Thursday Volume 520 16 December 2010 No. 92

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ()

Thursday 16 December 2010

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2010 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 1025 16 DECEMBER 2010 1026

option. I am afraid that the specific measure that my House of Commons hon. Friend wishes me to warm to falls within the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer rather Thursday 16 December 2010 than that of my Department, but I am sure that the Chancellor is as mindful as I am of our commitment to becoming the greenest Government ever. The House met at half-past Ten o’clock Geothermal Energy PRAYERS 2. Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): What [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] recent representations he has received on Government support for deep geothermal energy production in the UK. [30964] BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS The Minister of State, Department of Energy and NEW WRIT Climate Change (Gregory Barker): My Department engages Ordered, regularly with the deep geothermal sector, and believes That the Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the that that exciting renewable energy source has considerable Crown to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Member to unexploited potential. I shall be meeting the key players serve in this present Parliament for the County constituency of in the sector in the new year. Oldham East and Saddleworth in the room of Philip James Woolas Esq., whose election on 6 May 2010 has been declared to be void. Sarah Newton: I thank the Minister for his helpful —(Mr .) response. Deep geothermal power could generate 10% of the United Kingdom’s energy needs. It is a tried and tested technology which provides energy in countries throughout Europe. The last Government did not support Oral Answers to Questions that type of power generation, and rejected calls for the introduction of a licensing structure similar to those of other European countries. What are the Government doing to provide support for this important energy ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE sector?

The Secretary of State was asked— Gregory Barker: My hon. Friend has fought a vigorous campaign on behalf of this exciting new form of energy. Bioenergy I am delighted to say that, at my direction, officials are actively examining the practical and legal aspects of an 1. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): What assessment exploration licensing scheme covering geothermal heat he has made of the potential contribution of bioenergy and power projects, which will be vital to unlocking the to the Government’s objectives for energy security and true potential of this renewable energy source. climate change. [30963] Energy Prices The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (): The Government believe that sustainable 3. Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): When he last bioenergy, such as woody biomass, bioliquids and many met representatives of (a) Ofgem and (b) energy suppliers other bioenergy forms, could contribute up to half the to discuss consumer energy prices. [30965] UK’s target of 15% renewable energy by 2020. That would deliver a greenhouse gas saving of 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020. It would 11. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What also improve the UK’s security of supply, as bioenergy recent discussions he has had with gas and electricity is one of the few renewables that can generate energy on suppliers on trends in energy supply costs to domestic demand. consumers; and if he will make a statement. [30974]

Fiona Bruce: Convert2Green, a biodiesel producer in The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change my constituency, produces sustainable transport fuels (Chris Huhne): With permission, Mr Speaker, I shall from waste cooking oil. Those fuels currently benefit answer Questions 11 and 12 with Question 3. from a 20p fuel duty differential which is due to be Department of Energy and Climate Change Ministers abolished in April 2012, just three months after the and officials meet both Ofgem representatives and suppliers renewable transport fuels obligation comes into effect. regularly to discuss market issues. Ofgem monitors the Will the Secretary of State consider the merits of an market closely, and reports quarterly on retail prices. Its extension of the differential until the RTFO has had a latest report shows large increases in estimated supplier chance to prove itself as a suitable support mechanism margins—that is, profits—for the year ahead, which are for the sustainable biodiesel industry? mainly due to recent price increases. I am disappointed by that development, and I welcome the announcement Chris Huhne: The Government are keen to secure a of Ofgem’s review of the retail market. We are also more rapid development of all bioenergies, and the use taking other measures to encourage new market entrants of chip fat or any other cooking oil is certainly one to provide new competition. 1027 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1028

Mr Speaker: I merely point out to the House that the price encourages investors to put money into green grouping is with Question 11 only. Question 12 has been energy and does not simply become a mechanism that withdrawn. substantially increases energy bills?

Hugh Bayley: We are told that there is a global glut of Chris Huhne: That is one element of the proposals we gas. Will the Secretary of State explain why energy will be bringing forward later in the consultation document. suppliers are increasing consumer prices by two, three Indeed, we will make a statement on it. The Treasury and, in some cases, four times the rate of inflation? will consult on the carbon tax element today. It is one of What are the Government doing to protect the old and four key instruments that we will suggest should play a vulnerable during what seems likely to be one of the part in reforming the electricity market, taken together coldest winters on record? with our price support measures and our very keen enthusiasm to encourage market entrants. As competition Chris Huhne: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for is the best guarantee to consumers, I believe we can his question. The first and most important point is that ensure that we have the best possible deal for electricity Ofgem, as the regulator, ought to have considerable and gas supply in future. influence over the margin above the wholesale price, and that is the subject of the inquiry launched by Ofgem. If I remember the figures correctly, that margin Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): May I congratulate has risen from about £65 or £70 on a typical bill to my right hon. Friend on his success in Cancun? As about £90, and that is what triggered Ofgem’s interest in energy and utility companies are not passing on falls in the matter and the review. I have encouraged Ofgem to energy wholesale prices to consumers, is it not time we be firm with all the suppliers as to whether such margins had a review of whether Ofgem has the powers to tackle are necessary to bring forward the investment we require those companies that seem to care very little about the in the sector, and we await with interest Ofgem’s review. poor and vulnerable, as the hon. Member for York The hon. Gentleman also asked about the vulnerable. Central (Hugh Bayley) rightly pointed out? He may have seen that we have announced support through the warm home discount scheme, which will Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his run both for the next year and the year after—and kind remarks. There was an outstanding team effort at subsequently, I hope. It will provide discounts for the Cancun. The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the vulnerable. We are also continuing to make sure that Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), who energy efficiency measures are available, such as by is responsible for climate change, and the rest of the extending the carbon emissions reduction target, so we team played a tremendous part in making sure the can help the vulnerable get through what I know can be outcome was much more successful than we might have a very difficult period, particularly if there is a hard hoped even as recently as early in that week. winter. My hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Mark Mr Speaker: May I remind the House of my keenness Pritchard) is absolutely right to make the point he to get down the Order Paper and accommodate as made. In my discussions with Ofgem, I have repeatedly many Back-Bench Members as possible? raised the fact that we want it to be firm with energy suppliers and ensure our consumers are not being taken Alex Cunningham: According to the House of Commons for a ride. Both the chairman, Lord Mogg, and the chief Library, between 1996 and 2004 the number of households executive are very aware of that, and they are completely in fuel poverty fell from 6.5 million to less than 2 million, in line with our objective of making sure the energy but now, in the face of massive increases in energy suppliers are providing the best possible deal. The review prices, it has nearly doubled again to more than 4 is looking at precisely this issue. Ofgem does have million. Does the Secretary of State agree that energy substantial powers over suppliers and, of course, we can companies must cut prices now and reflect the reality also trigger a competition review. when wholesale prices go down, and does he also agree that those companies should play a greater part in Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ tackling fuel poverty? Co-op): Labour Members are also pleased that Ofgem is looking into energy pricing. The Government seem to Chris Huhne: This is a real problem, in part because be in a funny place. They appear to accept that energy fuel poverty reduction is an objective for which the prices will increase and that that is a price the British Government are not solely in control. Clearly, as energy public will have to pay, to a degree, for a greener future, prices bounce around, people get brought into or leave but we know that prices rise for many reasons, as the fuel poverty. As part of the fuel poverty review, I want Secretary of State acknowledged. Given the Government’s us to set clearly obtainable objectives to deal with the proposals to increase VAT from January, freeze pay, cut root causes of fuel poverty. One key issue is that those funding to public services and oversee huge job losses, on the lowest incomes often have enormously variable increased energy bills will add to hardship. At the same energy bills—varying, in fact, by a factor of six. If they time, the Government are abolishing Consumer Focus, are in modern social housing they can have low energy which battles on behalf of consumers. We have heard bills, but they can have very high bills if they are in lots today about the theory, but consumers are facing private rentals. We must deal with energy efficiency the challenges now. Even if energy market reform is issues. successful, can the Secretary of State tell the House what plans he has to improve things for consumers now, Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): On energy prices, how as we approach a harsh winter and the measures that I will my right hon. Friend ensure that the carbon floor mentioned? 1029 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1030

Chris Huhne: The hon. Lady knows that the Ofgem Consumer Focus, not working with it, as the Minister review is a very real review into the margins being said in his earlier answer. What will he do to protect charged by suppliers and that Ofgem has considerable consumers now from those future costs? powers. If its review finds a real concern about the lack of competition in the sector—I believe that has been a Charles Hendry: One of the major operators is installing widespread concern—we will move to ensure that behaviour smart meters as we speak. It is installing many thousands is, in fact, pro-competitive in this area. One of the key every week, so we have to ensure that the regime we put objectives of Government policy is to bring more in place for the longer term takes account of those competition into this field, as that is the ultimate guarantee issues. The operator is, to some extent, doing this at its that consumers will get the best possible deal. own risk, because if the meters are not compatible with the longer-term solution they will, in time, have to be Smart Metering removed. The hon. Gentleman is right to say that we need to ensure that in all these areas the consumer interest has to be right, because if we do not get that 4. Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): When he right, this is the sort of programme that could get stuck expects to publish the results of his consultation on in its tracks. smart metering. [30966] Community Energy Schemes The Minister of State, Department of Energy and 5. (East Hampshire) (Con): What Climate Change (Charles Hendry): There has been an support his Department is providing for community excellent response to the consultation, with more than energy schemes; and if he will make a statement. 300 replies having been received from a wide range of [30967] stakeholders, which have broadly welcomed the key proposals in the prospectus. The Government expect to The Minister of State, Department of Energy and respond formally to the consultation early in the new Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The coalition wants year. local communities to share the business rates generated from large-scale renewable energy projects and to benefit Pat Glass: The Minister will be aware that smart from financial incentives for smaller renewables. DECC meters, in themselves, are simply pieces of kit; on their has also recently launched the community energy online own, they will not change behaviour or reduce energy website to provide advice and support for both communities consumption. What are the Government and the energy and local authorities. companies doing to educate consumers, because that is how we will reduce energy consumption? Damian Hinds: My hon. Friend will be aware of the greening campaign, which started in Petersfield in my East Hampshire constituency and has now spread to Charles Hendry: The hon. Lady is right that the 200 towns and villages. What can he do to help such consumer experience is absolutely at the heart of the bottom-up community-based organisations as they go success of the smart meter roll-out. We are working about providing facilitation and practical support to very closely with Citizens Advice, Consumer Focus and local groups that are looking to develop community other groups that represent consumers, including those energy schemes? representing older consumers, because the experience of consumers and making sure that they use smart meters Gregory Barker: The greening campaign in my hon. most effectively to their advantage is at the core of what Friend’s constituency is an excellent initiative. As he we are trying to achieve. knows, community engagement in the energy sector will be vital to our vision of the development of energy in Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) the UK in the coming decades. We are helping communities (LD): Crucial to obtaining the benefits of smart meters to access the planning system more effectively through is ensuring that they are for everyone in this country, no the Localism Bill and giving them more information matter where they live—no matter how remote and and advice with the new community energy online rural their location—and no matter what the construction website. The finance mechanisms that we are putting in of their house, even if it be with walls so thick that most place with feed-in tariffs and the renewable heat incentive signals will not get through. We need to be mindful that will be a great help. none of the early roll-outs of smart metering lock in a technology that will not be universal. Will the Minister Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): In response to ensure that his response to the consultation gives us a my question in the last DECC questions, the Minister truly universal metering system? suggested that all was light and joy in the photovoltaic sector and with the feed-in tariffs. Within days, however, he had called the sector in for an urgent meeting. Charles Hendry: I congratulate my hon. Friend on his Speculation is rife that he will rush forward a review, tenacity on this issue and the way in which he continually and the headlines shout, “Clouds gather over solar park pushes us to make sure that we keep it very much in our gold rush”. If there is a genuine problem, why does not mind. We are involving directly in our discussions the Minister stop denying it, stop passing the buck and and our approach to developing this area to ensure that get on and fix it? After all, that is what he is paid for. exactly those issues are very much in our mind. Gregory Barker: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): But what about right—we inherited a real mess from the last Government smart meters that are being installed now which might with ineffective legislation. Just as with the national be incompatible with the meters that will be installed in debt, it falls to this coalition to clear it up. I took future? I thought that the Government were abolishing action—I did not dither—and I have called in the 1031 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1032 industry. We will put a stop to the gold rush that might their green credentials to the Treasury so easily and have developed as a result of Labour’s lousy legislation. what does this stealth tax—described politely as a “bit We will not allow large speculators in field solar to soak of a bombshell”by a local government spokesman—mean up available funds that are intended for community and for the public sector as well as for the private sector? household projects. Gregory Barker: The hon. Gentleman is in denial Carbon Reduction about the appalling state of public finances that we inherited from the previous Government. Yes, the coalition 6. Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): What is taking action to reduce the deficit—absolutely. That discussions he has had with representatives of business is why we are not the basket case that we would have organisations on the carbon reduction commitment been had the Labour party remained in Government. energy efficiency scheme. [30968] The CRC will help to drive energy efficiency. We know that about £1.6 billion is still paid by large companies in 9. Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) the UK as a result of energy inefficiency and we hope (Lab): What plans he has for the future of the carbon that this measure, which will become more effective, will reduction commitment; and if he will make a help to drive greater efficiency in UK plc. statement. [30972] Marine Renewables The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker): My right hon. Friend 7. Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): If he will and I regularly meet businesses to discuss climate change make it his policy to provide long-term revenue support and energy issues. My officials are also discussing how for renewables obligation certificates for marine to simplify the policy landscape with a wide range of renewable technology to ensure that developers and CRC and climate change agreement participants. This manufacturers locate themselves in the UK. [30969] will inform the proposals the coalition will bring forward next year. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Mr Watts: I thank the Minister for his response. On Climate Change (Charles Hendry): We are committed to energy efficiency, will he assure me that the Government the establishment of a system of feed-in tariffs in electricity will include double glazing in their green deal? Will he as well as to the maintenance of banded renewables meet me and Pilkington glass, from St Helens, to discuss obligation certificates. We have already brought forward the contribution that that company can make to energy the scheduled review of the renewable obligation by a conservation and the impact that VAT increases will year to give investors greater clarity and confidence. As have on future double glazing sales in the UK? part of the electricity market reforms, we will set out plans for support for marine and other renewables for Gregory Barker: We want the green deal to be technology the longer term. inclusive. Any technology or energy efficiency measure that can pass our golden rule of providing the savings Andrew Percy: The Minister will be aware that I needed will be considered very kindly. We want it to be represent not only the best constituency but one of the inclusive and for it to drive innovation and technology. most tidal, with several major rivers including the Ayr, the Ouse, the Trent and parts of the Humber. Does he Bridget Phillipson: What reassurance can the Minister agree that the Humber area generally has huge potential give us that he will closely consider the Government’s in terms of marine and tidal energy, and will he commit position to ensure that the initiative works for businesses to supporting the pan-Humber vision of making the while also driving down emissions? Humber a centre for renewable energy?

Gregory Barker: Does the hon. Lady mean the CRC? Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend raises an issue that applies to many parts of this country. The United Bridget Phillipson indicated assent. Kingdom has some of the highest tidal reaches of anywhere in the world and it is our determination that Gregory Barker: Absolutely. We had to take a tough we should lead in marine technologies rather than follow decision on the CRC to end revenue recycling, as a others. Undoubtedly, the Humber has a significant direct result of the state of the public finances we contribution to make in that respect. Many areas could inherited. We are talking closely with business and will contribute to that process, which is why we are putting be having further discussions in the new year to ensure in place a marine energy programme with a view to that it remains an efficient measure of driving forward leading to marine energy parks where those technologies energy efficiency in businesses. We believe that there are can be taken forward. billions to be saved in the private sector in that way. Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) (Lab): Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): This week, the Is the Minister aware that about two months ago, the Secretary of State was quoted as saying that he does not Minister of State, the hon. Member for Bexhill and mind being seen as the Tesco of energy policy, with Battle (Gregory Barker), met company and trade more for less—being greener for less. Tesco, however, is representatives in my constituency to discuss support one of the organisations that will be stung by the for the renewable heat initiative, which I know the changes to the CRC that have, in effect, made it a crude Secretary of State has also personally supported? We stealth tax for the Chancellor rather than an intelligent were expecting a statement last month, this month and driver of energy efficiency. How did Ministers surrender now, I hope, in January. Will the Minister look into that 1033 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1034 and bring forward the statement? A lot of new work in Gregory Barker: As Chairman of the Environment, Coventry and throughout the private sector depends Food and Rural Affairs Committee, my hon. Friend is on it. well known as an expert on the matter. She makes some very good points and I shall ensure that they are taken Charles Hendry: I am not quite sure how renewable into account when we formulate policy on the way heat ties into marine and tidal technologies, Mr Speaker, forward. unless it is very hot water indeed. We are working to bring that to a conclusion; we understand the pressure Warm Front across the House for that clarity and we will provide it in the very near future. 10. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): What estimate he has made of the change in the Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Now that the wave number of homes in receipt of assistance with heating hub plug is in place off the north coast of my and insulation improvements consequent on the constituency—a very exciting project that scales up for proposed reduction in expenditure on the Warm Front the first time wave energy—what will the Minister do to scheme. [30973] ensure that it is a great success? In Scotland, ROCs provide a far better return for projects. Will he work The Minister of State, Department of Energy and with me to ensure that this project is a great success and Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The Warm Front adds to renewable energy? scheme is expected to assist approximately 170,000 households in 2010-11. While we transition to the more Charles Hendry: The project in Cornwall is one of ambitious green deal framework, DECC will fund a two beacon facilities in the country, the other being in more targeted Warm Front scheme helping approximately Orkney. That is exactly the approach that we want to 57,000 households in 2011-12 and a further 50,000 take forward for marine energy parks, bringing together households in 2012-13. the relevant technological, academic and engineering skills that can encourage companies to stay in this Diana Johnson: Warm Front has helped more than country. We have been concerned that some companies 2,000 households in my constituency of Hull North, have looked overseas to take their technologies forward with energy efficiency measures that have reduced fuel and we have to put in place the right mechanisms to bills and started to fight fuel poverty, but many more keep them here in the United Kingdom. Cornwall has a households still need help from Warm Front. What fantastic opportunity in that regard. guarantee can the Minister give me and my constituents that the help, especially now that we have such severe Carbon Reporting (Private Companies) winter weather, will be available over the next couple of years?

8. Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Gregory Barker: Over the next couple of years, we Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): What recent discussions he will be transitioning to the green deal. The fact of the has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, matter is that Warm Front per se was not up to the scale Food and Rural Affairs on mandatory carbon of the challenge of renewing and refurbishing our homes reporting for private companies. [30970] in Britain. If we were to rely on Warm Front, at that rate of progress it would take 82 years to refurbish the The Minister of State, Department of Energy and 14 million homes we need to refurbish. We are going for Climate Change (Gregory Barker): I met my noble a much more ambitious scheme—the green deal. It will Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for be a real game changer and we shall introduce measures Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in October to in legislation in the other place before Christmas. discuss this issue ahead of the coalition’s bringing forward further proposals in the new year. Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): The last time I questioned the Minister, he said that we Gregg McClymont: I thank the Minister for his answer, really have to attack fuel poverty. National Energy but legislation is already in place to oblige companies to Action recently forecast that fuel poverty is set to rise to report their carbon emissions. Will the Government use 5.5 million households next year, the highest level for those powers to fight climate change—yes or no? 15 years. That is one in five homes, yet yesterday we learned that this year’s money for Warm Front—a key Gregory Barker: We will announce a robust way weapon in tackling fuel poverty—has run out. This forward in the new year that will require a clear route morning, we have heard about reviews, but with the map on how companies are required to report their bitterly cold weather, rising energy bills and the Warm carbon emissions, as they are required to do by the Homes discount not due to kick in until next year, what Climate Change Act 2008. are the Government actually doing now to attack fuel poverty? Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Will my hon. Friend ensure that, through the carbon Gregory Barker: The hon. Lady raises a very important reporting mechanism, the good work that water companies point, but as I just said to her hon. Friend the Member and others are doing by creating carbon sinks in peat for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson), Warm bogs and water storage upstream is more widely known Front—the key weapon under the previous Government— so that we can support it? One example of that is the signally failed. Under the previous Government, we saw Pickering pilot project in , which also fuel poverty more than double; it rose from 2.5 million brings flood alleviation benefits. in 2005 to 4.5 million now. Warm Front signally failed; 1035 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1036 we need to be far more ambitious. The green deal will be Onshore Wind Sources the game changer, and it will bring in billions of pounds. As for now, we inherited a Warm Front waiting time for 15. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What targets he installations of between three and six months. Anyone has set for the provision of energy from onshore wind requiring heating to cope with the cold weather now sources in (a) 2011 and (b) 2020. [30979] cannot rely on Warm Front, and I am afraid they never have been able to. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry): The Government have not set a specific target for onshore wind energy Onshore Wind Farms generation. However, our lead scenario as set out in the national renewable energy action plan indicates that onshore wind capacity could be 15 GW by 2020. We are 13. (South Northamptonshire) (Con): absolutely committed to deploying onshore wind in a What assessment he has made of the efficiency and way that takes into account the views of local communities effect on quality of life of onshore wind farms. [30976] and brings benefits to local people.

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Nic Dakin: I thank the Minister for his answer. I Climate Change (Charles Hendry): The electricity output know he is very committed to onshore wind energy from a wind farm is a key factor in determining if and generation and I welcome his passion. When does he where it will be built. The assessment of a planning expect major announcements to be made by companies application includes, among other things, an analysis of as part of the round 3 onshore wind programme? visual, landscape and noise impacts. We are constantly looking at ways to ensure that the analysis remains Charles Hendry: I thank the hon. Gentleman for the robust and protects the quality of life of people living assiduity with which he advocates the interests of the close to wind turbines. We have already taken action to Humber region and the role it can play in that regard. I ensure that the issue of noise is addressed in a standard was pleased to meet him and some of my hon. Friends way across the country. and people representing the South Humber gateway last week to enable me to understand the case they are putting forward in that respect. We are delighted that Andrea Leadsom: I thank my hon. Friend for that such companies as Siemens, GE and Mitsubishi have answer. Can he tell me what assessment he has made of committed themselves to major multi-million pound the Danish state energy company’s recent decision to investments in the offshore wind sector, and we understand cease building further onshore wind farms, and a similar that some of those announcements are due to be decision in France in the summer to restrict onshore forthcoming early in the new year. wind farms, bearing in mind their impact on local communities versus their efficacy? Can he reassure me Electricity Supply that in future we will take into account the impact on local communities, and that we will not force them to 16. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): have wind farms where they do not fit the environment? What assessment he has made of the effects on the electricity grid of the weather of November and Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend will be aware that December 2010. [30980] the United Kingdom is third from bottom in Europe on the electricity it gets from renewable sources, so the The Minister of State, Department of Energy and situation here is in no way comparable to that in most Climate Change (Charles Hendry): Demand for electricity other European countries. We are absolutely committed has been met in full by the normal functioning of the to giving local communities greater say on the issues—that market during this cold period, when electricity demand is at the heart of the Localism Bill. We are also determined has been approximately 5% to 10% higher than the that the host communities should realise real benefits. seasonal norm. As is usual at this time of year, there have been a few localised disruptions. However, network operators have worked hard to ensure that those consumers Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): Perhaps a affected were restored as soon as possible. We will solution to the question the hon. Member for South continue to work with industry to monitor the situation Northamptonshire (Andrea Leadsom) has just raised is over the rest of the winter. to put the wind farm offshore. Will the Minister join me in congratulating a project in Aberdeen that yesterday Andrew Bridgen: I thank the Minister for that reassuring secured ¤40 million of EU funding to build a centre just answer, but could he outline to the House what steps he off the coast of Aberdeen that will develop technologies and his Department are taking to ensure that there is that can be used to improve the offshore wind sector? sufficient capacity and supply in the system to cope with the predicted energy gap? Charles Hendry: I am delighted to join the hon. Lady in congratulating the company on that development. It Charles Hendry: We are not anticipating an energy is one of the areas of the country where there is the gap over this winter in . I was at greatest potential, because the skills are already there in National Grid last week, and we are in daily contact. the engineering side of the oil and gas sector and the We are looking at the margins of supply, which remain people who work in the area. We hope to see significant robust. We are looking at the import capacity for gas. gains for the north-east of Scotland from developing We are looking at the role that all those technologies those technologies. can play. During these very cold periods, all the energy 1037 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1038 companies understand the need to keep their plant Mr Speaker: With reference to Harlow, or ready to generate, to ensure that demand can be met by both? supply. Paul Flynn: In order to inform myself of the effects of Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): In the green deal on Harlow, I researched a website this order to maintain capacity margin over the longer morning, which states: period, what investigation is the Minister making of “The nuclear industry’s key skill over the past half-century has electricity storage as an additional way of ensuring that not been generating electricity, but extracting lashings of taxpayers’ margins are maintained, and that supply that comes on money.” stream at inconvenient hours is captured and restored That was on the website of someone called Chris Huhne. at convenient hours? Does this person have any connection with the Secretary of State? Has he sold his principles for a Red Box? Charles Hendry: We are looking at a whole range of different technologies. We are looking at the role of Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman should be very battery storage, hydrogen storage and pumped water aware that the coalition Government are committed to storage which is already making an important contribution no public subsidy for the nuclear industry for some very at Electric Mountain in Dinorwig in north Wales. We good reasons, one of which is in the quotation that he are also looking at the role that interconnectors can so gracefully supplies to the House. play, using perhaps pumped storage in countries such as Norway, to enhance our energy security. This is a way of Domestic Fuel Prices ensuring that renewable energy can be used in such a way that it is there when the demand is there, and it will 18. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): What greatly enhance our energy security in the process. recent discussions he has had with energy companies on domestic oil pricing. [30983] Green Deal I declare an interest, as my home is heated by domestic oil. 17. (Harlow) (Con): What recent estimate he has made of the number of homes in (a) The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Harlow constituency and (b) England which could Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I declare an interest, receive assistance from the Government’s proposed as mine is as well. We are in regular contact with energy companies, including the trade associations that represent green deal. [30981] those who supply domestic oil. Heating oil is a seasonal product, and its prices vary over the course of the year. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change I have spoken to the Office of Fair Trading about the (Chris Huhne): The green deal will create a completely price of heating oil, as the enforcement of competition new market mechanism for driving energy efficiency and consumer law is a matter for the OFT, and it installations in buildings, incorporating an entirely new assures me that it is keeping a very close eye on the obligation on energy suppliers. All 22 million homes, situation and is keen to receive evidence from hon. and within that all 35,699 homes in my hon. Friend’s Members about any market abuse that they experience. constituency of Harlow, could potentially benefit from the green deal. Dr Coffey: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Several constituents have contacted me about the price Robert Halfon: I thank my right hon. Friend for his of oil. Mr Gander, in particular, relies on oil for his reply. More than 850 households in my constituency are heating, but his supply is running low. A month ago the thought to be suffering from fuel poverty, and fuel price was 39p a litre; it is now 71p a litre, and as a prices are rising now. Will the Minister explain what the consequence he has switched off his heating system. Government are doing specifically to warm up Harlow Will my hon. Friend take up that issue throughout the homes this Christmas and in the years ahead? Government to ensure that people are not frozen out of their homes this winter? Chris Huhne: As my hon. Friend knows, the discount scheme available to people is a voluntary scheme. We Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend raises an extremely are bringing forward the warm home discount bonus important issue, which is about both pricing and the for next year, a scheme that will be clearly underpinned time that it takes to secure deliveries. People calling by legislation. In the short run, we are putting pressure today who reckon they will be short of oil over the on Ofgem, as I have previously described in the House, coming weeks are being told that they will not receive a and Ofgem is putting pressure on the suppliers, to delivery for three or four weeks. We are monitoring that ensure that there are not excessive margins in the industry. situation day by day and are extremely aware that, if In the longer term, which is the key if we are to deal there is further snow ahead of Christmas, it could with fuel poverty, we have to deal with its root causes. become very serious, indeed. I ask my hon. Friend to We cannot go on applying sticking-plasters, in the form provide evidence on those price increases to the OFT, so of discounts or short-term help. The only long-term that it can investigate them. solution, as we have seen from the failure of the strategy to deal with fuel poverty over the last few years, when it Low-carbon Energy Products has risen substantially, is to deal with the root causes by improving energy efficiency in the homes of those affected. 19. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): What steps he plans to take to encourage the establishment of Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab) rose— community-led low-carbon energy projects. [30984] 1039 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1040

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and we are considering how to clear the way right across all Climate Change (Gregory Barker): Communities are the technologies we will need in a low-carbon future to where big society meets big energy, and the coalition ensure that that happens. intends to drive new community-led, low-carbon energy projects with strong financial incentives and better Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Achieving 16 GW information and guidance. We have already acted to of supply from nuclear, as the Secretary of State has allow local authorities to sell the energy that they generate. demanded, would require one new reactor coming on-stream every nine months from about 2018 onwards. Julian Smith: Speaking to representatives of the excellent The industry told the Select Committee on Energy and Settle hydro scheme in my constituency, I was struck by Climate Change the other day that that simply would the amount of red tape that they have had to deal with not happen because there was neither the investment to get the project off the ground, and the legal action capacity in the City to deliver it nor, indeed, the skills that they have had to deal with from environmental available to build what is required. How will he ensure groups. Will my hon. Friend make it easy as possible for the continuity of supply that he seeks? community energy projects to get off the ground in the coming 12 months? Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman knows that the market has always been composed of different views. Gregory Barker: The Settle micro-hydro scheme is He is citing one particular institution’s view, but that is exactly the sort of scheme that we want to see more of not the common view of other investors in the City. The and encourage, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right: funds will be forthcoming and we will describe the we need to make it easier for communities to take the incentives that we are putting in place for the low-carbon initiative. That is why we are making it easier to get future that we want in the statement later today. through the planning system and providing more financial incentives; and we have also launched a website to give Green Deal people the information they need. 21. Mr Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con): What plans Nuclear Power Stations he has to meet representatives of the heating industry to discuss the proposed green deal for energy efficiency. 20. (Tamworth) (Con): What [30986] recent progress he has made on facilitating new nuclear power stations without public subsidies. [30985] The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker): I have recently met The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change heating industry representatives and have invited the (Chris Huhne): The Government are committed to removing heating and hot water taskforce and the Heating and any unnecessary obstacles to investment in new nuclear, Hotwater Industry Council to be represented on the and we have made good progress. We are consulting on green deal stakeholder forums that I have established. I the revised draft energy national policy statements, want the whole industry to be actively engaged with us including the nuclear NPS; I made a decision recently, on the green deal. on regulatory justification in respect of the AP1000 and EPR reactors, which was subsequently approved by Mr Spencer: I am grateful to the Minister for his both Houses, with an enormous majority in this House; response. I was interested to hear his response to the we laid the Nuclear Decommissioning and Waste Handling question from the hon. Member for St Helens North (Designated Technical Matters) Order 2010, which was (Mr Watts) on the consideration of glazing in the green subsequently approved by both Houses and published deal. Will the Minister confirm that he will consider the last week; there have been consultations on funded replacement of old and inefficient heating systems in decommissioning programme guidance, and an updated the green deal? waste transfer pricing methodology for the disposal of higher activity wastes; and regulators are on track to Gregory Barker: There will certainly be scope for complete their assessment of the reactors going through heating systems to be included in the green deal. We the generic design assessment process. want the green deal to be as technology-inclusive as possible, and we want to drive innovation. Any energy Christopher Pincher: I am grateful for that answer. efficiency measure that costs less to install than it pays Given some of the comments from investors, can the back over a specified period will be eligible. That includes Secretary of State confirm whether there is an appetite heating measures. in the City to invest in new nuclear and whether we have the domestic skills to decommission our Magnox plants Heating Bills (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) and build a new generation of new nuclear? Will he also confirm whether the planning regime is fit for purpose, 22. Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) so that we can ensure we meet our target of 16 GW of (Lab): If he will assess the effect of recent winter nuclear generating capacity? weather on the heating bills of the elderly and others in the Newcastle upon Tyne Central constituency. [30987] Chris Huhne: From my contacts around the City, I believe that there certainly is an appetite to invest not The Minister of State, Department of Energy and just in new nuclear plant, but right across the range of Climate Change (Gregory Barker): Local area energy low-carbon technologies. I hope that we will be able to data are produced on an annual basis covering all describe that in greater detail in the statement later. On homes in a local area. As such, it is not possible to planning and other issues that could present obstacles, assess short-term changes in energy consumption by 1041 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1042 specific household types. However, the latest information Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker), reassured the House suggests that eligible households in the Newcastle upon that plans for the green investment bank would be Tyne Central constituency have received between one unveiled in the spring. Yesterday, I read that the Secretary and three cold weather payments so far this winter. of State has lost out to the Treasury and that this much-vaunted green investment bank is to be a fund Chi Onwurah: This week, Eaga—the green energy with nowhere near enough resources to generate the company that is headquartered in Newcastle—placed £200 billion necessary for investment in green technologies. 1,400 people on notice of redundancy as a direct result The question is whether the country has lost out. Given of the 70% cuts to the Warm Front programme that the the impact on British business, job creation and the Government have implemented. Considering 18% of climate, a properly functioning bank cannot wait, and Newcastle constituents live in fuel poverty, will Newcastle this confusion is very unhelpful to British business. Will not suffer twice over as a result of the Government’s he tell the House what is happening? approach to fuel poverty? Chris Huhne: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her Gregory Barker: I am very sorry to hear about the question. I can assure her that this matter is still under redundancies at Eaga. That is very regrettable. Eaga still review by Ministers on the time scale that we were has to fulfil about 70,000 jobs this winter, between now anticipating. Much as I like and respect , and the end of the financial year. However, we need to having worked for it for 10 years, I have to say that its get more investment into the energy efficiency sector in report gave only a partial view of what I said. I said, the long term, which means opening it up to the private among other things, that ducks quack and banks borrow sector and getting in billions not hundreds of millions. and lend. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was the The green deal is the way forward to achieve that. person who put forward the idea of the green investment bank when he was in opposition, and he knows very Topical Questions well what a bank is. I am absolutely convinced, therefore, that we will have an institution that does exactly what it T1. [30988] Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): If he will says on the tin. make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Meg Hillier: We still do not have certainty. We hear The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change that the matter is “under review” but we believed that it (Chris Huhne): Since the last departmental questions, was a Government commitment. I am proud to be the we have helped to secure an agreement at the United first Labour/Co-op shadow Secretary of State for climate Nations climate change conference in Cancun. We have change, and the Secretary of State has described himself published the Energy Bill, which includes measures to as very happy to be the Tesco of the energy industry. boost investment in low-carbon electricity generation, Yet without the green investment bank, whichever model to improve energy security, and to give companies better we choose, we will not see the benefits that we want to access to upstream oil and gas. The Bill also sets out the see. The Minister of State, the hon. Member for Bexhill infrastructure of how the green deal energy efficiency and Battle, spoke earlier of the importance of community programme will work, with particular reference to those energy and smaller suppliers; we want energy to benefit in fuel poverty. all. We want to see this bank up and running, and the Secretary of State will have support from the Opposition Robert Halfon: Given that Labour Members blame if it gets going. Will he consider joining me, as the us for everything, including the weather, may I ask my advocate of co-operative climate change, in working for right hon. Friend, in his capacity as climate change the benefit of all, with the green dividend and green Minister, if he can do anything to ensure that we have a investment shared fairly through an up-and-running white Christmas in Harlow? bank? Chris Huhne: There are limits to my powers. I think that the most popular legislation that this House could Chris Huhne: I agree that we have to look very ever bring forward would be a short Bill requiring it to carefully at the sources of finance for green investment. rain only between the hours of 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock There are undoubted obstacles in the way of some of in the morning. Sadly, the technological capability to the technologies that are furthest away from the market, deliver quite such meteorological results is not yet in particular, and that makes the very important case with us. for the green investment bank. That—not the concept—is what is under review at the moment. The commitment Several hon. Members rose— to a green investment bank is clearly in the Government’s coalition agreement, and it was an idea of the Chancellor Mr Speaker: Order. There is huge interest, as colleagues of the Exchequer. Some of the reports suggesting that can see, and I want to try to accommodate it, but we the Chancellor would want to murder his own baby must have brief questions and brief answers. seem a little far-fetched.

Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ T7. [30995] Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): Following on Co-op): Given the list that the Secretary of State just from that question, will the green investment bank read out, one would think that he sees himself as Action include the proceeds of asset sales, as the Chancellor Man, but we heard this week that he describes himself announced recently? Given the importance of green as Tesco Man. Last time I questioned the Government investment to the Tees valley, will the Secretary of State about green investment, the Minister of State, Department consider putting the administrative centre of the bank of Energy and Climate Change, the hon. Member for in the Tees valley? 1043 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1044

Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his lorries can get to more homes and more people before question about the siting of the bank, but that is a little Christmas. That is obviously the sensible approach. I premature given where we are at the moment. I am would be very concerned if companies were artificially afraid that quite a long list of hon. Friends and others raising the amounts that they expected people to buy at are advocating the benefits of that to their constituencies. this time. Capital endowment of £1 billion for a green investment bank was allocated in the comprehensive spending review Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (LD): in 2013-14. I have made it clear that we are continuing As we speak, severe weather is sweeping through the to look for asset sales. In our Department, we are north of the country and heading south. Referring back looking for asset sales from URENCO, for example, to the Secretary of State’s remarks about Ofgem, will he but there are other asset sales across Government that stress in all his dealings with that body that for those could also be used. We will attempt to use that process living in the coldest parts of the country, such as the to ensure that the institution has the proper endowment highlands of Scotland, a fair set of tariffs must be of capital necessary for its task. applied that are relevant to their circumstances? There is a real feeling of social injustice, which I believe is T2. [30989] Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) entirely justified. (Lab): The green deal is based on loans, which many of my constituents cannot afford, and it places the Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend responsibility for tackling fuel poverty in the hands of for that question. As he knows, Ofgem is reviewing the energy companies that have created a national rise competitiveness in the market and the scale of the in fuel bills of 139% since 2003. Will the Secretary of margins. In addition, a discount scheme is in place for State explain how the green deal will help the poorest those in fuel poverty, and we will underpin that. The and most vulnerable in my constituency? Government are committed to preserving winter fuel Chris Huhne: I am happy to answer the hon. Lady, payments, and to ensuring that cold weather payment because her question is based on a misunderstanding of schemes continue. Whatever the weather brings for us the green deal. There is no requirement for anybody to over the next few weeks, I hope that we will be in a take out personal finance to fund the green deal. The position to help those who are most hard-pressed. I whole point is that finance will be provided for the return to the fundamental point, which is that we have householder. The company that provides the finance this problem every winter, again and again, and it is will recoup its return from the householder’s savings on time that we dealt with its root causes through energy their energy bills. In addition, we will reshape the carbon efficiency measures for those in rural poverty, rather emissions reduction target and community energy saving than attempting constantly to put sticking-plasters programme obligations on energy suppliers into an on it. eco-obligation, one of the key objectives of which will be to provide additional support to those in fuel poverty. T4. [30992] Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Today Such people will therefore be able to go ahead with the the Secretary of State told the House that energy bills green deal, even if the anticipated savings on their bills in private rented housing can be as much as six times are not adequate to pay for the installation. higher than in modern social housing. Why do the Government not use the Energy Bill to require all T8. [30997] Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) private landlords to comply with minimum energy (Con): When does the Secretary of State expect green efficiency standards, and not just when a tenant deal finance to be extended to microgeneration? requests it? Chris Huhne: The coalition agreement anticipated that we might extend green deal finance to microgeneration. Chris Huhne: The Bill will allow us to move forward We are working on the assumption that green deal on F and G-rated homes, for example, if there is not a finance will be available for insulation measures, because sufficient improvement in the private rental sector. There we have secured outstanding incentives for microgeneration is clear provision for us to regulate to deal with the through the feed-in tariffs, as was confirmed in the problem. comprehensive spending review. Green deal providers will offer microgeneration proposals precisely because Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): Referring the incentives are so good. again to Ofgem, in the past month crude oil prices have risen by 17% but consumers are paying 70% more. Is it T3. [30990] Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): not time that the Government took on the oil companies Like the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey), to ensure that my constituents get a fair deal on oil who is no longer in her place, many of my constituents prices? Many of them have no choice but to have oil. who live in rural areas rely on heating oil, the price of which has more than doubled in the past two months. Companies are now refusing to deliver less than 1,000 Charles Hendry: There are two aspects to the matter. litres, which is having a massive impact on families and Clearly it is seasonal, with demand going up at this time on schools, colleges and hospitals. What will the of year, which inevitably pushes prices up, as with Minister do now to deal with that exploitation? turkeys, Christmas trees and so on. However, there is a fundamental problem in the oil market, because people The Minister of State, Department of Energy and are not getting deliveries when they need them, even Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I would be very when they order well ahead. We are therefore asking grateful if the hon. Lady could give me more details, colleagues to give evidence to the Office of Fair Trading because we have also heard that some companies are so that it can see whether there is evidence of collusion asking people to take lower amounts so that the delivery or inappropriate practices. 1045 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Oral Answers 1046

T5. [30993] Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Recent satellite photographic evidence shows that Climate Change (Gregory Barker): One of the real steps thousands of homes in my constituency are still not forward at Cancun was progress on rainforests and properly insulated and are pouring heat into the forestry in general. Within the package of measures atmosphere. Given that the Government’s plan A for that was agreed was clear text making it absolutely the economy is clearly already failing, would it not be crystal clear that preserving biodiversity and preventing sensible to have a national crash programme of home perverse consequences of supporting palm oil plantations insulation as part of the Cabinet Secretary’s plan B? would be a key part of rainforest protection and funding.

Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman may have read Malcolm Wicks (Croydon North) (Lab): On energy recently about the crash programme to do exactly that security, will Ministers examine critically the supply in Australia. It resulted in large numbers of builders obligation that we place on companies, given that the who were not properly trained putting nails through tendency to buy short term rather than long term, and wires in people’s lofts and setting fire to houses. People sometimes on the spot market, means that there can be died, and it was all over the front pages of the Australian no absolute guarantee that the supply will be in place in tabloids. The result was that energy efficiency got the critical and extreme times for the world? most appalling name. I intend that the green deal Charles Hendry: That is an element of the Energy Bill. programme will avoid all those pitfalls and deal with the We will increase the supplier obligation to ensure that problem genuinely and thoroughly. suppliers can meet demand at times of greatest demand. I have also spoken with other Governments—Qatar this Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): Will the Secretary of State week and Norway more recently—about how to secure join me in welcoming the news of National Grid’s more long-term contracts to provide greater security of announcement yesterday that it will consult residents in supply and greater price predictability. the levels and moors in Somerset, Suffolk’s Stour valley and other parts of the country on undergrounding Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): I am electricity power cables rather than using pylons? Will very concerned about what I have heard in the Chamber he congratulate residents on their peaceful and persistent this morning. Hon. Members have said that there is a campaign, which will ensure that residents in rural shortage in the supply of oil, that their constituents are areas benefit from the technology that is taken for going cold, and that schools and hospitals are losing granted in urban areas, where undergrounding is standard out. We obviously have an oil supply crisis. The Minister practice? of State, the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), says that he wants suppliers to ration their oil, but will Charles Hendry: I do indeed congratulate National the Secretary of State take personal command of this Grid on undertaking a public consultation on whether situation, call in the oil supply companies and sort this the cost of undergrounding is acceptable to the public. I out? also welcome the research being carried out by the Chris Huhne: I have complete confidence in the Minister Institution of Engineering and Technology, because of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wealden people in areas affected by new pylons need to be (Charles Hendry), who has responsibility for energy. He absolutely convinced of the relative pricing of overgrounding has been absolutely hands on in dealing with that and undergrounding. matter and has kept me informed. I believe that the measures he is taking are absolutely appropriate, but we T6. [30994] Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland are watching the situation day by day to ensure that the South) (Lab): My constituents have faced an incredibly heating oil supplies are there. difficult winter, and they want to know what action the Government will take now, not in the future, to make Several hon. Members rose— energy companies bring down their prices. Mr Speaker: Last but not least, I call . Chris Huhne: The action that Ofgem is taking is now, Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): In the not in the future. It is reviewing the matter and making light of the role that the World Bank could play in it very clear to the energy companies that margins that establishing and managing the new green climate fund, are not justified by the economics will incur its wrath, which was set up following the Cancun agreements, will the use of its powers and potentially a competition the Secretary of State comment on the current level of inquiry. I merely refer to my earlier answer about all the fossil fuel lending undertaken by the World Bank group, action that the Government are undertaking to try to and will he support a major shift to lending for renewables ensure that people are protected in these difficult times instead? through cold weather payments, winter fuel payments and the voluntary discount scheme. We want to ensure Chris Huhne: The Government have repeatedly said, that the people are who most adversely affected are and I entirely agree, that the lending practices of the protected. World Bank and other institutions must reflect the overwhelming need that we have as a globe to move Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Palm oil plantations towards a low-carbon economy. It is certainly dispiriting are now seen as a new cash crop in various parts of the to find that that need was not reflected in some of the world, but they cause mass deforestation and a huge loans that were approved recently by the World Bank. loss of wildlife habitats. What can the Secretary of State Several hon. Members rose— do to ensure that we have a global deal on palm oil plantation that is sustainable for wildlife and the world’s Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry but we must now natural resources? move on. 1047 16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1048

Business of the House to university by 13 January, which is the date that the coalition has picked, whereas they would have returned 11.37 am by 3 February, which is the date that we would have moved? Does this not show that the coalition is running Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) (Lab): Will the Leader scared of the judgment of students at the ballot box? of the House give us the forthcoming business? Does the Leader of the House have any news on when the Prime Minister will come to the House to The Leader of the House of Commons (Sir George explain why, week after week, he is breaking promise Young):Thebusinessfortheweekcommencing20December after promise? When he does appear, will he also explain will be: something else? All summer long, he and the Chancellor MONDAY 20 DECEMBER—General debate on firearms have been telling us triumphantly that everyone supports control. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Prime their economic policy. Well, not any more they don’t! Minister plans to make a statement on the European What are we to make of the leak of a memo from the Council. country’s top civil servant, Sir Gus O’Donnell, telling TUESDAY 21 DECEMBER—Pre-recess Adjournment debate, the Prime Minister that in case plan A on the economy the format of which has been specified by the Backbench does not work, he needs to have a plan B? May we have Business Committee. a debate, therefore, on what plan there is to stop The House will not adjourn until the Speaker has unemployment continuing to rise next year, as people in signified Royal Assent. The House will meet at 11.30 am the public sector—including, as the people of Oldham and be subject to Wednesday timings should it agree to will see, the 1,387 uniformed police officers in Greater the motion at the end of today’s business. who are to go—are thrown out of their jobs by the very Government they loyally serve? The provisional business for the week commencing 10 January will include: Last week, the Justice Secretary, having told us he wants prisoners to have the vote, said that prison is not MONDAY 10 JANUARY—Second Reading of the Armed succeeding. A few days later, the flatly Forces Bill. contradicted him when she said that prison works. TUESDAY 11 JANUARY—Consideration in Committee When will the Prime Minister sort out this squabble? of the Bill (day 1). Perhaps he could set up a court—assuming he can find WEDNESDAY 12 JANUARY—Remaining stages of the one that is still open—summon them both, hear the Postal Services Bill. evidence and deliver a verdict. I suppose, technically, THURSDAY 13 JANUARY—Remaining stages of the that would mean making a statement on which of these National Insurance Contributions Bill. warring Cabinet Ministers is speaking for the Government. The provisional business for the week commencing Last week, the ConservativeHome website reported 17 January will include: that there was a pretty difficult meeting of the 1922 committee, with a lot of cross MPs, on the subject of MONDAY 17 JANUARY—Second Reading of the Localism Parliamentary Standards Authority—I Bill. have to say that we all know the feeling. Following last I should also like to remind the House that the night’s meeting, may we have a statement on what the business in Westminster Hall for 13 January and 20 January Government plan to do about IPSA? The grumpiness 2011 will now be: on the Tory Benches shows that it is not so much the THURSDAY 13 JANUARY 2011—A debate on the impact season of good will as seething ill will and loathing. of the comprehensive spending review on the Department One Tory MP said last night: for Communities and Local Government. “The coalition is an imperial clique”. THURSDAY 20 JANUARY 2011—A general debate on I am open to suggestions on who on the Government anti-Semitism. Benches is Caligula and who is Nero. May I take this opportunity to wish you, Mr Speaker, The former head of the Prime Minister’s social mobility and all right hon. and hon. Members a very happy taskforce, the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Christmas and new year, and to thank all those who Howden (Mr Davis), talked of sheer hostility towards have kept the House running smoothly this year, particularly the coalition leadership. Apparently, he went on to say the security staff, the police, the Serjeant at Arms and that it was about a lot of things, including fees and the team who have kept the House running without being taken for granted, but especially about the Liberal interruption? I should also like to thank the staff involved Democrats being allowed in providing services and a welcome to new Members “to say what they like and do what they like”. following the general election, including the Clerks, the Officers and staff of the House, the Doorkeepers and I have a lot of respect for the right hon. Gentleman, but the cleaners. A merry Christmas to all. has he only just noticed that about the Lib Dems? They have been doing it for years. Will the Leader of the Hilary Benn: I thank the Leader of the House for his House therefore assure his Back Benchers that there statement. Following the decision of the deputy Chief will now be a debate on how to stop Lib Dem Members Whip this morning to break the convention that the getting in the way of Tory Members’ upward ministerial party holding a seat moves the by-election writ in the mobility? case of seats declared void after an election, which is With all this unhappiness, Mr Speaker, may I join the what happened in Winchester in 1997, can the Leader Leader of the House in wishing you, the Deputy Leader of the House confirm that nearly 1,000 students in of the House, all hon. Members and all the staff, who Oldham East and Saddleworth are likely to be disfranchised serve us so well, a merry Christmas and a happy new in this by-election because they will not have returned year? As for Christmas presents, I hope that everyone 1049 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1050 gets what they wish for, although I am sorry to say that, to fall next year and every year thereafter, and that the for Lib Dem voters, even though their stockings were fall in employment in the public sector is more than hung by the chimney with care in hope that St Nicholas counterbalanced by the rise in employment in the private would soon be there, they will not be receiving that sector. shiny new tuition fees pledge they were promised, because Finally, on IPSA, the position is absolutely clear. We St Nick has let them down. had a useful debate on IPSA—I think on 2 December—and the Government abide by the resolution, passed without Sir George Young: I thank the right hon. Gentleman Division by the House at that time, that IPSA should be for his response, his Christmas wishes and indeed his given an opportunity to review the regime and come up Christmas card. Of course, for the Labour party this is with an alternative by 1 April. always a time of giving. I have been looking through what he has been giving over the past few business Several hon. Members rose— questions—he digs deep into his sack each time. He has promised higher spending on child benefit and housing Mr Speaker: Order. Many right hon. and hon. Members benefit, lower VAT in the new year and more university are seeking to catch my eye, but there is a statement to funding. We all applaud him on his festive generosity, follow and then Backbench Business Committee business, but until the Labour party comes up with a credible way so there is a premium on brevity from Back Bench and of paying for it all, it will have no more credibility than Front Bench alike. Santa Claus. I ask him—[Interruption.]People will not believe in the Labour party any more than they believe Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) in Santa Claus unless the Opposition come up with (Con): My right hon. Friend is aware—I have banged some decent answers. on about this enough times—of problems with flooding The right hon. Gentleman could have had a debate in my constituency, but we now have a new precedent. on the writ for the by-election. However, the Labour The Environment Agency has decided to spend £28 million party chose not to do so, so it is a little rich of him to flooding farmland in order to tick a box for Europe. It ask me for one now. The Opposition could have had a is nothing to do with this country; it comes from a debate if they had objected an hour ago to the writ European directive. There is now an entire village of being moved. It is astonishing that they do not want the people worried that they will be cut off and will have to by-election to be held, when their own candidate has be removed if the plan fails. This is not the first such said: case, but things are now getting extremely serious, so “I can’t wait until polling day,” may I ask for Government time in which to debate what so what is all the fuss about? The precedent from the Environment Agency is doing? Winchester quoted by the right hon. Gentleman is simply not accurate. There is a collective loss of memory Sir George Young: Of course I understand the seriousness on the Opposition Benches about what happened in to which my hon. Friend refers and the anxiety in the Winchester. The seat was previously held by a Conservative village concerned. He will have an opportunity on Tuesday Member of Parliament, and the Liberal Democrat Chief to raise the matter in the last debate of the year, but in Whip moved the writ. Therefore, in the most recent the meantime, I will draw the matter to the attention of precedent of a seat being declared void, the Chief Whip my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for of the party previously holding the seat did not move Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and see whether the writ. any action can be taken at ministerial level to allay the Moving quickly through the other issues that the concerns that he has expressed. right hon. Gentleman mentioned, let me say that the Prime Minister is here every week to answer questions, Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): These and he will continue to do so. being the last business questions before Christmas, may I again urge the Leader of the House to allocate more On the Sentencing (Reform) Bill, the right hon. time to Back-Bench business, to compensate for the fact Gentleman will know that the Green Paper published that the Session has been extended to April 2012? While last week was a collective document, published by the he is working out how many more days to allocate to Cabinet and the Administration as a whole. In the Back Benchers, can he also look at what days he allocates? robust evidence that my right hon. and learned Friend The Government are still predominantly giving Back the gave to the Select Committee on Benchers Thursdays on which to hold their debates, Justice, he made it clear that there was not a cigarette when really we would like a much clearer spread across paper between him and the Home Secretary. the parliamentary week. On plan A and plan B, at least we have a plan A. The Finally, may I join the Leader of the House in wishing Labour party does not even have one coherent strategy everybody a very happy Christmas? I would particularly on the economy. Indeed, yesterday the shadow Home like to wish the Doorkeepers well in the darts world Secretary, the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood championship, in which our very own House of Commons (Ed Balls), criticised the Leader of the Opposition for darts team is taking part. Will he join me in wishing his performance at Prime Minister’s questions, saying them well on Sunday? that “we have a huge responsibility to take these arguments to the Sir George Young: On the first point, the hon. Lady is country but we can’t do that if we are dividing amongst ourselves.” quite right to say that, because the Session is longer On unemployment, the shadow Leader of the House than it would normally be, there are implications for will have seen the forecast by the Office for Budget days allocated to private Members’ Bills, Opposition Responsibility, which stated that unemployment is set days and Back-Bench business days. Early in the new 1051 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1052

[Sir George Young] Sir George Young: The answer to the first question is no; that was an operational matter for the police, and I year, discussions will commence through the usual channels, did not have any say. My view is that it would be wrong and also involving the hon. Lady, to allocate more days to allow encampments in Parliament square, and the because the Session is to run until spring 2012. On her whole point of the clauses in the Bill is to restore the point about Thursdays, roughly a third of the days square to the position it was in when my hon. Friend allocated to her Committee have not been Thursdays, first joined the House—namely, a square in the middle but I take her point. So far as the Doorkeepers are of an historical capital city surrounded by Westminster concerned, I hope they are as accurate with their arrows abbey, this building and other significant buildings—rather as they are in forecasting the time at which the House than being despoiled by a shanty town. will rise. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): (Broxtowe) (Con): Will the Leader of I thank the Leader of the House on behalf of all the House be so good as to ensure that time is set aside Members for his support throughout the year on a so that we may debate the Government’s Green Paper number of issues. He will be aware of the great anxiety on sentencing as soon as possible, and long before the surrounding Tuesday’s pre-Adjournment debate, as it is end of the consultation period, please? fast approaching becoming a car crash. Will he now, even at this late stage, speak to the Backbench Business Committee to ensure that all Members get genuine Sir George Young: I note my hon. Friend’s interest in answers from the Deputy Leader of the House in that this matter. My hon. Friend the Member for Kettering debate, and that it does not become a shambles? (Mr Hollobone) had a debate on this important subject in Westminster Hall on Tuesday, and the Sentencing Sir George Young: At this moment, the hon. Gentleman (Reform) Bill is going through the House, which will is a lot closer, physically, to the Chairman of the Backbench give Members ample opportunity to debate the Business Committee than I am, and she will have heard Government’s proposals. The Green Paper makes it his question. What is proposed is a pilot, and the clear that, despite record spending, we are not delivering Committee is anxious to hear hon. Members’ views on what really matters, and society has the right to expect the proposed format, which will give the Government the criminal justice system to protect it. more certainty about the issues that are being raised, and therefore a better opportunity to respond, although John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I it is slightly less flexible. I very much hope that the welcome the written statement this morning about the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of the detention of asylum seekers’ children, but may I express House of Commons, my hon. Friend the Member for my disappointment that it was a written statement Somerton and Frome (Mr Heath), who will be replying rather than an oral statement? May we have an oral to the debate, will have adequate time at the end of the statement or a debate on this matter in the new year? debate to respond to all the issues that have been raised, My fear is that, although we are transferring children but that will depend on discipline being exercised during from the large detention centres, we might simply be the debate to give him adequate time to address the transferring them to smaller detention units. House at the end. John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): The 2012 Olympics Sir George Young: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s will be a significant sporting event and, on the back of welcome for the written ministerial statement. Any that, there will undoubtedly be a significant boost to Government have to strike a balance between written tourism. Will the Leader of the House make a statement ministerial statements and oral statements, given the telling us how the Government will ensure that the impact that a number of oral statements can have on boost to tourism will also benefit the tourist industry in the business of the House. He makes a strong case for constituencies such as Carlisle? that matter being debated, however. The alternative to Yarl’s Wood, whose closure I am sure he will welcome, Sir George Young: This Government are very anxious, has been piloted, and he might have heard Martin as were the previous Government, that the benefits of Narey of Barnado’s on the “Today”programme welcoming the Olympics should filter out to all parts of the country. this initiative while recognising that there needs to be The London Organising Committee of the Olympic some secure accommodation available in the days before Games and Paralympic Games has established the nations deportation. Also, the hon. Member for North East and regions group to ensure UK-wide engagement and Derbyshire (Natascha Engel), the Chair of the Backbench to maximise the legacy from London 2012. The group is Business Committee, might have heard his bid for a working directly with representatives from each of the debate on the policy. nations—and, indeed, the regions—to realise the sporting, economic and cultural benefits of the 2012 games. My David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): Can my right hon. Friend’s constituency and the wider north-west hon. Friend tell me whether he had any say, as Leader stand to gain from the wide range of opportunities of the House and on behalf of the House, on the created by the games. routing of the recent demonstrations outside the House? Given that it is possible that Parliament square will be Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Female genital restored under the provisions of the Police Reform and mutilation affects more than 20,000 women and girls in Social Responsibility Bill, does he agree that it would be this country, some of them as young as 12 months old. unwise to put large numbers of demonstrators into the A brilliant midwife, Alison Burns, has set up a clinic in restored square? the west midlands on her own initiative to deal with this 1053 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1054 matter. May we have an urgent debate on why there has tailored and personalised support that they need to get not been a single prosecution, despite the fact that the back to work. I will draw my hon. Friend’s remarks to Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes this practice the attention of the Secretary of State. illegal? Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): Sir George Young: The hon. Lady has raised a valid Last week, during the tuition fees debate, the Minister issue, and of course I will raise the matter with the for Universities and Science, the right hon. Member for appropriate Secretary of State. I think I am right in Havant (Mr Willetts) probably inadvertently misled the saying that she has one of the debates on Tuesday, on House when he said that there were more Scottish women and human rights, at which time she might have university students studying in England than there were an opportunity to touch on that matter, but I will English university students studying in Scotland. According certainly ensure that she gets a reply on that specific to the latest figures, 11,805 Scottish students were studying issue from whichever Minister replies to that section of in English universities, while in the same academic year, the debate. some 22,510 English students were studying in Scottish universities. I know that the Leader of the House takes Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): May we have a these matters very seriously. Can we now expect a debate on the Department for Work and Pensions contract statement from the Minister to put that right? for cashing benefit cheques? The contract is currently held by the Post Office and, whereas other competitors Sir George Young: It is certainly the case that, if a might be able to put in cheaper bids, they cannot Minister has inadvertently given inaccurate information possibly match the Post Office on quality. Paypoint, for to the House, the appropriate action should be taken example, has no outlets on many of the islands or and the record should be set straight. If one of my hon. anywhere in rural north Argyll. In the recent terrible Friends did indeed give the wrong information, that will weather, the Post Office made a big extra effort to keep happen, and I will draw the hon. Gentleman’s remarks its branches supplied with cash, and it deserves to to the attention of the appropriate Minister. keep this contract. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): Will the Leader Sir George Young: I commend my hon. Friend on of the House allow us a debate on the local government raising this issue, and I have seen his early-day motion finance settlement, which was announced earlier this on the subject. As he probably knows, the Government week, now that councils have had time to digest the have yet to announce the contract, but I shall draw his news? There is real concern in my constituency about comments to the attention of my right hon. Friend the the way in which the transitional grant has been calculated. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The calculation of Pendle’s revenue spending power for 2010-11 is significantly understated. It does not include Mr John Spellar (Warley) (Lab): May we have a several amounts that were included in revenue grants debate as soon as possible on the conventions of this received last year. If those amounts were included, House? Conflict is inevitable in Parliament—even the the transitional grant would be boosted by more than geography of the Chamber reflects that—but we have £1 million. rules and conventions to keep it within manageable limits. If, however, political parties gratuitously break those conventions for short-term party political advantage, Sir George Young: As a former local government as the Lib Dems have done today, that has serious Minister, I know that there is no way of coming up with implications for Parliament, and that matter needs to be a draft settlement that satisfies every single local authority. examined in greater detail, rather than in the cavalier As my hon. Friend will know, we are consulting on the manner that it was dealt with today. proposals announced on Monday, and if he or members of his local authority have comments to make about the Sir George Young: I reject the accusation that anything settlement, they should make them. There will be an has been done in a cavalier manner. As I said in response opportunity to debate the final settlement when it is laid to the right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary before the House next year. Benn), the convention that has been followed in this case exactly replicates the convention that was followed Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Will the Leader of the last time a seat was declared void, which was in the the House invite the Home Secretary to come to the constituency of Winchester. House again to correct comments that she made about public order policing in her statement last Monday? She Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): Following the recession, informed the House then that protesters many over-50s in my constituency are, regrettably, finding “who remained peaceful and wished to leave via Whitehall were it very difficult to get back into work, and I know that able to do so.”—[Official Report, 13 December 2010; Vol. 643, that issue extends across the country. I would be grateful c. 665.] if time could be found for a debate on encouraging When I pressed her on that, she confirmed it. Since then employers to look kindly on re-employing those who an e-mail has been passed to me by, among others, my find themselves out of work over the age of 50. right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith), which reports that peaceful protesters spent hours trying Sir George Young: My hon. Friend makes a good to leave and being prevented from doing so by police. point. He will know that we are introducing a new Work Although the police told them that they could leave, programme from early next year, and my right hon. they actually prevented that from happening. Will the Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is Home Secretary come and tell us the truth about the anxious to ensure that job seekers of all ages get the policing of the demonstration? 1055 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1056

