Tuesday Volume 493 2 June 2009 No. 83

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 2 June 2009

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Hazel Blears: The hon. Lady is in a knowledge-free House of Commons zone. She has failed to acknowledge the tremendous help that the Government have given to businesses. The Tuesday 2 June 2009 help includes the small business rate relief—nearly 400,000 businesses have taken advantage of the 50 per cent. relief, which was opposed by the Opposition—the deferral The House met at half-past Two o’clock of 60 per cent. of the retail prices index increase, the deferral of 60 per cent. of the transitional element, and PRAYERS the deferral of tax and VAT for more than 100,000 businesses. That is what real help is, and I am afraid that the hon. Lady is not even on the playing field. [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] Regional Spatial Strategies

Oral Answers to Questions 2. John Howell (Henley) (Con): What the timetable is for further reviews of regional spatial strategies. [277599] COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT The Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett): Regional spatial strategies have been published for all regions, The Secretary of State was asked— with the exception of the south-west, where we expect to publish shortly, and the west midlands, which is Non-Domestic Rate (Small Businesses) currently holding an examination in public. All regional planning bodies have agreed timetables for further reviews, 1. Mr. Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What and I have put details in the Library. assessment she has made of the effects of the transitional arrangements for the national non-domestic rate on John Howell: Will the Minister not admit that she has small businesses in (a) London and (b) Northamptonshire made a mistake and that instead of revising regional in 2009-10. [277598] spatial strategies, she should be abolishing them and their unsustainable and undemocratic approach to the The Secretary of State for Communities and Local UK housing market? Government (Hazel Blears): No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme in Margaret Beckett: No, I think that would be a disastrous each financial year, but the Government are aware of course of action. The Opposition have said a lot of the impact that large increases in business rate bills can sweeping things about there being no need for a regional have on all businesses when the transitional rate relief tier of consideration or decision making, but one of the comes to an end. That is why we are allowing businesses reasons this Government implemented such proposals to defer, over two years, 60 per cent. of the increase in is because of representations that we received from their business rates bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending across the country, including from the business community of transitional relief. That is in addition to allowing the in particular, about the gap that existed in our decision- deferral of 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the making procedures when there was no regional tier. annual inflation adjustment. Paddy Tipping (Sherwood) (Lab): In the current economic Mr. Hollobone: Will the Secretary of State confirm climate, the aspiration to build 3 million new houses by that the business rates deferral scheme will start to take 2020 looks ambitious. In the review of regional plans, effect from the end of July and will she give a commitment will the Minister recognise the pent-up demand for that the new costs incurred by local authorities in housing that still exists and commit herself to development, sending out the new bills will be fully funded by central in the east midlands and elsewhere, on brownfield sites Government? rather than on greenfield sites? Hazel Blears: Yes, I can confirm to the hon. Gentleman that he is correct on both counts. Margaret Beckett: First, my hon. Friend is entirely right. I hope that everyone in the House recognises the Justine Greening (Putney) (Con): With 41 businesses tremendous pent-up demand that exists for new housing now going insolvent every day, the decision by Ministers and the serious social and economic problems that to withdraw transitional relief has been taken in a would be caused if we could not do more to address it. I totally fact-free zone. No assessment was made of how also entirely accept his other point, although he will withdrawing the relief in the first place would hurt know that this Government have a strong record of businesses. Two months after the decision to introduce construction on brownfield sites. I accept completely the business rate deferral scheme, Ministers have still that that is much the most desirable way, and we will not calculated the cost of the scheme to local authorities continue to try to pursue it. nor assessed its impact on businesses. Is the Secretary of State still going ahead with the next big challenge for Alistair Burt (North-East Bedfordshire) (Con): In the businesses, the 2010 revaluation, and will that decision determination to move government closer to the people, be taken in a fact-free zone too, with no account taken what was the deciding factor in moving planning strategy of the impact on businesses, communities and jobs? from one unelected quango to another? 147 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 148

Margaret Beckett: If the hon. Gentleman is referring, number of homes that local authorities have offered to as I think he is, to the proposals currently before the build on a sustainable basis gives people a feeling of House, may I inform him that what we are basically being completely disempowered and confirms their sense trying to do is streamline and simplify the system? He that the only way to get a change in politics is to get a will have many opportunities to make his contribution change of Government. on those issues as the Bill proceeds through the House. However, I am sure that he will know that there is a Margaret Beckett: I think that the hon. Lady is subtly strong element of participation by local authorities; trying to work round to the proposals that have been perhaps I could therefore remind the Opposition, who put forward by her party, in which, instead of having sometimes seem to forget this, that the members of overall targets that recognise the substantial unmet those authorities are elected. housing demand identified a moment ago by my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Paddy Tipping), we Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): Is it my right hon. should somehow let a thousand flowers bloom and Friend’s intention that the spatial strategies will respect thereby allow local authorities to build up to meet the the Government’s target for new house building on housing need. I would simply say to her that I have read brownfield sites, as measured at the local government with great care the many comments on her party’s level, not the regional level? proposals, and that I note with interest and some amusement that many official bodies have said, “What Margaret Beckett: It is certainly our hope that people a fascinating idea. We look forward with great interest everywhere across the country will take account of that to hearing from the Conservative party how it can approach, which is obviously the most desirable from possibly deliver housing.” every point of view. My hon. Friend will appreciate that sometimes there are greater difficulties in finding suitable Housing Revenue Account sites that meet those criteria, but the Government certainly retain that approach, and we will encourage local authorities to do so too. 3. David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): What recent representations she has received on the Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): But why should future of the housing revenue account subsidy system. anyone believe what the right hon. Lady says when she [277600] talks about building only on brownfield sites? She will know that many of the eco-towns proposed by her The Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett): Since predecessor were going to be built on greenfield sites. the launch of the joint review of council housing finance Does she not accept that there needs to be a balance with the Treasury in March 2008, we have received between the urgent need for extra housing and maintaining position papers from key organisations in the sector, the rural environment? approximately 45 written submissions in response to our call for evidence, papers from a number of housing Margaret Beckett: Of course I accept that; I do not experts and four petitions. We have also received direct think that anyone would dispute it. I simply say to representations in face-to-face meetings with housing the hon. Gentleman that the reason that people should representative bodies, local authorities and trade unions. believe what we say about brownfield sites is that the Government have delivered—in fact, more than delivered—on our targets for brownfield sites. We have David Taylor: Despite our pledge to get councils had many discussions in the House about the proposals building again, they are doing so at a rate of only about for eco-towns, and he is correct to say that some of 200 homes a year, although registered social landlords those proposals involved greenfield development. They are completing something like 20,000, suggesting a involve a variety of types of development, and we shall continuing bias against local authorities providing decent, return to that issue later in the year. affordable, accountable new homes for rent. Will my right hon. Friend grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity Mrs. Caroline Spelman (Meriden) (Con): Yesterday, to reform seriously flawed housing revenue accounts by the Prime Minister admitted on Radio 4 that people felt announcing a self-financing system in which councils powerless and that politics was not as accountable as it can keep their own rents, reinvest surpluses in existing should be. Was there any point at which the right hon. and new stock and have the same freedom as housing Lady felt that he might have been referring to the associations to access grants and loans for much-needed unelected, unaccountable regional spatial strategies, which new developments? ride roughshod over local communities? Margaret Beckett: I entirely share my hon. Friend’s Margaret Beckett: That is certainly not the case. I am concern about the barriers that had been put in the way sure that is not what the Prime Minister meant, not of local government’s freedom to provide housing for least because—as I reminded the Opposition a moment its local communities by the Conservatives when they ago—there will be very strong local authority involvement were last in government. I can assure him, however, that and representation in the new bodies that will consider we are in the last stages of removing those barriers and the proposals. They are, as I have said, elected. that local authorities will be able to bid for grant. They will have the special opportunity that was made available Mrs. Spelman: But does the right hon. Lady not to them in the Budget of accessing funds reserved for understand that local government involvement and local authorities, but they will also have an opportunity participation is no good if it is overridden? Unelected to bid for social grant on the same basis as housing regional bureaucrats arbitrarily doubling or trebling the associations and other bodies. 149 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 150

Julia Goldsworthy (Falmouth and Camborne) (LD): some Conservative local authorities, which were perfectly Back in January, the Prime Minister said that he would happy with the surpluses built up—four and more times “put aside any of the barriers that stand in the way of” the size of last year’s—when the Conservative Government local authorities providing more housing. The right were in power. We will put that aside and welcome their hon. Lady has mentioned the money announced in the conversion to a better approach. Budget, but that equates to only three homes per authority. Is it not time to acknowledge that the real barrier is the Houses in Multiple Occupation housing revenue account subsidy? Why are the results of the review so overdue? In the current economic 4. Dr. Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) climate, surely what we need is swift action, rather than (Lab): What progress her Department has made further delay. towards implementing those proposals it accepted from the ECOTEC report on houses in multiple occupation. Margaret Beckett: As I pointed out a moment ago to [277601] my hon. Friend the Member for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor), we are removing the last of the barriers The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for that obstruct local authorities. I share what I deduce to Communities and Local Government (Mr. Iain Wright): be the hon. Lady’s hope, which I hope in turn is shared Following on from the research work undertaken by across the House, that local authorities of every political ECOTEC, the Department published on 13 May a shade will take advantage of this opportunity to begin consultation paper on houses in multiple occupation greater construction. I also understand her point about and possible planning responses. the structure of the housing revenue account. The review has not, actually, been massively delayed—we had hoped Dr. Blackman-Woods: I thank the Minister for that that it would report in the spring, and we now hope response and, indeed, for his interest in this subject. He that it will do so this summer—but I fully recognise that will know that my constituents would like the local there are many criticisms of the present system and that authority to have more tools to control the amount of they have a great deal of validity. While I very much private renting and HMOs in some areas. Will he tell us hope that we will be able to come forward with radical when proposals to license all private landlords and to proposals for change that will attract support across the alter use classes orders relating to HMOs will be put parties, I am conscious of the unwarrantable precedent before the House? of the poll tax, whereby it was thought that anything would be better than the then system. Unless we can Mr. Wright: I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who has come up with anything better than the present system, done a great deal of work in this sector, not least in her we may have to tinker with that. role as chair of the all-party group on balanced and sustainable communities. She has really cajoled me and Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) (Lab): I am other Ministers in that respect. On her point about the sure that my right hon. Friend will be aware of the powers available to local authorities, I have to say that uncertain feelings that managers of arm’s length she and her constituents are being badly let down by the management organisations are experiencing at the moment. City of Durham council, but I believe that the new Since the stock is still owned by councils, will she please unitary authority for Durham county will do an awful tell the House when it will be announced that those lot better. Powers are available in the Housing Act 2004 ALMOs are going to have a certain future ahead of to enable local authorities to exercise control on the them? basis of evidence of antisocial behaviour. Our consultation Margaret Beckett: I cannot put a date on the particular on use classes orders and aligning housing and planning concerns that my hon. Friend raises and I recognise, of definitions of HMOs will end on 7 August. We look course, that there are, sadly, a plethora of uncertainties forward subsequently to consulting the House on that. about some of these issues. We will certainly do our best Business Rate Liabilities to resolve them as speedily as possible, and if it is helpful, I will write to him if any further information becomes available. 5. Mr. Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con): When she plans to bring forward legislation to give effect to Mr. Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): Last year, the planned partial deferral of business rate liabilities the Communities and Local Government Select Committee in 2009-10. [277602] reported: “The national Housing Revenue Account system creates uncertainty The Minister for Local Government (John Healey): and resentment and does not reward best practice.” We are preparing the regulations now, we will introduce We are now 18 months into the Government’s review of them as soon as possible and they will be in place and in the HRA. When can we expect a conclusion to the effect by the end of July. review—one that is fair, that supports local autonomy and that will increase the provision of much-needed Mr. Harper: Assuming that the regulations are introduced social housing across the whole country? and pass into law before the summer recess, may I point out that all that they do is defer the payment? Will the Margaret Beckett: It is not 18 months, but never Minister explain in a little more detail why he decided mind. I told the House a few moments ago that we hope against supporting the Small Business Rate Relief to publish some proposals this summer. I fully recognise (Automatic Payment) Bill, tabled by my hon. Friend the the justified criticisms of the present system, particularly Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Peter Luff), which the volatility and the unfairness, but I view with slight would have enabled all eligible small businesses to halve cynicism some of the criticisms we have heard from their rate bills? 151 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 152

John Healey: We wanted to deal with a bigger problem. Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): May I also ask The retail prices index meant a 5 per cent. increase in my hon. Friend to do his utmost to find a solution to the rates bills of every business, not just small businesses, the situation at Dale Farm, and to do anything that the and there was a particular problem for businesses that Government are able to do? As I am sure he knows, experienced the end of the transitional relief for this yesterday we launched Gypsy Roma Traveller History year. Given the current economic circumstances and the Month here in Parliament. It was a huge celebration of pressure that people are under, we wanted to help them Gypsy culture, and hundreds of Gypsies, Roma people to manage their cash flow and manage this increase by and Travellers were here. Overlying everything, however, allowing them to pay a lower level of increase this year was the worry about the lack of sites. and spread the payments over the following two years. That is why we are introducing the regulations, and that Mr. Khan: My hon. Friend will be aware that one of is why they have been welcomed by business organisations. the causes of the problems is the fact that large numbers of Traveller and Gypsy families are on unauthorised Traveller Sites encampments and sites. We need to encourage local authorities to provide more and more authorised sites. 6. Mr. John Baron (Billericay) (Con): What assistance There are pitches where Traveller and Gypsy families her Department will provide in identifying publicly can go, which will lead to fewer of the problems described owned land for use as a transit site by Traveller families by the hon. Member for Billericay (Mr. Baron). facing eviction from the unauthorised site at Dale Farm. [277604] Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I am puzzled by the Minister’s response to my hon. Friend the Member The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for for Billericay (Mr. Baron) that the problem at Dale Communities and Local Government (Mr. Sadiq Khan): Farm could be solved by Basildon borough council. In It is for Basildon council to manage the process of relation to the problem in Wiltshire, he has said that not managing the unauthorised development at Dale Farm. the elected Wiltshire county council but an entirely If and when it decides to proceed with eviction action, I unelected, undemocratic quango, the South West regional expect the council to hold talks with neighbouring assembly, must make the necessary decision. How do authorities to ensure that any eviction that takes place those two answers stack up? does so in a calm and orderly fashion. Mr. Khan: I am always happy to lecture Opposition Mr. Baron: The Minister will be aware that the Members about the planning framework. The hon. 85 Traveller families at the illegal site have now exhausted Gentleman will be aware that local authorities assess their legal and planning options. The council rightly Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs, and that seeks to reclaim the unauthorised site and return it to the results of those assessments are passed to a regional the green belt. It hopes to avoid a forced eviction, as we planning body which uses them to allocate pitches to all do: I know that the Minister does as well. The ball is authorities as part of the regional spatial strategy. The now in the Travellers’ court, and they have to move off proposals are assessed during a public examination at peacefully if that is to happen. However, as the Minister which arguments can be advanced for raising or lowering will know, there is a shortage of sites. the number of allocations. It is then for local authorities Given the scale of the problem and given that the to draw up development plan documents to accommodate Government are partly responsible for it, having granted pitch allocations. I shall be happy to meet the hon. the Travellers two years’ leave to remain—during which Gentleman to explain how the planning framework time the number of caravans on the site shot up—will operates. the Minister do what he can to help to identify transit sites outside the district, as Basildon has done more Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire, North) (Lab): than its fair share locally? Will he also meet me to Unauthorised sites such as Dale Farm exist the length discuss this important issue? and breadth of the country. What measures are in place to assist local authorities, as it is they—and therefore Mr. Khan: I understand the concern felt by the hon. taxpayers—who have to pick up the cost of clearing up Gentleman’s constituents about the friction caused by the damage done to sites? What tangible legislative the unauthorised development and the problems that it powers does my hon. Friend have to sort this out? has caused for the settled community, but he was present during yesterday’s debate, and will have heard Conservative Mr. Khan: My hon. Friend asks a very important Front Benchers criticise the Government for trying to question. Last year, local authorities spent £18 million work in partnership with local authorities and complaining on enforcement action. There is a local authority in about the fact that authorities are not given autonomy England which has authorised sites, and the cost of and power to solve problems. enforcement fell from £200,000 a year to £5,000. That is I told the hon. Gentleman a few moments ago that it an example of authorised sites reducing the cost to local was for Basildon council to work with neighbouring authorities, and also the huge distress caused to the authorities. He is now telling me that he does not think settled community. it will be able to do so, and that he wants me to intervene and help. I am happy to meet him and discuss Mortgage Assistance Schemes with him ways in which he feels that his local authority may need assistance, but it is worth my reminding him 7. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): How many households of the contradiction between what was said by his have received assistance under the mortgage rescue party’s Front Benchers yesterday and what he is asking scheme and homeowner mortgage support scheme. for today. [277605] 153 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 154

The Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett): Our consider sending the money through for the building of objective is to ensure that repossession is always the last more homes, instead of leaving it in a scheme that might resort. The mortgage rescue scheme and homeowner not be required to the level that was originally thought? mortgage support scheme are just part of a comprehensive Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend is entirely right, package of measures that we have put in place to assist and I agree that it would be wise for the Opposition to families at risk of losing their homes. The MRS has look carefully at the evidence that has been given to the been operational across the country since 1 January 2009. Select Committee that she chairs. Opposition Members Since its launch, local authorities have reported that are so busy trying to be clever about this issue that they more than 1,000 households each month have come completely overlook the fact that, for everybody who is forward and received guidance on what support may be being considered for schemes of this kind, there is best for their circumstances. Seventy-seven households forbearance of action that could otherwise be taken are in the final stages of receiving assistance and have against them that could lead to their homes being had repossession action against them frozen by their repossessed. One of the reasons we took the step of lenders. Two households have so far completed the making the announcements that we did earlier in the Government mortgage-to-rent process, whereby a registered year, which has been much criticised since by the social landlord has agreed to purchase their property Conservative party, was precisely to encourage people and enable them to remain in their own home as tenants. to go to their lenders and get advice at the earliest We expect many more households to be helped in this possible stage, instead of burying their heads in the way in the coming months. sand. It is very clear from all the professional evidence The homeowner mortgage support scheme opened that people believe that that has had a substantial effect. with the first group of lenders on 21 April. Official The second effect that we hoped to achieve, which, figures on the number of households entering the scheme again, seems perhaps to have come to fruition, was to will be published later this year, and we are working get lenders to think more carefully about whether taking closely with lenders and money advisers to monitor such as approach is worth their while—the suggestion is progress and ensure that the scheme is working effectively. that repossessing a home costs a lender, on average, Philip Davies: Well, there we have it. Since the Chancellor about £37,000. One of our chief aims was to convince announced this scheme, a house has been repossessed lenders to consider the fact that for a lesser expenditure every seven minutes, yet the scheme has helped only two they might save all that misery and disruption to so families since it was launched. Is this not another example many families. I am frankly appalled by the frivolous of the Government seeking publicity—in a blaze of attitude of the Conservative party—I mean that quite glory—to pretend they are helping people when in sincerely, Mr. Speaker. It is a shattering blow to people reality they are failing to deliver any tangible help to when they lose their home—it is much harder than people suffering hardship through no fault of their losing one’s job and much harder to recover from. own? On the mortgage rescue scheme, it appears that what Margaret Beckett: As I have just pointed out, thousands is happening is that those who are coming through to of households have approached the relevant authorities the end of the scheme—I appreciate that the numbers to seek advice. [HON.MEMBERS: “Two.”] Only two have are comparatively small on the official statistics—are completed the full process. I also pointed out that more agreeing to forgo their home ownership in order to stay than 70 households—77 to be precise—are now well on on as tenants. That, in itself, is a major decision, so we the way to receiving a formal offer, and I can also tell should not be surprised that people are taking time to the House that a further 10, making 87 in all— arrive at it. [Interruption.] I am glad that Opposition Members Sarah Teather (Brent, East) (LD): The Minister will find this so amusing; 87 households in all are now in the be aware that 75,000 families are expected to face the final stages of having a formal offer of assistance. That misery of repossession that she spoke about. Even if we is 87 more households than received any help whatever were to add in all the package of measures to which she under the Conservatives when they were last in government referred, tens of thousands of families would still be left and when repossessions were taking place. They did not facing that misery. Why then has she been unwilling to lift a finger. I am glad that they think it is funny that reform mortgage law—Shelter has consistently argued people are at risk of losing their homes, but I do not. for this—so that we can give the courts the power to Dr. Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes, South-West) (Lab): intervene? That would give the Government’s pre-action Does the Minister agree that if Opposition Members protocol some decent teeth. Why is she unwilling to do were to consult the transcript of the proceedings of that? yesterday’s Select Committee on Communities and Local Margaret Beckett: I simply say to the hon. Lady that Government and read the remarks of the Council of we believe that the pre-action protocol has been really Mortgage Lenders on this scheme, they would, perhaps, quite effective. I appreciate the point she makes, which moderate their mirth? The CML is broadly supportive is that, sadly, many people could still lose their homes, of these two schemes, and it pointed out that the MRS but she may be aware that even in the best of years over had been extremely helpful in making sure that many the past decade or so—it was in 2004, as I recall—some more people at risk of repossession were now approaching 8,000 families lost their homes. There are a variety of their lenders at the outset and getting decent advice, reasons why people may find themselves in those devastating instead of burying their head in the sand and waiting circumstances. She referred to the forecast of some for things to hit them. That might be one of the reasons 75,000 expected repossessions this year. That forecast why relatively few of them are going through this entire came from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, but it has system and requiring the MRS; instead, they are coming recently said that it now believes that, as a result of the to an agreement with their lenders early on. If the action that this Government have taken, it has been too demand is in fact lower than envisaged, will the Minister pessimistic. We certainly all hope that that is the case. 155 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 156

Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South) (Lab): To what and was geared towards the most vulnerable households extent have the banks, building societies and other who would be legally entitled to be rehoused by their lenders enthusiastically joined this rescue scheme? local authority. That was all announced at the time. It was precisely because that scheme was funded only to Margaret Beckett: I cannot honestly say that everybody deal with a small number of households that the was enthusiastic, but the most important thing is that Government then introduced the home owners mortgage they have been willing to join. As my hon. Friend may support scheme, which is designed to deal with a much larger know, 50 per cent. of the lenders in the marketplace number—potentially tens of thousands—of households. have joined the home owners mortgage support scheme All the strictures that the hon. Gentleman has levelled and taken advantage—or they could take advantage—of against the mortgage rescue scheme are therefore misplaced. the Government’s underlying guarantee. Although some major lenders did not feel that they needed to use that The hon. Gentleman suggests that Barclays, Nationwide guarantee, 80 per cent. of mortgage lenders are, in fact, and Santander are not participating, but he is wrong. offering comparable schemes. They are offering comparable schemes and therefore have said that they do not see the necessity for the Sir George Young (North-West Hampshire) (Con): underpinning Government guarantee, and that is why Does the right hon. Lady agree that although these two they have not entered the guarantee scheme. They are schemes are both welcome, the process can be slow and certainly offering similar schemes, alongside our scheme, bureaucratic? Will she undertake a review to see whether which they would not be offering were it not for the fact it might be streamlined? that this Government have urged them to enter our scheme. They do not need the support and that is why Margaret Beckett: We are indeed keeping the schemes they have not come into that aspect of the scheme. under review. The right hon. Gentleman may know that in the Budget we brought forward some extra funding, Home Information Packs because early experience of the mortgage rescue scheme suggested that there was a greater problem with negative equity than had been anticipated. So, we have already 9. James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend, East) made that change to the scheme and put forward the (Con): What her latest assessment is of the effect of funding that will enable us to cover that. We are continuing home information packs on the housing market; and if to monitor how the schemes are developing because, she will make a statement. [277607] obviously, as I said at the outset, our goal is to be as effective as possible in preventing repossessions, by The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for whatever means. Communities and Local Government (Mr. Iain Wright): Independent research into the impact of home information Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst) (Con): Does packs was undertaken by Europe Economics. The the right hon. Lady understand that there is no amusement implementation of HIPs is being kept under review and on this side of the House at the Government’s situation, an evaluation of the HIPs programme is currently planned but there is a great deal of anger at their unwillingness for 2010 by updating “The HIPs Baseline Research to recognise the failure of these programmes, however Report”. well intended they might be, to deliver in practice? She neglected to tell the House that, of the 1,000 a month who register and express an interest in the mortgage James Duddridge: In another survey, 89 per cent. of rescue scheme, more than half are told that they do not professionals said that HIPs would not benefit buyers. qualify on the Government’s own criteria. She neglected In the age of rhetoric and of trusting professionals, why to say that on the current rate of progress the 6,000 who should we believe what the Government say, not the are supposed to be helped over the course of the scheme professionals? would, in fact, total about 12. The Minister refers to the home owner mortgage Mr. Wright: I dispute what the hon. Gentleman says. support scheme. Would it not have been better if she Professionals are telling us that information is vital, and had owned up to the fact that the 50 per cent. of giving buyers information about probably the biggest mortgage lenders coming forward is less than the 70 per purchase in their lives benefits the whole home buying cent. that she said would come forward when the scheme and selling process. Roger Wilson of Connells, one of was first trailed? Will she explain why major players the country’s largest estate agents, has said: such as Santander, Barclays, HSBC and Nationwide “Knowledge is key when it comes to building confidence for have all ruled out participation in the scheme? There is any big purchase and prospective home buyers need to do their nothing amusing about this: indeed, the Government’s research and gather as much information as possible. The new failure is tragic, if not scandalous. PIQ, EPC and other elements of the Home Information Pack mean buyers will have more information about a home from the Margaret Beckett: The hon. Gentleman accuses me very first day it goes on the market.” of misunderstanding the Opposition’s approach. I admit Professionals are actually welcoming the HIP. that I was guilty of thinking that people who were roaring with laughter were finding something amusing. Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): What the hon. Gentleman says is straightforward Professionals such as LMS in my constituency are nonsense, as he should be aware. He talks about a proud of the work that they do in providing HIPs to failure to deliver in practice and about the criteria for many people. Will my hon. Friend take this opportunity the scheme. If he has been paying any real attention to to say how he intends to continue his drive, after the the schemes, he will know that the mortgage rescue review, to relieve the downward pressure on conveyancing scheme was only ever intended for some 6,000 families, by moving towards a system of electronic conveyancing? 157 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 158

Mr. Wright: My hon. Friend makes an interesting recognition of their concerns about the loans that lenders point. Electronic conveyancing can speed up the process are making available, it appears that the situation is hugely. We remain committed to ensuring that we can easing to some degree. I share her anxieties and can simplify and streamline the home buying and selling assure her that we keep this matter under review. process. Some £1 million a week is wasted in abortive home purchases and sales, and that can cause heartache Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby) (Con): The Minister’s to the people involved and disruption to the economy, hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Communities so we remain committed to HIPs. We want to provide and Local Government, the hon. Member for Hartlepool information up front to allow buyers to make an informed (Mr. Wright), recently gave an interview to that excellent choice. newspaper the Leicester Mercury, in which he commented Angela Watkinson (Upminster) (Con): Further to the on social housing, in particular with regard to Pembury Minister’s response to my hon. Friend the Member for and the proposed eco-town. Is he aware that, with or Rochford and Southend, East (James Duddridge), will without social housing, local feeling is entirely opposed he guarantee that the review will include consultation to the proposal to build a huge town on a greenfield with estate agents up and down the country to assess site? Frankly, I wish that the Government would stop the level of demand from house buyers for home backing that plan and that Ministers would stop interfering information packs and to assess the number of packs in Leicestershire’s affairs. that have been produced but never used, and the cost involved? If the demand is extremely low, as I predict it Margaret Beckett: Yes, I am aware of that, as I see will be, will he at least make them voluntary and not a people waving placards and shouting on regional television. statutory requirement? I say to the hon. Gentleman that I hope that this summer we will have some news for his constituents and Mr. Wright: No, we have no plans to make them a others about progress in this matter. voluntary requirement. The hon. Lady touches on an important point. Sometimes, buyers and sellers— particularly buyers—do not get to see the HIP. That is Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab): Will the not in anybody’s interests. One key idea that we are Minister do her best to ensure that the agency secures trying to push forward, along with the industry, is that rapid delivery of affordable socially rented homes, to estate agents and others involved in the home buying get people out of private rented accommodation where and selling process should ensure that home buyers see landlords are making a killing at the public expense the HIP. As I said in a previous answer, information is through the housing benefits system? Will she also key. This is the biggest purchase that someone will make ensure that houses that are built or bought are appropriate, and it is important that home buyers get to see the particularly for two very needy groups—large families home information pack and make informed choices and single people, who often do not get any social accordingly. housing options whatsoever? Social Housing Margaret Beckett: I can certainly tell my hon. Friend 11. Christine Russell (City of Chester) (Lab): What that I know that the HCA shares the concerns that he plans the Homes and Communities Agency has to has expressed, as do the Government. The agency met increase the supply of social housing; and if she will its targets last year, even in the present difficult economic make a statement. [277609] circumstances, and will be using the funding put forward The Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett): We in the Budget to the best possible effect to build more have announced a series of measures over the past housing, which is much needed, as fast as possible. 12 months designed to improve delivery of social rented housing in the current difficult market conditions, including Decent Homes Programme a £1 billion housing package in the Budget, focused on maintaining activity and jobs, and further help for 12. Mr. Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton, North-East) those who need it in the short term. We remain committed (Lab/Co-op): How much expenditure her Department to the delivery of affordable housing for social rent and has incurred on its decent homes programme since low-cost home ownership and we are assessing delivery 1997. [277610] and targets with the HCA as part of its corporate plan process. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Christine Russell: I thank my right hon. Friend for Communities and Local Government (Mr. Iain Wright): that reply. In my constituency, there are 26 applicants Between 1997-98 and 2008-09, the overall capital sum for every social housing vacancy. The Homes and provided by the Department for Communities and Local Communities Agency has made a good start in giving Government and its predecessor Departments for capital £12 million to the Chester and district housing trust to investment in council-owned housing stock was build 350 homes, but 3,500 homes are needed. What £25.8 billion. more can she and the agency do to put pressure on the banks and building societies to make borrowing affordable for housing associations? Mr. Purchase: I thank the Minister for that reply, but would he not agree with me and many others in this Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend makes a very place and elsewhere who say that if the fourth option important point. Perhaps I can direct her to the evidence had been agreed to, the sum would have been spent given yesterday to the Select Committee, which will be more efficiently, effectively and quickly, and to the published. Questions were asked about housing associations’ greater benefit of our tenants and certainly taxpayers, capacity to raise funding. Although there is general who, of course, ultimately own the housing stock? 159 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 160

Mr. Wright: But I am sure that my hon. Friend would the councils concerned have very courageously taken agree with me that when we came to power in 1997, steps to ensure that those groups are banned from their there was a backlog of about £19 billion in council premises on the grounds that their activities seek to house maintenance and repairs. We have had to do divide communities. I can also confirm to my hon. something about that. One of the true successes of this Friend that my Department is in contact with those Government has been the massive investment in a whole local authorities to support them in making the right generation of social housing. He is right to say that decisions to bring our communities together, and not to local authorities have a key role to play, and not only in divide them with the views of extremists. providing the broad strategic assessment of what housing is needed in their area; they have a direct delivery role. T6. [277628] Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South) (Con): In answers to previous questions, my right hon. Friend May I raise with the Secretary of State an issue that I the Minister for Housing has said that we are removing have raised before—the recognition of pigeon racing as disincentives for local authorities, providing additional a sport? Of course, the significance as far as her money in the Budget and elsewhere, and making sure Department is concerned, is that if it is not a sport, that councils start building council houses again. pigeon-racing premises have to pay business rates. She may not be aware that the application of the Royal Ms Karen Buck (Regent’s Park and Kensington, North) Pigeon Racing Association for pigeon racing to (Lab): The decent homes initiative has transformed become a sport has been rejected by Sport England. social housing in my constituency, but my hon. Friend Will she, on behalf of the pigeon fanciers of Croydon is aware that the losers among residents are leaseholders and Salford, join me in supporting an appeal, so that who have bought properties that are now subject to our pigeon fanciers can get the deal that they deserve? major works bills, in some cases of £60,000—works that, in many cases, the leaseholders are totally unable Hazel Blears: As I remember, the last time the hon. to pay for. Will my hon. Friend assure me that he is, Gentleman raised the issue he had a particular fanciable once again, urgently reviewing whether there is special, pigeon in mind; I have forgotten its name. I can say to targeted help that can be given to leaseholders who him that I did personally take up the issue and find out have, through no fault of their own, ended up owing why pigeon racing was not defined as a sport. Apparently bills of tens of thousands of pounds? it is because the owners do not take part in any physical activity. [Laughter.] If they ran behind the pigeons, it Mr. Wright: I am very sympathetic with regard to the could be a sport. In terms of empowering the pigeon scenario that my hon. Friend sets out. She has played a fanciers, perhaps I can suggest to him that they might wonderful role in hassling me to death, frankly, on the like to draw up a petition, so that we can see whether we issue—and she was right to do so. It is important to can take action on the issue. ensure that we provide targeted help. There is a range of powers in place. The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 provided interest-free loans and deferred payments for T3. [277625] Liz Blackman (Erewash) (Lab): What leaseholders in the situation that she describes, but I am progress has Derbyshire county council made in meeting continuing to look at the issue, and I will keep her its local area agreement targets in the light of the credit informed. crunch?

Topical Questions The Minister for Local Government (John Healey): We undertook a first annual review through the Government office in January, and Derbyshire is making T2. [277624] Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) good progress in meeting the priorities that it set itself. (Lab/Co-op): If she will make a statement on her The first full independent assessment will be carried out departmental responsibilities. in Derbyshire, as elsewhere, in November. Derbyshire has set itself five important economic priorities, on The Secretary of State for Communities and Local which it is working and making progress. It has also led Government (Hazel Blears): My Department continues a response locally, which is very impressive, helping to to work to devolve power to councils, communities and make sure that businesses receive the business relief that citizens; to build strong, cohesive communities; to build they deserve; that welfare claimants receive the benefits new homes where people want to live and bring up their that they need; that buy-in from the council comes from families; and to prevent violent extremism. local firms; and that invoices are paid promptly. It is a council with a proud, successful record over the past Mrs. Ellman: I applaud my right hon. Friend’s strong four years, and I hope that it will be judged as such by stand against extremism. Does she share my concern the electorate on Thursday. It certainly deserves to be about the fact that al-Muhajiroun has regrouped under back as a Labour authority after Thursday. different names, and about the fact that on 1 March this year, Islam for the UK held an event at a Harrow primary school that featured a live link with the banished T9. [277631] Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): The Omar Bakri Muhammad? What assurances can she Campaign to Protect Rural England says that while it recognises give me that public facilities will not be used to promote “the need for more homes we do not believe the aspiration for extremism in such a way in the future? 240,000 new homes a year is either achievable or desirable”. I agree. If I may return to the question that I asked Hazel Blears: I entirely share my hon. Friend’s concern earlier, how are we going to balance 240,000 new homes, about the activities of extremist groups. I am aware of a 8,000 of which will be in Lichfield district, against the number of groups that have used council premises in need to maintain the quality of life in rural areas? I do places including Ealing and Tower Hamlets. Some of not think that that is a conundrum that can be solved. 161 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 162

The Minister for Housing (Margaret Beckett): Ihave are not. What can he do to ensure that local authorities great respect for the CPRE, but in this regard its views are given far greater powers to enforce park home are profoundly misconceived. It is all very well to say licences? that it is not going to be easy—I accept that completely—to maintain the balance with quality of life, which the Mr. Iain Wright: I have spoken privately with my hon. Gentleman mentioned. However, if we ignore the hon. Friend about that. I know that she plays a leading number of households who need to be housed, and role in her area in bringing together various agencies to assume that because the CPRE thinks so, it is not help enforcement. We have put in place a number of desirable to build them homes, that will certainly damage powers to help enforcement. The key factor is local people’s quality of life, especially among the many authorities, the police and other agencies using those thousands of families who will be without homes. powers. Directly after oral questions today, I have a meeting with my hon. Friend the Minister for Security, T4. [277626] Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): With Counter-Terrorism, Crime and Policing to discuss how the construction industry still severely depressed local authorities and police can work effectively together. because of the recession, what is the Department doing My hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derbyshire to try to make sure that there is work for construction (Natascha Engel) will be aware that on 12 May we published workers, especially in new house building, and with a consultation paper, “Improving the Management of particular reference to the west midlands? Park Home Sites”, which proposes the introduction of an improved park home site licensing system. In particular, Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend will know, I hope, that will require site owners to be fit and proper people that we have initially purchased substantial numbers of to hold a site licence. We believe that that will drive up unsold homes; in fact, we have mopped up a large management standards. The consultation closes on amount of stock. He will also know that in the Budget 4 August, and I encourage my hon. Friend and others proposals, provision was made to kick-start schemes to get involved in it. that are frozen. Every scheme that is being considered will be assessed to see whether housing can be made a Mr. Andrew Robathan (Blaby) (Con): May I take the priority, and that will very much be part of the key Ministers back to the subject of eco-towns, particularly judgment that is made. That is true in the west midlands that proposed for Leicestershire in Pembury, which is and across the country. causing tremendous upset among the people of Leicestershire? There is no demand for it among the Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): I was interested people of Leicestershire. Yes, there is a demand for to hear the answer given by the Under-Secretary of social housing, but what about using brownfield sites? State for Communities and Local Government, the There is a real feeling that the fact that the Co-op is hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Wright), to the question leading the charge for this eco-town may be a conflict of on planning powers and the interaction with houses in interest between Labour and the co-operative society. multiple occupation. An issue that I have raised several times with the ministerial team, as have my hon. Friends, Margaret Beckett: I was about to congratulate the is the classification of second homes and whether there hon. Gentleman on his ingenuity in managing to raise is some way of looking at planning and change of use the issue twice, having already worked it into one question orders to deal with the problem. My hon. Friend the to which it was wholly unrelated, although this time, of Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) course, he can raise any topic he chooses. I say to him raised that possibility in the report that he provided for what I said to him a moment or two ago. We will, I the Government, in line with previous reports that the trust, be able to come forward in the not-too-distant Government have received from, among others, Elinor future with the results of our consultation and discussion Goodman. Is there anything that they have drawn on in on the set of proposals about eco-towns, and no doubt those reports in order to look at the issue of second he and his constituents will have things to say then. homes? T7. [277629] Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South) (Lab): The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently Communities and Local Government (Mr. Iain Wright): I visited my constituency and the small town of am afraid that I have to tell the hon. Gentleman that Thornaby, which has been regenerated. Will she join there are currently no plans to require that people me in complimenting the developers, Thornfield, and receive planning permission to have a second home. We Stockton borough council for delivering an excellent would find that difficult within the planning regime. scheme? Will she also acknowledge that it is not just a Planning legislation and the planning framework are matter of the physical environment, as when such based on land use, and if someone lives in a house, the improvements are made, people’s confidence rises and position is similar to that for someone living in a second their keenness to be much more involved in the home, as it were. Nevertheless, councils have considerable governance of their town becomes much more evident? powers regarding council tax discounts to provide resources that can be put into the community to help combat the Hazel Blears: My hon. Friend, as ever, is a champion problems experienced in large areas of the country for her community. She will know that I have visited where there are second homes. Thornaby probably half a dozen times over the past 10 or 12 years, and I have seen the dramatic transformation T5. [277627] Natascha Engel (North-East Derbyshire) that there has been in that community, which has suffered (Lab): As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary knows, I from a range of deprivation. The shopping centre that have about 10 park homes in my constituency. Some of has been developed is a marvellous, light, airy, attractive them are well run and managed, but the vast majority place that will bring people to businesses in that community. 163 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2009 Oral Answers 164

The hairdressers in my hon. Friend’s shopping centre Mr. Iain Wright: My hon. Friend is absolutely right did an excellent job, and I was delighted to be able to about that. She will be aware of the private rented pay a visit there on my most recent visit. sector review that we commissioned from Julie Rugg and David Rhodes of the university of York, and we Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): When local announced our response to the Rugg review on 13 May. councils are under pressure to identify land for house One key element of our proposals is mandatory legislation building under Government targets, can they now adjust on letting agents. We think that it will be an important the targets downwards to allow for the fact that the step in improving the quality of letting agents—both actual building rates have fallen dramatically owing to for good landlords and good tenants. the credit crunch and recession? Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): West Lancashire Margaret Beckett: Of course we are looking at housing borough council tells me that if it were to reduce total delivery, but we are also very conscious of housing rents by using the figure of 3.1 per cent., the formula need, which has been mentioned a number of times would unfortunately have a perverse consequence when during this Question Time and which is not going away. applied to the area. The council would have to reduce services by £67,000, and would risk a potential £500,000 T8. [277630] Lynda Waltho (Stourbridge) (Lab): I know problem the housing revenue account. Will the Minister that my right hon. Friend is aware of the great need for look at how those perverse consequences play out when regeneration in Stourbridge, and of the series of public applied to West Lancashire? meetings that I have recently conducted with business and local people on that topic and on the recession. At Margaret Beckett: Certainly I can give my hon. Friend our last meeting, people were greatly excited by the that assurance. I know that she has been anxious and announcement of a fund for temporary use of empty extremely active on behalf of her constituency and shops. Can she elaborate on that, and tell me how we local authority. We believe that there is actually some can access that funding in Stourbridge? misunderstanding on the part of the authority about the implications of the change for it, but my officials Hazel Blears: I have had the pleasure of visiting are, I think, meeting representatives of her local authority Stourbridge with my hon. Friend. She, too, is a champion this week, and we will work carefully through the detailed for her area. We hope to ensure that the £3 million town implications. I can certainly assure her and other Members centres fund is up and running very shortly, and to get that it is no part of our intention that any local authority the money out so that we can provide support, particularly will be disadvantaged by making the change. for local authorities to cover the temporary costs of using those empty premises for something worth while, Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): I congratulate the whether for arts activities or cultural activities, as a Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local drop-in centre for the police service, or for a rehearsal Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool space for young people in bands—a range of activities (Mr. Wright), from the bottom of my heart on the which, just as in Thornaby, can help to draw people to changes that he has announced to the building regulation the town centre. If we get people in, shopping and part G in order to reduce bathwater scalds in the home. spending their money, that will help the businesses I pay tribute to him on behalf of the Children’s Fire and enormously in my hon. Friend’s area. I will ensure that Burn Trust, the Child Accident Prevention Trust and she gets the details as a matter of priority for her the British Burn Association, and the plastic surgeons community. and the anaesthetists who deal with some of the 600 individuals who suffer severe bathwater scalds each T10. [277632] Ms Karen Buck (Regent’s Park and year. They say that because of my hon. Friend’s decision, Kensington, North) (Lab): Have Ministers had the a lot of people will be saved a lot of pain and suffering opportunity to study the recent report by the National in the years to come. Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux on the dodgy practices of the more unscrupulous letting agencies? I Mr. Iain Wright: I thank my hon. Friend for those welcome the direction of travel in the Green Paper on kind words, but I must say that through her leadership the private rented sector, but will the Under-Secretary of the “Hot Water Burns Like Fire” campaign and her of State for Communities and Local Government, my enormously positive work with my officials to provide hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Wright), the evidence to push forward the impact assessment assure me that during the consultation he will look at that allowed us to make those changes, she has been at whether the Government can take action to control the very heart of the work to ensure that vulnerable excessive charging and poor service by some of those people, such as young children and older people, can be agencies that, frankly, rip off people who go into safe in their baths. It is thanks to her hard work that we private sector tenancies? have been able to change the building regulations. 165 2 JUNE 2009 166

Point of Order Bailiffs (Repeals and Amendment) Motion for leave to introduce a Bill (Standing Order 3.32 pm No. 23) Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. We are due to meet the Secretary of State 3.33 pm for Health next week to discuss the national burn care review in the north-west, which has examined a number Ms Karen Buck (Regent’s Park and Kensington, North) of centres in Manchester and Liverpool. However, we (Lab): I beg to move, found out today that the strategic health authority That leave be given to bring in a Bill to make requirements in review group is about to issue a press release and make respect of the use of force and forcible entry by bailiffs; to make provision for the reference to court of certain cases involving its recommendations public. How can that happen when vulnerable clients; and for connected purposes. we, as Members, are due to meet the Secretary of State next week so that he can hear our views? It pre-empts The recession of the past 18 months has painfully parliamentary rules and our position as MPs. demonstrated the precariousness of many people’s financial situation. Debt and debt recovery action have become a Mr. Speaker: I can understand the hon. Gentleman’s reality for ever larger numbers of people, and the arrival concern, but he might know that that is not a matter for of a bailiff is, for many of those people, the ultimate me. trauma and humiliation. Indeed, we know of cases in which people have had heart attacks when the bailiffs have arrived. The mental and physical stress that people undergo is one of the worst things that will ever happen to them in their life. Of course, bailiffs and debt recovery mechanisms have to be used. There are always people who abuse trust, neglect their finances and refuse to engage with their creditors, and, ultimately, they must pay an appropriate price. Indeed, in my constituency role, some examples have been brought to my attention whereby bailiffs have intervened with their clients and been helpful in the extreme. They have been informative and sympathetic, and they have helped people with their predicament. Yet the truth is that many of those subject to such enforcement action are desperate and vulnerable people, and many are also victims of error. For them, even the actions of bailiffs who behave entirely reasonably—and they do not always do that—are disproportionate and excessive. As I do more and more work with constituents who owe money and I learn more about the process of debt recovery and the enforcement of fines, it has become clear to me that we have got the balance wrong, and that we need to review urgently the position that we are in. We must certainly not, in any circumstances, think of escalating the powers available to bailiffs, and the Government should rethink their approach to regulation. The bailiff at the door has been an image in literature for many years; it was a common motif in Dickens novels—but it is not a rare visitation on the feckless and the spendthrift, but an occurrence of staggering frequency. In my local authority alone, and in respect of just one debt—arrears of council tax—more than 13,000 cases ended up in the hands of bailiffs over a three-year period. The council has stated that 9 per cent. of council tax accounts—almost one in 10—end up in enforcement action. That is a staggering proportion. What does it mean to be on the receiving end of such action? It means fear and trauma for people, particularly children. I have heard of moving cases in which children have refused to leave the house or have insisted on having the lights out at home because they are so frightened of a bailiff coming and seizing their television or computer. Being on the receiving end also means an escalation of the original debt, which simply compounds the problems that caused the financial crisis in the first place. Only last week I had to intervene in the case of a single parent with three children, one of whom is disabled. 167 Bailiffs (Repeals and Amendment)2 JUNE 2009 Bailiffs (Repeals and Amendment) 168

[Ms Karen Buck] been issued. That directly contradicts the national standards for enforcement agents, which suggests a procedure Her parking fine, about which I was making representations, enabling the bailiff to return cases of vulnerable fine had escalated from an original £60 to £700 by the time defaulters to the court. The procedure to bypass this the bailiffs arrived. anomaly recommended by the Ministry of Justice is to Another constituent wrote to tell me that she had two write a letter to the court asking for a re-hearing of the sets of bailiffs chasing the same debt. Payments had case. In practice, however, neither bailiffs nor fine defaulters been made to and acknowledged by the council, but did seem to know this, and disproportionate fines are being not then appear on the system. She wrote: paid by benefit claimants and other low-income groups, “This has left me in a desperate state—each party refers me to intensifying the poverty that pushed many of them into the other, the fees are ever increasing and two companies are debt in the first place. My Bill would clear up the threatening the removal of goods for the same amount.” anomaly by enabling bailiffs to return vulnerable cases Some people are the victims of mistaken identity, to the courts and creditors for reconsideration. while others are the victims of identity fraud. I have had Finally, we need a statutory provision for bailiffs to cases in which action has been taken against one person accept “affordable payments”, with a definition of what because of another person’s criminality. The point is that might mean in practice, so that before goods are that there is a lack of proportionality in the response, seized or payment in full is demanded, an assessment is given the likelihood of those at the receiving end being made of what can practically be afforded, at least in a vulnerable, or victims of mistaken identity. single payment. By way of illustration, one of my The representations that I seek to make to Ministers constituents wrote to me a few weeks ago in the following through the Bill are threefold. The power of forcible terms: entry into a person’s home and the power for bailiffs “I received a letter on the 10th of January notifying me that the even to use force against debtors are far too extreme to bailiffs were to visit my house that same day, with regards to £191 be given to civilian enforcement officers. The balance arrears of Council Tax. I explained to someone in their office that has been tilted too far against the householder’s right to I was not aware of that debt as I did not live at that address be secure from trespass into their home. The present anymore. I made an arrangement to pay the money I did owe in position overturns a long-standing common law tradition, instalments, the last of which—£63—was due on Easter Monday. by which a bailiff peacefully entering a property could I had no money at all, and called their office to make an arrangement. They said that unless I paid £195 today the bailiffs not be prevented from going about his or her task. The would come and carry my goods. I requested him to take the emphasis was very much on an acceptance of that right payment of £63 which clears my account, but he said the bailiffs in certain cases, but obviously the tradition stopped will still come and carry my goods because I made the payment short of forceful entry. late and incurred a charge of £131!” The powers taken by the Government in the Tribunals, This treatment of people simply will not do. Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 have not been brought My purpose today is not to put bailiffs in the firing into effect by regulation, and we await the regulations line: some are good, some are bad, but all are operating that will implement them. However, I believe that it is in a framework that is not as it should be. Likewise, I now clear that such powers should be repealed. Their am not singling out my own council, Westminster, for excessive harshness should not be left on the statute although I think that it makes too liberal a use of book, even with an indication that the Government do bailiffs, and it has certainly not developed the comprehensive not intend to implement them at present. The powers advice and debt service that the local population needs, should be removed entirely. I do not think that it is uniquely bad. Indeed, I would Of course, the power to enter domestic premises commend officers in the finance department for the forcibly to enforce the collection of criminal fines is quality of service that they have offered to me in helping already legal, and that too is creating appalling distress to deal with many of the difficult cases that I put to for many vulnerable households. Many of the criminal them. Nevertheless, we do have a grave problem with fines are levied on people on low incomes for offences debt and debt recovery services, with disproportionately such as the non-payment of TV licences, fare dodging harsh penalties being applied to hundreds of thousands—if and truancy. These are indeed offences, and it is only not millions, over years—of some of the most vulnerable right that if an offence is deemed to have occurred, a people in the country. I believe that they need greater penalty must be applied. However, the issue here, too, is protection, and above all, to be freed from the fear of one of proportionality, in terms of the sums involved the implementation of the excessively harsh powers and the manner of the enforcement deployed. held in reserve in the legislation. I also seek a statutory procedure requiring bailiffs to return cases involving vulnerable and impoverished debtors Question put and agreed to. to the courts or the creditors, and powers to allow Ordered, people subject to any bailiff action to apply to the That Ms Karen Buck, Martin Salter, Fiona Mactaggart, courts for any bailiff warrant to be suspended—something Mr. Gary Streeter, Dr. Alan Whitehead, Clive Efford, that is missing from the 2007 Act. At present, that Mr. Andrew Dismore, Bob Russell, Mr. Andy Slaughter, recourse is available only to people subject to county Mr. Andrew Love and Mr. David Winnick present court bailiff warrants. People subject to bailiff warrants the Bill. who have not been subject to county court applications have to rely on the good will and discretion of the creditor. Ms Karen Buck accordingly presented the Bill. Some bailiffs and courts rely on case law, which holds Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on that a distress warrant cannot be withdrawn once it has Friday 16 October, and to be printed (Bill 102). 169 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 170 Bill [Lords] Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill when she has let 500,000 migrants into this country? [Lords] Her system has completely failed. When is she going to apologise? [Relevant Document: The Ninth Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Legislative Scrutiny: Borders, Jacqui Smith: Today is obviously a day for the wagging Citizenship and Immigration Bill, HC375.] of fingers, but perhaps if the hon. Gentleman looked at Second Reading the figures he would realise that the most recent figures for net migration actually show a decrease. I shall go on 3.45 pm to explain the Bill, and how the action that this Government have taken has enabled us to control migration to the The Secretary of State for the Home Department benefit of this country. (Jacqui Smith): I beg to move, That the Bill be now read a Second time. Mr. Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): Before that This Bill introduces measures to help complete the interruption, the Home Secretary was talking about the biggest overhaul of Britain’s immigration system in a impact of the Government’s points system. Will she generation, strengthening our borders, controlling migration have a chance this afternoon to develop the ideas that and ensuring that those who come to the UK earn the the Government clearly have in mind to encourage right to citizenship. people to come here to work but to break the link whereby people who do so automatically become citizens? Mr. Desmond Swayne (New Forest, West) (Con): Am I am alone in suspecting that this is an entirely content-free Jacqui Smith: Yes, I can assure my right hon. Friend Bill? Will the Home Secretary explain in precisely what that I will take the opportunity to develop that argument way the Bill will make it more difficult for people to and talk about how the infrastructure that we have now come here whom we do not want to come here? put in place enables us both to control the number of people coming for entry and, as he says, to move on to Jacqui Smith: Yes, that is what I am going to do. the next stage of reforms to citizenship and settlement. Over the past couple of years, we have made real In July 2007, in one of my first acts as Home Secretary, progress in the immigration system. We have launched I announced plans to establish the single border force. the UK Border Agency as a single force at the border, Already among the most secure in the world, Britain’s and we have toughened up our visa regime, effectively borders have been further strengthened through the exporting the border by requiring biometric registration success of the UK Border Agency in proving its worth. of all who wish to travel here on a visa. So far we have Since April 2008, better deployment and the use of new enrolled more than 4 million sets of fingerprints, flagging technology have led to the seizure of illegal drugs worth up thousands of cases of people who have swapped more than £340 million and record numbers of dangerous their identities. weapons. Last year we prevented more than 30,000 individual clandestine attempts to enter the UK illegally. Mr. Swayne: What has that got to do with this Bill? We have used the e-Borders system to screen nearly Jacqui Smith: We are already issuing ID cards for 90 million passengers, leading to more than 3,000 arrests foreign nationals— including significant counter-terrorist interventions.

Mr. Swayne: This Bill? Mr. John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Does the Home Secretary believe that there should be some sort Mr. Speaker: Order. I say to the hon. Gentleman that of limit on how many people come into the country, you asked for an explanation and the Home Secretary is given the impact on public services, including housing? giving you an explanation. You have to be quiet while If so, what should it be each year? you are listening to the explanation. Jacqui Smith: Yes, I believe that we should control Mr. Swayne: But not of this Bill, Sir. migration to the benefit of this country. That is why the points-based system, even tier 2, has led to 12 per cent. Mr. Speaker: That is a matter for debate. fewer people coming in than would be the case if the system had not been in place last year. Jacqui Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The hon. Gentleman has had lunch, but he did not have coffee. Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): My We are already issuing ID cards for foreign nationals— understanding is that approximately 80 per cent. of the 35,000 since last November. The points-based system is people who move to this country are residents or citizens now fully operational, so that only those with the skills of one of the other 26 member states of the European that we need can come to the UK to work and study. Union. Are the Government prepared to reconsider the free movement of labour in the European Union? Mr. Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): The Home Secretary has sought to persuade the House that somehow Jacqui Smith: Free movement, and its relationship to the Government have suddenly woken up to the problem trade and the free market, is an important element of and are doing something about it. When is she going to our membership of the EU. We have taken action on apologise to the British people for the overwhelming new member states to ensure that, through the workers tide of migration that has hit this country? Since her registration scheme—which the Opposition opposed—we Government came to power, five times as many are are clear about being able to count and tackle benefit being admitted than were admitted under the Conservative entitlement. However, we should maintain that significant Government. What has she to say to our constituents ability to travel freely and work in the EU. 171 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 172 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Colin Burgon (Elmet) (Lab): Does my right hon. Immigration appeared before the Select Committee on Friend agree that the free movement of labour is effectively Home Affairs this morning and confirmed the problem. another term for an incomes policy, which dramatically Will the Home Secretary confirm that the Bill will help affects only unskilled and semi-skilled people in this resolve the problem, and will she also— country? Mr. Speaker: Order. Jacqui Smith: No, I believe that the minimum wage in Jacqui Smith: I know that my hon. Friend the Minister this country protects wage levels. I agree with my hon. for Borders and Immigration was before my right hon. Friend that we need to consider the economic impact of Friend’s Committee this morning. However, he was migration. We have set up the Migration Advisory actually confirming that, in introducing tier 4 of the Committee to advise us on migration from outside the points-based system in particular, but also in tightening EU, and I shall say more about that as I develop my up the requirement for sponsorship, which, incidentally, arguments. is further strengthened in the Bill, we are taking robust action against bogus colleges and those who purport to Lembit Öpik (Montgomeryshire) (LD): Will the Home enter this country to study. Secretary give way? Lembit Öpik: I am listening to the Home Secretary’s Jacqui Smith: No, I want to make a little more argument, but would she accept that the increasingly progress. rules-based nature of how we handle immigration creates We now have more people working to secure our undesirable unintended consequences? One of my borders than ever—25,000 staff, including more than constituents, Miss Cunningham, who is seriously ill, 9,000 warranted customs and immigration officers operating has had her request for a carer from the Philippine at the border, in local communities and in more than islands turned down on technical grounds. Does the 135 countries worldwide. Home Secretary recognise that the more we depend on a rules-based system, the less latitude Ministers have to Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) (Lab): May I raise interpret the guidelines in a sympathetic way and that with the Home Secretary my dismay when arriving at that can make the Government seem very heartless, as Belfast city airport on parliamentary business on 29 March? they have to Miss Cunningham? A person there who subsequently identified himself as a Jacqui Smith: I think that it is a good thing to reduce member of the UK Border Agency, without credentials, the numerous routes that previously existed and have a used a security firm to demand identity and passports clear and fair system, as we have in the points-based from people on a domestic flight. Officials, not the system. airline operator, did that. It is an abuse of power, and those officials need their knuckles rapped to ensure that Let me return to the strength of the border. Through they wear credentials and have a mandate from Parliament the work of the e-borders operations centre, or EBOC, to make such demands. Is that endemic and widespread joint working between those at the border and the internally in the United Kingdom? police is helping to ensure the security of those who travel to and from the UK. I am clear that that is where we should be putting our energy. Such work provides Jacqui Smith: If my hon. Friend believes that that the advantage of robust collaboration, but without the person acted inappropriately, and he wants to write to drawbacks of significant further structural change to me about it, we will ensure that the matter is investigated. policing, as advocated by some Opposition Members. Part 1 provides the legal backing for giving front-line We will take practical steps to deliver an effective working customs and immigration staff powers and allows for relationship between the police and the Border Agency, the formal transfer of around 4,500 officers currently and not just at the border, but across the country. employed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, to However, those who argue for greater border security create a single primary checkpoint. That full integration cannot do so in all good faith while opposing the of customs frontier work is a major step forward in our necessary wider protections that we have put in place. It border controls and it provides the platform for even is not enough to have the police and border officials closer co-operation between the UK Border Agency working side by side. They also need the tools for the and the police. That is now a day-to-day reality, with job, such as electronic border controls and ID cards for enhanced co-ordination between the police and the UK foreign nationals. Both of those protections are opposed Border Agency on intelligence sharing and joint operations. by Opposition Members. An integrated single border force works alongside the police, helping us to combat illegal immigration, prevent Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): In making all those border tax fraud, take on organised crime networks, changes to our border controls, would the Home Secretary stop the trafficking of people, drugs and weapons and consider creating a new channel of entry for people counter the threat of terrorism. carrying British passports, so that we do not have to queue up behind hundreds and thousands of people Keith Vaz (Leicester, East) (Lab): What the Home who are coming from other countries? Surely if we are Secretary has said is helpful. However, if what she coming into our own country with a British passport, outlines is not also done with the co-operation of the we should have our own way of coming in. entry clearance operation, the outcome will replicate the current situation, whereby there are hundreds of Jacqui Smith: I hope that my hon. Friend has had the bogus colleges in this country and tens of thousands of opportunity to register in and to see the operation of bogus students who have been admitted because of the IRIS, the iris recognition immigration system, which is entry clearance position. The Minister for Borders and now in place at many airports, and to see the facial 173 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 174 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] recognition gates operating in Manchester airport, both cap proposed by the Opposition. It allows us to raise or of which enable people with British passports to get lower the bar according to the needs of business and the through the necessary border controls, but much more country as a whole, as we showed in February when I quickly and effectively. announced changes to raise the qualification and salary levels for entering the UK as a highly skilled migrant, Andrew Mackinlay: Will my right hon. Friend give and when we announced proposals to give British workers way? a fair crack of the whip by ensuring that employers must advertise more skilled jobs through Jobcentre Plus Jacqui Smith: I will give way to my hon. Friend in a before they can bring in a worker from outside Europe, moment. and proposals to ensure that each future shortage I would also like to set out the Government’s intentions occupation list published by the Migration Advisory in respect of the Bill’s provisions on the common travel Committee triggers skills reviews that focus on up-skilling area, which I know has been the subject of considerable domestic workers for those occupations. debate in another place. There are many benefits to the I am grateful for the work of Professor David Metcalf common travel area, and I am clear that I want it to and his advisory committee, and if he advises us that we remain intact. However, to preserve those benefits, we need to continue to tighten these measures in Britain’s need to strengthen our safeguards, particularly when economic interest, we will do so. Overall, the decisions faced with clear evidence that the arrangements can be that we have taken to control migration will reduce the subject to abuse by serious and organised criminals and numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain and by illegal immigrants. The changes that we propose will staying, while ensuring that we attract and keep the not prevent British citizens or Irish nationals from right people—those with the skills that our economy entering the UK freely, as they do now. There is no needs. intention to introduce fixed border controls on routes Migration has brought us economic benefits, but it between the Crown dependencies and the UK. I do not should not be a substitute for up-skilling the domestic expect any noticeable impact on the journeys of most work force. Nor should there be a right to automatic passengers. Rather, the changes are targeted at identifying citizenship based purely on length of stay in Britain. third-country nationals who are not travelling to the Part 2 of the Bill sets out the terms of the deal that we UK legitimately. In that context I hope that we can look will expect newcomers to sign up to if they want to stay for support from all parts of the House. and build a life in this country. Stephen Pound (Ealing, North) (Lab): I am greatly Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): The Home Secretary reassured by my right hon. Friend’s comments about talks about a deal between a migrant seeking citizenship the common travel arrangements. Will she confirm that and the state that awards that citizenship. Will she there will be no possibility of a repeat of the unfortunate assure the House that there will be no circumstances in incident that occurred a few years ago when Irish citizens which an asylum seeker who has been on temporary who were brought up in this country and may never admission for a long time because of delays by the have set foot in Ireland found themselves victims of Home Office in deciding their case will not have the custodial sentences, but were then faced with deportation time that they have been in the country counted as legal on the completion of their sentences? residence for the purposes of becoming a citizen, as is Jacqui Smith: That issue is not about the CTA. There presently the case? are strong constraints, particularly in the EU, on which people can and cannot be deported. However, the UK’s Jacqui Smith: There was considerable discussion on relationship with the Republic of Ireland in the common this issue in another place. I certainly think that we need travel area is an important element, and one that our to look at situations in which such delays are clearly a proposals are aimed at safeguarding. I am of course result of decision making not being done in time, and to ready to consider any other options to deliver the policy look at ways in which that period of time could contribute objectives that I am sure we all share to counter the to the period of residency for the purposes of citizenship. vulnerability that we have identified. I do not believe that that should be a blanket provision, but I believe that there can be flexibility in the way in Alongside our proposals for the integrated border which we deal with that issue. force, and to preserve what is best about the common travel area, the Bill also proposes to strengthen our Robert Key (Salisbury) (Con): British immigration border controls in other ways. It amends existing powers policy must be tough, but it must also be fair. Clause 39 so that we can take the fingerprints of foreign criminals refers to exceptions to the application of part 2, which subject to automatic deportation provisions, and it extends deals with citizenship. In my constituency, there are to Scotland a power to allow immigration officers to about 40 families from the Malayali community in detain at port for up to three hours a person subject to a southern India. Those people have perfectly respectable warrant for arrest, as is already the case in England, jobs as doctors, computer engineers and so on. They Wales and Northern Ireland. have broken not a single rule and are not a burden on Alongside taking the necessary steps to strengthen the state. They have been working here and they will our border, we need to make immigration work in the shortly qualify for citizenship of this country. Under interests of Britain, as several of my hon. Friends have the Bill, unless we keep the amendment that was made already said. The points-based system is now fully up in another place, they will not qualify for citizenship and running, and we have closed down the route to because the period of grace will disappear. Will the non-EU low-skilled migration. We have always said Home Secretary assure the House that, in the interest of that the points system will allow us to be flexible in fairness, she will not seek to remove clause 39 from controlling migration, and more effective than the arbitrary the Bill? 175 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 176 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Jacqui Smith: The hon. Gentleman is right that clause 39 absolute number that should not be exceeded—because, was inserted in the other place to deal with transitional if so, that is quite different from what they have said in provisions, but we do not believe that the drafting of the the past? clause would achieve what the hon. Gentleman outlined in his intervention. There are questions about the length Jacqui Smith: What I have said is that while I do not of time that we want to take before the right provisions think an arbitrary cap on entry, as proposed by Conservative about earned citizenship come into place. We will, of Members, is the most effective and flexible way to course, look in further detail at how to deal with people control migration, I do believe that we should control already in this country and the basis on which they are the numbers coming into this country. We are doing here, but I do not personally think that we should have that through the current points-based system. What I to wait until everyone who is here on a temporary basis am arguing today is that we should go further and use has worked through the system before introducing what what we know about the architecture that has been I think is the right deal, spelled out in our earned created to control the number of those granted citizenship citizenship proposals. As part of that deal, people who at the next stage. That is why we will bring forward want to make their home permanently here must be proposals on how to introduce a points-based system able to demonstrate their commitment to Britain by for the path to citizenship as well as for entry. speaking English, working hard and playing by the rules. Damian Green (Ashford) (Con): To be entirely clear, is the Home Secretary saying that even if a number of Our earned citizenship proposals provide a clearer people have gone through all the extra hurdles to earn and fairer journey to citizenship. They deliver simple citizenship—done the voluntary work and done everything steps and set the right balance between demonstrating else—she is going to add on top of that a cap so that commitment to the UK and gaining access to privileges— those going through those hurdles might well be refused privileges like our benefits system, where we estimate in a single year? That is what she has just told the right that our proposals could result in savings of at least hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz). £350 million in the first five years. Those who show a real commitment to this country by making a positive Jacqui Smith: No, I said precisely the opposite. It is contribution to the wider community will be able to Conservative Members who believe that an arbitrary complete the journey to citizenship more quickly.Requiring cap is the best way to control immigration. I believe that migrants to earn citizenship will, for the first time, mean what we have seen through the points-based system—with that there is no automatic link, as was mentioned earlier, levels of points that can be raised or lowered to suit the between coming to the UK to work or study and concerns and interests of this country—is the appropriate settling here permanently. I believe that breaking that model to build on for a system to control the route to link is an important new stage in our reform of immigration. citizenship. It is a more flexible way of controlling those who go forward to citizenship. [Interruption.] Mr. Frank Field: May I welcome the statement that my right hon. Friend has just made, but also ask her to Several hon. Members rose— develop her ideas on this very point? The Government are now committed not to grow the population through Jacqui Smith: The question that Conservative Members immigration, and if we are not going to do that, there need to answer is whether they think it is now appropriate needs to be a cap on the number of new citizens to move to the next stage of reform, and to consider the received in any one year. Will she clarify whether that is way in which we control—for the benefit of Britain—the now also part of the Government’s thinking? number of people who choose to settle here and proceed to citizenship. I have said that I think that that is the Jacqui Smith: I know that my right hon. Friend has appropriate next stage of reform. done a lot of work on this subject, and I think that he is The cornerstone of my approach to getting our right that now, as we put these measures into place, is immigration system right is that it does the right thing the time also to give serious consideration to how we by the people whom it serves, and is seen to make ensure that we have an appropriate level of control over decisions that are not only firm, but fair and fast. the numbers of people granted the right to settle permanently in this country in the same way that we Mr. Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow) (Lab): Will my right now have an appropriate level of control over those who hon. Friend give way? can enter temporarily. Jacqui Smith: No. I must make a little more progress now. Keith Vaz: Will the right hon. Lady give way? That is why the Bill includes important provisions to enable children born outside the UK to a parent who is Jacqui Smith: No, I am in the process of completing a foreign or Commonwealth member of our armed my point. That is why the Government will bring forward forces to apply for British citizenship, and to ensure that proposals before the summer recess on how we can take children born in the UK to such parents are automatically the next steps towards a points-based system for the British at birth. It is why the Bill amends the British path to citizenship as well—in order precisely to put in Nationality Act 1981, allowing British mothers to pass place the sort of control that my right hon. Friend the on their British citizenship to children born before Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) has identified. 1961. It is why the Bill creates a new children’s duty: a duty for the Border and Immigration Agency to change Keith Vaz: I am most grateful to the Home Secretary the way in which it works with children so that it for giving way to me a second time. Is she telling the discharges its functions in a way that safeguards and House that the Government now favour a cap—an promotes their welfare. 177 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 178 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab) rose— Britain’s migration system has been in crisis for the best part of a decade, but, eight Bills and much rhetoric Mr. Gerrard rose— later, the Government have no solutions to offer. Worse still, they are not even capable of pushing through their Jacqui Smith: I give way to my hon. Friend the own ideas on how to deal with the issues that they face. Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard). How do we know that? Well, last summer they published a draft Bill containing a range of ideas, most of which Mr. Gerrard: May I return the Home Secretary to are still where they started—on the drawing board. what she said about a points-based system for citizenship? That is why the Home Secretary had so little to say What she has just said in the middle of her speech seems about the Bill this afternoon. We heard a fair amount to me to be fundamentally different from what is in the about immigration issues, but precious little about the Bill. I do not know how we can debate and pass the Bill Bill itself. What we have now is not the comprehensive as it stands if we are told that such a measure is in the measure that the Government presented last year, but a offing and will come at some point in the future. It is haphazard mix of a few ideas: some that might help a impossible to know what the routes to citizenship will little; some that are meaningless; and, in between, a few be if we do not know how the new points-based system, that are just absurd. The Bill will require extensive which has come out of the blue, will operate. scrutiny as it passes through the House in order to try to sort out some of its problems. Jacqui Smith: What I said was that the Bill gives us All that comes from a Government who have clearly the framework for earned citizenship. It spells out the run out of purpose. We thought they had run out of periods during which people need to fulfil certain ideas until the Home Secretary brought forward some requirements before they can move to the next stage of new proposals, rather to the consternation of some of citizenship. her fellow Labour Members. We will, no doubt, find out a bit more about them as we proceed, and we will Jeremy Corbyn: Will the Home Secretary give way? discover whether there is any substance to them. We need action to tackle the problems in our immigration Jacqui Smith: Furthermore, we have successfully put system, but this Bill and this Government cannot deliver in place a points-based system—using, incidentally, that action. immigration rules, not primary legislation—in order to provide flexible control over those who come into the Rob Marris: May I ask the hon. Gentleman the same country. I consider the logical next stage, on which there question that I asked my right hon. Friend the Home will be full consultation, to be consideration of whether Secretary? Given that about 80 per cent. of immigration and how a points-based system for citizenship would into the UK is made up of people who are residents of work. other EU member states, does the hon. Gentleman think the UK Government should look again at the free Jeremy Corbyn: Will Home Secretary give way? movement of labour provisions within the EU?

