companies. affordable to do so. The amount to be paid for the trial Where the Department has employed consultants to will be determined through our negotiations with train assist it during rolling stock projects, those companies operators. provide advice on a number of areas, which may include train leasing arrangements. It has not, therefore, been Rescue Services possible to break consultancy costs down to such a specific area of work. Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received an analysis from Bristow on the cost and viability of maintaining search Virgin Trains and rescue services at RMB Chivenor to date. [182102]

Stephen Hammond: The Department did not consider Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport the cost of maintaining search and rescue services at what estimate he has made of the profits made by RMB Chivenor as the base did not feature in Bristow Virgin West Coast since the introduction of the management Helicopters’ final tender. It did, however, challenge the contract in December 2012. [181516] viability of all bidders’ basing solutions throughout the competitive dialogue process, taking into consideration the Department’s coverage requirement and affordability Stephen Hammond: West Coast Trains Limited, operating criteria. Bristow Helicopters’ proposal to operate helicopters as Virgin Trains, publish their audited accounts through from Cardiff St Athan Airport as part of its final tender Companies House. This will detail profits made. fully met the Department’s bid criteria. Virgin Trains company number is 3007940. Rolling Stock

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for West Coast Railway Line Transport what consultants have been used to provide advice on train leasing arrangements in the last five John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for years; and what conflicts of interest they declared. Transport what fees have been paid to Virgin West [181922] Coast by the Government since the introduction of the management contract in December 2012. [181990] Stephen Hammond: In the last five years, the following companies have provided consultancy advice on train leasing arrangements: Stephen Hammond: Virgin West Coast retains 1% of Freshfields; revenue as per the contracted terms. This is the “fee” as PWC; agreed in the management contract. Steer Davies Gleave; For the relevant 16-week period ending 31 March Booz & Company; 2013 within the financial year 2012-13 (ending 31 March Leigh Fisher; 2013), Virgin West Coast Trains ″fee″ for the provision Arup/lnterfleet; of the Franchise Services totalled £2,860,000. Willis; In the same period, the Government received £24,313,000 Eversheds; as a premium payment from Virgin West Coast. Burges Salmon; and Cleared, audited accounts are not yet available for Halcrow/TRL. the tax year 2013-14. 311W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 312W