Sir George Young: The hon. Lady will have an Sir George Young: I honestly think that the House opportunity to raise the issue with my right hon. Friend has had adequate opportunities to debate tuition fees the Home Secretary during the next session of Home this month. There has been an Opposition day debate Office questions. In the meantime, I will of course draw on the subject, as well as a full day’s debate on the order her remarks to my right hon. Friend’s attention and and the regulation last week. The discrepancy between establish whether she wishes to respond to them. what happens to English students and what happens to other students flows from the devolution settlement. Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Will my right hon. Friend allow Government time for a debate on the Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): Ghana, one of provision of health and education for children with the most stable democracies in , is about to pump special needs, who are some of the most vulnerable its first commercial oil, worth $400 million a year. Does children in our society? my right hon. Friend agree that that wealth needs to be passed to the whole country, and that the Parliament of Ghana needs to work together to ensure that legislation Sir George Young: I commend the work that my hon. and regulation are in place to ensure that that happens? Friend has been doing on this issue for many years. The Government believe that the most vulnerable children deserve the highest quality of care. We expect a Green Sir George Young: Like my hon. Friend, I welcome Paper on special educational needs to be published very the commencement of oil production in Ghana. I hope soon, and we would welcome his comments on it. very much that the revenue will be used for the benefit of all the citizens of that country, and will be managed with a view to Ghana’s future prosperity. Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): May we have a debate on the Olympic legacy? It has become clear that Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): I am sure that the right one of the bids involves a complete dismantling of the hon. Gentleman would not wish to disfranchise students legacy to athletics, and that is important to the House. in the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election. Will Moreover, much that Legacy Trust UK is doing is being he join me in encouraging the relevant Secretary of done behind closed doors, in secrecy. It is of grave State to make a statement to the House today, so that, concern that one bid involves the building of a supermarket before the Christmas holidays, students are made aware on the Olympic site: that cannot be right. We need a that they can register for postal votes in that by-election? debate to discuss the legacy for the young people of this country. Sir George Young: If the hon. Gentleman was worried about the timing of the by-election, he could have Sir George Young: I agree with the right hon. Gentleman. registered his objection an hour ago when he had an Of course we need a legacy for young people after the opportunity to do so. He did not, and we heard earlier Olympics. I cannot promise an early debate, but I will that Labour Members wanted to “bring it on”. No one draw his remarks to the attention of my right hon. has been disfranchised. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. The matter might also be a worthy Elizabeth Truss (South West Norfolk) (Con): I am subject for an Adjournment debate. very concerned about the possible impact on service personnel at RAF Marham in my constituency. Given David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Many of us the level of speculation about air bases this week, given look forward not only to the royal wedding, but to that the economic and military case has been made in finding out what title will be bestowed on Prince William. favour of RAF Marham and given that that appears to Will the Leader of the House remind the Privy Council be the view of the Ministry of Defence, may we have a that the dukedom of Monmouth has been vacant since statement so that we can have some certainty on the 1685, for reasons best glossed over? I am sure that the issue? residents of that county would be delighted to be associated with the royal wedding in any way possible. Sir George Young: I understand my hon. Friend’s anxiety. She says that something may be “the view of Mr Speaker: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman was the Ministry of Defence”, but my understanding is that seeking a statement on the matter. no decision has been made. Some consequences of the strategic defence and security review, which was published in October, have implications for a number of bases, Sir George Young: My hon. Friend risks opening a including the one in my hon. Friend’s constituency, but bidding war in the Chamber among other hon. Members I understand that no decision will be made until the who wish their constituencies to be recognised in the spring, when of course the House will be informed. same manner. Let me simply say that, although I note However, the strong case that my hon. Friend has made his remarks, the issue is way, way above my pay grade. repeatedly in the Chamber on behalf of RAF Marham will have been heard. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): May we have another early debate on the funding of universities? As the Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ Leader of the House will know, in Wales—my area—the Co-op): May we have an urgent statement from the Welsh Assembly Government are not applying fees. Business Secretary on the disgraceful situation in Scotland, Next week the Scottish Government will probably decide where TNT, DHL and other delivery companies are not to do so either, as will the Northern Ireland currently refusing to make deliveries? RL Engineering Government. Why are the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Services in my constituency contacted me this morning Government picking on English students? because it needs a part in order to rescue a Ministry of 1057 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1058

Defence tug stuck in the Kyle of Lochalsh, but the is available to those who need it most. We estimate that companies are refusing to deliver it. Can the Business it will deliver savings of about £350 million by 2014-15, Secretary take some action to ensure that the situation but the exact figure will be subject to what final package does not continue? of proposals we decide to implement following the consultation to which my hon. Friend referred. Sir George Young: If the matter is indeed not devolved but retained, I will of course draw it to the attention of Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): To return to the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation an issue I raised at a previous business questions, the and Skills, the hon. Member for Kingston and Surbiton Government have announced that they will change the (Mr Davey), who is responsible for postal affairs, and way in which the police’s use of stop-and-search and establish whether he can take any action to ensure that stop-and-account powers are recorded, and I think that deliveries get through. change will make it impossible to check properly whether Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): The Leader their use is proportionate and non-discriminatory. In a of the House may be aware that hauliers are to be Westminster Hall debate on 1 December, the Minister penalised by the European Union, which is considering for Policing and Criminal Justice said this change would introducing a 4-metre height limit on new trailers. I save 450,000 hours of police time, but that figure is have been lobbied by several hauliers in my constituency, strongly disputed by the StopWatch action group and not least Mr Robin Allen, who fears that that is much others. May we have a debate to discuss the reality of lower than the current limit and that hauliers will not be the situation? able to carry the same amount of goods, which means that there will be more lorries. The bridges do not need Sir George Young: It is important that we seek a to be made any higher, because the trailers are already consensus on what the impact of the changes will be. I being driven under them. Will the Leader of the House cannot promise an early debate, but a meeting between refer the matter to the relevant Minister? the relevant Minister and the organisation to which the hon. Gentleman refers might represent the Sir George Young: I am all in favour of fewer lorries right way forward. on our roads. I think that it would be best for the Secretary of State for Transport to have a dialogue with (Rugby) (Con): Christmas is just around the Road Haulage Association, establish whether those the corner, and many people will receive a gift of a anxieties are reflected more broadly throughout the personalised number plate for their car. That provides industry, and then establish whether we can take action valuable income to the Exchequer—about £1.3 billion to minimise any loss of trade carried on the larger since 1989. However, many of these plates are illegal by trailers. virtue of their character, position and appearance and by the addition of bolts in order to create a name or Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): Given that word. That has serious implications for the identification the Secretary of State for Communities and Local of vehicles used in criminal activity, particularly where Government is on record as having said in the House the police are using automatic number plate recognition that this year’s grant settlement would not hit the poorest systems. Will the Leader of the House make time for communities hardest, and given that that is exactly what this matter to be considered? it has done, may we have an urgent debate on the matter? Sir George Young: My hon. Friend must move in very important circles given that he says that many people Sir George Young: There will indeed be an urgent will receive this gift. As a cyclist, I do not, of course, debate on the matter, because the settlement must be need such a number plate myself. He refers to number approved by the House before the local authorities get plate recognition, and I will draw that aspect of his their money. As the Secretary of State said on Monday, remarks to the attention of Home Office Ministers. it is a progressive settlement that reflects the requirements of the parts of the country that need the resources Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I most. am grateful for the Leader of the House’s remark that Mr (South Swindon) (Con): Will the Prime Minister is likely on Monday afternoon to my right hon. Friend ensure that time is found between make a statement on the outcome of the European now and the end of the consultation period for a debate Council meeting. We did not have a debate ahead of on the Floor of the House about the legal aid Green that meeting even though that would have given the Paper? We had a stimulating debate in Westminster House an opportunity to express its views on some Hall on Tuesday, when Members on both sides of the treaty changes that may well have been debated at the House made suggestions about what needed to be done weekend. In an earlier answer, it seemed to be suggested in this vital regard, but a debate on the Floor of the that the Backbench Business Committee and the Leader House would allow more Members more time in which of the House will negotiate about extra days for debates, to amplify their concerns. so will the two sides come to an agreement in order to restore, in whatever shape or form, a pre-Council debate Sir George Young: As my hon. Friend said, there was in this House, because it is vital that we have that? a well-attended debate on legal aid in Westminster Hall earlier this week. Any change to legal aid will require Sir George Young: I think the hon. Lady knows what legislation of course, and I anticipate that there will be a I am about to say to her: in setting up its Backbench Bill on that this Session. Our proposals represent a Business Committee, the House gave that Committee radical, wide-ranging and ambitious programme of reform responsibility for deciding whether there is to be a that reflects our commitment to ensuring that legal aid fisheries debate, for instance, a European Council debate 1059 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1060

[Sir George Young] a private sector recovery”, which lists a range of measures the Government are taking to support small and medium- or four days of debate on defence, or whether debates sized enterprises, such as a business growth fund of should be held on other subjects. The responsibility for £1.5 billion, £200 million for the enterprise capital deciding whether there is to be a pre-Christmas European funds and support for the enterprise finance guarantee, Council debate now rests with the Backbench Business as well as supporting SMEs through growth hubs. I will, Committee, so the hon. Lady should address her question of course, draw my hon. Friend’s remarks to the attention to the hon. Member for North East Derbyshire (Natascha of the relevant Ministers. Engel), not the Leader of the House. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): A Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Will the Leader written ministerial statement today announced the closure of the House arrange for an early debate on the performance of 10 of Britain’s 19 coastguard stations. There is serious of the Student Loans Company, so that the House can concern about that proposal. Surely the announcement examine whether it is operating as efficiently as students should have been made by way of an oral statement. and their families are entitled to expect? Will the Leader of the House find a way for this matter Sir George Young: It was because we believed the to be debated on the Floor of the House? SLC was not being operated efficiently that we replaced the chairman and the chief executive within one month Sir George Young: I understand the hon. Lady’s of our taking office earlier this year. In respect of recent concern but, as she says, this is a matter on which the applications managed by the SLC, the Public Accounts Government have reported to the House and, as I have Committee report published last week showed that by said, we have to strike a balance between written and the end of October over half a million students had oral ministerial statements in order to protect the business received their funding at the start of term, of which of the House. The matter she raises might be a subject 72% were fully processed, and that 69% of new applicants for a debate in Westminster Hall at the beginning of the were also fully processed. There must be continued new year. improvement in the SLC’s performance however, so that students receive the level of service to which they Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): Will the Leader are entitled. of the House make time for an early debate in Government time on the impact of the cuts in police numbers, Mr Denis MacShane () (Lab): After the especially as we have already heard that 1,387 uniformed extraordinary revelations in about the disastrous police officers are to lose their jobs in Greater Manchester? performance of Ministry of Defence procurement, may we have an early debate on the subject? The right hon. Sir George Young: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s Gentleman the Member for Colombo is reported by concern. There will be an opportunity to debate the The Times as saying that the revelations refer only to the police grant order early next year. It so happens that I Labour Government, but they go back to the 1990s and have just received a briefing note from my chief constable 1980s. Does the Leader of the House also agree that we in Hampshire. It cites the director of finance and resources need a complete ban on any Whitehall mandarin or saying of Monday’s announcement: armed services senior officer—or, indeed, any Minister— “These figures are very close to the force’s predictions and joining any part of the defence industry establishment plans are already in place so that we can continue to operate on a paid basis for 10 years after they leave office, as we effectively and efficiently within a reduced budget.” must shut this revolving door? The briefing note cites comments from others too, such Sir George Young: The PAC report referred as: predominantly to the performance of the last Labour “While we do not underestimate the difficult time we will go Government; I do not think it went back to a significant through over the coming months, there are also real opportunities degree to 1997 and beyond. There are existing rules and for us to do things better…we are in the process of identifying restraints on what jobs former Ministers are allowed to ways of improving what we do as a force.” take, and there is a period of quarantine. I am very I hope that approach is also being adopted in the hon. happy to look into this matter again however, and I Gentleman’s constituency. think it goes wider than just former Government Ministers. I think the House would have an interest in this matter. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mr Speaker, and to Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will the Leader of other Members of the House. the House find time for an urgent debate on costs to small businesses? Two of my Harlow constituents— Will the Leader of the House find Government time Mr Raymond Patten and his daughter—have a small for a debate on the impact of the following decisions, business outside Harlow. Their business costs have increased particularly on rural—and especially rural coastal— severely this year, with business rates up by 50% and constituencies? My constituents in Felixstowe and places licensing costs trebling. Does my right hon. Friend such as Orford and Aldeburgh are reeling from recent agree that while this Government are doing many excellent decisions on removing fire provision and extending the things to help businesses, we must not give with one time they can expect to wait before receiving angioplasty hand and take away with the other? treatment. This is unacceptable, and I hope the Government will find time for a debate on these matters. Sir George Young: I agree with my hon. Friend, and I see that there is a debate scheduled for Tuesday on Sir George Young: There will be an opportunity to support for businesses, which he may like to attend. He debate many of these matters when we produce our will have read the Government’s Green Paper, “Financing proposals for reforming the health service. I understand 1061 Business of the House16 DECEMBER 2010 Business of the House 1062 there are still opportunities for Members who want to announcement was issued by way of a written ministerial do so to intervene in next Tuesday’s debate on the statement, in which case everybody should have received Adjournment, and my hon. Friend may find that that it at the same time. will provide an opportunity to raise these concerns with the appropriate Minister. Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): Last week, I was approached by my constituent, Sharon Martin, Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): who informed me that she had that day sent out a fleece Further to the comments of some of my hon. Friends, and winter clothing to her son, who is serving in Kabul. the news that Greater Manchester police is to lose a He had been advised by the Ministry of Defence that quarter of its entire work force, including over 1,000 winter clothing would not be available in Afghanistan front-line officers, is causing real concern in my constituency. until February 2011. For the past week, I have tried to We will shortly find out what the public think of this get the MOD to respond to this and I was told, “Will policy at the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election, you put it in writing? We will respond within 15 working but will the Leader of the House help Members representing days.” That is clearly not acceptable. Will the Leader of Greater Manchester constituencies to get a debate on the House therefore try to get a statement made before this issue? He might be satisfied with the news about his the Christmas recess, so that we can all have a merry local force, but Greater Manchester Members are not. Christmas, including those men and women who are abroad fighting for us?

Sir George Young: Of course I understand the hon. Sir George Young: I applaud what the hon. Gentleman Gentleman’s concern, but the former Home Secretary said about our fighting forces. He will get a letter from made it clear before the last election that if his party an MOD Minister before the House rises for the Christmas had been returned, it could not guarantee that there recess. would not be a reduction in police numbers. Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Now that the Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Will the Leader of Prime Minister has said that he is taking personal the House consider holding a debate on our industrial charge of the school sports debacle, can we expect heritage? On 21 December 1910, my community was another statement from him on Monday, after he visits devastated by the loss of 344 men and boys in the the Olympic site, or will an announcement be made in Pretoria pit disaster, the third largest such disaster in the usual way through the Sunday newspapers? British history.I hope that he will join me in congratulating May I wish a merry Christmas to the Leader of the the communities of Westhoughton and Atherton on the House and the Deputy Leader of the House, who is efforts that they have made over a number of years to wrong about the Deputy Prime Minister? He is not commemorate the centenary of the disaster next Tuesday St. Nick, or even the messiah—he is just a very naughty and in sending sympathy to the many families who still boy. remember their relatives and mining heritage with pride? Sir George Young: I have forgotten what the question was. On school partnerships, a further announcement Sir George Young: I welcome the initiative taken by will be made in due course about our proposals to the hon. Lady and those in her community, who recognise replace the previous regime. I welcome what the hon. the tragic disaster that took place at the Pretoria pit Gentleman said about wishing everybody a merry 100 years ago. It is right that we should recognise that Christmas, and I hope that he included in that the many sacrifices were made in building the industrial Deputy Prime Minister. strength of this country and the initiative that she has mentioned will be widely applauded in her constituency. Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): The Leader of the House will have heard the concerns expressed by Members on both sides of the House this Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Will the Leader morning about the oil supply crisis in their constituencies. of the House remind Ministers that they should tell Schools and hospitals face shortages, and the old and hon. Members of decisions affecting their constituency? vulnerable are suffering freezing cold. What provisions This week, a number of announcements affected my are available for an emergency debate next week should constituency, including the decision not to go ahead the rationing announced by the Minister for Energy this with Maghull prison and the cut of two thirds in the morning create panic buying over the weekend or should budget for Merseytravel. I learned of both by way of the emergency meetings he is having with the industry media releases forwarded to me and have still to hear over the weekend need to be reported back to the from the relevant Minister on either issue. Will the House? Leader of the House ask Ministers to contact me at the earliest possible opportunity with the details of both Sir George Young: I heard the hon. Gentleman share those cuts, and will he remind Ministers of their his concerns at Energy and Climate Change questions, responsibility? when he put a similar question to one of my colleagues and it was adequately answered. At the start of the Sir George Young: Ministers are quite clear that they severe weather spell a number of precautions were should report matters to the House before they report taken to deal with salt supplies, the health service, cold them to the media. The hon. Gentleman should hear weather payments and winter fuel payments. I know about anything that affects his constituency before that he will be heartened to hear the last bit of my brief, the media are told about it, and I shall certainly raise which says that a winter resilience network has been set that with the relevant Ministers. The transport grant up and is chaired by the . 1063 Business of the House 16 DECEMBER 2010 1064

Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Will it not be Electricity Market Reform appropriate in the new year to debate fully the content of a debate that is taking place this afternoon in order 12.27 pm that we can pay tribute to the courage and vision of my right hon. Friend the Member for Coventry North East The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Mr Ainsworth)? Although hon. Members take various (Chris Huhne): Today, we begin consulting on the reform views about drug problems, there is a great deal of of the electricity market. This programme sits at the unanimity on the fact that the policies that all parties heart of my Department’s mission: to deliver secure, have followed for the past 40 years have resulted in the affordable and low-carbon energy. The case for reform biggest price for drug treatment in Europe, the harshest is clear. We need significant investment in our energy laws and the worst outcomes in terms of deaths, drug infrastructure. As old coal and nuclear plants shut crime and drug use. There must be a better way. Can we down, and demand for electricity grows, we must build not build on agreement between all parties to do better the next generation of power stations. The electricity in future? that they deliver must be both affordable and sustainable, helping us to meet our emissions reduction targets and Sir George Young: The hon. Gentleman has taken a keep the lights on. consistent stand on this issue for many years and I The current energy market has served us well, but it applaud that, although I disagree with him. I think that cannot deliver long-term investment on the scale that he is rehearsing a speech that he might give later today we need, nor can it give consumers the best deal. Left in Westminster Hall. He will have heard, doubtless with untouched, it would lock carbon emissions into the dismay, that the right hon. Member for Coventry North system for decades to come. Investors and boardrooms East (Mr Ainsworth) was denounced by his party leader. around the world want to know whether the UK is a good place to do energy business, and today we are Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Four weeks ago, I setting out our plans to make it one of the best places to submitted four written questions on the background do energy business. analysis done before the decision was taken to end the The challenges and the opportunities are huge. Put funding for the school sport partnerships. On 29 November, simply, we face growing demand, shrinking supply and I received a reply to all four questions stating, ambitious emissions reductions targets: demand for “I will reply as soon as possible.” electricity could double by 2050 as we decarbonise the Apparently, that time has still not yet come, so will the economy; 30% of our electricity must come from renewables Leader of the House investigate why it is taking so long by 2020—up from 7% today—to meet our contribution to answer such simple questions? to the European Union’s renewable energy target; and in the next 10 years, a quarter of our existing power Sir George Young: “As soon as possible” will be plants will need to be replaced, as nuclear and coal before the House rises for the Christmas recess. plants reach the end of their lives. Without action, we will face a real and growing threat Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): This week, we to the security of our supply. The reserve margin of learned that 25% of all children are recorded as being spare generating capacity will fall over the next decade obese when they go to primary school, and the records and the risk of interruptions to our energy supplies will show that the figure rises to 33% by the time they leave rise, so we must build the next generation of power primary school. Given that the Government have now stations, and act to ensure there will be enough reserve done away with school sport partnerships funding, will capacity to meet our needs. Together with renewables, the Leader of the House make time for a debate on we will need new gas-fired power stations and new childhood obesity and alternative ways through exercise nuclear plant. We must attract more than £100 billion to tackle it? of investment in new power stations and grid connections by 2020—that is double the investment rate of the past Sir George Young: I think that this goes back to a decade. question put to me earlier. The Government will be We must rebalance our market framework to attract coming up with an alternative way of promoting school investment in the right technologies. At the moment, sports, and it will be a more effective and cost-effective there is a bias towards low-cost, low-risk fossil fuel way than the system that we inherited. Obesity—not generation. Renewables, nuclear and carbon capture just child obesity, but adult obesity—is a real issue, and and storage all have relatively high up-front capital my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education costs, but a more diverse, lower-carbon energy mix is takes it seriously. better for our energy security, better for our economy and better for our planet. Some measures have already delivered investment in new low-carbon generation—the renewables obligation and the EU emissions trading system—but we must go further and faster. To secure reliable, affordable low-carbon electricity, we must change the market structure. We must create the right framework to ramp up power generation and secure our supply and we must deliver cleaner, greener electricity for the 2020s and beyond. Today, we are proposing new incentives to drive investment while protecting the rules for investments already made. The focus will shift permanently from 1065 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1066 conventional fossil fuel-fired electricity to low-carbon We have a once-in-a-generation chance to rebuild our technologies—renewables, nuclear and cleaner fossil fuels. electricity market, rebuild investor confidence and rebuild Our preferred package of reforms is designed to strike a our power stations. Like privatisation before it, this will balance between the best possible deal for consumers be a seismic shift, securing investment in cleaner, greener and giving existing players and new entrants in the power and delivering secure, affordable and low-carbon energy sector the certainty they need to raise investment. energy for decades to come. Reform will be gradual. We want to reassure industry that the rules for existing investments will be protected. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ By consulting on a process and principles for the transition Co-op): I thank the right hon. Gentleman for early to new market arrangements we aim to minimise sight of his statement and for early notice that it would uncertainty. The competitive market will remain at the be made—ahead, even, of Government Back Benchers, centre of our energy policy, but the four elements of the for which I am grateful. reform package announced today will change incentives Let me be clear at the outset that the Opposition in the market and ensure both the security and believe that the programme is absolutely necessary to decarbonisation of our power supply system while secure energy for the future, and we will support fair minimising costs to consumers. and sensible mechanisms for reform. We agree with the First, there will be greater long-term certainty about Secretary of State that this is a once-in-a-generation the additional cost of running polluting plant, to make opportunity to get it right and we hope that we can lower carbon investment more attractive. Proposals set work with the Government and that, for their part, they out in the Treasury consultation to support the carbon will take on board the Opposition’s comments as they price directly tackle the core problem, putting a better consult. price on emissions, increasing the cost of fossil fuel-based generation and strengthening the carbon price for UK The issues that the Government must tackle are electricity generators. fourfold: security of supply, meeting renewable energy targets, finding the crucial investment for energy Secondly, greater revenue certainty for low-carbon infrastructure—some £200 billion—and, as we heard in generation will make clean energy investment more Question Time, keeping energy prices reasonable. It is attractive still. Through the proposed contract for difference crucial that the Government put in place the mechanisms feed-in tariff, the Government will guarantee greater to make new low-carbon investment attractive and they revenue certainty for low carbon in the form of a top-up must bridge the looming energy gap without a rush for payment if the wholesale price of electricity is below the unabated fossil fuel generation. I am heartened by some feed-in tariff and a potential clawback for consumers if of what the Secretary of State has said, but the Government wholesale prices go above the contracted tariff. must also provide energy security across a balanced and Thirdly, there will be additional payments to encourage diverse energy portfolio and they must provide fairness the construction of reserve plants or demand reduction and affordability for consumers. measures to ensure the lights stay on. Capacity payments We face this big challenge together, but we must not will create an adequate safety cushion of capacity as the allow the consumer to bear the whole burden. The amount of intermittent and inflexible low-carbon generation Secretary of State has dangled cheaper prices from 2030 increases. in front of us today—jam tomorrow—but will he provide Fourthly, there will be a back-stop to limit how much his modelling so we can be sure that the Government carbon any new coal-fired power stations emit. An are doing everything they can to ensure that energy emissions performance standard will reinforce the existing prices today are being tackled, too? We cannot allow requirement that no new coal is built without carbon increased energy costs to be an excuse for increased capture and storage. profit at a cost to our constituents. Together, those four reforms make good on our The Government must seize this opportunity and act commitments in the coalition’s programme for government. now to give investors the certainty they need and to They will make the UK a prime location for low-carbon meet the necessary timescales. Today, the Government energy investment. They will ensure our energy supply have confirmed that the green investment bank is still is cleaner and more secure. They will protect the under review. The Secretary of State has assured us that consumer—whereas prices will rise in the medium term, the Government are committed to low-carbon growth, the additional impact of the reform packages will be but the question is: can he do it on time? small, and by 2030 consumer bills will be lower than This is not the time for delay or dithering. Now is the they would have been if we had not reformed the time for action, and I hope that the Secretary of State market. They will lay the foundations for the sustainable will deem 2011 to be the year of decision. He rightly economy of the future, bringing jobs up and down the pointed out in his statement that if we do not take supply chain. prompt action, “The reserve margin of spare generating The consultation that opens today invites everyone to capacity will fall over the next decade and the risk of tell us whether they think the preferred package of interruptions to our energy supplies will rise.” Questions reforms is the right one and to provide the evidence to remain about whether new nuclear can be built on time support their views. Final recommendations will be and at the pace required and whether carbon capture published in a White Paper in late spring 2011, and the and storage can be proven on an industrial scale and reforms will be introduced before the end of this Parliament. commercially applied to all fossil fuels on time. We also We are also reviewing the role of Ofgem and the energy need to know the details about the funding of projects regulatory framework and today we are publishing 2, 3 and 4. We also need to know whether agreements the Government’s response to the call for evidence on on energy storage with Norway or others will be on the terms of the review. time, again, and sufficient in scale. 1067 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1068

[Meg Hillier] underlying problem of a more competitive market we should get more players into the market, because that There are other questions, too. Although I recognise will ultimately give the best assurance to consumers that that many of them cannot be given definitive answers, I we will get the best possible deal. know that the Secretary of State’s officials will have modelled different scenarios. I ask, in the spirit of The hon. Lady asked about the shorter-term view. I transparency and open debate, that the Secretary of made it clear in my statement that this package will State share as much as possible of his modelling and deliver lower-cost electricity for consumers than would risk analysis for plugging the energy gap in the next few otherwise be the case on a 2030 view. We will redo the years with the House and with the Select Committee on estimates for overall energy policy in the annual energy Energy and Climate Change so that we can have a fully statement. As far as I can see, on the current basis there informed debate. is no reason to expect that to change. In the summer, we said that with the overall package of policies we had set The Secretary of State today stresses a UK commitment out, if one takes into account the energy efficiency to 30% of electricity from renewables by 2020. His packages and the likely reduction in bills as a result, commitment is clear and we support him. However, has consumers would pay about 1% more in 2020 than he assessed the mood of the coalition’s colleagues in the would otherwise be the case. That figure involves a European Parliament, who often seem to be at sixes and fundamental assumption that the oil price will be $80 a sevens and are certainly not four-square behind his barrel at that time, with a corresponding gas price, but stance. He is, we know, as we heard earlier this week, oil prices might be substantially higher; obviously, spot working closely with European partners. On Monday, oil prices are substantially higher today. The break-even he assured the House, with some feeling, that the point for consumers is $100 a barrel, and if the price Government are united on their position in Europe, but goes north of that the policy framework we are setting what is the true picture? out will leave British consumers paying less than if they The statement is on electricity market reform, but were reliant, over the relevant period, on the volatility given that we enter this winter with the worse gas of the world oil and gas markets. That is fundamental. storage for many years, does the Secretary of State also We are dealing with conditions of considerable uncertainty intend to make proposals on gas infrastructure and about the future, particularly in the oil and gas markets. storage; and, if so, when? We have heard today that the US Attorney-General is Finally, will the Secretary of State give certainty to taking a case against BP as a result of what happened in industry and to people who are already paying inflated the gulf of Mexico. We know that there are rising risks energy bills that this programme will be enough to and costs in extracting fossil fuels and we have to take encourage energy companies to invest in the UK, to that into account when we set a policy that can protect create the jobs that this country needs and, importantly, British consumers from the vagaries that might come. to protect customers from unaffordable energy bills? The green investment bank is going to be a clear part of our thinking in dealing with the enormous investment Chris Huhne: I thank the hon. Lady for her comments challenge, and Ministers are reviewing the exact market and particularly for the helpful way in which she couched failures that we are attempting to address with the them. Of course we will be open to Opposition comments bank. It is a long-term project and the most important on the details of this matter through the consultation thing, when we talk about decarbonising the UK economy, period and further on into the legislation. We shall need is not to get up and running for 1 January next year a £110 billion of investment in electricity infrastructure green investment bank that might be half-baked, but to and a total of £200 billion in energy, and one of the get it right. This institution has to be with us for the most valuable things we can tell investors is that there is, long term, right through to 2050, providing lending to although I do not want to overstate it, substantial help decarbonise the economy over the long haul, so I cross-party consensus between the coalition parties and would much rather get it right than do it early and get it the Opposition. That is very valuable in attracting big wrong. foreign investors in particular because it means that in the period over which there can be a payback of investments, I take on board the hon. Lady’s point about the need which might be 20 years, foreign investors can be assured to deliver. I shall not rub salt in the Opposition’s wounds that there will be real stability of policy. I very much about the 13 years they were in power, but I remind her value that consensus and very much want to work with that we have inherited the position of being 25th out of the hon. Lady to make sure it is there. 27 EU member states on renewable energy. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for West Ham (Lyn Brown) might Let me deal with the hon. Lady’s concerns about chunter about that, but these are the facts. I am not consumers, which are absolutely appropriate. We have making any comments about them, but am merely to make sure that business consumers and households saying that we are 25th out of 27 EU countries and we in Britain get the best possible deal in supplies of need to improve that position. energy—in this case, electricity. A fundamental part of the policy proposal that I hope she will welcome is that The hon. Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch by providing investors with the certainty of a feed-in (Meg Hillier) also asked us to make available our modelling tariff, with a contract for difference, we will attract basis and I am very happy to do that. Indeed, the investment from the big six electricity companies and models that we used for the 2050 pathways study are attract into the market other players—new entrants—to already available on the Department’s website. Any make it more competitive. We will also unlock the pools Member of the House will find that function very of capital that various Members have been concerned user-friendly; it is Professor David Mackay’s favourite will not be available without this framework. It is very executive toy. Users can decide they want more renewables, much part of our thinking that in trying to deal with the a little less nuclear, a little more nuclear or a little more 1069 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1070 clean coal, put the change in and find out what the capture and storage applied to gas—gas may have a consequences would be. We aim to be extremely open very important role in the long term, not just in the and transparent in our whole process. short term. Otherwise, I entirely agree. Capacity payments On the European Parliament, the reality is that we will be made on the basis of encouraging peaking plant, will determine these matters in this Parliament, not the to deal with the ad break in “Coronation Street” when European Parliament. I note that we have an overwhelming we all turn on our kettles, and to offset the intermittency majority, judging by the recent vote on the regulatory problems that occasionally arise—the nightmare of the justification for nuclear, for the sort of package that we four or five cold still days in February when the wind have set out. turbines are not going and we need back-up capacity. The capacity payments will inevitably be made by consumers Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): On a point of from their payments, but they will provide us with the order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Is it appropriate, given assurance of supply that we have been proud to have in what the Speaker has said about short statements, that this country for a long time. the Secretary of State’s answer to a single question has been longer than the original statement? Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): There is, unfortunately, something of an uncertainty paradox, in Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Strictly that measures that seek to create some certainty in the speaking, that is not a point of order, but while I am on market necessitate of themselves a period of uncertainty. my feet let me say what I was going to say when the That being the case, will the Secretary of State tell us Secretary of State sat down. I am sure that the House is how long energy investors will have certainty once his very grateful for his long and full answer, but I sincerely reforms have been implemented? hope that we will revert to short questions and short answers so that everyone can get in. Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that question. When he reads the documentation we have Chris Huhne: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. tabled, he will see that we are at great pains to ensure Gas storage is dealt with in the current Bill. On that that investors have the very clear message—not least point I shall end. because of recent experience in some other member states of the European Union—that the incentives that Dan Byles (North Warwickshire) (Con): Does the have been in place will be grandfathered. They can Secretary of State agree that when the new measures are continue to rely on that. We shall minimise the amount in place, we will require long-term regulatory stability if of uncertainty, which is important not only to honour we are to encourage an attractive investment environment our past obligations but also if we want investors to in order to decarbonise our energy market and keep the believe in our future obligations. We have to be prepared lights on at an affordable price? to stand behind what we have said in the past, and we intend that to be the case. We will minimise the amount Chris Huhne: I absolutely agree that we require long-term of uncertainty in joining up the two regimes, but we are regulatory stability. That is one reason why we have of the view that we have to reform the electricity market been at pains to say that we will not change the terms on to bring forward the low carbon and secure supplies which investors relied when they made past investments. that we need. We want them to believe that when we put this framework in place they will be able to rely on a similar assurance Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab): I hope the of stability. Minister can find a way of sitting down now and again. In terms of nuclear energy, we are talking about a Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): I subsidy by another name, and that is a major change in strongly welcome the content of the statement on the policy. I have real concerns—as will a number of other future construction of energy markets and how they MPs when they come back in the new year—about will underpin the move towards a low-carbon energy supporting nuclear energy in the long term, when we economy. The Secretary of State has said that there is have always argued that it should not be subsidised. currently a bias towards low-cost, low-risk fossil fuel What is in this for coal? Coal has played a major part in generation, but it is more than a bias. The present build this country’s economic security, so what part will it and planning permissions suggest that there is more gas play in carbon capture in the future? What projects will in the pipeline than would cover the gap for reserve be going ahead and when? generation over the next period. The third of the four pillars he has mentioned involves capacity payments: Chris Huhne: There are two parts to the hon. Gentleman’s how does he intend to fund those payments, and will he question. The first was whether the proposals are a be able to direct them to ensure that reserve capacity is subsidy for nuclear. I could not be clearer: this is a not overwhelmingly gas, as appears to be the case subsidy for low-carbon sources of energy generation. currently? There is no subsidy specifically to nuclear. That is fundamental. [Interruption.] No; this is about low carbon. Chris Huhne: Clearly we want to have low carbon Our vision in the long term is that we should be able to sources of supply, but I have made it clear that we are rely on the market as much as possible to determine intending one of the three remaining demonstration which sources of energy are the best for the British projects on carbon capture and storage to be a gas consumer. We want companies to make proposals, and—on project. Given the development of unconventional gas, the second part of the hon. Gentleman’s question—I there is a possibility that gas will provide a much more very much hope that they will be on clean coal. We have sustainable long-term source of supply than people had an enormous amount of coal in this country that I want thought until recently. In those circumstances—carbon us to be able to use, but we cannot use it unless we can 1071 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1072

[Chris Huhne] discount scheme from the next financial year. We are very aware of the issue and very concerned about it. We decarbonise it. We cannot use it and meet our carbon intend to make real progress in tackling the underlying emissions targets unless we make a success of carbon causes, not merely providing sticking plasters for the capture and storage, which is exactly why I was so symptoms. pleased that, despite a very tough spending round, we managed to secure £1 billion to make sure we have the Several hon. Members rose— first commercial-scale coal carbon capture and storage plant in the world. I hope genuinely that it will unlock a Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I ask again for short whole new future for coal as a source of low carbon questions and short answers. Given that oral questions electricity generation. preceded the statement, I think we can assume that Members remember what was said. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con) rose— Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): Given the fresh Hon. Members: Come on. security concerns about nuclear power, its notorious inflexibility and intermittency and the toxic legacy it Neil Carmichael: I was just surprised to be asked. will leave future generations for 1,000 years, should my right hon. Friend not explore a levy on nuclear to I very much welcome the reforms, which are an balance any hidden—even if unspecific—windfall subsidy, excellent start. The Secretary of State talks about a especially to existing nuclear power stations, which may gradual process. Will he give us some idea of when the come about through the reforms he has described? four elements will be up and running? Chris Huhne: My hon. Friend knows very well that Chris Huhne: We would aim to get the White Paper our policy is no subsidy to nuclear. We are not intending out in the spring and legislation landed in this place to impose additional levies on nuclear, but the no subsidy before the end of the Session, although realistically it policy certainly encompasses the idea that if there are would probably have to be a carry-over. I hope very uncertainties they have to be met in the payments made, much that we shall have legislation in place, and therefore for example, on waste and decommissioning. the market system in place, in 2012. Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Capacity payments Malcolm Wicks (Croydon North) (Lab): I welcome have resolved one problem the Secretary of State had, the broad thrust of the statement. Does the Secretary of which was the falling-off of power in 2017-18, but they State agree that notwithstanding the beneficial effects may have given him another problem, which is that of energy efficiency measures on prices, there are three there will now be another dash for gas. Many companies reasons why prices are likely to rise in the medium term? were holding off, with planning permissions in the The first is the new investment we require. The second is pipeline or already approved, but they will now proceed the climate change measures, which are vital, and the with that investment. Can he be sure that the surge in third is the dramatic global demand for energy over the investment for gas will not detract from investment for next 30 years, which could go up by 30% or 40%. The other renewables? In addition, will he make good an only weakness in the statement that I can see is the omission in his statement—that the emission performance social policy dimension. It is an irony that we have standards will not apply simply to coal, but will also global warming, yet there are cold homes in Britain. Do apply to gas? we not require a step change in our thinking about social policies of different kinds to protect the most Chris Huhne: On the first point, we are consulting on vulnerable during our winters? the capacity payments scheme, and obviously the details will need to be worked through, but I believe that it is Chris Huhne: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman potentially more radical than the hon. Gentleman may for his question. He is one of the most informed people be suggesting. One of the things that can be paid for in the House on these matters, and he is absolutely right under the capacity payment scheme is demand-side about the long-term drivers for energy markets. The measures to encourage companies to get consumers to social policy dimension is absolutely crucial for the sign up for temporary interruptions in their supply, so Government, which is why the green deal puts such an they can turn off their fridges and so forth. That is a important stress on dealing with the root cause of the way of making sure that we need less peaking capacity, problems of fuel poverty. Every winter we have debates which will be very important. That so-called negawatt in this place about the problems of fuel poverty, yet we concept would also be encouraged by capacity payments. have not made enough progress in really tackling the I do not believe that a consequence would be a dash for underlying issue, which is the energy inefficiency of the gas. homes of so many people at the bottom of the income On the emissions performance standard, we have distribution. As I said in oral questions, the bills of made it absolutely clear from the beginning—the coalition those who are lucky enough to live in social housing agreement and beyond—that this is about stopping with the decent homes standard could be only a sixth of unabated coal, as the dirtiest of the technologies. We the bills of owner occupiers or people in private rentals. want coal to have a future with carbon capture and We have to deal with that. storage; we want to see gas plant, if it is built, built with In the short term, we are committed, for example, to the readiness to apply carbon capture and storage. In winter fuel payments, cold weather payments and to the the long run there may be a role for gas with carbon continuation of the voluntary discount scheme for bills, capture and storage, but I do not believe that it will have and we shall underpin that with our own Warm Homes the consequences that the hon. Gentleman suggests. 1073 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1074

Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The statement can ensure that those who need heating oil and are was very clear: there will be new incentives, including currently short of that oil get it. That is essential. In for nuclear. That is a subsidy by any other name, and those discussions, my hon. Friend has been informed directly contradicts what the Secretary of State said on about suppliers attempting to ensure that people do not the “Today” programme in May; it contradicts what he have too much, so that there is enough to go round for said in his departmental debate in July, when he said everyone. that the coalition would allow new nuclear but with no public subsidy; and it contradicts what he said to his (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): The Secretary own party conference in September. So let me ask him: of State’s statement includes some ambitious targets for who does he think will feel most betrayed by this renewables by 2020. What consideration has he given to U-turn—he, his party, the coalition or the taxpayer who planning matters in view of the coalition Government’s will undoubtedly have to pick up the tab for the folly of policy intention to devolve planning to a more local the new generation of nuclear power? level, and what reassurance can he offer many people who might be concerned that large-scale wind farms Chris Huhne: I could not be clearer than to say that could be foisted upon them? there is no subsidy here which attaches to nuclear power. The subsidy attaches to low-carbon generation, Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his and whatever the Member’s view, the reality is that question because Ministers and senior officials were nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source and the discussing that subject with representatives of the industry subsidy applies to low-carbon generation. Over time I only this week. We had an interesting and useful round-table want to see the technologies as they are at the moment discussion about exactly that. I do not believe that compete, so that we can find which are the most effective top-down solutions are the right solutions, and therefore at providing our consumers with low-cost electricity the planning framework that gives local communities from low-carbon sources—and the framework will allow real control over what happens in their area is absolutely us to do that. crucial. At the same time, one message that we heard loud and clear from the industry is that where the Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): How can the Secretary of industry has brought in local communities, often as State ensure that those who want to invest the much-needed co-investors, and where there is a clear benefit for the billions right now do not get delayed by the consultation local community from renewable energy projects, including period and the navel-gazing that might follow today’s onshore wind, those projects go ahead. I think that is statement? For example, if someone has half a billion the right way forward. pounds for a biomass today, can they spend it? Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I welcome part of the statement, although certainly not the part Chris Huhne: My hon. Friend and I have had discussions on nuclear, and I suspect that the devil will lie in the on the specifics of biomass power stations, and I hope detail of the rest. For example, can the Secretary of that some of the announcements that the Department State confirm what level of emission performance standards has made, for example about bringing forward the he intends to introduce, and whether both coalition review of the incentives for that type of plant, will help. partners remain committed to their pre-election position We have also been able to issue some letters of comfort that any standard will be set at the equivalent of the to different investors to try to ensure that they do not emissions of a modern gas plant—in other words, 300 have problems with financing projects. I want to minimise to 400 grams of CO2 per kWh? the uncertainty that inevitably exists in changing from one regime to another, and make these investments Chris Huhne: We are consulting on two levels, as the happen as quickly as possible. hon. Lady will see in the documentation: 450 and 600 grams. There is inevitably a certain margin of error, Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): The but she will see that those are the two points in consultation. Secretary of State mentioned volatile oil markets. These reforms will impact on the domestic oil sector in the Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): UK. Can he tell me what he thinks the impact will be, Can I take up the theme of a previous questioner? The and in doing so, can he tell me what measures he is history of renewable projects has been bedevilled by taking in the next 72 hours to deal with the Christmas planning delays and objections. There is enormous concern oil crisis? in the business community that the new Localism Bill will only reinforce those processes. What representations Chris Huhne: I take it that when the hon. Gentleman is the Minister making to his colleagues in the Department says “the domestic oil sector,” he means the offshore oil for Communities and Local Government to overcome and gas sector in its entirety. The prices for that sector this, in order that we have joined-up government and are clearly set in a global market, so what we do, give necessary reassurance to the business community? although it will be very significant in the electricity sector within the UK, will have a marginal impact on Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman is right. Some the overall global demand for oil and gas, and therefore issues can be tackled at national level; one planning on the prospects for our own domestic offshore oil and issue on onshore wind surrounds aviation impacts and gas sector. radar, and we should obviously lead that at national In the last 72 hours we have been trying to ensure that level. But I refer him to the answer that I gave previously: drivers can work longer—that they can get heating oil local people should be able to determine local planning to homes that need it. The Energy Minister has been in and, therefore, local impact. If they are on board, and if constant discussions, looking at any way in which we they are brought into the proposals, renewable projects 1075 Electricity Market Reform16 DECEMBER 2010 Electricity Market Reform 1076

[Chris Huhne] Chris Huhne: I do not know how the hon. Gentleman got the impression that wave and tidal are unloved. go ahead. That is our experience throughout the UK, They are certainly not unloved by me, and I want to and that will be the right way forward in getting planning ensure that we recognise the potential of those technologies, approval for renewable projects. and that they are brought forward commercially as soon as possible. I know, for example, that the tidal Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): On what day in stream pilot project on Strangford lough has made May was the right hon. Gentleman bewitched by the good progress, and there are real opportunities, because, Pied Piper of nuclear power into learning to love a although tidal stream power is intermittent, it has one nuclear stealth tax? He and his party used to know that advantage over offshore wind of being predictably nuclear has never delivered on time or on budget, and intermittent. So, I very much hope that those technologies that the only new nuclear power station in the world is come on-stream. We have a marine energy programme already three years late and £4 billion over budget. Is it designed to make that happen, and I assure the hon. not irrational optimism for him to believe that it will be Gentleman that this ministerial team wants that to different here? succeed. Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman is a careful student of the economics of nuclear power and is well aware of Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): There will be no the track record. When he looks at the consultation shortage of either wind or gas while the Secretary of document, he will see that we are providing greater State is in post, that is for sure. On the oil issue, which revenue certainty for all low-carbon sources of energy. we discussed earlier, and the long-term impact of his We provide no subsidy to construction for any particular reforms on the domestic oil market, my hon. Friend the sort of energy, and no subsidy to any particular type of Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson) mentioned energy on the basis of that energy’s characteristics. That an immediate crisis. We have 72 hours of inclement means, for example, that if someone comes forward weather ahead of us, which means that oil supplies will wanting to build a new nuclear power station, all the be even more disrupted. What steps will the right hon. risks of construction—all the risks of delivering on Gentleman take immediately to call together oil suppliers time and to budget—fall on the investor, not the UK to ensure that he sets out clearly the rationing that he Government. If, on that basis, investors come forward, thinks appropriate, something to which the Energy and they assure me that they will, I believe we will have Minister previously referred? new nuclear power stations, but if there is any delay in construction, that cost will fall to the investor, not to Chris Huhne: We are already in very close contact the UK Government. with the suppliers, and we anticipate that deliveries will be adequate to ensure that there are supplies wherever Paul Flynn: On a point of order, Madam Deputy they are needed before Christmas. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, can I give notice that I wish to raise this issue on Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): the Adjournment of the House? Manufacturers in and around my constituency and elsewhere are doing what they can on a small scale to Madam Deputy Speaker: The hon. Gentleman knows reduce electricity consumption by taking energy efficiency full well that that is not a point of order, but he has got measures, but what plans do the Government have to his point on the record at least. encourage that on a large scale as a way of dealing with Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): increased demand in the years ahead? First, can I welcome the Secretary of State restating his long-held, principled and consistent commitment to Chris Huhne: I refer my hon. Friend to our extensive nuclear power? On carbon capture and storage, specifically, answers on the green deal scheme in Energy and Climate can he guarantee my constituents, who eagerly await the Change oral questions earlier. It will be an ambitious, Energy Minister’s visit in the new year, that there will be comprehensive and enormous scheme to ensure that we no delay at all in the decision, which we expect early in completely refit our housing stock. the new year, on the first carbon capture and storage Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The Secretary project for Longannet? of State will be well aware that the housing with the Chris Huhne: I believe that my hon. Friend the Energy poorest insulation is in the private rented sector. Will he Minister is making good progress on that. We have put pressure on his fellow Ministers in that field to made good progress at an official level as well, and there reconsider their decision not to go ahead with landlord is no reason to anticipate any delay. I very much hope registration or other measures, such as using the buying that at the end of our Department’s collective term of power of housing benefit to force landlords to insulate office, we will go down as being a happening Department homes for those vulnerable tenants? that makes things happen. That is what we intend to do with CCS. Chris Huhne: I think the hon. Lady will welcome our provisions in the Energy Bill, which is being debated in Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): the other place and will come to us in the new year, The Secretary of State has mentioned the significant because they ensure that, if the private rented sector investment that will be required. Does he recognise that does not take up the green deal adequately over the the wave and tidal sector seems somewhat unloved in period to 2015, first, a tenant will be able to request a the UK, because it sees its opportunity overseas? What green deal installation and not be unreasonably refused, does he feel he should do about that, and what will he and secondly, there will be regulatory powers to improve do to ensure that that opportunity goes to people in this the energy efficiency of the private rented sector for F country who are prepared to invest? and G-rated homes. 1077 16 DECEMBER 2010 Points of Order 1078

Points of Order Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Can the Secretary of State give me an update on the longer-term commitment 1.14 pm for the feed-in— Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Before the Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Points of order are Front Benchers leave the Chamber, I must say that I supposed to be directed at the Chair. They are not an have not been convinced by the answers that the Secretary additional way of putting questions directly to the of State gave me about dealing with the winter oil crisis. Secretary of State. Given that we have had a very full What provisions are there for him to return to the statement and Question Time today, the hon. Gentleman House later this afternoon to make an urgent statement has had plenty of opportunities to do that. on the detail of how he is dealing with that crisis? Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Frankly, On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Members it is a matter for the Secretary of State when he chooses have been spotted in recent days wearing such items as to come before this House and the information that he denim in the House and catching the Speaker’s eye. makes available to it; it is not a matter for the Chair. So, Could you or the Speaker issue guidance to new Members the hon. Gentleman has got his point on the record, but such as myself on an appropriate dress code for the at this point in time it is not actually a point of order. mother of Parliaments?

Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Further to that Madam Deputy Speaker: There are many things on point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. which the Chair is asked to pass comment; the sartorial elegance of Members is not one of them, and that is not Madam Deputy Speaker: As long as it does not a point of order. As all Members are aware, there is a pursue the same point, Mr Brennan, because I have common dress code for the Chamber, which is to be made it quite clear that the information on when the smart. Secretary of State comes before the House is a matter for him. Thomas Docherty rose—

Kevin Brennan: Taking on board your comments, Madam Deputy Speaker: Mr Docherty, I cannot believe Madam Deputy Speaker, I wonder whether you can that you have anything further to that point of order. advise us on the mechanism for a recall of the House if the crisis should become serious or much worse over the Thomas Docherty: Further to that point of order, Christmas recess? Madam Deputy Speaker. Could the Speaker circulate that dress code to all Members, on both sides of the Madam Deputy Speaker: I think the Secretary of House, so that we do not have a dress-down Thursday State and the Government will keep a very close eye on in future? that. The hon. Gentleman is a very experienced Member and knows that any Member can approach the Speaker Madam Deputy Speaker: If you have an issue specifically if he or she believes it necessary for the House to be with Members’ dress, you could always speak directly to recalled. that Member and advise them. I am sure that they would welcome it, given your own sartorial elegance. Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) But, using the time of the Chair or Mr Speaker to (SNP): On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. nudge Members in that direction is inappropriate, and I This morning we were given a written statement on the sincerely hope that we can now move on to the rest of proposed closure of coastguard offices throughout the today’s business. UK. Stornoway in my constituency faces losing perhaps 27 jobs relating to a massive sea area. Is there any way ROYAL ASSENT in which we can get the Minister to the House, so that Members can cross-examine him and raise their concerns, Madam Deputy Speaker: I have to notify the House, particularly on the announcement of a 14-week consultation in accordance with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that the period before Christmas? We need at least an extension Queen has signified her Royal Assent to the following of that, and we need the Minister here to answer those Acts: points. Finance (No.3) Act 2010 Equitable Life (Payments) Act 2010 Madam Deputy Speaker: I have had no request from a member of the Government with regard to making a Local Government Act 2010 statement on that issue. Again, the hon. Gentleman is a Savings Accounts and Health in Pregnancy Grant very experienced Member, and I have a feeling that he Act 2010 will probably find other ways to make sure that he can Superannuation Act 2010 raise his point and question a Minister. Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 1079 16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1080

that today will be a landmark moment and that the Backbench Business Government will commit to do everything in their power to address these long-standing and well documented TH [14 ALLOTTED DAY] issues.

Park Homes Mr Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset) (Con): At the Lakeside park in Bridgwater, we are 1.20 pm dealing with blackmail, threats and individuals who are Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): determined to get these people out of their houses. I beg to move, Surely, the hon. Lady agrees that the matter has become That this House notes that there are approximately 1,800 park a national scandal? Right across the country, the lives home sites in England and Wales; further notes that current and livelihoods of these people—in some cases the legislation permits a minority of park home site owners to cause most vulnerable and needy in society—are being threatened great distress, damage to property and danger to health of park because of this anomaly. home residents; welcomes the Government’s intention to lay before the House secondary legislation to transfer jurisdiction for park homes to the Residential Property Tribunal Service; but calls Annette Brooke: I certainly agree that the matter is a on the Government to review the case for establishing a fit and national scandal. If we consider the spread of constituencies proper person criterion for park home site owners and to bring represented by hon. Members here today, we can see forward relevant legislation at the earliest opportunity to prevent that it truly is a national issue. in particular park home site owners interfering with the sale of a park home without good reason. There are approximately 85,000 park homes on 2,000 sites in England, and 5,000 homes on 100 sites in Wales. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for selecting Park home living can provide an idyllic lifestyle. Park the motion before us for debate today. I am particularly homes are often located on the edge of open countryside pleased that Back Benchers from across the country and they provide a useful addition to the housing have the opportunity to put the case for more protection supply, particularly for many thousands of mainly retired for a group of very vulnerable people. I also thank the people. In addition, they provide smaller homes with noble Lord Graham for his unstinting support for park lower maintenance costs and lower council tax payments; home owners over many years. they are on one level, and they occupy small plots I particularly thank my constituent, Sonia McColl, within a larger site. There is the opportunity for a really from the Silent Woman park home in my constituency good community to develop in a positive way in the vast for organising and motivating park home owners from majority of sites. all over the country to speak out about their bad experiences. During this year, she organised a massive (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): I commend petition that was presented to , after the hon. Lady for championing this cause and securing which there was a meeting here in the House. More the debate. Although the tribunal will deal with many of recently, as part of her “justice for park home owners” the unscrupulous things that those who live on these campaign, well over 100 predominantly older people sites have to put up with, is the real issue not that of demonstrated in Old Palace yard with banners, photographs being able to dispose of, or sell, a park home? In such of park homes being torn down and some very good cases, is almost too late for the individual concerned by chanting. There was a mass lobby of individual MPs the time the matter goes to tribunal. Sonia and everyone and the day culminated in an extremely well attended involved must be commended for raising that over and meeting in the House, when we sadly heard similar above what the Government are doing on the tribunals. stories from people from all over the country. I thank the Minister for coming and listening on that occasion. I also acknowledge the help and support given by the Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for that park home owner associations and welcome the fact intervention. I shall return to that in more detail, but that so many MPs are here today to support their today we are discussing the crunch of the matter. constituents. Many other hon. Members have expressed Park homes can provide an idyllic community, but regret that they are unable to attend today. However, community strength can develop in a different way on they wholeheartedly endorse the call for the Government the minority of sites where there is an unscrupulous to take more action. operator, who may well bully, intimidate, harass and If we look back over the years, the plight of some even defraud vulnerable people. People in adversity will park home owners has been raised on many occasions often stick together. However, in some cases, that sense and amendments have been made to legislation. However, of community cannot develop because park home owners some of the worst problems have not been addressed. I can become too frightened to be seen even talking to was interested to read the Adjournment debate initiated their neighbours. I must emphasise that the points that I by the former Member for Suffolk Coastal in March shall make are directed at a minority of park home site 2009. He said: owners. There are excellent, well managed park home “I have rarely been as angry about a matter as I am about this sites in my constituency, and I do not wish to suggest case…most of us came into Parliament to oppose bullying. Deep that all site owners engage in bad practices. down, what we dislike most is those who are strong bullying the weak.”—[Official Report, 2 March 2009; Vol. 488, c. 701 & 704.] Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): I add my The issue raised was the buying and selling of park voice of commendation to those who have praised the homes, to which I shall return later. The former Member hon. Lady’s excellent work. Even some of the bigger for Teignbridge secured an Adjournment debate in March firms that run park home estates, such as the one I have 2008, which also covered the buying and selling issues in my constituency, are not above a bit of sharp practice. and the need for a fit and proper person rule. I hope I shall give two examples that she might like to consider. 1081 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1082

There is a great reluctance to recognise residents’ in my constituency, the local site owner allowed the gas associations—for example, there have been demands to run out, which meant that on one of the coldest for lists of all the people who are going to sign up rather nights of the year the residents did not have any fuel. than merely requesting sight of a list and people not The hon. Lady also mentioned the spirit of community then being able to take it away, which I believe is the in adversity. At the moment, the residents are having to legal position. In one case, there was even a claim that a get together to clear the cesspit because the owner will letter sent to the park home owner complaining about not do so. I entirely agree that this situation cannot be certain conditions libelled the park home owner. Of allowed to continue for the many thousands of park course, one cannot libel someone by sending a letter to home owners across the country. that person if one does not publish it to anyone else. However, ordinary people might not be able to cope Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for that with such tactics without the assistance of their MPs. intervention. I am sure that we will be continually reinforcing the same points. Annette Brooke: I agree absolutely with my hon. I sincerely believe that we need a fit-and-proper-person Friend’s points. I endorse the point about the fact that law, which local authorities will welcome. residents’ associations can in principle be formed, but that they are in practice often obstructed. That relates Mr Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I add my to my point about people being frightened to be seen congratulations to the hon. Lady on securing the debate. talking to others on the park home site. She and I work well in many other areas, and I pay There are good site owners. However, a minority of tribute to her work on this. We need not only justice for site owners make legislation difficult and I hope that the park home owners in their campaign but confidence for outcome of this debate will be a stiffened resolve to people who may think about living in park homes in tackle the issues, rather than just saying that they are future but might be terrified of doing so. In my constituency, too difficult. I am extremely pleased that the Government we often hear about the idea of affordable housing, have committed to bringing in secondary legislation to whatever that means in practice, but these are, in many transfer jurisdiction for park homes to the Residential cases, truly affordable homes. Many people who could Property Tribunal Service. That will undoubtedly help have the idyllic lifestyle that park homes can afford may solve some of the problems that park home owners have be terrified about moving into that environment because been faced with and will remove the need for an expensive of some of the things that are being mentioned. I hope court process in many cases. that that will be one of the things that comes out of this debate. A recent case I am trying to deal with could potentially be solved through that route. Let me mention it briefly. Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for that A park home was purchased in May this year. The new intervention. It is indeed the case that this should owner wanted to make improvements and applied for provide an idyllic lifestyle and a useful addition to the an insulation grant for her mobile home from the local housing supply. authority, and the local authority granted it. There is a Somebody said to me that we could make a comparison clause in the site agreement with the site owner of this with the employment of a warden at an elderly persons’ particular site that any works to the exterior of a mobile dwelling site, because such a warden would be required home require the express permission of the site owner. to have certain characteristics. I am not suggesting that Somewhere along the line, the site owner has requested a site owner equates to a warden in any way, but the that the park home owner agrees to her home being fit-and-proper-person rule should be taken into account. re-sited. She has refused to do that and the site owner will not give permission for the insulation to take place. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): The local authority has confirmed to me that there is no I welcome this debate; I congratulate the hon. Lady on technical reason why the work on the home cannot be securing it and on her tireless work on the matter. Does carried out in its current position. The tribunal offers she recognise that there are concerns about “fit and the opportunity for both sides to put their case and for proper person” criteria given, for example, the utter all aspects to be considered. Unfortunately for my failure of the Football Association to make them mean constituency, this route is not yet open, which is yet anything? Does she agree that the Government must another reason why we cannot delay. spell out exactly what those criteria are? Last winter, the electricity supply on a site was faulty on the coldest night of the year. It was not restored in a Annette Brooke: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his reasonable time, and an 84-year-old was taken to hospital intervention. I am not pretending that this is easy to with hypothermia the next day. Purbeck district council, achieve, but I am trying to get a clear timetable to make bravely for a small council, took the site owner to court. progress on it. There is already work in progress. The The site owner was found guilty and fined £1,000 with previous Government had a statutory instrument ready £6,000 costs. We could say that we won the battle, but to run, so some consultation has already taken place. not the war. My worry is that more bullying may follow. We have the tribunal coming on board. That will provide evidence when people bring their cases about fit and (Loughborough) (Con): I congratulate proper persons and enable us to work together on all the hon. Lady on securing this debate. The fact that so the issues that are arising. many Members are here on a day when Christmas is not I want to concentrate on malpractice in the buying far away shows the strength of feeling about this issue and selling of park homes. In 2009, I presented a among constituents and their MPs. I entirely understand ten-minute rule Bill on this issue that aimed to prevent what she says about bullying following comments made unjustified interference by a site owner when residents by residents of Palma park, a park home site in my sell their park home. A park home site owner might constituency. The hon. Lady talked about cold nights; reasonably wish to meet a prospective buyer, or at least 1083 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1084

[Annette Brooke] Representatives of the residents association on the site tell me that the prospective purchaser was originally to have a reference supplied, but an interview without prepared to make a statement about conversations with the seller or an independent witness present can provide the site owner. opportunities for rogue site owners to make misleading or untrue statements. Examples of such statements Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): from across the country include: “The home is in poor While I entirely agree with the need to find a better condition”; “The home is not worth the price you’re solution for the buying and selling of park homes, we paying”; “The home will have to be moved to another also need something to help with dispute resolution. In pitch next year”; “I have a right to ask the court to let my constituency, I came across a situation regarding me take the home off in five years”; and “The park is residents wishing to insulate their park homes, which being developed and the home will have to be moved.” was being resisted by the site owner on grounds of the aesthetics of the park. I looked at that and saw that Alternatively, the prospective buyer might be intimidated there were arguments in both directions. I then discovered by real or implied threats and not want to be involved that there was a conflict of interest because the owner with the site owner in any way. The prospective buyer was supplying gas to the residents at a premium price. might understandably decide that he or she does not This raises enormous questions. We need a dispute want to live on a park run in such a way, and/or by such resolution system to deal with such ongoing problems an unpleasant person, and the sale will fall through. that will give confidence to park home owners and After that has been repeated a few times, the seller certainty to operators about how they can act with eventually sells the home to the site owner for a token regard to the residents. sum. In each case, there are no witnesses and the prospective buyer is usually unwilling to give a witness Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend for that statement, as he or she simply wants to get away from helpful intervention. As he says, certainty and a clear the park as quickly as possible. The seller does not understanding of the rules, and a requirement not to usually go to court because there is no witness statement change them overnight, would be a big step forward. and the buyer is lost anyway. The residential property tribunal will enable both sides to put their case. I do not believe that it will solve the The incentive for the site owner is to buy the home for problem with buying and selling, but it is definitely a a small sum, remove it from the park, site a new and first step, and this debate will ensure that the next steps possibly bigger home on the pitch, and sell it, thereby go ahead subsequently. making a clear profit of perhaps £100,000. Rogue site owners currently have the ability to sabotage sales and Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I, too, congratulate can rely on the fact that many people who move to park the hon. Lady. There were debates on this matter in the homes are frail, vulnerable, elderly and easily intimidated. Parliament before she was elected, which were secured It seems reasonable for a site owner to be able to check by the former Member for Bridgend, Win Griffiths, out a prospective buyer, but how can we stop the abuse who had Trecco bay in his constituency. She follows a and possible fraud currently taking place? My Bill fine tradition. The big problem is the conflict of interests. suggested that there should be an independent witness The main interest of many site owners is selling new present at such meetings. However, that would not properties. That drives every other decision and informs tackle phone conversations, so I can see that this is quite the way they deal with people. That is why they invent complicated. new rules every six or 12 months that make it possible In one case, constituents of mine were offered £81,000 for them to sell another property for £80,000, £90,000, by a prospective purchaser on the open market. The site £100,000 or £120,000. owner had made an earlier offer of £15,000. A meeting Annette Brooke: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his took place between the prospective buyer and the site intervention. It is probably time for me to be balanced. owner, who wrote to my constituent on 4 October 2007 We must accept that the site owner needs a return on to say: their capital to invest in the park and make it a good “Thank you for your letter...introducing the above young lady place to live. We need to get the right balance in the to me and seeking my approval for her to buy the above home. legislation that allows for investment, while ensuring Since taking over the park in 1999 we have always promoted the that no extortionate demands are made of people. I location as a retirement one for people over the age of 55. With that in mind I am unable to agree to” think that the House has the will to make that happen. the lady Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): May I add to “purchasing your home”. the bouquets under which my hon. Friend is being buried for securing this debate? I also acknowledge the On 5 October, the next day, a letter was issued to all Backbench Business Committee for sponsoring the debate. residents on the park that said: We are bringing Parliament closer to the people by “Since taking over the Park in 1999 we have always promoted debating the issues that concern them. Does she agree the location as a retirement one for people over the age of 55. My that reasonable, respectable park owners have nothing legal advisors have informed that this should be formalised within to worry about in the extension of the rights of park the Park Rules and I now write to advise you of the addition of the following rule…The Park is for retired/semi retired persons home residents, because residents want to have sensible over the age of 55.” rules about their ground rent and maintenance requirements to ensure that their communities are strong and safe? So the rule was introduced after the refusal. The letter continued: Annette Brooke: Good site owners want the business “In the event of anyone disagreeing with this rule please let me to be cleaned up, because the stories that we hear reflect have your written objection within 28 days of the date of this on them and their ability to run their parks. We must letter.” take that on board. 1085 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1086

Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) 1.46 pm (LD): My hon. Friend not only has huge support today—all of us who attended the lobby pledged to help her take Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): I, these matters beyond this debate—but if the motion is too, congratulate the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and passed, there is a general will that the Communities and North Poole (Annette Brooke) on bringing this matter Local Government Committee should be asked to consider to the House. I welcome and support her acknowledgement this matter. If it takes evidence, there is a willingness to of the role of Lord Ted Graham, who has done magnificent help her and the Government to legislate on all the work over many years on this difficult subject. issues together, not just on the narrow matter that is in There are a number of park home sites in my the pipeline. I want her to know that we want the law constituency. I lost one and gained one as a result of the changed to cover all the abuses to which she has alluded. boundary changes at the last election. The one that I lost was in extremely good order, whereas the one that I Annette Brooke: I thank my hon. Friend, because we gained is frankly a disgrace. The owner has persistently have to pursue this issue and not just let it go quiet for a refused to maintain standards at a level that I regard as year. We have to push at every opportunity. necessary for human safety. The electricity supply cabinets are his property, not that of the park home owners. He charges through the nose for the use of the meters, and Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): I congratulate yet they are unsafe. There has been a circular argument my hon. Friend and underline the comments that have between the site owner, the householders, the local been made by all hon. Members about her work. The authority and various regulators about who is responsible. shift from the county court to the tribunal is important, I have no doubt that the park owner is responsible. He but many people will face difficulty in using the tribunal provides the services at a rip-off price to residents, so he process, given that legal aid is not generally available for is responsible for ensuring that those services are provided tribunal services. Does she agree that strong guidance is in the manner that would be expected under any other needed to provide understanding for those who want to leasehold arrangement. Many hon. Members live in use the tribunal process? properties that have leasehold arrangements and we should draw many parallels from the standards that we Annette Brooke: There was an enlightening presentation expect. That ought to be the point of guidance on on the future tribunal service at the mobile homes which the law is based. I appreciate that there are all-party parliamentary group. We were reassured that differences, partly because the longevity of such structures the process should not cost a great deal of money for is typically much shorter than that of brick and mortar the ordinary person and that the cases and outcomes properties, but the principle holds. would be published. It would be extremely useful if I like the notion of the fit and proper person, and those were published on the internet, because that would think that we should work on it. There are some very provide evidence for the next stage of legislation. My responsible park owners, some of whom the all-party main concern is that the right to go to a tribunal will not parliamentary group has met over the years in their solve the fundamental problems, because potential lordships House. We have met people who have had purchasers will just disappear when the difficulties are very good ideas about how to improve the relationship raised. between tenant and landlord. We need to identify and build on best practice, and we should support and work (Central Devon) (Con): I thank the hon. with park owners who exercise it. At the same time, we Lady for her great generosity in giving way to so many must come down like a ton of bricks on the cowboys in hon. Members in such a short space of time. The the industry, who are not prepared to ensure that there current court process can be prohibitively expensive is safe lighting so that people can get to their homes and many unscrupulous site owners delay in the courts safely, and who enforce practices such as the hon. Lady to thwart those who are pursuing them. Does she agree described. that it is fundamental and vital that the tribunal processes Selling scams, in particular, need to be examined cases swiftly and mediates without delay in all cases? carefully. If I own a piece of property and choose to sell it, the relationship should be purely between myself and Annette Brooke: The all-party parliamentary group the person who purchases it, although I appreciate that made that point clearly and we will monitor the issue. it happens to be parked on somebody else’s land. We do not need to wait for the Select Committee to I am pleased to see that my neighbour, the hon. do so. Member for Eddisbury (Mr O’Brien), has just arrived. I shall return to the example that I was giving. We Following the boundary changes, he inherited a good went to the police, because it is a case of fraud. There park home site, although he has an interesting relationship were enormous difficulties in getting the police to accept with one of the tenants. I shall say no more about that. that it was not just a civil matter. We now have a clear [Interruption.] It is one of his more challenging constituents, understanding with Dorset police and matters have I think it is fair to say. Am I right? He is nodding. moved forward. The case was eventually taken up, If a property conforms to the existing rules of the although not wholeheartedly. It was not pursued by the park, the landlord should have absolutely no right to Crown Prosecution Service. Even though there are clear interfere in the question of who the seller can seek to examples of fraud, it is difficult to deal with them as pass the property on to. If it breaches the rules of the such. site, that is a different matter. That is the same in I have been putting the case for long enough. I conventional leasehold arrangements, because if a property commend the motion to the House so that we can has not been maintained to the required standard—for achieve justice for park home owners. example, in its external decoration—the landlord can 1087 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1088

[Andrew Miller] those who do not have the capacity to take on landlords who make legal threats such as those that the hon. put pressure on the individual living there. A few estate Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole mentioned. agent or lawyerly-looking people on the Conservative She talked about a rule being changed the day after a Benches are nodding in agreement with that. Those purchase was refused, and in such cases people do not principles are well established in landlord and tenant have either the money or the experience to take on the relationships, so why do we seek to make the matter case, so they need the House’s support. complicated? I urge the Minister, and my hon. Friend the Member I say to the Minister that in considering what revisions for Derby North (Chris Williamson) in working with are necessary—I think all parties agree that revisions the Minister, to try to find a set of rules that commands are needed—we should start by considering how the support of the whole House. I urge him to start his conventional leaseholders in bricks and mortar properties search by examining how the rest of the leasehold world are treated and ask ourselves what changes would bring operates and considering whether we can learn from the about a set of rules that will work for park homes. At experience of changes in that sector over the past 20 or the same time, we need to protect the interests of decent 30 years. We need to improve the lot of the particularly park owners and address the challenges that the hon. vulnerable constituents whom we are all seeking to Lady described. represent this afternoon. On the site to which I referred, the owner calculates the electricity bill in quite an interesting way. One resident has written to me stating that the cost of 1.57 pm electricity is generally between £2 and £3 a unit, which Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): I congratulate the is pretty pricey. I know that the Government have hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette driven up the price of fuel, but not by that much. It Brooke) on securing the debate. I wish to speak in seems extraordinary that utilities can be charged at a support of the motion, which provides us with an price that is frankly exorbitant. If investments have to opportunity to raise the concerns of a group of residents be made across the landlord’s property, it is perfectly whose needs are often overlooked. reasonable that tenants should make a contribution in the same way that anyone else in that situation would Park homes provide an affordable alternative to have to. However, for them to be charged for utilities at mainstream housing. Quite often, park home owners not just a premium price but a rip-off price seems are retired and have a limited income. Living on a park absolutely wrong. That is another matter that I ask the has the attractions of both security and affordability Minister to consider. and provides the opportunity to build up a community spirit. That said, although it would be wrong to paint all park owners with the same brush as being unscrupulous Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I was and unsympathetic, there are concerns that home owners under the impression that electricity and mains gas were do not have a proper channel for voicing their concerns. covered by regulations to be enforced by Ofgem. There They need to ensure that their contractual rights are is much more of a problem with oil and liquefied honoured and that park owners provide them with a petroleum gas, on which there is no protection at all for good service in return for the money that they pay. consumers in park homes. I have been struggling to get an answer from Government Departments on that point. One husband and wife in my constituency have The matter that the hon. Gentleman raises is a real contrasted the service that they received in the 1960s problem, and I hope that the Minister and his colleagues with what they get now. Back then—in different times will consider it. and with different standards, I admit—in return for £2 a week there were clean and well-kept lavatories, proper Andrew Miller: I am not sure about gas, because no baths and a wash house with steaming hot water for the gas is provided in the homes in question apart from weekly wash. Now, in return for a site rent higher than bottled gas. In that particular case, the landlord has a the monthly council tax bill, the only service provided is central meter and one can see how much electricity is street lighting and the occasional filling in of potholes. being used on the whole site, but each property has a I welcome the Government’s intention to transfer sub-meter. That worries me intensely, because he appears—I jurisdiction for park homes to the Residential Property do not know whether this is correct—to be able to Tribunal Service. That will provide home owners with a charge whatever he chooses for the renting of the meter, more level playing field for resolving disputes with park which is a nice way of marking up the price. That may owners and give them an affordable opportunity to have be how he gets away with the price, and perhaps we a say on the management of their site, to ensure that need to reflect on that detail. maintenance work is carried out as and when it is Such little scams, added together, mean that people necessary and that they get the service for which they who are trying to live frugally in properties that are not have paid. worth a huge sum are being presented with bills that We need to improve the process for selling homes. creep up and up. The House should be in the business of Currently, that can take too long and can be drawn out seeking to protect those people, because they are among over a long period, and site owners have an opportunity the most vulnerable. The lady who wrote to me has put to interfere with sales for no good reason. We should her head above the parapet and been prepared to take bear it in mind that many home owners are elderly, and on the park owner, and I commend her for that. She when it comes to a sale, they may need to move quickly gets every possible support that I can give her, including to fund, for instance, residential care. The ability of site working with the local authority, trading standards and owners unreasonably to drag out the process must be so on. However, people in such situations are predominantly addressed. 1089 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1090

Home owners have also complained to me about the is no fit and proper person test for site owners, who in high rates of commission charged on sales—10% is a effect act as landlords to communities of vulnerable high figure when one takes into account that the homeowner people. and not the site owner finds the buyer. Quite often, the Of course, the majority of park home sites are well sale price on which the commission is based reflects the run by well meaning people. However, the House cannot value of improvements such as porches, insulation and refuse to take action just because the majority do well. brick skirts, for which home owners pay. It strikes me One reason we are here is to look after, and intervene that there is little justification for such high charges if for, minorities who face difficulty. they are in excess of the actual costs incurred by the site owner. It is said that reducing the commission will lead Earlier this year, in the run-up to the general election, to higher site fees. My reply is that it is better to move to I conducted a survey of every park home in my constituency. a transparent system in which fair charges are made for Many of the responses were more concerning than providing legitimate services rather one that relies on those that hon. Members receive from average street outdated practices. surveys—they were distressing to read. One issue that came up time and again is the extortionate rates at In conclusion, I thank the hon. Member for Mid which some site owners increase their pitch fees year on Dorset and North Poole for securing this debate, and I year. One constituent told me of an annual increase of look forward to hearing from the Minister about the 20%, which is clearly out of order—it was well above Government’s timetable for introducing the tribunal the rate of inflation for that or any year. However, that service, and their views on how to improve the sales person was elderly and vulnerable, and had no one to process to make it fairer to home owners. act as their advocate. They were entirely reliant on the information that the site owner provided them on their Several hon. Members rose— rights. A 2002 study by Shelter, the housing charity, suggested Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I that call Stephen Gilbert. “in practice above-inflation increases or one-off charges may be levied to cover particular items.” Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD) rose— However, the problem is much more endemic. Clearly, above-inflation increases are the norm in sites across Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): Thank you very the country, and there is no added value for residents. I much, Madam Deputy Speaker. Like everyone, I hope the Minister addresses that in his comments. congratulate my hon. Friend— Another issue arises when we go back to basics. Under Land Registry rules, there is no requirement to Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Clearly, I should register pitches, so although sites might be registered, speak a little louder. Sometimes I get names wrong, but individual pitches are not. That enables site owners to you are definitely not Stephen Gilbert. move the chalets around and provides no security of tenure for the people who have notionally purchased at 2.2 pm least an interest in the pitch.

Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): Thank Christopher Pincher: My hon. Friend uses the word you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I apologise to my hon. “chalets” to describe park homes. Are there too many Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd). ways of describing such homes? They are variously Although we share a first name, there are clearly some called park homes, chalet sites, static homes and mobile differences in our surnames. I am sure he will get a homes, but they are not mobile homes or chalets. They chance to speak later in the debate. are plumbed into the mains water system and have I add my plaudits to those of other hon. Members to mains electricity and often gas. If I can put this sensitively, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North the people in them are very often the opposite of Poole (Annette Brooke) for securing today’s crucial mobile. That should be recognised in the law and in how debate, and to the Backbench Business Committee, we describe such places. Such homes are not chalets or which chose it. The Committee is revolutionising the mobile homes; they are residential properties. way in which the House works and allows us to respond to our constituents’ concerns in a timely way. Stephen Gilbert: I absolutely agree with my hon. There are more than 700 park homes in my constituency. Friend—I was going to make exactly that point. In a Thousands of people across the country are affected by written parliamentary answer to me, the Housing and this issue, so its importance cannot be denied or ignored Local Government Minister used the word “chattel”. any longer. It is beholden on the Government to move My broader point was that people who live in these swiftly on some of the measures that hon. Members homes are trying to find a better way of life for themselves, have outlined. but they purchase no interest in the land on which their As the chair of the all-party group on housing, I am a homes are sited. They should have such an interest. The passionate believer that every person deserves somewhere House needs to define what that interest is and to make safe and secure to live, and that no one should experience it clear that the pitch comes as part of the package. extortion, intimidation or harassment in their own home, When we add to those problems utility provision and but that is the reality that faces many vulnerable people charging, and the above-inflation annual increases in in park home sites. In my view, there is a serious gap in the pitch fee, we can see how difficult it can be for park the legislation and a worrying lack of regulation, and home owners to budget and plan their finances from perhaps most importantly, as has been mentioned, there year to year. Again, in my survey of my constituency, I 1091 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1092

[Stephen Gilbert] I want to be balanced, however, because I want to welcome the steps that the Government have already heard horror stories similar to those told by the hon. taken—in particular, the transfer of responsibility for Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew Miller). on-site disputes to the Residential Property Tribunal There are increases in charges for water, sewage, electricity Service. That is a helpful step forward, but it cannot be and all the basics. Tenants and freeholders take it for seen as the end game for the Government in their granted that they get a fair deal from their suppliers, but approach to effective regulation of park homes. I do not park home owners do not have that certainty. Even if just want to help my residents to resolve disputes; I they know that they were not getting a fair deal, the want to prevent them from having them in the first vulnerable people we are talking about simply do not place. However, that will require a much stronger and understand how to exercise their rights. transparent regulatory regime. I look forward, therefore, Indeed, the draft Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment to hearing from the Minister about the work he has of Schedule 1) (England) Order 2006, clearly states that done with interested parties and the recommendations if requested by an occupier, the site owner shall provide they have made to him. documentary evidence in support and explanation of I end with a call to arms: this issue bubbled away any charges for gas, electricity, water, sewerage or other under the last Labour Government—and indeed the services payable by the occupier, but that never happens. previous Conservative Government—but it is time that My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North we gripped it, because we are talking about many Poole spoke of the difficulties that park home residents thousands of our most vulnerable citizens. find in forming residents’ associations and making them into effective vehicles for making those points. 2.12 pm Many elderly and vulnerable people are caught in a very difficult position; as other hon. Members said, Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): Like my selling park homes can be a difficult process. Site owners hon. Friends, I congratulate the hon. Member for Mid can prevent sales by blocking a homeowner’s right to Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke) on securing sell through a notice to terminate agreements on the this debate. basis that the home is having a detrimental effect on the I have been dealing with the issue of park homes for site. However, site owners use that so that they can more than three years, and a number of years ago we simply jump in with a bid at a knock-down price. wrote to the Minister then in charge of the problem about the fit and proper person test. We have to get to Even if a site owner does not block a sale, selling grips with this, because it is a scandal. My hon. Friend might not stack up financially for residents because of the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen the site owner’s entitlement to take a commission of up Gilbert) said that this has been a problem not just over to 10% of the sale price. Many residents who have tried the past 13 years but before that. If anything can to buy into a dream have ended up living something less happen in this new Parliament, please can this change than that, but they could be worse off if they try to exit be made? We have some superb sites in South Derbyshire, because of the 10% rule. It is no surprise that the rule is and some very bad ones too. I will not name names, resented by homeowners. Many of them have put up notwithstanding parliamentary privilege, because there with increasing annual pitch fees, and many have added are court cases going on and I do not want to say value to their homes because they are proud people who anything that could prejudice them. But for goodness’ want to live in nice surroundings. sake, this is a wonderful opportunity to show what a Finally, I have serious concerns about the harassment, progressive Government this is. I wish I could say that bullying and general intimidation to which homeowners we have the support of both sides of the Chamber. on park home sites are all too often subjected. Bullying However, it is important that the pleas being made tactics, threatening behaviour and even assault are not today by hon. Members from across the nation are the norm, but they are not rare either. That is why this heard and that the matter is taken forward. subject has brought so many Members to this debate, and it is why it is so important that the Government hear the House’s concerns. 2.13 pm Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): I thank Andrew Bridgen: I appreciate my hon. Friend’s measured you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity language and his acknowledgment that most park home to speak in this debate, and I congratulate my hon. operators are responsible people doing the best they can Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole for their residents. However, does he agree that, in the (Annette Brooke) on securing it. wrong hands, the system we have now for the operation I have been approached by a large number of my of park homes is the nearest thing to feudalism that constituents who have highlighted to me their problems remains in our country? The introduction of sensitive, with residential mobile home parks. However, I first fair and well-thought-out legislation could enhance the want to address the misconception that many people situation by providing protection for both park home have when talking about mobile homes. As residents, owners and operators, which could only be good for the these people are not on a weekend or summer holiday, industry, and, with markets being what they are, it but permanently living in one place—their mobile homes. would enhance the value of those properties for everybody. These are substantial structures that are not, as their name may suggest, actually mobile. In the UK, we have Stephen Gilbert: My hon. Friend puts the point far always stood for the principle that a man’s home is his more eloquently than I have been able to do: we are castle. Today we are talking about people’s homes. dealing with the remnants of a feudal system. I hope Although they may not be the conventional bricks and that the Minister has heard that point. mortar, they represent the same ideas and sanctuary of 1093 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1094 the individual. With that in mind, I hope that we can to remove licences for park owners who abuse their encourage a debate that will lead to mobile homes being power. It is most important that we recognise that granted some, if not all, of the same rights that conventional mobile homes are homes and no different from any home owners have. other house in the country, and that they should be The residents of Medina Park residents association afforded the same rights as we give to home owners. in my constituency have contacted me with numerous complaints about the owners of their park, Leisure 2.20 pm Park Real Estate, which runs several parks across the Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): A few Members in country. Their main complaint is the unfair level of the Chamber may know that I am rather hard of power that the owners of mobile home parks have over hearing, but I have discovered since being elected that in the residents, especially when dealing with the buying there are some advantages to being hard of and selling mobile homes. An owner of a park is currently hearing. However, I will leave that to those in the permitted to vet potential buyers of a mobile home. Chamber to determine. This seems reasonable enough, because it is important that they know whom they are letting into their park. Like everyone else, I would like to congratulate my However, this becomes a problem when the owner starts hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North abusing this right—for example, by introducing extra Poole (Annette Brooke) on bringing this debate to the clauses. That might include telling the resident where he Chamber. Christmas has come 35 times this afternoon, can buy his supplies, what company can provide services with so many compliments being paid, but I really mean for him or what homes he is allowed to buy. it, because we are talking about a real issue. It is a fascinating thing, but I did not know that it was an issue I was told of one case in which a potential buyer was until I got involved in politics and met a number of told that she could bring her pet dog on to the site only people living in mobile homes either within my constituency if she bought one of the more expensive homes. That is or just outside it. It was only then that I discovered what clearly an abuse of the original intention of this power. a complete lack of any kind of level playing field there I have also been told that an unscrupulous park owner is. It is quite shocking. We are talking about basic uses this power to interfere in existing owners’ attempts things, such as park owners buying mobile homes off to sell their property. The constant interference by some the original owners at anything up to a 25% discount park owners in the sale of mobile homes—be it through and then selling them on. Like other hon. Members, I estate agents or private viewings—puts many people off have even had constituents tell me—I cannot prove purchasing mobile homes, ruining the opportunity of this—that their utility bills were ramped up considerably. many residents to sell up and leave. It is absolutely incredible. Others have talked about At the moment, the only solution is a tribunal, which trying to form residents’ committees. Similarly, people does not give value for money, is not effective and puts have been leant on and have not even been able to put people off finding a solution, leaving them at the mercy together a tenants’ committee through which they could of park owners. I have been told of one instance where put their points of view. It is quite extraordinary. a family have been paying ground rent for more than In preparing for this debate I did some more research, four years while they try to sell their deceased relatives’ and, having spoken to my hon. Friend and listened to mobile home, but are constantly blocked by the park other hon. Friends today, I know that there has been a owner. We have also seen, in cases like these, park problem for quite a while. Indeed, there are people in owners deliberately trying to force down the prices of the House who have been fighting on the issue for quite existing homes, so that they can buy out all or some of a while. I pay tribute to them. I am confident about the the existing homes and replace them with more expensive, complete universality of where we are coming from profitable homes and make more money. We have also today. I am confident too that the Minister, who is a seen that park owners are unwilling to co-operate with good hon. Friend of mine, will take that on board and residents’ associations, often refusing contact with those no doubt do all the miraculous things for which he was who participate in such groups. well known well before he reached the coalition Front A large number of residents in mobile home parks Bench—no pressure there, but I look forward to that. are elderly, with many parks seen as an ideal venue for We all know what needs doing; we all know that retirement. However, the activities of unscrupulous park something needs to be done. I look forward to joining owners may disrupt this. Furthermore, many residents my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and North face continued intimidation from park owners. The Poole in what I hope will be a victory on this issue in the elderly are in the worst position, because they are new year. unable to stand up to such owners—many do not have The really interesting thing about this debate is the the required energy to do so. These issues are not just huge variety. There is one park home—or however we restricted to my constituency—that is evident from want to define it—in my constituency called King’s today’s debate. I know that many mobile home parks Park that is absolutely outstanding. The sense of community suffer from the same problems, often from the same in King’s Park is absolutely fantastic, and that applies people, who may own numerous parks. across the piece, from people who have been there a I also know that the solutions that residents’ associations short time to those who have been there a long time. To want are very similar. We need to change the law so that be perfectly honest, if I had lost at the last election and the principle of vetting a buyer to ensure that they are a gone broke, I would probably have moved there myself. fit and proper person also applies to park owners. That It looked so good and there was such a sense of community. is the only way to sort them out. Those owners about That shows the variety that exists, and that is a good whom no one has any complaints will have nothing to thing. However, if all park home owners were similar to lose and everything to gain by being a respectable park those at King’s Park, we would not be having this owner. We would then need to increase powers to councils debate. The sense of quality, community and responsibility 1095 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1096

[Stephen Lloyd] better, and I am absolutely confident that the coalition Government, with cross-party support, will deliver on there is so strong that we might all want to move that. Finally, I again congratulate my hon. Friend the there—with the agreement of the Independent Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole on securing Parliamentary Standards Authority, obviously. this debate. The challenge is that the lack of regulation means that unscrupulous people have been abusing vulnerable 2.27 pm individuals and families for far too long. It is the old Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): Hon. Members story, but I was having a discussion with one of my will be interested to know that there is a blog on which Conservative colleagues yesterday on the very issue of one can follow some interesting debates concerning the regulation—the regulation of banking, as it happens, residents of park homes. Let me quote from one which or, to be precise, the regulation of independent financial asks, advisers. The conundrum is that we need x amount of “are the government going to sit up and take notice of us the regulation to prevent disreputable people from taking residents, or are we to remain” advantage of vulnerable individuals, but the same thing the forgotten lost? That is the challenge for us today, always happens, which is that the regulation gets so and the forgotten lost are not few in number. As the strong and heavy that it puts off businesses from getting hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette involved. We end up in a chicken-and-egg situation, and Brooke) pointed out, there are 80,000 such homes in this issue is a classic case in point. In one sense, the England, and I would guesstimate that these contain regulation is pretty light-touch, because 90% of park slightly under 150,000 people. That is a large army—indeed, home owners—or whatever the proportion is—are, I several times the army that Wat Tyler took to London am quite sure, reputable individuals who do not need bridge in the peasants’ revolt of 1381. There is a sense in heavy regulation. They get on with things, they earn an which the residents of park homes today are the equivalent honest buck and they look after the people who live in of modern serfs, under arbitrary landlords; or, as the their mobile homes. There is not a problem with them. Housing Minister put it more gently, there is an issue However, because the regulation is slightly weak, the about exercising their rights. remaining 10%—or whatever the proportion is—are completely unscrupulous people who have driven a I would like to join the many other hon. Members coach and horses through that regulation, abusing numerous who have paid tribute to the hon. Lady for securing this families and couples, who are often elderly, in a most debate today, in which many people on this side of the disgraceful way. House, and one hon. Gentleman on the other side, have spoken for this large community of some 150,000 people. I know what is going to happen, and I agree with it, My hon. Friend the Member for Tamworth (Christopher unfortunately. We are going to need to toughen up the Pincher) commented that the hon. Lady had been buried regulations, in exactly the way that my hon. Friend the under a sea of bouquets. I hope that she has all her Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole proposed in bouquets, but that she is not buried, because we need her speech. I will support that 100%, but I find it so her very much above the ground and kicking in order to frustrating sometimes. The 10% tail is wagging the take the motion forward. I should also like to pay 90% dog. It is absolutely infuriating. I can think of tribute to Lord Graham of Edmonton. He is no relation, some ways in which we might deal with that 10% of and I think that he holds different political views from society, but they might be a bit illiberal and The Guardian mine, but I know that he has done some very good work will not like me—which it does not anyway since the on this subject. election, so I will move on. I would urge the Minister to listen to everything that we are saying, and to come We welcome the Government’s commitment to the through with some support and some suggestions in the transfer of responsibility from the county courts to the new year that are a little more robust than what we are residential property tribunals in February, although we talking about at the minute, because it is quite clear that recognise that that will not in itself solve everything. I this issue has gone on a long time. It has obviously would like to develop a few themes on certain issues and become perfectly acceptable for a pretty large number potential solutions that the Minister might like to consider. of mobile home owners to behave in a shocking and The first is the recognition of legal residents’ associations, disreputable way, and it has to be stopped. to which one or two other Members have alluded. There are two park home sites in my constituency, one of Andrew Bridgen: Because the fact that the regulation which is Woodlands Park in Quedgeley. It has a residents’ is light-touch is now in the public domain, will my hon. association, which has been admirably chaired by Mike Friend concede that if we do nothing, that will make it Morgan for many years, but the association is not fully more attractive for disreputable people to go into that recognised by the owner of Woodlands Park. It is high line of business? time that it was, and the same is true for all park homes. In the motion, the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and Stephen Lloyd: My hon. Friend hits the nail on the North Poole rightly calls on the Government head, not least because—this is the conclusion that I “to review the case for establishing a fit and proper person have come to—a fair number of disreputable home criterion for park home site owners”. owners know each other. The practice has been going I believe that the best way to take this forward would be on for years and, bluntly, it is a scam. Therefore, I am for the Government to approve the licensing of park afraid that, as a light-touch, business-wing Liberal, I home sites by local authorities. This would have the am going to ask the Minister for more regulation, and I additional advantage of the licensing authority being would urge him to come forward with it sooner rather able to overview the documentation—sales documents, than later, so that we are not having the same debate in a in particular—to ensure that any buyers of park homes year’s time. We are talking about people who deserve were fully aware of the system of remuneration for 1097 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1098 owners, which is based on the sale price, the commission which, although sometimes overlooked, needs attention and the pitch rent. Those details need to be clarified in many park homes at a time when we are all keen to and spelt out extremely clearly, so that anyone who buys drive up recycling rates. a park home can be aware of what they are doing. Today the Government have a chance to help 150,000 The motion also proposes that owners should cease British citizens without having any impact on the to interfere with the sale process. I agree with that, but ghastly budget deficit. I hope that they will seize the we also need to consider how the loopholes in section moment, and will give our constituents a very happy 207 of the Housing Act 2004 could be tightened up. In new year in 2011. relation to the sale commission, in particular, there is a case for licensing authorities to look at whether a sliding 2.36 pm scale could be established, which would vary according Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con): to the length of residency by the people who buy park So far Members have concentrated on park home owners homes. who have all-year-round occupation, but we should not I should like to highlight some further points that forget those who have restricted occupation rights and have arisen in relation to Woodlands Park and that who also have different problems. I want to address could also be reviewed by licensing authorities. The first some of those problems. relates to utilities, and I should like to quote from a Like my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire recent e-mail on this subject: (Heather Wheeler), I need to be careful about what I “Any resident changing to natural gas from bottled gas has to say, because there is a court case pending involving a pay £6.50 a week extra for the privilege. Note this figure is added particular site owner. The basic facts are these. One of to the monthly pitch fee and continues for life!” the residents of the park alleges that the owner sold a That cannot be justifiable, and charges for utilities mobile home for £80,000 under a leasehold agreement. should be brought under the licensing authorities’ review. I have seen a copy of the agreement, and it clearly states that the resident is entitled to all-year-round occupation. The second issue relates to pitch fees, and I quote However, the resident has now been told to leave the site again: because it is allowed to open for only eight months of “One of our residents who moved to the site was paying the year. £106.72 per month pitch fees. This was confirmed in writing…in March 2007…and a letter followed in December 2007 stating that Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I he had underpaid therefore the pitch fee was increased to £140.38 per realise that the hon. Gentleman wants to make his month. This equates to a 31.5% increase.” point, but I remind him that he needs to be very careful That was entirely arbitrary; it was done after the sale, about what he says in order not to venture into current and there is no way for the resident to challenge it court proceedings. I am sure that he was going to do except through the very expensive process of going to that, but I thought that I would remind him just in case the county court. That, too, needs to be reviewed. it had slipped his mind.

Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): On the Gordon Henderson: Thank you for your advice, Madam point about seeking legal recourse, my own experience Deputy Speaker. I appreciate that the matter is sub of dealing with the challenges faced by the residents of judice, and I will be extremely careful. If you listen to Blunsdon Abbey Park is that they often have neither the my words, Madam Deputy Speaker, you will understand financial nor the health capability to engage in a long why I am using some of them. legal battle. Naturally, the resident has refused to leave the site, and has commenced legal action against the site owner— who, it is alleged, has responded with a campaign of Richard Graham: My hon. Friend is absolutely correct. harassment and intimidation. If that is true, such action The financial costs of such proceedings are prohibitive, is simply— even when residents are physically and mentally able to take the process forward. Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I am very sorry to In the review of the process sales cost, sales commission interrupt the hon. Gentleman again, but I am afraid and pitch fee in its 2001 study, Berkeley Hanover said that he cannot make that allegation in the context of a that there was no evidence of excessive profits as a current court case. I am really trying to guide him, and I whole, but that the process could not be described as am being advised on this. I ask him to be very careful. “perfectly fair, flexible and transparent”. Gordon Henderson: You will be delighted to know, I think that that is putting it mildly, and that the issue Madam Deputy Speaker, that I was about to end that needs to be tackled. section of my speech, but I thank you again for your Today there has been a call for action—for what the advice. You will have noted that I have mentioned no hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole called a names at all. However, I will take your advice and move stiffening of resolve. I think that all of us who have on to another aspect of park home sites that I think spoken so far today feel the same. I ask the Minister and should be included in any future legislation, namely the Government to consider making local government periods of occupation. licensing authorities responsible for approving, monitoring On Sheppey we have nearly 7,000 park homes, 4,000 and licensing park homes, for clarifying the sales process of which are mobile homes and 3,000 of which are and in particular the commission, for ensuring that the chalets or bungalows. Those homes provide sufficient correct documents are issued before the sale of homes, accommodation for 28,000 holidaymakers, but it has for reviewing the charges for utilities, and for the collection been calculated that, given the change in holiday patterns, of rubbish and environmental health—a subsidiary issue accommodation for a number closer to 10,000 is probably 1099 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1100

[Gordon Henderson] Gordon Henderson: I might address that point in my final comments. required. Some of those sites have permission for 10-month I agree wholeheartedly with Baroness Andrews, and I occupancy, while others have permission for only eight am only sorry that the Government in which she months. Many park homes are freehold properties, and served did not follow up her fine words with action. I some of them are of the very highest standard and built hope that the current coalition Government do a lot to full building regulations. They are no longer holiday better in tackling the housing shortage. One way in homes, but are occupied by their owners for 10 months which they can start to do that is by taking note of the of the year, yet their owners are made homeless for two motion and introducing legislation to prevent park site months of the year by the current planning laws. owners from interfering in the sale of park homes One such site is Parklands village in Minster, where without good reason, and using the opportunity actively the residents of 76 dwellings have this week received a to encourage local authorities to look much more letter from the local authority reminding them that sympathetically at planning applications that seek to staying in their home between 3 January and the end of convert holiday park home sites into permanent residential February will be a criminal offence. Somewhat bizarrely, dwellings, conditional on those dwellings meeting full these potential criminals were advised to contact the building regulations standards. That would be a way of housing services department if they have any difficulty providing extra homes to the people who need them in in finding alternative or temporary accommodation. my constituency. To add to this ludicrous situation, the reason given by planning officers for refusing a planning application for 2.45 pm all year-round occupation of Parkland village is that it Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I am is at risk from flooding. Setting aside the fact that a full grateful for the opportunity to take part in this debate, risk assessment of the site has shown that the risk from and I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Mid flooding is minimal, and also setting aside the convoluted Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke), with whom logic that refuses to allow occupation of the homes I campaign assiduously as a member of the all-party during January and February when the risk of flooding group on mobile homes. As the House has heard, the is at its lowest but allows occupation in March and group has received a number of delegations and deputations, April when the spring tides are at their highest, it is not just in recent months, but in the period prior to my madness to force people out of perfectly good dwellings election as a Member of this House. My interest and because of a supposed risk of flooding when those concern in this area dates back to my days as a dwellings are located slap-bang next to a single-storey parliamentary candidate, when I met and discussed hotel that has permission for all year-round occupancy. issues relating to park homes with the residents of the These residents are being forced, under threat of Brook Meadow park, which is in the village of Wroughton, prosecution, to leave perfectly good-quality bungalows where I live in my constituency. A number of residents, that have full building regulations and energy standards some of whom are elderly—they will forgive me for approved by the local authority’s building control section, saying that—are not frightened to write to and lobby and are being encouraged to move into hotel their Member of Parliament, or to come to the precincts accommodation, such as that offered by the hotel situated of this House to make impassioned speeches on behalf on the same site as the bungalows they own. Such a of not only their own interests, but those of all their policy is beyond parody, but I do not blame my local friends and neighbours. authority; I blame a planning system that has allowed such illogical action. It is time that that system is changed. An old principle in property law is the right of quiet enjoyment. That principle is well known to English law. Like the constituencies of many other Members, the It applies to people who live in bricks and mortar, so area I represent has a lengthy housing waiting list, yet why does it not apply to people who live in park homes? we have over 3,000 surplus park homes on Sheppey. In The reason is simply that there has been only a gradual 2006, Baroness Andrews was an Under-Secretary of acceptance among law makers and opinion formers State in the late unlamented Office of the Deputy Prime that park homes are not just goods or chattels, but Minister, and she made a speech in which she said: places where people live. That acceptance means that “We all know that this country has a real challenge to meet the the rights of property—the rights that we automatically need for homes from a rapidly growing household population, as assume apply for not only people who own homes, but people live longer and more people choose to live alone. Park homes have a real part to play in expanding the choice and those who rent bricks and mortar—should now apply diversity in the housing stock and in providing affordable energy for people in park homes. efficient homes.” Interestingly, amendments to the Mobile Homes Let me categorically state that park homes are a part Act 1983—I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member of the solution; they can help us meet the need for for Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) for his proper homes. They provide choice, quality and market-price intervention pointing out that that term can lead to a affordability, and they can add environmentally friendly lot of misunderstanding—were made by the Housing homes to the housing market. They provide a setting for Act 2004. Perhaps that was an implicit acceptance by stable, mixed, sustainable communities of all ages and the then Government that we were no longer talking household types. about mere chattels, but about places in which people live. Whether that was a Freudian slip or a deliberate Mr Andrew Turner: I am listening with interest to my intention, I welcome it. I suggest that our new Government hon. Friend’s comments. He says some of these homes should adopt that philosophy when dealing with park are up to standard, but what would he say about those homes, treating them as houses and places where people that are not up to standard and where people are live. The Government should allow those people equivalent prevented from staying for more than 10 months a year? rights to those that property owners or tenants enjoy 1101 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1102 under the protection of not only the 2004 Act, but the each application, gather information about previous range of housing legislation that has evolved in this convictions and other such relevant information, and place since the latter part of the 19th century. make a judgment based on all the evidence. The issues and problems raised with me by my local I am not a person who likes to call automatically for residents are similar to those echoed by other hon. more regulation, but such is the gravity of the situation Members, and I do not seek to repeat them. They boil that faces so many park home residents that there is down to a few key areas. There are serious issues sadly no alternative. relating to the sale of park homes, there is a lack of resolution relating to agreements about the pitch fees to Christopher Pincher: My hon. Friend said at the be charged every month and there are problems with beginning of his speech that many park home residents utilities. I wish to deal with those in reverse order. are not frightened to come forward, but we all know My hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal that many park home residents are frightened to come (Dr Coffey) rightly reminded us in an intervention that forward. I am sure that he would agree that many of gas and electricity utilities enjoy the protection of Ofgem, these people do not have assets. In fact, the only assets and water utilities enjoy the protection of Ofwat, and they have are their park homes and possibly their cars. that various guidelines and directives have been issued. They do not have the wherewithal to seek justice, so the The problem arises when electricity and water supplies law must be extended to protect them. are administered via the site owner; in other words, they come through a wholesale agreement via the site owner, Mr Buckland: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who rather than to individual pitches. Therein lies a great allows me seamlessly to move on to my final point, problem. It does not allow domestic users in each park bearing in mind the need for other colleagues to have home to benefit from domestic tariffs, for example. A their say. wholesale business-related tariff is charged to the park My hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard that is not as advantageous to residents as it might be. Graham) made some cogent points about the provisions of section 207 of the Housing Act 2004, which amended Another problem is that the lack of direct contact the schedule that applies to the procedure to be adopted between the utility company and the resident can lead on the sale of park homes. That schedule has been to all sorts of complications. One local example occurred subject to several amendments and it is sometimes in Brook Meadow a few years ago where there was the difficult to follow the path that allows one to work out awful case of residents being written to by the electricity precisely what is in force and what is not. I understand company and told that their electricity was about to be that from the moment a request is made by the occupier— cut off because the company was in dispute with the site the owner of the park home—the owner of the site has owner. The site owner had allowed matters to develop to respond within 28 days to to the door of the court before he finally relented and paid the bill that was overdue. That is not a satisfactory “approve the person, unless it is reasonable for him not to do so, position for residents to be put in. They were thoroughly and…serve on the occupier notice of his decision whether or not to approve the person.” innocent third parties who were literally terrified at the thought of not having electricity supplied to their homes. I am afraid that is far too honoured in the breach, than That is an inconsistency that needs to be resolved, and in the observance. When it is honoured it is being used it should be resolved via a system of licensing and as a mechanism to delay sale for reasons that my hon. regulation. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight (Mr Turner) has set out very carefully. The same can be said about the water supply. Site home owners experience a lot of problems with water Justin Tomlinson: I also see examples in which site pressure. It is far better, in my view, for the site owners owners are trying to get long-term residents out of the to withdraw from the supply issue and let residents deal site and new tenants in on temporary contracts so that directly with water companies. That would be far more they can ultimately try to put the site up for sale for transparent and easier to administer. potential residential development at huge profit. I have mentioned the difficulty with pitch fees. In the case that I am dealing with, the dispute about pitch fees Mr Buckland: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for remains unresolved. That has an unpleasant knock-on making that point, which has not been made before. We effect because, in direct breach of the regulations, the know that unscrupulous site owners will drive down the site owner has been in the habit of, in effect, threatening value of a park home, buy it at that low value and, prospective sellers of pitches with the fact that the pitch sometimes, re-sell the same home to make a fast profit. fee has been unpaid, saying that he wants resolution of That is an unacceptable abuse of the current situation. the unpaid debt before he will permit the sale. He is A concrete proposal that the Minister could consider putting an entirely discrete issue in the way of the sale is whether we should adopt a system of deemed acceptance of a home. That is wholly wrong and in breach of the by an owner after a certain period. My experience current regulations, but it is happening. locally and more generally is that there is often a I use that example to make the more general point disastrous combination of indifference and incompetence that it is now time for local authorities, which exercise a mixed with cynicism and a wish to make an illicit profit, range of powers in other licensing areas, to take on the but why should we allow sites where there is that cocktail responsibility of licensing the owners of park home to benefit from the current regulations? We should sites. The phrase “fit and proper person” has quite punish incompetence and indifference by adopting rightly been put under the microscope. It needs very principles such as deemed acceptance. Currently, the careful definition, but perhaps one can draw a comparison onus is on the park home owner to seek from the with taxi licences and licences for public houses and court—I welcome the fact that it will soon be a tribunal—a clubs. In such cases, local authorities look carefully at declaration that the person to whom they wish to sell 1103 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1104

[Mr Buckland] In England alone, there are 85,000 park home owners, spread across 2,000 sites. In the main, as the hon. their property has been approved. Many hon. Members Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd) eloquently have asked whether that is the right balance. Are we stressed, the sites are run well; they are good places to asking too much of people, many of whom are vulnerable, live. Park homes are comfortable and relatively easy to or of the dependants of people who have died and left maintain. They are relatively low cost and affordable. their park home as part of their bequest? Should we not Most of them—certainly those in my constituency—are redress the balance and put the ball back in the court of in pleasant locations. They are nice places to live. Whether the park home owner when it comes to sales? I urge the park home sites are well or poorly run, they have a Minister seriously to consider the principle of deemed strong sense of community. acceptance and whether it can be worked into a revised On a minority of sites, residents face many great schedule. That would be a better way of dealing with problems. In my constituency, the spectrum of problems the legislation than tweaking it as we have in the past ranges from sites that are somewhat poorly managed to few years. those where there are blatant breaches of health and safety regulations, many along the lines highlighted by Andrew Miller: Let me put to the hon. Gentleman a the hon. Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew point that I tried to make in my speech. If the park Miller). In my constituency, at the uglier end of the home owner has maintained the property within the spectrum, there are examples of intimidation, particularly site’s rules, why should the site owner have any say of vulnerable and elderly people. Intimidation often about whom the sale should be made to? I have not affects the mental health of elderly residents and can, heard a rational reason why there should be any blockage on occasion, result in great financial loss, as we have at that point. heard from many Members this afternoon. I echo the Mr Buckland: I remind the hon. Gentleman that comments made by many Members, and congratulate there is a balance to strike. The site owner owns the land Sonia McColl on her justice campaign, on pressing so and the property, and we have to accept that there are firmly on this important issue and on the work and many good, decent and proper site owners. That is why energy that went into arranging the lobby of Parliament I am talking, as he did, about striking a delicate balance. on 3 November. We have to be careful of the age-old problem of using a There are a number of challenging issues, many of sledgehammer to crack the proverbial nut. None of us which have been raised this afternoon, relating to the wants to punish good site owners, but hon. Members operation of park home sites. We have heard much the length and breadth of the land keep coming up about the importance of the approval of the buyer against the rotten apples that are damaging the reputation stage, when an unscrupulous park site owner can put of park homes, undermining their viability for the people off and use the rules to make sure that the park future and, potentially, starving the country of a useful home owner does not achieve fair value for their property. source of housing supply. I regret that I see no other In 1990-91, a Department of the Environment survey alternative than for park homes to fall under the ambit showed that 25% of park home owners expected problems of proper regulation by a local authority. with the sales process in the future. Of that 25%, some Involving local authorities at the beginning, when the 51% felt that the site owner or the owning company site owner wants to purchase the land, is a good way of would be the cause of the problems. engaging them throughout the process. Many colleagues Mrs McColl is particularly keen that the approval of will be aware that one of the problems is that local the buyer stage should take place in the presence of a authorities are involved only reactively, when they are solicitor or at a solicitor’s office. I think we should be faced with a particular challenge or problem, or a slightly cautious here, because I am not convinced that prosecution as the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and that requirement, in and of itself, will solve the problem, North Poole said, so they are psychologically on the and it will add to the cost of the transactions. But where back foot. There is a good case to be made for local a wrong has been done there should be quick redress at authorities taking a proactive role, which is why I commend low cost, and substantial damages should be available the approach that Members want the Government to to those pursuing unscrupulous site owners. take. The second area of sale that I wish to address is that The time for tinkering has passed; it is time for a of what I would term the forced sale, in which the wholesale root-and-branch look at the regulations. If unscrupulous site owner intimidates and pressurises a there is no time for new legislation, I urge the Government resident off the site. The reason for that is clear; as at the very least to look at the entire ambit of the many hon. Members have said, once that home is gone, schedule to the amended and re-amended Mobile Homes perhaps a larger home can be placed on that site and Act. Let us get things right for future generations and profits will follow. My understanding is that some of give current park home residents peace of mind. Let us the problems relate to the Mobile Homes Act 1983, allow them the principle of quiet enjoyment. whereby site owners can sometimes claim that an existing home has a detrimental effect on the amenity of the site. 3.1 pm That point was raised by Shelter, whose mobile home Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con): I support the unit looked into the issue. I therefore urge the Minister motion and, like many other Members, I congratulate to pay careful attention to that aspect of the Act. the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole Several hon. Members, including my hon. Friends (Annette Brooke) on moving it. the Members for Waveney (Peter Aldous) and for St Austell As my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard and Newquay (Stephen Gilbert), have raised the issue of Graham) pointed out, there are many park home sites sales commission on park homes that are sold. I know up and down the country and many park home owners. that many park home owners feel it is inherently unfair 1105 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1106 to have to pay 10% of the value of their property on whose lives they can and, as we have heard in many sale. They will argue that the site owner may have instances this afternoon, do make a misery. contributed nothing to the sale, and in many circumstances Given how the economics of the business work, we the owners of those homes have enhanced them at their should not be surprised by such abuse. There is a own expense, adding to their value. premium to be gained by bullying people and by pushing We should proceed with caution, however, because in somebody out of their home inappropriately, because order to make a profit a park home operator will look there are profits to be made as a consequence. The at all the revenue streams that go into the business, of whole market has built into it the dynamics for abuse of which commission on sales is but one. It is quite conceivable one form or another. that if that were reduced or removed, pitch fees would I know that the Housing Minister is thinking about be higher, as the consultants Berkeley Hanover suggested the issue very carefully, but I urge the Minister before us in its 2001 report. It suggested that pitch fees might go to consider seriously a “fit and proper person”qualification. up by 20% to 32% if commission was removed altogether. One objection to the approach is that it might be It is the case that where commissions have been reduced complicated and difficult, but we already apply it to in the past from 15% to 10% due to legislation, there has people who own houses in multiple occupation, so some been evidence that pitch fees have increased. local authorities already have experience in exactly that The second danger of removing commissions is that area. it might inflate the price of what at the moment are Some Members, including my hon. Friend the Member relatively—I stress, relatively—affordable homes, and for New Forest East (Dr Lewis), have said that residents that would be a detrimental move. It is very important associations have been quite effective in dealing with that we keep the up-front affordability of these homes difficult situations on park home sites, and I welcome for individuals who may wish to buy them in the future. the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment of Schedule Indeed, the Shelter report did not recommend any 1) (England) Order 2006, which permits such associations reduction in the commission rate. to be set up and, indeed, requires site owners to recognise Several hon. Members have spoken about site conditions them, subject to certain conditions, including one whereby and licensing. Licensing was introduced under the Caravan more than 50% of residents on a site must become Sites and Control of Development Act 1960, which members. The Government would do well to encourage gave local authorities the ability to impose conditions at every turn, with whatever legislative changes they on site licences, and also the power to enforce those bring in, such residents associations and to give them conditions. But it did not confer on local authorities authority wherever they possibly can. any duty to enforce conditions on recalcitrant site owners. Those conditions, on which enforcement action can be Annette Brooke: I should like to report on some taken, would include requirements not only on the further good practice by Purbeck district council, which spacing of the homes across the site, for example, but has set up a forum for park home owners, so that they on the provision of—sometimes vital—amenities on the can go and share their issues. That is a very good way of site. So it is very important that the Minister looks backing up residents associations. closely, as I am sure he and his colleagues are doing, at licensing and whether we should make it a duty of local Mel Stride: I thank the hon. Lady for that helpful authorities to intervene where there are significant breaches and informative intervention. I am grateful and pay of those licences. tribute to Buckingham Orchard Residents and Community in my constituency, which has done a great deal and We should also look closely at local authorities’ right fought hard to improve conditions on its site. I shall to refuse or revoke the site owner’s licence if there is certainly take the hon. Lady’s suggestion of a forum good cause, as my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of and such activity to that association to see whether it Wight (Mr Turner) said. In those circumstances, if might benefit from that. there were a revocation, we would need to ensure that the local authority had a clear strategy for providing the Finally, dispute resolution at the moment typically services and ensuring that the site continued to run in a means going through the county courts, and doing so safe, decent and reasonable manner. not just at great expense, but often in the face of numerous delays, because unscrupulous site owners are I urge the Minister to look at giving local authorities adept at stringing things out and making things difficult the ability to take emergency remedial action when at every turn. We have all heard the stories in which site things do not happen appropriately on a site, and to owners fail to turn up, give a reason and there has to be charge the site owner for any remedial action that is a re-hearing. They just wear people out, which is why I taken. Local authorities could be given the authority to particularly welcome the Government’s commitment to charge for licences to cover some of the costs of them, a residential property tribunal. However, it is absolutely and, when there are appeals in the system on such essential that such a tribunal is quick to deal with matters, they might be handled by the residential property grievances, that there is a minimum of delay involved tribunal. and that it is not expensive to use. On 14 July, in Much has been rightly said in this debate about the referring to residential property tribunals, the Minister “fit and proper person” qualification, which was a for Housing stated: strong recommendation of the park homes working “This will mean that park home residents will be able to take group. There is no doubt that the park homes business action to resolve disputes with site owners, without being restricted is distinctly different from many others. It is not like by the prospect of facing large legal costs.”—[Official Report, running a shop or a pub, whereby, if one is rude to 14 July 2010; Vol. 513, c. 28WS.] customers or runs the business badly, one can expect to That is absolutely critical. We are dealing with people see profits diminish and to go out of business. Site who are among the least advantaged in our society and owners effectively have captive consumers and people cost must be driven down to give them a route to justice. 1107 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1108

[Mel Stride] their residents’ lives a misery. I shall not repeat the issues of fees, charges and services that many hon. We should also toughen up on fines and give the Member have mentioned. Instead, I will highlight again tribunal real teeth. At the moment, a breach of a site the issue of buying and selling, particularly the approval- licence carries a maximum fine of £2,500. In many of-the-buyer stage, where the park owner meets privately cases, that is simply not enough to deter the kind of with the prospective buyer. That represents such an activity that we have been debating this afternoon. I obvious conflict of interest that I cannot imagine even urge the Minister to consider whether there should be the most angelic of site owners not being tempted at an escalation of fines for repeat offences, because we are times to talk down the value of a park home in order aware that some site owners do the same things over perhaps to make a killing at some stage in the future. It and over again. Those people should be penalised more is clear that in many cases the owner, out of desperation, heavily each time around. ends up selling back to the site owner, often for a Many of the things I have raised and that other hon. derisory sum, and the site owner then has a vacant plot Members have touched upon may not be achieved to develop at a huge profit. At that point they have, in simply through secondary legislation. We may need effect, stolen the homeowner’s equity, which sometimes primary legislation. I hope that the Government and represents the homeowner’s life savings, so it is a very the Minister have the political will to ensure that the serious issue. time required to push forward these changes is made I very much welcome the Government’s intention to available. We need to act to remove the last refuge of transfer jurisdiction to residential property tribunals—a Rachmanism in this country, because that is what we positive step that should address many of the broader are dealing with; we need to act to stand up for the issues of fees, charges and so on that crop up from time vulnerable and the elderly who suffer in the circumstances to time. However, I am not absolutely sure that it will that I and many others have described; and we need to solve the central problem of sales, because often by the act for the many self-reliant, proud and decent park time a residential property tribunal process has been home residents, who ask nothing more than that they completed—evidence has been presented, the tribunal are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. has ruled, and a decision has been communicated—the buyer will be long gone. As one expert professional Several hon. Members rose— constituent of mine said, “I cannot think of a more appropriate sector for there to be Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Before I call the some sort of fit and proper person test, some of these owners are remaining speakers, by way of information, I point out merciless.” that the wind-ups are due to start around twenty-five to A fit and proper person test would be a strong supplement 4. The remaining contributors might want to reflect on to the residential property tribunal policy that the how they can ensure that their colleagues get in as well. Government are proposing. That is one of the reasons I strongly support the motion. 3.17 pm I should like briefly to mention the parallel issue of Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I will not detain owners of mobile holiday homes. The hon. Member for the House long. As many other hon. Members did, I Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson) has congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset already referred to this, but I have a slightly different and North Poole (Annette Brooke) on tabling the motion. concern that has been raised by several constituents of I will happily support it on behalf of my constituents mine who are permanent residents of Cheltenham but who live at a number of sites in Cheltenham—Sunnyfield own static caravans or mobile homes in Swanage bay in lane in Up Hatherley, The Reddings and Harthurstfield Dorset, which I suspect is near to the hon. Gentleman’s park in west Cheltenham. Having named those locations, constituency. Once again, these owners are not wealthy I emphasise what other hon. Members have said: it is a and are at the mercy of site owners who stand accused minority of site owners who are involved in many of of reducing the market price of mobile homes artificially these abuses. However, as other hon. Members have and then buying them themselves with the potential for also pointed out, the power relationship that exists a tidy profit. Again, we have the issue of fees, with the under the current system between site owner and home site owner apparently seeking an increase of nearly owner is so uneven that it almost invites some of these 50% in one year, in contravention of existing licences abuses. and Office of Fair Trading guidelines. Park home living can be a wonderful lifestyle, as it is for many thousands of people. Generally, it involves Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): I, too, have a smaller homes with low maintenance costs that are on constituent who has a pitch in the Swanage Bay View the lowest council tax band, on one level and on small holiday park, which may or may not be the same as the plots in parks that engender a strong sense of community. park that the hon. Gentleman is talking about, where Knocking on doors in the places I have mentioned is pitch fees have been increased by 22.5% over the past certainly a cheerful experience—not least because of 12 months. There is a huge amount of pressure on older some of the wonderfully quirky ornamentation and residents to sell up, with a lot of very commercial tactics individual decoration that is often on show being used to abuse their position. A leading insurer tells me that the incidence of crime Martin Horwood: I thank the hon. Lady for that on parks is very low. Such homes have low insurance intervention. We are certainly talking about the identical costs and represent a very safe lifestyle. Affordability issue, if not the identical park, and once again we are and safety are key because, as has been pointed out, talking about people’s life savings being at risk, often many residents are elderly and very few are well off. It is vulnerable elderly people. This is an almost entirely unfortunate that the industry is plagued by a small unregulated sector, and unless it is included in Ministers’ number of unscrupulous operators who, frankly, make plans for residential property tribunals, it will remain 1109 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1110 so. Does the Minister have plans to include mobile believe that “Park homes site licensing reform: The way holiday homes in any of the moves that he is making to forward and next steps” laid out the pathway for that. establish residential property tribunals? If he cannot We must also tackle the disreputable practices of answer me now, perhaps he will write to me with his some site owners. That could be done through capping intentions or the Government’s view on that issue. increases in pitch fees to the retail prices index, or by I am proud to support this motion. Since a minority preventing consecutive increases above RPI. That would of site owners apparently cannot be trusted to be fair to prevent site owners from suddenly springing large pitch often vulnerable and elderly homeowners, it is vitally fee increases on owners, which is particularly important important for Parliament to step in. in these difficult economic times. We could also empower park home owners by allowing 3.24 pm them to petition their site owners to agree to a framework for developing a sinking fund for repairs and maintenance. Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): This afternoon For example, if 75% of park home residents petitioned we have heard from Members tales of fraud, neglect, the site owner, the owner would have 12 months to intimidation and vandalism. For me, this is not a develop a framework that was acceptable to the majority complicated issue. As a doctor, if I committed any of of residents. If site owners did not comply, an ad hoc those crimes I would very quickly be declared not a fit tribunal could be set up to force a settlement that was and proper doctor and struck off. I call on the Minister reasonable and fair to all sides. Although some hon. to consider seriously the ability to designate people not Members may feel that that would be too harsh on site fit and proper site owners. owners, I believe that for too long the law has been It is obvious from attending the all-party parliamentary weighted on the side of the site owner, rather than that group that the same names keep cropping up. It is of the resident. evident that we are talking about probably fewer than If residents put forward reasonable proposals and 10 owners who commit these crimes across the country. there is a degree of consensus, I do not see why a site Many of my constituents have relayed shocking tales of owner should be able to refuse their requests. Well crime and fraud, but are genuinely too intimidated to maintained park homes are in everyone’s interests. I go to the police. appreciate that interventions should take place only We have heard excellent suggestions—I will not repeat when absolutely necessary, but we must not allow site them—from my hon. Friend the Member for South owners carte blanche to do whatever they want. There Swindon (Mr Buckland) and I join in the congratulations must be a relationship of trust and co-operation to for the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole create sustainable communities. In my constituency, all (Annette Brooke) on initiating this excellent opportunity residents want is a bit of fairness. for debate. I call on the Minister to take action, because More must be done to myth-bust the idea that park we have waited long enough. I hope that he has listened home owners should not form residents’ associations. It to what all hon. Members have said. is important that park home residents have a forum in which to air their grievances and to discuss them with 3.25 pm their neighbours. Although the vast majority of site owners are happy for that to occur, some are keen to Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): Thank break up such important associations. It is vital that we you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for trying so hard to give residents proper protection, and through the use of decipher my signature so that I could catch your eye. I petitions and residents’ associations I believe we can go think that I am the last Back Bencher to speak in this some way towards doing that. debate, so I add some final congratulations to the hon. I have one final point to make before I conclude. Park Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette home site owners have to do more to name and shame Brooke) on raising this issue, which is so important for owners who are not operating in a fair manner. The many hon. Members. British Holiday and Home Parks Association should, Like many hon. Members, this issue was first brought where there is evidence, be willing to publish lists of site to my attention while I was a candidate. It was important operators who are not responsible in their dealings with to meet the Heathcote Park residents’ association and park home residents, and so warn individuals who are its chairman, Mary Hulett. Many park home residents considering purchasing park homes. Ultimately, if incidents feel unfairly treated and ignored, and are frustrated at involving disreputable site owners continue, it will only the slow pace of reform and regulation. I am sure that further damage the sector. It is in everyone’s interest to Members from all parts of the House will welcome the do what they can. transfer to the residential property tribunal, which will All hon. Members who have had to deal with reduce the cost of resolving disputes and empower constituents’ problems with park homes know how residents. I am sure that it will be a positive factor for distressing they can be. We have to remember that we the sector. are talking about something extremely personal—people’s I agree with the notion of fit and proper person homes. Our homes are central to our way of life and our criteria for park home site owners, and that there should quality of life, and people care a great deal about them, be regulations that can be used against site owners who as we can see from the 10,000 signatures that were interfere with the sale of individual park homes without delivered to Downing street. We have to work towards good reason. However, the problems are far wider than finding more innovative ways to settle the problem for that and much more needs to be done if we are to have a the benefit of park home residents, and to ensure a fair and well regulated park homes sector. I believe that sustainable future for the park homes sector in general. the primary way in which the Government can assist is I look forward to the Minister’s contribution and to through the creation of a strong licensing regime. I seeing how we can move forward accordingly. 1111 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1112