Jacqui Smith: Building on a comprehensive programme Chris Grayling: As the hon. Gentleman knows, we of immigration reform, the Bill introduces measures to have always argued for transitional arrangements for make our borders more secure, to ensure that only new member states. It was this Government, not us, migrants who can be of benefit to Britain are selected, who took the decision not to impose those transitional and to set the standards by which newcomers can arrangements, unlike almost every other European country. progress towards citizenship. We would certainly put them in place for new member states. As for existing immigration from eastern Europe, Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Will my however, that is a result of a decision taken by Ministers right hon. Friend give way? of this Government four or five years ago, so that train has long since left the station. Jacqui Smith: These are firm measures, but they are fair. They get the balance right, and they have at their Rob Marris: The hon. Gentleman has misunderstood heart our commitment to deliver an immigration system my question. I am not talking about transitional that works in the interests of Britain and British citizens. arrangements. Instead, I am talking about one of the I commend the Bill to the House. fundamental aspects of the architecture of the EU—the free movement of labour. I think there is a case for looking at that again. Does the hon. Gentleman agree? 4.14 pm Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell) (Con): It is probably Chris Grayling: No, I do not think we are going to appropriate for me to begin by marking what now look again at the free movement of labour within the appears to be the Home Secretary’s final appearance at EU. However, the hon. Gentleman should recognise—he the Dispatch Box by noting that she is Britain’s first will discover this, if he looks at the statistics—that female Home Secretary. I congratulate her on her decision migration into this country from outside the EU remains to preannounce the reshuffle—that will cause a great higher than migration from inside the EU. We have long deal of interest around this place, and may cause a bit argued for an absolute cap on the number of people more consternation in Downing street; indeed, I suspect coming into this country from outside the EU. That that the mobile phones are on the move there again—and remains our policy and we wish that the current on her achievement in becoming Britain’s first woman Government would adopt it, but the truth is that they Home Secretary. will not do so. 179 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 180 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Chris Grayling] Chris Grayling: We will have a cap for the United Kingdom as a whole—we have not reached the point of Over the past 10 years, this Government have presided having a Scottish-only immigration system. I have no over the most chaotic situation in our immigration doubt that the hon. Gentleman will do his best to system in modern history. Even the Minister for Borders promote Scotland as a place to live, work and invest, and Immigration has admitted that and rightly so. “People didn’t believe the authorities knew what they were Despite the tough talk of Ministers—I listened with doing, and there’s a very good reason for that—they didn’t.” amazement to what the Home Secretary said about our borders and the policing of them—they are failing to Mr. John Gummer (Suffolk, Coastal) (Con): Will my police our borders properly. We know that the number hon. Friend help me by explaining to the House why of removals from the UK is falling and that even when imposing a limit on the number of people coming in Ministers have extensive details about illegal immigrants, from outside the EU is an arbitrary figure, whereas a they fail to act. I keep raising at oral questions the issue figure fixed by the Government for the number of of the thousands of illegal immigrants revealed 18 months people in any one year who can have citizenship is not ago to have been cleared to work in the security industry an arbitrary figure? by the Security Industry Authority. We know that only a handful of those people have been deported, but more Chris Grayling: My right hon. Friend’s point speaks worrying still is the fact that Ministers are not even able for itself. We have a Government who are all over the to give a clear assurance that none of those people are place in their policy and in what they say, and who have still employed in the security industry. Indeed, the last presided over a system that is chaotic, illogical and time I raised the issue it was pretty clear that Ministers ill-managed. have no idea what happened to those people and where they have gone since the situation was exposed. Mr. Swayne: Does my hon. Friend read any significance Jeremy Corbyn: The hon. Gentleman will be aware into the fact that after having announced the new policy that there are many people in this country who have on citizenship, the Secretary of State pointedly refused been here for quite a long time, who do jobs that to take no less than three interventions from her own nobody else wants to do and who lead a very poor side, despite delivering what was a relatively short speech existence. Many people, including me and some members for a Second Reading debate? of his party, including the Mayor of London, support the “Strangers into Citizens” campaign to treat these Chris Grayling: My hon. Friend is right, and I have a people decently, give them legality and ensure that they sneaking suspicion that the next Home Secretary may are able to live safely in our society. Does the hon. not be as keen to adopt the policy as the current one is Gentleman not think that, in all his passion, he should on the eve of her departure from her post. say a word or two about them? The reality is stark. Immigration into this country has increased fivefold since this Government came to Chris Grayling: There are many people who are living power. A decade ago, net immigration into the UK was and working in this country at the moment. I believe less than 50,000 a year; by 2007, that figure had risen to that people who come to this country should do so almost 250,000. On top of that, the Government admit legally, through the appropriate systems. They should that there are more than 500,000 illegal immigrants in be able to apply to stay here and should be able to stay if the UK. The UK population is now projected to grow the system judges that that is what should happen. I am to 71 million by 2031, with half that growth directly not in favour of taking steps that would allow people attributed to new migration. Public services simply cannot who are here illegally to justify their existence here and cope with an unplanned rate of change on the scale of remain. People who want to come to Britain should do recent years. Police forces are struggling with the cost of so through the proper channels. translation services; schools in areas of high migration We must also consider the Government’s failure to face the challenges of large numbers of pupils without deport foreign prisoners. Only a minority of those from English as a first language; health services will struggle overseas who have been jailed in this country in recent to cope with the extra demands of new arrivals; and years were actually deported after their release, and we Ministers do not seem to have much of an idea what to have had hundreds of cases of deportations being aborted do about the problem. because of the disruptive behaviour of the person concerned The Home Secretary still this afternoon refuses to and the refusal of the airline to take them. That comes take the very obvious step of limiting the number of after seven immigration Bills since 1997. None of them new arrivals. The sensible approach is very simple: sorted the problem out, and there is little reason to introduce an annual limit on immigration and bring believe that this one, the eighth, will make more of a immigration down to manageable levels. When Ministers difference than its predecessors. talk about introducing an Australian-style, points-based That is particularly the case given all the things that system for this country, they forget that the Australians were left behind on the journey from the draft Bill to the themselves set a limit on immigration. Bill before the House today. The original part 1 of the draft Bill, which was on regulation of entry into, and Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): As stay in, the UK has gone. Part 4 was on expulsion the hon. Gentleman will know, in Scotland we face orders and removals. Among other things, it would have structural population decline, not population increase. I strengthened the Government’s ability to fulfil their have heard him talk about the Conservative cap; what pledge on increasing deportations, and it would have would be the cap in Scotland? broadened the definition of foreign criminals—but it is 181 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 182 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] gone. Part 5 would have strengthened the power to Then we had the Home Secretary boasting about her detain, and it would also have helped to deal with the border force, but—extraordinarily—it has no policing problem of immigrant offenders on aircraft—that is responsibility. I heard a lot of nonsense from her about gone, too. Part 6 would have reformed the management integrated policing. I have talked to police in our ports of removal centres, and part 7 would have tightened the in areas where they have to cover points of entry into rules on access to the UK, the use of false documentation, the country, and they have a constant battle to balance breaches of expulsion orders and absconding from local policing with the need for policing in the ports. A detention. police officer from a port may be policing the town centre on a Friday or Saturday night rather than policing Mr. Redwood: Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the port, and that is not good enough. the problems is that an awful lot of money and effort has gone into the wrong things? We often do not have Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman enough staff at Heathrow and the other main ports of says that he has been round the ports, but I am not sure entry to deal courteously and quickly with all the legitimate that he has been to the port of Holyhead in my constituency. people coming in and to take the necessary steps to I go there regularly, and the system works well. The weed out the ones who should not be coming in. Is that hon. Gentleman is talking about chief constables who not a question of misplaced resources and bad complain about cuts in their forces, but within the ports management? counter-terrorist units have been set up, with close Chris Grayling: My right hon. Friend is absolutely co-operation between the police and the Border Agency. right about bad management; I shall come to talk about Has he seen that working, or is he only listening to chief the policing of our borders in a moment, because that is constables? one of the big gaps in our system. The Government have lost part 8 of the draft Bill, Chris Grayling: In this country, we have a piecemeal which would have addressed carriers’ liability. Part 9 approach to policing our borders, with a pocket of would have introduced tougher rules on employing policing here and another there. In too many places we illegal workers. All the things that I have mentioned have inadequate policing that is divided between different have gone, and when the spine of a Bill is ripped out, it responsibilities. The Conservatives remain convinced is hardly surprising that the Bill collapses under scrutiny. that we need a dedicated border police force— This Bill will do no harm, but little good. [Interruption.] The Home Secretary is muttering about the e-Borders project. We do not object to the principle So, what is left? Part 1 of the stripped down Bill of keeping a record of who comes into and goes out of tinkers with the powers given to the UK Border Agency, the country. However, I do not believe that we need to which was set up by the Government to create a semblance maintain detailed records of 10 years of holiday of action, but as usual what this Government are doing arrangements, holiday partners or credit card statements misses the point. The Bill only shuffles things around for every citizen who wants to go on holiday. We need to and does not deal with our biggest problem—our porous achieve a balance in what we do, and the Government borders. The fact that our borders are so poorly controlled have completely failed to find that balance. is a big challenge. A huge proportion of illegal immigrants in Britain arrive in the back of a lorry. People trafficking Part 2 of the Bill deals with citizenship. We have just is causing misery and despair to those caught up in it, heard about the chaotic Government policy on that yet the lax controls at our borders make us a magnet for issue. We have one set of changes in this Bill and now the traffickers—no wonder the UK is classified as a we discover that another set of changes will be introduced high-level destination country for trafficking. “before the summer”, according to the Home Secretary. We are pleased that in part 4 of the Bill the Government Why can we not do this properly in one go, if she has a have answered our call to amend the law that allowed grand plan for the issue? Judging by the comments from very young children to be trafficked with impunity. The the Labour Benches, her successor will struggle to get measure will amend the definition of exploitation to any such measures past the Labour party. remove the requirement for a child to be “requested or The citizenship proposals in the Bill construct a induced” to undertake any activity in order for an act to complicated and bureaucratic set of mechanisms to be regarded as trafficking for exploitation. But that is deal with the adverse consequences of out-of-control not enough and more will need to be done. The issue is immigration—consequences that we have been warning not only people being smuggled into the country—senior about for years. Now we know that the Government’s police officers have warned about the scale of smuggling plan is to introduce a new points-based system—the of illegal firearms and replica weapons into the UK, second in our immigration system. The new category of and the Government have admitted the scale of the probationary citizenship will be a precursor to citizenship, problem. to replace the existing limited leave to remain. What I listened with astonishment to the Home Secretary’s does the new category add of value to the existing remarks about how secure our borders are. Only a few arrangements? months ago, the Minister for Borders and Immigration— As for the concept of active citizenship, the basic always a useful source for thoughts about why the principle is that those who wish to become British Government’s policies are not working—told a newspaper: citizens should contribute to this country, and that is “We have, compared to other rich countries, been liberal in our well established. Someone is granted citizenship every border controls.” five minutes in this country and, of course, they want to A few moments ago, the Home Secretary described play a positive role in our society. British citizenship is a those borders as among the most secure in the world. privilege, not a right, but we do not know how the active No wonder we do not have joined-up thinking about citizenship proposals will work in practice. As usual, immigration in Whitehall. the Government intend to set out the details in secondary 183 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 184 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Chris Grayling] Mr. Swayne: A few moments ago, the Secretary of State was asking my hon. Friend from a sedentary legislation, but Parliamentary should have the opportunity position whether he would support her proposals. I to scrutinise the important question of which activities hope that he will give no such commitment, as we have will count towards qualifying for citizenship. no idea what those proposals will be, as yet. Keith Vaz: When the Home Affairs Committee Chris Grayling: My hon. Friend makes a good point. considered the issue, we were concerned that there is no Since the Secretary of State has announced a new range list of acceptable activities for people to engage in. of policies in relation to citizenship this afternoon that Many new immigrants spend their time on informal no one else in the House knew were coming, I think that relationships and attending informal activities, which we should wait with bated breath to see what else the would not be properly regulated. Does the hon. Gentleman Government bring forward during the course of the agree that it should be for Parliament and the public to Bill. send in suggestions about what would constitute active citizenship? More work needs to be done in this area, so that we have a clear list available for people to follow. Robert Key: On consideration of the timetable motion later today, will my hon. Friend make absolutely sure Chris Grayling: The Home Affairs Committee Chairman that there is time to debate the issues, which will be put makes a very good point. I agree with him that input before the House at some point in the future and which from Parliament and the people whom we represent will involve something that we do not know about yet? would be welcome. It is a shame that as usual, sadly, we Will he also fight hard to retain clause 39, which was have to debate such a Bill in this House. It has been put into the Bill in the other place with the support of reduced in size to such a degree that it will surely allow our noble Friends? This is a matter of fairness and more detail to be studied in the areas where it is debating justice. We can toughen up our immigration policy a change. Surely there will be room for discussion such as great deal, but we must be fair. that which the right hon. Gentleman proposes. Chris Grayling: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Mr. Gummer: Before my hon. Friend leaves that We need a tougher immigration system in this country point, is this not another example of serious issues that and we need tougher controls, but above all the system affect the human rights of people in this country being has to be fair and welcoming to those who have the pushed aside into subsidiary legislation instead of being right to be here. It is important that we balance necessary discussed in this Chamber by those people who are toughness with common human decency, which would elected to deal precisely with these matters? Is that not characterise the policies on this side of the House were part of the reason why we have lost so much of the we to hop to that side of the House in the near future. respect of the people? Chris Grayling: I absolutely agree with my right hon. Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): I want to hear a bit Friend. I think that we need less legislation done well more about the hon. Gentleman’s capping policy. Has rather than the glut of legislation that we have had he any figures for the numbers by which it would reduce under this Government, which, since we are on the immigration? Secondly, would the capping be by occupation eighth immigration Bill, palpably does not work in the or profession? way that we would like it to. We want less legislation done well, with proper scrutiny and proper detail, rather Chris Grayling: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is than eight immigration Bills done badly, which is what very keen to discover Conservative policy, but we are we have had under this Government. dealing with a situation that is probably a year away. Has the Home Secretary fully considered the impact Before we get to that point, I would be delighted to of effectively compelling those who want to accelerate write to him and the public as a whole with more detail their path to citizenship to undertake voluntary work? about what we intend to do. What will be the impact on the voluntary sector? There Let me move on to what I think is the most absurd is also the question of how the condition will be applied portion of the Bill—the proposed change to the common in a fair manner that does not put certain groups of travel area. For most of the past century, people travelling applicants at a disadvantage. between the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland have been able to do so Stephen Pound: It is perhaps salutary to note that without border and immigration controls. Anyone who until my hon. Friend the Member for North-East is tempted to be reassured by the Home Secretary’s Derbyshire (Natascha Engel) left, there were people of comments should go back and look at the Hansard nine different national origins sitting in this Chamber. record from the other place to be absolutely clear about Does the hon. Gentleman not accept that under the the Government’s intentions. previous political Administration a person could become a British citizen and not speak a word of English? That The common travel area was introduced in 1921, is no longer the case. Will he give credit to this Government when Ireland was partitioned. It survived throughout and this Administration for at least introducing that the second world war. Only now have the Government requirement, which he surely believes in and supports? decided that change is necessary; we disagree. The Government’s proposals are unworkable and should be Chris Grayling: I do indeed. I would go further and scrapped. We oppose them, most importantly because strengthen those requirements. However, one small piece the plan is completely unenforceable. What on earth is of success does not detract from the fact that we have a the point of having tougher controls at ports and airports system in chaos that has been mismanaged over a between, for example, Britain and the Republic of Ireland decade and desperately needs to change. if the land border between the two does not exist in any 185 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 186 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] physical form at all? All the security installations between Chris Grayling: We will see about that. the two have been dismantled, and in many places the border has always been no more than a bend on a Keith Vaz: I hope that the hon. Gentleman will read country lane. the evidence that the Minister gave to the Committee Unless the Government are now planning to introduce this morning. As a direct result of it, we are even more border controls between Northern Ireland and the rest concerned about the number of students in the country of the United Kingdom, their plans are completely at the moment who are seeking an extension. We have unworkable. I trust that even this authoritarian decided to extend our inquiry and invite Ministers from Administration do not propose to introduce internal the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills movement controls within the UK. That is why we to give evidence, because this is not just a Home Office brought forward an amendment in the other place to issue; it is an issue for DIUS, too. We will continue with remove the proposals from the Bill. I very much hope the inquiry because we believe that it merits the attention. that Ministers will accept that change, but I fear that they plan to continue the battle to secure a change that Chris Grayling: I am grateful to the Select Committee is not needed and not workable. Chairman for that, and I hope that Ministers will look In light of recent events, the glaring omission from carefully at the report that he and his colleagues will put the Bill concerns student visas. It is clear that the together. It worries me that the Minister is so cavalier in student visa system is being exploited by thousands of his responses this afternoon, when quite clearly the bogus colleges acting as fronts for illegal immigration. Select Committee has identified a serious issue that We have warned the Government about that for years. remains to be addressed. Getting a student visa for Britain is big business in This is a weak Bill from a weak Government. In Pakistan. High-quality fake documents that will help recent months the Minister for Borders and Immigration applicants to get visas are on sale for £100, and self-styled made a series of tough comments designed to capture “immigration consultants” are hard at work trying to headlines in the tabloid press, but the Bill shows the big beat the system. The British high commission in Pakistan gap between the rhetoric and the reality. We have moved previously estimated that half of all students to whom from the publication of an extensive draft Bill last it grants visas disappear after reaching the UK. Just last summer to the formal proposal of a timid and insubstantial week, a national newspaper reported that four of the Bill this spring. Nowhere do we see any of the changes students recently arrested and later released had certificates that should have been brought before the House to deal from a bogus college in Manchester. They were then with the problems of our chaotic immigration system. given places at English universities. The institution in There are no proposals formally to establish a border question allegedly brought hundreds of people over police force to deal with trafficking, smuggling and from Pakistan before eventually being shut down by the illegal immigration. There is no attempt to establish an Home Office. annual limit on immigration into the UK, and there are Despite that threat, in April we found that student no moves significantly to strengthen the rules to ensure visa applications from Pakistan are being handled by that all new arrivals speak English to an adequate level. the UK Border Agency not in Pakistan but in Abu Instead, there is a hotch-potch of measures, some of Dhabi, to allow for a reduction in staff in Islamabad. which may make a bit of difference, while others, such Anxious to appear to be tackling the problem, the as the proposals on the common travel area, make no Government introduced a new, much shorter, list of sense at all. After 12 years in government, and 12 years approved colleges for sponsoring UK student visas. The of failure to manage our immigration system, that is the Minister for Borders and Immigration boldly claimed best that the current set of Ministers can come up with. that that formed part of Small wonder that so many people now think that what “the most significant changes to our immigration system since the we really need to change is not Ministers but the Second World War”. Government. There were about 15,000 institutions on the Government’s approved register, but now there are only 1,500 institutions 4.39 pm on the list. That dramatic reduction prompts the question why many of them were on the official list in the first Mr. Neil Gerrard (Walthamstow) (Lab): I wish to place. begin by saying something about part 2 and its proposals on citizenship and naturalisation. Becoming a British The Minister for Borders and Immigration (Mr. Phil citizen is an important step. If someone becomes a Woolas): It is simply not the case that there were ever British citizen, they gain unrestricted access to work, 15,000 institutions on any approved list. The Government’s the ability freely to go in and out of the country, to stay estimate was that 15,000 institutions were attempting to away for as long as they wish, the right to vote and so attract such people. There are in fact 1,600 sponsored on. People regard citizenship as significant. When citizenship institutions. ceremonies were first introduced, I was a little sceptical about whether they would work and whether they would Chris Grayling: If there were only 1,600 sponsored be viewed as something that mattered. However, I have institutions, the Government have reduced the total by gone to citizenship ceremonies, and spoken to people about 100. What guarantees can they give us that the taking part. They regard that ceremony and the acquisition system is now as watertight as the Minister for Borders of citizenship as important. and Immigration appears to suggest that it is? I am concerned about the uncertainty created by the Mr. Woolas: I invite the hon. Gentleman to do his part 2 proposals. At the moment, the route to citizenship homework. If he reads the evidence that was given to is fairly clear. The granting of temporary permission—I the Home Affairs Committee this morning, he will find know there are many different forms of temporary that what he has just said is simply not the case. permission—leads to indefinite leave to remain which, 187 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 188 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Mr. Neil Gerrard] There has been some discussion in the debate about students coming to fake colleges. I can promise my hon. in turn, leads to citizenship. It is confusing that, according Friend the Minister for Borders and Immigration that if to the Bill, the right to indefinite leave appears to have the systems in the Bill are put in place, fake voluntary been removed, and permanent permission is wrapped organisations will come into existence and attempt to up with citizenship. Consequently, people will be subject make money by charging people for certificates saying to much longer periods of uncertainty and temporary that they have done some voluntary work in order to permission before they can acquire the permanent help them into citizenship. I can almost guarantee that permission to stay that comes with citizenship. that will happen if the system is implemented. I see my hon. Friend smiling and nodding. Mr. Woolas: My hon. Friend speaks from great knowledge of his constituents. May I just reassure him Mr. Woolas: My hon. Friend makes a good point. At that the proposals do not affect individuals who already all stages in immigration policy, one has to predict have indefinite leave to remain? where it will go. By highlighting the point, he is helping the Government to prevent it. Mr. Gerrard: I absolutely appreciate that point, but a different mechanism will apply in future when the indefinite Mr. Gerrard: I hope the Government will think again leave status will not be granted to people. Instead, they about the requirement. I suspect that it will be very will get citizenship, and with that they will gain permanent difficult to implement it in any meaningful way that is permission to stay. free from abuse and does not lead to some people, May I just say a word about something that the through no fault of their own, being disadvantaged Home Secretary said, which I do not think any of us because they find it difficult, as a result of their had heard about before—the suggestion that there might circumstances, to take part in any meaningful voluntary be a points-based system in relation to citizenship? activity. Somebody who is working long hours, who is Obviously, we have no idea what that would actually doing shift work, or who is a single parent—with the mean, but I can see how the points-based system that best will in the world, such a person may find it extremely applies to people coming here to work might translate difficult to undertake voluntary activity. into a points-based system on citizenship. It is likely that under a citizenship points-based system people will Lynne Jones: Does my hon. Friend share my concerns gain points if they are in work or perhaps even depending that the Home Secretary did not address the on the amount of money that they earn. They will gain recommendations made in pre-legislative scrutiny by points depending on whether they are involved in certain the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Home activities such as community service and voluntary Affairs Committee on such issues as retrospective changes activity, which are mentioned in the Bill. In turn, that means being brought in, and would not give way when I that some people will be fundamentally disadvantaged attempted to raise the issue, and also that the Bill does by the proposals on work and voluntary activity.Inevitably, not deal with earlier recommendations from the Joint it will be more difficult for people with health problems, Committee in relation to what appears to be a deliberate people with disabilities, and perhaps elderly people to policy of destitution for many people who, through no gain such points. Certainly, some women will find it fault of their own, cannot return home? much more difficult to take part in the voluntary activity that is suggested as a means of accelerating the acquisition Mr. Gerrard: I very much agree, and I shall come on of citizenship. to the point about destitution. The Bill will discriminate against certain people because On the issue of transitional arrangements, which was the proposals on voluntary activity, as drafted, will raised earlier, there is some protection now through make it easier for some people to pass the test than clause 39, which was introduced in the Lords, for people others. If that proposal is then incorporated into a who have applied for citizenship or indefinite leave and points system, it could well mean that some people will for people in the final qualifying year. I am not convinced wait much, much longer before they can qualify for that that goes far enough. We ought to learn from the citizenship. That will certainly impact on people who do fiasco resulting from the changes to the highly skilled not have a lot of money. Volunteering sounds great, but migrants programme, when the rule was changed from it is not necessarily expense free. People acting as volunteers a four-year qualifying period to a five-year qualifying may not always do so without some cost to themselves. period to get indefinite leave. That led to a High Court Some of the voluntary sector organisations have pointed case, which was lost, leading to the policy having to be out as a possible problem that they may not be able to thought through again. I suspect we may end up along recompense a volunteer’s expenses. the same route if we are not careful and if we do not make sure that there are transitional arrangements in Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): The the Bill. hon. Gentleman may also have received representations from voluntary organisations expressing their concern I accept that it is impossible for transitional arrangements about their possible role in monitoring that voluntary to exempt from the provisions anybody who is already work, and the responsibilities and perhaps the additional in the country for whatever reason, but people who are costs that will come with it. already well through the process and getting towards the point where they can acquire citizenship ought to be Mr. Gerrard: That is a valid point. We are in danger protected in the transitional arrangements. of setting up some quite bureaucratic structures in On qualification for citizenship, there is another issue: order to try and monitor the voluntary work, if that is employment for people who have entered the country as to be done in a meaningful way. migrant workers. The Lords discussed the requirement 189 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 190 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] for continuous employment, and I have concerns about Unless I missed it, when introducing the Bill, the how that might be interpreted, especially if, as may be, Home Secretary did not mention the provision to restrict the courts get involved in the interpretation of continuous judicial review applications. That caused some argument employment. In the Lords debates, Ministers said that and controversy in the Lords, and I hope that it will be there would be circumstances in which an employer covered in the winding-up speeches. Clause 55 includes could change. For instance, if an employer went bankrupt, an amendment that was made in the Lords, limiting the it would clearly not be reasonable to say that a person cases that can be transferred from the High Court to the had been out of continuous employment if they then upper tribunal. I strongly believe that it ought still to be went into another job. possible to go to the High Court. People may well find themselves locked into staying with the same employer, however, and they may find it Keith Vaz: My hon. Friend has been here long enough difficult to change jobs during the qualifying period. to remember previous immigration Bills in which the Concerns have been expressed—certainly by a number Government said that they wanted to streamline the of trade unions—about what that might mean: the appeals process so that there was a need for only one potential for exploitation, and the potential for people tribunal; if anyone needed judicial review, they could go to be locked into working conditions that are even to the High Court. What my hon. Friend has mentioned unlawful. Indeed, we know that that happens now. goes against the philosophy that the Government have Someone who has a dubious immigration status or is developed in the past 12 years. The Government are scared about what might happen to them if they lose returning the cases to a new, upper tribunal, having said their job can end up working in unlawful conditions, that we did not need a second tribunal. not being paid the minimum wage and so on. They are scared to complain, however, because they are scared of Mr. Gerrard: That is absolutely right. I always thought the consequences. They are scared that they will lose it perfectly sensible for there to be a single appeal. There their job, apart from anything else. If another consequence were systems, for example, under which someone would is going to be that they lose their qualifying period for have an appeal against an asylum decision and, separately, citizenship and have to go back to the beginning of the another appeal when there was an attempt to remove process, that will act as a further incentive not to them. It makes sense to put the two together so that the complain. We must therefore look at introducing some appeal looks both at the asylum decision and at human safeguards on the qualifying periods. rights applications, for instance. A similar point arises about safeguards on periods of The issues can be complicated and are fundamental absence from the country. Ministers gave some assurances to human rights; they are about whether someone will in the Lords, but it is currently possible to average be allowed to remain in this country or will be removed. periods of absence over the five years, and I should like In such important cases, it ought to be possible to go to the Bill to retain that averaging system. a High Court judge. I am hoping for reassurance that in the later stages of consideration no attempt will be Jeremy Corbyn: My hon. Friend will be aware that in made to remove the Lords amendment in respect of the Lords there was discussion about an amendment to clause 55. enable Chagos islanders who were born before 1969, I should like to conclude by discussing destitution, an but to parents from those islands, to be granted British issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member for citizenship in line with all the others who were granted Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones). As has been citizenship through the British Overseas Territories pointed out, the scope of the Bill has been very restricted Act 2002. Unfortunately, the Government resisted such in comparison with that of the draft Bill that we considered amendments. Does my hon. Friend think that the Bill last year. The draft Bill would have consolidated and would be improved if such an amendment were made at covered a whole range of issues, and allowed us to some stage in this House? debate them, which are missing from this Bill. We should be considering the clearly missing issues of the Mr. Gerrard: This would be an appropriate place support of asylum seekers and the number of people to try to look for a solution to the Chagos islands who are in this country for one reason or another and problem, which has been going on for some considerable are living in destitution. time. Let us consider those who have been refused leave to remain but are still in the country; very significant One other matter that I hope the Minister will address numbers of them are from countries that the Government in his winding-up speech is access to benefits and services. recognise are not safe to return people to: Zimbabwe, It is generally accepted that full access to benefits and Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia and so on. Yet we require services should be withheld until someone has either those people to sign up to section 4 to get support. That citizenship or permanent residence. Indeed, that is essentially means that they have to sign a piece of paper saying that the current situation: certain benefits and services cannot they are prepared to go back, although they are terrified be accessed until someone has permanent residence, at of doing so. If they do not sign, they get nothing; we do least. However, given that the Bill extends the qualifying not even allow those who have signed up to section 4 to period for citizenship, I am concerned that people will work to support themselves, even when we know that end up paying taxes for much longer periods without they may be in the country for a significant period. being able to reap the benefits from those taxes or to access even contribution-based benefits. I should be extremely concerned if, in the regulations that follow the Bill, Jeremy Corbyn: I thank my hon. Friend for giving any attempt were made to restrict access to health care way a second time. Does he share my concern that the for a longer period than operates at present. Democratic Republic of the Congo is not included in 191 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 192 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Jeremy Corbyn] and some, frankly, unclear. Like the hon. Member for Walthamstow, I must confess to being confused about the list of countries too dangerous to return people to? exactly what the Government are proposing as regards Sometimes the information relating to what is or is not the points-based system and citizenship. a safe country seems incredibly subjective. Much of the detail will remain a mystery until the slew of statutory instruments for which the Bill provides Mr. Gerrard: There are a lot of examples of dubious is forthcoming. Admittedly, I have not had such a long decisions about where it is safe or not safe to return career here, but I cannot remember ever having seen a people to. I am sure that my hon. Friend will have seen Bill before the House with so many clauses involving the reports about the treatment of some people who phrases such as have been returned to the Congo; they have ended up in the hands of jailers. “The Treasury may by order make provision for”, “The Attorney General may by order assign to”, Lynne Jones: A young woman from the Democratic and Republic of the Congo, who was living in my constituency, “The Secretary of State may make regulations”. is awaiting deportation to the DRC tomorrow. She has no relatives there, but is being sent back. She fears that There is an astonishing degree of reliance of statutory she will be subject to arrest, rape and other mistreatments instruments. When in doubt, the Government want to that, as has been well documented, have happened to give Ministers the power to make things up at a later other people who have been deported to that country. date. This is yet another “Trust me, I’m a Minister” Bill. Well, this House should not trust Ministers with clean-sheet Mr. Gerrard: I thank my hon. Friend for that powers. We do not even know who those Ministers will intervention. There is evidence that that has happened be this time next week, let alone in a year’s time. in returns to other countries. Such matters of border control and nationality are Irrespective of the returns policy, I come back to the far too important to be left to statutory instrument and issue of the destitution of those people who are here. If should be debated as primary legislation on the Floor we accept that someone cannot be returned, which is of this House. We are, after all, debating nothing less essentially what we do when we let someone be supported than what defines us as a nation, for any country that under section 4, we should be looking at giving that cannot control its borders cannot choose who lives person the opportunity to support themselves by working among us, and soon cedes its own identity. The defence until it is possible to return them to their country of of the realm and the establishment of border control is origin. It is a pity that those aspects of asylum support one of the most basic functions of Government. Admittedly, are not covered in the Bill, which means we do not have it has never been easy for a nation with the third longest the opportunity properly to consider what those support coastline in Europe, at 7,758 miles—as generations of systems should be. west country smugglers who evaded the excise men I hope that in winding up the debate the Minister will knew. Nor should we underestimate the challenges posed answer some of my questions, particularly on judicial by the new age of mass travel and globalisation. The review. I also hope that we can hear more about exactly number of people entering and leaving this country what is being considered in terms of the points-based every year is more than three times the number in our system towards citizenship. That represents a fundamental population. In 2006 we recorded 192 million passenger change, and we should know something about it before movements in aviation alone, not counting the channel the Bill has completed its passage through this place, tunnel or shipping, and 279 million tonnes of freight given that it has already been through the Lords and was imported—an increase of 50 per cent. in just a there will be no opportunity to amend it further other decade. Every flight full of tourists and honest business than in the Commons. people may also carry illegal migrants, and every lorry is a potential vehicle for people smuggling. 5.1 pm That context is crucial, because this country above all Chris Huhne (Eastleigh) (LD): I am grateful to be others has thrived, from the earliest times when Cornish able to follow the hon. Member for Walthamstow tin was sold to Byzantium, on taking our opportunities (Mr. Gerrard), whose expertise in this area is well across the world to buy cheap and sell dear. Our migration known. I strongly agree with his points on judicial system must sift the illegal from the vast mass of honest review and on destitution, which are well taken. trade and travel, and that is not easy. The Home Secretary and I have had a pleasant and Migration has increased enormously, too, in the age genial relationship, but I have always been surprised at of mass travel, and immigrants make a hugely valuable how little we have been able to agree on. Nevertheless, I contribution to our society. I am sorry that no Member certainly pay tribute to her, not least for being the first has so far stressed that. There are 11,000 overseas woman Home Secretary, which is an important milestone teachers working in British schools, and in London for this House and for Government. some 23 per cent. of doctors and 47 per cent. of nurses I am afraid that this Bill is another example of the were born outside the UK. In many parts of the country, Government forcing through ill-thought-out, poorly our public services would collapse without the dedication drafted legislation. It is the 11th immigration Bill since and commitment of many people who came to this 1997—we have had almost one a year—yet it still does country to make a better life for themselves, but also not deliver on the Government’s promise of a Bill that for us. would simplify and consolidate the entire immigration Yet the evidence is that we are not getting the balance and asylum system; for that we must wait at least until right and are failing to persuade our fellow citizens that the end of this year. Instead, we have an interim Bill the system is under control. Alarmingly, a poll conducted with more piecemeal reforms—some good, some bad, in May 2007 found that 61 per cent. of people believed 193 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 194 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] that there were too many immigrants living in Britain, If we are to maximise the benefits that migration can and almost 40 per cent. said that immigration and race provide to the UK, while minimising the potential relations were among the top three issues facing the downside, we need better control of our borders. Yet country. Until 1999, that figure was consistently below the Bill does too little, too late. It was madness for the 10 per cent. Net migration into the UK has risen from previous Conservative Government to begin to dismantle 47,000 in 1997 to 198,000 in 2007—a substantial annual exit controls, given that we no longer have a way to figure and a substantial increase. check whether short-term visas are respected, and whether Sadly, the Government cannot say that they expected, people issued with them return home. It was madness predicted or planned that increase. When we, along because we know that most illegal immigrants, contrary with Denmark and Ireland, agreed to be the only EU to what the official Opposition claim, are overstayers on countries to open our borders to workers from central legitimate visas. They did not arrive in the back of and eastern Europe, the forecast was that there would lorries. be barely 52,000 migrants in four years. Instead, there It was equal madness for the Labour Government to were 766,000. That is possibly, in a fairly wide and persist with the abolition of exit checks and to take such crowded field, the worst Government forecast in history. a long time to reinstate them through the e-Borders There have been strains in the areas to which migrants scheme. It will not be fully operational before March 2014, have disproportionately come. It has affected pay rates and this year only just over half those leaving the in local labour markets and put stress on local public country will be checked. How can we stop overstaying services for which funding allocations were based on students or temporary workers if we do not know census data rather than on more up-to-date information whether they have left? The Home Office must move such as NHS enrolments. much further, much faster to re-establish exit checks. Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that we need Mr. Woolas: I am genuinely grateful to the hon. to withdraw from the EU because we cannot afford Gentleman, who is making a superb speech and analysis. such free movement—I am sorry to see that the hon. I plead with him to consider the trajectory of the Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) is not now in his roll-out of e-Borders. He is right to say that 100 per place—let us remember that that was a one-off influx cent. will be achieved by 2014, but we will reach 90 per that arose because we decided not to apply transitional cent. much sooner. The remaining small ports do not arrangements of the kind applied by Germany, Italy, allow us to achieve 100 per cent. so quickly. I hope that France and others. Those who wanted to migrate had he will support the programme. only three EU countries to go to. It was our decision, not the EU’s. Chris Huhne: I am grateful for the Minister’s intervention, but as far as I remember, only 60 per cent. will be The same mistake is not being made when it comes to achieved by the end of this year. We could be doing Romania and Bulgaria, and it remains the case that our much more, much faster by reintroducing manual checks, fellow citizens have availed themselves of the EU’s if necessary, not merely the e-Borders scheme. As the freedom of movement provisions more than those from Minister knows and as the hon. Member for Epsom other countries. Some Members may remember the TV and Ewell (Chris Grayling) rightly pointed out, much of programme “Auf Wiedersehen, Pet”. More British citizens the extra baggage in the e-Borders scheme is unnecessary live in the rest of the EU than other EU citizens live to its key functions, which the Liberal Democrats support. here, so populist calls for EU withdrawal would be counter-productive in their own terms. Withdrawal would Mr. Woolas: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s deprive our citizens of choice and probably lead to an acknowledgement: the figures are 60 per cent. this year increase in the UK population, and certainly to an and will be 90-odd per cent. next year. The scheme will increase in strains on the NHS. roll out very quickly. Does he accept the Government’s serious point that the arrangements with many countries Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): I hear what are reciprocal? If we count people coming in and going the hon. Gentleman says, but is not part of the problem, out we must reciprocate, which means that there have to and part of the reason for the British public’s anger, the be some checks on us. fact that they were told by the Home Office that the number Chris Huhne: How other countries apply their visa who would settle here when people from the 10 new EU arrangements is up to them. I am merely making a countries were allowed access to live and work would be common-sense point, which seems to have eluded something like 13,000 or 16,000? In reality it was closer Conservative and Labour Members for more than 10 years: to 1 million. That is why the British public felt angry at if short-term visas are issued to students or those who being let down. have temporary rights to work, we need to know when they leave. If we do not know when they leave, we do Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman was clearly asleep not know whether the visas have been respected. That is earlier in my speech, because I gave the precise figures. crucial. [Interruption.] I am happy to give way to the Some 52,000 migrants in four years were predicted, and Minister if he wants to raise himself from a sedentary in fact there were 766,000. He is absolutely right, and I position—but I see that exhaustion has reached such a had already made that point. point that he must clutch at the Dispatch Box. Mr. Woolas: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): He giving way and trying to inject some life into the debate, was not right about the numbers. which is important. Given his comments, will he drop his opposition to e-Borders, and his bogus claim that it Chris Huhne: Indeed, I corrected the hon. Gentleman’s is some Big Brother database and interference with numbers; I thank my hon. Friend. people’s liberties, when it is simply a border control? 195 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 196 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Chris Huhne: I am astonished that the Minister has That is sloppy legislation. Many who have commented the effrontery to come to the House peddling that on the Bill, such as Liberty and the Immigration Law extraordinary line. Although the e-Borders scheme is Practitioners Association, have made exactly the same necessary to check people who have short-term and observations. Statutory instruments are a useful tool, student visas, building a massive database of the travel but the process cannot and should not be regarded as a movements of every member of our population is substitute for the proper legislative scrutiny that primary unnecessary. The Government are going overboard, legislation receives. There is no detail to be scrutinised and will lose the argument about something that is because everything is left to statutory instruments, so essential by attempting to gild the lily and go far beyond real scrutiny in this Chamber is simply impossible. what is necessary. They will throw the baby out with the To deal with those and other problems, the House of bathwater. Lords has made some important amendments. Unfortunately, however, Ministers have already promised Mr. Woolas: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? to get rid of them in this House, with its inbuilt majority, although I hope that that will not ensure support for Chris Huhne: I have given way so many times, but I absolutely any amendments that the Government see fit cannot resist doing so again. to introduce. Indeed, I look forward to making common cause with those on the Labour Back Benches who have Mr. Woolas: I am very grateful that the Liberal expressed doubts. Democrat party acknowledges the desirability of electronic borders control, which it previously described as a Big Jeremy Corbyn: While the hon. Gentleman is talking Brother database. Will the hon. Gentleman now show about amendments, may I remind him of my intervention his true European credentials and admit that if we want on my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow to count people coming into our country, we must (Mr. Gerrard)—which he will have heard—about the co-operate with foreign countries in allowing them access anomaly of the Chagos islanders and the unfortunate to our data? failure of the House of Lords to insert an appropriate amendment to grant justice to those who were thrown off the islands, but who, because of the bad drafting of Chris Huhne: The Minister is simply failing to get the the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, are point. We do not need to build a massive database of denied the right of access to British citizenship to which the travel movements of every citizen in this country in all others are rightly entitled? order to make effective exit checks on those with short-term visas and ensure that we do not have illegal overstayers. Chris Huhne: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for If the Minister cannot understand that simple point, all raising that. He will certainly have our support if he I can say is that it is time for him to make way for intends to table an amendment on the issue, which is an somebody who can. anomaly that we need to deal with. We also need tougher enforcement among employers, A national border force is necessary, but why the yet the Bill is silent on the subject. Such enforcement is delay? Such a force should unite the present border the only effective way to curb illegal immigration once control functions of HMRC, the police and the UK people have gained entry to this country, yet in 12 years Border Agency, yet the proposals as drafted in part 1 of of this Government, just 114 employers have been the Bill are still a muddle. They broadly extend the prosecuted for having illegal immigrants on their staff. current powers of UKBA staff and others, as determined We need greater efforts at integration—through language by the Secretary of State, but they provide no specific teaching, for example—yet there is nothing in the Bill details. What exactly are the “general customs matters” that will help. Indeed, the numbers learning English are that the UKBA will have the authority to address? The down by 39 per cent. We need better planning for public extension of powers that are exercisable by immigration services, yet Ministers can give no assurances on the officials are worrying, especially when they are so ill basis of what is in the Bill. defined. We are concerned that the new powers blur the The chaotic nature of this Labour Government’s distinction between immigration controls and criminality. immigration policy is the principal reason why there has We share the concerns of Liberty, for example, that part been such a massive rise in animosity towards immigrants. 1 sends the signal that immigrants are, by definition, The increasingly punitive rhetoric adopted by Ministers, criminally suspicious. In addition, we will be pressing not least the Minister who will wind up the debate, has for clarification and reassurance from the Government led many of the general public to believe that immigration on exactly how long UKBA officials would be able to is bad for this country. Frankly, that is a tragedy. Illegal detain a person at their offices, as these powers caused immigration is certainly bad, and we need to be tougher; much confusion on all sides in the Lords. but legal immigration has brought great benefits, and The Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives tabled we should say so loud and clear. Yet the Bill is another amendments on these subjects—albeit with different example of such knee-jerk policy making. details—during consideration of the Bill in the other Let me turn to the detail of the Bill. Bits of it are, place. We will seek to address the issues again in Committee, frankly, worrying. The route to naturalisation is being particularly with regard to giving the Independent Police made yet longer and more complicated, with more Complaints Commission a remit to investigate the UKBA, conditions being placed upon people wishing to go given the extent of the new powers, and to the down that route. Much of the Bill is widely recognised implementation of our own integrated border force, as as confusing. The new functions of UK Border Agency previously discussed. officers in customs matters, for example, are still a Part 2 of the Bill amends the rules on naturalisation. puzzle. Much of the rest is left undefined, with only the Again, we have some concerns. The new rules will make promise of statutory instruments, frustrating our curiosity. naturalisation more difficult to achieve, but many of the 197 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 198 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] details are absent. We do not yet know what types of as “mission creep”, which prevents any provision relating visa will mean that a stay would qualify as time spent to immigration control for persons entering, or seeking towards achieving naturalisation. Similarly, the eight or to enter, the UK by land from being made by Order in five years residency requirements to be eligible for Council. We will fight for these changes to be maintained naturalisation can be amended by secondary legislation through the Bill’s journey in this House. under clause 42(2), providing no certainty at all for There are of course some welcome features in a Bill those embarking on the process. I very much take the this long. Clause 56 in part 4, which widens the definition point made by Conservative Back Benchers about the of exploitation in the offence of human trafficking, is a transitional arrangements, for those who had expected positive move for the protection of children. Further their naturalisation to be able to continue, under clause 39. measures to introduce a duty to ensure the protection of We will definitely support the retention of that measure children in relation to immigration, asylum or nationality in the Bill. are again welcome, although widening those measures The extension of the qualifying period for naturalisation to cover children when outside the UK may also be is likely to have a detrimental effect on community desirable. relations, and will place applicants in difficult circumstances In total, this is a disappointing Bill. It is disappointing if they are denied access to mainstream benefits and because it fails to rise to the challenges of an absolutely services for longer periods. This is particularly true of crucial field of policy. It defers difficult decisions to asylum seekers, who are largely neglected by the Bill. later statutory instruments and it panders to populism We will continue to push for further changes to the Bill, by making naturalisation more cumbersome and difficult. to ensure that time spent in Britain by refugees prior to The Bill also represents a series of missed opportunities the determination of their claims will count as part of in failing to accelerate the reintroduction of exit checks, to the qualifying period. address illegal immigrants or to reform the asylum system. The introduction of a formal volunteering process is We will not vote against the Bill tonight because we a cause for concern. Is it right that migrants should be welcome the provisions to allow a more effective attack expected to do more than those born with British on child trafficking, but we sincerely urge Ministers to citizenship? Again, the Bill does not specify what types look again at the many holes that it still contains. of activity will qualify as counting towards citizenship. Neither does it address the inherently discriminatory aspects of the proposals. People in cities will find it 5.26 pm much easier to volunteer than those living in remote communities, for example. The hon. Member for Keith Vaz (Leicester, East) (Lab): It is always a pleasure Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) has also made the point to follow the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne), about people who are involved in shift work or have the shadow Liberal Democrat spokesman. problems for reasons of health or of family circumstances. We do live in very interesting times and although we The process will be an administrative nightmare, too. have had no announcement from the Home Office, I am How will the Government track what has been done taking my lead from the shadow Home Secretary in and what has not? How will they ensure that people are assuming that the Home Secretary is going to stand not bypassing the system, as we have seen happen with down. When he paid tribute to her, she did not jump to tier 4 of the points-based immigration system, and that the Dispatch Box and tell him that he was wrong. there is not an explosion in the number of so-called Although the Home Secretary is no longer in her place bogus colleges? The Government’s track record on I, too, want to take the opportunity to pay tribute to managing this type of project does not inspire confidence. her, as this is going to be her last outing at the Dispatch We do not want or need a whole new bureaucratic Box in her current role. system to deal with voluntary activities when, by their My right hon. Friend has been and is the first woman very nature, they should be voluntary. Home Secretary and in my view she has done an excellent job. It is a very tough job, as her successors will find Tom Brake: Does my hon. Friend agree that the hon. out. Perhaps for no other job than Prime Minister is the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) has already patience of a secular saint so required on account of the identified a potential problem with bogus voluntary huge amount of work that has to be done. Every single organisations? An organisation to accredit voluntary hour of the day, something is happening in respect of organisations will no doubt be needed, thereby introducing this portfolio, which covers policing, immigration, justice, another layer of bureaucracy into the system. home affairs, the European dimension and counter- terrorism. Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making that point. He is absolutely correct. My right hon. Friend has always been extremely helpful to the Home Affairs Committee. I see in his Part 3 of the Bill is much amended from its original place the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington form, and much improved. The effective abolition of (Tom Brake), another member of the Committee, and the common travel area with Ireland was unnecessary other members have been coming in and out of the and without rationale, and it may have breached human Chamber. Whenever called to give evidence, the Home rights. We very much support the new proposals, which Secretary has been there, and she has always been maintain the system of open borders on air and sea transparent, open and honest. We have disagreed on routes between the UK and the Republic of Ireland that many aspects of policy, particularly on the issue of has been in position since partition in 1921. police pay when matters became pretty robust, but on Similarly, my noble Friend Lord Smith of Clifton all other issues, my right hon. Friend has proved open inserted a very sensible protection against what the and able to engage in all sorts of discussions with us. We Immigration Law Practitioners Association has described are very grateful for what she has done. 199 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 200 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Keith Vaz] to know what will happen to their lives. Some have been waiting five years, 10 years or even longer. That is not a The Home Secretary goes at the top of her game. Her decent way in which to treat anyone. moving on came as a surprise to me, but I know that she will make a contribution to other aspects of public life Keith Vaz: My hon. Friend is entirely right. If Lin and, indeed, to the life of Parliament as she continues to Homer did not exist to sign the letters, we would have to be an MP. I hope that the Minister for Borders and invent her. A letter from the chief executive will arrive Immigration will pass on the good wishes from me and after the busy surgery on a Friday, saying that it will from the rest of the House—and I mean from all take two years to resolve these matters. When the Minister political parties. came to the Dispatch Box and agreed to resolve the issue of the Gurkhas, within a very short time there was I also want to address a few words to the Minister for the political will and the can-do attitude. All cases Borders and Immigration. When I tried to praise him would be dealt with by the end of May, and all pre-1997 this morning, he felt that it was a precursor to my then cases would be dealt with within two years. having a go at him, but on the issue that we have All Members, in all parts of the House, have received engaged with most recently—the Gurkhas—I must say the famous Lin Homer letter that says “Don’t write to that the Select Committee, and, indeed, the whole House us, because we are resolving it.” “When are you resolving is grateful for his handling of that particular aspect of it?” “In two years’ time.” That is the fundamental immigration policy. We know that this is a difficult problem of the way in which the immigration system policy area and we understood where the Government has developed over the past 20 years—certainly from were coming from. the moment when I entered the House. Yes, it has The House made its views known and the Minister improved because the backlog has been reduced, but stood at the Dispatch Box before the House rose that there is still a backlog which could have been cleared, at evening to ask the Select Committee and Parliament to least in the last 12 years, if the Government had wanted engage in a discussion about how to resolve the issue. It to clear it. I know that a lot of resources have been seemed to me unusual that a Minister was prepared to devoted to dealing with the backlog, but I fear that the start that engagement process at such short notice, and Bill will create a bigger backlog. I fear that people will he was absolutely true to his word. His officials and to be made to jump through even larger hoops in order those of the Ministry of Defence met the Committee to gain citizenship and stay in the country, and that the and Ms Lumley and the process started. Within a very path to citizenship will be littered with more obstacles short time, a Select Committee report was issued. I and hurdles. know that the Minister is not going to repeat this every I understand perfectly well why the Government, and time we write a Select Committee report, but on this Parliament, have decided to take this action. That is occasion, he accepted our findings in full within 48 hours. why I shall vote for the Bill, as I have voted for every I would like to emphasise to the Minister that that other immigration Bill that the Government have presented sort of can-do attitude is precisely what we would like in the last eight years. Although it will mean that to see adopted for immigration policy. I believe that he genuine people must wait longer, we will support the still has it in him—I am making a prediction here and I Government’s action. However, there is a deal. We will stress that the Prime Minister will not be consulting me take the harsh medicine, but in return for what we are about the reshuffle—and I very much hope that he will doing—supporting a Bill that I would never support if still be in the same job this time next week. Saying that this were a Conservative Government and I were a may well have damned his career and the Prime Minister, Labour Back Bencher: we would be jumping up every who I am sure is watching these proceedings, may well five minutes objecting to what the Conservatives were want to move him on. The Minister has made a very doing—the Minister must deliver the proper, effective good start. He has been open, honest and transparent, and efficient immigration system which has still not as he was with the Select Committee this morning. He been delivered by the Government after 12 years. has admitted the existence of real problems in, previously, the immigration and nationality directorate and, now, Mr. Heath: I suppose that I should admire the right the Border and Immigration Agency. He has set out his hon. Gentleman’s loyalty in supporting all those Bills, stall and made clear the ways in which he believes these but does he not agree that it would be far better if the matters can be resolved. Home Office could desist for just one year from producing nationality and immigration Bills, and instead get on The Minister and I will still disagree about the backlog. with managing the Department as effectively as possible I still believe that when he finishes his job, whenever in order to make it run properly? that will be—I hope that it will be many months and years from now—he will be judged by me, and by Keith Vaz: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. If colleagues such as my hon. Friends the Members for only we could be guaranteed that—but there is clearly a Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) and for Islington, North whole section of the Home Office that needs legislation (Jeremy Corbyn), who have been in the House for so that Ministers are kept busy. longer than I have, on the basis of the length of the When the Minister has been confirmed in his position—I backlog. At the moment, I can give him only five out of fully support that, and will be happy to write a 10 in that respect. recommendation letter to the Prime Minister—he should relocate himself to Croydon. He should go there on Jeremy Corbyn: Does my right hon. Friend share my Monday—I hope that Monday will not be too late—with experience of being inundated with visitors to the advice all the clever, bright people whom he has brought to bureau who have been told that they must wait another meetings on the Gurkhas and to meet the Select Committee, two years before their backlog cases can be dealt with? and he should sit there until the backlog is cleared. With Many people who come to see us are absolutely desperate ministerial will, he can do it. 201 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 202 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Chris Huhne: The right hon. Gentleman’s proposal is If we are to have a new, points-based system for extremely interesting. Will he suggest to his Committee citizenship, the House needs to know about it. We do that it should meet for several sessions in Croydon, in not need to be told, as if we are children, that this is a order to deal with precisely this issue? framework document and that some time in the future—in the summer—another consultation document will be Keith Vaz: We frequently go to Croydon, but we do published. The Minister must be fair to the House. In not necessarily get to see what we ought to see; I have his wind-up, he needs to answer what has been put by found that people are very nice to Select Committees, the shadow Home Secretary, the Liberal Democrat but we still get the information that we need from the Home Affairs spokesman and my hon. Friend the Member statistics, and the statistics are poor. for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard). If there is something I know that the Minister often says that mistakes in a drawer in Lunar house on a new consultation on a have been made, as he did in respect of bogus colleges—if points-based system for citizenship, we have a right to he is frowning at me, he need not, because that is the know what that is; we have a right to know what it is best he can do. Hundreds of bogus colleges were brought before we vote through this Bill on Second Reading, into existence under this tough Government doing tough and certainly before Report and when it comes back in things on immigration. As one of our witnesses said the final Session. this morning, people can set up a college above a I ask the Minister to be open and honest with the fish-and-chip shop anywhere—even in Oldham—and House. We know there are problems. We know that the they will be able to get someone into this country. That is public will not accept unlimited immigration—the kind what the universities told us today. Over the past 12 years, of immigration that brought me and the people who hundreds of bogus colleges have been set up and tens of arrived on the Windrush into this country. Those days thousands of bogus students have entered this country. are, of course, completely gone. I am also thinking of The Minister appeared before the Committee today those of my constituents whom Idi Amin expelled from and said, with his usual robustness and honesty, that he Uganda and who came here from east Africa; people knows about what has happened in the past but that we will never be accepted in those numbers now. Those now have the points-based system, which is the great who have come since then have all been EU citizens who panacea, and that if we open the bottle called “the have an absolute right to come here, and some of them points-based system”—the most fantastic thing the world have, in fact, returned. People do not mention the fact has ever seen, and certainly the most fundamental that they have preferred to go back to their eastern review of immigration policy since the second world European countries because, for the moment, their war—everything will be fine and calm. We then presented economies are doing slightly better than ours—although him with a letter from Baroness Warwick, who represents I am sure they will all come back again when our Universities UK, which points out that the very economy is fully repaired. organisations that conduct the accreditation have websites That fact is that there is no mass immigration in that do not list either their inspectors or the institutions Britain any more—the Minister knows that—but there they have visited. is the illegal immigration that is so blighting our country, We accept that the Minister comes with good will to and we want him and this Government to do much the House, as he came with good will to the Select more about that. I know that he does not like guessing Committee, and we give him the benefit of the doubt as the number of illegals, but he has clever officials, so he we know he wants to sort out this problem, but we say should sit them down and ensure that we get the figures. to him that time is running out. It is not legal immigration The Mayor of London has the figures and at least he that we are concerned about, and I do not think the has a solution to dealing with illegal immigration—the people of this country are concerned about that either; amnesty. We need to deal with this issue, and not just at they would agree with what the hon. Member for Salisbury the border. (Robert Key) said earlier about clause 39 and those people who have come to this country legitimately with The Minister, as well as being responsible for immigration, their skills—doctors and others were mentioned—to is the acting entry clearance Minister, for the time benefit our country. Of course, they have been benefited being, so he knows that there is also a problem with as individuals, but they have also benefited our country, that. I was aghast to hear of the number of students and they might now be told that they cannot get citizenship who come from Pakistan in particular, although as I or they will have to wait—I know this does not apply to said to the high commissioner last week, this is not an those people who currently have indefinite leave—from issue just for Pakistan because many countries are involved. five to eight years, and from three to five years, and in The relevant numbers are 7,000 five years ago and between this wait, they will have to satisfy various 26,000 now. The journalist who wrote the report in criteria. We even accept that, but what we cannot accept The Times told us about these bogus colleges in Manchester is what the Home Secretary said today about a cap that are supposed to admit only 50 such students being placed on citizenship. It is no good the Minister but had 1,700 on the roll. These are serious issues and looking at me as he is now; that is precisely what she the Border and Immigration Agency must investigate said at the Dispatch Box today, having said all along them. that we do not accept the notion of a cap. She was We take all the Minister’s tough medicine today in talking in response to my right hon. Friend the Member saying to our constituents and those who seek to come for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), and she said that there here, “I am sorry that you must wait longer to become a would be a cap on citizenship. That is something that British citizen and you have to do all these things: you the Minister himself originally said when he first took have to obey the law, of course, and you have to be able up his post; he talked about a certain level of population to speak English.” We accept everything that is being in this country, and then said that was not the case and put upon a community such as mine in Leicester, where that he had never mentioned a cap. half the population has origins abroad. We accept all 203 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 204 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Keith Vaz] Kerry McCarthy (Bristol, East) (Lab): I thank my right hon. Friend for giving way just as he was about to that, but in return we want the Government to do more rise to a crescendo at the end of his speech. Does he to tackle illegal immigration, so that those who come share my concern about those young people whose legally will be treated properly. parents are long-term overstayers? I have a significant number in my constituency. The parents are mainly Tom Brake: I think that the right hon. Gentleman from Jamaica, and the children were born in this country. was about to conclude, but before he moves off the I met one young woman who did not even realise that subject of tough medicine may I ask whether he agrees she was not a British citizen until she applied to study that perhaps, even for UK citizens, the tough medicine English at university and was told that she would be goes a little too far when it involves children in immigration classed as an overseas student. She was also told that detention centres? Does his immigration deal address she had to take the English language test and other that issue with the Minister? tests, which would be a bit of a farce. Does he share my concern that if such people have to jump through various hoops to become British citizens, they will get Keith Vaz: I am happy to have given way to a member entirely the wrong message? of the Select Committee. He is right in what he says, and it applies not only to children. Those who come to our Keith Vaz: My hon. Friend is right. We have to have surgeries, including the Minister’s surgery in Oldham—I rules—not everyone can arrive and suddenly become a am so pleased that he is in this job, because every Friday British citizen. That does not happen in the US—people he knows what the problems are—discuss not only need a green card. If someone then commits a criminal children in detention centres, but people waiting for offence, they are removed or do not get citizenship. years for Miss Homer and her wonderful team to settle However, we do need to be very compassionate in how these cases. These people cannot work, as has been said we deal with such situations, especially when it comes to by my hon. Friends the Members for Walthamstow and people—many from the Caribbean—who have lived for Islington, North in every immigration debate that I here for many years, since Windrush, and have not have attended. We do not give these people the right to bothered to get a passport or any documents and therefore work. We keep them in destitution for four years because have never become naturalised. of our administrative inefficiency and eventually we ask them to leave. As we speed up the processing of those The Minister was very proactive in responding to my cases, we have to find a compromise that will allow hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, who talked them at least to take up work while their cases are being about the possibility of bogus voluntary organisations considered. being created to provide certificates to prove to the Home Office that people had done their active citizenship I take the point about my almost concluding as a hint service. We need to be careful about that and not just that I should do so. A number of hon. Members have put that provision through on a statutory instrument. discussed the nature of active citizenship and the path We should consult with the public and with Parliament, to citizenship, and the Select Committee touched on and we should then come up with criteria of which we that in its report on this Bill. May I remind the Minister can all be proud when we invite people to become equal of the reason why we had to conclude our investigation citizens with us in this country. The Minister has given and then report? When this Bill was originally published similar assurances in the past, which we have accepted the Minister did not know what was going into it, so we readily and gladly, and we want to see that happen in had no detail. A broad-brush approach was being taken this case. and there was no detail for the Select Committee to scrutinise—that is why we had to conclude. As there There is still much work to be done on this Bill, and I was no information to allow us to scrutinise what the hope that it will be improved in Committee. I hope that Government were proposing in the Bill, there was no the Minister stays true to his promise to be open to point in our continuing our work and so we published suggestions so that we have a robust system, as we all our report. want, and so that people who come here legally are properly treated, and those who come illegally, who The Committee said that it was extremely worried are not asylum seekers and have no right to be here, are about this notion of active citizenship. Who is an active removed. It must also be a fair system so that we can citizen? Are we putting on immigrants to this country—who retain the values that have made us one of the greatest choose to come here to become British citizens—a countries in the world. greater burden than we put on our own citizens? Are we going to ask such people to be better citizens than those born in this country? I was not born in this country, but 5.48 pm my son and daughter have been born here. Does that Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): It is always a mean that if I did not have citizenship when I came here delight to follow the right hon. Member for Leicester, I would have had to do more than someone who was East (Keith Vaz), the Chairman of the Home Affairs born here? That is the problem with creating two classes Committee. He mentioned those who were born here of citizenship. Of course it is a great privilege to be a who now wish to be naturalised and the requirements British citizen. My father and mother always wanted to that they have to meet. Clause 41(3)(d) requires that a be British citizens, and they wanted the same for their person has children. In a sense, those who come here as immigrants respect this country much more, because they know “sufficient knowledge of the English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic what a privilege it is to stay here. We need to address language”. these issues, and people need to know what they must I am not sure that anybody coming to live in Wales or do in order to gain citizenship. Scotland will have English and Scottish Gaelic or Welsh. 205 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 206 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Another requirement is that a person The Government have passed seven pieces of immigration “has sufficient knowledge about life in the United Kingdom.” legislation since they came to power. With that in mind, I want to express my disappointment that despite I suspect that some people who were born in the UK acknowledgment on both sides of the House and in would fail some of the questions asked of people who another place that our immigration laws are already wish to come and live here. It is good to have such tests, extremely complicated, the Home Secretary has produced and to expect people to integrate, to be able to communicate yet another layer of proposals. Indeed, the former in the language of the country and to know about our Immigration Minister, the right hon. Member for customs and how things work, but it struck me as odd Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne), said: that we might be setting a much higher hurdle for those coming here than for those who happen to be born here. “This complexity reduces the efficiency of decision-making Perhaps we should consider setting such tests in schools, processes, resulting in delay and the risk of mistakes.” and ensuring that people can pass them. The principle, therefore, of a consolidatory or simplification Bill as proposed in July 2008 by the draft immigration Pete Wishart: The hon. Gentleman would have already and citizenship Bill was, I believe, welcomed. The Loyal failed that test. It is not Scottish “gay-lic” but Scottish Address made no mention of such a codifying Bill and Gaelic. I have taken the test—it is available on most of so here we are today, wading through yet more the social networking sites and I invite hon. Members to supplementary legislation—the eighth time we have done have a go; I failed. Perhaps it should come as a badge of so in the past 12 years. honour for me, as a Scottish nationalist, to fail a Britishness I recognise that there are a variety of issues to discuss test, but the test is very difficult. It would be worth but, conscious of time, I shall limit myself to the while for hon. Members to have a go at it. proposals, or lack thereof, that cause me most concern. On immigration in general, we all need to recognise— Mr. Evans: That says it all. My error would mean that particularly when we have EU and local authority elections I could not go and live in Scotland, and the hon. coming up—that immigration should not be used as a Gentleman’s error would mean that he should not really tool by any political party just for party gain. I am be here. Perhaps, if he accepts my part of the deal—we clearly thinking about one particular party—the British will see. National party—and about the UK Independence party This is an important debate. Immigration is clearly to a lesser extent. I think that their views are not the high in the minds of a lot of people at the moment, best as far as a healthy economy is concerned, nor as far particularly at a time of recession—no one has mentioned as people who wish to come and reside here legitimately immigration yet. Immigration is always on people’s are concerned. We should stress that. minds, but when the economy is booming it is less of a The debate about immigration must be sensible and priority for a lot of people. Now, of course, there is a grounded. recession. Employment is high and it is growing. A lot of people look at immigration and see it as part of the Kerry McCarthy: Will the hon. Gentleman join me in problem. They think that they are unable to get jobs condemning UKIP for its policy of putting huge billboards because so many people are coming here. in areas of quite high immigration—it certainly does Let me return to the issue of the EU and the 10 countries so in my constituency—stating “Say no to unlimited that came in. Whereas Germany, France and the majority immigration”? We certainly do not have unlimited of the other countries had derogations to protect their immigration in the UK, and I can only see that the economies, which allowed them to control who was purpose is to stoke up resentment in those communities. coming in, as we have now done with Romania and— Mr. Evans: I know exactly what UKIP is doing, but I Mr. Woolas: Bulgaria. believe that the Government are partly responsible for not grasping the immigration problem earlier. That has Mr. Evans: And Bulgaria. We have derogations in given UKIP and the BNP an opportunity to use it as an those cases, and I still think that we should have had argument against mass immigration into this country. If derogations with those 10 countries, too. That might at only the problem had been tackled years ago, I do not least have made it somewhat easier. think that the attraction of those parties would be as high as we are led to believe in the national press. Keith Vaz: I am surprised at the hon. Gentleman for There is no denying, as the Chairman of the Home saying that. Does he not believe that since enlargement Affairs Committee has said, that immigration can be a the arrival of eastern Europeans from Poland, Hungary boost to the economy, providing a highly skilled work and the Czech Republic has helped to boost our economy? force. We have seen that, in particular, with the Polish Since the downturn, many of them have returned. Those plumbers. Their skill is superb and people talk about who have stayed have filled jobs that they want to fulfil. them as a great asset to the country. Some people resent the fact that such workers have gone back to Poland or Mr. Evans: I will come back to that point in a whatever country they came from. That was the difference moment. I just think that we should have been on an in reaction between France and Britain. Britain was even keel with all the other countries in the EU. There quite pleased, whereas France was not pleased about should have been some consistency. It does not take a skilled workers coming into the country. rocket scientist to see that if we and one other country had no derogations, we would be the major recipients of Keith Vaz: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for people coming from those 10 countries. However, I shall giving way a second time. Of course, he will know that it say more about that in a while. was not just plumbers who came from Poland. 207 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 208 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Mr. Evans: The tabloids used them as an example of The Joint Committee on Human Rights expressed its what was happening. Clearly, a lot of other skilled concerns in 2007 about retrospective changes to migration people came from within the EU. rules in a report on the highly skilled migrant programme. It recently went on to say: The Government estimate that there are up to 570,000 illegal immigrants in the UK. However, according to “We urge the Government not to repeat the unedifying spectacle of riding roughshod over migrants’ legitimate expectations of Migrationwatch UK a study by the London School of settlement, which undermined many migrants’ faith in the UK’s Economics in March 2009 suggested an estimate of commitment to basic fairness…We recommend that clear transitional more like 725,000, of whom 518,000 are based in London. provisions are made which meet the legitimate expectations of Those figures prompt the question why on earth the those already in the system.” Government have not included proposals to create an The last time that the Government ignored that integrated border police capable of tackling this problem Committee, the Committee’s concerns regarding highly at source. That way, we would have sworn officers who skilled migrants were subsequently upheld by the High could be recognised as such by the public. I would be Court, and the Government were forced to do what interested to hear the Home Secretary’s reasoning against they had failed to be persuaded to do in the first place, a proposal that seems to go hand in hand with the namely to honour the legitimate expectations of those Government’s intention. The Government want to tighten who had planned their future lives in the UK on the basis up border security but do not want to be seen to use a of the law as it stood when they came to the country. Conservative initiative that would prove effective. That aspect was rightly picked up again by the House of A border police force would have all the necessary Lords, and clause 39 is now in place, which provides powers to arrest, detain and prosecute offenders. Only that nothing in part 2 shall affect an application for such a fully integrated border police force will allow the indefinite leave to remain or for British citizenship development of specialist skills in fighting people trafficking, made prior to the date on which part 2 is commenced. illegal immigration, and drug smuggling. Illegal immigrants, The clause also provides that nothing in part 2 shall however, are part of a wider issue of population. The affect an application for indefinite leave to remain that Office for National Statistics predicts that the population is made in the 12 months after the date on which part 2 will increase by 4.4 million to 65 million by 2016 and is commenced. reach 71 million by 2031. Immigration is expected to My noble Friend Baroness Hanham led the argument contribute some 47 per cent. of that growth. Is such on the issue in the other place, and her comments are growth acceptable and when will the Government wake equally pertinent today: up to the reality of the situation and institute plans that “The people who have faithfully adhered to the current rules the Conservatives have suggested for annual limits on and thought that they were firmly established on the road to economic migration? citizenship should not now have the rug pulled from beneath their feet. They have an expectation of a timescale in which their That aspect has been neatly summed up by the all-party naturalisation will be fulfilled.”—[Official Report, House of Lords, group on balanced migration, which has stated that 25 March 2009; Vol. 709, c. 705.] “There are two litmus tests for immigration policy. First, it People would rightly feel angry, worried and betrayed needs to tighten up immigration controls so that British unemployed by any retrospective moves. I have grave reservations people are given a fair crack at getting jobs. Second, it needs to about any retrospective legislation that would seek to control immigration so that the UK’s population does not hit 70 million in 2028. This Bill passes neither of these tests.” punish or, in this case, place an even greater burden on people who have been following the law that the So, with regards to immigration, the Bill is a glorious Government laid down. opportunity spurned. The Government have not taken I should like to turn to the provisions on the common the chance to introduce a border police force, and travel area, which is made up of the UK, Ireland, the they have not seriously considered an annual limit on Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. All nationals of economic migration. those countries can travel freely within them. The Members on all Benches, despite differences over Government have said that the CTA is out of date, and content, would have welcomed a Bill that simplified the that the privilege of movement within the CTA may be system. In fact, the Bill does little at all for our immigration abused by others. Although we must be aware of the situation save, as Migrationwatch UK has said, for potential dangers, we must be proportionate—a factor of which the Government seem to have lost sight. The “making the task of consolidation of existing legislation yet more CTA has been of great benefit to the peoples of the complicated.” whole of the British Isles since partition in 1921, Let me turn to naturalisation and citizenship. When and it even survived through world war two. The the Bill came before the House of Lords there was Government’s proposal is unenforceable, as the land legitimate concern over the retrospective nature of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic naturalisation process on migrants already in the UK does not exist in any physical form. There are hundreds and near the end of their qualification period under the of tiny lanes with no visible indication of a border, and old rules. I am amazed that the Government have not all the military and security installations have been taken those concerns on board, and I gather that they dismantled. What we should be looking at, in close wanted further debate on the amendment. In my collaboration with the Irish authorities, is putting in opinion, there is no debate to be had. We are simply place an upgraded electronic border around the whole talking about the legitimate expectation of those people of the British Isles. who are already here—it is an issue of fairness, and I The Government’s original suggestion in clause 46 have heard what the Home Secretary has said on the was tantamount to the abolition of the common travel matter. area, because the re-imposition of immigration controls 209 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 210 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] would mean that entitlement to travel would have to be I see the police working alongside the UK Border proven at the border, and so the panoply of immigration Agency and immigration authorities. That works, and I controls would operate there. As Justice has said, think that it can work better in future. However, I “immigration controls should only be introduced into a previous welcome part 1 of the Bill, which will consider common travel zone where a case of strict necessity (rather than administrative areas, so as to tidy up the relationship mere administrative convenience) can be made out.” between Customs, the UK Border Agency and the The Government have manifestly failed to justify that police. action. The amendments put in place by the House of The port of Holyhead, which is in my constituency, Lords must stand. as I have said, is the second or third-largest port in the The Lords Select Committee on the Constitution United Kingdom. It is certainly the largest port on the considered part 3 in detail. It said: western seaboard, with a considerable amount of traffic, and it is also a major employer. It has potential for “It is clear to us that the policy-making process that has led to clause 46 (now clause 48) has not been informed by any real growth in freight and in passengers, which will put appreciation of the constitutional status of the Crown dependencies greater burdens on the UK Border Agency and immigration or the rights of free movement of Islanders.” authorities. If the Government plan to reintroduce the provisions, I want to concentrate on the controversial measures perhaps the Secretary of State will tell the House what to introduce immigration controls for journeys within steps she and her Department have taken to rectify their the CTA especially with regard to journeys from the lack of constitutional awareness. Republic of Ireland. The measures will have a profound In short, I believe that the House of Lords has seen effect on the port of Holyhead, and indeed on all Welsh through a piece of legislation that is pretty shoddy in ports that have historical trade with the Republic of parts. The Bill is not brave enough to take on proposals Ireland, and that are major employers in the area. I am that make sense, such as a border police force or an mindful of the balance between providing security and annual limit on economic migration, nor does it consolidate ensuring efficient freight and passenger movement. Getting the maze of existing immigration legislation. I urge that balance right is very tricky, but the port of Holyhead Members of all parties not to vote in favour of any is used to striking the right balance. retrospective legislation on nationalisation, which would Throughout the 20th century—for many years—Welsh be grossly unfair and disproportionate. Likewise, the and Irish ports have had to deal with the security Government have not made a good enough case for all implications of the Irish question, and with the movement but removing the CTA, and our noble Friends’amendments of people predominantly by sea, and they have done must stand. that very well. The port of Holyhead is on the central corridor, and has been the favoured route to the Republic of Ireland, and for Irish people coming to the United 6.3 pm Kingdom. There remains a high security alert today, as Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): It is a pleasure to there was throughout the most recent Irish troubles. follow the hon. Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans). The port is used to dealing with those high security I am sure that if he sat the citizenship test, he would do alerts. These days, when I visit the port, I see for myself so in Welsh, and I would certainly do so, too. The last the work done by front-line people to keep our borders point that he raised, on the common travel area, is one secure. I pay tribute to all those involved with front-line that I want to explore further, but first I want to immigration, counter-terrorism and other services, because welcome many measures in the Bill. The citizenship they do an excellent job. Too often, we deal with the part of it, which many people have talked about, is details of what they do, but do not give them credit for complex, but it is a move in the right direction, which I what they achieve. welcome. I also welcome part 1 of the Bill, which is The Welsh Affairs Committee, of which I am a about advancing the UK Border Agency. I have seen member, is undertaking an inquiry on Welsh ports. One some of the successes. As I mentioned in an intervention of the areas that we will touch on is the CTA, so the on the shadow Home Secretary, I have watched it since subject is appropriate to this debate. We visited the port its inception and seen it produce very good results in the of Holyhead, and we intend to go to other ports in port of Holyhead in my constituency. It is a very large Swansea and Pembrokeshire to look at the effect that port; some 2 million passengers a year travel through it, the CTA has on the economies of the western seaboard as does a lot of cargo. A lot of highly intelligent work is of Wales. We have talked with port operators, immigration done in the port by immigration authorities, working and border agencies, and counter-terrorism units about with the police and the UK Border Agency. the importance of the security measures in the CTA. I very much welcome the fact that in some areas, the This debate is timely, because I have strong concerns issue of who is responsible for what will be sorted out. I about the issue. am sure that that is the intention of the Bill. Before the I shall use a local example. In the port of Holyhead, UK Border Agency was set up, I recall talking to both there are, as I have already said, good relationships the police and Customs, and noted how concerned they between the people at dedicated security posts, the were that the agency would not work with them. I think special branch police, the UK Border Agency officers that those fears have now been allayed; the agency is and additional UK Border Agency hit squads that deal working well. I talk to people in the specialist units in with the area, and have done for many years. Their the port and to people at the dedicated security posts work is predominantly intelligence-based, but a lot of it that North Wales police has in my area. Those people is just carrying out spot checks on people and cargo do an excellent job, and they are specialised, so I do not going through the UK ports. They may also have heard really see the need for the single, all-encompassing body intelligence, gathered either in the Republic of Ireland that the hon. Member for Ribble Valley has mentioned. or on the continent, before they intervene. They have a 211 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 212 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Albert Owen] put the cart before the horse and try to deal with border controls by requiring identity checks at places such as good success rate, and that system works. It is important Holyhead before holding a debate about whether we that we stress the fact that it does work. There are huge should keep—I support this—the CTA, encompassing amounts of additional seizures. Huge numbers of lorries the whole of Ireland and the whole of the UK? are intercepted, and illegal immigrants are taken out of them. The job that the UK Border Agency undertakes, Albert Owen: We have discussed this before. If the working with others, has been a huge success, and I pay new measures on immigration control and everything tribute once again to the people on the front line. else are introduced, they should apply between the Like all ports, Holyhead has to comply with stringent Republic and the north of Ireland, or not at all. I am regulations. The EU security directive, which is soon to worried about the drift from the Republic to the north be introduced, will make it even more complex for ports and across to Scotland. to deal with EU-wide legislation. Not only UKBA and There is an economic argument, too. Many carriers customs and immigration officers, but all staff are that carry cargo to and from Ireland on a regular basis trained in port security. Port staff provide additional will favour the north, because it will be quicker to get security to make the ports secure and to deal with through the ports. They will travel from the south to the trafficking and so on. They are all trained to international north and over into Scotland or, indeed, the north-west ship and port facility security code standards. The of England. Welsh ports would lose out economically, officers are paid by the port, and a considerable sum is and it is a serious concern, because they would face the involved—in the case of Holyhead in my constituency, additional cost of running the schemes proposed by the it is £750,000 a year, so an additional cost would be Government and a possible loss of revenue. That is why incurred if new measures were introduced to secure the I am very worried that the Government’s introduction borders of the Republic of Ireland and additional of the measures will impact severely on the port of immigration measures were introduced between the Holyhead. Republic of Ireland and Wales. No one is suggesting that Welsh ports should be a I have outlined the significant measures that are soft touch, but as I have tried to demonstrate, security already in place in the CTA. The Government have at ports such as Holyhead in my constituency has been indeed carried out a consultation to abolish the CTA tried and tested over many years. It needs to be improved between the Republic and the UK. To be fair to them, further, with co-operation, as the hon. Member for the consultation was wide-ranging, and they listened to Ribble Valley has said, between the Irish and UK the concerns of industry and dropped the proposal for Governments. It should be an intelligence-led national fixed immigration controls on all passengers and freight and international network. That is the way forward: we to and from the Irish ports. However, having listened to should have more ad hoc intelligence-based work at the the Home Secretary, I am concerned that the Government ports, but it is important to keep the CTA as it is, for the intend to reintroduce the proposal, although it was reasons that I have given. defeated in the other place. Ports remain the life blood of the economy of the The proposal to introduce an identity card system British Isles, and the CTA has stood the test of time. It and passport requirements for all travellers would be an has withstood the Irish problems—wartime was the only additional burden on the ports. The proposal on carrier time when it was not in place as a result of the Republic’s liability, with a £2,000 fine for every passenger who fails neutrality.Since 1921, it has served well the port authorities to carry a passport or an ID card, would impose additional and the security forces at the ports, which do an excellent unnecessary burdens. job, and that should continue. I welcome further discussion with the Minister to try to allay the fears that I have I am slightly concerned about the imposition of raised on behalf not only of port owners but of people e-Borders. If there were a level playing field and basic who work on the front line at the port of Holyhead in information across the whole European Union, it would my constituency and at many other Welsh ports. be a great advantage, but I am concerned that the omission of the border between the Republic and the north will displace some of the problems and therefore 6.16 pm hope that a level playing field will be established. I am Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): It concerned that the huge number of seizures in the ports is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Ynys Môn of Holyhead and Dublin and other ports will move (Albert Owen). Occasionally, I have used the ferry from elsewhere as tighter regulations and measures are introduced his constituency across to Ireland—I always enjoy a between the Republic and the UK. People will simply little excursion across the Irish sea. From these Benches, drift across the border from the Republic to the north may we pay tribute to the Home Secretary, who is and then across to the UK without any checks. That is expected to depart from the Home Office? She has the real fear for many of us. It is not enough to have always been fair and courteous to members of the tight borders, as we might open the problem up somewhere minority parties. Her predecessor went on to become else. Anyone who has recently been to the Republic of chair of Celtic football club in Glasgow—I do not Ireland will know that the north and south are very know whether there is a vacancy in the other half of the much unified when it comes to tourism, for instance. old firm or whether it is something in which she is The borders are flexible and open. interested, but I am sure that she will have a fine career ahead of her when she steps down. Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey) These debates have a depressing familiarity to them. (LD): I hope that like me, the hon. Gentleman is a good We hear, primarily from Conservative Members, about rugby supporter. Many teams are all-Ireland teams, as all the problems and issues to do with the overheated he well knows. Does he not agree that it is nonsense to south-east of England and why there is a need for 213 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 214 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] further immigration controls and a cap on numbers. On population decline and start to deal with some of the the other side, we hear about half-hearted measures to serious problems that we will face down the line, which frustrate and thwart migrants to the UK and occasionally, will impact on our economy and our community. Why, from me, there is a little voice trying to say, “Well, let’s oh why, when we copy the Australian system, can we think about the other nations of the United Kingdom, not copy that key facet and allow Scotland and the because they never get a look in at all.” England may other nations of the United Kingdom to try and make indeed be overheating in terms of immigration, but some sense of the difficulties confronting them? I do Scotland is suffering structural depopulation. We are not get it at all. The Australian system is a fine system. being served by a UK immigration policy that goes Why not go the whole hog, make sure that we copy nowhere near meeting our specific requirements and every facet of it, and give us a break? We need a break needs. because we have severe problems. Our population will fall below the iconic 5 million The points-based system gets in the way of the little mark by 2017. By 2041, the population of Scotland may bit of competitive advantage that we had with skilled in fact fall to 4.5 million. At the same time, the population migrants. We had a Fresh Talent initiative which gave us of England is expected to grow by about 10 million, but a slight advantage over the rest of the UK, because we we will lose 0.5 million people. We are not the only were able to attract some skilled migrants to Scotland, country to suffer from structural depopulation, as many but that has gone. Tier 4 has subsumed all that. The European nations are facing the same issues and challenges. whole of the UK now has the same sort of structure as The only difference between those nations and us is the we had under Fresh Talent, so the slight advantage that fact that they can do something about it: they can we had in attracting skilled migrants is gone. Scotland design immigration policies to try to counter those now has no advantage whatever. problems and put in place a system that will see them The points-based system is also getting in the way of through. We cannot do that. Doubly worse is the fact retaining skilled migrants in Scotland. I cite the example that we have an immigration policy designed for another of my constituent, Swarthwick Salins. The Minister nation that faces exactly the opposite range of problems might remember the case—it was all over the Scottish and challenges. We have to try to make our way through newspapers—which arose in my constituency of Perth. that—no wonder that we do not have a chance of trying A respected academic, with a PhD from St. Andrews to address our particular challenges. university, and a pillar of the community, he was going If there is one thing that separates Scotland from the to get booted out for the sake of £80. For the lack of a rest of the United Kingdom, it is immigration, and if measly £80, he was to be separated from his three there is one thing that we cannot fix, it is the demographic Perth-born children and booted out. challenge facing our population. If we do not do so, Swarthwick Salins was on tier 4 and he satisfied all however, we will face severe challenges and problems, the other points-based criteria when it came to assessing which will impact on our entire society. There will be an whether he could remain in Scotland, other than the impact on our economy, because there will be fewer financial criterion. When the UK Border Agency got people to do the vital jobs; depopulation will impact on round to looking at his bank account, he had only our social services, because there will be fewer people £721 for two weeks, whereas he required £800. On that working for them; and it will impact all the way through basis, he was to be booted out. Swarthwick Salins is Scottish society and our community. We need Scottish exactly the type of person we want to come to Scotland. solutions to a distinct Scottish problem, but we just He is the type of person that we need. Instead of cannot provide them because we do not have the powers, booting him out and harassing him, we should be the instruments or the means at our disposal to try to attracting him to Scotland. We should be saying, “We address that problem. need you here,” and we should be doing all we can to The Bill falls within a range of measures designed to retain him, but instead we try and boot the man out. address UK immigration issues. None of them has What a shambles. served Scotland. The latest wheeze is the points-based It took a community campaign and the intervention system, which will make matters worse in Scotland. As of the First Minister of Scotland, working in my office, the Minister and Members who have taken part in the to have that ridiculous decision reversed. Thank goodness debate know, the proposed system is almost identical to it was. I am beginning to wonder how many other the Australian points-based system, save in one key Swarthwick Salins are being harassed like that in Scotland. regard—the Australian system allows for the devolution It is not good enough. We need to make sure that we do of immigration powers to individual state Governments. something about it. They can set their own criteria for allowing immigrants to come into those specific states if they fail the general We are supposed to have some sort of advantage as a Australian criteria. result of the Migration Advisory Committee’s list of professions that are allowed to come to Scotland, over States such as Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria, and above those allowed into the rest of the United which face the same sort of challenges as Scotland, can Kingdom. Which professions has the council selected allow people in and have their needs met. Prospective for us? Fish processors and fish filleters. Those are all immigrants who fail to meet the criteria elsewhere in we get selected as preferred professions, and that is Australia have the opportunity to go to those states, supposed to address some of the massive issues facing helping them significantly with their demographic us. It is as pathetic as putting a finger in a dam. It gives challenges. What we would do to have that in Scotland! us no competitive advantage. What we could achieve if we were able to do that! We would be able to address some of our problems Mr. Woolas: I am sorry the hon. Gentleman is ridiculing with even limited devolution of immigration power. We the fish filleters. We included that profession in response could try and turn things around, address our structural to representations. I would be interested in looking at 215 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 216 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Mr. Woolas] protection, and it goes against article 34 of the UN convention, which requires signatory states to encourage the idea of Scottish skills. We have had meetings with or facilitate naturalisation. the Scottish Government about that, and the Migration Massive issues remain about the welfare of asylum Advisory Committee will consider that issue. seekers, particularly those with children. We heard some fine remarks from Labour Members about that. There Pete Wishart: I am grateful to the Minister for that is widespread revulsion at the locking up of children, positive contribution. I hope he is sincere. I would be dawn raids on asylum-seeking children in Scotland and delighted to meet him and go over some of the issues. their detention in the former prison of Dungavel. We There are things that can be done, as the Australian had assurances from the Secretary of State for Scotland points-based system has demonstrated. There are ways that the detention of asylum seekers’ children would in which the Minister and his Department could aid us. end, but in the past couple of weeks another Ivory All it requires is the will and the determination to get it Coast family were subject to not quite a dawn raid, right. If he wants to work with me and our party to try because such raids now take place 15 minutes after and achieve that, I am more than happy to do so. dawn, and rounded up and put in the Dungavel detention centre. The Minister seems to be pointing to the hon. Member That was the case of the Gaye family in Scotland, for Ashford (Damian Green). Perhaps that is an invitation who are awaiting deportation back to the Ivory Coast. to the official Opposition too. Work with us. Help us. That should never have happened. The child has already For goodness sake, we have issues and problems. The been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder caused Minister and his shadow have the opportunity to solve by previous interaction with the UK Border Agency. I them, and I challenge both of them to work with us and have seen a letter from the right hon. Member for Leigh help us resolve some of the problems. Let us see if we (Andy Burnham), who is now Secretary of State for can make a difference to the problems that face us. Culture, Media and Sport, saying that any asylum That brings us to what is proposed in the Bill. Will it seeker and any asylum seeker’s child who are subject to help Scotland? No, it will not make a blind bit of any medical intervention or casework should not be difference. It is just another Bill to frustrate and thwart subject to deportation. That seems to go counter to people who are trying to secure permanent status in the what is happening in that case. United Kingdom. All it does is make smaller hoops for I know that Members of the Scottish Parliament them to jump through and a higher bar for them to get have written to the Minister about the case, but they over. It is not trying to improve the situation for any have not even had the courtesy of a reply. That was constituent part of the United Kingdom. about two weeks ago. They were told that they would The phrase “earned citizenship”—what a phrase!— get a reply within five days. Nothing. They got back in suggests that migrants must prove their worth. The touch again. Nothing. When will the Minister get round implication is that they are automatically a less deserving to replying to those people about the Gaye case? The or less trustworthy group than those who are born in case is getting wide publicity in Scotland and causing Britain. There is also the idea of probationary citizenship, anxiety and concern about what is happening to such which is an entirely new concept to me. It suggests an families. immigration limboland—an immigration neverland, if Also in the past week, we found out that another you like. family were subject to a near-dawn raid and to detention Then there is the proposal for enforced volunteering in Dungavel, so the assurances from the Secretary of for those wishing to obtain citizenship. I thought State for Scotland are worth nothing at all. Scotland volunteering meant offering one’s services free, without wants an end to dawn raids and to detention in Dungavel. any sort of force. The whole idea of volunteering has That is what was promised and that is what should now been turned on its head by the concept of earned be delivered. citizenship. It is a potentially dangerous and damaging proposal. Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that clause 57, which will put the There are changes in the number of days a person welfare of the child first, is likely to make a great deal of applying for naturalisation will have to be present in the difference to the situations that he describes? Is it not to UK for each year of the qualifying period. That, again, be welcomed? will make a difference to people who are trying to get in. All this is designed to frustrate people trying to get UK Pete Wishart: Absolutely. I do welcome that provision, citizenship. The basis of the Bill seems to be the hope but let us just do it; let us not just talk about it and that people will be so frustrated and thwarted by the include it in legislation. We have already had assurances whole process that they will go away. The Bill tries to that there will be no further detention of children in put them off, not to improve our immigration status. Dungavel, but it still goes on, so I shall believe it when I It is the impact on refugees that I find most concerning. see it. There are solutions, however; the hon. Lady is All the language about earning the right to stay and right, and I am pleased about that aspect of the Bill. probationary periods runs totally counter to the spirit In Scotland, we are trying to develop our own Scottish of the UK Government’s commitment to protect refugees solution, because there has been widespread revulsion and to fulfil their obligations under the refugee convention throughout the community at the detention of children. and the European convention on human rights. Granting Colleagues in the Scottish Government have been trying long-term secure protection to refugees who are fleeing to address the situation, and they have worked with the persecution and whose lives are sometimes in danger is UK Border Agency and Glasgow city council on a inconsistent with the idea that refugees must earn that family return scheme. Instead of dawn raids and detention, 217 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 218 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] the scheme puts a number of families into flats, where When minority communities settle in Scotland, they they are supported by skilled and dedicated staff who quickly identify with Scotland and become patriotic. In will prepare them, talk them through the issues and get fact, some of the most patriotic Scots are from some of them ready if they have to return to their home country. our new communities in our big cities, and we take Is not that the way to deal with such cases? immense pride in that. We took immense pride in the election of Bashir Ahmad as the first Scottish Asian Mr. Woolas: I am listening carefully to the hon. MSP, and that is the type of contribution that we want. Gentleman, and I understand the sentiment. We have What is wrong with that? I ask the Minister directly and run projects as alternatives to detention, but the problem hope that he might address the question in his winding-up with one project was that, of the 32 families who signed speech: why can we not have more national and, perhaps, up, only one turned up at the airport. It is a serious regional-specific tests to secure the type of citizenship problem. If there is not to be detention, there has to be that reflects properly the communities in which people a serious alternative. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will live? There is no point in having a test that has accepts that. nothing to do with the countries in which people will live. Pete Wishart: I am grateful to the Minister for those In conclusion, I shall not oppose the Bill—although I remarks, and I agree about the challenges and problems do not think that there will be a Division this evening, that must be addressed. anyway, so I shall not have the opportunity to do so. I hope that when Members consider the Bill in Committee, Damian Green: I rise as a constituency Member, however, they will remember that this is a United Kingdom because the alternative-to-detention project that the of nations, and that our immigration policy cannot be Government started took place in my constituency and the preserve and domain of the south-east of England, was pursued, at best, half-heartedly. It did not clearly with all its issues and pressures. The policy has to get engage any particularly serious part of the Government’s beyond Watford, and we have to start looking at the thinking—if, indeed, it was a serious alternative to other nations. Scotland is suffering really badly, and our detention. I suspect that Members from all parts of the economy will continue to suffer unless the immigration House want desirable alternatives to detention, but they issue is properly addressed. I therefore appeal to the have never been properly set out or tried. The experiment Minister, and to the hon. Member for Ashford, who in my constituency was nothing like long enough, well might get the Minister’s job in the course of the next resourced enough or serious enough to answer the year, to think about the other nations and regions of the question about whether we can have a proper alternative. United Kingdom when putting through legislation, because so far it has not been good enough. Pete Wishart: I am grateful to both Front-Bench spokesmen for their views on the matter, because it is 6.35 pm important that we find a solution. Detention is no Dr. Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast, South) (SDLP): longer acceptable. It is certainly no longer acceptable to Much has been said, and I have a few comments to the people of Scotland, and we must find an alternative. make. This is a Bill about which I and my party have The Scottish Government have devoted £125,000 of some very real concerns, but I hope to deal with them in resources to try to make the family return scheme work. more detail either later or on another occasion. I want Such expenditure is required, because the current situation to be constructive and to acknowledge some positive has to end. It is not good enough that we lock up features of the Bill. I particularly welcome the fact—to children, put them behind bars and subject them to which other Members have referred—that, in line with dawn raids; that policy must end. We should consider our international commitments, protections against whatever is required to move on and create alternatives, trafficking are being extended, so that it will be an and I am grateful for the enthusiasm of both Front-Bench offence to traffic a very small child. The loopholes that spokesmen in trying to tackle the problem. There are prevented prosecutions in that area needed to be closed, issues, as the Minister said, but I am sure that with the and I am glad to see that the Bill, and clause 56 in right type of commitment, they can be overcome. particular, does that. I accept that immigration and citizenship tests are I also welcome the fact that a new statutory duty is required to assess the quality and worth of people who being placed on the UK Border Agency to safeguard apply to become UK citizens. I had a joke with the hon. the welfare of children. However, it must be a qualified Member for Ribble Valley (Mr. Evans) about the citizenship welcome, because, in line with the UN convention on test, but I took it and it is readily available on several the rights of the child, it is not merely the welfare of the social networking websites, so I encourage Members to child that should be safeguarded; the primary consideration have a look at it. I failed it and, as I said to the hon. must be the best interests of the child. Gentleman, as a Scottish National party Member, perhaps Unfortunately, I also have major and serious concerns that is no bad thing; it would probably be expected. about other aspects of the Bill. One of my concerns is Seriously, however, where there are references to the about accountability. The Bill means that, in practice, Welsh language and to Scottish Gaelic, as I correctly UK Border Agency officials will have substantially reminded the hon. Gentleman, why cannot we have a increased powers, because they will be able to perform test that is more attuned to the community in which certain functions that, until now, HM Revenue and people will live? It is a UK-wide test, and token questions Customs officials have exercised. As I interpret the Bill, about Welsh and Gaelic are flung in, but people who are UK Border Agency officials will be able to arrest, expected to come and live in Scotland quickly become detain, search, inspect, seize goods, impound vehicles familiar with Scottish communities, heritage and cultural and require third parties to give evidence. We should values. Why cannot that test be more in line with the have no doubt that, in effect, those are policing powers, community in which those people will live? Why cannot and that is why UKBA officials should be subject to it be exclusively like that? police-style accountability. 219 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 220 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Dr. Alasdair McDonnell] Those who do not undertake voluntary activity of some kind will be penalised and have to wait longer to First, the officials should be subject to police and acquire citizenship. In principle, I would not take issue criminal evidence codes of practice. The Government with that; in practice, however, I feel that I must. It is have taken a step in the right direction by giving the important to ensure that those with caring responsibilities, Secretary of State the power to apply those codes to particularly women, do not find themselves severely immigration officers, but the Secretary of State should disadvantaged; they may well become so if they are not be able to pick and mix; the police and criminal caring for families, young children or elderly parents. evidence codes should apply in their entirety. If, for any Finally, and above all, I am concerned about the practical or legitimate reason, separate or extra provision whole question of the common travel area, an issue needs to be made, above and beyond the average for raised by many. As Members know, the only land immigration, the Secretary of State should come to the border in these islands is that between Northern Ireland House and specifically seek approval for it on a case-by-case and the Irish Republic. There has been a common travel basis. area for 88 years. I welcome clause 51, which was Secondly, immigration officers in Northern Ireland inserted in another place. It makes it clear that those must be subject to the Police Ombudsman for Northern arriving by land—over the border between Northern Ireland, as are ordinary police officers in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic—should not be subject Ireland. The police ombudsman has become a distinguished to immigration control. That would safeguard the common figure in Northern Ireland and does a very good job. I travel area, and I hope that the Government will accept remind the House that on 19 July 2006 the then police the provision in due course. There is no evidence of lax ombudsman, Nuala O’Loan, announced that the immigration control in the Irish Republic—nor have Government had asked her office to deal with serious the Government suggested that there is. Indeed, immigration complaints against immigration officers in Northern legislation is currently going through the Irish Parliament, Ireland. That was explicitly stated in her fifth annual and in my view it represents in some ways one of the report. most draconian approaches in Europe; it would even There is nothing revolutionary or radical in my make it a crime for somebody to be in the state unlawfully. suggestion. In the Serious Organised Crime and Police The common travel area reflects the particular and Act 2005, provision was made to ensure that officers of enduring history of these islands and the desirability of the Serious Organised Crime Agency were subject to ensuring free movement across the land border between the police ombudsman. That sets the precedent, and my us. I hope that the Government will accept the will of party and I believe that the provision should be applied those in another place who inserted the clause, and to immigration officers, as the Government appeared to continue to protect the common travel area. Like many concede in 2006. I note that provision is made for others, I believe that it has served us well for the past 88 allowing the investigating functions of the Independent years. It should be safeguarded for the future. Police Complaints Commission to be expanded. That is welcome. The comparable role in Northern Ireland is 6.44 pm that of the police ombudsman, and I urge the Minister to consider some of the relevant aspects as he takes the Mr. Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): Thank you Bill forward. for calling me to speak in this debate, Madam Deputy Speaker. This is the third immigration Bill on which I With rights come responsibilities; if officials are to have spoken since I became a Member of Parliament have rights, there must be an independent mechanism to four years ago. I have a suspicion that I will be serving hold them responsible. However, just as rights bring in Committee; I shall bring to bear the collective knowledge responsibilities, responsibilities bring rights. That is why that I have collated in the past four years. Although this I am concerned by the proposal for probationary citizenship. debate is not particularly well attended, it is nice to have It means that for a period, a person will have the duties heard so many differing views put so sensibly by colleagues of citizenship without any corresponding rights, because on both sides of the House. Discussion of immigration their citizenship will be conditional. To begin with, that is often heated. It is incumbent on us to discuss it with devalues the whole notion of citizenship. Citizenship passion, yes, but also moderately. has a widely understood meaning and we have to be I did not go into politics to become an immigration careful about tinkering with it or changing it, lest we officer. I help people with their immigration cases, but I undermine it. Anybody who has citizenship is understood believe that the job would be better done by people at to have the same rights and responsibilities as anybody the Home Office. Like all Members here today and else, but probationary citizenship turns that concept on many who are not, I am terribly concerned about how its head. It is, in effect, second-class citizenship. We have long it takes to process immigration cases. It can take to be careful about that, because I do not think that the many years for a case to be concluded, and I do not Bill intends to create second-class citizens who might think that that is fair on those who seek to remain in never assume full citizenship. this country. We need to speed up the process—to be Some of the criteria for the acquisition of citizenship humane, if nothing else—and when people are denied also seem unfair. For example, a person who has successfully the right to remain here, they should be removed quickly. applied for refugee status is not entitled to have account If people are to have confidence in the immigration taken of the period spent awaiting that determination. system, they have to know that it works and that a Under the Geneva convention of 1951, refugee status is refusal will mean that the relevant person will be required declaratory. Therefore refugees should be entitled to to leave the country. Too often, people feel that a refusal have account taken of the period—sometimes many basically means that the person concerned just disappears years long—for which they were in the state awaiting a into the ether, never to be seen again. We need a quick determination of their claims. and humane immigration system. 221 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 222 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Unlike the Minister, I am not an expert on immigration, population indefinitely. It is projected that in the next and I know that words are easily said. However, I hope 30 years we will have 80 million people living in the that the Minister’s Government and any future Government United Kingdom. Most of those additional 15 million will bring additional resources to bear on the issue. As a people will come to the east and the south-east. I do not great nation, we owe it to our citizens to control and personally think that is a good thing or a sustainable manage our borders. There has been great concern in model. I listened with great interest to the hon. Member my constituency, and in those of many other Members, for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart), and I about the porous nature of our borders. I am a great very much recognise his concerns about Scotland, which supporter of the idea of a well-funded and well-resourced is crying out for people—additional human resources border police force, which would manage and control to allow it to grow and become an even greater country our borders. It would stop undesirable people—those than it already is. The Bill does not make provision for who want to cause this country harm, such as some that to happen, so his concerns were well placed. I whom we have seen in the past few years—from getting would just say to him—without trying your patience, into the country. It would also be aware of who was Madam Deputy Speaker, as I know I frequently do entering, and manage people’s entry into and exit from when I am speaking in this Chamber—that when I this country. When we read the newspapers and talk to retire I have every intention of moving up to his beautiful people in business, we hear too often about what happens country and sitting on an island called Islay fishing and when illegal immigrants and workers are caught: the indulging in all that beautiful scenery. However, I am police turn up and, basically, give them a travel warrant well aware that he is not looking for retirees but for able to Croydon. Those stories may be apocryphal, but they young and middle-aged people with skills. are out there. We need to be aware of them and of the The Bill refers to points-based systems—people earning concerns that they create, and we need to address those points to come to this country. We can be a bit selfish in concerns. this country, in that we can afford to take the very best The Bill does not have all the answers; I do not think of the people who want to come here. That is a fairly it a particularly good Bill. At least, however, the sentiment ruthless approach to immigration, but it is one that we is there; at least we are trying to point in the right can legitimately take. The idea that immigration does direction. However, as my hon. Friend the Member for not help this country is complete nonsense, and I am Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) said in his opening delighted that no Member of Parliament has put forward remarks, we have, unfortunately, had eight immigration that thesis today. This country has undoubtedly benefited Bills in the past 13 years. That suggests that we are not from immigration: one need only go to our hospitals getting things right. What we really need is a very good and care homes to realise that. There are huge advantages immigration Bill in the near future—but I am not sure to immigration, and of course we will never turn our that this is that Bill. It fills a hole at the moment, but I back on those advantages. fear that we will be here discussing another immigration However, we need to be selective and to understand Bill in the next year or two. That might be no bad thing, that there is concern about a growing population and because our constituents’ concerns continue, and it is the allocation of resources, so that when people come to incumbent on us all to address those concerns; we must this country, the existing population, regardless of their not only be seen to address them, but actually address race, creed or colour, should not feel at a disadvantage. them. In that way, our constituents will see a material When there is strife within a community, it is often the change in how immigration is handled in this country, settled immigrant population that gets it in the neck in how our borders are policed and patrolled and in most. We need to be mindful of the people already how people are treated once they are here. living here and ensure that we meet their needs so that Yes, we want to be fair; we must be fair—it is a great they do not feel disadvantaged by immigration. British trait. However, when someone is denied the I am quite attracted by the idea of earned citizenship. right to stay here we must remove them quickly, and be I think this country is a great country—a fabulous seen to do so. As the Minister and my party’s Front country. It is not just a good country; it is a great Benchers recognise, we need settled communities that country. It is truly the United Kingdom, with Great rub along well together. One of the concerns of the past Britain in there somewhere. It is a great privilege to be few years, as immigration rates have increased, is that able to come to this country and earn that passport, we have put some extreme stress on communities. That which is recognised around the world, and to be able to has created divisions and some unrest—not as much as call oneself British, or English—or Scottish, even, if some media commentators would have us believe, but one wants to do that. The idea of earned citizenship is there is nevertheless plenty to be concerned about. We not a bad one; it has many merits and advantages. As in this place need to be alive to those concerns, because we know, if we have earned something we often take if we are not, there is another party that will play on greater pride in it than if it is given to us. However, I am them. I do not want to mention its name in the run-up concerned about the idea of forced volunteering. to European and county council elections, but we know Volunteering should be voluntary. It cannot be forced that it exists, and that it is very dishonest. It plays on on someone; it has to be something that they want to do people’s very worst fears, and we must not continue to in actively deciding to give something back to their create a space that allows it to prosper. I am convinced community. Although I understand the sentiment entirely, that in the next couple of days the great British people I am not sure that it sits very well in this Bill. will rise up and give that party a firm thumbs down. If Charles Walker were Prime Minister, as he will be The Bill skates around the issue of population projections in a few years’ time— and how many people we want coming into this country. Undoubtedly, that concern needs to be addressed more Alistair Burt (North-East Bedfordshire) (Con): Next fully than it is in the Bill. This country cannot grow its week! 223 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 224 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Mr. Walker: I could well be. If I were, what would I when they ratified the UN convention on the rights of do to allow people to earn citizenship? I would have the child. In addition, in January this year the Minister four simple criteria. I would require people to obey the for Borders and Immigration launched the code of law; most reasonable English, British or Scottish people practice on keeping children safe from harm in the would expect that as well. I would require people to migration system. The Children’s Commissioner for speak the language, because someone cannot participate England, Sir Al Aynsley-Green, has also championed in the life of this wonderful country and the wonderful the cause of children in the immigration system and has communities that make it up unless they can speak the recently produced a report about it. language. I would want people to be able to pay their Progress has been made on this important issue, and way—to put something back into this great country of the clause is important, but we need to see its effects on ours and make a contribution through taxes to the the ground. My belief is that children in the immigration things that we really value, such as the NHS. Finally— and asylum system should be treated in the same way perhaps this is the hardest criterion to meet—I want that we would expect our own children to be treated. people who come here wanting to be citizens of this The way they have been treated has been a long-standing country to embrace our values—not to turn their backs problem, but I hope that it is now on the way to on their values and heritage but to embrace our values, resolution. There are still concerns, including about the such as tolerance, fair-mindedness, freedom to express fact that children are being put in detention centres at oneself, and freedom to marry whoever one wants to all. Other matters have been raised, such as access to marry. Those are all things that we take for granted but benefits, the ability to live above the poverty line and the which make this country so special—a place that young problems of destitute families and individuals not being people from around the world want to come to. Those addressed in the Bill. The welfare clause is needed, criteria are quite testing, but not impossible. Most because there has been great concern about how children people should be able to meet them. have been treated in the asylum and immigration system. What I love most about this country is our sense of I am particularly concerned about the practice of fair play. We love people who try and people who picking up families with children in dawn raids, about contribute. That is a truly wonderful thing. If people which there has already been some discussion today. who come to this country are seen to be trying and That has happened to very young children on several contributing, we will embrace them and make them occasions in Cardiff, when people have come to their part of our communities, and they will embrace other homes early in the morning. I recently heard of the immigrants who come here and then in turn become experience of a six-year-old child and his mother who part of the larger community. were woken up at half-past 4 in the morning, with seven This is not a great Bill, and I think that we will have or eight officers present to escort them to Yarl’s Wood. another immigration Bill in due course. I hope that if That caused huge upset to the mother, the child, their there is a future Conservative Government, we will have neighbours and the child’s school friends. I do not find only one such Bill, or perhaps two, in a decade; to have it acceptable that that is how we are treating our children only one would be a good start, because of course we in this country today. I am sure that Ministers must want less legislation. However, at least the Bill points us agree with that, and I am pleased that this welfare in the right direction, and now we have to travel in that clause is in the Bill. I hope that it will make a real direction far more quickly and effectively than we have difference. done in past years. In the short time for which that family have been in Wales, they have found a place in the community. The 6.58 pm removal of a family in such a way affects the whole community. Since that incident, the child’s close friends Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): It is a pleasure have asked their mothers whether they will be taken to follow the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker). away next. When the child is late coming to school, they I should like to start by paying tribute to my right have said, “Oh, he’s gone again. He’s been taken away hon. Friend the Home Secretary. She and I came to this again.” It has shattered the confidence not only of the House together in 1997. I am proud that a Member of child involved but of the other children who are at that intake became the first female Home Secretary; school with him and those in the same street. We have a and she has always been such a dignified, courteous and duty to make our children feel that they will be brought concerned Home Secretary. up in the safest, most caring way possible. That means I want to talk specifically about how the Bill affects all children, including those in the asylum and immigration children and families. I warmly welcome clause 57, system. The new welfare duty in the Bill must tackle which my right hon. Friend mentioned in her introductory that issue. speech. It is a very important clause that places a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that certain specified Mr. Gerrard: I am listening to what my hon. Friend is functions in matters of immigration, asylum and nationality saying and I agree with all of it. Is she clear about are carried out whether the duty in the Bill, which will apply to UKBA staff, will also apply to the staff of any contractors that “having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children who are in the United Kingdom”. are performing services for the agency? I am sure that she knows that private contractors now get involved in That is similar to the duty in section 11 of the Children important parts of the immigration system, including Act 2004. It is a big step forward, and I really welcome it. removals. I also welcome the measures in the Bill to tackle child trafficking more effectively. In November 2008, the Julie Morgan: I thank my hon. Friend. That is certainly Government withdrew the reservation about children in an important point, and I hope that the Minister will the immigration and asylum system that they had made clarify it in his response. 225 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 226 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] All children have a right to be treated equally, whoever We need better statistics so that we know how many they are. Children are children, and the children of children and families are going into detention, and we asylum seekers and failed asylum seekers should be should make a great effort to find some effective alternatives, treated in the same way that we expect our own children as we discussed earlier in the debate. There are other to be treated. As things stand, I believe that they have matters that I feel concerned about, most of which have been treated less favourably. I find it upsetting to think had a good airing today, such as the destitution of of children being snatched from their beds in dawn many failed asylum seekers and the fact that many raids. I know of instances in which the mother was not people cannot go back to their countries of origin allowed to explain to the child exactly what was happening. because of long-standing conflicts in places such as Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea. I pay tribute to the campaign The Children’s Commissioner for England raised that “Still Human Still Here”, many of whose events I have issue recently in his “11 Million Children” briefing. He attended in Cardiff. Many of the failed asylum seekers I particularly drew attention to the loss of personal have met there have an enormous amount to contribute possessions, which is an important point. Someone who to this country, and I have been distressed by what they comes to this country as an asylum seeker, seeking have had to do to get a livelihood. There are women refuge, may have brought very few things. When they who become prostitutes to get money so that they can are taken away early in the morning, there is sometimes manage. not time for them to get those things. He told tales of children losing their treasured teddy bears. I find it very There are good things in the Bill, and I know that my concerning that that has happened. I hope that the hon. Friend the Minister for Borders and Immigration, Minister can say that all those issues in relation to who is going to respond, is a fair Minister. I have found clause 57 will be addressed. I know that the code of him very helpful when I have taken individual cases to practice has been in place, so I wonder why such things him. However, we have to make a decisive change to can still happen. how children and families are treated in the system.