HOME DEPARTMENT Data for 2013 will be available from 28 August 2014. We aim to take initial decisions as quickly as possible. Asylum: Deportation In 2012-13, 78% of initial decisions on all cases were taken within six months. Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the There are cases where an initial decision will necessarily Home Department how many failed asylum seekers take longer than six months. This is due to circumstances were returned successfully to (a) China and (b) Iran in for which the Home Office is not responsible including the last three years for which data is available. [181351] the time required to await expert medical reports or where there are issues relating to national security. Mr Harper: The following table provides the number of asylum cases removed or departing voluntarily from Counter-terrorism the UK in each year from 2010 to 2012. Asylum removals and voluntary departures to China and Iran, 2010 to 20121, 2, 3 Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Country of Total asylum Total asylum Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 December destination enforced removals voluntary departures 2013, Official Report, column 316W,on counter-terrorism, 2010 China 514 598 which local authorities submitted evaluations of projects 2011 China 381 519 undertaken under the Prevent Agenda to the Office for 2012(P) China 357 482 Security and Counter-Terrorism in each of the last 2010 Iran 50 79 three years. [181944] 2011 Iran 53 86 2012(P) Iran 22 58 James Brokenshire [holding answer 6 January 2014]: 1 Destination as recorded on source database; all nationals returned to China The following local authorities have submitted evaluations and Iran. 2 Removals are recorded on the system as at the dales on which the data extracts of Prevent projects to the Office for Security and Counter- were taken. Terrorism (OSCT) to date as follows: 3 Recorded on the system as having claimed asylum at some point. 2011-12: Birmingham, Blackburn with , Brent, Derby, It is not possible within these figures to say at what Ealing, Hackney, Lewisham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and stage in the asylum process individuals have reached at Wandsworth, the time of their removal, including whether their claim 2012-13: Birmingham, Derby, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith has failed at that point, as those departing voluntarily and Fulham, Hounslow, Lewisham, Leicester, Manchester, can do so at any stage without necessarily notifying the Newham, Stoke-on-Trent, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest Home Office. and Wandsworth, and The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual 2013-14: Derby, Hammersmith and Fulham, Newham and Wandsworth. statistics on the number of persons removed or departed voluntarily from the UK within the Immigration Statistics In addition, all areas receiving Prevent funding are release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics subject to a formal performance management process July-September 2013 is available from: which takes place every six months, against a monitoring framework that assesses the performance of each local https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/ series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release authority priority area. This gives us a systematic overview of all funded projects, enabling us to track milestones, and will be placed in the Library of the House: outputs and outcomes. Information for 2013 will be available from 27 February 2014. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 16 December Asylum: Sri Lanka 2013, Official Report, column 385W,on counter-terrorism, how much funding each local authority received in each Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the year of the Prevent agenda. [182041] Home Department how many asylum seekers from Sri Lanka who claimed in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, James Brokenshire [holding answer 6 January 2014]: (d) 2011 and (e) 2012 have not yet received an initial This information is not publicly available. decision; and if she will make a statement. [181049] Crime Prevention Mr Harper [holding answer 6 January 2014]: The numbers of Sri Lankan nationals who applied for asylum Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and have not received the Home Department what work her Department is an initial decision on their application are 27, 21, 25, undertaking to improve the policing of minority 123 and 422 respectively. communities and the confidence that these communities The Home Office publishes information on the outcome have in their local constabulary. [181687] of asylum applications by year of application in Table as_06 of the release Immigration Statistics (Asylum Damian Green: Improved diversity in policing is data tables Volume 1). absolutely necessary to cut crime in a modern, diverse A copy of the latest release Immigration Statistics society, while building the trust and confidence of local July to September 2013, which includes these data as at communities. Diversity is more than ever an important May 2013, is available from the Library of the House part of operational effectiveness. and the link below: The Government has said that police forces must do https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immigration- more to ensure that they reflect the communities they statistics-july-to-september-2013 serve. The College of Policing is engaged in a major 313W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 314W programme of work looking at recruitment, retention Table A: Offences currently recorded as domestic violence related homicide1,2 by and progression of black and minority ethnic officers. police force area, 2009-10 to 2011-12, England and Wales As part of that the college will be looking at ways of Numbers of victims Police force ensuring the police can make more use of the positive area 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 action provisions of the Equality Act 2010. The college is also engaged in work to refresh the 2 2 1 National Diversity Strategy and the Local Policing Humberside 3 2 0 Strategy for the police in England and Wales to ensure Kent 5 3 4 that all police officers and staff can meet the needs of Lancashire 5 7 2 diverse communities. Leicestershire 5 2 1 Lincolnshire 1 2 1 Forms London, City 000 of Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Merseyside 2 0 6 Metropolitan 12 20 16 Department how many police forms have been standardised; Police and what the take up of standardised forms by police Norfolk 3 2 1 forces in England and Wales has been. [181509] North Wales 3 0 2 North 230 Damian Green: Police forces are operationally Yorkshire independent and generally free to determine which forms Northamptonshire 2 1 0 they use and how they use them. Police contact with the Northumbria 2 0 2 public is primarily through 999 and 101 services and Nottinghamshire 1 3 4 through social media platforms. South Wales 7 1 0 Where a case results in a prosecution, all forces use South 452 Yorkshire standardised Manual of Guidance Forms (MG forms) Staffordshire 3 1 2 in the case file preparation. Suffolk 2 4 0 Homicide Surrey 2 3 2 Sussex 1 5 1 Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Thames Valley 2 5 6 Home Department how many domestic violence Warwickshire 1 2 2 related homicides there were in each police force area in West Mercia 4 2 1 England and Wales in each of the last three years. West Midlands 3 9 7 West 447 [181632] Yorkshire Wiltshire 1 1 0 Norman Baker: The available information is given in the table and is taken from the Home Office Homicide England and 115 117 105 Index. Wales Data are based on the number of homicides where 1 As at 1 November 2012; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with the victim’s relationship to the principal suspect was by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. 2 Offences where the victim’s relationship to principal suspect is spouse partner or ex-partner. (including civil partner), cohabiting partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-spouse/ Table A: Offences currently recorded as domestic violence related homicide1,2 by ex-cohabiting partner/ex-boyfriend/girlfriend, adulterous relationship, lover’s police force area, 2009-10 to 2011-12, England and Wales spouse or emotional rival are shown. Source: Numbers of victims Homicide Index, Home Office Police force area 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Human Trafficking Avon and 225 Somerset Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Bedfordshire 1 1 4 Home Department how many victims of trafficking for British 000 Transport (a) labour exploitation and (b) domestic servitude Police were referred to the National Referral Mechanism by Cambridgeshire 3 1 2 each first responder in each of the last three years. Cheshire 2 4 1 [181070] Cleveland 3 0 0 Cumbria 0 2 0 James Brokenshire: The following tables set out the Derbyshire 1 1 3 number of victims referred to the National Referral Devon and 343Mechanism (NRM) for domestic servitude and labour Cornwall exploitation, broken down by first responder for each Dorset 2 1 2 year from 2010 to 17 December 2013. Durham 2 2 3 Powys 0 1 0 Data reflects the organisation responsible for referring 2 1 3 the potential victim. This may not be the same as the Gloucestershire 0 0 0 organisation that originally identified the potential victim. Greater 657The NRM is a live system that changes as new victims Manchester are identified or types of exploitation are disclosed. Gwent 1 0 1 This means that the latest data may not match published Hampshire 5 3 1 statistics. 315W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 316W

2010 2012 Domestic servitude: First responders Domestic servitude: First responders Number Number Local authorities 18 Local authorities 20 Police 14 Police 15 Home Office* 86 SOCA 1 NGOs: Home Office* 61 Barnados 2 Kalayaan 8 NGOs: Medaille Trust 1 Kalayaan 9 Migrant Help 1 Medaille Trust 1 Poppy 10 Migrant Help 3 TARA 1 Poppy 8 Unseen UK 2 Salvation Army 21

Total 118 Total 164

Labour exploitation: First responders Labour exploitation: First responders Number Number Local authorities 26 Local authorities 33 Police 106 Police 128 SOCA 3 SOCA 22 Home Office* 70 Home Office* 91 NGOs: GLA 16 Kalayaan 1 NGOs: Migrant Help 16 Barnados 2 NSPCC 6 Total 222 Medaille Trust 4 Migrant Help 7 2011 Poppy 1 Domestic servitude: First responders Salvation Army 62 Number

Local authorities 12 Total 372 Police 13 SOCA 1 2013: Until 17 December 2013 Home Office* 107 Domestic servitude: First responders NGOs: Number

Barnados 1 Local authorities 10 Poppy 8 Police 14 Migrant Help 1 Home Office* 87 Salvation Army 6 NGOs: Kalayaan 13 Barnados 4 BAWSO 3 Total 162 Kalayaan 21 Medaille Trust 1 Migrant Help 2 Labour exploitation: First responders New Pathways 1 Number Poppy 9 Local authorities 47 Salvation Army 25 Police 132 Unseen UK 2 SOCA 26 Home Office* 72 Total 179 NGOs: Barnados 2 NSPCC 4 Labour exploitation: First responders Medaille Trust 3 Number Migrant Help 26 Local authorities 52 Poppy 1 Police 227 Salvation Army 22 SOCA/NCA 40 Home Office* 141 Total 335 GLA 24 317W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 318W

more investigations, prosecutions and convictions of Labour exploitation: First responders human traffickers. The legislation also proposes the Number introduction of ‘slavery and trafficking prevention orders’ NGOs: and ‘slavery and trafficking risk orders’ to restrict Barnados 5 movements or impose other prohibitions on convicted BAWSO 1 or suspected traffickers to reduce the risk they pose. Migrant Help 8 This will also create a new requirement for ‘first responders’ New Pathways 1 to report all suspected cases of human trafficking to the Poppy 4 national referral mechanism (NRM). This will improve Salvation Army 112 our understanding of the nature and scale of this crime and help improve our response. Total 615 Immigration Controls: Aviation