3.31 pm There was a proposal to transfer the jurisdiction on appeals and applications from the county courts to the Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): I pay tribute residential property tribunals earlier this year, but Parliament to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole was dissolved for the general election before the necessary (Annette Brooke), who has been an indefatigable champion approval was given. The Opposition therefore welcome of park home residents for a number of years. I pay the new Housing and Local Government Minister’s tribute also to Members from both sides of the Chamber intention to introduce the secondary legislation that who have contributed to a very good and powerful will transfer jurisdiction to residential property tribunals debate. They have highlighted some appalling abuses of and urge him to press ahead as soon as possible. the situation in which many park home residents currently find themselves. However, it is clear that despite the improvements introduced by the previous Labour Government, more I do not presume to match the hon. Lady’s expertise needs to be done to protect the rights of caravan and on the subject, but I am aware from representations that park home residents. Let me assure the hon. Members I have received from park home residents that they feel for South Derbyshire (Heather Wheeler) and for Gloucester the current legislation is inadequate. They have told me (Richard Graham)—the former is no longer in the that it does not go far enough in safeguarding their Chamber—that there is cross-party support for stronger rights and offers insufficient protection against the small measures. All official Opposition Members want them, number of unscrupulous site owners who can and do and Opposition Front Benchers are united. We want to exploit loopholes in the law, as we have heard today. work with the Government to ensure that appropriate One of the main complaints of residents is the ballooning protection for such vulnerable people is introduced. pitch fees demanded by site owners, because they say Much of the groundwork on identifying what legislative they are powerless to resist unreasonable increases. We improvements need to be made has already been have heard from the hon. Member for St Austell and undertaken. The Department for Communities and Local Newquay (Stephen Gilbert) and others about distressing Government consultation paper, “A new approach for examples of such abuse that they have come across in resolving disputes and to proceedings relating to Park their constituencies. It seems that the standard agreement Homes under the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended)” drawn up by the National Federation of Site Operators, was published in May 2008. In May 2009, the previous which is now the British Holiday and Home Parks Government published a further consultation document, Association, leaves a lot to be desired. “Park Home Site licensing—Improving the Management I am aware that about 20 years ago a survey was of Park Home Sites”. A further paper, “Park homes site commissioned for the then Department of the Environment. licensing reform: The way forward and next steps” was Residents were asked whether they were consulted by published on 30 March this year. owners on any increase in pitch fees, as they were As I pointed out, the Opposition want to work supposed to be. Only 3% said that they had been. It constructively with Ministers, as my hon. Friend the seems that, 20 years on, there is still a lot to do. I think Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew Miller) that there have been some improvements, but the situation requested. We want to build on the good foundation has not improved enough. that we left to secure a thriving and well run park homes Mobile home owners have told me that they have sector that provides sites where people want to live and, sometimes run into problems when they have wanted to indeed, invest. We believe that a licensing system that sell their homes. Members have referred to those problems raises and maintains standards on sites, and one that during the debate. Site owners often find ways to block ensures that sites are safe, well planned and well managed, sales from going through. Shelter’s mobile homes unit with appropriate facilities and services, will help to found that some owners served notices to terminate achieve those objectives. agreements, claiming that the homes involved were Such a scheme must operate fairly, and it must be “having a detrimental effect on the amenity of the site.” proportionate, cost effective and enforceable. An effective scheme must deliver improvements in the management The hon. Member for Central Devon (Mel Stride) of park home sites where improvements are necessary referred to that. Although that move is legitimate in while continuing to secure a vibrant and healthy sector. some cases, in others it is not. It has been claimed that it is often used to bully park home residents into selling up at knock-down prices, as the hon. Member for Isle of 3.37 pm Wight (Mr Turner), who is no longer in his place, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for pointed out. The hon. Member for Mid Dorset and Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): North Poole has described that as a massive scandal, It is a pleasure to respond to this Back-Bench debate and it is certainly a cause for considerable concern for and to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset and many people. As my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda North Poole (Annette Brooke)—I always have to get (Chris Bryant) and the hon. Member for Waveney my norths, souths, easts and wests carefully organised (Peter Aldous) pointed out, it is a real problem throughout when I refer to her constituency. The debate, which the length and breadth of the country. featured 14 contributions from Back Benchers, has In 2006, the previous Government removed the been well informed, wide ranging and sometimes ability of site owners to attach conditions to their passionate—hon. Members have given a real sense of approval of prospective purchasers. Since then, the only the injustice that some park home residents are forced factor that they can take into account is the suitability to suffer—and it has come at a good moment, because of an incoming resident. However, the Park Home as my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Residents Action Alliance says that site owners can still Local Government already told the House, he will make abuse that test. a statement on this matter in the new year. I will ensure 1113 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1114 that all the contributions and the many and varied easily, and act as a deterrent to unreasonable behaviour. suggestions and ideas come to his attention as he works I can also assure hon. Friends that access to the tribunal on that. is normally free, although in some cases there may be a Rightly, many Members acknowledged the broader fee of £150. However, legal representation is not necessary, context. The sector provides homes for 85,000 families so the cost is much less than for court proceedings. That and perhaps as many as 150,000 residents, as my hon. is a major step forward. It will give residents quicker Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) and easier access to justice, provide an opportunity for said. The very large majority of those residents enjoy rapidly resolving disputes and deter unreasonable behaviour. peace and quiet, and are happy and satisfied where they are. Many sites are properly managed and maintained Andrew Miller: That is a sensible proposition, but I by decent, honest and professional site owners who ask the Minister to reflect on the history of other have regard to the welfare and rights of the communities tribunals that started in a well-meaning way but gradually in their parks. It is a pity that their good work is often became more and more bureaucratic and legalistic. As overshadowed by the unacceptable conduct of a minority, time passes, there will be the risk—starting perhaps about whom we have heard some telling stories this with the site owners—that more lawyers will enter the afternoon. That minority can cause misery to a community process, so we will need to reconsider the situation after in many ways; for example, by not maintaining sites a year or so of running the tribunals to ensure that we properly, by bullying residents and by interfering have got the balance right. unreasonably, or even unlawfully, when residents try to exercise their lawful rights. The House has also heard Andrew Stunell: The hon. Gentleman makes an important significant allegations of criminal behaviour and even and interesting point, but if I may say so, perhaps we blackmail. However, I do not want to dwell on the should focus on introducing tribunals before we start to specific allegations, except to say in plain terms that the evaluate them. Government believe that the park homes sector should The aim is to improve site management and deter bad have no place for these people. I want good site owners to practices. That will benefit not only residents, but the thrive and bad site owners to be taken out of the sector. industry as a whole. It does the sector no good at all to It is important to note some of the themes that have develop a reputation for bad behaviour. As they pursue come out of today’s debate. We have heard the stories their work, the tribunals will provide evidence in an and anecdotes, which I do not dismiss, but Members on open and transparent way—through a body of cases, both sides of the House have also recognised that there involving case law and decision making—which will has to be a balance between the powers and responsibilities benchmark good behaviour and identify unacceptable of site owners on one hand, and of home owners on the behaviour, thereby playing a standard-setting role. other. We need to reflect on the fact that every home owner, in becoming a home owner, will have had the The motion calls on the Government to review the opportunity to look at the terms and conditions of the case for establishing a “fit and proper” licensing system. sale and purchase. I hope that we might also reflect on There is certainly no role in the sector for unscrupulous how we can make those terms and conditions more and criminal operators, but they are a minority. That transparent to prospective purchasers, and ensure that brings us back to the balance between regulation and once signed they are adhered to by both sides. the burden of implementation. The Government’s general approach is to reduce top-down regulation and minimise We have heard contributions about the degree to the involvement of central Government in local decision which regulation should be light or tough. My hon. making. However, we are committed to protecting the Friend the Member for Eastbourne (Stephen Lloyd), most vulnerable, and I know that some park home who declared himself to be a deregulatory Liberal, has residents are among the most vulnerable members of come to the conclusion that we need to toughen up society, as has been well pointed out in this debate. We regulation, and that was the message, I think, from hon. are not convinced that the protection of park home Members throughout the House. I will ensure, therefore, residents from the minority of unscrupulous site owners that that view is conveyed clearly to my right hon. requires a complex and costly national licensing system, Friend the Minister for Housing and Local Government. which would apply across the sector and place burdens The Government are committed to targeted reform on all site owners, good and bad, with that cost ultimately that does not place unnecessary burdens on site owners, being passed on to residents too. We have to strike a who ought to be allowed to thrive. We will not solve the careful balance—one that protects the vulnerable, targets problem if we drive well-run sites out of business because the worst and minimises the regulatory burdens on the of an overburden of regulation or control. Our first law-abiding majority. priority, therefore, is to make it quicker and easier for On the blocking of sales, I have every sympathy with residents to challenge unreasonable behaviour by site residents who are unreasonably thwarted when trying owners who disregard residents’ rights. My right hon. to exercise their lawful right to sell their homes. I know Friend announced in July that, under the Mobile Homes that those concerns are shared by my right hon. Friend Act 1983, jurisdiction in the settlement of most disputes the Minister of State. The park home justice campaign will be transferred to the Residential Property Tribunal is to be commended for bringing this important matter Service. to the forefront. Ministers are now well alert—if we I can assure the House that subject to parliamentary were not before—to what the issues are. However, we approval we intend those tribunals to become operational need to look at what the remedy is. The premise is that from next spring. That has been a priority for park unscrupulous site owners might be less likely to make home residents for many years, and I am committed to false representations or deter potential buyers if an implementing it as quickly as possible. It will enable interview with a prospective purchaser took place in residents to resolve disputes much more quickly and front of a solicitor. However, it is a little hard to see 1115 Park Homes16 DECEMBER 2010 Park Homes 1116

[Andrew Stunell] 3.50 pm exactly how that would work or who would appoint the Annette Brooke: I shall make a brief concluding solicitor, let alone who would pay for him or her. There statement. I should like to thank all the Members who is no reason to believe that an unscrupulous owner is helped to secure the debate, because we had to convince likely to be any less dishonest because there is a witness people that we would have enough speakers today. I present. have been having sleepless nights about it, and I thank There is also a wider question about whether interviews everyone for turning up today, especially at this time on are required at all, because there is certainly no statutory this Thursday afternoon. I welcome the cross-party or legislative reason for them. The Mobile Homes Act 1983 support for the motion; it is absolutely vital and it permits the site owner to approve the purchaser, but makes me feel positive that we can move forward. I that could be done in a number of ways, not necessarily hope that it will also make the campaigners feel positive. through an interview process; for example, by providing We have talked about our proud and dignified home relevant documents. If there is no legal requirement for owners, and about the fact that park homes are homes, an interview, it would be burdensome to introduce a not just chattels. That is incredibly important. Those formal regulatory process for conducting one. However, people deserve better; the words “the forgotten lost” that is not to say that we believe it acceptable simply to summed up what we have been debating this afternoon. let unreasonable behaviour be tolerated. We see improving I am all too aware that we need a sustainable, flourishing access to justice through the residential property tribunal industry, but it cannot flourish or achieve its full potential as the first step towards ending abuses in such cases. My for providing this much-needed housing unless we have right hon. Friend the Minister of State is only too aware a way of addressing the many issues that we have been of the problems, and he intends to announce in the new talking about today. Speed and transparency have been year a package of measures that will curb the excesses referred to, and they are both important, because time of the minority of unscrupulous owners, while not is running out. I welcome the first step of establishing placing undue burdens on the majority who manage the residential property tribunals, but I want to see their sites effectively and in the best interests of the concurrent planning for the next stage, because it is community. clear that we need more. Martin Horwood: In my remarks I talked not only I wavered as I listened to the Minister’s response. about sites for permanent homes, but about holiday First, I thought, “Oh, that’s good”, then I thought, sites, where often there is also a lot of evidence of abuse. “Oh, that’s not so good.” It is a pity that we could not Will my hon. Friend’s measures and his right hon. have delivered a Christmas present to our park home Friend’s considerations include those sites as well? campaigners today, and that they will have to wait until the new year for the Minister’s statement. I trust that Andrew Stunell: I will certainly take that request they will not have to wait until the spring, and that the away, and we will certainly consider it. It is worth statement will be made early in the new year, because we reminding the House that where mobile homes are used need a response to these long-term problems that have for full-time residential purposes, they have a number of now been raised so many times in the House. I accept tax and regulatory advantages, as compared with what that we need to strike the right balance, but that is no we might call “normal” homes. That is because of their excuse for doing nothing. We must have action! status as residential homes of a particular type. Holiday Question put and agreed to. homes are in a different category, and have all sorts of other regulatory frameworks relating to them. However, Resolved, I will ensure that that point is taken into consideration. That this House notes that there are approximately 1,800 park This has been an important and timely debate. It has home sites in England and Wales; further notes that current certainly highlighted important areas of concern to legislation permits a minority of park home site owners to cause Members, and it is a tribute to the new Back-Bench great distress, damage to property and danger to health of park debating system that it has come before the House home residents; welcomes the Government’s intention to lay today. It has been helpful to me and my ministerial before the House secondary legislation to transfer jurisdiction for colleagues and I hope that, when the announcement is park homes to the Residential Property Tribunal Service; but calls on the Government to review the case for establishing a fit and made in the spring, hon. Members will feel that their proper person criterion for park home site owners and to bring contribution to the debate today has had an influence forward relevant legislation at the earliest opportunity to prevent on the way in which the Government are approaching in particular park home site owners interfering with the sale of a the problem. park home without good reason. 1117 16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1118

Public Accounts Committee major changes. The spending review marks the first wholesale fiscal retrenchment for 20 years, and by some [Relevant documents: The 40th, 44th, 46th, 49th and measures the greatest such retrenchment for several 51st to 53rd Reports from the Committee of Public generations. Other reforms, in the national health service Accounts, Session 2008-09, the 1st to 33rd Reports from and the benefits system, are similarly ambitious. The the Committee, Session 2009-10, and the 1st to 10th Reports Government want to achieve more for less. They want from the Committee, Session 2010-11. ] to achieve value for money, and the people of the country want the same. They want real value for money, 3.53 pm real efficiency and real cost-effectiveness, so that the Margaret Hodge (Barking) (Lab): I beg to move, financial cuts have as little detrimental effect as possible That this House calls on the Government to ensure that all on front-line services. recommendations contained in Reports of the Committee of We are still in the very early stages of implementation Public Accounts and accepted by Government Departments are of the spending review, and the question of whether or implemented and that the relevant Minister makes a statement to not the changes will prove to be value for money is still the House on any recommendations accepted but not implemented up for grabs, but there is no doubt that the work of the within a year of their acceptance. PAC is hugely important at this time. I firmly believe Over the past nine years, this debate has been ably led that if our recommendations are heeded, value for by my predecessor, the hon. Member for Gainsborough money will improve and the delivery of services will get (Mr Leigh), to whom I would like to pay tribute. His better. Therefore, I strongly urge the Treasury to give tireless contribution to improving public services and diligent consideration to our reports, and then, after delivering value for money has been acknowledged and not too much consideration, to ensure that concrete recognised by hon. Members across the House. action is taken. I can assure the Treasury that we will The very first Public Accounts Committee debate monitor implementation much more closely than may was held on 19 December 1960. The then Chair, one have been the case in the past. , began his speech by saying I thank all those who help to make the work of our “in my view, the confrontation in this debate is not between Government and Opposition but between the House of Commons, Committee effective. It is no mean feat to question with its traditional responsibility for controlling the public purse senior civil servants from two different Departments on the one hand and the Government on the other.”—[Official every week—three this week—especially given that our Report, 19 December 1960; Vol. 632, c. 894.] hearings range over every conceivable aspect of public Those are words that should continue to guide us today. service. As might be expected, that does not happen by The PAC has never been, and should never be, a creature itself. I pay tribute to all my hard-working fellow Committee of either the Government or the Opposition Front members, who turn up to hearing after hearing impeccably Bench. We are a creature of Parliament, working together well informed and full of incisive questions. I thank the for the benefit of the citizen, holding the Executive to people who ensure that each hearing runs smoothly: account and constantly seeking improvements in the the Clerk and his team of hard-working assistants, and value that the Executive give for the money that they the Comptroller and Auditor General and his staff at spend. the National Audit Office. We are able to perform our As well as reflecting that long and proud tradition, role only because of the high quality of work carried today’s debate reflects important changes that we have out by the Comptroller and Auditor General and his collectively made to strengthen the role of Parliament. staff. For one thing, I am the first Committee Chair to be I want to make three observations about the motion. elected to the post, as well as being the first woman in First, Departments have achieved some notable successes, the job. It is also the first time that my fellow Committee which we applaud. However—this is my second point— members have been elected to their positions. I think we value for money is still too patchy. The same issues arise would all agree that that additional democratic legitimacy time and time again. Thirdly, in the past, Governments increases both the responsibility and the authority with have too often been too slow to act on some of our which we carry out our duties. recommendations. We will be much less tolerant of that The PAC has made changes to our standing orders. inaction in the future. As well as allowing us to meet even when the House is The PAC has a reputation for tearing senior civil not sitting—on Christmas day if need be, as we are servants to shreds. Its members have been seen as “glass often reminded by the hon. Member for South Norfolk half empty” rather than “glass half full” people. We (Mr Bacon)—it will make it easier for us to gain access have been depicted as the hunters, and the poor accounting to specialist advice from sources other than the National officers as beleaguered victims. Actually, the Committee Audit Office should we need to do so. Furthermore, this has always tried to give credit where it is due, but the is the first occasion on which we have had to bid for our fact is that the amount of waste and poor value for slot from the Backbench Business Committee. That, money that it must consider has often been overwhelming. too, strengthens our accountability to our colleagues. We are redoubling our efforts in this regard, however. It The motion before us today is different from those of is important that success is celebrated, not just because the last 50 years. Rather than simply calling on the that is fair, but because it is rare that success in one House to note our reports, it specifies the changes that Department does not produce lessons from which the we want to see in the way in which the Government rest of Government can learn. respond to our recommendations. That is definitely Two reports that we have considered in the last six progress. months stand out, both from the Department for The final reason why today’s debate is particularly Education, which is therefore accorded star pupil status, important is the context in which it is taking place. The at least on a provisional basis. The first was the welcome new Government, for good or ill, have embarked on success in raising standards in the academy schools 1119 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1120

[Margaret Hodge] stopped wasting money on ineffective programmes, the lack of appropriate data too often results in money programme launched by the previous Government for being wasted. struggling schools working in challenging circumstances I cannot leave this subject without mentioning the in deprived areas. The second was the success of the Government’s recent publication of large amounts of programme to increase the take-up of science subjects new data on public spending. It is inconceivable that right the way through the education and training systems. somebody in my position would do anything other than Regrettably however, more often than not we have to welcome this move towards greater transparency, but I consider failures rather than successes. Despite all the must also sound a word of caution. I must be frank and years of recommendations from us, the National Audit say that it seems that the problem has never been the Office and others, and despite much good will and amount of data, because an almost infinite amount has many good intentions on the part of Ministers and civil always been available; the problem has been how useful servants, we still find lots to concern us. Everyone pays the data are, where the gaps are and how well the data lip service to the need for value for money, but genuine have been analysed. To be useful to decision makers in and detailed consideration of value for money across government, as well as to parliamentarians, the National Government is still far too patchy. Audit Office and the ordinary citizen, the data must be One of the first evidence sessions we held was on the presented in a way that allows them to be understood last Government’s attempts to realise value-for-money and used. I hope that the Minister can give us some savings targets set as part of the last spending review in comfort that the publication of hundreds of thousands 2007. I was a member of that Government, and let me of receipts through the Combined Online Information say that I believe those attempts were serious and sincere. System—COINS—database is not being done at the Nevertheless, I must admit that I was shocked by the expense of the analytical capabilities of Departments. results. Halfway through the programme, Departments To date, the Committee has focused on the actions of had reported only just over a third—30%—of the savings the previous Administration, which is entirely to be required, and only a third of them were genuine, sustainable expected because the nature of audit and accountability savings. is to be backward-facing. In time, we will consider the Faced with the much more challenging task set by actions of the coalition Government and, as a cross-party this spending review, what needs to change? I want to Committee that jealously guards its reputation for highlight two issues. First is the Government’s inability objectivity, we shall do so impartially. I say clearly to to deliver projects to time and within budget. For the House that the problems we have identified will not example, let us consider two of the hearings we have go away simply because of a change of Administration. had this week. The Ministry of Defence is renowned for On the contrary, dealing with them will require concerted always delivering late and invariably overspending, but action, a willingness to confront age-old ways of doing yesterday’s session, with the evidence we had before us, things and a commitment to improve the skills of civil was truly shocking. Committing to the aircraft carrier servants and to get better evidence with which to take project only to delay it eight months later at an extra decisions. cost to the taxpayer of at least £1.56 billion is truly There seems to be an inbuilt resistance to change in shocking. While that did happen on Labour’s watch, I the huge tanker that constitutes the Government machine. am strongly of the view that the permanent secretary at Why are projects so often late? Why are we invariably the time should not have allowed the signing of the looking at cost overruns, rather than savings? Why can contract, which so quickly led to such a terrible waste of the civil service not build in-house capability to provide money. On the Typhoons, taking £1 billion out of the effective management and delivery, as well as sound budget when the MOD knew we had a contractual advice? Why is there no culture of proper personal commitment to a third phase of the contract, leading to accountability in government at senior levels? Why can us having to put in £2.7 billion now to pay for a further Departments not co-operate better and compete less? 16 aircraft that we do not need, is completely scandalous. Why can government not learn from its mistakes? Today’s evidence session on the project to widen the This is not about political will; it is about institutional M25 left us all flabbergasted. Never mind the nine years inertia and institutional resistance to change. All politicians it took from concept to contract or the £650 million want better value, enhanced efficiency and improved extra because the contract was signed during the credit effectiveness. All politicians, of all allegiances, get blamed crunch, and never mind the £80 million spent on when they fail in that regard, yet the ability to succeed consultants, one of whom went on to employ the senior in securing those things seems all too often to elude us. responsible official; the real point is that we probably That is partly because of the conservative aversion to should never have undertaken to widen the road in the risk among public sector workers and partly because first place. We should instead have used the hard shoulder, nobody stays in their job long enough to see things which would have been cheaper and almost as effective. through and be truly accountable. It is also partly The second issue I want to highlight is that, time and because we do not recruit the right people with the right again, we identified the lack of good and appropriate skills and partly because political expediency too often data, which leads to poor value-for-money decisions overrides economic efficiency—that is true of all parties. and bad choices. Whether through the evaluation of the That brings me to my final observation, which is the pathways to work scheme, which measured effectiveness one that forms the backbone of today’s motion: the by including all those who asked to go on to incapacity degree to which the Government act on the Committee’s benefit rather than those who were eligible for it, or recommendations. It is inevitable I would say this, but it through the failure of the Department of Health to give is my sincere belief that the process of improving value primary care trusts the data telling them what works for money in the public sector would be made easier if in helping people to stop smoking so that they the Government made more effort to implement our 1121 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1122 recommendations. All too often, too little effort has ensuring proper value for money in the cuts and changes been made. Indeed, all too often our recommendations Departments make. We will rigorously hold the Government have just been quietly ignored. to account, but in doing so we want to assure the House Let us consider the example of the Government use that our purpose is one we share across the Benches. We of consultants. The PAC examined that issue in 2002 want to help eke out best value for every penny spent on and 2006, recommending on both occasions that the behalf of the citizens of the country and we want to then Government do more to grow the skills that they contribute to the improvement of public services in need within the civil service, rather than paying out coming years. All we ask is for serious engagement from money to costly consultants. What did we find when we Ministers, accounting officers and their staff across looked at the issue again just a few weeks ago? We government and for the Treasury’s assistance in making found that the proportion of spend on IT and project that happen. management grew from 50 to 60% between 2006 and Several hon. Members rose— 2010. One of the most staggering revelations was that the Department for Transport’s spend on consultants Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Eight came to the equivalent of 70% of its expenditure on people are trying to catch my eye and I shall be calling in-house staff. the Front-Bench speakers at about half-past 5, if people There are plenty of other such examples, which is can bear that in mind. why we are going to get tougher on following up recommendations. When they are not accepted by 4.12 pm Departments, we will want to know why. When they are Mr Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) (Con): It is a accepted, we will expect them to be implemented. Hence great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for our call that the Minister responsible should make a Barking (Margaret Hodge), the new elected Chair of statement to the House about any recommendation he our Committee. I congratulate her on the way in which or she has accepted but failed to implement within she has fulfilled and is fulfilling her office. It is a great a year. pleasure to serve under her leadership. Her predecessor Today marks the publication of the first two Treasury was something of a stern headmaster, and although her minutes on hearings that we have had in this Session, style is slightly less stentorian—I looked up Stentor, another reason why the timing of the debate is so good. and he was a Greek herald with a booming voice and it We obviously need time to study the detailed content of is hard to think of anyone in this House with a more the documents, but they represent a relatively good booming voice than my hon. Friend the Member for start. In the response to our report on the future strategic Gainsborough (Mr Leigh)—she has already shown that tanker aircraft, I particularly welcome the commitment she is no soft touch. She has shown her teeth on a to fit these planes with a defensive aid package so that number of occasions and she chairs the Committee at least they can deliver troops to the war zones, as was with great aplomb. You might expect me to say that, originally intended. I also welcome the wider commitment Mr Deputy Speaker, but ask yourself which Conservative from the MOD to work with the Treasury on renewing is likely to be able to resist serving under a strong its guidance about where and when to use the private woman whose first name is Margaret. finance initiative. I must say, however, that is it dismaying I want to say how much of a pleasure it is to have so to see how the Department is still determined to justify much new blood on the Committee. It was a bit of a the decision to use PFI on that project. In my view, that shock for me and the hon. Member for Great Grimsby is nothing less than an attempt to defend the indefensible. (Austin Mitchell) to realise that we were the only members On pathways to work, the response we have seen is of the Committee who had served in the last Parliament similarly mixed. It is good to see that the Department is and there is a great cast of new active keen members seeking to put proper incentives into the new Work who are working very hard and contributing their new programme so that contractors will not get paid unless and varied experience. they deliver. I welcome the commitment to allocate Let me start by endorsing something that the Chair cases to private companies on a random basis in the of the Committee just said. The problems will not go future so that they cannot cherry-pick the easiest ones. away because there has been a change in Administration. Moreover, the results of Professor Harrington’s review I have been looking at the problems that Government of the new work capability assessment shows that it is face through the lens of the Public Accounts Committee more than just our Committee that has concerns about for the past nine years—I have been wrestling with these it, and I look forward to the Department’s response. I problems— and it staggers me that the problems are so dislike the assumption that outsourcing these duties to generic and are repeated so much. In my relatively brief the private sector is definitely the value-for-money thing speech, I want to focus on a number of different reports to do. After all, our report found that Jobcentre Plus, and then on one issue in detail. almost without exception, did better than private I shall look first at some reports that show structural contractors, even though they were given a smaller improvements in the way that we are working with the caseload in easier parts of the country. National Audit Office and secondly at some that show I want to draw the House’s attention to one important welcome improvement in a particular area—financial aspect of our work over the coming months. Our work management. I shall look thirdly at some reports that will be dominated by the implementation of the spending show the areas where there are still serious issues, one of review. We have already held sessions with experts outside which would be almost hilariously bad if it were not so Government, and we have taken evidence from senior serious because it involves public money, and fourthly civil servants to understand the new framework of at a couple of reports that are particularly important to accountability and the role and purpose of the business how we might work in future. Finally, I shall look at one plans and we will develop our own framework for report in detail. 1123 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1124

[Mr Richard Bacon] That is relevant to what the Chair of the Committee said a moment ago, and I wish that more Departments The first three reports I want to discuss signal something would do the same. In contrast, however, our 25th report quite important. They are the 52nd report of 2008-09 of 2009-10 on the FCO’s estate management showed on reducing health care associated infection and the that it has a lot further to go in that area. We commented 26th and 19th reports of 2009-10 on improving stroke that its care and improving dementia services respectively. The “new Estates Director currently does not have the information he 52nd report was the third time since 2000 that the needs to do his job.” Committee looked at hospital-acquired infections and The lack of correct information in Government there has clearly been significant change in that time. Departments is a theme that we constantly come across The Committee considered it first in 2000 and again in and the NAO has rightly focused a suite of its work 2004, when there had quite shockingly been a dramatic specifically on estate management because the Government decline. The NAO published its report in 2004 and we are such a big property owner. There is still a great deal took evidence on it later, and that catapulted hospital- more to do in that area to improve the quality of acquired infection up the agenda. Everyone will remember management within Government. It is not common to what a strong issue it became during the 2005 general find qualified chartered surveyors and qualified chartered election and it has been an important one ever since. It quantity surveyors in charge of a Department’s estates continues to be important for hospitals, but it will in the way that we would expect, and are now getting, remain so only if they know that they are under scrutiny. with financial managers in relation to financial management That is why I was so pleased that we took evidence on it in Departments. That is something that the Government again in 2009. The report shows that there has been should focus on. significant progress, particularly regarding the two infections I turn to less successful areas, notably the private that are the subject of national targets—MRSA and finance initiative project to deliver the multi-role tanker—the clostridium difficile—but that there have not been those future strategic tanker aircraft—which should never measurable reductions in other avoidable infections that have been set up in that form. Paragraph 1 of our report were not targeted. Clearly, progress is made in areas we states: scrutinise, but more needs to be done. “The use of PFI to deliver a vital military capability like FSTA By returning briefly to an issue, as we did in our was inappropriate.” 26th report on stroke, we were able to demonstrate that It is rather depressing that after years of identifying there had been considerable improvement. Our report projects where the use of PFI was inappropriate, and stated: saying that certain types of project should never be “We welcome the demonstrable improvements in stroke care subject to PFI—for example, the Libra project to supply which the Department of Health…has achieved since our first computer systems for magistrates courts—it is still being report”, used in situations in which it is wholly unsuitable. I was but noted that there are still further steps to take. I looking at the questions put by our Edinburgh colleague, firmly believe that the Committee should, as a matter of the right hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs McGuire). At routine, return to issues much more regularly. We also question 187, she asked the permanent secretary whether, did that with our interim report on dementia, which notwithstanding the pressure he was under, there was showed that although the then Government said that any justification for the fact that when the Ministry of dementia would be a national priority, they did not Defence walk their talk in the way that they did with cancer and “went into a project, that they did not know what it looked like, coronary heart disease. would sound like, would turn out like, had no indication of the costs of the subcontractors.” The financial management reports that caught my The permanent secretary replied: eye are the 46th report of 2008-09 on financial management “I am certainly not arguing in favour of the approach that was in the Home Office and the third report of 2009-10 on taken…All I am trying to do is to offer a little bit of mitigation for financial management in the Foreign and Commonwealth that failure by reference to the operating conditions at the time.” Office. Let us remember that almost the first act of Sir David Normington on becoming the permanent I think what Sir Bill probably meant by “operating secretary at the Home Office a few years ago was to sign conditions at the time” was the previous Prime Minister, an unaudited and unauditable set of accounts merely so who when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer said that that they could be presented to Parliament. As we said we would do it under PFI, or it would not happen. We at the time, that was a very unenviable position to be in need to be slightly more honest with ourselves about and it certainly was not his fault. Our report shows that what is and is not appropriate, and to have more open there has been considerable improvement in financial debate about it. The project was scandalously managed management at the Home Office and that it needs to and cost much more than it should. It has taken much sustain that by incorporating strong financial longer than it should, and it was inappropriate in the management as standard across its business. We have first place. identified areas in which further progress is needed, but The Chair referred to the aircraft carrier project, we should stop to note the considerable improvement which is similar. We looked at that only this week with since the chaos of a few years ago. the new permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence, as we did at the beginning of the year in our 2009 major Similarly, with the FCO, it was a delight to see the projects report. What staggers me is that only seven permanent secretary turn up with two chartered accountants months after signing the contract, the MOD took a and to be able to say in our report: decision that would increase the costs, not because of “The Committee is pleased to note that the Department has project management failure or management ineptitude—it acted upon previous recommendations”. was purely a decision to delay. Decisions were taken 1125 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1126 that increased the cost by £908 million—or so they And that was just for starters. One still had to decide thought when we reported on the matter in our 23rd report, which of the three possible years one would start the in the 2009-10 Session, HC 338. It turns out that the scheme in, whether to incorporate funding for the dairy figure was not £908 million; it was £650 million more sector into the scheme, and the crucial question of the than that. It was £1.5 billion extra, on top of the method that would be used to calculate payments. That original cost, purely because of the decision to delay. I offered possibilities of quite byzantine complexity. agree completely with our Chair. The permanent secretary The main choice was whether to use as a reference at the time should have said, “Affordability is such an point the payments that individual farmers had received important component that if you want me to do it, you in the past under the old common agricultural policy should require me to do it by issuing a direction.” I am schemes—known as the historic approach—or whether sorry that was not done. to average out all payments among farmers in a state or Our report on the National Offender Management region, which was known as the flat-rate approach. Service highlighted a significant issue relating to the Member states could also apply a mixed model under management of the civil service and the way that civil which they were allowed to apply different calculations servants are placed on projects. Our recommendation 5 in different parts of their territory. It was this that notes that enabled the Administrations in Scotland, Wales and “the Senior Responsible Owner did not have the right experience Northern Ireland to use a different system from that for the role.” used in England. Who put that person in that job, when she did not have But there was a further twist within the mixed model. right project management experience? If we set people Even within one region of its territory, such as England, up to fail, we cannot be surprised if that is exactly what a member state could calculate single payments using a happens. part-historic and part-flat rate approach. Under such a I should like to refer to several other reports, but I “hybrid” system, payments would be calculated partially shall concentrate on the report on the Rural Payments by taking the available money within a region and Agency, which illustrates some deep issues in the relationship splitting it among farmers on the basis of a flat-rate between Ministers and civil servants that are as important entitlement, and partially by taking account of the old for the future as they were in the past. I shall remind the subsidy that a farmer had received historically under House of the facts in the RPA debacle. It involved the the common agricultural policy schemes. single payment system. Various methods were available, And that was not all. Member states could choose a but the Government chose to implement the most hybrid scheme and leave it at that, which was known as complicated system on offer with the shortest available a static hybrid, but if they wished, member states could timetable. That process was certain to increase both the choose a hybrid scheme and then vary it as time went total number of claimants and the total land area on, so that over the years the proportion based on the claimed, while the agency had not properly completed historic subsidy payment declined and the proportion the essential digital mapping exercise—refusing to recognise based on the flat rate increased. This was known as a that it was flawed—and was using a computer system dynamic hybrid. that had not been fully tested, and which was anyway The permanent secretary of the Department for not up to the job. It used an approach that split the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Helen work into separate tasks performed in different parts of Ghosh, made it very clear that this was not the Schleswig- the country, which made it impossible to track the Holstein question. Members may recall that that was progress of individual claims. It cancelled the parts of the question of which Lord Palmerston, a former Prime the system that would have provided management with Minister, said that there were only three people who information about what was going on and scrapped the ever understood it: one of them died, one of them went contingency plan that would have at least enabled the mad and one of them forgot what the question was. But agency to make part-payments. Furthermore, the RPA it was undoubtedly byzantine in its complexity. It prompts sacked its most experienced staff and replaced them the question, what did DEFRA and the Rural Payments with unskilled temporary agency workers who were Agency actually think about all this? Well, funnily required to work unsocial hours on the minimum wage. enough, it was very clear what they thought about it. One is tempted to ask, what could possibly have gone According to evidence from George Dunn, the chief wrong? But the fact is that, as we all know, it did go executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, which he wrong. gave to the EFRA Committee, Bill Duncan, who was To say that the single payment scheme was convoluted head of the central scheme management unit at the was an understatement. Indeed, Dr James Jones of the Rural Payments Agency, said that if the RPA were to Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester told our sister choose something other than a simple historic or a Committee, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs simple regional average system it would be a “nightmare” Committee: to administer. That is what the senior Rural Payments “This has been highly confusing conceptually even at the Agency official thought. David Hunter, who was the highest levels of those responsible for creating the scheme rules at director of European Union and international policy in EU, Member State and regional level. He said that most of the DEFRA, said it would be “madness.” That is what the difficulties experienced in implementing the Single Payment Scheme senior DEFRA official thought. stem back to internal contradictions that arise because (a) entitlement is based on past occupation of specific parcels of Yet Dame Helen Ghosh, the permanent secretary of agricultural land but is then not linked to that land; DEFRA, giving evidence to our Committee, in answer (b) payment is related to occupation of ‘agricultural land’ but to a question from David Curry, then a Member of the does not require agricultural production; and House and a member of the PAC, and of course a (c) most of the cross-compliance and other conditions relate to former Agriculture Minister, told our Committee: production but the Single Payment was not a production-based “Ministers were being told it was possible when it was not in subsidy.” fact possible.” 1127 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1128

[Mr Richard Bacon] this Government and previous governments who have believed that essentially political decisions could be taken without a proper The full quote is as follows, and I think it is quite appraisal of the impact on the running of a department.” illuminating: “The capacity of the organisation to advise ministers—and I 4.32 pm think we put them right—and indeed the connection between the Mrs Anne McGuire (Stirling) (Lab): I, too, pay tribute policy and operations in the Department”— to my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret I think she actually meant the lack of a proper connection Hodge). She is the first woman—indeed, the first elected— between the policy and the operations— Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and that is a “meant that ministers were being told it was possible when it was unique combination. She is also one of the bravest not in fact possible.” politicians in the House, and anybody who has seen the The quote continues: magnificent election battle that she undertook in her “The point I am making is that had ministers at the time been constituency against the British National party may told it was effectively impossible—and I think it is very difficult to well understand why permanent secretaries might be discuss counter-factuals—they may have made a different decision, worried about appearing before her at the Committee. had they known the difficulty”. It is also a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for In other words, the senior official in the RPA with South Norfolk (Mr Bacon), but he needs to remind me specific responsibility for the management of the scheme, to give him a lecture on Scottish geography. He always Bill Duncan, thought the route that they were choosing tells me that he knows a bit about Scotland, but I must would be a “nightmare”to administer. The senior DEFRA tell him that, although Edinburgh and Stirling have official with direct management responsibility for the castles, Stirling has by far the best, and it, as opposed to oversight of the scheme, David Hunter, thought the Edinburgh, has me as its MP. I forgive him, however, route that they were choosing would be madness, but because I admire the skill and tenacity that he brings to Ministers were being told that it was quite deliverable. the Committee, and he is a role model for us all. As Dame Helen said, I am not a new Member, but as someone who has “ministers were being told that it was possible when it was not in been here since 1957—[Interruption.] It sometimes feels fact possible.” like that. As someone who has been here since 1997, I Why? It is the job of the neutral civil service to ensure am asked by some colleagues, “Why do you want to go that Ministers are in full possession of all relevant facts on to the PAC?” The Committee has an image deficit, before making a decision, so we could blame the civil and, although in various analyses of our work we are service for that debacle. called the “queen of Committees”, we are still a bit of a On the other hand, and in actuality, the Minister at mystery to the majority of our colleagues. Indeed, the time was absolutely determined to go down a dynamic today’s attendance shows that we will remain a mystery hybrid route come what may, so we could blame the for another few months at least. Minister, and perhaps we should. The Minister should On the PAC, one walks in the footsteps of history. I have been told, however, “It cannot be done.” He should learned more about William Ewart in my also have been told, “If you want me to do this, Minister, first few weeks on the Committee than I ever did taking you are going to have to issue a direction to me to do it, an honours degree in history at Glasgow university, and because it cannot be done in a way that is economic, all sorts of historical anecdotes add to, if not the effective and efficient.” Why did they do it? In the end, glamour, then the attraction of being a member. My they did it because Ministers told them to, and they right hon. Friend the Member for Barking mentioned were not prepared to stand up to Ministers in the Harold Wilson. One of the anecdotes that delights me interest of taxpayers, as they should have. most was the fact that, when he was shadow Chancellor, What is the lesson? It is quite rightly true that civil he decided that he also wanted to be Chair—he would servants respond to what they believe to be a Minister’s have been a Chairman in those days, of course—of the priorities, but it is also essential for Ministers to be Public Accounts Committee. In some ways, that was aware of the consequences of their decisions, and for breaking new ground. Such a decision tuned in with civil servants to stand up to them and to make sure that Harold Wilson’s desire to consolidate his portfolio, so they are aware of those consequences. I should like to that he could ensure he was in control of all the strategic think that the best civil servants do that, but I fear that decisions that had to be made within the Labour party it does not happen now as much as it did a generation at that time. Ben Pimlott, his biographer, states that ago. I am not making a party political point, however, such a decision also had a practical benefit because, at a because that was a criticism in the 1980s under the time when accommodation at the Palace of Westminster Thatcher Governments and subsequently; it has been a was not available for senior Opposition Front Benchers, criticism of the previous Administration; and, for all I the PAC Chairman was provided with his own room—a know, it will become a criticism of the current citadel of great importance in Westminster’s psychological Administration. It is absolutely essential, however, for battleground. My right hon. Friend has maintained the Ministers and their advisers to understand the consequences image of that citadel in the Upper Committee corridor. of what they do and the impact of those decisions on Of course, the Committee does not consider the large-scale—often world-scale—organisations. formulation or the merits of policy; it focuses very The right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich much on value-for-money criteria that are based on (Mr Raynsford), in evidence to the Public Administration economy, efficiency and effectiveness, as the hon. Member Committee, made the point very clearly, stating that for South Norfolk mentioned. Those are the three by-words “there has to be an understanding on the part of the politician that should determine how we judge the reports that about the impact of political decisions on the ability to manage come before us. In many respects, such an approach is organisations. I am critical of a failing of some of the leaders of almost counter-intuitive for politicians because we spend 1129 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1130 most of our time discussing and developing policy. for them and their senior officials, or is it used as a However, as at least one previous Labour Prime Minister corporate opportunity to change the way in which the has commented, it is no use throwing money at something service as a whole develops? I would like to get a feel for unless it guarantees the delivery of the objectives. I fully how we spread the word of good practice across all understood that cry of frustration in relation to one Departments. report we considered in the Committee. I shall come on Before I leave this part of my speech, I want to to that in a moment. comment on one Department where people have tended We have gelled reasonably well as a Committee. There to get it right—not always, but probably in the majority is a mixture of people who have longevity in the House, of cases—and that is the Department for Work and people who have longevity in membership of the Committee Pensions. Like my right hon. Friend the Member for and people who have more recently joined this place. Barking, I have a special interest in that Department We bring to the Committee a range of external work having been a Minister there for more than three years. experience, which allows us to question things in a way I was delighted to hear from the retiring permanent rooted in some sort of credibility in managing finances. secretary about the implementation of the new ESA IT As a Committee, we have a breadth of experience that platforms. I remember this particularly because as a allows us to challenge even the most eloquent of the Minister, when we had discussions on that project in accounting officers who appear before us. Although the undertaking the development work that led to the Welfare subject is sometimes considered to be rather dry, we Reform Act 2007, we were told that, yes, it was “stretching”, have developed a passion for our discussions with witnesses. but those officials immediately started to look at ways Certainly, anyone present at our sittings this week would in which they could deliver it. have noted that both energy and passion are in abundance in Room 15—anyone who follows our deliberations will I know that there are good officials in all Whitehall have that confirmed. Departments, but the one distinguishing feature of the DWP and its senior management team is that they tend In my brief contribution, I want to highlight three to “grow” their own people. Officials at the DWP have things that I have drawn from my short experience as a come through the ranks. They understand the business, Committee member. The first relates to the lessons that and they have had to deal with real people and solve we can learn from discussions on the reports and the real problems throughout their civil service career. I was Committee’s conclusions. Some of these issues have pleased to note that the permanent secretary who was been the subject of previous debates—indeed, I think retiring indicated that the new perm sec, Terry Moran, the hon. Member for South Norfolk has probably raised follows in that tradition as someone who joined the them—but they do need repeating. There is still a Department as a 16-year-old in Blackpool, as I remember. concern, which I hope is shared by most of my colleagues That is an indication of how Departments can get it on the Committee, that the recruitment and training of right. The DWP is not perfect, by any manner of civil servants has not kept pace with some of the issues, means, but on average it tends to be a bit better in particularly that of financial responsibility. There has delivering some of its projects. been an increase in training and personal development, which is welcome, but it astonished me to find out that, I want briefly to mention two specific reports and for example, it was only a couple of years ago when a Committee sessions: first, on the academies programme, financially qualified senior civil servant was recruited which my right hon. Friend the Member for Barking by the Ministry of Defence. also mentioned; and, secondly, on tackling health Sir Gus O’Donnell stated at a recent hearing that the inequalities. On the first, it was a joy to be present at British civil service has always prided itself on recruiting, that discussion. Unlike the current proposals, about which I have grave misgivings on a political level, this “the brightest and the best” programme was intended to improve the performance and on making people skilled generalists. I am not of so-called failing schools still within the state system suggesting in any way that we stop recruiting those and directly managed by the Department of Education. exceptionally bright people, but we also need to recognise The NAO report clearly indicates that most academies that, in delivering projects efficiently, effectively and are achieving increased academic success and that Ofsted economically, they need to be managed properly. Will reports are, in the main, good. There are, of course, the Minister address that issue in his comments at the imperfections—the report did not say that things were end of the debate and tell us what Departments are perfect—but in delivering effectively, economically and doing to enhance the training opportunities for those efficiently, the Department is doing reasonably well. who undertake project management? It is not fair to the taxpayer or, indeed, to the individual civil servant for us It was no surprise to discover that one of the reasons to assume that people can manage complex and expensive that happened was that one person, in the shape of projects without having the appropriate skills from the Lord Adonis, was there at the inception of the idea and very day on which they assume responsibility for that through to the delivery of the project. Consistent and work. With complex financial projects, learning on the persistent political overview obviously helped. In the job is simply not good enough. same vein, we need to look to consistent and persistent senior responsible officials to deliver some of these Another point that has emerged from our discussions complicated reports. is how lessons are disseminated—or not, whichever is the case—across Government Departments. How does this happen currently? I get the feeling that permanent Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD): The right hon. Lady secretaries talk about it when they meet, and I understand may be aware that a previous NAO report seen by the that they meet on a regular basis. But is it a structured previous PAC established that Excellence in Cities, which discussion? Is it then cascaded down to other colleagues was a predecessor programme, achieved equally good in their Departments? Is it a learning experience only results at far less cost. 1131 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1132

Mrs McGuire: I am speaking purely of the report it. The PAC, along with the NAO and the Government, that was in front of us, but I accept that there may have will have to consider quickly how we will manage our been other approaches. I was using the point as an work to ensure that there is still public accountability illustration, not a comparison. and that value for money is still identified.

Mr Bacon: I fully accept the right hon. Lady’s point, Several hon. Members rose— whether it was meant as an illustration or a comparison. Another interesting facet of the academies programme, Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. Quite a few Members are which Lord Adonis pointed out to the Committee in a trying to catch my eye and I hope to call them all. If it seminar, was that after a relatively short period it was looks like I will not be able to do so, I will have to put a he, as the Minister, who held the collective memory in time limit on speeches, but I do not want to do that. the Department. All the civil servants who advised him on the programme had been there for less time than 4.49 pm him. What does that tell us about how the civil service manages its people? Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD): I am a former member of the PAC, and I found it an extraordinarily Mrs McGuire: The hon. Gentleman highlights a recurring useful part of my parliamentary life and actually quite a concern among Committee members, which is that the lot of fun. I noted the remark from its Chair that its tendency to move civil servants around the system so members are invariably impeccably well prepared, and I often means that the collective memory is not built up. must admit that the Committee has therefore improved That was illustrated beautifully in yesterday’s discussions somewhat. I can remember times when the odd member with the people from the MOD. Even in a programme might have simply glanced hurriedly at an NAO report of intermediate length, there had been God knows how just as they walked through the door. I am sure that many senior responsible officers. That leaves no opportunity does not happen today and that things are significantly to build up the collective memory. better. I will take your comments to heart, Mr Deputy The PAC specialises primarily in post hoc analysis. Speaker, and will not speak for too much time. However, The hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr Leigh), who I wish to highlight one other report that I found outrageous, is in his place, and I wrote to the Treasury about that which was on health inequalities and life expectancy. As shortly after the end of the last Parliament, suggesting the Committee said, the issue of health inequalities is that it had not learned enough from the PAC and had notnew.AJCronin wrote about it in his stories about not taken on board some of the messages that the Dr Finlay and Dr Cameron. We all know about these Committee sent it. We said that there was scope for issues. Although it was officially identified in 1997, our improving parliamentary scrutiny. Lo and behold, the progress in dealing with this problem, which has been Treasury has recently asked us to work on improving staring us in the face, is depressing. There are issues scrutiny by the House. Some people have greatness with the approach of general practitioners to those who thrust upon them, and that is certainly the case for us in suffer health disadvantages. our modest role in the order of things. What the PAC offers is a post hoc diagnosis, a forensic I hope that the new Government will look at the analysis of how policy is implemented by civil servants report carefully, because as they reform and change the according to what their political masters dictate. They NHS, they must consider whether they can deal with are invited in for a Socratic discussion about how things the inequalities in health across the country, or whether have gone, and the idea is that the Treasury then responds they will reinforce them. For the record, that is one by trying to learn lessons and ultimately spread good report on which I received positive feedback from people practice. That is the subject of the motion. outside this House who are in public health. A colleague in the Scottish Parliament said that it was one of the To be fair, the hon. Member for Gainsborough has best reports he had read on the issue. claimed in the past that the Treasury, or somebody at any rate, has implemented most of the lessons that the I will conclude by looking briefly to the future. PAC has endeavoured to teach it. However, the PAC Parliamentary scrutiny of the taxpayer’s pound will be should have bigger ambitions. Its role in the House more challenging. As more services are devolved to could be more than just to provide a commentary, and commissioning GP practices and thousands of schools, it could be a more functional part of the legislature, as the scale of the audit trail will be breathtaking and is its parallel body in the USA, and as the hon. Gentleman value for money analyses will be even more complex. I and myself desire. hope that the Minister gives us an understanding of who will be responsible for the spend. Can we expect it At the moment, after whatever botch-up we happen to still be the departmental accounting officer, when he to be talking about in the Ministry of Defence or or she will have no control once the money leaves the wherever, hon. Members, usually the hon. Member for Department? Will we invite school governors and managers, South Norfolk (Mr Bacon), ask rigorously what tests partners in general practices, and chief executives of were applied at the time. Indeed, that was the burden of voluntary organisations to appear before us? This is a the hon. Gentleman’s speech today. He asks what health question for us all: who carries the can when public checks were made, what the gateway review process was money is involved and who pays the price if it all goes and whether the costings were robust enough. wrong? It is bad enough at the moment, when few heads The hon. Gentleman was honest enough to say today appear to roll even when things go spectacularly wrong. that we might be asking all those questions all over What will it be like when thousands of people are again at the end of this Parliament, because a whole ostensibly responsible for signing taxpayers’ cheques? A series of other programmes are being rolled out, such as taxpayer’s pound is a taxpayer’s pound, whoever spends academies, which have been mentioned, welfare reform, 1133 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1134

NHS reorganisation, which is a heck of a big programme, 4.56 pm and court closures. PAC members will be aware that, in the past, it discussed the effect of court availability on Dr Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): I am such matters as cracked trials, people failing to show up delighted to contribute to this debate as a new Member and court costs. There is also the green energy programme of the House and a new member of the PAC. We have announced today. They are all huge Government seen the breadth of experience within the Committee programmes. and some formidable Members have addressed the House already. It is incredibly daunting to join them. I pay Each of those programmes should, and in fact does, tribute to the Chair and her work in making newer involve some type of internal gateway review and Treasury members of the Committee feel very welcome, although assessment. There are jolly clever people in the Treasury we must do our homework. who make it their business to examine them and see where they are heading. Unlike in local government, I stood for election to this important Committee however, in which such processes are overt and public because Parliament has three key roles. First, our role is papers are circulated, the information never emerges in representation—we speak on behalf of the people who public. It is not released until long after the event, when voted us in. I am conscious that when I speak, I do so the PAC might get its hands on it. It is held within the not as myself but as the representative for Walthamstow. Government’s walls. In one sense that is bizarre, because Secondly, we are here to make laws as the legislature. Parliament is asked to authorise all the schemes, and in We all came into politics not just to change governance, a way we vote for them blind, without adequate financial but to change lives, which we do through passing laws. assurance. Finally and crucially, our third role is oversight and scrutiny. As my right hon. Friend the Member for What Parliament does in that regard is not sufficient Stirling (Mrs McGuire) alluded to, sometimes that is for the task. We vote on money resolutions, but we do not seen as glamorous as the other two roles I mentioned, not talk about them. We have the farce of estimates day, but I disagree, because oversight and scrutiny is crucial. and on the occasions when supplementary estimates go The best oversight and scrutiny is about whether politicians before Select Committees, those Committees by and can achieve the things that they say they want, and why large talk about something else. Occasionally a Committee they cannot do so if that is the case, and considering will probe the finances of a particular project, and the other ways of doing things. Oversight and scrutiny Health Committee has done some trailblazing work in speak to a recognition that Governments should not examining the finances of current Government policy. just start projects or policies—the public expect them to Occasionally there is a political knockabout either in be able to finish them too. Essentially, implementation Westminster Hall or on the Floor of the House, but we is as important as ideology in politics. do not have in place adequate stress testing of policy. The PAC could contribute to that, but that testing is Clearly, good governance requires all three of those weak in this legislature. functions to be enacted effectively, and each depends on the others for success. Without an effective system of The PAC is ideally set up for such a role, because it is scrutiny and oversight, wise words and good intentions not a policy Committee. It can ensure that costings will falter on the wheel of day-to-day delivery and the stand up to critique. The proactive role that I hope for messy complexity of how change occurs. would keep the Government on their mettle—fewer foolish schemes would make progress—and keep the I therefore ask hon. Members to support the motion, PAC on its mettle. The Committee has the advantage at because it relates to the PAC’s performance of those the moment of always acting in hindsight in that it functions within the House. The PAC is very different never gives its judgment up front so that people can see from Select Committees that look at the desirability of whether it turns out to be correct. policy because it looks at policy effectiveness and implementation. That is why I take great pleasure in Going down the road I suggest would encourage being a member of the Select Committee that Baron transparency, avoid Parliament voting in ignorance and Hennessy of Nympsfield described as bring us into line with other countries. What is more, it would be a significant enhancement both of the PAC’s “the queen of select committees”. role and of parliamentary scrutiny, and a significant I take pleasure in quoting him not least because I improvement in government. The NHS IT programme represent him, which is a nice way of referring back to would never have run if the PAC had such a simple the first function of Parliament that I mentioned. The and clear-cut role. It would empower Parliament, Westminster model is seen across the world as the gold improve its efficiency, and make the Government more standard of accountability on questions of effectiveness efficient and competent. I believe that people not only and value for money—other countries have subsequently in the Treasury, but in the Cabinet Office, have efficiency followed that proud historical tradition. and competency as a determined ambition now. The I stood for election to the Committee not least because country hankers for boring, effective, evidence-led of my experience in local government and the value of government. We have had enough of being flash, we are scrutiny in the delivery of policy. I have been on the fed up with revolutions in this service and that, and Committee only since November, but I have thoroughly we do not really require a great deal of liberation. It enjoyed the experience so far, because we take seriously would also be significant improvement if Ministers our job of safeguarding public money. I understand could stop using the word “step change” every time they now why Baron Hennessey argues that the PAC exerts a do anything. cleansing effect on all Departments, because each week Good, efficient, boring government would be a significant we thoroughly challenge witnesses—some more than development, and the PAC has a significant role to play others, perhaps—on the basis of the evidence before us. if the Government allow it to do so. We take seriously the lesson that John F. Kennedy once 1135 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1136

[Dr Stella Creasy] of not addressing obesity. That work is key. Also, the Committee’s rigorous and persistent scrutiny in relation taught: from his experience in government, when things to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority has are non-controversial and beautifully co-ordinated, there finally enabled change to happen. is not much going on. The hon. Member for South Norfolk also alluded to The wide range of topics I have covered in my short the work on health and stroke care. That is another time on the Committee bears that out—from our work example of where the process of overview and scrutiny on the community care grant to the major Ministry of has made a real difference to the quality of service that Defence projects and the employment of consultants. I people in this country receive. We also had a debate this have learned more about hard shoulders on motorways week about the major MOD projects. Clearly, that is a and the nature of the M25 than I ever thought I wanted controversial subject, and yesterday, we took some very to know. However, all our work reflects the Committee’s difficult testimony. Notwithstanding the examples that crucial role in holding Governments to account over we looked at yesterday, this rigorous scrutiny of how how they deliver on their promises to the public. The those projects are delivered, and the fact that the NAO, hon. Member for South Norfolk (Mr Bacon) expressed together with our Committee, has continued to apply that honourably in his detailed examination of farming pressure, is testament to the work that we do. Some policy. That, too, reflects the breadth of our work. 13 out of the 15 projects we are looking at are now Our Committee is an exercise not in teaching new or being delivered better. That is a result of our work with seasoned MPs about the topics of the day, but in the Government. That is why I think that our Committee understanding the concept of delivery and how to make reflects what is best called constructive criticism made it work. It is also about the crucial and honourable role real. However, we need more powers to ensure that that that civil servants play in government. My right hon. happens. Friend the Member for Stirling admirably set out some From my few months on the Committee, I can vouch of the challenges in how the civil service and the for the fact that we have been equally helpful to both the Government work together. However, the work does last and the current Government. That is why the not stop with meetings, and that is what the motion Government should not fear the motion, but welcome reflects and why I want to pay tribute to the Clerks and it, especially given some of the major changes to delivery the National Audit Office for the work they do to that they are talking about making, particularly in support our Committee. I have found their reports terms of localism. My right hon. Friend the Member incredibly useful. Our role is about the process of change for Stirling admirably set out some of the challenges and how it is followed through. That is the cleansing involved in having new actors delivering things through work in action. the public purse and perhaps even being responsible for The Committee’s meetings and follow-up work form commissioning services. It is all the more important a circle of scrutiny that is critical to how Governments that Parliament should have a clear role in asking, on act, which is why it is vital that our work does not behalf of the public, whether we are getting value for disappear into a dusty report or an uncomfortable money, and whether we are able to deliver the things meeting in Committee Room 15—however cold or hot that we talk about in this House and that we as it may be. The motion is about ensuring that the cycle of representatives, making laws, want to see happen. scrutiny and oversight matches our legislative and It is also important to note what studies of other representative functions in Parliament. Ministers need public accounts committees have looked at. The hon. to be held accountable, if there are problems with their Member for Southport (Dr Pugh) gave some examples Departments in following up on the Committee’s of that. For instance, 75% of public accounts committees recommendations, and it is right that we have a motion that were surveyed by the World Bank agreed that it was about the power to bring them to the House if necessary, crucial to their effectiveness to have the power to follow so that all Members can be involved in the discussion up reports and to check the implementation of their and understand what is happening on the ground with recommendations. The World Bank also calls for powers those policies. for public accounts committees across the world to be strengthened. It is therefore important for us to There are examples of where these problems of recognise—as perhaps representing, as it were, the gold accountability lie. According to recent research, about standard of public accounts committees—that we could 60% of the Committee’s recommendations have been lead the way on that, through today’s motion and the accepted and about 30% partially accepted. That is proposals that have been put forward. That is why the comparable with other systems. However, there is an House should support the proposals, because this debate issue for us to consider, because it is not any one is not just about the positive impact of overview and Department that has been challenging in terms of following scrutiny of public policy; it is also about ensuring that up those recommendations. We need to reconsider our the work that we do benefits the people of this country. ability to follow up those issues and tell Departments Indeed, I am also incredibly mindful of that representative and Ministers what is happening. The Committee Chair aspect to this debate. We have a responsibility to the set out admirably some of the challenges we face over House and to the people whom we represent. the patchy delivery of value for money and the pace of change in implementing recommendations. I do not intend to speak for too long, as I know that many other new Members also want to contribute. I When recommendations are followed up, there can hope that I can persuade the Government to accept the be great benefits for the Government and ultimately the motion. In the words of Thomas Jefferson: public in the delivery of policy. In particular, I am “Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted impressed by the work done on obesity. The Committee with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong played a role in bringing together a holistic view of how as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to the Government were looking at the cost to the taxpayer rights.” 1137 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1138

I hope that the House will see the Public Accounts Committee has been in existence since 1836—that my Committee as part of that process of setting things to proposals are a panacea. They are simply some areas in rights, and that the power that we are seeking today which the Committee can start to change the direction becomes part of ensuring that policy is delivered in the of travel in a practical way. way that we want it to be delivered. If that alone is not I want to give the House an example to illustrate the encouragement enough, I would also ask the Minister first of those points, and perhaps the Treasury can take to reflect on the words of an anonymous source who this away as an action for today. It relates to the letters said: sent to permanent secretaries. The letter dated 13 October “Admit your errors before someone else exaggerates them.” 2010 appointing Martin Donnelly as permanent secretary I hope that the Minister will see the reports that we of the Dept of Business, Innovation and Skills makes produce as a fair reflection of the work of Government reference to “RfRl, 2, and 3”, without defining what and the challenges ahead, and that, in the spirit of these are, and to section 5(6) of the Government Resources constructive criticism, he will support the motion today. and Accounts Act 2000, to section 5(7) of that Act, and to chapter 3 of the “Managing Public Money” document. It also requires him to look at the Treasury handbook 5.7 pm on “Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money”. I (North East Cambridgeshire) (Con): suggest to the Treasury that a new permanent secretary I am conscious that time is short and a number of taking over the reins of a Department has better things colleagues wish to speak, so I shall abridge my remarks to do than read those documents. accordingly. However, I would like first to endorse the We saw in the evidence from Sir Bill Jeffrey that there comments of my hon. Friend the Member for South had been a discussion about why he had not sought a Norfolk (Mr Bacon) and other members of the Committee, letter of direction, when signing the contracts for the in paying tribute to the stewardship of the right hon. aircraft carriers, on the ground of affordability. There Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge). I would like was a lack of clarity there, and that was in conflict with also to thank the National Audit Office, which serves the letter that the Committee had received from Sir Nicholas members of the Committee tremendously well. Macpherson. So it is clear that there are issues there. It sometimes feels as though, as members of the Public Accounts Committee, we are getting a glimpse Mr Bacon: Will my hon. Friend give way? into the cosseted world of the television studio interviewer. We can climb on a pedestal and enjoy the clear view of Stephen Barclay: I will not, because other colleagues hindsight. We have the safety harness of asking questions need to speak. In fact, I have time to discuss only this rather than giving answers. We can look at issues in one issue, and I will not talk about the other four. I isolation, rather than being distracted, as decision makers hope that the Treasury will conduct a review of the are, by many competing challenges. Yet in the short letters that go to permanent secretaries, so that they can period in which I have been a member of the Committee, at least be made Department-specific and self-contained the same issues have kept appearing, with the ticking as stand-alone documents. At the moment, they are frequency of a metronome—a lack of accountability; unclear, and that gives rise to the kind of confusion that poor data quality; insufficient testing of pilots; we saw in relation to Sir Bill Jeffrey and others. inadequate project change controls; and a mismatch of management skill sets. What binds many reports is 5.12 pm unnecessary complexity, which invariably adds cost and Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock) (Con): I, too, have the mask inefficiency. pleasure of being a member of the Public Accounts However, in this, the annual debate on the Public Committee, serving under the probing chairmanship of Accounts Committee, it is right to step down from the the right hon. Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge). comfort of our perch and set out some solutions to the I want to follow up some of the points made by my hon. challenges that we face. In particular, I want to touch on Friend the Member for North East Cambridgeshire five areas, subject to the time available. We need to (Stephen Barclay). Sometimes serving on the Committee clarify the letters of direction signed by accounting does feel a bit like being in “Groundhog Day”, as we see officers on their appointment and make such letters the same issues arising again and again in relation to Department-specific. We need to improve the transparency delays in executing contracts, poor management and so of the information given to Parliament by ensuring that on. I want to concentrate on one theme leading from the NAO has unfettered access to National Rail, the that, which is leadership. BBC and the Bank of England. We need to redefine the Leadership is crucial to the delivery of any programme. role of senior responsible owners, to ensure that the It involves the ability to take ownership, and to ensure current gap between skills and requirements is addressed. that projects are delivered to deadline and on budget, We need to introduce greater standardisation of the and that they are fit for purpose and deliver the objectives data presented by Departments to Committees, to facilitate that they are meant to achieve. Too often, we have better benchmarking across Government. We also need found such leadership lacking. My message to my colleagues to embrace different mechanisms—some of that is already on the Front Bench is that, given the public spending happening—so that we not only hold those making constraints that we now face, value for money is of decisions to account, but look at different forums and central importance, and the Treasury needs to play a opportunities to learn lessons. much stronger role in ensuring that Departments deliver I do not put forward those suggestions in the belief their obligations. For that reason, I heartily endorse the that they are in any way revolutionary. Nor do I believe, sentiments in the motion, which will put ministerial given that not even the brightest of our Sir Humphreys accountability at the heart of delivering value for money. have managed to solve them—indeed, the Public Accounts Hitherto, the Committee has not called Ministers to 1139 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1140