In Wales, the Welsh Refugee Council is the lead 7.9 pm voluntary sector agency working with refugees and asylum seekers, in partnership with the Children in Alistair Burt (North-East Bedfordshire) (Con): First, Wales group, which I chair here in Westminster. In their I apologise to the Home Secretary and to my hon. briefing to me on the Bill, both organisations raised Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) concerns, including about children being held in detention for not being present for the initial speeches. It is not centres at all. In their briefing, they quoted Marcia, the like me to be absent, but I have been dealing with a mother of Michael, aged nine, as saying: matter that is pertinent to the debate during the afternoon, as the Minister for Borders and Immigration will appreciate. “After the detention Michael was in a bad way. The bedwetting There is a letter waiting for him when he returns to his was a problem again and he had nightmares. He wouldn’t go upstairs without me…Michael was afraid of the police coming”. office. However, I apologise for speaking so late. It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Cardiff, They expressed concerns about dawn raids, long journeys, North (Julie Morgan) because we find ourselves speaking children and parents sometimes being split up and about the same topic. The House may recall that the children seeing their parents at their most distraught Yarl’s Wood detention centre is in my constituency, and and suffering post-traumatic stress. There are therefore I have raised several issues about it over the years. I have questions about how the code of conduct is working, had run-ins with the UK Border Agency, and I may well and it is essential that the welfare clause does its bit. do so again in my remarks this evening. In my view, We must consider the issue of children being in Yarl’s Wood has worked well on behalf of detainees and detention at all, which I do not believe should happen. it makes considerable efforts to ensure that children’s As Anne Owers said in May 2008, which is not that time in detention is handled as well and as effectively as long ago: possible. The conditions in which the children are kept are good, as are the educational facilities—it is just sad “An immigration removal centre can never be a suitable place that they are there. I share the hon. Lady’s view—I wish for a child and we were dismayed to find children being detained and some children spending large amounts of time incarcerated. that they were not. It is a difficult issue, as Conservative We were concerned about ineffective and unaccountable months and Labour Front Benchers well know, but I do not of detention in this extremely important area”. believe that children should be detained. Perhaps the circumstances that I shall describe will emphasise that. In the debate in the other place, it was mentioned that there are no reliable statistics about children being held On Saturday, I went to see a family at Yarl’s Wood. in detention centres, and it was agreed that the Government The family is Sudanese—a mother with three girls, would address that issue. aged 14, 10 and three. They have been in this country for a couple of years—coincidentally, they lived in There are some concerns about the new welfare duty. Cardiff, though not in the hon. Lady’s constituency. An Opposition Member said that it was important that The father disappeared in Darfur and the family applied it should apply to UKBA staff who are placed abroad for asylum, but the application was turned down. A at entry clearance points and during escorted removals couple of months ago, the family were taken to Yarl’s from the UK. The concern is that the inclusion of the Wood. The three girls face the inevitable prospect of words “in the UK” could leave some of the most female genital mutilation when they return—the 14-year-old vulnerable children who come into contact with such faces it almost immediately on her return. It is impossible staff unprotected while they are outside the UK. That to describe to the House the horror and apprehension was debated in the other place, and I hope that it will be that the family feel about their imminent return and the given more consideration here. I understand that Lord desperate situation of the 14-year-old girl. They are in West said that it would be a matter of policy, not duty. deep despair. 227 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 228 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Alistair Burt] why Serco at Yarl’s Wood did that—I am sure that it was right and proper. The next morning, before they I went to see the family because of the circumstances were to return to the unit, they were served with a of their attempted removal last week, about which I further notice of immediate removal, which was in have already written to the Minister. A further letter has breach of the 72-hour rule. They should not have been gone to him today. I agree with the hon. Lady—I have served with such directions until 72 hours had passed always found the Minister, who is a long-standing friend, after the previous attempt to remove them. Again, I capable and humane. I hope that he will agree to my made a further intervention and again, the Minister’s request to see him before removal directions are carried office understood that a mistake had been made and the out. order was countermanded. The family was then let be, I visited the family on Saturday with a member of and I went to see them a couple of days later. Yarl’s Wood Befrienders, to whom I pay tribute. The I wrote to the Minister, saying that I would be grateful Befrienders are a group of ordinary men and women if he held an inquiry into the circumstances and ascertained who, sometimes out of Christian conviction, sometimes why instructions had been countermanded and why the out of sheer humanitarian concern, go and see the family had been put through the extraordinary distress people who are detained in Yarl’s Wood, not because and agony, which I cannot adequately convey to the they are taking part in their cases—that is left to lawyers, House, of being told that their removal had been cancelled refugee groups, asylum groups and others—but because and then put on a plane, having the directions rescinded they want those detained, who are currently almost again, returning to Yarl’s Wood and receiving a further exclusively women and children, to have someone to removal direction. The hon. Lady spoke about clause talk to, who might care for them and understand what 57, which deals with the welfare of children, and I am they are going through. We know that all sorts of cases wondering where current provision for welfare is in end up in a detention centre—in some, it is appropriate such circumstances. I have asked the Minister whether that the people are returned. There will be cases of he will be good enough to inquire into the circumstances. justice and injustice, but all who are there need a human touch at times, and the Befrienders do a wonderful job. I learned this afternoon that removal directions have On Saturday, I went with Heather to see the family been set again for the family for Friday. As far as I whose case I am describing about their attempted removal. know, no inquiry has taken place into what happened the other week. No time has been given for the new I was contacted suddenly before their anticipated solicitors to make proper representations about what is removal, and I asked whether the Minister would be likely to happen to the girls when they return to the good enough in the circumstances, bearing in mind the Sudan. I am deeply upset that a further intervention by likely consequences of their return for the girls, to put me is required to ask the Minister to give proper time the removal directions on hold and allow the family for an inquiry into what happened and the reasons more time to see a new solicitor and present another for it. case. On the afternoon in question, the family were taken from Yarl’s Wood. They were in a van on their I also ask the Minister to consider the case because I way to the airport when news came through from the think that the family should be out of there. I do not Minister’s office that he had been kind enough to grant mean that the case should be closed, but I do not believe a stay of removal directions. The information was that the family should be in Yarl’s Wood. Families are immediately transmitted to the mother, who still had detained at Yarl’s Wood because the UK Border Agency her mobile phone, and she told the escort service that has reason to believe that they might abscond. I am still the removal directions had been cancelled. Understandably, puzzled about why families with children, especially the escorts needed to confirm that and they did so young children, who need to be registered for health shortly after they arrived at the airport. and education reasons, are perceived as likely to abscond. We all understand that that might apply to single people However, instead of being immediately taken back to or even couples, but I have always been puzzled about Yarl’s Wood, the family was taken to another part of why it would apply to children. The reason given is that the airport, away from the main concourse, and then on families have refused directions previously and that to the tarmac. Their bags were loaded into the plane makes them likely to abscond. I do not think that it and it was made clear that the family would be put on does. I believe that it makes them likely to refuse directions the plane. The family members were separated from in future, but not to abscond from their homes. each other so that the children could be loaded on to the plane first. The mother became extremely distressed The family should go back to Cardiff. The 14-year-old and was restrained in the elastic cuffs that are used. I was unable to take a public examination when she was am pleased to say that the children were not so restrained. due to take it. As the hon. Lady knows, that is often a The mother resisted, not unnaturally, and there was consequence of the UK Border Agency’s intervention further to-ing and fro-ing. She was placed in the aircraft, and of taking children at the wrong time, such as where she continued to resist, and then the escort said sensitive times for their education. The young lady was that further confirmation had been received that the allowed to take her exam in the confines of Yarl’s removal directions had been cancelled. That followed a Wood. further intervention on my part to the Minister’s office, That is only one family’s story. I do not pretend for a asking what on earth was going on when removal second to have the answers. I understand why some directions had been cancelled but, contrary to the Minister’s children are sometimes detained and why it is not express wishes, were being carried out. possible for the Minister to say that we should never do The family was taken off the plane, put back in the so. I also understand the restriction on my hon. Friend van and returned to Yarl’s Wood, where they were the Member for Ashford (Damian Green), but I am placed in a separate area to help them recover. I appreciate concerned. 229 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 230 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] I have been talking about just one family’s story. I do Let me first take this opportunity to say that I hope not know whether we can have a policy in this country that the Home Secretary finds life more peaceful and for no child ever to be returned to a place where she less turbulent out of the front line. Let me also assure would face female genital mutilation, but I wish that we her, in her absence, that I for one will be reading at least did. I do not see how we can make that work for one part of her memoirs with particular interest. everybody, but I am sure that the House can understand My hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne that anyone who had met a family in such circumstances, (Mr. Walker) made a thoughtful contribution and was worked with them and seen their children would want right about the necessity to debate immigration with the to find some way of ensuring that what they feared did right tone. At times in this House and outside, that has not happen. The situation is like the story of the woman not happened. It is incumbent on us all to give a lead in on the beach who sees all the starfish lying on the shore. that respect. She walks down, picks one up and tosses it into the The Bill illustrates that we have a Government who, waves, but there are hundreds more on the shore, so her after 12 years of struggling—and largely failing—in friend says to her, “What on earth are you doing? Look immigration policy, are now just punch drunk when at all the starfish. You can’t deal with them all,” and she trying to deal with it. The House sees a new immigration says, “No, I can’t deal with them all. But I can deal with Bill every year, but far too many of them, including this this one—I can toss this one back.” one, ignore the real issues and instead add to the confusion Sometimes that is all that we can do. We can see only of those caught up in our immigration system. the odd case that comes to our notice and try to do our best. When the Minister gets back to his office, will he This was originally meant to be the year when we had kindly look at the letter that I have written, lift the the great reforming immigration Bill, replacing all legislation removal directions for this week, give the case an going back to the 1970s and simplifying it. Then Ministers opportunity to be looked at afresh and see whether published a draft Bill, with 13 parts and 214 clauses, there is not a better answer? In the meantime, while the which they said was part of the biggest shake-up of the case is being considered—it may take some time—could immigration system for a decade. By the time we saw the family return to Cardiff, where they ought to be? the Bill before us today, it had shrunk alarmingly, to four parts and 55 clauses. Being realistic, I should 7.21 pm welcome that. Too much of the Government’s legislation Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Devonport) (Lab): I apologise is usually damaging, so the less of it and the smaller to hon. Members for coming late to this debate. I have their Bills are, the better. Despite that shrinkage, however, been in the Committee considering the Finance Bill all the Government have nevertheless still managed to afternoon. include a fair amount of bad ideas in the Bill, which is why we welcome the improvements that were made to it I want quickly to raise a straightforward point about in the other place. a constituent of mine, William Watrin-Cattrall. He was born to a British father and a Dutch-Indonesian mother However, if I understood the relevant parts of the who were not married. As a result, young William, who Home Secretary’s speech correctly, it is particularly has been pressing for some years to be a British citizen, regrettable that it is still the Government’s intention to is not allowed to be one. I ask the Minister please to remove many of the improvements that were made in revisit the amendment tabled in another place by Baroness the other place. Presumably that is what we will spend Falkner that would allow those born to British fathers, some of our time in Committee debating. If so, I should but whose mothers are not British citizens and are not tell the Minister now that we will oppose him in those married to their fathers, to register as British citizens if endeavours. I hope that other parties will do the same, their rights to do so derive from paternity. because in many cases where the Government suffered The Secretary of State currently has some discretion defeat on the Bill in another place, it was because of in respect of those who fall foul of the legislation. The cross-party efforts. I hope that we will continue that in law changed in July 2006, but I am not clear in how this House. many cases citizenship has been granted. I would welcome We have before us a rag-bag Bill that lacks any any figures from the Minister on just how many people internal coherence, although some of it is useful. We have been given citizenship. However, I hope that the have heard contributions from the hon. Member for Government are willing to revisit the issue in the course Cardiff, North (Julie Morgan) and my hon. Friend the of the Bill’s passage through this House, as his colleague Member for North-East Bedfordshire about clause 57 in the other place has suggested. My simple plea is and the improvements in the treatment of children. We therefore this: will the Minister please look at the issue welcome that and, more importantly, we hope that it for my constituent William Watrin-Cattrall? leads to a genuine change in how children are treated in the immigration system. Some of the Bill is therefore 7.22 pm useful, but some of it is irrelevant and other parts are Damian Green (Ashford) (Con): This has been a actively damaging. fascinating debate and, particularly given the revelations Let me go through the various parts of the Bill. Part of my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Bedfordshire 1 deals with functions at the border. The Government (Alistair Burt), a moving and in some ways horrifying are clearly trying to reduce duplication of functions. We one. That causes some difficulties, in that I can either think that that is a useful step, but we think even more respond to the debate or address the Bill, which is what strongly that the Bill is a missed opportunity. The this debate is supposed to be about, because, to be Government’s failure to tackle Britain’s porous borders honest, the two bear a slightly tangential relationship has resulted in a disastrous rise in organised immigration with each other. [Interruption.] As urged by the Minister crime. We cannot tackle crime in the UK effectively from a sedentary position, I shall concentrate largely on without addressing the problem of our porous borders. the Bill, as that is what we are meant to be debating. We believe that our borders can be better policed, 231 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 232 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Damian Green] the Bill, yet it has not thought to share it with any of the parliamentarians who are debating the Bill. I think that preventing significant illegal immigration, as well as Ministers should consider their behaviour very seriously. cracking down on the trafficking of people, weapons Even more extraordinary was the fact that, at one and drugs. That is why, as my hon. Friend the shadow stage in what was not—let me be charitable—the most Home Secretary explained, an incoming Conservative coherent explanation of a policy that I have ever heard, Government would make the setting up of a national the Home Secretary said that she would cap the number border police force one of our top priorities. The Bill of people granted citizenship each year. So she is proposing could, if the Government were to co-operate, allow us to introduce not only a new set of hurdles in the form of to make a start on that. a new points-based system, but, on top of that, a cap. Experience has surely taught us in all parts of the Like everyone else, I appreciate the irony that that House that the specialisation of police services is effective sounds very similar to our proposals on general in fighting new types of crime. That is why we set up a immigration, which she has always criticised and dismissed. committee under Lord Stevens, a former Metropolitan She now appears to have adopted them wholesale in Police Commissioner, who conducted a review of our relation to citizenship. border security arrangements and concluded that only It seems very peculiar that a proposal as radical as a unified border force could protect our borders effectively. this could be introduced in the middle of our deliberations We intend to replace the current system, which lacks a on the Bill. It is not even as though we were promised fully comprehensive and joined-up strategy as well as the Bill in the next Session of Parliament. We have been adequate direction. The officers of the border force promised another immigration Bill in the next Session, should have all the necessary powers and training to but it is supposed to be for simplification purposes. A arrest, detain and prosecute offenders, as well as the radical change to the citizenship arrangements in this ability to develop specialist skills in fighting people country is being introduced between two immigration trafficking, illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Bills that the House is supposed to be debating, which is Although part 1 has some useful features, it is a huge the most extraordinary way to proceed. missed opportunity. But let us discuss the Bill before us. Two areas give Part 2 of the Bill concerns citizenship and naturalisation. rise to particular concern. One, which has been mentioned I originally thought that the problem with this part of by Members on both sides of the House, is the offer of the Bill was that it was slightly irrelevant to the real and a quicker route to citizenship if voluntary activity is very complex issues affecting community cohesion and undertaken. That comes very close to compulsory national identity. I freely agree that those issues are volunteering, which is perhaps the ultimate absurdity. I crucial, difficult and hugely complex. My original worry share the fears of the Home Affairs Committee, which about the Bill was that it sent out a clear message that has produced a thoughtful report on the Bill: even if someone is here, working hard and contributing to society, the Government want to make it more difficult “There is a danger that the activity condition, if implemented for them to stay here and become British. That seems to without proper consideration, could cause a glut of poorly regulated be the message behind the Bill, and I am genuinely not ‘volunteers’. This could place undue and unwanted pressure on the voluntary sector”. sure that it is one that the Minister really wants to send out. It might suit some short-term, dog-whistle politics, That is a genuine fear, and I hope that Ministers will but it is certainly not the most thoughtful long-term listen to it. I hope that they will also listen to Volunteering strategy. England, which has asked a number of questions, the most pertinent of which is: The problem is that the Home Secretary complicated matters even more in her speech this afternoon, which I “How will the Minister encourage organisations that feel that found completely extraordinary—[Interruption.] If the they do not have capacity to take more volunteers to open up new opportunities and spend time on the verification arrangements Whip would like to contribute to the debate, he is more for the active citizenship scheme?” than welcome to do so—[Interruption.] Okay. Well, if he is telling the Minister what to say, I feel for the We are in the throes of setting up yet more unnecessary Minister. new bureaucracy that will make life difficult, particularly for the small organisations in the volunteering field that Let me return to what the Home Secretary said often do very good and important work. earlier, because it was extraordinary in two ways. First, she said that she was proposing a new points-based The other unsatisfactory aspect of this part of the system for citizenship, along with the points-based system Bill—it has been much improved by their lordships—was for general immigration that the Government have the retrospective section relating to highly skilled migrants introduced. It seems extraordinary—especially at a time who are already here. That group has already won when this place finds itself in more ill repute than it has significant victories in the courts against the Government, done for a long time—when we are discussing a Bill that and it would be sensible for Ministers to stop fighting a partly deals with citizenship, that the Minister responsible battle that they keep losing. In the Lords, my noble for the Bill should announce that a whole new citizenship Friend Baroness Hanham succeeded in introducing an policy is coming down the line and that she is proposing amendment, which now stands as clause 39 of the Bill. to introduce it for consultation within the next eight It ensures that people in the closing stages of their weeks. There is not a word about this new policy in the limited leave to remain do not get caught up by the new Bill that the House of Commons is discussing today arrangements. That is only fair. Indeed, on 6 April, and that the House of Lords has already spent weeks Mrs. Justice Cox found that there was discussing. What kind of way to treat Parliament is “a substantive legitimate expectation that the terms on which you that? The Home Office is quietly working away at a joined the Highly Skilled Migrants programme would be the whole new policy relating specifically to a policy area in terms on which you qualified for settlement.” 233 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 234 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] That is as clear cut as it is possible to be, and I hope that but to get that, we need a new Government. With every the Government will now stop flogging this very dead day that passes, it becomes increasingly clear just how horse. much we need a new Government. It is also worth considering the Government’s desire to abolish the common travel area between the UK and 7.39 pm the Republic of Ireland, as well as the Isle of Man and The Minister for Borders and Immigration (Mr. Phil the Channel Islands. The hon. Member for Belfast, Woolas): I thank hon. Members across the House for South (Dr. McDonnell) is rightly concerned about that. their contributions to the debate, which have revealed a The Government claim not to be doing this, but their great deal of experience. I should like to address my assertion simply does not stand up to examination. remarks first to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, There will be immigration controls on air and sea Devonport (Alison Seabeck) and the hon. Member for journeys where none exists at present. There will no North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), who have raised longer be a common travel area. serious points. Of course I agree to undertake to look Will the Minister tell us what effect these new controls into them, and to meet the hon. Gentleman. I believe will have on staffing arrangements at the UKBA? New that a letter on that matter may have crossed, as well. border controls will mean either a significant shift of In all cases, the policy that my right hon. Friend the resources from existing posts or the need for many more Home Secretary has instructed me to adopt, which I am immigration officers. Which of these is going to happen? more than happy to do, is to place great weight on the To make matters worse, the measures will not lead to an representations of Members of Parliament because the increase in security for the UK. There are, rightly, no MP is the person to whom someone seeking redress proposals to change the arrangements along the land should go. That is why we take those representations border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, so very seriously, and I know that my hon. Friend the the effect will be to inconvenience travellers for no Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Malik) backs me up on discernible purpose whatever. If Ministers argue that that point. That is also why in all these instances we citizens in England, Scotland and Wales will be better advise people that if they have a problem, they should protected by these measures, why are they discriminating to go to their MP. The Immigration Act 1971 gives the against British citizens who live in Northern Ireland? Secretary of State powers that are mainly delegated to The current arrangements work well and do not require me, and I take that responsibility extremely seriously. I changing. The removal of the Government’s proposed am grateful to the hon. Member for North-East change received widespread cross-party support in the Bedfordshire for his kind comments and I undertake to Lords, and I urge Ministers not to seek to change the look further into the issue he raised. provision back. A number of specific comments have been made and We will also be interested to hear Ministers’ arguments I shall try to answer them in the short time I have about the change to the court arrangements proposed available—[Interruption.] —and I also want to deal and rejected by their lordships. I think that we all want with the bigger picture. Yes, I can assure the hon. to achieve a system of immigration and asylum justice Member for Ashford (Damian Green) and the House that is considerably faster than the current system, but that I do not intend to speak until 10 o’clock. If I did, I that does not achieve speed purely at the expense of suspect it would be last time I would ever speak from those who may have a legitimate claim to appeal. It was this Dispatch Box—and some might well think that that obvious that Ministers in the Lords could not convince would be a good thing, anyway. [Interruption.] Pause their House of the merits of the Government’s proposals, for objections, please, Hansard. and I shall be interested to hear the Minister argue the This is a small Bill, and I believe that it has been case in this House. unfairly criticised for not doing the whole job when it is, in fact, part of the jigsaw puzzle of the changes to the We shall obviously be raising a range of other issues immigration system that we are introducing. It does in Committee. From whatever angle we look at this essentially two things, both of which I believe have Bill—the eighth immigration Bill produced by the secured a consensus in this House and in the other Government in their period of office—it fails to deal place. with the central problems produced by the long-term failure of immigration policy. It fiddles around the First, the Bill brings together the necessary statutory edges of a number of big issues, but it does not make changes to ensure that the UK Border Agency is put on our borders more secure or provide clear incentives for a proper legal footing—that involves the merger of its those in this country to integrate fully and properly, and customs functions with its immigration functions from it is not fair to many of those who have come here to the previous Border and Immigration Agency and Customs work and to contribute to our economy. and Excise, or the relevant parts of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. The creation of that single force There is a need for big changes in our immigration meets the exact requirement that the House wants the system. We need changes to the points-based system to Government to meet. As my right hon. Friend the allow us to place a limit on the number of work permits Home Secretary mentioned in her opening remarks, issued, to bring about a properly integrated border when she first assumed that office, she intended not just police force and to strengthen the need to speak English to get rid of duplication, but to provide a more focused for those intending to settle in this country, particularly border security force. through marriage. In itself, of course, the border security force is only The Bill fails to address these important central issues. part of the chain. The 42 police forces—or 43 if we It will go the way of many of its predecessors—over-hyped include the transport police—are now backed up by the on its introduction, then barely leaving a trace on the Serious Organised Crime Agency, which operates overseas real world. We need properly radical immigration legislation, in co-operation with our border posts, providing the 235 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 236 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] [Mr. Phil Woolas] Mr. Woolas: Of course I understand that point, but a person on ILR does not get dual citizenship and cannot joined-up police powers that Lord Stevens looked at in get a visa on a British passport because they are not his report. The incorporation of the police force into British citizens. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for the new UK Border Agency has taken place without Ashford looks confused; he has obviously never had an diminishing the role of the other security organisations, advice surgery with anybody with ILR status. In which was the fear I had about it. I believe that the commenting on excellent and well-informed contributions, partnership is very important. I have reassured the House that these proposals do not in any way retrospectively affect those with ILR. The Keith Vaz rose— hon. Member for Ashford fairly raised a point relating to the highly skilled migrants scheme; I concede that Mr. Woolas: I give way to the Chairman of the Select point, the court has ruled, and we will of course obey. Committee on Home Affairs. Keith Vaz: I am grateful. We must not forget the Damian Green: I am very glad to hear that last point importance of Europol, which, under its new dynamic and I look forward to the Home Secretary—or her British director, is fully supported by the Home Secretary. successor—following the same route in respect of the The director is, as I say, British and Europol works with ruling about DNA. Let me explain the apparent confusion. other police forces throughout the EU in order to About 40 per cent. of people with ILR never apply for combat illegal immigration. citizenship, so we are not talking about just a few people around the edges of the system, but about very Mr. Woolas: As ever, the expertise of the Select significant numbers. The Minister appears to be advancing Committee Chairman helps me out. He makes a valid a new doctrine that those people are in some way a point, and I would add to it Frontex, the European failure of the system and that he wants everyone on frontier force. Frankly, this country could not protect ILR to move towards citizenship. If I am looking itself against some of the criminal gangs coming from confused, it is because I cannot really believe that he is northern Africa and elsewhere without such co-operation. saying that. That raises an interesting point that I would like to put to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) and Mr. Woolas: If the hon. Gentleman thinks that I am ask him to think about deeply as I know that he can. We not familiar with those with indefinite leave to remain, I depend on co-operation with other countries—primarily invite him to come to Oldham this weekend. Of course in Europe, but also elsewhere. In order to get that it is the case that many people on ILR have chosen not co-operation, we must share policies and information. to go for citizenship, but I ask the House—and the One cannot take an exclusively nationalistic view; we Committee if the House gives leave for the Bill to move cannot expect to collect data on people travelling to our on—to consider the reasons for that. The main point is country unless we are prepared to share data with other that the proposals for earned citizenship should not be countries. That is a matter of common sense in practical seen as punitive on the prospective citizen, but as a policy information. route to help those people to integrate into our society. The first part of the Bill thus achieves what I have set That is why it is possible to provide the reassurance that out and the second part looks at the idea of earned the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker)—I agree citizenship. Again, I believe that some of the criticism with his analysis—quite rightly asked for. This means of that idea has been unfair. reassuring our indigenous population that that immigrant positively wants to be a member of our community so At the moment, this country provides for citizenship that we can have better cohesion and better relations in through naturalisation, for temporary leave to remain all our communities. and in the middle we have the concept of indefinite leave to remain. Many of the people in my constituency Let me deal with some specifics. The two parts of the and in others who have indefinite leave to remain are Bill I have covered so far are quite simple. As the hon. neither citizens nor temporary migrants; they are in Member for Ashford fairly said, it is a short Bill, so it what one might describe as a no man’s land. What we does not provide the complete picture. It is not a have done in this country has, in my view, failed to simplification Bill. We have made announcements on provide the routes for integration required to give expression that. It is rather unfair to say that we have put further to the aspiration of migrants to integrate into our efforts to one side; we have announced that we will communities and to get on with their lives. The big move forward. I am grateful to the Select Committee mistake in our debate is the false assumption that the for the scrutiny it has carried out so far. As the House migrant does not wish to move to integrate and to knows, we intend to come back with further proposals. aspire. That is precisely why the idea of earned citizenship is not punitive, but a platform to help meet those Keith Vaz: I wonder whether my hon. Friend remembers aspirations. my speech. In fact, I lamented the fact that we did not have the detail from the Minister, which was why we Mr. Gerrard: Will the Minister acknowledge that could not scrutinise the Bill. We hope that he will be some people are perfectly happy to remain with the able to allow that scrutiny in Committee, but—I am status of indefinite leave to remain? They want to live following his arguments very carefully—will he now here, but they do not necessarily wish to become citizens. address the point that was made about the backlog at Some countries allow dual nationality and others do the Border and Immigration Agency? Every Member not, so some people who might face having to give up present is concerned about the fact that another Bill is their original nationality in order to become British being passed and we are still receiving the letters from citizens might actually prefer to remain with the status Lin Homer telling us that we must wait for two years to of indefinite leave. get a result. 237 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 238 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Mr. Woolas: The Chairman of the Select Committee has raised the issue with me and with others, and has never misses an opportunity to raise this issue. Let me spoken about it in the House on many occasions. point out that we use the words “up to two years”, Government policy is, of course, that alternatives to which is not the same as “two years”. Let me also point detention to children are preferable, and a number of out that the figures that we have given, and continue to pilots have been conducted. I respect the point that was give, to his Committee show that we are managing the made by the hon. Member for Ashford, wearing his legacy, that it is being reduced, and that we are dealing constituency hat. I was interested by what he said, and with decisions more quickly. Moreover, following his will bear it in mind. Dungavel in Scotland is one example Committee’s representations, we have made policy changes of the possible alternatives. to respond to the needs of Members of Parliament The independent tribunals and courts, not Ministers, across the House, and the pilot that was conducted on make decisions on eligibility and grants. It is the independent an all-party basis has been implemented. So he is making system that makes the decisions. I can reassure the progress, but he is asking a bit too much. In fact, he is House that I personally review each and every case of a asking two questions. child in detention. Each case comes up through the Let me now deal with the issue of compulsory system and on to my desk, and I take that responsibility volunteering. We reject the accusation that the volunteering very seriously.However, the parent also has a responsibility is compulsory. What we are trying to do—with, I hope, to ensure that the child is not being used in the system. the support across the House that we have received so As was made clear by the example given by the hon. far—is provide a route enabling people to show their Member for Ashford, the perception is often as bad as commitment to citizenship by engaging in certain voluntary the reality, and is sometimes worse. However, we cannot activities. The discussion of what those activities will be set policy precedent on the basis of an individual case. is for the Committee; we have made our own views The Bill proposes to give us an even greater duty for the known. care of children than we already have. I think the House Let me make clear that we do not propose the abolition has welcomed that, and I am grateful for its support. I of the common travel area, which was mentioned by a hope that the Committee will give more thought to number of Members including the hon. Member for Belfast, the matter. South (Dr. McDonnell). Along with the Government of The hon. Member for Belfast, South mentioned the Ireland, we are considering how we can improve the police and ombudsman powers. We will, of course, situation. According to our assessment, an increased consider his points and respond to them in Committee. security risk is posed by third-country nationals using I know that my hon. Friend the Member for the route. My hon. Friend the Member for Ynys Môn Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) has followed the debate (Albert Owen) expressed anxiety about the potential very closely, and that he has concerns about the citizenship impact on the ferries at Holyhead, and of course we proposals. I want to try to convince him, and others must act in a way that is sensitive to that. However, I who share his view, that the idea of earned citizenship think that when we discuss the detail, the House will is—as I have already said—beneficial not just to the benefit from reassurances similar to those provided by immigrant but to the wider community. I also think it my noble Friend Lord West of Spithead in his winding-up obvious that making change may have unintended speech in the other place. consequences. My hon. Friend has alerted the House to some of them, and the hon. Member for Eastleigh Let me deal with the point made by the hon. Member alerted us to potential unintended consequences in the for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart). An area of volunteering. The House must consider that, interesting dialogue is taking place with the devolved but I urge it not to reject proposals for change that will Administrations on how we can fine-tune migration improve the overall position because of concerns about policy.As I think is recognised by the Scottish Government unintended consequences, real though they may be. I and others, the quintessential point is that if an immigrant believe that, between us, we can solve those problems. may come to a certain part of the United Kingdom, we must have policies that encourage him or her to stay The hon. Member for Eastleigh made a genuinely there, but there is a danger that if the pull of south-east powerful case for the benefit of migrancy to this country. England, north-west England or wherever were great, a He gave us figures based on experience, and pointed out Scottish route might be used to usurp it. We must have a that this is a country of transition for many hundreds of grown-up dialogue with our Scottish colleagues about millions of people. Last year, 285 million came in and how to deal with that. I believe that the Migration out of it. Our border controls, only part of which dealt Advisory Committee has made progress. with in the Bill through UK Border Agency powers, are backed up by the new regimes on fingerprinting visas—the The policy instrument that is beneficial to the hon. biometric identity which is proven to be working—electronic Gentleman’s argument is the separation of temporary borders and the reintroduction of border controls. I migration for economic purposes from permanent agree with the hon. Gentleman’s criticism of the past settlement. I think that if someone comes to the country abolition of those controls. to work in, say, a skills-shortage area for a definite The ability to analyse visa overstayers is critical. period, it will be possible to have our cake and eat it. Without that and without the enforcement powers that However, we should bear in mind the point made by my the Bill partly gives us, the visa regime is worthless. That right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) is why it must be seen as part of a wider strategy which and others about that separation of temporary migration includes the points-based system and, crucially, the from permanent settlement. sponsorship role of universities, colleges, employers Some Members referred to the detention of children. and, indeed, individuals. The criticisms of the bogus The hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire cited a colleges are, I believe, addressed by the introduction of specific case, but also made a general point. My hon. the new scheme, but we have not hidden from the Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Julie Morgan) failures of the past under this and earlier Governments. 239 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 240 Bill [Lords] Bill [Lords] Chris Huhne: Will the Minister concede that while the come to understand the difference between the passenger e-border scheme is crucial to ensuring that there are no data and the e-borders system. I open the invitation to visa overstayers, it is entirely unnecessary to proceed to him to come and look at that. collect all the other information about our citizens’ I believe I have answered every specific question, and travel plans as part of ensuring that our immigration also the general points. control works? It simply is not. Jeremy Corbyn rose— Mr. Woolas: I have already urged the hon. Gentleman to think this through. First, we cannot operate in isolation Mr. Woolas: If I have not answered my hon. Friend’s from other countries. We cannot say to the Americans, point, I shall try to do so now. “We want all your information, but we will not give you any of ours”; it does not work like that. Secondly, if one Jeremy Corbyn: I thank the Minister for giving way. is keeping a register of people entering and leaving the He will have heard my interventions on the issue of the country, one has to count the British people who are Chagos islanders and the anomaly in the 2002 law, leaving as well, in order to identify where there may be which is specific to a smallish number of people. The false or fraudulent use of documents, for example, or matter was discussed in the Lords. Is he prepared to dual citizenship, or a plethora of other such eventualities. accept an appropriate amendment in Committee to try In addition, there are the benefits in terms of crime and to resolve this anomaly and give these people what security; that point has already been made. Already, Parliament wished them to have in the initial legislation? 2,900 people have been arrested as a result of e-borders, many of them for serious crimes including murder and Mr. Woolas: At the moment, the policy of the rape, simply because we have that counting in and Government is not to do so. I believe the Committee counting out system. will wish to look at that issue, and, as my hon. Friend rightly says, there is also the debate from the other Chris Grayling: May I press the Minister on the point place, which I have studied. about other countries? First, any other country is free to decide what to do—or what not to do—in terms of Chris Huhne: Will the Minister give way? tracking people coming across its own borders. Secondly, and more importantly, is he actually suggesting that Mr. Woolas: No; I said that I would not give way data about the movement of British citizens into and again. I believe I have answered all the questions that out of the United Kingdom will be shared with the have been asked. Americans? I believe that this short Bill is a fair Bill. I also believe that there is consensus on it. The debates on it have Mr. Woolas: Through ignorance rather than deliberately raised some specific points that I hope we can iron out I suspect, the hon. Gentleman is confusing the two in Committee if the Bill is passed this evening, and I issues of the passenger transport data and the e-borders certainly intend to build on the consensus on it. In system. I invite him—I make this invitation public—to answer to the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, come to the control centre at Heathrow and see for my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East himself the benefits of that system. I am not a betting (Keith Vaz), it is certainly the case that, based on the man, but my bet would be that when he has seen good work he has done in scrutinising and simplifying it—[Interruption.] I bet I would win it. My bet is that the Bill—which ran to, I think, 350 clauses—we will when he has seen it, he will drop his opportunistic come back and provide the final piece of the jigsaw in opposition to it, which is based on his wrong belief that terms of the border controls that this country wants. I this is somehow an infringement of people’s civil liberties. commend the Bill to the House. The point about co-operation is extremely serious. Question put and agreed to. We cannot say to the Americans and others that we will Bill accordingly read a Second time. not give them our passenger data when we expect to know who is coming from their country to ours. That does not take into account the way the crime gangs BORDERS, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION work. BILL [LORDS] (PROGRAMME) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Chris Huhne rose— Order No. 83A(7)), Mr. Woolas: I shall give way again, but I have been That the following provisions shall apply to the Borders, urged to conclude by everybody in the House, so I shall Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords]: then do so. Committal 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee. Chris Huhne: I am grateful to the Minister for giving Proceedings in Public Bill Committee way again. Many Members will be reassured if we can 2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not have some more clarity on this issue, however. Under previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday the e-borders scheme, the Minister is proposing that the 18 June 2009. travel plans of ordinary British citizens going to and 3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the from this country will be stored on a database. Will that first day on which it meets. be made available to the Americans, or not? Consideration and Third Reading 4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously Mr. Woolas: Those data will not. They are already concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the collated—they have been for some time. If the hon. moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings Gentleman reads the briefings that are available, he will are commenced. 241 Borders, Citizenship and Immigration 2 JUNE 2009 242 Bill [Lords] 5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously Family Benefits (Absent Teenage Fathers) concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day. Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House 6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall do now adjourn.—(Mr. Ian Austin.) not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. 8.6 pm Other proceedings 7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North) (Lab): My on consideration of any message from the Lords) may be constituency has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in programmed.—(Mr. Ian Austin.) western Europe, and we in Nottingham are doing things Question agreed to. to address that—for instance, by having created the teenage pregnancy taskforce, which I have the privilege of chairing. BORDERS, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION All too often, there is an unspoken assumption that BILL [LORDS] (MONEY) girls alone should take responsibility for avoiding unwanted Queen’s Recommendation signified. pregnancy and for caring for the baby if they fail. A Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing recent Bristol university study shows that when both the Order No. 52(1)(a)), parents of a new baby are under 17, only 2 per cent. of fathers are still involved with the baby nine months That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise— after the birth. Recent research by Dr. Peter Gates suggested that most teenage mothers in Nottingham (1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of— were raising their child on their own, and that relationships (a) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by between teenage parents were generally unstable. This is the Secretary of State or a government department, and a tragedy. (b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided, The evidence suggests that love, nurture and support and from an involved young father in the brain-building (2) payments out of the Consolidated Fund to enable the early years of nought to five gives a baby much better Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the life chances. Yet teenage fathers are themselves children. Secretary of State or the Director of Border Revenue to make That is the central dilemma for social policy generally disbursements. —(Mr. Ian Austin.) and the benefits system in particular. That dilemma is Question agreed to. complicated by the dispersal of responsibilities and powers between Government Departments and agencies, especially the divide between the Department for Work BORDERS, CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION and Pensions, dealing with benefits and enforcement, BILL [LORDS] (WAYS AND MEANS) and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing dealing with wider policy. Perhaps even the Department Order No. 52(1)(a)), for Culture, Media and Sport could think through That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Borders, how it could tackle the drip-feed of laddish TV and Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise— testosterone-filled films, and help promote a more respectful (1) the charging of fees in connection with nationality applications, culture of manhood and fatherhood to give role models claims, services, processes, advice and information; and for young males in our society. (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund. —(Mr. Ian We need to ensure that the complex system of policy, Austin.) payments and penalties gives clear encouragement to Question agreed to. teen fathers to do the best they can for their children, not only financially but emotionally. The new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission has the opportunity to make this agenda its own. I have had the good fortune to speak to a number of its senior people, and it is clear that it does not want to be just an enforcement agency focusing on recalcitrant fathers. Those people want to go further; they see a policy role in trying to pre-empt the problems before they begin. Let me now take a look at the current benefits system— and compliment the Minister on the work she has done in this area during her spell at the DWP.Contrary to the stereotype, many young fathers want to be involved with their children, but some are held back by confusion or anxiety about the benefits system and its financial implications. Does the Minister think that it is true that teen parents can get more benefit separately than together, thus discouraging the creation and continuation of family units? I would like to know whether that popular perception is true. If it is not true, we need to get that message into the areas that I, like a number of colleagues in the Chamber tonight, represent. Many young fathers also complain that the benefits system is complicated and financially burdensome. The new Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission 243 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 244 Fathers) Fathers) [Mr. Graham Allen] when someone is making a contribution, but that does not mean that they get any more rights of access to their now encourages parents to agree child maintenance children? It is unfair if somebody has made an attempt arrangements directly with each other. That sounds to pay to bring up their child, yet is just as likely not to good for people of good education—it is a sensible way see their child as someone who has flagrantly disregarded to proceed, and many middle class people would use it the need to make a contribution. to make good arrangements—but it is not necessarily that easy for poorer and less articulate parents, especially Mr. Allen: I shall touch briefly on contact later, but in areas where personal intimidation is often a way of my hon. Friend’s remarks underline the need to bring resolving personal issues. I hope that the Minister will the Ministry of Justice and other Departments to the tell me, perhaps in writing, about the Government’s party and ensure that we are not working in silos. All plans to help that group of people—those on a lower the parts have to work together, and as I know how socio-economic scale—to make the maintenance difficult that can be at the local level, I can only imagine arrangements and to make them stick. how difficult that might be in Whitehall, if the Minister We also need to find a place for young fathers who were to set herself that task. There would be some have no chance of making payments. Our system does tremendous dividends if we were to go along the lines not yet provide the social and emotional basis for such that he suggests. fathers to make informed decisions, nor does it give I wish to finish my remarks about the one-stop shop them a set of clear incentives to stay involved with their by saying that that could be a way in which young children, even when they desperately want to. This is fathers could develop the self-esteem to build relationships not just about the crudities of the benefits system; it is and to have a meaningful dialogue with their child’s about the subtleties of ensuring that the right perception hostile grandparents. and opportunity exist for young teenage fathers, who There is another wrinkle in the benefits system for often want to make a go of a relationship and raise a many fathers. They claim that maintenance payments child in the right way. are too high, and that failure to keep up with them leads The Government have made fantastic progress in to the breakdown of relationships with their children. recent times, and I am particularly delighted that they Obviously, that problem is more acute for young fathers intend to allow, in the very near future, all young with a very low earning capacity. Full-time work may mothers to keep any financial maintenance from their not be an option, especially if they are still in education. child’s father without losing any benefits. That is a long Through peer mentoring by other, successful young overdue, welcome and important step forward, on which fathers, and through having vocational training, young I congratulate the Minister. It will deny absentee fathers fathers could be prepared for the world of work and for the excuse, which many use, to refuse a contribution their parental responsibilities in a much better way. because, as they put it, “The social will only take it The Care to Learn scheme, which pays up to £160 per away.” Apart from relieving family poverty, the change child per week for teens’ child care and travel, is welcome. will also provide an opportunity for fathers to make a That and similar programmes could also give young real difference if they wish to. Will the Minister let us fathers on benefits the chance to learn a skill and the know, either now or in writing to me, what research is chance to move forward and get a steady income coming being done by the new CMEC on how best to encourage into their house. Let us suppose that by taking part in non-resident parents, who are overwhelmingly fathers, such programmes young fathers secured a weekly addition to pay maintenance in those new circumstances? The of £5 or £10 to the mother’s benefit, without affecting Government have created an opportunity, and I hope her other entitlements. What a change that might be that it will be seized upon. able to bring about: it would give young fathers not only We also need to keep the benefits system as simple as skill and experience, but self-worth and the chance to possible. Young low-income parents have to negotiate a demonstrate their sense of responsibility to their child. labyrinth of websites and leaflets. Will the Minister Alternatively, a community programme pilot could examine the possibility of a pilot for a one-stop office provide waged positions with training and support and for young fathers, which could offer advice and support, an automatic contribution to the mother as a maintenance as well as a medium through which to make maintenance payment. I hope very much that the CMEC will be payments? We could try that in one or two areas. Very allowed to let its imagination run into policy areas and often the parents of young mothers and fathers encourage to provide some of these new ideas that will begin to absenteeism by the father. The perception that it is unite some of the families that we are talking about, always the girl in the relationship who is the wronged and that that will allow those young children to have a party may not always be true; it may well be that the mother and father in the same household. What more teenage boy would like to play a more significant part does the Minister feel can be done to incentivise young but is driven away by the mother herself, or by relatives fathers to combine education with part-time work and and the hostility that the young person encounters. By maintaining the fullest possible involvement with their refusing access and by blatant hostility, threats and children? infighting, such people can deny young fathers the My hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) chance to win the trust and respect not only of the touched on the difficult and sensitive topic of maintenance family but of the child itself. and contact between parents and children. The former is administered by CMEC, the latter by the courts. In Mr. David Drew (Stroud) (Lab/Co-op): Does my hon. the light of his remarks, will the Minister consider Friend accept that one of the downsides of the separation working across departmental boundaries and try—again, of the payment through the Child Support Agency in a couple of areas—to bring maintenance, contact from the legal process is that there is always frustration and all other child-related issues together under the 245 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 246 Fathers) Fathers) same roof, as happens in Australia’s family centres? relationships and to build and maintain families. We are That might be one way of making progress in this happy to teach young people mathematics, English and country. Let us try it in a couple of areas that want to a foreign language, but somehow we resile from teaching initiate it and see whether it works with organisations them how to be decent people and good parents to the that are attempting to find some answers to these problems. next generation of young people to the highest possible I now wish to deal with the myths. I hope that the standards. Minister will take on the role—here is another burden Mr. Drew: In the early 1990s I took part in a review of for her—of myth-buster general in this area. She knows this issue, and the one factor that we found to be very well that although we can change things centrally, symptomatic of teenage pregnancy was lack of self-esteem word of mouth locally can take a long while to catch up, in both boys and girls. It is possible to foster self-esteem and myths still persist. For example, let us consider the through education, and does my hon. Friend agree that prevalent myth that benefits and offers of housing give we should build that aim into all our policies? incentives for young women to become lone parents. A study by the Minister’s Department this year concluded Mr. Allen: We sum it up in Nottingham in slightly that there was no consistent evidence for that, but when different words, but to exactly the same effect—we talk I talk to single mums on the estates in my constituency—I about building the social and emotional bedrock for am sure that other Members do the same in their young people. If young people have the ability to interact, constituencies—I find that the perception is very different. to learn and to resolve arguments without violence—the If we could have provision in supported housing with basic things that most middle-class parents teach their fewer limitations than at present—there is no space for children—it is virtually impossible to fail in terms of couples with children—it would send a clear message to educational attainment, aspiration to work and raising fathers in those areas with a concentration of teen a decent family. That is why it is important that such pregnancies that they would be welcome. It could break things are built into provision from the earliest point, down the matriarchal culture on some of our estates, instead of chasing after the problem later, by which where there is no adult male in the household, just time it is all but intractable without the expenditure of grandmother, mother and young child. Housing is the massive amounts of money and person hours. responsibility of the Department for Communities and In addition to building young people’s social and Local Government, which needs to be brought in on emotional bedrock, in Nottingham we are working this matter because Whitehall needs to mesh on these directly to address young potential fathers. We fund a issues. specialist health development worker for young men I have also suggested to the Minister the need for a and have commissioned research by Dr. Peter Gates at simple myth-busting series of posters to be spread Nottingham university on how best to identify potential throughout our poorer communities to underline the absentee fathers and communicate with them. That recent positive changes in the benefit regime and to kill research builds on the work that we have done with off some of the more pernicious myths that stop people young girls, and it will result in a hard-hitting DVD and making progress. appropriate sex education materials to accompany it. Tackling teenage pregnancies and absentee fathers I know that the Minister will agree that more needs to requires not only helping young parents to provide be done nationally to target teenage boys, through the effective parenting, but also nurturing and supporting benefits system, and in enabling them to make mature young people before pregnancy occurs, and encouraging decisions about parenthood, and encouraging them to them to make good life choices. Nottingham’s early delay sexual activity. Nottingham could be an example intervention package therefore begins with the babies of how to tackle the problem in both the immediate and who will be tomorrow’s parents. We use the family-nurse the long term. It is not only about swatting the mosquito, partnership not only to give intensive help to new teen but draining the swamp. We need to build for the future mothers through health visitors, but to instil the essential through a long-term programme of investment. capabilities in infants that will enable them to become Any materials used need to be easy to follow, and not better parents later in life. beyond the comprehension of teen parents who left Nottingham’s Sure Start and children’s centres then school early—or even of the average MP. The Family pick up the baton and they aim to make children strong Planning Association does good work in this sphere, and resilient, through activities that encourage them to with community projects targeted at young men. It make their own decisions. That prepares them for making made getting the message across to boys the theme for the really tough decisions later on—including those its annual contraception week last year. about sex and parenthood. The message may be getting through: according to We then teach all primary school boys, as well as NHS statistics, the number of men attending NHS girls, the SEAL—or social and emotional aspects of contraception clinics leapt by 20 per cent. in 2006-07, learning—programme. This gives every child the intellectual and there was a huge 54 per cent. increase in those aged equipment to develop effectively, which sadly all too 15 and 16. These signs of improvement must be enhanced many do not get at home because of the lack of parenting by further work to provide young men with the social skills in their domestic situation. To complete the circle, and emotional basis for sensible decision-making. in September we are taking this process to the next stage I was pleased to see that in February the Ministers by starting to teach 11 to 16-year-olds life skills in every with responsibility for public health and for young secondary school in Nottingham that volunteers for the people announced an extra £20.5 million to support programme—anticipating the Government’s initiative young people and help them to access contraception. to make personal, health and social education, or PHSE, Do the Government actually know what that money compulsory in two years’ time. This will enable boys as has been spent on? Do the Government know the extent well as girls to understand how to parent, to sustain to which it is being used to track real boys as well as real 247 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 248 Fathers) Fathers) [Mr. Allen] We now have a chance to put the history right. We have created a new commission to oversee this area, girls? Otherwise, it could be business-as-usual syndrome which is not just about punitively chasing and tracking instead of a sharp, systematic identification and face-to-face down teen fathers or any other fathers. It is about contact with those who need it before they even consider developing policy and bringing those young fathers sexual activity. In other words, we should have outcomes back into the family in a literal sense so that we have a with specific people rather than just allocating more chance to rewrite some of the unfortunate history that money. there has been in this policy field. That is not as daunting as it might sound. Even in I look forward to the Minister’s reply. I am not Nottingham, only 417 teenagers had babies last year. flattering her when I say that she has done a truly That is a perfectly manageable number when it comes to remarkable job in the short time that she has held this getting to know those people, their siblings and their portfolio. Great progress has been made and I hope that associates as part of defining a broader at-risk group she will confirm the Government’s commitment to a with whom we can then work very directly with some balance between carrots and sticks, to much better serious pre-emptive education. We will not do that cross-departmental working and, above all, to committing unless we identify where money is going and what it is to find ways to intervene early, which is cheaper and being spent on and get some real outcomes noted and more effective, rather than late, which is both expensive reported to the centre so that they can be properly and less effective. If she does that, there will be many tracked. teen fathers who will be part of a family rather than Although improvements to the benefit system are an apart from their family. Above all, many babies and important step and the focus of tonight’s debate, it must children being born today in our country will be raised be remembered that under-16s or under-18s who are with a father and a mother, and will be much more able full-time students or who are getting income support or as both individuals and citizens of our society. They income-based jobseeker’s allowance do not pay maintenance will be among the foremost to be grateful for a Government under the current rules. We need to find other ways to who take that opportunity and challenge. reach those fathers and to ensure that they are involved 8.35 pm in children’s lives. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work I welcome another initiative of the Government’s, and Pensions (Kitty Ussher): As is customary, I congratulate which is the requirement in the Welfare Reform Bill that my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North a father’s name be recorded on the birth certificate. (Mr. Allen) on securing the debate. I also thank him for That might seem obvious to many people who read or his kind words and know that he speaks with considerable listen to this debate, but it is not a current requirement. expertise—as he has mentioned, he chairs the board of Four in 10 babies registered without a father are born to the teenage pregnancy taskforce in his constituency. teenage mothers. This welcome change will not only Moreover, I know that he shares my strong personal make it easier to track down who owes maintenance, for interest in getting the policy right. He has made a clear example, but it will also enable the transmission of contribution locally in Nottingham, and as he has messages to the father to highlight the importance of mentioned, he recently met senior officials from CMEC, that father’s being in the child’s life as that young person as well as officials from the Department for Work and grows up. Pensions. We very much welcome that engagement, so I Let us not forget that two out of three teen fathers are thank him for it. resident at a different address from the mother. Rebuilding As I am sure that my hon. Friend is aware, he raised that family unit with every possible assistance and several issues that cross a number of Departments and support is clearly something that would be beneficial to challenged us to be joined up in our response. He has the child when they were growing up. Perhaps my hon. mentioned policy areas that are the direct responsibility Friend the Minister could tell us whether that provision of the Department for Children, Schools and Families, will also entail a corresponding requirement to inform the Department for Communities and Local Government, the father that he is named. That would not only be a the Ministry of Justice, and my humble Department, safeguard against being falsely named but, for those the Department for Work and Pensions. I will attempt who are truly and properly named as fathers, it could be to give him a cross-departmental response, because he is a channel of communication to help deliver them from absolutely right that we need to solve the issues by the status of outsider in their own child’s life. They can working together. then undertake the responsibilities that fathering a child I want to start with my hon. Friend’s key insight: of must entail. course, all children have two parents, and over time, the I say that with some feeling. In some senses, I feel that widespread use of the phrase “single parent” or “lone I have come full circle in talking about this issue. parent” in the media has drawn attention away from the Around 1989-90, I led for my party on social security fact that there are almost always two parents around, as on the first Child Support Agency Bill. Few things well as the child or children involved. My hon. Friend separated the parties on that Bill, but one thing that was rightly reminds us that our policies need to encompass very apparent was that we were not listening to anyone everyone in separated families. Often, parents, whatever outside. We were not listening to Families Need Fathers their age, who do not live with their children have a or to battered wives. We did not have proper pre-legislative genuine desire to be more involved. Our role in Government scrutiny. The result was that we reinvented that Bill—you is to remove any barriers to that across the gamut of can correct me if I am wrong, Mr. Deputy Speaker—on Government policy. at least five subsequent occasions. How many broken I welcome my hon. Friend’s distinction between the families, how much misery and how many suicides did separate issues of how we best support young people that oversight cost us? after they become parents, and how we best intervene so 249 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 250 Fathers) Fathers) that they can come to a mature decision about when is families can get more from the system. We are ever the best time to have children—that is, before they vigilant to make sure that that is not a real economic become parents. There is also a fundamental challenge effect, and I have no evidence to assume that it is more across both issues: how do we help teenage girls and or less relevant to younger parents. However, if my hon. boys to break out of the pattern of behaviours that they Friend does have such evidence, we would like to keep it see all around them—the very behaviours that have under close review. We want to allocate resources according often led to child poverty being handed down from to need, and not to create perverse incentives. generation to generation? How do we break that cycle? How do we change the presumptions that society sometimes My hon. Friend rightly raised the issue of complexity. unfortunately makes? The situation does remain complex, and the December 2008 White Paper on welfare reform argued that a I will address all the points that my hon. Friend system of benefits fit for the 21st century should be made, starting with the issues that he raised about simple to understand, well targeted and empowering, supporting fathers, particularly young fathers, into work, and that is our motivation through the successive stages so that they can perhaps contribute from a more confident of welfare reform, which must provide clarity and certainty standpoint, and are, of course, more financially able to for people making the transition between benefits and contribute. The cornerstone of our whole approach to work. The White Paper committed the Government to welfare policy is a benefit and tax system that provides explore whether, over the long term, a single benefit is support for those who cannot work at the present time, the right approach to make things simpler. The desire to but that provides every incentive for them to enter the reduce complexity lies behind, for example, the review world of work at the earliest possible opportunity. That of housing benefit that I am leading and on which I might be full-time work, part-time work or preparing hope to report soon. Regardless of people’s age, complexity for work through training or education. In this debate, is something that we must do our best to reduce. we have focused on young parents, but of course we want everybody in society to realise their potential. My hon. Friend proposed a one-stop shop for young fathers. It is an interesting idea, but personally, I am not The particular point about young parents is that if convinced at the moment. I think that it would be better people’s ambitions become thwarted or dented, or are if, in mainstream services, the entire government system never realised, due to lack of confidence at a young age, can deal with young people’s demands. I would be it is much harder to recover a sense of drive. There is interested to hear of examples in which that is not the always a second or indeed a third chance, particularly case, so that we can make sure that we correct them. under this Government, but it is important to try to get However, I will bear his suggestion in mind. it right first time round. That has been a consistent theme of the Government, and the Welfare Reform Bill, The Government recognise that families are more which is currently being debated in the other place, diverse than ever before, and the issue of teen families builds on the foundations that we have put in place over proves that very point. The role of mothers and fathers the past decade. in modern families is changing, and public services and the workplace must reflect those changes not only in The issue is particularly important in the current benefits policy but across all public services. My hon. economic climate. I know from my experience as a Friend is quite right that the outcomes for children are constituency MP how heartbreaking it is when a young better when their fathers are involved. Moving on to the person enters the job market for the first time and territory of my hon. Friends in the Department for cannot find what they want because of the macro-economic Children, Schools and Families, it is worth saying that situation, which is beyond their control, and then does guidance on supporting teenage pregnancies was published not have the confidence to come back to it later. They by the DCSF and the Department of Health in July may perhaps take a different path in life, often involving 2007, setting out what local areas should have in place setting up home and having children. If the Government, to improve outcomes for teenage parents, both mothers through their welfare to work policy, are not able to give and fathers, and their children. that person the chance that they need when they want it, all too often the opportunity does not arise again. Fathers’ ability to become involved is, I agree with my hon. Friend, sometimes hindered by service providers All Jobcentre Plus advisers are trained to help people who do not appreciate the role that they could, or do, find out what they are entitled to—to find their way play, particularly if they are not visible to the service through the benefits maze—and can guide people through provider, who consequently does not take their needs filling in a claim form. If the young person is 16 or 17, into account. If someone does not ask the question, someone will call them back within four hours to discuss “Are you a father?” when a young person comes into the situation. If they are 18 or over, an adviser will their sphere of influence, they might not realise the full contact them within 24 hours, once they have made extent of support that is required. We recommend that their initial claim. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of local services should take a much more proactive approach State for Work and Pensions has made it quite clear that to identifying young fathers through the common by the turn of the year young people between 18 and assessment framework and targeted youth support 24 who are verging on being long-term unemployed as a arrangements. For example, young men who are not in result of the recession will be guaranteed jobs or training education, employment or training should routinely be precisely to try to avoid a whole generation of young asked, as I have suggested, if they are a parent, so that people being abandoned on the scrapheap, as happened we can build up a better picture of them and provide the in previous recessions under previous Governments. support that they need as fathers. That includes the My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North desire that we hope they will have to support their raised the issue of the “couple penalty”, as it is called in children and earn a wage sufficient to do so, regardless the jargon. Perhaps there is a perception that by separating, of whether they live with them. 251 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 252 Fathers) Fathers) [Kitty Ussher] creating a society where parents recognise their responsibilities towards children and the responsibilities The “Think Fathers” campaign was launched at the that come from sexual relationships as part of that, end of 2008 to effect a change in attitudes and behaviour rather than that being an add-on when events force and to help deliver more father-friendly practice across people down that route. the board, following the publication of research that The innovative work that my hon. Friend is doing in showed that engagement and support for fathers from Nottingham will be watched carefully by staff at CMEC, the DCSF and children’s services was patchy. We agree as well as by officials in my Department, to see whether that a more focused approach to the issue is needed, there are wider lessons that can be learned. My hon. and we are in the process of trying to achieve that. Friend is ahead of the curve in many areas, which is My hon. Friend will be aware that the Welfare Reform extremely useful as policy develops. Bill contains significant change on joint birth registration. The answer to his question whether an unmarried father’s The commission’s “Options” service is available to name can appear on the birth certificate without his both parents to help them determine the best maintenance knowledge is no. That is crucial to the way the system arrangement for their circumstances. The CSA’s role is works. A mother would, by law, have to name the father to alleviate child poverty by ensuring that money flows if she knew who it was, or she would be committing to children. That is and should be its primary role, but perjury. The father would then be contacted and asked the people who contact it may be in need of other sorts to confirm that. The father’s name would then appear of help. That can be a means of keeping families on the birth certificate. Yes, the birth certificate is only a together and/or involving absent parents with the upbringing piece of paper, but it is a legal piece of paper and it has of their children, regardless of the state of the relationship huge ceremonial and cultural significance. We are clear between the two parents. The “Options” service can that at the crucial moment when a father comes to signpost parents to other services, such as mediation terms with fatherhood and perhaps deep down wants to and third-sector support, which can include mentoring get involved, it is a little nudge in the right direction, and so on. The challenge is to ensure that, when there is rather than a barrier preventing him from doing so. a clear need, the “Options” service points people in the right direction. It can help parents to come to arrangements One aim of the joint birth registration provision is that may include support in kind and the transfer of that an unmarried father who registers his child’s birth objects rather than money, and it can encourage people will acquire parental responsibility, whereas under the to understand what a private arrangement looks and current system, if parents are not married to each other, feels like. That is crucial to a relationship between a mother can prevent the father from registering, and he separated parents that works in the interests of the would need to apply for a court order. Also under the child, and there is potential in those services. current system, an unmarried father may refuse to register, even if the mother wants him to do so. It would be illegal for him to refuse under the new system. I hope Mr. Drew: The Minister will have heard my hon. that that will be welcome. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen) talk about contact centres, and I should like to pay due Mr. Allen: Moving away from the slightly punitive regard to those people who organise them. It is the most aspect that my hon. Friend has been describing, is that difficult job for all sorts of reasons: people do not not a fantastic opportunity to communicate with fathers? necessarily go there willingly, and they are certainly not If the father’s name, and presumably his address, are there to talk to their former partner in the best of known, it is open to the relevant agencies to inform him manners. However, the people who run the centres are about parenting classes, and about how to use the right amazingly important to our whole system, and I hope services to keep their family together, sustain relationships that the Minister agrees that they are worthy of comment. and so on. That moment is a great opportunity for early intervention that might bring a number of fathers back to the mother and child, help them to realise their Kitty Ussher: Indeed. I welcome my hon. Friend’s responsibilities and equip them to do the job more contribution and completely agree. Contact centres have effectively. an important role to play in the tapestry of policy in certain circumstances, and it is not an easy to work Kitty Ussher: We certainly need to find a way to make there, so I pay tribute to the staff and, indeed, to it easy to do that. There is an inherent tension between everyone involved. the role of registrars and wider social policy, because My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, North registrars are, by definition, very important clerks—they raised the issue of lower socio-economic groups, to use register. They do not have a wider social policy goal. I his words, and how they respond to the options that the agree with what my hon. Friend is trying to achieve, but “Options” service presents. He made an extremely valid there may be other ways of doing that, which I shall point about monitoring and, to ensure that people do come to. not drop out of the system as the law changes, I have I shall deal next with the extra dimension added by made it a top personal priority to monitor “Options” CMEC, which my hon. Friend has mentioned. From service usage and the number of people who go through the outset, the difference between the commission and formal or informal arrangements. He has put his finger the CSA, which forms part of it, is that it has a wider on a crucial issue, but I should like to reassure him that role, which is extremely ambitious but cuts to the core we have no evidence of such activity—and we do have of what my hon. Friend wants to achieve, which is to as much evidence as it is possible to have. As time goes change the culture of society. The commission’s work in on and more data become available, however, monitoring this area has not begun, but it has some exciting idea for will certainly be our top priority. 253 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 254 Fathers) Fathers) My hon. Friend rightly pointed out that, from April 2010, That is why we launched the 10-year teenage pregnancy child maintenance will be fully disregarded in the calculation strategy in 1999, following a detailed report from the of benefits. It will have a huge psychological impact on social exclusion unit. people’s desire to contribute but a very real financial Since then, we have achieved a 10.7 per cent. fall in impact on the families concerned. The commission is the conception rate among under-18s, and a 6.4 per also carrying out research into why some parents choose cent. fall in that rate among under-16s, reversing a trend not to make maintenance payments and how such that had been going upwards. Within the overall reduction behaviour may be changed. Once we have the results, we in teenage conceptions, teenage births have fallen by can take the appropriate policy action. Of course, in 23.3 per cent. Those falls are welcome, but we would circumstances where behaviour does not change and not be having this debate if we did not recognise that the non-resident parent is liable to pay maintenance, the progress has not been fast enough. which is means-tested, the commission has an enhanced range of enforcement powers, including the powers in I understand that there are particularly challenging the Welfare Reform Bill. circumstances in Nottingham; that is why we welcome my hon. Friend’s contribution and engagements. To Cutting to a point that both my hon. Friends made, I accelerate progress, the Minister for Children, Young should say that the commission is also involved in the People and Families and my right hon. Friend the development of the pilots that the Secretary of State Member for Bristol, South (Dawn Primarolo), at the for Children, Schools and Families announced in Department of Health, recently announced additional December 2008. They will test the impact of providing support to help local areas reduce their birth rates more accessible and better co-ordinated local services further. My hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, for separating and separated parents. It is a potentially North mentioned the £20.5 million extra that there has exciting policy. The pilots will start later this year and been to improve young people’s access to effective include advice on child maintenance and child contact contraception, and support for parents so that they can and residence as part of the same service, and advice on talk to their children about sex and relationships. Of child care benefits and tax credits. They will enable us to course we need to know how that money is being spent, see whether we can use holistic services along the lines and I shall pass on my hon. Friend’s questions to of the Australian approach, which my hon. Friend the colleagues at the Department for Children, Schools and Member for Nottingham, North mentioned, to provide Families. a more effective service to support separated families. I can exclusively reveal that the money is broken Indeed, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions down into £10 million for local health services to ensure visited Australia last week specifically to look at how that contraception is available in the right places and at such centres work in practice. the right times. I am thinking especially of long-acting, reversible contraceptive measures, which science dictates It is worth touching on the question whether there will be more likely to be focused on girls; that does not should be a relationship between financial support and mean, however, that the same principle will not apply to contact. I completely understand that some aggravation boys. Another £7 million goes towards a new media is often felt: there is no love lost between separating campaign on contraceptive choices to raise awareness parents if someone pays maintenance but is not able to of the different options. Department of Health Ministers have contact. However, it is important to separate the have not yet decided whether there will be a particular two arrangements, and I do not think that people can focus on boys, although I hope that this debate will pay for contact, which is perhaps what would follow. encourage them to do so. Furthermore, £1 million is There is an important, softer point as well. If separated directed towards the further education sector for on-site or separating parents of whatever age can come to a contraception. That sector is proving a particularly financial arrangement, which is often the hardest thing useful channel for making an impact on young people’s to negotiate, I see no reason why they should not take views. There is also £2.5 million for the Healthy College confidence from that and come to an arrangement programme. That follows the announcement last October about contact. We encourage people to start with the that the Government intend to make personal, social finances but not to see that as the end of the negotiation. and health education statutory in all schools, to ensure That is one of the important reasons why people, even that young people have the knowledge and skills that those on benefits, are able to opt out of compulsory they need to make safe and responsible choices. CSA negotiation. If they are able and willing to come to their own private arrangements, the chances are that I have already alluded to the issue, but my hon. there will be a kernel of an opportunity for the parents Friend posed the question whether teenage pregnancy to talk. That would help the children by helping an campaigns are too girl-centric and do not focus enough agreement on contact to be reached. If that fails, there on boys. We know that boys tend to have fewer sources is always the opportunity to go to court. of information on sex and relationship issues and that they talk to their parents about them less. That is why, if I am aware that we have the luxury of being able to done appropriately, the information that comes through talk for several hours, but I will not detain the House teaching at schools is so crucial for boys. Department for much longer. I just want to touch on the issue of for Children, Schools and Families Ministers have supporting children prior to parenthood and how best commissioned Brook to produce revised guidance on to provide them with the life skills to make mature contraception and sexual health services for boys and decisions about their futures—including when to have young men; that will be ready in autumn this year. children and how to break out of negative behaviours In many communities, including my own constituency, that they see around them. I am sure that we all share Brook provides a valuable and often credible service to concerns about England’s high rates of teenage pregnancy boys and young men. We look forward to its advice. The compared with those of most other developed countries. whole issue of how sex education, including contraception, 255 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 2 JUNE 2009 Family Benefits (Absent Teenage 256 Fathers) Fathers) [Kitty Ussher] families. I would be interested in having his views on that when we have launched our consultation. and child maintenance issues should be taught in schools As for posters—yes, I am happy to consider those if is being considered as part of the Macdonald review. we feel that they can have an effect. The changes to We will have an opportunity to discuss the issue in the child maintenance may be a peg to hang that on, so let months ahead. us keep talking about it. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the offer of I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving the House becoming myth-buster general; I will do my best. Much an opportunity to discuss such an important issue, and stigma needs to be overcome. Gingerbread, the lobby to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), group for single parents—those of all ages and genders, who is no longer in his place, for his engagement. I hope obviously—provides an excellent starting point. It does that my hon. Friend has been reassured that I and my research among its own client group showing that single ministerial colleagues across Whitehall take this issue parents feel that their needs are not properly understood very seriously. I am not alone in commending his deep by society, particularly by the media. We in Government, personal commitment to changing the lives of teenage and hon. Members on both sides of the House, have a parents in his constituency. I hope that from the lessons leadership role in debunking some of the myths, and I that he is learning locally we can develop national encourage colleagues to do so. solutions that will affect the lives of even more of them. Question put and agreed to. My hon. Friend raised several interesting points about housing, some of which we are considering as part of 9.1 pm the review of how housing benefit rules treat separated House adjourned. 1WH 2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 2WH

“I have looked into this Bill, and a more jejune, undigested, Westminster Hall unsatisfactory, and unpromising attempt to deal with this matter I have never seen.”—[Official Report, 17 March 1898; Vol. 55, c. 137.] Tuesday 2 June 2009 Many of the comments made during that debate 111 years ago could quite easily have been made yesterday. I suggest that for 111 years, successive Governments have failed to reform the system. They are secure in the [MR.BILL OLNER in the Chair] knowledge that the commercial maritime industry is simply worn down by so many unsuccessful years of Light Dues calling for change. Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting To return to the present day and the real purpose of be now adjourned.—(Mark Tami.) my debate this morning, I should like the Minister to respond on two main issues. First, the current system is inequitable. The charges paid by ships calling at British 9.30 am ports subsidise the costs of those in Ireland, which is Mr. Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): It is a great quite bizarre. Secondly, another bugbear of the current pleasure to be here, and to be able to bring to the system is the failure of successive Governments to attention of the House the urgent need for reform of tackle structural imbalances in the administration of light dues—a tax on merchant vessels calling at British the general lighthouse authorities. In simple terms, we and Irish ports. Light dues are intended to cover the have reached an identical situation to that of 1800. cost of providing lighthouses and navigational warnings Then the general lighthouse fund borrowed £200,000. A around the coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, figure in excess of the alleged £21 million deficit is now one or two minor territories in the Red sea and, of claimed by the Government to restore the general lighthouse course, Gibraltar. fund to health. The maintenance, upkeep and modernisation of Mr. Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) navigational aids around our coastline falls to one of (Con): My hon. Friend has gone back in history and three bodies—Trinity House for England, Wales, the made an interesting analysis of the issue. There are a lot Channel Islands and Gibraltar, the Northern Lighthouse of old-fashioned taxes that may cause concern to many Board for Scotland and the Isle of Man, and the of us. Will he shed some light on what element light Commissioners of Irish Lights for Northern Ireland dues are of overall port costs? He has given the impression and the Republic. Light dues are paid into the general that it is a huge element, but my understanding is that it lighthouse fund, and money is drawn from the fund to is a relatively small, albeit historically irritating, element pay for the running costs of the general lighthouse of the overall port costs. authorities. The GLAs provide working capital and pay annual unfunded pensions for retired staff. Shipowners Mr. Turner: It is a relatively small element, but it is feel particularly aggrieved that they have for so long important in its effect. continued to bear the burden of such costs. What hon. Members may not know is how long the Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): Although it may be a controversy over the tax has been raging. At least three small element for merchant vessels, which deal in very Select Committee hearings recommended the abandonment big commercial transactions, it is a significant element of lighthouse dues tax in the 1850s without success. The for the fishing fleet. Why should vessels of the UK-registered Official Report enabled me to do a little more research. I fishing fleet that are just over 10 metres pay when they came across the Second Reading debate of the Merchant make no use of the GLA navigation aids and when Shipping (Mercantile Marine Fund) Bill, which took other EU-registered vessels do not have to pay? It puts place in 1898. As the title suggests, the legislation set up our fleet at yet more commercial disadvantage against the mercantile marine fund, which was the forerunner the European fishers. of the general lighthouse fund. The mercantile marine fund was often exhausted of Mr. Turner: As the hon. Gentleman said, the UK funds and had to borrow to overcome a downturn in fishing fleet has to pay those dues. I should like to draw trade and industry—a condition that may have some the matter to the attention of the Department for resonance with today’s economic situation. Some of the Transport because it is dealing with it. It has allowed comments made 111 years ago by our predecessors in panic to set in. The investments held by the general this place are worth an airing. One argument for the lighthouse fund, which is still in a substantial surplus, retention of light dues has always been, “If it ain’t fell by some £18 million. That was due to the parlous broke, don’t fix it.” On 17 March 1898, Mr. T. Gibson state of the economy. Meanwhile, the burden of the Bowles, who represented Lynn Regis, said, in response subsidy accrued to the Irish Government for maintenance to such a sentiment, that it was of lights around the Irish coastline increased. The cause was the appreciation of the euro against the pound “about as true as saying that because it is usual to skin eels they sterling, and it placed a further burden on the fund, have been reconciled to the practice.” currently totalling a staggering £16 million. He also said that he hoped the Bill would be Astonishingly, the Department for Transport also “an earnest attempt to deal with a matter which has been a accepted in its forecast a 4 per cent. annual compound scandal for the last 70 years.” increase in the costs of the general lighthouse authorities That takes the controversy back to the 1820s. He went over the next five years. Things got even worse. On on: 23 February, the Government began a consultation 3WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 4WH

[Mr. Andrew Turner] acting with the best possible managerial efficiency. Notwithstanding that, there is a 5.6 per cent. cut this exercise on changes to light dues. Among the proposals year. were a hike of 6 per cent. net registered tonnes on light dues rates for merchant vessels calling at UK ports from Mr. Turner: I understand that. 1 July, a rise in the tonnage cap from 35,000 to 50,000 tonnes and an increased cap on taxable voyages from seven to Mr. Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): The statistics nine a year. As a result, the maximum charge per call mentioned are of course true, but we must remember became £20,500. that other transport bodies have been expected to reduce On the face of it, such adjustments do not seem their costs. The lights business has been transformed dramatic. But the impact of the changes will increase over a generation. Only 10 years ago, substantial numbers the burden of charges on some sectors of the shipping of lighthouse keepers were employed, so one would industry by a whopping 115 per cent. Something close expect there to have been a very large cut in the cost to my heart is the impact that such proposals could have base since that time—[Interruption.] on, say, the port of Southampton. I use ports such as Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): Order. Let the hon. Southampton and Cowes each week to get to and from Gentleman speak. my constituency. The Government assume that deep-sea vessels will continue to call at UK ports, including the Mr. Turner: I am very grateful to you, Mr. Olner. busy port of Southampton, regardless of cost. I suggest This is the point: the shipping industry put its faith in that that is risky. Shipping companies have already said the Government to honour the commitments that were that they are examining how to reduce their direct calls, made in 2004. They promised to abolish the Irish lights and some are considering adjustments in their sailing subsidy and to take steps to eliminate the duplication of schedules, so we cannot and must not assume that services provided by the three lighthouse authorities, shipping companies will carry on as usual. but they have blatantly failed to honour those commitments. Eliminating the Irish subsidy alone would virtually Peter Bottomley (Worthing, West) (Con): My hon. solve the anticipated deficit in the general lighthouse Friend is making some valuable points, some of which fund, and requiring the general lighthouse authorities the Department for Transport could make to the Irish to implement a 5 per cent. cut in operating costs would Government. On that last point, there is a general eliminate the deficit altogether. economic pressure, of which dues are not a part, to I fully support the efforts of the noble Lord Berkeley, reduce direct calls. However, just in case he is thinking who has introduced a Bill in the other place that would of linking the question of direct calls to the cost of light require the Government to remove the Irish subsidy dues, does he have an economic analysis of how much and rationalise the three general lighthouse authorities. calls increased as light dues, in effect, halved in real terms over the past two years? Peter Bottomley: Just because I am a great believer in plain English, does rationalisation mean amalgamation? If it does, many people will think that the first thing Mr. Turner: I do not have those figures, but we are that the new organisation would have to do is set up always as a consequence pressing for dues to decrease three different control centres. rather than increase. Mr. Turner: That could be a consequence. Whether No one will be surprised to learn that the situation the authorities are rationalised, improved or abolished, has caused unparalleled outrage among the international the point is getting the costs down. I hope the Government and UK shipping communities. News of the additional will take the proposal seriously and that they will support burden has reached Bombay, Tokyo, Shanghai, New such a measure. It could be introduced early in the next York and all world cities that control major shipping Session. The Minister will tell us that he is in negotiations lines. What incalculable damage to our reputation as a with his counterpart in the Irish Republic, but before leading reputation as a leading maritime nation has such any proposal can be made, will he make the notes been inflicted by the proposed tax increase? of the meetings and frequent updates on the situation available in the Library? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick): Will the hon. Gentleman concede Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) (Lab): The hon. that the damage to our international reputation would Gentleman has been negative rather than positive in be incalculably worse were there to be a disaster as a that he has not given his views on how the problem result of not observing the maintenance that is required ought to be fixed. Does he agree that Britain and the to ensure that the lighthouse services are maintained at Irish Republic are transparent about our port costs? the highest possible level? Has he compared our light dues with those of other continental ports or ports around the world? Mr. Turner: That need not happen if the conduct of Mr. Turner: I approve of what is happening on the process is more reasonable. The Minister is pressing transparency—we are at least doing things openly—but in the wrong direction. I do not answer for what is happening in continental countries, whether or not it should be happening. Jim Fitzpatrick: As the hon. Member for Worthing, Will the Minister set out a firm timetable for eliminating West (Peter Bottomley) indicated, the costs of lighthouse the Irish subsidy? He should suspend the proposed services have gone down by some 40 per cent. in the past increases that are due to come into effect on 1 July 10 years and have been cut four times. The service is not pending the preparation of a new budget to reduce the increasing its costs irresponsibly; rather, it has been administrative costs of the three general lighthouse 5WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 6WH authorities. The Independent Light Dues Forum, which to engage in more commercial activities and to use their represents major international shipping lines, other trade expertise to raise more income. The provision contained association bodies and individual shipping companies the necessary safeguards and the Committee supported of all sizes have all urged such action. It is imperative the proposal. It is a matter of regret that the Bill has not that the Government act to remove the burden of this passed into legislation and that that and other important proposed tax increase on ships calling at British ports. clauses have not been enacted. I hope that the Minister In 1898, Sir Thomas Sutherland, the then Member will say what progress is to be made on that. Enabling for Greenock, said: GLAs to produce additional income by using their “I am quite certain it passes the wit of man to devise any expertise is one way in which the issue could be addressed. scheme for imposing those lighthouse dues which shall be absolutely It is important that GLAs continue to take cost-saving equitable. It has never been done, and it never will be done.”—[Official measures. They have made great progress on that over Report, 17 March 1898; Vol. 55, c. 170.] recent years. The Department must continue to fund I am more of an optimist—I do not believe that that is projects that look at more efficient ways of conducting the case. Let this be the Minister’s legacy: he could be such activities and lowering the costs. For example, the the Minister who, after nearly two centuries of controversy, eLoran project is developing a land-based, high-powered, finally did right by the shipping companies and introduced precise terrestrial radio navigation system. It is important a reform of light dues that is fair and equitable to our that that project and others are pursued because they maritime industry. can reduce costs without jeopardising safety. I endorse the comments of the hon. Member for Isle 9.47 am of Wight on the subsidies given to the Irish Republic. I Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): note that discussions on resolving that matter are ongoing, The hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) has but more urgency is required. done well to secure this debate and to highlight the In conclusion, I support the excellent work of the problem of maintaining marine and navigation safety existing GLAs in maintaining safety. I recognise the equitably. Before anybody jumps to any conclusions major problems faced by shipping at the moment and about how this matter might be resolved, it is extremely do not think that we should do anything that would important first to point out the great success of the jeopardise the viability and success of that important general lighthouse authorities in creating very high sector. The funding of marine and navigational safety is standards of marine and navigation safety, and in looking a critical and ongoing issue. I urge the Government to after 20,000 miles of coastline. They have done so using consider other ways of enabling more income to be regional knowledge, and it is vital for hon. Members produced so that increased costs do not fall on users of who are considering changes in the arrangements to the service in a way that could jeopardise the sector. recognise the importance of organisations that have such local knowledge on which they can act. As was correctly pointed out, there has been no 9.53 am increase in light dues since around 1993. However, I Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): also recognise that we are in unprecedented global I am grateful to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight economic difficulties, which is affecting shipping as (Mr. Turner) for securing the debate and congratulate much as other industries, including in the UK. Therefore, him on it. Not since I secured a debate some years ago any imposition of significant increases may well impose on the future of the Stromness lighthouse depot in my difficulties on the shipping sector, which is already constituency has the oxygen of public scrutiny come to under pressure. We are particularly concerned about fall on the work of the general lighthouse authorities. maintaining shipping in the UK and the viability of our Such scrutiny is necessary. I will not stand here and ports. No hon. Member would want to do anything to argue against reform because, as he said, it is long jeopardise that given the economic difficulties that we overdue. face. That is the situation. The system of GLAs works Mr. Mark Field: I do not suggest that our system is effectively and the dues have not been increased for a perfect. It has clearly agitated people in the industry for significant time. Nevertheless, we are in a position of well over a century, as my hon. Friend said. Does the great economic difficulty in which we do not want to hon. Gentleman recognise that some clear institutional jeopardise shipping in the UK by encouraging shipping and operational efficiencies are part and parcel of the companies to invest elsewhere, leading to reduced investment system? Almost any reform is likely to be costly and here. there will be losers as well as gainers. Those who represent Peter Bottomley: I am glad that neither the hon. Lady constituencies such as his will appreciate more than I do nor my hon. Friend suggested that yachtsmen should that we have a highly complex coastline and crowded have to start contributing to light dues. One of the great shipping lanes, which require specific regional experience. things about this country is that they can use the The system we have allows for that. A new system could facilities without paying. I declare that I am a member put it in jeopardy. of the Royal Yachting Association. Mr. Carmichael: The hon. Gentleman has anticipated Mrs. Ellman: I note the hon. Gentleman’s important a great deal of what I will say. I am minded to sound a points. note of caution in the clarion call for reform. My Last year, the Select Committee on Transport considered concern is that we could end up with a system that does the draft Marine Navigation Bill as part of its pre-legislative not have at its heart the safety of seafarers and shipping, scrutiny. It contained a provision that might provide and the environmental integrity of the seas around this part of the solution to the problem by permitting GLAs country. That is what the issue comes down to. 7WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 8WH

[Mr. Carmichael] reductions as a consequence of automation, and that is entirely sensible. I remember from my youth people The Northern Lighthouse Board, the GLA with which who were employed as lighthouse keepers even in a I am most intimately acquainted, is a curious creature. small community such as Islay off the west coast. If one It comprises a sprinkling of people with an interest in replicates that for the rest of the coastline, one realises and experience of the shipping industry, topped up, or there is a substantial legacy. The pension fund concerns adorned, by the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor-General the commissioners greatly, and it is no secret, either in for Scotland and the six sheriffs principal. I will pick my the industry or in politics, that it was only the granting words with care because with the current febrile political of a letter of comfort by one of the Minister’s predecessors, atmosphere, the day might come when I appear again David Jamieson, that has allowed the current situation before some of those sheriffs principal. That risk stands to continue without major crises and drama. If we are for us all. I bow to none in my admiration for those not to see the increases in light dues and the caps that people. I have known the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor- the hon. Member for Isle of Wight has talked about, General for a number of years. They trained me in my there is a danger that we could precipitate a crisis, but early days as a trainee solicitor. They have many fine the people who would suffer most as a consequence qualities and are admirable lawyers. I do not recall from would be current and future holders of lighthouse fund my days as a trainee solicitor in the Crown Office any pensions, and I would need to be persuaded that that great discussion of matters maritime. crisis is worth precipitating. Although I do not doubt that the current office One Voice, the Chamber of Shipping and others who holders take their duties seriously and contribute vigorously have given briefings on this issue are right to make their to the work of the Northern Lighthouse Board, there is concerns known, but we should not rush to assist them no guarantee that that will necessarily be the case. and put the interests of shipowners and the shipping There is an argument that the structure of the GLAs—the industry above other competing interests. Lights and Northern Lighthouse Board in particular—requires a navigational aids have to be paid for somehow, and if it careful look. My guess is that historically, people became is not going to be from the current system, it will have to part of GLAs because of the geographically diverse be from general taxation. That has been suggested by nature of the work. The current vast range of public the shipping industry over the years, but has never service and bureaucracy did not exist. Therefore, there found favour with the Government, for obvious reasons. was a range of people with standing and ability in The danger of taking the money from general taxation different geographical areas who could contribute is that, as a global industry, the ability of the shipping something. However, let us not kid ourselves that this is industry to avoid paying tax is fairly well documented. I any longer an appropriate structure for a lighthouse would want to see something pretty bomb-proof before authority. we moved from our current system to something that We must also look at the powers that are given to relied on general taxation, even if any Government GLAs. I agree with the hon. Member for Liverpool, were ever to be persuaded to pick up the tab, although I Riverside (Mrs. Ellman) that it would be eminently think that rather unlikely in the current economic climate. sensible to consider the opportunities for them to engage in more commercial activities. That is long overdue. 10.4 am To those who call for an amalgamation of the three Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I warmly congratulate bodies into one, I sound a note of caution. That proposal my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) is superficially attractive, but I need to be persuaded on securing the debate. He presented his case in a that there are significant cost savings to be made. I have balanced and eloquent way, but he is a very assiduous seen few occasions on which the solution to a problem Member, so that does not surprise me. He has brought has been greater centralisation. Before we move from a before the House a matter that is important, even if structure that can accommodate the different needs of rather narrow. navigational aids and lights in the north and west of We are proud to be a maritime nation, and I hope Scotland, while allowing different approaches in the that we can keep the navigation of our waters safe. The busier shipping lanes of the south-east, I want to be Minister has rightly pointed out that that is the primary persuaded that it would bring a significant benefit. objective, and he will no doubt point it out again. The Again, this exercise must not be driven entirely by cost, aims of ensuring the safety of our waters and navigation, but by the maintenance and continuation of good practice and of modernising and making more efficient the in navigational aids and by the safety of seafarers. general lighthouse authorities, are not necessarily mutually Hon. Members have spoken about the need to deal exclusive. The GLA structure is old, and I do not see with the so-called Irish question. That much is genuinely, why we should not carefully consider amalgamating the even in Government terms, long overdue, but we should three lighthouse boards. That seems a sensible way not forget that although Ireland is one island, it has two forward, not just to save costs, although that is important, states. Whatever solution we come to, the Irish Government but to spread best practice and have economies of scale. must be brought to the table to pay proper dues, but we We should consider that suggestion, and should also must not ignore the fact that we have a significant resolve the problem of our subsidy of the Irish. Any interest in Northern Ireland, from which there can be programme should grasp that matter and deliver that no walking away. change. At the root of this issue are the finances of the GLF, I want to make a brief contribution on behalf of which was recently described to me as being a pension fishermen who have to pay light dues if they have a boat fund with lighthouses. Given the dramatic way in which of more than 10 metres. UK-registered fishing vessels the service has changed in the past 20 years, that is pay those dues, but I think we all understand that undeniably the case. There have been significant cost fishermen are having a particularly tough time at the 9WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 10WH moment with fuel costs and quotas, which are killing industry. Responsible shipowners, who are probably the them—especially the small inshore fleets, which are not ones who are making the most noise about light dues, only boats of under 10 metres; many boats of just over are in competition with shipping firms at the other end 10 metres never go near the GLA-provided navigation of the spectrum who invest very little in the training of aids, but must still pay a contribution towards them, their crews, including the senior officers, from the captain even though they do not use them. They are at a great downwards, who are in control of their ships. They competitive disadvantage against vessels that are registered spend very little on maintenance of what are well nigh in other EU countries, which do not pay the dues, and rust buckets sailing the seven seas, and the salaries and there is a perception that those vessels do not adhere to wages of the crews do not bear thinking about. That is many of the rules or regulations. Our fishermen feel the problem in the shipping industry. particularly aggrieved about that problem. When we talk about investing £90 million in maintaining buoys, lighthouses and the rest of the marine safety Jim Fitzpatrick: I completely disagree with the hon. features that dot our coastline—20,000 miles of it—we Gentleman’s assertion that fishing vessels do not use the are talking about a small percentage of total shipping services provided by the GLAs. It is clear from my costs. I believe that it is international competition that is information that they do. Notwithstanding that, the making our shipowners shout about the light dues. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Piracy must also be increasing shipping costs for some has said that it will reimburse lighthouse dues to fishermen of our main shipowners who travel down the east coast in England and Wales this year. Is he aware of that? of Africa. Bob Spink: No, I was not aware of that. I am grateful We must praise Trinity House. Very little has been to the Minister for that briefing, and to the Minister said about it, but it collects 87 per cent. of the revenue. with responsibility for fisheries, the Under-Secretary of It was mentioned that it has reduced its costs by 50 per State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who cent. in the past 10 years alone, yet there has been no probably made that announcement. increase in light dues since 1993. Let us give credit There are many larger fishing vessels that go out to where it is due. How has Trinity House managed that? sea and use the navigation aids, but I am talking about As the hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) said, the sort of small inshore fleets that operate from Leigh- lighthouses have been automated, but they still have to on-Sea and Canvey Island in Essex, and from the small be regularly serviced by helicopters to ensure that the Kent ports. They tell me that they have to pay light dues lights are always working, particularly in the most on boats of over 10 metres, and they are aggrieved dangerous outlying situations. because they do not make use of the systems provided We are talking about the British isles plus the coastline by the GLA, so they are at a competitive disadvantage. of the Irish Republic—20,000 miles of some of the I would like the Minister to pass a message to his most dangerous coastline in the world. Shipping coming colleague in DEFRA, who has set up the sustainable into Liverpool has to negotiate Ireland. Surely that is access to inshore fisheries project under the chairmanship part of the reason why we subsidise the Commissioners of Alan Riddell. Will he ask him to take account of of Irish Lights. When we talk about the CIL, we are light dues when he considers matters of economic viability, talking about the whole of Ireland. Obviously, we have sustainability, the environment and societal consequences to subsidise the part of Ireland that the British Government in relation to the small inshore industry and the SAIF are responsible for, but shipping coming into Liverpool, project? Will he ask him to extend further an exemption Cardiff and other ports, including some of the smaller from light dues for all small inshore fishing boats, ports, has to negotiate Ireland. If Ireland were not including those just over 10 metres? I am grateful to properly lit and buoys were not properly placed in the have had the opportunity to make those points. sea around the Irish coast, it would be far more dangerous for shipping to come into ports such as Liverpool. 10.9 am Therefore, I cannot get as anxious as some hon. Members are about subsidising the CIL. Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) (Lab): I came to listen, Mr. Olner, but I have to indulge, I am afraid. I How have Trinity House and the other general lighthouse have had a great interest in marine safety ever since I authorities managed to achieve such a massive reduction was a young boy, when I wrote an essay on a sea rescue in their expenditure? Apart from automation, which and won a prize from the Royal National Lifeboat includes solarisation—I am always amazed by the many Institution. Some hon. Members might remember that solar panels that are on top of buoys and attached to I put through the Marine Safety Act 2003, which plugged other marine safety features—they have made many two loopholes in previous legislation that was attributable redundancies, not just of lighthouse keepers but across to the late Lord Donaldson. the estate. They have massively rationalised their operations We must remember that there have been at least three during the past 10 years, and they have sold land and major shipping disasters—the Torrey Canyon and the property in their ownership and are still doing so, one Sea Empress, to name just two—and that Lord Donaldson of the most recent sales being at Great Yarmouth. wrote two magnificent reports which resulted, first, in However, there is a warning for all three of the GLAs four emergency towing vehicles being put around the in this country. One shipping company made the point British coast to rescue ships in trouble, and, later, more that it now relies more on global positioning systems. It legislation. Today, Britain has some of the best legislation said that it can almost bring a ship into a British port or in the world on marine safety. any port in the world relying entirely on the one satellite Having said that, the main problem that we face is that provides GPS. The ship almost drives itself if it is wider than just light dues; it is about competition in the attached to GPS. Those are very expensive navigation shipping industry, which, obviously, is an international instruments, of course, and they have to be paid for, but 11WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 12WH

[Dr. Brian Iddon] My hon. Friend the Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael), who probably knows more about what would happen if that one satellite were to go maritime issues than any other hon. Member, made a down? We would again be reliant on traditional and valid point about the need for structural reform but also well-tried methods of lighting our coastline. the need to ensure that the safety of our seamen, our ships and the shipping industry in general is of paramount Mr. Brazier: The hon. Gentleman makes a powerful importance. point. Will he accept the counterpoint, which is that in The Minister, who is also the hon. Member for Poplar an era of roll-on/roll-off and the channel tunnel, there and Canning Town until the next election, announced is in fact no requirement for most ships to come into in a written statement on 23 February that the Government British ports at all? The real danger is that they will were consulting on proposed amendments to the Merchant simply go to continental ports and shift their containers Shipping (Light Dues) Regulations 1997 to deal with and other things straight on to the backs of lorries. the estimated funding shortfall of £21 million for 2009-10. The proposals are for an increase in the rate of light Dr. Iddon: I accept the hon. Gentleman’s point. There dues from 35p to 41p per net registered tonne, an has to be a balance, and we must weigh all the factors. increase of 17 per cent., together with increases in the My warning to the GLAs is that Galileo is to provide an tonnage cap and the number of chargeable voyages per alternative to GPS and the Chinese are planning to put year. For the largest vessels, the charge per call would up a satellite which will provide yet another alternative rise by nearly two thirds to £20,000 and the overall for automatic navigation. Satellites measure wave heights annual cost would be even more if they were frequent and record the weather. The whole business of international callers at UK ports. The maximum payable for a single shipping is being transformed by great advances in ship in a year would more than double from £85,750 to technology, and I can certainly see that, within the next £184,500. For smaller regular traders, the increase would 20 or 30 years, the captains of ships that ply between be about 45 per cent. international ports will rely more and more on satellite One Voice, the organisation created by the shipping, navigation systems. ports and maritime business services sector, whose member This argument will not go away. Trinity House and organisations include the Baltic Exchange, the British the other GLAs should bear in mind—we could dream Ports Association, the Chamber of Shipping, the Institute and imagine for a moment—that international shipping of Chartered Shipbrokers, Maritime London and the could, perhaps, be navigated almost totally in the absence UK Major Ports Group, points out that increases of of captains by satellites in the sky. Governments and this magnitude are almost unprecedented and certainly light authorities around the British isles and in Ireland have not been seen in the past 20 years, and argues that must take advancing technology into account. To be there is a significant risk that some ships will divert to fair to Trinity House, to date it has taken advances in ports on the continent, where lighthouse costs are financed technology into account. It has welcomed and adapted through public expenditure. them, and that is why there has been such a tremendous In a recent letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, reduction—I repeat, 50 per cent. in 10 years—in its Michael Drayton, the chairman of One Voice, said: costs. “It is clear to all of us from reading the proposals that there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the economics of shipping: the assumption that deep-sea vessels will continue to call at UK ports 10.17 am regardless of cost is wrong. Several operators have stated that they will reduce their direct calls at UK ports by 60 per cent., and Mr. John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): It is others are considering similar adjustments to their sailing schedules. a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr. Olner. Nor is it safe to assume that a reduction in calls by deep-sea vessels inbound from the Far East would be offset by a rise in calls I congratulate the hon. Member for Isle of Wight by feeder ships. Container operators could readily reorganise (Mr. Turner) on securing this important debate. As a their services so that UK cargo is trans-shipped at Rotterdam or history and politics graduate, I appreciated the history another European hub and then fed to/from the UK on other lesson that he gave us. It was a first for me to attend a available deep-sea services. Once direct calls by inbound deep sea debate in which an hon. Member has blamed successive vessels have been stopped, they are very unlikely to be reinstated.” Governments, including a Liberal Government. There I would be grateful if the Minister told hon. Members is a first every day. what assessment has been made of the likelihood that the increased charges will result in reduced direct calls The hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) made at UK ports and what financial impact there would be if a valid point about the impact that increased costs may operators did reduce their direct calls by up to 60 per have on the fishing industry, especially at a time of cent. economic recession, and the Minister made a valid point about safety being of paramount importance. Mr. Carmichael: My hon. Friend is right to say that However, this debate is not about whether we are going the Government must make an early and hard-headed to scrimp on safety but about how we will pay for it. assessment of the likely impact, but does he agree that The hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside light dues are just one of the costs of bringing ships into (Mrs. Ellman), who is the Chairman of the Transport harbour and that, given the increasing scale of shipping, Committee, referred to the report in which the Select the increases that we are talking about must be set in Committee dealt with the possibility of general lighthouse that wider context? authorities being able to diversify the work that they carry out to bring in extra income. The Minister should Mr. Leech: I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. bear that in mind when considering how the system is I agree that the issue needs to be considered in the funded in future. context of the overall costs for the shipping industry. 13WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 14WH

The shipping industry will obviously try to fight its savings in this financial year and about £30 million in corner as much as is humanly possible. That is reflected the period since the then Secretary of State committed in the letter sent by One Voice to the Secretary of State. to ending the subsidy back in 2004. Will the Minister Will the Minister accept that there is a danger that therefore give hon. Members a firm commitment on the increased charges could be more than offset by a when the subsidy will end and offer some crumbs of reduction in ships if the doomsday scenario set out by comfort to an industry that will face real hardship if the the shipping industry came to fruition? If that were the charges are introduced now, during the recession? Will case, would the Government intend simply to increase he also examine the viability of delaying increases in light dues again to offset the losses made as a result of light dues, at the very least until the economy shows ships not going to and from British ports? signs of recovery? Are these hikes in charges really acceptable during a recession? The loss of direct calls by deep-sea vessels 10.28 am would make UK trade more expensive, with cargoes attracting additional terminal handling charges at the Mr. Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): This has been transhipment ports. There would be a serious risk of a very interesting and thorough debate, with good points economic activity and jobs transferring to continental made in all parts of the Chamber. I particularly congratulate ports if that happened. At a time when hundreds of my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) thousands of British workers are losing their jobs, the on obtaining the debate and on taking a very long view industry is understandably concerned about the impact indeed on the issue. As the son of a distinguished that the proposals will have on jobs in the ports and international yachtsman, I was very taken with the shipping industry. quote from Sir Thomas Sutherland with which he ended his speech. It reminded me of the time when the Kaiser The Minister was able to announce a freeze in light caused an incident by turning up in London at very dues last year, before the recession took a grip, and that short notice off the boat train at Victoria. The embarrassed was on the back of a reduction the previous year. Does officials from Buckingham palace who met him told he really believe that the industry can sustain these big him that King Edward VII was on the Isle of Wight—my increases now, at a time when the economy is on its hon. Friend’s constituency—and he said: knees? I am thinking back to the comments by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside about the unprecedented “I suppose the man is boating with his grocer again.” economic difficulties that we face. Has the Minister When businesses face severe difficulties, there is a considered postponing the charges, at least for this year, particularly strong onus on Government to minimise to give the economy time to recover, or perhaps phasing potential additional costs. As a number of hon. Members, in the increases over a longer period? How does he react including my hon. Friend, have remarked, the shipping to the accusation by Martyn Pellew, group development industry has been particularly hard hit by the current director of Teesport operator PD Ports, who has accused economic turmoil. In January, Lloyd’s List reported the Government of trying to kill off the ports industry? that freight rates for containers shipped from Asia to One Voice has also claimed that increasing the number Europe had hit zero, with customers paying just bunker of chargeable voyages will reduce the competitiveness rates and terminal charges. The Baltic dry index, which of short-sea and coastal shipping, thereby increasing measures freight rates for bulk commodities, had fallen the risk of modal shift and more lorries on the road. by 96 per cent. Those were desperate times, and things What assessment has the Department for Transport has have picked up a little since then, but in mid-April made of the likely increase in lorry movements and the Lloyd’s List was still reporting that 10 per cent. of resultant impact on carbon emissions if that happened? global container ships were idle. Should we not be encouraging the use of short-sea and Shipping companies everywhere are busy analysing coastal shipping as a way of tackling climate change all aspects of their operations to reduce costs. Measures and cutting congestion on our roads? include service suspensions, slow steaming, service The Minister is likely to argue that the increased deviations, off-hiring chartered tonnage and lay-ups. charges, while unwanted, are necessary to bridge the Worst of all, many jobs are disappearing onshore and projected £21 million gap between the income and offshore. Last week, figures from Lloyd’s Maritime spending of the three lighthouse authorities. Nobody Intelligence Unit showed that 26 ships with capacity of can dispute that the money needs to come from somewhere, at least 6,000 20-ft equivalent units had not moved in through either efficiency savings or increased charges. the past 19 days. Sadly, Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd, The hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) is likely which is based in Kent, has gone to the wall. The to call for the merger of the three lighthouse bodies. company operated a fleet of 13 vessels and was engaged The Liberal Democrats would not currently support in the extremely ecologically sound process of coastal such a merger, and there is probably little to be gained shipping. It employed 90 people, but they have lost their in the way of savings by doing so, given that significant jobs. cost-cutting measures have been taken already in the The hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) past few years—a point made by the hon. Member for mentioned the fishing industry, and I know from Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon). constituents in Whitstable that it is struggling. Although However, it is clear that a large proportion of the DEFRA’s measures are welcome, they are only for the shortfall could be found if the Government delivered current year. on their commitment in 2004 to end the annual subsidy I have had discussions with several members of the of Ireland. One Voice calculates that it amounts to up independent light dues forum, the Chamber of Shipping to 75 per cent. of the projected deficit, and even the and One Voice. I have also met managers at Trinity Government, in a parliamentary answer on 27 January, House and I am looking forward to visiting their depot estimated more than £8 million being lost in potential in Harwich next week. None of us should doubt the 15WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 16WH

[Mr. Julian Brazier] ships out and moving its route to Rotterdam. Maersk is considering pulling five of its six container ships out of difficulty or the magnitude of the task facing Trinity their bases in Britain, and Grimaldi and APL are House and its two sister authorities. Britain is an island considering similar action. nation, and our sea lanes are our arteries. One of those Light dues are one part of an accumulation of measures arteries—the English channel—is the busiest shipping that the Government have recently introduced. lane in the world. The Minister kindly arranged for me to visit the Maritime and Coastguard Agency headquarters near Dover, and I saw the printout of the shipping Mr. Carmichael: If, when the hon. Gentleman concludes, movements that took place at just one moment in time. the Minister stands up and says, “Okay, these increases It was impossible not to be impressed. won’t happen. The pension fund costs and the operating I must make it absolutely clear that Trinity House, costs can all be met from my Department’s budget,” the Northern Lighthouse Board and the Irish organisations does the hon. Gentleman really think that these shipping do a first-class job. The Minister, the hon. Member for companies will not make the changes that he expects? Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) and other hon. Are they not perhaps operating in a wider economic Members are quite right when they say that nothing context? that we say or do should compromise the quality of the work that those organisations do. Nevertheless, as my Mr. Brazier: The hon. Gentleman puts a perfectly hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight made clear, reasonable question, but I tried to make it clear in the ships docking in the UK and the Republic of Ireland early part of my speech that the proposed increase is are paying light dues that apply in few other countries, one of a number of factors. I will list some more of including most other EU member states. them, which have nothing do with light dues, but which That brings me to the proposed increase in light dues. have worked in conjunction with them to drive COSCO’s Trinity House informs me that light dues are now decision to base one of its container ships at Rotterdam typically between 1 and 11 per cent. of total port rather than here. charges and that they will go up to between 1 and 15 per We have had the debacle over seafarers earnings cent. after the proposed increase. The planned rise deductions for those employed in part of the maritime ramps up fees from 35p to 41p per net registered tonne. sector. We have had the Government’s plans for For the largest vessels, the charge per call would rise by administered incentive pricing for spectrum frequencies, nearly two thirds to £20,000, and the overall annual cost which vessels are obliged by international agreement to would be even more if those vessels were frequent use for communication and navigational aids. Worst of callers at UK ports. For smaller regular traders, the all has been the destruction of businesses in many increase would be about 45 per cent. British ports because of the muddle over port rating. In the current climate, the UK ship industry—shipping That is why I firmly believe that the Government must lines and ports alike—sees light dues as an albatross prevent light dues from becoming yet another nail in around its neck. I meant what I said when I stated that the coffin of British ports. We must look at a more we must not compromise the quality of the work done imaginative way forward. by Trinity House, and there is no question of a future Conservative Administration expecting the taxpayer to It is to the credit of Trinity House and its sister pick up the bill for its work. However, we need to organisations that they have achieved a nearly 50 per understand what the proposals mean for the shipping cent. reduction in costs over the past decade. Now, industry. To take one example, Maersk has told me that however, they propose an 18 per cent. increase in costs it will face an additional bill of £3 million per annum. over the next four years. Despite the fact that the general lighthouse fund was tasked by the Department Light dues act as a cost multiplier. When shipping for Transport with finding efficiencies, it forecast a lines and ports are stripping out inefficiencies and costs, 17 per cent. increase, and it has now come up with a such a tax undermines UK competitiveness and retards slightly higher figure. the development of the UK’s short sea shipping market, as evidenced by the collapse of Coastal Bulk Shipping. Much of the debate has focused on the Irish position, Indeed, we risk losing stops at UK ports altogether. In and I have exchanged a series of letters with the Minister the era of the ro-ro and the channel tunnel, containers on the issue over the past 18 months. As far back as can simply be unloaded at Rotterdam or other major 2004, the Government pledged to end this absolute continental ports and put straight on to the back of a nonsense, which has seen us pay roughly two thirds of lorry. That is bad for British jobs in ports, it is bad for Irish costs, but get roughly 15 per cent. of the value. As the regions of our country and it is very bad for the has been said, most of the deficit is accounted for by that single factor. How can that be right? environment in terms of not only CO2 emissions, but congestion pressures on the M25 and some of the most The hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland referred crowded parts of our road system. There is also a longer to pensions, and the position is actually worse. I stand term threat to the City of London, as the world’s centre to be corrected, but I think that the last lighthouse of excellence on maritime issues, if large amounts of keepers to retire were all in Ireland, so a disproportionate trade shift from British ports. amount of the longest end of the pension fund will I will not repeat the eloquent quote that the hon. apply to the Irish side. The 2007-08 GLF accounts Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Leech) read recorded the pensions liability as follows: Trinity House, out from One Voice, which echoes concerns expressed £136 million; the Northern Lighthouse Board, £72 million; by the Chamber of Shipping and many individual lines. and the Commissioners of Irish Lights, £130 million. Instead, I want to look at some of the effects on the That is a total of £337 million, of which more than a industry. COSCO is pulling one of its big container third goes to Ireland. 17WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 18WH

The general lighthouse authority pension schemes tower, St. Catherine’s and the Needles, with another on are operated by analogy with the principal civil service the opposite side of the water at Hurst point. The pension scheme. That is a career-average, or final salary- general lighthouse authorities may be among our oldest based, non-funded, pay-as-you-go arrangement, although institutions that have an unbroken history. Trinity House the GLF does of course have assets, which cover a dates from 1514, but, as many hon. Members have portion of the liabilities. The GLA’s net pension expenditure mentioned, the authorities are not old-fashioned. The in 2007-08 was around £14 million. I hope that the 11 staff in their joint research and radio-navigation Minister, who has recently been to Ireland, will tell us department have a worldwide reputation. In the new today what steps he is taking, or, better still, give us a headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights I firm date for the stopping of the subsidy. In particular, recently saw their high standard of work and the control what will the small print say about Irish pension liabilities? room where one operator monitors and controls the Several hon. Members have referred to the fact that lighthouses around the coast of Ireland. Their performance there are three lighthouse authorities, and have considered regularly exceeds the highest international standards whether there would be benefits from amalgamating for all types of aids to navigation. them. Considerable savings have been achieved by working Paying for the GLAs is a contentious matter, and I together in several areas. However, how can there still fully understand the points that have been made by be six lighthouse authority employees who earn more many hon. Members. The general lighthouse fund was than the Minister? He is good value—a good man in a created in 1898 to replace a complex system whereby bad Government. Interestingly, five of the six are employed lights were provided by a mixture of the GLAs and on the Irish side. private operators. It pays for the GLAs in the United The chairman of the Transport Committee, the hon. Kingdom and the Irish Republic. The fund’s income is Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellman), made mainly from light dues paid by ships using ports in the an interesting point about more opportunities for UK and Ireland and from investment income. It contains commercial operations by the lighthouse authorities. £44 million of pension contributions from GLA employees, Trinity House generated more than £2 million last year, which is sacrosanct. We can use the investment income I believe, from other commercial sources. That income, to fund pensions and other liabilities, but we cannot use of course, goes into the GLF, and already helps, in a it for capital funding or operating costs. We must also small way, to reduce light dues. The hon. Lady discussed maintain a sensible reserve for operational expenditure the possible scope for expanding that approach, and I or unforeseen and uninsured costs. There may be an hope that the Minister will say something about it. argument for reviewing the present system of light dues and the general lighthouse fund because it has now As to the issue of capital expenditure, virtually every operated largely unchanged for more than 100 years. I private sector organisation in the country, and certainly am wary, however, of arguments that aids to navigation every one with an involvement in the maritime area, is and the GLAs are unnecessary for large modern ships, looking at ways of pushing capital spending to the because it is precisely for their benefit that the deep right. An independent review by C-MAR commissioned water channels have to be surveyed and marked, and by the Government and the three lighthouse authorities obstructions monitored and dealt with. concluded that the GLAs could manage with the residual fleet once Patricia is retired in 2012 but that, in order to In February we published our light dues consultation. provide operational flexibility and “surge capacity” for As many hon. Members have mentioned, for more than emergency response, another tender, similar to Pole 16 years light dues have not been increased. They have Star, should be acquired to replace Patricia. Has the been reduced on four separate occasions during that Minister considered the proposal? I am told that Patricia period. That has meant a decrease of over 40 per cent. is not especially old. Is a replacement really necessary in in real terms—an enviable achievement by the GLAs. the next three or four years? Is the decision driven by Few public or private bodies could claim to have equalled safety, or is it just following former practice? that. In April 2006 the light dues rate was cut by more than 10 per cent. in the knowledge that the new rate was No one should doubt the need for navigational aids, unsustainable in the long term but that it was possible or the difficulty of the task and the professional because of the relatively high level of the general lighthouse requirements of those who manage our sea lanes so fund, good investment returns and significant windfall well, but at a time of desperate economic difficulty for gains from asset sales. The reduction was made after shipping and our ports we have a strong duty to reduce consulting the Lights Advisory Committee, representing cost pressures wherever that can be done safely. Ways light dues payers, who said at the time that they would should be found of curbing light dues without support a necessary future rise in light dues rates. compromising safety, starting with Irish costs. As foreseen, an increase in light dues is now essential. What we did not foresee was that it would happen in a 10.43 am global recession, when investment income has virtually ceased and trade has reduced so that shipping companies The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport are laying up vessels, rationalising routes and concentrating (Jim Fitzpatrick): It is a pleasure to see you presiding on larger ships. Fund income is falling and we must act this morning, Mr. Olner, as other hon. Members have to ensure that the GLAs can maintain their safety mentioned. I congratulate the hon. Member for Isle of functions. I understand that the shipping industry has Wight (Mr. Turner) on securing this important debate. been hit hard; it has reacted quickly by making significant It has been a useful discussion. cuts. We have asked the GLAs to make cuts, to defer As well as the many aids to navigation that are non-essential expenditure and to look at further efficiencies. maintained by the various harbour authorities, Trinity They have made cuts of 5.6 per cent this year, but there House has no fewer than three important historic is not such a close correlation between trade and spending, lighthouses on or close to the Isle of Wight, at Nab in their case. Lighthouses must be lit, radio-navigation 19WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 20WH

[Jim Fitzpatrick] As I said, the Irish negotiations also raised the question of whether the present GLA structure is the best solution. signals broadcast, channels surveyed and buoys moved. There are good historical reasons for the position that We cannot avoid taking steps to maintain those safety- we now find ourselves in, and we must protect the critical functions, and all the hon. Members who have undoubted advantages that stem from the expertise and spoken accepted that. Expenditure deferred now may geographical knowledge to be found in each of the well result in greater costs in a year or two. We therefore GLAs, a point made by a number of colleagues. However, have a difficult balancing act to perform. We have I believe that we need to take a fundamental look at received 47 responses to the consultation, and I have how the lighthouse service is provided, and that view is held four meetings with the representatives of those shared by the Irish Minister. Without Irish co-operation, most affected. I am now looking very carefully at all the implementing change will be more difficult. I do not comments before announcing any decision. I hope to intend to destroy the good service that we have, but we do that within a few days. need to consider, in the 21st century, how it can be With three GLAs, and their integrated funding, we improved in order to achieve efficiencies that will deliver have a co-ordinated lighthouse service for the whole of a better service. the British Isles which is efficient and second to none in We are already working on some matters; for instance, the world. We are nevertheless in a difficult position there will be a full review of the combined GLA fleet of because since 1922 the fund has had to meet costs in ships and their management. We will be taking forward two sovereign states where income does not necessarily its recommendations with the GLAs. I will also be equate to expenditure in each country. Light dues collected making an announcement once we have finished our in the United Kingdom are being used, in part, to pay analysis of the current need for funding the GLAs. That for lights in the Irish Republic. A 1985 agreement will have implications for their work programme for the recognised that, so the Irish Government make an coming year. Inevitably, they will have to bear some additional contribution towards the costs. Both pain, but that cannot be at the expense of safety. That, Governments accept that the 1985 agreement should be in turn, will lead to the annual planning process for the changed. We have done more work and, as has been three GLAs. I expect that their corporate plans will be mentioned, I recently met the Irish Minster of Transport given particularly thorough scrutiny in the autumn by in Dublin to discuss the matter. I am pleased to say that the Government and the Lights Advisory Committee. we agreed a better formula for apportioning Irish costs I turn to points raised during the debate. The hon. on a north-south basis. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) spoke of fishing We also agreed on the need for an overall assessment vessels. Although smaller vessels tend to use port-provided of the provision of the integrated aids-to-navigation navigations aids, they certainly rely upon GLA-provided service to all regions of the UK and Ireland. An evaluation aids outside the port and harbour limits. I heard what is to be undertaken to consider all aspects of delivery, he had to say about DEFRA; it has given a commitment including continuing increases in efficiency, potential this year, but it is very much a matter for the Department structural improvements and the overall financing in future. However, I am sure that the Under-Secretary arrangements. We now have the basis for making real of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my progress. We will make every effort to reach an agreement hon. Friend the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies), that is more soundly based than the old one and one will read the report of this debate, because it impacts on that ensures a fair apportionment of funding. The Irish his area of responsibility. negotiations also raised the question of whether the I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for present GLA structure was the best. Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon). I am glad that he was provoked into making a contribution. He is highly Mr. Brazier: I am grateful to the Minister for regarded for his scientific and engineering expertise. We characteristically giving way. I wish to make two quick now know that he is also an award-winning writer. He points. First, will he tell us whether the subjects under made some telling points, and I am grateful to him for discussion included the pension arrangements, which that. form a large part of the picture? Secondly, he referred to The hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland the 1985 agreement. That was set against the background (Mr. Carmichael) risked provoking the legal authorities of the appalling difficulties in Northern Ireland. We in Scotland. He obviously recognises that some of us were desperately dependent upon southern Ireland at have escaped their jurisdiction, so we would not be that the time, so we had very little leverage. In the present worried about upsetting anyone if it led to an improved situation, however, we should be in a position to tell service. However, the matter will certainly be considered. another sovereign state that it should pay its way. I was asked whether we will be placing the outcome Jim Fitzpatrick: The hon. Gentleman makes a very of the Dublin talks in the Library. The answer is no: it is reasonable point. I have asked the simplistic question: not general practice to put notes on ministerial meetings can we turn off the lights? The answer is clearly no, as it in the Library. However, I have covered some of the would affect shipping going to the rest of the British points made there in my speech, and more will become isles, and not only that going to Ireland. We have an clear in due course. agreement with the Irish Government, and we need to The hon. Member for Manchester, Withington negotiate a way forward from that. We cannot simply (Mr. Leech) spoke of the threat by shipping companies say to the Irish that we no longer accept the arrangements. to decrease calls to UK ports by 60 per cent., going The discussions in Dublin nearly two weeks ago resulted instead to Europe. The Department has commissioned in a commitment to a ratio of 85:15 in payments for this a report from Raven Trading to review the impact of year; and we have a commitment to consider the 50:50 increases in light dues, and in due course the report will payments in the longer term. be placed on the Department’s website and in the Library. 21WH Light Dues2 JUNE 2009 Light Dues 22WH

Indications are that the argument that ships will switch Marine Navigation Bill. We, too, are disappointed that to continental ports because of the cost is not supported. parliamentary time could not be found for the Bill, but The hon. Gentleman also asked about support for we intend to bring it forward as soon as possible. short sea shipping. We have discussed the matter before, The hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr. Brazier) makes and I know that he realises that the Department offers the point that few other countries have light dues. Of freight facility grants to equalise the cost of coastal and the 54 major shipping nations, two thirds impose light short sea shipping to encourage a modal shift from road dues of some description. He asked about the Patricia, to water-borne transport. We are doing what we can the Trinity House flagship. It is also used for cadet support short sea shipping, both in the UK and Europe. training, as well as its role in maintaining buoys and lights. All those matters will be considered at the appropriate Mr. Brazier: I am most grateful to the Minister for time. The hon. Gentleman also said that light dues must giving way a second time. It is indeed true that his be seen in the context of other pressures on the shipping Department offers those grants, but will he tell us how industry. That point is entirely valid and fair, and we much has been paid in grants over the last few years? I will take account of representations from the industry believe that it is very little. in reaching a decision on light dues. We have spent much time talking to the industry over the past few Jim Fitzpatrick: The hon. Gentleman makes a good months to ensure that it realises that we want to hear point. I understand that there are three reasons for that. what it has to say. The Patricia dates from 1986, and a The first is the complicated nature of the application smaller, modern, cheaper and more flexible ship is procedure, and we are simplifying that. The second is recommended. We will be considering the implications people’s lack of familiarity with the grant, and we are in due course, with the review of the GLAs. trying to promote its availability. The third is European I am grateful to the hon. Member for Isle of Wight rules in respect of state aid. We have made strong for securing this debate. It is good to see him back in his representations in Europe, and have made some progress, place and at full strength, having had to battle with to ensure that short sea shipping receives more aid from serious illness. I know that many of us were concerned national and sovereign Governments, as we are not about him, but the fact that he is here this morning and alone in being frustrated in our attempts to promote leading this debate demonstrates that he is on good and support it. I accept entirely the criticism and concern form again. I welcome that, as I am sure do other that not enough is being paid out, and we are doing Members. what we can to promote the grant and change the position. I hope that I have done justice to the work of the My hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside GLAs. I trust, too, that I have given assurances that the (Mrs. Ellman) said that we need more urgency in respect Government are not complacent in managing the general of the Irish question. I hope that she accepts that my lighthouse fund and overseeing the lighthouse service. personal visit to Dublin indicates that we are taking the We will be announcing the outcome of our considerations matter seriously, and that we have made some progress. following the submissions to our consultation within a My hon. Friend said that the regional and local knowledge few days. I hope that the results will demonstrate that of GLAs is important, and that we must recognise the we have taken account of representations from all sides. economic difficulties of shipping. We appreciate the local knowledge of the GLAs; it is important, and we Mr. Bill Olner (in the Chair): May I say that I found will take account of the many representations that we that discussion absolutely enthralling, given that I do have received on that point before making our not have a lightship or a lighthouse in my inland midlands announcement. My hon. Friend also mentioned the constituency? 23WH 2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 24WH

Public Analysts Service nationally agreed guideline budgets for sampling and analysis or targets for risk-based sampling levels to support essential food control work. 11 am In the 19th century, there was a major problem with Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) (Lab): It is a food adulteration, which often led to death or ill health. pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this morning, From 1860 onwards, several Acts of Parliament aimed Mr. Olner, and I hope that you enjoy this debate too. at reducing or eliminating the problems and at improving There is certainly plenty of food in your constituency! nutrition. The first public analysts, originally employed Food security is high on the political agenda at the by private organisations, were appointed in 1860. Previously, moment. Population increases, and the consequent increases they had been deploying a range of analytical skills to in prosperity and demand for food and energy, pose a the products of the chemical industry, and they extended huge problem in a world faced with climate change and their skills, which were limited to examination by microscope global warming. However, we must not take our eye off and simple chemical tests, to measuring and identifying the safety of our increasingly global food supplies. A the various contaminants of food samples. succession of food scares before this Government came Large-scale food adulteration, whether deliberate or to power in 1997 led to the establishment, in 2000, of accidental, remains with us today. The presence of the Food Standards Agency, which is now the competent dioxin in pork and lamb of Irish origin is a recent authority for the implementation and monitoring of example. In 2008, Chinese milk distributors discovered food and feed law in this country. In practice, the FSA that they could water down their milk without altering delegates many of its responsibilities. European regulation the protein content analysed by a nitrogen assay by 882/2004 on food and feed controls requires adequate adding a chemical called melamine, of which there had laboratory provision for the testing of food and animal been a glut on the Chinese market. Consequently, its feedstuffs throughout its member states. price had dropped significantly. According to the World In this debate, however, I want to examine the role of Health Organisation, six children died and 50,000 people public analysts, who play a vital role in maintaining the became ill as a result of that adulteration. The factory safety of our food, and their relationship with the newly manager in China was, of course, sentenced to death. created FSA. Although food law is enforced by local Scientists have now devised new tests for the presence of authority trading standards and environmental health melamine in milk and foods containing milk, such as officers, the FSA monitors the performance of so-called chocolate. However, at the end of 2008, one large UK food authorities across the UK under the Food Safety port authority had to contact laboratories throughout Act 1990, which draws a distinction between “analysis”, the UK in order to find just one that could carry out, in which means chemical analysis, and “examination”, a timely manner, analysis for melamine in foodstuffs which means microbiological examination. The latter is imported from China. carried out, in England and Wales, by the Public Health The cost to UK industry, in 2003, of recalling the 600 Laboratory Service, which is funded by the Department different products containing Worcester sauce—not to of Health, and by public analysts in the case of food be confused with Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce— safety. In England and Wales, 460 food authorities, contaminated with the Sudan 1 red food dye in imported including 50 port authorities, also have responsibilities chilli powder was between £100 million and £200 million. under the Food Safety Act. Noteworthy is the fact that the contamination was Formal samples are divided into three parts: one for actually discovered in Italy, not Rochdale, where the the sampling officer, one for the food owner and another sauce is manufactured. for the food authority. The third part may be sent to the When food science became big business, public analysts laboratory of the Government chemist, which acts as a began aiding, as expert witnesses, the prosecution of referee in cases of dispute. Furthermore, the Agriculture offenders in court. In 1898, a new qualification was Act 1970 requires local authorities to appoint an agricultural introduced by the Royal Institute of Chemistry to examine analyst to control the composition, labelling, sampling the competence of our public analysts. The mastership and analysis of fertilisers and animal feedstuffs, including in chemical analysis—the MChemA—which has existed pet foods. In England and Wales, the food authorities in its present form since 2000, is today a professional that carry out food standards enforcement are generally qualification of the Royal Society of Chemistry. I must the same as those that carry out those fertiliser and declare an interest: I am a fellow of the RSC, a chartered animal feed duties. Public analysts are suitably qualified chemist and one of the RSC’s parliamentary advisers— to carry out duties under the Agriculture Act. unpaid, I hasten to add. The Institute of Food Science Food, of course, is big business. It is estimated to be and Technology regards the MChemA as the essential worth £150 billion annually, but only £8 million is spent and mandatory qualification for public analysts, as on ensuring food safety through routine sampling and does the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) food analysis. The average amount spent in England Regulations 1990. However, the FSA believes that this and Wales, excluding London, on food analysis by postgraduate qualification, and the difficulty of acquiring public analysts is 10p per person per year, but the figure it, is causing difficulties in the recruitment of public is as little as 2p per person in some areas and compares analysts, and the Government believe that the requirement very unfavourably with the rest of Europe. For example, for a food analyst is too restrictive under present EU the Republic of Ireland spends 46p per person per legislation. annum. On average, one in five food samples tested On 11 February, in a letter to the hon. Member for attracts an adverse report owing to labelling or West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith), compositional faults. However, there is no centrally my right hon. Friend the Minister, who I am very co-ordinated, strategic direction or funding of the UK’s pleased to see in the ministerial chair this morning, official food control laboratories, and there are no wrote: 25WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 26WH

“The proposed changes to The Food Safety (Sampling and of contaminated land, dust samples, samples that might Qualifications) Regulations 1990 will enable suitably qualified contain asbestos and so on. Their list of duties is people to become official food analysts. This will help address the endless. decline in the current number of existing analysts and ensure that the capacity and skills for analysis of food is maintained and The Hampton report on the regulation of businesses enhanced. This will widen the market for analytical services, published in 2005 did not help. It said that because the increasing capacity and providing improved access to a broader standard of food was then very high, inspection and base of analytical services to ensure sufficient levels of control sampling of food premises should be reduced and resources and consumer protection”. more focused. Such recommendations were welcomed That is a worrying statement and suggests an end to by the FSA and incorporated in the national control the highly professional and highly trained public analysts plan. That was despite the fact that the majority of as we have known them since 1860. It also indicates the criminal breaches of food law are detectable only by possibility of more privatisation of the food analysis analysis. service. Will the Minister say whence these proposals In the past 10 years, local authorities’ expenditure on have come, how much consultation there has been, how their public analysts services has decreased from £12 million highly trained she expects analysts to be in the future to £8 million. Ironically, we are spending progressively and whether they will be adequately trained to represent less on checking the safety of foods at the very time themselves in the courts of law? when national health service costs are rising as a result By contrast, the Association of Public Analysts believes of food-induced disease, caused, for example, by energy- that the MChemA and its holders demonstrate unique dense foods that lead to gross obesity. competencies in the application of analytical chemistry in the ever-changing context of food law and, more In the 2007-08 annual report, the chief scientist at the importantly, that they are able to present their findings FSA flagged up the fact that the incidence of certain in criminal courts. Furthermore, removing the need for types of food-borne illness appears to be rising at the this qualification and allowing official samples to be moment. It is clear to me that there is a tension between sent to other types of laboratory will not prevent the the newly created FSA, which has a responsibility to continued decline in food sampling and analysis. ensure that there are sufficient scientific resources to provide public analytical laboratory services in the UK Sadly, over the past 50 years, financial constraints but with limited funds, and the local authorities, which imposed on local authorities, which hold responsibility have a statutory duty to appoint public analysts, but for the majority of services, including maintenance of which do not have a duty to provide those expensive the ever more costly laboratory services, have led to laboratory facilities. such a decline in services that only 38 officially appointed public analysts are employed across the United Kingdom. Only two years ago, the Association of Public Analysts In the past 15 years alone, the number of public analysts raised concerns with the FSA about the sustainability has been reduced by almost 50 per cent. Another problem of its services. As a result, a review group was set up. As is that 27 of the remaining public analysts are over the of today, we have heard no outcome from that review. I age of 50, and the omens are not good for recruitment. ask my right hon. Friend when the review group might The lack of a career pathway in the public analysts report. Stakeholders from enforcement and consumer service may lead to the loss of the MChemA, the groups are concerned that while this delay goes on, the professional qualification organised by the RSC. service is disintegrating almost to a point of no return. The RSC has also been concerned about regional variations In 1959, 150 public analysts worked out of in food sampling and analysis. It has written without 45 laboratories. In 1997, there were 32 laboratories. success to the FSA to suggest that minimum standards Today, only 21 laboratories remain and five of those should be set for local authorities for carrying out their form part of one private sector organisation. The remaining food sampling duties. laboratories suffer from a lack of investment, and it is inevitable that more will close in the near future. Some The amount spent by the food and drink industry on of the instruments that have to be provided for the advertising and promoting its products rose by 19 per public analysts service today are extremely expensive cent. between 2003 and 2007, from £704 million to indeed. £838 million. A 1 per cent. tax on the 2007 figure would The most recent closure was a private sector facility raise £8.38 million, which could be used to support the in Birkenhead, with the redundancy of two public analysts. cost of running public analysis laboratories. There is Also, recently, Aberdeen city council has agonised over central funding for regional laboratory networks for the the potential closure of its laboratory, but has decided, Health Protection Agency, which is the arm of the at least for the time being, to keep it open. Department of Health that carries out microbiological testing, for the Environment Agency, which carries out The public analysts service has reached a point of environmental protection work, and for the Forensic crisis. Of concern is the fact that between 2003-04 and Science Service. Why is there not also central funding 2006-07, local authorities’ sampling activity fell by 16 per for the important area of food sampling and analysis? cent. across the UK as a whole. Some local authorities carried out no sampling in some of the years. The I conclude my contribution with the following joint laboratories are headed by professional chemists, who remarks of the councils of the RSC and the then deal inter alia with not only food but issues relating to Society of Public Analysts and Other Analytical Chemists: fraud, industrial safety, water sampling, contamination “The duties of the Public Analyst are daily increasing in of public water supplies following flash flooding and complexity and difficulty. Higher qualifications than formerly are the testing of consumer products referred to them by required of him, owing not only to the general advance in science trading standards officers. They test garden chemicals, as applied to the analysis of food, but also the exacting character poisons under the Poisons Act 1972, cosmetics, samples of the numerous regulations of government departments concerned”. 27WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 28WH