Human Trafficking: Children Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 November Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013, Official Report, column 545W,how many passengers the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 arriving by general aviation who were assessed as high-risk December 2013, Official Report, column 541W,on human by the UK Border Force between April and August trafficking: children, how many referrals to the National 2013 and who were (a) met by Border Force personnel Referral Mechanism have been made by the eight PORT in accordance with the compliance obligations summarised officers who have been trained to interview children in in the National Audit Office publication, The Border Force: Securing the Border, published in August 2013 the last year. [181160] and (b) were not met by Border Force personnel. Mr Harper: The Criminal Casework Prisons, Operations [179579] and Removals Team (PORT) do not hold local records on child referrals made to the National Referral Mr Harper [holding answer 3 December 2013]: It is Mechanism(NRM). Home Office policy not to release operationally sensitive information at passenger level. Statistics on NRM child referrals are published on the National Crime Agency (NCA) website, and can be At flight level, Border Force risk assess 100% of found using the following link. flights notified to us and seek to deploy to all high priority flights. Between April and August 2013 Border http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/search-results? Force met 98% of high priority flights. searchword=NRM%20statistics&searchphrase=all Kings Science Academy Immigration Controls Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 27 November Home Department what steps she is taking to tighten 2013, Official Report, column 531W, on Kings Science UK Border Force procedures to prevent criminal activity Academy, when she expects to write to the hon. Member in regards to gangmasters and smuggling. [180971] for Cardiff West with the details of the review undertaken by Action Fraud. [181273] Mr Harper: Border Force seizes significant amounts of drugs, cash and weapons at the border, disrupting James Brokenshire: The review of current audit processes organised criminal activity and preventing terrorism. is expected to be completed by the end of February This capability is further enhanced by the newly formed 2014. A copy will be placed in the House Library. National Crime Agency’s Border Policing Command, with which Border Force closely co-operates. Members: Correspondence The formation of a national command centre and regional command centres over the last 12 months have Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the enhanced Border Force’s command and control structure Home Department when she intends to reply to the letters in terms of oversight of all border risks and deployment of 30 October and 17 December 2013 from the hon. of resources to counter that risk. This targeted, intelligence Member for Birkenhead on the implications of the led approach enables Border Force to deploy resource Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 for legitimate businesses. flexibly on the basis of analysis of risk. [181435] With regards to gangmasters, the draft modern slavery legislation will consolidate existing human trafficking Norman Baker: I answered these letters today, 9th January and slavery offences to make the options available to 2014, and am sorry for the delay. law enforcement, when investigating and pursuing trafficking related charges, administratively simpler and Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for operationally clearer. The legislation also sets out to the Home Department when she intends to reply to the increase the maximum sentence for human trafficking letter to her dated 25 November 2013 from the right to life imprisonment, to ensure that modern-day slave hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to drivers face the full force of the law. There are plans to Ms E. Miller. [181603] introduce an anti-slavery commissioner to galvanize efforts in the UK to challenge modern slavery by working Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on with government and law-enforcement agencies to realise 6 January 2014. 319W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 320W

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Harper: The Home Office retains identity documents the Home Department when she intends to reply to the for the duration of the application process so that, letter to her dated 26 November 2013 from the right where a migrant is refused leave to remain in the United hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Kingdom and becomes liable to removal, they can be Mr Asif Khan Uriakhel. [181604] removed if they choose not to leave voluntarily. Having the means to identify a person and to confirm their Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on nationality is a crucial tool in enforcing removal. 7 January 2014. Some local authorities already offer a checking service on behalf of the Home Office for citizenship and settlement Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for applications where documents are verified, copied and the Home Department when she intends to reply to the returned to applicants. The Home Office has also letter to her dated 26 November 2013 from the right successfully implemented a process to return documents hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to on tier 2 intra company transfer (ICT) applications Miss Elfreda James. [181605] where the risk of individuals being refused and absconding is low. We will continue to consider ways in which we Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on can build on this to improve the system for customers, 6 January 2014. including reducing the documentation we retain in this manner. Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Shoplifting: Cumbria letter to her dated 25 November 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Tariq Razzaq. [181606] Home Department how many instances of shoplifting occurred in (a) Barrow and Furness constituency and Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on (b) Cumbria in each of the last five years. [181612] 7 January 2014. Norman Baker: The Home Office collects statistics on Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the number of shoplifting incidents recorded by police the Home Department when she intends to reply to the at police force area level. The requested information is letter to her dated 25 November 2013 from the right therefore not available for the Barrow and Furness hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to constituency specifically but the table attached gives the Mr Mohammed Shar Nooh. [181607] published data for the wider Cumbria police force area of which it is a part. Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 6 Table 1: Number of shoplifting1 incidents recorded by the police, for Cumbria January 2014. police force area, 2008-09 to 2012-13 Police force Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for area 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 25 November 2013 from the right Cumbria 2,436 2,428 2,335 2,569 2,350 hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to 1 Taken from ‘Recorded crime data at police force area level (including pivot table) from 2002-03’ published by ONS and available online: Mr A. W. Tewolide. [181608] http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/period-ending- march-2013---supplementary-tables/rft-recorded-crime-data-at-police-force- area-level--including-pivot-table--from-2002-03.xls Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on Source: 7 January 2014. Police recorded crime, Home Office