[Jackie Doyle-Price] 5.16 pm give evidence, but I am fast coming round to the view James Wharton (Stockton South) (Con): Thank you that there is a case for doing that, so that Treasury and for giving me an opportunity to contribute, Mr. Deputy Cabinet Office Ministers can tell us what they are doing Speaker. I also thank other Members who have curtailed to ensure that their colleagues across government are their speeches in order to ensure that everyone has a delivering against their obligations. chance to speak in this important debate. I emphasise the importance of the debate, and also that of the role The right hon. Member for Barking referred to the of the Public Accounts Committee. I am a relatively Committee’s report on the 2007 comprehensive spending new Member of Parliament and a new member of the review. Ministers should read that report, to see where Committee. I hope that the right hon. Member for things might go wrong in the current spending environment. Stirling (Mrs McGuire) will forgive me if I say that I am There was a massive discrepancy between Departments indeed learning on the job, and it is a very steep learning in the degree to which they were able to deliver against curve, but I think that many new members are getting to the cuts that were required of them. In particular, the grips with their role very well. I am pleased to count Department for Communities and Local Government myself among friends on the Committee, even if we are had achieved only 5% of its required savings halfway not all hon. Friends on the Floor of the House. through the inquiry.That brings me back to the importance of leadership and the importance of government as a I must make a brief apology to a rather wonderful machine ensuring that the principle of value for money lady called Julia Whitehill. She is my constituency really is pushed all the way through the system. caseworker, and she worked diligently to arrange the constituency office drinks party this evening, which I Other colleagues want to speak in the debate so I have forgone in order to speak in the debate. If that is shall close by drawing the House’s attention to the not a measure of the importance that I attach to the private finance initiative, which has been the subject of PAC’s work and to the debate, I do not know what is. a great deal of work by the Committee. In the recent past, the machinery of government has been rather too I shall touch briefly on just one of the many reports attached to PFI as a funding stream, with delivery being that the Committee has undertaken in the current focused on completing a deal rather than on whether parliamentary year, because I think that it is of significance the PFI contract really represented value for money for to my constituents. Tackling health inequalities has the taxpayer and whether it would deliver what was already been mentioned in the debate, and the report to required. The Committee examined the role of the PFI which I refer is entitled “Tackling inequalities in life after the credit crunch. We found that the banks had expectancy in areas with the worst health and deprivation”. increased the cost of financing PFI projects by up to a My constituency in the north-east of England is at third, and that the risks had been transferred back to the centre of much of that challenge. We have real the public sector at an additional cost of £1 billion to deprivation in my region, and we face real challenges in the taxpayer. health care and life expectancy, which need to be addressed. It is not surprising that financing costs rose following The Committee identified some of the failings in policy the credit crunch, but it is very disappointing that the that had hampered earlier efforts to tackle the problem, Treasury did not use that occasion to challenge the view and suggested a number of measures that future that the PFI was still an appropriate funding vehicle for Governments might wish to take. It found that the many projects. The contract for the widening of the health gap between deprived areas and the general M25 has already been mentioned. The cost of that was population had widened despite the efforts that had increased by 23%, or £660 million. In the past few clearly been made—I do not deny the legitimate efforts weeks, the Secretary of State for Transport has had to made by the last Government to tackle the problem, announce significant cuts in his expenditure. It is clear and I do not suggest that it is not high on the agenda for that the delivery of other projects has been jeopardised. many Members in all parts of the House—and that the We are locked into some PFI contracts for 30 years, Department of Health had not set about its important which means that those that are of poor value will task with sufficient urgency or focus. clearly be of ongoing poor value to the taxpayer. The Committee also found that a failure adequately Moreover, a contract of that length is not suitable for to address GP shortages in areas of deprivation had led some services. Facilities need to be able to react to the to the widening of the gap, or at least had been a constantly changing needs of hospitals, for example. If significant contributory factor, and that that was still a we nail everything down in a PFI contract, we embed problem. It suggested that there were opportunities for inflexibility in the system. NHS South West Essex primary the Department to identify new measures to drive up care trust in my constituency is in a very poor financial GP numbers in areas of deprivation, including the state, and is implementing a severe programme of cuts possible use of the GP contract to give GPs an incentive to deal with an overspend. Sitting in the middle is to go to the places where they were most needed. Brentwood community hospital, an underused facility The NHS spends about 4% of its overall budget on funded by an expensive PFI contract. prevention, but the Committee found—this is a recurring My message to the Government is very simple. The theme—that individual commissioner spending was not Treasury and Ministers throughout Government must readily identifiable; as we find when we look at many be vigilant and fleet of foot in ensuring that their Government Departments and operations, the lines of Departments deliver value for money, and a central part accountability were blurred. Time and again we find of that will consist of responding to the findings in our that accountability suffers when Governments of whatever reports. I look to the Treasury in particular to ensure political hue push forward with measures that do not that appropriate leadership is given, and that we deliver properly take into account the lessons the Committee better value for the taxpayer. tries to help them understand. 1141 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1142

Along with funding shortfalls and other problems First, the primary education programme supported which, sadly, I do not have time to go into in detail, we by DFID illustrates the way the Department has, until found that there is much work to do and that previous recently, made astonishingly little attempt to measure efforts had not succeeded. Across so many Departments, value for money in even its biggest programmes. DFID’s the lines of accountability—the ability to measure what rationale for investing in education is that it brings is supposed to be achieved and to set milestones on wider benefits which support poverty reduction, but the where we are meant to be going—are lacking in the National Audit Office report and then the PAC hearing plans put forward, whether by civil servants, Ministers clearly found that too much emphasis has been placed or political parties. A huge amount of work needs to be on measuring simply the numbers entering education done to change the way government functions so that and that DFID has been too quick to claim credit for Governments can deliver their objectives, whatever they increases in enrolment rates that are hard to link directly might be. Whatever our political outlook, we all have an to its programmes. It is also clear that the Department interest in ensuring that Governments work efficiently has paid too little attention to how many children are so that when Ministers pull the levers of power, things actually attending and completing primary school happen in the way that is intended. A key aspect of the education, along with the standard of literacy and PAC’s role is identifying where Governments do not numeracy they attain. Those are key areas where limited deliver in the way they are supposed to, irrespective of progress has been made. I am glad that, since May, policy determination or the lead coming from the Ministers value for money has been vigorously addressed by the at the top. new Secretary of State and his team. There is the clear I am conscious of the time constraints but I merely objective of reorienting the entire aid programme to wanted to have the opportunity to make this contribution focus on results, not inputs. and to put on record my admiration for the work that That is all the more important in the context of a our wonderful Chairman, the right hon. Member for comprehensive spending review where DFID’s budget Barking (Margaret Hodge), is doing in leading us is being increased quite substantially, from £6.3 billion through a challenging set of reports and issues. Our this year to £9.4 billion by 2014-15. That is the single work load is, I think, greater than that of the other biggest increase across all Departments and is an increase Select Committees of this great House at this time, as is of 37% in real terms. By 2014-15, DFID will be bigger the pace at which we tackle it. I am extremely pleased to even than the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice. be a member of the Committee and to have had this That is why I particularly appreciate the work that it is opportunity to contribute to the debate. I will end my doing to set up the Independent Commission for Aid remarks now in the hope that other Members will also Impact, which will further emphasise the new value for be able to contribute. money priority of the Department. A chief commissioner is in place and is starting work as we speak. 5.21 pm It is also worth pointing out that even though DFID’s Joseph Johnson (Orpington) (Con): I thank those budget is expanding, the Department is not losing its hon. Members who have curtailed their speeches, and focus on administrative efficiency and value for money. due to the severe time constraints, I will also limit That is another area where we can commend the way in myself to addressing just one theme. It is the theme we which the Department is pre-emptively addressing the discussed in the recent hearing on the Department for concerns that we were raising in the PAC hearing. International Development: supporting primary education Although DFID’s overall budget is increasing, around the world. That is a subject in which I take a administrative costs within the Department are to be particular interest. reduced by 33% over the course of the comprehensive spending review period. There is certainly evidence to That hearing contrasted with many of the other suggest that there is still fat to be cut. I find it surprising hearings the Committee has had, because DFID is that, in an aid Department, there are civil servants not a repeat offender in the sense that it is not having earning £175,000, and I am not sure that that sets a to be forced to implement past PAC reports. It is a great example to the pro bono sector in general. Department that is being reformed from top to bottom, very much in the spirit of the long line of PAC reports Lastly, I return to where I started. Measuring outcomes that have been critical of value for money within the accurately and demonstrating value for money will help Department. to build public support and buy-in for the substantial expansion of the DFID budget that we are programming The hearing provided us with a very good insight into over the coming years. The PAC’s work in that respect the work of a Department that is of major importance will make a valuable contribution to the process. to the coalition and will become of increasing importance as we meet our commitment to lift the share of aid spending to 0.7% of national income by 2013. Let there 5.26 pm be no doubt as to my support for this commitment, which demonstrates the coalition’s determination to Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): I shall be brief. I am also stand behind the poorest people around the world. new to the House and the Public Accounts Committee, However, at a time of severe retrenchment across and I thoroughly enjoy working for the right hon. unprotected Government Departments, it is all the more Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge) and respect the crucial that DFID continues the work that has been massive expertise of my fellow Committee members. ongoing—since May, I would say—to do more to secure I wish to discuss the recurring themes of our work, maximum value for money for the UK taxpayer and the which is an issue that has been mentioned today. Even greatest possible impact for those whom the Department at this early stage, I recognise the same messages coming out is trying to help. The PAC hearing raised a number of again and again. The hon. Members for South Norfolk concerns in this respect. (Mr Bacon) and for Great Grimsby (Austin Mitchell), 1143 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1144

[Ian Swales] of the Public Accounts Committee but the respect and support of Members on both sides of the House. It is who are the corporate memory of our Committee, often crucial to consider the PAC’s role by leaving aside party remind us of that. I was recently contacted by a former politics and examining where systemic failures in senior civil servant in the Home Office, who discovered Government expenditure occur. that I was serving on the PAC and wrote me a long May I also echo my right hon. Friend’s thanks and e-mail outlining the issues as he remembered them, how support for the hon. Member for Gainsborough the Committee’s recommendations were dealt with and (Mr Leigh)? He served the House of Commons well the crucial issue of accountability. Although he retired during his period in office, when he produced more than seven years ago, his e-mail could have been written 400 reports on a range of issues. I can honestly say that about what was happening yesterday. during the last Parliament I appeared to wake up most I am conscious that the Committee tends to review mornings to the hon. Gentleman on the radio, kicking problem areas, rather than successes, and so one perhaps somebody. As a Minister in the last Government, I was gets a slightly jaundiced view. However, one is struck by often grateful that it was not me. the eye-watering sums we often talk about and one can I welcome the approach taken in the motion. I will get desensitised. One begins to think that £100 million support it as I recognise that it contains elements that of waste does not seem too much. Last week, we held a will help to strengthen the accountability of Ministers review of errors in the benefits system and it was for acting upon the reports that they have accepted as suggested that £1 billion might be some kind of irreducible recommendations from the PAC. Anything that puts in minimum. It is inconceivable that that discussion would place a mechanism that will make Ministers and their take place in the private sector with that conclusion civil servants know that they have to report back to the being reached. House on progress on measures that they have accepted I support the comments that have been made about and agreed to do is extremely important. leadership. I describe the people who the Committee I am grateful for the speeches made by right hon. and sees as the good, the bad and the slippery. We get some hon. Members on both sides of the House. Several key very good ones, but we certainly get some of the other themes have come out of the debate. First, we have seen types too. I was going to talk in detail about the the importance of the scrutiny role that the PAC will consultancy area, of which I have direct experience, but perform and has performed. The hon. Member for time does not permit me to do so. I shall therefore pick Orpington (Joseph Johnson) pointed out the recent up just one point on that, which was that consultants report on the activities undertaken by DFID. tend to be engaged on a time basis, rather than on the basis of fixed outcomes, fixed prices. The hon. Member for South Norfolk (Mr Bacon) referred to not just scrutiny but to the positive actions So many of our reviews have huge time scales; it is taken on hospital-acquired infection as a result of reports common to be talking about issues that have taken undertaken by the PAC. Indeed, he mentioned the longer than the second world war to sort out. That improvements that are taking place in the Home Office. raises questions about the way the Government contract, I can speak from personal experience as for a short engage consultants and so on and whether they really period I was subject to a report as a Minister in the get things done in a timely fashion. Ministry of Justice. It was on the National Offender I recognise that there are challenges ahead. Although Management Service’s C-NOMIS programme, which is I welcome some of the Government’s movements on an interesting point to which I shall return later. I accountability and business plans, there are challenges became a Minister three and a half years after the involving the comprehensive spending review as well as programme commenced, froze the project three months two issues that have not been mentioned yet. The first is after my inauguration in the Department and was subject the abolition of the Audit Commission, and I still think to a PAC report that considered a range of issues. Civil we need to decide what the post-life is on that. Secondly, servants had come, gone and left before I came and, crucially, much Government money is now going to after I left, civil servants were still managing that project. outside bodies that are beyond the reach of the National There are important lessons that we need to consider. Audit Office. For example, in the consultancy world, The scrutiny role of the PAC is important, but key £700 million is estimated to go to outside bodies versus issues to do with good governance have arisen in today’s £1 billion in departmental spending. debate and they are equally important. The hon. Member I welcome the motion, which seems a step in the right for North East Cambridgeshire (Stephen Barclay) listed direction. It is right that we should not engage in clearly what is required of good governance in any political discussion or decision making, but many of project management. It is the sort of project management our conclusions are not just about the Treasury—they that anybody in the private sector or the voluntary require ministerial action. I commend the motion to the sector who has responsibility for resources will undertake. House. Even in our private lives, most of us will undertake such good governance to ensure that we meet collective 5.30 pm objectives. The hon. Gentleman’s point was also reflected Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): I have sat through in the comments of the hon. Member for Thurrock the debate and found it extremely positive in its approach (Jackie Doyle-Price) on the leadership that is required to the issues. There is a great deal of cross-party support for the role of good governance. The hon. Member for for making how we manage issues in government a key Southport (Dr Pugh) also touched on that. focus. Good governance relates to some key issues that were May I begin by paying tribute to my right hon. reflected in what the hon. Member for Redcar (Ian Friend the Member for Barking (Margaret Hodge)? It Swales) said about self-evident truths that recur. They is already clear that she has not only a grasp of the role should be the key issues that the Committee focuses on 1145 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1146 as part of its future role, and they involve simple issues years. I was the longest-serving Minister with responsibility such as having a proper business plan, clarity of objectives for prisons and probation in the history of the Labour and clarity and responsibility for budgeting. It is also Government—I served for two years and one month. I about having a reporting mechanism so that people had to pick up, learn about, develop and manage projects know what is being spent when, how and for what that had started before I was in the post and carried on purpose, and it involves the good governance of civil after I left to go to the Home Office. As well as servants, which the hon. Member for South Norfolk accountability for civil servants, it is important that we mentioned, and good ministerial governance. That was have accountability for Ministers. The motion would reflected in the comments of my hon. Friend the Member ensure that Ministers who make agreements and accept for Walthamstow (Dr Creasy) about her constituent. recommendations report back to the House on what Now that he has been elevated to the Lords, I am afraid they have done. I hope they will have longer in office so that however he voted at the last general election, he that they can see projects through from start to finish. will not be able to vote in the next one. They would thus remain personally accountable and, The issue is how to put in place and systemically on behalf of the House, they could hold civil servants manage the overall issues. It comes down to key issues to account, too. of personal accountability for civil servants and Ministers. I commend the motion to the House, and I look There is a role for the Committee, which is echoed in the forward to hearing the Minister. I thank Members on motion, and it relates to the accountability of individuals— both sides of the House for their contributions. Ministers and at civil servant level—for the decisions they take and for how they manage the good governance 5.40 pm issues I have outlined. Delivery is key. The hon. Member for Stockton The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David South (James Wharton), who showed real commitment Gauke): I am standing in for my hon. Friend the Economic to the Committee by missing his constituency party, Secretary, who has been called away due to family focused on the issue in his area about how the political illness. She would have wanted the opportunity to take aspirations of whichever party is in government are part in an interesting and wide-ranging debate. delivered on the ground. What Ministers decide, how I, too, congratulate the right hon. Member for Barking civil servants protect the taxpayer against reckless (Margaret Hodge) on her election as the PAC Chair. As ministerial decisions and how they implement positive we have heard, and as the right hon. Member for Delyn ministerial decisions is key. The points that the hon. (Mr Hanson) pointed out, she clearly has the support of Gentleman made were very important in relation to the her Committee. She demonstrates the long tradition of health aspirations he discussed, but this is ultimately the PAC in ensuring value for money and I am sure she about value for money and making sure that whatever will be determined in pursuing that aim. As she rightly objectives Ministers have set are delivered in a timely, says, when we face challenges in the public finances, the sensible and forward-looking fashion. issue is more important than ever. As a Treasury Minister, My right hon. Friend the Member for Stirling I fully support the right hon. Lady in her determination (Mrs McGuire) highlighted some of the challenges we to seek value for money. will face in the future. I do not want to politicise this I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for debate, but the current Government’s focus on greater Gainsborough (Mr Leigh) who chaired the Committee localism, devolution of power and distribution of with such distinction over two consecutive Sessions. responsibility will mean that the food chain of accountability The Committee grew under his chairmanship, and he that she mentioned will be equally important in future. brought in a number of innovations that will stand the As a background to all this, we are in a time of test of time. increasingly reducing resources. The Government’s Budget I recognise the contributions of new members of the proposals mean reductions of £32 billion a year and PAC, both to the debate today and to the work of the additional net tax increases of £8 billion a year by Committee more generally. We heard from the right 2014-15. Departmental losses include figures such as a hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs McGuire), the hon. 49% reduction in the capital budget in the Home Office Member for Walthamstow (Dr Creasy) and my hon. and reductions in revenue budgets of 23% and 24% at Friends the Members for North East Cambridgeshire the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office. Whatever (Stephen Barclay), for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price), our views on those matters, and we all have our own for Stockton South (James Wharton), for Orpington views, it is even more important at this time of diminishing (Joseph Johnson) and for Redcar (Ian Swales). They resources that they are spent with a clear focus on value have all demonstrated their commitment to the PAC—some for money, that they deliver what they are meant to by missing the office party, which surely goes beyond deliver and that they are managed by Ministers through the call of duty. the civil service. As we have seen recently, the Committee’s reports on the Ministry of Defence’s major projects Everyone has been impressed by how quickly the review, which my right hon. Friend the Member for Committee has moved. The new Committee set about Barking has ably led on this week, and on the private its work with hearings just a few days after it was finance initiative contracts with the Highways Agency reconstituted. That is a clear demonstration of the to widen the M25 show that, retrospectively, there are importance of the Committee’s work, and shows that real issues that will be common themes that we need to value for money is a key consideration for all parts of address for the future. Parliament. Before I conclude, let me make a simple point about We heard from the right hon. Member for Barking how stability relates to political accountability. I was a that she is the first woman to chair the PAC. She is also Minister for 12 of the 13 years of the previous Government its first elected Chair. I believe I am the first Treasury and not once did I hold a job for more than a couple of Minister of a coalition Government to respond to a 1147 Public Accounts Committee16 DECEMBER 2010 Public Accounts Committee 1148

[Mr ] to deliver big projects, and to cope with many of the issues that they face. Hon. Members will be aware that PAC debate. Perhaps that demonstrates that in the the Government have established the Efficiency and PAC, as in the Government, Members from different Reform Group, in which the Cabinet Office and the parties can work together to ensure that we serve our Treasury work very closely together. The intention of country well. that group is to strengthen capability—to strengthen Data collection was one of the issues raised by the the expertise that is available in these key projects, to right hon. Lady. She highlighted the fact that far more ensure that the right skilled staff are there. We hope that information is made publicly available and she was will address many concerns. As many hon. Members concerned that it might be at the expense of the analysis said, it is particularly important to strengthen the financial that is needed, whether at governmental or parliamentary capability of Departments. We as a Government believe level. The intention is that the information should that the role of the financial director of any Department complement ongoing work. We want information should be respected and should be a very significant disseminated to as many people as possible, allowing role in any Department. citizens to hold the Executive to account. Many people The second theme that emerged repeatedly was will have an interest in detailed or local data that the accountability. We heard examples of difficulties that House may not have the time or energy to scrutinise in arose because senior reporting officers moved on too depth. That is not a criticism of the PAC, which clearly quickly. That is a very fair point. It is absolutely right has enormous energy. None the less, it is right that that we ensure that there is proper accountability for people outside the House can explore the issues and spending when spending is devolved to local communities make sure that their voices are heard and taken into and organisations, and we must be alive to the issues account by decision makers. I hope that will complement there. In the context of the Ministry of Defence and the excellent work undertaken by the PAC. aircraft carriers, an issue was raised about the role of I fully recognise the Committee’s concerns, set out in the accounting officer. I agree with those hon. Members the motion, that Departments should implement agreed who say that it is part of each accounting officer’s duty Committee recommendations. As I understand it, some to respect the financial limits within which his or her 90% of Committee recommendations are accepted by Department operates, and we should expect that to Governments of whatever colour. That shows the value happen. added by the work of the PAC and its ability to identify Many detailed issues have been raised in the debate where improvements need to be made. The Committee and there is not time for me to address them all, but I knows that Departments already have to give accounts thank Members for conducting such a wide-ranging in their annual reports on whether they accept or reject and interesting debate. We have covered plenty of topics Committee recommendations, and the Treasury enforces and I look forward to seeing how the Public Accounts that requirement quite strictly because we take the Committee develops under the chairmanship of the Committee’s recommendations very seriously and we right hon. Member for Barking. I wish her and her are pleased to accept them in the majority of cases. Committee well for the future, and I look forward to However, I understand the point made in the motion working with hon. Members to deliver value for money that the Committee feels that more could be done to throughout Government expenditure. ensure that Departments implement in a timely way those recommendations that they have accepted. 5.49 pm The Treasury and Departments already view the implementation of Committee recommendations seriously; Margaret Hodge: I had the opportunity at the start of moreover, the National Audit Office already carries out this debate to say a lot, so I shall say very little now. follow-up studies, in part to check progress in implementing First, I am very grateful to the Government for Committee recommendations, and those reports are agreeing to the terms of the motion before us. I simply placed before the Committee. In those circumstances, draw to their attention the fact that there should be no accounting officers have to account directly to the need for any written ministerial statements if every Committee on why agreed recommendations have not Department responds properly to the recommendations been implemented. It is also important to remember to which they have agreed and implements them. We that there will be some circumstances in which it simply hope that the device will empower action rather than is not possible to implement all agreed recommendations lead to further ministerial statements. within a year of acceptance. Secondly, I warmly and genuinely thank all the members However, I think it is a sensible principle that Ministers of my Committee. The hard work of all my colleagues should make written statements to the House on any has led to the rather good reports—I think—that we recommendations that have been accepted and not now put out. We are a team, not an individual, and the implemented within a year of acceptance, and the quality of our reports reflects the brilliance of that Government are pleased to support the motion because team—all of us who are Committee members. My that is a useful addition to our accountability. There will thanks also go to the National Audit Office, because its of course be a need to look carefully at exactly how we work is of an extremely good quality. can implement that; there is some discussion as to quite In respect of civil servants, on the whole we do not how many written ministerial statements will be necessary want to criticise what the Government do; we want to as a consequence, but I think it is a helpful principle and celebrate success wherever we can. We just wish that we we would support the motion. were able to do so more often. I know from my time in Very many issues have been raised in the debate and I government, as do other former Ministers, that there shall not attempt to address them all, but I noticed that are a lot of dedicated and very able civil servants, and two themes emerged in many speeches. The first was the the question is just one of whether we can get the work issue of capability—the ability of Government Departments going beyond that. 1149 16 DECEMBER 2010 1150

Finally, our Committee’s work is important. Last Football Governance night, after our evidence session with the Ministry of Defence, I went out for dinner and just happened to Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House talk about what we found. Totting up the amount of do now adjourn.—(Miss .) money wasted, I noted that £3.7 billion was binned because we cancelled Nimrod; £1 billion was mostly 5.52 pm binned because we cancelled Sentinel; £1.56 billion was wasted because we delayed the aircraft carrier; and John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): I rise to speak in an £2.3 billion was wasted because we ordered Typhoon Adjournment debate that the Speaker has kindly granted aircraft that we do not want. me on football governance and what the Government can and should do about it. That shows the importance of the vigilance that we intend to continue to have over how the Government If one were to ask about the crisis in English football, spend their money. We cannot afford to waste it, because one would anticipate that, at the top of football’s we need it too much, particularly in the current establishment, facts and figures would pour forth to circumstances, so we look forward to working with the demonstrate that English football, under the premier Government to ensure value. league, is one our prime exports, that receipts and I wish everybody a happy Christmas. revenues have exponentially expanded over the years and that things are growing healthier and going better Question put and agreed to. than ever. Resolved, Last Tuesday, a unique—but, I fear, not for long That this House calls on the Government to ensure that all unique—football match took place near my constituency. recommendations contained in Reports of the Committee of It would have been in my constituency if one of the Public Accounts and accepted by Government Departments are implemented and that the relevant Minister makes a statement to teams in a rearranged FA trophy match, Worksop Town, the House on any recommendations accepted but not implemented had a stadium or, even, a pitch, but it does not, because within a year of their acceptance. the fourth oldest football club in the world has been locked out of its stadium by the owner for some years and exiled to rented stadiums elsewhere throughout Business without Debate England. Unusually, however, the match was also a major SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE derby, because not for many decades have Worksop Ordered, Town played near rivals Mansfield Town. Many leagues That, on Tuesday 21 December 2010, the House shall meet at have separated the two but, by luck, the FA trophy 11.30 am and references to specific times in the Standing Orders brought them together. There were snowy conditions, of this House shall apply as if that day were a Wednesday.— but the match could not be switched to Mansfield, (Miss Chloe Smith.) because Mansfield Town has also been locked out of its stadium by its previous owner and landlord. The match therefore took place in Ilkeston, which is the same Ilkeston where the football club has recently been liquidated. So, two teams played a match in the grounds of a club that has been liquidated and that some people are trying to reform. I shall not waste the House’s time by giving the result. In that match, there were, uniquely, two teams that were both without a ground, with 250 years of history between them. That demonstrates the true crisis underlying English football. I will just make one comment on the recent FA bid for the World cup—I will not attempt to draw the Minister into such a small distraction. Suffice it to say that there is a 23-member committee and if one country has a member on that committee and it ends up with just two votes when there are two decisions, there is something very wrong indeed. Politicians know the dynamics of committees and decision making, so hon. Members will appreciate and understand the negotiating hand available to anyone with a vote within such a system. Now is the time to start changing English football. The impetus and imperative is not the much-publicised World cup bid and its failure, but the less well publicised uniqueness of Worksop Town versus Mansfield Town and where that match was played and could have been played last Tuesday. Both teams’ owners could have put out any football team they had bought on to those two grounds because no one has deemed them not to be fit and proper persons for the governance of English football. 1151 Football Governance16 DECEMBER 2010 Football Governance 1152

[John Mann] My right hon. Friend makes a very important point from which two issues emanate. First, who owns English A second issue that has not been explored is how we football clubs? Are they merely chattels to be bought are seen across the world, particularly in Europe. Some and sold, as we have seen, but, more dangerously, to be 60% of European football debt is in English football. I moved across London or across the country, as we saw have heard such a theme before, although not quite in with AFC Wimbledon, or indeed to be moved across relation to those figures. We call it the financial crisis—the the world, be it for the 39th match or the entire club? big banks. Before Lehman Brothers collapsed, no one That is a scenario that I foresee in 10 years’ time. Who had said that banks in this country could collapse. knows what will happen? Football clubs are free to However, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds, HBOS make their decisions. However, community responsibility and other smaller entities were on the verge of collapse is involved. Good governance should instruct that the and there had to be major Government intervention FA, at the top of the pyramid, ensures, in terms of its that involved huge amounts of taxpayers’ money. Those rules and their use, that good community relations, banks were ever onward and upwards. They were taking community development and community inspiration risks, leveraging and presuming that growth would be are key. for ever. No one really questioned in advance whether Secondly, it is rather outrageous that the football such a situation was sustainable. world has not stood as one behind the athletics world In English football, there has been a similar boom to regarding a football club using the Olympic stadium as that experienced by the banks. It is contemporaneous— part of the legacy. It would be very good for a high-level perhaps not coincidentally contemporaneous—that there football club to use that superb stadium. But when we is a risk that the English football boom will turn to bust, have the best athletic stadium in the world, it would be and that we will see major forced restructuring when outrageous for the football world to think it acceptable something significant happens. The banks have a term that it will be just for football, not athletics, so that we for what happened: toxic debt. Much of the money lent would not be able to host and win the 2015 world to English football is exactly that—toxic debt. In other athletics championships because we do not have a stadium. words, it is money that the banks cannot rationally The Minister can have some influence on that. hope they will get back. The contrast to English football is the German Mr Lammy: Does my hon. Friend remember the Bundesliga. With its good governance law, the Bundesliga video with which we won the Olympics, with the faces is in profit. Indeed, if a Bundesliga club is not in profit, of young Londoners, many of them black, and the according to the rules, it will automatically be relegated. dream of athletics that is now apparently to be ditched The Swedish league is in profit. There are many models in favour of big business? Will he, like me, continue to of football bodies that have reorganised their governance, remind the House and the Government of that but in terms of the competitive advantage that our responsibility? clubs perceive that we have on the European stage, the German one, in particular, will come back to haunt us. John Mann: Worksop Town and Retford United, the two semi-professional clubs in my area, do not compete 6pm quite on the levels of Tottenham Hotspur, but their Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). communities’ views are the same. We want our clubs in our communities. At our rather modest level, we expect Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House those governing English football to give us every do now adjourn.—(Miss Chloe Smith.) assistance in having rules that they implement to ensure that we are not simply chattels to be moved around. It John Mann: Perhaps we should be looking at the can be as big as the Tottenham Hotspurs, or as small as German model of football refinancing itself. I suggest the Worksop Towns or smaller still, but we have a right to the Minister that we should consider how people to expect that the history, the tradition and the were persuaded to change the rules of football governance communities who have funded these organisations through the German football association. should not be cast aside because someone has some developmental idea of making more profits out of that Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): Is my hon. institution by shifting it, be it elsewhere in London, Friend as concerned as I am about the rumours on the into the Olympic stadium, to the far east, or wherever internet that a Qatari consortium is planning to buy else. That will be an increasing risk in English football. Tottenham Hotspur football club? This is apparently to Similarly, the bubble of television rights might burst. do with a decision to leave the poorest ward in London I shall say a little on that in a minute. and move across London to Stratford. Is he concerned I return to my analogy of the banks, because it is a that Manchester United or Liverpool FC might fancy relevant one. Football debt is toxic debt. The risk taking moving down to London to increase their shareholder of the banks was predicated on a model of permanent profits? Does he think that community and history growth. They offset and hedged tomorrow’s income and should stand alongside the big business that is taking used it for today’s expenditure. Football has got into over football? precisely the same mindset. The premier league is rightly proud of its success, its export potential and the tax John Mann: In 1923, Tottenham Hotspur famously revenue that it brings into this country, but so were the bribed Worksop Town to replay a match two days after banks. The premier league thinks that there will be its initial historic 0-0 draw, allegedly providing copious permanent growth. A simple change to the European amounts of beer to disable the team, which unfortunately Commission’s rules on the bundling of football rights then had a rather heavy defeat. could prick the bubble and send some clubs out of 1153 Football Governance16 DECEMBER 2010 Football Governance 1154 business, because the money would be pulled back by When there are big music concerts—the Glastonburys the banks, as their shareholders would expect. Those and the rest—the organisers pay for the policing and are the risks that football is taking. stewarding required. They hire stewards in large numbers. I shall refer to the Deloitte report, which is rather There are not thousands of police thronging around expensive, but luckily is available free to Members through every time there is a music festival in London or anywhere the Library. Because of the risk of great personal expense, else, but when there is a football match the police are the copy that I borrowed is being returned at this very there, and who pays for them? The taxpayer pays a lot moment. According to the 2008-09 figures in that report, of the money. We need to use leverage—if football will of the 44 premier league and championship clubs, only not put its house in order, some of us will start demanding eight had a pre-tax profit, a majority did not have net that it pays full policing costs. Why should my police positive assets and only two had no debt. That is force lose out, and why should I have football clubs in extraordinary considering the growth and success in my area that are not able to play in their own stadiums revenues. However, that has been increasingly squeezed because of the weakness of the application of football’s out by players’ wages and agents’ fees. Teams compete own rules? That is not sustainable in the political world, to buy big-name players and more expensive players and it is not sustainable for my constituents. because of supporter demand. That is not a sustainable business model. Even building a club’s brand as an Mr Lammy: Will my hon. Friend give way? investment is not sustainable with that amount of leveraged debt. The bubble will burst and it is about time we started to say so. Will it be next year, in five years or in John Mann: Sorry, I should make some progress. 10 years? Who knows? However, just as with the banks, There is an inquiry into the matter by the Select the bubble will burst and the over-exposure to debt will Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, and I hope ripple throughout football. that the Committee will consider a few matters. It ought We used to hear about administrations, but now we to consider the chocolate question: Cadbury and Rowntree’s, hear about liquidations. It is a new language. Clubs once great British institutions—gone. Should that be vanish and have to be reformed. King’s Lynn football allowed to happen in English football, as it did in the club, which was in the same league as Worksop Town, car industry, as you know very well, Mr Deputy Speaker? disappeared last season—bang! Gone! That meant one It should consider whether the UEFA fair play league, less club to be relegated, much to Worksop’s relief. It an excellent initiative, should be part of the root-and-branch had a regular crowd of 1,500, which I think was the reform of English football. highest in the Unibond North—disappeared, gone, I should also like the Committee to examine in detail vanished! Another example is Ilkeston Town. Chester the question of Leeds United, not to pick on Mr Ken City was once a great and famous club that sometimes Bates specifically—I do not particularly care about his beat the very top clubs. It had been a member of the arrangements and motives for having the club owned Football League throughout most of the league’s history, offshore—but to see what the football authorities have but then bang! Gone! It now has to be recreated right at done and who owns Leeds United. That is a legitimate the bottom by the supporters. Scarborough Athletic has question for the Committee to take detailed evidence had to move to Bridlington, which is rather ironic, to on, not to attack Mr Bates or the club but to explore the exist in any form. Of course, such clubs can come back processes behind it. We need to know why the FA and with their supporters behind them. We would keep the Football League have been unable to answer questions Retford United or Worksop Town going however low about the matter. they went. We need to know whether Mr Ali al-Faraj, once Is any of this fair and just? Fairness and justice have owner of Portsmouth, actually exists. That would be a gone out the window as far as the FA is concerned—not good question for the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in its rules, but in the application of its rules. Why to ask. If he does, by what process was that man, who should Exeter City, a club that was saved by its supporters some claim does not even exist, deemed a fit and proper and that has sensible balance sheets, have to compete person to own a premier league football club, and who with clubs that are borrowing money that they will not is he? The process by which football leaders asked and be able to pay back and that know that they may well go answered that question should be part of the inquiry, into administration if they do not succeed in getting and I am sure it will be. I am sure the Committee will promotion? More than half the football clubs in the also examine why there are not currently three non-executive Football League have gone into administration in the directors appointed to the FA, and how long it will take past 15 years. That has been the boom time for English for that to happen. football, during which we have said that we are leading It may sound as though I am attacking the big names, the football world. the brands. I am not. Frankly, it is a free market and Who are the losers? No one has yet fully quantified they can do what they want, as they have done and will the losses for Portsmouth, for example, but it would not continue to do. I am attacking the governance of English surprise me if the losses—not to the football world, nor football. If the big brands disappear abroad to a European even to the Exchequer, but to local businesses in super league, or go to play a 39th game or locate Portsmouth—were in the order of £4 million. One themselves in China or wherever else in the far east, that remembers that horrendous time when a club that I first will be their choice and their loss. I want to ensure that saw at the age of four and have seen thousands of times the structure of English football means that the teams since, Leeds United, went into administration and St John in my constituency can play at their own grounds and Ambulance was not paid, even though it was the boom not be thrown off them. I want the Worksops, the time for English football. Governance in English football Mansfields, the Ilkestons and the Chesters, as well as is in crisis, and has been for a long time. clubs higher up, to exist in the future. 1155 Football Governance16 DECEMBER 2010 Football Governance 1156

[John Mann] that the lamentable record of English football in that regard will be addressed—no ifs or buts. Football will I think that the FA is somewhat terrified of the continue to be important to the Government and the figures in the premier league. The Minister ought to House. strengthen the FA’s resolve by asking it the difficult Let me try to answer some of the questions he posed questions and forcing its hand. Where are the black in his speech. He rightly said that there was something managers in English football? Where are the Muslim very wrong indeed when England could get only two and Jewish players? Where are the women at the heart votes apart from the one it commanded out of the 22 on of the FA? No other sport would tolerate unfit, improper offer for our World cup bid. Indeed, it remains a sad persons in the ownership of clubs. Football, uniquely, and sorry fact of that whole bid that our technical wearisomely and supinely, does so. Why are the rules evaluation was the best of any of the bid teams. By not applied? In Spain, there is a law on transparency, common consent, we produced the best presentation on and in France the law gives people the ability to open the day, but we then got the lowest number of votes. the books. I have mentioned the situation in Germany That tells us a number of things, principal among which already. might be that we simply aimed at the wrong target. We As well as leverage over the European Commission presented to FIFA a strong and compelling case for and thus Sky’s packaging and bundling of football, the hosting its World cup, but it was in fact looking for a Government have leverage over the FA. They give the new frontier for football and a global political statement. FA an awful lot of money. A new chairman is about to All sorts of rumours are swirling around the bid, but be independently appointed. I say to him or her—that that essential truth lies at our failure to land it. would be a turn-up for the books—that they have to use The hon. Gentleman’s second question was on financial the powers they have already and reject the pressures mismanagement. He rightly paid tribute to the German from the premier league when the premier league conflicts leagues, which are in profit. It is absolutely right that we with the FA, because we cannot justify taxpayer support look at the example of the German leagues. I gather for football if football cannot sort out the absurdities of that the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, as part last Wednesday, when Mansfield and Worksop were of its investigation, is going to Germany to examine locked out of their grounds by the club owners. precisely that. Having said that, we have to acknowledge I trust and hope that the Minister will use his leverage— that the German league started from a slightly different his influence—to ensure that our national game survives position to the one we are in. We know that the current at every level, and that we force good governance on the system needs reforming, but the question is about how FA. Every change in English football has been forced we get from where we are now to where we want to be. on the FA, and the Minister must use his leverage to The hon. Gentleman’s third point was about the ensure that it gets its act together and runs English Olympic stadium. I have probably had a lucky escape, football properly, as it should be run. because the right hon. Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) has now left the Chamber. The hon. Member for Bassetlaw 6.16 pm asked why the football family has not fallen in behind the athletics use of the stadium. I suspect that the The Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh honest answer is that two competing clubs that are part Robertson): I congratulate the hon. Member for Bassetlaw of its family are playing off against each other for the (John Mann) on securing this debate and on how he use of the stadium. Even though I am safe—speaking at presented the case for reform in football, which is a the Dispatch Box—from being sued, I should simply powerful case. He asked a number of questions, which I say that a process is in place that will come to a shall attempt to answer in a minute. Before I do so, it is conclusion in early January, when I hope that a preferred worth placing on the record exactly why football is bidder will be announced. We have all been advised by important to the Government, and thus why reform is the lawyers not to get involved in that process, so if he so necessary. will forgive me, I will leave that one alone, although we Football is our national game. More people play and should have an answer by the beginning of January. I follow it than any other sport. Events such as the World can reassure him that the commitment to leave an cup and European championships and the key domestic athletics legacy after London 2012 was one we made to football fixtures command the attention of many millions the International Olympic Committee, and I suspect of people up and down the country. Every single that it was a crucial part in delivering to us London constituency has a football club in it, and many, including 2012. From my point of view at least, it is a commitment the hon. Gentleman’s, have a large number of clubs. that will be met. The hon. Gentleman alluded to the fact that the The hon. Gentleman asked about why the level of Government directly contribute to the financial running debt is so high. Debt, in itself, is not always—although of the game through the whole sport plans, which we it often is—a bad thing. The key thing is the relationship managed to protect through the comprehensive spending between debt and revenue. The premier league has review, and through the Football Foundation. Indeed, made some welcome introductions and tightened up its funding to the grass roots was preserved as part of the rules this year, as too has the Football League. However, CSR. Finally, as he touched on towards the end of his I agree entirely that there is a great deal more to be speech, Governments of all persuasions have supported done, and I will come now to how we might tackle that. initiatives such as Supporters Direct and the Kick It The hon. Gentleman’s next question was about the Out campaign, which goes to the heart of the black and Select Committee report and the investigation it is minority ethnic issues that he mentioned. If I can give about to undertake in the new year. He asked whether him any comfort on those, I spoke at a Kick It Out the fit and proper person test would be examined as reception earlier this week. I am absolutely determined part of that investigation. I hope it will be. It was 1157 Football Governance16 DECEMBER 2010 Football Governance 1158 originally the Government’s intention to take up the that, I would be delighted. As he said, the relationship cudgels over football governance and reform as soon as between the FA and the premier league—one the the World cup bid was over. We were advised not to do representative of the premier league, which is this country’s that before, because of the interrelation between most successful sporting export, and the other our Government interference and how the international national game’s national governing body—is crucial, regulators look at the world of football. We were set to and if one is weakened irretrievably, it damages the do that, however, and the Select Committee then announced relationship beyond repair. that it wished to conduct an investigation into it. Out of The hon. Gentleman’s final question was about the respect to the House and its Select Committees, it is use of Government money. He will have guessed from much better that we allow it to do that, rather than set what I am saying that we are keen to advance this out another investigation alongside it. Of course, that agenda. For the moment, however, I am happy to let the will have the advantage of allowing hon. Members from Select Committee have its say. I undertake to him and both sides of the House to contribute to the Select the House to take extremely seriously the Committee’s Committee investigation, which will allow, on a cross-party report, and if necessary we will use all the tools at our basis, many of these issues to be examined. disposal, which would include the use of Government The hon. Gentleman asked about the relationship money. The only caveat I would make is that, given that between the FA and the premier league and why the the public money goes to the whole sport plan and the governance of the FA is so poor. I want to make it clear Football Foundation, the danger, if we activate that that we have said to the FA all along that we support the lever, is that we simply hurt the grass roots of the game, Burns proposals and that ideally it should have a fully rather than targeting our action where we believe it is independent chairman. If, in order to get the very best needed. person to provide the sense of leadership and direction With that, I shall finish where I started and thank the that the governing body of our national game needs, it hon. Gentleman for his contribution and congratulate feels that it cannot meet the one-year independence him on securing this debate. This will be my last appearance rule, as far as I am concerned, that is fair enough. I at the Dispatch Box this year, so I wish everybody a very want it to have the best possible person, and I do not happy Christmas and new year. want it to be hamstrung. However, if it chooses somebody Question put and agreed to. who is not independent by that definition, it will remain our intention to ensure, as the hon. Gentleman said, that it has a considerable number of non-executives on 6.25 pm its board. We have said two. If it was to go further than House adjourned.

341WH 16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 342WH

We put harm minimisation at the forefront of our Westminster Hall policy and we massively expanded treatment. When Members look at the reasons for the fall in crime— Thursday 16 December 2010 acquisitive crime, in particular—in recent years, yes, of course they can look at the increased police numbers paid for by the previous Government or the initiatives [MR CHARLES WALKER in the Chair] on antisocial behaviour, which made positive contributions, but they do not look nearly enough at the huge increase BACKBENCH BUSINESS in drug treatment that we brought in. People do not fully appreciate the extent of the link between heroin addiction, in particular, and acquisitive crime and Drugs Policy prostitution. Overwhelmingly, prostitutes in our country Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting do what they do because they are addicted to drugs. A be now adjourned.—(James Duddridge.) huge proportion of acquisitive crime is committed in order to pay for a habit. We also introduced an education 2.30 pm policy, Talk to Frank, which is still going. I am glad that the new Government are to continue it, because giving Mr Bob Ainsworth (Coventry North East) (Lab): people good advice on the consequences of drugs is so Thank you for presiding over our debate this afternoon, important. Mr Walker. I thank the Backbench Business Committee for allowing Many people ask, as they did in the media this the debate. I asked for a full day in the Chamber, in morning, why on earth I did not do or say the things prime time, and the Committee gave me three hours in that I am advocating now when I was in government. I Westminster Hall, on a one-line Whip, on a Thursday—the had a choice to make. As people saw this morning, the last sitting Thursday before Christmas—but I am grateful Minister is straight out, saying, “This is wrong and I none the less. can’t approve it.” My own party disagrees with what I am saying, so my choice, had I wanted to go further We are not so well attended that we will run out of than what I was allowed to do, within the limitations of time, so that will not be an issue, but I hope, Mr Walker, collective responsibility, would have been to resign. that you will use your offices to ensure that everyone That was my choice—to resign and make a small splash, gets an opportunity to speak, irrespective of their views. which might have dampened my shoes but would not We need what I am, effectively, calling for—a full and have moved drugs policy far at all, or to stick with it and comprehensive debate on drugs policy. make some small improvements. I chose to stick with it, As people know, I was in charge of drugs policy for and we made some small improvements, which were about two years in the early part of the past decade, as a worthy. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home I am saying to the House today—to the Government, Department under my right hon. Friend the Member to my own party and to anyone else—that we did far for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett). too little. We have not dented the huge apparatus that My right hon. Friend managed to get agreement from supplies drugs, not only to our country but across the the then Prime Minister and Cabinet giving us a little world. headroom to make some progress on drugs. Before then, we had the regime of the drugs tsar—a lot of debate but not enough progress—but my right hon. Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): I am the secretary Friend managed to gain some leeway. We ran that whole of the all-party parliamentary drug misuse group. debate as comprehensively as we could, because we The right hon. Gentleman mentioned the downgrading were looking to refresh our drugs strategy. We involved of cannabis and the U-turn or about-turn when the as many people as we could, such as practitioners in right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath treatment, police officers and the Select Committee on (Mr Brown) became Prime Minister, but the figures Home Affairs, which was enormously helpful in thinking speak for themselves. NHS treatment for cannabis use things through. doubled in the three years after the downgrading, drugs I am not unproud of some of the things that we did, deaths surged by 15% the following year and the number but we did far too little. We took the policy in the right of drugs dealers prosecuted for dealing cannabis in the direction. Yes, the classification of cannabis got all the three years afterwards fell by 29%. Does he not understand headlines at the time—we took cannabis from class B to that he was sending completely the wrong messages to class C, in line with the scientific information—and that young people about drug use? appeared to be the only thing in which the press were interested, but we did a lot else besides. Mr Ainsworth: No, I do not agree, and those figures We brought in guidance for clubs, encouraging them will not bear scrutiny. That is what we ought to to have water fountains, so that young people did not do—scrutinise what the hon. Gentleman has just said. die of dehydration if they had taken ecstasy. We opened We ought to bring some reason to bear, rather than the door to heroin prescription in my response to the make simple allegations and claims. Home Affairs Committee. That was difficult—some Everyone said that, when we reclassified, cannabis people in the Government were enormously worried— use would go through the roof. There is utterly and although, if we read the response, we can see that the absolutely no evidence for that—quite the reverse. Cannabis door was open only a small fraction. However, open it use, according to all the evidence that I have seen and was, and that was one of the most important things. I heard—others are far bigger experts than I am—went thought that we could follow that up over time, and use down in that period. The reclassification had no impact. heroin prescription as one of the tools to reduce harm. When we reclassified cannabis back to class B, it had no 343WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 344WH

[Mr Ainsworth] Mr Ainsworth: I intend to move on to what I am proposing shortly and knock down some of the things impact again. All the scaremongering about the that have been said that are not true. reclassification of cannabis was uncalled for and proved During the changes that we made in 2002, a young to be incorrect. and newly-elected Conservative Member was a member Cocaine use, however, has gone up, because that has of the Home Affairs Committee—he is now the Prime been the fashionable drug in recent years—a darn sight Minister. He went along not only with all the changes more dangerous than cannabis. Cocaine use has gone that we made, but with the Committee’s report, which up, but we never reclassified cocaine. If the hon. Gentleman asked the Government to go further in two particular is positing an argument for reclassification making an areas: to reclassify ecstasy from class A to class B, ounce of difference to the levels of use, he is in real which the Government would not do; and, more important, trouble. to have a full debate on the alternatives to prohibition. He supported and advocated that, and he was right to Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): I congratulate my do so. We did not go along with that, nor have the right hon. Friend on his courage and vision, and it is a current Government. They have condemned it and ruled pleasure to be here today. Does he not agree, having it out in the new drugs strategy issued last week. When heard the nonsensical intervention from the hon. Member the right hon. Gentleman became leader of the Conservative for Burton (Andrew Griffiths), that the classifications party, he felt, for reasons best known to himself, that he have almost nothing to do with use of the drug concerned? needed to recant and said that he had been wrong to A huge amount of energy has been spent talking about support that policy. That shines a light on exactly what and legislating on the classifications, but the real tragedy the problem is. is that in every year of the past 39 years, the waste of This morning, the leader of my party said that what I lives in Britain has increased, from 1,000 addicts in 1971 was saying was not Labour party policy and that he did to 320,000 now. We have the worst outcomes and the not agree with me. I am not surprised in the slightest harshest penalties of any country in Europe. Does he and I expected nothing other that that. The Minister not agree that there must be a better way? will stand later and say that the proposal is irresponsible, that it is not Government policy and that they will set Mr Ainsworth: I will move on to some of those issues their faces against it. When the Prime Minister was later in my speech. The only point on which I disagree being commendably brave as an ambitious young Member, with my hon. Friend is his use of the term “nonsensical”, however, he believed in it, and I believe that he still does because we really must get away from flinging insults but knows that it would be enormously difficult to take when discussing the matter. In the days ahead, many that position. He would not hold the right wing of his insults will be flung at me by sections of the right-wing party, with which, heaven knows, he has enough trouble, press, which I knew would happen when I raised the in place. That is why he will not support what he knows subject, but it will be a great shame if we cannot have a to be common sense, and that is the tragedy of drug more serious debate on that most serious issue. policy in this country. I have had some busy jobs in the past few years and The new drugs strategy contains many of the phrases so might not be as current as I was a short time ago, but that were used in my refresh of policy in 2002: “overarching I have always argued that the regulatory framework strategies”; “joining up the bits”; “let’s get cleverer”; adopted in different countries makes little difference to let’s get smarter”; “let’s work with others”, and “let’s their levels of drug use. Sweden has a hard attitude to work with others abroad.” All those phrases are in the drugs and relatively low drug use. Italy has a softer new strategy, yet the Government are trying to claim attitude and relatively low drug use. We have a very that it is a huge, new drugs policy, which will have an hard attitude and relatively high drug use. Holland has impact. It is not. Overwhelmingly, it is a continuation of a relatively liberal regime and a high incidence of drug what went before. There is one significant difference: use. That tells us that the regulatory framework has the Government are retreating from the notion of harm little effect on the levels of drug use in those countries. minimisation, the only thing that made the difference. They claim that harm minimisation is fine, but that we Mike Weatherley (Hove) (Con): I congratulate the have to go further and put the need to cure people of right hon. Gentleman on his courage in holding the their addictions at the forefront of all our thinking. debate today. It is a welcome contribution to the general Who would not want to do that? Who on earth thinks debate that we should be having on the subject. As he that curing people’s addictions is not a good idea? I will know, Brighton and Hove has a high rate of deaths think that it is a fantastic idea. However, we should not related to heroine. Does he agree that drug users are not be naive. It will work in some instances, but not in necessarily criminals and should be rehabilitated and others. It will work at some points in people’s lives, but assisted, and that part of that involves the recognition not at others. The opportunities, where they exist, to that criminalisation is perhaps inappropriate, particularly move people through drug addiction to becoming drug for marijuana? Does he also agree that the previous free ought to be seized and properly funded. Government’s decision to declassify marijuana to class When we talk about an emphasis on cure, we should C perhaps sent the wrong message because it was neither be mindful that rehabilitation is massively expensive. one way, nor the other, and people buying the drugs are The Government are not about to start funding mass still buying them from criminal gangs? Either it should rehabilitation and are in fact cutting drug treatment have been legalised, or the message that should have programmes. There will be reductions in drug treatment been sent out was that it was a harmful drug. We really budgets in every constituency the length and breadth of need a full, independent review of the whole situation, the country. The budget for drug treatment in Coventry without the emotion that seems to come from all sides. and Warwickshire is currently £11 million, but the new 345WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 346WH budget will be £8 million, which is a huge cut. If we rational way, to examine the alternatives. We ought to start taking money for rehabilitation out of that £8 million, look at continuing the current prohibitions, we ought to the funding for many other treatments will be hugely look at the alternatives, we ought to examine the issue reduced. I have a real fear about that, because we are properly, rationally and sensibly. We ought to be prepared about to enter a period when unemployment will rise, to have that debate. police numbers will decrease and drug treatment will We ought to look at whether we should reintroduce be slashed, which will result in a massive increase in heroin prescriptions as one of the potential treatments acquisitive crime. I fear that that is what our country is for heroin addicts in this country. We used to do that in about to face. the 1960s, but we stopped doing it. People, including Andrew Griffiths: The right hon. Gentleman makes a famous and gifted people, lived with their heroin addiction strong case for harm minimisation, as if it were the and continued to make a contribution to our society, solution to the problem, but does he not accept that the but we stopped that under international pressure. We figures show that 95,000 people in the UK have been on are now part of the international pressure that stops a methadone script for more than a year? Of those others from moving. 95,000, 25% were still on methadone four years later. I Ten years ago, Portugal decriminalised small amounts do not know about him, but I am ambitious for people of drugs. People do not go to Portugal to get zonked; and do not want to see so many living in state-induced there is not a huge problem. I understand that there is a dependency. Does he accept that that maintenance is huge financial problem in Portugal, but there is not a not providing the kind of solution that we are looking huge drug problem. People go to Portugal to play golf for? and to enjoy the sun. Portugal is still there. It is fine, it has saved a fortune, its HIV rates have crashed through Mr Ainsworth: I, too, am ambitious for people, and if the floor, the sky has not fallen in. We have been part of anyone can be cured of an addiction, I want them to be the international pressure to stop that country from cured of it. I do not want us to leave one person whom doing what it has done. we can get off opiates dependent on them, but, equally, I am not naive. I do not believe that any Government, Portugal has been successful to such a degree that the never mind a Conservative-led coalition Government, sitting Prime Minister at the last general election held will fund the levels of drug treatment that provide the up his drug liberalisation programme as a reason for his rehabilitation episodes that are needed to get the number re-election. Would it not be amazing if the Prime Minister of people that the hon. Gentleman talks about off their of this country could stand in front of the British public habit. and say, “Vote for me because I have liberalised drug policy and it has made a huge difference,” instead of Therefore, the choice that we face is to keep those shrinking from what were his clearly held beliefs as he people safe until such time as they can make progress, climbed the ladder and became leader of the Conservative or to hand them back to the criminal market, put them party? The war on drugs is not working. back into the hands of the dealers, let the guy on the street corner supply them with diamorphine, encourage I want the Minister to answer only one question. I them to go back to prostitution or to start robbing their know that he will disagree with me today—he has to; he mates and neighbours. That is the stark choice . My would not be allowed to be the Minister if he were to Government chose to expand drug treatment hugely. agree with me—but I want to ask him this one question. We did it not for the benefit of the drug users themselves I flagged it up on the media this morning, so he should but for the benefit of the entire community. not be surprised by it. He has a new drugs strategy, which he says is different. He says that it will work, that Mike Weatherley: Were the drug rehabilitation it will make a difference. How many years will he give programmes based on methadone or abstinence? I have his new strategy to make a significant difference? been to various drug rehabilitation centres, and by far If in two years’ time we have not made any progress, and away the most effective drug rehabilitation was will he agree to the kind of debate and policy shift that I through abstinence rather than methadone. I wonder am advocating? Do we have to wait five years, or whether there would be some cost savings in the long 50 years? We have been at this, unsuccessfully, for run from full abstinence. 50 years. We have built international criminal organisations Mr Ainsworth: We should listen to the experts. I went that dwarf the mafia that arose out of prohibition in to see the person who runs the drug treatment facilities America. In America, good people with good intentions for Coventry and Warwickshire in Coventry city centre banned alcohol for 13 years. They created Al Capone a few weeks ago, in preparation for this debate. He said and Lucky Luciano and, in the end, they caused the that, to some degree—and if they do not go too far—we St Valentine’s day massacre. After 13 years, they did not ought to look at the Government’s policy, because give in—they came to their senses and removed prohibition. perhaps in some instances we have been complacent If we do not start looking at alternatives to prohibition, about moving people through. We were so pleased with we will continue to have the Pablo Escobars and General ourselves for stabilising people, getting them safe and Noriegas of this world. Sher Mohammed Akhundzada keeping them out of crime, but perhaps we should have in Helmand province, the Taliban, the corruption of the been more assiduous in trying to cure them of their Afghan Government and the funding of the Afghan addiction. I am not opposed to trying everything to insurgency will continue. If we move production from cure people of their addiction. Afghanistan, it will simply go elsewhere, as it moved Let me say what I am and what I am not advocating. I from the golden triangle to Afghanistan some years am simply saying this, and no more: it is about time we ago. If we spray the entire forest in Colombia and had a debate in this country, and provoked one destroy the foliage so that coca cannot be grown, production internationally, about whether the war on drugs can will move to Bolivia, Peru and, potentially, to Africa. succeed, or whether we ought to be prepared, in a When? That is my only question to the Minister. 347WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 348WH

[Mr Ainsworth] proposes good, solid, readily available, well-funded treatment, while saving a fortune and many lives in the I am not advocating a big bang. I do not believe that process. any political party would dare to propose some huge, instant change in this regard. People are too frightened, Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con): and rightly so, by the size of the problem. I am proposing I thank the right hon. Gentleman for having the bravery debate, incremental change, pilots and rational thought. to initiate this important debate. Drugs destroy lives I am proposing that the Government do not do what is and wreck families. I suspect, sadly, that few families in in their Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, Britain today have not been touched by the scourge of which I believe includes a measure to remove the drugs—the thieving, lying, deceit, violence and unreasonable requirement to have scientists on the Advisory Council behaviour that come from drug abusers. Yet families do on the Misuse of Drugs. How stupid is that? In a not talk about that with friends, for fear, in many modern society, we are about to say that we do not need respects, of criminalisation and because of the instinctive scientists on the advisory council. Perhaps we should need to protect loved ones. The situation is difficult. legislate to have witch doctors on it. That is about as There is no one to talk to and no one who can help, in silly a thing as I have heard for some long time. many cases, and it can be lonely for families dealing with such matters. Nevertheless, it is a killer and we Andrew Griffiths: The right hon. Gentleman mentioned have real problem. I am not in favour of the right hon. science, and I saw Professor Nutt on television today, Gentleman’s proposals for legalisation, but there are coming to his aid and supporting his proposition. I have some excellent abstinence-based systems in residential listened to his reasoned speech, in which he has set out programmes, one example of which is the Kenward why he thinks this is important, but he has not mentioned Trust, in my constituency, which provides respite for the anybody involved in drug treatment who supports his family and treatment for the abuser. suggestion. What groups advocate the legalisation of Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Order. I think we heroin and cocaine? need to let Mr Ainsworth respond to the intervention. May I say to all colleagues that interventions are getting Mr Ainsworth: The hon. Gentleman needs to listen to a little bit long? I am not picking on one colleague. This what I am saying. I am not advocating kiosks on street is a useful juncture at which to remind hon. Members to corners where young people can buy heroin, for heaven’s keep interventions short. sake. I am a parent and a grandparent, and I want to make my children and my grandchildren safer. I do not Mr Ainsworth: I thank the hon. Lady for her heartfelt want them to experiment with dangerous drugs. comments. She disagrees with me. Turning the clock [Interruption.] I have said that it is about time that we back to when I was a relatively new Member of Parliament, had a reasonable debate, but the hon. Gentleman cannot I would have said exactly the same as her. When my help this yah-boo nonsense. He has asked a question Government came out with a new drug policy, particularly and I will give him an answer—and after today we will if I had had the opportunity to have input into it, I give him a load more as well, because there are lots of would have hoped and thought that a lot of good them. people were working on it and that it would make a I am advocating the replacement of the dealer, who difference. In the period ahead, the hon. Lady should has a ready market with addicts putting money in his watch what happens. If this new drug policy does not pocket and who is, in his totally and utterly irresponsible make any difference—I believe it will not—she should way, prepared to sell heroin to children and anybody keep an open mind and come to another conclusion. I else to extend his market, to the extent that we can do do not know how many years she or the Minister will so—perfection does not exist—with a doctor. I want to give it, but she should keep an eye on the policy and stay get people into clinics and give them prescriptions and engaged with this issue. I think that she will, like me, remove the dealer’s market, thereby removing at least come to different conclusions over time, but that remains some dealers. to be seen. All I can say is that I hope that she keeps an open mind. Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I want I want to raise one more issue that is not to do with to cite a couple of people who support the right hon. drugs, but I am determined to say this. As I said, I am Gentleman’s position. Sir Ian Gilmore, the former president neither the slightest bit surprised about, nor do I have a of the Royal College of Physicians, argues that problem with, what my party leader said this morning. decriminalising illicit use could He distanced the Labour party from what I am saying. I “drastically reduce crime and improve health.” expected that; he was never going to do anything else. The chairman of the Bar Council, Nicholas Green, QC, However, I am annoyed that an anonymous Labour says: party spokesperson said that what I am saying is irresponsible. I do not mind that the leader of the party, “A growing body of comparative evidence suggests that decriminalising personal use can have positive consequences. It the shadow Minister or the Labour party spokesperson can free up huge amounts of police resources, reduce crime and think that; if they do, they should say it. I will not be the recidivism and improve public health. All of this can be achieved slightest bit upset if anybody disagrees in any terms without any overall increase in drug usage.” with what I am saying. But I am upset by anonymous We are not short of any allies on this side of the briefings by my party against its members. I used to get Chamber. angry about that in government. It used to happen to me in government and I am sure that it happens to Mr Ainsworth: I have been helped in preparing this Conservative and Liberal Democrat Members, too. I speech, and in my thinking on this matter, by an will not allow people anonymously to say these things organisation called Transform, which is often accused without my making an issue of it, because doing so is of being a libertarian organisation, although it is not; it the only way that hon. Members can fight back. 349WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 350WH

The road of anonymous briefings leads to Damian a huge number of people go to the trust with a drug McBride. My party learnt from that problem once; it addiction and a large proportion come out completely does not need to learn the lesson again. Whoever this free of drugs. That is the direction of travel that we individual is, they should stop, because if they do not should be encouraging, and the Government have actually stop and if they say these things about me, I will say signalled that that is the direction of travel. We need to things like this, publicly, in television studios and in the be sure that we get resources to organisations such as Chamber of the House of Commons. We will, between the Nelson Trust so that they can deal with the problem. us, damage our party. Stop. If they want to say anything As a result of a question to the Secretary of State for about me and my views, they should give us their name Health, the right hon. Gentleman discovered that most and say it on the record. I will not be offended. Anonymous of the money that we spend on treatment is being spent briefing has been a plague of modern politics. I am on methadone. We need to transfer resources away from determined that people will not do it to me without methadone and towards taking people off drugs altogether. some retaliation. It is important that we flag up to the Minister right now the fact that organisations such as the Nelson Trust Several hon. Members rose— really need to be seen, examined and then supported, Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Order. Six Back because there is clear evidence that they work—and Benchers are here and we have quite a bit of time. Just that they work well. two Back Benchers were planning to intervene, but My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor given the nature of this debate I would not mind, and I and Secretary of State for Justice is also signalling an am sure that colleagues would not mind either, if they interest in dealing with drugs. He has noted that too made short speeches, because this is an important subject. many people are on drugs in prison; indeed, it is probably easier to get drugs in prison than it is on the outside, 3.8 pm which is an astonishing fact. Of course, if we are talking about comparisons, we should remember that it costs Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): My name is Neil about £675 a week to treat somebody and take them off Carmichael, in case there is any doubt about my being drugs, but, as we know, it costs more than £800 to keep anonymous. somebody in prison. We need to act on that, and the I welcome this important debate. I congratulate the Secretary of State for Justice is doing just that in the right hon. Member for Coventry North East prison reforms in his recent Green Paper. (Mr Ainsworth) not only on securing it, but on having It is really important that we start supporting the courage to say something different from what he has organisations such as the Nelson Trust with finance and said before. I do not agree with him, but it is right and Government policy, because it is essential that we tackle proper to have such a debate from time to time, because this question rigorously. The National Institute for Health in respect of the current drugs strategy we are looking and Clinical Excellence has pointed out that nearly half back to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Time has of all crime is related in some way or other to drug use marched on. This is a good opportunity to review the and abuse. That is a staggering fact, which signals not situation. only the scale of the problem, but the gains that we Decriminalising drugs and drug use will not be helpful. could make if we simply tackled addiction in the way Instead, what do we do about people who are on drugs? that the Nelson Trust does and other organisations can. That is the more important and immediate issue. We really need to focus on a strategy that moves us away Colleagues have mentioned the use of methadone, from methadone and towards getting people 100% off which is one of the big issues that we have to confront. drugs. Methadone is not a satisfactory solution to the problem, The Nelson Trust recognises, as we all should, that and we simply have to state that. Let me give hon. this is about more than just the immediate issue of Members an interesting statistic. When the Labour getting someone off drugs. We need to provide family Government’s programme kicked off back in 2000 or support and opportunities for people to transfer into 2001, it was spending £60 million on methadone. By the work. We also need to sort out what can sometimes be time it had finished, the figure was more than £400 million, pretty difficult housing circumstances. When somebody which is an astonishing amount to spend on something is on drugs, of course, all those things and more become that really is not solving the problem. The first key very problematic. To get somebody off drugs, therefore, point, therefore, is to recognise that the methadone we also need to tackle some of those surrounding strategy is the wrong one and that we need to look issues. The Nelson Trust has pioneered some really much more carefully at getting people off drugs altogether. good work on that, and that is the direction of travel Another startling statistic is that fewer than 5% of that we should take. I finish with a strong appeal that people are in a form of drugs treatment whose task it is we think less about methadone and more about getting to get them off drugs altogether. We are therefore not people off drugs for ever. only pursuing a methadone strategy with wild abandon, but being very reckless, given that we know that there are glittering examples of good practice, where people 3.15 pm are treated for drug addiction and leave the system—usually Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): It is a joy among very speedily—with a satisfactory outcome. reasonable people to hear one prohibitionist talking We have one of those glittering examples in good sense. That can be a turning point in the national Gloucestershire. The Nelson Trust was visited by my conversation on this subject. My right hon. Friend the right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Member for Coventry North East (Mr Ainsworth) is Pensions and its work has won an award from the not the first former drugs Minister to say that he Centre for Social Justice. That is quite right, too, because disagrees with his policy in office. I collaborated with 351WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 352WH