[Dr. Brian Iddon] in supermarkets. If that is not a good enough reason to have a public analysts service, I do not know what is. We Those remarks, which are true today, were made in must protect our food supplies, particularly for our 1923. I look forward to hearing what other right hon. children. and hon. Members have to say, and in particular to my Although it relates to microbiological analysis, another right hon. Friend the Minister’s reply. example is E. coli 0157 food poisoning. I remember the outbreak of E. coli 0157 in Scotland over 10 years ago 11.17 am and the report of Professor Pennington. I was lucky enough to chair a meeting in this very room which he Mr. Eric Illsley (Barnsley, Central) (Lab): May I addressed with his findings about E. coli 0157. People congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, think that it causes food poisoning or an upset tummy, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on securing this important debate but many people were killed in that outbreak, including and on his dedication not only to the public analysts several children, and many individuals became severely service and all issues relating to chemistry and science? ill. E. coli 0157 attacks and disables the kidneys. Many He is a great champion for those issues. people required kidney transplants as a result of that I agree with everything my hon. Friend said and I outbreak, such is the seriousness of that strain of E. coli. should like to echo and concur with much of the My hon. Friend mentioned that Aberdeen is agonising information that he has provided—I do not intend my over whether to maintain its laboratory. Aberdeen Royal contribution to be too long. I thank Duncan Campbell infirmary probably had the longest list for kidney of the West Yorkshire Joint Services, which has a public transplants in the UK because Scotland was the major health laboratory in Morley, and Alan Richards, president country in the world for outbreaks of E. coli 0157. This of the Association Of Public Analysts, for the information is such a serious issue and it was on our doorstep. I well that they provided to assist me with my contribution to recall that presentation by Professor Pennington, so my the debate. message to Aberdeen is to retain as many laboratories I mention Duncan Campbell because I was lucky as it can. enough to visit the WYJS public health laboratory, My hon. Friend mentioned the funding issue and the which is just outside Leeds, a few months ago. I visited price per head paid by local authorities on sampling because it is the public health laboratory for my local and testing for public analysis. I will not continue down authority. It is approximately 20 miles away, which is an that route, but say simply that laboratories are having to example of the disconnect between local authorities increase their incomes by diversifying into other areas. and the laboratories that are available for them to use The laboratories that carry out public analysis on behalf that my hon. Friend touched on. Local authorities are of local authorities and Government rely on the commercial obliged simply to appoint a public health analyst or funding from analysis for private sector organisations, public health laboratory; they are not required to maintain and there is an argument that they should be completely or keep one, or to have one within their area. publicly funded. My hon. Friend has already pointed out that the FSA has responsibilities for food analysis in this country, yet Dr. Iddon: Does my hon. Friend agree that the much of the responsibility is delegated to the local privatisation of more of the service might lead to a authorities. It is clear that the role of the public analyst clash of interests because private laboratories could and the public health laboratory is falling between the also act for the food industry? two. Taken to a logical conclusion, if we allow the closures to continue at their present rate, we could have Mr. Illsley: My hon. Friend is right that there could a situation in which the 400 or so local authorities in be a clash of interests with the food industry. I was this country are looking around for public health going to come to that. The food industry in this country laboratories to appoint but find that there are none left, is worth £150 billion a year. It is a major industry in our because nobody has a requirement to maintain them. society. My hon. Friend said that 38 analysts are currently My hon. Friend made the argument very well for employed. The figure I had was 41, but we will not central funding for food testing, in line with other areas. argue about that. In 1994, there were about 70, and in As he pointed out, in this day and age there is an 1955—some 50-odd years ago—there were 150. New increasing requirement for chemical analysis of foodstuffs. technology and methods of chemical analysis have He mentioned the Sudan 1 contamination of Worcester improved, but in the 1950s, there were no freezers, and sauce, which led to a cost of £200 million to industry in we were not aware of any E numbers, additives or recalling foodstuffs contaminated with that colouring. colourings, so all our food was provided fresh. In this Such was the concern that, as a safety measure, day and age, there is a whole range of foodstuffs that supermarkets took from their shelves practically everything simply were not about in the 1950s. We had more that contained any form of red colouring. Products are analysts then, but we need more now because of the adulterated. We have all heard about the trick—one plethora of different foodstuffs that we argue about day from days gone by—of injecting water into certain in, day out. The commercial clout of the food industry products to increase their weight. There is the example has to be borne in mind, and there has to be an of melamine in Chinese milk. independent analytical service that does not depend on A few years ago, I was concerned to hear about the commercial interests simply to stay in being. The service amount of contaminated meat that was condemned not only should, but must, be publicly funded; we have and then recycled into our system—often into our to have it. schools—by the criminal fraternity making money from Even now, this country and the European Union selling cheap meat. My hon. Friend mentioned that. As cannot agree on labelling for foodstuffs. We talk about I recall, some meat that had been condemned was found the traffic light system and whether we should have 29WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 30WH labels showing the salt and fat content. The consumer is again today, reminding us of the importance of a scientific usually pretty baffled by all this, simply because the service—the public analysts service, on this occasion—and industry will not agree on some of these issues. There is rightly drawing it to our attention because it is in a need for proper analysis of our foodstuffs so that serious danger of being overlooked to death. He is right consumers can know exactly what they are eating, and to draw attention to its parlous state and to ask us to especially so that we can know what we are giving to take action to try to prevent disaster in the future. our children. Obesity is an issue, as my hon. Friend has My hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, Central mentioned, as is the fact that we are eating different mentioned Duncan Campbell of the West Yorkshire foods, which contain more sugar and fat, from those analytical services. In preparing for this debate, I came that we were eating in the 1950s and 1960s. across an article that he wrote for the New Scientist on I echo what my hon. Friend said about the FSA 15 November 2008 called “Fears for food” in which he wanting to reduce the qualification required for public states: analysts from a mastership in chemical analysis to a “The few of us that remain are very busy, but I’m not sure for lesser qualification. Why is that when we are faced with how much longer. Every year the local authorities that take a situation like this, we think that instead of training samples for enforcement purposes spend less on having food more people, we will dumb down the qualification a analysed.” little? If we are short of teachers, should we reduce the That is a description of a worrying situation from an teaching qualification and bring in untrained teaching individual analyst, but I have read a briefing provided assistants? We probably do that to some extent, but we for us by the Association of Public Analysts which should not. We should train more people and keep the states that that is the situation across what remains of qualification, especially given what the analysts are the service. It is a very worrying briefing. dealing with day in and day out—with Sudan 1 and I was not prepared to speak on the basis of just one melamine. My hon. Friend is a trained chemist and I briefing and so did further research. One of the surviving am not. I have no idea what melamine would look or analysts laboratories is in Stafford, in my constituency. I taste like, and neither would the average guy in the visited it and met the staff and senior management street. Highly trained individuals are required for that there. Again, from my own investigations and discussions, work, and I urge the Government not to allow the FSA I can confirm that there is a worrying situation that to start dumbing down the profession. needs to be addressed. As I have mentioned, the funding from the FSA is The briefing from the APA states: delegated to local authorities. My hon. Friend has “The uncontrolled and potentially terminal decline in the mentioned a 1 per cent. levy on the food industry for Public Analyst Service is not being addressed adequately.” food advertising, and I agree fully with that proposal, What we need to do today is to insist that it is addressed because it is a huge industry that makes a lot of money. adequately, and that steps are taken to reverse the When there is a mistake or problem, as with Sudan 1, it decline. costs the industry a lot of money with recalls and the drop in sales when products are found to be contaminated, Basically, we need this vital public service now more so it would be worth the industry’s while to be secure in than ever, for the reasons that my hon. Friend the the knowledge that we had a public analysts system that Member for Barnsley, Central made clear earlier. However, was funded by that levy. I understand that the levy as my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East would raise only £8.5 million, but that would be all the said, services are not organised in a strategic way. The money needed to provide a good, independent public Food Standards Agency is the competent authority for analysts service, so I echo my hon. Friend’s call for that. implementing food safety laws, but local authorities We must ensure that we have the laboratories when we have responsibility for appointing public analysts. Beyond need them, such as when an outbreak occurs, because that, apparently no one has the legal duty actually to we will continue to have outbreaks and scandals such as provide a service. That is a worrying situation. The that with Chinese melamine. upshot is that there are now just 41 qualified practising public analysts employed in 21 laboratories throughout I shall conclude now, but I repeat that I agree entirely the entire United Kingdom. with what my hon. Friend has said, and I congratulate him on securing the debate. I sincerely hope that the Let us take the example of the danger from food Government will consider altering the structure of our poisoning, which is one of the serious public health public analysts service and will ensure that we still have problems that we face and which the service works to one in another 20 years’ time. protect us from. Food poisoning is believed to be widely under-reported to general practitioners in this country. It is estimated that in 2007 there were 850,000 UK cases 11.29 am of food poisoning, resulting in more than 19,500 Mr. David Kidney (Stafford) (Lab): Like my hon. hospitalisations and more than 500 deaths. This is a Friend the Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley), I matter of major public concern. congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, The main hazards in food processes come from South-East (Dr. Iddon) on securing this debate. Broadly, contamination; for example, bacteria that cause disease. I would also like to congratulate him on all the work The vulnerable groups who are most at risk from food that he does in this place in advocating on behalf of poisoning are the elderly, the sick, babies, young children scientists and scientific services in this country. Over and pregnant women. My hon. Friend the Member for many years, he has fought for their cause and pointed Barnsley, Central mentioned that the UK’s largest outbreak out how valuable they are to our society. He has played of E. coli 0157, in Scotland in 1996, resulted in the a part in trying to recruit more of our youngsters to a deaths of 17 elderly people. Another major outbreak of career in science and has highlighted the importance the same pathogen in Wales in 2005 led to the death of a and value to our society of scientific services. Here he is school child. 31WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 32WH

[Mr. David Kidney] additional work and attract new contract work to maintain a sufficient critical mass of work to keep the laboratories The FSA is the Government Agency set up to protect in Leicestershire and Staffordshire going. Such a strategy public health and consumer interests in respect of food, has been successful so far. but although policy responsibility for food hygiene rests For the purpose of this debate, I spoke again to the with the Government and the FSA as its agency, leaders of the service in Staffordshire, and they told me enforcement is primarily at local level by local authorities. that they remain of the view—despite all that they have In 2007, the Rogers review set national enforcement done—that without the FSA taking a strategic position priorities for local authority regulatory services. It identified to drive up the future level of food sampling and hygiene of businesses as one of the top five enforcement examination across the country, the service will continue priorities for local authorities and gave two reasons for to decline, leading to a complete breakdown of the that: the high impact on public health and the potential service in the foreseeable future. That is a very serious losses to the economy if things go wrong. warning from my own local authority about the catastrophe However, because of the situation described by my that will take place in the future if we do not act. I say to hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East, we see the Minister that we need a better, stronger national inconsistencies in levels of enforcement by local authorities. strategy that provides firm links between the policy, its For example, in 2006-07, fewer than half of all local implementation and its enforcement. Perhaps we could authorities—about 46 per cent.—achieved all their high-risk have a regional structure for properly resourced, planned inspections. When we consider how much they independent laboratory services and a realistic amount spend on their inspections and sampling, we find that of inspection and sampling at the local level. the average spend per local authority is about 10p per Finally, I say to the Minister, do not allow the service head of population in a year, but some are as low as 2p, to decline any further. Do not run the risk of it becoming which demonstrates how poor it can be. As my hon. the Achilles heel of the UK’s very valuable food sector Friend said, some local authorities carry out no samplings and our vital national interests of food security and in an entire year. In 2007-08, for example, eight English safety. local authorities did not carry out a single test. I have mentioned food poisoning, but challenges are 11.39 am also presented by food fraud and misleading labels. According to the consumer group Which?, food fraud Norman Lamb (North Norfolk) (LD): I join in in the UK is estimated to be about 10 per cent. of the congratulating the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East total sale of food product—or £7 billion-worth of food (Dr. Iddon) on securing this debate. The great value of products a year. such a debate is that it sheds light on an area of policy and practice that all too often gets ignored at a national When Channel 4’s “Dispatches” investigated food level. It forces all of us to focus for a while on something labelling, it found that misleading claims over salt and that is clearly not in a fit condition and that needs a fat content were widespread. One test of six chocolate thorough reassessment by Government. It is important puddings—I will not embarrass the supermarket that that the hon. Gentleman secured this debate and I sold them—showed that they contained, on average, congratulate him on it. I also join in the thanks to 45 per cent. more fat than was stated on the label. One Duncan Campbell, who has clearly been very busy sample exceeded the amount quoted on the label by briefing hon. Members for this debate. He is the vice- 64 per cent. From another supermarket, six samples of president of the Association of Public Analysts and his a chicken curry ready meal were found to be much passion for, and the central importance of, his work is fattier than the shoppers were led to believe. One had a clear. third more fat, another had 91 per cent. more fat than the label stipulated. As the hon. Members for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) and for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) pointed out, we are Therefore, whether it is food safety, healthy eating talking about threats to life as a result of a range of and tackling obesity or protecting lawful businesses constantly present food scares. The main purpose of my from unfair competition, the public analysts service is contribution is to call for the Government to undertake vital to UK national interests. Yet the sampling activity a thorough reassessment of the current statutory framework by local authorities across the UK has fallen sharply and of the way in which the service is provided across and continues to do so. Those involved in the service the country, so that we ensure that it is fit for purpose can only see the decline continuing into the future. In and that it meets the risks and threats on which other recent times, the service has responded positively, which hon. Members have commented. As part of that has been a crucial element in our defence against recent reassessment, it would be worth while for the Minister food scares, such as the melamine in milk products of to agree to meet representatives of the APA, perhaps Chinese origin and the dioxin in pork and beef from with an all-party delegation, to continue the discussion Ireland. The association’s briefing warns us—the that has been initiated in this valuable debate. I would parliamentarians here—that the service at its current be extremely grateful if the Minister responded to that levels of staffing and equipment would struggle to react request. appropriately to any major new food scare in the future. I should like briefly to touch on the existing legal That is a very sobering warning for us to take notice of framework. The FSA, which was established under the in this debate today. Food Standards Act 1999, has a legal responsibility to In Staffordshire, we have seen this pressure coming carry out its functions for years. The response has been proactively to get away “to protect public health from risks which may arise in connection from the terminal decline. We have formed a formal with the consumption of food (including risks caused by the way partnership with a service in Leicestershire, which has in which it is produced or supplied) and otherwise to protect the enabled us to stabilise, cut overheads and costs, take interests of consumers in relation to food”. 33WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 34WH

That is the FSA’s legal function and duty. However, as often in quite impoverished communities. However, if other hon. Members have said, the responsibility for the analysts are not there, the work is not done, and the carrying out those functions is delegated to local authorities. effects will be seen in public health. The FSA therefore has the legal duty and responsibility, Duncan Campbell also talked about looking at food but not the means by which to ensure that they meet it. colourings in Indian takeaways. He said that the colouring Responsibility is delegated to local authorities in two added to chicken tikka takeaways can have a massive ways. When there is a two-tier structure, district councils effect on hyperactivity in children. Again, that is an are responsible through their environmental health important public health issue, and he and his colleagues departments for food safety. I am familiar with that are working on it. policy because in a former life, I was a solicitor for a As other contributors to the debate have said, the local authority and I prosecuted food hygiene cases—there decline in the service has been under way for a considerable were some wonderful cases—including one in which an time. There have been problems with recruitment, and Indian restaurant was charged with using a cricket bat there was the threat to the laboratory in Aberdeen. The to stir the curry. Anyone involved in the service will number of public analysts is down to 38 across the know of horrific examples of breaches of the most country, and their age profile is also an issue. The hon. basic food hygiene standards, and I pay tribute to the Member for Bolton, South-East talked about a point of work of those professionals. From my experience—I crisis, with sampling activity down by 16 per cent. worked for Norwich city council—I can say that they across the country and several local authorities undertaking are a highly dedicated group who provided an independent no sampling work at all. service for the safety of the public in the city. As I understand it from Duncan Campbell, samples that are What do we do about this? I have no ready prescriptions acquired through district councils’ work are sent to the to offer. Like other speakers, I am conscious of the Health Protection Agency laboratories at no cost to the fact that the food industry’s value in the UK is enormous— district council, so there is no constraint on ensuring £150 billion—and that a remarkably small amount is that sufficient sampling is undertaken to protect the spent on food safety and independent analysis. One public. option that has been suggested is a 1 per cent. levy on food advertising. Another is to ensure that public funds Separate from the work of environmental health are made available from taxation for this vital work. departments is the work undertaken by county councils Whatever conclusion is reached, we can all agree that in two-tier structures or by unitary authorities, which this work must be protected. involves food standards, labelling, contamination and so forth. Where such bodies require sampling to be I conclude, therefore, by repeating my plea for a done, they have to pay the public analysts to do it, and thorough audit of what is happening around the country, therein lies the problem. With local authorities under where, as we have discovered today, enormous and increasing financial constraints, the temptation is to unjustified variations in practice exist. Once that audit reduce the amount of sampling, as the hon. Member has been completed, we need a thorough reassessment for Bolton, South-East graphically demonstrated. The of the statutory framework, and of this arbitrary divide horror is that many local authorities undertake literally between district and county councils and between the no sampling, with public safety and valuable sampling work done by public laboratories at no cost to local work subject to a postcode lottery and dependent on authorities and that which incurs a charge and therefore whether local authorities have the necessary financial places a constraint on financially hard-pressed local capacity or political interest. authorities. That arbitrary divide is open to question Superficially, this is an easy area in which to make and must form part of a thorough reassessment to cuts if a local authority is under pressure. The crisis protect both the food analysts service and the public comes when there is a massive challenge to food hygiene with regard to the food that they eat. and food safety, but then it is too late. The headlines in the national press will ask “Where are the analysts?”, and the answer will be that they have all gone because of 11.50 am financial cutbacks. This debate is therefore important Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): It is a because it gives us the chance to highlight a decline that pleasure to respond to this very important debate on has been under way for a considerable time and which behalf of Her Majesty’s Opposition, and I congratulate must surely now be addressed. the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) Public analysts undertake vital work, and we have on securing it. Clearly he is an expert in this field. I also heard about the scare about melamine in milk from congratulate the Association of Public Analysts on China, but when we talk to someone such as Duncan briefing nearly everyone in the Chamber—apart from Campbell, we hear about the other, more proactive me! I shall not take it personally, however; it made me work that analysts undertake. Diet is a big issue, and the do a little more homework last night. FSA is doing important work on reducing the salt I did not have to dig too far into my memory bank to content of food. It is also looking at other ingredients in remember working with public analysts, not least around food to ensure that our diet improves, particularly to December 2005, following the Buncefield explosions—there address the growing crisis of obesity that exists in the were three of them—in my constituency, which severely whole of the western world. contaminated my constituency, especially the public Duncan Campbell talked to me about the work that drinking water. Furthermore, as a former firefighter—back he and his colleagues were doing with bakers in their in very different times—I remember how, when damping area—in Barnsley, I think—to reduce the salt content down and finishing off, very often guys in different sorts of bread. That is good, proactive, local work, which is of hard hats would come in and take samples, especially making a real difference to the diets of people who are if there were problems related to asbestos or lead poisoning. 35WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 36WH

[Mike Penning] The hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) said that we should have an immediate review. I tend to I pay tribute to the work done by the analysts. When I agree until I consider the fact that Alan Turner, OBE, started looking into the reasons for this debate, I was conducted a review of the service 10 years ago. Mr. Turner surprised by the decline or crisis, referred to earlier, in made a series of recommendations to the Government, the skills that these scientists bring to the public sector. I none of which has been implemented. Two years ago, had to delve quite deeply into the reasons for this the Food Standards Agency started a review at the current situation. We heard from other hon. Members request, I think, of the Association of Public Analysts. about the work that analysts do, but we must indicate Where is it? Can the Minister tell us when it is likely to that this is not just about food, although clearly, as be published? It is very important that it is published as others have said, their work with food is vital, given that soon as possible, before we get into a situation of food is becoming ever more complicated and prepared terminal decline and we do not physically have anything food ever more common—people seem to have a taste to review. I am thinking of what will happen if the for it, which is why the supermarkets and producers are decline carries on at its present speed and there is more selling and making more of it. delay in publishing the review. Whether or not the The hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) referred Government accept the review when it is published—it to two supermarkets whose products were tested; it was is being done at arm’s length, by the Food Standards frightening to discover how much what was in them Agency—it is important that the country knows, and differed from what the packaging said. Well, I am not the scientists know, exactly what the Government’s position frightened to name them: the pies were from Waitrose is with regard to how we are moving forward. and the second supermarket was Sainsbury’s. I do not [DAVID TAYLOR in the Chair] want anyone thinking that these were tiny companies or It is also very important that the public have confidence small back-shop organisations; these are major companies that the Government understand what is occurring, and that produce and retail their own products. It is important, have confidence in their services locally.The most disturbing not to name and shame them, but that the public do not thing that I have heard this morning is the extent of the think that only small companies are likely to do these postcode lottery. People in one part of the country sorts of things. could be relatively safe with regard to what they are Analysts have other duties, however. I alluded to their eating, consuming, breathing or drinking, but in other work in testing public water supplies and testing for parts of the country people may not be. I do not want to asbestos, but they also test other things that we use on a scare anyone—I do not want to scaremonger at all—but day-to-day basis, such as local swimming pools, lead it is crucial that in the 21st century the public have full fumes, industrial insolvents, children’s toys for lead confidence that the Government of the day are protecting content, household and industrial cleaning materials them. That is the duty; it is what the legislation was put and—believe it or not—even pet food. They regularly in place for, and it is imperative that it is being done. test not just food, but many different things in our I am not being critical of the Food Standards Agency environment—or at least I thought that they were being behind its back—the agency knows that I have spoken tested regularly, until this debate, but it is now clear that to it before—in saying that I think it needs to concentrate there is a postcode lottery with regard to the availability on its core activities. It has only a limited capacity and a of analysts in specific areas, and clearly in some areas limited number of things that it can physically do. they are not available at all. How does that fall within Therefore, the message that I have given the agency the legislation? If some areas are not testing at all, how privately and which I am giving it publicly today is this: are they fulfilling their requirements under the legislation, please concentrate on your core activity, which is the or are we turning a blind eye? public safety of food, so that the public can have In addition, why has the decision been made to confidence in that. I know that the agency would love to downgrade the qualification required for those scientists? do many other things; it would love to tinker with other The service was set up so that they would be highly things and put its fingers in lots of different pies. qualified scientists, with a master’s degree. I am not a However, I ask it to come back to its core activity. Its scientist, but I understand that that is where we are. job is to protect the public. That is the job of the They are scientists who wanted to specialise in this field. Government as well. I would be very interested to know I wonder whether the decision has to do with the how we got into the current position, when the review shortage of scientists not just in this area, but across the will be published and whether the Government are board. I declare an interest. My daughter is doing a likely to implement in the near future the recommendations science degree, and I cannot believe the interest that she that were made to them 10 years ago. has had from different organisations around the country and abroad simply because she is doing a science degree. 11.59 am She is very flattered, but I have to ask why we are so The Minister of State, Department of Health (Dawn desperate for scientists in a country that has a history of Primarolo): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member producing some of the greatest scientists in the world. for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on securing the Perhaps the Minister will address the issue of why we debate. He is very knowledgeable about the subject. He have such a problem with regard to scientists. appreciates the complexity and range of the issues The decline in the number of analysts is happening involved in protecting the public. He understands which today. When I put my speech together earlier on, I issues fall into the remit of the Health Protection Agency, understood that we had 41; by the time I had walked environmental health, local authorities or food protection. into the room and sat down, we had 38. I am not I agree with him about the importance of the work of nit-picking about the numbers, but we obviously have a public analysts in protecting consumers and preserving crisis, which the Minister needs to address. public health. The FSA is addressing that with the 37WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 38WH future career structures and qualifications for the service. shares evidence. That reduces duplication between councils. I will come back to that because he raised a number of As my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) questions on that, as did my other hon. Friends. described with reference to his constituency, that has led in some areas to an amalgamation of laboratories to Dr. Iddon: Will my right hon. Friend give way? give critical mass and make it possible to take the work forward. Dawn Primarolo: I will, but I have hardly started. Mr. Kidney: Does my right hon. Friend accept the Dr. Iddon: Will my right hon. Friend assure me that statistic that some local authorities carried out no sampling the Royal Society of Chemistry, which is responsible for at all in an entire year, and is she prepared to say that validating the MChemA, will be consulted? My that means there was no risk in those areas? understanding is that, as of today, it has not been consulted. Dawn Primarolo: I am saying that with the mechanism for areas to share information—my hon. Friend gave Dawn Primarolo: I give my hon. Friend an absolute examples about the combination of authorities— assurance on that. If he will allow me, I will deliver my information can be shared for the purpose of prevention. speech in two parts. I will first discuss the importance of I do not underestimate the importance of sampling, but public analysis and the work that is going on, look I am trying to describe a system of information-sharing forward to what else the service could do and consider and an approach that ensures information is shared. the types of qualifications we would need. The second half will deal specifically with the role of the pre-eminent Mr. Illsley: Will the Minister give way? qualification, which will remain pre-eminent, and the consultation that needs to take place. I will also pick up Mike Penning: Will the Minister give way? on comments made by other hon. Members. As has been mentioned, there are currently about Dawn Primarolo: May I just finish my point, as I 900,000 cases a year of food-borne disease in the UK. want to make sure that I answer the important points Every year, about 500 people die because of what they that were raised about how to take things forward? have eaten. As my hon. Friend said, new challenges over There are still misunderstandings about what is intended, food safety have developed over the past few decades. and I want to put those to rest so that we can proceed As production methods, supply chains and food with exactly the type of agenda that my hon. Friend set technologies have evolved, the response required has out. become much more complex. The approaches needed to reduce health risks from contamination or adulteration Mr. Illsley: My right hon. Friend referred to a national and to protect consumers are becoming increasingly sampling programme, and what she said is an argument specialised. We must ensure that the claims made by for a national system, in which the work is taken away food producers are subject to robust scientific scrutiny. from the local authorities and given to a national body, The contributions of all hon. Members have focused on which would co-ordinate sampling throughout the country. how we can take that forward and ensure that it continues. As my hon. Friend mentioned, European law states Dawn Primarolo: That may be so, but under the that the FSA must designate official control laboratories current law local authorities have dealt with the matter, to carry out analysis of official control samples. It is and they want to keep the power. The analysts are not true that we have seen a significant reduction in laboratory public sector analysts—I believe there are four or five numbers since the mid-1950s. It is also true that the and the rest are in the private sector. They are independent volume of work commissioned by local authorities has of those requesting the sample and those for whom the fallen considerably.The FSA has investigated and continues sampling is done. There are important reasons for that to investigate those matters. It advises me that the independence, and we need to think carefully about current level of laboratory provision is adequate. I think how it works. As to their future role, I want to give my hon. Friend will agree with the caveat that comparing examples in a moment of additional qualifications that the services of the 1950s and today is not comparing might be suitable; that may offer a way forward. As well like with like. There are several reasons for that because as boosting efficiency, the organisation, through the the service has evolved in recent years. co-ordination of local authorities, can reduce work First and foremost, the UK has moved from a scatter-gun load. approach to sampling to a more targeted and risk-based approach. As my hon. Friend is aware, in the past local Mike Penning: The Minister is being generous in authorities traditionally operated independently of each giving way. other. They selected a shopping basket of products for I accept that we do not want duplication, and that, if sampling based on local concerns. That meant that a manufacturer is producing something that will go to authorities in adjoining areas could have run tests on different areas, co-ordination is perfectly right for that. products from exactly the same source. As a crude However, that does not address the role of local authorities example, several local authorities could conceivably in relation to small restaurants in their jurisdiction. It is have sampled food coming from the same warehouse at not applicable. In areas where there are no inspections the same time and using the same manufacturing process. at all, it is not a question of doing things in a co-ordinated What happens now is that local authorities co-ordinate way; it is a question of nothing at all happening in their efforts through the food liaison group run by the relation to smaller cases. As the hon. Member for Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services, Stafford asked, how can places be safe, if they are not which established a national sampling programme and being tested? 39WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 40WH

Dawn Primarolo: The hon. Gentleman raises a separate that everything fits together to give an enforcement question about the food protection role across all local service that delivers exactly what we need, regardless of authority and central Government functions. I am trying whether we have national sampling or protection laws. to give an answer about something that I think is very My hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, Central important—I want to answer the questions that my (Mr. Illsley) spoke of testing, but I want to give an hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East asked, example when national testing would completely take specifically about the role and qualifications of analysts over. He mentioned the E. coli bug. All the necessary and how the Government see those developing. work was done by public health bodies, not public analysts, and the microbiology was funded by the Norman Lamb: Will the Minister give way? Department of Health. As I said, calling them public analysts is a bit of a red herring; it does not necessarily Dawn Primarolo: I will give way once more, and then mean that they are public. Four or five of them are from I shall try to make some progress. I am trying to be local authorities, and the rest are commercial private delicate in ensuring that hon. Members know what we sector bodies. are, and are not, talking about. I understand the point that my hon. Friend makes, but the bottom line is that local authorities are responsible Norman Lamb: I am grateful to the Minister for in law for ensuring that all food for sale in their area is giving way again. Much of what she says about fit for consumption, and the FSA audits local authorities co-ordination between local authorities, the sharing of to assess their implementation and enforcement of food resources and so forth makes sense. However, the law. The agency advises me that it has found no evidence Association of Public Analysts believes that judgments of local authorities failing in their statutory duty.Obviously, about sampling are not always based on an assessment if it found a failing, it would take action against the of risk but on financial constraints. Given that those local authorities. If my hon. Friends fear that there are, concerns are being raised by the professional body, is or if they know of, examples in their area, I invite them she prepared to consider further its fear that judgments to make representations to me so that I can double-check are not based on risk alone but that financial issues are that they have been investigated fully. involved, and would she pick up on my suggestion of a I should like to reassure my hon. Friends that the meeting? FSA is monitoring the decline in the number of laboratories, and there is an open door to take action if it finds Dawn Primarolo: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman evidence that standards are slipping and that food safety understands that many people seek to advise Ministers. is compromised. However, the agency advises me that They do so from their particular perspective, and the all the evidence suggests that a local market-based Minister has to put all those views on the table. I rely on approach is working. the advice of the Food Standards Agency. Hon. Members I shall now turn to the important points that my hon. are asking whether there is a risk to public health and Friend the Member for Bolton, South-East made on whether we have the facilities necessary to ensure that recruitment and standards in the service, as I said I all arrangements are discharged. On that point, the would. I think he agrees that we face a considerable FSA is in regular contact. I shall deal later with the recruitment challenge and, as he pointed out, two thirds consultation and the future, as many other important of practising analysts are over the age of 50. It is points have been made in that connection, but it seems therefore extremely important that we encourage more to me that that is the proper place for such discussions people to go into the service, particularly gifted young to take place and for proposals to be made to me as scientists and graduates. The FSA is working to try to Minister. That is my clear steer to the FSA, and I shall have a clear career path in place for prospective and new say what it is and how I see it going forward in answer to entrants. That is why it is working with the APA to the points raised by hon. Members. improve, for example, the information that is available Another thing has changed dramatically: developments on its website on the types of jobs available. The agency have put the onus on food business operators to ensure is also making a funding contribution to the APA’s that that they discharge their obligations. Inevitably, training programme. However, as I think we all agree, that will result in other requirements. As my hon. Friend we need more radical solutions. We need to get fresh the Member for Bolton, South-East knows, manufacturers blood into the profession, but we also need to look at are required by law to identify situations where food the challenges that we expect the service to face, which safety issues may arise and to establish measures to have been mentioned. address them. They must keep records to confirm that As my hon. Friend stated, the European regulation suitable monitoring has taken place, and they have a states that food analysis must be carried out by a legal responsibility to notify the FSA about actual or suitably qualified and experienced member of staff, suspected threats to the safety or quality of food. which is far less prescriptive than the Food Safety Act My hon. Friend said that dioxin had recently been 1990. That led the FSA to think about whether it found in pork. He will know that the food producers needed to change the law in the UK to bring it in line and the retail system enabled us, in partnership with the with Europe. FSA, to identify immediately where their products come I want to explain how that might be taken forward, from, whether or not there was a problem, and take but at the outset I wish to make absolutely crystal clear them off the shelf. That happened very speedily. At the the immense respect for the masters of chemical analysis heart of it was the protection of the consumer. As a qualification. It is not my place to comment on whether result, local authorities have a far more exacting way in the degree should be upgraded to a doctorate—as my which to target sampling. They need the flexibility to hon. Friend said, that is for the RSC to advise on—but I decide for themselves how to invest, but we must ensure am happy to put it on the record that I believe that the 41WH Public Analysts Service2 JUNE 2009 Public Analysts Service 42WH

MChemA should remain the pre-eminent qualification. assurances, my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, At the moment, the FSA is exploring whether it should South-East will take some comfort from today’s debate. be the only viable qualification. It is not about downgrading The matter is not closed, and it certainly is not about a qualification. We need not only to respond to the doing down a qualification. decline in numbers and to attract fresh blood, but to consider other comparable qualifications that could be Dr. Iddon: Will my right hon. Friend say something appropriate, and whether we need to develop a tiered about the review group that met two years ago and has approach, by which the MChemA remains the top-ranking still not reported its findings? That was also an issue qualification but other qualifications would allow a that concerned other hon. Members. person to take a significantly different role in the service. Let me give an example. The university of Stirling is the Dawn Primarolo: The reporting by the review group world leader on irradiated food, which people are concerned will be brought together with the current consultations about, but it does not offer the MChemA qualification, about the service. I accept the point that my hon. Friend so it cannot be within the service. and others have made. It would certainly help those in the field if there was a clearer statement of intent from In the consultation with the Royal Society and others, the Food Standards Agency and Ministers. I accept that we need to consider the type of analytical outcomes and many of the questions that have been asked, and fears sampling programmes that we want, and whether it that have been raised, are because of a lack of information might be possible to appoint others for testing to specific and a clear road map going forward. I will certainly standards. We must also consider what type of proposals take the matter away and ensure that it is dealt with. would help laboratories to develop expertise in set areas That could be part of the discussion that my hon. and would open up the potential for guaranteed work in Friend has with his colleagues when I facilitate the specific areas of food testing, possibly encouraging meeting that I promised . others to come into that area. That is what we are concentrating on, and that is what I expect the FSA to Mike Penning: Will the Minister explain why none of concentrate on. the recommendations of the review, which took place We are considering options and putting them on the 10 years ago, has been implemented? Not a single one! table, and the FSA is looking into them. I agree with my How can we have any confidence going forward if the hon. Friend that consultation is crucial, and not just Government have not implemented the recommendations with the APA, but with the Royal Society as well. I am from the last review? more than happy to set up for him, and other hon. Members who are interested, a direct meeting with Dawn Primarolo: As the hon. Gentleman rightly points those in the FSA leading the review. That would be as out, the last review was conducted 10 years ago, before well as, not instead of, the consultation with other the formation of the Food Standards Agency. When the organisations that will go ahead as is right and proper. FSA was formed, it was recognised as an enormous step The next step needs to be to look closely at that, and at forward in the protection of the consumer and in ensuring the proposals, and to ensure that we have a clear way food safety. Many of those issues would have been to do forward. My hon. Friend may also be interested to with that process. Although this is a matter that I was know that following a recent food law enforcement not familiar with at the time—I was in another practitioners meeting, it was agreed that these matters Department—I speculate that in setting up the FSA would be considered and taken forward. Again, I am itself, the focus on the review and some of the issues more than happy to ensure that he has the details on that were around before the FSA’s existence were ones that in order to engage in that discussion. that were not actively taken forward at that time. The crucial issue is that the FSA continually discharges its I want to make it clear to every hon. Member present duties with regard to the protection of the consumer. that we feel it is absolutely imperative to maintain the highest standard of food control, but there are challenges Mike Penning: Rather than speculate, will the Minister ahead. Of course, we should not downgrade the pre-eminent be kind enough to write to me and let me know what qualification in this science, but we need to consider was and was not implemented? whether others could bring skills into the service. We also need to consider how the service will be co-ordinated, Dawn Primarolo: I am more than happy to do that. I going forward, for all the reasons that my hon. Friends was trying to avoid the catch-all phrase, “I will write to have identified. At the same time, we must make sure, as the hon. Gentleman.” I think that I am not too far wide I will be doing after the debate, that the FSA keeps a of the mark in my suggestion to him, but I am happy to very close eye on the work that is going on in local write to him. authorities and nationally to give the assurance that all In conclusion, this has been a very helpful debate. I hon. Members have sought that food safety is of the congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate highest priority, and that legal obligations to protect the and all the hon. Members who have spoken. It is crucial consumer and ensure that food is fit for human that our constituents have confidence in food safety and consumption will continue to be enforced with great the food that they purchase as citizens. As science and rigour. In that way, we can take the service forward. I do skills develop and as the production of food evolves, we not accept that it is in a state of crisis, but I do accept need to ensure that we have the very best structures and that we need to act quickly to secure its continued work qualified service to continue to protect our citizens. and commitment in this area. I hope that, with those That is certainly the brief that I have given to the FSA. 43WH 2 JUNE 2009 Small Businesses (HBOS) 44WH

Small Businesses (HBOS) funding of £450,000, of which £160,000 would be under the small firms loan guarantee scheme. In August, the scheme aspect was approved, but HBOS Cambridge 12.30 pm referred the overall request to its credit department, Mr. James Paice (South-East Cambridgeshire) (Con) which, it transpired, meant moving the request to Reading. rose— In April 2004, the Turners met Lynden Scourfield, who agreed funding on the condition that Zenith engaged David Taylor (in the Chair): Order. Unusually, the and paid Quayside Corporate Services. As a result, new hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) business plans were submitted requiring more borrowing. and the Minister have agreed that a number of other By January 2006, the Turners had had enough and speakers can participate. The hon. Members whose asked the bank to stop imposing Quayside on them. names I have and whom I will allow to speak are the hon. Members for Arundel and South Downs (Nick By August 2006, the bank had started proceedings to Herbert), for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) and for Wantage evict the Turners from their home, which had earlier (Mr. Vaizey). Any other hon. Members who want to been provided as security. However, only one month speak will have to do so in an intervention because we later, in September, Lynden Scourfield agreed to increase really must leave the Minister time to respond to the their borrowing facility to £856,000. By November 2006, comments that are made. I am sure that right hon. and Scourfield told the Turners to fund the business by hon. Members will be aware that any individuals about using corporate credit cards at £12,000 a month, which whom they make comments will not have any redress, he would authorise. because of the absolute privilege that exists in this On 21 March 2007, the Turners were due to meet Chamber. Mr. Scourfield in Reading. The meeting was cancelled, and his office told them that he was on indefinite leave Mr. Paice: Thank you very much, Mr. Taylor. I am but that they would be seen by a new man, who was grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue. I am also cutting off all lines of credit to more than 200 of grateful to my many right hon. and hon. Friends who Lynden Scourfield’s customers. have joined me. As you rightly said, it will be a challenge to get everyone in in a 30-minute debate, so I will move I will not go through all the subsequent events, other swiftly on to the meat of the issue. than to make two points. First, the eviction proceedings The debate revolves around a number of businesses continued, including two court hearings. District Judge whose affairs were handled by the Reading office of Pelly said, HBOS, under the management of a Mr. Lynden Scourfield, “having heard what I have heard, on any basis it would be grossly until early 2007. The issue was the subject of a BBC inequitable for the warrant to proceed. There must be time for this investigation for “File on 4”, which was broadcast on to be resolved, and on the balance of probability I think once it has been resolved, the Turners will almost certainly have sufficient Tuesday 26 May. wherewithal to pay off all these arrears in a reasonable time.” Let me say that this is not about Government policy, Secondly, the Turner family were concerned that HBOS and I have had a brief conversation with the Minister. had broken the rules of the small firms loan guarantee There is evidence not only that the bank’s own regulatory scheme by using it to pay off existing overdrafts, which controls failed, but that the Financial Services Authority is strictly forbidden. That has been referred to the should have been informed. In at least some cases, there financial ombudsman, who is yet to make a final decision. is evidence to justify criminal investigations. The objective Since then, other examples of the apparent abuse of the of the debate is to persuade the Minister to undertake scheme by HBOS have emerged from other businesses, to present the issue to the regulatory authorities for a all of which have expressed no confidence in the full and exhaustive examination. independence of the financial ombudsman service. The issue was first raised with me by my constituents Mr. and Mrs. Turner, but it soon became obvious that theirs was just one of many businesses in the same Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I think that position, and some of those other businesses are represented there is a common cause. A constituent of mine was by colleagues here today. My remarks will deal partially involved with a business called Chauffair. In 2002, a with the Turners, but I have further evidence to present rescue package with business men to make the company to impress the seriousness of the issue on hon. Members. work was stopped by HBOS and Mr. Scourfield. Quayside was brought in. Two companies and five years later, the Before I do, however, I want to make two preliminary original debt of about £14 million that was covered by points. The first is the point that you have just made, assets has risen to £113 million and the money has Mr. Taylor. This is the first time in my 22 years as a disappeared. Member of the House that I have intentionally used parliamentary privilege to raise an issue, and I certainly do not intend to abuse that right. Secondly, I do not Mr. Paice: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He is pretend to know the financial details of my constituents’ quoting just one of a number of similar examples. business or any other business, or the business competence In March 2008, the Turners approached me and I of any of those involved, but the issues that I want to started to correspond with HBOS. By then, it was raise go beyond that. As I shall show, Lynden Scourfield apparent that all these other businesses were involved. was responsible for making what may or may not have By December 2008, five colleagues and I wrote to Lord been poor financial positions into impossible ones, and Stevenson, who was then the chairman of HBOS. The in doing so probably enriched himself and others. key part of our letter stated: In July 2003, the Turners’ business, which was called “All of our constituents were granted increased loans by Mr Zenith, had a £50,000 overdraft. The Turners submitted Lynden Scourfield whilst he was an employee of HBOS; an a business plan to HBOS in Cambridge requesting employment which was apparently terminated abruptly. 45WH Small Businesses (HBOS)2 JUNE 2009 Small Businesses (HBOS) 46WH

All loans were granted on the basis that the businesses employed agreed to reject all the offers by HBOS, because they Quayside Corporate Services as advisers for substantial fees which wanted acceptance by the bank of the apparent malpractice clearly could be ill afforded. and the full investigation that we seek. In most if not all cases borrowing was increased considerably That brings me to the present situation, excluding as a result of Quayside’s recommendation and approved by Mr. Scourfield. last week’s radio programme. Since then, of course, more cases have come to light. Mr Karl Capp of Orchard We take the view that there is more than coincidence involved here and that our constituents have been ill-served by your bank.” Networks raised the same issues as the Turners about the small firms loan guarantee. As it happens, another We sought a meeting with Lord Stevenson. of my constituents, called Mark Turner—no relation, After the changes in HBOS at the end of last year, we as I understand it—has told me of a similar story: he met Mr. Philip Grant, the chief operating officer of was required by HBOS to engage Quayside Leisure at Bank of Scotland Corporate. In a letter to me and my £6,000 a month. The business still went into administration colleagues dated 18 February this year, he stated that and—unbelievably—the bank then told the administrators the bank to employ Quayside to run the business. I have also “does not agree with the implications drawn in the specific points received correspondence from a solicitor representing a that you and your colleagues have raised.” Mr. Clive Collins. This is very important because it Pertinently, he stated: comes from a solicitor. He wrote: “In certain instances, Mr Scourfield was instrumental in the “I am presently acting for an individual, Clive Collins, whose appointment of Quayside Corporate Services…as consultants to business was taken away from him by HBOS and placed in the the entities in which the constituents were involved. So far as I am hands of Quayside. Quayside invoiced vast sums for doing very aware, there is no evidence that anybody at the bank knew, at that little work. They effectively asset-stripped the company until it time,”— could no longer trade. The business’s main asset, a subsidiary company, was then sold to a different company owned by the I stress those words— directors of Quayside for £100,000, despite much higher offers “that the reputation of Quayside (or of individuals within Quayside) made by independent third parties.” was, in any way, questionable. And he continues in a similar vain. In early 2007, the bank identified issues concerning Mr Scourfield’s approach to lending. As pointed out above, the Bank was more Finally, I want to refer to a company called Seoul supportive than it should have been in responding to requests for Nassau, which, I am told, went down for £34 million increased facilities from some of the customers in question. After owed to HBOS. It is alleged by someone who worked Mr Scourfield had been suspended form duty on account of these for the company’s owner, in a letter that we received, matters, he resigned in April 2007. that the owner’s personal assistant would Following communication between the Bank and the FSA, “deliver a briefcase full of cash to Mr. Scourfield to assist the improved procedures were implemented to ensure that there was loan”. no recurrence of those practices. To be clear, these procedures were designed to ensure that, in future, the Bank did not lend This allegation follows other stories that Mr. Scourfield more than it should to its customers. was benefiting from being, as the bank said, “overly Following Mr Scourfield’s departure, the Bank carried out an supportive”, including, I am afraid, lurid stories of extensive internal review and concluded that there was a lack of prostitutes being paid for from the funds of Quayside evidence of direct personal benefit on the part of Mr Scourfield clients. I am well aware that a number of these allegations from his relationship with Quayside.” cannot be substantiated to any great degree, but to be clear I have not repeated many further allegations for Mr. Eric Pickles (Brentwood and Ongar) (Con): I am which I could find no evidence at all, but which might grateful to my hon. Friend for the tremendous lead he still have some substance. has given to colleagues in this matter. Does he agree I have received personal assurances from somebody that in the last point, the gradual sweeping of dirt under whom I know very well and trust about the integrity of the carpet can be heard? The relationship between Mr. David Mills, who is the owner of Quayside, and Mr. Scourfield and Quayside was not healthy. This man who, in some cases, was the nominee director of HBOS. was an employee of HBOS. Remnant Media Ltd in my I have also seen the correspondence between Mr. Mills constituency has suffered from the bad decisions and I and the BBC regarding these various allegations. I shall expect the bank to stand up to the problem. not go through all the points that he made, but I fear that his record of the situation does not tally with the Mr. Paice: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, and I information that the BBC has obtained and which agree with his conclusion. I, and my colleagues, have refutes some of his suggestions. In particular, I want to stressed to HBOS and Mr. Grant that whether or not quote from Mr. Mills’ e-mail to the BBC: Mr. Scourfield was acting properly, he was acting in the “Lynden Scourfield fell ill at the outset of 2006 and resigned name of the bank, and the fact is, therefore, that the from the bank some months afterwards—he was not fired as the bank must accept responsibility for those actions. In the Turners have repeatedly alleged”. letter to which I referred, Mr. Grant went on to make As I have said, that does not conform with the bank’s specific comments and, in some cases, some “without own statement that Mr. Scourfield prejudice”offers on the five cases that we had represented. “had been suspended from duty on account of these matters”, In the case of my constituents—the Turners—the offer was, at that stage, very small. My colleagues and I and that he resigned while he was suspended. rejected those offers and returned to the main issues. On My basic contention is that Lynden Scourfield lent 18 March, Mr. Grant substantially increased the offer considerable sums to more than 200 businesses and that to the Turners, dismissed one of the other cases and in many, if not most, cases he required the businesses to made a small offer for one more. However, there was a engage Quayside as advisers or turnaround specialists. complete refusal to accept any criticism of the bank. In many cases, he also required that a Quayside appointee Subsequently, a number of the businesses met and be placed on the board. Then Quayside would advise 47WH Small Businesses (HBOS)2 JUNE 2009 Small Businesses (HBOS) 48WH

[Mr. Paice] by the gross failure in governance at HBOS and by its associate Quayside in the manner that has already been significant increases in borrowing, which Scourfield so well described. authorised and in which the business owners acquiesced, It is simply not credible to characterise Reading-based as, after all, that was the advice of the bank’s appointees. official Lynden Scourfield as some autonomous rogue Subsequently, many of those businesses went down for banker and leave the matter at that. Loans of that order far more than if Quayside had not been involved, and must have been sanctioned and remitted at a much the assets of the businesses were acquired in one way or higher level—in this case, at HBOS headquarters in another by others involved with Quayside. Edinburgh by Mr. Scourfield’s immediate superior at least. Certain important questions arise from all those points. Lloyds Banking Group has pretty well dismissed all First, will the Government investigate the operation of criticism and played lip service to cleaning up the act of the small firms loan guarantee scheme to ensure that its acquisition HBOS. That simply will not do. It is banks are not abusing it? Why was Lynden Scourfield unedifying in the current climate of distrust in greedy, allowed to keep lending money to businesses that were cynical bankers for Lloyds Banking Group to behave in already overborrowed, especially if, as we believe, he that way. was lending sums considerably in excess of his authorised It is evident that Mr. Lynden Scourfield had a close limit? What happened to the bank’s internal procedures? relationship with Quayside’s Mr. Bancroft and Mr. Mills. Given the allegations about Mr. Scourfield and the One wonders at that and also at the tales of the high life charges that he was bribed, why were the police not apparently lived by key players in the tragedy that were informed, especially in the light of the bank comment revealed in last week’s “File on 4” documentary. There that refers only to a lack of evidence? Why were the can be little doubt that, at the behest of Quayside and regulatory authorities not brought into the investigation its expensively imposed but seemingly unsuccessful by HBOS, as I believe they were required to be? Why turnaround directors, many struggling companies were was HBOS the only bank not to work with Institute for obliged to extend their loans, ultimately causing ruinous Turnaround specialists, given that Quayside, almost losses not just for them but for a bank that is now in unbelievably, was not a member of the institute? If receipt of a large sum of public money. everything was satisfactory, why did HBOS stop using What remains opaque is the extent to which those Quayside? now liquidated companies were acquired by undertakings Finally, should there not be clear rules that if a associated with Quayside. From his Keenets experience, consultancy is involved with a business that goes down, my constituent suggests that the Quayside-associated no company or individual involved with the consultancy companies Seoul Nassau and Speyside should be explored should then benefit by purchasing the company or its by the Financial Services Authority in that regard. assets, which clearly appears to have happened? Given the apparent murkiness of the situation, there is I hope that this debate demonstrates to the Minister every reason for the FSA to undertake a comprehensive that he should invite the regulatory authorities to investigate investigation, and I urge the Minister to use his good the whole matter thoroughly. The public now own most offices to ensure that that happens. of HBOS, and, although there were many reasons for its decline, it seems clear to me that some of its losses, 12.49 pm probably hundreds of millions, stemmed from malpractice at the Reading office. All of us are taxpayers, and we are Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): I justified in demanding to know how that happened, am here because of my concern about the actions of why it was allowed to happen and whether any criminality HBOS and the company that it engaged. I am here was involved. If we have a full inquiry that proves all my because of my constituent Joanne Freer. Her company, statements, allegations and concerns groundless, I will, Cotton Bottoms, was affected when it sought a loan of course, accept the finding and withdraw them. However, from HBOS of £400,000 in 2003. The money came with on the evidence that I have seen, I believe that an strings: the company had to engage Quayside Corporate inquiry would find otherwise. Services and it had to make Michael Bancroft a non- executive director and a member of the board. Several hon. Members rose— A series of events then occurred. Mr. Bancroft charged exorbitant fees, which were paid in preference to supplier payments; that damaged the company’s relationship David Taylor (in the Chair): Order. I shall call the with those suppliers. He also enforced redundancies Minister at precisely 12.54. There are three speakers, against the wishes of my constituent. Finally, in a fait and I shall interrupt them at the end of two minutes. I accompli, he pushed my constituent into selling the named them at the start. I call Dr. Andrew Murrison. business through his bullying behaviour. In the end, she had to agree not to take legal action against HBOS or Michael Bancroft, or else she would have lost everything. 12.47 pm The bank has not explained satisfactorily why Lynden Scourfield, who authorised the loans and enforced the Dr. Andrew Murrison (Westbury) (Con): Thank you, appointment, has left the bank. It should do so. The Mr. Taylor. bank itself has clearly suffered serious losses, but so I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for South- have individual businesses. Serious allegations, as set East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on the leadership that out by my hon. Friend the Member for South-East he has shown in this matter. My interest derives from Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice), need to be investigated. my constituent Mr. Andrew Reade who has been Those allegations concern the agreement that appears discommoded in connection with his business Keenets to have been made between Quayside Corporate Services 49WH Small Businesses (HBOS)2 JUNE 2009 Small Businesses (HBOS) 50WH and Lynden Scourfield at HBOS, which allowed them In the difficult times that we are experiencing, it is to take control of highly geared vulnerable businesses in vital that banks do all they reasonably can to support order to divide the board and seize control, then submitting corporate customers who are in financial difficulty and false business plans to facilitate further borrowing, to work with them to manage and resolve their financial channelled through Quayside Corporate Services with difficulties. Evidently, however, there are other issues at fees, only to collapse the business months or years later stake. It is clear that a number of firms that were to the detriment of the owners, shareholders and handled by the Reading office failed, and that the creditors—and of HBOS itself. situation was made worse by a breach of approved I urge the Minister to do all that he can to ensure that lending limits. I shall return to the general issue of the authorities properly investigate what I regard as a inappropriate risk-taking by banks in a moment, if I most serious matter. have time. I have been advised that the FSA has investigated the 12.51 pm Reading office case and the internal breach of controls that occurred at HBOS. The control systems have been Mr. Edward Vaizey (Wantage) (Con): I speak on changed and strengthened, and HBOS has written off a behalf of my constituent, Mr. Justin Riggs, a poultry considerable amount, although one or two cases remain farmer. He has travelled here from Stanford in the Vale in dispute. I have also been advised that the FSA today to hear our debate in person. continues to monitor HBOS, that it considers carefully Mr. Riggs—with hindsight, most unfortunately—took any allegations of fraud by an authorised firm, and that out a £375,000 loan with HBOS in 2004. He was another it works closely with other law enforcement agencies to of those business men who ended up dealing with protect consumers from financial crime. I add, however, Lynden Scourfield and the Reading office. The bank that it is important that any victim of an alleged fraud called in the loan in August 2007. By then, the loan had should report the matter to his or her local police force. grown to £382,000, despite the fact that Mr. Riggs had Following the hon. Gentleman’s representations, I paid the bank a total of £231,000 in interest, charges shall write to the FSA, enclosing a transcript of this and other fees. debate, to seek assurance that all appropriate consideration Mr. Scourfield behaved in a similar fashion: he forced is given to these matters. I shall also ask it to write to me Mr. Riggs to engage a business adviser—in this case, a and the hon. Gentleman to outline the FSA’s role in Mr. Crawshaw—who advised him to sell not only some dealing with this affair and the approach that it takes of his land, from which he gained income, but some of when there may have been financial crime. I also undertake his chicken houses. As a result of that advice, which to write to other hon. Members who have attended the Mr. Riggs felt inclined to follow, he saw a 25 per cent. debate. drop in income. To add insult to injury, when the bank came to foreclose on Mr. Riggs, it levied charges of £40,000. Sir Paul Beresford: Is the Minister prepared to add the documentation in which many people have set out The bank has conceded, if not in principle at least quite clearly what has happened, particularly as some of morally, that it should not have levied those charges, them have been severely hurt? The lady whom I have and has agreed to waive them. However, it is astonishing, mentioned is not homeless, but is living on benefits, has not least to my colleagues, that it should have taken a lost her home and is now a single parent. legalistic view of its proceedings, not recognising that there is a pattern in the way that Mr. Scourfield engaged with numerous people—including Mr. Karl Capp, who Ian Pearson: I am happy to pass on any documentation was mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for to the FSA that will help it fully to assess and examine South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) and is another this matter. of my constituents, and who had trouble with the small The hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire firms loan guarantee scheme. spoke about the use of public funds in the Government’s Mr. Scourfield has taken businesses and loaded them loan guarantee scheme. I understand that HBOS has with loans, charges and consultancy fees. It is now up to not made a claim to the Government under the terms of HBOS to come to the table, following a moral course the scheme, so no Government funds are involved. The rather than a legalistic one, and put those people back scheme, which is being replaced by the enterprise finance in the position that they would have been in before guarantee, is delivered by a range of approved lenders dealing with HBOS. who are responsible for all decisions on individual loans. Any allegations of misuse by lenders are obviously of concern to the Department for Business, Enterprise 12.53 pm and Regulatory Reform. Its partner, Capital for Enterprise The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Ian Pearson): Ltd, manages the scheme. CfEL examines allegations as I congratulate the hon. Member for South-East part of a programme of oversight, and it may require Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on securing today’s debate, the lender to modify its procedures for the scheme if and I thank him for his contribution. He raised particular anything inappropriate is found. I am assured that concerns about the practices of Halifax Bank of Scotland relevant procedures are in place. at its Reading office, and particularly about one individual The debate has raised issues and allegations that and a company that provide advisory support. require full examination of the evidence, and I am It is not appropriate for me to intervene directly in happy to pass on any evidence that is not already individual cases or disputes, not least once legal proceedings available to the FSA. If appropriate, I am also happy have been started. Legal disputes are for the courts to for the FSA to refer matters to the police. The debate determine. That said, I am of course deeply concerned has also touched on wider issues of corporate governance to hear the allegations that have been made. and regulation in banks, particularly in relation to 51WH Small Businesses (HBOS) 2 JUNE 2009 52WH

[Ian Pearson] Cancer Survivors risk-taking. The boards of banks must ensure that they maintain systems and controls that are appropriate to 1pm their businesses and in line with relevant regulations. Their nature depends on the scale and complexity of Laura Moffatt (Crawley) (Lab): I am delighted to be the business, on its structure and the physical location able to raise this subject today, and I am particularly of its operations, and on the degree of risk associated pleased that my hon. Friend the Minister is here to with them. The rules require firms to carry out regular reply. reviews of their control systems, and to have clear I became interested in this subject, and sought to reporting lines and management responsibilities. In introduce the debate, because it probably has not had as particular, the duties of individuals and departments much discussion in this place that it should have had. In should be segregated to reduce the opportunity for fact, it is a condition of success—many more people are financial crime or rule breaches. surviving cancer treatment and live beyond the time Clearly, lessons have been learned from this case, and that we would have expected them to survive only I am grateful to the hon. Member for South-East 10 years ago. It is almost a good problem to have, but it Cambridgeshire for raising these issues. We must all needs addressing. work together on the wider issues to ensure that we I first became aware of the problem not only in my learn lessons. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the career as a nurse, but when the excellent Macmillan Turner review and its report and recommendations. Cancer Support reception was held in the Palace. The The Government are committed to taking forward the first person that I walked into was Dr. Andreyev. He issues that Turner identified. We must also consider was very enthusiastic about ensuring that this problem where improvements can be made more generally to was brought to the fore, and that cancer survivors who banks’ corporate business, but in a way that supports suffer problems after treatment are dealt with properly. the flow of credit to consumers and businesses. I shall I pay tribute to him, because he ensured that I am ensure that the FSA writes to the hon. Gentleman, and introducing this debate today. we will write to other hon. Members when we have some responses. I suppose that the worst news is when we are told of a diagnosis of cancer. That can only be overcome when someone is told by a consultant that their cancer is clear, that the treatment has worked, and that they can go out and enjoy their life. However, for 50 per cent. of people who are treated, particular for those who are treated abdominally for a cancer, that is not possible. For them, conditions will be in place that will change their life for ever. Many of their symptoms can be severe. I am told that there are 2 million cancer survivors and that every year an extra 3.2 per cent. live following a diagnosis of and treatment for cancer. They will have done extremely well to overcome the psychological, emotional and physical problems of the cancer but, as I said, for some that is not the end of the story. By its nature, treatment for cancer is tough. It is tough to endure and drastic. It can involve surgery or radiotherapy, and incredibly invasive drugs are used in chemotherapy. As fantastic as those drugs are, it is difficult for the body to absorb them. The problem with radiotherapy is that the treatments are concentrated on the organ that is affected. I have two of the companies that produce linear accelerators, Elekta and Varian, in Crawley. They produce the most amazing machines, which are accurate beyond our wildest dreams of even five years ago, but no matter how good they are, other organs can be affected, including the bowel and the bladder, which can lead to problems later in life. Lifelong treatment is necessary for many people. The big problem is that people who have survived cancer feel reluctant to complain because it may seem to them that they are being ungrateful. Although they have been treated and are free from their cancer, they might have symptoms such as urinary or faecal incontinence, yet they think, “I can’t complain about this. I’m so grateful to the NHS for treating me and making me well that I would feel bad about complaining.” Nevertheless, we need to come clean on this matter and ensure that we 53WH Cancer Survivors2 JUNE 2009 Cancer Survivors 54WH allow people the right to come to the NHS with their suffered from the same conditions. I am aware of those post-treatment concerns and get the treatment that they groups around the country and I know what comfort, need. help and advice they give to people. Some 80 per cent. of people experience changes, and 50 per cent. of those will experience significant changes, Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): I congratulate such as urinary or faecal incontinence and painful and my hon. Friend on securing this timely debate. A group disabling oedema. As hon. Members will be aware, called Fighting Against Cancer Together—FACT—has women who are treated for breast cancer often suffer been set up in my constituency. It consists of three from lymph oedema in their arms, which is incredibly women who have all survived cancer—Leslie Shaw, difficult to deal with. It may be a schoolboyish thing to Judith Williamson and Joanne Smith—and who felt laugh about, but people can also suffer from extreme exactly how my hon. Friend described. They felt isolated, flatulence. We can only imagine how disastrous it is for and they did not know what to do or understand the someone who has been treated for cancer—say cervical language being used. However, together they have set cancer—with radiotherapy and then finds that they up this group to encourage other people and say, “Look, suffer from such a distressing condition. Their whole we are here to help.” Next week, as part of their work, life may be altered because they are worried about they will visit a school to teach young kids about cancer going outside and having a social life. and the dangers of sunburn. Such grass-roots work is Disfigurement from surgery is also a problem. Surgery really important. is often extreme, and after it a person may feel that they are not good to look at, which means that their personal Laura Moffatt: I am delighted to have taken that and sexual relationships are affected. I could mention intervention, because I know of such groups around the many other things, but I am sure that hon. Members are country. When I first raised this debate, I was inundated aware of the conditions that I am talking about. with e-mails from many different organisations, and I am so pleased to hear about FACT. I want to convey What can we do about such conditions? We are what such organisations have been doing. It is the same extremely grateful that people are surviving, and yet we for survivors of children’s cancer, too. Some amazing have not paid enough attention to the fact that treatment work is being done to help children get over that process. and care are also needed to help with the after-effects. However, in the short time available to me, it is important That is why I was so glad to meet gastroenterologist Dr. to concentrate on some of the physical and emotional Andreyev. He is the only specialist working in the UK problems that come from particular treatments of cancers who deals with the post-radiation effects on people in the abdominal area. after they have been treated. He is unique, and is in a Organisations have been set up to assist sufferers. position to undertake research. He is gathering around There is nothing better than people being able to share him a team of professionals comprising dieticians, medical their experiences. A shining example is provided by the students and nurses to do the research into such conditions. work of Dr. Andreyev and the Royal Marsden hospital. How can those conditions be alleviated when the treatments He is embedded at the heart of the team treating people are undertaken? Is it possible that diet may help? If diet with cancer, giving advice and helping to direct the is changed during radiotherapy, will it help to ensure treatment in the right way.Obviously, I want that replicated. that the bowel is not so adversely affected? Moreover, I am not even sure that that would take a huge amount the team is doing lots of other research to try to reduce of money, although it would take a lot of thought by the thickening of the wall of the bowel during treatment, cancer networks to incorporate specialists, such as Dr. to prevent problems later. Unquestionably, all such Andreyev, in their planning for people’s treatment and projects cost money. However, today’s debate is not just care. Organisation can make this possible. The cancer about calling for money—it would be easy to hold such network system has been one of the best things to a debate and do so—but about ensuring that everyone is happen to cancer treatment in the United Kingdom. It aware of the problems. Cancer networks around the has organised, directed and improved cancer care in a country should consider having a specialist working way that we did not feel was even possible. Colleagues alongside them when they plan individual patients’ in the medical profession can now support each other in cancer treatment. I believe that that would make an the planning of people’s care and treatment to ensure enormous difference to many people. the very best outcomes. The second thing that I want is for people to have the We need to do more, however, to tackle what I think space and time to declare their conditions and be honest is one of the most difficult matters: talking about what and open about them. They should not feel that because can be embarrassing bodily functions. Before getting they have had treatment, they do not deserve to be cancer, people might have been completely unaffected treated for the after-effects of cancer treatment. by such problems, but afterwards might suffer from This is a debate to raise the awareness of such issues them for the rest of their life. It should not be necessary and to talk about the work of both the Royal Marsden for people to emphasise how grateful they are to have hospital and Dr. Andreyev. Dr. Andreyev has produced been treated and to beg for somebody to help them with an excellent booklet that is written in plain English, their problems. We must be up front in saying that it is which is a great relief to many people, that details just wonderful that people have survived cancer, but that if what is required to reduce the symptoms of cancer symptoms reappear, they must be treated in an honest, treatment. It is always important to be able to share open and up-front way. This House must support those those experiences. I am aware of organisations and cancer networks in responding properly to those who self-help groups around the country that enable people return to GP’s surgeries or consulting rooms to say that to come together to share their experiences. It must feel they are developing or redeveloping symptoms of cancer. to sufferers that such a subject is difficult to speak out They must not be dismissed. I hope, therefore, that the loud about. It is always good to talk to others who have Minister can give me a positive sign about how we can 55WH Cancer Survivors2 JUNE 2009 Cancer Survivors 56WH

[Laura Moffatt] My hon. Friend graphically and sensitively described some of the challenges faced by cancer survivors. About move this matter forward to reduce the effect that one quarter of people treated for cancer will experience treatment has had on those who have done the most long-term adverse effects on their quality of life as they amazing thing—survived cancer and gone back out live on past their initial cancer scares. The national into the world. cancer survivorship initiative was formally launched in September last year. It is co-chaired by the chief executive 1.14 pm of Macmillan Cancer Support, Mr. Ciarán Devane, to The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. Ben whom my hon. Friend referred, and by the national Bradshaw): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member clinical director for cancer, Professor Mike Richards. for Crawley (Laura Moffatt) on securing this debate. We have announced that the Government will provide Before addressing in detail the issues that she raised, I £1.6 million to Macmillan Cancer Support in the current want to take the opportunity to recognise and praise the financial year to support that vital work. That funding good work going on in the NHS in Crawley and throughout will make a real difference to people living with and the country. NHS staff are delivering a better-quality beyond cancer by helping them to receive the expert health service than ever before, benefiting not only my care and support that they need. hon. Friend’s constituency but those of all hon. Members. Seven national cancer survivorship initiative work The significant investment and improvements that we streams have been created to develop new models of have made in the past 10 years have meant that cancer care and support that meet survivors’ needs. The work services have improved significantly and cancer mortality streams include a range of cancer charities, health and has fallen. Those significant achievements include extending care staff, academics, cancer survivors and carers for breast screening to women aged up to 70; the roll-out of survivors. Each work stream focuses on either a stage in the bowel cancer screening programme—the first the survivorship pathway or a cross-cutting theme. The programme to target both men and women; and the work streams are supported by 27 pilot sites across the introduction of smoke-free legislation. During 2007-08, country, which are testing new models of survivorship the NHS breast screening programme screened more care and support. women than ever before. More than 1.7 million women Through the national cancer survivorship initiative, were screened and 14,110 cancers were detected. we are working to reduce the impact of unavoidable late There are now more cancer specialists, as my hon. effects of cancer and its treatment and to improve the Friend the Member for Crawley acknowledged. Since health and well-being of cancer survivors. The work 1997, there are 1,879 extra cancer consultants and 3,716 stream dealing with the late effects of cancer will improve extra consultants in other specialties who spend a significant our understanding of the risks and prevalence of longer- amount of their time caring for cancer patients. For term consequences of cancer and its treatment. It aims example, the number of consultant gastroenterologists to raise awareness among patients and professionals of increased from 322 in 1997 to 612 in 2008—an increase the late effects of cancer and its treatment; to promote of more than 90 per cent. In 2006-07, £4.35 billion was the early detection of late effects; and to ensure that spent on cancer services, compared with £3.4 billon in appropriate information and services are available to 2003-04. those suffering late effects or undergoing treatment. As my hon. Friend also acknowledged, patients have The work stream is looking at what data are available experienced real improvements in their care. That is on the prevalence of late effects, so that we can better shown by major patient surveys in both 2000 and 2004. understand people’s needs and target information, services The National Audit Office report of March 2005 and support. It is also developing national clinical acknowledged the significant improvement in the leadership roles—that includes a gastroenterologist—to management and provision of cancer services since the raise awareness of late effects and to champion the publication of the NHS cancer plan and the good implementation of the new models of care that will progress made against all major targets. Waiting times emerge from the national cancer survivorship initiative. for patients urgently referred have fallen dramatically I am informed that the late effects national survivorship since the two-week wait was introduced. The reductions administrative work stream is learning from the work in waiting times for patients with suspected cancer have being done at the Royal Marsden hospital by Dr. Andreyev, reduced anxiety and delay. The latest figures, for January to which my hon. Friend referred. The hospital is not to March 2009, show that 94.5 per cent. of patients with only performing excellently, but is the best-performing suspected cancer were seen by a specialist within two hospital of any type in the UK, so one would expect weeks of being urgently referred by their GP. there to be much to learn from the excellent work that Cancer mortality in people under 75 fell by more my hon. Friend mentioned. than 18 per cent. between 1996 and 2007, saving almost In addition, the work stream is developing an e-learning 9,000 lives. We are on course to meet our target of at package for general practitioners and other professionals least a 20 per cent. reduction in cancer deaths in people on the late effects of cancer and its treatment, including under 75 by 2010. the late effects of pelvic radiotherapy. The “Cancer Reform Strategy”, published in December Other national cancer survivorship initiative work 2007, builds on the progress that I have described. It sets streams and test sites are looking at how personalised out a clear direction for cancer services in the next five care planning can improve follow-up care for cancer years and shows how we intend to deliver cancer outcomes patients; how cancer survivors can be empowered to live that are among the best in the world. In the strategy, we independently through support for self-management; also announced that, through the national cancer how we can support those with active and advanced survivorship initiative, we would improve the ongoing disease; how we can help people to stay in work, get support for people living with and beyond cancer. back to work or access financial assistance; what more 57WH Cancer Survivors 2 JUNE 2009 58WH we can do for children and young people who are cancer Public Transport Accessibility survivors; and how we can pull together evidence about the current picture of care and support for cancer survivors. Those work streams are developing new 1.27 pm approaches to care and support for people after cancer David Taylor (in the Chair): We can now embark on treatment. We will publish a national cancer survivorship the final debate of the morning. There will be a brief initiative vision and implementation plan at the end of contribution, with the permission of the hon. Member this year. for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson) and the Minister, from the The cancer reform strategy sets out a clear direction hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper). for cancer services over the next five years and shows how we will deliver cancer outcomes that are among the Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): It is a great best in the world. I have referred to the fact that Dr. privilege, Mr. Taylor, for me to speak in this debate Andreyev’s work at the Royal Marsden, which my hon. under your chairmanship. I start with an apology. I Friend highlighted, is part of our work on helping apologise to the groups that have written to me about survivors. As she rightly said, the impact of cancer does whether I would raise individual issues for them: I am not end after treatment. It is vital that we do all we can thinking particularly of the Royal National Institute for to support those who have been through cancer, so that Deaf People and Mencap. I asked for the debate specifically they can live as full and active a life as possible. The in relation to work that I have done with muscular national cancer survivorship initiative will make a real dystrophy groups. For the past four years I have had the difference to those living with and beyond cancer, as privilege of being the chairman of the all-party group well as to their families and their carers. on muscular dystrophy. It is a disease that has hit my family hard, so I was asked whether I would pick up 1.22 pm that job quite soon after entering the House, and I was Sitting suspended. pleased to do so. We have been conducting an inquiry in the group, in effect like a Select Committee inquiry, with witnesses, on a variety of issues relevant to muscular dystrophy, and in particular the fact that services around the country are very sporadic and differ a lot. As part of it, we had some discussion with young people who have come together, supported by the voluntary group V; that has provided them with a platform to put forward their views about life at the hard end, as young sufferers of muscular dystrophy. On 5 May we had a lunch to mark a report entitled “End of the Line” by a group called Trailblazers. I am glad to see that the Minister has his copy. At the meeting there was cross-party support from Members of both Houses of Parliament. A notable person present was the director of the Association of Train Operating Companies. He was very supportive and was clear about the problems. The group asked him, “Why don’t you ask all your chief executives to spend a day in a wheelchair?”That would be a positive-negative experience, so that people could see the real-life experience for some people in today’s world. The people involved with the report are supportive of the changes that have been made by the Government since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, but they are aware that things need to get better. Since it was set up, working with V, Trailblazers has set its own goals to produce a variety of work about social inclusion under the title, “Inclusion Now”. The report it has delivered in the last few weeks is based specifically on the experiences of its members. They went undercover on buses, taxis and trains to see what life was really like. The report feeds back to people like me, the Minister and the wider public what the reality is. Four years after we passed the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, young people continue to be unable to use the services that should be available to them all by law. That is despite the real progress that has been made. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s network of 16 to 30-year-olds who are fighting for the rights of these people came forward with five key findings from the report, which I will list. Wheelchair users have less 59WH Public Transport Accessibility2 JUNE 2009 Public Transport Accessibility 60WH

[Mr. David Anderson] Jessica Berry from Macclesfield stated: “Some stations are great, particularly the smaller ones, but choice when using public transport. As a result, they are some never hurry themselves to come and get you off the train forced to pay more than their non-disabled peers. Young despite having booked the travel assistance at least 24 hours disabled passengers often feel like second-class citizens before. It’s so scary being left on a train with no way of getting on public transport because of a combination of unreliable off.” technology, poor disability awareness among staff and Finally, Sulaiman Khan from London said: inaccessible stations. Young disabled passengers cannot “Taxis are prohibitively expensive, even with a Taxi discount always access the first bus, train or taxi that arrives at a card. I once had to pay £65 to go into central London, because I station or stop. The assisted passenger registration service can’t use the tube or trust the buses, which made even the driver that insists on 24-hour advance booking for trains cringe. The average person pays about £5 to go into central restricts the spontaneity and independence of disabled London from where I live.” passengers. Even when it is accessed, it fails to provide a The statistics in the report are damning. For buses, it reliable service that passengers can have confidence in. found that on more than half of all journeys there was Non-wheelchair users with mobility difficulties also some problem with the accessible facilities at the station, face serious problems when attempting to use buses and the bus stop, or on the bus, or there was a poor service trains. Bus drivers often fail to park next to the kerb, from members of staff. In a third of the Trailblazers meaning that there is a greater distance to cover to journeys, the survey respondent was unable to board climb on to the bus. Drivers tend to pull away from the first relevant bus to arrive at their stop because the stops too quickly before a passenger is seated and safe. access ramp or accessible space was unavailable or because the driver failed to stop at a location that was I will outline the action that Trailblazers is calling for. accessible to them. Was that the result of a lack of It wants the Government, local authorities and transport awareness or a lack of customer care? In one third of providers to ensure that accessibility on all modes of the journeys undertaken by Trailblazers the respondent public transport, including air travel, is at the heart of said that the driver was not helpful. all public transport planning, not merely a concept to which they pay lip service. Until all trains can be boarded For trains, the survey showed that in 50 per cent. of and disembarked from independently, it wants the assisted journeys the surveyor reported some form of passenger reservation service to be improved to guarantee disappointment with the disabled facilities at the station that all disabled passengers receive a universally high or on the train, or reported a poor service from staff. level of service. It wants a major review into the accessibility The survey found that, because few long-distance coach of buses and coaches across the UK. It wants taxi or bus companies provide wheelchair access, young subsidy cards for disabled passengers with a discount disabled people who want to travel around the UK feel that reflects the dependence that many disabled people that they have no alternative to using train services, have on taxis. despite those problems. The survey also showed that in 25 per cent. of journeys, the passenger was unable to I will now quote from the report. These are the words board the first train that they wanted to. The reasons of people who have to live with these issues day in, day given for that included: having to wait for staff availability; out. Judith Merry from Buckinghamshire stated: that the staff could not be contacted at the destination “So many times I’ve been denied access on public transport station; that there was only one member of staff and because of my condition. Most people find it is easy to get around they were too busy to help; and that there was no and be independent but when you have a disability simple tasks disabled seating or space available. like this can be extremely difficult. Whether it’s buses, trains or tubes, there’s always some kind of problem. I know I’m not the For taxis, the survey found that two thirds of respondents only one who’s experienced this.” were disappointed by a journey in some way, such as with the service provided or the cost incurred. Two out Jennifer Gallacher from Middlesbrough stated: of five respondents felt that they paid more to use a “Wheelchair accessible buses do not run on every route everyday wheelchair-accessible taxi than a non-wheelchair user making the idea of hopping on a bus as a quick way of going on a would have paid. journey unrealistic for a wheelchair user.” The findings on the assisted passenger reservation Colin Rabbich from Morecambe said: service were that staff at stations were prepared for “It’s all well and good to hunt down the man with the ramp disabled travellers on only one in three journeys made while on the platform, but once you’re on the train what goes on using the service as it should be used. Of the passengers at the arriving end platform side is completely out of your given an appointed meeting place, only 58 per cent. were hands—bad communication or forgetful staff result in you not met by staff. In 15 per cent. of all cases, no assistance getting off the train! I feel that these experiences make you feel a whatever was provided to get passengers off the train. huge lack in confidence with this service.” Let me ask the Minister some questions, so that we Jagdeep Kaur Sehmbi from Birmingham stated: can try to take this matter forward. I repeat the caveat in “A couple of times there has been no one with the ramp to help the report that people are very appreciative of the me off the train at my destination platform, even though I had progress that has been made in recent years by our informed them at the other station and been assured that someone Government, but as my comments of the past 10 minutes would have the ramps ready.” show, there are ongoing issues. Will the Minister meet Stephen Liney from Aylesbury said: me and representatives from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign network to discuss the evidence that the “Why should any disabled person have to wait around for assistance or have to ring 24 hours in advance to use a station? If report has uncovered? Will he ensure that public transport money is being spent on new stations let’s make sure people abide contractors and local authorities place accessibility for by the law and spend some money on making old stations disabled passengers at the heart of their development accessible too.” policies, and ensure that accessible facilities are as inclusive 61WH Public Transport Accessibility2 JUNE 2009 Public Transport Accessibility 62WH as possible? Will he ensure that the woefully unreliable we have achieved to date and the fact that there is still and ineffectual assisted passenger reservation service substantial work to be done. They were echoed by my that is employed by rail companies will be reviewed and hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Rosie invested in, so that all stations and trains are fully Cooper). accessible? Let me put on the record the Government’s thanks In conclusion, I reflect on the fact that today is the for the work undertaken by my hon. Friend the Member 56th anniversary of the conquest of Everest. At the for Blaydon on several disability areas, particularly his launch on 15 May, a young lad called Dave Gale, from work as chairman for the past four years of the all-party Carlisle—a place I know quite well—spoke to us. He group on muscular dystrophy. Equally, I want to put on was not in a wheelchair, and he looked like a fit young the record thanks to the young people who undertook guy, but he told us about his problems with walking the work to compile information for an important over a railway bridge. He said, “By the time I get to the report by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign called top of the railway bridge, I’m gasping for breath.” That “End of the Line”. It helps all of us to understand some is totally unacceptable; that is his Everest every day of of the issues better. the week. The matter is important to young disabled people, but it should be important to all of us who have a 1.39 pm commitment to ensuring that there are opportunities Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab): I congratulate for all to be able to get to work, to leisure facilities, to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson) Southport. Everyone should have equal opportunities. on securing the debate, and all the young people involved I thank Trailblazers for its report and for the hard in the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign on their work. I work that has been undertaken by the young people. am very aware that this issue affects disabled people The report affirms the important role that transport has right across the spectrum. For example, my mum became to play in all our lives, but particularly the lives of deaf when she was four, but my father was born deaf. I young people, in enabling independence. It also highlights have seen up close the difficulties that they face in their the importance of ensuring that young disabled people daily lives just trying to get around using public transport. are involved in the decision-making process about travel In fact, my dad was abandoned for hours because the provision in this country. track that a train was to pull in on was changed. We Unfortunately, the comments that my hon. Friend were all very worried about him. highlighted—from Jennifer, Colin, Jessica, Stephen and In making this brief intervention, I would like to alert many others—show that the hurdles that people face the Minister to a situation in my constituency. Victoria when using public transport are still too much of a Young,an 18-year-old wheelchair user from Skelmersdale, reality. Let me reassure hon. Members, however, that has met serious problems because of the inaccessibility the Department for Transport remains committed to of local transport. Arriva upgraded its West Lancashire ensuring that we increase the accessibility of the transport fleet by bringing in 14-year-old double-decker buses system for all people in our society. cast off from the Wirral area. None of the buses has Let me confirm that point by saying that one of the low-floor access. In a recent newspaper article, Victoria’s Department’s key strategic objectives is to ensure that father told how she was stranded in Wigan for three we have greater equality of opportunity for all citizens, hours simply because there were no low-floor buses to including those who are disabled and in wheelchairs, bring her home. That cost her and her family £17 in taxi those who have sight or hearing difficulties and many fares. others. Those people should be able to utilise the public It does not take a genius to realise that Victoria and transport system so that we have a fairer society. other people in West Lancashire with similar problems We have made substantial progress in meeting some will be dramatically affected. The situation will affect requirements, but there is still a substantial way to go to their life, their social mobility and their interaction with ensure that vehicles and infrastructure across the board friends who can go off to Southport or to Wigan while are more accessible. All rail vehicles must meet our they cannot. That is not acceptable. accessibility standards by 1 January 2020, and all buses The Government’s free concessionary travel pass shows on local scheduled services will have to do so by 1 commitment to enabling disabled people access to public January 2017. transport, but it is rendered useless if private bus companies I noted the contribution by my hon. Friend the neglect their duty to provide accessible transport. I Member for West Lancashire, who talked about Victoria would like to ask my hon. Friend the Minister to agree Young being stranded for three hours in Wigan. Of that, in the 21st century, with our technological ability course that it is totally unacceptable. We need to ensure and the political will that has been demonstrated and that we have a proper regime that recognises people’s included in the disability discrimination legislation, no needs, their life scale and the equipment involved, and disabled person the length and breadth of this country that we make steady progress towards achieving accessibility. should have to accept not being able to use public Indeed, more than one third of all rail vehicles and transport. more than half the buses in the current fleet are now accessible. 1.42 pm I recognise, however, that there will be substantial The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport difficulties where a bus fleet is not accessible. A (Paul Clark): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member concessionary bus pass or a disabled person’s bus pass for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson) on securing this debate on will not help if there is no access to the facility in the what undoubtedly is an important matter for all concerned. first place. That is why the work that we have been I recognise and thank him for his comments about what doing with critical operators, including the railway 63WH Public Transport Accessibility2 JUNE 2009 Public Transport Accessibility 64WH

[Paul Clark] Trailblazers report. I am sure that right hon. and hon. Members would agree that excellent examples of that companies and the Association of Train Operating abound, but we need to do more. The attitude towards Companies, is intended to move us sensibly towards people with disabilities does not meet the criteria and making accessibility a reality. Of course, we all want levels that we would want. that to happen sooner, but the time scale is sensible in Although the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of terms of meeting requirements and phasing in new Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) vehicles. (Amendment) Regulations 2002, which make it unlawful In that respect, the rail vehicle accessibility regulations for transport operator staff to disregard the needs of also apply to London Underground. One of the first disabled people, including those with wheelchairs, play lines to have totally step-free accessibility will be the an important and helpful role, equally disability awareness Victoria line, with the exception of Pimlico station, training is an integral part of the GoSkills national purely because there is no physical way of achieving vocational qualification for drivers. step-free access down to it. However, further work needs to be done. My hon. It is little help having accessible vehicles when there is Friend talked about getting the directors of train operating no accessibility from platform to platform in stations companies in wheelchairs, but we urge transport operators and people cannot get from one platform to another to to involve people with disabilities in training programmes catch a train or to get out of the station. The Access for so that they get first-hand knowledge. That would bring All programme is providing £370 million, which is the report to life for those who are operating the systems ring-fenced over the next 10 years, to transform 140-odd and provisions that are required day in, day out by stations that have already been identified. The aim is to individuals. ensure that there is proper access and accessibility to We are also developing training travel skills so that and between platforms. people who have disabilities know what to expect and Some £6 million is also being used for small schemes where to access information and so on. That is also to find locally focused solutions and to make improvements something that can be done by working with organisations for customers and passengers, including to information that represent groups such as people with muscular systems, which can benefit all, but which are particularly dystrophy. The Department for Transport has sponsored relevant to many of those who took part in the survey. the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee to I noted the comments that my hon. Friend the Member develop its Door to Door website, which brings together for Blaydon made about asking the chief executives of as a portal a range of information about access to the the railway companies to spend a day in wheelchairs, for transport system and provision for disabled people. example. We are working with ATOC to put online a My hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire new journey planning website that will list very clearly referred to the concessionary travel scheme that we have the accessibility criteria of all stations within the network, introduced. The headlines seem always to be about which, again, will help with planning. I will come back people aged 60 and over, but of course the scheme is to the advanced reservation scheme in a moment, because also for many categories of people with disabilities. I recognise some of the points that were made in the That is another way of ensuring that there is better report and by my hon. Friend. inclusion for all concerned, and better access. However, Equally, taxis can often be one of the only ways for I take on board what was said about the limitations people to have mobility, particularly in areas that do created by not having the right bus. not necessarily have commercially supported bus services I want to draw attention to what is being done in and which may not have a railway station within the local authorities throughout the country as part of community. I recognise some of the comments that work on transport accessibility planning. It is particularly were made on costs but, equally, there are accessibility a question of seeing that joined-up provisions exist for problems with some of the vehicles that are used in the people in vulnerable groups, so that they can get access taxi industry, which is exactly why, earlier this year, I to jobs and key services. Those considerations are now launched a consultation document on the principles treated far more as mainstream parts of local transport that might underline accessibility to taxis. The consultation planning. Not long ago I visited Worksop to see the has just closed and we are currently assessing the responses, Nottinghamshire scheme and find out what had been but the Government are well aware of the issue. done there as part of the accessibility planning programme. We are also involved in negotiations on the European I also saw the work that had been done in Liverpool and Commission proposals that were published at the tail Merseyside. end of last year, in December, on regulations that The Local Transport Act 2008 was another opportunity include rights for disabled passengers and passengers to reinforce and improve transport provision for all with reduced mobility on maritime transport and concerned, by improving the facilities of the community international bus and coach services. We continue to transport sector. For example, drivers covered by section monitor compliance with the European regulation that 22 permits are now allowed to be paid, so that where it came into force in July 2008 on the rights of disabled is not possible for schemes to run commercially through people and those with reduced mobility who are travelling companies such as Arriva or Stagecoach, or where there by air. is not a demand for a big, heavily subsidised scheme, the While there are issues about the physical appropriateness community transport sector can help and can provide a of our transport systems, including access to stations, facility, making inclusion possible for many people, getting on to buses using low floor levels, and the ability including disabled people. and capability to get on to those buses in the right We are well on the road to meeting the goals that we places and without additional hassle, staff support and set out for 2025 in “Improving the Life Chances of assistance is also an issue, as is clearly outlined in the Disabled People”. We have gone a long way towards 65WH Public Transport Accessibility2 JUNE 2009 Public Transport Accessibility 66WH improving those life chances and the facilities to allow that we have should be to enable us to learn from some people to lead more independent lives. However, we of the users of the services about where the weaknesses have further to go. I am more than happy to meet my are in the scheme. hon. Friend the Member for Blaydon, together with It has been useful to debate a piece of work that is representatives from Trailblazers, to listen first-hand clearly very important. It took commitment from the and to consider the information that has been presented. many young people and others involved to produce I said that I would return to the assisted passenger something that can be useful to our work in the Department reservation scheme. I recognise some of the comments for Transport, and is also important as a guide for that have been made in the report, and by my hon. transport operators in the further work that is needed. Friend. The scheme is owned by the train operating Question put and agreed to. companies and the Association of Train Operating Companies, but the Department is working with them to see that there is better and more joined-up provision 1.59 pm for delivering that service. Perhaps part of the discussion Sitting adjourned.

5WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 6WS

Target 4—To Deliver Accurate Pension and Compensation Decisions Written Ministerial and Payments. a. To deliver an overall target of 98 per cent. of all service pensions accurately. Statements b. To deliver 99 per cent. of service pensions accurately. c. To deliver compensation and war pension claims with a Tuesday 2 June 2009 financial and decision accuracy of 98 per cent4. Target 5—To Achieve an Overall Customer Satisfaction Average DEFENCE of 80 per cent. Satisfied or Very Satisfied, with not less than 70 per cent. in any one segment. Met Office (Key Performance Targets 2009-10) The SPVA customer segments are: a. Corporate Customers. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence b. HR Professional Users. (Mr. Kevan Jones): Key performance targets have been c. Self Service Online Users. set for the chief executive of Met Office for financial d. Veterans. year 2009-10. The targets are designed to drive continued Target 6—To Ensure a Seamless Transition from Current Contract improvements in the agency’s performance and are as to Interim Contract. follows: 100 per cent. of transition programme milestones met. KPT 1. Forecast Accuracy: To achieve at least three out of the 1Within the specified number of working days from receipt of four following forecast accuracy measures. required external evidence (predominantly medical evidence). a. To maintain the forecasting skill, using the UK numerical 2 Priority cases are those involving or likely to involve injury at weather prediction index, to 117.0 tariff level 8 or above. b. Improve the forecasting skill, using the global numerical 3 weather prediction index, to 138.1 Within the specified number of working days from receipt of required external evidence (predominantly medical evidence). c. More skilfully predict whether precipitation will occur at 4 approximately 150 Met Office observing sites, to achieve a skill Includes +/-£10 materiality tolerance. score of at least 0.267. d. To achieve the UK cities automated temperature index of at UK Hydrographic Office (Key Performance Targets least 0.666. 2009-10) KPT 2. Business Profitability: To achieve a business profitability target on a newly agreed basis of £5.3 million. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence KPT 3. Return on Capital Employed: To achieve a return on (Mr. Kevan Jones): Key performance targets have been capital employed of at least 3.2 per cent. in line with Treasury set for the chief executive of UK Hydrographic Office requirements of achieving at least 3.5 per cent. averaged over for financial year 2009-10. The targets are designed to the period 2009-10 to 2013-14. drive continued improvements in the agency’s performance KPT 4. Support to wider HMG Goals: To deliver the outputs of and are as follows: the customer supplier agreements (CSA) for public weather KPT 1—Safety: While aiming for 100, to achieve a safety index services, Defence and DEFRA within the tolerances agreed of 95 or higher. with the customers and defined in the CSAs. KPT 2—Defence: To deliver the defence hydrographic programme Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (Performance achieving an index rating of 95 or higher while transitioning to Targets) a multi-year service definition annex incorporating incentivised pricing. KPT 3—Finance: Achieve a return on capital employed of The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence 9 per cent. on a three-year rolling basis. (Mr. Kevan Jones): The key targets have been set for the KPT 4—Efficiency: To achieve at least 75 out of 100 against chief executive of the Service Personnel and Veterans 10 targets which together reflect a measure of organisational Agency (SPVA) for the financial year 2009-10. They excellence. provide customers with an assurance that, as well as focusing on maintaining high quality services in the delivery of pay, pensions and compensation claims, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS SPVA will continue to give high priority to customer service and increased efficiency. “Novel Materials in the Environment: The Case of Nanotechnology” Target 1—To Deliver Timely Service Pay. To make 99.9 per cent. of all pay payments by the due date. Target 2—To Deliver Accurate Service Pay. 98.3 per cent. of all The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for service pay to be 100 per cent. accurate, excluding errors Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Huw Irranca-Davies): caused by inaccurate external inputs. I am pleased to announce the Government’s response to Target 3—To Deliver Timely Pensions and Compensation Decisions. the twenty-seventh report of the Royal Commission on Overall reporting against key target 3 to be weighted by the Environmental Pollution “Novel Materials in the achievement of the sub-component measurers below: Environment: The Case of Nanotechnology”, which a. Armed Forces Pension Scheme. To make 99.3 per cent. of all was laid before Parliament on 11 November 2008. service pension payments by the due date. We welcome the report of the Royal Commission b. Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. 98 per cent. of all which has already made—and will continue to make—an decisions within 40 working days1 except for high priority cases2 where 95 per cent. will be cleared within 20 days3. invaluable contribution to our thinking on the management c. War Pension Scheme. To clear claims for war pensions within of emerging novel technologies, such as nanotechnology. 52 working days average clearance time, including 19 days The Government response will be laid before Parliament average clearance time for widows pensions. today. Copies will be available in the Vote Office. 7WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 8WS

HEALTH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer African Development Bank (Second Joint Strategic Affairs Council Framework)

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Dawn The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Primarolo): The Employment, Social Policy, Health International Development (Mr. Ivan Lewis): Today 2 June and Consumer Affairs Council will meet on 8 and 2009, I am publishing the second Joint Strategic Framework 9 June. The Health and Consumer Affairs part of the for the engagement of the Governments of the United Council will be taken on 9 June. Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and Portugal with the African Development Bank. This framework Items on the main agenda are: patient safety, including sets out how the UK and its fellow constituency members prevention and control of healthcare associated infection; will work with the African Development Bank to improve rare diseases; a progress report on patients’ rights in its effectiveness over the next three years to 2011. It cross-border healthcare and a discussion on the replaces Joint Strategic Framework 1 (2006-08). pharmaceutical package, which contains three separate This Joint Strategic Framework is written at a time of dossiers. great opportunity but also of great challenge for the Ministers will be asked to adopt draft Council African continent. Overall economic performance in recommendations on both patient safety and rare diseases. most African countries has been good, but progress The patient safety recommendation aims to make patient towards the millennium development goals still needs safety and the prevention and control of health care to accelerate. The global financial crisis has introduced associated infections a priority in member states public new pressures and uncertainties. health objectives. The rare diseases recommendation Slower global economic growth, more difficult credit will improve the codification and classification of rare conditions, and changes in the international aid architecture diseases and will aim to improve the exchange of expertise pose additional challenges to which the African on rare diseases, and hence, enable more effective treatment Development Bank will need to respond. At the same of rare diseases in the United Kingdom and other time, the bank must be better able to deal with the European Union countries. The recommendation also longer-term challenges facing Africa, including climate encourages more EU level research on rare diseases. change, development in fragile states, gender equality, ensuring that private sector growth has positive benefits There will also be a progress report and discussion on for the poorest, and helping countries in Africa work a proposal for a directive of patients’ rights in cross-border and trade together. healthcare. The draft directive focuses on codifying ECJ case law on patient mobility and clarifying the rights of In addition to the three-year objectives on bank patients, together with how member states health systems effectiveness set out in the Joint Strategic Framework, can manage patient mobility in a sustainable way. the UK has several specific objectives for the African Development Bank over the next 12 months. Also tabled for discussion is the pharmaceuticals Response to the financial crisis package. There are three dossiers under this package: The financial crisis is impacting on Africa, with a proposal for a directive regarding the prevention of the entry commodity prices down, remittances falling, and private into the legal supply chain of medicinal products falsified in relation to their identity; investment flows slowing. The bank has a key role to play in Africa’s response, and to help countries deal a proposal regarding pharmacovigilance of medicinal products with the challenges they are facing. In particular we will for human use; and work with the bank over the coming year to: a proposal concerning information to the general public on Enable it to meet additional demand for lending during the medicinal products for human use. crisis. We expect demands on the bank’s finances will increase Both the proposals on patients’ rights and the during the crisis, and we are committed to ensuring the bank pharmaceutical package are currently being negotiated has the resources it needs to deliver its mandate for all members. in Council working groups. Change policies that limit the impact of the bank’s response, especially removing the cap on the proportion of bank funds Over lunch, the presidency will chair an informal that can be used for budget support. ministerial discussion on the health security related Fragile states matters, including influenza. Fragile states experience huge poverty and human Under any other business, there will be information development problems. In these countries, the millennium from the presidency on the implementation of the United development goals are most off-track with extreme Nations convention on the rights of people with disability poverty, and child and maternal deaths three to four and a progress report on a directive on standards of times more prevalent than in other developing countries. quality and safety of human organs intended for The African Development Bank’s £400 million fragile transplantation. There will also be information from state facility is an important instrument that the bank the Danish delegation on ingredients in tobacco and can use in fragile states. We will work with the bank this information from the Swedish delegation will provide year to: information on the work programme for their forthcoming Establish effective bank programmes in all countries receiving presidency. funding under the fragile states facility. 9WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 10WS

Decentralisation Results As the 2005 Paris declaration on aid effectiveness Effective development organisations need clear objectives, said, developing countries must set their own strategies and must be able to benchmark and demonstrate progress for poverty reduction. To support this, the African against achieving them. The African Development Bank Development Bank is decentralising its staff from the now has a single results system for all its operations, but headquarters to bank offices around Africa. The bank the system is still being bedded in, and in some cases has made good progress establishing a large number of baselines against which progress can be measured still field offices in recent years, but these offices need to be need to be established. We will work with the bank over strengthened with the right expertise, and given an the coming year to: appropriate level of delegated authority. This year we Establish results frameworks in all bank country strategies. will work with the bank to: Ensure Bank management reports every six months on its performance indicators. Complete the decentralisation process in 15 countries, with 15 fully-staffed country offices operating effectively with appropriate A copy of the Joint Strategic Framework will be delegated authority. placed in the House of Commons Library.

7P Petitions2 JUNE 2009 Petitions 8P

Organisations such as PMS, which are registered as Petition Industrial and Provident Societies (IPSs), are exempt from regulation by the Financial Services Authority Tuesday 2 June 2009 (FSA) in respect of accepting deposits in the form of withdrawable share capital. PMS is not authorised by the FSA to accept deposits in any other form—for example, in the form of a conventional bank deposit. OBSERVATIONS Members’ deposits in an IPS are held in the form of withdrawable share capital, which means that members “invest” in their society in a similar way to as if they had purchased shares in a company. This means that their TREASURY money forms the risk capital of the society, and in the event of a failure may be lost. Societies should make Support for Mutual Societies clear to members that their deposits constitute risk The Humble Petition of the Presbyterian Mutual capital. Society, Under IPS legislation, any one member’s shareholding is limited to £20,000. Being outside of FSA regulation, Sheweth that the Prime Minister should provide similar PMS and its members do not contribute to, and are governmental guarantees to UK mutual societies as for therefore not protected by, the Financial Services banks; notes that the catalyst for the financial difficulties Compensation Scheme (FSCS). experienced by the Presbyterian Mutual Society arose after the Government applied their existing guarantee It must also be emphasised that IPSs in Northern under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme to Ireland are a devolved matter. PMS was registered a number of UK Banks and Icelandic Banks; notes that under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern this resulted in a large number of investors with the Ireland) 1969 with the relevant authority, the Department Presbyterian Mutual Society withdrawing their deposits; of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland. and acknowledges that with Government intervention The FSA has investigated the activities of PMS and the Society could be returned to its sound financial concluded that the society was conducting regulated footing. activities without the necessary authorisation or exemption under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable However, on the basis of the information currently House will urge the Prime Minister and the Chancellor available to them, and applying the criteria set out in the of the Exchequer to extend the Financial Services Code for Crown Prosecutors, the FSA has decided that Compensation Scheme to include the Presbyterian Mutual it would not be right for them to prosecute any of the Society and seek to secure appropriate intervention people involved in running PMS. The FSA remains in from the financial sector to provide a basis on which all touch with the administrator for PMS and have said members will be able to recover their investments in full. that if further information comes to light relating to the And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever issues they have investigated, they will look into it. pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson, The Administrator will be making a statutory progress Official Report, 21 April 2009; Vol. 491, c. 206 .] report on or before 16 June and I understand that a [P000347] formal arrangement for winding up the Society will be put to members in September. The Administrator’s Observations from the Chancellor of the Exchequer: website states he is currently finalising his investigation The Government notes the petition, and makes the into the conduct of the directors of the Society prior to following observations: it entering administration and his findings will be presented The Government sympathises with the extremely difficult to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment situation faced by members. shortly.

233W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 234W Written Answers to Cabinet: Glasgow Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) special Questions advisers and (b) officials of his Department accompanied him to Glasgow for the Cabinet meeting on 16 April 2009. [273925] Monday 1 June 2009 Sarah McCarthy-Fry: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families was [Continued from Column 232W] accompanied by two departmental officials on his visit to Glasgow on 16 April 2009. Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES Children, Schools and Families what car journeys he took in attending the Cabinet meeting in Glasgow on Apprentices 16 April 2009. [273926] Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Secretary of State for Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Children, Schools and Families travelled by official for Children, Schools and Families what recent steps Government car to and from the Cabinet meeting. He his Department has taken to help school leavers also travelled by official Government car to visit Crookston between the ages of 16 and 18 years-old find Early Years Centre in Glasgow. employment through training and apprenticeship schemes. [272683] Children: Databases

Jim Knight: We are determined to ensure that as Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for many young people as possible continue their learning Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer beyond the age of 16 to get the qualifications and of 2 April 2009, Official Report, column 1336W, on experience they need to succeed in an increasingly children: databases, if he will place in the Library a competitive labour market. Many will continue their copy of the Framework Agreement. [271472] learning in the workplace through an apprenticeship or work based learning programme. Beverley Hughes: A copy of the Business Services Framework Agreement between the Department and All 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered a suitable Capgemini dated 6 November 2001 has been placed in place in education or training under the September the House Libraries pursuant to the answer given on Guarantee. We announced in budget 2009 an additional 27 February 2009, Official Report, column 1116W. investment to allow 54,400 more young people to take up a place at school, college or with a training provider. Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for This is in addition to plans recently announced to make Children, Schools and Families (1) what data sources available an additional 17,500 apprenticeship places for are used to populate the National Register of 16 to 18-year-olds across the public and private sectors. Unaccompanied Children; [275472] Schools, colleges and Connexions services will give (2) what discussions his Department had with the young people in Cheshire the advice and support they Information Commissioner on the (a) design and (b) need to find a suitable opportunity. implementation of the National Register of Unaccompanied Children; [275471] Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) whether a privacy impact assessment was carried Children, Schools and Families how many hours a out on the National Register of Unaccompanied week on average 16 to 18 year-olds spent on Children; [275470] apprenticeships in each industrial sector in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) Teesside and (d) (4) what data fields there are in each record on the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency National Register of Unaccompanied Children; in the latest period for which figures are available. [275469] [276624] (5) which (a) persons and (b) bodies have authorisation to access the National Register of Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Apprenticeships for young people Unaccompanied Children directly; [275474] are normally full-time and the hours that each individual (6) what disclosures of data held on the National spends on their framework each week are a matter for Register of Unaccompanied Children have been made the apprentice and their employer. Some apprentices to (a) agencies, (b) individuals and (c) researchers work part-time. Information about the number of hours without direct access to the Register in each month that apprentices work and train each week is not collected since its inception. [275473] centrally. We are currently consulting on a specification for apprenticeship standards in England which proposes Mr. Woolas: I have been asked to reply. a minimum number of guided learning hours per year Although funding is provided by the United Kingdom for all apprentices. Border Agency the National Register of Unaccompanied The Government are committed to rebuilding Children (NRUC) is not administered by central apprenticeships. Since 1997 we have witnessed a renaissance Government. The information sought needs to be obtained in apprenticeships from a low point of 65,000 to a from NRUC direct at: record 225,000 apprenticeship starts in 2007/08. www.nruc.gov.uk 235W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 236W

Children: Day Care Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply. Section 31(3) of the Mental Health Act 2007, which Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, the Government are committed to commencing in England Schools and Families how many child care places for by April 2010, places a duty on hospital managers to children aged four years and under were available in ensure that 18s are treated in an environment which is each London local authority area in (a) 1997 and (b) suitable having regard to their age (subject to their 2007-08. [276181] needs). I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Beverley Hughes: Information is not available specifically 18 May 2009, Official Report, column 1238W, where for children aged four years and under. Available figures were provided for the number of bed-days for information on children under eight years of age is under 18s on child and adolescent mental health services shown in the table. and adult psychiatric wards, and these showed that in Number1 of registered child care places for children under eight years of age, quarter 3 of 2008-09, the latest quarter for which data position at 31 March each year are available there were no bed-days for under 16-year-olds Local authority area 19972 20083 in adult psychiatric wards and 2,918 bed-days for 16 to 17-year-olds on adult psychiatric wards. This represents Inner London less than 7 per cent. of the total bed-days young people Camden 3,100 6,100 spent on psychiatric wards in this period, a significant City of London 300 500 reduction from 12 per cent. in 2006-07. We are continuing Hackney 7,400 7,900 to monitor progress on this issue. Hammersmith and Fulham 1,800 4,800 The National Mental Health Development Unit is Haringey 4,900 5,700 currently undertaking a programme of awareness raising, Islington 6,600 6,600 self-assessment and support for trusts on this issue. Kensington and Chelsea 5,400 4,300 Lambeth 4— 8,200 Note: Lewisham 5,600 7,900 A bed-day is a day during which a person is confined to a bed and Newham 4,500 6,500 in which the patient stays overnight in a hospital. Southwark 8,200 9,600 Tower Hamlets 4— 4,700 Children: Protection Wandsworth 11,600 9,300 Westminster 6,200 4,700 Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many copies of serious case Outer London reviews have been misplaced by Ofsted in each year Barking and Dagenham 3,200 3,700 since 2001; and if he will make a statement. [271242] Barnet 7,900 8,700 Bexley 4,900 6,200 Brent 5,000 6,300 Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Bromley 8,300 10,800 Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Croydon 8,300 12,100 Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Ealing 6,500 7,900 House Libraries. Enfield 6,100 7,400 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 5 May 2009: Greenwich 3,900 8,200 Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Harrow 4,700 5,200 Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for reply. Havering 5,200 5,500 As responsibility for the evaluation of serious case reviews Hillingdon 5,700 6,600 transferred from the Commission for Social Care Inspection to Hounslow 5,600 5,300 Ofsted on 1 April 2007, we are not able to provide information Kingston upon Thames 5,500 5,100 preceding this date. Local safeguarding children boards are required, Merton 6,600 5,700 upon completion of serious case reviews, to send a copy of Red bridge 6,200 7,100 documents to Ofsted for evaluation. Richmond upon Thames 9,400 6,900 Since April 2007, Ofsted has received documentation for 234 Sutton 4,300 5,400 serious case reviews. One set of documents was lost in December Waltham Forest 3,200 7,500 2007, within one of Ofsted’s regional offices, and has not been 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 if under 100, and to the nearest found. I very much regret this. Due to the highly sensitive content 100 if over 100. of serious case reviews, the matter was thoroughly investigated 2 Data Source: Children’s Daycare Facilities Survey—total includes day and a more secure document handling process was implemented nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, child minders, out of school clubs and across the whole of Ofsted. holiday schemes. 3 Data Source: Ofsted—total includes full daycare, sessional daycare, child There has been no recurrence. However, there have been four minders, out of school clubs and crèche daycare. incidents when local safeguarding boards have claimed to have 4 Data not available. sent documents to Ofsted that were not received. Ofsted has a process for recording receipt of post, which is why we know the Children: Mental Health Services Derbyshire documents were received in our Midlands regional office and then lost by us. We have no record of documents from these four incidents reaching any of our four offices and in none Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for of these cases could proof of postage be provided. In each case, Children, Schools and Families what his most recent documents were subsequently provided to Ofsted and evaluated. assessment is of his Department’s progress in meeting A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Jim Knight MP, its target of having no children placed on adult mental Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in health wards by 2010. [275652] the library of both Houses. 237W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 238W

Citizenship: Education environmental control equipment that require inspection under The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. Children, Schools and Families how many secondary Inspections of our three properties are being scheduled schools in England employ one or more teachers who and the inspection results will be placed in the House have completed initial teacher training courses to Libraries. become specialist citizenship teachers. [275909] Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Knight: The information is not available in the Children, Schools and Families how much his format requested. Department has spent on carrying out inspections of air conditioning systems within its departmental Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for buildings in accordance with the Energy Performance Children, Schools and Families how many secondary of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England school teachers in England have completed initial and Wales) Regulations 2007. [270616] teacher training courses to become specialist citizenship teachers in the last (a) 12 months and (b) Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children two years. [275910] Schools and Families has three headquarter properties in Sheffield, Darlington and London that have Jim Knight: The number of teachers gaining Qualified environmental control equipment that require inspection Teacher Status (QTS) via secondary Initial Teacher under The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates Training (ITT) courses in Citizenship for each of the and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007. last two years for which data are available is given in the following table. The estimated costs for these inspections are: Sheffield—£1,859 +VAT Teachers gaining QTS Via secondary ITT courses in citizenship Employment based London—£2,080 + VAT Mainstream routes Darlington—£1,859 + VAT.