Police: Hospitals

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Home Department how many police officers were transferred to hospital in (a) Hyndburn constituency Employment Schemes: Young People and (b) England and Wales in each of the last five years. [181584] Mr Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the criteria were for the distribution of youth contract Damian Green: The Home Office does not hold this funding; and for what reasons no such funding was information centrally. allocated to rural districts. [181463]

Proof of Identity Greg Clark: The funding was part of the City Deals programme and required cities to come forward with John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the well-designed and innovative solutions to boost youth Home Department if she will make it her Department’s employment. policy to return identity documents to applicants once The City Deals programme is now being extended to they have been received and verified, instead of retaining all areas of England—including rural areas—through those documents for the duration of an application the negotiation of local growth deals with every local process. [180823] enterprise partnership. 321W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 322W

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT they will work with DCMS and other museums to find a more efficient solution for central London museum Advertising Standards Authority storage, conservation and research facilities. Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications were Culture, Media and Sport if she will make an assessment made to become a Renaissance Major Partner Museum of the desirability of the present practice of the Advertising in 2011-12; and how many such applications were successful. Standards Authority (ASA) in consulting only one [181562] designated expert when assessing claims of medical efficacy in advertising and marketing material; and if Mr Vaizey: Arts Council England received 30 applications she will encourage the ASA to adopt a robust peer-reviewed to the Renaissance Major Grants Programme for the assessment process for such claims in line with the period 2012-15, one of which was found to be ineligible assessments made by the National Institute for Health before assessment. 16 applications were successful and and Care Excellence and other public bodies. [181502] are currently Major Partner Museums. Details about the Programme and the Major Partner Museums are Mr Vaizey: There are no plans to make such an published on the Arts Council England website: assessment. Advertising in the UK is controlled through http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/our-investment/funding- a system of co-regulation and self-regulation, administered programmes/renaissance/renaissance-major-grants-programme/ by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The renaissance-major-partner-museums/ advertising regulatory system is independent of Government and is ultimately responsible for setting the standards in advertising. CABINET OFFICE Athletics Government Departments: Empty Property Dame Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the Mr Umunna: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Chairman of UK Athletics to discuss the forthcoming Office (1) what premises are available under the Space UK Athletics Championships. [181396] for Growth scheme; when each such premises became available to businesses; and how many applications have Mrs Grant: I am due to meet the Chairman of UK been received from businesses for work space under the Athletics in early February to discuss the 2017 IAAF Space for Growth scheme to date; [163358] World Athletic Championship which the Government (2) how many workstations are currently (a) available is supporting, and other matters of mutual interest and (b) being used by businesses at each office location including the British Athletic Championships. available under the Space for Growth scheme. [163359]

Museums and Galleries Mr Hurd: Since the general election the Cabinet Office has helped Departments dispose of over 1,000 unused and under-used properties, saving the taxpayer Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for £620 million last year alone. When it has not been Culture, Media and Sport what the criteria are to possible to dispose of properties we have sought to receive core funding from the Department as a national ensure that the space is made available to entrepreneurs, museum. [181561] rent and rates free. There are currently around 1,600 workstation places available in 56 different buildings Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Media around the country. Information on the exact usage of and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for each building is not held centrally. Basingstoke (), set out the criteria for the national museums sponsored by DCMS to receive funding Ministers: Domestic Visits when she wrote to inform them of the outcome of the 2013 spending round: Mr Winnick: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-bodies- Office what steps are taken to ensure that ministerial settlement-letters-spending-review-2013 visits to constituencies are conducted separately from Within the settlements for the national museums, the party political activity. [181625] Secretary of State expects their world-class collections and front-line services to be protected; that free entry to Mr Maude: As was the case under previous the permanent collections will continue to be available Administrations the Ministerial Code provides guidance and public access will be protected; that they will continue on ministerial visits. to work in partnership with other museums in the UK; that they will continue to strengthen the financial resilience New Businesses: Buildings of the sector, building on the work they have already embarked on to develop philanthropy in the sector, and Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the adding further impetus to organisations’ efforts to increase Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 4 November their share of ‘earned income’; that they will support 2013, Official Report, column 79W,on business, (1) how international cultural exchange and build relationships many entrepreneurs have made use of the 1,600 workstation which help develop the culture sector in this country spaces made available through the Space for Growth and assist export promotion in that sector; and that initiative; [177698] 323W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 324W

(2) what the definition of a workstation space is; and Data for just payday loans shops are not available but are where such workstation spaces are located. [177699] shown as part of SIC 64921—Credit granting by non-deposit-taking finance houses and other specialist consumer credit grantors. Mr Hurd: The information on entrepreneurs is not This class includes: held centrally. We know, however, that over 300 individuals Activities of non-deposit taking finance houses have registered on the booking portal. A marketing Activities of hire purchase and loan companies not in the UK campaign has started recently and is attracting interest banking sector from a variety of organisations. Cabinet Office officials Activities of check traders are in active discussions with several social enterprises Activities of money lenders and charities, which are keen to use the Government’s surplus space. Pawn broking where the primary activity is in lending money The definition of a workstation space is an area of Activities of building societies’ personal finance subsidiaries. 12 sq m that allows for a desk space with facilities such Other consumer credit granting where the main business is the as a toilet and eating area. Workstations are located in direct financing (other than finance leasing) of instalment credit sales mainly to persons, together with farm, industrial and building 54 different locations around England, including central plant equipment to uncorporated businesses. London. The table below shows the number of businesses that have Public Sector: Procurement opened in SIC 92000 (Gambling and betting activities) and SIC 64921 (Credit granting by non-deposit taking finance houses and other specialist consumer credit grantors) in England for the Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet years 2010 to 2012. The data are taken from the Inter Departmental Office what assessment he has made of the potential Business Register (IDBR) and show the number of new businesses effect of the proposed EU directive on public that have registered for VAT and/or PAYE. These numbers do not procurement 2011/0438 (COD). [181437] include very small businesses, typically those below the threshold for VAT and PAYE. Data are rounded to protect confidentiality. Mr Hurd: The Government worked actively with the Count of businesses that have opened in SIC 92000 (Gambling and European Commission, other member states and the betting activities) and SIC 64921 (Credit granting by non-deposit European Parliament on this directive. The outcome is taking finance houses and other specialist consumer credit grantors) in England for the years 2010-12 an improvement on existing public procurement rules. SIC 2010 2011 2012