[Paul Flynn] 150 countries in the world have supported it. It has gone through the Pompidou Group, which has the reputation the late Mo Mowlam on a book about her views in and of being very conservative. Having had the approval of out of office, although, sadly, her illness overtook her. the Council of Europe, it is being assessed by two My part of that book has been published, and I can international think-tanks. commend it unreservedly to hon. Members who are It is based on this: I despair of ever getting the looking for an intelligent Christmas present for the Nordic view in line with the southern Mediterranean discerning reader—it is all there. However, I will not view, of Portugal, Italy and Spain—or of the Netherlands burden hon. Members with that this afternoon, because and Switzerland. That will not happen; but if the different I have had ample opportunities to give my views on that views are regarded as circles, there is a point where they subject in the past. intersect. That point is where the convention will be My qualification for speaking today is that I have built—on that common knowledge. been in favour of the policy my right hon. Friend has Everyone will disagree on many factors, at the extreme described for more than 25 years. I have strongly advocated of each side. We shall not get people to agree on decriminalisation and legalisation throughout my decriminalisation, I am afraid, in the foreseeable future; parliamentary career. I agree with what he said about but we can get people to agree on stopping the waste of politics. It has been a great advantage to me to advocate believing that the criminal justice system is a good-value, such a policy. The results in Newport West at the last effective way of dealing with addicts. Every country in election show that if I had experienced the same swing Europe knows it does not work, yet we pursue it and against Labour as all my colleagues in neighbouring spend billions on it. constituencies, I would not be standing here now. I admire the present Prime Minister of Portugal, Mike Weatherley: The hon. Gentleman was talking because he is a man of courage and principle. When he about the Nordic view and Portugal; is he aware of the introduced his policy as a Minister, it was highly unpopular; Swiss model? The four-fold approach that they have is: indeed, it was not popular in his own party, and it “Prevention, law enforcement, treatment and harm reduction”. certainly was not popular with the press or the public. However, he went ahead, and his policy is now supported Everyone in this House would, of course, agree that the by all parties in the Portuguese Parliament. last—harm reduction—is the ultimate goal. Yesterday, Joao Castel-Branco Goulao, Portugal’s Paul Flynn: I am very much aware of it. I did a drugs tsar, visited the House and gave an account of scientific analysis some eight years ago of what was what happened when the country de-penalised all drugs. happening in drug production in four countries— The law came into effect in 2001. By 2005, it had halved Switzerland, Sweden, Britain and the Netherlands. It the number of drug deaths—imagine that! The procedure was an attempt to examine the effects and the level of is complicated, and I will not go into it entirely, but the drug abuse. On one point I disagree with my right hon. Cato Institute did an assessment of it, which was published Friend the Member for Coventry North East: the level in Time magazine last year. of drug use in Holland is lower than it is here. Sweden, Every outcome of de-penalisation in Portugal has from a very low base, had the biggest increase. The been positive. Seizures of big quantities of drugs have United Kingdom came out worst, and it remains the increased greatly because the authorities are not bothering worst in all outcomes. Switzerland has tried a number with tiny quantities of drugs for personal use. The of brave experiments, particularly in the way of prescribing prison population has decreased, which has saved a heroin. That has been a great success as a way of fortune in prison and court costs, and the use of every reducing crime. category of drug has been reduced. The policy has been However, I want to mention our greatest failure a huge success. internationally, and the one I feel despair about. I have The point that I want to make is that we are on the addressed the Commonwealth of Independent States, verge of a breakthrough and a positive measure. I do the former communist bodies. The worst thing that has not want to repeat the old argument—I have wasted happened internationally on drugs concerns them, because many hours on it—between the prohibitionists and the when the Berlin wall fell, none of the communist countries pragmatists, who have a go at one another before retreating had a drug problem; many had alcohol problems, but to their own silos, with no progress having been made. none had a drug problem. They came to us and said, There has been success, and I say that as the current “You in the west have had this problem for a long time. chairman of the Council of Europe’s sub-committee on You guys know about it. What do we do? How do we health and the Council’s rapporteur on drugs for more deal with drugs?” than a decade. But instead of getting a formula in which we said, I have visited more than 20 countries to look at their “Well, this has worked,” those countries got back a drug policy, and put forward numerous papers. The one babble of conflicting views from all parts of Europe. that will be a success is a new convention on drugs, They repeated our remedies and inherited our problems. which I introduced in 2005 and which has gone through Those states have 25 million addicts now. If we had the great whale of a bureaucracy in the Council of adopted a model that worked 10 or 25 years ago, we Europe and European politics. I believe that next year it could have handed it on. I believe that such a model will become a convention that all the 47 countries of the exists in its best state in Portugal now. Council of Europe will be asked to ratify. I urge all hon. Members to approach the matter with The convention has already been approved— an open mind. I have memories of previous debates of unanimously voted on by 47 countries in the Council of this kind, and in particular of , in about Europe. It has had the approval of the Red Cross and 1990, announcing that we could be absolutely certain of 353WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 354WH one thing—that heroin use had peaked. We had about is preferable to the alternative. The point that the hon. 90,000 addicts then. When I spoke on the subject about Gentleman seems to miss is that a rich heroin addict can 18 months ago, the number was 280,000, and it is now live almost without risk. We know of famous people—I 320,000. shall not mention any names—who were heroin addicts I recall another debate—we used to have a three-hour all their lives and died in their beds at an advanced age. debate on Friday mornings—when the Government At the moment it is poor addicts who suffer, and who and Opposition spokesmen had to leave the Chamber are in the position I described—exposed to street dealers because they both needed a fix of the addictive drug to and contaminated heroin. which they were enslaved; they both needed to go out I remember vividly, from the time of the 2002 Home and smoke. I am sure that later in the evening they Office report—I was kindly mentioned in the would wander off to any of the 16 bars in this place, introduction—working with , and attending decrying young people’s use of drugs—with a cigarette the meetings. I remember his sharp questioning of a in one hand, a glass of whisky in the other, and a couple man called Fulton Gillespie, whose son had been killed of paracetamol in their top pockets for the headache by injecting heroin contaminated with talcum powder. that they were going to get the next morning. I had a hope that the generation now in government We behave with hypocrisy and incompetence on drugs. and opposition—I am sure that most members of the I do not want to go into the wasted years that we have Cabinet and shadow Cabinet used illegal drugs in their had, but can we just say where the United Kingdom is university careers—would at least have the courage to now, and put aside tabloid pressure? Let us forget about see that the present policies are not working, and can what people say, and the abuse that my right hon. never work. I hope that they go through the same Friend the Member for Coventry North East will get, realisation that my right hon. Friend the Member for and say we know what is right, and what works, and we Coventry North East has courageously undergone, and know that the policies that we have pursued for 39 years conclude that we have to have another policy. We should have given us the worst drug problems and the worst be able to agree on the extent of the failure. outcomes in Europe. The hon. Gentleman mentioned prisons, and one of We had tough policies in ’71. They did not work, so his hon. Friends told me that he went to a prison where we had even tougher policies—and they did not work, a prisoner explained that he had toothache and wanted so we went on again to still tougher policies. There were an aspirin, but would have to wait until the next day to great plaudits for all the politicians putting them through. see a doctor for that aspirin. He also said that he could Each time, our problems went up and up. That has not go out of his cell and obtain heroin, marijuana or happened in Portugal. In the Netherlands, there is some cocaine within five minutes. kind of control. The glamour has been taken away. The joy of forbidden fruit has been taken out of using How many of our prisons are drug free? None. No cannabis. People can go to a cannabis café and have a prison in the country is drug free. If we cannot keep cannabis cake with their grandmother. Where is the fun drugs out of prisons with 30-foot walls, what chance do in that? Part of the attraction, here, is the illegality of we have of implementing a policy of prohibition to drugs. Part of the problem, and the reason why people keep drugs out of schools and clubs? die here, is the illegality of drugs. My right hon. Friend the Member for Coventry Andrew Griffiths: We agree on that point, but the North East mentioned that people can, if they get matter is much worse. The number of methadone control of their heroin and know its quality and strength, interventions—prescriptions—to prisoners has more than become heroin addicts and live into their nineties. Many doubled in just over three years. The problem is not just people have. There are homes in the Netherlands for illegal drugs in prison; methadone is being prescribed geriatrics who are heroin addicts. They can be maintained. more and more to keep prisoners quiet. People here who are unfortunate enough to be addicted must take their heroin from illegal sources, from those who produce products that may well be toxic or Paul Flynn: There seems to be a concentration on contaminated. They take them in unhygienic surroundings methadone as a solution. It is not. It is part of the in a dark alley. That is why prohibition is killing people. problem. There is no way round it, except the nonsense of putting addicts in prison for their addiction. Nothing Andrew Griffiths: The hon. Gentleman paints a very could be more counter-productive or a larger waste of rosy picture of people living a long and happy life on money. I believe that that is in the convention that will heroin. One of my constituents spent 30 years on be introduced next year. There is a universal view that methadone and has now been drug-free for two years. we must move away from using the criminal justice He has just celebrated his second drug-free birthday. He system for treating addiction, and use health outcomes said he has wasted his life. The difference between his and treatment. life on methadone and his life drug-free is like being As sensible people, we must recognise the enormity of born again. He is one of the strongest advocates of our continued failure, and get politicians of all parties tackling the situation in which we park people on together—the hon. Gentleman is secretary of the all-party methadone for years on end, rather than, through group on drug misuse, and I welcome that—to recognise rehabilitation, tackling the reason why they use drugs in the courage of my right hon. Friend the Member for the first place. Coventry North East and how he has taken on interviews today. That will arouse the realisation, throughout the Paul Flynn: The hon. Gentleman is simplifying the country and among all parties, that the only way of problem. No one is in favour of people going on methadone ensuring that we are not top of the league of drug for prolonged periods, but it does happen, and often it deaths, drug crime and the other drug problems on this 355WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 356WH

[Paul Flynn] the way in which they are acquired and used and by how society treats people who use drugs. Unless we develop continent of ours is to learn from other people—including an approach that seeks to reduce the harm associated lessons from the Netherlands, and particularly the recent with all those aspects of drug use, we risk perpetuating lessons from Portugal. it, and that is what has been occurring since the current There is a better way. There is certainly no way prohibition-based policy has been in place. practised by any country in the world that is worse than The matter is not as simple as saying that the war on what parties on both sides have done for the past 40 drugs has failed to reduce drug-related harm; it is years in the United Kingdom. actually making it worse. Far from it being a neutral intervention, it often pushes people towards more harmful Several hon. Members rose— products and behaviour, and certainly more harmful environments. I am especially mindful that the poorest Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Order. It is in society usually suffer most from drug misuse, but it is conventional that I now call an hon. Member on the crucial to differentiate between the suffering caused by Government Benches, but I am aware that Caroline drugs and that caused by drugs policy. For example, the Lucas must leave for a surgery, so I will call her now, vast majority of drug-related offending is a consequence although I will not make this a habit. I apologise to the of drugs policy. The burglary, theft and so on to enable hon. Member who has been waiting. drugs to be bought at vastly inflated prices would be significantly reduced under a regulated system. 3.32 pm There is a growing view among the scientific community, as well as among politicians, the police and the legal Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): Thank profession, that we must move away from prohibition, you, Mr Walker. I appreciate that, and I am honoured which criminalises people, towards a health-based strategy to follow the hon. Member for Newport West (Paul that seeks to reduce drug use and drug harm through Flynn) who is such an expert on this issue and speaks control and regulation. During an intervention, I quoted such good sense about it. some of the experts who agree with that position. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Coventry North East (Mr Ainsworth) on securing the debate and All too often, alternatives to the current prohibition-based on his position, which I believe is the right one and approach are depicted as a free-for-all, with drugs being which my party has advocated for many years. My readily available with no checks and balances, and with constituency is in a city that has the unenviable reputation people being encouraged to become users. That is deeply of being home to the most drug-related deaths in the irresponsible, because nothing could be further from UK, so I have a keen interest in what can be done to the truth. I am certainly not advocating a free market in reduce the harmful effects of drugs both on society as a legalised drugs, and I do not believe that anyone else is. whole and on individuals. The legalised market exists for tobacco, for example, and it still exists to a great extent in some parts of the I shall start by saying a few words about what is global south. wrong with much of the current drug policy, making a few references to the Government’s newly published From a public health perspective, the free market strategy, and making the case for an approach that approach is even more damaging than the unregulated focuses on reducing the use of drugs and the harm they criminal control of drug markets, with the aggressive cause—treating addiction primarily as a health issue, promotion of consumption via marketing and advertising, rather than a criminal justice issue. all to the one end of maximising profits for legal commercial actors. The facts about drug use are not new to anyone in the Chamber. In the UK, for example, the social and economic In fact, under the current system there is a free-for-all costs of class A drugs are estimated at more than with no controls on who sells drugs, no controls on who £15.4 billion a year, and more than half of the 35,000 can buy them and no controls on their make-up. Every people in prison are thought to have serious drug problems, drug supplier is, by definition, unlicensed, placing them which put them there. Those facts should be the starting beyond any form of state control or management. If we point for any strategy, which should be based on available persist in burying our heads in the sand on this issue, we evidence. Instead, much of our current approach is will miss the opportunity for the state to intervene to based on moral judgments against drug use and users. regulate and control the drugs market, properly to treat The Home Secretary falls into that trap in the Government’s drug users, and to reduce the harm to users and society, drug strategy, which they published just last week. For all within an overarching framework of seeking to example, she asserts that reduce drug misuse. “drug use in the UK remains too high”, Poverty, social exclusion and inequality all have an while failing properly to recognise that the greatest risk impact on drug use and drug markets, so they must be is not drug use per se, but the societal and individual looked at alongside policies on education, prevention, problems caused by a prohibitionist response. Moreover, treatment and recovery. All too often, success in the although there is, understandably and rightly, considerable so-called war on drugs is measured in terms of numbers fear about the impact of drugs, it cannot be allowed to of arrests or drug seizures, when we should be assessing dictate policy. Reducing drug-related harm is a public whether harm experienced by individuals and communities health concern and should be subject to the same sort is declining. of effectiveness and efficiency standards as other areas As the Home Secretary acknowledges in the foreword of public health. to the new drugs strategy, Drug-related harm is caused partly by the nature of “Individuals do not take drugs in isolation from what is the drugs being used—not just their addictiveness—by happening in the rest of their lives”. 357WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 358WH

I welcome that recognition, and the strategy’s emphasis heroin from the streets. Laboratory urine tests allowed on the role of tackling disadvantage. In that context, it researchers to check if the heroin used had been prescribed is important to note the work of the Equality Trust, or had come from the streets. Researchers also collected which shows a clear and demonstrable correlation between information about other illicit drug use, injecting behaviour, drug use and inequality. There is a strong tendency for health and social functioning, criminal activity and so drug misuse to be more common in more unequal on. The results and the strength of the conclusion were countries such as the UK. amazing. They suggested that pharmaceutical heroin was far more effective in helping to stabilise people’s Mike Weatherley: Does the hon. Lady agree that lives, get them off the illicit heroin and, crucially, to there is a small problem with the benefits culture, which begin to reduce their overall drug use. The treatment often helps to perpetuate drug use? was not just about keeping people on a particular dosage for ever, it was about enabling them to withdraw Caroline Lucas: That is an interesting observation. from ongoing drug use. I met participants on the trial Yes. who told me that it had saved their lives. It had given If the Government are serious about tackling drug them back control of their lives, allowed them to kick abuse they also need to tackle inequality. Turning people crime, find their families again and, over time, reduce with a medical problem into criminals, and burdening their drug use. them with a whole new set of obstacles to overcome, Professor Strang from King’s College London, one of seems particularly perverse and counter-productive. As the leading academics on the study, described its outcomes well as tackling some of the social factors that contribute as follows: to drug use, we should tightly regulate the production, “The RIOTT study shows that previously unresponsive patients supply and use of drugs, as that is the most effective can achieve major reductions in their use of street heroin and, way to reduce drug harm. impressively, these outcomes were seen within six weeks. Our Legal regulation of potentially risky goods is the work offers Government robust evidence to support the expansion bread and butter of Government, so it is logical and of this treatment, so that more patients can benefit.” consistent to apply the same principles to drugs as those I am pleased that the drugs strategy foresees a role for applied to alcohol and cigarettes, for example, or to substitute prescribing. I call on the Home Office and imported toys and hair dyes. The Government are there the Home Secretary to ensure that the results of the to regulate potentially risky goods. Some of the most RIOTT programmes are properly factored into the useful work on this issue that I have come across is from analysis, and that such programmes are made more the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, which has available across the country. The trials are an example published a “Blueprint for Regulation”. It starts by of the regulated use of a drug that is otherwise prohibited. saying that it is helpful to know what regulation would They provide a useful, albeit limited, example of how actually look like, so that we can begin to outline regulation can enable users to become prescribed users, different kinds of supply models. For example, it suggests rather than street users, thereby illustrating some of the prescription as one particular model, or pharmacies benefits of regularising the supply route and decriminalising that have restrictions according to buyer age, the quantity drug use. of drug being bought, and the case specific concerns relating to potential misuse. One particularly appealing I would like to address the issue of cost, which has aspect of that approach is the scope to require pharmacists been mentioned several times. Some people argue that or licensed suppliers to offer advice about harm reduction, programmes such as RIOTT are extremely expensive, safer use and treatment services where appropriate. but I would like to look at the other side of the equation. Given the cost of following up drug-related crime to the I have had the privilege of visiting the RIOTT— police, or the cost to the NHS, approaches such as that randomised injecting opioid treatment trial—programme of the RIOTT programmes are far more cost-effective in my constituency. In case hon. Members have not than the continuing prohibition that we see today. heard of it, it is one of three trials to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of treatment with injected opioids, such as methadone and heroin, for Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): I patients who were dependent on heroin but did not apologise for not being in the Chamber at the beginning respond to conventional methadone substitution treatment. of this important debate and I welcome the opportunity Some 150 people receiving oral methadone substitution to discuss this issue today. The hon. Lady sets out an treatment and injecting illicit heroin on a regular basis alternative approach to tackling the drugs problem. were recruited to the trial. Fifty of them were provided Does she agree that, whatever policies are advocated, it with optimised methadone medicine to take orally, and is essential that they are properly assessed for their 50 were given supervised injected long-acting methadone effectiveness in reducing crime and improving health, treatment. The remaining 50 were given supervised and that they should be based on sound science and injected heroin, with access to doses of oral methadone. regularly reviewed after implementation to check whether They also received—this is absolutely crucial—one-to-one they continue to be effective? personal support and had people who worked with them, got to know them and gave them advice and Caroline Lucas: I agree with the hon. Gentleman that support. All participants were followed-up for six months our position needs to be based on science and evidence, to enable researchers to compare the effectiveness and and regularly reviewed. It is precisely that kind of cost-effectiveness of the three treatments. approach that characterises the RIOTT programmes The main measure of the trial’s effectiveness was the that I mentioned. I have seen the results in my own proportion of participants who stopped using illicit constituency and I passionately hope that such programmes heroin. In other words, they stopped trying to get dirty will be made more available across the country. 359WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 360WH

[Caroline Lucas] Andrew Griffiths: The policy is making a real difference in my constituency now. If the right hon. Gentleman In conclusion, hon. Members will appreciate that to comes to see this evening the 250 people in my constituency consider the legal regulation of drugs represents a huge who, along with their families, have gone through an shift in thinking. As such, any regulation should be abstinence-based programme, he will see for himself brought in slowly and carefully, step by step, with each that it works. It changes lives; it changes communities. phase properly assessed before moving on to the next He says flippantly that he will not force anyone to take one. I mentioned earlier that, sadly, any debate on drug drugs. That fundamentally shows that he does not strategy is all too often derailed by knee-jerk reaction understand addiction. The issue is not that someone and an assertion that attempting to question the existing would be forced to take drugs, but that they would be prohibition-based approach is tantamount to dishing freely available. Every time someone went into the town pills out like candy to school children. centre, they would be able, if they were feeling down, to I hope that hon. Members will not take that kind of go to their chemist or doctor and get a hit of heroin or simplistic approach today. I am sure that they will not cocaine. Drugs would be much more readily available. as the nature of the debate has been very constructive. I The right hon. Gentleman does not understand that hope that we can build a cross-party approach to drug one of the major problems for addicts is removing regulation that will be open to learning from the example themselves from the circle of friends, from the community, of countries such as Portugal, which primarily treats that leads to their drug use. All too often, people fall drugs policy as a health concern. I would certainly into drug use because friends, colleagues or associates advocate an entirely joined-up approach to drug abuse are using drugs. Because of that, they get hooked; they under the auspices of a single unit in the Department of get addicted. Health, rather than, as at the moment, the Home Office. Of course the right hon. Gentleman is well intentioned. I hope it is clear that being in favour of drug controls is I have always known him to be a thoughtful and considered entirely consistent with the objective of reducing drug- person, but in advocating either licensing or prescription, related harm, and that continuing to support prohibition presumably on the NHS, for heroin and cocaine, he fails actively works in the other direction. to understand addiction and the way in which it works. Let me read out an e-mail that I received this morning 3.47 pm from a young lady who is a recovering addict. She says: Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): Thank you for giving “Addiction is extreme. Doing everything to the extreme. Getting me the opportunity to speak in the debate, Mr Walker. out of it and constantly chasing that buzz. Addicts don’t just use one drug, they use many drugs and alcohol to get out of it. One It was not my intention to speak today, predominantly bag of heroin was never enough. Prescribe me one bag and I because I was due to go back my constituency this would want two. Give me two and I want three.” evening, where I was to present awards to 250 drug When we hear from addicts and see the situation in addicts and recovering drug addicts and their families which they find themselves, we can understand their at an event run by the Burton addiction centre, which I concern. It is not easy to tackle an addiction. We am lucky to have in my constituency. I received a call recognise that that is one of the most difficult things this morning from one of my constituents, a young man that people can do. But when it comes to the idea that called Jamie, who for many years had been a prolific making drugs more accessible to people will in some user of heroin and many different substances. He has way solve the problem, the addicts I talk to regularly been drug free for three years because we in Burton are just do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman. I urge lucky to have an abstinence-based programme at the him to come and talk to the all-party drugs misuse Burton addiction centre that aims to help change people’s group. We will give him a good hearing. We regularly lives in a way similar to the scheme mentioned by the hear from dozens of very committed people who are hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas). involved in real drug treatment. Some advocate maintenance People’s lives have been changed. and some advocate abstinence programmes, but they Jamie rang me to say that he had heard on the news are all actively involved in, as the hon. Member for what is being advocated by the right hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion says, trying to give people back Coventry North East (Mr Ainsworth). He told me to their lives. ask him this: on the day that drugs are legalised, will he The right hon. Gentleman prays in aid the Transform arrange for the police van to arrive at Jamie’s house, put organisation. That is a think-tank and a lobby group, on the cuffs and take him to prison? If that does not but it does not help people overcome addiction. It does happen, Jamie guarantees that he will be dead in six research and it talks to people, but it does not help months. He said that not as a knee-jerk reaction, but as people, on a day-to-day basis, deal with the effects of someone who has experienced the devastating impact of addiction. I urge the right hon. Gentleman to talk to heroin abuse, and has had the ability, the support and people who are working with addicts day in, day out, to the power to get himself clean and to get his life back. understand their very real concerns. Mr Ainsworth: Neither I, nor anyone else, proposes to I am not going to hide away. I went on television force the hon. Gentleman’s constituent to start taking today and said that I thought the right hon. Gentleman drugs again. As he believes in an abstinence-based was not just wrong, but reckless and dangerous, because policy—the new Government’s policy—I will ask him the message that is being sent out that drug use is the question that I asked the Minister. How many years acceptable in some way is simply wrong. will he give the policy to make a difference? We are at the end of 2010 and he and I might be here in a couple Mike Weatherley: Surely one of the reasons why we of years’ time. How many years will he give the policy to are having this debate is to have a frank and varied make a real difference? discussion. Does my hon. Friend agree that we need an 361WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 362WH independent review? We all agree that drugs are harmful cocaine. Of course there is already the prescription of and we would like to reduce their use in society. In my methadone and similar heroin substitutes, and I think constituency, 70% of all crime is related to drug use. We that we all accept that that has been a complete failure. need to stamp that out. I made the point earlier that the The aims were good, and I recognise the need to minimise benefits culture perpetuates drug use. Many people are harm and stabilise people. That is very important, which trapped in such a situation. Surely an independent is why it remains a key part of the drugs strategy as review of the best way to make progress cannot be outlined by my hon. Friend the Minister. However, the objected to; it must be a good thing. public think that our drugs strategy should be fundamentally about getting people free from drugs— Andrew Griffiths: My hon. Friend is well intentioned. getting them off their addiction. We are misleading the I do not know whether he thinks that no one considers public when we say that it is okay to take drugs. It is these things. I do not know whether he thinks that true that, as was said, some people live a long life as a despite the thousands of people involved and the millions— heroin addict. Some people live for 20 or 30 years on indeed, billions—of pounds that are spent on trying to methadone, as I said was the case with my constituent. find a solution to the drug addiction problem in our However, that is not something that I would want for a country, someone has not at some stage sat down and member of my family or for a friend or colleague. considered whether legalisation would be a good idea, Stabilisation—harm minimisation—should have an impact but I can assure him that they have. I do not want to in the short-term, but we all have to be more ambitious send a message to young people that drug taking is an about moving to recovery thereafter. okay thing to do. The hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion can tut, but in my constituency I have seen Mr Ainsworth: If a child, grandchild or relative of families who have been devastated by drug deaths. I mine had a serious addiction and was in a place where have seen people young and old who are living with rehab would help, I would pay for it—I do not disagree addiction. I am sure that the hon. Lady has, too. with the hon. Gentleman. He should not think that I am naive or devoid of life experience—I am not. However, Caroline Lucas: I apologise for tutting, but the reason the Government will not pay for rehab on the scale why I was tutting is that I do not think that any hon. necessary. Member is suggesting that we want to give a message that drugs are okay. One of the things that hinder the Andrew Griffiths: I do not want to steal the Minister’s debate is attributing to one another positions that we do thunder, but I think he will outline how payment by not actually espouse. We all start from the point of results and changing the culture of how we treat drugs saying that drugs are causing harm in society. The and drug rehabilitation can deliver the outcome and be question is this: how do we best reduce that harm? It is more cost effective. I invite the right hon. Gentleman to fairer to accept that all of us are driving towards that visit the Burton addiction centre in my constituency, aim. where the programme is not only cost-effective, but so Andrew Griffiths: I absolutely accept that the hon. cost-effective that GPs pay for beds because they see the Lady is well intentioned, but the right hon. Member for impact it has on difficult patients, who were in a revolving Coventry North East this morning advocated licensing door, going in and out of their surgery. A proper or prescription of heroine and cocaine. What does a abstinence-based rehab programme, with support for parent say when they see a senior politician saying, “We both them and their families, makes a massive difference should license these drugs”? The nuances of the argument to GPs’ health budgets. The right hon. Gentleman about a debate and a discussion are lost on young shakes his head, but he should come and see some of people, who may this very weekend be thinking about these projects before he dismisses them. whether to try drugs for the first time. Mr Ainsworth: I was drugs Minster for two years. Caroline Lucas: What confuses young people is mixed messages given out by Governments, people obviously Andrew Griffiths: It is true that the right hon. Gentleman being hypocritical about drug use and so on. We should was drugs Minister for a number of years, and I understand not underestimate young people’s ability to understand that the drug problem increased in every one of them. this debate, and they will have a much better chance of understanding it if we are all straight with one another, Tom Brake: Earlier, the hon. Gentleman said that all rather than hiding behind positions that none of us is the Transform organisation did was research. Does he really espousing. feel that there is already sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of abstinence programmes versus substitution Andrew Griffiths: I could not agree with the hon. programmes, or prohibition versus the licensing scheme Lady more. We talk about mixed messages. The right that the right hon. Gentleman proposed? hon. Gentleman asked about the assertions that I made about the impact of downgrading cannabis. I point him Andrew Griffiths: The hon. Gentleman raises an to Hansard for 1 April 2009 and the answer to a question important point. It is true that we do not yet have asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Broxbourne enough evidence on the success of abstinence-based (Mr Walker), with the reference number 267674. It programmes, which is why I am encouraged that the shows that the number of patients treated by the NHS Minister is going for a pilot project in the drugs strategy. for cannabis use in 2004-05 was 13,408 and that three I am evangelical on the benefits that proper rehab in an years later, that had increased to 26,287. abstinence-based programme can have, but we need to I think that we need to move on and talk about the be able to prove that it works. I accept that. Not only impact of the approach that the right hon. Gentleman am I confident, but the providers and the clients who advocates. He advocates prescription for heroin or for have been through these programmes are confident that 363WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 364WH

[Andrew Griffiths] Friend the Member for Coventry North East (Mr Ainsworth) on securing the debate. I note his great this is a radical change to the drugs strategy and the way success in getting his views and comments widely trailed we treat drugs. The simple fact is that I agree with the in the media. Despite the fact that it is the Thursday right hon. Gentleman that we cannot continue along before Christmas and we are on a one-line Whip in the the path on which the Labour Government set us. House, the debate this afternoon has had a great deal of Last year we spent £235 million on methadone—that attention. is just on the drug, not the prescription or related All Members know from our work in our constituencies services—to treat 154,000 methadone users. That that drugs cause misery to people and thwart the £235 million is the equivalent of spending £500 a minute opportunities and life chances of not only the individual, on methadone. It would pay for 11,000 NHS nurses. but family members. They sometimes blight whole That puts into perspective not only the costs to society communities. However, when looking at drugs in the in crime and anti-social behaviour, but the costs in UK, it is important to remember that we have had some numbers of a purely maintenance-based programme successes. For example, the coalition Government’s strategy that is simply failing. I say that it is failing because refers to the fall of a third in the last decade in young 95,000 of those 154,000 people who received a methadone people’s rates of drug use. The importation of cocaine script last year were still on the script a year later, and has also been disrupted. more than 25% of them would have been on methadone As my right hon. Friend said, there has been a great for four years. The idea that a maintenance programme deal of investment in treatment for people with drug is a short-term thing that gets people drug free is not problems. He is a very distinguished Member, with, as correct. It is clearly not working, which is why we need he explained, experience as a drugs Minister. It is right this fundamental shift in our approach to drugs. that we should all welcome the opportunity for a considered I agree that we have lost the war on drugs to date, but and mature debate on drugs policy. I do not think it is inevitable that we have to raise the My hon. Friend the Member for Newport West (Paul white flag and accept that heroin and cocaine will be Flynn) spoke with great passion and knowledge about prescribed or sold in our communities. I say that because his experience in European countries. The hon. Member those dealing with these things on the ground have for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas) talked about warmly welcomed the different approach laid out by the her interesting experience looking at the Riott trials, Minister. As I said in my all-party group, a number of and about what we can learn from them. She also very cynical and concerned charities, voluntary groups addressed the matter of tackling inequality when thinking and organisations involved at the sharp end of dealing through drugs policy. with addiction have warmly welcomed the change in My right hon. Friend the Member for Coventry approach. They recognise that we cannot continue with North East has set out his approach, but it is not one the current failed policy. with which the Opposition agree. There have been headlines We win the war on drugs by improving rehab, giving and a great deal of newspaper copy today, but the topic people a recovery-based programme and being optimistic has been reported in far too simplistic a way to deal and bold about what we can help them deliver. It is with the complexities of the drugs problem we face. The about much more than rehab. It is about helping people issue is not straightforward; there are many different—and deal with the chaotic lives they lead as drug users. It is respected—views on the way forward for drugs policy in about ensuring that people have the support of their this country. family, and that their family recognise and understand My right hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster the process, and that they have access to good health North (Edward Miliband), the Leader of the Opposition, care, a safe home and opportunities. We must ensure commented today: that we do not simply expect people to go into the same “I am all in favour of fresh thinking on drugs. I don’t agree community, where they had been shooting up for the with him”— previous 10 years, after a four-week detox programme, and think that they have their lives back together. It is referring to my right hon. Friend the Member for about ensuing that we give them an opportunity to get Coventry North East— back into work, have work experience or work in the “on decriminalisation of drugs. I worry about the effects on community. All those things are very important. young people, the message we would be sending out.” That is an interesting point. We do need to have fresh I will draw my contribution to a close, but I wish to thinking, and we need to keep the area under constant say that I do not believe for one moment that the review. solution to our drug problem is the one advocated by the right hon. Gentleman. I do not want to see prescriptions This debate is timely due to the recent publication of for heroin or cocaine issued in my constituency, and I the coalition’s drugs strategy for 2010. We have also had know that many hon. Members feel exactly the same. the Second Reading of the Police Reform and Social We have a blueprint in the Government’s drugs strategy Responsibility Bill in the House of Commons this for fixing the mistakes made by previous Administrations, week. That includes clauses specific to drugs policy, and many of us are completely behind what the Minister which I will address later. is trying to do. The Opposition share the coalition’s broad approach to drugs strategy, building on the pillars of preventing 4.7 pm drug-taking, disrupting supply, strengthening enforcement and promoting treatment. There is a lot on which we Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): It can agree. However, the strategy marks a departure, is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this from the previous focus on reducing the harm caused by afternoon, Mr Walker. I congratulate my right hon. drugs to a focus on recovery as the most effective route 365WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 366WH out of dependency. We want to look at that further and which he was pleased to hear was still going. That is examine what that would mean. right, and most people accept that the initiative has It is important to note that the Home Secretary, in been a success. However, drugs education has to be her foreword to the drugs strategy, states that during more than just a website. We know the important role consultation the Government looked at the issue of that schools play in getting messages across to young liberalisation and decriminalisation, but decided that people. I am concerned about the changes that we are that was not the answer—that it fails to recognise the seeing in the education sector—the move to a narrower complexity of the problem and gives insufficient regard academic approach in schools, moving away from the to the harms that drugs pose. Department of Children, Schools and Families’ approach, which was about “Every Child Matters” and championed I want to explore the drugs strategy a little further the well-being agenda. That seems to have been sidelined and test some of its statements against the reality of the within schools with the new approach of the Secretary current policies being put forward by the coalition of State. Government in areas such as health, education, benefits and criminal justice. The backdrop to the strategy was Will the Minister reassure me that drugs education the announcement of the comprehensive spending review will remain an important subject in schools? I was and the budgets that will be available to the pubic sector deeply disappointed that at the very end of the previous over the next few years. I focus particularly on the Parliament, the Conservative party blocked personal budget allocations to the police, local authorities, the social and health education from becoming a statutory, NHS and the education sectors. They all have a very compulsory subject in schools. PSHE is a good vehicle important role to play in drugs policy. for ensuring that drugs education is present and effective In line with the coalition’s general thinking, the strategy in the educational setting. features a move away from a top-down to a local My hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon decision-making approach—the localism agenda. I hope Coaker), a former drugs Minister and schools Minister, the Minister can reassure me and other hon. Members made clear to me that if teachers are expected to provide that good practice, which does exist around the country good drugs education, they need training, resources now, will continue to be spread and that we will not see and the use of external experts to come and talk to only pockets of good practice, with the rest of the children and young people. That all takes resources and country left to mediocre practices. I hope the Minister I am concerned that those may not be available to can reassure me about that, based on this new local schools and head teachers. approach. There are three areas on which I want to comment. I wanted to pick up one other point on education, There is the issue of reducing demand. We know from which is in the section of the strategy dealing with research that people from backgrounds in which they reducing demand, and encouraging young people to face problems, such as homelessness, unemployment or stay in education and obtain qualifications to help them exclusion from school, are more likely to take drugs. get employment. There is one section that deals with educational opportunities and talks about supporting There are policies in the strategy that include a great children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds deal about early intervention and getting to those groups to stay in education. I read that and thought it did not early on to stop them from taking up drugs. There is fit well with the coalition Government’s current policy mention, for instance, of the 4,200 additional health to remove educational maintenance allowances. That visitors that the coalition Government will have in place has a direct effect on some of the disadvantaged by 2015. That is all well and good, but I am concerned communities, where drugs have been a problem. As a about how we are to train those additional health number of hon. Members have already said, the removal visitors, and also about where the money is to come of EMA is a real problem when trying to encourage from for those additional professionals. young people to stay on up to 18. The situation is the same with Sure Start. The strategy mentions Sure Start and the coalition Government I move on to restricting the supply of drugs. The recognise the important role that Sure Start and children’s strategy is building on the good work over the past few centres play. We all know that the funding of the 3,500 years and relies on a number of factors. One is around that were opened under the previous Labour Government good neighbourhood policing, and of course we have will now go to local authorities and will no longer be seen additional police numbers over the past 13 years. ring-fenced. As local authorities are under huge pressures We now face a 20% cut to police budgets. PCSOs, who to balance their budgets, I ask the Minister to look often provide an effective presence on the streets, will carefully at whether the role of Sure Start and children’s have their numbers cut. Again, I seek reassurance from centres will be as effective as the strategy sets out, with the Minister about how the strategy will deliver, given reduced resources. that reduction in resources. Under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, which had its Second There is also mention of the national programmes of Reading earlier this week, police and crime commissioners support for families with multiple problems. Again, I are to set out the strategic direction for police forces. hope that that money will be protected. Pilots of those When the Bill comes to its Committee stage, we will programmes are showing very good results. Will the want to consider the possible conflict between reduced Minister respond by saying how he will secure the resources and the fact that police and crime commissioners resources to ensure that that category of early-intervention will probably want to play a part, encouraging the project is as effective as it can be? police to join them in partnership working. It will be I want to mention education. All of us recognise how difficult for police commissioners to square that circle important drugs education is. My right hon. Friend the of not having the resources needed to provide effective Member for Coventry North East mentioned FRANK, partnership working. 367WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 368WH

[Diana Johnson] people become drug free, or if they are merely stable and able to function on methadone? We need that Legal highs are mentioned in the Police Reform and information. Social Responsibility Bill. The Minister knows that there is common cause on tackling legal highs, as there Andrew Griffiths: The hon. Lady raises a point that is have been a number of debates on the subject over the crucial to the success of payment by results. The danger previous few months. There is common cause not only is that certain providers will cherry-pick the easy-to-cure because it is the right thing to do; the previous Government addicts, and that the more difficult and complex cases began the journey, and the present Government are will be abandoned. Does she agree that we need to continuing on a similar line. What is proposed in the ensure that providers that deal with the toughest cases Bill will prevent manufacturers from tweaking compounds should be properly rewarded? to stay ahead of any ban. The chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Diana Johnson: We will want to look carefully at the Drugs says that the Bill permits a systematic approach, pilots and exactly how such problems might be dealt which is to be welcomed. Clause 149 of the Bill allows with. There must be an imaginative way of dealing with the Secretary of State to introduce temporary class that matter, but we need more detail. The strategy sets drugs orders to deal with the problem of legal highs. out in broad terms what the Government want to do, Overall, we support the proposal, but we shall want to but the hon. Gentleman is right. examine it further in Committee. The matter was raised There is also the question of prisons and the criminal in a previous debate, but will the Minister give some justice system. Reference has been made to the proposals indication of the cost of legal highs’ being banned for in the Green Paper published by the Secretary of State up to 12 months? for Justice. It is worth pointing out again that resources I turn to the question of building recovery in and funding will be required. For the approaches that communities, the individual tailored approach set out the majority of Members want to see put in place, the in the document. Although it is recognised as important, important question is where the money and resources I hope that there will be true recognition of the need for will come from. different approaches, and that they will be deemed We also need to deal with the social issues set out in equally valid. For some people, moving on to methadone the strategy, such as the reintegration of former drug and remaining stable and able to function as members addicts so that they can obtain housing and employment. of the community may be seen as a positive result, Such matters sit uneasily with some of the proposals whereas for others being entirely drug free will be the made by the coalition Government on housing, housing right goal. benefit and changes, and that may cause problems for I do not agree with the hon. Member for Stroud (Neil people returning to work. Those matters, too, need to Carmichael). He seemed to imply that we did not need be considered. to have a range of treatments, although he spoke As my right hon. Friend the Member for Coventry passionately about the Nelson Trust and the excellent North East said, clause 150 of the Police Reform and work that it does. The hon. Member for Burton (Andrew Social Responsibility Bill will remove the requirement Griffiths) spoke about the Burton addiction centre, and for certain appointments to the Advisory Council on told us about Jamie’s view of the situation. However, I the Misuse of Drugs to have a scientific background. It believe that we need a plurality of approaches. We will remove the requirement set out in the Misuse of cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach for something Drugs Act 1971 to include those with wide and recent as complex as dealing with drug treatment. Martin experience of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, Barnes, the chief executive of DrugScope, said: pharmacy, the pharmaceutical industry and chemistry, “The aspiration for treatment and recovery is to be applauded, and those with experience of the social problems caused but the challenge will be ensuring that high level ambition is by drug abuse. That approach rather undermines the delivered and sustained locally, not least at a time of policy view of the Minister for Universities and Science, who change, uncertainty and spending cuts.” wrote into the ministerial code the principles for respecting The massive reorganisation of the NHS means that independent advice—including scientific advice, obviously PCTs will be going and that GPs will hold 80% of the and importantly. NHS budget. Along with the creation of the national The Liberal Democrats seem to be in some difficulty public health service, and local authorities taking on the on this question. The hon. Member for Carshalton and public health role, the way in which much of the public Wallington (Tom Brake) raised it in an intervention, sector is to operate will be a constantly moving feast. I and the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) has understand that public health money is to be ring-fenced, tabled EDM 1148. The problem is that the Liberal but it is unclear exactly how much money local authorities Democrat 2010 manifesto says that drugs policy should will have for dealing with public health matters in their always be based on independent scientific advice, including areas. I believe that directors of public health will making the ACMD independent of Government. There commission services locally. The services will be will be some discussion in the coalition about how to competitively tendered and rewarded, and there will be deal with that, as it seems that that pledge is in danger transparency about the performance of any drug treatments of bring broken. contracted for. I look forward to hearing from the Minister, and We heard earlier in the debate about payment by particularly to his answer to the question posed by my results. I hope that we will be able to explore that right hon. Friend the Member for Coventry North East question further, and to discover how the pilots, which on evaluating the success of the drugs strategy, and at will be created by 2011, will work. We need more detail what point we can have a further debate to consider about how they are to be judged successful. Will it be if whether the strategy has worked. 369WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 370WH

4.28 pm As hon. Members will know, there are different types of members of the ACMD: the statutory and non-statutory The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the members. We are not convinced that drawing that distinction Home Department (): Thank you, between the two is necessarily sensible. Equally, the Mr Walker, for presiding over this Westminster Hall need for scientific and other expert advice has changed debate on drugs policy, and for giving me the opportunity over the years. Indeed, the science itself has changed, to speak on a subject that I know is of real concern not and it is important to have flexibility in the arrangements only to right hon. and hon. Members in the House, but on the construction of the ACMD. That was the purpose to communities throughout the country. that lay behind the provisions in the Police and Social It is obviously a timely debate, given that the coalition Responsibility Bill. Government launched their new drug strategy on 8 The ACMD was supportive of the proposal. It December. The development of the strategy was supported acknowledged that it is questionable whether the statutory by a targeted consultation exercise in the autumn, which positions in the Act correlate with how the council now generated more than 1,800 responses. That shows how operates. It considered that the proposed change was seriously people take the matter, and how important it particularly important given the introduction of the is that the Government get their drug policy right. We temporary bans and the need to provide advice within have worked hard to achieve precisely that. short timeframes. I congratulate the right hon. Member for Coventry The chief scientific adviser to the Home Office, Professor North East (Mr Ainsworth) on securing today’s debate. Silverman, has also consulted the wider scientific It is right that we should debate these issues. Although community and garnered broad support. The flexibility we may disagree with the approach, it is, I think, an of bringing different expertise to the ACMD as the honest disagreement on the basis of emphasis, priority drugs landscape changed was welcomed. Those consulted and what is likely to be most effective. In no way would were the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British I impute anything other than honourable intentions to Academy, the British Society of Criminology, the Royal the approach that he seeks to bring this afternoon. Pharmaceutical Society, the British Pharmacological None the less, there is clearly a difference of opinion Society, the Royal Society and the Royal Society of across the House and probably across his own party. Medicine. The proposals also had the support of Sir Although he clearly brings passion and belief to the John Beddington, the Government’s chief scientific adviser. debate, I genuinely disagree with him on a number of I just want to put it on the record that this is in no issues that he has raised this afternoon. way seeking to undermine or weaken the scientific On the issue of the criminal justice system, I ask the approach that we wish to take over the formulation of right hon. Gentleman to reflect on recent developments. drugs policy. We very much value the scientific input The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana and the relationship that we have with the ACMD in the Johnson), who speaks for the Opposition, has just formulation of policy. That is very important and I highlighted the issue of legal highs. One of the challenges would not wish in any way to give the impression that that the Government have faced was the perception that the Government were, in some way, not looking to because a drug was legal it was safe, and the way in scientific advice or input or not having that expert which that was interpreted by many young people. involvement in the formulation of policy. It is important Putting a legal framework around some of the newly that I state that this afternoon. emerging psychoactive substances did have an effect. It There were some good contributions by a number of reduced demand. It telegraphed very clearly that these hon. Members this afternoon, which highlighted the were dangerous drugs and could significantly harm various different treatment providers in their constituencies. health. That in itself provided a significant public health I welcome the work that is undertaken in that regard. message as well as a criminal justice framework around When I come on to the main body of my speech, I will both supply and possession. set out some of the themes that have emerged from the strategy, explaining how we wish to develop them further. This is a changing environment. Issues and challenges are emerging to which the Government must respond. The right hon. Gentleman challenged me on the Indeed we need to look at why people become addicted evaluation and asked how long we are seeking to pursue and why they become involved in drugs in the first the policy framework that was set out in the drugs place. The problem is complex and cannot be resolved strategy. Let me say that this is the Government’s drugs by looking at criminal justice in isolation. Other factors strategy for this Parliament. None the less, let me draw must be taken into account, such as intergenerational the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the penultimate deprivation and treatment pathways, which we emphasise paragraph of the drugs strategy, which makes it clear very clearly in our drugs strategy. that we are committed to reviewing the strategy on an annual basis. I genuinely welcome our discussion and the approaches that right hon. and hon. Members have brought to it Such a review will allow us to respond to new and this afternoon. As for the notion that our proposal on emerging evidence and to respond flexibly to the changing the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is silly—that nature of the drugs trade and the outcomes being was probably the one pejorative phrase that the right achieved. That is something that we have underlined hon. Gentleman used during the course of his contribution along with the need to ensure that we consider the this afternoon—let me say to both the right hon. Gentleman newly emerging evidence as it moves forward. and the shadow spokesman that its existing framework is a matter that has merited our careful consideration. Mr Ainsworth: I thank the Minister for his firm Our proposal should in no way be characterised as support for continued scientific input on the advisory Government not wanting to receive scientific advice. committee. In the annual report, if there is no evidence 371WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 372WH

[Mr Ainsworth] enforcement and on sharing intelligence is a very effective way of responding to some of the organised crime of decreased availability, of an improvement in drug groups, including seizing assets and using such powers problems in the country next year, is he prepared to more effectively to get at what is driving a number of consider other prohibition? those groups. I know that right hon. and hon. Members will have seen that that has been a theme that we have James Brokenshire: I do not intend to have an annual developed clearly in the drugs strategy itself. debate on decriminalisation. What I want to see is the The new drugs strategy is a critical articulation of emerging evidence. Some of the issues that are raised our reform programme and work to tackle the key are sometimes on the basis of supposition and assertion causes of societal harm, which include crime, family and we will look at any clear evidence that appears. I breakdown and poverty. It sets out a different approach have been considering this issue for quite some time, as I to tackling drug use and dependence. The difference know that the right hon. Gentleman has, and the comments from previous strategies is the focus on the key aim of that I make this afternoon are made not because I am supporting and enabling those who are dependent on on the Front Bench or the Back Bench, but because drugs and alcohol to recover fully, and the strategy they are honestly held views. We are simply not persuaded places responsibility on individuals to seek help to by the arguments on decriminalisation because we feel overcome their dependency.Alongside our holistic approach that it will increase supply, that it does not take account to supporting people to overcome their dependency, we of the complexities of the drug problem—why people will also be reducing the demand for drugs, by taking an become addicted to drugs in the first place—and that it uncompromising approach to crack down on those could make the situation worse. It is a question of involved in the drugs trade and shifting power and looking at the outcomes of our policy. accountability to local areas to tackle the damage that The pilots around payment by results will be introduced drugs and alcohol dependence cause to communities. during the course of this year. It would be premature to The strategy sets out two high-level ambitions; first, expect results over the course of 12 months. This is a to reduce illicit and other harmful drug use, and secondly five-year strategy—or a four-and-a-half-year one now. to increase the numbers of individuals recovering from We will be considering not only the interim outcomes their dependency on drugs and alcohol. I think that we that will be produced by the strategy, but the evidence are seeing a changing pattern in what the experts would and the performance that sits alongside the course of describe as polysubstance abuse; drugs are not being the strategy as it is implemented. That is the responsible taken in isolation, but are being taken together. That is and sensible thing to do. why it is important in the treatment framework to ensure that alcohol is part of that treatment platform. The right hon. Gentleman said that drugs have become These ambitions will be achieved through activity that a party political football, but I believe that they are will encompass three themes: reducing demand; restricting becoming less of that. I certainly welcome some of the supply, and building recovery. comments that were made this afternoon by the hon. Lady who speaks for the Opposition in relation to the On reducing demand, we will focus on establishing— approaches that have been set out in the new drugs strategy. I also appreciate the welcome that has been Andrew Griffiths: I think that the vast majority of given to our proposals for dealing with legal highs and those involved in drug treatment recognise that it will the temporary bans that are suggested in the new Police take a while—a period of time—to see meaningful and Social Responsibility Bill. I hope that even this results. We have to change the ethos in relation to afternoon we are having a measured debate, even if we recovery and we have to up-skill a work force and disagree on some of the themes and issues that are teach them the new skills that they will need. I think being debated. It is important that we have a sensible that the right hon. Member for Coventry North East and measured debate, even if we may fundamentally (Mr Ainsworth) is the only person who is looking for a disagree on some issues. At least it sets a measured quick fix. framework around the discussion of some of these One of the elements that is very important is the role themes, which I know is sometimes difficult to achieve of those people who are in recovery in the community. in debating what is a sensitive issue that often provokes In my own constituency of Burton, what has been a a number of passions. huge success has been the fact that addicts in recovery I would also take issue with the claim that the approach are going out and being advocates for not taking drugs. on enforcement is not capable of working, especially They are going into schools and educating young people, when one considers that the quality of cocaine on the which is far more powerful than the Minister or somebody streets is, in some cases, as low as 10% in purity at the else standing up and saying, “Youshouldn’t take drugs.” moment. That shows some of the very effective work that is taking place, both in-country and also upstream James Brokenshire: I agree, and the issue of champions back to places such as Latin America, where cocaine—from is developed in the strategy; I hope to discuss it shortly. coca production—comes from, as I know that the right Having visited the Burton addiction centre, I know that hon. Member for Coventry North East will know very the approach of detox, rehabilitation, recovery and well. When I visited Latin America at the end of September, resettlement really takes people down that pathway. I was very impressed by a number of measures that Equally, using the 12-step programme and then receiving Governments in that region are undertaking, not only ongoing support from other community and voluntary to tackle production but to undermine and take very sector organisations can work in responding to and clear action against the organised crime groups that do dealing with those challenges posed when people relapse. harm in this country as well as in Latin American It is important to have the support in the community to countries. That co-operation between countries on support those people and deal with those situations. 373WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 374WH

We will focus on establishing a whole-life approach to new psychoactive substances and by establishing an prevention and breaking intergenerational paths to effective forensic early warning system. dependence. Under this theme, we will focus on early On recovery, we will focus on building a recovery-led years prevention, particularly for those families with system to enable individuals to become free from multiple needs, to improve children’s life outcomes. On dependence on drugs or alcohol and to contribute to that point, we are establishing the early intervention society. Although recovery is something that is personal grant, to bring together funding for services for the to each individual, the strategy sets out three key principles most vulnerable children and young people. It will be for recovery: well-being, citizenship, and freedom from worth around £2 billion by the end of the period that we dependency. The individual will be placed at the heart are talking about, including funding for family support, of the system, with personalised services providing Sure Start and targeted youth support. Further detail appropriate support. about how we expect that money to be spent will be We have touched on the issue of payment by results made available shortly. I am sure that the hon. Member and the models that are being developed around that for Kingston upon Hull North will be looking out for approach. The detailed information on those models that information in response to the questions that she will be provided in the early part of next year, as we are posed in her contribution this afternoon. looking to develop those pilot projects. Perhaps I might Alongside early prevention, good-quality drug and give some indication of the sorts of outcomes that we alcohol education and information will be provided to are looking to achieve, because I think that it is those young people, families and parents, through schools, as outcomes that will telegraph our desire, strategy and part of their pastoral responsibilities, and through colleges, approach in this regard. They are very much focused on universities and the “FRANK” service. We will ensure helping individuals to be free from clinical dependence that accurate information and advice is provided on the but they will also look at offending, employment, health effects and harms of drugs. We are committed to giving and well-being, and the outcomes in those areas. Taking schools greater freedom and flexibility, and we want that approach will help us to deliver and I think it will them to be free to innovate. The Department for Education inform the pilot projects as they develop, including the will conduct an internal review to determine how it can treatment and recovery processes that are involved in support schools to improve the quality of all personal the broader system. health and social education teaching, including drug The recovery system will also be locally led and and alcohol education. Intensive support will be provided owned. Public Health England will be established from to vulnerable young people, such as those who are April 2012 and a ring-fenced public health budget will truanting or excluded from school, to stop them becoming be allocated from April 2013. The commissioning and involved in drug or alcohol misuse. Drug and alcohol oversight of drug treatment and other recovery services services will be encouraged and supported to make the will become a core part of the work of Public Health best use of early interventions, such as parenting and England. We will look to directors of public health, family support projects, to keep families together and jointly appointed by Public Health England and local aid the recovery of parents who are misusing drugs. authorities, and located within local authorities, to work On supply, we will reduce drug-related crime, drug with a range of local partners and the health and trafficking and organised crime’s involvement in the well-being boards to design and jointly commission drugs trade. The new National Crime Agency will lead services that most meet local needs. the fight and with the UK Border Agency it will deliver Nationally, we will not prescribe the approach, but on the Government’s determination to enhance the will develop and provide an evidence base of what security of our borders. We will take action to stop drug works—the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North traffickers profiting from the drugs trade, through cash and others mentioned that theme. We will create a seizures and asset forfeitures, money laundering recovery system that focuses not on getting people into prosecutions, and civil and criminal recovery prosecutions. treatment and keeping them there, but getting them off We will also tackle the trade in drug precursors, which drugs and alcohol for good. Substitute prescribing continues are compounds required to produce drugs, by working to have a role to play in the treatment of heroin addiction, with producer countries, the legitimate trade in those in stabilising drug use and supporting detoxification. compounds and international partners. We will strengthen Medically assisted recovery can and does happen. However, international partnerships and make best use of the for too many of the 150,000 people currently on a Government’s capabilities overseas to disrupt drug substitute prescription, what should be the first step on traffickers at source or in transit countries. the journey to recovery is where their journey ends. That must change. We will ensure that all those on a The introduction of police and crime commissioners substitute prescription engage in recovery activities and will bring local democratic accountability to policing, so build upon the 15,000 heroin and crack cocaine users ensuring that where drug-related crime is a problem for who successfully leave treatment every year, having overcome local people it is tackled as a priority. PCCs will be at their dependency. the heart of an integrated community response to improve Recovery can be contagious. People tell us that they co-ordination between the police, community safety are most motivated to start on their individual recovery partnerships, communities, drug services and users, and journey by seeing the progress made by their peers—a the public. I look forward to the debate during the point made clearly by my hon. Friend the Member for Committee stage of the Police and Social Responsibility Burton (Andrew Griffiths). Those already on the recovery Bill about PCCs, because we believe that they will be an journey are often best placed to help. Active promotion important facet in driving change at the local level. We and support of local mutual aid networks will be key. will also address the issue of so-called legal highs through We will also support communities to build networks of the development of temporary banning orders, by recovery champions to help such individuals at the start improving the forensic analytical capability to detect of their recovery journey. 375WH Drugs Policy16 DECEMBER 2010 Drugs Policy 376WH

[James Brokenshire] 4.54 pm

People’s housing needs must be met to secure their Mr Ainsworth: The hon. Member for Burton (Andrew recovery. We will work with local authorities and housing Griffiths)said that I am the only person who is looking providers to share best practice and to examine the for a quick fix. No one understands more than I do how development of a payment-by-results approach to housing busy Ministers are. I know the work that the Minister services. The strategy will ensure that the benefits system will have undertaken in his consultation—writing the supports engagement with recovery services. It will offer documentation and everything else over a period. However, claimants with a substance dependency a choice between can he find a little time over his Christmas break to do rigorous enforcement of the normal conditions and what I did: put our drug strategy refresh together with sanctions if they are not engaged in structured recovery his drug strategy—eight years apart—and look at the activity, or appropriately tailored conditionality for those phrases, issues and so-called solutions? who are. The Minister will find that we had overarching strategies A key contributor to recovery is employment. The and key principles. I cannot remember if we had three strategy sets out how we will equip people in recovery or four themes—he has three themes. He thinks that with the confidence and necessary skills to compete in seizing assets will be part of the solution—I took the the labour market, encouraging them into a range of Proceeds of Crime Bill through the House in 2001, with employment opportunities through training, work trials all-party support, and it has been on the statute book and adult apprenticeships. We also plan to introduce a since 2002. He thinks that upstream interdiction will small number of pilots to explore how payment by solve the problem—look at our strategy and see how results can incentivise providers to support recovery. We much emphasis we put on upstream interdiction eight will work with the pilot areas to co-design the approach. years ago. He thinks that champions are new—look at The work on implementing a payment-by-results approach champions in our strategy. Also, look at action against for drugs recovery will help set the future direction for precursors in our strategy, which is another thing that all commissioning of drug services under Public Health he is saying will, in some ways, deliver something. England. Such work will complement that being undertaken The Minister thinks we are having some success, and within the criminal justice system to encourage drug that adulterated drugs on the streets of London are an and alcohol misusers into recovery-focused services, indication that policy is working. The hon. Member for including: developing and evaluating options for providing Burton thinks that the war on drugs is not working, alternative forms of treatment-based accommodation while the Minister thinks there is some evidence that it in the community; making liaison and diversion services is, but there has been feast and famine in drugs repeatedly available at police custody suites and courts by 2014; over the years. At the moment we have a famine—we and diverting vulnerable young people away from the have a shortage of heroin and a problem in Afghanistan. youth justice system where appropriate. However, it will be got over, and we will see availability As I have said, evidence is of crucial importance in increase again, because there is too much profit for that the field of drugs. The most recent study of the outcomes not to happen. of drug treatment, the largest area of spend for the The Minister will have an annual review, although he strategy, found that drug treatment was cost beneficial. is not prepared to look at the alternatives. His mind is For every £1 spent on treatment, £2.50 was saved, and closed—he has his drug policy—but he will have the drug treatment was found to be cost beneficial in 80% annual review and participate in it. Let me predict of cases. In order to allow us to evaluate the strategy, an something that I say with huge sadness: when we get to evaluation framework is under development. It will aid the annual review, heroin will still be freely available in assessment of the evidence currently underpinning the the towns and cities of this country, the price will not themes of the drug strategy and identify where new have gone up astronomically and, in all probability, the evaluation is required to provide a better assessment of adulteration level will have gone down, because it is at a effectiveness and value for money. high point at the moment. We will have lost another During the consultation process, which informed the year and gained little, and the argument for alternatives development of the strategy, some respondents advocated will have grown stronger. liberalisation and decriminalisation as a way to deal I knew before I started that the Minister would not with the problem of drugs, in many ways returning to move. I ask him to keep an open mind. I know how some of themes we have been debating this afternoon. hard that is and how very difficult it is for him or for my The Government do not believe that liberalisation and right hon. and hon. Friends to deal with, but he will legalisation are the answer, for the many reasons I have find, sadly, that I will be right. We will be saying the highlighted. Such an approach addresses neither the same things in a year—if he is still in post, because he risk factors that lead individuals to misuse drugs or might have moved on to greater things—and, sadly, we alcohol, nor the misery, cost and lost opportunities that will have lost another year. However, we will keep up dependence causes individuals, their families and the the debate and, hopefully, we will get there. wider community. By delivering on the national commitments set out in the new drug strategy and Question put and agreed to. enabling local partners to take responsibility at a local level, we will ensure that individuals, families and communities will be stronger and healthier. I very much look forward to continuing the debate in the months 4.58 pm ahead. Sitting adjourned. 111WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 112WS