2005/06 190 40 2006/07 180 40 Departmental Marketing Notes: 1. Mainstream figures include Universities, other Higher Education Institutions, SCITT and Open University but excludes employment based routes and cases Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for where QTS was granted on assessment-based teacher training. Children, Schools and Families how much has been 2. Employment based ITT excludes cases where QTS was granted on assessment- spent by his Department on advertising in weekly and based teacher training. 3. Citizenship includes Citizenship and Business Studies, and Citizenship and regional newspapers in the last five years. [277161] History. 4. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Since January 2004 the TDA Performance Profiles. Department, and its predecessor (Department for Education Class Sizes: Primary Education and Skills), has spent £1,478,364 on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers. Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking to reduce Departmental Pay the number of five to seven-year-olds in unlawfully large classes; and if he will make a statement. [276513] Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We take breaches of infant Department paid in end-of-year performance bonuses class size legislation very seriously. Officials will be to (a) all staff and (b) senior Civil Service staff in following up with the local authorities and schools 2008-09; and how many such payments were made. concerned to ensure remedial action is being taken. [275260] Local authorities and schools have a legal responsibility to limit infant class sizes and, if necessary, the Secretary Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on non-consolidated of State has powers to direct them to comply. payments is as follows: Departmental Air Conditioning All staff bonuses (below senior civil service): £1.070 million Senior civil service bonuses: £0.78 million Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of staff awarded bonuses: 1,403 Children, Schools and Families how many of his All of these payments were made from and funded Department’s buildings are equipped with air within existing pay bill controls. Payments to senior conditioning systems with greater than 250kW of civil servants are based on recommendations of the output; how many of these systems have been inspected Senior Salaries Review Body. under the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007; and if he will place in the Library a Economic and Monetary Union copy of the results. [270615] Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children Children, Schools and Families what activities have Schools and Families has three headquarter properties been undertaken by his Department’s Euro Minister in in Sheffield, Darlington and London that have that capacity. [277167] 239W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 240W

Jim Knight: Ministers from this Department represent Jim Knight: The information available is given in the the UK at the regular meetings of EU Education and table: YouthCouncils, and at informal meetings of EU Education 16 to 18-year-old candidates who were entered for level 3 qualifications at least Ministers. equivalent in size to one GCE/VCE A-level In 2009, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of Number

State (Sarah McCarthy-Fry) attended Youth Council 2008 1,303 on 16 February. I attended an informal meeting of EU 2007 1,191 Education Ministers in Prague on 22-23 March, at 2006 1,104 which we discussed a Czech presidency paper about the Source: role of education for recovery and long term development; Achievement and Attainment Tables. and the issue of fostering stronger links between education Figures are for the maintained sector only: maintained institutions and employers. schools and further education colleges. I also attended EU Education and Youth Council in Similar reliable data for AS-level figures cannot be Brussels on 11-12 May which discussed the future EU provided as the point at which students ‘complete their Youth Co-operation Framework. We also agreed AS-level’ study is hard to define. The final number of conclusions on improving partnerships between educational AS-levels recorded will depend on when, or whether, institutions and employers; and on a new strategic students decide to ‘cash-in’ their AS-levels. framework for co-operation between member states in education and training in Europe in the period up to GCSE 2020.

Education Maintenance Allowance Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for percentage of pupils have no schools where more than Children, Schools and Families what his most recent 30 per cent. of pupils achieved five GCSEs at A*-C estimate is of the number of children in households including English and mathematics in 2008 within (a) with annual income above £30,810 in receipt of two and (b) three miles of their homes. [268483] education maintenance allowance (EMA) under the EMA guarantee. [277089] Jim Knight: The information is as follows: (a) 128,401 pupils1,2 have no schools3 with more than 30 per Jim Knight: The EMA Guarantee was introduced in cent. of pupils achieving five GCSEs at A*-C including English the current academic year of 2008/09 and relates to and mathematics within two miles of their homes. This represents entitlement in future years. No young person will receive 2.1 per cent. of all pupils1,2 attending maintained mainstream EMA under the guarantee before academic year 2009/10. schools. 1,2 3 Under the terms of the guarantee, a successful assessment (b) 52,812 pupils have no schools with more than 30 per cent. of pupils achieving five GCSEs at A*-C including English of eligibility based on household income will entitle the and mathematics within three miles of their homes. This represents learner to up to three years of EMA on the same rate, as 0.9 per cent. of all pupils1,2 attending maintained mainstream long as they enrol on valid provision and keep to their schools. learning contract. Since September 2008, all young 1 Pupils aged five to 15 years with a valid home postcode attending people receiving income assessed EMA will be clear maintained mainstream schools. what financial support they will be entitled to if they 2 Excludes 632,931 pupils who do not have any schools within two continue in post 16 learning and meet the agreed miles and 355,329 pupils who do not have any schools within requirements relating to attendance, behaviour, and progress three miles. on their course. 3 Excludes schools reported to be closed in 2007/08 Attainment and Achievement Tables. First Aid: Education Source: Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for School Census 2008 - Attainment and Achievement Tables 2007/08 Children, Schools and Families if he will make it his The National Challenge programme is supporting all policy to ensure that schools provide first aid training schools below the floor with bespoke packages of support to school leavers. [272396] to help schools accelerate their improvements. This will help to increase the number of good school places for Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Personal, Social, Health and pupils, delivering a sustainable transformation of secondary Economic (PSHE) education already provides children education across the country. and young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices in a range of contexts Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for related to health and safety. Children learn about basic Children, Schools and Families how many entries there and emergency first aid, as well as where and how to were for GCSE examinations for pupils from each type obtain health information, how to recognise and follow of school in each of the last three years. [268492] health and safety procedures and ways of reducing risk and minimising harm in risky situations. Jim Knight: The answer is provided in the following table: GCE A-Level: Bexley Number of full GCSE entries by pupils at the end of Key Stage 4, by school type Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Thousand Children, Schools and Families how many pupils in the School type 2008 2007 2006 London Borough of Bexley completed (a) AS and (b) Comprehensive 4,187.0 3,826.6 3,820.6 A level courses in each of the last three years. [270810] Selective 227.4 209.0 207.5 241W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 242W

Number of full GCSE entries by pupils at the end of Key Stage 4, by school type Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Thousand Children, Schools and Families (1) how many and what School type 2008 2007 2006 proportion of pupils attended mainstream secondary Modern 203.3 185.2 185.7 schools at which less than (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per Other 31.0 16.6 15.2 cent. and (c) 30 per cent. of pupils obtained fewer than maintained five A* to C grades in GCSE including English and Independent 385.1 384.7 388.0 mathematics in 2007-08; [271016] Source: (2) how many and what proportion of children in Attainment and Achievement Tables care with statements of special educational needs The figures relate to pupils who were at the end of attended mainstream secondary schools at which fewer Key Stage 4 in the given year and include any GCSE than (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent. and (c) 30 per attempts by these pupils in previous academic years. cent. of pupils obtained fewer than five A* to C grades Only full GCSEs have been included. in GCSEs including English and mathematics in 2007-08; [260507] (3) how many and what proportion of children in Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for care attended mainstream secondary schools at which Children, Schools and Families how many pupils (a) fewer than (a) 10 per cent., (b) 20 per cent. and (c) 30 eligible for and (b) not eligible for free school meals per cent. of pupils obtained fewer than five A* to C achieved eight or more GCSEs at A or A* grade in grades in GCSEs including English and mathematics in [268497] each of the last three years. 2007-08. [260509] Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on children in Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The answer is provided in the care is usually sourced from the Looked-After Children following table: database but this is not currently matched to attainment Number and percentage of pupils who achieved eight or more GCSEs at A or A* data. by FSM eligibility Number Percentage Data on pupils in care are also collected via the Non-FSM FSM Non-FSM FSM School Census. However, the School Census may undercount the number of looked-after children in 2006 33,497 844 6.5 1.1 secondary and special schools. 2007 34,728 872 6.7 1.1 However, data on special educational needs, in care 2008 37,766 890 7.2 1.2 and attainment are currently not matched together in Source: one data extract. Producing that could be done only at National Pupil Database. disproportionate cost. The figures are based on pupils at the end of key The available data extract does, however, combine stage 4 and include results in full and double award data on children in care with Achievement and Attainment GCSEs, vocational/applied GCSEs, short courses and Table data. In care data from that source is given in the intermediate GNVQs. table.

All pupils Pupils in care Number of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 attending maintained mainstream schools at which fewer than: Number Percentage Number Percentage

10% of pupils achieve fewer than five GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and Maths 23,733 4.0 16 0.4 20% of pupils achieve fewer than five GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and Maths 34,305 5.9 52 1.3 30% of pupils achieve fewer than five GCSEs at grade A*-C including English and Maths 62,888 10.7 125 3.1

Only schools with results published in the Achievement Number and percentage of pupils1 whose first language is not English2 and are at the end of key stage 4 achieving five or more GCSE’s at grade A*-C or and Attainment Tables have been included in this answer. equivalent including English and mathematics Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Number Percentage Children, Schools and Families how many and what 2008 26,328 45.1 proportion of pupils whose first language was not 1 Only pupils in maintained schools have been counted. English achieved five grades A* to C at GCSE 2 First language is either known or believed to be other than English. 3 For 2004, figures are based on pupils ages 15 rather than at the end of key including English and mathematics in each year since stage 4. 1997. [271473] 4 Percentages of pupils at end of key stage 4 whose first language is not believed to be English. Source: Jim Knight: This information available can be found National Pupil Database in the following table: Figures prior to 2004 cannot be given on a comparable Number and percentage of pupils1 whose first language is not English2 and are at basis as qualifications equivalent to a GCSE were not the end of key stage 4 achieving five or more GCSE’s at grade A*-C or equivalent including English and mathematics included in the calculation of the attainment results. Number Percentage Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for 20043 19,222 437.3 Children, Schools and Families how many and what 2005 20,690 40.3 proportion of pupils of the relevant age did not gain a 2006 22,714 41.7 GCSE at (a) C grade or above, (b) D grade or above 2007 24,202 43.5 and (c) E grade or above in 2008. [259106] 243W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 244W

Jim Knight: The information is as follows: Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected In 2008: centrally. 123,542 (20.7 per cent.) pupils at the end of KS4 did not gain a GCSE at grade C or above Literacy: Primary Education 66,456 (11.1 per cent.) pupils at the end of KS4 did not gain a GCSE at grade D or above Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for 37,180 (6.2 per cent.) of pupils at the end of KS4 did not gain a Children, Schools and Families what funding his GCSE at grade E or above Department is providing to projects to improve literacy The figures relate to all pupils in maintained schools; in primary schools in 2009-10. [275785] and include full GCSEs and vocational GCSEs. Jim Knight: In 2009-10 we expect to spend in the GCSE: Disadvantaged region of £130 million projects to improve literacy in primary schools in 2009-10. This includes funding for Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for schools and local authorities via the standards fund and Children, Schools and Families in how many schools central delivery costs of the national strategies (including (a) 75 per cent. or more and (b) 50 per cent. or more provision of an education field force and free continuing of pupils eligible to receive free school meals did not professional development resources for teachers and achieve a single GCSE above grade D in 2008. [251048] practitioners), as follows: £78 million for literacy and mathematics, Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is £13 million for our communication, language and literacy provided as follows: development programme implementing the recommendations (a) The number of maintained mainstream schools1 where 75 of the 2006 Rose Review of Early Reading, per cent. or more of pupils eligible to receive free school meals did £30 million for our Every Child a Reader programme, 2 not achieve any GCSEs above grade D at the end of key stage 4 £8 million for our Every Child a Writer programme. in 2008 was 29. (b) The number of maintained mainstream schools1 where 50 per cent. or more of pupils eligible to receive free school meals did Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for not achieve any GCSEs2 above grade D at the end of key stage 4 Children, Schools and Families (1) how many children in 2008 was 621. in England have received one-to-one tuition in reading 1 Schools published in the Secondary School Achievement and through the Every Child A Reader programme since its Attainment Tables with more than 10 pupils eligible for free national implementation; [275789] school meals. (2) what funding has been allocated to the national 2 Includes full GCSEs and vocational GCSEs only. GNVQs and implementation of the Every Child A Reader other equivalents are not included. programme; [275787] Source: (3) what the estimated cost per child of the Every National Pupil Database. Child A Reader programme is; and if he will make a statement. [275788] Gifted Children Sarah McCarthy-Fry: By the end of this school year, Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for just over 8,000 children will have received one-to-one Children, Schools and Families how many and what tuition in reading through the Every Child a Reader proportion of (a) primary and (b) secondary school programme since its national implementation in September pupils in (i) each region of England and (ii) Darlington 2008. This is at a cost to Government of approximately are on gifted and talented programmes. [275751] £17 million over the academic year 2008/09. The implementation of the Every Child a Reader programme Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department does not collect is proving to be very successful, with children who data on pupils participating in gifted and talented access the intensive elements of these programmes making programmes. Through the School Census schools are four to five times the normal rate of progress. asked to confirm the gifted and talented pupils they A report by KPMG’s Every Child a Chance Trust, have identified. I have placed in the House Libraries a published in January 2009, estimates the cost per child table showing the number and percentage of identified to be £2,609. This figure includes the costs incurred by gifted and talented pupils in maintained primary and local authorities as well as the national training and secondary schools at January 2008, broken down by infrastructure co-ordinated through the University of local authority and region. This shows that the figures London’s Institute of Education. for Darlington are 3.7 per cent. (primary) and 13.6 per cent. (secondary), against national figures of 8.1 per This Government are committed to ensuring every cent. and 13.6 per cent. respectively. child learns to read. For most, this will mean good systematic phonics through the early years and beginning of primary school. For others, extra provision will be Head Teachers necessary—primarily through school-based interventions and our Every Child a Reader programme. We continue Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, to fund local authorities and schools to strike the Schools and Families how many (a) primary and (b) appropriate balance between whole class teaching and secondary schools did not have a permanent head catch-up interventions for those children that need it. teacher for any period in each of the last 10 years; and We remain committed to rolling out this highly effective if he will make a statement. [276511] programme to reach 30,000 children a year by 2010/11. 245W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 246W

Members Correspondence: Learning and Skills Council The group also made a number of recommendations for strengthening the quality of teacher assessment in Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for primary and secondary schools. Children, Schools and Families (1) when he plans to The report and its recommendations, which the reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall Government have agreed to in full, can be viewed on the North of 7 April 2009 on Learning and Skills Council DCSF website at: funding; [277482] http://publications.dcsf.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction= (2) when the Chief Executive of the Learning and productdetails&PageMode=publications&Productld=DCSF- Skills Council plans to reply to the letter from the hon. 00532-2009& Member for Walsall North of 7 April 2009 on funding. [277483] Primary Education

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: A response to the letter to the Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State, signed by Jim Knight, was sent to Children, Schools and Families (1) what his most the hon. Member on 27 May 2009. recent estimate is of the number of primary school The Learning and Skills Council has been focused on children expected to transfer to the state sector from resolving allocations for schools, colleges and independent the independent sector in the academic year 2009-10; training providers. Letters with revised allocations for [273859] 2009/10, including the letter to the hon. Member will be (2) what his most recent estimate is of the number of issued as soon as possible after the period of sensitivity primary school children who will transfer to state around elections. education from abroad in the academic year 2009-10; National Curriculum Tests [273860] (3) how many primary school children have (a) Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for transferred to the state sector from the independent Children, Schools and Families if he will place in the sector and (b) transferred to the state sector from Library a copy of all correspondence between the abroad in each of the last 10 years. [273992] Secretary of State, the Minister of State for Schools and Learners and Mr. Ken Boston between January Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 8 May 2009]: and December 2008. [271772] The Department makes no estimate of the number of primary school children expected to transfer to the state Jim Knight: QCA has now placed correspondence sector from the independent sector, or who will transfer between me and Ken Boston, in his role as chief executive to state education from abroad. Nor does the Department of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), collect data on the number of primary school children on their website at: that have transferred to the state sector from (a) the http://www.qca.org.uk/qca_15838.aspx independent sector or (b) abroad. That web page also includes correspondence between QCA and other Government Ministers. Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State made of the number of primary school places required for Children, Schools and Families (1) what recent in England as a result of net migration in each local assessment his Department has made of the education authority in each of the years 2009-31. effectiveness of standard assessment tests in (a) [273994] primary and (b) secondary schools in raising standards of literacy and numeracy; [272951] Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 8 May 2009]: (2) what consideration he has given to the The Department makes no such estimates. Local authorities replacement of standard assessment tests with a system are responsible for planning the supply of school places of assessment by teachers. [272952] in their area and for ensuring sufficient places are available to meet local needs. When projecting future Jim Knight: Over the last 10 years, National Curriculum demand for places we expect authorities to take account testing and assessment has played a vital role in ensuring of factors that will have an impact on future pupil that more than 100,000 more pupils leave primary school numbers, including net migration. secure in English and maths. The Key Stage 2 tests provide a robust and objective measure of pupils’ Pupil Exclusions performance, and a recent survey confirmed that they are greatly valued by parents. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for We announced last year that 14-year-olds would no Children, Schools and Families (1) how many pupils in longer be required to sit national Key Stage 3 tests, but each local authority area were excluded for more than would be assessed by ongoing teacher assessment (a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15, (d) 20, (e) 25, (f) 30, (g) 35, throughout the key stage. At the same time, we established (h) 40, (i) 45 and (j) 50 days in the last school year for a new Expert Group on assessment to advise the which data are available; [262483] Government on the future of testing and assessment (2) how many and what proportion of pupils in each and its role in school accountability. The group published local authority area who were eligible for free school its report on 7 May 2009. The group reported that the meals were excluded for more than (a) five, (b) 10, (c) Key Stage 2 tests are valuable, vital for public accountability 15, (d) 20, (e) 25, (f) 30, (g) 35, (h) 40, (i) 45 and (j) and a key part of giving parents objective information 50 days in the last school year for which data are on their children’s levels of attainment and progress. available; [262482] 247W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 248W

(3) how many and what proportion of primary Jim Knight: Ofsted published ‘Day six of exclusion: school pupils in each local authority area were the extent and quality of provision for pupils’ on 13 May excluded for more than (a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15, (d) 20, 2009. The report is available on Ofsted’s website at: (e) 25, (f) 30, (g) 35, (h) 40, (i) 45 and (j) 50 days in http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and- the last school year for which data are available; research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/ [262481] Day-six-of-exclusion-the-extent-and-quality-of-provision-for- pupils (4) how many and what proportion of secondary school pupils in each local authority area were Pupil Exclusions: Disadvantaged excluded for more than (a) five, (b) 10, (c) 15, (d) 20, (e) 25, (f) 30, (g) 35, (h) 40, (i) 45 and (j) 50 days in Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for the last school year for which data are available. Children, Schools and Families how many pupils have [262480] been given a fixed period exclusion for attacks on (a) pupils and (b) teachers in (i) National Challenge Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information available, on schools and (ii) schools in each decile of area pupil enrolments, for 2006/07 has been placed in the deprivation in each of the last three years. [268486] House Libraries. A small proportion of pupils have more than one enrolment i.e. if they move school during Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The readily available information the year or are registered at more than one school. The relates to the number of fixed period exclusions (not the analysis is based on the duration of exclusions per number of pupils) from schools in each decile of area enrolment. deprivation, where the reason for exclusion was physical assault on a pupil or physical assault on an adult Figures are as reported by schools. (including, but not only, teachers), and is shown in the It is possible that some permanent exclusions have table. been miscoded as fixed period exclusions. In 2005/06, data on fixed period exclusions were I am aware that the statistics show that a number of collected from secondary schools only; therefore, the pupils were excluded for longer than the statutory 45 data is not comparable to other years and has not been day limit for fixed period exclusions in any one school provided. year. The Department is concerned that a small number In 2004/05 data were collected via the Termly Exclusions of schools have not met their legal duties in this regard, Survey. In 2006/07 data were collected via the School and has written to relevant local authorities to remind Census for 2006/07. Caution is needed when comparing them of the need to monitor and challenge schools who results from the two sources, which have some differences have acted unlawfully in this respect. in scope. The National Challenge programme was launched Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for on 10 June 2008; schools are being supported under the Children, Schools and Families whether Ofsted has National Challenge to raise pupil attainment—each reported to his Department the outcome of its according to specific local need, including any problems thematic review of how schools and local authorities of exclusion. The latest available data on exclusions is are meeting their requirements to provide excluded for 2006/07; there were no National Challenge schools pupils with suitable full-time education. [275995] at that time and therefore data has not been provided.

Primary, secondary and special schools—number of fixed period exclusions for physical assaults on pupils or adults1—2004/05 and 2006/07— England 2004/052,3,4 2006/075,6 Physical assault on an Physical assault on a Physical assault on an Physical assault on a IDACI band of school: adult pupil adult pupil

0-10 2,630 8,220 2,940 8,900 10-20 2,570 9,010 2,440 8,370 20-30 2,440 10,500 2,370 9,920 30-40 2,070 9,200 2,040 8,250 40-50 2,010 8,950 1,970 9,090 50-60 1,360 6,820 1,480 7,240 60-70 1,490 8,200 1,620 7,800 70-80 1,420 7,370 1,420 7,760 80-90 1,290 6,680 1,250 6,500 90-100 1,190 5,720 1,060 5,350 Total7 18,490 80,700 18,590 79,180 1 Number of fixed period exclusions where the reason for exclusion was physical assault on a pupil or physical assault on an adult. 2 Excludes city technology colleges and academies. 3 Includes maintained special schools only. 4 Information on fixed period exclusions has been derived from the Termly Exclusions Survey. 5 Includes both maintained and non-maintained special schools, and city technology colleges and academies. 6 Information on fixed period exclusions has been derived from the School Census. 7 Totals for 2004/05 include 73 exclusions where the IDACI band of the school could not be determined. Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Termly Exclusions Survey and School Census. 249W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 250W

Pupils Jim Knight: No expenditure has been incurred by the Department, this is a decision which is made entirely Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for within each school, and each school finds resources Children, Schools and Families how many pupils from within existing school budgets. enrolled in schools in England have been living in the Schools are responsible for the security of personal UK for less than two years; and if he will make a data under the Data Protection Act. The lead agency statement. [273139] for technology in schools, Becta, has provided data security guidance for schools which emphasises their Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 7 May 2009]: legal responsibilities. We do not hold the information requested. Data on numbers of schools in each region is not Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for collected centrally, the decision to use biometric devices Children, Schools and Families what school roll is left to individual schools, and no central funding is projections were made for (a) primary pupils and (b) provided. secondary schools in (i) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, (ii) the London Borough of Newham, (iii) the City of Westminster, (iv) Manchester City Council, (v) Pupils: Epilepsy Birmingham City Council and (vi) Liverpool City Council for each year since 1997; and how many pupils Mrs. Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for were recorded on school rolls for (A) primary and (B) Children, Schools and Families what guidance his secondary schools in each such local authority area in Department issues to schools on the provision of each such year. [275997] support for children diagnosed with epilepsy; and what assessment he has made of the extent to which such Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 15 May 2009]: guidance is complied with. [276664] The Department collects information on current and projected future pupil numbers annually from local Sarah McCarthy-Fry: There are two different sets of authorities, as part of the surplus places survey. The guidance on the provision and support to children earliest figures available relate to 2003, and the most diagnosed with epilepsy available to schools. “Managing recent to 2008. Medicines in schools and early years settings” was Tables showing the number of pupils on roll and produced in 2005 by the then Department for Education pupil projections for primary and secondary schools and Skills (DfES) and Department of Health. This that were provided by each of the authorities listed guidance explains what epilepsy is and provides schools between 2003 and 2008 have been placed in the House with medical support and advice on what to do should a Libraries. child experience a seizure. “Including Me” was produced in the same year in Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for conjunction with key stakeholders to accompany Children, Schools and Families what research his “Managing Medicines”. This was published to help Department has conducted on the likely effects on schools, early years settings and health providers to school roll projections in (a) primary and (b) develop policies and procedures to ensure that children secondary schools of changes in levels of immigration. with complex health needs can access education and [276000] childcare. This includes an example of a child experiencing severe episodes of epilepsy having a need identified for Jim Knight [holding answer 15 May 2009]: National a trained learning support assistant at school. pupil projections take account of several factors, including We do not collect data centrally on how many schools actual pupil numbers derived from the School Census, actively use both sets of guidance. expected trends in participation for children outside statutory school ages, and the latest population projections produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The population projections include assumptions about Pupils: Languages future levels of fertility, mortality and migration. Details of these assumptions are published on the ONS website Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for at: Children, Schools and Families how many and what http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/ proportion of pupils whose first language was not PT129_Long_term_assumptions.pdf English and who had special educational needs achieved five grades A* to C at GCSE in each year Pupils: Biometrics since 1997. [265672]

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Knight: This information available can be found Children, Schools and Families (1) how much in the following table: expenditure his Department has incurred in facilitating Number and percentage of pupils1 with special educational needs, whose first the collection of biometric data in schools to date; language is not English2 and are at the end of key stage 4 achieving five or more [276640] GCSE’s at grade A*-C or equivalent (2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure the Number Percentage secure holding of biometric data gathered by schools; 20043 1,350 414.9 [276641] 2005 1,815 19.5 (3) how many maintained schools in each region use 2006 2,460 23.0 biometric devices. [276642] 2007 3,333 27.9 251W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 252W

Number and percentage of pupils1 with special educational needs, whose first Pupils: Per Capita Costs language is not English2 and are at the end of key stage 4 achieving five or more GCSE’s at grade A*-C or equivalent Number Percentage Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average 2008 4,519 32.9 spending per pupil was in (a) mainstream primary 1 Only pupils in maintained schools have been counted. 2 First language is either known or believed to be other than English. schools, (b) mainstream secondary schools, (c) special 3 For 2004, figures are based on pupils ages 15 rather than at the end of key schools, (d) pupil referral units and (e) academies in stage 4. each local authority in each year since 1997. [275653] 4 Percentages of pupils at end of key stage 4 with special educational needs and whose first language is not believed to be English. Source: Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The average spending per pupil National Pupil Database in (a) mainstream primary schools, (b) mainstream Figures prior to 2004 cannot be given on a comparable secondary schools, (c) special schools and (d) pupil basis as qualifications equivalent to a GCSE were not referral units since 1997 is shown in a table, which will included in the calculation of the attainment results. be placed in the House Libraries. The average spending per pupil for academies in each Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for local authority in each year since 1997 is not available Children, Schools and Families how many pupils for individual local authority areas. However, the national whose first language was not English achieved an A funding per pupil for academies, for financial years level in a foreign language in each of the last 10 years. currently available are shown in the following table. [265673] Financial year Per pupil (£)

Jim Knight: The information available, which relates 2003-04 4,294 to modern foreign languages only, can be found in the 2004-05 4,469 following table: 2005-06 4,203 2006-07 4,600 Number of candidates aged 16 to 18 at the end of advanced level study whose 2007-08 5,001 first language was not English, achieving an A-level in a modern foreign language 2008-09 5,344 Number Notes: 2003 1,360 1. Certain elements of funding such as start-up and VAT grants have been omitted to make the figures better comparable with those for maintained 2004 1,384 schools. 2005 1,571 2. For each academy, the largest element of funding (the school budget share) is 2006 1,302 calculated by using the relevant local authority formula so that funding is equivalent to that received by a maintained school with identical characteristics. 2007 1,553 2008 1,651 Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Source: National Pupil Database Schools and Families what the per capita spend per child in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools was in Figures prior to 2003 have not been provided as each local education authority area in England in (i) post-16 attainment matched to pupil characteristics is 1997 and (ii) 2007-08. [276183] not available for earlier years. These figures are for pupils aged 16 to 18 in maintained Jim Knight: The per capita spend per child in (a) schools only—pupil characteristics matched to attainment primary and (b) secondary schools for each local education are not available for independent schools or Further authority area in England for (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007-08 is Education Colleges. shown in the following table.

School based expenditure per pupil in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools (1997-98 and 2007-08) 1997-98 2007-08 LA maintained pre- primary and primary LA maintained LA maintained primary LA maintained schools secondary schools schools secondary schools

England 1,740 2,360 3,580 4,620

Barking and Dagenham 1,970 2,650 3,790 5,690 Barnet 1,860 2,640 4,040 5,090 Barnsley 1,560 2,220 3,590 4,440 Bath and NE Somerset 1,720 2,360 3,360 4,150 Bedfordshire 1,750 2,240 3,500 4,090 Berkshire 1,610 2,320 — — Bexley 1,590 2,350 3,440 4,660 Birmingham 1,940 2,590 3,950 5,230 Blackburn with Darwen — — 3,580 4,930 Blackpool — — 3,530 4,420 Bolton 1,750 2,330 3,350 4,660 Bournemouth 1,480 2,210 3,270 4,240 Bracknell Forest — — 3,230 4,430 253W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 254W

School based expenditure per pupil in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools (1997-98 and 2007-08) 1997-98 2007-08 LA maintained pre- primary and primary LA maintained LA maintained primary LA maintained schools secondary schools schools secondary schools

Bradford 2,140 1,640 3,740 4,830 Brent 2,030 3,850 4,130 5,690 Brighton and Hove 1,550 2,310 3,240 4,620 Bromley 1,720 2,570 3,300 4,610 Buckinghamshire 1,630 2,290 3,280 4,220 Bury 1,490 2,160 3,250 4,290 Calderdale 1,660 2,510 3,550 4,560 Cambridgeshire pre LGR 1,580 2,270 — — Cambridgeshire — — 3,280 4,210 Camden 2,390 3,160 4,960 6,280 Cheshire pre LGR 1,710 2,310 — — Cheshire — — 3,390 4,300 City of Bristol 1,810 2,570 3,460 4,990 City of Kingston-upon-Hull 1,680 2,280 3,590 4,770 City of London 3,810 0 6,240 0 City of Nottingham — — 4,030 5,270 City of Peterborough — — 3,590 4,960 City of Plymouth — — 3,400 4,510 Cornwall 1,670 2,320 3,380 4,410 Coventry 1,800 2,500 3,640 4,850 Croydon 1,910 2,700 3,720 4,870 Cumbria 1,860 2,500 3,590 4,510 Darlington 1,420 2,070 3,440 4,610 Derby 1,670 2,550 3,590 4,590 Derbyshire 1,580 2,300 3,340 4,320 Pre LGR Devon 1,630 2,310 — — Devon — — 3,390 4,240 Doncaster 1,890 2,460 3,520 4,870 Dorset 1,640 2,120 3,340 4,180 Dudley 1,570 2,190 3,540 4,390 Durham 1,690 2,210 3,740 4,730 Ealing 2,020 2,700 4,020 5,470 East Riding of Yorkshire 1,610 2,300 3,320 4,140 East Sussex 1,670 2,350 3,400 4,370 Enfield 1,900 2,630 4,010 5,080 Essex pre LGR 1,740 2,580 — — Essex — — 3,440 4,550 Gateshead 1,700 2,300 3,550 4,590 Gloucestershire 1,640 2,260 3,380 4,270 Greenwich 2,190 2,700 4,440 6,030 Hackney 2,420 3,070 5,230 6,970 Halton — — 3,680 5,030 Hammersmith and Fulham 2,520 3,400 4,690 6,070 Hampshire 1,700 2,330 3,410 4,320 Haringey 2,360 3,170 4,370 5,870 Harrow 2,140 2,860 3,860 5,540 Hartlepool 1,500 2,150 3,810 4,820 Havering 1,750 2,720 3,550 5,000 Hereford and Worcester 1,660 2,200 — — Herefordshire — — 3,470 4,280 Hertfordshire 1,760 2,520 3,310 4,490 Hillingdon 1,730 2,720 3,890 5,250 Hounslow 2,060 2,670 3,910 5,190 Isle of Wight 1,800 2,200 3,830 4,360 Isles of Scilly 2,560 4,570 7,670 0 Islington 2,340 3,170 4,950 6,010 Kensington and Chelsea 2,650 3,410 5,130 6,640 Kent pre LGR 1,700 2,420 — — Kent — — 3,290 4,510 255W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 256W

School based expenditure per pupil in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools (1997-98 and 2007-08) 1997-98 2007-08 LA maintained pre- primary and primary LA maintained LA maintained primary LA maintained schools secondary schools schools secondary schools

Kingston-upon-Thames 1,830 2,480 3,780 4,830 Kirklees 1,650 2,260 3,800 4,600 Knowsley 1,700 2,260 3,600 5,250 Lambeth 2,810 3,290 5,060 6,480 Lancashire pre LGR 1,670 2,400 — — Lancashire — — 3,640 4,510 Leeds 1,710 2,370 3,610 4,640 Leicester city 1,740 2,320 3,820 4,920 Leicestershire 1,660 2,290 3,220 4,140 Lewisham 2,340 3,050 4,670 6,270 Lincolnshire 1,680 2,510 3,280 4,420 Liverpool 1,660 2,370 4,020 5,190 Luton 1,700 2,190 3,800 4,930 Manchester 1,620 2,450 3,590 5,150 Medway — — 3,570 4,600 Merton 2,060 2,490 3,770 4,670 Middlesbrough 1,580 2,390 3,750 5,430 Milton Keynes 1,610 2,090 3,470 4,660 Newcastle-upon-Tyne 1,940 2,480 3,610 4,780 Newham 1,850 2,820 4,500 6,010 Norfolk 1,710 2,450 3,540 4,340 North East Lincolnshire 1,600 2,230 3,600 4,900 North Lincolnshire 1,650 2,260 3,360 4,570 North Somerset 1,690 2,430 3,300 4,260 North Tyneside 1,640 2,270 3,400 4,570 North Yorkshire 1,650 2,340 3,530 4,320 Northamptonshire 1,580 2,250 3,230 4,400 Northumberland 1,620 2,040 3,660 3,970 Nottinghamshire pre LGR 1,720 2,380 — — Nottinghamshire — — 3,430 4,400 Oldham 1,650 2,300 3,420 4,870 Oxfordshire 1,630 2,270 3,220 4,410 Poole 1,510 1,820 3,200 4,420 Portsmouth 1,780 2,320 3,630 4,550 Reading — — 3,450 4,720 Redbridge 1,810 2,610 3,520 4,750 Redcar and Cleveland 1,630 2,270 3,620 4,670 Richmond-upon-Thames 1,940 2,550 3,650 5,160 Rochdale 1,680 2,400 3,660 4,890 Rotherham 1,580 2,180 3,560 4,750 Rutland 1,890 0 3,530 4,370 Salford 1,560 2,330 3,480 5,020 Sandwell 1,850 2,420 3,730 4,830 Sefton 1,590 2,360 3,610 4,690 Sheffield 1,680 2,180 3,440 4,490 Shropshire pre LGR 1,680 2,480 — — Shropshire — — 3,250 4,220 Slough — — 3,560 4,930 Solihull 1,630 2,320 3,210 4,130 Somerset 1,700 2,240 3,410 4,110 South Gloucestershire 1,650 2,440 3,210 4,280 South Tyneside 1,560 2,110 3,600 4,870 Southampton 1,830 2,420 3,640 5,130 Southend — — 3,580 4,610 Southwark 2,330 3,040 5,140 6,730 St. Helens 1,600 2,270 3,470 4,710 Staffordshire 1,580 2,110 3,270 4,220 Stockport 1,570 2,110 3,350 4,250 Stockton-on-Tees 1,450 2,120 3,380 4,520 257W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 258W

School based expenditure per pupil in local authority maintained primary and secondary schools (1997-98 and 2007-08) 1997-98 2007-08 LA maintained pre- primary and primary LA maintained LA maintained primary LA maintained schools secondary schools schools secondary schools

Stoke 1,600 2,300 3,370 4,790 Suffolk 1,770 2,290 3,510 4,240 Sunderland 1,660 2,220 3,520 4,750 Surrey 1,780 2,310 3,360 4,300 Sutton 1,870 2,540 3,530 4,570 Swindon 1,580 2,180 3,230 4,210 Tameside 1,590 2,190 3,290 4,340 Telford and Wrekin — — 3,260 4,550 Thurrock — — 3,490 4,480 Torbay — — 3,300 4,530 Tower Hamlets 2,600 3,200 5,500 7,510 Trafford 1,580 2,300 3,110 4,290 Wakefield 1,560 2,150 3,590 4,340 Walsall 1,630 2,240 3,610 4,590 Waltham Forest 2,110 2,780 3,940 5,500 Wandsworth 2,210 2,640 4,540 5,690 Warrington — — 3,170 4,450 Warwickshire 1,670 2,250 3,260 4,150 West Berkshire — — 3,390 4,580 West Sussex 1,730 2,360 3,330 4,420 Westminster 2,590 3,050 4,810 6,250 Wigan 1,520 2,310 3,400 4,580 Wiltshire 1,690 2,270 3,260 4,140 Windsor and Maidenhead — — 3,500 4,550 Wirral 1,600 2,360 3,450 4,820 Wokingham — — 3,270 4,320 Wolverhampton 1,750 2,500 3,790 5,150 Worcestershire — — 3,270 4,210 York 1,600 2,350 3,290 4,190 Notes: 1. School based expenditure includes only expenditure incurred directly by the schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees and charges and rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure. 2. 1999-2000 saw a change in data source when the data collection moved from the RO1 form collected by the ODPM to the Section 52 form from the DCSF (formerly DFES). 2002-03 saw a further break in the time series following the introduction of Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) to schools and the associated restructuring of the outturn tables. 3. The calculation for 2002-03 onwards is broadly similar to the calculation in previous years. However, 2001-02 and earlier years includes all premature retirement compensation (PRC) and Crombie payments, mandatory PRC payments and other indirect employee expenses. In 2001-02 this accounted for approximately £70 per pupil. From 2002-03 onwards only the schools element of these categories is included and this accounted for approximately £50 per pupil of the 2002-03 total. Also, for some LAs, expenditure that had previously been attributed to the school sectors was reported within the LA part of the form from 2002-03, though this is not quantifiable from existing sources. 4. Pupil numbers include only those pupils attending maintained establishments within each sector and are drawn from the DCSF School Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis. 5. Local government reorganisation (LGR) took place during the mid to late 1990’s and those LAs that did not exist either pre or post LGR are shaded out for those years. 6. Spending in 1997-98 reflects the transfer of monies from local government to central Government for the nursery vouchers scheme. These were returned to local government from 1998-99. 7. Expenditure was not distinguished between the pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of Section 52 for financial year 1999- 2000. 8. School based expenditure in LA maintained nursery schools was not recorded in 2002-03 and comparable figures are not available for 2003-04 onwards. 9. Figures are as reported by local authorities as at 12 May 2009 and are rounded to the nearest £10. 2007-08 data are subject to change by the local authority. 10. Cash terms figures as reported by local authorities as at 12 May 2009.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: Finance Jim Knight: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was established in October 1997. Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Accounts for the authority during its first six months of Schools and Families what the annual accommodation operation (1 October 1997 to 31 March 1998) can be cost of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority provided only at a disproportionate cost and are not has been in each year since it was established, broken included within this response. down into expenditure on (a) Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency and (b) Ofqual; and The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning what premises were used. [254543] Bill will seek to evolve QCA into a Qualifications and 259W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 260W

Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA), and establish Racial Harassment: Barnsley Ofqual on a statutory basis as the new independent regulator of qualifications and assessment. Ofqual has Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for been established in interim form under existing legislation Children, Schools and Families (1) how many racist since April 2008. Until proposed legislation comes into incidents involving pupils have been recorded at force, both the remaining parts of QCA and Ofqual, in Wombwell secondary school in Barnsley in the its interim form, jointly occupy premises in London, academic year (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) Coventry and Belfast. 2008-09; [276416] Annual costs of rent, rates and utilities to QCA (2) how many racist incidents involving pupils have (including Ofqual) from the period 1 April 1998 to been recorded at Darton secondary school in Barnsley 31 March 2008 are shown in the following table. in the academic year (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) [276417] Accommodation costs 2008-09; £ million (3) how many racist incidents involving pupils were recorded at Barnsley secondary schools in the 2007-08 4.6 academic year (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2006-07 4.1 2008-09. [276419] 2005-06 4 2004-05 4 Sarah McCarthy-Fry: We are unable to provide figures 2003-04 3.3 for the number of racist bullying incidents in schools as 2002-03 2.9 this information is not collected centrally.Our anti-bullying 2001-02 1.5 guidance recommends currently that schools record 2000-01 2.2 incidents of racist bullying and report these data to 1999-2000 2.5 their local authority. It advises schools to use the data 1998-99 2.7 to monitor their anti-bullying policies, and local authorities Source: to use the data to identify trends and to evaluate area-wide Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA): February 2009 initiatives. Premises occupied by QCA (including Ofqual) from The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a the period 1 April 1998 to March 2008 are as follows: general, enforceable duty on all schools (and other Properties occupied by QCA since 1998 public bodies) to: eliminate unlawful racial discrimination; 83 Piccadilly, London, W1J 8QA promote equality of opportunity; and promote good Spring Place, Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue, Coventry, relations between people of different racial groups. CV5 6UB We intend to introduce a new statutory duty on Glendinning House, 6 Murray Street, Belfast, BT1 schools to record bullying incidents between pupils 222 Euston Road, London NW1 early next year, and will specifically consult on whether Unity House, 205 Euston Road, London NW1 schools should be obliged to record racist bullying Stephenson House, 158-160 North Gower Street, London incidents and report these incidents to their local authority. NW1 Schools Newcombe House, 45 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 Source: Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA): February Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009 Children, Schools and Families how many and what Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency proportion of pupils in each local authority area live within walking distance as defined by his Department Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, of (a) no, (b) one and (c) two or more (i) primary and Schools and Families what (a) administrative, (b) (ii) secondary schools. [259100] recruitment, (c) staffing, (d) building, (e) ICT and Jim Knight: A table showing the number and proportion (f) marketing and advertising costs had been incurred of pupils who in 2008 live within (a) two miles and (b) in establishing the (i) Qualifications and Curriculum three miles straight line distance of (a) none, (b) one Development Agency and (ii) Ofqual at the latest date and (c) two or more (i) primary and (ii) secondary for which figures are available. [275071] schools, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the House Libraries. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has begun a transformation programme, Schools: Finance with the creation within its existing powers of interim Ofqual in April 2008; the restructuring of the rest of the Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for QCA as it evolves into the Qualifications and Curriculum Children, Schools and Families how much and what Development Agency (QCDA); and relocation of QCA percentage of the dedicated schools grant was clawed to Coventry by early 2010 in line with commitments back by each local authority (a) overall, (b) for following Sir Michael Lyons’ Independent Review of spending by the local authority within the schools Public Sector Relocation. Approximately £3 million budgets and (c) for local authority central functions in was spent in 2008-09 on establishing interim Ofqual the last year for which figures are available. [274585] and relocating it to Coventry by June 2009. These costs include the costs of recruitment, relocation, restructuring, Jim Knight: The dedicated schools grant (DSG) must additional staff reflecting the new approach to regulation, be used in support of the schools budget, which covers and communications. Over the same period, QCA spent both funding delegated to maintained schools and other £150,000 on restructuring and communications as it provision for pupils. The DSG can be used to fund local evolves into the QCDA. authority central functions. 261W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 262W

The following table provides details of the schools authority for spending within the schools budget. Local budget for each local authority in England for the authority budget data for 2009-10 financial year is 2008-09 financial year as well as details of the proportion currently in the process of being collected and validated of the schools budget retained centrally by the local by the DCSF.

Of which: Total schools budget (net budget adjusted to Retained centrally by the local authority for show grants gross) Delegated to schools spending within the schools budget Percentage of schools Percentage of schools Local authority name £ £ budget £ budget

England 35,387,808,000 31,338,078,000 88.6 4,049,729,000 11.4

Barking and Dagenham 167,893,000 151,763,000 90.4 16,130,000 9.6 Barnet 244,574,000 219,816,000 89.9 24,758,000 10.1 Barnsley 148,340,000 135,686,000 91.5 12,655,000 8.5 Bath and NE Somerset 112,972,000 95,983,000 85.0 16,989,000 15.0 Bedfordshire 284,944,000 257,248,000 90.3 27,696,000 9.7 Bexley 187,490,000 167,024,000 89.1 20,466,000 10.9 Birmingham 928,471,000 858,423,000 92.5 70,048,000 7.5 Blackburn and Darwen 124,443,000 110,693,000 89.0 13,750,000 11.0 Blackpool 94,557,000 80,818,000 85.5 13,739,000 14.5 Bolton 207,738,000 186,960,000 90.0 20,777,000 10.0 Bournemouth 91,023,000 80,426,000 88.4 10,598,000 11.6 Bracknell Forest 70,326,000 59,405,000 84.5 10,921,000 15.5 Bradford 414,661,000 378,096,000 91.2 36,565,000 8.8 Brent 237,660,000 214,983,000 90.5 22,676,000 9.5 Brighton and Hove 144,093,000 123,466,000 85.7 20,627,000 14.3 Bromley 224,310,000 193,044,000 86.1 31,267,000 13.9 Buckinghamshire 346,776,000 297,149,000 85.7 49,627,000 14.3 Bury 123,618,000 109,985,000 89.0 13,633,000 11.0 Calderdale 158,813,000 142,789,000 89.9 16,024,000 10.1 Cambridgeshire 347,173,000 303,684,000 87.5 43,489,000 12.5 Camden 157,452,000 132,777,000 84.3 24,675,000 15.7 Cheshire 453,482,000 400,028,000 88.2 53,453,000 11.8 City of Bristol 225,042,000 194,242,000 86.3 30,800,000 13.7 City of Kingston-upon-Hull 174,768,000 151,751,000 86.8 23,018,000 13.2 City of London 2,185,000 1,588,000 72.7 597,000 27.3 City of Nottingham 195,892,000 160,635,000 82.0 35,257,000 18.0 City of Peterborough 133,794,000 117,858,000 88.1 15,936,000 11.9 City of Plymouth 179,164,000 154,726,000 86.4 24,437,000 13.6 Cornwall 333,945,000 282,132,000 84.5 51,813,000 15.5 Coventry 236,634,000 211,873,000 89.5 24,761,000 10.5 Croydon 236,261,000 206,619,000 87.5 29,642,000 12.5 Cumbria 318,049,000 289,135,000 90.9 28,914,000 9.1 Darlington 65,305,000 57,346,000 87.8 7,959,000 12.2 Derby 173,682,000 159,190,000 91.7 14,492,000 8.3 Derbyshire 489,376,000 431,482,000 88.2 57,894,000 11.8 Devon 413,573,000 375,787,000 90.9 37,786,000 9.1 Doncaster 213,048,000 194,088,000 91.1 18,960,000 8.9 Dorset 253,532,000 220,663,000 87.0 32,868,000 13.0 Dudley 216,621,000 196,440,000 90.7 20,181,000 9.3 Durham 343,057,000 318,309,000 92.8 24,748,000 7.2 Ealing 235,678,000 208,413,000 88.4 27,265,000 11.6 East Riding of Yorkshire 212,120,000 188,062,000 88.7 24,058,000 11.3 East Sussex 304,368,000 260,982,000 85.7 43,387,000 14.3 Enfield 264,121,000 235,877,000 89.3 28,245,000 10.7 Essex 919,055,000 817,036,000 88.9 102,019,000 11.1 Gateshead 129,613,000 114,752,000 88.5 14,860,000 11.5 Gloucestershire 379,747,000 330,161,000 86.9 49,586,000 13.1 Greenwich 225,415,000 196,953,000 87.4 28,462,000 12.6 Hackney 179,196,000 147,317,000 82.2 31,879,000 17.8 Halton 91,504,000 82,442,000 90.1 9,062,000 9.9 Hammersmith and Fulham 105,793,000 91,130,000 86.1 14,664,000 13.9 Hampshire 771,188,000 655,707,000 85.0 115,481,000 15.0 Haringey 196,506,000 175,748,000 89.4 20,759,000 10.6 263W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 264W

Of which: Total schools budget (net budget adjusted to Retained centrally by the local authority for show grants gross) Delegated to schools spending within the schools budget Percentage of schools Percentage of schools Local authority name £ £ budget £ budget

Harrow 148,306,000 133,669,000 90.1 14,636,000 9.9 Hartlepool 72,568,000 65,123,000 89.7 7,446,000 10.3 Havering 173,371,000 154,369,000 89.0 19,003,000 11.0 Herefordshire 101,908,000 89,871,000 88.2 12,037,000 11.8 Hertfordshire 784,762,000 701,626,000 89.4 83,136,000 10.6 Hillingdon 203,900,000 187,392,000 91.9 16,508,000 8.1 Hounslow 191,262,000 169,587,000 88.7 21,675,000 11.3 Isle of Wight 88,712,000 77,915,000 87.8 10,797,000 12.2 Isles of Stilly 2,439,000 2,127,000 87.2 312,000 12.8 Islington 145,909,000 122,412,000 83.9 23,497,000 16.1 Kensington and Chelsea 73,711,000 64,935,000 88.1 8,776,000 11.9 Kent 972,054,000 854,203,000 87.9 117,851,000 12.1 Kingston-upon-Thames 103,715,000 94,431,000 91.0 9,283,000 9.0 Kirklees 298,207,000 263,192,000 88.3 35,015,000 11.7 Knowsley 115,962,000 98,920,000 85.3 17,043,000 14.7 Lambeth 201,652,000 170,248,000 84.4 31,404,000 15.6 Lancashire 771,672,000 692,908,000 89.8 78,765,000 10.2 Leeds 499,525,000 458,167,000 91.7 41,358,000 8.3 Leicester City 226,578,000 194,209,000 85.7 32,368,000 14.3 Leicestershire 417,379,000 365,870,000 87.7 51,509,000 12.3 Lewisham 206,951,000 176,586,000 85.3 30,365,000 14.7 Lincolnshire 459,678,000 409,245,000 89.0 50,433,000 11.0 Liverpool 361,438,000 314,426,000 87.0 47,012,000 13.0 Luton 152,145,000 136,816,000 89.9 15,330,000 10.1 Manchester 341,607,000 297,295,000 87.0 44,311,000 13.0 Medway 199,127,000 179,361,000 90.1 19,766,000 9.9 Merton 108,106,000 91,738,000 84.9 16,368,000 15.1 Middlesbrough 94,913,000 83,672,000 88.2 11,240,000 11.8 Milton Keynes 183,901,000 166,873,000 90.7 17,028,000 9.3 Newcastle upon Tyne 179,033,000 159,920,000 89.3 19,112,000 10.7 Newham 295,363,000 260,611,000 88.2 34,752,000 11.8 Norfolk 503,342,000 453,901,000 90.2 49,441,000 9.8 North East Lincolnshire 102,773,000 90,576,000 88.1 12,197,000 11.9 North Lincolnshire 106,752,000 91,530,000 85.7 15,222,000 14.3 North Somerset 125,073,000 110,657,000 88.5 14,416,000 11.5 North Tyneside 131,289,000 122,713,000 93.5 8,577,000 6.5 North Yorkshire 388,723,000 349,675,000 90.0 39,049,000 10.0 Northamptonshire 458,999,000 386,823,000 84.3 72,176,000 15.7 Northumberland 225,067,000 192,079,000 85.3 32,988,000 14.7 Nottinghamshire 509,791,000 468,675,000 91.9 41,116,000 8.1 Oldham 188,084,000 165,305,000 87.9 22,780,000 12.1 Oxfordshire 375,858,000 326,615,000 86.9 49,243,000 13.1 Poole 83,938,000 75,321,000 89.7 8,618,000 10.3 Portsmouth 113,816,000 103,369,000 90.8 10,447,000 9.2 Reading 81,566,000 68,139,000 83.5 13,427,000 16.5 Redbridge 224,776,000 204,044,000 90.8 20,732,000 9.2 Redcar and Cleveland 103,824,000 91,521,000 88.2 12,303,000 11.8 Richmond-upon-Thames 100,169,000 85,879,000 85.7 14,291,000 14.3 Rochdale 160,867,000 144,289,000 89.7 16,578,000 10.3 Rotherham 211,127,000 187,787,000 88.9 23,340,000 11.1 Rutland 21,799,000 19,315,000 88.6 2,483,000 11.4 Salford 146,929,000 128,409,000 87.4 18,519,000 12.6 Sandwell 221,236,000 200,523,000 90.6 20,713,000 9.4 Sefton 194,401,000 175,655,000 90.4 18,747,000 9.6 Sheffield 354,638,000 293,489,000 82.8 61,150,000 17.2 Shropshire 180,827,000 147,943,000 81.8 32,884,000 18.2 Slough 112,826,000 101,456,000 89.9 11,370,000 10.1 Solihull 142,536,000 127,511,000 89.5 15,024,000 10.5 Somerset 312,300,000 268,107,000 85.8 44,193,000 14.2 South Gloucestershire 168,581,000 148,320,000 88.0 20,261,000 12.0 South Tyneside 107,971,000 99,629,000 92.3 8,342,000 7.7 265W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 266W

Of which: Total schools budget (net budget adjusted to Retained centrally by the local authority for show grants gross) Delegated to schools spending within the schools budget Percentage of schools Percentage of schools Local authority name £ £ budget £ budget

Southampton 127,519,000 113,262,000 88.8 14,257,000 11.2 Southend 127,799,000 112,468,000 88.0 15,331,000 12.0 Southwark 189,960,000 164,156,000 86.4 25,804,000 13.6 St. Helens 125,228,000 111,191,000 88.8 14,037,000 11.2 Staffordshire 539,822,000 483,675,000 89.6 56,148,000 10.4 Stockport 166,913,000 146,106,000 87.5 20,807,000 12.5 Stockton-on-Tees 132,046,000 121,274,000 91.8 10,771,000 8.2 Stoke 164,827,000 141,135,000 85.6 23,692,000 14.4 Suffolk 427,824,000 384,381,000 89.8 43,443,000 10.2 Sunderland 191,581,000 177,874,000 92.8 13,707,000 7.2 Surrey 648,839,000 567,897,000 87.5 80,942,000 12.5 Sutton 153,426,000 135,500,000 88.3 17,926,000 11.7 Swindon 124,344,000 108,391,000 87.2 15,952,000 12.8 Tameside 157,679,000 137,424,000 87.2 20,254,000 12.8 Telford and Wrekin 111,618,000 100,073,000 89.7 11,545,000 10.3 Thurrock 103,067,000 87,464,000 84.9 15,603,000 15.1 Torbay 86,060,000 74,502,000 86.6 11,559,000 13.4 Tower Hamlets 277,047,000 241,730,000 87.3 35,316,000 12.7 Trafford 160,750,000 144,001,000 89.6 16,749,000 10.4 Wakefield 218,515,000 201,950,000 92.4 16,565,000 7.6 Walsall 218,357,000 197,972,000 90.7 20,385,000 9.3 Waltham Forest 193,876,000 177,230,000 91.4 16,646,000 8.6 Wandsworth 178,802,000 168,674,000 94.3 10,128,000 5.7 Warrington 135,537,000 120,412,000 88.8 15,126,000 11.2 Warwickshire 331,654,000 297,016,000 89.6 34,638,000 10.4 West Berkshire 116,277,000 104,897,000 90.2 11,379,000 9.8 West Sussex 464,413,000 407,730,000 87.8 56,683,000 12.2 Westminster 110,860,000 94,696,000 85.4 16,164,000 14.6 Wigan 211,854,000 196,606,000 92.8 15,248,000 7.2 Wiltshire 290,460,000 255,322,000 87.9 35,138,000 12.1 Windsor and Maidenhead 91,688,000 80,177,000 87.4 11,511,000 12.6 Wirral 235,220,000 211,867,000 90.1 23,353,000 9.9 Wokingham 105,411,000 93,964,000 89.1 11,447,000 10.9 Wolverhampton 194,588,000 179,303,000 92.1 15,285,000 7.9 Worcestershire 345,353,000 311,064,000 90.1 34,289,000 9.9 York 103,824,000 91,032,000 87.7 12,791,000 12.3 Notes: 1. Total schools budget is drawn from local authorities Children, Schools and Families Financial Data Collection Budget Statements (table 1) submittedtothe DCSF. This is calculated as the gross elements of any grants plus the net elements of the remainder of the schools budget. 2. The total amount delegated to schools includes the individual schools budget for local authority maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools as well as any revenue grants and support for schools in financial difficulty delegated to those schools. 3. Cash figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and, therefore, may not sum due to rounding. 4. Cash terms figures as reported by local authorities as at 7 May 2009.

Schools: Playing Fields Any potential future community use of former school playing fields falls within the remit of the local planning Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for process; Sport England is a statutory consultee in that Children, Schools and Families what criteria he uses to process. assess whether the playing field of an (a) existing and Schools: Sports (b) closed school is surplus to the needs of the local community; and if he will make a statement. [275633] Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether all contracts Sarah McCarthy-Fry: When considering an application for school sport are open to tender; and what the to dispose of school playing fields Ministers take into procedure is for potential bidders to apply. [275952] account any authorised community use of the land in question. Where any authorised community users would Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 15 May 2009]: be displaced if the application were to be approved, we Work in connection with the delivery of the PE and expect the application to include a full account of the sport strategy for young people is carried out by a range effect on those users, particularly whether their activities of delivery partners on behalf of the Government under can realistically be moved to an alternative site on terms grant aid and contractual arrangements. Potential bidders which do not adversely affect the users. They must also for any contract advertised follow the normal Official be fully consulted about any proposal to dispose of the Journal of the European Union or UK procurement school playing fields. procedure, whichever is applicable. 267W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 268W

Schools: Standards Jim Knight: The following two tables show the information requested. They are based on the most Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for recent data published by Ofsted for 31 December 2008. Children, Schools and Families which schools have No schools had been in special measures for three or been in special measures for (a) up to two years, (b) more years. between two and three years, (c) between three and four years and (d) more than four years. [275807]

Schools in special measures for up to two years, 31 December 2008 Number of months in School Local authority Date of inspection category

Monteagle Primary School Barking and Dagenham 5 June 2008 6 Dearne Goldthorpe Primary School Barnsley 22 October 2008 2 Lansdown Tuition Centre Bath & NE Somerset 2 October 2008 2 Barnehurst Junior (Foundation) School Bexley 9 December 2008 0 Pelham Primary School Bexley 13 February 2008 10 Bexleyheath School Bexley 3 October 2007 14 Eastcote Primary School Bexley 14 September 2007 15 Foundry Primary School Birmingham 6 June 2008 6 Jervoise Junior & Infant School Birmingham 21 May 2008 7 Primrose Hill Community School Birmingham 8 February 2008 10 Yorkmead Junior & Infant School Birmingham 18 January 2008 11 Yardley Wood Community Primary School Birmingham 31 January 2008 11 Conway Primary School Birmingham 22 November 2007 13 William Cowper Primary School Birmingham 7 June 2007 18 St. Aiden’s CE Primary School Blackburn 28 September 2007 15 SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School Bolton 4 April 2008 8 Westhoughton Parochial CE Primary Bolton 20 June 2007 18 Buttershaw Primary School Bradford 24 September 2008 3 Queensbury School Bradford 22 May 2008 7 Fearnville Primary School Bradford 8 November 2007 13 Chalkhill Primary School Brent 6 December 2007 12 Braintcroft Primary School Brent 22 November 2007 13 James Dixon Primary School Bromley 30 April 2008 8 Stewart Fleming Primary School Bromley 15 February 2008 10 Burwood School Bromley 19 September 2007 15 Buckingham School Buckinghamshire 5 March 2008 9 Wingrave CE Combined School Buckinghamshire 4 February 2008 10 Mount Pellon Junior & infant School Calderdale 6 December 2007 12 Wistaston Green Primary and Nursery School Cheshire 22 September 2008 3 St. John’s CE Primary School Cheshire 24 January 2008 11 Saighton CE Primary School Cheshire 5 December 2007 12 Ecclesbourne Infant School Croydon 26 November 2008 1 Ashburton Infant School Croydon 24 September 2008 3 Castle Hill Primary School Croydon 25 September 2008 3 Oughterside Primary School Cumbria 11 July 2008 5 West Cumbria Learning Centre Cumbria 23 June 2008 6 Millom School Cumbria 28 November 2007 13 The Alfred Barrow School Cumbria 12 October 2007 14 Ulverston Victoria High School Cumbria 31 October 2007 14 Ravensdale Junior School Derby City 16 October 2008 2 Boulton Primary School Derby City 12 December 2006 24 Tupton Primary School Derbyshire 11 December 2008 0 Parkside Junior School Derbyshire 15 May 2008 7 Deincourt Community School Derbyshire 31 January 2008 11 Caen Community Primary School Devon 5 June 2008 6 Willowbrook Primary School Devon 4 March 2008 9 Bridgerule CE Primary School Devon 29 February 2008 10 Colyton Primary School Devon 2 November 2007 13 Highftelds Primary School Doncaster 18 November 2008 1 North Doncaster Technology College Doncaster 21 May 2008 7 Shaftsbury CE Primary School Dorset 12 December 2007 12 Headlands School and Community Science College East Riding 21 February 2008 10 Hillcrest School East Sussex 9 October 2008 2 Bishops Park College Essex 11 October 2007 14 269W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 270W

Schools in special measures for up to two years, 31 December 2008 Number of months in School Local authority Date of inspection category

Alderman Blaxill School Essex 24 May 2007 19 Blaydon West Primary School Gateshead 5 October 2007 14 Arthur Dye Primary School Gloucestershire 5 June 2008 6 Cam House School Gloucestershire 5 February 2008 10 Charlotte Turner Primary School Greenwich 18 November 2008 1 Daubeney Primary School Hackney 6 June 2008 6 Grazebrook Primary School Hackney 13 March 2008 9 Weston Primary School Halton 2 October 2008 2 Simms Cross Primary School Halton 25 April 2007 20 Canberra Primary School Hammersmith and Fulham 11 July 2008 5 Winklebury Junior School Hampshire 6 June 2008 6 The Bridge Education Centre Hampshire 21 May 2008 7 Buriesdon Junior School Hampshire 7 February 2008 10 Waite End Primary School Hampshire 2 November 2007 13 Woodcot Primary School Hampshire 28 September 2007 15 Grangeside (formerly Basingstoke School Plus) Hampshire 7 December 2006 24 The Arc PRU Havering 5 December 2007 12 Broadlands Primary School Herefordshire 22 October 2008 2 Clehonger CE Primary School Herefordshire 22 November 2007 13 Francis Bacon School Hertfordshire 15 May 2008 7 Bushey Hall School Hertfordshire 13 March 2008 9 Sheredes School Hertfordshire 15 March 2007 21 Edward Pauling Primary School Hounslow 7 December 2007 12 Hersden Community Primary School Kent 27 November 2008 1 Raynehurst Primary School Kent 12 March 2008 9 Lydd Primary School Kent 27 March 2008 9 Hall Road Primary School Kingston upon Hull 9 December 2008 0 David Lister School Kingston upon Hull 3 July 2008 5 Highfield School Knowsley 4 July 2007 17 North Cliffe School Lancashire 18 March 2008 9 Shuttleworth College Lancashire 28 February 2008 10 Fleetwood Flakefleet Primary School Lancashire 23 January 2008 11 Sabden Primary School Lancashire 7 December 2007 12 Kingsfold Primary School Lancashire 25 April 2007 20 City of Preston High School Lancashire 27 March 2007 21 Hameldon Community College Lancashire 22 February 2007 22 Allerton Bywater Primary School Leeds 20 May 2008 7 South Leeds High School Leeds 7 June 2007 18 Elmete Wood Leeds 31 January 2007 23 Fulhurst Community College Leicester City 4 December 2008 0 Braunstone Frith Junior School Leicester City 18 April 2008 8 Fosse Primary School Leicester City 23 April 2008 8 Marriott Primary School Leicester City 30 January 2008 11 Queensmead Community Primary School Leicester City 31 January 2007 23 Student Support Service PRU Leicestershire 13 November 2008 1 Morton Trentside Primary School Lincolnshire 4 July 2008 5 Hartsholme Primary School Lincolnshire 2 November 2007 13 Belton Lane Community Primary School Lincolnshire 25 June 2007 18 The Bardney CE & Methodist Primary School Lincolnshire 24 May 2007 19 Blueberry Park Liverpool 11 June 2008 6 Parklands High School Liverpool 10 April 2008 8 St. John’s Catholic Primary School Liverpool 27 September 2007 15 Buglawton Hall School Manchester 7 October 2008 2 Crab Lane Primary School Manchester 17 April 2008 8 Moston Fields Primary School Manchester 31 October 2007 14 Parrs Wood High School Manchester 31 October 2007 14 Medway Community College Medway 6 December 2007 12 Hillcross Primary School Merton 6 February 2008 10 St. Theresa’s Catholic Primary School Merton 10 October 2007 14 The Radcliffe School Milton Keynes 31 January 2008 11 Throckley Primary School Newcastle 14 May 2008 7 Westgate Hill Primary School Newcastle 6 December 2006 24 Richard Rose Central Academy (Cumbria) Non maintained 11 December 2008 0 271W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 272W

Schools in special measures for up to two years, 31 December 2008 Number of months in School Local authority Date of inspection category

RNIB Sunshine House Northwood (Hillingdon) Non-maintained 12 December 2007 12 Aslacton Primary School Norfolk 26 November 2008 1 Morley CE Primary School Norfolk 5 June 2008 6 Attleborough Junior School Norfolk 9 January 2008 11 Mundford CE Primary School Norfolk 22 November 2007 13 Costessey High School Norfolk 31 October 2007 14 Terrington St. Clement Community School Norfolk 27 June 2007 18 Buxton Primary School Norfolk 28 June 2007 18 Central Area PRU Norfolk 16 May 2007 19 Earlham High School Norfolk 16 May 2007 19 Swaffham Junior School (ex. South Greenhoe VC CE Middle School Norfolk 2 March 2007 21 West Earlham Community Junior School Norfolk 9 March 2007 21 Humberston Comprehensive School North East Lines 10 December 2008 0 Scalby School North Yorkshire 11 November 2008 1 Risedale Sports and Community College North Yorkshire 30 April 2008 8 The Wensleydale School North Yorkshire 17 January 2008 11 Mill Hill Community Primary School North Yorkshire 15 March 2007 21 Rushden Community College Northamptonshire 4 December 2008 0 Warwick Primary School Northamptonshire 2 October 2008 2 Henry Gotch Primary School Northamptonshire 9 July 2008 5 St. Mary’s CE Primary Sschool Northamptonshire 15 July 2008 5 Bellinge Primary School Northamptonshire 6 June 2008 6 St. Gregory’s Catholic Primary School Northamptonshire 11 March 2008 9 Unity College Northamptonshire 12 February 2008 10 Vernon Terrace Primary School Northamptonshire 3 October 2007 14 Queen Eleanor Primary School Northamptonshire 4 October 2007 14 Abington Vale Primary School Northamptonshire 17 October 2007 14 Sunnyside Primary School Northamptonshire 18 October 2007 14 Avondale Junior School Northamptonshire 26 June 2007 18 Blackthorn Primary School Northamptonshire 25 January 2007 23 Cragside CE Cont Primary School Northumberland 11 November 2008 1 Blyth Horton Grange First School Northumberland 21 November 2007 13 West Sleekburn Middle (Sec) School Northumberland 1 February 2007 22 Newgate Lane Primary School Nottinghamshire 4 December 2008 0 Sutton Road Primary School Nottinghamshire 22 October 2008 2 Magnus C of E School Nottinghamshire 16 May 2008 7 Ethel Wainwright Primary School Nottinghamshire 25 January 2008 11 Oak Tree Primary School Nottinghamshire 5 December 2007 12 Thameside Primary School Oxfordshire 18 January 2008 11 Dashwood School Oxfordshire 29 November 2007 13 St John Fisher RC School Peterborough 30 April 2008 8 Winyates Primary School Peterborough 7 November 2007 13 Canford Heath Middle School Poole 13 March 2008 9 Learning Support Service Poole 31 October 2007 14 Cottage Grove Primary School Portsmouth 19 November 2008 1 Battle Primary School Reading 30 January 2008 11 Pathways Special School Redcar and Cleveland 14 March 2007 21 Hollin Primary School Rochdale 6 November 2008 1 Balderstone Technology College Rochdale 23 November 2007 13 St. Paul’s CE Primary School Salford 19 June 2008 6 Marlborough Road Primary School Salford 13 February 2008 10 Deepcar St. John’s CE Junior School Sheffield 8 October 2008 2 Handsworth Grange School Sheffield 23 September 2008 3 Newfield Secondary School Sheffield 26 June 2008 6 Bankwood Community Primary School Sheffield 11 March 2008 9 Highley Community Primary School Shropshire 4 December 2008 0 The Grange Junior School Shropshire 27 November 2007 13 Bosworth Wood Primary School Solihull 23 May 2007 19 Knights Templar CE Methodist Community School Somerset 21 November 2008 1 The Priory School Somerset 6 December 2006 24 Newlands Primary School Southampton 15 May 2008 7 Townsend Primary School Southwark 15 October 2008 2 Goose Green Primary School Southwark 4 March 2008 9 273W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 274W

Schools in special measures for up to two years, 31 December 2008 Number of months in School Local authority Date of inspection category

Alma Primary School Southwark 7 November 2007 13 Eveline Lowe Primary School Southwark 22 February 2007 22 St. James’ CE Primary School St Helens 20 February 2008 10 Merton Bank Primary School St Helens 25 June 2007 18 Burton Learning Centre Staffordshire 11 June 2008 6 Billingham Campus School Stockton on Tees 31 October 2007 14 Sandon Business and Enterprise College Stoke on Trent 22 October 2008 2 Stoke Minster CE Aided Primary School (was Bishop Stamer CE) Stoke on Trent 29 January 2008 11 Castle Hill Junior School Suffolk 19 June 2008 6 Kirkley Middle (Sec) School Suffolk 6 December 2007 12 Elm Tree Middle (Sec) School Suffolk 10 May 2007 19 Hylton Red House Primary School Sunderland 25 June 2008 6 Epsom and Ewell High School Surrey 20 November 2008 1 St John’s CE Community Primary Surrey 11 September 2007 15 Egerton Park Arts College Tameside 17 May 2007 19 Southall School Telford and Wrekin 28 February 2008 10 Chadwell St Mary Primary School Thurrock 3 July 2007 17 The Grays School Media Arts College Thurrock 29 June 2007 18 Upton St James CE Primary School Torbay 15 November 2007 13 The Ruiz Centre Walsall 2 December 2008 0 Brownhills West Primary School Walsall 11 March 2008 9 Dariaston Community Science College Walsall 28 November 2007 13 St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School Walsall 21 June 2007 18 Ainslie Wood Primary School Waltham Forest 10 October 2008 2 The Beaumont School Waltham Forest 9 January 2007 23 Smallwood Primary School and Language Unit Wandsworth 24 June 2008 6 Hillbrook School Wandsworth 23 January 2008 11 Bewsey Lodge Primary School Warrington 20 November 2008 1 Stockton Heath Primary School Warrington 30 April 2008 8 Bruche Community Primary School Warrington 13 September 2007 15 All Saints CE Primary School & Nursery Warwickshire 24 April 2007 20 John Rankin Junior School West Berkshire 4 December 2008 0 Denefield School West Berkshire 4 December 2008 0 The Winchcombe School West Berkshire 7 February 2008 10 Nyewood C of E Junior School West Sussex 15 October 2008 2 St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Worthing West Sussex 17 September 2008 3 Out of School Learning Service, Area B West Sussex 13 February 2008 10 Landgate School, Bryn Wigan 4 December 2008 0 Beech Hill Community Primary School Wigan 16 April 2008 8 Montrose Wigan 31 January 2008 11 Upavon Primary School Wiltshire 17 January 2008 11 St Michael’s CE Aided Primary School Wiltshire 10 July 2007 17 Wingfield CE Primary School Wiltshire 13 June 2007 18 Lickhill Primary School Worcestershire 4 December 2008 0 Evesham, Simon de Montford Middle School Worcestershire 15 November 2007 13 Elgar Technology College Worcestershire 22 February 2007 22

Schools in special measures between two and three years, 31 December 2008 Number of months in School name LA Area Date of inspection- category

Horton Grange Primary School Bradford 30 November 2006 25 St. Catherine’s Catholic High School Calderdale 14 September 2006 27 Maidenhill School Gloucestershire 23 November 2006 25 Cherryfield Primary School Knowsley 17 October 2006 26 St. James CE VA Primary School Northamptonshire 30 November 2006 25

Science: GCE A-Level Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last five years. [249848] Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people took one or more science A-levels in (a) England, (b) the Jim Knight: The information is given in the following North East, (c) Tees Valley district and (d) table: 275W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 276W

Number of pupils entered for at least one Science A level 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 221 205 225 220 241 Tees Valley District 672 667 644 619 701 North East 2,455 2,461 2,308 2,337 2,419 England 56,386 58,167 56,072 56,570 58,976 Notes: 1. Figures relate to 16 to 18-year-olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August) in all maintained schools and colleges. 2. Figures include achievements in Biological, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Single Award Science, Electronics, Environmental Science, Geology and Applied Science. Source: School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables data.

Secondary Education Special Educational Needs

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools and Families how many secondary schools do Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer not have specialist status; and if he will make a of 24 February 2009, Official Report, columns 755- statement. [241633] 56W, on special educational needs, what the names are of the four schools referred to in the answer. [260245] Jim Knight: There are currently 234 maintained secondary schools which are not specialist and which Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information on the four schools are eligible to apply to join the specialist schools programme. referred to in the answer is shown in the following table.

Maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools1, 2 schools with more than 20 per cent. of pupils with statements of special educational needs3 position as at January 2008 Number of pupils with statements of Percentage of pupils with statements Name of school Local authority special educational need3 of special educational need3

Foresters Primary School Sutton 50 20.6 The Mailing School Kent 90 22.0 The Grange Primary School Sefton 60 22.5 Pinewood Infant School Hampshire 20 23.3 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Excludes City Technology Colleges and Academies. 3 Excludes dually registered pupils. Pupil numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of Children, Schools and Families which special schools pupils with statements of special educational needs (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have consequent upon behavioural, emotional and social visited since June 2007; and on what date each such difficulties attended (a) special schools and (b) visit took place. [273285] mainstream schools in each year since 1997. [271829] Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The available information is Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 7 May 2009]: provided in the table. Information on pupils with statements The following table shows special schools visited by of SEN and their main or primary need and, if appropriate, Ministers at the Department for Children, Schools and their secondary need was collected for the first time in Families since June 2007 to date. 2004. Ministers have also visited special schools in their Proportion of pupils1 with a statement of SEN for behavioural, emotional and capacity as constituency MPs. In addition some of the social difficulties (BESD)2 attending special schools3 and mainstream schools4, mainstream schools they have visited also had excellent as at January each year, England specialist units to support children with special educational Percentage of pupils with BESD attending: needs. Special schools Mainstream schools Date Schools visited 2004 37.3 62.7 2005 37.8 62.2 Ed Balls 2006 39.0 61.0 3 April 2008 Michael Tippett School, London 2007 41.3 58.7 23 October 2008 Lyndale School, Wirral 2008 42.4 57.6 11 May 2009 Two Rivers High School, Tamworth 1 Excludes dually registered pupils. 2 Pupils with a statement of SEN provide information on their primary need and, if appropriate, their secondary need, information on primary need only is Beverley Hughes given here. 3 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general 12 June 2008 New Woodlands Special School, Bromley hospital schools. 4 Includes maintained nursery, primary, and secondary schools, city technology colleges and academies. Jim Knight Source: 7 May 2008 Wilson Stuart Special School, Birmingham School Census. 277W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 278W

key stage 4, where no pupils with statements of SEN Date Schools visited achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C or the 3 July 2008 Springfield Special School, Oxford equivalent in 2008. 10 September 2008 Brislington Enterprise College, Bristol The 43 schools were: 23 April 2009 The Orchards School, Greenfold School, Bolton School name Local authority

Sarah McCarthy-Fry Abbeydale Grange School Sheffield Ashford Christ Church, Church of England Kent 22 October 2008 New Bridge School, Oldham Maths and Computing Specialist College 9 February 2009 Treehouse School, London Axton Chase School Kent 18 March 2009 Linden Lodge School, London Babington Community Technology College Leicester Bishopsgarth School Stockton-on-Tees Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Bristnall Hall Technology College Sandwell Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer Corby Community College Northamptonshire of 2 April 2009, Official Report, columns 1352-54W, on Crown Hills Community College Leicester special educational needs, how many of the pupils in Filton High School South Gloucestershire schools in special measures were in (a) primary Grange Technology College Bradford schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) schools in each Hampton Community College Richmond upon Thames local authority area. [274770] Hamstead Hall Community Learning Centre Birmingham Heston Community School Hounslow Highgate Wood Secondary School Haringey Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM chief Holywells High School Suffolk inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Honiton Community College Devon Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Houghton Kepier Sports College: A Foundation Sunderland House Libraries. School Kingsford Community School Newham Special Educational Needs: Finance Knutsford High School Cheshire Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School Lincolnshire Littlehampton Community School, The West Sussex Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Longcroft School East Riding of Yorkshire Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer Middlefield School of Technology Lincolnshire of 7 May 2009, Official Report, column 414W, on New College Leicester Leicester special educational needs, what funds have been New Line Learning Academy Kent allocated to each stream for 2009-10; what formulae Newsome High School and Sports College Kirklees are used to attribute funds to non-maintained special Oxford School Oxfordshire schools from each stream; by what means non- Parkfield High School Wolverhampton maintained special schools became eligible for the Sandown High School Isle of Wight School Travel Grant; and how many non-maintained Sedgehill School Lewisham special schools are eligible for the School Travel Grant. Stantonbury Campus Milton Keynes [275389] Sudbury Upper School and Arts College Suffolk Swanlea School Tower Hamlets Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Details of estimates of amounts The Kingstone School Barnsley to be paid to non-maintained special schools in respect The Voyager School Peterborough of funding streams for the 2009/10 financial year, together Thomas Clarkson Community College Cambridgeshire with the formulae and/or calculations used have been Trinity C of E High School Manchester placed in the House Libraries. All NMSSs are eligible Ullswater Community College Cumbria for a School Travel Plan grant on the condition that an Unity City Academy Middlesbrough approved travel plan has been submitted and quality Vermuyden School East Riding of Yorkshire assured by their local school travel adviser. In the Weavers School Northamptonshire 2008/09 financial year school travel grant was paid to Westbourne Sports College Suffolk four NMSSs. Wreake Valley Community College Leicestershire

Special Educational Needs: GCSE There are many more schools with less than 10 pupils with statements of SEN where no pupils with statements of SEN achieved five or more GCSEs A*-C. We have Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for used a standard cut-off of 10 pupils with statement of Children, Schools and Families (1) at which SEN in relation to attainment data to prevent possible mainstream schools attended by pupils with statements disclosure of personal information. of special educational need no such pupils achieved five A* to C grades at GCSE in 2008; [271481] (2) pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2009 to Specialised Diplomas question 265674, what the names of the 43 schools are; and in which local authority area each is. [271035] Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) schools, (b) Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The previous answer explained academies, (c) further education colleges and (d) sixth that there were 43 maintained mainstream schools with form colleges participated in consortia responsible for 10 or more pupils with statements of SEN at the end of diploma courses in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09. [273517] 279W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 280W

Jim Knight: The information is available on an academic London year basis starting in September 2008 with delivery of Local authority Consortium name the first phase of diplomas. The latest information provided by consortia is that: 1,382 secondary schools, Hammersmith and Fulham Hammersmith and Fulham 56 academies, 124 further education colleges and 51 sixth Haringey Haringey 14-19 Partnership form colleges were involved in the delivery of diplomas Harrow Harrow Collegiate from September 2008. Hillingdon Hillingdon Consortium Hounslow Hounslow 14-19 Partnership Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Islington Islington 14-19 Partnership Children, Schools and Families which (a) schools and Lambeth (joint Southwark) 7 Schools LCM The Lambeth (b) consortia in each local authority are offering at Consortium least one diploma course to students. [274376] Lewisham Lewisham Newham Newham 14-19 Partnership Jim Knight: We do not have information centrally on which schools are offering the Diploma to their learners. Southwark Southwark 14-19 Partnership Information on which consortia in each local authority Tower Hamlets The Hub were approved to offer the diploma from September Waltham Forest London Borough of Waltham Forest 2008 is as follows: Wandsworth Wandsworth 14-19 Partnership Consortia approved for a 2008 start through Gateway1 North East Eastern England Local authority Consortium name Local authority Consortium name Durham Derwentside Consortium Cambridgeshire Cambridge 14-19 Area Partnership Gateshead Gateshead 14-19 Partnership Cambridgeshire HSEP Hartlepool Hartlepool 14-19 Partnership Hertfordshire Dacorum SAPG Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Learning Hertfordshire North Herts SAPG Partnership Hertfordshire SE Herts SAPG Newcastle Upon Tyne Newcastle City Consortium Luton Campus Luton Partnership North Tyneside North Tyneside 14-19 Learning Norfolk Extended Rural Norfolk Federation Partnership Norfolk Norwich city (Open Opportunity) Sunderland Sunderland 14-19 Partnership Southend-on-Sea Southend Suffolk North Suffolk 1 SinceGateway1anumber of consortia have merged or changed names. This North West list is derived from the original applications. Local authority Consortium name

Blackburn with Darwen Blackburn with Darwen 14-19 East Midlands Partnership Local authority Consortium name Bolton Bolton LA Bury Bury Learning Partnership Derby Derby City 14-19 Partnership Cheshire Crewe and Nantwich Derbyshire Ripley and Heanor Learning Consortia Cheshire East Cheshire 14-19 Diploma Consortium Leicestershire Melton and Belvoir Cheshire Vale Royal Diploma Consortium Leicestershire Melton and South Charnwood Cumbria Furness Leicestershire North West Leics Cumbria Furness 14-19 Partnership Lincolnshire Boston Halton Halton 14-19 Strategic Partnership Lincolnshire Grantham Partnership Knowsley Knowsley 14-19 Collegiate Lincolnshire Lincs East Partnership Partnership Lincolnshire Sleaford Lancashire Burnley Pendle Lincolnshire South Holland Lancashire Chorley and South Ribble Lincolnshire Wolds Lancashire Hyndebum, Rossendale and Ribble Northamptonshire East Northamptonshire Valley Northamptonshire Kettering Lancashire Lancaster and Morecambe Northamptonshire Northampton Town Liverpool Liverpool Nottingham City Nottingham City Manchester Manchester 14-19 Team Nottinghamshire Ashfield District Oldham OLLP Business Nottinghamshire Bassetlaw Rochdale Rochdale Consortium Nottinghamshire Mansfield Learning Partnership Salford Salford 14-19 Partnership Nottinghamshire Newark and Sherwood ASG Sefton North Sefton Rutland Rutland 14-19 Partnership St. Helens St. Helen’s Tameside Tameside 14-19 Trafford Trafford London Warrington Warrington 14-19 Partnership Local authority Consortium name

Barking and Dagenham Barking and Dagenham South East Bromley The Bromley 14-19 Collaborative Local authority Consortium name Croydon Borough Wide Consortium Ealing West London Consortium Buckinghamshire Wycombe Consortium Hackney Hackney Diploma 2009 Consortium East Sussex Eastbourne and Hailsham Federation 281W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 282W

South East West Midlands Local authority Consortium name Local authority Consortium name

East Sussex Hastings and Rother Local Area Birmingham North Area Network East Sussex Lewes Rural Local Area Partnership Birmingham South Network Board Coventry North East Federation East Sussex Lewes Rural Local Area Partnership Coventry North West Federation East Sussex Wealden Local Area Partnership Board Dudley The Halesowen Education Trust Medway Medway Shropshire NW Shropshire Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Solihull Solihull Consortium Oxfordshire East Oxon 14-19 Consortium Staffordshire Chase Collegiate Reading Reading Staffordshire E Staffs 14-19 Collegiate Surrey Elmbridge 14-19 Consortium Staffordshire Tamworth Surrey Guildford 14-19 Partnership Staffordshire Tamworth Partnership Surrey Spelthorne Stoke on Trent Stoke on Trent West Sussex WS Area B Walsall WALCON Brighton and Hove Brighton and Hove 14-19 Partnership Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Board Worcestershire CONTINU East Sussex Lewes Rural Local Area Partnership Board Worcestershire FORWARD Consortium East Sussex Western Coastal Local Area Partnership Board Hampshire Basingstoke 14-19 Consortium Yorkshire and the Humber Hampshire Eastleigh Consortium Local authority Consortium name Hampshire Rushmoor and Hart Barnsley Barnsley Diploma Consortium Kent Dartford Wilmington Bradford Bradford Confederations Kent Dover Deal and Sandwich Calderdale Campus Calderdale Kent Gravesham 14-19 Consortium Hull (Kingston Upon) Hull 14-19 Partnership Kent Thanet 14-19 Consortium Kirklees Kirklees Collegiates Oxfordshire North Oxfordshire 14-19 Partnership Leeds Central Leeds Construction Reading Reading Leeds Leeds Diploma Consortium Surrey Surrey Heath North East Lincolnshire North East Lincolnshire Partnership Surrey Woking Federation North Yorkshire Ryedale Area Learning Partnership West Sussex WS Area A Rotherham Rotherham West Sussex WS Area B Sheffield Sheffield 14-19 Partnership Sheffield Sheffield CYPD Wakefield Wakefield South West York City City of York Partnership Local authority Consortium name

Cornwall Cornwall Collegiate Teachers: Males Dorset Central Dorset Partnership Dorset Chesil Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Dorset North Dorset Children, Schools and Families at how many and what Gloucestershire Cheltenham proportion of maintained (a) primary and (b) North Somerset North Somerset Consortium secondary schools fewer than (i) 1 per cent., (ii) 10 per Plymouth City City of Plymouth 14-19 Diploma cent., (iii) 20 per cent. and (iv) 30 per cent. of the Partnership fully-qualified teaching staff were male in each year Somerset Sedgemoor since 1997. [271479] South Gloucestershire Kingswood Swindon Swindon 14-19 Partnership Jim Knight: The information cannot be provided for Torbay Torbay 14-19 Learning Partnership all the years requested on the grounds of disproportionate Wiltshire West Wiltshire Federation cost. 1997 and 2008 figures are provided within the following table.

West Midlands The following table shows how many and what Local authority Consortium name proportion of local authority maintained primary and secondary schools in England employed fewer than Birmingham Birmingham South West Collegiate: 1 per cent., 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 30 per cent. Lordswood Girls qualified full-time equivalent male teachers, January Birmingham Central Network 1997 and 2008.

Number and proportion of maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools with fewer than 1 per cent., 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 30 per cent. full-time equivalent qualified male teachers, January 1997 and 2008, England 1997 2008 Nursery/Primary Secondary1 Nursery/Primary Secondary1 Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

Less than 1 per cent. 5,280 27.9 0 0.0 4,670 26.5 2—0.1 Less than 10 per cent. 6,760 35.7 2— 0.1 6,800 38.5 10 0.3 283W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 284W

Number and proportion of maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools with fewer than 1 per cent., 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 30 per cent. full-time equivalent qualified male teachers, January 1997 and 2008, England 1997 2008 Nursery/Primary Secondary1 Nursery/Primary Secondary1 Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

Less than 20 per cent. 11,920 63.0 80 2.1 12,390 70.2 70 2.2 Less than 30 per cent. 16,210 85.6 280 7.9 15,930 90.2 360 11.0 1 Excludes academies. 2 Between one and four schools. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: School Census

Teachers: Redundancy ATL, NAHT and NASUWT; and meetings with Agony Aunts and Kids in the Middle; Franklin Covey and the Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Association of Colleges. Children, Schools and Families how many (a) Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for full-time and (b) part-time teaching staff have been Children, Schools and Families what percentage of made redundant in each of the last 10 years. [272653] graduates enrolling on a postgraduate certification of education course held a (a) first, (b) upper second, Jim Knight: The information is not collected centrally. (c) lower second and (d) third class first degree in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. Teachers: Training [275040] Jim Knight: The following tables show the number of Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for first year trainees for each academic year between 1998/99 Children, Schools and Families what recent discussions and 2006/07 by the classification of their first degree he has had with representatives of (a) teachers’ for: professional bodies and (b) industry in respect of 1. Postgraduate ITT trainees teachers’ continuing professional development. [274705] 2. Employment Based Routes (EBR) trainees. Information relating to the qualifications on entry to Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of mainstream ITT courses is only available from 1998/99 State for Children, Schools and Families regularly meets onwards. The same information for trainees on employment with representatives of teachers’ professional bodies based routes was only collected from 2001/02 onwards. and industry to discuss a range of issues. Most recently Figures relating to 2007/08 will be available in July this has included attending the conferences of ASCL, 2009.

Proportion of postgraduate trainees in their first year of mainstream ITT courses by classification of first degree1,2, 1998/99 to 2006/07, England Percentage 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07

1st 5.4 5.5 5.8 5.7 6.4 7.0 7.7 8.1 8.1 2:1 45.9 45.8 46.4 47.3 48.5 49.0 49.8 50.7 50.7 2:2 36.8 37.4 36.7 36.7 35.7 35.3 33.8 32.7 33.8 3 4.0 4.4 4.3 4.0 3.7 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 Pass 4.0 3.1 3.4 3.1 3.4 3.1 2.5 2.4 2.0 Total with 2:1 51.3 51.3 52.2 53.0 54.9 56.0 57.5 58.8 58.8 and above Total with 2:2 88.0 88.7 88.9 89.7 90.6 91.3 91.4 91.5 92.6 and above Class not 4.0 3.9 3.4 3.2 2.3 1.8 2.6 2.6 2.1 known/ undefined Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Total number of 16,680 16,740 18,200 19,790 21,240 23,510 23,580 23,240 22,320 first year trainees on postgraduate ITT courses3 1 Includes universities and other higher education institutions, SCITT and Open University but excludes employment based routes and cases where QTS is granted on assessment without a course of ITT. 2 Those training through the Fast Track programme (which ran between 2001/02 and 2005/06) are included. 3 Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA’s Performance Profiles

Proportion of postgraduate trainees in their first year of employment based routes to ITT by classification of first degree1 1998/99 to 2006/07, England Percentage 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07

1st n/a n/a n/a 6.2 8.3 7.2 8.5 8.6 9.3 2:1 n/a n/a n/a 32.8 40.2 40.1 41.0 44.2 47.6 2:2 n/a n/a n/a 28.5 32.0 35.2 34.5 34.0 31.7 285W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 286W

Proportion of postgraduate trainees in their first year of employment based routes to ITT by classification of first degree1 1998/99 to 2006/07, England Percentage 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07

3 n/a n/a n/a 5.0 5.5 5.5 5.9 5.7 4.9 Pass n/a n/a n/a 5.9 9.1 8.0 10.1 7.5 6.5 Total with 2:1 and n/a n/a n/a 39.0 48.5 47.4 49.5 52.8 56.9 above Total with 2:2 and n/a n/a n/a 67.6 80.5 82.5 84.0 86.8 88.6 above Class not known/ n/a n/a n/a 21.6 4.9 4.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 undefined Total n/a n/a n/a 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Total number of n/a n/a n/a 2,740 3,560 4,940 4,970 5,250 5,230 first year trainees on postgraduate ITT courses2 n/a = not available 1 Excludes universities and other higher education institutions, SCITT and Open University and cases where QTS is granted on assessment without a course of ITT. 2 Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: TDA’s Performance Profiles

Teachers: Vacancies Primary, secondary and special schools1, 2, number of days of absence3, 2007/08, England Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of days Absence rate Children, Schools and Families what the school teacher Authorised absence 50,057,570 5.28 vacancy rate was in each of the last five years; and if he Unauthorised absence 9,627,620 1.01 will make a statement. [275039] Overall absence 59,685,190 6.29 Total possible days 948,908,914 — Jim Knight: Full-time vacancy rates in local authority 1 Includes city technology colleges and academies. maintained schools in each of the last five years can be 2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general found in Table 6 of the Statistical First Release “School hospital schools. 3 Includes pupils age five to 15 who were on roll for at least one session from the Workforce in England (including pupil: teacher ratios start of the school year up until 23 May 2008, excluding boarders. and pupil: adult ratios), January 2009 (Provisional)”. Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. This can be accessed from the following link: Source: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000844 School Census.

Truancy Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many parents in Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Lancashire and (b) England have appeared in Children, Schools and Families how many school days court on charges related to unauthorised absences from were lost to truancy in the last 12 months for which school of their children in the last (i) six, (ii) 12 and (iii) figures are available. [272969] 24 months. [277439]

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Information is collected on Jim Knight: The Ministry of Justice collects data for authorised and unauthorised absence. England and Wales on prosecutions brought against Unauthorised absence is absence without leave from parents under the Education Act 1996 for the offence a teacher or other authorised representative of the under s444(1) of failing to secure their child’s regular school. This includes all unexplained or unjustified attendance at school; and for prosecutions under s444(1A), absences, such as lateness, holidays during term time the aggravated offence of knowing that their child is not authorised by the school, absence where reason is failing to attend school regularly. It is possible, because not yet established and truancy. Information collected of the way courts record data that some data is collected by the Department on absence is a more comprehensive under the more general heading of various offences measure of children’s missed schooling. Our focus is on under the Education Act 1996. reducing all forms of absence, not just a small subset. The information on the number of parents prosecuted The issue is not whether the pupil had permission to be by local authorities in England and Lancashire for absent; it is how much absence the pupil has. failing to secure their children’s regular school attendance The number of days lost due to absence is shown in between 2006 and 2007 (latest available data) is detail in the following table. the following table.

Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Education Act 1996 S.444, in the Lancashire police force area, and England, 2006 to 20071,2

Lancashire police force area England

Statute Offence description 2006 2007 2006 2007

Education Act 1996 S.444 (1)(8) Failure to secure regular attendance at school. 182 249 4,437 5,903 287W Written Answers1 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 288W

Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences under the Education Act 1996 S.444, in the Lancashire police force area, and England, 2006 to 20071,2 Lancashire police force area England Statute Offence description 2006 2007 2006 2007

Education Act 1996 Parent knows that their child is failing to 46 43 1,559 1,840 S.444(8)(la)(8a) added by attend school regularly and fails without Criminal Justice and Court reasonable justification to cause him or her to Services Act 2000 S.72. attend school. 1 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Evidence and Analysis Unit—Office for Criminal Justice Reform, Ministry of Justice

Young People: Voluntary Work Provision has been made in clause 40 of the ASCL Bill to require local authorities, when commissioning Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for provision, to take account of the quality of provision Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Answer being secured and encourage diversity in the range of of 11 May 2009, Official Report, columns 598-9W, on education and training on offer to support learner young people: voluntary work, what his most recent choice. In addition, in deciding whether education and estimate is of the average cost of a placement as part of training is suitable to meet young people’s reasonable the Entry to Employment programme. [276103] needs, local authorities will be required to have regard to any learning difficulties the persons may have. Jim Knight: Funding for the Entry to Employment We believe that the transfer to local authorities will programme will be administered by the Learning and have significant benefits in terms of a more informed Skills Council (LSC). As the information requested is and integrated commissioning of their services leading with regard to an operational matter for the LSC, I have to better outcomes for learners. Arrangements are being asked Geoffrey Russell, the acting LSC chief executive, developed, in consultation with stakeholders, that recognise to write to the hon. Member with the information that independent specialist colleges will often work requested. I will arrange for a copy of his letter to be across local authority boundaries and nationally, and placed in the House Libraries. consideration is being given to the need to minimise bureaucracy for these and other learning providers. Young People’s Learning Agency These arrangements will feed into the statutory guidance being developed for local authorities in respect of their commissioning responsibilities which the YoungPeople’s Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Learning Agency (YPLA) will publish when it comes Schools and Families when he expects the Young into being in April 2010, subject to the passage of the People’s Learning Agency to be set up; and what Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) mechanisms there will be for the agency to co-operate Bill. with specialist independent post-16 institutions. We do not expect the YPLA to be involved in the [275806] commissioning of learning provision in the vast majority of cases, although there may be some circumstances Jim Knight: Independent Specialist providers of post-16 where it may need to commission provision directly, for education and training play an important role in providing instance: education for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities, often with very specific needs and requirements. where a local authority is failing or looks likely to fail in fulfilling its duties under clauses 40 and 47 of the Bill to We recognise the value of having a diverse mix of high commission suitable education or training; quality providers that ensures that our young people are with a small number of national providers for whom it may be able to access the right course or provision to help them appropriate to commission at a national rather than local level; realise their goals and ambitions. We do not feel it is and appropriate to centrally guarantee funding streams for where the sub regional group (SRG) identifies that they are not particular institutions. Local authorities will need to yet ready to take on the role. work in partnership with each other, providers and In those cases, the YPLA will need to engage those young people and their families to assess the level of providers, including specialist colleges, to ensure that demand in their area and to commission suitable provision they are commissioned effectively in response to the that meets young people’s needs. needs of young people. 289W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 290W

the needs of children and young people in developing Written Answers to countries and (i) women, (ii) families, (iii) disabled people and (iv) others in those countries. [274681] Questions Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International Development (DFID) has recently commissioned analysis Tuesday 2 June 2009 of the impacts of the current economic crisis including food, fuel and financial aspects on women, families, young people and the disabled in developing countries. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT This analysis will help inform the narrative in the forthcoming White Paper. Departmental Public Expenditure DFID recognises that children and young people are the majority population in many developing countries Mr. Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State and that they have a vital role in helping achieve the for International Development on what projects money millennium development goals. The White Paper will was spent under his Department’s bilateral programme take these issues fully into account. in each of the last five years in each country where expenditure under the programme was under £50,000 Overseas Aid: Nutrition in 2007-08; how much was spent on each project; and if he will make a statement. [276903] John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Michael Foster: Detailed information on individual International Development what spending priority DFID projects is publicly available through two areas his Department’s Nutritional Task Team have international portals: AiDA—the Development Gateway established for 2009-10. [277137] and the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Each portal can be accessed through the following Mr. Michael Foster: As a result of the findings of the links: Nutrition Task Team, the Department for International AiDA: Development (DFID) is strengthening its capacity and setting up permanent capacity, in London and in selected http://aida.developmentgateway.org/index.do country offices, to help respond to the ongoing global DAC: nutrition crisis. We will be publishing a new nutrition http://stats.oecd.org/qwids/ strategy in the autumn. Key priorities will be to: build Further information on DFID funded projects, including international support, co-ordination and coherence; scale-up spend, will be made available on the DFID website later programmes in selected partner countries; strengthen this year. DFID capacity to increase and track nutrition impact and spend; and build evidence and demonstrate results. Developing Countries: HIV Infection John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what budget his International Development what steps his Department Department has allocated to its Nutrition Task Team is taking to ensure that the procurement of for 2009-10. [277138] antiretroviral drugs through the Global Fund and other mechanisms is timely and efficient. [276323] Mr. Ivan Lewis: The nutrition team for 2009-10 is Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Department for International being put in place now. We expect two full-time staff to Development (DFID) is aware that some countries start work shortly in London, supported by staff from supported by the Global Fund are at risk from health country offices allocating a proportion of their time. facility stores temporarily running out of essential We will ensure that the team has the resources it needs antiretroviral drugs (stock-outs). DFID officials have to develop a sound strategy. This will help provide the spoken to the fund’s Secretariat about this, including basis for making further resource allocation decisions. recently at the Global Fund’s Executive Board (5-6 May 2009). Formally, the UK supported a resolution made John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for at the board meeting which obliges the fund’s Secretariat International Development which countries his to address this issue urgently, to report on whether its Department’s Nutritional Task Team has worked with existing procedures are adequate, and to propose solutions in 2009 to date. [277145] which would minimise the risks of disruptions to treatment both in the short term and on an ongoing basis. In Mr. Ivan Lewis: We will work with countries where developing countries such as Zimbabwe, DFID is also the burden of malnutrition is most severe, and where assisting, where possible, in the provision of drugs while the Department for International Development (DFID) problems in Global Fund supported programmes are has comparative advantage within a division of labour being addressed. with other donors. Initial work is under way in India and Bangladesh where we have focal advisers in place Developing Countries: Young People and leading nutrition agendas.

Mr. Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account his International Development which contribution his Department’s forthcoming White Paper will take of Department’s Nutritional Task Team is making to the (a) the number of children and young people in achievement of Goal 1 of the Millennium developing countries and (b) the relationships between Development Goals. [277146] 291W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 292W

Mr. Ivan Lewis: Nutrition is a foundation for the Paul Goggins: That is an operational matter for the attainment of all the Millennium Development Goals. Chief Constable. I have asked him to reply directly to We recognise that progress towards the MDG 1c indicator the hon. Member, and a copy of his letter will be placed to halve the rates of under-nutrition in children under in the Library of the House. five years by 2015 remains severely off-track. Our work on nutrition is directly aimed to help focus the Department’s efforts on MDG 1c. LEADER OF THE HOUSE Members: Allowances Overseas Aid: Water Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Leader of the House Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for whether it is the Government’s policy that hon. International Development what steps he is taking to Members who are married to or in a civil partnership promote the Global Framework for Action for water with a member of the House of Lords will be eligible and sanitation to his counterparts in countries with for a second home allowance. [277699] bilateral agencies. [276573] Chris Bryant: By tradition the two Houses of Parliament Mr. Michael Foster: I refer the hon. Member to the have made separate financial provisions for their Members. answer given to the right hon. Member for Gordon The Government believe that all MPs’ and peers pay, (Malcolm Bruce) on 12 May 2009, Official Report, allowances and pensions should be set, administered, column 661W, which highlights our collaboration with monitored and audited by an independent Parliamentary the Netherlands. I can confirm that I will be shortly Standards Authority. contacting other European Union bilateral agencies to encourage their support for the Global Framework for Action. HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Sri Lanka: Overseas Aid Members: Allowances

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for North International Development what steps his Department Devon, representing the House of Commons plans to take to assist refugees in the (a) northern and Commission if the House of Commons Commission will place in the Library a copy of internal notes made (b) eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. [276855] at its meetings between 3 July 2008 and 1 April 2009 Mr. Michael Foster: I refer the hon. Member to the relating to hon. Members’ expenses and the resolutions written statement made on 21 May 2009, Official Report, of the House of 3 July 2008. [276857] column 86WS, regarding the internally displaced in the Nick Harvey: Members’ expenses are a matter for the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. Members Estimate Committee.