Shops 92000 95 70 80 64921 55 60 55 Hilary Benn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of (a) Universal Credit betting shops and (b) payday loan shops that have opened in each of the last three years in England. [181565] Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) if he will publish the guidance his Department Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the gave to the Department for Work and Pensions relating responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have to the development of the universal credit IT systems; asked the authority to reply. [181235] Letter from Glen Watson: (2) what involvement his Department had in the As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have decision to use agile methods of project management in been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the development of the universal credit IT system; and what estimate has been made of the number of (a) betting shops what assessment he has made of the suitability of such and (b) payday loan shops that have opened in each of the last methods for that system; [181238] three years in England.[181565] Data showing how many individual shops have opened are not (3) what involvement the Government Digital Service available. The data shown below are the counts of ″births″ of new currently has in the development of the universal credit businesses (enterprises.) IT system. [181239] Data on the number of business births are published annually in the ONS release on Business Demography at: Mr Maude: Universal credit is one of the Government’s http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/bus-register/business- 25 ’exemplar’ public services which are being delivered demography/index.html through a digital by default approach. The Cabinet The latest data available are for 2012. Data for 2013 will be Office’s Government Digital Service supports and advises available during November/December 2014. the seven other departments delivering these ’exemplar’ Data for betting shops alone are not available but are shown as services. Details are available on part of Standard Industrial classification (SIC) 92000—Gambling www.gov.uk/transformation and betting activities. This class includes: and updated periodically. Sale of lottery tickets The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my Operation (exploitation) of coin-operated gambling machines right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), asked the Government Operation (exploitation) of coin-operated games Digital Service (GDS) to work with DWP colleagues to Operation of virtual gambling websites help explore a digital strategic solution for universal Bookmaking and other betting operations credit. For further details, I refer the hon. Member to Off-track betting the answer the Minister for Civil Society, my hon. Operation of casinos, including floating casinos. Friend the Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner 325W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 326W

(Mr Hurd), gave to the right hon. Member for East South Africa Ham (Stephen Timms) on 16 December 2013, Official Report, column 458W. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The National Audit Office report “Universal Credit: and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations early progress” recognises at paragraph 3.6 that the his Department has made to the government of South DWP decided to use an ‘agile’ method of programme Africa on the crash of Cessna ZS-KOX on 9 September management in late 2010. 2004. [181470] Cabinet Office guidance on digital services is publicly available at: Mark Simmonds: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office takes the death of any British national overseas www.gov.uk/service-manual very seriously. The crash of Cessna ZS-KOX was a tragedy. We have repeatedly raised the importance of concerns about the South African maintenance company FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE with the South African authorities. Our high commissioner and other senior staff continue to follow this up with India the South Africans, working closely with Canadian and Australian counterparts. Most recently the deputy high commissioner met the South African Civil Aviation Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Authority on 18 November 2013. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on prisoners remaining imprisoned after completing their sentences in the Punjab and Haryana regions. [181541] ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Mr Swire: British officials discussed this issue with state authorities in Punjab and Haryana in December Rural Community Broadband Fund 2013. We are also aware of the protest hunger strike of Bhai Gurbakhash Singh and continue to monitor the 12. Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for general human rights situation in India. This includes Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment maintaining a dialogue with Indian officials about minority he has made of the role of the Rural Community rights issues in India, including with regards to the Sikh Broadband Fund in enabling the hardest-to-reach areas community. Minority rights were also discussed at the to gain access to superfast broadband. [901868] EU-India human rights dialogue on 27 November 2013. Dan Rogerson: The Rural Community Broadband North Korea Fund is targeted in the 10% hard to reach areas which would not otherwise receive superfast broadband under Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the Government’s £530 million rural broadband and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has programme. To date, five projects have been approved had with his counterparts in the US, China and South under the Fund, of which two have been contracted and Korea about human rights abuses in North Korea. a further 24 are in advanced development. The Fund [181144] could lead to projects providing superfast broadband to up to 35,000 business and residential premises in England. Mr Swire: The Prime Minister discussed a range of issues, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Flood Protection Schemes Korea (DPRK), with President Park Geun-hye of The Republic of Korea (ROK) during her State Visit in 13. Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for November 2013. In the joint statement they issued Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many flood following their meeting they affirmed deep concern protection schemes have been implemented following about the human rights situation in the DPRK and receipt of partnership funding. [901869] expressed their support for the UN Commission of Inquiry. Dan Rogerson: This Government’s new flood and I also met the UN Commission of Inquiry in October coastal erosion risk management partnership funding 2013 to discuss DPRK human rights violations and approach started to make a real impact on funding demonstrate UK support for the work of the Commission. allocations in 2013-14. Of the 507 schemes receiving The next Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human DEFRA funding in 2013-14, about a quarter (143) have Rights annual report will be published in April The secured external contributions. Early indications suggest DPRK will remain a country of concern. that up to 25% more schemes will go ahead than if costs DPRK human rights was also the subject of a were met by DEFRA alone. Particular examples include multilateral discussion during the G8 FM meeting in the Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Parrett the UK. The G8 Ministers’ statement expressed concerns Estuary. over the systematic and widespread human rights violations in the DPRK, highlighted the importance of improving Flooding inter-Korean relations and emphasised the need to address humanitarian issues including abductions and family 14. Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State reunions. They emphasized that the DPRK must address for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate these issues and co-operate fully with all relevant UN he has made of the number of properties protected mechanisms. from flooding during the recent tidal surge. [901871] 327W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 328W