One of the main items debated was the Commission proposal Written Ministerial for a Council regulation on translation arrangements for an EU patent. Member states were unable to achieve resolution by unanimous agreement and a number of member states made a Statements request to the presidency to take on a process of enhanced co-operation in order to make progress. (Enhanced co-operation Thursday 16 December 2010 can be used as a last resort when unanimous agreement cannot be reached and requires the involvement of a minimum of eight member states, while remaining open to any member state that BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS wishes to participate). The UK was among those who supported this request and endorsed the importance of creating a business- friendly EU patent in order to boost competitiveness. The UK, Council for Science and Technology with a number of other member states, supports the Commission’s three language proposal (English, French and German). The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Council conclusions were adopted on a proposal for an EU Willetts): The Prime Minister has agreed to re-constitute gambling framework to harmonise regulation in Europe. Council the Council for Science and Technology (CST) and conclusions relating to the Commission’s Single Market Act communication were also agreed after some deliberation. Conclusions reappointed four of the existing members to the newly on the EU industrial policy flagship initiative were also adopted. reconstituted Council, starting from 1 January 2011. All these items were supported by the UK. The CST is the Government’s top-level advisory body On the Commission proposal for a fully harmonised consumer on science, engineering and technology policy. rights directive, the majority of member states have reached The four reappointees are: agreement on a text. The UK is willing to be flexible in order to Dr Hermann Hauser Hon CBE, FREng reach agreement on a Council position, and expects to endorse Professor Alan Hughes the general approach when the text is formally approved at the Environment Council on 20 December. Professor Michael Sterling FREng Sir Mark Walport FMedSci There were also Any Other Business items comprising an update on the latest EU consumer scoreboard, a Commission Their reappointment term will commence on 1 January report on implementation of the services directive and the mutual 2011 and end on 31 December 2013. evaluation process, a presidency report of a conference on the The Prime Minister also reappointed Professor Dame transposition of EU directives and a presentation by Hungary on Janet Finch as CST independent co-chair until the end their work programme for the forthcoming EU presidency. In the of December 2011, alongside the Government’s chief margins of the Council, member states confirmed Prague as the scientific adviser, currently Professor Sir John Beddington location for the European Agency for the Galileo satellite navigation CMG FRS. system.” In addition the Prime Minister has appointed four ex officio members: TREASURY President of the Royal Society—Sir Paul Nurse European Union Finances White Paper President of the Royal Academy of Engineering—Lord Browne President of the Academy of Medical Sciences—Sir John Bell The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark President of the British Academy—Sir Adam Roberts Hoban): I am today laying before Parliament the annual as new members of the Council, effective from 1 January European Union finances White Paper “Statement on 2011. the 2010 EU Budget and measures to combat fraud and financial mismanagement” (Cm 7978). It is the 30th in The recruitment process for around 10 new members the series. is currently under way, in accordance with the OCPA rules. The White Paper gives details of revenue and expenditure in the 2010 EU budget and covers recent developments The CST is the UK Government’s top-level advisory in EU financial management and measures to counter body on science and technology policy issues. It reports fraud against the EU budget. It also includes updated directly to the Prime Minister. CST’s remit is to advise details on the budget review, own resources decision, the Prime Minister on strategic science and technology the UK consolidated statement on the use of EU funds policy issues that cut across the responsibilities of individual in the UK and the European economic recovery plan Government Departments. and changes related to the entry into force of the Full details of CST’s terms of reference and organisation Lisbon treaty. can be found at http://www.bis.gov.uk/cst. Looking forward to future years’ budgets, and particularly in the current economic and financial climate, EU Competitiveness Council (Post-Council Statement) the Government remain determined to ensure better value for money in EU budget spending, to oppose The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, unacceptable budget increases, and to push for Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Davey): My noble improvements in EU financial management. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Baroness Wilcox) has today made Carbon Price Support Consultation the following statement: “I represented the UK at the EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels on 10 December 2010, which discussed EU internal The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine market and industry items. Andy Lebrecht, the UK’s Deputy Greening): The Government have today published a Permanent Representative to the EU represented the UK when I consultation to encourage investment in low-carbon was not in attendance. electricity generation. 113WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 114WS

“Carbon price floor: support and certainty for low- national interests. It reported to me yesterday and I carbon investment”is an innovative approach to achieving have placed copies of the reports in the Library of the the UK’s energy and climate policy objectives. Giving House. greater support and certainty to the price of carbon in At a time of tough spending choices, it has never the power sector will encourage further investment in been so important to be open to change, to new ideas low-carbon electricity generation. This can be achieved and ways of working, so that we can prioritise resources through reform of the climate change levy (CCL) and to support our front-line services. fuel duty to enable fossil fuels used by power generators Now we will consider options emerging from this to be taxed on the basis of their carbon content. work to take forward, based on principles of localism, The proposal is part of a wider package of reforms to decentralisation, transparency and value for taxpayers’ the electricity market, covering a number of commitments money. Fire and rescue services are already trusted local set out in the coalition agreement. These wider reforms partners with a vital community role and are therefore are set out in a consultation on electricity market reform, best placed to lead this change. also published today by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. I am grateful to individuals and organisations from the sector for showing such commitment to this process The consultation invites interested parties to submit and taking part in a constructive dialogue which I am their views on a range of implementation issues by confident will now continue as I seek reactions to the 11 February. The Government will then publish their reports while I decide which options to take forward. response, by Budget 2011. The Government intend to The Government will report back by March 2011. introduce legislation for the proposals in the 2011 Finance Bill (and subsequent secondary legislation) and to bring the proposals into effect from 1 April 2013. Building Regulations Copies of the document have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and are available in the Vote Office and on the Treasury website at The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): I am setting out today the main elements of the programme of work the Department for Communities and Local EU Agencies (National Experts) Government will lead in the new year to establish the changes required to the building regulations. The work The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David will identify the changes that need to be made to the Gauke): Legislation will be introduced in the Finance building regulations regime between now and 2013 to Bill 2011 to create an exemption from income tax for ensure it remains fit for purpose and delivers its contribution subsistence payments made to national experts seconded to the Government’s policy goals. to EU agencies located in the UK. Separate secondary At the end of July I asked our external partners to tell legislation will be introduced to create a corresponding me their ideas about what in the building regulations disregard for the purpose of national insurance needed to be improved or extended, where we might contributions. The exemption will remove a disincentive reduce the regulatory burdens and how we might deliver for high-quality experts to be seconded to these agencies even better levels of compliance. I wanted this to play a and will put the tax treatment of such payments into key part in helping to deliver our commitment to reduce line with that given to experts seconded to EU agencies the burden of regulation while ensuring we had given in many other EU member states. proper consideration to emerging issues. I am grateful The legislation will affect national experts seconded for the way industry and members of the public have to the European Banking Authority, the European responded both in writing and through their participation Medicines Agency and the European Police College. It in workshops. will have effect from 1 January 2011. The programme I am setting out today has been arrived at after active engagement with our external partners. A key theme to emerge from this process has COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT been that these partners believe that although the regime is generally fit for purpose, there are things we can improve. This confirms the Department’s belief that the Fire and Rescue Service building regulations should remain the national minimum standard that building work should comply with. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for While much of the programme of work is deregulatory Communities and Local Government (Robert Neill): I in nature, it will, however, include work to deliver our have today published the outcomes of the first phase of commitment to increase energy efficiency through part a process which has the power to determine the future L (conservation of fuel and power). This will represent shape and direction of England’s fire and rescue service our next steps towards zero-carbon buildings and will and the wider fire sector. This work, known as “Fire also provide an opportunity to consider provisions for Futures”, has been led by the sector and was launched the existing stock in the light of the Government’s in July by the Department for Communities and Local emerging policies on reducing carbon emissions, including Government. the green deal. We will also explore how better to ensure The scope of the review was determined by the sector high levels of compliance. and structured around four sector led work streams: In addition, I would like to consider further the case localism and accountability; efficiency, effectiveness and for Government intervention in two other areas. First, productivity; role of the fire and rescue service; and whether there is a role to ensure suitable toilet and 115WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 116WS changing provisions for people with multiple and profound operations in the region and some 44 are currently disabilities—often referred to as “Changing Places”. I called out and serving, of whom 20 are in the region. would also like to explore further the case in relation to minimum standards for security in homes and explore Continuity of Education Allowance whether national regulation might be a more effective approach than voluntary and local interventions. The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): As Set against this there are a number of key areas where announced following the strategic defence and security we want to explore the potential for deregulation and review, the Ministry of Defence is reviewing the broad streamlining of the existing provisions. In particular, range of allowances paid to service personnel. Work is representations made to Government demonstrate concern ongoing to define fully the package of changes, but we with the costs imposed on electricians by part P (electrical are now able to announce some changes to the continuity safety—dwellings). We believe it is now time to evaluate of education allowance (CEA). the building regulations’contribution to the safety outcomes The Government place a very high priority on the they were intended to support and, if we are to retain welfare of service personnel and their families. Due to regulation of this kind, how we might minimise the the requirements of service, some personnel relocate associated costs. frequently, and it is important to ensure that their We also believe that there is scope to look at the children are not disadvantaged by this requirement and rationalisation of parts M. K and N (access, protection have continuity of education. This continuity is not from falling, collision and impact and glazing respectively) achievable through the day school sector for service to address areas of potential conflict and overlap between personnel whose children accompany them on necessary them. As part of this we intend to review existing relocations both at home and overseas. The importance guidance that promotes the use of access statements in of the allowance in supporting accompanied service order to consider whether they remain necessary while and in enabling the armed forces to deploy to meet maintaining the standards of accessibility we are seeking service needs is well understood. Nevertheless, it represents to achieve. a significant investment, around £180 million per annum, As part of this deregulatory element we also need to to support some 5,500 personnel, fewer than 3% of the explore what changes may be needed to the building total number of service personnel. In the current fiscal control system. I believe there is scope to enhance climate, we must be sure that this expenditure is fully compliance and reduce the burdens on those who use justified. I am therefore leading a review of CEA. the system. To that end, over the next few months we The review will consider the fundamental rationale will be taking forward work to gather further evidence for the allowance, look at alternatives, including a lesser about actual levels of compliance and reasons for non- reliance on independent schools, and at the justification compliance. In the light of this, we will be exploring for the current set of entitlements. Longer-term work options to further improve enforcement and incentives on the development of a new employment model for for responsible businesses. We will also be considering service personnel is also likely to impact on the requirement how we can improve the interface with planning and for this allowance, and the review will consider what other standards regimes. this might imply. The review will involve consultation In developing this programme we have been mindful, with the service community, families federations and and will remain so, of the need to manage down the those outside who have an interest. I want to keep the regulatory costs to business as part of this process. We period of uncertainty about the future of CEA to a will also be specifically considering the impacts on minimum and intend to announce the conclusions of house builders, with the aim of contributing to the the review in the spring. Any changes will be promulgated achievement of our spending review commitment to well before they are implemented. reduce regulatory costs over this Parliament. In parallel with this review we have put in place some The Department for Communities and Local immediate changes to the detailed rules on eligibility Government is also today publishing on its website a and payment structures for CEA and the governance of supporting document to this statement that provides claims for the allowance. These changes should reduce further information about the exercise we have undertaken our expenditure on the allowance by over £20 million and more detail on the programme of work to be taken per annum. The changes reflect the fundamental justification forward. I am placing copies of this document in the for the allowance—a commitment on the part of the Libraries of both Houses. individual to accompanied service. The most significant of these changes therefore involves withdrawing eligibility for CEA from personnel who serve unaccompanied by their families in some locations (principally but not DEFENCE exclusively MOD London) and in sea-going assignments. Appropriate transitional arrangements have been put in Call-Out Order (Iraq/Afghanistan) place to ensure individuals who are currently drawing CEA under these ’involuntary separation’ rules will not be unfairly disadvantaged. The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey): With the expiry of the call-out order made on 5 January Armed Forces Pensions 2010, a new order has been made under section 56(1)(a) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to enable reservists to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence continue to be called out into service in support of (Mr Andrew Robathan): I am pleased to announce that I operations in the region of Iraq and the Gulf will be amending the compensation and pension payments The new order is effective until 4 January 2012, small for individuals who die as a result of service while numbers of reservists continue to be required to support holding acting rank. Pension arrangements under armed 117WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 118WS forces pension scheme 05 already ensure that any acting The discussion on CAP reform concentrated on the rank held at the time of death is taken into account in achievement of food security. While all believed the pension received by surviving dependants. However, competitiveness to be significant, only Denmark, the under the armed forces pension scheme 75, in most Netherlands and the UK supported a greater focus on cases, the acting rank needs to be held for at least a year training, innovation, sustainability and improved business for it to be recognised in the pension received by surviving practices as a means of boosting competiveness. The dependants. This rule will now be amended to ensure majority of member states cited price volatility as a that, in future, those who die as a result of service while justification for the continuation of direct payments holding acting rank will have this higher rank recognised and wanted to retain a less favoured area scheme in the in the pension paid to their dependants, regardless of second pillar of the CAP. Proposals would issue in the length of time the acting rank has been held. the next few months. For previous such cases since April 2005, a lump sum The Commission presented the dairy proposal and payment of £20,000 will be made through the armed the quarterly market and quota phase-out reports. Both forces compensation scheme to ensure the acting rank is reports showed a positive market situation for the dairy recognised in the payments dependants have received. sector. Most member states were on track for the expiry of the quota regime in 2015. The majority of member states welcomed new proposals to increase the power of ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS producers in the food chain. The incoming Hungarian presidency hopes to reach political agreement on the dairy proposal by June. Agriculture and Fisheries Council (13-14 December) The Commission presented its legislative proposals on Agricultural Quality Policy plus guidelines: on the The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and use of private quality assurance schemes and on the use Rural Affairs (Mrs ): My hon. Friend of GIs in processed products. the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the hon. Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon) represented the United Kingdom at Agriculture and Fisheries Council (29-30 November) the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 13 and 14 December. Richard Lochhead and Michelle Gildernew attended for Scotland and Northern Ireland The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and respectively. Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): My hon. Friends the Minister of State and the Under-Secretary, my hon. There were two substantive agenda items on fisheries; Friend the Member for Newbury (Richard Benyon), the setting of fishing opportunities for EU vessels in the represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture and Atlantic, and in the Black Sea respectively. There were Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 29 and 30 November. four items on agriculture (the three dairy items being Elin Jones and Michelle Gildernew also attended for taken together) and one agriculture AOB. Wales and Northern Ireland respectively. On fishing opportunities for 2011, the Council and There were two agenda items on fisheries plus a Commission reached unanimous agreement on a package working lunch on the reform of the common fisheries of measures which set quotas for the main commercial policy. There were four agenda items on agriculture fish stocks in the Atlantic, including for cod, haddock, with seven, mostly agriculture, AOB items. plaice and sole. Over two days of intensive negotiations, the UK battled hard to reach an agreement that ensures On deep sea fishing opportunities in 2011-12, the the long term sustainability of fish stocks, while providing Council and Commission reached agreement on fishing short term catching opportunities for our fishing industry. limits, notably deep water sharks, the black scabbardfish, The package my hon. Friend secured, helps all sectors roundnose grenadier, Alfonsinos and forkbeards. Given of the industry, large and small, and delivers benefits that these are vulnerable long-life cycle species, of which for all parts of the UK—north, south, east and west. It little is known, the UK and Sweden led calls for a also means the UK can drive forward with its innovative precautionary approach that differentiated these from approach to fisheries management—catch quotas—which other fisheries. Some other member states (MSs) pressed enable fishermen to land more while catching less, thereby for and gained significant concessions. The final agreement helping to tackle the scourge of discards. The final included declarations on defining a differentiated category agreement included a number of notable gains for the for deep sea species to identify specific treatment in the UK, including on Irish Sea Nephrops, Western Channel Commission’s policy framework. sole. West of Scotland megrim and monkfish in the On the first round of discussions with Norway on the West of Scotland and the Celtic Sea. shared fishing opportunities for 2011 the UK underlined The UK team also fought off effort restrictions for the importance of moving towards a catch quota fisheries in the Celtic Sea, with a commitment to consider management system which would reduce discards and a more sensible management regime to apply from incentivise responsible fishing and emphasised the 2012. Moreover, they won a firm commitment from the importance of maximising arctic cod opportunities. Commission to a comprehensive review of the EU’s cod Some MSs warned against using their stocks to pay recovery plan next year. The UK also resisted a revision for this. The UK noted the withdrawal of Iceland from to the management arrangements for plaice in the English talks on managing mackerel stocks which impacted on Channel, that would have meant UK fishermen losing the EU-Norway talks; this attitude was unhelpful and out badly. the Commission should be firm. Separately, the Council and Commission also agreed On the Agriculture items: the Commission will act to quota levels for sprat and turbot in the Black Sea. ban 1, 3—dichloropropene as there was no qualified 119WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 120WS majority either for or against the proposal. The were broadly supportive of the continued focus on Commission’s recent report on the potential for the competiveness and agri-environment. Territorial cohesion European Food Safety Authority to charge fees was was frequently stressed. discussed very briefly, with some MSs supporting its The presidency said that the issue would be discussed conclusion that a full impact assessment is required to on 13 December. The incoming Hungarian presidency inform any subsequent proposals. The Commission stated that it intended to seek a conclusion at the March presented its paper on the Farm Advisory Service (FAS), Council. highlighting a need to improve the targeting of advice, Under Any Other Business: especially in reaching small and medium-sized farms. The subjects covered by FAS needed to go beyond cross There was a short Commission paper on the current compliance to cover competitiveness and innovation. inter-institutional blockage on long-term fisheries Recommendations would be taken forward in due course. management plans. In its view a large majority of MSs (not the UK) were not being realistic; the European The first discussion on the Commission Communication Parliament had a legitimate interest in setting these on CAP restricted Ministers’ interventions to three under the Lisbon treaty and the Council could not minutes each. Most MSs broadly welcomed the cling to this power. It wanted to begin a dialogue to communication as a useful starting point. There was resolve the matter quickly. general endorsement for the continuation of the current The presidency presented its information notes on two pillar structure of the CAP.A number of important the review of the European plant health regime and themes emerged during the debate, which focused largely the international conference on animal welfare education. on what the communication was missing: On the 2011 Budget the Commission took the There was support for continuing direct payments opportunity to sensitise MSs to difficulties with (DPs) to farmers, with new MSs calling for their the reimbursement of DPs, if the new draft budget equalisation. Some MSs rejected a transitional period was not adopted. National budgets would take the at the beginning of the next financial perspective strain of some 75% of direct payments being made (FP). The abolition of historical references periods by national authorities in the first few months of was welcomed. France, Germany and Greece, however, 2011, while operating under a system of twelfths. cautioned that new objective criteria should not result However, problems were unlikely to arise for market in a flat rate payment; DPs needed to be allocated management or rural development expenditure, which fairly, taking account of regional costs and farm had flatter spending profiles. There was no discussion. structures. A few MSs resisted the intention to cap The Netherlands presented its note on the conference payments to large farms. The UK called for substantial on agriculture, food security and climate change. cuts to the EU budget, which should include material cuts to the CAP budget and with progress on reducing France presented its note on the aims of the French reliance on direct subsidies leading eventually to their presidency of the G20 in the field of agriculture abolition. Others, however, called for a strong or highlighting four themes: increasing transparency about adequate CAP budget commensurate with its challenging global stock reserves, enhancing the moral behaviour policy objectives. of market operators, co-ordinating international crisis management and addressing price volatility. All MSs called for a significant effort to simplify Finally, the Italian Minister tabled a point related to CAP rules. The UK noted that some of the Commission’s the food labelling proposal due to be discussed at the ideas looked too complex. The Commission will establish EPSCO Council formation on 7 December. The Italians an expert group to work alongside those drafting want to see the manufacturer of products identified legislation to ensure that new measures did not increase on the label. The UK responded that this would not administrative burdens for farmers or national authorities. be acceptable given that this information is not Many MSs were sceptical of the Commission’s proposal meaningful to consumers, adds burdens to businesses to green pillar 1, as this could work counter to the and has the potential for negative impact on competition. simplification objective. However, a number welcomed the principle of securing better environmental benefits. The Commission insisted that new measures on Single Payment Scheme environmental compliance would not increase burdens and would generally take the form of guidance on the application of cross compliance provisions. The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr James Paice): In my statement MSs queried the confused treatment of less favoured of 1 December 2010, Official Report, column 77WS, I areas (LFAs) in the Communication. Some wanted promised to keep the House informed of the Rural LFA payments to remain in the second pillar, whereas Payments Agency (RPA)’s progress towards its 2010 others favoured an additional LFA uplift in pillar single payment scheme (SPS) payment targets. one. Some MSs supported the Commission’s intentions As at Wednesday 15 December, RPA have made to provide a small farmer payment and to restrict payments totalling some £1.16 billion to 85,060 farmers payments to active farmers, although clarity was (80.6%). The agency continues to strive to meet its sought on definitions of “small” and “active”. target to pay 85% of eligible claimants by the end of MSs welcomed the retention of a specific pillar devoted December. RPA has also now issued letters to all those to rural development. The UK called for a greater farmers who are unlikely to be paid this month. share of a reduced CAP budget to go to this. Some Progress toward the December target will be reviewed new MSs called for pillar two resources to be concentrated again today by the RPA oversight board, with a view to on MSs with the greatest modernisation needs. MSs ensuring the money reaches farmers as early as possible 121WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 122WS while also protecting taxpayers’ interests. Joined by new HEALTH permanent RPA chief executive (Mark Grimshaw) from 17 January, the board will focus the agency’s attention in the new year on the still more challenging target of Value-Based Pricing (Consultation) making 95% of the value of SPS payments by the end of March 2011. I will continue to keep the House informed. The Secretary of State for Health (Mr ): I am launching today a consultation entitled: “A new value-based approach to the pricing of branded medicines”. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE The consultation document sets out this Government’s proposals for introducing a system of value-based pricing for medicines, as stated in the coalition agreement. Such Victims of Terrorist Incidents Overseas a system would enable patients to access the medicines and treatments their doctor advises they need by establishing a closer link between the price of a new branded medicine The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth and the value which it offers in terms of benefits to Office (Mr Jeremy Browne): Since 2004 the Foreign and patients, reflecting unmet need, therapeutic innovation, Commonwealth Office has offered specific assistance and where appropriate, benefit to society. for British victims of terrorist incidents overseas and While the current system of pricing medicines has their families. Originally known as the aftercare plan, tried to achieve a balance between reasonable prices for but renamed exceptional assistance measures (EAM) in the NHS and fair return for the industry to develop new 2008, it was introduced in recognition of the fact that medicines, it does not promote innovation or patient many travel insurance policies explicitly exclude acts of access in the way that we are looking for. We have terrorism from their cover. EAM allows Ministers to committed to honouring the terms of the Pharmaceutical activate special assistance to victims of terrorist attacks Price Regulation Scheme 2009 until its expiry, but there above the standard consular package. This can include is a need to reform the way in which we pay for medical evacuation, payment of immediate medical medicines from 2014 onwards. As we have made clear expenses and repatriation. It is only ever activated in through the establishment of the cancer drugs fund extremis. prior to 2014, we are enabling NHS clinicians to have When the policy was first introduced in 2004, EAM better access to the medicines required for their patients. could be awarded to any British victim of a terrorist This consultation is an important opportunity to incident abroad, regardless of whether or not the person engage with different groups in order to gain their views had travel insurance. However, in June 2008 the Government on how we should best reflect the value of medicines in at the time decided to impose restrictions on EAM order to deliver the best health outcomes for patients. eligibility, excluding those victims who did not have This consultation sets out the Government’s initial thoughts travel insurance. and invites engagement from interested parties in order I have decided to overturn this decision and restore that we can begin to develop a future model of medicines’ EAM for all British nationals affected by a terrorist pricing. attack overseas, regardless of whether or not they have travel insurance. Acts of terrorism are singularly heinous Copies of the consultation document have been placed crimes, usually targeting innocent people at random. It in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members is right that all British victims of terrorist attacks overseas from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the can receive the same level of support from the Government. Printed Paper Office. EAM only covers incidents overseas that are deemed to be acts of terrorism by Her Majesty’s Government. They do not replace travel insurance. British nationals New Dental Contracts (Pilot Schemes) travelling overseas are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Those that do not and are involved in accidents or incidents often deeply regret The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon it when faced with huge bills. Burns): We said in the coalition agreement that we Key elements of the exceptional assistance measures are: would introduce a new dental contract based on registration capitation and quality to increase access and improve i. The measures will only be activated as a last resort, oral health, particularly of children. We are today where financial assistance is not made available through announcing the publication of our proposals for piloting other means, i.e. from the Government of the country that new contract, and inviting expressions of interest where the incident took place, insurance providers or in taking part in the pilots. other agencies and organisations, and in a situation we deem to be terrorist in nature; The current dental contract, which was introduced by the previous Administration in 2006, has been a bone of ii. Assistance, under these measures, will not be made contention for dentists since its inception. The House available to those who have travelled to a country or of Commons Health Select Committee report published region for which the FCO had advised against all travel; in July 2008 found that the contract had failed to solve iii. The measures do not cover medical care in the UK problems of access, that the UDA-based system (that is or long-term care in relation to conditions relating to units of dental activity) of remuneration was extremely the effects of the terrorist incident; unpopular with dentists, and that commissioning of iv. These measures will be activated on a case-by-case dentistry by primary care trusts was often of poor basis by ministerial decision. quality. It called for registration to be reintroduced. 123WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 124WS

Under our planned new contract dentists will be We welcome Lord Patel’s contribution to the important rewarded for the quality of care they deliver for patients drugs treatment debate and will be looking carefully at rather than the number of treatments and, through the recommendations and evidence his group has collected. registration, patients will have the security of continuing This Government believe that given the substantial care. Our reforms will give dentists the encouragement investment in drugs and the strong association between they need to provide a service that meets the needs of the use of drugs and reoffending, we should be ambitious today’s population. The Select Committee noted that in our aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness, there was widespread criticism that the UDA system focusing on recovery outcomes, encouraging offenders introduced in the 2006 contract was not piloted. We to come off drugs. have decided that we will carry out pilots as part of the development of our reforms. To help us develop our proposals, we have taken advice from a national expert steering group, containing HOME DEPARTMENT representatives of the dental profession, and patients, and NHS commissioners. Professor Jimmy Steele, author of the independent review of dentistry published last Control Order Powers year, was also a member of the group. The three different models set out in the publication The Secretary of State for the Home Department will be piloted in 50 to 60 areas around the country (Mrs ): Section 14(1) of the Prevention of from next April. The three pilot models will be slightly Terrorism Act 2005 (the 2005 Act), requires the Secretary different in order to provide information and evidence of State to report to Parliament as soon as reasonably on different aspects of the proposals, which will then practicable after the end of every relevant three-month help inform the development of a new national contract. period on the exercise of the control order powers The proposals we are announcing today mark a first during that period. step towards delivering this new and better system of The level of information provided will always be dentistry. In the light of the pilots we will bring forward subject to slight variations based on operational advice. proposals for a new national contract, with the intention of bringing forward legislation. As set out in previous statements the Government are reviewing control orders as part of a wider review of counter-terrorist and security powers and measures. The Government will report on the outcome of this Drug-Related Crime and Rehabilitation review shortly. As explained in previous quarterly statements on The Minister of State, Department of Health (Paul control orders, control order obligations are tailored to Burstow): Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE was the individual concerned and are based on the terrorism- asked by the Department of Health and the Ministry of related risk that individual poses. Each control order is Justice to lead a review of drug treatment and interventions kept under regular review to ensure that the obligations in prisons and for people on release from prisons in remain necessary and proportionate. The Home Office England and provide a report, with recommendations. continues to hold control order review groups (CORGs) every quarter, with representation from law enforcement The report aims to raise the ambition about what can and intelligence agencies, to keep the obligations in be achieved in regard to drug treatment and interventions every control order under regular and formal review in prisons and to consider efficiencies and cost effectiveness. and to facilitate a review of appropriate exit strategies. Lord Patel’s report has been placed in the Library. During this reporting period, four CORGs were held in Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote relation to the orders in force at the time. In addition, Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper further meetings were held on an ad-hoc basis as specific Office. issues arose. I would like to thank Lord Patel and his review group During the period 11 September 2010 to 10 December for the thoroughness of their work. 2010, one non-derogating control order has been made, As outlined in the coalition programme for government, with the permission of the court, and served. One we are aiming to overhaul the system of rehabilitation control order has been renewed in accordance with to reduce offending, and to ensure that sentencing for section 2(6) of the 2005 Act in this reporting period. drug use helps offenders to come off drugs. We want to Two control orders expired during this reporting period promote innovation in service provision and commissioning. as it was not considered necessary to renew the orders Payment by results will be an important tool in achieving for a further 12 months. One control order, made in a progress. previous quarter but never served, expired during this reporting period. In the comprehensive spending review, the need for continued, substantial investment in drug treatment In total, as of 10 December 2010, there were eight was reaffirmed. As part of our commitment to ensuring control orders in force, all of which were in respect of that there is local pooling of resources it has been British citizens. All of these control orders were non- agreed that some budgets previously held by the Home derogating. Three individuals subject to a control order Office and the Ministry of Justice will transfer to the lived in the Metropolitan Police Service area; the remaining Department of Health from April 2011. This will allow individuals lived in other police force areas. us to look in a more joined-up way across the total No criminal proceedings for breach of a control spend on drug treatment to improve the treatment order were concluded during this reporting period. journey and avoid wasting resources. However, one set of criminal proceedings against one 125WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 126WS individual who was formerly subject to a control order been held in immigration detention—compared to over and three other individuals for conspiracy to breach a 300 over the same period last year—and the average control order was concluded in the reporting period stay in detention has been reduced from 15 days to 11 June 2010 to 10 September 2010. This followed a 4days. CPS decision that prosecution was no longer in the public But we need to go further. With immediate effect no interest. It was not possible to include this information children will be detained at the Yarl’s Wood immigration in the previous statement laid on 16 September 2010. removal centre. During this reporting period, 34 modifications of We are now implementing a fundamentally new approach control order obligations were made. Twelve requests to to the whole end-to-end process of working with families modify control order obligations were refused. in the immigration system. This new system will strengthen Section 10(1) of the 2005 Act provides a right of families’ trust and confidence in the immigration system, appeal against a decision by the Secretary of State to maintain public confidence in the Government’s ability renew a non-derogating control order or to modify an to control the UK’s borders and ensure that families obligation imposed by a non-derogating control order with children are treated humanely and in a way that without consent. No appeals have been lodged with the meets our international obligations and our statutory High Court during this reporting period under section 10(1) duties in relation to children’s safety and welfare. of the 2005 Act. A right of appeal is also provided by Working in partnership with the Office of the United section 10(3) of the 2005 Act against a decision by the Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, we will continue Secretary of State to refuse a request by a controlled to improve the quality of our asylum decision making person to revoke their order or to modify any obligation through our asylum improvement project. We will develop under their order. During this reporting period one best practice for working with families and will increase appeal has been lodged with the High Court under the specialist skills of our staff. Working with partners section 10(3) of the 2005 Act. from local authorities, the voluntary sector and local On 15 September 2010 one individual subject to a communities, we will continue to test new arrangements control order was granted permission to appeal to the for providing early access to legal advice and practical Court of Appeal against the High Court judgment in support and guidance to families. the substantive judicial review proceedings under In those cases where an application has been refused section 3(10) of the 2005 Act relating to his control and all appeals have been exhausted, we will assist order. families in departing voluntarily, including with financial No court judgments in relation to control orders have assistance where necessary. UK Border Agency staff been handed down during this reporting period. will hold a dedicated family return conference with each family to help them understand the options available tor their return and prepare for it. Immigration (Detention of Children) We will, of course, still require families to depart who have no right to stay here and who do not depart The Minister for Immigration (): The voluntarily. But rather than being detained, they will UK has a long tradition of welcoming people from instead be given a minimum of two-weeks’ notice of across the globe and we can be especially proud of our their departure date while they remain in the community. record in granting refuge to those who have been persecuted. This extended notification period—up from 72 hours at When those people include families with children, we present—will ensure that the family can prepare properly have a particular responsibility to ensure that we approach for their return. Families will then be given the opportunity the task with compassion and humanity. to check themselves in at the port of departure. That is why one of this Government’s first acts was to At this point families will have had every opportunity commit to ending the detention of children for immigration to comply and exercise some control over the timing purposes. This Government believe that children should and manner of their departure. They will have had the not be detained in our immigration system, but we must opportunity to challenge the decision that they must ensure that those with no right to be here leave the UK. return in court, supported by legal aid and voluntary This is a difficult issue—we need to balance the welfare sector partners; they will have had the opportunity to of children and families with the need to maintain a discuss their options at family return conferences; and robust and workable immigration system. they will have had the possibility to leave voluntarily, In June I set up a review of how we work with with a financially supported return. families in the immigration system. The Home Office Where families still fail to co-operate, their case will launched a consultation which received over 340 responses be referred to a new independent family returns panel, from different organisations and members of the public. which will ensure that the welfare of the children involved We also sought the views of interested parties through a is fully considered in a tailored returns plan. The panel working group co-chaired with the Diana, Princess of will be independently chaired and include experts on Wales Memorial Fund, received recommendations from health and child safeguarding. Once the new process is a further expert group convened by Citizens UK and implemented, the panel will be able to recommend examined how other countries manage family removals. using any existing mechanism or policy available to the We have also worked closely with the Department for department to manage returns, but specifically excluding Education as the lead Department for children and detention in an immigration removal centre. safeguarding in England and will continue to do so on As a very last resort for those rare cases when families implementation. fail to co-operate with all other options, the panel will We have already begun to take action where we can. have the option to refer the family to a new type of Since the beginning of June, fewer than 50 families have accommodation for only the last 72 hours before departure. 127WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 128WS

This accommodation will not be an immigration prohibitions and requirements on the behaviour and removal centre. It will have a family-friendly environment, activities of an individual; providing strong support to with an entirely different look and feel. The site will be help those who want to leave violent gangs and placing secure but will respect family privacy and independence. tough restrictions on those who don’t. We will be seeking third sector involvement in the Statutory guidance on injunctions to prevent gang-related running of the accommodation. violence has been produced to help ensure their appropriate This accommodation, which will only be used for and effective use. Copies of the statutory guidance have very short periods of time, will be for those families been laid before the House and will be available from who have consistently refused to comply with the process the Vote Office. and whom the independent panel advise need that level of oversight. Once there, families will be allowed to leave the premises with permission on a risk-assessed basis. We will allow children to have the opportunity to INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT leave the premises subject to a clear and transparent risk and safeguarding assessment and suitable supervision Development Ministers’ Foreign Affairs Council arrangements. We will also ensure that there are suitable adults on site in Tinsley House from January to allow children to have the opportunity to leave the centre The Secretary of State for International Development following a risk and safeguarding assessment by UK (Mr ): The Foreign Affairs Council Border Agency. The panel will encourage accountability (Development) took place in Brussels on 9 December. and transparency in the process by producing an annual Due to priority parliamentary business that day, my report, which will include all cases referred to the new ministerial colleagues and I were unable to attend. The accommodation. UK was represented by the Permanent Representative In addition to ensuring the removal of families with to the EU (Kim Darroch) and the Director of International no right to stay here, we must maintain our ability to Relations for the Department for International protect the border. Other countries have kept the ability Development (Anthony Smith). Both officials attended to detain those arriving at the border for a short period with clear direction from Ministers on relevant policy and we will need this capability as well. We will retain priorities. The High Representative of the Union for Tinsley House at Gatwick for this purpose when necessary. Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Ashton, Families detained trying to enter Britain illegally are chaired the meeting. usually returned on the next available flight and within Future of EU Development Policy 24 hours. EU Development Commissioner (Andris Piebalgs) The process I have outlined balances the welfare of introduced his “Green Paper on EU Development Policy children and families with the need to maintain a robust in Support of Inclusive Growth and Sustainable immigration system which can remove people with no Development”. He confirmed that once the public right to remain here. consultation had concluded in January 2011, the As we put the new process into practice we will Commission would begin drafting a communication on continue to learn and improve. We will work with the results. This will include toolkits about how different communities, the voluntary sector, local authorities, the work-streams can be taken forward. Department for Education, and families themselves to Ministers broadly welcomed the paper and the make the new process work. At the heart of our new opportunities it brings to think afresh about the future approach will be the fundamental need to safeguard the of EU development policy. The wide-ranging discussion welfare of children. covered issues including growth, human rights, gender, Further information on the review can be found on agriculture and sustainable development. The UK the UK Border Agency website and a copy will be intervention welcomed the focus on growth and called placed in the House Library. for the prioritisation of actions that can deliver impact and results and demonstrate value for money. Ministers were invited to provide written comments Gang-Related Violence on the issues raised by the Green Paper in early 2011. Afghanistan The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Commissioner Piebalgs and the EU Special Home Department (James Brokenshire): Gangs cause Representative in Afghanistan (Vygaudas Ušackas) briefed significant and lasting harm to our communities by Ministers about the latest situation in Afghanistan. fuelling violence, creating an atmosphere of fear and They stressed their long-term commitment to development drawing young people into criminality. The Government and to the transition of responsibilities to the Afghan are committed to tackling gang-related violence by Government, based on the approach agreed at the 2010 giving local partners the legal powers they need to Kabul conference. Ministers confirmed their strong support prevent gang-related violence and encourage gang members for this approach. It was also stressed that the EU to exit their gang lifestyles. action plan, agreed by EU Foreign Ministers in October 2009, offered the best way forward in terms of better As part of this approach, from 31 January 2011 co-ordinating European efforts in Afghanistan. police and local authorities will be able to apply to a county court for an injunction to prevent an individual Innovative Finance from engaging in, or encouraging or assisting, gang-related In a discussion led by the French Development Minister, violence, or to protect an individual from such violence. the Council debated innovative financing mechanisms. This new civil tool will enable courts to place a range of The UK joined other member states in welcoming the 129WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 130WS exploration of a range of innovative financing opportunities, Improving the Lives of Poor People: IDA has set itself while emphasising that these should complement, and the target of: not deflect from, existing official development assistance Providing 80 million people with access to improved water targets. The Commission was invited to continue working sources on the technical feasibility of innovative financing Providing 2 million people with access to improved sanitation mechanisms and exploring their potential impact. facilities Haiti Immunising 200 million children Providing 30 million more people with health services, including Ministers discussed the severe situation in Haiti, and 2 million pregnant women agreed on the continuing importance of co-ordinating Recruiting and training 2 million teachers relief efforts. Commissioner Piebalgs noted that ¤325 million Helping countries create wealth and jobs: IDA provides of the ¤522 million pledged for reconstruction in Haiti a range of support including funding key infrastructure, was now programmed, and that, to date, ¤61 million such as power, irrigation and roads. This is essential for had been disbursed. The Commission is preparing a boosting trade, encouraging private investment, and communication on reconstruction efforts, with the aim enabling people to access markets, schools and health of effectively communicating the results of EU support centres. IDA has set itself the target of constructing and in advance of the 12 January anniversary of the earthquake. rehabilitating 80,000 km of roads. Mutual Accountability and Transparency Help poor countries cope with shocks: The financial The Swedish Development Minister led a brief exchange crisis, the spike in food prices, and natural disasters of views on the importance of mutual accountability have all put poor people under enormous strain recently. and transparency between European donors and partner A new facility is being established in IDA that will countries. This is crucial in order to demonstrate the enable the bank to offer countries additional support, legitimacy of development assistance, and to help partner for example to Haiti for reconstruction after the earthquake. countries make better informed investment decisions. Throughout the negotiations, the Government have The UK strongly supported this approach—a key priority pressed the bank to step up its efforts to improve the of the coalition Government—and suggested an aid lives of poor women and girls and those who live in transparency guarantee, similar to the one launched in fragile states, and the bank has made some clear the UK, be adopted at pan-European level. commitments. These include more support to countries The Council also adopted conclusions on mutual like Afghanistan. accountability and transparency as an “A”point without IDA is an important and effective channel for discussion. These can be viewed here: http://register. international efforts to achieve the millennium development consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/10/st17/st17477.en10.pdf. goals (MDGs). As the emerging findings of the Government’s comprehensive multilateral aid review International Development Conferences in 2011 demonstrate, its high-quality analysis and the deep expertise Over dinner, there was an exchange of views about of its staff are drawn on by Governments in IDA the least developed countries (LDC) summit that will countries to develop robust national poverty reduction take place in Istanbul in May 2011. The Council noted strategies and make good public spending choices. In its the importance of ensuring a focused EU position in own programmes, IDA delivers flexible assistance in advance of the summit. The Commission will prepare a support of countries’ priorities. As well as investing draft EU position paper in January 2011. The UK’s in areas such as health, education and agriculture it also suggestion of a focus on growth and vulnerability was helps countries develop the institutions, the policies and welcomed. practices that underpin sustained poverty reduction The dinner concluded with a short discussion about and economic growth, for example helping to strengthen the fourth high-level forum on aid effectiveness that will accountability and tackle corruption. The bank has a take place in Busan, Korea, in November 2011. The UK strong track record of robust evaluation and lesson joined other member states in stressing the need for a learning, and its new transparency policy puts it at the high-level political debate at the forum, rather than forefront of multilateral agencies in this regard. purely technical discussions. The Council aims to agree In light of IDA’S strengths, its central role in helping a common position ahead of the forum in May 2011. the international community achieve the MDGs, and the results and reforms it has committed to deliver, the UK will provide an average of £888 million a year for the next three years. The result of the negotiations, International Development Association of the World following all the donor pledges and action from bank Bank management, is that IDA will have $49.3 billion (£32.4 billion) to invest in tackling poverty in the three years starting in July 2011, of which the UK’s burden The Secretary of State for International Development share is 12%. (Mr Andrew Mitchell): The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that provides assistance to the poorest countries. The NORTHERN IRELAND international negotiations to agree its work and funding for the next three years concluded on Wednesday Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission 15 December, and I wish to inform the House of the (11th Annual Report) outcomes. Thanks to UK pressure, for the first time, IDA has The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen set out some of the results it will deliver with this Paterson): I have today laid before this House a copy of replenishment. These are the “Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission’s 131WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 132WS

Annual Report and Accounts for 2009-10”, in accordance This Third Report provides an assessment of the with schedule 7 paragraphs 5(2) and 7(3)(b) of the operation of sections 21 to 32 of the 2007 Act and Northern Ireland Act 1998. the procedures adopted by the Brigade Commander This is the 11th annual report published by the 38 (Irish) Brigade for receiving, investigating and responding Commission. to complaints. The report covers the period 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010. “A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Steps” The report highlights the security situation in the (Responses) past year and the activities of residual terrorist groups who have been dangerous and disruptive and remain heavily involved in organised crime. The reviewer states The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr Hugo that the police have had to deal with more threats and Swire): I have today published responses to the previous attacks this year, and this has led to a substantial Government’s consultation on “A Bill of Rights for increase (22%) in the use of stop and question and stop Northern Ireland: Next Steps”. The responses are available and search across the range of police powers. He also on the NIO website: www.nio.gov.uk. makes note of the heavy demand for the services of A total of approximately 36,492 responses were received. ammunition technical officers (ATOs). There were 232 substantive responses and approximately The reviewer acknowledges that the police have 36,260 email and mail/freepost mailshots that were sent responded to his recommendation to further develop as part of campaigns by various groups. Individual recording systems and notes some improvement from mailshot responses have not been published on the NIO his limited sampling of the records; however, there is website due to the high volume received; however, sample still some way to go in pursuit of best practice. He versions have been made available. welcomes the development of electronic recording which There was considerable support from human rights the police are pursuing and the thematic review which is and community groups for a wide-ranging Bill of Rights being conducted by the human rights adviser to the along the lines of that recommended by the Northern Policing Board into the comparative use of police powers Ireland Human Rights Commission. They expressed and development of best practice. He comments that it concern that the proposals in the consultation document will significantly complement and enhance work in this fell well short of this. area. The consultation also demonstrated opposition to Mr Whalley highlights the marked decrease in military a wide-ranging Bill of Rights and support instead for a complaints and notes that the departure of the Pumas more limited set of rights that reflected the particular of 230 Squadron RAF has significantly altered the circumstances of Northern Ireland. This divergence of pattern of military flying in Northern Ireland. He states views was also reflected in the submissions made by that the complaints system is efficient and responsive political parties in Northern Ireland. and must continue to function as effectively as it does The Government will continue to consider how best now. He also emphasises the importance of engaging to address this issue, but continue to urge all sides to complainants, and suggests that it should be standard work together to help build consensus on the best way practice to offer a visit to Aldergrove (if not a flight to proceed. in a helicopter) when a repeat complaint is made. He recommends the flying station at Aldergrove should take it as a high-priority task to keep the website on Robert Hamill and Rosemary Nelson Inquiries planned flying times up to date. The Chief Constable and the Brigade Commander The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen 38 (Irish) Brigade have both welcomed the independent Paterson): It is with regret that I must inform the House reviewer’s report and the recommendations made. I too of a delay to the publication of the reports of the would like to thank Robert Whalley for his work and Robert Hamill and Rosemary Nelson inquiries. for the recommendations contained in his third report. I The Robert Hamill inquiry has recently informed me will consider them carefully. that it expects to deliver its report to me by the end of February 2011. The Rosemary Nelson inquiry informs me that it currently expects to deliver its report by the PRIME MINISTER end of April 2011. I have written to both inquiries to ask them to expedite their work and to continue to bear down on costs in these remaining months. Advisory Committee on Business Appointments As with the Bloody Sunday and the Billy Wright (11th Report) inquiries, it is my intention to publish these reports as soon as practicable after I receive them, and I will inform and update the House accordingly. The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): Ihave today published the 11th report of the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 The report provides an account of the Committee’s work in giving advice about appointments that senior The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen Crown servants and former Ministers wish to take up Paterson): I have laid before Parliament the Third Report after leaving Crown service. The report covers the period of Robert Whalley CB, independent reviewer of the 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (the Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries “2007 Act”). of both Houses. 133WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 134WS

TRANSPORT sites and the facilities available at them, it is proposed three of these should be located at Falmouth, Humber and Swansea. We also require sub-centres at either Belfast or Liverpool Coastguard Services (Modernisation) and either Stornoway or Shetland. The case for selection between these locations is more marginal. We are therefore inviting comments and information about factors that should The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport influence the choice of sites for these two sub-centres. (Mike Penning): The United Kingdom is fortunate to Provide high quality and demanding jobs for our coastguards, have strong and effective front-line search and rescue with the job weight and pay reflecting the increased demands capabilities, many of which are provided by volunteers, placed upon them in line with civil service pay guidelines. including some 3,500 volunteer coastguards carrying Strengthen the leadership and support provided to our volunteer out coastal rescues, the lifeboats operated by the Royal coastguards in the coastguard rescue service. National Lifeboat Institution and the volunteer mountain Improve present levels of service to the public while reducing rescue teams. I would like to pay tribute to the dedication costs. and commitment of these volunteers who provide a The proposals do not affect the small centre operated long-standing example of the contribution that individuals by the coastguard alongside the Port of London Authority can make to the society in which they live. on the Thames in London. Our front-line search and rescue services could not, These changes will strengthen the coastguard service however, function effectively and save the lives that they by dealing with potential points of weakness in current do without effective arrangements to identify and manage structures and adding resilience throughout the system incidents, including directing the best placed and most while also maintaining strong regional links and enhancing suitable rescue assets to the scene. These arrangements front-line rescue services through the volunteer coastguard. are provided through our regular coastguard officers who also monitor ship movements around our coasts, provide information and services to seafarers and recreational water users, operate vessel traffic monitoring Search and Rescue Helicopters (Procurement) schemes in some locations, including the English channel, contribute to counter-pollution activities in our waters and support our volunteer coastguard force. They are The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Philip currently located in 18 maritime rescue co-ordination Hammond): Together with my right hon. Friend the centres around the UK. Secretary of State for Defence, I had planned to announce The coastguard has a long and distinguished history. to the House today an intention to proceed with But in common with all public services it cannot stand negotiations with the preferred bidder for the planned still. Our seas are becoming busier with larger ships and procurement of search and rescue helicopter capability. increasing numbers of offshore renewable energy platforms, However, the preferred bidder has informed the Ministry making key areas of our seas more congested. There are of Defence within the last 48 hours that it has become also increasing numbers of people using our beaches, aware of a possible issue in connection with its bid to coastlines and seas for leisure activities. provide the UK search and rescue capability, which was the basis of its selection as the preferred bidder as The current organisation of the coastguard—which announced in February 2010. dates back some 40 years—is not well placed to respond to these challenges. The lack of national co-ordination In the circumstances it is not appropriate for us to between the centres can result in limited resilience and proceed with the planned announcement until the status an uneven distribution of the workload, especially during of this issue has been clarified. busy periods. My right hon. Friend and I will make a further The latest technologies offer opportunities to address statement to the House as soon as we are able to these issues and to modernise the coastguard enabling it provide further information and to set out our plans for to deliver a more integrated and improved level of proceeding to secure the provision of search and rescue service, at lower cost, with better-rewarded staff taking helicopter capability in the future. We regret the further on increased responsibilities and with enhanced career uncertainty that this entails for all those involved in opportunities. providing the UK’s search and rescue service. With these objectives in mind, I am today launching a 14-week consultation about the modernisation of the coastguard service. The consultation document, which is available in the Libraries of both Houses and on the WORK AND PENSIONS Maritime and Coastguard Agency website: www.mcga.gov. uk, sets out proposals to: Establish two nationally networked maritime operations centres, Remploy (Annual Report and Financial located at Aberdeen and the Southampton/Portsmouth area, Statements 2010) capable of managing maritime incidents wherever and whenever they occur and with improved information systems, together with a 24-hour centre at Dover looking over the busy channel traffic separation scheme. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work Provide for five other sub-centres, fully integrated into the and Pensions (): Remploy has today published national network around the coast and operating during its annual report and accounts for 2010. Copies will be daylight hours. On the basis of an evaluation of the existing placed in the Libraries of both Houses later today. 851W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 852W Written Answers to NORTHERN IRELAND Banks Questions Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what account he has taken of (a) banking Thursday 16 December 2010 market conditions in Northern Ireland and (b) the effects on that market of the current financial situation in the Republic of Ireland in developing his proposals for an enterprise zone in Northern Ireland. [30727] WALES Mr Paterson: The forthcoming HM Treasury Departmental Manpower consultation paper on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy, to be published by the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, my hon. Friend the Member for South Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales West Hertfordshire (Mr Gauke), will examine a wide what changes have been made to the roles and range of proposals for possible economic reform options responsibilities of senior staff in her Department since to rebalance the NI economy and attract significant 7 May 2010. [30910] new investment. I am aware of the particular circumstances for lending to SMEs in Northern Ireland, though there Mr David Jones: There has been no substantial change is some evidence that lending is being affected by low to the responsibilities of senior staff since 7 May 2010. take-up rather than credit rationing by banks. The Treasury will work closely with the Northern Departmental Overseas Visits Ireland Executive over the implications for the Northern Ireland banking system of recent events both in the Republic of Ireland and elsewhere. Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department has spent on overseas visits Departmental Pay by Ministers and officials since 7 May 2010. [30912]

Mr David Jones: Nil. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or Departmental Secondment above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available. [31217] Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff her Department has appointed on Mr Paterson: There are no staff employed in the secondment since 7 May 2010; and from what organisation London office of the Department whose gross hourly each such member of staff has been seconded. [30909] pay on a full-time equivalent basis, including London Weighting, is below the London living wage. Mr David Jones: No member of staff has been appointed on secondment. Two members of staff from the Welsh Assembly Government have been working in the Department since 7 May 2010. SCOTLAND Higher Education Departmental Temporary Employment Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary how many officials her Department has appointed on of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and fixed term contracts since 7 May 2010. [30911] (b) Minister of State for Higher and Further Education on the impact on Scottish higher educational institutions Mr David Jones: No staff have been appointed on of the planned increase in university tuition fees in fixed term contracts since 7 May 2010. England. [31332]

Departmental Training : The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are in regular contact with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how on a range of matters important to Scotland, including much her Department has spent on employee training student finance. and staff development since 7 May 2010. [30913] Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland Mr David Jones: My Department has spent £6,256.31 what discussions he has had with (a) the Scottish on training and staff development since 7 May 2010. Executive and (b) Universities Scotland on the impact The amounts spent include a professional accreditation on Scottish higher educational institutions of the and £1,926.31 is for advanced payments for courses in planned increase in levels of university tuition fees in the new year. England; and if he will make a statement. [31338] 853W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 854W

David Mundell: The Secretary of State for Scotland for political parties, by requiring hon. Members to and I are in regular contact with a range of stakeholders, certify that they have read the regulations and will abide including Universities Scotland, on matters concerning by them. The main responsibility lies with hon. Members. higher education in Scotland. It is not clear what evidence the Commission could gather to make a general assessment of the level of compliance with the regulations. It is open to anyone who has evidence of a breach of the regulations to HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION make a complaint to the Parliamentary Commissioner Construction: Finance for Standards.

Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of ATTORNEY-GENERAL Commons Commission, what additional cost in respect of building work on the House of Commons estate was Departmental Billing incurred as a result of the House sitting in September 2010. [31057] Mike Freer: To ask the Attorney-General how many John Thurso: I refer the right hon. Member to the invoices the Law Officers’ Departments processed in answer I gave to the hon. Member for Harwich and the last 12 months for which figures are available. North Essex (Mr Jenkin) on 13 October 2010, Official [30759] Report, column 290W. The Attorney-General: The information requested is Drinking Water contained in the following table:

Robert Halfon: To ask the hon. Member for Numbers of invoices processed Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing between 1 December 2009 and Department 30 November 2010 the House of Commons Commission, how much the House of Commons Service spent on bottled water in TSol1 49,506 the last 24 months; what the average cost to the House CPS 350,394 per litre of water supplied was; which company holds SFO 8,699 the contract to supply bottled water to the House; and NFA 895 under what procedures (a) the tender for this contract 1 TSol also processes invoices for AGO and HMCPSI was issued and (b) the contract was let. [30328] Ejup Ganic John Thurso: The House has spent £95,023 on bottled water (other than bottled water obtained for water Mr Whittingdale: To ask the Attorney-General what coolers) over the last two years for which full figures are fees have been paid to prosecution counsel instructed available (2008-09 and 2009-10). The average cost for by the Crown Prosecution Service on the case of Ejup bottled water over the period was 38p per litre. The Ganic between 26 March 2010 and 20 August 2010. contract for supplying bottled water is held by Hildon [30679] Natural Mineral Water. Contract award followed the EU restricted procedure. The contract was extended in The Solicitor-General: The total fees paid to the five 2010 with the intention of competitively re-tendering counsel instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service in 2011. (CPS) for the conduct of the extradition proceedings Where the House pays for water coolers together with against Dr Ejup Ganic between 26 March 2010 and 20 bottled water, the cost of the bottled water cannot be August 2010 amounted to £69,000. separately identified. The House has spent £9,825 on water coolers, including bottled water and supplies, over the last two years for which full figures are available (2008-09 and 2009-10). The cost for an 18 litre bottle for INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY water coolers was 20p per litre. The House uses suppliers STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE from a public sector framework contract. The supplier most frequently used is Pressure Coolers Ltd. Communication Official Hospitality Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Parliamentary Standards Authority, by what means the Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of post of Director of Communications at the Independent Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Parliamentary Standards Authority was advertised; who Commission will take steps to assess the level of was responsible for drawing up the shortlist of candidates compliance with the regulations on the use of House for that role; how many people were included on the dining facilities in respect of indirect fundraising for shortlist of candidates; who sat on the interview panel; political parties in the last 12 months. [30402] and on what date the appointment took effect. [29685]

John Thurso: The House’s Catering and Retail Services Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls seek to ensure that the regulations on use of the dining within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary rooms are complied with, principally, as regards fundraising Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. 855W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 856W

Letter from Andrew McDonald: We have also provided loans for deposits on rented office and As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary living accommodation. As of 8 December, 172 loans have been Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary made to 157 Members. No applications for such loans have been Question asking how the post of Director of Communications refused. In one instance a Member submitted and subsequently was advertised; who was responsible for drawing up the shortlist withdrew an application as the deposit was no longer required. of candidates for the role; how many people were included on that shortlist; who sat on the interview panel and on what date the Members: Allowances appointment took effect. (29685) The post of the Director of Communisations was initially Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, advertised in February 2010, but a candidate was not found. In May 2010, the role was re-advertised online on a number of websites, representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent including PR Week, Guardian Jobs, Exec-Appointments.com, Parliamentary Standards Authority, on which dates the Green Park, Executivesontheweb.com, and diverse-leaders.com. Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) Candidates were shortlisted for interview by IPSA from a received a request for information under the provisions long-list of applicants. There were four candidates on the shortlist. of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 from The Final interviews were conducted by IPSA’s chief executive, Times newspaper on hon. Members’ expenses; and on IPSA’s chairman, and an independent panel member. what dates the IPSA responded. [31056] The successful candidate’s appointment took effect on 20 September 2010. Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent Letter from Andrew McDonald: Parliamentary Standards Authority, if he will place in As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary the Library a copy of the (a) application form and (b) Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary supporting documentation for the person appointed as Question asking on which dates the Independent Parliamentary Director of Communications for the Independent Standards Authority (IPSA) received a request for information Parliamentary Standards Authority. [29686] under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 from The Times newspaper on Members’ expenses; and on what Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls dates the IPSA responded. within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary IPSA received a Freedom of Information request from The Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. Times newspaper on 22 September. We responded on 19 October Letter from Andrew McDonald: advising the requestor that we would require more time to consider the use of a qualified exemption. On 19 November we provided a As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary substantive answer. On 22 November we received a further request Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary pursuant to our response. This resulted in the release of additional Question asking if I will place in the Library a copy of the (a) information on 30 November and further information on 14 application form and (b) supporting documentation for the person December. appointed as Director of Communications for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. 29686 Members: Bank Services Applicants were requested to send their CV and a supporting statement based on the job specification and person specification. This information constitutes personal data and I will not therefore John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, be releasing it. Copies of the job description and person specification representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent are, however, available on the IPSA website. Parliamentary Standards Authority, to how many business Loans: Members bank accounts operated by the offices of hon. Members the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for made payments in the latest period for which figures are Broxbourne, representing the Speaker’s Committee for available. [30407] the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many hon. Members have been refused advance Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls loans by the Independent Parliamentary Standards within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Authority to date. [29496] Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. Letter from Andrew McDonald: Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. Question asking to how many business bank accounts operated Letter from Andrew McDonald: by the offices of hon. Members the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority made payments in the latest period for As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary which figures are available. Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question as to how many honourable Members have been refused IPSA can register a number of bank accounts for each MP; the advances and loans by the Independent Parliamentary Standards purposes of each are determined by MPs themselves. Authority in 2010 to date (29496). By the end of November, IPSA had made payments relating to We offered Members the facility to apply for an interest-free MPs’ salaries and expenses into a total of 1,483 bank accounts. advance of up to £4,000 each. The advance is to assist Members This number includes not only MPs’ bank accounts, but accounts to cover any expenses they incur that are allowable under the held by certain members of MPs’ staff and MPs’ landlords. scheme. As of 8 December, 253 Members had applied for and had Of these 1,483 bank accounts, some 295 are, for IPSA’s purposes, received such an advance. No applications for advances of up to operated by MPs exclusively for the payment of expenses. A further £4,000 have been refused. One application for a greater sum was 645 of the 1,483 bank accounts are used to pay MPs’ salaries, and refused. This application was subsequently resubmitted for a we estimate that some 348 of these 645 are also used for the permissible amount and approved. payment of expenses and other non-personal transactions. 857W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 858W

Visits Mr Gibb: 22 Free School proposals that intend to open in 2011 are currently in the business case and plan John Mann: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, stage. I am confident that they will submit strong business representing the Speaker’s Committee for the Independent cases which will enable as many Free Schools as possible Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many site visits to open in September 2011. were carried out by the Independent Parliamentary School Linking Network Programme Standards Authority in October and November 2010. [29495] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much funding his Department has allocated to the Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls school linking network programme since October 2007; within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary and how many projects in each local authority area Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply. have received assistance from that programme. [26382] Letter from Andrew McDonald: As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Mr Gibb: The Department has allocated £2 million to Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary the School Linking Network (SLN) since October 2007. Question asking how many site visits were carried out by the The SLN has supported 857 projects involving over Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority in October and November 2010. 1,700 schools. Of these 857 projects, 379 have been funded by the £2 million from the DfE, with the remainder During October 2010, IPSA officials carried out five visits to Westminster offices to discuss policy matters, and 50 visits for being self-funded. The breakdown by local authority is assistance with the online expenses system. In November 2010, set out in the following table: IPSA officials made five visits to MPs in their constituencies, 10 visits to Westminster offices to discuss policy, and 53 visits for Local authority Number of DfE funded projects assistance with the online expenses system. In addition, IPSA Board members paid MPs two visits during this period. Barking and Dagenham 8 Birmingham 10 Bolton 10 Bradford 10 EDUCATION 8 Day Care: Disabled Bucks 10 Bury 10 Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Cheshire 10 Education what plans he has to increase the availability Cornwall 8 of affordable and accessible childcare for disabled Coventry 10 children. [23468] Cumbria 10 Derby City 10 Sarah Teather: All local authorities received funding Derbyshire 10 in 2010-11 under the Disabled Children’s Access to Gateshead 10 Childcare (DCATCH) programme. This funding has Gloucestershire 10 been used to embed changes to practice locally which Hull 10 will improve the service offered to disabled children. Kent 10 Local authorities are focusing their funding on a number Kirklees 10 of areas including: work force development, improving 10 information for families and increasing capacity, inclusion LCA 10 and improving quality. Arrangements about funding Leeds 10 for future years will be announced in due course. Leicester City 9 Education Maintenance Allowance Luton 10 Manchester 10 Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Milton Keynes 10 Education how many people resident in (a) England, Newham 10 (b) Leicester and (c) Leicester West constituency were Norfolk 7 in receipt of education maintenance allowance on the North London International 10 latest date for which figures are available [27698] Schools Network (five boroughs) Mr Gibb [holding answer 30 November 2010]: This is Northamptonshire 10 a matter for the YoungPeople’s Learning Agency (YPLA) Nottingham City 10 who operate the education maintenance allowance for Nottinghamshire 10 the Department for Education. Peter Lauener the YPLA’s Plymouth 9 chief executive, will write to the hon. Member with the Rotherham 10 information requested and a copy of his reply will be Somerset 13 placed in the House Libraries. Stockport 9 Sunderland 10 Free Schools Tower Hamlets 8 Wakefield 10 Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Wigan 10 how many Free Schools he expects to open in September Total 379 2011. [20739] 859W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 860W