NORTHERN IRELAND SCOTLAND AccessNI Economic and Monetary Union Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what activities have been undertaken by his Northern Ireland what assessment has been Department’s Euro Minister in that capacity. [277172] undertaken of the performance of AccessNI; and if he will make a statement. [277257] Ann McKechin: Euro Ministers are responsible for euro preparations in their Department and attend Euro Paul Goggins: Since mid-December 2008 AccessNI Ministers Steering Group meetings. Meetings are held has continued to meet its service standards. Latest only when necessary to discuss practical preparations to information on service standards is published each week ensure a smooth changeover. on the “latest news” section of its website: www.accessni.gov.uk Police Service of Northern Ireland: Pay CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Advertising: Internet Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the salary of the Chief Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland is. Media and Sport if he will make an assessment of the implications for the revenue of the British media [276794] market of Google’s share of the online advertising Paul Goggins: The salary of the Chief Constable of market; and if he will make a statement. [276978] the Police Service of Northern Ireland is £183,954 per Barbara Follett: The Government recognise the increasing year with effect from 1 September 2008. importance of online advertising revenues to the UK’s Robbery: Firearms media markets. It represents the fastest growing advertising medium in the UK. While the impact of this growth is Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for principally a matter for the market, the Government, Northern Ireland how many cash in transit robberies through its Creative Economy Strategy, continues to have taken place in Northern Ireland in each of the last encourage the development of a strong and competitive five years; and how many of these involved (a) advertising sector. The strategy, published in 2008, sets firearms and (b) imitation firearms. [277324] out a range of initiatives, such as encouraging advertisers 293W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 294W to recruit from a more diverse range of backgrounds Andy Burnham [holding answer 1 June 2009]: The and disciplines, that will help ensure the continued pay-TV market investigation is the responsibility of success of the UK’s advertising industries as a whole. Ofcom. Ofcom expect to make a statement on their progress and current findings by the end of June. Arts: Apprentices Pay Television: Sports Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Department has allocated for the creation of 5,000 Media and Sport what recent representations he has apprenticeships in the creative industries as outlined in received on choice of sports pay television providers. Creative Britain: new talents for the new economy. [277440] [277133] Andy Burnham [holding answer 1 June 2009]: Ihave Andy Burnham: My Department is working with the not received any recent representations on this issue. Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to Royal Parks Agency: Security influence the funding of over £1 billion allocated to delivering apprenticeships across England. Since the Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for publication of Creative Britain, my Department has Culture, Media and Sport how many breaches of also worked with the sector skills councils and the Arts security have been reported at the Royal Parks Agency Council England to increase apprenticeships across the in the last five years; and what procedures the agency creative industries with over 150 employers signed up to follows when a breach of security involves the offer places. My Department is currently developing a disclosure of personal data. [276948] programme of activity to help support the creation of apprenticeships for the creative industries. Barbara Follett: The following information has been provided by the Royal Parks Agency. Employment Tribunals Service There have been eight known breaches of security within the past five years, none involving the loss of Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for personal data. Culture, Media and Sport how many actions under employment law have been brought against the (a) Any loss of personal data would be handled in Arts Council England, (b) Museums, Libraries and accordance with Cabinet Office procedures. Archives Council, (c) Sport England, (d) UK Sport, (e) English Heritage, (f) Heritage Lottery Fund and (g) Big Lottery Fund in each of the last three years; how many such actions were brought under each TRANSPORT category of action; and how many were contested at an employment tribunal. [277449] Bourbon Dolphin

Mr. Sutcliffe: Each of our non-departmental public Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for bodies has their own HR function and have their own Transport what assessment he has made of the report procedures and processes in place. The Department of the capsize of the tug, Bourbon Dolphin. [277758] does not collect information on actions brought against our non-departmental public bodies. Jim Fitzpatrick: The Bourbon Dolphin was a Norwegian anchor-handling vessel operating outside UK territorial Olympic Games 2012 waters. Consequently, no investigation of the incident was undertaken by the United Kingdom. However, I Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for understand that a report has been produced by the Culture, Media and Sport how many officials in (a) his Norwegian authorities. Department, excluding the Government Olympic Executive, (b) UK Sport and (c) Sport England are c2c working on matters connected with the London 2012 Olympics. [277271] Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 1 June 2009]: The 2012 had with c2c on the timetable for negotiations on its Olympics and Paralympics have an impact on the work train operator franchise; and if he will make a of a great many staff working in the Department for statement. [276819] Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and our non- departmental public bodies (NDPB’s). We do not collect Paul Clark: The current c2c franchise expires in May data centrally on this. 2011. No recent discussions have taken place with c2c on the timetable for re-letting the franchise. Pay Television Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Transport what recent assessment he has made of the Media and Sport when he expects Ofcom to publish (a) punctuality and (b) adequacy of the capacity of the remedies determined as a result of its investigation the c2c Fenchurch Street service; and if he will make a into the pay television market. [277438] statement. [276820] 295W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 296W

Paul Clark: Punctuality on the network as a whole Mr. Hoon: Most hotel costs across the Department has risen by 10 per cent. in the last five years to 90.6 per for Transport are not recorded separately from subsistence cent. 95.4 per cent of c2c trains, which serve Fenchurch expenses. The information could be provided only at Street station, were punctual in the last year (within five disproportionate cost. minutes). The Department for Transport measures c2c’s capacity Departmental Marketing for peak arrivals into Fenchurch Street (7 am to 9.59 am) and peak departures from Fenchurch Street (4 pm to Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for 6.59 pm) against their approved train plan. Transport how much has been spent by his Department on advertising in weekly and regional newspapers in Departmental Air Travel the last five years. [277149]

Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Hoon: The information requested is not held Transport how much his Department has spent on (a) centrally, or recorded in a way to readily identify these economy, (b) business and (c) first class flights in each categories of advertising expenditure, and could be financial year since 2001. [276489] provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Hoon: The Department for Transport could provide Departmental Official Gifts this information only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Conditions of Employment Transport how many members of staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or Mr. Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for higher in the course of their duties in each of the last Transport whether costs arising from systems three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they modifications in his Department’s Shared Service were received. [277336] Centre to accommodate the workings of the flexible benefits project will be met from the flexible benefit Mr. Hoon: I refer the right hon. Member to my projects budget. [277706] answer of 16 December 2008, Official Report, columns 606-7W. Mr. Hoon: These costs will be met from the flexible benefit projects budget. Departmental Pay Departmental Dismissal Mr. Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what timetable he has set for the provision of Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for total reward statements to (a) staff in his central Transport how many members of staff in his Department and (b) other departmental staff. [277705] Department and its agencies were dismissed (a) for under-performance and (b) in total in each of the last Mr. Hoon: Total reward statements are planned for 10 years. [274311] release from 23 September 2009 onwards, for both the central Department and its agencies. Mr. Hoon: The Department of Transport was formed in 2002. A total of 522 members of staff have been Departmental Research dismissed. Of these 81 can be identified as dismissed for under-performance. A breakdown is provided in the following table but it does not include the Government Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Car and Despatch Agency, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Transport how much his Department spent on research Agency or the Highways Agency; figures which can be and development in each of the last 10 years; and what provided only at disproportionate cost. the 10 projects on which the highest expenditure was incurred were. [276492] Dismissed for under- performance Total dismissed Mr. Hoon: Information about Departments’ annual spend on research and development is published by the 2009 12 18 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) 2008 17 89 in Table 3.2 of Science Engineering and Technology 2007 8 72 (SET) Statistics. This is available on the DIUS website. 2006 12 93 2005 12 82 The project information requested is not readily available. 2004 12 93 For example, some projects are collaboratively funded; 2003 8 75 some are interdependent with others; and projects can Total 81 522 take a number of years to complete. However, from the information readily available, the 10 requested projects Departmental Hotels since the Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 are: Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for 1. Co-operative Crash Injury Study—Phases 5-8 (£12,900,000) Transport how much his Department spent on hotel 2. On-the-Spot Accident Investigation—Phases 1-3 (£8,018,000) accommodation for (a) Ministers and (b) staff (i) in 3. The Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation Environment the UK and (ii) abroad in each of the last five years. (£4,084,000) [276490] 4. Compatibility of Cars in Crashes (£2,979,000) 297W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 298W

5. European New Car Secondary Safety Assessment Testing These figures represent the total departmental value Programme (£2,700,000) of the contracts let, some of which are still open. 6. Compatibility and Frontal and Side Impact Test Procedures Departmental Travel (£2,272,000) 7. Intelligent Speed Adaptation (£2,015,000) Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for 8. Protective helmets for motor and pedal cyclists (£1,720,000) Transport how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies spent on car hire in each year since 2001. 9. Mobile Environmental Sensing System (£1,716,000) [276453] 10. New Car Primary Safety Assessment Programme—Phase 2 (£1,501,000) Mr. Hoon: The information requested is as follows:

£ 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Department for Transport 0 156,918 188,144 208,126 353,758 220,352 219,380 Executive Agencies 1,045,417 1,806,204 2,002,484 1,966,638 2,378,604 2,465,910 2,740,918

It is not possible to provide costs for the Department notices for disorder remained unpaid (a) six and (b) for Transport or for the Driver Standards Agency in 12 months after issue in each of the last five years. 2002-03 because the information is not available in a [276120] comparable format. Economic and Monetary Union Mr. Straw: We are not able to identify how many and the percentage of those penalty notices which remain unpaid after (a) six and (b) 12 months, as it is not Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for possible to provide separate enforcement rates for unpaid Transport what activities have been undertaken by his PNDs once they have been registered as fines by the Department’s Euro Minister in that capacity. [277177] courts. Mr. Hoon: Euro Ministers are responsible for the Information held by the Ministry of Justice for the preparation of materials relating to their Departments number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) issued and attend Euro Ministers Steering Group meetings. to persons in England and Wales aged 16 and over, by Meetings are held only when necessary to discuss practical offence type, and the number paid within the suspended preparations to ensure a smooth changeover. enforcement period, for the years 2004 to 2007 (latest available) are shown in the following tables 1 to 4. Under the PND Scheme, recipients have 21 days (the suspended enforcement period) in which either to pay JUSTICE the penalty or opt to have their case heard in court. If Antisocial Behaviour: Fixed Penalties no action is taken a fine of one and half times the penalty amount is registered against the recipient. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for PND data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of Justice how many and what percentage of penalty 2009.

Table 1: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20041 Of those paid Total paid in Paid in full Paid in full Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % outside 21 days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,171 512 44 362 31 150 13 Misuse of public 117 52 44 36 31 16 14 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 44 18 41 15 34 3 7 fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 28,790 14,306 50 10,240 36 4,066 14 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 177 89 50 72 41 17 10 Drunk and 26,609 14,927 56 11,050 42 3,877 15 disorderly Criminal Damage 1,190 681 57 528 44 153 13 (under £500) Theft (retail under 2,072 870 42 665 32 205 10 £200) Breach of fireworks 12 10 83 9 75 1 8 curfew Possession of 12 5 42 1 8 4 33 category 4 firework 299W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 300W

Table 1: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20041 Of those paid Total paid in Paid in full Paid in full Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % outside 21 days %

Possession by a 20 10 50 9 45 1 5 person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 113 74 65 62 55 12 11 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 84 55 65 49 58 6 7 person under 18 Delivery of alcohol 20 9 45 4 20 5 25 to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued

Trespass on a railway 96 48 50 30 31 18 19 Throwing stones at a 66 35 53 27 41 8 12 train/railway Drunk in a highway 2,497 1,233 49 860 34 373 15 Consumption of 485 113 23 82 17 31 6 alcohol in public place Depositing and 51 25 49 19 37 6 12 leaving litter Consumption of 7343343—— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing 6350350—— consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

All offences 63,639 33,078 52 24,126 38 8,952 14

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police 579 49 15 1 32 3 30 3 3 0 time Misuse of public 58 50 2 2 5 4 — — — — telecommunications system Giving false alarm 22 50 — — 2 5 1 2 1 2 to fire and rescue authority Causing 13,125 46 205 1 666 2 366 1 122 0 Harassment, alarm or distress Throwing 80 45 1 1 6 3 1 1 — — fireworks Drunk and 11,035 41 109 0 346 1 144 1 48 0 disorderly Criminal Damage 481 40 5 0 14 1 5 0 4 0 (under £500) Theft (retail under 1,128 54 13 1 30 1 12 1 19 1 £200) Breach of 217—— —— —— —— fireworks curfew Possession of 650—— 1 8 —— —— category 4 firework Possession by a 735—— 21015 —— person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 10 9 2 2 27 24 — — — — person under 18 Purchase alcohol 21 25 — — 8 10 — — — — for person under 18 301W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 302W

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Delivery of alcohol 10 50 — — — — — — 1 5 to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a 45 47 — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 railway Throwing stones at 25 38 — — 5 8 1 2 — — a train/railway Drunk in a 1,166 47 6 0 75 3 9 0 8 0 highway Consumption of 349 72 2 0 15 3 4 1 2 0 alcohol in public place Depositing and 25 49 — — 1 2 — — — — leaving litter Consumption of 457—— —— —— —— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing 233—— 117—— —— consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

All offences 28,180 44 360 1 1,237 2 575 1 209 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. Table 2: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20051 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence code and description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 2,525 1,199 47 890 35 309 12 Misuse of public 405 238 59 175 43 63 16 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 92 49 53 35 38 14 15 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 64,007 33,915 53 24,357 38 9,558 15 distress Throwing fireworks 642 347 54 253 39 94 15 Drunk and disorderly 37,038 20,862 56 15,420 42 5,442 15 Sale of alcohol to under 18 2,058 1,805 88 1,460 71 345 17 Purchasing alcohol for under 18 170 106 62 82 48 24 14 Purchasing alcohol for under 18 83 59 71 48 58 11 13 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to under 18 209 128 61 106 51 22 11 Criminal Damage (under £500) 12,168 6,996 57 5,180 43 1,816 15 Theft (retail under £200) 21,997 9,057 41 6,965 32 2,092 10 Breach of fireworks curfew 33 18 55 13 39 5 15 Possession of category 4 13 5 38 4 31 1 8 firework Possession by a person under 18 47 29 62 21 45 8 17 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 32 24 75 13 41 11 34 person Supply of alcohol to person 3 2 66 1 33 1 33 under 18

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 220 97 44 75 34 22 10 303W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 304W

Table 2: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20051 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence code and description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

Throwing stones at a train / 20 13 65 9 45 4 20 railway Drunk in a highway 3,138 1,669 53 1,255 40 414 13 Consumption of alcohol in 712 168 24 113 16 55 8 public place Depositing and leaving litter 737 368 50 274 37 94 13 Consumption of alcohol by 84 66 79 54 64 12 14 under 18 on licensed premises Allowing consumption of 27 14 52 9 33 5 19 alcohol for under 18 Buying alcohol by under 18 21 13 62 11 52 2 10

Total all offences 146,481 77,247 53 56,823 39 20,424 14

Other outcomes Court Offence code and Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,161 46 41 2 50 2 44 2 30 1 Misuse of public 140 35 7 2 10 2 7 2 3 1 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 38 41 2 2 — — 3 3 — — fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 26,754 42 706 1 1,251 2 808 1 573 1 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 271 42 6 1 8 1 6 1 4 1 Drunk and disorderly 14,459 39 488 1 504 1 472 1 253 1 Sale of alcohol to 211 10 5 0 30 1 4 0 3 0 under 18 Purchasing alcohol 60 35 — — 2 1 1 1 1 1 for under 18 Purchasing alcohol 23 28 — — 1 1 — — — — for under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol 70 33 3 1 5 2 2 1 1 0 to under 18 Criminal Damage 4,702 39 107 1 161 1 123 1 79 1 (under £500) Theft (retail under 11,927 54 187 1 301 1 292 1 233 1 £200) Breach of fireworks 14 42 — — 1 3 — — — — curfew Possession of 862—— —— —— — — category 4 firework Possession by a 15 32 1 2 1 2 — — 1 2 person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 6191 3 —— 13 — — drunken person Supply of alcohol to 133—— —— —— — — person under 18

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 115 52 — — 3 1 2 1 3 1 Throwing stones at a 525—— 15 15 — — train / railway Drunk in a highway 1,339 43 18 1 59 2 31 1 22 1 Consumption of 499 70 7 1 26 4 3 0 9 1 alcohol in public place Depositing and 325 44 8 1 23 3 5 1 8 1 leaving litter 305W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 306W

Other outcomes Court Offence code and Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Consumption of 16 19 — — — — — — 2 2 alcohol by under 18 on licensed premises Allowing 12 44 1 4 — — — — — — consumption of alcohol for under 18 Buying alcohol by 838—— —— —— — — under 18

Total all offences 62,179 42 1,588 1 2,437 2 1,805 1 1,225 1 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. Table 3: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20061 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 3,933 1,911 49 1,355 34 556 14 Misuse of public 909 523 58 388 43 135 15 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 106 43 41 35 33 8 8 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 82,235 43,120 52 30,757 37 12,363 15 distress Throwing fireworks 682 380 56 267 39 113 17 Drunk and disorderly 43,556 24,673 57 18,123 42 6,550 15 Criminal Damage (under 20,620 11,351 55 8,342 40 3,009 15 £500) Theft (retail under £200) 38,772 16,169 42 12,370 32 3,799 10 Breach of fireworks curfew 53 34 64 27 51 7 13 Possession of category 4 28 12 43 9 32 3 11 firework Possession by a person under 76 51 67 34 45 17 22 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 47 35 74 29 62 6 13 person Supply of alcohol to person 60 53 88 41 68 12 20 under 18 Sale of alcohol to person 3,195 2,756 86 2,354 74 402 13 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 407 268 66 213 52 55 14 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 60 39 65 35 58 4 7 under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to person 297 176 59 132 44 44 15 under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 1,042 551 53 320 31 231 22 Throwing stones at a train/ 15 6 40 5 33 1 7 railway Drunk in a highway 2,712 1,433 53 1,064 39 369 14 Consumption of alcohol in 1,061 252 24 165 16 87 8 public place Depositing and leaving litter 1,169 593 51 427 37 166 14 Consumption of alcohol by 75 55 73 46 61 9 12 under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 14 10 71 10 71 — — alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to buy 73 52 71 43 59 9 12 alcohol by person under 18 307W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 308W

Table 3: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20061 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

All offences 201,197 104,546 52 76,591 38 27,955 14

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,787 45 44 1 108 3 81 2 2 0 Misuse of public 319 35 14 2 26 3 24 3 3 0 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 52 49 — — 6 6 5 5 — — fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 35,154 43 780 1 1,914 2 1,126 1 141 0 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 264 39 5 1 23 3 10 1 — — Drunk and disorderly 16,919 39 269 1 886 2 725 2 84 0 Criminal Damage 8,492 41 134 1 324 2 287 1 32 0 (under £500) Theft (retail under £200) 21,157 55 203 1 732 2 392 1 119 0 Breach of fireworks 16 30 1 2 1 2 — — 1 2 curfew Possession of category 4 15 54 — — — — — — 1 4 firework Possession by a person 21 28 — — 3 4 1 1 — — under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 9191 2 2 4 — — — — drunken person Supply of alcohol to 712———————— person under 18 Sale of alcohol to 390 12 6 0 30 1 10 0 3 0 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 122 30 1 0 10 2 6 1 — — person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 20 33 — — — — 1 2 — — person under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to 99 33 3 1 14 5 3 1 2 1 person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 463 44 2 0 19 2 6 1 1 0 Throwing stones at a 640—— 2 13— — 1 7 train/railway Drunk in a highway 1,158 43 7 0 94 3 16 1 4 0 Consumption of alcohol 749 71 7 1 45 4 6 1 2 0 in public place Depositing and leaving 536 46 3 0 26 2 10 1 1 0 litter Consumption of alcohol 17 23 — — 2 3 1 1 — — by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption 429———————— of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting 20 27 — — 1 1 — — — — to buy alcohol by person under 18

All offences 87,796 44 1,480 1 4,268 2 2,710 1 397 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. 309W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 310W

Table 4: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20071 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 3,966 1,862 47 1,384 35 478 12 Misuse of public 1,193 670 56 526 44 144 12 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 96 55 57 38 40 17 18 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 77,827 40,357 52 30,761 40 9,596 12 distress Throwing fireworks 649 374 58 290 45 84 13 Drunk and disorderly 46,996 26,367 56 19,727 42 6,640 14 Criminal Damage (under £500) 19,946 11,072 56 8,401 42 2,671 13 Theft (retail under £200) 45,146 19,111 42 15,390 34 3,721 8 Breach of fireworks curfew 39 25 64 20 51 5 13 Possession of category 4 22 10 45 7 32 3 14 firework Possession by a person under 18 106 67 63 57 54 10 9 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 81 64 79 50 62 14 17 person Supply of alcohol to person 54 41 76 31 57 10 19 under 18 Sale of alcohol to person under 3,583 3,074 86 2,623 73 451 13 18 Purchase alcohol for person 555 320 58 244 44 76 14 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 64 31 48 23 36 8 13 under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to person 431 268 62 219 51 49 11 under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 1,527 780 51 441 29 339 22 Throwing stones at a train/ 25 13 52 11 44 2 8 railway Drunk in a highway 2,066 1,146 55 942 46 204 10 Consumption of alcohol in 1,544 328 21 259 17 69 4 public place Depositing and leaving litter 1,374 705 51 541 39 164 12 Consumption of alcohol by 85 67 79 55 65 12 14 under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 11 9 82 8 73 1 9 alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to buy 158 109 69 85 54 24 15 alcohol by person under 18

All offences 207,544 106,925 52 82,133 40 24,792 12

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,807 46 34 1 122 3 140 4 1 0 Misuse of public 431 36 17 1 43 4 32 3 — — telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire 37 39 — — 3 3 1 1 — — and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 33,021 42 626 1 2,210 3 1,577 2 36 0 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 223 34 9 1 30 5 13 2 — — Drunk and disorderly 18,161 39 244 1 1,038 2 1,177 3 9 0 Criminal Damage (under 7,979 40 112 1 384 2 393 2 6 0 £500) 311W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 312W

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Theft (retail under £200) 24,344 54 172 0 988 2 507 1 24 0 Breach of fireworks 13 33 — — 1 3 — — — — curfew Possession of category 4 10 45 — — 2 9 — — — — firework Possession by a person 31 29 1 1 5 5 2 2 — — under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 9113 4 2 2 3 4 — — person Supply of alcohol to 11 20 1 2 1 2 — — — — person under 18 Sale of alcohol to person 405 11 13 0 69 2 22 1 — — under 18 Purchase alcohol for 211 38 4 1 14 3 5 1 1 0 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 22 34 — — 10 16 1 2 — — person under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to 138 32 1 0 19 4 5 1 — — person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 675 44 — — 45 3 26 2 1 0 Throwing stones at a 10 40 — — 2 8 — — — — train/railway Drunk in a highway 788 38 8 0 94 5 30 1 — — Consumption of alcohol 1,090 71 6 0 87 6 32 2 1 0 in public place Depositing and leaving 589 43 2 0 64 5 13 1 1 0 litter Consumption of alcohol 16 19 — — 2 2 — — — — by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 19 —— 1 9 —— —— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to 35 22 — — 13 8 1 1 — — buy alcohol by person under 18

All offences 90,057 43 1,253 1 5,249 3 3,980 2 80 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit.

Bail Accommodation and Support Service released under Home Detention Curfew (HDC) supervision starts at the point of release on HDC and continues Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State until the supervision licence expires. Compliance with for Justice what role the Probation Service has in the HDC curfew condition is monitored by the relevant monitoring ex-offenders placed in bail hostels managed electronic monitoring contractor. by ClearSprings; and if he will make a statement. For those living at a ClearSprings address who were [276901] serving a custodial sentence of less than 12 months and are over 21 years of age, ClearSprings provides support. Mr. Hanson: 55 per cent. of those living at a ClearSprings Data Protection: Local Government address are defendants on bail and are not subject to Probation supervision, unless they were subject to a Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for relevant prior sentence when bailed by the court. Prisoners Justice which local authorities the Information serving custodial sentences of more than 12 months are Commissioner has found to have breached the subject to supervision by the National Probation Service provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 since 2000. (NPS). All those aged between 18 and 21 years that [276854] serve a custodial sentence are supervised by the NPS on release. They are required to meet their offender manager Mr. Wills: The Information Commissioner’s Office on release and have regular contact in accordance with (ICO) is the independent authority set up to enforce the requirements of their licence supervision. For those and oversee the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). 313W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 314W

Since the commencement of the DPA in 2000, the Day subsistence ICO has assessed 290 local authorities for compliance £ with the data protection principles. The ICO aims to Four to eight hours 7.34 resolve complaints informally with data controllers in Eight to 12 hours 10.23 the first instance. The ICO issued an Enforcement Notice against Plymouth city council obliging it to comply Financial loss with the principles of the DPA. The ICO also agreed £ one non-statutory undertaking against Leicester city Self-employed Other council to ensure it fulfils its DPA obligations. Up to four hours 56.63 45.30 Over four hours 113.26 90.61 Human Rights: Costs Approximately half of the 30,000 magistrates in England Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and Wales do not claim any allowances. what estimate has been made of the cost to the public On average, magistrates sit 17.5 days per annum. The purse of changes in Government policy or practice total loss of earnings and travel and subsistence costs necessitated by judgments made by the European paid to magistrates in each of the last three years was: Court of Human Rights since 1998. [277111] £ Mr. Wills: The implementation of a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is the responsibility 2006-07 17,560,000 of the Department in charge of the policy area concerned, 2007-08 16,911,000 and measures implementing a judgment are often included 2008-09 17,839,000 in wider changes to policy or legislation. The specific Prison Service: Pay cost, if any, of implementing individual judgments therefore cannot be separated out, which prevents such an estimate being made. Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what percentage of each (a) prison and (b) Isle of Man: Electricity Generation young offender institution’s budget was spent on management staff salaries in the last 12 months. [277297] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2009, Official Mr. Hanson: National Offender Management Unit Report, column 359W, on British Overseas Territories: finance systems provide analysis between unified and renewable energy, from what sources the remainder of clerical staff but do not allow specific analysis of the Isle of Man’s electricity demands are generated. management salaries without a disproportionate amount [276786] of manual analysis. Each prison would need to be contacted individually and asked to undertake a manual Mr. Wills: In the year 2007-08, the Isle of Man’s analysis of their payroll. It is estimated that this would electricity demand was met approximately as follows: be a day’s work at each prison. 84 per cent. gas (using combined cycle gas turbines), 10 per cent. imports, 4 per cent. energy from waste, 1 per Prisoners Release: Northern Ireland cent. hydro and 1 per cent. diesel. Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether any prisoners transferred from a prison Justice pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2009, Official in Northern Ireland to a prison in England and Wales Report column 359W, on British Overseas Territories: have since been released under the end of custody renewable energy, what the annual cost of operating the licence scheme. [277284] hydro-generation facility in the Isle of Man is. [276805] Mr. Hanson: Prisoners transferred from Northern Mr. Wills: The Isle of Man hydro-generation facility Ireland to serve their sentences in England and Wales has operational costs of typically less than £25,000 per may be released on ECL provided they meet the eligibility annum and is a priority generator, subject to sufficient criteria. reservoir water levels. Between the start of the End of Custody Licence (ECL) scheme in June 2007 and the end of April 2009, Magistrates Courts: Costs there have been eight transfers of prisoners from a Northern Ireland prison to a prison in England and Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales. None of these eight has been released on ECL. Justice what the average daily amount paid to a These figures have been drawn from administrative magistrate was in each of the last three years. [276750] IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry Mr. Straw: Magistrates are not paid for carrying out and processing. their duties but may claim allowances within specified limits for travel, subsistence and financial loss. The Prisons: Coltishall structure of HMCS’ financial systems does not enable the calculation of the daily amount paid in allowances. Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice From 1 August 2008, magistrates may claim the (1) on what date his Department’s final decision to following daily allowances: acquire the site of RAF Coltishall for conversion into a 315W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 316W prison was taken; and on what date construction work 1 Probation officer figures include senior probation officers, senior practitioners for conversion of the buildings commenced; [277249] and probation officers. (2) on what date his Department (a) decided to 2 The fluctuating levels of staff are likely to be as a result of inconsistent classification of roles in the previous method of collecting information and acquire, (b) acquired and (c) took unencumbered these should be rectified within the HR Data Warehouse. possession of RAF Coltishall; and on what date (i) 3 The information provided has yet to be published and may therefore be subject to minor amendment upon publication. construction on the site began and (ii) he expects the Notes: first prisoners to be received at HM Prison Coltishall. 1. Figures are shown as full-time equivalents. [277676] 2. Figures for the year 2008-09 are not yet available.

Mr. Straw: In response to Lord Carter’s report, “Securing Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Future: Proposals for the Efficient and Sustainable Justice how many offenders in North Yorkshire Use of Custody in England and Wales” in January 2008 Probation Area were categorised as Tier 4 in each of Ministers agreed to the acquisition of the former RAF the last five financial years. [277059] Coltishall site in Norfolk for conversion to a prison. The site had previously been under consideration by Mr. Hanson: The total number of offenders in North the Home Office as immigration detention centre since Yorkshire who were categorised as tier 4 as at 31 March 2006 and the Ministry of Justice acquired the site from in each of the last three years was as follows: the UK Border Agency in March 2008. The work which did not require planning approval Number began in April 2008. Work requiring approval began in February 2009. 2006 318 2007 336 The prison is due to receive the first 259 prisoners in 2008 369 November 2009 and become fully operational by spring 2010. Information on tier was not recorded prior to 1 April Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2005. what estimate he has made of the (a) annualised These figures have been drawn from administrative capital and (b) annual revenue cost of each prisoner IT systems which, as with any large scale recording place at HM Prison Coltishall throughout its planned system, are subject to possible errors with data entry lifetime. [277274] and processing.

Mr. Straw: Work is currently being undertaken to Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for establish and approve detailed running costs for the new Justice how many (a) probation staff and (b) trainee prison at Coltishall. probation officers are expected to be made redundant in North Yorkshire Probation Area in (i) 2009-10, (ii) Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12. [277060] how much his Department will pay to (a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) other freehold and leasehold owners of the land on which HM Prison Coltishall will Mr. Hanson: Budget discussions will be taking place be sited in each financial year in which payments will between the director of Offender Management and the be made. [277275] North Yorkshire Area over the coming months and it is too early to pre-empt the outcome of these discussions. Mr. Straw: The Ministry of Justice owns the Coltishall At this stage, no probation posts have been identified as site outright, and so there are no fees payable in terms being at risk and no formal notice of redundancy has of freehold and leasehold of the land. been issued. With regards to trainee probation officers, attempts Probation: North Yorkshire are being made to ensure that all graduating trainees are offered positions at the end of their training. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) probation officers and (b) Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for probation service officers were employed by North Justice what assessment he has made of the likely effect Yorkshire Probation Area on 31 March of each of the of planned job reductions in North Yorkshire last five financial years. [277057] Probation Area on the Probation Service’s national standards and service delivery. [277061] Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the number of probation officers and probation service officers in post in North Yorkshire probation area on 31 March in Mr. Hanson: The chief officer of North Yorkshire each of the last five financial years. Probation Board is working closely with Steve Wagstaffe the Yorkshire and Humberside director of Offender Probation service Management to avoid compulsory redundancies in North Probation officers1, 2 officers2 Yorkshire in 2009-10. 2003-04 76 40 The chief officer has assured the director of Offender 2004-05 94 60 Management for Yorkshire and Humberside that the 2005-06 87 45 North Yorkshire Probation Board will maintain national 2006-07 87 57 standards and deliver the level of service specified in the 2007-083 74 73 service level agreement for 2009-10. 317W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 318W

Probation: Rural Areas Probation: Wales

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice how the funding formula for probation services how many (a) probation officers and (b) probation takes account of the costs of providing probation service officers were employed by South Wales services in rural areas. [277056] Probation Area on 31 March in each of the last five financial years. [277300] Mr. Hanson: There are a number of factors taken Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the numbers into account to ensure that funding allocations are as of probation officers and probation service officers in fair as possible, including: post in the South Wales Probation Area on 31 March in current financial performance and pressures; each of the last five financial years: detailed work by specifications benchmarking and costing programme to identify areas where efficiencies and savings can Probation service be achieved; Probation officers1 officers

contrasting previous budget allocations with amalgamated 2003-04 172 138 indictable and summary convictions for the area. Adjustments have been made where data indicates significant (i.e. over 10 2004-05 192 160 per cent.) relative over-provision compared to the norm; and 2005-06 206 169 the need to avoid radical budget changes within any one area. 2006-07 211 162 2007-082 228 178 1 Probation officer figures include senior probation officers, senior practitioners and probation officers. Probation: Staffordshire 2 The information provided has yet to be published and may therefore be subject to minor amendment upon publication. Note: Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for 1. Figures are shown as full-time equivalents. Justice how many (a) probation officers and (b) 2. Figures for the year 2008-09 are not yet available. probation service officers were employed in the Staffordshire probation area on 31 March in each of Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the last five financial years. [276981] what the (a) community and (b) custody caseload of South Wales Probation Area on 31 March was in each Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the number of the last five financial years. [277301] of probation officers and probation service officers in post in the Staffordshire probation area on 31 March in Mr. Hanson: The total community and pre-release each of the last five financial years. custodial offender case load for South Wales as at 31 March in each of the last five years was as follows: Probation service Probation officers1 officers Supervised in Supervised in community custody 2003-04 146 81 2004-05 153 91 2004 4,355 1,513 2005-06 155 87 2005 4,830 1,590 2006-07 173 92 2006 4,974 1,516 2007-082 159 92 2007 4,800 1,572 1 Probation officer figures include senior probation officers, senior 2008 5,119 1,711 practitioners and probation officers. 2 The information provided has yet to be published and may therefore These figures have been drawn from administrative be subject to minor amendment upon publication. IT systems which, as with any large scale recording Notes: system, are subject to possible errors with data entry 1. Figures are shown as full-time equivalents. 2. Figures for the year 2008-09 are not yet available. and processing.

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice what assessment he has made of the effect of how many cases were referred to Multi-Agency Public changes of staffing levels in Staffordshire probation Protection Panels in South Wales Probation Area in area on (a) observance of national probation each of the last five financial years. [277302] standards and (b) levels of service delivery. [276986] Mr. Hanson: The following table shows the total number of multi-agency public protection arrangements Mr. Hanson: The chief officer of Staffordshire Probation (MAPPA) eligible offenders living in the community in Board is working closely with Gill Mortlock the West South Wales probation area. The table also shows the Midlands director of Offender Management to ensure number of eligible offenders who were managed at the staffing levels are sufficient to maintain national standards higher MAPPA levels and who were considered by in Staffordshire in 2009-10. multi-agency public protection panels. Cases are referred The chief officer has assured the director of Offender to level 2 where the involvement of several agencies will Management for West Midlands that the Staffordshire be required to implement or monitor the risk management Probation Board will maintain national standards and plan and to level 3 where more senior oversight is deliver the level of service specified in the service level additionally required. These data are taken from South agreement for 2009-10. Wales MAPPA Annual Reports. 319W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 320W

South Wales These figures have been drawn from administrative 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 IT systems which, as with any large scale recording Total MAPPA 1,054 1,325 1,152 1,172 1,395 system, are subject to possible errors with data entry eligible offenders and processing. Level 2 1— 575 607 673 491 Youth Custody Level 3 65 51 100 68 88 1 Not collected. Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many beds in each secure (a) children’s home and Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (b) secure training centre in each local authority were how many offenders in the South Wales Probation available for (i) purchase by the Youth Justice Board Area were categorised as Tier 4 in each of the last five and (ii) welfare placements in each year since 2002. financial years. [277303] [276470]

Mr. Hanson: The total number of offenders in South Beverley Hughes: I have been asked to reply. Wales who were categorised as tier 4 as at 31 March in Any places in secure children’s homes that are not each of the last three years was as follows: required for welfare placements are available for purchase by the Youth Justice Board. The following table shows Number the number of secure children’s home places block- purchased by the Youth Justice Board since 2002. The 2006 1,139 data have been provided by the Youth Justice Board 2007 1,152 and relate to the contractual position as at 1 April in 2008 1,142 each year. Actual contracted places may vary through the year where a contractor fails to meet the requirements Information on tier was not recorded prior to 1 April of the contract and places are declared unavailable until 2005. the issues have been addressed.

Youth Justice Board contracted places in secure children’s homes 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Aldine House 64555555 Atkinson Unit 11 11 10 10 10 10 10 10 Aycliffe 30 35 30 30 30 30 30 30 Barton Moss 17 18 20 20 20 20 20 20 Briars Hey (Orchard House) 47000000 Brunei Unit 06000000 Clare Lodge 88000000 Clayfields House 9 9 12 12 12 12 12 12 Dales House 68000000 Dyson Hall (Gladstone Unit) 9 16 16 16 16 16 0 0 East Moor 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 Hillside 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 15 Lincolnshire 47777788 Kyloe House 33333333 Leverton 20000000 Orchard Lodge 16 18 18 18 18 18 16 16 Red Bank 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 Redsands 40000000 St.John’sTiffield 88000000 Stamford House 20 20000000 Stoke House 40000000 SuttonPlace 78888888 Swanwick Lodge 5 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 Thornbury House 77000000 Vinney Green 18 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

The following table shows the number of secure relate to the contractual position as at 1 April in each training centre places purchased by the Youth Justice year. Actual contracted places may vary through the Board since 2002. Young people are not accommodated year where a contractor fails to meet the requirements in secure training centres for welfare reasons. The data of the contract and places are declared unavailable until have been provided by the Youth Justice Board and the issues have been addressed.

Youth Justice Board contracted places in Secure Training Centres 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Hassockfield 42 42 42 42 42 58 58 58 Medway4476767676767676 321W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 322W

Youth Justice Board contracted places in Secure Training Centres 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Oakhill n/a n/a n/a 80 80 80 80 80 Rainsbrook 44 76 76 76 76 87 87 87

The Department for Children, Schools and Families Senior Disabled Junior does not maintain a central record of contracted places Full (trout (trout and (trout and (trout and in children’s homes in England and Wales since 2002 by and coarse coarse and coarse and coarse and each home and it is therefore not possible to provide and salmon) salmon) salmon) salmon) data on the number of welfare places in secure children’s 2006 669,061 112,166 32,865 120,268 homes. 2007 649,731 114,491 36,486 123,866 2008 793,127 164,442 51,372 129,501 Youth Justice: Costs Source: The Environment Agency’s rod licence database. Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for British Waterways Board: Finance Justice (1) what the total cost of youth courts was in each of the last three years; and how many trials were carried out in youth courts in each such year; [276748] Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what income (2) what the average cost to the public purse of a British Waterways received from its non-operational youth court trial was in each of the last three years. canal side property portfolio was in the last 12 months; [276749] and how much of that income was allocated to spending on waterways maintenance and improvement. Bridget Prentice: The HMCS accounting system reports [276526] court costs by court type; crown, magistrates, combined, and location. It is not currently possible to separately Huw Irranca-Davies: British Waterways’ income from identify and disaggregate youth court related costs. As a their canal side non-operational property for 2008-09 is result it is not possible to calculate average court costs. estimated to be £43.2 million, pending final audited Youth court trials for the year ended 31 March were: figures1. All of this income was used in 2008-09 to fund operational expenditure on managing the waterways Youth court trials including maintenance and improvement. 1 2008 23,375 Figures obtained from British Waterways. 2009 19,078 Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for No statistics relating to youth court trials for the year Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his ended 31 March 2007 are available. Department is taking to assist British Waterways to establish a business model to provide a sustainable future for the waterways; what options are under consideration for the future of the waterways; and how ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS those options will be evaluated. [276532] Angling: Licensing Huw Irranca-Davies: British Waterways have launched a national debate on their proposal to move towards Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for third sector status over the longer term. My Department, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) the Treasury, and the Shareholder Executive are engaged junior concession, (b) senior concession, (c) disabled with British Waterways in discussing what is the best concession and (d) full season rod licences have been model for supporting a sustainable future for the waterways. issued in each year since 1997. [276773] We will be interested to see the responses to the public debate on British Waterways’ third sector suggestion. Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table indicates The Operational Efficiency Programme review, the number of full, senior, disabled and junior rod announced on 21 April 2009, concluded that a wholly licences issued by the Environment Agency (EA) since owned subsidiary of British Waterways should be set up 1999. Prior to this, the EA used different systems to to manage its canal side non-operational property portfolio store rod licence information. Such information is, therefore, which is now being implemented. Government will not available in the categories required. monitor the impacts of the subsidiary and the progress of British Waterway’s strategy before taking any decisions Senior Disabled Junior Full (trout (trout and (trout and (trout and on any further change to the British Waterways business and coarse coarse and coarse and coarse and model. and salmon) salmon) salmon) salmon)

1999 589,245 77,889 51,496 84,831 Cabinet: Glasgow 2000 557,372 73,475 50,601 78,627 2001 596,645 86,749 57,281 116,362 Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for 2002 563,800 89,149 57,648 116,026 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) 2003 614,978 90,268 61,835 125,764 special advisers and (b) officials of his Department 2004 637,125 97,818 58,516 128,173 accompanied him to Glasgow for the Cabinet meeting 2005 660,256 105,357 38,891 118,310 on 16 April 2009. [273905] 323W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 324W

Huw Irranca-Davies: My right hon. Friend the Secretary Dismissal for Total number of of State was accompanied by one official only. Financial year underperformance1 dismissals

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for 2004-05 5 34 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what car 2005-06 6 33 journeys he undertook in attending the Cabinet 2006-07 10 24 meeting in Glasgow on 16 April 2009. [273906] 2007-08 4 23 2008-09 29 47 Huw Irranca-Davies: My right hon. Friend the Secretary 1 The data for dismissal for underperformance represents the minimum number. of State was driven from Glasgow Central station to the There may have been others however dismissal data was not recorded via Cabinet meeting. Following the meeting, he was driven category in some agencies until recently. to visit the Forth and Clyde canal regeneration project, Departmental Public Expenditure after which he returned to Glasgow Central. Departmental Correspondence Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for answer of 2 April 2009, Official Report, column Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedure 1295W, on departmental public expenditure, what his Department follows for dealing with complaints progress has been made by his Department in received (a) by e-mail, (b) by post, (c) by telephone allocating the £25 million capital spending brought forward from 2009-10 to 2008-09. [274246] and (d) via his Department’s website. [274525] Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has a Corporate Service Huw Irranca-Davies: The £25 million capital spending Standard that complaints be dealt with within 15 working referred to was brought forward from 2010-11 into days of receipt. 2009-10. This additional funding has been programmed The Department’s aim is for complaints received by into the budgets for Environment Agency flood risk whatever means, i.e. (a) by e-mail, (b) by post, (c) by management (£20 million) and British Waterways capital telephone and (d) via the Department’s website, be spending on network infrastructure maintenance dealt with where possible at the point of receipt. (£5 million). Expenditure is being monitored on a monthly basis. Where this is not possible, the complaint is passed to the unit within the Department responsible for the area Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for of work complained about to be dealt with there. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the If a complainant is not satisfied with the outcome, answer of 5 May 2009, Official Report, column 5W on DEFRA complaints procedure provides the complainant departmental public expenditure, how many (a) with the option to escalate the complaint as follows: Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) other parties to the Department’s impartial Service Standards Complaints attended (i) the internal conference held in October Adjudicator for complaints about standard of service; or 2008 and (ii) the seminar with delivery bodies held in to the Secretary of State for DEFRA or to a DEFRA Minister November 2008. [274879] via a Member of Parliament for complaints about DEFRA policy or legal issues. Huw Irranca-Davies: The internal conference in October Departmental Dismissal 2008 was attended by 134 civil servants and four people from outside the Department. No Ministers attended Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the internal conference. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many No Ministers attended the seminar with delivery members of staff in his Department and its agencies bodies held in November 2008. Eight civil servants and were dismissed (a) for under-performance and (b) in 13 people from outside the Department attended. total in each of the last 10 years. [274303] Departmental Reviews Huw Irranca-Davies: The table details the number of staff in DEFRA and its agencies that were dismissed Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) for underperformance and (b) in total in each of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) the last eight financial years. DEFRA was created in review and (b) taskforce projects his Department has June 2001 therefore data is only available from this date. commissioned in each of the last five years; what the Included in the data are only DEFRA’s Executive Agencies purpose of each such project is; when each such project and not Non Departmental Public Bodies as sourcing (i) began and (ii) was completed; what the cost of each this information would exceed the disproportionate cost such project was; and if he will make a statement. threshold. [275973] DEFRA and its agencies improving performance policies and procedures are in line with the Civil Service Huw Irranca-Davies: Summary information on taskforces Management Code. All staff have access to these policies and other standing bodies is available in the annual and procedures via the DEFRA intranet. Cabinet Office publication “Public Bodies”. Copies of “Public Bodies 2008” are available in the Libraries of Dismissal for Total number of the House. Detailed information on ad hoc advisory 1 Financial year underperformance dismissals bodies is available in “DEFRA’s Public Bodies” on 2001-02 5 52 DEFRA’s website: 2002-03 0 49 http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/delivery/landscape/pdf/ 2003-04 6 54 public-bodies.pdf 325W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 326W

Information about reviews commissioned since the 2008-09 Department’s creation is not held centrally and could Total spend £10,475.00—Organic t-shirts, recycled pens and be obtained only at disproportionate cost. travel wallets for BME Illegal Food Imports campaign.

Departmental Stationery Environment Agency: Vacancies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Department has spent on branded stationery and gifts vacancies there were for (a) flood risk engineers, (b) for (a) internal and (b) external promotional use in flood risk planners, (c) flood risk project managers and (d) other flood risk management posts in the each of the last five years. [273781] Environment Agency in each region on 1 April in each Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA orders low cost of the last five years; and for how long each such post promotional items only to support specific campaign has been vacant. [277360] messages to external audiences. The following figures show how much DEFRA spent on promotional materials Huw Irranca-Davies: The following tables show the each year since 2005. number of vacancies in regional flood risk teams in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and to May 2009 in each region. 2005-06 It also provides a breakdown of how long these have Total spend £465.80—T-shirts; been vacant during 2008 and 2009. Information on this 2006-07 preceding 2008 is not available. Total spend £13,806.00—T-shirts, travel wallets and toothbrushes The majority of posts are filled by permanent employees for the BME Illegal Food Imports campaign; and as part of the Environment Agency’s resourcing 2007-08 strategy a range of other techniques are used to ensure Total spend £10,177.80—T-shirts, pens, travel wallets for the that work is completed within agreed timeframes. These BME Illegal Food Imports campaign and T-shirts for Act on include the use of consultants, contractors, part-time or CO2 campaign; flexible working.

Vacancy May Vacant for 0 to 3 Vacant for 3 to 6 Vacant for 6 to Vacant for 12 Region Positions 2009 Months months 12 Months months +

Anglian FR planners 2 2 0 0 0 FR engineers 9 4 1 3 1 FR project managers 11 6 3 2 0 Others 2 2 0 0 0 Anglian total 24 14 4 5 1

Midlands FR planners 2 1 1 0 0 FR engineers 10 7 1 1 1 FR project managers 5 5 0 0 0 Others 0 0 0 0 0 Midlands total 17 13 2 1 1

North East FR planners 1 1 0 0 0 FR engineers 5 1 0 3 1 FR project managers 4 3 0 1 0 Others 5 4 0 1 0 North East total 15 9 0 5 1

North West FR planners 3 0 1 2 0 FR engineers 5 0 1 4 0 FR project managers 2 0 2 0 0 Others 5 4 0 1 0 North West total 15 4 4 7 0

Southern FR planners 4 0 0 4 0 FR engineers 6 2 1 3 0 FR project managers 1 0 1 0 0 Others 2 2 0 0 0 Southern total 13 4 2 7 0 South West FR planners 4 3 1 0 0 327W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 328W

Vacancy May Vacant for 0 to 3 Vacant for 3 to 6 Vacant for 6 to Vacant for 12 Region Positions 2009 Months months 12 Months months +

FR engineers 16 16 0 0 0 FR project managers 10 10 0 0 0 Others 4 4 0 0 0 South West total 34 33 1 0 0

Thames FR planners 3 0 1 2 0 FR engineers 6 3 1 1 1 FR project managers 3 1 0 2 0 Others 10 4 0 6 0 Thames total 22 8 2 11 1

Wales FR planners 2 1 1 0 0 FR engineers 2 2 0 0 0 FR project managers 5 4 0 1 0 Others 1 1 0 0 0 Wales total 10 8 1 1 0

Overall total 150 93 16 37 4

Vacancy May Vacant for 0 to 3 Vacant for 3 to 6 Vacant for 6 to Vacant for Region Positions 2008 Months months 12 Months 12months +

Anglian FR planners 9 4 1 3 1 FR engineers 8 2 5 0 1 FR project managers 9 4 4 1 0 Other 1 1 0 0 0 Anglian total 27 11 10 4 2

Midlands FR planners 1 0 1 0 0 FR engineers 5 3 1 0 1 FR project managers 8 4 2 2 0 Other 3 2 1 0 0 Midlands total 17 9 5 2 1

North East FR planners 2 2 0 0 0 FR engineers 9 9 0 (T 0 FR project managers 9 8 1 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 0 North East total 20 19 1 0 0

North West FR planners 1 1 0 0 0 FR engineers 10 9 1 0 0 FR project managers 7 6 1 0 0 Other 3 0 0 1 2 North West total 21 16 2 1 2

Southern FR planners 3 2 1 0 0 FR engineers 7 7 0 0 0 FR project managers 4 4 0 0 0 Other 0 0 0 0 0 Southern total 14 13 1 0 0

South West FR planners 4 1 2 1 0 FR engineers 15 7 3 3 2 FR project managers 9 3 2 3 1 329W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 330W

Vacancy May Vacant for 0 to 3 Vacant for 3 to 6 Vacant for 6 to Vacant for Region Positions 2008 Months months 12 Months 12months +

Other 2 2 0 0 0 South West total 30 13 7 7 3

Thames FR planners 1 1 0 0 0 FR engineers 9 4 2 2 1 FR project managers 7 7 0 0 0 Other 4 3 1 0 0 Thames total 21 15 3 2 1

Wales FR planners 2 0 1 1 0 FR engineers 4 2 2 0 0 FR project managers 7 1 2 2 2 Other 1 1 0 0 0 Wales total 14 4 5 3 2

Overall total 164 100 34 19 11

Vacancies May Region Positions 2009 Vacancies 2008 Vacancies 2007 Vacancies 2006 Vacancies 2005

Anglian FR planners 2 9 7 6 7 FR engineers 9 8 9 2 3 FR project managers 11 9 4 5 7 Others 2 1 0 0 0 Anglian total 24 27 20 13 17

Midlands FR planners 2 1 2 0 1 FR engineers 10 5 5 6 6 FR project managers 5 8 7 7 7 Others 0 3 0 0 0 Midlands total 17 17 14 13 14

North East FR planners 1 2 2 1 1 FR engineers 5 9 7 2 5 FR project managers 4 9 6 0 5 Others 5 0 0 0 0 North East total 15 20 15 3 11

North West FR planners 3 1 0 0 1 FR engineers 5 10 4 1 2 FR project managers 2 7 4 5 8 Others 5 3 0 0 0 North West total 15 21 8 6 11

Southern FR planners 4 3 3 4.5 4.5 FR engineers 6 7 6 19 19 FR project managers 1 4 2 6 6 Others 2 0 0 0 0 Southern total 13 14 11 29.5 29.5

South West FR planners 4 4 0 5 6 FR engineers 16 15 3 13 13 FR project managers 10 9 6 4 5 Others 4 2 0 0 0 South West total 34 30 9 22 24 331W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 332W

Vacancies May Region Positions 2009 Vacancies 2008 Vacancies 2007 Vacancies 2006 Vacancies 2005

Thames FR planners 3 1 4 3 3 FR engineers 6 9 7 26 27 FR project managers 3 7 8 5 6 Others 10 4 0 0 0 Thames total 22 21 19 34 36

Wales FR planners 2 2 4 4 4 FR engineers 2 4 0 0 0 FR project managers 5 7 6 3 3 Others 1 1 0 0 0 Wales total 10 14 10 7 7

Overall total 150 164 106 127.5 149.5

Fisheries Fisheries: Quotas

Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total his Department has made of the level of illegal fishing allowable catch is of vessels from each EU member within the UK’s 12 nautical mile limit in each year state in fishing zones partially or fully within the UK’s since 1997. [276707] 200 nautical mile limit; and if he will make a statement. [277100] Huw Irranca-Davies: By its very nature, illegal fishing is clandestine and so it is extremely difficult to make an Huw Irranca-Davies: The United Kingdom’s 200 nautical accurate estimate of the levels of illegal fishing activities. mile fisheries limit includes part of the fishing zones Information on the number of successful prosecutions classified by the International Council for the Exploration of offences discovered, and the number of official written of the Sea (ICES) as areas IIa, IV, Vb1, Vb2, VIa, VIb warnings issued by the UK fisheries control authorities, and VIIa, d, e, f, g, h and j. A map of these zones can be in relation to vessels not complying with regulations found on the ICES website: regarding access to the 12 mile limit is set out in the www.ices.dk/aboutus/icesareas.asp following table. Since fish stocks can straddle the territorial waters of several member and non-member states of the European Official written Prosecutions warnings Union, the Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for stocks which fall partially or wholly within these ICES zones 1997 2 2 are set at Community level by Ministers each December 1998 2 1 at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council and, where 1999 3 1 necessary, by third country agreements with Norway, 2000 1 1 Iceland, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands. 2001 3 1 2002 8 0 Details of TACs and Quotas for 2009 can be found in 2003 9 1 the following EU legislation, which is available on the 2004 6 2 European Commission’s website: 2005 2 5 http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/legislation/other/ 2006 5 2 conservation_en.htm 2007 2 0 Council Regulation (EC) No 43/2009 of 16 January 2009 2008 4 0 fixing for 2009 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions 2009 0 2 for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Total 47 18 Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required (Annex I); and Source: Statistics supplied by the Marine and Fisheries Agency, Marine Scotland and Council Regulation (EC) No 1359/2008 of 28 November 2008 Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. fixing for 2009 and 2010 the fishing opportunities for Community fishing vessels for certain deep-sea fish stocks (Annex, Part 2) All other successful prosecutions of fisheries offences and official written warnings issued, are not recorded in a way which specifies whether the offence took place Flood Control within or outside of the 12 mile limit. Sea Fisheries Committees (SFCs) enforce local fisheries Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for bye-laws and some other fisheries regulations within the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and six mile limit of England and Wales. Information on what proportion of (a) high risk and (b) other flood successful prosecutions of fisheries offences by SFCs defence systems have been at target condition in each are not held by the Marine and Fisheries Agency. of the last five years. [277396] 333W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 334W

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency began The review of existing assets and the ongoing work measuring the condition of flood risk management during the summer to determine flood rescue capability systems in 2007.At that time 45.0 per cent. (643 out of requirements will provide a much clearer indication of 1,429) of high consequence systems and 45.8 per cent. any gaps in existing capability. We will then be in a of all systems were at or above their required condition. position to target investment in order to bring existing In 2008, 66.5 per cent. (958 out of 1,440) of high assets (and trained rescue personnel) that are not yet consequence systems and 72.5 per cent. (2,259 out of declared on the national register up to an agreed operational 3,117) of all systems were at or above the required standard. condition. As of April 2009 71.9 per cent. (951 out of 1,323) of Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for high consequence systems and 73.5 per cent. (2,136 out Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of 2,907) of all systems were at or above required emergency response organisations have enhanced their condition. training and flood rescue capability following the floods in summer 2007. [277446] Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in Huw Irranca-Davies: Following the floods in 2007, the Library a copy of the letter sent to local authorities organisations which have enhanced their training and in December 2008 on flood risk and the flood rescue capability include the Royal National Lifeboat implementation of the recommendations contained in Institution, numerous fire and rescue services throughout the Pitt report on flooding. [277400] England and Wales, mountain rescue services, and the Maritime Coastguard Agency. Other enhancements have Huw Irranca-Davies: I will place a copy of the letter also been made by organisations such as the Automobile in question in the Library of the House. Association, the Red Cross, the RSPCA and numerous small specialist flood rescue associations and groups Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for such as Global Rescue Services. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he Some of these organisations have trained together has made of the number of local authorities which and begun to use commonly recognised accreditation have (a) collated and (b) mapped their main flood risk standards such as “Swift Water Rescue Technician”. management and drainage assets. [277442] Some have made investments in both the training and purchasing of equipment and assets to enhance their Huw Irranca-Davies: In October 2008 the Local flood rescue capability over the past 18 months. Government Association undertook a survey for DEFRA to assess what local flood risk management activities The Flood Rescue National Enhancement Project were being undertaken by local authorities. The survey will bring a lot of these components together to deliver included a question on whether they had collected and the primary aim of improving flood rescue capability mapped information on flood risk management assets and co-ordination between the agencies concerned. owned by themselves, by water companies and those privately owned. 66 per cent. of authorities responded Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for to the survey and indicated that: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress 85 per cent. had collated and mapped some or all of their own has been made in increasing flood resilience at sites of assets; critical infrastructure. [277657] 41 per cent. had collated and mapped some or all water company assets and; Huw Irranca-Davies: The energy sector began work 48 per cent. had collated and mapped some or all privately on improving resilience to flooding in the autumn of owned assets. 2007, with an initial focus on electricity substations being extended to include both gas and oil installations. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for The Energy Networks Association, working with the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish Government and the electricity industry, has produced (a) the national register of flood rescue assets and (b) a report on the steps that can be taken to further a list of assets which must be purchased before the safeguard electricity substations. The matter is being winter of 2009-10. [277445] given full consideration with the industry regulator in the scope of the current distribution companies’ price Huw Irranca-Davies: In April 2009 we initiated a review. national Flood Rescue Enhancement Project involving all the key organisations in the UK associated with In addition, lessons from the 2007 floods are being search and rescue, and flood rescue in particular. The taken forward in relation to water companies. All companies project has prepared a draft national register of flood have considered resilience in their draft business plans, rescue assets. Work is in hand to validate the information which were submitted to Ofwat in August. The plans held on the register to ensure it is kept up-to-date—we vary, as expected, reflecting the size of the company and envisage that it will be a ‘live’ dataset to track the the specific challenges presented by their locations. In availability of flood rescue assets (and trained rescue total, almost £1 billion of investment has been proposed personnel) across a range of organisations operating in to increase resilience. the UK. As it will be a dataset of assets owned by a The Natural Hazards Team is now in place in the multitude of organisations, publication of a snapshot Cabinet Office and will work across all infrastructure of the register, once completed, would be a matter for sectors to prioritise and co-ordinate work to counter collective agreement by all of the organisations involved. the risks to national infrastructure from natural hazards. 335W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 336W

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Agency and Natural England—promoted Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress an initiative to maximise the potential of the waterways his Department has made in the establishment of a around the Olympic site, including for freight. The natural hazard team. [277709] construction of Prescott Lock, which has opened up these rivers for the sustainable movement of materials Huw Irranca-Davies: The Natural Hazards Team was by water, was funded by a number of bodies, among established in the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the them the Department for Transport through a Freight Cabinet Office at the beginning of May. Facilities Grant, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport Floods: Gardens for London. Apart from grant in aid support for British Waterways, DEFRA provided £2 million towards the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for total £20 million cost of this project from the Aggregates Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will publish Levy Sustainability Fund1. the outcomes of the research conducted by his 1 Figures obtained from British Waterways Department into the effects of the paving of back gardens on levels of flood risk. [277405] Sewers: Private Sector

Mr. Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for The Department for Communities and Local Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Government commissioned this research, which has not assessment he has made of anticipated changes to yet been completed. We intend to publish the final charges to households from the transfer of private report on completion. drains and sewers in England and Wales to the ownership of the statutory water and sewerage Floods: Property Development companies from 2011. [277364]

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Huw Irranca-Davies: My right hon. Friend the Secretary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers his of State (Hilary Benn) announced on 15 December Department has other than those in Planning Policy 2008 that privately owned sewers and lateral drains in Guidance 25 to restrict building on flood risk areas; England will be transferred to water and sewerage and if he will make a statement. [275636] companies from 2011. The accompanying impact assessment indicated an average rise of £10 per year on Huw Irranca-Davies: Powers to control and restrict all sewerage bills, varying from £4 to £12 across different building development are provided by the Town and companies in England and Wales. This equates to around Country Planning Acts. These powers are principally 7.5 pence to 23 pence a week. exercised by local planning authorities and, where Such increase must be balanced against the potential appropriate, by the Secretary of State for Communities for significant bills for repair and maintenance which and Local Government. My Department has no specific householders can currently face, often unexpectedly additional powers to influence planning decisions. finding that they own a section of private drain or sewer beyond their property’s curtilage. Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transfer in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Government, which announced as part of its Strategic answer of 15 May 2009, Official Report, column Policy Position Statement on Water on 31 March that it 1057W, on floods: property development, which local will pursue the development of regulations in 2011 to planning authorities granted planning permission facilitate the transfer of private sewers. against an Environment Agency objection in each of the years for which information was provided in the Water Charges Answer. [277264] Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Huw Irranca-Davies: A document listing those English Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he local planning authorities that granted planning permission has made of the average weekly water bill for a (a) one, against Environment Agency advice on flood risk in (b) two, (c) three and (d) four or more person 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 has household. [276647] been placed in the Library of the House. Huw Irranca-Davies: Neither Ofwat nor my Department Inland Waterways: Olympic Games 2012 hold information on the average weekly water bill for households. Mr. Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Ofwat’s leaflet “Yourwater and sewerage bill 2009-10” Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his provides information on average annual water bills for Department has taken to assist British Waterways to unmetered and metered bills for every water company enable the transport of freight by water to and from the in England and Wales. I have arranged for a copy to be Olympic site. [277047] placed in the Library of the House. Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA provides grant in aid Water: Maps to British Waterways in order for it to meet its statutory responsibilities for the maintenance of its waterways, Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for including enabling freight transport as appropriate. DEFRA Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment and its sponsored bodies—British Waterways, the he has made of the accuracy of the Environment 337W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 338W

Agency’s surface water mapping; and whether the medium in the UK. In 2008, UK online advertising was accuracy of the mapping has been subject to responsible for 19.2 per cent. of the UK advertising independent verification. [277011] market—up from 15.5 per cent. in 20072. The World Advertising Research Centre (WARC) has Huw Irranca-Davies: The Environment Agency has forecast that in 2009 total internet adspend in the UK confirmed that the accuracy of the surface water mapping will be £3.96 billion, overtaking the value of television was independently assessed, although the information advertising estimated at £3.83 billion. currently available to do this is limited. The maps of Areas Susceptible to Surface Water were compared The Government are committed to supporting the with those of the 15 Integrated Urban Drainage pilot UK’s creative industries. The Government’s strategy for projects and models already held by the independent the Creative Economy, Creative Britain—New Talents consultants. for a New Economy, published in 2008, sets out a range of initiatives that will help provide the business support The information on the maps is still under development structures and skilled workforce needed to ensure the and is currently only considered suitable for emergency UK’s creative industries remain highly competitive. planning purposes. The maps give an indication of the 1 broad areas likely to be susceptible to surface water source: The Advertising Statistics Yearbook 2008 flooding based upon an extreme summer rainfall event 2 source: Internet Advertising Bureau. with no drainage systems working. The information is not sufficiently accurate to use for individual properties as the current version excludes, for example, the impact Business: Regulation of buildings and kerb heights on surface water flows, which at the local level can be significant. There will be Mr. Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department properties at risk from surface water flooding that will for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how not be included within the outline areas on the maps, many regulations imposing costs on businesses were and possibly other individual properties within the areas introduced in 2008. [261344] outlined that are not at risk because of particular local features that the mapping process did not reflect. Ian Pearson: The information on regulations is published on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website: WOMEN AND EQUALITY http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation Departmental Visits Abroad however the overall number that affect business is not collated centrally. David Simpson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much expenditure was incurred in respect Mr. Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department of overseas visits which (a) she, (b) other Ministers in for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform the Government Equalities Office and (c) Government whether impact assessments have been carried out on Equalities Office senior officials undertook in 2008. all regulations affecting businesses which are due to [262169] come into force in April 2009. [261346]

Maria Eagle: In 2008 the Government Equalities Ian Pearson: All new regulatory changes introduced Office incurred the following expenditure for overseas and published on BusinessLink: travel by its Ministers and senior officials: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ccds 2008 Number of visits Expenditure (£) in April 2009 have impact assessments where required. The impact assessments can be found online on the Minister for Equality 0 0 Impact Assessment Library: Other GEO Ministers 3 966 www.ialibrary.berr.gov.uk GEO Senior Officials 5 6,989 Total 8 7,955 or embedded within the Explanatory Memoranda for the relevant legislation published on the OPSI website: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM EU Internal Trade Advertising: Competition Mr. Hayes: To ask the Minister of State, Department Peter Luff: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he the monetary value of UK (a) exports to and (b) will make an assessment of the level of competitiveness imports from other EU countries was (i) including and of the UK online advertising market; and if he will (ii) excluding the Rotterdam/Antwerp effect in each make a statement. [276979] year since 1997. [277113]

Barbara Follett: I have been asked to reply. Mr. Thomas: Office for National Statistics data for The UK has the largest advertising market in Europe1 UK exports to and imports from the EU27 are shown and online advertising is the fastest growing advertising in the following table. 339W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 340W

illumination or act as an incendiary. Because the export £ million licence application does not require the exporter to UK goods UK services UK goods UK services exports to exports to imports from imports from provide the chemical composition of munitions to be the EU the EU the EU the EU exported, it is not possible to say how many—if any—of those 67 related to the export of military devices containing 1998 99,336 — 105,048 — white phosphorous. 1999 101,537 30,783 109,622 32,510 2000 112,459 33,718 117,644 35,356 Manufacturing Industries: Motor Vehicles 2001 114,406 36,850 126,973 37,686 2002 114,737 38,306 136,931 39,715 2003 111,286 41,871 137,404 43,014 Anne Main: To ask the Minister of State, 2004 111,650 46,037 142,523 45,517 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory 2005 121,486 49,741 158,163 50,423 Reform pursuant to the Statement of 27 January 2009, 2006 152,357 53,828 183,748 52,579 Official Report, columns 165-67, on the automotive 2007 127,813 60,078 169,799 55,193 industry, how many motor manufacturers have since [260550] 2008 141,136 66,740 180,322 57,954 received loan guarantees.

For technical reasons associated with EU enlargement, Ian Pearson: The Automotive Assistance Programme consistent figures are not available for trade in 1997 or (AAP) received state aid clearance until 27 February. It for services trade in 1998. For some periods, trade in opened for business on the same day. BERR held a goods figures were affected by transactions associated seminar on 11 March to bring together industry, banks with missing trader VAT fraud, most notably in the first and the relevant trade bodies (including the SMMT) to half of 2006. make sure that the application process runs as smoothly and effectively as possible. No loan guarantees have yet No figures are available for the impact of the Rotterdam/ been issued under the AAP, however we are in discussions Antwerp effect on statistics on UK trade with the with a number of companies who have expressed interest Netherlands and Belgium compared with other countries; or made applications to the Programme. nor is it obvious how this affects statistics on trade with other EU countries compared with the rest of the Metals: Prices world. HM Revenue and Customs regularly analyse asymmetries between UK trade statistics and those produced by other countries: in particular, in December Mr. Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, 2005 they published a report called “Analysis of Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Asymmetries in intra-community trade statistics with Reform what assessment he has made of the effect of particular regard to the impact of the Rotterdam and recent reductions in scrap metal prices on the scrap Antwerp effects” which can be found at: metal industry and employment levels in that industry. [273341] www.uktradeinfo.com/pagecontent/documents/ edicom_rotterdam_effect_2005.pdf Mr. Alan Campbell: I have been asked to reply. The ONS and HMRC keep the methodologies underlying trade statistics under review. The pilot was established in the north of England and covered three towns. Encouraging results have been seen so far from the first three months in 2009, including Exports: White Phosphorus some excellent partnership working between industry, police, local authorities and other Government Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister of State, Departments. More tangible results from management Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory information have included the recovery of quantities of Reform pursuant to the answer to the right hon. stolen copper cable from Network Rail and BT (including Member for Devizes of 23 February 2009, Official one find worth over £10,000), recovery of other stolen Report, column 19W, on ammunition exports, to which metals including lead, 46 lengths of rail, base plates, rail companies the export licences were issued. [277075] clips, and boilers, stolen kegs, and also the detection of red diesel. There have also been five arrests, three Ian Pearson [holding answer 1 June 2009]: Export Environment Agency prosecutions and the identification licence applications are made to the Government in of three cases of benefit fraud. confidence and, for that reason, the identities of the companies involved are not published. Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister of State, Janet Anderson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2009, Reform what arrangements his Department has made Official Report, column 19W, on ammunition: exports, for the administration of the car scrappage scheme; whether any of the transfers listed in the Government’s what procedures are to be followed in deciding whether annual and quarterly strategic export control reports a car has been scrapped; and who will determine since 1999 were for military devices containing white whether a car has been scrapped under the scheme. phosphorus. [277283] [276023]

Ian Pearson: As previously stated BERR’s Export Ian Pearson: Under the scheme, the onus on Control Organisation has identified 67 licences that administration is placed with the manufacturers, using have been issued since March 1999 for munitions that, their existing relationships and systems for working like white phosphorous munitions, are designed to create with dealers. Dealers will be required to provide proof 341W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 342W that the old vehicle has been scrapped in the form of a Small Businesses: Bank Services ‘Certificate of Destruction’ from an authorised treatment facility and will liaise with manufacturers on the paperwork. The manufacturers will then claim the money back Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, from BERR. There will be a number of checks to Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory ensure compliance with the scheme criteria and the Reform what recent assessment he has made of the scheme will be periodically and independently audited. adequacy of levels of access to credit for small businesses; and if he will make a statement. [242742] Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Reform pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2009, gave on 5 February 2009, Official Report, column 1456W, Official Report, column 1406W, on motor vehicles: to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Central Government assistance, if his Department will provide (Mr. Sarwar). assistance through the Automotive Assistance In relation to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, Programme to (a) GM Motors, (b) Opel and (c) since its launch on 14 January, the Enterprise Finance Vauxhall. [276238] Guarantee has over £400 million of eligible applications from over 3,600 firms that have been granted, are being Ian Pearson [holding answer 18 May 2009]: We are in processed or assessed. regular contact with GM, discussing a range of issues including how we can best continue to help the company in the UK. The access to AAP support by businesses Visteon: Enfield such as (a) GM Motors, (b) Opel and (c) Vauxhall would depend on theirs meeting the programme criteria. Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Minister of State, Small Businesses Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department had discussions with Visteon UK Ltd (a) before and (b) after the closure of Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, its plant in Enfield on the closure of that plant; what Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory information his Department holds on redundancy and Reform what recent steps the Government has taken to pension payments to former employees of that plant; fund small business growth. [245470] and if he will make a statement. [272393]

Ian Pearson [holding answer 12 January 2009]: On 14 January 2009 we launched the Real Help for Business Ian Pearson: BERR has been in contact with Visteon measures to support businesses in the current economic UK’s management on a range of matters over a number climate, building upon the commitments we made in the of years, as the company has attempted to put its pre-Budget report on 24 November 2008. loss-making UK operations on a sound financial footing. BERR has received correspondence from Members of The £1.3 billion Enterprise Finance Guarantee supports Parliament and others relating to the circumstances of lending to viable businesses that would otherwise not be UK Visteon plant closures which touch on redundancy available. As of 13 May 2009, over £375 million of and pensions matters and the issue was the subject of eligible applications from over 3,340 firms has been an Adjournment debate on 30 April. I am pleased to granted, being processed or assessed. note that since the debate, the unions and Visteon With respect to the £75 million Capital for Enterprise Corporation have agreed a significantly improved equity scheme, the appointed fund managers have now redundancy package and that staff at the three Visteon made offers totalling around £6 million to four businesses UK plants voted overwhelmingly to accept it. I hope and are continuing due diligence on the further proposals that the necessary payments can be made as soon as is that have been put forward. The Working Capital Scheme possible to help those affected by the closures. The though not available directly to businesses, enables Department does not hold information on individuals. participating banks to increase the amount of working capital they can make available to businesses with a turnover of up to £500 million. Western Sahara: Overseas Trade We are also working with UK banks and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to maintain existing lending Joan Walley: To ask the Minister of State, and make more credit available to SMEs. With the EIB, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Government have helped UK banks to negotiate credit Reform pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2009, lines of more than £1 billion to provide loans to small Official Report, column 414W, on Morocco: overseas and medium businesses. In addition the UK is the first trade, what advice UK Trade and Investment has country in the world to have negotiated legally binding provided on Western Sahara. [276380] lending commitments with banks receiving state support. RBS and Lloyds have committed to £39 billion of additional lending over the next 12 months; at least £6 Mr. Thomas: Some general advice on Western Sahara billion of this is to SMEs. Both agreements are already is contained in UK Trade and Investment’s Portal pages in effect. on Morocco: Small and medium-sized businesses can find information https://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/ and support at: No other advice has recently been given on Western http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp Sahara. 343W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 344W

HOME DEPARTMENT separate enforcement rates for unpaid PNDs once they have been registered as fines by the courts. Antisocial Behaviour: Fixed Penalties Information held by the Ministry of Justice for the number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) issued to persons in England and Wales aged 16 and over, by Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the offence type, and the number paid within the suspended Home Department how many penalty notices for enforcement period, for the years 2004 to 2007 (latest disorder were issued in 2004; for what offences such available) are shown in the following tables 1 to 4. penalties were issued; and what percentage of penalty Under the PND Scheme, recipients have 21 days (the notices for disorder were paid in each year. [276185] suspended enforcement period) in which either to pay the penalty or opt to have their case heard in court. If Mr. Straw: I have been asked to reply. no action is taken a fine of one and half times the We are not able to identify how many and the percentage penalty amount is registered against the recipient. of those penalty notices which remain unpaid after (a) PND data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of six and (b) 12 months, as it is not possible to provide 2009.

Table 1: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20041 Of those paid Total paid in Paid in full Paid in full Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % outside 21 days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,171 512 44 362 31 150 13 Misuse of public 117 52 44 36 31 16 14 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 44 18 41 15 34 3 7 fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 28,790 14,306 50 10,240 36 4,066 14 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 177 89 50 72 41 17 10 Drunk and 26,609 14,927 56 11,050 42 3,877 15 disorderly Criminal Damage 1,190 681 57 528 44 153 13 (under £500) Theft (retail under 2,072 870 42 665 32 205 10 £200) Breach of fireworks 12 10 83 9 75 1 8 curfew Possession of 12 5 42 1 8 4 33 category 4 firework Possession by a 20 10 50 9 45 1 5 person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 113 74 65 62 55 12 11 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 84 55 65 49 58 6 7 person under 18 Delivery of alcohol 20 9 45 4 20 5 25 to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued

Trespass on a railway 96 48 50 30 31 18 19 Throwing stones at a 66 35 53 27 41 8 12 train/railway Drunk in a highway 2,497 1,233 49 860 34 373 15 Consumption of 485 113 23 82 17 31 6 alcohol in public place Depositing and 51 25 49 19 37 6 12 leaving litter Consumption of 7343343—— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing 6350350—— consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises 345W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 346W

Table 1: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20041 Of those paid Total paid in Paid in full Paid in full Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % outside 21 days %

All offences 63,639 33,078 52 24,126 38 8,952 14

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police 579 49 15 1 32 3 30 3 3 0 time Misuse of public 58 50 2 2 5 4 — — — — telecommunications system Giving false alarm 22 50 — — 2 5 1 2 1 2 to fire and rescue authority Causing 13,125 46 205 1 666 2 366 1 122 0 Harassment, alarm or distress Throwing 80 45 1 1 6 3 1 1 — — fireworks Drunk and 11,035 41 109 0 346 1 144 1 48 0 disorderly Criminal Damage 481 40 5 0 14 1 5 0 4 0 (under £500) Theft (retail under 1,128 54 13 1 30 1 12 1 19 1 £200) Breach of 217—— —— —— —— fireworks curfew Possession of 650—— 1 8 —— —— category 4 firework Possession by a 735—— 21015 —— person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 10 9 2 2 27 24 — — — — person under 18 Purchase alcohol 21 25 — — 8 10 — — — — for person under 18 Delivery of alcohol 10 50 — — — — — — 1 5 to person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a 45 47 — — 1 1 1 1 1 1 railway Throwing stones at 25 38 — — 5 8 1 2 — — a train/railway Drunk in a 1,166 47 6 0 75 3 9 0 8 0 highway Consumption of 349 72 2 0 15 3 4 1 2 0 alcohol in public place Depositing and 25 49 — — 1 2 — — — — leaving litter Consumption of 457—— —— —— —— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing 233—— 117—— —— consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises

All offences 28,180 44 360 1 1,237 2 575 1 209 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. 347W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 348W

Table 2: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20051 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence code and description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued

Wasting police time 2,525 1,199 47 890 35 309 12 Misuse of public 405 238 59 175 43 63 16 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 92 49 53 35 38 14 15 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 64,007 33,915 53 24,357 38 9,558 15 distress Throwing fireworks 642 347 54 253 39 94 15 Drunk and disorderly 37,038 20,862 56 15,420 42 5,442 15 Sale of alcohol to under 18 2,058 1,805 88 1,460 71 345 17 Purchasing alcohol for under 18 170 106 62 82 48 24 14 Purchasing alcohol for under 18 83 59 71 48 58 11 13 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to under 18 209 128 61 106 51 22 11 Criminal Damage (under £500) 12,168 6,996 57 5,180 43 1,816 15 Theft (retail under £200) 21,997 9,057 41 6,965 32 2,092 10 Breach of fireworks curfew 33 18 55 13 39 5 15 Possession of category 4 13 5 38 4 31 1 8 firework Possession by a person under 18 47 29 62 21 45 8 17 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 32 24 75 13 41 11 34 person Supply of alcohol to person 3 2 66 1 33 1 33 under 18

£50 Tickets issued

Trespass on a railway 220 97 44 75 34 22 10 Throwing stones at a train / 20 13 65 9 45 4 20 railway Drunk in a highway 3,138 1,669 53 1,255 40 414 13 Consumption of alcohol in 712 168 24 113 16 55 8 public place Depositing and leaving litter 737 368 50 274 37 94 13 Consumption of alcohol by 84 66 79 54 64 12 14 under 18 on licensed premises Allowing consumption of 27 14 52 9 33 5 19 alcohol for under 18 Buying alcohol by under 18 21 13 62 11 52 2 10

Total all offences 146,481 77,247 53 56,823 39 20,424 14

Other outcomes Court Offence code and Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,161 46 41 2 50 2 44 2 30 1 Misuse of public 140 35 7 2 10 2 7 2 3 1 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 38 41 2 2 — — 3 3 — — fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 26,754 42 706 1 1,251 2 808 1 573 1 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 271 42 6 1 8 1 6 1 4 1 Drunk and disorderly 14,459 39 488 1 504 1 472 1 253 1 Sale of alcohol to 211 10 5 0 30 1 4 0 3 0 under 18 Purchasing alcohol 60 35 — — 2 1 1 1 1 1 for under 18 349W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 350W

Other outcomes Court Offence code and Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Purchasing alcohol 23 28 — — 1 1 — — — — for under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol 70 33 3 1 5 2 2 1 1 0 to under 18 Criminal Damage 4,702 39 107 1 161 1 123 1 79 1 (under £500) Theft (retail under 11,927 54 187 1 301 1 292 1 233 1 £200) Breach of fireworks 14 42 — — 1 3 — — — — curfew Possession of 862—— —— —— — — category 4 firework Possession by a 15 32 1 2 1 2 — — 1 2 person under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 6191 3 —— 13 — — drunken person Supply of alcohol to 133—— —— —— — — person under 18

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 115 52 — — 3 1 2 1 3 1 Throwing stones at a 525—— 15 15 — — train / railway Drunk in a highway 1,339 43 18 1 59 2 31 1 22 1 Consumption of 499 70 7 1 26 4 3 0 9 1 alcohol in public place Depositing and 325 44 8 1 23 3 5 1 8 1 leaving litter Consumption of 16 19 — — — — — — 2 2 alcohol by under 18 on licensed premises Allowing 12 44 1 4 — — — — — — consumption of alcohol for under 18 Buying alcohol by 838—— —— —— — — under 18

Total all offences 62,179 42 1,588 1 2,437 2 1,805 1 1,225 1 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. Table 3: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20061 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 3,933 1,911 49 1,355 34 556 14 Misuse of public 909 523 58 388 43 135 15 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 106 43 41 35 33 8 8 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 82,235 43,120 52 30,757 37 12,363 15 distress Throwing fireworks 682 380 56 267 39 113 17 Drunk and disorderly 43,556 24,673 57 18,123 42 6,550 15 Criminal Damage (under 20,620 11,351 55 8,342 40 3,009 15 £500) Theft (retail under £200) 38,772 16,169 42 12,370 32 3,799 10 Breach of fireworks curfew 53 34 64 27 51 7 13 Possession of category 4 28 12 43 9 32 3 11 firework 351W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 352W

Table 3: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20061 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

Possession by a person under 76 51 67 34 45 17 22 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 47 35 74 29 62 6 13 person Supply of alcohol to person 60 53 88 41 68 12 20 under 18 Sale of alcohol to person 3,195 2,756 86 2,354 74 402 13 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 407 268 66 213 52 55 14 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 60 39 65 35 58 4 7 under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to person 297 176 59 132 44 44 15 under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 1,042 551 53 320 31 231 22 Throwing stones at a train/ 15 6 40 5 33 1 7 railway Drunk in a highway 2,712 1,433 53 1,064 39 369 14 Consumption of alcohol in 1,061 252 24 165 16 87 8 public place Depositing and leaving litter 1,169 593 51 427 37 166 14 Consumption of alcohol by 75 55 73 46 61 9 12 under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 14 10 71 10 71 — — alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to buy 73 52 71 43 59 9 12 alcohol by person under 18

All offences 201,197 104,546 52 76,591 38 27,955 14

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,787 45 44 1 108 3 81 2 2 0 Misuse of public 319 35 14 2 26 3 24 3 3 0 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to 52 49 — — 6 6 5 5 — — fire and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 35,154 43 780 1 1,914 2 1,126 1 141 0 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 264 39 5 1 23 3 10 1 — — Drunk and disorderly 16,919 39 269 1 886 2 725 2 84 0 Criminal Damage 8,492 41 134 1 324 2 287 1 32 0 (under £500) Theft (retail under £200) 21,157 55 203 1 732 2 392 1 119 0 Breach of fireworks 16 30 1 2 1 2 — — 1 2 curfew Possession of category 4 15 54 — — — — — — 1 4 firework Possession by a person 21 28 — — 3 4 1 1 — — under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to 9191 2 2 4 — — — — drunken person Supply of alcohol to 712———————— person under 18 Sale of alcohol to 390 12 6 0 30 1 10 0 3 0 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 122 30 1 0 10 2 6 1 — — person under 18 353W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 354W

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Purchase alcohol for 20 33 — — — — 1 2 — — person under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to 99 33 3 1 14 5 3 1 2 1 person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued

Trespass on a railway 463 44 2 0 19 2 6 1 1 0 Throwing stones at a 640—— 2 13— — 1 7 train/railway Drunk in a highway 1,158 43 7 0 94 3 16 1 4 0 Consumption of alcohol 749 71 7 1 45 4 6 1 2 0 in public place Depositing and leaving 536 46 3 0 26 2 10 1 1 0 litter Consumption of alcohol 17 23 — — 2 3 1 1 — — by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption 429———————— of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting 20 27 — — 1 1 — — — — to buy alcohol by person under 18

All offences 87,796 44 1,480 1 4,268 2 2,710 1 397 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit. Table 4: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20071 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 3,966 1,862 47 1,384 35 478 12 Misuse of public 1,193 670 56 526 44 144 12 telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire and 96 55 57 38 40 17 18 rescue authority Causing Harassment, alarm or 77,827 40,357 52 30,761 40 9,596 12 distress Throwing fireworks 649 374 58 290 45 84 13 Drunk and disorderly 46,996 26,367 56 19,727 42 6,640 14 Criminal Damage (under £500) 19,946 11,072 56 8,401 42 2,671 13 Theft (retail under £200) 45,146 19,111 42 15,390 34 3,721 8 Breach of fireworks curfew 39 25 64 20 51 5 13 Possession of category 4 22 10 45 7 32 3 14 firework Possession by a person under 18 106 67 63 57 54 10 9 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 81 64 79 50 62 14 17 person Supply of alcohol to person 54 41 76 31 57 10 19 under 18 Sale of alcohol to person under 3,583 3,074 86 2,623 73 451 13 18 Purchase alcohol for person 555 320 58 244 44 76 14 under 18 Purchase alcohol for person 64 31 48 23 36 8 13 under 18 for consumption on premises 355W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 356W

Table 4: Number of Penalty Notices for Disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by Offence and Outcome, England and Wales 20071 Of those paid Paid in full Total paid in Paid in full outside 21 Offence description Number issued full % within 21 days % days %

Delivery of alcohol to person 431 268 62 219 51 49 11 under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued

Trespass on a railway 1,527 780 51 441 29 339 22 Throwing stones at a train/ 25 13 52 11 44 2 8 railway Drunk in a highway 2,066 1,146 55 942 46 204 10 Consumption of alcohol in 1,544 328 21 259 17 69 4 public place Depositing and leaving litter 1,374 705 51 541 39 164 12 Consumption of alcohol by 85 67 79 55 65 12 14 under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 11 9 82 8 73 1 9 alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to buy 158 109 69 85 54 24 15 alcohol by person under 18

All offences 207,544 106,925 52 82,133 40 24,792 12

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

£80 Tickets issued Wasting police time 1,807 46 34 1 122 3 140 4 1 0 Misuse of public 431 36 17 1 43 4 32 3 — — telecommunications system Giving false alarm to fire 37 39 — — 3 3 1 1 — — and rescue authority Causing Harassment, 33,021 42 626 1 2,210 3 1,577 2 36 0 alarm or distress Throwing fireworks 223 34 9 1 30 5 13 2 — — Drunk and disorderly 18,161 39 244 1 1,038 2 1,177 3 9 0 Criminal Damage (under 7,979 40 112 1 384 2 393 2 6 0 £500) Theft (retail under £200) 24,344 54 172 0 988 2 507 1 24 0 Breach of fireworks 13 33 — — 1 3 — — — — curfew Possession of category 4 10 45 — — 2 9 — — — — firework Possession by a person 31 29 1 1 5 5 2 2 — — under 18 of adult firework Sale of alcohol to drunken 9113 4 2 2 3 4 — — person Supply of alcohol to 11 20 1 2 1 2 — — — — person under 18 Sale of alcohol to person 405 11 13 0 69 2 22 1 — — under 18 Purchase alcohol for 211 38 4 1 14 3 5 1 1 0 person under 18 Purchase alcohol for 22 34 — — 10 16 1 2 — — person under 18 for consumption on premises Delivery of alcohol to 138 32 1 0 19 4 5 1 — — person under 18 or allowing such delivery

£50 Tickets issued Trespass on a railway 675 44 — — 45 3 26 2 1 0 Throwing stones at a 10 40 — — 2 8 — — — — train/railway Drunk in a highway 788 38 8 0 94 5 30 1 — — 357W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 358W

Other outcomes Court Fine hearing PND Potential Outcome Offence description registered % requested % cancelled % prosecution % unknown %

Consumption of alcohol 1,090 71 6 0 87 6 32 2 1 0 in public place Depositing and leaving 589 43 2 0 64 5 13 1 1 0 litter Consumption of alcohol 16 19 — — 2 2 — — — — by under 18 on relevant premises Allowing consumption of 19 —— 1 9 —— —— alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises Buying or Attempting to 35 22 — — 13 8 1 1 — — buy alcohol by person under 18

All offences 90,057 43 1,253 1 5,249 3 3,980 2 80 0 —=nil. 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform - Evidence & Analysis unit.

Armed Forces: Foreigners These figures do not constitute part of National Statistics as they are based on internal management Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the information. The information has not been quality Home Department how many non-UK nationals of assured under National Statistics protocols, should be each nationality who had served in the armed forces treated as provisional and is subject to change. have acquired UK citizenship in each of the last 10 The UK Border Agency adopts an intelligence and years. [277319] target led approach to operations and our top priority Mr. Woolas: A person’s employment details are not has been to protect the public and remove from the UK recorded on the UK Border Agency’s computer database the most harmful people first. Based on UK Border as part of a citizenship application. As such, the information Agency management information 5,395 foreign national requested could be obtained only by the detailed prisoners were removed in 2008—exceeding our target examination of individual case records at disproportionate of 5,000. cost. 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Asylum: Iraq Number of 11,861 14,443 15,512 13,555 enforcement visits Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Number of arrests 12,412 11,522 10,750 10,063 Home Department how many Iraqi citizens settled in made the UK in each year of the Gateway Programme. Visits with no 6,976 8,793 9,975 8,362 [276559] arrests Mr. Woolas: The UK’s refugee resettlement programme, the Gateway Protection Programme, has made provision for a total of 1,000 Iraqi nationals to be resettled to the Demonstrations: Kingsnorth UK between 1 April 2008 and end March 2010. In 2008, 236 Iraqi nationals were resettled to the UK David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the through the Gateway Protection Programme. As of 18 Home Department pursuant to the answer of 15 May 2009, 212 Iraqi nationals have been resettled to the December 2008, Official Report, column 810, when she UK through the Gateway Protection Programme in expects to receive the report of the National Policing 2009. Improvement Agency on the policing of the Kingsnorth climate camp; and if she will make a Borders: Enforcement statement. [276046] Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr. Coaker: The National Policing Improvement Agency Home Department how many enforcement visits the (NPIA) and the Association of Chief Police Officers UK Border Agency made in each year since 2005; how are overseeing a review that has been commissioned by many arrests were made in the course of such visits; the chief constable of Kent into the policing of the and how many such visits resulted in no arrests being ‘Climate Camp for Change’ at Kingsnorth. This follows made. [271979] a debrief on the operation provided to Kent police by Jacqui Smith: The records held by the UK Border the NPIA in January 2009. Agency break down these figures by financial year The review is due to report in June and wider circulation rather than by calendar year and are provided in the of any findings and learning points will be considered following table. at that stage. 359W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 360W

DNA: Databases convicted and have had their records deleted, and those against whom proceedings are still ongoing, as well as James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for those who have never been convicted. the Home Department (1) what the age is of the youngest person (a) whose DNA is retained and (b) Domestic Violence: Departmental Co-ordination whose profile is held on the national DNA database; [266915] Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the (2) what steps she has taken to ensure that (a) DNA Home Department what contribution (a) the samples of children aged under 10 years have been Department of Health and (b) the Department for destroyed and (b) DNA profiles of children aged under Children, Schools and Families made to the 10 years have been removed from the national DNA preparation of her Department’s consultation paper, database. [266916] Together we can end violence against women and children. [277681] Mr. Alan Campbell: The Home Secretary announced on 16 December 2008 that the DNA profiles of all children aged under 10 (taken by England and Wales Mr. Alan Campbell: The Department of Health and police forces) would be removed from the National the Department for Children, Schools and Families DNA Database (NDNAD). The removal of these profiles liaised closely with the Home Office to prepare the has now been completed. The youngest person whose cross-Government consultation paper entitled “Together DNA profile is held on the NDNAD (and who had We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls”. Both their DNA sample taken by a force in England and Departments are part of the cross-Government steering Wales) is aged 10. group for Violence Against Women and Girls which met regularly in the run-up to consultation launch. A DNA sample may only be taken from a child under 10 with the consent of a parent or guardian. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, (PACE), as amended, Employment Tribunals Service provides that such samples taken voluntarily must be destroyed once they have fulfilled the purpose for which Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the they were taken. The youngest person whose DNA Home Department how many actions under sample has been retained, but not profiled on the NDNAD, employment law were brought against her Department is aged under one. in each of the last three years, broken down by category of action; and how many were contested by Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Department at an employment tribunal. [275625] Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2009, Official Report, column 1236W, on Mr. Woolas [holding answer 14 May 2009]: Details genetics: databases, how many and what proportion of of claims brought under employment law in each of the people with profiles on the national DNA database last three years against the Home Office, including the were recorded on the Police National Computer as UK Border Agency and the Criminal Records Bureau, having a conviction in each of the last 10 years; and if is shown in table 1. she will make a statement; [271074] Table 1: Employment tribunal claims brought against Home Office HQ, UKBA (2) what her most recent estimate is of the number and CRB and proportion of people with profiles on the national Category of claim 2006-071 2007-08 2008-09

DNA database who are recorded on the Police 2 2 2 National Computer as having a conviction; and if she Age discrimination — — — Disability discrimination 9 15 17 will make a statement. [271075] Race discrimination 4 7 10 Mr. Alan Campbell: The National DNA Database Sex discrimination 5 10 8 2 (NDNAD) is designed to match DNA taken from Sexual orientation 2 0 — crime scenes with that taken from individuals. It does Unfair/Constructive dismissal 31 35 28 not hold information on whether those with records on Unlawful deduction of wages 5 6 10 2 2 it have convictions, as this is not necessary for this Religion of belief 0 — — 2 2 purpose. It is therefore not possible to provide information Victimisation 0 — — 2 on the number and proportion of people on the NDNAD Redundancy payment 0 0 — Less favourable treatment under 2—00 who were recorded as having a conviction on the Police fixed term employee regulations National Computer (PNC) in each of the last 10 years. Loss of earnings 0 0 2— Some data on whether those on the NDNAD have Equal pay 2—00 convictions are available from PNC, but not as part of Other32—02— its routine functions and not within the cost limit for parliamentary questions. However, the National Policing Improvement Agency does obtain this information Total employment tribunal claims 60 77 82 Total contested at an employment 14 18 58 periodically. tribunal hearing The most recent figures available for England and 1 Information includes any claims made by former Home Office staff who Wales show that at 24 April 2009 there were an estimated transferred to the Ministry of Justice on 1 May 2007. 2 Less than 5. 4,587,430 persons on the NDNAD, of whom 79 per 3 Nature of claim unavailable. cent. (an estimated 3,601,245 persons) had a current Notes: conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded 1. Where more than one category of claim was cited on the claim, the claim has been counted once in the table using the primary reason for the claim. on PNC. The remaining 21 per cent. (an estimated 2. Where less than five claims were made under a category, further information 986,185 persons) includes those people who have been is withheld on grounds of confidentiality. 361W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 362W

The Identity and Passport Service does not centrally Extradition: USA hold the information requested, which could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many British nationals in European Network for the Protection of Public Figures respect of whom legal proceedings have been concluded have been extradited to the United States Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the since 1 January 2004; and for which offence each such Home Department what contribution the UK makes in individual was extradited. [274815] the European Network for the Protection of Public Figures. [277245] Mr. Coaker: Between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008, 28 UK nationals arrested in England and Wales Mr. Coaker: The UK has played a full role in the were extradited to the USA, for offences broken down work of the European Network since its inception in as follows: 2002. Type of offence Number of cases Europol Drugs 10 Fraud 8 Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Murder 3 Home Department on how many occasions UK police Sexual offences 2 forces have participated in Europol operations in the Theft 2 last five years. [277118] Grievous bodily harm 1 Money laundering 1 Mr. Coaker: Europol does not conduct operations in Forgery 1 any country. It exists to support investigations carried out by law enforcement authorities in the member states The figures do not include the number of UK nationals by facilitating the exchange of information and collating extradited to the USA who were arrested in Scotland and analysing information and intelligence in relation and Northern Ireland. to those investigations. Female Genital Mutilation Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which aspects of the Europol Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the system the UK participates. [277120] Home Department what account her Department takes of the risk of female genital mutilation in Mr. Coaker: The United Kingdom is a significant women’s country of origin when assessing their asylum participant in all intelligence aspects of Europol. Our claims. [276648] liaison bureau at Europol, which is one of the largest, is responsible for handling the exchange of information Mr. Woolas: All asylum and human rights claims are between Europol and the United Kingdom Europol carefully considered on their individual merits in accordance National Unit, which is based at the Serious and Organised with the UK’s obligations under the 1951 United Nations Crime Agency. The UK liaison bureau also manages Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the bilateral exchanges and cooperation between other member European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The state liaison bureaux. The United Kingdom has a record consideration of a claim includes where relevant, any of providing high quality data to the Europol Information fear of genital mutilation that may be raised by the System and is a major contributor to Europol’s programme applicant. of ‘serious crime analysis work files’. When fear of genital mutilation forms part of the claim consideration is given to whether there is evidence Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the that this practice is knowingly tolerated by the authorities Home Department what crimes Europol may in the country of origin, or whether they are unable to investigate; and on what legal basis in each case. offer protection, and whether there is a reasonable [277121] possibility of the applicant avoiding the threat for example by moving elsewhere in the country. Mr. Alan Campbell: Europol was established by a convention based on article K.3 of the treaty on European Foreign Workers: Health Services Union. It does not carry out criminal investigations in its own right but operates to improve the effectiveness Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the and co-operation of the competent authorities in the Home Department how many foreign national (a) member states in preventing and combating terrorism doctors and (b) nurses from each country of origin and other forms of serious crime. Specifically Europol’s have been granted residency in the UK for each of the competence covers illegal money laundering activity; last three years. [275059] preventing and combating terrorism, drug trafficking and other serious forms of international crime where Mr. Woolas: A foreign national is deemed to have there are indications that an organised criminal structure been granted residency when he or she has been granted is at work, and two or more member states are affected Leave to Enter (LTE) the UK for more than six months. by the criminality in question in such a way as to Prior entry clearance is mandatory for all persons seeking require a common approach by the member states LTE for such a period. Before the phased introduction involved. of the Points Based System in 2008, foreign national 363W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 364W doctors and nurses who were qualified to practice in the Mr. Woolas: The May 2009 Cost Report details our UK were required to apply for entry clearance as work current estimated costs for the National Identity Service permit holders. Data held centrally about such entry at: clearance applications do not include the applicant’s http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/downloads/ profession. We could therefore only provide the information docA_IPS_cost_reportpercent202009_v11_BM.pdf requested by searching individual records, which would The estimated total resource costs for providing passports be at disproportionate cost. and identity cards to British and Irish citizens resident in the UK for the time period April 2009 to April 2019 House of Commons: Right of Search is £4,945 million. This figure includes the current costs of operating the passport service, the incremental costs of improving the integrity of the passport and the costs Mr. Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home of identity cards. It does not reflect the fee income Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. which will be generated from both passports and identity Member for North Essex of 10 February 2009, Official cards to fund the operational cost of the National Report, column 1830W, on the House of Commons: Identity Service. right of search, what consideration she has given to (a) obtaining and (b) placing in the Library a copy of the final report of the review conducted by Chief Illegal Immigrants Constable Ian Johnston of the British Transport Police on the arrest and investigation of the hon. Member for Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ashford since the decision of the Crown Prosecution Home Department what the factual basis is for the Service not to bring charges in the case; and if she will Minister for Borders and Immigration’s statement in make a statement. [276943] his answer on 18 May 2009, Official Report, column 1192, on illegal immigrants, that the trend of removals Mr. Coaker: The report is a matter for the Commissioner is significantly up. [277069] of the Metropolitan Police and I have no plans to call for a copy of it. Mr. Woolas [holding answer 1 June 2009]: The following table shows the total number of removals and voluntary departures in each year between 2005 and 2008: Human Trafficking Removals and voluntary departures1, 2, January 2005 to December 2008 Number3 Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2005 2006 20074 20084 Home Department how many of those arrested in relation to Operation Greensea in respect of whom Total removals and 58,215 63,865 63,365 66,275 voluntary departures legal proceedings have been completed were (a) Change compared to —10-15 convicted and (b) deported. [276007] previous year (percentage) 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. Mr. Alan Campbell: The information is as follows: 2 Includes persons departing voluntarily after notifying the UK Border (a) On 31 January 2008, 12 individuals were arrested Agency of their intention to leave prior to their departure, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration into the Organization for Migration and since January 2005 persons who it has been United Kingdom as a result of Operation Greensea. Of established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. these 12, six have been convicted, three are currently on Statistics from 2005 onwards are not directly comparable with earlier years. 3 Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on trial, and the others have been released or have been which the data extracts were taken. Figures will under record due to data charged with separate offences. cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. Subsequently, three additional men were arrested in 4 Provisional figures. relation to Operation Greensea, and are also on trial. Published statistics on immigration and asylum are (b) The UK Border Agency is committed to ensuring available from the Library of the House and from the that it removes those foreign nationals who pose a risk Home Office Research, Development and Statistics of harm to our society. Our objective is that foreign Directorate website at: national prisoners should face deportation when they http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- meet the relevant criteria and that deportation should stats.html happen as early as possible in their sentence. In 2008, the agency deported or removed 5,395 foreign Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the national prisoners, exceeding the Government set target. Home Department how many illegal immigrants were As confirmed in its 2009-10 business plan, the UK detained at their point of entry to the UK in the last Border Agency will continue to deport or remove record month for which figures are available; and how many of numbers of foreign criminals. them admitted they were entering the country illegally. [277130]

Identity Cards Mr. Woolas: In April 2009, 767 people were recorded at ports as having illegally entered the UK. In such Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the cases, passengers are initially detained at the Point of Home Department what estimate she has made of the Entry. outstanding cost to the public purse of the The data provided are based on locally-collated introduction of the National Identity Card Scheme. management information, which may be subject to [276687] change and do not represent published National statistics. 365W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 366W

The UK Border Agency does not routinely record (2) how many employees of each (a) sex and (b) age whether an illegal entrant admits they were attempting (i) entered and (ii) left employment of the Independent to enter the UK illegally. Police Complaints Commission in each year since its creation. [277140] Immigration Mr. Coaker: The Home Office does not hold the Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the information requested as these are matters primarily for Home Department what the average time taken by the the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) UK Border Agency to process an application for in fulfilling its statutory functions under the Police indefinite leave to remain was in the latest period for Reform Act 2002, The IPCC will respond to the hon. which information is available. [276372] Member direct.

Mr. Woolas: The average time taken by the UK Members: Correspondence Border Agency to process an application for indefinite leave to remain for period 1 April-30 April 2009 was Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for three months. the Home Department when she plans to reply to the Data relate to lead applicants only. letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, The figures quoted are not provided under National Gorton of 11 February 2009, with regard to Ms A Dar. Statistics protocols and have been derived from local [269338] management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. Jacqui Smith: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on Source: 20 April 2009. UKBA Case Information Database. Olympic Games 2012: Security Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the letter of 14 January Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2009 from the Chief Executive of the UK Border Home Department what her most recent estimate is of Agency to the hon. Member for Wellingborough the number of police officers required to police the regarding Mr. Nicholas Mazordze, what steps were London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [273246] taken to resolve the case within 14 days of the date of that letter; and with reference to the letter of 5 May Mr. Coaker: The Home Office is committed to making 2009 from the Minister of State to the hon. Member the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games safe and for Wellingborough also regarding Mr. Mazordze, secure. On 25 February the Government approved a what steps were taken to resolve the case within two 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Strategy weeks of the date of that letter. [276938] and accompanying 2012 National Concept of Operations. Delivering the strategy will require the deployment of Mr. Woolas [holding answer 1 June 2009]: The Chief substantial numbers of police officers additional to Executive of the UK Border Agency provides regularly normal day to day requirements. We are working with updates on the progress taken in deporting foreign police forces and the Association of Chief Police Officers national criminals. However, she is unable to comment to refine this requirement. We cannot give a definitive on individual cases raised in a parliamentary question. estimate at this stage in the planning, which will always Immigration: Children also need to remain flexible to changes in the risks the games face. At peak times of the games we currently Mr. Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State anticipate deployment to be broadly similar to events for the Home Department whether her Department such as the Notting Hill Carnival, which last year plans to develop community-based alternatives to involved some 11,000 tours of duty by Metropolitan detention for children subject to immigration control. Police officers over the bank holiday weekend. [276131] Planning decisions on police numbers will need to take into account both the operational requirement and Mr. Woolas: The Government are exploring alternative the need to demonstrate affordability and value for options to detention of children to ensure the removal money within the overall £600 million funding envelope. of those families who refuse to leave the country voluntarily These decisions will be consistent with the risk-based when they no longer have a legal right to be here. and intelligence-led approach set out in our strategy. A new pilot project to encourage refused asylum seeker families in Glasgow to return voluntarily to their Police Community Support Officers: Costs home country is to start at the beginning of June. The pilot is a partnership between Glasgow City Council, Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home the UK Border Agency and the Scottish Government. Department how much police community support officers cost in the last 12 months for which figures are Independent Police Complaints Commission: Manpower available. [273266]

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr. Coaker: The Home Office does not collect this Home Department (1) what the turnover rate of staff information but makes an annual contribution towards of each grade employed by the Independent Police the cost of Police Community Support Officer (PCSOs) Complaints Commission was in each year since its as part of the specific grant payable to police authorities creation; [277139] in England and Wales for Neighbourhood Policing. For 367W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 368W

2009-10 the grant will amount to £332 million in total, employ a total of 10 former police officers who retired of which £294 million is specifically provided to support at the rank of assistant chief constable and above or at the costs of PCSOs. assistant commissioner and above or at equivalent ranks. Information gathered independently of the Home It is not recorded whether these employees are in receipt Office and published by the Chartered Institute of of a police pension. Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) indicates Police: Stun Guns that for 2007-08, the cost of salaries, allowances and national insurance for PCSOs in England and Wales was £417 million. Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces made requests Police: Complaints before November 2008 to her Department to fund the purchase of Tasers. [273636] Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Independent Police Mr. Coaker: The Home Office routinely discusses Complaints Commission has the power to investigate police funding issues, including Taser, with individual complaints about alleged unlawful conduct by serving forces, the Association of Chief Police Officers and police officers. [276910] police staff associations. Mr. Coaker [holding answer 1 June 2009]: I refer the Schengen Agreement hon. Member to my reply of 17 December 2008, Official Report, column 863W. Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which aspects of the Schengen Police: Databases system the UK participates. [277125]

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr. Coaker: The UK participates in the police and Home Department what arrangements are in place to judicial co-operation aspects of the Schengen acquis in validate the accuracy of data entered on the (a) Police accordance with the European Union Council Decision National Computer and (b) PentiP computer system. of 29 May 2000 concerning the request of the United [276905] Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to take part in some of the provisions of the Schengen Mr. Coaker: Data are entered on to the Police National acquis (2000/365/EC). The UK does not participate in Computer (PNC) by the police service and a number of the provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to visas other authorised agencies for specific purposes relating and borders having taken the decision that we wished to to law enforcement. Data quality are managed via: maintain our own frontier controls. A statutory code of practice, ‘The Police National Computer’ PNC Code of Connection Smuggling: Heathrow Airport PNC Manual In addition, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State inspects police forces’ use of the PNC. for the Home Department how many and what The PentiP system has yet to be delivered. percentage of travellers using Heathrow airport were stopped and searched by HM Revenue and Customs in Police: G20 2008; how many of those were found to be smuggling; and if she will make a statement. [276927] David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest estimate is of the Mr. Woolas: During 2008, responsibility for searching cost of policing the G20 summit in April 2009; and passengers moved to the UK Border Agency. Location how much of this cost was incurred in undertaking specific statistics are not published as this would provide public order policing relating to demonstrations. information of value to those seeking to circumvent [276157] controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime. Mr. Coaker: The Metropolitan Police Service inform National Statistics regarding Search of Person are me that the current estimate of the cost of policing the outlined on page 47 of the HMRC autumn report G20 summit is £7.5 million. It is not possible at this which can be found at: stage to disaggregate the public order costs from the total costs of the operation. www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/autumn-report-2008 Police: Retirement Terrorism

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the for the Home Department how many police officers Home Department with reference to paragraph 9.09 of who retired from police forces at the rank of (a) the UK’s Strategy for Countering International assistant chief constable and above and (b) assistant Terrorism, published in March 2009, what the cost of commissioner and above and who are in receipt of a the key deliverables in the Prevent Delivery Plan (a) police pension are employed in authorities and agencies has been in each year since 2003 and (b) is expected to for which she is responsible. [268908] be in 2009-10. [277359] Mr. Coaker: Information in respect of Home Office Mr. Coaker: Prior to 2008-09 the Home Office did headquarters and Executive Agencies is not held centrally. not collate financial data on the cost of key deliverables Home Office sponsored non-departmental public bodies in the Prevent Delivery Plan. 369W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 370W

The cost of Prevent key deliverables during 2008-09 Data concerning the average time taken to complete was estimated at £157.million. This is an estimate which a Disclosure are not a performance target and are not was provided at the beginning of the financial year, and collated by the CRB. Average figures do not give an may not reflect actual spend. The delivery plan only accurate indication of performance, since any force’s contains the estimated cost of key deliverables and does performance can be affected by a number of factors, not represent total spending on Prevent. including the volume of cases sent to a force to process The key deliverables for 2009-10 are still in development, in any given month, the number of staff available to with spend currently estimated at £81 million. process the checks and the IT resources on hand to forces. With these variables, performance can fluctuate Terrorism: Internet within individual forces from one month to the next. Between April 2008 and March 2009 the CRB issued Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the 396,000 Standard Disclosures and 3,459,000 Enhanced Home Department pursuant to the answer of 20 April Disclosures. During this period the CRB exceeded its 2009, Official Report, column 156W, on community targets for Standard Disclosures with a cumulative total relations: internet, what material has been classified by of 99.1 per cent. issued within 10 days but did not meet her Department as unlawful under the Terrorism PSS for Enhanced Disclosures, issuing 88.6 per cent. Act 2006 to date; and what routine discussions her within 28 days. The principal reason for this has been Department has had with the European Commission the high volume of Disclosures that have been presented on such classifications. [277308] for processing. This has put a great deal of pressure on the police Disclosure Units involved in the processing Mr. Coaker: The material concerned is that which of Enhanced Disclosures. may be unlawful under sections 1 and 2 of the Terrorism An improvement plan has been initiated aimed at Act 2006. reducing the volume of outstanding work at police No discussions have been held with the European forces and number of aged cases, which are those Commission specifically on this matter. Use of the applications that have been outstanding for longer than internet for radicalisation to violent extremism in Europe 25 days. This improvement plan has contributed towards is the subject of ongoing Commission-supported a steady decline in the number of these cases over recent discussions. months. There are a number of other factors which can affect Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the the timely completion of checks, including but not Home Department what powers her Department has restricted to the length of time it can take for an to (a) order the closure of websites hosted in the UK employer to deal with the initial application; the accurate which display material considered by her Department completion of the Disclosure application form; the to be unlawful under the Terrorism Act 2006 and (b) clarity of the information provided and the existence of to restrict the activities of owners of such sites. conviction or non-conviction information. [277341] To explain further, Enhanced Disclosures must include any local police force information which, in the chief Mr. Coaker: The Home Office has no such powers. officer’s opinion, might be relevant to the application Under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2006 a police and ought to be included in the Disclosure. Such decisions constable may issue a notice to an internet service must balance the need to protect a person’s right to provider that requires unlawful terrorism-related material privacy with the need to protect the public from potential to be removed or modified within two working days. harm and therefore require careful consideration. Failure to do so is not an offence in itself but removes Consequently, some applications can take longer to the defence of non-endorsement to charges under sections deal with. 1 and 2 of the Act. Owners of websites containing unlawful material may commit offences under sections l or 2 of the Terrorism INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS Act 2006 (publishing a statement that encourages others Departmental Security directly or indirectly to the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, or dissemination of Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for terrorist publications). Innovation, Universities and Skills how many breaches of security have been reported at the (a) National Vetting Weights and Measures Laboratory and (b) UK Intellectual Property Office in the last five years; and Dr. Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for the what procedures each agency follows when a breach of Home Department what requirements there are on the security involves the disclosure of personal data. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) for completion of a [276953] CRB check within a specified period of time; and what the average time taken to complete such a check was in Mr. Lammy: The National Measurement Office the latest period for which figures are available. (previously the National Weights and Measures Laboratory) [276314] has had no breaches of security reported in the last five years. Mr. Coaker: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) If a breach of security involving disclosure of personal operates to a set of published service standards (PSS) data were to occur, the National Measurement Office which include issuing 90 per cent. of Standard Disclosures has procedures in place to deal with the consequences, within 10 days and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures developed with the Department, that reflect current within 28 days. Cabinet Office guidance and standards. 371W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 372W

Higher Education: Finance will pass this transfer on to over-recruiting universities according to the extent of their over recruitment. Natural Environment Research Council: Shipping Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what discussions he has had with the Higher Education Funding Council Mr. Anthony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for England on financial penalties for higher education for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many ships institutions that over-recruit for the 2009-10 academic and boats have been (a) owned, (b) leased and (c) year; and when information on such penalties will be hired by or on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) in each of the last three provided to higher education institutions. [277845] financial years; how many operational days each of those vessels has spent at sea at the NERC’s expense; Mr. Lammy: This is not a question of imposing and how much the NERC spent on purchasing, hiring financial penalties, but rather of ensuring the quality of and leasing such vessels in each such year. [277261] the student experience and providing student support to all those who need it. If universities over-recruit, Mr. Lammy: The Natural Environment Research Council both of these objectives are put at risk. The Secretary of (NERC) owns, leases and hires a number of vessels. State wrote to HEFCE on 29 October setting out his These vessels are used for a number of purposes, including, plans for additional student numbers in 2009/10 and for example, taking samples from lakes, and monitoring/ asking the Council to minimise and preferably eliminate surveying coastal areas. Data for ships (defined as a over-recruitment by HE Institutions in that year. HEFCE vessel above 40 tonnes and 40 feet in length) is provided wrote to institutions on 10 November 2008, asking in the following table. them to review their recruitment plans for the following Hire of smaller boats for activities such as lake sampling year. We have said that any over recruitment in the are arranged locally under NERC purchasing guidelines coming year could result in a transfer of HEFCE grant on best value for money but the information is not held back to this Department in that or future years. HEFCE centrally by NERC.