Dan Rogerson: We estimate that to date a combined George Eustice: DEFRA has commissioned research total of over 1 million properties have been protected to review publically available evidence on food aid from flooding during the flood events in December and provision in the UK. early January. In particular, flood defences protected All Government-funded research projects are required around 800,000 properties from the tidal surge experienced to go through review and quality assurance processes on the east coast in early December. prior to publication. Once this process is complete, the EU Discards Ban conclusions of this work will be made available on the Government’s website. 15. Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Trapping Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in securing an EU discards ban. [R] Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, [901872] Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress his Department has made in implementing the findings of its 2010 study George Eustice: The UK secured an EU wide landing on the extent of the use of snares; [181393] obligation as part of the reformed Common Fisheries (2) whether his Department plans to consult on Policy, which came into force on 1 January 2014. The proposals to regulate or ban the use of snares. [181394] landing obligation in pelagic fisheries comes into force in January 2015 with a landing obligation in other George Eustice: We are currently considering the fisheries beginning in 2016. findings of the 2010 report on the extent of use and Preparatory work has begun, and we are talking to humaneness of snares in England and Wales and Ministers the fishing industry and other stakeholders about how expect to meet stakeholders shortly. No consultation is we can best implement these changes in practice. planned. Agriculture: Bureaucracy

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Basic Skills he has made of the scope for cutting red tape in the farming industry. [901870] Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department George Eustice: I am committed to freeing farmers has taken to support the delivery of basic skills provision from red tape to help them seize economic opportunities. in response to the findings of the Organisation for Over the next five years we will reduce costs to all Economic Co-operation and Development Skills Outlook businesses by at least £1 billion. 2013, published in November 2013. [181390] We are reducing paperwork burdens and making guidance clearer and simpler. Farmers who play by the Matthew Hancock: It is the Government’s priority to rules receive fewer inspections. For example, 740 members ensure that all adults throughout England have the of the Environment Agency’s Pig and Poultry scheme basic literacy and numeracy skills which are important are inspected once every three years rather than annually. for finding and sustaining employment and also help to I expect to make an announcement shortly on further create other positive outcomes, such as improved well-being opportunities for cutting red tape as a result of the and health. agriculture Red Tape Challenge. Our reforms to further education (FE), alongside our Bovine Tuberculosis reforms to school-age education, will improve the quality of the teaching work force, reward the best providers and ensure learners are stretched to achieve the best Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for they can. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department’s latest evaluation is of the badger cull In August 2013 we introduced a £15 million bursary scheme to encourage high-calibre graduates with relevant pilots. [901862] degrees to train as specialist teachers of maths or English, or to support students with special educational needs George Eustice: We are waiting for the Independent (SEN). Expert Panel to report their findings. We will consider all the information these pilots have generated and From 2013-14 we have funded FE Centres of Excellence decide on next steps in due course. in Teaching and Training to deliver English and maths It is clear that should additional areas be culled this initial teacher training and continuous professional year, preparatory work needs to be started now. Natural development programmes. These up-skill existing literacy England is today publishing information and guidance and numeracy teachers to teach to GCSE level, identify on an expression of interest process as a first step in the innovative and best practice in teaching English and preparations needed. maths to post-16 students, and assess the level of SEN teaching and knowledge across the sector. Food Poverty From 2015 the new English and maths GCSEs will have a closer focus on essential skills like spelling, Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for grammar and problem solving. We hope that in time, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to these will replace other qualifications as the single, publish the research commissioned by his Department gold-standard Level 2 in all settings across the whole of into food aid provision and access. [901860] FE. 329W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 330W

All intermediate apprentices will be required to work Jenny Willott: Legal protection for employees from towards achieving a Level 2 in English and maths from direct and indirect discrimination as well as from harassment 2014/15. All young people undertaking a traineeship or victimisation because of religion and belief, is provided will be required to study English and maths unless they by the Equality Act 2010. have already achieved a Level 2. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) In the autumn statement we announced that we will —the UK body with the statutory remit to protect, be piloting a requirement that young people aged 18-21 enforce and promote equality—has issued a targeted without a Level 2 qualification in English and maths guide for employers which can be accessed on their undertake training to improve these vital skills from the website at: very outset of a claim for jobseeker’s allowance. http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your- We will continue analysing the OECD International rights/religion-and-belief/ Survey of Adult Skills and identify where further action This good practice guide aims to help employers is necessary. understand how to recognise and manage expressions of religion or belief in the workplace and includes examples of requests that employees may make and Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for how employers might deal with them. Business, Innovation and Skills what representations his Department has received from colleges and other The EHRC have also published ’Shared understandings: providers on (a) funding data not being reconciled by a new EHRC strategy to strengthen understanding of the Skills Funding Agency’s systems and (b) resulting religion or belief in public life’. Part of this work will delays in payment to private providers. [181391] seek to assess whether there is currently sufficient protection for people with a religious or other belief. Matthew Hancock: The Skills Funding Agency is Beyond this, individuals are free to contract on which moving to a new data collection system that underpins ever terms suit them and their employer including agreeing a more streamlined and less complex funding system. working days. The system will remove the need for thousands of National Careers Service different funding values for each course and qualification, replace old and complex funding formulas with a single cash figure and replace the different funding systems Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for with a single one. Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made to date on the Government’s commitment for 50 There have been some issues for colleges and other per cent of the National Careers Service workforce to providers in calculating funding due to them where hold a relevant qualification at Qualifications and Credit their own internal management information systems Framework level 6 by 2015; and what assessment he has have not been able to report accurately their management made of the likelihood that the target will be met. position. BIS and the Agency have been working with [181583] representatives from the sector to develop the new system. The Agency has continued to pay all providers and Matthew Hancock: The National Careers Service was colleges on time. The Agency is not aware of any late launched in April 2012. At the time 9% of careers payments being made by the Agency to private training advisers in the National Careers Service work force held providers. a relevant Level 6 or above qualification and 7% were working towards a Level 6 qualification. Billing In the most recent annual survey carried out by the Skills Funding Agency in January 2013 16.5% of careers advisers held a relevant Level 6 or above qualification Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for and 13% were working towards a Level 6 qualification. Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on These figures indicate that by the end of March 2014 the right of consumers to receive bills by post. [181475] around 30% of careers advisers will hold a relevant level 6 qualification. Jenny Willott: The Government believes that consumers We are making good progress towards our aspiration should have the choice of receiving their bills and of 50% of careers advisers qualified to Level 6. statements through the post, and this option is widely available. Where suppliers offer a choice of billing options customers who access their bills electronically will often ATTORNEY-GENERAL receive a discount for doing so, and the Government would not want to prevent businesses from sharing such Domestic Violence efficiency savings with their customers. Mr Llwyd: To ask the Attorney-General what advice Conditions of Employment: Religion has been given to the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales when considering whether to charge an alleged perpetrator following domestic abuse Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, complaints. [181631] Innovation and Skills what recent assessment he has made of the extent to which the rights of Christians to The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service religious freedom are safeguarded by employers who (CPS) has published comprehensive legal guidance on require Sunday working. [182250] domestic violence and an accompanying policy document. 331W Written Answers9 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 332W