Operational Days1 Cost of purchasing, hiring or leasing (£000) Ship name 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

RRS James Cook2 Owned 3314 3557 3413 0 0 0 RRS Discovery2 Owned 3— 3— 3—000 RRS James Clark Ross4 Owned 294 336 267 0 0 0 RRS Ernest Shackleton4 Leased5 329 321 309 63,322 63,364 63,356 RV Prince Madog7 Hired 789554n/an/an/a 1 Data from NERC’s Ship Management Review, which reported to NERC Council in February 2009. A breakdown on days on Cook/Discovery was not recorded. 2 Operated by the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS). RRS James Cook came into service in September 2006. 3 Denotes brace 4 Operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). 5 Under a PFI arrangement. 6 Includes insurance costs. 7 The RV Prince Madog is a recognised NERC facility operated by VT Ocean Sciences and is available to the NERC community on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis. NERC has no record of the precise costs, which are negotiated between scientists and the RV Madog operator within limits defined within research grants. The basic charter day rate cost is likely to have been in the region of £5,000 per day during this period.

As well as owning, leasing and hiring a number of Department has paid to private security companies for boats and ships, NERC also has barter arrangements services provided in each year in (i) Afghanistan since with other international operators of ocean-going research 2001 and (ii) Iraq since 2003; and what the monetary ships, which allows for NERC to use its partners’ research value of each contract his Department has with private ships. These barter arrangements allow for the barter security companies in each such country is. [275436] exchange of ship-time between partners without there being any transfer of money. In the calendar years 2006, 2007 and 2008, NERC used its barter arrangements to Bill Rammell [holding answer 14 May 2009]: Calculating secure 118 days, four days, 72 days, respectively, of the total Foreign and Commonwealth Office expenditure ship-time on its barter partners’ research ships. More incurred in Afghanistan since 2001 and in Iraq since information on the European barter arrangements can 2003 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. be found at: The amount the FCO has paid to private security http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/ofeg/pages/ofeg/index.php companies for services in Afghanistan and Iraq is as follows:

£ million FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Iraq Afghanistan and Iraq 2003-04 16.8 2004-05 49.5 2005-06 47.8 Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07 30.4 Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure 2007-08 26.0 his Department has incurred in (a) Afghanistan since 2008-09 29.02 2001 and (b) Iraq since 2003; how much his 373W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 374W

£ million £ million

Afghanistan 2007 19.6 2004 4.0 2008-09 18.54 2005 4.0 The value of each private security contract for 2008-09 2006 15.0 is as follows:

Company Purpose Period Value (£)

Iraq Control Risks Mobile Security July 2008 to June 2009 20,997,006 GardaWorld Static Security July 2008 to June 2009 5,743,464 Minimal Risks Intelligence Analysts October 2007 to September 2008 867,475 Armor Group Vehicle Maintenance February 2009 to February 1010 378,153 Minimal Risks Overseas Security Managers1 April 2008 to March 2009 1,035,192

Afghanistan Armor Group Mobile Security April 2008 to March 2009 12,836,451 Armor Group Static Security April 2008 to March 2009 4,702,461 Armor Group Vehicle Maintenance April 2008 to March 2009 251,787 Armor Group Police Mentors and Advisers April 2008 to March 2009 317,530 Edinburgh International Primary Healthcare January to December 2008 361,162 Minimal Risks Intelligence Advisers November 2008 to March 2009 74,706 1 Iraq and Afghanistan combined

The information above covers contracts put in place that will be held on 20 August 2009. Parliamentary and by the FCO in London with private security companies, district council elections are due in 2010. International and reflects the contract values concerned and not the funding and support for the 2009-10 elections is being actual spend. co-ordinated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) as part of its Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for for Tomorrow (ELECT) project. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what allowances in addition to basic salary are paid to civilian UK financial support is complemented by ongoing employees of his Department working in (a) political engagement by British Ministers and embassy Afghanistan and (b) Iraq. [275457] officials—encouraging change; raising concerns with the Afghan Government; lobbying internationally for Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth support; and working through the North Atlantic Treaty Office (FCO) pays the following financial allowances to Organisation’s International Security Assistance Force those of its staff who are UK civil servants serving in to support thorough Afghan-led security for the elections. Iraq or Afghanistan in addition to basic salary: Voter registration, which started in October 2008, has Cost of Living Addition (COLA)—compensation for the extra now been completed by the IEC across Afghanistan. costs of maintaining a UK standard of living at post. We are pleased the process went according to plan, with Diplomatic Service Compensation Allowance (DSCA)— over 4 million new names being added to the existing compensation for the extra cost of living in a difficult, isolated, voter registry. The fact that the insurgents failed to dangerous or unhealthy location, for the disruption cause by a global mobility obligation and for representational expenses. disrupt the process is a credit to all involved, particularly the Afghan National Security Forces. Afghanistan: Politics and Government Candidate registration for Afghanistan’s 2009 presidential elections closed on 8 May 2009. 44 candidates registered Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign in total, including two women. The next stage involves and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has the Afghan Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) made of progress made in securing Afghanistan’s investigating any challenges to these candidates. The democratic future in the last six months. [276629] ECC will receive complaints between 16 and 21 May 2009, and after making their investigations, they will Bill Rammell: With UK and international support, notify the IEC if any candidates have been disqualified. significant developments have been made in strengthening Afghan democracy since 2001. Our funding has been For a more detailed overview of the evolution of the used to help strengthen institutions, finance the electoral current Afghan political system, and examples of what process and build Afghan civil society and political the UK is doing to improve governance across the participation. Notable achievements since 2001 include country, please see the following link to the recent nationwide democratic presidential and parliamentary Foreign and Commonwealth Office memorandum of elections and the ratification of a new constitution. evidence; submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee as part of their global security inquiry into Afghanistan: We have already given £16.5 million to support the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/ prepare for the presidential and provincial council elections cmselect/cmfaff/memo/afghanistan/ucgs0402.htm 375W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 376W

For more information on the IEC, including legal Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth and technical details regarding the electoral process and Office currently operates no flag vehicles for official use lists of candidates, see: in the UK and 172 overseas. It is not possible to http://www.iec.org.af/engDefault.asp ascertain how many of these vehicles were not made in More information on the UNDP’s ELECT project Britain without incurring disproportionate cost as records can be found at: detailing the country of manufacture are not held centrally. http://www.undp.org.af/WhoWeAre/UNDPinAfghanistan/ Departmental Pay Projects/dcse/pri_elect.htm Arms Control: Nuclear Weapons Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much (a) Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for his Department and (b) its agencies paid in end-of- Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is year performance bonuses to (i) all staff and (ii) senior on the proposals of the US delegation to the Civil Service staff in 2008-09; and how many such preparatory committee for the Nuclear Non- payments were made. [275255] Proliferation Treaty review conference in New York on Gillian Merron: The Foreign and Commonwealth 5 May 2009 in respect of a fissile material cut-off Office (FCO), FCO Services (Trading Fund), and Wilton treaty. [276307] Park (Executive agency) made non-consolidated Bill Rammell: We welcome the proposals made by the performance-related variable payments totalling £7,214,259 US delegation at this year’s Nuclear Non-Proliferation to 4,722 staff in 2008 to reward performance in 2007-08. Treaty Preparatory Committee in support of a fissile Within this total we paid £2,435,100 in non-consolidated material cut-off treaty (FMCT). performance-related payments to 288 staff in the senior The UK believes that an FMCT is essential for management structure/senior civil service. Almost 30 per multilateral nuclear disarmament, and is one of the six cent. of FCO staff in the senior management structure steps that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary received no performance related variable pay in 2008. identified as necessary in order to achieve the conditions All three organisations use the same payroll and pay needed to help achieve a world free of nuclear weapons moderation process. To separate the payments made by at the launch of the ‘Lifting the nuclear shadow’ policy each Department/agency would incur disproportionate information paper on 4 February 2009. cost. It is our hope that the Conference on Disarmament Economic Situation will soon adopt a Programme of Work which will include the start of negotiations on an FMCT. Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Caribbean: Prisons Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) operating arrangements and (b) objectives have been Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for established for the early warning system his Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment Department has initiated to monitor economies at risk he has made of the adequacy of prison provision in of suffering political and social unrest; and which countries are under observation. [275326] UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. [276806] Gillian Merron: Each of the five Caribbean overseas Gillian Merron: Ongoing assessment of political, social territories (OTs) and Bermuda has at least one prison, and economic conditions in countries around the world with Bermuda and Cayman also having completely is central to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s separate prisons for females. The majority of the prisons (FCO) pursuit of its departmental strategic objectives. were built in the last 10-15 years (in most cases with The diplomatic reporting from the FCO’s global network Government assistance) to replace outdated facilities is a key part of this assessment. In response to the not fit for purpose. A senior manager, seconded from global economic crisis, the FCO has enhanced its reporting HM Prison Service, is based in the region to advise and and analysis of the impact of economic turbulence support local officials on prison management and wider upon worldwide political and social conditions, and on criminal justice issues. In addition, each prison has an emerging risks. The FCO looks at all countries as part independent and voluntary monitoring body working of this process. within it in order to monitor and report on conditions, Egypt: Prisoners and to raise any issues of concern. The OT prison services are moving towards a focus Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for on rehabilitation, with the recruitment of specialists to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he support that approach. With smaller prison and local has received of the arrest by the Egyptian authorities of populations, the early indicators are that these efforts 49 people allegedly linked to a cell assigned by are having more success than larger prison systems Hezbollah for the purpose of carrying out terrorist elsewhere are able to achieve. attacks in Egypt. [277496] Departmental Official Cars Bill Rammell: In April 2009, the Egyptian authorities announced that they had arrested a group of people Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for with alleged links to a Hezbollah cell. The cell is reported Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the to have been made up of 49 people of various nationalities, flag vehicles his Department has procured for official including Egyptians, Lebanese and Palestinians. The use (a) in the UK and (b) at diplomatic posts overseas Egyptian authorities have confirmed that none of the were not made in Britain. [277349] suspects are British nationals. 377W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 378W

The Egyptian authorities allege that the cell was Bill Rammell: The European Commission has not yet established by Hezbollah with the aim of attacking proposed an agenda for the EU-Israel Association Council targets inside Egypt, including Israeli tourists and ships meeting on 15 June 2009. passing through the Suez Canal. Gurkhas: Immigration Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) he has and (b) his officials have had with the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has Egyptian government on the recent arrest of 49 people received representations from the government of Nepal allegedly linked to a cell assigned by Hezbollah. on proposals to grant residency rights to Gurkha [277497] soldiers who have served in the armed forces. [277431]

Bill Rammell: I discussed the Hezbollah case with the Bill Rammell: Our embassy in Kathmandu has Egyptian ambassador in London on 22 April 2009. I maintained a constructive dialogue with the Nepalese also raised it during my visit to Cairo on 20-21 May Government about developments on the settlement policy 2009 with the Egyptian Minister for Parliamentary and for Gurkhas. The Nepalese Government have not expressed Legal Affairs, Dr. Moufied Shehab. any concerns to the Government. Officials at our embassy in Cairo remain in regular Hezbollah contact with the Egyptian government. Dr. Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he the decision to explore contacts with Hezbollah’s has received on the detention by Egyptian authorities political wing after the Lebanese election on 7 June of an Hezbollah operative allegedly attempting to 2009. [277217] provide logistical and military assistance to Gaza- based militants. [277506] Bill Rammell: We will continue to keep the decision to explore contacts with Hezbollah’s politicians under Bill Rammell: In April 2009, the Egyptian authorities review and will take developments into account. announced that they had arrested a group of people with alleged links to a Hezbollah cell. The cell is reported Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for to have been made up of 49 people of various nationalities, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent including Egyptians, Lebanese and Palestinians. The discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with Egyptian authorities have confirmed that none of the their counterparts in (i) the United States, (ii) France, suspects are British nationals. (iii) Israel, (iv) Lebanon, (v) Canada, (vi) Syria and The Egyptian authorities allege that the cell was (vii) Iran on Government policy on Hezbollah; and established by Hezbollah with the aim of attacking what views were expressed by each of those targets inside Egypt, including Israeli tourists and ships governments. [277372] passing through the Suez Canal. According to media reports, the suspects themselves and the Hezbollah Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign leadership claim that the objective of the Egypt cell was Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to provide support and assistance to militants in Gaza. (FCO) officials and myself meet regularly with counterparts in other governments and discuss a broad agenda, EU-Israel Association Committee including, where appropriate, Government policy on Hezbollah. It is not for the FCO to state the views of other governments. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Iran: Bahai Faith discussions his Department has had with the European Commissioner for External Relations on the agenda for Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the EU-Israel Association Council meeting on 15 June and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he 2009. [277694] has had with the government of Iran on the seven Ba’hai leaders who have been under arrest in Iran for Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign the last 12 months. [276939] Secretary met with European Commissioner for External Relations on 9 March 2009. A number of issues were Bill Rammell [holding answer 1 June 2009]: We have discussed including the Middle East Peace Process. repeatedly expressed our concerns to the Iranian Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials have also Government regarding the treatment of the seven Bahá’í been in regular contact with European Commissioner’s leaders. The EU, with strong UK support, has called for Cabinet regarding the agenda for the EU-Israel Association their immediate release on several occasions. Council meeting on 15 June 2009. I issued a statement on 16 February 2009, backed by an EU statement on 17 February 2009, expressing our Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for concern at the charges against them and calling for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what specific Iranian Government to allow independent observation areas of co-operation the European Commission has of the judicial proceedings. I then issued a further proposed for discussion at the EU-Israel Association statement on 14 May 2009 to mark the one year anniversary Council meeting on 15 June 2009. [277695] of their arrest. In this statement I reiterated concerns 379W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 380W for their well-being and again called for the Iranian Caroline Flint [holding answer 1 June 2009]: We are Government to ensure that these individuals are protected aware of recent press reports, upon which we assume and given a fair trial in accordance with international the question is based and which originate in a speculative standards. Spanish radio report, citing allegations that Somali The UK will continue to urge Iran to put an end to pirates operating in the Gulf of Aden have been receiving persecution of religious minorities and to respect the information from shipping consultants in London. The right to freedom of religion and belief as described in allegations contained in the original report and subsequent article 18 of the international covenant on civil and press reporting are unsubstantiated and unfounded. political rights, to which Iran is a state party. Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict Jeremy Greenstock Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will received of the alleged use of heavy artillery by the withdraw his Department’s objection to the publication government of Sri Lanka on civilians in Northern Sri of Sir Jeremy Greenstock’s proposed book on Iraq. Lanka between 8 and 11 May 2009. [275966] [277710] Bill Rammell: We are aware of disturbing reports of Bill Rammell: Sir Jeremy Greenstock submitted a the use of heavy weapons by both sides during the draft copy of his book to the Foreign and Commonwealth conflict and are seeking to verify the accuracy of these Office (FCO) in 2005. The FCO was unable to clear the reports. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary draft and despite attempts by both sides to solve outstanding said at the UN on 11 May 2009, we are appalled at the concerns, it was put on hold. Sir Jeremy indicated in recent reports of civilian casualties. Following the Foreign 2005 that he would seek clearance at a later date. We Secretary’s discussions with US Secretary Clinton on have not received any further contact. 12 May 2009, they released a joint statement calling for the Government of Sri Lanka to abide by its commitment Middle East: Armed Conflict of 27 April 2009 to end major combat operations and the use of heavy weapons. We welcome the end to hostilities and urge the Sri Lankan Government to now Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for focus on the immediate welfare of internally displaced Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps persons and for the long term peace and stability of Sri he has taken to seek the lifting of the blockade of Gaza Lanka. by the Israeli authorities. [276728]

Bill Rammell [holding answer 21 May 2009]: My Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this with and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has the Israeli Foreign Minister on 13 May 2009 and Defence had with his EU and US counterparts on whether the Minister Barak on 6 May 2009. He also stressed the recent actions of the Sri Lankan government constitute importance of greater access in his statement to the UN genocide. [276114] Security Council on 11 May 2009. Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign We continue to press the Israelis authorities at official Secretary regularly discusses the situation in Sri Lanka level. with his US and EU counterparts. As he has made clear, most recently in his joint statement with US Secretary Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Clinton of 12 May 2009, we are profoundly concerned and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has at the humanitarian crisis and are alarmed by the received of the discovery by Egyptian security forces on continued reports of high civilian causalities. We 14 May 2009 of weapons and explosive devices along condemn the killing of civilians in the strongest possible the Sinai Peninsula border with Israel; and if he will terms. As I repeated in the House during the topical make a statement. [276864] debate on Sri Lanka on 14 May 2009, Official Report, column 1034, we would support an early investigation Bill Rammell: We are aware of reports of munitions into all incidents that may have resulted in civilian found along the Egyptian-Israeli border. We continue casualties, to determine whether war crimes have been to work closely with international partners to tackle the committed. issue of arms smuggling into Gaza; the UK hosted an international meeting on the issue in March 2009 and Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for will attend a follow-up meeting in June 2009. We condemn Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the any attempt to smuggle arms into Gaza. Statement of 30 April 2009, Official Report, columns 1048-50, on Sri Lanka, what steps he is taking to Somalia: Piracy ensure that the UN Security Council addresses the conflict in Sri Lanka. [276833] Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has Bill Rammell: On 19 May 2009, the Sri Lankan received of allegations that intelligence services in the President announced that military forces had retaken UK are supplying intelligence to Somali pirates in the all the territory once held by the Liberation Tigers of Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean; and if he will Tamil Eelam and that they had captured or killed the make a statement. [277003] senior leadership of that organisation. Our primary 381W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 382W concern remains the immediate humanitarian crisis affecting Sudan: Overseas Aid the civilians displaced by the fighting and the long-term political and economic peace and stability of Sri Lanka. Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign We continue to work with the UN, EU, the Sri Lankan and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of Government and key international partners to try to 1 April 2009, Official Report, columns 1199-200W, on alleviate the humanitarian situation and to press for Sudan: overseas aid, how many international aid progress on a political solution that is based on equality, organisations have been permitted to return to Darfur; consent and rule of law. and if he will make a statement. [277227] Within the UN, we have been working to ensure the Security Council remained fully briefed on the situation David Miliband: The Government of Sudan have not in Sri Lanka. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reversed their decision and none of the international discussed Sri Lanka with UN Security Council non-governmental organisations (NGOs) expelled from representatives on 11 May 2009, and the UK raised Sri Darfur and other parts of northern Sudan have been Lanka at the UN Security Council on 13 May 2009. We permitted to return to Darfur. The UK, along with fully supported the visits by senior UN staff to Sri many other countries, has made clear its strong view Lanka, including John Holmes (UN Under-Secretary- that these NGOs were doing essential work and need to General for Humanitarian Affairs) and Vijay Nambiar, be allowed back. (UN Secretary-General’s Chief of Staff) and, in the Detailed discussions continue between the UN and face of some opposition from others; we supported Government of Sudan on steps to restore humanitarian their subsequent briefings to the Security Council. My capacity and to secure a safe operating environment for right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed Sri NGOs. The UK is in close touch with the UN, the Lanka with the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Government of Sudan and other partners on these 19 May 2009. These actions at the UN have been issues. important, not least in keeping the spotlight of international concern on Sri Lanka. Syria: Human Rights We have urged the Government of Sri Lanka to use the opportunity of the visits by Mr. Nambiar and the UN Secretary-General himself, to recognise that the Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign UN has a central role to play, both in the delivery of and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made humanitarian aid and in encouraging the process of in respect of the case of Maryam Kallis, recently political reconciliation that must be an integral part of arrested in Syria; and if he will make a statement. rebuilding Sri Lanka’s civil society. [276781] Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary raised this case with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is Walid Muallem, during a telephone conversation on on holding independent war crimes investigations of 8 May 2009. Consular officials in Damascus have visited the actions of the Sri Lankan military. [277250] Mrs. Kallis on two occasions, on 8 and 23 April 2009 and we have requested further consular access. We have Bill Rammell [holding answer 1 June 2009]: As my asked the Syrian authorities to allow Mrs. Kallis access right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear in to legal representation and that her family are allowed his written ministerial statement on 19 May 2009, Official to visit her. We have made clear to the Syrian authorities Report, column 73 WS, we endorse the European Council’s that we expect them either to charge or to release call for alleged violations of international humanitarian Mrs. Kallis as soon as possible. We continue to pursue and human rights law to be investigated through an this case repeatedly at an official level with the Syrian independent inquiry, and for those accountable to be authorities. brought to justice. We believe this could play an important role in the post-conflict reconciliation process. Turks and Caicos Islands: Constitutions

Sri Lanka: United Nations Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the status is of the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands; Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for and if he will make a statement. [276787] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government’s policy is on the proposal for a UN Gillian Merron: The constitution of the Turks and special envoy to Sri Lanka. [277430] Caicos Islands is contained in the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006, which is currently in Bill Rammell: We are not aware of any current proposals force. for a UN Special Envoy to Sri Lanka. We welcome the I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial high level engagement by the UN, including the recent statement of 16 March 2009, Official Report, column visits to Sri Lanka by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 39WS. The Commission of Inquiry’s final report was his Chief of Staff Vijay Nambiar and UN Under Secretary due by 31 May 2009. Unless the Commissioner’s final for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes. We fully support report significantly changes our current assessment of the efforts of the UN in regard to the situation in Sri the situation, the order suspending parts of the constitution Lanka and welcome the UN Secretary-General’s continued will be brought into force after the final report is involvement. received and has been considered. 383W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 384W

UK Trade and Investment: Recruitment Written Questions: Government Responses

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what difference in and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to answer cost to his Department there is between filling an question 267724, on conflict prevention resources, overseas post relating to UK Trade and Investment tabled on 25 March 2009. [276722] with an officer of the Diplomatic Service and an official from the Department for Business, Enterprise Gillian Merron: This question was answered on 18 May and Regulatory Reform; and whether this difference is 2009, Official Report, column 1146W. The delay in taken into account when posts are allocated. [275456] replying was due to an administrative error.

Gillian Merron: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) jobs overseas are subject to internal open competition WORK AND PENSIONS in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UKTI and Business, Enterprise, and Regulatory Reform (BERR). Departmental Assets Successful candidates are chosen only on merit, in the interests of getting the best person for the job. BERR Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work staff taking up UKTI positions overseas transfer to and Pensions when his Department last reviewed its diplomatic service terms and conditions for the duration assets and land and property holdings with a view to of their posting. identifying and disposing of surpluses. [269866] It is not possible to provide a difference in cost between filling a UKTI overseas post with an officer of Jonathan Shaw: DWP do not own any land or property. the diplomatic service and an official from BERR as The Department has outsourced its estate through a costs are dependent on the post, the destination country PFI Contract known as PRIME, under which it pays a and the grade and personal circumstances of the officer. charge for serviced accommodation for each building covering the cost of the space occupied, the maintenance of the building, plant, fixtures and fittings, and of the United Arab Emirates: Torture facilities management services provided. The Department similarly owns no IT assets. Its Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign IS/IT and telephony requirements were outsourced to and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make EDS and BT in 2005. representations to the government of the United Arab The Department’s remaining assets are regularly reviewed Emirates on the examination of alleged video evidence but have little, if any, disposal value. of acts of torture by uniformed police and others in that country. [272798] Departmental Dismissal

Bill Rammell: The Government are absolutely opposed Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work to the use of torture under any circumstances. We note and Pensions how many members of staff in his the official statement of the Government of the United Department and its agencies were dismissed (a) for Arab Emirates on 30 April 2009 unequivocally condemning under-performance and (b) in total in each of the last the actions depicted in the video. We welcome the 10 years. [274313] decision of the Human Rights Office of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department to conduct a comprehensive review Jonathan Shaw: The number of staff dismissed (a) of this case and to make its findings public at the for under-performance and (b) in total in each of the earliest opportunity. last 10 years is not available in the format requested. The Department and its agencies do not have a category of under-performance as a measure of employee Western Sahara: Politics and Government performance. However, there is a category of unsatisfactory performance. Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for The information is held on the Department’s personnel Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the computer system which was introduced from November Administering Power for the Non Self-Governing 2006. Information is not available from this system territory of Western Sahara is as referred to in General prior to April 2007. Assembly Resolution 63/110 on the Declaration on The number of staff dismissed for unsatisfactory Granting Independence to Colonial Countries and performance and the number dismissed in total, for Peoples. [277119] each year since April 2007 is outlined in the following table: Bill Rammell: Morocco administers most of the territory of Western Sahara de facto. In respect of Western 1 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 Dismissals for Sahara, no member state is listed as the Administering reasons other Power. Dismissals for than unsatisfactory unsatisfactory The UK voted against UN General Assembly Resolution performance performance Total dismissals 63/110 this year, and has voted against similar resolutions in previous years, as we find some elements of the DWP and its 17 1,167 1,184 agencies resolution unacceptable. 385W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 386W

1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 (2) what the (a) address is and (b) date of opening Dismissals for was of each jobcentre in England and Wales. [268440] reasons other Dismissals for than DWP and its unsatisfactory unsatisfactory agencies performance performance Total dismissals Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre DWP total 18 1,190 1,208 Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested. The total number of staff dismissed in each year was in the region of one per cent. of the total staff employed Letter from Mel Groves: in the Department. Of the total number of staff dismissed The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions for reasons other than unsatisfactory performance around asking how many jobcentres were opened, relocated and closed in two-thirds were dismissed for unsatisfactory attendance. each of the last 12 months; under what circumstances jobcentres are opened, relocated and closed; and, what the address and date Employment Schemes: Lone Parents of opening was of each jobcentre in England and Wales. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. and Pensions when the Government’s guarantee of a The information requested has been placed in the Library. job interview for every lone parent who is looking for Jobcentre Plus Customer Service Directors regularly review work and ready for work is expected to take effect. their service delivery plans to ensure optimum provision of service [275892] for all customers, for every Jobcentre Plus District. Our approach to closure of a customer-facing Jobcentre takes into account any Kitty Ussher [holding answer 15 May 2009]: Jobcentre impact on customer service and the relocation of the work and Plus introduced the guarantee of a job interview for staff of the closing office. When considering site closures we are eligible lone parents in April 2008. committed to full consultation with our customers, partner organisations, Trade Unions, staff, and local Members of Parliament. Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work In light of the emerging economic downturn pressures we and Pensions when work trials for lone parents were decided to suspend the planned closure of 25 Jobcentres. This introduced; and how many lone parents have decision was announced in November 2008. There has been a undertaken such trials to date. [275893] further closure of three small sites in London during March 2009. These had been announced last summer prior to the decision to Kitty Ussher [holding answer 15 May 2009]: Work suspend future closures. There will be no new Jobcentre closures trials were introduced in December 1989. Lone parents while the current economic conditions persist. do not have to satisfy the eligibility criteria and so have Jobcentre Plus inherited around 1,500 offices from the merger access to this provision from ‘Day One’. However, the of the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service in 2002. We nature of the available statistical data means I am have modernised our Jobcentre network to improve customer unable to provide an overall figure of how many lone service, rationalising our estate to provide excellent high street parents have undertaken a work trial. coverage and a single, integrated customer facing office, at the same time reducing cost to the tax payer. We remain the largest Funeral Payments office network in Government with 741 modern Jobcentres. This high street presence is supported by 31 modern contact centres Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and 79 main benefit processing centres. and Pensions if he will bring forward proposals to pay In addition to our network of modernised Jobcentres we aim funeral grants to terminally ill people before they die to to make our services accessible to customers by providing a range enable them to plan their own funerals; and if he will of support through outreach, often delivering advisory and other make a statement. [270107] support at our partners’ premises. That is particularly important in locations where maintaining a Jobcentre could not be justified. Kitty Ussher: The Department does not provide financial Typically such services can be delivered in partnership with support to people to fund their own funerals. Funeral Children’s Centres or on Local Authority premises or in conjunction with one of our Welfare to Work Providers. payments, an element of the social fund, provide help, at the point assistance is required, to people receiving The great majority of our services (in common with most specified income-related benefits or tax credits who are large, modern organisations) are now also delivered through the responsible for paying for the funeral of a close friend telephone and internet. For example, to give customers more convenient access, we have around half a million vacancies on-line or relative and who have good reason for taking at any time (our website receives close to one million job searches responsibility for the funeral arrangements. This is to every working day), and new claims to benefit are predominantly ensure that available resources go to those who are least taken by telephone with some taken on-line. This has brought our well off. customer facing services together in a more coherent and integrated Although the scheme is kept under review there are network and I believe Jobcentre Plus is well-placed to respond to no plans to make fundamental changes to the funeral the full range of economic conditions. payments scheme to provide advance financial assistance Letter from Mel Groves: to people for arranging their own funeral. The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what roles we expect the planned additional 6,000 Jobcentre Jobcentre Plus Plus staff to fill. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many jobcentres were (a) Whilst Jobcentre Plus will have an additional 6,000 staff in the next operational year we do not yet have the detailed plans on opened, (b) relocated and (c) closed in each of the last their deployment as these are still being worked on. However, it is 12 months; under what circumstances jobcentres are (i) anticipated that more than half of these will be Personal Advisers opened, (ii) relocated and (iii) closed; and if he will and others will be in customer intervention and support roles make a statement; [268439] within our customer service operations. 387W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 388W

Jobseeker’s Allowance claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance took (a) fewer than five days, (b) between five and 10 days, (c) between 10 and 20 days, (d) between 20 and 30 days, (e) between 30 and 50 days, (f) between 50 and 100 Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work days and (g) over 100 days to process in each of the last (i) 12 and Pensions how many and what proportion of claims months and (ii) five years for which information is available. This for jobseeker’s allowance took (a) fewer than five days, is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to (b) between five and 10 days, (c) between 10 and 20 me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. days, (d) between 20 and 30 days, (e) between 30 and 50 days, (f) between 50 and 100 days and (g) over 100 In terms of volumes and percentages our benefit processing system records the number of Jobseekers Allowance claims processed days to process in each of the last (i) 12 months and (ii) within the following time bands: 1-5 days; 6-10 days; 11-16 days; five years for which information is available. [266126] 17-21 days and over 22 days. The volumes are displayed as a cumulative figure for each of the time bands except over 22 days. Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus So for example, those claims between 1-5 days are included in the is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre column for 6-10 days and so on. The percentage figures are not Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right cumulative and are subject to rounding. This data has been hon. Member with the information requested. available since 2006. Therefore I have provided you with the yearly total for 2006/07 and 2007/08. I have also provided you Letter from Mel Groves: with the in-month data for the last 12 months. The available The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to information is in the attached annex. reply to your question asking how many and what proportion of

Annex Volume Percentage Column C Column D Column B (=column (=column Column E (=column B+cases C+cases (=22 days A+cases 14-16 17-21 and over Column A 6-10 days) days) days) only) Column F Column G Column H Column I Column J JSA JSA JSA JSA JSA processed processed processed processed processed in 22+ in 5 days in 10 days in 16 days in 21 days days 1-5 days 6-10 days 11-16 days 17-24 days 22 days+

2008 March 33,193 114,739 144,365 152,208 7,143 20.8 51.2 18.6 4.9 4.5 April 34,345 131,400 176,442 188,313 9,189 17.4 49.1 22.8 6.0 4.7 May 41,848 123,546 159,529 169,803 9,094 23.4 45.7 20.1 5.7 5.1 June 40,662 131,447 175,834 188,593 9,302 20.5 45.9 22.4 6.4 4.7 July 44,078 146,259 205,764 221,415 11,049 19.0 44.0 25.6 6.7 4.8 August 46,294 140,168 200,750 218,392 12,825 20.0 40.6 26.2 7.6 5.5 September 50,919 163,883 221,444 237,978 12,198 20.4 45.2 23.0 6.6 4.9 October 57,258 170,242 231,717 248,851 13,301 21.8 43.1 23.5 6.5 5.1 November 60,081 184,277 243,502 260,858 15,686 21.7 44.9 21.4 6.3 5.7 December 56,096 156,505 221,502 240,793 15,965 21.8 39.1 25.3 7.5 6.2

2009 January 94,216 230,960 321,028 350,918 24,495 25.1 36.4 24.0 8.0 6.5 February 91,021 205,603 279,106 313,664 27,449 26.7 33.6 21.5 10.1 8.0

2006-07 229,759 922,387 1,552,047 1,840,313 359,228 10.4 31.5 28.6 13.1 16.3 2007-08 360,048 1,392,944 1,872,132 2,020,687 148,828 16.6 47.6 22.1 6.8 6.9

Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work payment of housing benefit to landlords to allow and Pensions how many and what proportion of greater flexibility. [262550] people aged over 25 years have been referred from jobseeker’s allowance to a training allowance (a) during the first month of their claim, (b) between one Kitty Ussher: Local housing allowance was rolled out and three months of their claim, (c) between three and nationally in April 2008 for customers in the deregulated six months into their claim, (d) between six and 12 private rented sector who make a new claim for housing months of their claim and (e) between 12 and 18 benefit, and for existing customers who move address. months of their claim, excluding those claiming a It is a way of calculating the rent element of housing training allowance as part of a New Deal programme, benefit based on the area in which a customer lives and in the last 12 months. [266134] their household size. Local housing allowance is paid to Mr. McNulty: The information is not collated centrally. the tenant rather than the landlord in most circumstances. Social Rented Housing We believe that local housing allowance is a much fairer, simpler and more transparent way of calculating Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work housing benefit. One of the key features of local housing and Pensions if he will review the rules governing the allowance is that where possible the benefit will be paid 389W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 390W to the customer, so that they can take more personal Mr. McNulty: We have not made an estimate of the responsibility for their housing, helping to prepare for number of customers who may apply for a loan. We when they move into work. have made provision for all customers whose benefit We accept that it is not possible in every case to make payments will change from being made weekly to fortnightly the payment to the tenant and, once the local authority in arrears to be offered a loan equivalent to 100 per has determined a maximum rent in accordance with the cent. of their weekly benefit. relevant regulations, payments are therefore made to Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work the landlord in the following circumstances: and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average when the tenant is unlikely to pay (for example, where the local weekly income of claimants of each type of benefit authority knows from past experience that the tenant is likely to abscond with the rent payment); or who will move to fortnightly benefit payments in arrears under the provisions of the Social Security when the tenant is likely to have difficulty in managing their (Claims and Payments) (Amendment (No.2)) rent payments; for example, due to an alcohol/gambling/drug dependency or because of a serious medical condition such as Regulations 2008 and the Social Security (Transitional Alzheimer’s disease; or Payments) Regulations 2008. [272666] when the tenant is in arrears of eight weeks or more. Mr. McNulty: We have not made an estimate of Local authorities may make payments to the landlord average weekly income, because it can vary depending where they consider that the claimant is likely to have on an individual’s circumstances—for example, customers difficulty in paying their rent and it is in the interest of may receive other sources of income such as child tax the claimant to do so. We therefore encourage landlords credits, earnings from part-time employment or not to wait for the eight-week period to be reached but occupational pensions, and so on. to contact the local authority as soon as a payment is missed so that they can begin gathering the evidence Vocational Training required to make a decision on direct payment. Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work We are satisfied that these safeguards will ensure that and Pensions what facilities Jobcentre Plus offers for vulnerable customers do not fall into unmanageable access to and registration for skills accounts in each difficulties and that their rental payments will be met. pilot area. [266119] Local housing allowance was introduced in nine pathfinder authorities in 2003-04 and was subject to Mr. McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus extensive and independent evaluation. A further nine is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre authorities implemented the scheme in 2005 to test Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the right operational readiness. hon. Member with the information requested. Despite landlords’ initial fears, there is overwhelming Letter from Mel Groves: evidence that customers have responded extremely well The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question to the responsibility of managing their rent payments. asking what facilities Jobcentre Plus offers for access to and registration for skills accounts in each pilot area. This is something Evidence from the evaluation has shown that customers that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting regard paying the rent as a matter of prime importance Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. and that most would prioritise this above all other Jobcentre Plus offers access to skills accounts in Integrated payments. 84 per cent. of tenants are successfully managing Employment and Skills pilot areas, by referring customers to their own housing benefit. Of the remaining 16 per Learning and Skills Council contracted Nextstep services, or by cent. only a third are having their housing benefit paid signposting them to the Careers Advice telephone service. These to the landlord because they have fallen into arrears of services offer advice and information on skills accounts and eight weeks or more. Two-thirds are having their benefit facilitate registration where appropriate. paid to the landlords because the local authority, working Workers’ Memorial Day together with landlords, has identified that they might not be able manage their rent payments. The local Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work housing allowance evaluation reports are available on and Pensions how much his Department has (a) spent the DWP website at: on and (b) allocated to its consultation on official http://www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/lha/evaluation/ recognition of Workers’ Memorial Day. [277052] index.asp We are closely monitoring how the local housing Jonathan Shaw: The costs of the consultation exercise allowance scheme is working in practice and will undertake will be met from existing resource. The costs cannot be a review during the first two years of operation following separately identified because the staff working on the national rollout. consultation are simultaneously working on other projects as well. Social Security Benefits: Payments HEALTH Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number Alzheimer’s Disease of claimants of each type of benefit who will apply for bridging payments under the provisions of the Social Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment (No.2)) what estimate he has made of the rate of incidence of Regulations 2008 and the Social Security (Transitional Alzheimer’s disease in (a) England, (b) London and Payments) Regulations 2008 in each of the next two (c) the London Borough of Croydon in each of the years. [272664] last 10 years. [276874] 391W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 392W

Phil Hope: The Department does not have data on the publication of the National Dementia Strategy in the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. However the national February 2009. [277331] Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) records the number of people recorded on practice disease registers Phil Hope: The Department has already begun to with a diagnosis of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts raise public awareness of dementia by funding the for 50 to 75 per cent. of cases of dementia so the Alzheimer’s Society Worriedabout YourMemory campaign prevalence of patients with dementia gives an indication in 2008. Leaflets, booklets and posters on dementia of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. This prevalence have been made available in all general practitioner figure is available only for the two latest releases of surgeries in England. The campaign aims to prompt QOF, covering 2006-07 and 2007-08 (financial years). and help people to consider if their forgetfulness, or However, these numbers are likely to be an underestimate that of a friend or relative, is due to just poor memory of the true position. The Dementia UK report, published or the beginning of a medical problem and to encourage in 2007 by the Alzheimer’s Society estimated that two-thirds them to seek medical advice. of the people with dementia never receive a formal In addition, over the course of the five-year diagnosis. implementation of the strategy there will be both national Figures are supplied for the health areas, which best and local awareness campaigns designed to improve fit the areas requested. public and professional awareness, and change existing These QOF figures are given in the following table: attitudes towards dementia. Prevalence of dementia Dementia: Drugs Percentage 2007-08 2006-07 Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State England 0.4 0.4 for Health when he expects to publish the outcomes of London Strategic Health Authority 0.3 0.3 the review of the use of antipsychotic medicines in Croydon Primary Care Trust 0.3 0.3 dementia; and what the reasons are for the time taken to publish those outcomes. [277197] Cancer: Health Services Phil Hope: The outcomes of the review of the use of Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State antipsychotic medicines in dementia will be completed for Health what funding his Department has provided shortly. It was not possible to complete the review to external organisations to raise awareness of and within the original timescale because of the amount of provide patient support for those diagnosed with (a) resource needed for the National Dementia Strategy breast cancer, (b) leukaemia, (c) cervical cancer and itself. (d) prostate cancer in the last 12 months; and if he will Departmental Security make a statement. [277299]

Ann Keen: In the last 12 months, approximately £1.98 Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for million has been awarded to organisations to raise Health how many breaches of security have been awareness of and provide patient support for people reported at the (a) Medicines Healthcare Products and diagnosed with cancer. This is broken down as follows: Regulatory Agency and (b) NHS Purchasing and As part of the National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative’s Supply Agency in the last five years; and what promoting earlier presentation work stream, the Department procedures each agency follows when a breach of of Health and the Football Foundation are joint funding the security involves the disclosure of personal data. Ahead of the Game programme. Ahead of the Game is a [276955] one-year pilot programme, which will use the appeal of football to raise awareness of lung, bowel and prostate cancers in men Mr. Bradshaw: There have been no breaches of security aged 55 and over. The Department has awarded £86,000 for reported at Medicines Healthcare products and Regulatory this work between 2008 and 2010. Agency in the last five years. £76,500 was awarded to MKC Trust over a three-year period from 2009-2012, to raise awareness of breast cancer among There have been no breaches of security reported at south Asian communities, and provide support to south Asian NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency in the last five women with breast cancer and their families. years. In addition, over £1.8 million has been awarded over the last 12 As part of the Cabinet Office Information Governance months to organisations supporting cancer patients in general, Assurance Programme, staff are required to declare for the period 2009-12. breaches of data security to the Senior Information Funding awarded more than 12 months ago also Risk Owner, who in turn is required to declare these to continues to be used to raise awareness of cancer and the Information Commissioner’s office. Both agencies provide support for patients. For example, we continue also make a statement on Information Governance in to support the Healthy Communities Collaborative which their annual reports. is raising awareness of bowel, breast and lung cancers in spearhead communities. Diabetes: North East

Dementia John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health NHS of the treatment of diabetes in the North East what steps his Department has taken to develop a Strategic Health Authority in each of the last three national public awareness campaign on dementia since years. [276996] 393W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 394W

Ann Keen: The following table shows the expenditure General Practitioners: ICT on diabetes for the North East Strategic Health Authority for the last three years in which data are available. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Expenditure on own population for Health what the licence charges are for each (£000) information system accredited under the GP Systems of Choice programme; what expenditure his 2004-05 37,719 Department has incurred to date on (a) upgrading GP 2005-06 47,870 systems to Systems of Choice level and (b) supplying 2006-07 42,713 infrastructure to primary care trusts under the GP Note: Systems of Choice programme to date; and what Figures do not include prevention or general medical services expenditure. Source: estimate he has made of primary care trusts’ Department of Health Programme Budgeting expenditure of training staff to use GP Systems of Choice to date. [277082] Domestic Accidents: Children Mr. Bradshaw: The GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC) Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for initiative is aimed at improving the information technology Health how many children were admitted to hospital as (IT) systems and services that support general practices a result of an accident in the home in each month of in England by delivering the functionality required the last five years; and if he will make a statement. under the national programme for IT in line with a [276654] common set of standards and performance measures to which all suppliers must adhere. GPSoC enables practices Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally. to continue to use the IT systems they already use, but under a standard contractual arrangement that improves Economic and Monetary Union transparency and value for money for the national health service. Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The annual licence and service charges payable to what activities have been undertaken by his suppliers for each information technology (IT) system Department’s Euro Minister in that capacity. [277171] accredited under GPSoC are given in the following table. Dawn Primarolo: Euro Ministers are responsible for preparations for joining the single currency in their £ respective Departments and attend Euro Ministers Steering Supplier EMIS INPS iSOFT Microtest Group meetings in this capacity. Meetings are held only Licence/service when necessary to discuss practical preparations to level ensure a smooth changeover. Ministers do have other Software licence 3,427.72 4,681.00 4,997.31 5,592.81 responsibilities around European Union business. Level 1 compliance 204.64 205.00 203.06 204.64 Level 2 compliance 204.64 205.00 203.06 204.64 Epilepsy Level 3 compliance 204.64 205.00 Not level Not level 3 3 compliant compliant Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Summary care Not SCR Not SCR 203.06 Not SCR Health if he will undertake a review of NHS services record (SCR) compliant compliant compliant for people with epilepsy. [276907] compliance System Support 665.08 665.00 659.95 665.08 Notes: Ann Keen: On 19 May 2009, we met with the All 1. Level 1 compliance: functionality to support core general practitioner (GP) Party Parliamentary Group for Epilepsy. At this meeting, system requirements, choose and book, Spine, and personal demographics we announced that the Department will be working service 2. Level 2 Compliance: Level 1, plus electronic prescription service with stakeholders specifically to look at the commissioning 3. Level 3 Compliance: Level 2, plus GP to GP record transfer of local services to meet the needs of people living with Minor variations in compliance and system support charges, originally epilepsy. common for all suppliers, are due to indexation changes as a result of timing of when the contract became effective for each supplier. John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health All systems must meet GPSoC Level 2 before they are what steps his Department has taken in response to the funded under the GPSoC contract and it is the suppliers report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on who must meet the costs of upgrading their systems to Epilepsy of June 2007; and if he will make a statement. achieve this level. [277384] Funding of an average of £9,500 per GP practice was Ann Keen: Detailed information on the work the provided to PCTs in 2007 to upgrade practice IT Department has already taken in response to the 2007 infrastructure to ensure that practice infrastructure met report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) the minimum standards required to support the efficient on Epilepsy were given when we met with the APPG for use of systems provided under GPSoC, and of other Epilepsy on 19 May 2009. At this meeting we also systems and services provided under the national announced that the Department will be specifically programme for IT. looking into the commissioning arrangements for local Since the initiative enables practices to retain the services to meet the health and social care needs of systems with which they are familiar and have been those living with this condition. trained to use, training funded under GPSoC is restricted 395W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 396W to that required to take advantage of new functionality. Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Expenditure to date, which is funded by the Department, Health what recent research his Department has (a) totals some £323,000. commissioned and (b) evaluated on drugs for the relief of headache disorders and migraine. [277212] Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timetable he has set for (a) the Dawn Primarolo: The Department funds national cessation of the temporary programme, GP Systems of health service research and development through the Choice, as part of the National Programme for IT and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The (b) the commencement of the deployment of Local institute’s research programmes support high quality Service Provider solutions for General Practice. research of relevance and in areas of high priority to [277199] patients and the NHS. That research currently includes a randomised placebo controlled trial of propranolol Mr. Bradshaw: GP Systems of Choice began in August and pizotifen in preventing migraine in children. The 2007, to run initially for two years, with the expectation Department is also providing national health service that contracts awarded under the initiative would be support for a clinical study of clopidogrel as prophylactic extended for a further two years if the initiative proved treatment for migraine through the NIHR Primary successful. The assumption at the outset was that, by Care Research Network. the end of the four-year period, national programme The NIHR funded University College London Hospitals for information technology local service providers (LSPs) Biomedical Research Centre is undertaking research on would have delivered their integrated general practice headache and pain. A five-year budget of £3.7 million solutions. Depending on the rate of take up of the has been allocated to this work. integrated solutions, the Department will determine in The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the due course whether the contracts should be re-tendered main agencies through which the Government support to ensure continuity of service. medical and clinical research. The MRC, an independent LSP general practitioner (GP) solutions have already body, receives its grant in aid from the Department for been deployed to over 900 practices, with more practices Innovation, Universities and Skills. migrating to TPP SystmOne, provided by CSC, than The MRC is currently funding two research projects any other available GP system. relating to headache and migraine as follows: Dr. K. E. Volynski at University College London: Calcium Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State channels in evoked neurotransmitter release at individual synapses for Health what estimate he has made of the average and neurological disease which relates to familial hemiplegic cost to his Department of accrediting systems through migraine. the GP Systems of Choice programme. [277200] Professor D. Kullman at the Institute of Neurology, London: Presynaptic ion channel dysfunction in the forebrain which is Mr. Bradshaw: The Department routinely undertakes looking at the mechanisms which can cause seizures in conditions testing to demonstrate that new functionality offered by such as migraine and epilepsy. national programme for information technology suppliers A range of pharmacological interventions are available meets the necessary requirements and standards. The to prevent the occurrence of headaches, and to relieve cost of doing so would therefore arise even in the the pain of attacks. It is the responsibility of health absence of GP Systems of Choice (GPSoC). professionals to consider what treatment is the most Under GPSoC, the cost varies depending on whether appropriate for their patients, in consultation with the the system is an upgrade to an existing system or a new patient and informed by their medical history. system. The estimated average cost of the former is Health Professions: Working Hours around £4,500, and of the latter, around £23,300. Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Headaches and Migraine what his most recent assessment is of the effects of the European Working Time Directive on hospital staff. Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for [276715] Health what training in the care of people with headaches and migraine disorders is available to (a) Ann Keen: The national health service has made GPs and (b) other medical staff. [277211] excellent progress in implementing this important legislation, which ensures that patients receive safe, high quality Ann Keen: The Department shares a commitment care from staff that have not been forced to work with statutory and professional bodies that all health excessive hours. Only the junior doctors in training professionals are trained, so that they have the skills remain to become compliant by 1 August and two-thirds and knowledge to deliver a high quality health service of them are already working a 48-hours week averaged to all groups of the population with whom they deal. over 26 weeks. The Department, along with local national health service The United Kingdom Government notified the European bodies that commission professional training, continue Commission in January 2009 of its assessment of progress to work with the regulators and higher education institutes in achieving compliance with the European Working to ensure that their standards and curricula reflect the Time Directive by doctors in training. A copy of the changing needs of patient and service delivery. UK notification of Derogation for Doctors in Training Training needs for all NHS staff are determined has already been placed in the Library. The Department against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes is working closely with the medical royal colleges, the and training needs analyses informed by local delivery British Medical Association and strategic health authorities plans and the needs of the service. to ensure trusts are prepared for full implementation. 397W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 398W

Health Services: Disabled The MRC currently supports a broad portfolio of cardiovascular and stroke research which includes Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for epidemiological and population based programmes. Studies Health how much primary care trusts spent on (a) included in the portfolio include: disability services and (b) children’s disability services Professor C Fall, University of Southampton—Maternal nutrition, in the last five years. [276989] foetal and childhood growth, and programming of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in South Asians; Phil Hope: The information requested is not collected ProfessorDALawlor, University of Bristol—The epidemiology centrally. of coronary heart disease in women; and However, ‘Services for children and young people Dr. S Ramsay, University College London—Health inequalities with disabilities and/or special needs: Report of findings in British men: the impact of socio-economic circumstances at from child health mapping in England 2005 to 2007’, different stages of the life course. published in February 2009, brings together available In addition, the MRC, jointly with the British Heart information from some primary care trusts including Foundation, had recently agreed to fund a £2.9 million financial information. research programme led by Professor J Danesh at University College London looking at the interplay of genetic, Heart Diseases biochemical and lifestyle factors on coronary heart disease incidence in populations across Europe. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Recent data from the South London Stroke Register were Health (1) what arrangements are in place to consult published last year in the Journal of the American Heart Association the voluntary sector as part of his Department’s (“Ethnic Group Disparities in 10-Year Trends in Stroke Incidence external review of implementation of the National and Vascular Risk Factors”). The article is available online at: Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease and www.stroke.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/39/8/2204 the future of cardiology services; [277036] (2) when he plans to complete his Department’s Immediate Care assessment of the future profile of cardiology services; and what account that assessment is taking of links between cardiac conditions, stroke, kidney disease and Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State diabetes. [277037] for Health with reference to the letter of 14 May 2009 from his Department’s Director, Workforce Capacity, Ann Keen: The Department is commissioning an Analysis and HR, which hospital services provide external review of the implementation and delivery of 24-hour immediate care; and what definition of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart immediate care his Department uses. [277045] Disease. In addition to this, we will undertake an analysis of the trends in the burden of heart disease and look at Ann Keen: The terminology referred to means all how patient expectation and need, technology and working hospital emergency and acute services operating a 24-hour practices are likely to affect future demand and patterns service. It could also refer to urgent non-elective surgery of service provision. We will feed our findings into the specialty work, for example, a heart transplant. Services discussions of the National Quality Board, which has vary from region to region and trust to trust. been set up to oversee the priorities for the service in the The definition of ‘24-hour immediate care’ was agreed future. As part of normal practice, the Department will and was the decision of the National European Working consult with the voluntary sector. A completion date Time Directive Reference Group as being the most has not yet been set. appropriate term to encapsulate the services above. In addition to this, phased implementation of this Membership of the group includes the Royal Colleges, NHS Health Check Programme began in April 2009. strategic health authorities, deaneries, British Medical This takes a cross-vascular approach to preventing heart Association, NHS employers. This definition was used disease, stroke, diabetes and chronic kidney disease. within the notification of derogation to the European Commission submitted in January. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has commissioned National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recent research to establish which population groups have disproportionately higher levels of cardiac and vascular disease. [277046] John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to set a deadline for the Dawn Primarolo: The Department’s Policy Research commissioning of NHS services to achieve compliance Programme (PRP) funds the South London Stroke with National Institute for Health and Clinical Register which monitors trends in the incidence of Excellence clinical guidelines; and if he will make a stroke in different ethnic groups1. The British Women’s statement. [277382] Health and Heart Study, also funded by the PRP, is a large, nationally representative cohort study of older Dawn Primarolo: We have no plans to do so. The women that provides information about the incidence National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence’s of cardio-vascular disease. (NICE) clinical guidelines cover a whole pathway of The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the care and may make a significant number of main agencies though which the Government support recommendations. The Government expect national health medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent service organisations to work towards implementation body funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities of NICE’S clinical guidelines over time, in line with and Skills. available resources and local priorities. 399W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 400W

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health were a sub-group of members of the Social Partnership if he will take steps to increase levels of public Forum, and they discussed the potential implications confidence in National Institute for Health and for NHS staff. NHS clinical staff and trade union Clinical Excellence clinical guidelines; and if he will representatives are also members of the Board for the make a statement. [277383] Transforming Community Services programme. The six transformational practice guides (written Dawn Primarolo: The National Institute for Health principally for clinical team leaders), which are due to and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent be published in June 2009, have also been co-produced organisation and its clinical guidelines are based on a with NHS staff. thorough assessment of the available evidence. They are developed in consultation with stakeholders, are widely Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health respected internationally and have been commended by what measures are in place for primary care trusts to the World Health Organisation. The Department has consult (a) trades union representatives and (b) NHS no plans to undertake further work on public perceptions staff on the Transforming Community Services of NICE clinical guidelines. programme. [277661]

NHS Redress Scheme Phil Hope: The Partnership Agreement ‘An agreement between DH, NHS Employers and NHS Trade Unions’ Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for was published in March 2007. It sets out the principles Health (1) what recent progress has been made on the and benefits of working in partnership on work force implementation of the NHS Redress Act 2006; [277214] implications of policy. A copy has been placed in the (2) whether consultation has begun on details of the Library. NHS Redress Scheme; [277215] It is expected that strategic health authorities (SHAs) (3) when he plans to bring forward proposals for will replicate the broad principles and structures, laid secondary legislation to introduce the NHS Redress out in the Partnership Agreement, at local level. Scheme. [277216] In addition, The Handbook to The NHS Constitution for England published, on 21 January 2009, includes a Ann Keen: The NHS Redress Scheme can only be commitment to engage staff in decision that affect them enacted through secondary legislation, and will require and the services they provide. A copy of this has already extensive consultation before draft proposals are brought been placed in the Library. before Parliament. However, the principles behind the Further, ‘Transforming Community Services Enabling scheme are those underpinning the reform of the NHS New Patterns of Provision’, published in January 2009 complaints arrangements that came into effect on 1 (a copy of which has been placed in the Library), April 2009. requires primary care trust boards to consult their staff The NHS Redress Scheme would apply only to clinical and their representatives, as well as other key stakeholders, negligence cases of lower monetary value. We consider from an early stage on organisational options for the that focussing on complaints reform will enable those future of community services and to take their views, principles to be applied across a wider range of cases. comments and suggestions into serious consideration. Once complaints reforms have bedded down, we will The guidance also highlights the importance of the begin to consider the implementation of the NHS Redress active engagement by SHAs of regional Social Partnership Scheme. Forum in reviewing progress and discussing any emerging concerns or significant implementation issues. Once developed, the NHS Redress Scheme will set out the way lower value clinical negligence cases are Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health handled in the national health service to provide appropriate what recent assessment he has made of the likely effect redress, including investigations, explanations, apologies on levels of staff retention of the transfer of NHS and financial redress where appropriate, without the community services staff to third sector providers as need to go to court, thereby improving the experience of part of the Transforming Community Services patients using the NHS. programme. [277664]

NHS: Conditions of Employment Phil Hope: There has been no assessment made centrally of the likely effect on levels of staff retention of the Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health transfer of NHS community services staff to third what recent discussions there have been between his sector providers as part of the Transforming Community Department and representatives of trades unions and Services programme. We have been clear, however, in NHS staff on the Transforming Community Services guidance to primary care trusts (PCTs) that we expect programme. [277660] PCT boards to consult at any early stage on such proposals and/or requests from staff under the ‘Right Phil Hope: There were two meetings nationally with to Request’ scheme, and to ensure that any implications the trades’ union representatives of national health for the future community work force, such as recruitment service staff about the Transforming Community Services: and retention, are considered. Enabling new patterns of provision guidance, which was published in January 2009 a copy of which has NHS: Pay already been placed in the Library. These meetings were held on 18 November and 8 December 2008, and comments Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State and contributions from those present influenced significantly for Health with reference to Table 71a of the Public the content of the final guidance. The union representatives Expenditure on Health and Personal Social Services 401W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 402W

2008 on the salaries and wages of non-NHS staff, what published “From Hospital to Home: guidance on discharge jobs are classified as other. [277108] management and community support for children using long-term ventilation” in 2005. A copy has been placed Ann Keen: The following non-NHS staff are classed in the Library. The forthcoming national strategy for as other table 71a of the Public Expenditure on Health chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will include material and Personal Social Services 2008—any qualified scientific, on access to invasive and non-invasive ventilation. therapeutic and technical staff (allied health professionals and other qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical Patients: Suicide staff); any support to clinical staff (support to doctors and nursing staff, and support to scientific, therapeutic and technical staff); any national health service Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State infrastructure support (central functions, hotel, property for Health what estimate he has made of the number of and estates, and managers and senior managers); and patients who committed suicide unassisted in each any other non-medical staff. NHS hospital in each of the last 10 years. [277194]

NHS: Working Hours Phil Hope: The information is not available centrally in the format requested. However, data held on in-patient Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State suicides in England between 1997 and 2005 are in the for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the following table: most recent state of readiness return relating to the In-patient suicides, England 1997 to 2005 European Working Time Directive from each NHS Number trust. [277041] 1997 214 Ann Keen: We will not be laying documentation in the 1998 190 Library at this time because the information is being 1999 188 validated and changing rapidly as we move towards the 2000 196 deadline of 1 August. Information about the state of 2001 179 readiness relating to the European Working Time Directive 2002 165 continues to be analysed and will be published in due 2003 183 course. 2004 158 2005 151 Palliative Care

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Prescriptions: ICT if he will publish a report on progress on implementation of the 2005 national service Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State framework for long-term conditions. [277385] for Health (1) when he expects Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service to be implemented; and Ann Keen: There are no plans to publish a report on if he will make a statement; [277078] implementation of the national service framework (NSF) (2) how many (a) GP and (b) pharmacy for long-term conditions. The NSF was published in information systems he plans to accredit for use with March 2005, and will be implemented over 10 years the Electronic Prescription Service in the next 12 with flexibility for local health and social care communities months. [277079] to take account of local priorities and needs. The Department has provided service planners, Phil Hope: All pharmacy and general practitioner commissioners and providers with guidance, expert advice (GP) system suppliers have to follow a rigorous assurance and support to help them to deliver the NSF’s quality process prior to being given authority from Connecting requirements. However, in line with devolving responsibility for Health to nationally deploy their Release 2 services. to local organisations, we are moving to new phase with This is made up of a number of key stages including much greater emphasis on local health and social care clinical safety testing and initial implementation in a communities and the third sector taking responsibility limited number of GP and pharmacy sites. for driving forward service change and improvement. This also recognises that the NSF is not a stand alone Currently, one GP system and one pharmacy system priority but that it needs to be closely aligned and are completing the final stages of clinical safety testing integrated into mainstream NHS and Social Services prior to deploying to the first GP and pharmacy sites. activity. The exact start date of initial implementation is dependant on how quickly these systems progress through the final Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for stages of testing. Based on current supplier plans, it is Health what assessment his Department has made of hoped that initial implementation will begin in the the needs of (a) children and (b) adults receiving summer. The outcomes of the initial implementation long-term ventilation (i) in hospital, (ii) in their own stage will be used to finalise plans for wider rollout of homes, (iii) in residential care and (iv) elsewhere. Release 2 across the country. [277480] System suppliers are responsible for providing information on when they expect their systems to be Phil Hope: It is for local clinicians and multi-disciplinary available. Based on recent supplier plans, seven pharmacy teams to assess the needs of people receiving long-term and six GP systems are expected to complete the assurance ventilation. The Department of Health, with Barnardo’s, process in the next 12 months. 403W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 404W

Social Services: Train to Gain Programme Factsheet: Supporting vulnerable people before and during a heatwave—advice for care home managers and staff (which like the plan itself is web-based); and Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Leaflet: A guide to looking after yourself and others during for Health what steps he has taken under the Social hot weather (distributed in hard-copy via GP surgeries, pharmacies Care Workforce Strategy to promote the Train to Gain and other local outlets). initiative to social care providers in the last 12 months; To date, 900,000 of the leaflet have been printed for and if he will make a statement. [277083] 2009. Phil Hope: We are very keen that Train to Gain is To date, the cost of producing and distributing the utilised and promoted to the social care sector as it has 2009 package of Heatwave Plan documents is £79,504.79, benefited the adult social care sector significantly. There made up of the cost of revising the three web-based has been a marked increase in those completing training documents and enabling them to be downloaded from and academic awards over the last three years with the Department’s website, and the printing and posting nearly 25,000 social care employees achieving a new costs of the leaflet. qualification through Train to Gain. We are doing more to support employers’ access to DEFENCE Train to Gain funding by providing a brokerage service via Skills for Care to mediate between Train to Gain, Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations employers and individuals in the sector. This brokerage role is key to enabling increased access to funding. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed services of each (a) Weather sex, (b) age, (c) regiment and (d) service stationed in Afghanistan were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for (iii) otherwise injured in each year since 2001. [276999] Health how many copies of the Heatwave Plan for England 2009 have been produced; and what the cost Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Since Operations began in of production, printing and distribution of the Afghanistan in 2001, 159 UK Service personnel have document was. [277707] died while on deployment, or as a result of injuries sustained in Afghanistan. The figures presented for Dawn Primarolo: The Heatwave Plan itself is a web-based fatalities are correct as at 19 May 2009. Of the 159 document only. It is distributed via the Department’s Service personnel who have died, information for four website, so no hard copies are produced. soldiers has not been publicly released and therefore Three additional documents complement the Heatwave their detailed information has been excluded from the Plan itself, to form a package of Heatwave Plan documents. following tables. These documents are two factsheets and a public Since Operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, one information leaflet: female member of UK Service personnel has died while Factsheet: Supporting vulnerable people before and during a on deployment, or as a result of injuries in Afghanistan. heatwave—advice for health and social care professionals (which The following table provides a breakdown of fatalities like the plan itself is web-based); by age-group and year:

Age group All 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

All 159 0 3 0 1 1 39 42 51 22 <209000002430 20-24 56 0 1 0 1 1 10 17 16 10 25-29 50 0 0 0 0 0 16 10 16 8 30-3420020001764 35-399000004230 40+110d0O06230 Notreleased4000d00040 1 As at 19 May

The following table provides a breakdown of fatalities by Service, Corps/Unit and year:

Service Corps/unit All 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

AllAll 1590301139425122

Naval All 320000056165 Service2 3 Command Brigade 29 0 000035165 1AssaultGroup 3000002100

ArmyAll 1080301122352917 405W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 406W

Service Corps/unit All 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

Corps of Royal Electrical and 4000000022 Mechanical Engineers Corps of Royal Engineers 2 0 00000200 Corps of Royal Military Police 2 0 00000101 Foot Guards 7 0 00000502 Household Cavalry 5 0 00003020 Intelligence Corps 2 0 00001010 Mercian Regiment 9 0 00000900 Parachute Regiment 15 0 000050100 Rifles 12000111018 Royal Anglian Regiment 10 0 10000900 Royal Armoured Corps 1 0 00000010 Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1 0 00000010 Royal Corps of Signals 5 0 00003110 Royal Gurkha Regiment 4 0 00000121 Royal Irish Regiment 4 0 00003010 Royal Logistic Corps 6 0 20002020 Royal Regiment of Artillery 10 0 00003511 Royal Regiment of Scotland 6 0 00001131 RoyalWelsh 1000000001 Yorkshire Regiment 2 0 00000110

RAFAll 150000012120 120 Squadron 12 0 000012000 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment 1 0 00000010 504 RAF Auxiliary Squadron 1 0 00000010 51 Squadron 1 0 00000100

Info not 4000000040 released 1 As at 19 May 2 Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines

In the table above, the breakdown for Army Corps is 16 May 2009. Casualties within the cause category of presented for the current Army structure, following the ‘natural causes’ are excluded from the figures. merger of many regiments over the last few years. Detail of an individual’s Corp is subject to change as Information on the breakdown of very seriously and further information becomes available. seriously injured casualties by sex for the time period requested cannot be released without disclosing individual Since Operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, 198 identities. UK Service personnel have been very seriously or seriously injured (VSI/SI) while on deployment in Afghanistan. The following table provides a breakdown of very The figures presented are sourced from the NOTICAS seriously and seriously injured casualties by age-group reporting system and include casualties reported up to and year:

Age-group Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

Total1980116231636529 <20years200000027110 20-24830102110272616 25-295000121917119 30-3423000005891 35-3918000105363 40+4000100120 1 As at 16 May

The figures provided above exclude natural causes. The following table 4 provides a breakdown of very Information on the breakdown of casualties by Regiment, seriously and seriously injured casualties by Service and or other Service equivalent, for the time period requested year: cannot be released without disclosing individual identities. 407W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 408W

Service Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

Total 1980116231636529 NavalService48010007141511 Army 1450016224474718 RAF 5000000230 1 As at 16 May

The Naval Service figures provided above includes Since Operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, nine Royal Navy and Royal Marines. All figures provided female members of UK Service personnel have been exclude natural causes. recorded on the NOTICAS casualty reporting system Since Operations began in Afghanistan in 2001, 602 with a medical listing of Incapacitating Illness/Injury UK Service personnel have been recorded on the NOTICAS (III), Unlisted Condition (UL) or Minor Injury (MI) casualty reporting system with a medical listing of while on deployment in Afghanistan. Incapacitating Illness/Injury (III), Unlisted Condition A breakdown of casualties listed as III, UL and MI (UL) or Minor Injury (MI) while on deployment in by age-group and year is provided in the following Iraq. The figures presented include casualties reported table: up to 16 May 2009. Casualties within the cause category of ‘natural causes’ are excluded from the figures.

Age-group Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

Total 602 0 3 0 1 6 67 213 207 105 <20years76000006262519 20-24 243 0 2 0 1 3 25 100 77 35 25-29 158 0 1 0 0 2 20 49 59 27 30-3467000007222711 35-39350000068147 40+19000011656 Notavailable4000002200 1 As at 16 May

The figures provided above exclude natural causes. A breakdown of casualties listed as III, UL and MI Information on the breakdown of casualties by Regiment, by Service and year is provided in the following table: or other Service equivalent, for the time period requested cannot be released without disclosing individual identities.

Service Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 20091

Total 602 0 3 0 1 6 67 213 207 105 Naval service2 158 0 2 0 0 1 14 63 45 33 Army 430 0 1 0 1 5 50 147 157 69 RAF14000003353 1 As at 16 May 2 Naval Service includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines

The figures provided above exclude natural causes. changes will have an impact on those countries receiving medium-term financial assistance under this facility; the EC budget and all member states would take on a larger contingent liability as a result of any increased TREASURY lending. Balance of Payments: EU Action Bank Notes: Forgery Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the UK Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer of changes to the facility to provide medium-term on how many occasions his Department has taken financial assistance for EU member states’ balances of action in relation to counterfeit currency resembling payments. [277181] the euro under counterfeit regulations. [277183]

Ian Pearson: The increase to ¤50 billion in May 2009 Ian Pearson: HM Treasury does not have responsibility will further ensure that the EU is able to act to support for taking action in relation to counterfeit currency the needs of all EU member states, and protect the resembling the euro. Instances of euro counterfeiting functioning of the EU common market. There are no should be reported to the police. EC budgetary implications or impact on the UK of this HM Treasury was responsible however, for negotiations increase to the ceiling of the facility. Other technical on European Council Regulation 45/2009 of 18 December 409W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 410W

2008. This extended measures for the protection of the As KSF’s position deteriorated the tripartite authorities Euro currency from counterfeiting to member states worked intensively to find solutions to the firm’s problems. who have not adopted the currency. On 8 October the FSA decided that KSF no longer met HM Treasury engaged with the Commission closely the FSA’s threshold conditions and the firm went into to ensure that this regulation would be both proportionate administration. and effective. In particular, while appropriate financial Upon learning of the FSA’s decision, the UK and credit institutions will be required to screen for Government moved swiftly to transfer some of the counterfeit euros, the regulations provide flexibility to deposits of KSF to ING to safeguard depositors and them regarding the most efficient methods for doing so. financial stability within the UK. The Council regulations provide for member states to The steps taken by the FSA and the Government had make appropriate domestic provisions by the end of no bearing on the status of the parent company, Kaupthing 2011, and HM Treasury will be taking this forward with Bank hf, which is incorporated under Icelandic law and relevant stakeholders in due course. subject to supervision by the FME.

Banks: Iceland Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times powers under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 have been used to freeze Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer assets in each year since 2001; and if he will make a when he plans to respond to the recommendations of statement. [276934] the Treasury Select Committee’s Fifth Report of Session 2008-09, Banking crisis: the impact of the Ian Pearson: The power under section 4 of the Anti failure of the Icelandic banks. [276930] Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001 has been used on one occasion. This was in 2008 for the Landsbanki Ian Pearson: The Treasury is considering carefully the Freezing Order. Treasury Select Committee’s recommendations and expects to respond to them in due course. Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last discussed the Government’s policy on Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Icelandic banks and the freezing of their assets with his when he expects to lift the freezing order on the Icelandic counterpart. [276935] Landsbanki assets; on what criteria that steps will be taken; and if he will make a statement. [276931] Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings and discussions with a wide variety of Ian Pearson: On 8 October HM Government made organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the Landsbanki Freezing Order 2008. The order was the process of policy development and delivery. As was made because the Icelandic Government, its authorities the case with previous Administrations, it is not the and Landsbanki appeared to be on the brink of action Government’s practice to provide details of all such which would be to the detriment of the UK economy, meetings and discussions. including detrimental treatment of UK depositors. It is a measure that could be lifted once the Treasury Capital Gains Tax is satisfied that action to the detriment of the UK economy has been addressed and will not proceed. Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer received on capital gains tax arrangements for spouses if he will publish the advice he received on use of who leave the marital home and purchase alternative powers under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security properties. [277433] Act 2001 to freeze assets in Icelandic banks; and if he will make a statement. [276932] Mr. Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide variety of organisations as Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers receive advice and part of the process of policy development and delivery. input on a wide range of issues, from a variety of As was the case with previous administrations, it is not individuals and organisations in the public and private the Government’s practice to provide details of all such sectors, as part of the process of policy development representations. and analysis. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of Debts advice given to the Treasury. Mr. Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to Lord Alton of Liverpool of what his assessment is of whether the actions of the 11 May 2009, Official Report, House of Lords, column Government in respect of the crisis in Icelandic banks WA158, on debt, what sovereign debt is owed to the made the Government an active participant in the UK by (a) Sudan, (b) Iraq, (c) Serbia, (d) financial markets; and if he will make a statement. Zimbabwe, (e) Cuba, (f) Egypt, (g) Republic of [276933] Congo, (h) Democratic Republic of Congo and (i) Somalia. [277683] Ian Pearson: Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander (KSF) the UK subsidiary of the Icelandic bank Kaupthing Ian Pearson: Debts (including accrued interest) of the was regulated by the FSA, who was also in regular countries listed to HM Government are given in the contact with the Icelandic regulator, FME. following table. Sudan, the Republic of Congo, the 411W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 412W

Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia are within Ian Pearson: The Treasury does not make estimates the heavily indebted poor countries initiative. The of the administration costs involved in making this Government will write off their debts as they progress payment. through the initiative and will not seek payment before then. Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate of the UK’s (a) (i) gross Country Debt to UK (£ million) and (ii) net EU budget contributions and (b) direct contributions to other EU institutions and funds in Sudan 624 2009-10 (A) was estimated to be in 2007 and (B) is Iraq 283 estimated now at the pound’s current exchange rate. Serbia 215 [277219] Zimbabwe 192 Cuba 141 Ian Pearson: The 2008 European Community Finances Egypt 126 White Paper, using estimates from 2007-08, estimated Republic of Congo 118 the gross contribution to the EC budget for 2009-10 to Democratic Republic of Congo 88 be £15.55 billion. A current estimate for gross contribution Somalia 51 to the EC budget for 2009-10 will be published in the forthcoming 2009 European Community Finances White Departmental Marketing Paper. The 2007 pre-Budget report estimated the net contribution to the EC budget for 2009-10 to be £5.7 billion, Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and net payments to EC institutions to be £4.8 billion. what activities have been undertaken by his The 2009 Budget estimated the net contribution to the Department’s Euro Minister in that capacity. [277166] EC budget for 2009-10 to be £4.1 billion, and net payments to EC institutions to be £3.3 billion. Ian Pearson: Euro Ministers are responsible for euro Payments are not made directly to EU funds. These preparations in their Department and attend Euro Ministers are covered in payments made to the EC budget. It Steering Group meetings. should be noted that the pound’s exchange rate is only Economic and Monetary Union one of a range of factors affecting the level of UK contributions to the EC budget. Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer EU Institutions: Fraud on how many occasions to date the ERM II provisions have been triggered on the approach of a currency to the limits permitted; and what the cost of this Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer intervention was in each case. [277127] what recent discussions he has had with representatives of EU institutions on reduction of levels of fraud in Ian Pearson: The Government do not hold this those institutions. [277091] information. The relevant data are owned by the national central banks of the EU member states participating in Ian Pearson: The Government continue to engage ERM II. The UK does not participate in ERM II. with European institutions and other member states with a view to bringing down the level of fraud in the Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer EC Budget. Despite there being no evidence of widespread what estimate has been made of the cost to the UK of fraud in EU institutions, the Government believe that participating in the ERM II mechanism in the latest no fraud should be tolerated and continue to press for period for which figures are available; and what the higher standards to combat fraud and improve financial reasons are for UK participation in the mechanism. management. [277182] Income Tax Ian Pearson: The UK does not participate in the ERM II. Mr. Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the full-year cost to the EU Budget Exchequer for (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) 2011-12 of reducing the (i) starting and (ii) basic rate of Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer tax on savings income to zero. [251189] what the size of the UK’s next part-annual sum for payment to the European Union budget is. [277092] Mr. Timms: The full year cost for each of the three years is shown in the table. The estimates are based on Ian Pearson: The UK makes its contributions to the the 2006-07 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward EC budget twice monthly. The Government’s latest in line with Budget 2009 assumptions. The figures exclude forecast of UK net contributions to the EC budget over any estimate of behavioural response. the period 2007-08 to 2010-11 were published in table C9 (page 238) of the 2009 Budget (HC 407). £ million 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Mr. Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Zero starting rate for 20 55 80 what estimate he has made of the annual savings income administrative cost to his Department of making the Zero basic rate for savings 510 1,570 2,440 payment of the UK’s gross contribution to the EU income1 budget. [277213] 1 Additional costs assuming the starting rate for savings income is zero. 413W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 414W

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands Mr. Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Mr. David Anderson: To ask the Chancellor of the Member for New Forest West on the decision to Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the increase maximum income from an unsecured pension number of people who have not been fully by 20 per cent. and its effect on a constituent Mr. S. T. compensated for losses they incurred as a result of the Gray of Lymington. [277518] abolition of the 10 pence tax rate; [277668] (2) what plans he has to provide further recompense Ian Pearson: I have replied to the hon. Member. to people who have not been fully compensated for losses they incurred as a result of the removal of the Mr. Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 10 pence tax rate. [277669] when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford’s letter of 17 March 2009 (PO Ref: Mr. Timms: An assessment of the impact of the 3/09245/2009) concerning his constituent, Mrs. Nancy Budget 2007 personal tax changes, and the subsequent Ng, of Chelmsford. [277672] reforms made to income tax, were included in the 2008 pre-Budget report at paragraph 5.10. Ian Pearson: I have replied to the hon. Member. The Government have set out, in the 2008 pre-Budget report and Budget 2009, the changes that it will make to the personal tax system through to 2011-12. Mr. Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when a reply will be sent to the hon. Member for West Lenders’ Panel Chelmsford’s letter of 13 March 2009 (PO Ref: 5/04496/2009) concerning his constituent, Mr. Peter Lee, of Great Waltham, Essex. [277673] Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the cost of establishing his Department’s Lenders’ Panel was; and how much he Ian Pearson: I have replied to the hon. Member. expects his Department to spend on the Panel in each of the next three years; [264981] Pensions: Private Sector (2) on how many occasions his Department’s Lenders’ Panel has met; and if he will place in the Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting. Exchequer what recent representations he has received [264983] on private pensions. [276958] Ian Pearson: At the 2008 pre-Budget report, the Government announced the creation of a new Lending Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers and officials receive Panel, which meets regularly to monitor lending to representations from a wide variety of organisations in businesses and households. As part of this new monitoring the public and private sectors as part of the process of approach, the Bank of England is publishing a monthly policy development and delivery. As was the case with report—Trends in Lending—the second of which was previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s published on 21 May 2009. This is available at: practice to provide details of all such representations. www.bankofengland.co.uk The Lending Panel brings together lenders, trade Personal Savings bodies, consumer groups, and the Government, regulators and the Bank of England. Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Members of the Lending Panel attend in a voluntary what steps his Department has taken to assist savers in capacity. There are no specific costs associated with the each year since 1997; what representations he has Lending Panel. received on this issue since January 2008; and if he will make a statement. [276866] Members: Correspondence Ian Pearson: The Government receive a range of Mr. Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the representations from groups and individuals on a wide Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter of 5 range of topics, including savers. Since 1997, the March 2009 from the right hon. Member for Banff and Government’s savings strategy has focused on developing Buchan regarding his constituent, Mr. Christie. better incentives for saving, ensuring people have the [270492] capability to make the right savings decisions for them, and that they have access to appropriate savings Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to the hon. Member. opportunities. The Government introduced tax-free ISAs in 1999, and announced increases to the ISA limits at Mr. Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Budgets 2007 and 2009. Over 18 million people now when the Economic Secretary plans to reply to the have an ISA. The Child Trust Fund was introduced in letters from the hon. Member for Hammersmith and 2005, and the Saving Gateway will be introduced in Fulham of (a) 17 December 2008, acknowledged on 6 2010 to encourage saving amongst working-age people January 2009 and (b) 26 February 2009 on his on lower incomes. The Government have also legislated constituent, Mr. Charles Helden. [276050] for reforms to the private pensions system that will encourage and enable more people to save for their Ian Pearson: A reply has been sent to the hon. Member. retirement. 415W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 416W

Personal Savings: Interest Rates Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the what representations he has received since January Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff were 2009 on proposals to protect savers from the effect of employed in HM Revenue and Customs contact low interest rates; what reply he gave; and if he will centres in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09; make a statement. [277002] and how many calls were received by such centres in each of those years. [277509] Ian Pearson: The Government receive a range of representations from groups and individuals on a wide Mr. Timms: The number of (a) full-time equivalent range of topics, including savers. The Government staff employed as at 31 March and (b) the number of announced at Budget 2009 that from 6 October 2009 calls received by HM Revenue and Customs contact the ISA limits will rise for people aged 50 and over to centres in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08 and (iii) 2008-09 is £10,200, of which up to £5,100 can be saved in cash. shown in the table. From 6 April 2010 the ISA limits will rise to these new HMRC contact centres levels for all savers. To offer additional support for older Full-time equivalent staff1 Calls received (million)2 savers, Budget 2009 also announced an increase in the capital disregard for pension credit and pensioner related 2006-07 10,035 60 housing and council tax benefit to £10,000 from November 2007-08 9,763 65.5 2009, and the launch of a tax-back campaign in autumn 2008-09 10,038 66.2 2009, contacting low and middle income pensioners 1 As at 31 March. 2 Calls received, where the caller selected an option from the call steering menu who may have overpaid tax on their savings income. and the call was placed into a queue to speak to an adviser.

John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Repossession Orders Exchequer how many compliance staff were employed by HM Revenue and Customs at each grade in each of Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the last five years for which figures are available. what steps his Department has taken to assist [277511] individuals in (a) Southend-on-Sea, (b) Essex and (c) England and Wales facing repossession of their Mr. Timms [holding answer 1 June 2009]: The number property in each month since January 2008; what of staff engaged in compliance activities, by grade, is representations he has received on this issue since listed in the following table. They exclude detection staff January 2008; and if he will make a statement. [277000] who were transferred to the UK Border Agency in 2008. Ian Pearson: The Government introduced FSA regulation of mortgages in 2004. The FSA’s regime provides important As at 1 April 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 protections for borrowers. It requires lenders to treat Senior civil 115 114 106 102 106 their customers fairly, and to treat repossession as a last servant resort. Grade 6 603 581 523 531 521 FSA regulation is supported by the new mortgage Grade 7 1,314 1,282 1,263 1,238 1,274 pre-action protocol introduced in November 2008. This Fast stream 77 566 528 475 359 sets out clear guidance on what actions judges expect Senior officer 2,025 1,812 1,729 1,667 1,614 lenders to take before bringing a claim in the courts to High officer 7,281 6,465 6,313 5,928 5,478 help ensure that lenders have tried to discuss and agree Officer 10,554 10,131 9,515 8,907 8,030 other alternatives with the borrower. Assistant officer 4,249 4,256 4,231 4,165 4,227 Admin assistant 2,340 2,105 2,040 1,863 1,566 Through the new Lending Panel, announced in the 2008 pre-Budget report, the Government are working Total 28,558 27,313 26,248 24,876 23,176 closely with lenders, consumer groups and regulators to monitor lending to businesses and households. The lenders on the Lending Panel have committed not to Tax Allowances: Personal Pensions repossess where the owner-occupier is less than three months in arrears. Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the The Government launched Homeowners Mortgage Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2009, Support on 21 April. This new scheme, together with Official Report, columns 421-22W, on tax allowances: changes announced at Budget 2009 to Support for personal pensions, how many individuals claimed Mortgage Interest (SMI) and the Government’s Mortgage income tax relief on personal pensions at (a) the basic Rescue Scheme, will help homeowners who experience a rate and (b) the higher rate in 2006-07. [277345] temporary income shock, lose employment, or are otherwise vulnerable, to remain in their homes. The Government Mr. Timms: The number of individuals claiming income have also taken action to help ensure that every household tax relief at the basic rate in respect of personal pension struggling with debts has access to free and impartial contributions was estimated to be 5.2 million in 2006-07. debt advice. The number of individuals claiming income tax relief in The Chancellor receives representations from a wide respect of those taxed at the higher rate was estimated range of stakeholders on issues relating to repossessions. to be 1.3 million in 2006-07. 417W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 418W

These figures have been rounded to the nearest 100,000 financial difficulty time to pay their tax bills to a and relate to contributions by employees and the self- timetable they can afford. The service was extended at employed only. They are based on 2006-07 survey data. Budget 2009 to allow businesses expecting to make losses to offset these against tax bills due on profits Tax Yields: Business from the previous year, which they are unable to pay. As of 24 May over 135,000 agreements had been reached Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the with business, worth £2.4 billion of tax deferred. Exchequer what his estimate is of the amount of The Government receive various representations relating business rates raised from businesses based in to the collection of income tax and national insurance residential properties in the last 12 months for which contributions, and keep the case for further assistance figures are available. [276652] to individuals in financial difficulty under review. Mr. Timms: The Government do not hold this information, which could be collected only at disproportionate cost. Taxation: Construction

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr. Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Exchequer what his estimate is of the amount of he will assess the merits of extending gift aid to capital gains tax raised from businesses based in not-for-profit agencies that reuse, reclaim and up-cycle residential properties in the last 12 months for which redundant and surplus construction materials; and if figures are available. [276653] he will make a statement. [277490]

Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available. Mr. Timms: The Treasury keeps all tax reliefs under Taxation review, but has no plans to extend Gift Aid beyond money donations to charities and community amateur Mr. Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer sports clubs. Gift Aid is only available for gifts of if he will make an estimate of the full-year cost to the money and extending it to donations of construction Exchequer for (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) materials would increase complexity and add uncertainty 2011-12 of simultaneously reducing the starting and over valuation issues. basic rate of tax on savings income to zero and increasing age-related personal allowances by £2,000. [254795] Taxation: Sports

Mr. Timms: The full year cost for each of the three Mr. Andy Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the years is shown in the table. The estimates are based on Exchequer (1) what assessment he has made of the the 2006-07 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward merits of uprating the trading and rental income in line with Budget 2009 assumptions. The figures exclude thresholds for corporation tax exemption for clubs any estimate of behavioural response registered as community amateur sports clubs in line with inflation; [277686] £ million 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 (2) what the trading and rental income thresholds for corporation tax exemption are for community amateur Zero starting and basic rate of income 1,710 2,850 3,800 sports clubs; and what they would be if they had been tax on savings income and increase age related allowances by £2,000 uprated in line with inflation in each year since 2004. [277688] Mr. Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance his Department provides to individuals Mr. Timms: Income exemption thresholds for corporation in financial difficulty; whether provision exists for tax for community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) are, individuals to delay payment of (a) income tax and along with all other income thresholds for tax, kept (b) national insurance; what plans he has to provide under review. further assistance to such individuals in the next 12 CASCs are exempt from corporation tax on any months; what representations he has received on this trading income up to £30,000 and on income from issue; and if he will make a statement. [276865] property up to £20,000. Prior to April 2004, the limits were £15,000 and £10,000 respectively. Mr. Timms: With regard to tax collection, HM Revenue The following tables shows what the thresholds would and Customs (HMRC) expects all customers to make have been had they been increased in line with inflation. payments when they are due. However, the Department recognises that in certain circumstances this may not be Exemption for trading profits possible and publishes advice and guidance for individuals RPI Inflation linked encountering payment difficulties. This guidance can be Threshold (£) (Percentage) threshold (£) accessed at 2004-05 30,000 — — http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/payinghmrc/problems/cantpay- individuals.htm. 2005-06 30,000 2.63 30,789 2006-07 30,000 3.74 31,941 In addition, individuals who run their own business 2007-08 30,000 4.12 33,256 can now access the new Business Payment Support 2008-09 30,000 2.97 34,244 Service (BPSS), which allows viable businesses in temporary 419W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 420W

Information for 2007-08 is not yet available at parliamentary Exemption for rental income constituency level, further information can be found at: RPI Inflation linked Threshold (£) (Percentage) threshold (£) http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tc-delay-07-08.htm

2004-05 20,000 — — Thousand 2005-06 20,000 2.63 20,526 Regularity with which 2006-07 20,000 3.74 21,294 overpayment or underpayment of tax credits Number of awards Number of awards 2007-08 20,000 4.12 22,171 occurred underpaid overpaid 2008-09 20,000 2.97 22,829 Castle Castle Essex1 Point Essex1 Point

VAT: Hospices (A) Once 34.6 2.1 32.7 2.1 (B) Twice 8.6 0.6 17.0 1.1 Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if (C) Three or more times 1.7 0.1 7.0 0.5 he will bring forward proposals to exempt hospices 1 These figures include those of Castle Point parliamentary constituency. from payment of value added tax in respect of building extension works. [276875] Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments Mr. Timms: Under agreements with our European partners, signed by successive governments, we are not Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer able to extend our existing VAT zero rates or introduce pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2008, Official any new ones. Report, column 1926W, on welfare tax credits: overpayments, how many individual cases of tax credit VAT: Retail Trade overpayments his Department has taken to court to seek recovery in each month since October 2008; and if Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer he will make a statement. [276697] (1) what assessment his Department has made of the likely effect on retail businesses of the proposed change Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs initiates court in the rate of value added tax in January 2010; [277316] action only as a last resort. (2) what recent discussions his Department has had The number of court actions initiated through county with retailers on changes to value added tax rates; and court (England and Wales)1, sheriffs court (Scotland) what the outcomes of those discussions were. [277317] and magistrates court (Northern Ireland) from January 2009 to March 2009 for the recovery of tax credit Mr. Timms: An assessment of the impact of the over-payments are provided in the following table. temporary reduction in the VAT standard rate, including the impact of returning the rate to 17.5 per cent., was Court cases published when the reduction was announced in November 2008 and is available at: January 2009 1,226 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pbr08_vat_1845.pdf February 2009 636 Treasury Ministers and officials have since met with March 2009 338 representatives from the retail sector on a number of 1 For England and Wales these figures relate only to actions occasions to discuss the temporary reduction in the commenced centrally and exclude actions commenced by local VAT standard rate. Budget 2009 confirmed that the rate HMRC debt pursuit offices where it is not possible to readily disaggregate tax credit cases from the total number of local will return to 17.5 per cent. from 1 January 2010, initiated court actions. allowing businesses to plan with certainty for that date. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will continue to For information for November and December 2008, I discuss with retail and other businesses the practical refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. issues associated with the change. To address the particular Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on difficulties for businesses such as pubs and clubs that 9 February 2009, Official Report, column 1632W. will remain open beyond midnight on 31 December, HMRC will allow a few hours’ grace in which they may Welfare Tax Credits: South West continue charging the 15 per cent. rate for a session that goes into the early hours of 1 January. Mr. Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Welfare Tax Credits: Essex how many people in each constituency in the South West have been (a) overpaid and (b) underpaid tax Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer credits (i) once, (ii) twice and (iii) three or more times how many people in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point since April 2003. [276714] have been (i) overpaid and (ii) underpaid tax credits (A) once, (B) twice and (C) three or more times in each of Mr. Timms: The following table provides a snapshot the last five years. [277192] of information on the number of families in the South West region with one, two and three or more underpayments Mr. Timms: The following table provides a snapshot or overpayments of tax credits between 2003-04 and of information on the number of families in Essex and 2006-07. This is based on families who had a 2006-07 in Castle Point constituency, with one, two and three or tax credit award and lived in the South West region as at more underpayments or overpayments of tax credits 31 August 2006. Information for 2007-08 is not yet between 2003-04 and 2006-07. This is based on families available at parliamentary constituency level, further who had a 2006-07 tax credit award and lived in Essex information can be found at and in Castle Point constituency as at 31 August 2006. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tc-delay-07-08.htm 421W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 422W

DUCHY OF LANCASTER Thousand Regularity with which Civil Servants overpayment or underpayment Number of awards Number of awards of tax credits occurred underpaid overpaid Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Once 150.1 143.1 Lancaster whether his Department has conducted Twice 38.5 75.4 research on levels of morale in the Civil Service in the Three or more times 7.4 33.5 last 12 months. [270137] Housing: Low Incomes Mr. Watson: The civil service is strongly committed to researching levels of staff engagement and satisfaction. Grant Shapps: To ask the Chancellor of the All Departments undertake regular staff surveys and Exchequer how much the Exchequer has received in recent results are available on the civil service website: receipts from right to buy schemes in each year since http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/statistics/staff- 1997. [274874] surveys.aspx Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Mr. Iain Wright: I have been asked to reply. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of April 2009, Official Report, column 1118W. Prior to 1 Lancaster whether the Cabinet Office has issued April 2004, receipts arising from the disposal of dwellings guidance to civil servants in respect of taking minutes under right to buy (RTB) were retained by the local at formal meetings. [270157] authorities, although authorities with debt set aside 75 per cent. of that receipt to repay their housing debt. Mr. Watson: Yes. Social homebuy sales have only been made since February 2007. Receipts arising from right to acquire Civil Servants: Codes of Practice (RTA) sales and social homebuy sales by housing associations are retained by registered social landlords Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of (RSLs) and are reinvested in the provision of affordable Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the housing. Local authorities are allowed to retain all Directory of Civil Service Guidance. [271963] social homebuy sales receipts, provided these are used for the purposes set out in statutory instrument 2006/521. Mr. Watson: The “Directory of Civil Service Guidance” The following table shows for each financial year is already available in the Libraries of the House. since 2004-05 the total housing receipts received by the Department. Data on RTB and local authority social Civil Servants: Vacancies homebuy receipts received by the Department are not collected separately, but most of these arise from RTB Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of sales. The table also shows the amount of those receipts Lancaster (1) pursuant to the answer of 17 March received by the Department which were then passed on 2009, Official Report, column 1057W, on civil servants: to the Exchequer. vacancies, which (a) Departments and (b) executive agencies do not advertise their job vacancies on the £ million Civil Service Recruitment Gateway; [271913] Receipts received by the Receipts passed on to the (2) pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2009, Department Exchequer Official Report, column 1057W, on civil servants: 2004-05 1,694 1,639 vacancies, what the (a) job title, (b) salary range and 2005-06 1,065 990 (c) name of the recruiting Department or agency was 2006-07 839 735 of each vacancy advertised within the Civil Service via 2007-08 694 588 the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway in the last 2008- 158.2 134.3 12 months; [271915] 1 09 (3) what criteria are used to determine whether a 1 Figures for 2008-09 are estimates. Civil Service job vacancy advertised via the Civil The following table shows the amount invested by Service Recruitment Gateway is reserved for existing central Government in housing capital projects. It also civil servants; [272009] shows how much of that was expenditure through the Home and Communities Agency’s Affordable Housing (4) what steps he plans to take to encourage greater Programme on new build and acquisitions on both use of the Civil Service Recruitment Gateway. [271966] social rent and low cost home ownership schemes. Mr. Watson: Government Departments and Executive £ million agencies have delegated responsibility for recruitment Total Department’s capital Total expenditure through the advertising. All Departments have been asked to give an investment in housing Affordable Housing Programme assurance that their vacancies will be advertised on the new online service. The Government are committed to 2004-05 4,690 1,609 making vacancies widely available to job seekers and 2005-06 5,020 1,554 are undertaking a programme of work to encourage 2006-07 5,208 1,921 greater use of the online facility. 2007-08 5,532 2,029 2008- 6,006 2,625 Departments and agencies determine whether a vacancy 091 should be advertised internally within the civil service 1 Figures for 2008-09 are estimates. or externally. The civil service senior leadership committee 423W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 424W must approve the mode of recruitment for the most Kevin Brennan: Our records do not differentiate between senior civil service job vacancies. In all cases the decision mobile devices supplied to Ministers, special advisers to advertise is based on a range of factors, including and civil servants. The following departmentally provided workforce plans, talent management strategies and cost. equipment is recorded as follows: A breakdown of the vacancies appearing online can 14 mobile phones have been reported lost since 2005 and three be provided only at disproportionate cost. blackberry devices have been reported stolen since 2005. The following figures show an annual basis. Civil Service: Recruitment Mobile phones BlackBerry devices Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what recent discussions the Cabinet 2005 4 1— Office has had with the Recruitment and Employers 2006 4 0 Confederation on the application of Government 2007 3 0 security clearance rules to candidates applying for Civil 2008 2 3 Service positions; [270767] 2009 1 0 (2) what guidance his Department has issued to Total 14 3 recruitment agencies on security clearance procedures 1 Figures not available. for recruitment to positions in the Civil Service. Departmental Pay [271806]

Mr. Watson: Policy officials in the Cabinet Office Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the have regular discussions with the Recruitment and Duchy of Lancaster how much (a) the Cabinet Office Employers Confederation (REC) on a range of issues: and (b) its agency paid in end-of-year performance this includes the application of Government policy in bonuses to (i) all staff and (ii) senior Civil Service staff respect of national security vetting for candidates for in 2008-09; and how many such payments were made. employment in the civil service as well as contractors [275262] and temporary staff recruited through employment agencies or recruitment companies. Mr. Watson: An element of the Cabinet Office’s A copy of the relevant Cabinet Office guidance, overall pay award is allocated to non-consolidated variable posted on the REC’s website and also issued as an pay related to performance. These payments are used to Office of Government Commerce (OGC) Procurement drive high performance and form part of the pay award Policy Notice (09/08) has been placed in the Library. for members of staff who demonstrate exceptional performance, for example by exceeding targets set or Departmental ICT meeting challenging objectives. Non-consolidated variable pay awards are funded from within existing pay bill Jenny Willott: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of controls, and have to be re-earned each year against Lancaster how many and what proportion of IT pre-determined targets and, as such, do not add to products in each category procured for each division of future pay bill costs. his Department were compliant with the Government’s Buy Sustainable-Quick Win standard in the latest year Details of non-consolidated payments made in 2008-09 for which figures are available; and if he will make a will only be available once the Department’s annual report has been published. statement. [269625] Mr. Watson: In the Cabinet Office, IT products are Departmental Work Experience supplied under the Public Sector Flex framework contract. This contract contains a number of measures to ensure Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of that all purchases comply with the energy saving objectives Lancaster how many work placements his Department of the Greening Government ICT Strategy which include offered to (a) school pupils, (b) university students the Government’s Buy Sustainable-Quick Win standard. and (c) graduates in each of the last five years. John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of [274492] Lancaster what steps he has taken to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide emissions arising from the operation Mr. Watson: The Cabinet Office arranges placements of ICT systems in (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) 10 to and help young people better understand the workplace, Downing Street under the Greening Government ICT promote itself as an employer of choice, enhance the image of the civil service and increase diversity. Strategy. [273551] Records of how many work placements are offered to Mr. Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I (a) school pupils, (b) university students and (c) graduates gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny in each of the last five years are not held centrally and Willott) on 22 April 2009, Official Report, columns could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. 692-93W. Departmental Mobile Phones Director of Digital Engagement

Mr. Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) BlackBerry devices and (b) Lancaster what timetable has been set for the mobile telephones have been lost by (i) Ministers, (ii) appointment of a Director of Digital Engagement; and special advisers and (iii) civil servants in his to whom the Director will report once appointed. Department in each year since 2005. [274456] [269908] 425W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 426W

Mr. Watson: Andrew Stott has been appointed as Once “Emergency Response and Recovery”is published, Director of Digital Engagement and took up the post the National Recovery Guidance will be updated to on 1 June 2009. include the agreed guidance on pre-planned arrangements The Director of Digital Engagement will report to to meet the costs of recovery from flooding and guidance the Permanent Secretary, Government Communications. on local and central recovery reporting. Emergency Services: Floods Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the National Resilience Forum Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy on flooding has held its first meeting. [276241] of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of emergency response facilities to floods; Mr. Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I and what steps have been taken to improve such gave to the hon. Member for Beverley and Holderness facilities since the floods of summer 2007. [277447] (Mr. Stuart) on 15 May 2009, Official Report, columns Mr. Watson: This was the subject of recommendation 1056-1057W. It should be noted that the Government 44 of Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the summer 2007 agreed with Sir Michael Pitt that the National Resilience floods, which recommended that Category 1 and Forum should cover not just flood resilience, but include 2 responders should assess the effectiveness of their a wide range of other risks. emergency response facilities and undertake any improvement works. In their response, the Government Government Departments: Disclosure of Information said that they would develop a check-list to help local responders to establish and assess the effectiveness of Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of emergency facilities. This was done in December last Lancaster pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member year with publication of Parts One and Two of the for Cardiff Central of 23 February 2009, Official “Expectation and Indicators of Good Practice Set for Report, column 402W, on Government departments: Category 1 and 2 Responders” which gives guidance on disclosure of information, what the figures are for each what is expected of responders in implementing the department responsible for the policy area in respect of Civil Contingencies Act and wider capability building which the information was disclosed, in each of the activity. three years. [270172] The particular improvement recommended by Sir Michael Pitt was the incorporation of IT to support Mr. Watson: Further to the answer given on 23 February flood visualisation tools in Gold and Silver Commands. 2009, Official Report, column 402W,to the hon. Member This measure was the subject of Pitt Review for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott), the Cabinet Office recommendation 36, the Government’s response to which does not hold a record by Department of unauthorised indicated that the necessary hardware and training will disclosures. There is no necessary connection between be in place during 2009 to make relevant flood visualisation an unauthorised disclosure and the Department responsible data held in electronic map format available to Gold for the policy in respect of the information disclosed. and Silver Commands. Progress in meeting this recommendation will be reported as part of the Government Departments: Email Government’s next six-monthly progress report in June. Flood Control Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether Government departments plan to Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy make use of digital signatures when emailing members of Lancaster (1) whether the updated national recovery of the public. [271972] guidance will include guidance on pre-planned arrangements to meet the costs of recovery from Mr. Watson: Government Departments use a number flooding; [276239] of different means of securing communications between themselves and members of the public. The appropriate (2) by what date he expects the national recovery method is adopted to suit the particular business needs guidance to have been updated as recommended in the of individual Government Departments. Such security Pitt report on the floods of summer 2007; and whether and authentication regimes include measures such as the updated guidance will include guidance on (a) traditional cryptography, Transport Layer Security and local and (b) central recovery reporting. [276219] X.509 server certificates as well as digital signatures. Mr. Watson: The National Recovery Guidance was Mandatory requirement 38 of the Security Policy first published (online) in October 2007 and has been Framework states that: regularly updated since then, taking on board lessons “all ICT systems must have suitable identification and from incidents and exercises, including recommendations authentication controls to manage the risk of unauthorised from the Pitt Review. access, enable auditing and the correct management of user Guidance on pre-planned arrangements to meet the accounts.” costs of recovery from flooding (and all other emergencies), This may include the use of digital signatures. and guidance on local and central recovery reporting, has been consulted on as part of a wider consultation Government Departments: Internet on revisions to “Emergency Response and Recovery”, the non-statutory guidance that accompanies the Civil Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Contingencies Act. This consultation closed on 24 April. Lancaster what steps the Minister for Digital The final revised version of “Emergency Response Engagement has taken to promote the use of blogs and Recovery” will be published later this year. within Government in the last 12 months. [274579] 427W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 428W

Mr. Watson: 12 months ago I launched the Power of CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES Information Task Force to look at social media use within Government. As part of that work the Government Building Schools for the Future has clarified that civil servants can blog and how they should act at Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/work/codes/ Children, Schools and Families what funding was participation-online.aspx allocated for the rebuilding of school buildings in (a) accompanied by guidance from COI at England, (b) the North East, (c) Teesside and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency http://www.coi.gov.uk/guidance.php?page=264 in each year from 2009-10 to 2011-12. [276622] The task force published its report on 2 February 2009 setting out 25 detailed recommendations on how Jim Knight: The current forecasts of capital investment Government should act online. The Government response in schools in England, the North East, and Teesside of 13 May 2009 can be found on local authorities, in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are set out in http://blogs.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/digitalengagement the table. These figures will be subject to change, depending Copies of the documents have been placed in the on the progress of individual projects. They also take Library of the House. account of the recent fiscal stimulus initiative, which allowed authorities and schools to draw forward allocations from 2010-11 into 2009-10. Details of investment at Government Departments: Ministerial Policy Advisers constituency level are not held centrally. Allocations for 2011-12, and beyond, will be subject to the outcome of the next spending review. Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Forecast capital investment (excluding private finance initiative) Lancaster if he will bring forward legislative proposals £ million for a statutory cap on the number of special advisers 2009-10 2010-11 within the Government. [271968] England 7,000 7,000 Mr. Watson: The Government’s legislative proposals Of which: for the civil service, including special advisers, are set North East 400 306 out in the Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill. Of which: Darlington 17 11 Hartlepool 10 39 Ministerial Policy Advisers Middlesbrough 54 53 Redcar and Cleveland 13 8 Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Stockton on Tees 14 13 Lancaster (1) with reference to the written ministerial statement, 22 July 2008, Official Report, columns The figures above exclude the private finance initiative. 99-102WS, on special advisers, and with reference to At the national level, £1.32 billion of PFI credits are paragraph 72 of the Cabinet Office memorandum to available for allocation in each year as part of the the House of Lords Communications select committee, Building Schools for the Future programme. For North 14 October 2008, which special advisers are employed East local authorities with BSF projects, PFI credits primarily in the area of communications; [270184] totalling £278 million have been agreed. In addition, of the local authorities listed above, Redcar and Cleveland (2) which of the special advisers named are employed is likely to have a PFI element as part of its BSF project primarily in the area of communication. [271944] but this is still under discussion.