They advise prosecutors of the factors they should consider Justine Greening: The total cost of redundancies when deciding whether to charge someone who is alleged made by the DFID since June 2010 has been £7.7 million. to have committed domestic abuse. In addition, the CPS has agreed a joint evidential checklist for domestic violence cases with the Association of Chief Police Redundancy Pay Officers to support closer joint working and case-building. The evidential checklist was first issued in November 2012 and was re-issued in November 2013 through a Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for joint letter from the new Director of Public Prosecutions International Development how many staff from her and the new National Policing lead. Department have received a redundancy payment since June 2010. [181569]

Justine Greening: 131 DFID staff received a redundancy INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT payment in the period from June 2010 until December Developing Countries: Female Genital Mutilation 2013.

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department Syria is taking to tackle female genital mutilation overseas. [181560] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has Lynne Featherstone: The UK is playing a key role in had with her international counterparts on the Kuwait supporting efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation II Syria Donor Conference. [181587] (FGM) worldwide by investing the largest single donor commitment ever into this issue. We also aim to galvanise unprecedented political commitment and funding for Justine Greening: I have had conversations with a this neglected issue. range of international counterparts to encourage them to be represented at senior level and make significant DFID has launched a programme towards ending pledges at the Kuwait II Syria Conference. FGM in Africa and beyond. This is a comprehensive programme, with a budget of up to £35 million over five years, which will combine targeted action with communities Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for with support for legislative and policy change, and International Development when she last discussed the effective implementation of laws and policies, in 17 countries. Kuwait II Syria Donor Conference with the Prime It will support a robust international research component Minister. [181588] to build the global evidence base on the most effective strategies to end FGM. It will also support a movement Justine Greening: I have regular discussions with the within countries and globally to raise awareness and Prime Minister on departmental issues, including the understanding of FGM and build support for efforts to Syria crisis. end the practice, through social change communications. This programme aims to see a reduction of cutting by Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for 30% in 10 countries over five years and has a vision to International Development what meetings she has had see an end to the practice in one generation. with (a) non-governmental organisations and (b) UK Redundancy civil society relating to the Kuwait II Syria Donor Conference. [181589] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost of Justine Greening: I have met with a range of non- redundancy has been for staff of her Department since governmental organisations and civil society organisations June 2010. [181590] to discuss the Kuwait II Syria Donor Conference.

5MC Ministerial Corrections9 JANUARY 2014 Ministerial Corrections 6MC

The net cost of administering child support on a comparable Ministerial Correction basis has fallen from £527 million in 2010-11 to £485 million in 2011-12. Thursday 9 January 2014 These figures are available in the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission Annual Report and Accounts 2011-12, which can be found via the following link: WORK AND PENSIONS https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/221408/cmec-report-and-accounts-11- Children: Maintenance 12.pdf : To ask the Secretary of State for Work The correct answer should have been: and Pensions what progress he has made on plans to reduce the costs of the child maintenance system. Steve Webb: A significant amount of work has been [177137] undertaken since 2010-11 to reduce the costs of operating [Official Report, 27 November 2013, Vol. 571, c. 361W.] the child maintenance systems: Letter of correction from Steve Webb: cost per £1 of child maintenance collected and arranged has fallen from 39 pence in 2010-11 to around 35 pence in 2011-12. An error has been identified in the written answer The statutory cost of each child benefiting has fallen from given to the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston £488 in 2010-11 to £425 in 2011-12. (Kate Green) on 17 November 2013: The net cost of administering child support on a comparable The full answer given was as follows: basis has fallen from £513.2 million in 2010-11 to £484.5 million in 2011-12. Steve Webb: A significant amount of work has been These figures are available in the Child Maintenance undertaken since 2010-11 to reduce the costs of operating and Enforcement Commission Annual Report and the child maintenance systems: Accounts 2011-12, which can be found via the following cost per £1 of child maintenance collected and arranged has link: fallen from 39 pence in 2010-11 to around 35 pence in 2011-12. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ The statutory cost of each child benefiting has fallen from attachment_data/file/221408/cmec-report-and-accounts-11- £488 in 2010-11 to £425 in 2011-12. 12.pdf

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 9 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 445 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Christian Celebration of Christmas ...... 448 AFFAIRS...... 427 Church Treasures ...... 445 Badger Cull Pilots...... 432 Grade I Listed Churches...... 447 Bovine TB...... 434 Homelessness...... 445 Elliott Review...... 435 Homelessness...... 446 Environmental Permitting Regulations ...... 436 Religious Tolerance...... 447 Farming Industry (Red Tape)...... 428 Violent Attacks on Clergy...... 446 Flood Defences...... 429 Pilling Report...... 442 Flooding (Northern Lincolnshire) ...... 437 Food Banks...... 435 ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 443 Topical Questions ...... 438 National Voter Registration Day...... 443 Tree Diseases...... 427 Payments to Candidates (Speaking Engagements) . 442 Water Companies (Social Tariffs)...... 433 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 9 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 17WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— Building Regulations Advisory Committee ...... 17WS continued Woodland Planting ...... 18WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 17WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 19WS Commons Act 2006 ...... 17WS Health and Safety Executive (Triennial Review)..... 19WS Single Payment Scheme...... 18WS Pension NDPBs (Triennial Review)...... 20WS PETITION

Thursday 9 January 2014

Col. No. HEALTH...... 11P Proposed Closure of the Dudley Borough Walk-in Centre at Holly Hall Clinic, Dudley .... 11P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 9 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 330W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Domestic Violence ...... 330W continued Rented Housing: Overcrowding ...... 292W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 328W Basic Skills...... 328W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 321W Billing ...... 329W Advertising Standards Authority ...... 321W Conditions of Employment: Religion ...... 329W Athletics...... 321W National Careers Service...... 330W Museums and Galleries...... 321W

CABINET OFFICE...... 322W DEFENCE...... 289W Government Departments: Empty Property ...... 322W Armed Forces Covenant ...... 289W Ministers: Domestic Visits ...... 322W Armed Forces: Pensions...... 289W New Businesses: Buildings ...... 322W Defence Support Group...... 289W Public Sector: Procurement...... 323W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 290W Shops ...... 323W Universal Credit...... 324W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 320W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 320W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 291W Bellwin Scheme ...... 291W EDUCATION...... 286W Floods...... 292W Children: Day Care ...... 286W Food Banks...... 292W Free Schools: Autism ...... 287W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION—continued INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—continued Further Education: Finance...... 287W Redundancy...... 331W High Tunstall College of Science ...... 288W Redundancy Pay ...... 332W Kings Science Academy ...... 288W Syria...... 332W Teachers: Training...... 288W JUSTICE...... 277W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 290W Human Trafficking ...... 277W Green Deal Scheme...... 290W Members: Correspondence ...... 290W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 275W Water-cooled Reactors ...... 291W National Crime Agency ...... 275W Wind Power ...... 291W Police Service of Northern Ireland...... 275W Public Expenditure...... 275W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Terrorism ...... 276W AFFAIRS...... 326W Agriculture: Bureaucracy ...... 327W PRIME MINISTER ...... 276W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 327W European Council ...... 276W EU Discards Ban ...... 327W Flood Protection Schemes...... 326W SCOTLAND...... 276W Flooding ...... 326W Immigration...... 276W Food Poverty...... 327W Rural Community Broadband Fund ...... 326W TRANSPORT ...... 301W Trapping ...... 328W Bus Services: Concessions ...... 301W Car Tax...... 302W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 325W Crossrail Line...... 302W India ...... 325W Driving Tests...... 302W North Korea ...... 325W Helicopters...... 302W South Africa ...... 326W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 304W Midland Main Railway Line ...... 306W HEALTH...... 296W Motorways: Accidents ...... 306W Brain: Tumours...... 296W Northern Rail ...... 306W Breastfeeding ...... 297W Parking: Fees and Charges...... 307W Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ...... 297W Pedestrian Crossings ...... 308W Headaches...... 298W Railways: Fares ...... 309W Health Services ...... 299W Rescue Services ...... 309W Health Services: Foreign Nationals ...... 300W Rolling Stock ...... 309W Human Papillomavirus ...... 300W Virgin Trains ...... 310W Midwives...... 300W West Coast Railway Line ...... 310W NHS: ICT ...... 301W TREASURY ...... 293W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 311W Children: Day Care ...... 293W Asylum: Deportation ...... 311W Government Securities: Greece ...... 293W Asylum: Sri Lanka...... 311W Motor Vehicles: Insurance ...... 294W Counter-terrorism ...... 312W Public Finance: Scotland ...... 294W Crime Prevention ...... 312W Sovereignty: Scotland...... 294W Forms ...... 313W Tax Avoidance ...... 295W Homicide ...... 313W Human Trafficking ...... 314W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 279W Human Trafficking: Children...... 317W Babies ...... 279W Immigration Controls ...... 317W Cold Weather Payments ...... 279W Immigration Controls: Aviation...... 318W Disclosure of Information ...... 280W Kings Science Academy ...... 318W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 280W Members: Correspondence ...... 318W Housing Benefit: Barrow in Furness ...... 281W Police: Hospitals ...... 319W Housing Benefit: Liverpool...... 281W Proof of Identity...... 319W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 281W Shoplifting: Cumbria ...... 320W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Young People ...... 283W Pension Credit: Hyndburn ...... 283W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 278W Personal Independence Payment...... 283W Voting: Child Care ...... 278W Personal Independence Payment: Wales...... 283W Social Security Benefits...... 284W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 331W Standard of Living...... 284W Developing Countries: Female Genital Trussell Trust ...... 285W Mutilation...... 331W Work Capability Assessment...... 286W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 9 January 2014

Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 5MC Children: Maintenance ...... 5MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

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ISBN 978 0 215 064110 Printed in the United Kingdom by The Stationery Office Limited ISSN 0 309-8826 Volume 573 Thursday No. 101 9 January 2014

CONTENTS

Thursday 9 January 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 427] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Church Commissioners Speaker’s Electoral Commission Committee

Business of the House [Col. 449] Statement—(Mr Lansley)

Backbench Business Rural Communities [Col. 469] Motion—(Miss McIntosh)—agreed to Inter-City Rail Investment [Col. 519] Motion—(Ian Swales)—agreed to

Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Hospitals Trust [Col. 554] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Disabled People (Access to Transport) [Col. 151WH] Global Food Security [Col. 177WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 17WS]

Petition [Col. 11P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 275W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 5MC]

PEFC/16-33-622