Mr. Watson: Special advisers’ duties and responsibilities Building Schools for the Future Programme: Standards are set out in code of conduct for special advisers. It is for appointing Ministers to decide on the allocation of Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for responsibilities in respect of individual special advisers. Children, Schools and Families what information his Copies of the ‘Code of Conduct for Special Advisers’ Department collects on the Building Research have been placed in the Library of the House, and are Establishment Environmental Assessment Method available at ratings of schools completed under the Building Schools for the Future programme. [252665] http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ special_advisers/code/code.aspx Jim Knight: The Department collects details of the total numbers of schools that have registered for a Mr. Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Building Research Establishment Environmental Lancaster what requirements there are on special Assessment Method (BREEAM) assessment, along with advisers to declare (a) their financial interests and (b) the numbers of certificates that have been issued for hospitality received. [271959] each BREEAM rating. Schools within Building Schools for the Future are not separately identified within this Mr. Watson: The requirements for civil servants, including data. At November 2008, 1,085 schools had registered special advisers, in relation to the declaration of financial for a BREEAM assessment and 28 had received a interests and hospitality are set out in the civil service certified rating. Of the schools which received a rating, code and civil service management code, copies of which 17 have achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ and are available in the Libraries of the House. four have achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’. 429W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 430W

Child Care: Qualifications New Registers, the Early Years Register and the General Childcare Register (including its Voluntary Register), were introduced under the Childcare Act Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006 as part of the Government’s reforms to simplify Children, Schools and Families what proportion of the early years regulation and inspection. From 1 September childcare workforce had a (a) degree level, (b) level 3 2008, Ofsted started to record providers in line with and (c) level 2 qualification in each of the last 10 years; these new legal requirements. As a result of the new and if he will make a statement. [276657] registers, data from September 2008 are not directly comparable with previous data and the reporting periods Beverley Hughes: The Childcare and Early Years for 2008-09 are out of step with previous years. Providers Survey collects information on staff working Number1, 2 of registered child minders for children under eight years of age, with children and young people. The proportion of the position at each quarter in 2008-09 early years and child care work force with degree level, As at end: Financial year 2008-09 level 3 and level 2 qualifications is as detailed in the following tables. June 64,300 August3 63,600 Staff qualifications held by all paid staff - childcare providers1 December4 61,900 Percentage March 60,900 Full day care in 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Full day care children’s centres 2 Data Source: Ofsted. 2007 2006 2005 2003 2007 2006 3 Latest position before new arrangements introduced in September 2008 therefore coverage is up to end August only. Level 2 16 14 15 19 10 11 4 First position since new arrangements introduced in September 2008. Level 3 61 64 54 52 61 62 Level 6 3 3 3 n/a 7 9 Children in Care

Percentage Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Sessional After school clubs Schools and Families how many children were in care 2007 2006 2005 2003 2007 2006 2003 in each local authority area in each of the last 10 years. [275234] Level 2 18 18 18 16 21 22 18 Level 3 52 51 48 39 43 43 32 Beverley Hughes: The information has been placed in Level 6 3 3 3 n/a 4 4 n/a the House Libraries.

Percentage Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Holiday clubs Childminders Schools and Families (1) how many and what 2007 2006 2003 2007 2006 proportion of children in care were placed with special Level 2 21 19 14 8 5 guardians in the last 12 months; and if he will make a Level 3 40 41 24 36 33 statement; [276881] Level 6 7 6 n/a 2 2 (2) how many and what proportion of applications 1 Due the difference in the way data were reported in 2003, it has not been by local authorities for special guardianship have been possible to provide comparable data for certain levels of qualification. There have been changes to the way that the levels are defined since the previous accepted by his Department in each year since 2001. survey in 2003. Current levels 4, 5 and 6 (as defined above) were previously all [276882] part of level 4. Current levels 7 and 8 were previously part of level 5. Note: Base: All paid childcare staff 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003. All childminders 2007, Beverley Hughes: Applications for special guardianship 2006. orders are made directly to the courts. Special guardianship was introduced in 2005. Child Minding: Manpower Information on the number and proportion of children in care who were placed with special guardians in the Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for last 12 months can be found in table D1, taken from the Children, Schools and Families how many registered Statistical First Release (SFR 23/2008) entitled ‘Children childminders there were in each quarter in each of the looked after in England (including adoption and care last 10 years. [276656] leavers) year ending 31 March 2008’. This shows the number of looked after children who have ceased to be looked after at 31 March for 2004 to 2008. Beverley Hughes: The available information is shown in the tables. The SFR is located at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000810/ Number1, 2 of registered child minders for children under eight years of age, position at each quarter from 2003-04 to 2007-08 index.shtml Financial year As at Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, end: 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Schools and Families how many and what proportion of children in care have not been assigned a legal June 70,000 72,700 70,900 71,600 68,300 guardian; and if he will make a statement. [275450] September 70,200 71,900 71,100 71,200 67,400 December 72,000 71,000 71,500 71,500 65,800 Beverley Hughes: The Children and Family Court March 72,400 70,200 71,600 69,900 64,600 Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) has 9,060 1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. 2 Data ongoing care cases, of which 635 are currently unallocated Source: Ofsted. to CAFCASS guardians. This figure represents 7.0 per 431W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 432W cent. of the total care workload. For statistical purposes, The Secretary of State has had no representations CAFCASS counts the number of cases which can include from the Church of England, Kent police or Kent multiple applications and multiple children. county council on Kendall House. The Secretary of The increase in care cases has had an effect on the State wrote on 30 April to the Secretary of State for availability of Guardians. CAFCASS has therefore put Health about this matter. The Secretary of State has a Duty guardian scheme in place so that urgent work is also asked the Permanent Secretary to look into this covered, and a solicitor for the child is always appointed matter and on his advice has concluded that, on balance in each case to look after a child’s interests. there is not sufficient justification for a further inquiry on public interest grounds at this point. Children in Care: Per Capita Costs Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer weekly cost to the public purse of housing a of 22 April 2009, Official Report, columns 671-2W, on looked-after child in an independent children’s home children: protection (1) how many outstanding serious was in the last 12 month period for which figures are case reviews were followed up in advance of the last available. [276651] biennial overview report; [271833] (2) on what date he received each of the 118 serious Beverley Hughes: The average weekly cost of case reviews subsequent to 31 March 2007; [271841] accommodating a looked-after child in an independent (3) on which dates he received each serious case children’s home is not collected centrally by this review in the period 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2007. Department. However, information obtained from the National Statistics shows the average weekly unit cost [271842] of a child in a children’s home, (including independent Beverley Hughes [holding answer 29 April 2009]: homes) is £2,402. Officials follow up all outstanding copies of serious case review reports. We do not hold a record of the Children: Abuse dates on which copies of the serious case review reports that have been passed to researchers for inclusion in the Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for 2005-07 biennial overview report. The following table Children, Schools and Families (1) what sets out the date of receipt of copies of the serious case correspondence he has had with (a) the Church of review reports received subsequent to those included in England, (b) Kent police and (c) Kent County the 2005-07 biennial overview report as at 22 April Council on allegations of abuse at Kendall House; 2009. what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on the matter; and if he will make a statement; [271067] Date copy of anonymised full SCR Local authority received1 as at 22 April 2009 (2) whether allegations of child abuse at Kendall House have been investigated by his Department and Barnet 4 November 2008 its predecessors on any occasion; [271068] (3) what steps he has taken following the recent Birmingham 17 March 2008 allegations of child abuse at Kendall House. [271070] 17 March 2008 23 April 2008 Beverley Hughes: The Department takes any allegations 8 October 2008 of abuse very seriously indeed. The Government 20 March 2009 commissioned two major reviews into historical abuse—Sir William Utting’s report ‘People Like Us’ (1997) and Sir 20 March 2009 Ronald Waterhouse’s report ‘Lost in Care’ (2000). Kendall House closed in the 1980s, but since then tighter controls Blackburn with Darwen UA 25 July 2008 have been put in place which address all the issues 16 October 2008 raised by the allegations about Kendall House. The 8 December 2008 Government changed the regulatory framework and 8 December 2008 brought in the Care Standards Act 2000, which focuses on safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. Providers and managers of children’s homes must Bournemouth UA 3 November 2008 now be registered with Ofsted and comply with the 6 November 2008 Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 and National Minimum 1 December 2008 Standards. These regulations are much more extensive 22 April 2009 than those which applied in the mid 80s and include specific standards on the control and issuing of medicines. Bradford 16 October 2008 There is no evidence that the allegations made about 16 October 2008 inappropriate use of drugs at Kendall House were a widespread problem. Kendall House was inspected prior to the homes closure and the use of drugs in the home Bristol, City of UA 15 July 2008 was part of that inspection. Allegations about Kendall House were also subject to investigation by the police Bromley 16 December 2008 and local government ombudsmen in 1994. 22 August 2008 433W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 434W

Date copy of anonymised full SCR Date copy of anonymised full SCR Local authority received1 as at 22 April 2009 Local authority received1 as at 22 April 2009

Calderdale 20 October 2008 Kingston upon Thames 7 March 2008 22 December 2008 4 November 2008

Cambridgeshire 16 February 2009 Kirklees 29 September 2008 8 October 2008 Camden 3 October 2008 14 April 2009 20 January 2009

Lambeth 4 November 2008 Coventry 21 July 2008 21 July 2008 Manchester 3 June 2008 21 July 2008 27 March 2009 Milton Keynes UA 18 February 2009

Croydon 27 February 2008 Newham 11 February 2009 27 February 2008 North Tyneside 1 December 2008

Cumbria 10 February 2008 North Yorkshire 11 January 2009

Devon 3 November 2008 Northamptonshire 13 June 2008 14 October 2008 Doncaster 25 February 2009

Dudley 20 February 2009 Nottinghamshire 19 June 2008

Durham 28 May 2008 Oxfordshire 3 November 2008

East Sussex 12 February 2009 Plymouth UA 6 October 2008

Enfield 8 October 2008 Poole UA 25 November 2008 27 January 2009 30 January 2009 Portsmouth UA 31 December 2008

Reading UA 14 October 2008 Essex 15 December 2008 14 April 2009 Redbridge 8 October 2008

Gloucestershire 12 February 2009 Rochdale 18 December 2007 25 February 2008 Halton UA 16 March 2009

Hampshire 18 March 2008 Salford 8 April 2009 28 July 2008 18 August 2008 Sandwell 21 July 2008 1 December 2008 2 April 2009 8 December 2008

Haringey 12 November 2008 3 March 2009 Sefton 1 August 2008 1 August 2008

Hounslow 4 November 2008 Sheffield 19 November 2008 Isle of Wight UA 6 May 2008 25 November 2008

Kent 21 April 2008 Somerset 06 January 2009 21 April 2008 06 January 2009 21 April 2008 23 September 2008 South Gloucestershire UA 17 April 2009 5 December 2008

5 December 2008 South Tyneside 15 May 2008 435W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 436W

further elaborates on his remit by setting out his early Date copy of anonymised full SCR Local authority received1 as at 22 April 2009 priorities. The action plan and Sir Roger’s letter are available at: 21 May 2008 www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/laming 16 September 2008 Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Southwark 24 January 2008 Children, Schools and Families what steps he plans to 6 March 2009 take with the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Secretary of State for Justice to implement Lord Laming’s recommendations on the St. Helens 6 March 2009 setting of explicit strategic priorities for the protection 6 March 2009 of children and young people. [274257]

Stockport 4 July 2008 Beverley Hughes: As explained on page 29, point 1, of “The Protection of Children in England: Action Plan— Stockton-on-Tees UA 6 April 2009 “The Government’s Response to Lord Laming”, published on 6 May, the Department for Children, Schools and

Suffolk 12 January 2008 Families, the Home Office, the Department of Health 1 December 2008 and the Ministry of Justice will work together on strategic priorities for the front line and ensure effective co-ordination 5 February 2008 through a new ministerial sub-group and the new cross- 25 February 2008 Government National Safeguarding Delivery Unit. As set out on page 6, in paragraph 16 of the action plan, Sunderland 20 February 2009 Sir Roger Singleton, the Chief Adviser on the Safety of Children, will advise Government on strategic priorities and the effective implementation of policy and report Surrey 8 November 2007 annually to Parliament on safeguarding progress, including 20 March 2009 the delivery of the recommendations from Lord Laming’s 20 March 2009 report.

Thurrock UA 1 June 2008 Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families who has been Torbay UA 2 April 2009 appointed to the expert group established to assist Sir Roger Singleton in his role on the National Safeguarding Delivery Unit. [274285] Tower Hamlets 1 December 2008 Beverley Hughes: The membership of the new Chief Wakefield 1 May 2008 Adviser’s Expert Group is set out on page 7 of “The 13 January 2009 protection of children in England: action plan—The 24 March 2009 Government’s response to Lord Laming”, published on 6May. Waltham Forest 31 October 2008 Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to Westminster 24 February 2009 publish new targets for safeguarding children. [274695]

Wolverhampton 19 August 2008 Beverley Hughes: As stated on page 31, recommendation 4, of “The protection of children in England: action York UA 11 January 2009 plan—The Government’s response to Lord Laming”, 1 Multiple dates indicate more than one SCR report published on 6 May, subject to the passage of legislation, new statutory targets for safeguarding children will be Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for developed with stakeholders by autumn 2009 and published Children, Schools and Families what the remit is of Sir and implemented as soon as possible thereafter, in Roger Singleton in his role as Chief Adviser on the consultation with local partners. Safety of Children; and for what term Sir Roger Singleton has been appointed. [274250] Mr. Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking Beverley Hughes: As stated on page 7, paragraph 17 to reduce the time taken by the Children and Family of ‘The protection of children in England: action plan—The Court Advisory and Support Service in Barnsley to Government’s response to Lord Laming’, published on deal with access cases. [276423] 6 May, Sir Roger Singleton has been appointed for a period of three years from 1 April 2009. His remit is set Beverley Hughes: The role of the Children and Family out in the action plan which states that his immediate Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) in priorities have been to advise on the development of the contact cases is to advise the court on what is in Government’s action plan and the remit and mode of child’s/children’s best interest and safety; but it is for the operation of the new National Safeguarding Delivery court to decide on the most appropriate contact, looking Unit. Sir Roger also issued a letter on 5 May that at the individual circumstances of case. 437W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 438W

Where courts in Barnsley have requested a CAFCASS in 2009-10 and £591 million in 2010-11. No decision has report in respect of contact applications they have been been taken concerning allocations beyond 2010-11, which completed, on average, within 17 weeks in 2008-09. is the last year in the current spending review period. CAFCASS have agreed with the courts in Barnsley to The allocation in 2009-10 includes an advance of reduce the time taken to deal with these requests to 40 per cent. of the indicative funding for 2010-11, with a 12 weeks from 1 April 2009. corresponding reduction in the 2010-11 figure. The Children: Social Services advance is part of more than £900 million advanced to local authorities and schools, to stimulate local business Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for and support employment. The 2010-11 allocation will Children, Schools and Families whether the National be affected by updated pupil number figures. Safeguarding Delivery Unit will have powers to (a) examine local authority documentation and (b) Health Education: Sex intervene in children’s services departments in local authorities. [274251] Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment Beverley Hughes: The remit of the National Safeguarding he has made of effects of sex and relationships Delivery Unit is explained on pages 7-11 of ‘The protection education on rates of (a) pregnancy and (b) abortion of children in England: action plan—The Government’s in those under the age of (i) 16 and (ii) 18 years; and if response to Lord Laming’, published on 6 May. This he will make a statement. [276872] sets out that the unit will work with Ministers, local authorities, other national partners and with Government Beverley Hughes: The recent review of sex and regional offices to challenge and support every Children’s relationships education (SRE) in schools reported that Trust in the country to deliver the best possible the provision of SRE was patchy and that many young arrangements for keeping children safe. Regional people were not receiving the support they need to Government office staff will work as part of the unit make safe and responsible choices about sex and and, as is the case now, will need to examine some local relationships. authority documentation in their role of providing support and challenge. The power to intervene in the case of As a consequence, we have taken the decision, subject children’s services departments in local authorities remains to public consultation, to make Personal, Social, Health unchanged and rests with the Secretary of State for and Economic (PSHE) education (including SRE) statutory. Children, Schools and Families. This will raise the priority of PSHE education in schools and ensure a more consistent offer to all young people. Education Maintenance Allowance In addition, we are taking action to address the key delivery challenges identified during the SRE review, Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for which includes improving the skills and confidence of Children, Schools and Families what his most recent those who deliver PSHE. estimate is of the number of children in households with a projected annual income below £30,810 in Teenage pregnancy rates are influenced by a range of 2009-10 who are not in receipt of education factors. Increased risk of teenage pregnancy is strongly associated with poverty and poor educational attainment. maintenance allowance. [277263] In addition, teenage pregnancy rates are influenced Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools by: the quality of SRE young people receive; their and Families (DCSF) does not hold information on the access to contraceptive and sexual health (CASH) advice household income of all households with children. services when they become sexually active; and the Therefore it is not possible to calculate how many extent to which parents talk to their children about sex young people aged 16-19, who are participating in and relationships. International evidence, as well as provision that meets the criteria for attracting EMA, evidence from local areas that have made most progress could be eligible for EMA based on their household in reducing under-18 conception rates since the Teenage income but do not claim it. Pregnancy Strategy was launched, shows that We are currently working to improve our understanding comprehensive, age-appropriate SRE, alongside easy of EMA eligibility through analysis of longitudinal access to CASH services, brings down rates. survey data and this analysis will be made available in due course. However I can confirm that around 45 per Middlegate Children’s Home cent. of 16 to 18-year-olds in full time education currently receive EMA and that, as of the week ending 15 May Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009, 564,897 young people had received an EMA Children, Schools and Families if he will commission a payment so far in this current academic year. review of the future funding of the Middlegate Education: Finance Children’s Home in Lincolnshire. [277065]

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Beverley Hughes: The Government do not fund children’s Schools and Families what his most recent estimate is homes directly. It is the responsibility of local authorities of the funds to be allocated by his Department via the to commission places in children’s homes and to assess devolved formula capital programme in each of the the need for, and availability of, sufficient children’s next five years; and if he will make a statement. [276880] home provision. Local authorities can obtain support in this role from the DCSF Commissioning Support Jim Knight: My most recent estimate of the funds to Programme which will offer Children’s Trusts bespoke be allocated by the Department via the Devolved Formula support based on their needs and focus on key areas of Capital Programme direct to schools is £1,372 million concern. 439W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 440W

National Safeguarding Delivery Unit Pupils

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) when he expects the Children, Schools and Families what (a) financial and National Safeguarding Delivery Unit to be fully (b) other assistance his Department gives to local operational; [274252] authorities in which numbers of children on primary (2) who will be responsible for appointing staff to the school rolls rapidly increase. [275998] National Safeguarding Delivery Unit; [274260] Jim Knight [holding answer 15 May 2009]: To provide (3) which experts from (a) central Government, (b) for growth in pupil numbers the Department has allocated local agencies and (c) the voluntary sector will be over £1.2 billion capital funding to fund extra school appointed to the National Safeguarding Delivery Unit; places between 2008-09 and 2010-11. Because primary and how many regional representatives that unit will pupil numbers are rising faster in some areas than have; [274261] previously anticipated, the Department are currently (4) what the planned budget is of the National considering what additional support it can offer those Safeguarding Delivery Unit; and from which authorities in greatest need. departmental budgets the Unit will be funded. [274284] School revenue funding to local authorities is based on actual pupil numbers recorded in the January School Beverley Hughes: Pages 7-11 of “The protection of Census. For 2009-10, an authority’s funding will be children in England: action plan—The Government’s based on pupil numbers from January 2009. As a result, response to Lord Laming”, published on 6 May, included increases in pupil numbers up to that point will be an explanation of the steps to be taken to establish the reflected in authorities’ revenue funding. In addition, National Safeguarding Delivery Unit (NSDU), and authorities that have significant increases in pupils between noted that it would be operational by 1 July. This makes April and September of each year may be eligible for an clear that the unit will be hosted within the Department exceptional circumstances grant. For each authority for Children, Schools and Families and will include experiencing an increase in overall pupil numbers above expert staff from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice 2.5 per cent. between the January and autumn censuses, and Department of Health as well as local agencies and the grant will be an amount equal to 7/12 of their the voluntary sector. Regional Government office staff Guaranteed Unit of Funding per pupil for each pupil will also work as part of the unit. above the 2.5 per cent. threshold. The precise number of staff, appointment arrangements Schools: Admissions and budget are in the process of being determined. The Department for Children, Schools and Families Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, will lead overall on the unit’s establishment, working Schools and Families how many schools in England closely with the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and have fewer than 30 pupils; and if he will make a Department of Health. statement. [276884] Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Knight: The requested information is shown in Children, Schools and Families (1) when he expects the the table. National Safeguarding Delivery Unit to make its first Schools with fewer than 30 pupils1. As at January 2009 (provisional)—England annual report to Parliament; [274255] Schools with fewer than 30 (2) when he expects the National Safeguarding All schools pupils Delivery Unit to have developed guidance on referral Maintained nursery 437 5 and assessment systems for children affected by (a) Maintained primary2 17,041 133 domestic violence, (b) adult mental health problems State-funded secondary2,3 3,347 0 and (c) drug and alcohol misuse; [274259] Maintained special4 984 58 (3) when he expects the National Safeguarding Non-maintained special 72 12 Delivery Unit to (a) set and (b) publish a timetable for Pupil referral units 456 297 the implementation of Lord Laming’s Independent 2,348 479 recommendations on safeguarding children. [274262] 1 Includes solely registered pupils and pupils with other providers (PRUs only). 2 Includes middle schools as deemed. Beverley Hughes: “The protection of children in England: 3 Includes CTCs and academies. 4 Includes general hospital schools. action plan—The Government’s response to Lord Laming”, Source: published on 6 May, states that the National Safeguarding School Census Delivery Unit (NSDU) will support Sir Roger Singleton, Schools: Buildings the chief adviser on the safety of children, in making his annual report to Parliament on progress on safeguarding Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, and that his first annual report will be made in April Schools and Families how many schools in (a) 2010. Page 37 of the response sets out that the NSDU Leicester and (b) England (i) received new school will publish its work programme by September 2009 buildings, (ii) were substantially repaired and (iii) were and that the Government expect the production of housed in buildings considered unfit for purpose in guidance for the referral and assessment of children each of the last five years; what estimate he has made affected by domestic violence, adult mental health problems, of his Department’s expenditure on repairs to school and drugs and alcohol misuse to be identified as an buildings in (A) England and (B) Leicester in each such early priority. The Government’s action plan published year; and what estimate he has made of the average on 6 May also includes a timetable for the implementation cost of providing a new (1) primary and (2) secondary of all Lord Laming’s recommendations. school building in the last five years. [274627] 441W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 442W

Jim Knight: Where repair expenditure on schools Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief relates to the maintenance of existing assets it is financed Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. out of revenue funding. Where work involves new buildings Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the or existing buildings are enhanced, it is financed from House Libraries. capital funding. The Department make revenue and Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 14 May 2009: capital allocations to local authorities and schools and Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as relies on them to commission work in accordance with Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for reply. their asset management plans. Ofsted’s powers to consider complaints about schools became The Department carried out a survey of new and effective in April 2007; we do not hold data relating to complaints refurbished schools in July 2007, and the results, for about schools prior to this. Ofsted may consider a complaint England and Leicester, are shown in the following tables. about a school from any person, not just a registered parent. This The Department does not maintain records of buildings means the data below may include complaints from persons other that are unfit for purpose. than parents. Our systems do not record where a parent resides. Since April 2007 Ofsted has received 88 complaints about 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 schools located in the Essex local authority area. Four of these complaints were about schools located in the Castle Point England parliamentary constituency. Annual totals are indicated in the New Additional 26 27 21 32 table below. The reporting period for each year is from April to March. Rebuilt Existing 101 144 175 161 Refurbished > 80 per 52 81 57 94 Table A: Complaints about schools received by Ofsted cent. Essex Castle Point Refurbished 50 per 162 193 161 176 cent. to 80 per cent. 2007-08 43 1 Total 341 445 414 463 2008-09 41 3 2009 (since April) 4 0

Leicester LA A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Jim Knight MP, New Additional — 1 — 1 Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the library of both Houses. Rebuilt existing — — 1 2 Refurbished > 80 per ———— Schools: Standards cent. Refurbished 50 per 3— 11 cent. to 80 per cent. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 3124Children, Schools and Families how much his Department has spent on field forces in each year since School capital allocations by the Department in respect 1997. [269879] of England and Leicester for each of the last five years are set out in the following table: Jim Knight: The Department has recently undertaken a review of its field forces working with local authorities £ million (LAs) and children’s trusts. The term field force has 2007-08 been used in a wide sense to cover all advisers funded or 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Estimated 2008-09 Outturn Outturn Outturn outturn Projection jointly funded by DCSF to work directly with LAs and children’s trust partners. This includes NDPB staff England 4,132 4,581 4,565 5,274 5,964 where relevant, directly contracted groups of advisers, Leicester 18.3 25.5 8.7 7.5 14.8 advisers who are co-located with the Government Office Children and Learner Teams and sections of DCSF The England allocation figures are taken from table Head Office directly supporting LAs e.g. Youth Task 8.3 of the 2008 departmental annual report. Force. In 2008-09, the costs of these advisers were In addition, Leicester is in Wave 1 of the Building around £90 million. Comparable information for every Schools for the Future programme, with a secondary year since 1997 is not available. school programme estimated to cost some £256 million. Secure Children’s Homes The Department does not maintain an estimate of the average cost of providing a new primary school or secondary school, year by year. This is due to the fact Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for that costs vary greatly according to size and type of Children, Schools and Families which secure children’s school, local cost factors, site constraints and other homes in England and Wales (a) closed in each of the abnormal factors, and whether VAT is payable. last 12 years and (b) are scheduled for closure in the next 12 months; what funds his Department has Regarding the strategic Building Schools for the Future allocated to all secure children’s homes in 2009-10; and programme, the average cost of a new secondary school if he will make a statement. [276752] across the programme has been approximately £26 million. Beverley Hughes: The Department for Children, Schools Schools: Complaints and Families (DCSF) does not maintain a central record of children’s homes in England and Wales that have Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for closed in each of the last 12 years. Children, Schools and Families how many complaints Following the announcement of the new YouthJustice have been made about schools to Ofsted by parents Board (YJB) contracts, there are four secure children’s resident in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point in each of homes in England currently contracted with the YJB the last five years. [274239] who will not be offered a new contract. These are Kyloe 443W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 444W

House, Northumberland; Sutton Place, Hull; Atkinson between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008 of serious Unit, Exeter; and, Orchard Lodge, London. DCSF and child care incidents, one Serious Case Review had been the YJB will work with those units to agree transition initiated where a child died and abuse or neglect was arrangements which support the sustainable provision known or suspected to be a factor in Essex. of welfare beds, while the YJB moves to its contracted Data prior to 1 April 2007 is not available in this total of 191 beds by March 2010. Any decision taken on form. However, the Department commissions an academic the future of each home will be made by the relevant biennial analysis of all Serious Case Reviews to help local authority or, in the case of the privately owned ensure lessons are clearly identified and disseminated. Orchard Lodge, Glen Care Group Ltd. DCSF will continue to build on its previous capital Mr. Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for investment by investing up to a further £50 million in Children, Schools and Families (1) what funding his the sector over the next four years to significantly Department has allocated for the implementation of improve the accommodation and facilities available in the latest Laming Report’s recommendations; and from secure children’s homes. The bulk of that sum will be what budgets such funding has been drawn; [273664] made available over 2009/10 and 2010/11. Further funding thereafter will be subject to the next spending review. (2) what funding his Department plans to provide for child protection as a result of the Laming inquiry and DCSF is currently in negotiations with the secure the Baby P case. [271465] children’s homes with regards to the precise level of funding required this year for major capital improvement works. Beverley Hughes: The Government are investing £130 million in social work reform over the full spending Sixth Form Education: Finance review period, of which, £57.8 million is additional new investment announced on 6 May 2009 as part of the Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Government’s detailed response to Lord Laming’s Report. Children, Schools and Families how many This represents a substantial commitment to improve representations he has received on the funding the recruitment and training and development of social allocations made by the Learning and Skills Council to workers and will significantly increase the capacity of schools for post-16 education in 2009-10; and if he will the system to implement change immediately. make a statement. [271053] Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Knight [holding answer 24 April 2009]: We have Children, Schools and Families (1) by what date he been working across Government to identify additional expects a usability review of each integrated children’s funding for the recent unanticipated surge in demand system and related local authority infrastructure and for education and training in part due to these exceptional implantation system to have been completed; [275397] economic times. Thanks to the £655 million funding (2) from how many local authorities the Social Work announcement in the Budget, we will be able to deliver Task Force took documentary evidence as part of its this and more, and fund learning for an additional work on the integrated children’s system; [275398] 54,500 young people this year and next. The funding is split £251 million in 2009-10 and £404 million in 2010-11 (3) whether local authorities will have discretion to and will fund an additional 54,500 learners each year. opt out of the national integrated children’s system This will mean that we have funding for at least 1,550,000 recommended by Lord Laming in his report on for 2009/10 and 2010/11. Safeguarding Children. [275399] This will mean we have quickly reassured school and college leaders who had previously feared their financial Beverley Hughes: Lord Laming’s report “The Protection allocations would not fund their growth in the number of Children in England” identified a number of concerns of young people wanting to continue learning. It will in relation to the Integrated Children’s System. Lord also mean that we can fund a further 20,000 young Laming recommended that the Government should, in people who have yet to make their choice of learning consultation with social workers and their managers, place. take steps to improve the utility of the system to support them in their role and to ensure appropriate transfer of The LSC are currently working through the final essential information across organisational boundaries. 2009-10 school sixth-form and FE college allocations Lord Laming also recommended that the DCSF should and will be writing out to them as soon as possible. At undertake a feasibility study with a view to rolling out a close of business on 21 April 2009 the Department had single national Integrated Children’s System better able received 573 written representations regarding the post to address the concerns his report identifies, or find 16 funding allocations for 2009-10. alternative ways to assert stronger leadership over local systems and their providers. Social Services: Children In immediate response to Lord Laming’s report, the Mr. Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for DCSF asked the Social Work Task Force to accelerate Children, Schools and Families how many serious case its advice in relation to the Integrated Children’s System reviews there have been regarding the death of a child and to advise how Lord Laming’s recommendations in in Essex in each of the last 10 years. [268004] should be taken forward. The task force’s advice was informed by consultation Beverley Hughes: I refer my hon. Member to the reply with practitioners, managers and IT implementation given on 23 February 2009, Official Report, column staff at events around the country, by a number of visits 442W. This indicates that, of all notifications received to local authorities and by 649 submissions of on line 445W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 446W evidence from individual practitioners and managers, services to around 14,000 children under five and their and local authorities. It was set out in the task force’s families. The Department does not hold information first report on 5 May. centrally on how many children in Rotherham have As set out in “The Protection of Children of England: enrolled in Sure Start in each year since 2003. action plan”, the DCSF has accepted the task force’s recommendations in relation to steps it can take immediate Sure Start: Warrington to improve usability of the system and to support greater local leadership. We will shortly be writing to Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for local authorities to set out detailed next steps, including Children, Schools and Families how many children in explaining the arrangements and time scales for usability Warrington have enrolled in Sure Start in each year reviews of each local system. since 2003. [276530] The Government have also accepted the task force’s advice that the future model for the Integrated Children’s Beverley Hughes: Warrington local authority has 11 System should be locally owned and locally led, within Sure Start Children’s Centres offering access to services a strong and simplified national framework which reflects to around 11,500 children under five and their families. the statutory requirements for children’s social care, rather than a single national system. The Department does not hold information centrally on how many children in Warrington have enrolled in In line with Lord Laming’s recommendations, we are Sure Start in each year since 2003. also taking forward a national study into issues relating to interoperability of ICS with other IT systems and how this can best be supported. Teachers: Pensions We expect the task force to make more detailed recommendations to us, in October, about the reforms Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for necessary to support high quality social work practice. Children, Schools and Families how many teachers The Government will consider any further improvements took early retirement benefits under the Teachers’ to the Integrated Children’s System as part of the Pension Scheme in the last five years for which figures comprehensive programme of reform for social work are available. [272652] which we have committed to bringing forward in the autumn. Jim Knight: The following table provides the number Social Workers: Manpower of teachers who were awarded early retirement benefits from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in England and Wales in each year from 2003-04 to 2007-08, the latest Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for year for which figures are available. Children, Schools and Families how many full-time children’s social workers there were in each local Teachers awarded early retirement benefits1 from the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, 2003-04 to 2007-08, England and Wales authority in each year since 1997. [276650] Local authority maintained Other Beverley Hughes: Detailed information on all staff, schools establishments2 Total including children’s social workers, directly employed 2007-083 8,800 2,170 10,970 by social services departments is collected through the 2006-073 8,690 2,300 11,000 Personal Social Services staff of Social Services 2005-06 8,140 2,160 10,300 Departments return (SSDS001) which was introduced 2004-05 8,250 2,030 10,280 in 1993 by the Department of Health. In 2004-05 2003-04 7,370 1,710 9,080 responsibility for the collection of this data passed to 1 Includes, teachers retiring under the actuarially reduced, premature and the NHS Information Centre for health and social care. ill-health retirement arrangements. Under phased retirement arrangements These data have been published on an annual basis with some teachers will remain in teaching service. 2 Other establishments are academies, CTCs, sixth-form colleges, other FE breakdown by local authority available in the supporting colleges, and independent and HE institutions that are members of the Teachers’ annexes published alongside each report. Pensions Scheme. 3 Provisional. Reports published from 2006 onwards are available Note: on the NHS Information Centre website here: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/social- Source: Pensioner Statistical System and Database of Teacher Records. care/childrens-social-care Reports published between 1996 and 2005 are available Teachers: Plymouth on the Department of Health website here: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/ StatisticalWorkAreas/Statisticalworkforce/DH_4000233 Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) teachers Sure Start: Rotherham and (b) classroom assistants were employed in schools in Plymouth, Sutton (i) in 1997 and (ii) at the latest Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for date for which information is available. [276683] Children, Schools and Families how many children in Rotherham have enrolled in Sure Start in each year Jim Knight: The following table provides the full-time since 2003. [275354] equivalent number of teachers and teaching assistants employed in local authority maintained nursery, primary, Beverley Hughes: Rotherham local authority currently secondary, special and pupil referral units in Plymouth, has 21 Sure Start Children’s Centres offering access to Sutton constituency in January 1997 and 2008. 447W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 448W

Full-time equivalent teachers1 and teaching assistants2 in local authority All regional planning bodies have agreed timetables maintained nursery, primary, secondary, special and pupil referral units for further reviews and I have put details in the Library. Years: January 1997 and 2008, coverage: Sutton, Plymouth constituency 1997 2008 21. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Teachers 550 650 Communities and Local Government what timetable Teaching assistants 50 240 has been set for further reviews of regional spatial 1 Includes qualified and unqualified teachers. strategies. [277620] 2 ‘Teaching assistants’ include teaching assistants, higher level teaching assistants (2008), special needs support staff and minority ethnic pupil support staff. Notes: Margaret Beckett: Regional spatial strategies (RSS) 1. Excludes academies and city technology colleges. have been published for all regions with the exception of 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. the South West where we expect to publish shortly and Source: School Census the West Midlands who are currently holding an Teachers: Vetting examination in public. All regional planning bodies have agreed timetables Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, for further reviews and I have put details in the Library. Schools and Families for what reasons a teacher may not be required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau Retail Park: Kirkby check; and if he will make a statement. [275452] Beverley Hughes: Under the School Staffing (England) 14. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for (Amendment) Regulations 2003 as amended, it is Communities and Local Government when she expects mandatory for CRB Enhanced Disclosures to be obtained to receive the planning inspectors’ report on proposals on all newly appointed school staff. ‘Newly appointed’ for development of a retail park in Kirkby; and if she is defined as meaning anyone who within the three will make a statement. [277613] months before his or her appointment has not worked in: Mr. Iain Wright: The Planning Inspector’s report is a school in England in a post which brought him or her into due to be received early in July. regular contact with children or any post they were appointed to since 12 May 2006; or Home Information Packs an FE college in England in a position which involved the provision of education and regularly caring for, training, 15. Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State supervising, or being in sole charge of children or young people under the age of 18. for Communities and Local Government if she will make an assessment of the effects of home information packs on the housing market since their COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT implementation. [277614] Regional Spatial Strategies Mr. Iain Wright: Independent research into the impact of home information packs was undertaken by Europe 10. Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State Economics. The implementation of HIPs is being kept for Communities and Local Government what under review and an evaluation of the HIPs programme timetable has been set for further reviews of regional is currently planned for 2010 by updating ’The HIPs spatial strategies; and if she will make a statement. Baseline Research Report’. [277608] Margaret Beckett: Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) Business Rates have been published for all regions with the exception of the south-west where we expect to publish shortly and 16. Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the west midlands who are currently holding an examination Communities and Local Government what estimate in public. she has made of the change in liabilities on small firms All regional planning bodies have agreed timetables arising from arrangements for transitional relief for for further reviews and I have put details in the Library. business rates in (a) England and (b) Bromley in (Once the Local Democracy, Economic Development 2009-10. [277615] and Construction Bill receives Royal Assent and its provisions are commenced all existing Regional Spatial John Healey: The impact of Revaluation on businesses Strategies, together with Regional Economic Strategies, is used to model an appropriate transitional relief scheme will become Regional Strategies.) at each Revaluation. No formal consideration is made of the effect of the transitional relief scheme during 13. Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State each subsequent financial year. for Communities and Local Government what timetable has been set for future reviews of regional However, the Government are aware of the impact spatial strategies; and if she will make a statement. that large increases in business rate bills can have on all [277611] businesses when transitional relief comes to an end. This is why we are allowing businesses to defer over two Margaret Beckett: Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) years 60 per cent. of the increase in their business rates have been published for all regions with the exception of bill for 2009-10 caused by the ending of transitional the south-west where we expect to publish shortly and relief. That is in addition to allowing the deferral of the west midlands who are currently holding an examination 60 per cent. of the increase caused by the annual inflation in public. adjustment. 449W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 450W

Building Regulations: Water Efficiency and Scald the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Prevention Regulatory Reform; and the Minister for the Cabinet Office. 17. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for A summary of the discussion at the summit is available Communities and Local Government when she expects on the Cabinet Office website at: the provisions of part G of the building regulations www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/210555/summit_report.pdf relating to water efficiency and scald prevention to become operational. [277616] Traveller Sites

Mr. Iain Wright: The Department laid before the 22. Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for House on 13 May this year a statutory instrument that Communities and Local Government what recent makes amendments to part G of the building regulations. representations she has received from local authorities This includes changes to reduce the risk of scalding on the use of enforcement action at Travellers’ sites. from hot water and introduces a minimum water efficiency [277621] standard for new homes. The provisions come into force on 1 October. Mr. Khan: I have not received any recent representations from local authorities on the use of enforcement action Unitary Local Government: Devon at Travellers’ sites. Community-Based Enterprises 19. Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she 23. Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for has for the introduction of unitary local government in Communities and Local Government what discussions Devon. [277618] she has had with ministerial colleagues on the role of community-based enterprises in the future jobs fund. John Healey: We have asked the boundary committee [277622] to provide advice by 15 July 2009 on whether there could be proposals for a single-tier of local government, John Healey: Social Enterprises can tackle worklessness and if so on what basis, for Exeter and the whole or part by creating sustainable jobs for people who find it of the surrounding Devon county area, with existing, or difficult to enter the labour market and increasing enterprise if necessary changed, boundaries of Plymouth City or levels among women, under-represented groups and Torbay borough. young people. Under the statute, any decisions about implementing On 13 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of unitary proposals for Devon cannot be taken until six State chaired a seminar attended by the Prime Minister; weeks after the 15 July deadline for receipt of the the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; the boundary committee’s advice. Minister for the Cabinet Office and myself. Also attending were leading social entrepreneurs and social enterprise Community-based Enterprises practitioners. We challenged the community and social enterprise sector to take up the opportunities and the challenge 20. Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for that the Future Job Fund offers. We want to see social Communities and Local Government what discussions enterprises creating as many jobs as they can through she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the role of the Future Jobs Fund; perhaps up to 10 per cent. of the community-based enterprises in the future jobs fund. 150,000 envisaged through the fund. [277619] On 12 May the Secretary of State attended a Social John Healey: Social enterprises can tackle worklessness Enterprise summit at Coin Street Community Builders by creating sustainable jobs for people who find it along with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; difficult to enter the labour market and increasing enterprise the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Regulatory levels among women, under-represented groups and Reform; and the Minister for the Cabinet Office. young people. A summary of the discussion at the summit is available on the Cabinet Office website: On 13 May my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State chaired a seminar attended by the Prime Minister; www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media/210555/summit_report.pdf the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 Minister for the Cabinet Office and myself. Also attending were leading social entrepreneurs and social enterprise practitioners. Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to We challenged the community and social enterprise her Department’s consultation document on the right sector to take up the opportunities and the challenge to enfranchise provisions of the Commonhold and that the Future Job Fund offers. We want to see social Leasehold Reform Act 2002, what plans her enterprises creating as many jobs as they can through Department has to bring forward legislative proposals the Future Jobs Fund; perhaps up to 10 per cent. of the on leasehold and commonhold reform. [277032] 150,000 envisaged through the fund. On 12 May the Secretary of State attended a Social Mr. Iain Wright: The Department is currently completing Enterprise summit at Coin Street Community Builders the programme of leasehold reform put in place by the along with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (the 451W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 452W

Act). This consists of taking forward the proposals Council Housing: Brighton and Hove contained in the current consultation on the right to enfranchise provisions published on 12 May, and the Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for introduction of the provisions in the Act dealing with Communities and Local Government whether (a) she, accounting for service charge monies. (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in her Commonhold is the policy responsibility of the Lord Department have had any recent meetings with HM Chancellor and Justice Secretary, who has no plans to Treasury representatives at which the proposed funding bring forward legislative proposals for reform in this structure for Brighton and Hove City Council’s local area at present. delivery vehicle has been discussed. [276635]

Community Infrastructure Levy Mr. Iain Wright: No such meetings have taken place. Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Communities and Local Government what role local households were in temporary accommodation in strategic partnerships will have in (a) setting levels of Brighton and Hove in each of the last three years. new community infrastructure levy and (b) deciding [276636] how monies raised from the levy will be used. [277016] Mr. Iain Wright: Information about English local Mr. Iain Wright: The Government will consult in the authorities’ actions under the homelessness legislation summer on its proposals for the procedures for setting (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected quarterly the level of CIL through a charging schedule and applying at local authority level. CIL revenue to infrastructure. These will make proposals Data collected includes the number of households about how local authorities should engage and work accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for with their strategic partners. Local strategic partnerships assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, should already be involved in the infrastructure planning and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure that will provide a basis for CIL charge setting. that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority must Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for secure temporary accommodation until a settled home Communities and Local Government pursuant to the becomes available. Answers to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April Information on the number of households housed in 2009, Official Report, columns 1101-2W and 28 temporary accommodation is reported quarterly by January 2009, Official Report, column 629W, on the local authorities as at the last day of each quarter. The community infrastructure levy, who will appoint the figures include: those households which have been accepted independent examiner responsible for reviewing as owed the main homelessness duty; those for which community infrastructure levy charges; and whether inquiries are pending; those being accommodated for a the examiners’ office will be classified as a public body. limited period because they have been found intentionally [277116] homeless and in priority need; those being accommodated pending possible referral to another authority, and those Mr. Iain Wright: The charging authority will appoint being accommodated pending the outcome of a local the independent examiner to review its draft community authority review or county court appeal. infrastructure levy (CIL) charging schedule. The status The number of households in temporary accommodation of the examiner is set out in section 212 of the Planning arranged by Brighton and Hove, as at the end of December Act 2008. The Government’s August 2008 policy statement for each of the last three years is shown in the following on CIL says (paragraph 3.43): table. “It will be important that the independent person testing the Number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by draft charging schedule is seen to be independent and has the Brighton and Hove, as at 31 December 2006-08 confidence of those participating in debate on its contents. The Number Government’s lead option is that the Planning Inspectorate should lead the examination of charging schedules with the assistance 2006 622 where necessary of expert assessors from, for example, the Valuation 2007 487 Office Agency.” 2008 388

Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Communities and Local Government how many Answers to the hon. Member for Meriden of 27 April representations have been received by her Department 2009, Official Report, columns 1101-2W and 28 from (a) people and (b) social housing tenants in January 2009, Official Report, column 629W, on the Brighton and Hove on (i) a further stock transfer ballot community infrastructure levy, whether the rate of the and (ii) a transfer of housing stock to registered social levy will be capped. [277117] landlords; and how many such representations were in favour of a stock transfer. [276637] Mr. Iain Wright: Charging authorities will be responsible for setting the proposed rate of community infrastructure Mr. Iain Wright: We have not received any levy for their area subject to independent testing. Sections correspondence regarding proposals to transfer Brighton 205 to 225 of the Planning Act 2008 set out this and Hove city council’s housing stock since the ballot framework. the council held in February 2007. 453W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 454W

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Green Belt: North West Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has provided to Brighton and Hove Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for City Council on (a) private finance options for Communities and Local Government what steps her funding its local delivery vehicle and (b) its budgeting Department is taking to protect (a) greenbelt and (b) for prudential borrowing. [276638] open green spaces in (i) Greater Manchester, (ii) Tameside Metropolitan Borough area and (iii) Mr. Iain Wright: We have not issued any guidance, Stockport Metropolitan Borough area. [277501] but have written to the council about their proposals. We are awaiting a response. Mr. Iain Wright: Policy RD4 of the Regional Spatial Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Strategy for the North West (RSS), published by my Communities and Local Government when she plans Department, states that there is no need for any exceptional to announce her decision on Brighton and Hove City substantial strategic change to the green belt and its Council’s proposed local delivery vehicle. [276639] boundaries in Greater Manchester before 2011. Strategic studies may be undertaken to inform future reviews of Mr. Iain Wright: We have written to the council the RSS. However, the presumption will continue to be subsequent to its formal application for consent to lease against substantial change after that date. Policy EM3 stock to its proposed local delivery vehicle and are of the RSS also promotes the conservation and awaiting a response. enhancement of open green spaces. At the local level, the existing unitary development Derelict Land plans adopted by Stockport and Tameside Councils contain policies which seek to protect the green belt and Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for open spaces. Communities and Local Government (1) what the monetary value of land banks held by registered social It is for local councils to consider whether there is any landlords was in each of the last five years; [274827] need for detailed local boundary changes to the green (2) how many registered social landlords registered belt for exceptional purposes through the preparation of their local development framework (LDF). However, new land banks in each of the last five years; [274840] any such changes would need to be justified against (3) how many registered social landlords operate national planning policy as set out in planning policy land banks; and what guidance her Department issues guidance note 2, which seeks to preserve green belts, on how such assets should be classified in the and would be examined by an independent inspector as landlord’s accounts. [274841] part of the development plan process. Mr. Iain Wright: The Tenant Services Authority (TSA), In accordance with national policy in planning policy the independent regulator of the registered social landlord guidance note 17, local councils should also plan for (RSL) sector, does not monitor all RSL land banks on a adequate provision of open space through their LDF. comprehensive basis. The TSA does not register land banks held by RSLs. However, they do collect information Green Belt: South East on such holdings of undeveloped land for the larger developing RSLs. Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for The TSA has been monitoring this type of activity Communities and Local Government what assessment since January 2009. she has made of the likely effects on the environment of Their latest figures, from April 2009, show that 100 the proposals in the South East Plan on green belt associations have land yet to be developed with an protection. [276925] overall value of £1.2 billion. Lank banks are, in accounting terms, acquisitions of Mr. Iain Wright: The South East Plan (Policy SP5) fixed assets in anticipation of future development plans states that the existing broad extent of green belts in the and are therefore covered by the normal accounting region is appropriate and will be retained and supported. requirements for fixed assets. Financial Reporting Standard The opportunity should be taken to improve their land-use (FRS) 15, Tangible Fixed Assets, is issued by the Accounting management and access as part of the initiatives to Standards Board and this will cover the accounting improve the rural urban fringe. treatment of land banking by RSLs. The plan also calls for selective reviews of a small portion of the green belt where this may be the most Empty Property sustainable location for the region’s development needs. However, the plan makes it clear that where any green Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for belt land is lost, consideration should be given to carrying Communities and Local Government pursuant to the out a further review to determine whether additional answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of 29 land should be designated as green belt, thus maintaining April 2009, Official Report, column 1365W, on empty its overall extent. property, if she will place in the Library a copy of each handout and presentation delivered at the Empty A full sustainability appraisal was undertaken of the Homes seminar. [276920] proposals in the final version of the South East Plan. All south-east MPs and MEPs were sent a copy of the Mr. Iain Wright: The presentations at the Empty sustainability appraisal report. This is available in the Homes seminar held on 23 April were all given by Libraries of both Houses and may be viewed on the speakers from external stakeholders, who are responsible website of the Government Office for the South East at: for their own presentations and handouts. www.gos.gov.uk/gose 455W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 456W

Homelessness for each region in the last five years is shown in Table 2. Table 2: Number of lettings reported by LA landlords made to statutorily Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for homeless households owed the main homelessness duty (by region) Communities and Local Government how many 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 statutorily homeless households were housed by (a) North East 3,890 3,670 2,760 2,300 2,100 registered social landlords and (b) local authorities in North West 5,420 6,510 5,560 4,770 3,100 each region in each of the last five years. [273404] Yorkshire and 8,900 7,680 5,220 4,480 5,250 the Humber Mr. Iain Wright: Lets to statutorily homeless households East 3,930 4,350 3,560 3,250 2,920 owed the main homelessness duty are reported by registered Midlands social landlords through the Continuous Recording of West 7,310 6,560 5,230 4,640 4,400 Lettings (CORE) system, which covers the period 1 Midlands East of 4,100 3,840 3,260 2,770 2,320 April to 31 March. The number of lets to statutorily England homeless households owed the main homelessness duty London 11,720 11,130 9,310 7,820 7,080 reported by registered social landlords for each region South East 3,700 3,580 3,230 2,700 2,710 in the last five years is shown in Table 1. South West 3,810 3,030 2,910 2,250 1,420 Table 1: Number of lettings reported by RSL landlords made to statutorily homeless households owed the main homelessness duty (by region) England 52,770 50,350 41,040 34,970 31,300 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 Notes: North East 1,700 1,850 2,120 2,290 2,660 1. LA reported figures relate to households accepted as owed the main homelessness duty (section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996). North West 5,030 5,440 6,220 6,460 6,730 2. Figures include general needs and supported housing lets. Yorkshire and 2,510 2,500 2,950 3,160 3,640 Source: the Humber Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix East 2,640 2,240 2,640 2,720 2,750 Midlands West 5,740 4,580 4,130 4,230 4,660 Midlands East of 3,930 3,990 4,220 5,060 4,530 Housing: City of Westminster England London 6,900 6,730 5,880 6,920 6,910 Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for South East 6,000 5,730 5,630 5,910 5,600 Communities and Local Government what funding her South West 4,810 4,470 4,840 4,750 4,860 Department has provided for housing to (a) Westminster City Council and (b) City West Homes in England 39,260 37,520 38,640 41,500 42,320 each of the last five years; from what budgets such Notes: funding has been drawn; and for what purposes her 1. Figures reported by RSL landlords should show only those lettings made to applicants who were owed a main homelessness duty (under Section 193 of the Department disbursed. [276277] Housing Act 1996). However it is possible that a number of applicants who were found to be homeless, but were not owed a main duty have also been included, so these figures may be over-reported. Mr. Iain Wright: The following table sets out the 2. RSLs with less than 250 units are not required to complete CORE returns. Housing Revenue Account expenditure allowances and 3. The figures include general needs and supported housing lets. capital allocations that the Department has provided to Source: Continuous Recording of Lettings (CORE) Westminster city council in each of the last five years. Lets to statutorily homeless households owed the All funds were allocated for the repairs, maintenance main homelessness duty are reported annually by local and upkeep of properties in Westminster. authorities via the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix Westminster city council provides funding directly to (HSSA), covering the period 1 April to 31 March. The its ALMO City West Homes via an annual management number of lets to statutorily homeless households owed fee. The Department does not provide funding direct to the main homelessness duty reported by local authorities City West Homes.

Westminster city council housing funding allocations

£

Housing Revenue Account allowances

Regional Private Sector Housing LA HRA subsidy Renewal (Capital Management Maintenance Major Repairs Decent Homes ALMO Capital payments Grant)

2004-05 14,001,286 19,450,588 11,651,388 7,853,000 27,593,000 16,167,991 0

2005-06 13,996,468 19,439,436 11,403,339 16,728,000 26,107,000 14,622,945 0

2006-07 14,634,094 20,094,134 11,156,798 7,863,000 — 13,408,772 0

2007-08 14,697,416 20,158,474 11,412,219 6,468,000 — 10,299,215 0

2008-09 14,702,774 20,098,007 11,343,664 0 — 6,933,085 6,468,000

Total 72,032,038 99,240,639 56,967,408 38,912,000 53,700,000 61,432,008 6,468,000 457W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 458W

Housing: Floods The following table shows the amount invested by central Government in housing capital projects. It also Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for shows how much of that was expenditure through the Communities and Local Government what progress Home and Communities Agency’s Affordable Housing has been made in updating the Housing Corporation’s Programme on new build and acquisitions on both publication Insurance for All for providers of social social rent and low cost home ownership schemes. housing in light of the recommendations of the Pitt £ million report on flooding. [277443] Total Department’s capital Total expenditure through the investment in housing Affordable Housing Programme Mr. Iain Wright: Recommendation 30 of Sir Michael Pitt’s report was that the Housing Corporation’s publication 2004-05 4,690 1,609 ‘Insurance for All’should be updated. This recommendation 2005-06 5,020 1,554 is being taken forward in line with the Government’s 2006-07 5,208 1,921 response to the report, which was published on 17 2007-08 5,532 2,029 December 2008—see page 67 of the following link: 2008- 6,006 2,625 091 http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/floods07.htm 1 Figures for 2008-09 are estimates. The timetable for completing this work will be consistent with the TSA’s wider responsibilities for monitoring the Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for overall health of the housing association sector and for Communities and Local Government how many (a) establishing the new regulatory framework for social new-build and (b) existing private sector homes were housing during 2010. purchased for social rent by (i) local authorities and (ii) registered social landlords in each year since 1997. Housing: Low Incomes [274854] Mr. Iain Wright: The following table shows the number Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for of homes purchased for social rent by registered social Communities and Local Government what receipts her landlords or through private finance initiative in England, Department and its predecessors received from (a) from 1997-98. Social Homebuy, (b) Right to Buy and (c) Right to Acquire sales in each year since 1997; and what Registered social Private finance Total social percentage of each annual receipt was used to provide landlord acquisitions initiative rent acquisitions acquisitions more social lettings. [274850] 1997-98 11,770 0 11,770 Mr. Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the 1998-99 10,950 10 10,960 answer I gave on 27 April 2009, Official Report, column 1999- 9,120 60 9,180 1118W. Prior to 1 April 2004, receipts arising from the 2000 disposal of dwellings under right to buy (RTB) were 2000-01 8,840 20 8,860 retained by the local authorities, although authorities 2001-02 8,140 40 8,170 with debt set aside 75 per cent. of that receipt to repay 2002-03 6,420 30 6,450 their housing debt. 2003-04 4,290 0 4,290 Social homebuy sales have only been made since 2004-05 2,890 0 2,890 February 2007. Receipts arising from right to acquire 2005-06 2,460 0 2,460 (RTA) sales and social homebuy sales by housing 2006-07 2,450 0 2,450 associations are retained by registered social landlords 2007-08 3,390 0 3,390 Source: (RSLs) and are reinvested in the provision of affordable Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Investment Management System housing. Local authorities are allowed to retain all (IMS) and Private Finance Initiative figures from local authority returns. social homebuy sales receipts, provided these are used CLG do not have complete figures on the number of for the purposes set out in statutory instrument 2006/521. acquisitions by local authorities or categorised according The following table shows for each financial year to whether they were new build homes or existing since 2004-05 the total housing receipts received by the private sector homes. Department. Data on RTB and local authority social homebuy receipts received by the Department are not Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for collected separately, but most of these arise from RTB Communities and Local Government if she will sales. The table also shows the amount of those receipts estimate the levels of supply and demand for social received by the Department which were then passed on homes of three or more bedrooms. [275815] to the Exchequer. Mr. Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government £ million have commissioned a team from Heriot-Watt university, Receipts received by the Receipts passed on to the led by Professor Glen Bramley, to develop a model that Department Exchequer is capable of estimating the number of households with an unmet need for social or affordable housing, or other 2004-05 1,694 1,639 housing related support. The contract was awarded in 2005-06 1,065 990 August 2008 and developing the model is expected to 2006-07 839 735 take around 12 months. 2007-08 694 588 2008- 158.2 134.3 The new research will expand the evidence base on 091 housing need, going beyond the estimates used by Kate 1 Figures for 2008-09 are estimates. Barker in her 2004 Review of Housing Supply to allow 459W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 460W greater disaggregation of housing need by household Mr. Iain Wright: I refer the hon. Member to the type and region, as well as taking more account of the answer I gave him on 1 June 2009, Official Report, behavioural relationships that underpin household column 198-200W. formation and tenure choice decisions. In recognition of the need for more family sized Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for homes, for the 2008-11 Affordable Housing Programme Communities and Local Government how many (AHP) we set the Homes and Communities Agency, a affordable homes have been built in (a) Stockport and new target to increase the national percentage of larger (b) Greater Manchester in each year since 2001. homes of three bedrooms or more provided through the [277528] AHP from 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. in 2008-09, rising to 33 per cent. in 2010-11. Mr. Iain Wright: The information in the following Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for table has been supplied to the Department by local Communities and Local Government pursuant to the authorities and shows the number of affordable homes Answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 8 May that have been built in (a) Stockport, (b) in the nine 2009, Official Report, column 450W, on housing: low other authorities in Greater Manchester and (c) the incomes, how many completed new build homes each combined total for Greater Manchester for each year percentage figure in the table represents. [277344] since 2001.

2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

(a) Stockport 50 124 46 40 18 50 55 65

(b) Bolton 217 272 116 90 198 103 115 180 Bury 271 103 147 72 38 19 33 29 Manchester 300 403 362 225 358 378 288 259 Oldham 92 168 16 57 32 112 57 65 Rochdale 59 158 25 62 23 71 12 49 Salford 0 67 95 155 60 38 24 276 Tameside 148 87 80 29 0 44 49 54 Trafford 327 38 120 42 37 100 100 85 Wigan 48 55 17 14 5 0 2 20

(c) Greater Manchester 1,512 1,475 1,024 786 769 915 735 1,082

Mr. Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Iain Wright: The Housing Strategy Statistical Communities and Local Government if she will take Appendix collects information from local authorities steps to enable local authorities with retained housing on dwellings let through mutual exchanges. However, stock to increase the supply of social housing: and if there is no direct question that identifies how many she will make a statement. [277532] local authorities have exchange schemes for their tenants. Mr. Iain Wright: We already expect and encourage As this information is not routinely gathered, to assemble local authorities to use their planning powers to help these data would represent a disproportionate cost to increase the supply of social housing. We announced in the Department. the Budget £100 million of new funding for local authorities The Continuous REcording System (CORE) collects to deliver new social housing at higher energy efficiency information from local authorities and registered social standards. In addition we have just concluded consultation landlords but mutual exchange schemes fall outside the on allowing local authorities to apply for any new scope of this. As this information is not routinely gathered, council houses they build (or acquire or otherwise bring to assemble these data would represent a disproportionate back into use) to be held outside the Housing Revenue cost to the Department. Account (HRA) Subsidy system. This will enable them to keep the rental income and sale receipts of any such Housing: Rural Areas properties, which, to date, has proved a disincentive to build. Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for While authorities without stock will be free to apply Communities and Local Government what assessment for both grant and exclusions from the HRA Subsidy her Department has made of the adequacy of housing system, we expect that it will be authorities with retained survey coverage in rural areas; and if she will make a stock that will have the capacity to take advantage of statement. [276644] the opportunity. Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Iain Wright: In determining levels of housing Communities and Local Government how many (a) provision, local planning authorities and regional planning local authorities and (b) housing associations have bodies should take into account evidence of need and exchange schemes for social housing tenants who wish demand, set out in Strategic Housing Market Assessments, to move to a different area. [277701] and other relevant market information. 461W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 462W

The framework set out within our Strategic Housing Small settlements are defined as settlements with a Market Assessments Practice Guidance provides advice population of 3,000 or less. on the use of surveys where they are feasible and appropriate. Our guidance specifies that in rural areas Housing: Standards the costs of face-to-face interviews can be expensive and a postal survey may be a more viable option. Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Matthew Taylor’s review “Living Working Countryside”, Communities and Local Government how many (a) published in July 2008 highlighted the problems of local local authority and (b) registered social landlord authorities’ information on housing need, particularly properties in each region do not meet the Decent in rural areas. We are now seeking views on proposals to Homes standard because of over-crowding. [276274] reward rural local authorities which are working with Mr. Iain Wright: The Decent Homes Standard itself parish councils to: does not specifically cover overcrowding. ‘Crowding Provide housing needs surveys of parishes; and and space’ is one of the 29 hazards within the Housing Using that information to identify sites for affordable housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). To be to address the needs identified in the surveys. decent, a home must be free of all Category 1 hazards The proposal is contained in the consultation paper under the HHSRS and also meet the other three criteria “Housing and planning delivery grant (HPDG): (adequate thermal comfort, repair and modern facilities Consultation on allocation mechanism for Year 2 and and services). Under the HHSRS, crowding would Year 3” published on 12 May. constitute a Category 1 hazard if the property and its occupancy constituted an unacceptable risk of serious Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for harm. A home is considered to be non decent through a Communities and Local Government how many HHSRS failure. households in rural areas were living in temporary accommodation at the latest date for which The 2006 English House Condition Survey, published information is available. [276645] in 2008, estimated through modelling that there might be fewer than 50,000 homes in this category for all Mr. Iain Wright: Information about English local tenures (private and social) across the country. authorities’ actions under the homelessness legislation Local Development Frameworks (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected quarterly at local authority level. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Data collected includes the number of households Communities and Local Government whether her accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for Department plans to provide funding for local assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, planning authorities to undertake changes to local and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure development frameworks contained in the proposed that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled Planning Policy Statement 4. [277240] home is not immediately available, the authority must secure temporary accommodation until a settled home Mr. Iain Wright: As noted in the consultation impact becomes available. assessment accompanying the new streamlined Planning Information on the number of households housed in Policy Statement 4 (PPS4), we do not envisage that our temporary accommodation is reported quarterly by proposals will impose additional burdens or extra costs local authorities as at the last day of each quarter. The on local planning authorities. We believe that there is figures include: those households which have been accepted potential for real cost savings in the medium to long-term as owed the main homelessness duty; those for which by presenting policies for economic development in an inquiries are pending; those being accommodated for a integrated way, particularly in terms of speedier and limited period because they have been found intentionally better quality plan-making, and decision taking in respect homeless and in priority need; those being accommodated to planning applications. pending possible referral to another authority, and those In particular, the revisions proposed to planning for being accommodated pending the outcome of a local town centres policy are amendments to the existing authority review or county court appeal. policy as set out in PPS6 “Planning for Town Centres”, Of the total 67,480 households in temporary and are designed to improve the effectiveness of our accommodation on the 31 December 2008, 3,840 of ’town centres first’ policy rather than making any these households were housed by local authorities defined fundamental change. Similarly, the approach to planning as predominantly rural (with at least half of their for economic development is intended to build upon the population living in rural areas). existing policy approach in PPG4 “Industrial, Commercial Development and Small Firms” by reinforcing messages Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for and emphasising certain aspects of the approach. Communities and Local Government how many new affordable rural homes in smaller settlements have been Local Government: Camden completed since 2008. [276646] Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Iain Wright: Of the total number of affordable Communities and Local Government what housing completions recorded on the Homes and requirements her Department has placed upon the Communities Agency (HCA) investment management London Borough of Camden to ensure it reduces its system (IMS) for 2008-09, 2,420 were in small settlements carbon emissions arising from (a) housing stock, (b) in England. business premises, (c) schools and (d) public The number of local authority affordable housing buildings; and what steps her Department takes to completions in small settlements is not collected centrally. monitor compliance with such requirements. [275103] 463W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 464W

Mr. Iain Wright: Government planning policy, contained assessment her Department has made of the levels of in PPS1 Planning and Climate Change, requires planning preparedness of local authorities for an influenza authorities to set out percentage targets for low carbon/ pandemic. [277028] renewable energy sources in new developments. Performance against target is monitored through annual monitoring Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply. reports. Local authorities have to decide how to meet their Part L of the building regulations sets minimum legal obligations to plan for an influenza pandemic energy efficiency standards for new buildings and when under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Local authority certain categories of building work are carried out on compliance with the Civil Contingencies Act duties is existing buildings e.g. extensions, conversions, renovations, assessed by the Audit Commission as part of their replacement windows and boilers. The Government Comprehensive Performance Assessment process. have announced that they intend to seek progressive As members of Local Resilience Forums (LRFs), improvements in part L standards and has set targets local authorities have played a full part in the development for all new homes to be net zero carbon from 2016 and of local multi agency pandemic influenza plans. Over has similar stretching ambitions for new non-domestic the last year, these plans have undergone validation by buildings. local responders and Government offices and at least In addition, all new affordable housing receiving one LRF plan per region has been tested via a table top social housing grant through the Homes and Communities exercise. Lessons identified will be shared locally. Agency must be built to at least Code for Sustainable Plans are available on local LRF websites and can be Homes level 3 standard. accessed through the UK Resilience pages of the Cabinet As part of the new Government performance framework, Office website: Camden is required to report against National Indicator www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience/pandemicflu/plans/ 185—CO2 reduction from local authority operations regional_plans.aspx and National Indicator 186—per capita reduction in Planning Permission CO2 emissions in the local authority area. In addition, Camden has selected National Indicator 186 as a stretch target and action under this indicator is critical to Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for achieving the Government’s climate change objectives. Communities and Local Government how many Performance will be monitored by the Audit Commission planning applications for (a) residential and (b) under the comprehensive area assessment (CAA) which commercial developments have been (i) granted and (ii) will look at how well Camden’s services are working declined in (A) Leicester and (B) England in each of together to improve the quality of life for local people. the last five years; and what the most common reason CAA will be a catalyst for better local outcomes, more for the rejection of such applications for (1) residential responsive services and better value for money and an and (2) commercial developments was in that period. independent evidence base for central Government on [276225] progress against national priorities. Mr. Iain Wright: The number of planning applications Local Government: Influenza for residential and commercial developments that have been (i) granted and (ii) declined in Leicester and England Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for in each of the last five years is set out in the following Communities and Local Government what recent table:

Planning decisions on residential and commercial developments in Leicester and England Leicester1 England2 Dwellings Commercial3 Dwellings Commercial3 Period Granted Refused Granted Refused Granted Refused Granted Refused

2003-04 125 20 128 17 49,500 24,700 23,400 3,200 2004-05 132 49 176 28 56,600 29,600 22,600 3,600 2005-06 188 57 200 32 51,300 29,300 21,900 3,500 2006-07 150 90 180 41 49,500 27,900 21,000 3,600 2007-08 178 56 206 40 50,500 29,100 21,900 3,800 2008-094,5 118 25 142 13 33,400 18,900 15,000 2,500 1 Figures as reported by Leicester. 2 England figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 and include estimates for non-responding authorities. 3 Includes offices, research and development, light industry, general industry, storage, warehousing, retail distribution and servicing. 4 April 2008 to December 2008. Information for January to March 2009 to be published on 26 June 2009. 5 Provisional. Source: Communities and Local Government General Development Control Returns

Reasons for rejections for such applications are not her Department has given on (a) the composition of collated centrally. and (b) the role of commercial developers in housing market partnerships. [277019] Property Development Mr. Iain Wright: Our guidance on completing Strategic Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing Land Availability Assessments, published in Communities and Local Government what guidance support of Planning Policy Statement 3, sets out very 465W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 466W clearly the importance of a partnership approach in Rented Housing identifying land for housing. It says that regional planning bodies and local planning Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for authorities should work together, and with key stakeholders, Communities and Local Government with reference to to undertake assessments to ensure a joined-up and page 18 of her Department’s response to the Rugg robust approach. Assessments should preferably be carried Review Consultation, what existing powers would be out at the sub-regional level, for separate housing market used to take over the management of the housing stock areas, by housing market partnerships (where established). of a landlord removed from the register. [277021] Housing market partnerships should include key stakeholders such as house builders, social landlords, Mr. Iain Wright: The proposals in the Government’s local property agents, local communities and other response to the widely welcomed Rugg Review of the agencies, such as English Partnerships (now the Homes private rented sector are at a high level and still subject and Communities Agency) where they have a recognised to consultation. Powers already exist under part 4 of the interest in an area. Housing Act 2004 for local authorities to make management Key stakeholders should be involved at the outset of orders which enable them to take over the management the assessment, so that they can help shape the approach of certain privately rented properties where they consider to be taken. In particular, house builders and local that the private landlords of those properties are failing property agents should provide expertise and knowledge in their management duty. If our proposals for a national to help the partnership to take a view on the deliverability register for landlords and linked systems of complaint and developability of sites, and how market conditions and redress were to be implemented, one option by may affect economic viability. Key stakeholders should which enforcement could be carried out would be to also be involved in updating the assessment from time make use of the current powers. to time. Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Regional Planning and Development: Finance Communities and Local Government how many (a) two bedroom, (b) three bedroom and (c) four or more bedroom (i) housing association properties and (ii) Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for local authority properties have a single occupant. Communities and Local Government how much [277702] funding for infrastructure was allocated by her Department to each growth area in England in each Mr. Iain Wright: Estimates of the number of social year since 2005-06. [277527] sector properties with a single occupant with two, three and four or more bedrooms are provided in the following Mr. Iain Wright: The information requested is provided table. These estimates are based on data from the Survey in the following table. of English Housing.

£ million Reliable separate estimates for housing association and local authority tenants are not available from the 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 survey. Ashford 3.6 4.9 15.1 10.9 Number of bedrooms in social sector properties with single occupancy, England, 2007-08 London 25.4 38.9 79.4 63 Thousands of households Stansted Number of bedrooms Tenure 1 2 3 4 or more All Cambridge Peterborough All social 962 443 231 15 1,651 renters Source: Milton Keynes 28.6 106.4 123.4 57 Communities and Local Government, Survey of English Housing South Midlands Repossession Orders: North West

Thames 16.2 41.7 60 22.4 Gateway Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many home Since 2005-06, the Department for Communities and repossessions initiated by (a) building societies and Local Government has invested over £696 million for (b) banks there were in (i) Tameside, (ii) Stockport and infrastructure to support housing growth in the Thames (iii) Greater Manchester in each of the last five years. Gateway and the other growth areas of Ashford, Milton [277504] Keynes-South Midlands, and London-Stansted- Cambridge-Peterborough. This comprises Thames Gateway Mr. Iain Wright: There are two independent sources funding, the Growth Areas Fund (the Growth Fund of data on actual numbers of mortgage possessions: since 2008-09), and the Community Infrastructure Fund The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and the (a dual-key fund, managed by the Department for Financial Services Authority (FSA). However both are Transport in 06-08, Communities and Local Government only available for the United Kingdom as a whole. in 2008, and transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency in December 2008). This funding is additional The Council of Mortgage Lenders latest press release to mainstream departmental funding in areas such as on this is on their website at: health, education and national transport networks. http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/media/press/2262 467W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 468W

The CML data on repossessions are no longer freely Social Rented Housing available from their website. For detailed time series information members of the public can request to subscribe Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for to CML to obtain access to a restricted website. Communities and Local Government (1) pursuant to The Financial Services Authority data are available the answer of 26 April 2009, Official Report, columns on their website at 729-30W, on social rented housing, how much of the £100 million made available in 2008-09 was spent; and http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Doing/Regulated/Returns/IRR/ statistics/ how much of the £300 million advanced to 2009-10 has been spent to date; [274186] The CML and FSA release slightly different figures. The CML data is for repossessions on first-charge (2) pursuant to the answer of 26 March 2009, mortgages only, including Buy-to-Let mortgages, as Official Report, columns 729-30W, on social rented issued by their members. CML estimate that their lenders housing, how many of the additional social rented currently account for 98 per cent. of mortgage lending. homes are under construction. [274187] The FSA data, as well as covering possessions on first- Mr. Iain Wright: The Homes and Communities Agency’s charge mortgages, cover possessions on second-charge Affordable Housing Programme provisional spend for loans by Regulated firms (many second charge lenders 2008-09 was £2.6 billion including the £100 million are not regulated) but do not cover possessions as transferred into this budget from 2010-11 resources. comprehensively on Buy-to-Let mortgages, as some of The Homes and Communities Agency accounts will be these are from unregulated firms. The overall effect of audited and a copy will be laid before Parliament later the differences is that the FSA’s statistics on possessions this year. are slightly higher. The funds brought forward as part of the 2 September Right to Buy Scheme 2008 announcement and pre-Budget report 24 November from 2010-11 into earlier years for social rented homes Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for from within the Affordable Housing Programme budget Communities and Local Government how much was remains part of that overall programme and delivery of received by registered social landlords from (a) right to outputs with these brought forward funds is not monitored buy and (b) right to acquire sales in each of the last separately. Targets set for the Homes and Communities five years. [276139] Agency will reflect the funds being invested. Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Iain Wright: Information on receipts from Right Communities and Local Government how many social to Buy by registered social landlords (RSLs) are not tenants are housed by housing associations; and how collected centrally. Receipts from Right to Acquire sales many such tenants have a right to acquire their are credited to the Disposal Proceeds Fund retained by property. [277022] RSLs and are reinvested in the provision of social rented housing. Mr. Iain Wright: There are 1.976 million housing Right to Acquire receipts are not identified separately association tenants in England. within the Disposal Proceeds Fund which may also Over 210,000 housing association tenants (10 per contain receipts from Social HomeBuy sales. cent.) may qualify for the right to acquire because their Annual account financial return received from the homes have been built with public funds since 1 April largest RSLs (with greater than 1,000 units) show the 1997. Some of the tenants of the 940,000 homes which closing balances held in the DPF for each year to be as have transferred from local authorities to housing follows: associations since 1 April 1997 may also qualify for the right to acquire scheme. At March: £ million Approximately 18,000 (0.9 per cent.) secure tenants of non-charitable housing associations qualify for the 2005 90 right to buy scheme. In addition, 1.185 million housing 2006 110 association tenants (60 per cent.) who have transferred 2007 136 with their homes from local authorities since 1988 have 2008 189 a preserved right to buy. Source: Tenants Services Authority Social Rented Housing: Greater London

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) Communities and Local Government how many units right to buy and (b) right to acquire sales were made of social housing in each London borough are owned by each registered social landlord in each of the last by (a) local authorities and (b) housing associations; five years. [276140] and how many there were of each in each of the last 10 years. [273634] Mr. Iain Wright: A table will be placed in the Library of the House which shows the number of Right to Buy Mr. Iain Wright: Information on the number of social and Right to Acquire sales by registered social landlord housing units in each London borough as at 1 April for each of the last five years. 2008 (local authority units) and 31 March 2008 (registered Source: social landlord units and bed spaces) is shown in the Homes and Communities Agency Investment Management System following table. Local authority figures are reported for (IMS), and Regulatory and Statistical Returns (RSR) to the all self-contained units owned within the local authority Tenant Services Authority (TSA) from Registered Social Landlords. area, regardless of which local authority has ownership. 469W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 470W

Number of social housing units owned, England, 2008 Local authority (as at 1 April) Registered social landlord (as at 31 March)

London 435,542 350,596

Inner London 259,459 201,079 Camden 23,707 10,715 City of London 429 549 Hackney 23,536 21,590 Hammersmith and Fulham 13,213 12,537 Haringey 16,162 10,695 Islington 26,485 14,933 Kensington and Chelsea 6,996 13,365 Lambeth 27,387 21,174 Lewisham 19,907 16,437 Newham 17,757 11,908 Southwark 41,287 14,617 Tower Hamlets 13,138 26,682 Wandsworth 17,145 10,056 Westminster 12,310 15,821

Outer London 176,083 149,517 Barking and Dagenham 19,461 3,440 Barnet 11,051 6,904 Bexley 13 12,953 Brent 9,792 15,338 Bromley 86 18,513 Croydon 14,043 10,203 Ealing 13,364 9,621 Enfield 11,578 6,756 Greenwich 24,449 10,724 Harrow 5,091 3,640 Havering 10,421 2,509 Hillingdon 10,661 5,866 Hounslow 12,942 6,645 Kingston upon Thames 4,852 2,298 Merton 6,364 4,821 Redbridge 4,768 4,625 Richmond upon Thames 50 9,790 Sutton 6,689 4,179 Waltham Forest 10,408 10,692 Note: Local authority units include those owned within the local authority area, regardless of which local authority owns the units. Sources: Housing strategy statistical appendix (for local authority stock) (see Live Table 116) Tenant Services Authority’s regulatory and statistical return (for RSL stock).

The following table shows the change in the number of local authority stock in each London borough over the last 10 years :

Change in local authority stock, as at 1 April each year; England 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

London -20,330 -22,280 -20,991 -14,040 -16,270 -16,870 -14,517 -11,557 -5,880 -15,339

Inner London -13,500 -16,131 -9,009 -10,522 -9,303 -11,077 -10,439 -9,194 -6,551 -11,302

Camden -534 -595 -286 -790 -317 -198 -1,571 76 480 190

City of London -25 -27 -13 -12 4 -18 -12 1 -1 0

Hackney -3,842 -3,183 ¦637 -661 -1,776 -1,145 -577 -709 -149 -54 471W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 472W

Change in local authority stock, as at 1 April each year; England 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Hammersmith -909 127 -761 -230 -270 -243 -363 -98 -51 -35 and Fulham Haringey -202 -96 453 -865 4 -1,022 -82 -233 207 •802 Islington -729 -2,833 -1,193 -815 -573 -1,024 -1,400 -567 402 -561 Kensington -95 -61 -199 -9 -56 56 0 0 -162 0 and Chelsea Lambeth -1,179 -3,969 -1,044 -820 -1,142 -1,915 -1,567 -201 -2,401 401 Lewis ham -698 -782 -688 -1,485 -1,368 -1,034 -1,026 -280 -249 -6,129 Newham -537 472 151 -1,328 -737 -1,179 -677 -814 450 -201 Southwark -742 -803 -1,028 -1,823 -1,165 -1,541 -1,461 -1,610 402 -586 Tower Hamlets -3,388 -2,364 -1,774 -1,228 -1,332 -1,014 -1,189 4,650 -1,952 -2,601 Wandsworth 481 -542 -514 -127 -273 461 -297 40 -19 -134 Westminster -139 -531 -570 -329 -286 -339 -217 -69 40 12

Outer London -6,830 -6,149 -11,982 -3,518 -6,967 -5,793 4,078 -2,363 671 4,037 Barking and -791 -919 -906 412 -788 -725 -520 491 -307 -198 Dagenham Barnet -449 -306 -221 -256 -225 -524 -141 41 -32 -23 Bexley 0 -1 0 0 -1 -15 15 0 -2 0 Brent -433 -758 -117 -392 -203 -257 -229 -95 1,510 -1,343 Bromley -17 -12 11 9 -5 -97 0 0 0 86 Croydon -144 -129 -284 -242 -268 -313 -175 -57 44 -93 Ealing -219 433 -92 19 -131 -756 -216 -135 460 -556 Enfield -1,197 -313 149 -589 -333 -245 -523 -78 -57 -10 Greenwich -1,822 -671 -830 -389 -540 -766 -587 -310 -304 -254 Harrow -104 -140 -292 -72 -581 -106 -57 -18 -12 0 Havering -256 -333 -292 -288 -155 405 -21 -224 -71 -546 Hillingdon -240 -264 -81 -103 -138 -185 -200 -176 -165 -148 Hounslow -95 -255 -774 -199 -312 -701 -506 474 277 -234 Kingston upon -82 -65 -64 -30 -72 •64 -54 -55 6 -17 Thames Merton -173 -318 -212 140 -391 -177 46 -58 -206 42 Redbridge -217 -143 -723 -189 -120 -120 -314 109 -204 -22 Richmond -86 -206 -6,521 30 0 -30 87 -10 6 -33 upon Thames Sutton -129 -203 -349 -373 -345 -359 -178 -182 -175 -643 Waltham -376 ¦680 -384 -182 -2,359 52 -505 -68 -9 39 Forest Note: Local authority units include those owned within the local authority area, regardless of which local authority owns the units. Source: Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix.

The following table shows the change in the number of RSL stock in each London borough over the last 10 years:

Change in registered social landlord stock, as at 31 March each year, England Number of self-contained units Number of self-contained units/bed spaces 1999- 1998-99 2000 2000-01 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

London 19,998 11,554 21,080 9,295 3,444 4,100 8,559 7,560 14,701

Inner London 10,989 8.946 5,012 3,580 2.392 2.236 6.789 5,403 11.527 Camden -8 374 232 -60 68 -62 209 -486 -103 City of London 0 0 0 14 40 -27 247 0 6 Hackney 3.898 2.628 378 1,000 -6 -70 -194 191 217 Hammersmith and 659 206 227 550 91 -110 -36 224 242 Fulham Haringey 124 356 122 179 316 -69 55 24 212 473W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 474W

Change in registered social landlord stock, as at 31 March each year, England Number of self-contained units Number of self-contained units/bed spaces 1999- 1998-99 2000 2000-01 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08

Islington -1 1,441 300 280 379 893 447 12 899 Kensington and Chelsea -163 128 95 -50 163 -103 -30 198 43 Lambeth 947 3,178 101 265 -150 262 531 1.442 954 Lewis ham 109 145 201 10 450 75 191 257 5,520 Newham 617 351 240 13 201 357 529 309 231 Southwark 14 109 697 498 225 728 30 355 260 Tower Hamlets 4,486 -134 1,918 565 757 389 4,663 2.190 2,779 Wandsworth 74 49 7 241 -83 37 -307 -93 166 Westminster 233 115 494 75 -59 -64 454 780 101

Outer London 9,009 2,608 16,068 5.715 1.052 1,864 1,770 2,157 3.174 Barking and Dagenham 542 273 203 189 43 221 135 178 183 Barnet 229 274 155 707 66 -309 54 182 100 Bexley 4,064 -105 2.211 33 -95 163 -204 -188 121 Brent 1,828 301 522 49 530 -32 5 279 756 Bromley -475 234 -9 213 -136 115 15 201 164 Croydon 587 165 156 310 116 100 183 116 335 Ealing 377 200 191 56 370 171 51 324 ¦At Enfield 1,439 106 485 339 -207 314 122 -51 188 Greenwich 1.670 171 2.313 96 273 -10 298 249 67 Harrow 35 -24 112 701 -6 98 97 110 21 Havering 59 43 58 -9 46 83 64 207 182 Hillingdon 232 240 290 284 73 310 231 238 319 Hounslow 324 107 559 102 211 83 325 272 66 Kingston upon Thames 109 9 119 54 48 102 50 -9 -26 Merton 1,187 98 -140 49 18 77 75 141 96 Redbridge 136 196 610 147 -44 196 98 32 28 Richmond upon 10 123 6.330 -79 -43 -12 78 -26 77 Thames Sutton 108 90 218 155 -186 284 ^3 41 491 Waltham Forest 583 235 1,212 2.319 -25 -90 124 -127 47 Notes: Figures from 1998 to 2001 are based on counts of self-contained units only. From 2002 the stock figures include self-contained units and bed spaces. Thereisno change given between 2001-02 as these data are not comparable. From 2005 some general needs stock was reclassified as supported stock. This may have resulted in some of the older person stock being counted as bed spaces rather than self-contained units. Source: Tenant Services Authority’s regulatory and statistical return (for RSL stock).

Figures for RSLs include general needs, supported Information on the average weekly rent charged by housing and housing for older people accommodation. local authorities is shown in the following table: Figures from 1998 to 2001 are based on counts of Average weekly rent charged by local authorities self-contained units only. From 2002 onwards the figures England (£) in this table are not comparable to estimates for years previous to 2002 in the table because the stock figures 2006-07 57.94 from 2002 onwards include social rent bed spaces as 2007-08 61.63 well as social rent self-contained units; estimates for 2008-09 64.21 years previous to 2002 are based on self-contained units Notes: 1. Rents data are based on the financial year. Stock figures used to estimate the only. average are taken at 1 April of the following financial year. Average rent data for Social Rented Housing: Rents 2008-09 are provisional. 2. Average rents data are based on a standardised 52 week collection. Source: Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) second subsidy claim form. Communities and Local Government what the average Information is collected on the average weekly rent (a) weekly rent paid by a household living in a local charged by local authorities via the Housing Revenue (b) authority and registered social landlord dwelling Account (HRA) second subsidy claim form. This was in each of the last three years. [275571] information is published on the Communities and Local Mr. Iain Wright: Information is collected on what Government website in Live Table 702: local authorities and registered social landlords charge, http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/table- rather than what was paid by a household. 702.xls 475W Written Answers2 JUNE 2009 Written Answers 476W

Information on the average weekly rent charged by of 3 February 2009, Official Report, column 1155W, on registered social landlords for the last three years it is planning permission: caravan sites, (1) if she will place available is shown in the following table: in the Library a copy of her Department’s ruling made Average weekly rent charged by registered social landlords in respect of each of the 24 traveller appeals which she As at 31 March England (£) upheld; [276962] (2) what the planning appeal reference number for 2006 64.32 each of the 318 traveller appeals upheld by the 2007 66.58 Planning Inspectorate was. [276963] Source: Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) based on general needs Mr. Iain Wright: Copies of 16 decision letters, with stock only. the decisions made by the Secretary of State on 22 out Information is collected on the average weekly rent of 23 planning appeals indicated on the table, pursuant charged by registered social landlords via the annual to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR). This information Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 3 February 2009, Official Report, is published on the Communities and Local Government column 1155W, have been placed in the Library. Three website in Live Table 704: of the letters supplied relate to linked cases involving http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/ the Secretary of State decisions. 141632.xls One appeal decision made in April 2002 has not been Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for recoverable in the time available. One appeal decision Communities and Local Government what the previously listed as having been decided by the Secretary percentage change in the level of social housing rents of State has subsequently been discovered as having in has been in each local authority in 2009. [277704] fact been determined by the Planning Inspectorate. A table has also been placed in the Library containing Mr. Iain Wright: The data will not be available until a list of the planning appeal reference numbers together after local authorities submit their second advance subsidy with local planning authority, date of decision, site claim form. This form is not due to be submitted until address (where known) and description of development 31 August. for appeals upheld by the Planning Inspectorate as indicated on the table pursuant to the answer to the Travelling People: Caravan Sites hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 3 February 2009, Official Report, column 1155W. As Robert Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for mentioned above an additional appeal, counted previously Communities and Local Government pursuant to the as being determined by the Secretary of State, has been answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar added to the inspectorate’s list which now totals 319. ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 145 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Business Rate Liabilities...... 150 continued Decent Homes Programme ...... 158 Non-Domestic Rate (Small Businesses) ...... 145 Home Information Packs...... 156 Regional Spatial Strategies...... 146 Houses in Multiple Occupation...... 150 Social Housing...... 157 Housing Revenue Account...... 148 Topical Questions ...... 159 Mortgage Assistance Schemes...... 152 Traveller Sites...... 151 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 5WS HEALTH...... 7WS Met Office (Key Performance Targets 2009-10)..... 5WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Affairs Council ...... 7WS (Performance Targets)...... 5WS UK Hydrographic Office (Key Performance Targets 2009-10)...... 6WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 8WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL African Development Bank (Second Joint AFFAIRS...... 6WS Strategic Framework)...... 8WS “Novel Materials in the Environment: The Case of Nanotechnology”...... 6WS PETITION

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY ...... 7P Support for Mutual Societies...... 7P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 1 June 2009—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES...... 233W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued Apprentices...... 233W Primary Education...... 246W Cabinet: Glasgow...... 234W Pupil Exclusions...... 246W Children: Databases...... 234W Pupil Exclusions: Disadvantaged ...... 248W Children: Day Care ...... 235W Pupils...... 249W Children: Mental Health Services ...... 235W Pupils: Biometrics ...... 249W Children: Protection...... 236W Pupils: Epilepsy...... 250W Citizenship: Education...... 237W Pupils: Languages ...... 250W Class Sizes: Primary Education...... 237W Pupils: Per Capita Costs...... 252W Departmental Air Conditioning...... 237W Qualifications and Curriculum Authority: Departmental Marketing ...... 238W Finance...... 257W Departmental Pay ...... 238W Qualifications and Curriculum Development Economic and Monetary Union ...... 238W Agency...... 259W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 239W Racial Harassment: Barnsley ...... 260W First Aid: Education ...... 239W Schools ...... 260W GCE A-Level: Bexley...... 239W Schools: Finance...... 260W GCSE ...... 240W Schools: Playing Fields ...... 265W GCSE: Disadvantaged ...... 243W Schools: Sports ...... 266W Gifted Children...... 243W Schools: Standards...... 267W Head Teachers ...... 243W Science: GCE A-Level...... 273W Literacy: Primary Education...... 244W Secondary Education ...... 275W Members Correspondence: Learning and Skills Special Educational Needs...... 276W Council ...... 245W Special Educational Needs: Finance ...... 277W National Curriculum Tests...... 245W Special Educational Needs: GCSE...... 277W Col. No. Col. No. CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued Specialised Diplomas ...... 278W Teachers: Vacancies...... 285W Teachers: Males ...... 282W Truancy...... 285W Teachers: Redundancy ...... 283W Young People: Voluntary Work...... 287W Teachers: Training...... 283W Young People’s Learning Agency...... 287W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— REFORM ...... 337W continued Advertising: Competition ...... 337W Homelessness...... 455W Business: Regulation ...... 338W Housing: City of Westminster...... 456W EU Internal Trade...... 338W Housing: Floods ...... 457W Exports: White Phosphorus ...... 339W Housing: Low Incomes ...... 457W Manufacturing Industries: Motor Vehicles...... 340W Housing: Rural Areas ...... 460W Metals: Prices...... 340W Housing: Standards ...... 462W Motor Vehicles: Manufacturing Industries...... 340W Local Development Frameworks ...... 462W Small Businesses ...... 341W Local Government: Camden...... 462W Small Businesses: Bank Services...... 342W Local Government: Influenza ...... 463W Visteon: Enfield ...... 342W Planning Permission ...... 464W Western Sahara: Overseas Trade ...... 342W Property Development ...... 463W Regional Planning and Development: Finance ...... 465W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES...... 428W Regional Spatial Strategies...... 447W Building Schools for the Future ...... 428W Rented Housing ...... 466W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Repossession Orders: North West ...... 466W Standards...... 428W Retail Park: Kirkby...... 448W Child Care: Qualifications...... 429W Right to Buy Scheme ...... 467W Child Minding: Manpower ...... 429W Social Rented Housing...... 468W Children: Abuse ...... 431W Social Rented Housing: Greater London ...... 468W Children in Care...... 430W Social Rented Housing: Rents...... 473W Children in Care: Per Capita Costs ...... 431W Traveller Sites...... 450W Children: Protection...... 432W Travelling People: Caravan Sites...... 475W Children: Social Services...... 437W Unitary Local Government: Devon ...... 449W Education: Finance...... 437W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 437W Health Education: Sex ...... 438W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 292W Middlegate Children’s Home...... 438W Advertising: Internet...... 292W National Safeguarding Delivery Unit...... 439W Arts: Apprentices ...... 293W Pupils...... 440W Employment Tribunals Service...... 293W Schools: Admissions ...... 440W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 293W Schools: Buildings...... 440W Pay Television ...... 293W Schools: Complaints ...... 441W Pay Television: Sports ...... 294W Schools: Standards...... 442W Royal Parks Agency: Security ...... 294W Secure Children’s Homes...... 442W Sixth Form Education: Finance ...... 443W DEFENCE...... 404W Social Services: Children...... 443W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 404W Social Workers: Manpower ...... 445W Sure Start: Rotherham ...... 445W Sure Start: Warrington...... 446W DUCHY OF LANCASTER ...... 422W Teachers: Pensions ...... 446W Civil Servants...... 422W Teachers: Plymouth...... 446W Civil Servants: Codes of Practice ...... 422W Teachers: Vetting...... 447W Civil Servants: Vacancies...... 422W Civil Service: Recruitment...... 423W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 447W Departmental ICT ...... 423W Building Regulations: Water Efficiency and Scald Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 423W Prevention...... 449W Departmental Pay ...... 424W Business Rates...... 448W Departmental Work Experience...... 424W Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 ..... 450W Director of Digital Engagement ...... 424W Community Infrastructure Levy ...... 451W Emergency Services: Floods...... 425W Community-based Enterprises ...... 449W Flood Control...... 425W Community-Based Enterprises...... 450W Government Departments: Disclosure of Council Housing: Brighton and Hove...... 452W Information ...... 426W Derelict Land...... 453W Government Departments: Email ...... 426W Empty Property ...... 453W Government Departments: Internet...... 426W Green Belt: North West...... 454W Government Departments: Ministerial Policy Green Belt: South East...... 454W Advisers ...... 427W Home Information Packs...... 448W Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 427W Col. No. Col. No. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL HEALTH—continued AFFAIRS...... 321W Prescriptions: ICT...... 402W Angling: Licensing ...... 321W Social Services: Train to Gain Programme ...... 403W British Waterways Board: Finance ...... 322W Weather...... 403W Cabinet: Glasgow...... 322W Departmental Correspondence ...... 323W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 343W Departmental Dismissal...... 323W Antisocial Behaviour: Fixed Penalties ...... 343W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 324W Armed Forces: Foreigners ...... 357W Departmental Reviews ...... 324W Asylum: Iraq...... 357W Departmental Stationery...... 325W Borders: Enforcement ...... 357W Environment Agency: Vacancies ...... 326W Demonstrations: Kingsnorth ...... 358W Fisheries...... 331W DNA: Databases...... 359W Fisheries: Quotas ...... 332W Domestic Violence: Departmental Co-ordination .. 360W Flood Control...... 332W Employment Tribunals Service...... 360W Floods: Gardens ...... 335W European Network for the Protection of Public Floods: Property Development ...... 335W Figures...... 361W Inland Waterways: Olympic Games 2012 ...... 335W Europol...... 361W Sewers: Private Sector ...... 336W Extradition: USA...... 362W Water Charges...... 336W Female Genital Mutilation...... 362W Water: Maps...... 336W Foreign Workers: Health Services ...... 362W House of Commons: Right of Search...... 363W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 371W Human Trafficking ...... 363W Afghanistan and Iraq...... 371W Identity Cards ...... 363W Afghanistan: Politics and Government ...... 373W Illegal Immigrants...... 364W Arms Control: Nuclear Weapons ...... 375W Immigration...... 365W Caribbean: Prisons...... 375W Immigration: Children ...... 365W Departmental Official Cars...... 375W Independent Police Complaints Commission: Departmental Pay ...... 376W Manpower ...... 365W Economic Situation...... 376W Members: Correspondence ...... 366W Egypt: Prisoners...... 376W Olympic Games 2012: Security ...... 366W EU-Israel Association Committee...... 377W Police Community Support Officers: Costs...... 366W Gurkhas: Immigration ...... 378W Police: Complaints ...... 367W Hezbollah ...... 378W Police: Databases ...... 367W Iran: Bahai Faith...... 378W Police: G20...... 367W Jeremy Greenstock...... 379W Police: Retirement ...... 367W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 379W Police: Stun Guns...... 368W Somalia: Piracy ...... 379W Schengen Agreement...... 368W Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict ...... 380W Smuggling: Heathrow Airport...... 368W Sri Lanka: United Nations...... 381W Terrorism ...... 368W Sudan: Overseas Aid...... 382W Terrorism: Internet...... 369W Syria: Human Rights ...... 382W Vetting ...... 369W Turks and Caicos Islands: Constitutions...... 382W UK Trade and Investment: Recruitment ...... 383W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 292W United Arab Emirates: Torture ...... 383W Members: Allowances ...... 292W Western Sahara: Politics and Government ...... 383W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 384W INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS ..... 370W Departmental Security ...... 370W HEALTH...... 390W Higher Education: Finance ...... 371W Alzheimer’s Disease ...... 390W Natural Environment Research Council: Shipping. 372W Cancer: Health Services ...... 391W Dementia ...... 391W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 289W Dementia: Drugs...... 392W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 289W Departmental Security ...... 392W Developing Countries: HIV Infection ...... 289W Diabetes: North East ...... 392W Developing Countries: Young People...... 289W Domestic Accidents: Children...... 393W Overseas Aid: Nutrition...... 290W Economic and Monetary Union ...... 393W Overseas Aid: Water...... 291W Epilepsy ...... 393W Sri Lanka: Overseas Aid ...... 291W General Practitioners: ICT...... 394W Headaches and Migraine ...... 395W JUSTICE...... 297W Health Professions: Working Hours...... 396W Antisocial Behaviour: Fixed Penalties ...... 297W Health Services: Disabled...... 397W Bail Accommodation and Support Service ...... 311W Heart Diseases ...... 397W Data Protection: Local Government ...... 312W Immediate Care...... 398W Human Rights: Costs...... 313W National Institute for Health and Clinical Isle of Man: Electricity Generation...... 313W Excellence ...... 398W Magistrates Courts: Costs...... 313W NHS: Conditions of Employment ...... 399W Prison Service: Pay...... 314W NHS: Pay...... 400W Prisoners Release: Northern Ireland ...... 314W NHS Redress Scheme...... 399W Prisons: Coltishall...... 314W NHS: Working Hours ...... 401W Probation: North Yorkshire ...... 315W Palliative Care...... 401W Probation: Rural Areas ...... 317W Patients: Suicide...... 402W Probation: Staffordshire...... 317W Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE—continued TREASURY—continued Probation: Wales...... 318W EU Budget ...... 411W Youth Custody...... 320W EU Institutions: Fraud...... 412W Youth Justice: Costs ...... 321W Housing: Low Incomes ...... 421W Income Tax ...... 412W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 292W Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands ...... 413W Members: Allowances ...... 292W Lenders’ Panel ...... 413W Members: Correspondence ...... 413W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 291W Pensions: Private Sector ...... 414W AccessNI...... 291W Personal Savings ...... 414W Police Service of Northern Ireland: Pay ...... 291W Personal Savings: Interest Rates...... 415W Robbery: Firearms ...... 291W Repossession Orders ...... 415W Revenue and Customs: Manpower...... 416W SCOTLAND...... 292W Tax Allowances: Personal Pensions...... 416W Economic and Monetary Union ...... 292W Tax Yields: Business...... 417W Taxation...... 417W TRANSPORT ...... 294W Taxation: Construction ...... 418W Bourbon Dolphin ...... 294W Taxation: Sports...... 418W c2c...... 294W VAT: Hospices...... 419W Departmental Air Travel ...... 295W VAT: Retail Trade ...... 419W Departmental Conditions of Employment...... 295W Welfare Tax Credits: Essex ...... 419W Departmental Dismissal...... 295W Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments ...... 420W Departmental Hotels ...... 295W Welfare Tax Credits: South West...... 420W Departmental Marketing ...... 296W Departmental Official Gifts ...... 296W WOMEN AND EQUALITY ...... 337W Departmental Pay ...... 296W Departmental Visits Abroad ...... 337W Departmental Research...... 296W Departmental Travel ...... 298W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 384W Economic and Monetary Union ...... 297W Departmental Assets...... 384W Departmental Dismissal...... 384W TREASURY ...... 407W Employment Schemes: Lone Parents ...... 385W Balance of Payments: EU Action...... 407W Funeral Payments ...... 385W Bank Notes: Forgery...... 408W Jobcentre Plus ...... 385W Banks: Iceland ...... 409W Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 387W Capital Gains Tax ...... 410W Social Rented Housing...... 387W Debts ...... 410W Social Security Benefits: Payments...... 389W Departmental Marketing ...... 411W Vocational Training...... 390W Economic and Monetary Union ...... 411W Workers’ Memorial Day...... 390W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 145] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

Bailiffs (Repeals and Amendment) [Col. 166] Motion for leave to introduce Bill—(Ms Buck)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Bill [Lords] [Col. 169] Motion for Second Reading—(Jacqui Smith)—agreed to Programme motion—(Mr. Ian Austin)—agreed to

Family Benefits (Absent Teenage Fathers) [Col. 242] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Light Dues [Col. 1WH] Public Analysts Service [Col. 23WH] Small Businesses (HBOS) [Col. 43WH] Cancer Survivors [Col. 52WH] Public Transport Accessibility [Col. 58WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 5WS]

Petitions [Col. 7P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 233W]