The funding also supports the 975 schools registered When announcing his decision not to continue to with SLN to help them to find links. Bespoke training ring-fence funding for school sport partnerships, the days have been held across the country to help these Secretary of State also lifted the many requirements of schools to develop linking projects. the previous Government’s PE and sport strategy. This gives schools the freedom and clarity to concentrate on Schools: Sports competitive sport. In giving schools this freedom, we are trusting school leaders to take decisions in the best Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for interests of the pupils and parents they serve. This will Education what plans his Department has for the allow schools, both nationally and in the Brighton future of the schools sports partnership. [16831] Pavilion constituency, more time and greater freedoms to run after school clubs and to organise competitions Tim Loughton: The coalition Government’s approach and festivals involving other schools. differs from that of the last Government. While the I should clarify that the Department is not closing network helped schools to increase participation rates down school sport partnerships. Rather, they are being in the areas targeted by the previous Government, the fact entrusted to schools, who can decide whether and how remains that the proportion of pupils playing competitive to use them in the future. sport regularly has remained disappointingly low. The Secretary of State has decided to withdraw central Special Educational Needs: Academies funding for the Youth Sports Trust because, in spite of significant central Government expenditure, nearly a Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for quarter of all pupils do not do any competitive sport at Education what plans he has for the future funding of all within their own school; and more than half of all academies in respect of education services for children pupils do not do any competitive sport at all against with low incidence special educational needs. [22596] other schools. Sarah Teather: The Secretary of State is aware of this Furthermore, the actual provision of competitive issue and will be making an announcement shortly sport across the country has been very patchy, with about the future funding of academies. some 1,280 secondary schools having none of their pupils taking part in any intra-school sporting competition, and 710 schools where no pupils regularly take part in HOME DEPARTMENT any inter-school competition. Consequently, the Secretary of State concluded that Detention Centres: Children a fresh approach to school sport is needed and has announced that he will not continue to provide ring-fenced Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the funding for school sport partnerships. By removing all Home Department how many families have been separated the unnecessary targets and reporting requirements placed when one parent is held in immigration detention while on schools by the previous Government’s strategy, schools their children stay in the community for the purposes of will be freed up to provide more opportunities for immigration control in the latest period for which figures competitive sport that are most appropriate for their are available; and how many such families were single own pupils. The best way to increase participation is to parent families. [30823] give schools the freedom and incentives to organise Damian Green: The UK Border Agency will always school sport themselves, rather than imposing a central first seek to achieve voluntary departure of illegal migrant Government blueprint. families. Where families refuse to leave the UK, enforcement Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for efforts will start with efforts to remove the family without Education what assessment he has made of the effects the need to detain any family members. Separating of the removal of funding for Schools Sports Partnerships parents from children is only ever done as a matter of (a) nationally and (b) in Brighton Pavilion constituency last resort and only after careful case by case consideration. on the provision of (i) after-school sports clubs, (ii) For example, there may be circumstances where a inter-schools competitions and (iii) dance and sports prisoner, who is also a parent, is released from prison festivals. [26599] and a decision is made to maintain their detention under immigration powers in order to effect their Tim Loughton: The coalition Government’s approach deportation. Such assessments are made on a case by to school sport differs fundamentally from that of the case basis taking into account public and child protection previous Government. While the network of school concerns. sport partnerships helped schools to increase participation However, family separations may occur for other rates in areas targeted by the previous Government, the reasons, such as for child protection purposes (which fact remains that the proportion of pupils playing would be a matter for local authority children’s services) competitive sport regularly has remained disappointingly or where the parent has chosen to separate the family by low. Only around two in every five pupils play competitive deliberately hiding the whereabouts of their children. sport regularly within their own school, and only one in Where children are missing the UK Border Agency will five plays regularly against other schools. work with other statutory agencies, such as the police We are committed to creating an Olympic and and local authorities, to try and locate the children and Paralympic style school sport competition to address reunite them with their parent. this. The best way to create a lasting Olympic legacy in At present we do not centrally hold the requested schools is to give them the freedom and incentives to information. To do so would mean examining individual organise it themselves, for themselves, rather than imposing case records at a disproportionate cost. In response to a central Government blueprint. the Independent Chief Inspector’s report into family 861W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 862W removals the UK Border Agency committed to improving minimum amount of force necessary to carry out their the management information held on families, which duties, and the control and restraint of children must be we are currently reviewing. limited to circumstances where it is necessary for an officer to use physical intervention to prevent harm to Human Trafficking: Children the child or any individual present. UK Border Agency arrest team immigration officers Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the are trained in the use of control and restraint by accredited Home Department if she will meet representatives of police trainers to standards that are laid down by the Barnardo’s prior to her announcement of a strategy for police. This training is reviewed regularly and all arrest human trafficking of the purpose of learning from trained officers are required to attend refresher training their experience of child trafficking in the UK. [31305] every 12 months, which they must pass in order to retain their accreditation. Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role The use of control and restraint is carefully monitored in the identification of, and provision of support to, and scrutinised internally to ensure that it is justified. victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive Our operational activities are also subject to inspection of this role and will continue to work in partnership by John Vine, the Independent Chief Inspector. with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking. Further information on UK Border Agency procedures in family cases, including the use of force against children, Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non- can be found in chapter 45 of the Enforcement Instructions governmental organisations to discuss development of and Guidance manual which is available to view at: the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking. www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ Police: Manpower policyandlaw/enforcement/oemsectione/ As part of the review ’ending child detention for Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home immigration purposes’ the UK Border Agency is engaging Department how many (a) police officers, (b) police closely with child welfare organisations to review training community support officers and (c) other staff in each provided to staff who manage families. police force area were assigned to each police function Welsh Refugee Council: Finance in the latest period for which figures are available. [26079] Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mrs May [holding answer 23 November 2010]: The Home Department (1) what funding she plans to available data are provided in the tables placed in the provide for the Welsh Refugee Council in (a) 2010-11 House Library. The tables show the police officer, police and (b) 2011-12; [31040] community support officer, and police staff functions in (2) what funding her Department provided for the England and Wales as at 31 March 2010. The available Welsh Refugee Council in each of the last three years data is collected by the Home Office from police forces for which figures are available. [31041] as part of the annual data requirement, ADR601. Damian Green: Funding has been made available to Sergei Magnitsky the Welsh Refugee Council for the provision of support for asylum seekers in the form of ‘One Stop Service’ Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the and initial accommodation wrap-around services. The Home Department if she will (a) exclude from the UK following table details the funds made available for and (b) freeze the assets of any Russian officials found these services for the past three years and the maximum to be involved in (i) the arrest, treatment in prison and funding level for these services for 2011-12. death of Sergei Magnitsky and (ii) the fraudulent activity against the Russian Federation he alleged Financial year Funding levels (£) before his arrest. [31109] 2008-09 1,271,948 2009-10 1,291,425 Damian Green: As the Prime Minister outlined in a previous response to this issue the Government remain 2010-11 1,233,883 very concerned by Mr Magnitsky’s case. We are awaiting 2011-12 515,248 the conclusion of the official investigation into this case The maximum funding level for 2011-12 does not announced by President Medvedev in November 2009. include funding for the provision of the Refugee Integration It would therefore not be appropriate for me to comment Employment Services in Wales or for strategic funding any further at this time on the individual circumstances that will be made available to the Welsh Refugee Council. of the case. UK Border Agency: Training TRANSPORT Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training on the restraint of children Cycling: Greater London UK Border Agency enforcement staff receive. [30824] Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Damian Green: The use of control and restraint against Transport if he will issue guidance to local authorities children is used as last resort and only by specially on taking up the cycle hire scheme in operation in trained officers. Arrest trained officers can only use the central London. [30819] 863W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 864W

Norman Baker: I welcome the positive impact that Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does the cycle hire scheme has had on journey patterns in not have a specific budget for conferences. central London and the environmental benefits that have accrued. However, I do not intend to issue guidance Departmental Consultants to local authorities. It is a matter for local authorities to decide whether to introduce a cycle hire scheme in their local area taking into account issues such as their John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for current levels of cycling, cycling infrastructure, current Transport what the (a) purpose and (b) nature was of patterns of public transport use and other factors. the management consultancy for which his Department paid the Central Office of Information (a) £113,724.72 Departmental Billing on 10 June 2010, (b) £299,574.96 on 14 June 2010 and (c) £127,416.44 on 17 June 2010. [27225] Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many invoices his Department processed in the last Norman Baker: The purpose of the expenditure in all 12 months for which figures are available. [30758] three cases was publicity to raise public awareness and encourage behaviours to improve road safety and reduce Norman Baker: During the last 12 months (December the number of people killed or seriously injured on 2009-November 2010) the Department for Transport roads in Great Britain. and its agencies processed 227,462 invoices. This The expenditure is identified as “Publicity” in the information, together with further details, is available monthly spend spreadsheet available on the Department’s on the DFT website at: website. http://www.dft.gov.uk/about/procurement/dft/ promptpaymentstats Departmental Manpower The details are set out beneath the 30 working days chart. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Conferences Transport how many agency staff his Department and its non-departmental public bodies employ at each pay Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for grade. [27791] Transport what his Department’s annual budget for conferences was at (a) 7 May 2010 and (b) 7 December Norman Baker: The number of agency staff currently 2010. [30024] employed in each pay grade is:

Non-departmental public bodies Northern Trinity Traffic Grade Pay DFT inc. Renewable Fuels Lighthouse Lighthouse High Speed Commissioners equivalent band agencies Agency Board Service Two Ltd and Deputies

AA PB1 36 0 0 0 <5 0 AOPB2440<5<55 7 EO PB3 6 <5 0 0 <5 0 HEO PB4 8 <5 <5 0 0 0 SEO PB5 <5 0 0 0 <5 0 G7 PB6 13 0 0 0 <5 0 G6 PB7 5 0 0 0 <5 0 SCS SCS 0 0 0 0 0 0

Non-departmental public bodies who do not currently Norman Baker: Redundancy costs at each of the employ agency staff are: Department for Transport’s non-departmental public British Transport Police Authority bodies (NDPBs) will be dependent on the precise nature, Cycling England extent and timing of future changes. We have set out our proposed reforms to a number of DfT NDPBs and Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee other public bodies, including those named in Schedules Directly Operated Railways Ltd. 1 to 5 of the Public Bodies Bill, but are not yet in a Passenger Focus position to provide robust information on the likely Railway Heritage Committee. redundancy costs. We would expect to make this information available in due course. Departmental NDPBs Departmental Travel Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent on grey Transport what estimate his Department has made of fleet in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [28847] the expenditure on redundancy costs likely to be incurred by each of his Department’s non-departmental public Norman Baker: The amount the Department for bodies in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and Transport spent on grey fleet in (a) 2008-09 and (b) (d) the spending review period. [30906] 2009-10 is shown in the following table: 865W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 866W

Mike Penning: The information about expenditure on £ different types of fuel used by ministerial cars since Organisation (a) 2008-09 (b) 2009-10 2005 is not available. The Government Car and Despatch DFT(c) 165,583 159,631 Agency only holds data for the entire government fleet DSA 2,132,383 1,910,822 that it operates. DVLA 239,483 113,853 GCDA 0.00 0.00 Marine Salvage Tugs: Public Expenditure HA 803,141 764,607 MCA 326,281 299,196 Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State VOSA 2,023,000 1,687,000 for Transport whether his Department conducted any VCA 4,137 5,574 environmental risk assessment prior to the decision Key: announced as part of the comprehensive spending DFT(c)—Department for Transport (Centre) review to end funding for marine salvage tugs. [29770] DSA—Driving Standards Agency DVLA—Driver, Vehicle and Licensing Agency Mike Penning [holding answer 9 December 2010]: GCDA—Government Car and Despatch Agency The decision to withdraw public funding for the provision HA—Highways Agency MCA—Maritime and Coastguard Agency of emergency towing vessels (ETVs) was informed by a VCA—Vehicle Certification Agency series of marine assessments, arising from a number of VOSA—Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. work streams which address a range of wider marine environmental issues. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Swansea Official Cars: Carbon Emissions Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact assessment his Department has : To ask the Secretary of State for conducted of the effects on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Transport what the mileage of ministerial cars was in Agency (DVLA) in Swansea of the comprehensive spending each year since 2005; and what estimate he has made of review outcomes; what assessment he has made of the the carbon footprint of journeys made by ministerial effects of the outcomes of the Review on the number of cars in each such year. [31060] people employed by the Agency in Swansea; what restructuring of DVLA he expects to take place as a Mike Penning: The information requested on the consequence of implementation of the review outcomes; mileage and carbon footprint of journeys made by and if he will make a statement. [19582] ministerial cars since 2005 is not available. The Government Car and Despatch Agency only holds data about the Mike Penning: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing entire car fleet that it operates. Agency (DVLA), like all areas of the Department for Transport, will need to make savings as part of the Public Transport comprehensive spending review. The DVLA has a good record of delivering efficiency savings and already has Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for plans in place to continue this work. However, it is too Transport what estimate his Department has made of early to say what impact these savings will have on the the number of persons who habitually travelled to a structure of the DVLA or the number of people which place of work in (a) England, (b) the East Midlands it employs. and (c) Leicestershire by (i) train, (ii) car and (iii) bus in each of the last five years. [31081] Electric Vehicles: Retail Trade Norman Baker: The requested statistics for England Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for and the East Midlands are shown in the table. These are Transport what discussions he has had with distribution estimates taken from the Labour Force Survey, which network operators on the provision of electricity to includes questions on mode of travel to work during a retail outlets providing charging points for electric cars. three-month period (October to December) in each [30977] year. Figures for Leicestershire are not available as the Norman Baker: Officials from the Office for Low survey sample size is not large enough to provide reliable Emission Vehicles have met with distribution network estimates for this area. operators (DNOs) as part of the Plugged-In Places scheme and will continue to do so as the Government Thousand develops their strategy for the installation of electric October to December vehicle infrastructure. The Plugged-In Places scheme Area/Mode offers match-funding to support the cost of installing a of travel 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 critical mass of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in lead places across the UK; at home, at work, in public England areas (such as car parks or on street) and at retail sites. Train1 678 970 1,072 1,084 1,040 Car2 10,433 14,605 14,518 14,281 13,998 Fuels: Official Cars Bus/coach3 1,104 1,562 1,526 1,477 1,331

George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for East Transport how much was spent on each type of fuel Midlands used by ministerial cars in each year since 2005. [31059] Train14—11121313 867W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 868W

Given that much of the country is being hit unusually Thousand early this winter by severe weather, the Secretary of October to December State for Transport has asked David Quarmby to take Area/Mode of travel 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 the opportunity to conduct an urgent audit of highway authorities’ and transport operators’ recent performance Car2 929 1,317 1,321 1,341 1,279 in England, their progress in implementing his Bus/coach3 60 99 120 97 97 recommendations and any further steps that need to be 1 Includes railway trains but excludes underground train and light taken. railway or tram. 2 Includes car, van, minibus and works van. 3 Includes bus, coach and private bus. John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for 4 Data are not shown due to the estimate falling below the LFS Transport (1) if he will estimate the amount and proportion minimum threshold of 10 thousand. of (a) salt, (b) grit and (c) potash the Highways Source: ONS Agency will procure from (i) British and (ii) overseas Labour Force Survey (LFS). suppliers in 2010-11; [29045] Public Transport: Fares (2) if he will estimate the proportion of the Highway Agency’s budget that will be spent procuring (a) salt, Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) grit and (c) potash from (i) British and (ii) Transport what his policy is on the recognition as a overseas suppliers in 2010-11. [29046] user group of reduced fare users in consultations on the future of public transport services. [30930] Mike Penning [holding answer 6 December 2010]: Grit and potash are not used for routine winter service Norman Baker: I refer the hon. Member to the answer on Highways Agency roads. I provided to her on 9 December 2010, Official Report, It is not possible for the Highways Agency to estimate columns 404-05W. the amount and proportion of salt to be procured from British and overseas suppliers in 2010-11 or the proportion Roads: Snow and Ice of its budget that will be spent on procuring salt. The Highways Agency’s contracted service providers John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for are responsible for the delivery of the winter service, Transport whether the Highways Agency plans to including the procurement of road salt. import salt from overseas to meet winter demands for The delivery of winter service is paid for within lump road salt; and if he will make a statement. [28528] sum payments covering a range of defined activities. The amount spent on the purchase of road salt is not Mike Penning [holding answer 3 December 2010]: As readily discernible from the service delivery lump sum a result of the Independent Winter Resilience review led payments and cannot therefore be provided. by David Quarmby, which delivered its final report in October 2010, the Highways Agency is importing a In addition to the provision of routine winter services, national reserve of 250,000 tonnes of salt. In addition, the Highways Agency has been tasked with a strategic following its own internal review, the Highways Agency stockpile to provide additional resilience for local authorities. is importing a reserve of a further 60,000 tonnes of salt, The Government anticipates that the full cost of procuring over and above its planned operational requirements the strategic stockpile will be recovered from those local for its own purposes. authorities which use it.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Welsh Language Transport what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on winter resilience preparations; and if he will make a statement. [28748] Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department last published a Welsh Norman Baker: Ministers and officials from the language scheme in accordance with the provisions of Department for Transport discuss a wide range of transport the Welsh Language Act 1993; and at which web issues with local authorities, including winter resilience addresses these can be accessed in (a) Welsh and (b) preparations. English. [31170] The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Hammond) and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Norman Baker: A Welsh language scheme was last Government (Mr Pickles) wrote on 12 November to the published by the Department for Transport in 2004, leaders of all English local authorities. This letter advised and is maintained as a live document. on the measures the Government have taken to implement the recommendations following David Quarmby’s The Scheme is available on the corporate website in independent review on Winter Resilience, published in Welsh at: October 2010. The letter also drew attention to the http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/dftps/cynlluniaithgymraegdft recommendations in the review panel’s report which were addressed to local authorities. and in English at: A representative of the Local Government Association http://www.dft.gov.uk/foi/dftps/dftwelshlanguagescheme attended the inter-ministerial meeting on winter response Copies of the scheme, in both languages, have been held at the Cabinet Office on 3 December. placed in the House Libraries. 869W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 870W

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Future Jobs Fund

Public Transport Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many young people have been employed through the Future Jobs Fund in each region John Mann: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on in each month of the fund’s operation; and how much what dates since his appointment he has in the course of has been spent under the fund in each region. [29279] his official duties (a) taken a scheduled bus service, (b) travelled on the London underground, (c) travelled on : We have placed the number of young a scheduled tram service and (d) cycled. [30401] people that have been employed by the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) in each region in each month of the fund’s The Deputy Prime Minister: I travel making the most operation in the Library. This information has been efficient and cost-effective arrangements, including by compiled from the Official Statistics up to July 2010. public transport. My travel arrangements are in accordance Annex A provides the overall total spend per region with the arrangements for official travel as set out in the up to 18 November 2010. This information has been Ministerial Code. taken from the FJF Combined and Monitoring Claim Form (CMCF) process which is FJF expenditure that is claimed by lead accountable bodies (LABs) via the monthly claims process. WORK AND PENSIONS Jobcentre Plus: Advisory Services Addison Lee Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions if he will make funding available to and Pensions whether (a) his Department and (b) the jobcentres to take on staff to advise incapacity benefit public bodies for which it is responsible contract claimants on finding work. [28331] services from Addison Lee. [30705] Chris Grayling: Funding already exists through the Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions Pathways to Work programme to help incapacity benefit entered into a contract with Addison Lee plc on 1 May customers find work. 2010 for a period of two years, for the provision of a The Government have announced they will be replacing Taxi Sourcing, Booking, Delivery and Management many of the existing back to work programmes with the service. Work Programme. This is expected to be in place nationally The contract is for the provision of vehicles for the by the summer of 2011. Incapacity benefit customers transportation of staff for business purposes only, for will be able to access the Work Programme, if, following journeys originating within the M25 (and extending out reassessment for employment and support allowance to local airports). (ESA), they go on to claim ESA or jobseeker’s allowance. More personalised Jobcentre Plus support will also Employment Schemes be available to all customers in receipt of working age benefits. Incapacity benefit customers may volunteer to access this support. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects his Jobcentre Plus: Buildings Department’s Work Programme to begin; and when he expects its predecessor programmes to close. [26256] Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 7 December Chris Grayling: We want to ensure that as many 2010, Official Report, column 165W, on Jobcentre Plus: people benefit from the Work Programme as soon as buildings, what the average rent per square metre is for possible, and will launch the Work Programme as soon Jobcentre Plus premises in London. [31044] as providers are ready to start delivery in each contract package area. We aim to have the new Work Programme Chris Grayling: The average rent per square metre for in place nationally by the summer of 2011. Jobcentre Plus premises in London is £140. We are determined to ensure that there is continuity of provision, and that the transition to the Work Programme Maternity Payments: Coventry does not leave any customer unsupported. Therefore, new deal and employment zone contracts will be extended Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State until June 2011, ensuring that customers referred to for Work and Pensions how many Sure Start maternity these programmes in March will be supported until the grants were made to mothers resident in Coventry for a summer, when the Work Programme will be rolled out. second or subsequent child in 2009-10. [30804] Before their referral to the Work Programme, customers will have access to support delivered through Jobcentre Steve Webb: A total of 274,000 Sure Start maternity Plus, including access to work experience, help to volunteer grants were awarded in Great Britain in 2009-10. The or take advantage of peer-to-peer support, as well as exact number of awards for a second or subsequent help with basic skills or jobsearch techniques and access maternity is not available, but is estimated to be 52% of to the Jobcentre Plus flexible fund. all awards, around 143,000. 871W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 872W

The number of awards made in 2009-10 is available Percentage with income below 60% of by Government office region or Jobcentre Plus social Age group contemporary median after housing costs1 fund budget area only, not by local authority. All pensioners 29 Notes: 1 Relative poverty. 1. The information provided is Management Information. Our Notes: preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/ 1. These statistics are based on the Households Below Average Income series, National Statistics but in this case we only have management sourced from the Family Resources Survey. 2. The estimates presented here are Great Britain only, as Northern Ireland data information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent was not collected until 2002-03. as Official/National Statistics and there are some issues with the 3. All estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to uncertainty. data, for example, the total given does not include awards processed Small differences should be treated with caution as these will be affected by clerically which had not been entered on to the Social Fund sampling error and variability in non-response. Computer System by the end of 2009-10. 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication “Households 2. Both numbers have been rounded to the nearest 1,000. Below Average Income” (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, Sources: adjusted (or “equivalised”) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. Department for Work and Pensions Social Fund Policy, Budget 5. For the Households Below Average Income series, incomes have been and Management Information System (for total number of awards equivalised using Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for Great Britain). (OECD) modified equivalisation factors. 6. Proportions of pensioners in low-income households have been rounded to The estimate of 52% was obtained by analysing families in Great the nearest whole percentage point. Britain with a child (or children) aged under one from the Social Security Benefits Department for Work and Pensions Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiries for August 2009. (This was considered the most appropriate available data at the time the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State analysis was done.) for Work and Pensions what criteria he plans to use to determine whether benefit claimants have deliberately not informed the relevant agency of a change in their Members: Correspondence circumstances. [30805]

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Grayling: Where a customer deliberately does Work and Pensions when he expects to reply to question not inform the Department of a reportable change in 19837 on benefit claims, tabled on 24 November 2010 circumstance this would constitute benefit fraud. The for ordinary written answer. [29614] Fraud Investigation Service investigates cases thoroughly, and an admission of fraud or proof beyond reasonable doubt are the criteria used to determine whether fraud Chris Grayling: I replied to the hon. Member’s question has been committed. on 8 December 2010, Official Report, columns 276-77W. The Department takes fraud very seriously and has recently published a new joint strategy with HMRC for Pensioners: Poverty tackling welfare fraud and error. This sets out a strong sanctions regime to punish those who are caught of committing benefit fraud and includes a new civil penalty Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work for genuine mistakes. and Pensions what proportion of pensioners aged (a) between 60 and 65, (b) between 65 and 70, (c) between Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations 70 and 75, (d) between 75 and 80 and (e) over 80 years old were living in poverty in 1997. [31416] Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of Steve Webb: Estimates of pensioner poverty are published the level of savings which will accrue to his Department in the Households Below Average Incomes series. The as a result of the decision to suspend work-focused most commonly used measure of pensioner poverty health-related assessments. [28736] relates to those people with incomes below 60% of contemporary median income, after housing costs. This Chris Grayling: It is estimated that the suspension of is often referred to as relative poverty. work focused health-related assessments (WFHRAs) The Households Below Average Income publication will save the Department around £5 million per year. uses Family Resources Survey data. Data for Northern Our decision to suspend work focused health-related Ireland has been collected only since 2002-03. Estimates assessments was based on feedback from customers and of poverty for 2001-02 and earlier are for Great Britain staff which indicated that it was not providing valuable only, but from 2002-03 are for United Kingdom. The support. The suspension of work focused health-related percentage of pensioners in relative poverty in Great assessments will improve the Department’s capacity to Britain in 1997-98, split by age group, is shown in the focus on, and cope with, the reassessment of existing following table: incapacity benefits customers, which began in Aberdeen and Burnley in October. Percentage with income below 60% of 1 Although they do not currently attend work focused Age group contemporary median after housing costs health-related assessments at the beginning of their 60-64 20 claim, individuals in the Work Related Activity Group 65-69 22 meet regularly with their personal advisers within Jobcentre 70-74 30 Plus or Provider-led Pathways to Work. Personal advisers 75-79 37 help customers to focus on what they can do to get a 80 and above 37 job, taking any medical condition into account. 873W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 874W

By the summer of 2011, we will introduce the Work (a) administrative errors in their payments and (b) Programme which will give providers greater freedom errors in real-time earnings data supplied by employers. to tailor the right support to the individual needs of [28207] each customer. Providers will be best placed to assess a customer’s needs and abilities, in the context of the Chris Grayling: As under the current system, we will support that is available. expect all customers to report to us if they become aware that any of their payments are incorrect. However, Unemployed People: Training with the availability of real time information about their earnings, the potential for errors and overpayments Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for will be dramatically reduced as people will not have to Work and Pensions what the maximum length of time report changes in earnings. is that a claimant of jobseeker’s allowance may attend a training course while retaining their benefit; and what Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments assessment he has made of the appropriateness of this period. [28456] Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to provide for (a) the Chris Grayling: Jobseeker’s allowance is designed to exercise of discretion and (b) a de minimis level in support people while they are unemployed and looking respect of any overpayment of tax credits where the for work. To be eligible, jobseekers must therefore be claimant has failed to take reasonable care before the available for and actively seeking employment. Unless proposed £50 civil penalty is imposed. [22012] specific exemptions apply, they must be willing and able to take up full-time work immediately. Chris Grayling: On 18 October the Government published their new strategy, “Tackling fraud and error in the Jobseekers can however undertake part-time education benefit and tax credits systems”. The strategy announced or training at any point in their claim and continue to the introduction of a new £50 civil penalty for those receive jobseeker’s allowance as long as they continue to individuals who fail to take reasonable care of their meet the basic conditions of entitlement. claim. Jobseeker’s allowance claimants may also undertake The civil penalty will apply to customer error and not full-time training if this is needed in order to gain the fraud. Customer error applies in cases where there is no necessary skills to enhance employment prospects. While fraudulent intent on behalf of the customer and a undertaking two weeks of work-related training within change in circumstance goes unreported as a genuine any 12 month period claimants can remain on jobseeker’s mistake. Where a customer deliberately does not inform allowance. This is agreed by the adviser and it can be the Department of a reportable change in circumstance combined with part-time learning to give a longer period this constitutes benefit fraud. The Fraud Investigation of support. Service investigate such cases thoroughly, and an admission Within limits, jobseekers may also undertake full-time of fraud or proof beyond reasonable doubt are the training for longer than two weeks where it is deemed criteria used to determine whether fraud has been appropriate in order to help towards a move into committed. employment. Currently, jobseekers who undertake full-time This new penalty will not apply to tax credits as the training in excess of two weeks are transferred to a Tax Credits Act already includes a civil penalty. For separate training allowance. Full-time training opportunities Social Security benefits, it is too early to confirm the for jobseekers are ideally no more than eight weeks long criteria that will be used when considering the penalty as short, intensive periods of work-focused training such as (a) the exercise of discretion and (b) ade better achieves the purpose of the jobseeker’s allowance minimis level. However, it is intended that the penalty interventions regime of helping people find employment will deter individuals from negligent behaviour in the as quickly as possible. Those with basic skills needs (for future and increase their personal responsibility for example literacy and numeracy) may be able to remain keeping claims correct. on full-time training for 15 weeks or longer. There will be a clear appeals process in place where The current approach maintains a balance between individuals can appeal against the overpayment decision enabling unemployed people to provide access to training (as currently exists) and also against the decision to while keeping claimants close to the labour market. instigate the penalty. Where there are identified skills barriers to work they can be tackled through structured provision. From summer 2011 we will also be launching nationwide FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE the Work Programme, which will provide personalised and individual services to claimants to support them Government Hospitality: Wines into work. Work Programme providers will be free to design support according to the needs of the individuals Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for referred to them; this may include training courses Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many bottles which the claimant can undertake while still retaining of wine from the Government wine cellar have been their benefit. served at Government functions since 1 November 2010; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the Universal Credit public purse of serving such wines. [31110]

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bellingham: Between 1 November and 13 December Work and Pensions under what circumstances recipients 2010 Government Hospitality used 494 bottles of wine of universal credit will be expected to identify at 23 Government functions, for approximately 1,376 875W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 876W guests. The functions were a combination of receptions, Mr Jeremy Browne: According to Transparency lunches and dinners. Government Hospitality estimates International’s Corruption Perception Index 2010, that the total purchase cost of these wines amounted to Venezuela ranks 164th and Argentina 105th out of 178 £4,735, an average of less than £10 per bottle. countries. In Argentina, the Government have taken measures in recent years to address the issue, for example through Liu Xiaobo the reform of the process for nominating Supreme Court judges. A Bill on access to information is also Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign being considered by Congress. and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations The Venezuelan Government have publicly recognised he has made to the government of the People’s Republic corruption as an issue requiring attention. The creation of China on the release of Liu Xiaobo. [31334] of a new national police force is an important part of an attempt to address the issue and the UK is working with Mr Jeremy Browne: In a statement to mark International the authorities on police reform issues. Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010, my right hon. Friend the sent a message of Our embassies monitor corruption levels and offer support to human rights defenders around the world. support to any British individual, company or organisation Highlighting the important work of human rights defenders, which may be affected by corruption. the Foreign Secretary said, “We remember in particular Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded the China: Africa Nobel Peace Prize but is imprisoned in China, and we call again for his release”. Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Our Ministers have consistently raised the case of Liu Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold Xiaobo in their engagement with China. My right hon. discussions with his Chinese counterpart on the extent Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the case during his of deforestation on Chinese-owned land in Africa used visit to China in July this year. We will continue to urge for the development of palm oil plantations. [29938] the Chinese Government to release Mr Liu. Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply. Piracy Defra and the Department for International Development are working in partnership with China on a project on the international palm oil industry. This Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign involves outlining the business case for sustainable sourcing, and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he including on investments abroad. The project will conclude has had with his international counterparts on rules of in March 2011 with a report and policy options, which engagement in counter-piracy operations. [28135] we will then discuss with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Nick Harvey: I have been asked to reply. With regards to our consumption in the UK, the As a participant in the Contact Group on Piracy off Secretary of State and I announced on 13 July 2010 that the Coast of Somalia, the UK has discussions with Defra has commissioned a project to map UK palm oil partners on the legal questions and concerns affecting supply chains (including those specific to government the international response to Somali piracy. These have procurement), to determine how much we use (including included the appropriate use of force in counter piracy future trends) and in what products. It will identify operations, although rules of engagement themselves existing company commitments to sourcing sustainable are not discussed. palm oil and the implications for the sustainability of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no palm oil consumed in the UK, as well as considering recent discussions with its international counterparts options for encouraging increased sustainable sourcing. on the rules of engagement in counter-piracy operations The project has involved participation from international because this is primarily a military matter. Therefore businesses, NGOs and other Governments, and will the matter is one which the Ministry of Defence leads report in February 2011. on rather than the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UK operates with a number of international partners on counter-piracy operations including the European Union’s Operation Atalanta, NATO’s Operation Ocean ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Shield and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and operational tactics are discussed regularly as part of this. Our rules of engagement are shared with our Agriculture: Land coalition partners as necessary to improve international co-ordination. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many disputes were heard by each agricultural land tribunal South America: Corruption in each of the last 10 years. [28985]

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: The number of cases heard by each agricultural Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent land tribunal from 2002 until 2009 inclusive are set out assessment he has made of levels of corruption in (a) in the following table. We do not have details for the two Argentina and (b) Venezuela. [31087] years previous to that. 877W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 878W

South Western Eastern South Eastern Midlands Yorks & Humber Northern Western

2002 13 4 4 111 17 17 115 2003 10 4 1 18 17 17 116 2004 6 17 6 14 13 7 25 2005 7 7 10 7 12 3 12 2006 9 8 7 6 13 5 16 2007 2 11 2 12 14 10 19 2008 3 6 3 10 4 4 5 2009 10 2 6 5 3 0 7 1 Indicates that figures are incomplete as a full set of records are unavailable for these areas within the year shown.

Agriculture: Weather camelids suspected of having TB; and if she will make a statement. [30396] Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Mr Paice [holding answer 13 December 2010]: Because she has made of the effects of recent severe weather on of the poor sensitivity of the tuberculin skin test in farmers; and if she will make a statement. [30330] South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, etc.), voluntary blood testing for TB can be offered to herd owners. This Mr Paice: We have maintained close contact with is currently at the Government’s expense and subject to farming organisations throughout the recent severe weather a veterinary risk assessment by Animal Health (AH). conditions. This has allowed us to support farmers in Although only optional for herd owners as it is not yet responding to a range of issues, including relaxing fully validated in camelids, blood testing is often drivers’ hours for hauliers supplying feed to farms so recommended in order to maximise the chances of that animal welfare is not compromised; relaxing the detecting all infected animals that may remain in these rules on supplementary feeding to help livestock farmers herds and thus speed up the resolution of the TB outbreak. who are in agri-environment schemes; and monitoring The case veterinary officer will discuss the TB testing the position on milk collections. options and implications with the affected herd owner. DEFRA and Animal Health have published advice Herd owners must then signify their intention to co-operate for farmers on their websites on what they should do to with the TB testing regime and release any animals protect the welfare of their animals. DEFRA remains testing positive by signing a standard letter of consent. in close touch with the industry and will continue to If the owner agrees to supplement the skin test with look at whether there are additional, specific measures blood testing, AH will take blood samples from all the that need to be put in place to ease problems. potentially exposed animals remaining in the herd. This Farmers in many areas have made a significant will normally take place 10 to 30 days after a skin test. contribution to helping their local communities cope Blood testing of camelids is currently undergoing full with the extreme circumstances. validation at Veterinary Laboratories Agency as part of a project largely funded by the British Alpaca Society Birds of Prey and British Camelids Ltd. It is hoped that a suite of validated blood tests for camelids will be available by Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the end of 2011. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the merits of taking steps to reduce the number of Compost: Mushrooms birds of prey in the countryside. [30567] Richard Benyon: Many bird of prey populations in John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the UK have recovered in the latter part of the 20th Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions century following severe declines, and in some cases she has had with her EU counterparts on odour national or regional extinctions. These declines were emissions from mushroom composting. [29502] due to the impacts of illegal persecution and secondary poisoning by pesticides used in agriculture. Richard Benyon: There have been no ministerial discussions with EU counterparts on odour emissions The interaction between birds of prey and various from mushroom composting. However, officials have countryside interests (in particular, lowland game rearing, conducted investigations with various sources in different pigeon racing and driven grouse shooting) have been member states. the subject of considerable research involving stakeholder organisations and other interested parties. These studies I understand that some local authorities, who are have demonstrated that a wide range of practical responsible for regulating mushroom composting management techniques are available to reduce or eliminate operations, have also made inquiries abroad. these conflicts with birds of prey. There are no current Dairy Farming plans to assess the merits of reducing bird of prey populations. Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with representatives of farm Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of businesses on the likely environmental impact of the State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what introduction of individual dairy and beef units of up to her Department’s procedure is for blood testing of 3,000 cattle. [30200] 879W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 880W

Mr Paice: I cannot comment about individual units policy work and act to as a centre of rural expertise or the impacts of their introduction. within government. The unit will also take over from However, when I have held my regular discussions CRC responsibility for managing the Rural Development with representatives of farming organisations and the Programme for England (RDPE) National Rural Network. subject of large scale dairy farms has been raised, I have In addition, responsibility for delivery of parts of the emphasised that all legislation, including animal welfare socio-economic elements of the RDPE will transfer and environmental legislation, must be complied with from the eight regional development agencies (which whatever the size of unit. I have also pointed out that are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for environmental gains may be more easily achieved on Business, Innovation and Skills) to DEFRA. larger scale farms through spreading the cost of investment in technologies such as anaerobic digestion. With regard to the Sustainable Development Commission, the Secretary of State has decided to Departmental Conferences transfer specific elements of two of their functions into DEFRA. These include elements of capability building Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for and stakeholder engagement. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her DEFRA has also announced that the Inland Waterways Department’s annual budget for conferences was at (a) Advisory Council will be abolished. We have decided 7 May 2010 and (b) 7 December 2010. [30033] that an arm’s length body is no longer needed to help develop policy for the inland waterways—instead, this Richard Benyon: There is no specified annual budget should be the clear role of Government Departments for conferences held within the Department. and Ministers. Therefore, in future we will develop In response to the arrangements for advertising and policy by consulting all interests directly, including making marketing put in place by the Government, DEFRA full use of the evidence which can be provided by the has established an internal panel to consider all proposals navigation authorities and having a closer relationship for expenditure arising from communication activity. with stakeholders. As a result business areas are required to gain approval prior to arranging conferences and are expected to fund these using local budgets. Mr Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for Approval has been given to expenditure on seven Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff conferences. Five were approved following reduction in at each civil service grade employed in non-departmental costs requested by the panel. Two were accepted by the bodies that will have their responsibilities subsumed panel without change. The total cost of these seven into her Department will have a right of transfer into conferences was £34,285. her Department; and when she expects such transfers to take place. [30444] Departmental NDPBs

Mr Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: We are considering which functions Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the currently in non-departmental bodies will transfer into non-departmental public bodies that she plans to the Department in accordance with the Cabinet Office abolish will have their responsibilities subsumed into Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public her Department. [30443] Sector (COSOP). It is not therefore possible to say how many staff in total will have a right to transfer into the Richard Benyon: In the case of some of the bodies we Department. are abolishing, some of the work will return to the However, decisions have been taken in respect of the Department. However in many cases the decision to Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) as follows. pursue abolition has been taken because there is no need for the function to continue. 16 CRC staff members had the right to transfer into The following science and technical advisory non- Core DEFRA. 14 have exercised this right and two have departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be reclassified not. The 14 CRC staff transferred into DEFRA on as expert committees to the Department: 1 December 2010. The grade profile of these staff is as follows: Advisory Committee on Hazardous Substances Table 1: Number of CRC staff, by grade, who have transferred to the Advisory Committee on Packaging core Department Advisory Committee on Pesticides Grade Number of staff Air Quality Expert Group Darwin Advisory Committee EO 2 HEO 4 Farm Animal Welfare Council SEO 2 National Standing Committee on Farm Animal Genetic Resources G7 3 Pesticide Residues Committee G6 3 Veterinary Residues Committee Zoos Forum Table 2: Number of CRC staff, by grade, that declined transfer to the core Department It is proposed that the Commission for Rural Grade Number of staff Communities (CRC) will be abolished, subject to obtaining the necessary powers through the Public Bodies Bill. A EO 1 new Rural Communities Policy Unit will be created in SEO 1 DEFRA to expand on the Government’s existing rural 881W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 882W

Mr Shepherd: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: One of the first actions was to appoint Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria she Richard MacDonald to lead a taskforce to identify has set to determine the right of transfer into her ways of reducing regulatory burdens on farmers. It Department of staff employed in non-departmental recently completed a public consultation and will make bodies that will have their responsibilities subsumed recommendations to Government by April 2011. I hope into her Department. [30445] it will bring about a change in culture in implementing regulations while maintaining standards. Richard Benyon: We are currently looking at the potential transfer rights of staff in accordance with Farmers: Poverty Cabinet Office Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector (COSOP) in respect of the bodies Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for which will have responsibilities returned to the Department. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has Except for those relating to the Commission for Rural had recent discussions on the number of farmers living Communities (CRC) we have not yet finalised the numbers below the poverty line; and if she will make a involved. statement. [29228] COSOP has been followed and adhered to, in order to determine the right of CRC staff to transfer into the Mr Paice: The most recent data on the Incomes and Department. While the commission’s statutory functions Compositions of Farm Households in England was are not being transferred, some of the commission’s published by DEFRA on 15 July 2010 and can be found work is already replicated in the Department and those at: staff associated with this work therefore have the right http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/foodfarm/ to transfer. farmmanage/fbs/published-data/farmhouseholdincome/ index.htm Farm household income figures are derived from the Departmental Travel Farm Business Survey (FBS) and are measured on a gross basis, before tax while assessments of households’ Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for living standards are usually made on the basis of income Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her net of tax, based on the Family Resources Survey. Department spent on grey fleet in (a) 2008-09 and (b) Given the significant differences between the two measures 2009-10. [28856] of household income and the difficulty of making appropriate adjustments to place them on a comparable Richard Benyon: The Department, including its Executive basis, direct comparisons are no longer made between agencies, reimbursed payments to staff for mileage incurred the two surveys. on the grey fleet in each year as follows: Based on the most recent report an analysis of the (a) 2008-09: £3,710,190.97 incomes and assets of farm household population by (b) 2009-10: £3,676,091.87. quartile, according to the level of household income of the principal farmer, is shown as follows. Farm business income refers only to income deriving from the farm Farmers business and, unlike household income, excludes income from other sources. It should be noted that 46% of Sajid Javid: To ask the Secretary of State for businesses in the bottom quartile were classified as Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress part-time, with insufficient agricultural enterprises to her Department has made on reducing the regulatory keep one person occupied on a full-time basis. This burden on farmers. [29699] compares with 28% overall.

Farm household income, business income, net worth, total assets and drawings by principal farmer household income quartiles, England average 2006-07 to 2008-09 £ Farm household Median Median farm Median business Median business Quartile income range household income business income Median drawings net worth total assets

Bottom <20,100 11,300 4,100 14,300 409,000 484,000 Second 20,100<37,200 27,800 20,600 21,500 501,000 545,000 Third 37,200<64,000 47,600 40,300 30,900 694,000 737,000 Top >64,000 87,800 86,400 54,500 1,113,000 1,263,000 All farms 37,200 27,900 26,200 597,000 677,000 Source: Farm Business Survey (England)

One of DEFRA’s priorities is to help to enhance the supply chain gets a fair deal, and have established a task competitiveness and resilience of the whole food chain, force to conduct an industry-led review of existing farm including farms, and we therefore want to see a farming regulations. Additionally we are providing funding to sector that is competitive and profitable. That is why we increase industry competiveness through the Rural are calling for ambitious reform of the common agricultural Development Programme for England, funding scientific policy in order to improve the industry’s ability to research into increasing food production sustainably, respond to consumer demand, introducing the grocery and working with industry to improve skills across the code adjudicator to ensure that everyone in the food food chain. 883W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 884W

Floods: Steart Peninsula Forests: Democratic Republic of Congo

Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will hold land acquisition cost and (b) total cost is of the project discussions with her Chinese counterpart on the effects to flood Steart Peninsula; and if she will make a on the primate population in the Democratic Republic statement. [29725] of Congo of deforestation on Chinese-owned land used for the development of palm oil plantations. [29939] Richard Benyon: The total indicative scheme costs for the Steart Peninsula flood management projects are Richard Benyon: DEFRA and the Department for estimated to be between £17-20 million. Land acquisition International Development are working in partnership accounts for £5-7 million of the costs. Options for with China on a project on the international palm oil efficiencies will be considered as the proposal develops. industry. This involves outlining the business case for sustainable sourcing, including on investments abroad. Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State The project will conclude in March 2011 with a report for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what and policy options, which we will then discuss with the reasons the Environment Agency has undertaken its Chinese Ministry of Commerce. development of Steart Peninsula; what progress has With regard to our consumption in the UK, the been made on the project to date; and if she will make a Secretary of State and I announced on 13 July that statement. [29726] DEFRA has commissioned a project to map UK palm oil supply chains (including those specific to government Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency’s assessment procurement), to determine how much we use (including of its proposed programme of flood and erosion risk future trends) and in what products. It will identify management in the Severn Estuary to protect people existing company commitments to sourcing sustainable and property indicates that it will lead to a loss of palm oil and the implications for the sustainability of habitat within the Severn Estuary Special Protection palm oil consumed in the UK, as well as considering Area. Where areas protected by the European Habitats options for encouraging increased sustainable sourcing. Directive are lost due to flood management projects, The project has involved participation from international the Government are required to secure compensatory businesses, NGOs and other Governments, and will measures to ensure the overall coherence of the network report in February 2011. of protected sites. The Steart Peninsular has been identified by the Hill Farming Environment Agency as the most cost effective place in the Severn Estuary for this work. The agency is planning Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for to start constructing the main works in the summer of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she 2012, subject to funding. has made of the number of hill farmers farming in each county of England in each of the last 10 years. [29749] Food: Consumption Mr Paice [holding answer 9 December 2010]: There is no formal definition of a hill farm, but the numbers of Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for farm holdings by county in England from 2000-09, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is within both the less favoured area (LFA) classification taking to increase the proportion of food consumed and the severely disadvantaged areas (SDA) classification, which has been produced domestically. [30202] are shown in a spreadsheet which has been placed in the House Library. Mr Paice: As set out in the DEFRA Business Plan, our priority is to support and develop British farming The data are sourced from the June Survey of Agriculture and encourage sustainable food production. We will farm register. A holding is designated as being in the work to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of LFA or SDA if the central grid reference for the holding the food chain, including farms and the fish industry, to falls within the boundaries of that classification, even if help ensure a secure, environmentally sustainable and the whole farm is not within the LFA or SDA classification. healthy supply of food. Currently the UK produces the Otters equivalent of 72% of indigenous foods and 59% of our food overall. Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for The Fruit and Vegetables Task Force identified barriers Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information to increasing domestic production and consumption of her Department holds on the number of otters in the fruit and vegetables in England. It published a report of UK in each of the last five years. [30568] its proposals and produced an Action Plan outlining how to implement many of these proposals. Richard Benyon: National surveys of otters for England We will also work to create an environment where and Wales have been carried out at approximately seven consumers are able to make informed choice, including year intervals since the late 1970s but the results do not working with industry for better information on nutrition, represent individual otter numbers. food safety, provenance and quality e.g. encouraging The Environment Agency recently published results the whole food supply chain to work together to provide from the Fifth Otter Survey of England, commissioned clearer origin information and working with specialist in 2009-10. The results show an increase in sites showing producers to help them apply for registration under the signs of otter from 36.3% in 2000-02 to 58.8% in protected food name schemes. 2009-10. 885W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 886W

Distribution patterns suggest population densities in REACH places responsibility for preparations for the south-west, parts of and along registration, including cost sharing, firmly on industry, the Welsh borders have reached levels comparable to with no formal role given to the regulatory authorities. before the pesticide-related decline of the 1960s-1970s. While this has meant that authorities have not been able Similar recovery across the whole country is expected to to intervene directly in addressing industry concerns take another 10-20 years. about REACH registration, DEFRA and the UK REACH The Fifth Otter Survey of England is available to Competent Authority (provided by the Health and Safety view on the Environment Agency website. Executive) have provided guidance and advice on best The Fifth Otter Survey in Wales was carried out in practice. In the case of downstream users’ concerns 2010 and the data are still being analysed by the about continuity of supply, my right hon. Friends, the Environment Agency. Secretaries of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and for Business, Innovation and Skills, wrote This is a devolved matter and information is not held jointly in October to the relevant European Commissioners for Scotland and Northern Ireland. to draw attention to the issues and propose a course of Port of Falmouth Development Plan action to address the concerns. REACH itself provides a number of measures to Sarah Newton: To ask the Secretary of State for assist SMEs with the costs of registration, including a Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons reduced scale of fees, with further discounts for participation are for the time taken to consider the applications in data sharing. While the Government are constrained for the marine consents for the Port of Falmouth by EU competition and state aid rules from providing Development Plan; and when she expects to have direct financial assistance to companies for registration completed the assessment of those applications. [30312] costs, the European Investment Bank is offering a loan facility to SMEs that can be used to cover REACH-related Richard Benyon: Authority to make licensing decisions costs. Where appropriate, we have drawn attention to for such marine construction work has been delegated this facility in responses to representations from businesses. to the Marine Management Organisation. I understand a decision is expected shortly. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction assessment she has made of the effect on pure metal of Chemicals Regulation importers of the implementation of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulation. [29490] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance her Department has provided to businesses required to Mr Paice: We have made no specific assessment of register under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation the effect of REACH implementation on pure metal and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation since the passage importers, or any other sector of UK industry, although of the Regulation. [30373] some sectors were studied in the Impact Assessment carried out while REACH was being negotiated. We are Mr Paice: The REACH Regulation makes no provision currently considering how best we can practically assess for the Government to provide direct financial assistance the impact of REACH on UK industry, in a way which to businesses required to register chemicals. European disaggregates REACH impacts from those of other state aid and competition rules also preclude provision legislative regimes and wider economic developments. of direct financial assistance. However, DEFRA and the UK REACH Competent Authority Helpdesk provide Sewers free information and advice about REACH implementation to UK businesses by e-mail, telephone, and on the Mr Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for internet. DEFRA and the Department for Business Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress Innovation and Skills have also arranged periodic her Department has made on the transfer of private publication in HM Revenue and Custom’s Employers’ drains and sewers to water companies; and if she will Bulletin of articles reminding businesses of registration make a statement. [30387] duties and providing advice about best practice in preparations for registration. Richard Benyon: Between 26 August and 18 November John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010 DEFRA and the Welsh Assembly Government Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent undertook a joint public consultation exercise, which representations she has received on the cost to businesses included workshops, on draft regulations and proposals of applying for registration under the Registration, for schemes for the transfer of private sewers. A summary Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals of the consultation can be viewed on DEFRA’s website at: Regulation. [29489] http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/private-sewers/ index.htm Mr Paice: Since May, DEFRA has received six written The draft regulations are currently being finalised, after or electronic representations about the costs to business which they will be presented to Parliament for approval. of REACH registration, all from small-medium enterprises (SMEs). These ranged from concerns about the direct Slaughterhouses financial costs to concerns about potential costs caused by interruption of supplies arising from failure by suppliers Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for to register chemicals used, or by their not having included Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legal downstream uses in chemical registrations. requirements are placed on abattoirs and slaughterhouses 887W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 888W with regard to the stunning of animals prior to bleeding Waste Disposal: Motor Vehicles out; and if she will make a statement. [29153] Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice [holding answer 7 December 2010]: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion Slaughterhouse operators are responsible for the welfare of the performance against targets for (a) reuse, (b) of animals at the time of slaughter. The rules governing recycling and (c) recovery of vehicles under the End-of-Life animal welfare at slaughter and killing are set out in the Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulation 2005 she Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations expects to be attributable to auto shredder residue 1995, as amended (WASK). Under this regulation it is recovered as energy from waste after 2015. [30525] an offence to cause or permit an animal avoidable excitement, pain or suffering. There are also specific Richard Benyon [holding answer 13 December 2010]: requirements that must be followed on handling, stunning, The end-of-life vehicles (ELV) directive sets an overall slaughter or killing of animals. In particular: 95% reuse and recovery target from 2015. Under the anyone carrying out any of these tasks must have the knowledge structure of the target, reuse and recycling activities and skill to do their job humanely and efficiently; must contribute at least 85%. all slaughtermen must be competent and hold a registered Energy from waste does not constitute reuse or recycling. licence; The combustion of waste can constitute a recovery in every slaughterhouse a competent person must be given operation, and so contribute to the ELV recovery target, authority to take action to safeguard welfare; and where its principal objective is that the waste can fulfil a only permitted methods may be used to stun or kill animals. useful function as a means of generating energy, replacing Schedule 12 of WASKsets out the detailed requirements the use of a source of primary energy. that apply where animals are slaughtered by a religious Technologies to treat vehicles to the required target method to meet Jewish and Muslim religious beliefs. standards continue to be developed, with scope to build These requirements ensure all slaughter by a religious on existing ELV energy recovery, such as the use of method is undertaken in licensed slaughterhouses (approved tyres removed from ELVs as a replacement fuel in premises), and Official Veterinarians of the Food Standards cement kilns. Agency Operations Group monitor and enforce the rules set out in the Regulations daily.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she CABINET OFFICE has received from (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords and (c) members of the public on Charities: Public Expenditure the welfare of animals in slaughterhouses; what response was given in each case; and if she will make a statement. Mr Offord: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet [29804] Office what effect the outcome of the comprehensive spending review had on the level of funding for Mr Paice: Since 1 May 2010, DEFRA Ministers have charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises received 141 letters from hon. Members, one from a wishing to become local service providers. [31543] Member of the House of Lords and 319 letters from members of the public on the welfare of animals in Mr Hurd: The coalition Government has created new slaughterhouses. opportunities for the voluntary, community and social The Food Standards Agency conducted a survey of enterprise sector and has put forward measures to support all approved slaughterhouses in May 2010 to establish the sector. For example the recently announced £100 whether food business operators are taking active steps million Transition Fund that will give the sector the to comply with legal requirements and achieve the breathing space it needs to enable it to manage the necessary animal welfare standards. The survey also transition to a tighter funding environment and to take looked at whether Official Veterinarians and frontline advantage of future opportunities presented by the Big teams are carrying out their roles effectively, with Society. appropriate monitoring and relevant enforcement being It is currently too early to evaluate the impact of the taken in the event of food business operator non- comprehensive spending review on voluntary and compliance. This survey indicated standards of animal community groups; however the Cabinet Office is working welfare met or exceeded legislative requirements in 94% closely with partners in the sector, across Government of premises surveyed. and the Third Sector Research Centre to examine the exposure of the sector to public spending reductions Timber: Consumption and mitigate potential impacts.

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Contracts Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much coppiced sweet chestnut was used by the building trade Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Minister for the in (a) 2007, (b) 2008 and (c) 2009. [29944] Cabinet Office what steps his Department plans to take to encourage and support small and medium-sized Mr Paice: We are not able to provide this information. enterprises and third sector organisations to compete This is because the Forestry Commission does not for departmental contracts in line with value-for- collect comprehensive information on the end use of money policy, UK regulations and EU procurement home grown timber. directives. [28119] 889W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 890W

Mr Maude: In the Coalition Agreement the Government Government suppliers have (a) appropriate resilience made a commitment to promote small business arrangements and (b) business continuity and disaster procurement in the public sector, with an aspiration recovery arrangements which are fit for purpose or that 25% of Government contracts should be awarded compliant with BS 25999. [29338] to SMEs. On 1 November 2010 we announced a package of Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office provides model measures intended to make Government procurement contractual documentation which is recommended for easier for SMEs and voluntary sector organisations by use by central Government Departments in ICT enabled simplifying the procurement process and making services contracts. This includes a set of obligations opportunities more accessible. These measures include which describe a Department’s requirements for ensuring the introduction of a simpler standardised pre-qualification continuity of the business processes and operations in questionnaire which is mandated across central Government circumstances of service disruption or failure and, for from 1 December 2010; a LEAN study investigating red restoring the services through business continuity and tape and causes of delay in the procurement process; as necessary disaster recovery procedures. and from March 2011 the ‘Contracts Finder’ system—a It also includes the requirement on the contractor to free facility for small businesses to find public sector develop and maintain a Business Continuity and Disaster procurement, and sub contracting, opportunities in a Recovery Plan which is designed to ensure that the single place online and free of charge. arrangements are compliant with the relevant provisions We are consulting further on facilitating voluntary of ISO/IEC17799:2000, BS15000 (or equivalent) and sector access to public procurement. Moreover the other relevant industry standards that apply. Government have today launched a forum on the No. In all procurements subject to the Gateway review process 10 website for SMEs to give their views on public Departments are required to ensure that they and their procurement from which we will be able to take suppliers have adequate plans in place to deal with risks. further action. Immigration Electorate Steve McCabe: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the number of Office what the electorate was of each constituency in immigrants to the UK in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [31414] (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015. [29874]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. asked the Authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck: Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated December 2010: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what the electorate have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question of each constituency was in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010 (31414). to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate Figures showing the number of registered electors in each she has made of the number of immigrants to the UK in (a) 2010, parliamentary constituency as at 1 December 2010 are not currently (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013, (e) 2014 and (f) 2015. (29874) available. These are due to be published on 23 February 2011. The most recent population projections of the UK are based Figures showing the number of registered electors in each on the mid-year population estimates for 2008. Assumptions of parliamentary constituency as at 1 December 2009 are available future migration are made to produce population projections. on the ONS website at: The assumed net migration, given in the table below, is used in the production of the projections. The assumptions for in-migration http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_other/uk- and out-migration are by-products of this process and do not electoral-statistics-2009.xls feed directly into producing projections. Long-term international migration data produced by the ONS applies the UN definition Government Departments: Procurement of someone who moves from their country of previous residence for a period of at least a year, irrespective of citizenship. Valerie Vaz: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Note the data presented are mid-year to mid-year and are not Office what steps his Department takes to ensure that available by calendar year.

2008-based National Population Projections—assumed annual migration, UK 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-151

In-migration 670,800 670,800 670,800 670,800 670,800 670,000 Out-migration 465,000 470,000 475,000 480,000 485,000 490,000 Net migration 205,800 200,800 195,800 190,800 185,800 180,000 1 The projections assume constant levels of annual net migration beyond 2014-15. Source: Office for National Statistics

National population projections are available from the Office changing economic circumstances or other factors (whether in for National Statistics website at: the UK or overseas) might have on demographic behaviour. They simply provide the population levels and age structure that would http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8519 result if the underlying assumptions about future fertility, mortality The national population projections are not forecasts and do and migration were to be realised. not attempt to predict the impact that future government policies, 891W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 892W

DEFENCE Armed Forces: Housing

Afghanistan: Armed Forces and Police Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to increase the standard Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for of service accommodation; and if he will make a statement. Defence what recent assessment he has made of the [30609] extent of the readiness of the Afghan National Security Forces to take control of the country’s security Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer in 2015. [30611] given by the Minister for Defence Personnel Welfare and Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for South Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), on 13 December 2010, gave on 2 December 2010, Official Report, column Official Report, column 656, to the hon. Member for 986W, to the hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr Wansbeck (Ian Lavery). Murphy). Armed Forces: Investigations Air Force: Scotland Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigation his Department conducted into the Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for incident on (1) 30 September 2009 in Helmand province, Defence how much his Department has spent on in which a platoon from B Company, 4th Battalion The redevelopment work at each Royal Air Force base in Rifles, called in an air strike; when the investigation was Scotland in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate conducted; which part of his Department conducted he has made of his Department’s likely expenditure on the investigation; and if he will place in the Library a such work in each of the next five years. [30854] copy of the report of the investigation; [20793] (2) 28 May 2009 in Helmand province, in which a Nick Harvey: The expenditure on redevelopment (defined patrol from A Company, 2nd Battalion The Rifles, as capital expenditure and minor new works) for the reportedly shot at a car; when the investigation was major RAF stations in the UK since financial year conducted; which part of his Department conducted 2006-07 is shown in the following table: the investigation; and if he will place in the Library a Expenditure by station copy of the report of the investigation; [20794] £ million (3) 19 May 2009 in Helmand province, in which 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Gurkhas mentoring a police unit reportedly called in a RAF 5.3 3.9 1.9 1.8 Harrier air strike after an ambush; when the investigation Kinloss was conducted; which part of his Department conducted RAF 4.7 4.3 5.6 9.4 the investigation; and if he will place in the Library a Leuchars copy of the report of the investigation; [20795] RAF 5.6 1.8 4.5 6.1 (4) 22 October 2008 in Helmand province, in which a Lossiemouth soldier in a British squad mentoring the Afghan army Information prior to the financial year 2005-06 is not reportedly killed a motorcyclist; when the investigation held centrally and could be provided only at was conducted; which part of his Department conducted disproportionate cost. Some of the expenditure has the investigation; and if he will place in the Library a been split between individual financial years on an copy of the report of the investigation. [20796] estimated basis. Dr Fox [holding answer 27 October 2010]: I refer the The Ministry of Defence is in the process of completing hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 3 November its annual planning round which will allocate future 2010, Official Report, columns 847-50W. A copy of my programme budgets. This is expected to conclude in letter to him will be published in the Official Report. early 2011. Armed Forces: National Insurance Contributions Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice is provided to armed forces Defence what steps he is taking to renew the Military personnel on paying the full stamp rate for their national insurance contributions. [30644] Covenant. [30608] Mr Robathan: Members of the armed forces are Mr Robathan: The independent taskforce report led subject to UK income tax and national insurance by Professor Hew Strachan was published on 8 December contributions on their government salaries wherever 2010. A copy can be found in the Library of the House they are serving. Briefings relating to national insurance and we intend to take forward two recommendations contributions mainly occur during recruit training where immediately in advance of the Government’s full response, trainees are given a full explanation of their pay and relating to an Armed Forces Community Covenant, what type of compulsory deductions are made. We do and a Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation scheme. not advise explicitly on the impact of not paying The first reading of the Armed Forces Bill took place contributions throughout a working life, as in the majority on 8 December 2010. Once this achieves Royal Assent of cases this will occur beyond their employment in the my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence armed forces. However, information is available during will be required to prepare an Armed Forces Covenant the resettlement process for those considering self- Report annually and lay it before Parliament. employment and the financial considerations required. 893W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 894W

Service personnel about to embark on unpaid leave Crimes of Violence: Females and/or maternity leave are advised to contact their local Department for Work and Pensions office to determine Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how national insurance contributions can continue. whether the International Violence Against Women Champion will exercise ministerial responsibilities in Armed Forces: Pensions his Department. [28521]

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. and learned Defence what discussions his Department has had with Member to the answer the Minister of State, Foreign (a) charities and (b) representatives of armed forces’ and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member families on the likely effects on them of changes to for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) gave her on 7 December pensions and benefits proposed in the comprehensive 2010, Official Report, column 155W. spending review; and if he will make a statement. Defence: Industry [30605]

Mr Robathan: I have had meetings with several Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations and have discussed this along with other Defence what discussions he has had with representatives pension related issues. We also remain in regular written of the UK defence industry for the purpose of informing contact with the Forces Pension Society and I have his Department’s forthcoming Green Paper. [30601] invited them to meet me. Peter Luff: Following the publication of the Strategic Armed Forces: Training Defence and Security Review, I held a conference on 2 November 2010 to start the process of engaging with industry on the planned Green Paper on Equipment, Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Support and Technology for UK Defence and Security. Defence by what means he plans to make efficiencies in I chaired a meeting of the National Defence Industries military training, under his proposals in the Strategic Council on 22 November 2010 where the Green Paper Defence and Security Review. [30610] was discussed and attended the Defence Acquisition Workshop 2010 at Shrivenham on 24 to 25 November Nick Harvey: We will enhance the training environment 2010, which included discussion of a number of Green and use the most effective method of preparing our Paper themes. I have also addressed a number of other armed forces for the tasks we ask them to do. This will industry audiences and held a number of meetings with mean that some outdated training methods will be individual suppliers, in London and elsewhere, including replaced by greater use of simulated training and modern small and medium sized companies. training techniques. One specific area of work that we will be focussing on Departmental Billing is the Defence Technical Training Change Programme (DTTCP) which, following the termination of the Defence Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Training Rationalisation (DTR) PFI Procurement on how many invoices his Department processed in the 19 October 2010, is a new programme that has been last 12 months for which figures are available. [30748] established to build upon the work already started under DTR. DTTCP aims to deliver efficiencies through Peter Luff: The total number of invoices paid by the estate rationalisation and improvements in the delivery Ministry of Defence in the 12 months December 2009 of technical training across all three services. to November 2010 was 4,697,676. The figures provided represent invoices processed by Army: Training the MOD Financial Management Shared Service Centre and the four MOD trading funds: Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Defence what assessment he has made of the role of Meteorological Office the Army’s Hybrid Foundation Training. [30599] Defence Support Group (DSG) UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO). Peter Luff: Hybrid Foundation Training (HFT) provides the essential steps for a unit’s progression onto Mission Departmental Contracts Specific Training (MST), which trains Force Elements for a named operation or specific contingency. HFT Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for focuses individuals and units on core soldiering skills Defence what steps his Department plans to take to (fire and manoeuvre, all arms integration, leadership encourage and support small and medium-sized enterprises and team building), which they can build on and adapt and third sector organisations to compete for departmental to suit the requirements of MST. The skills obtained contracts in line with value-for-money policy, UK during HFT are vital to allow units and individuals to regulations and EU procurement directives. [28115] gain the maximum benefit from MST training and ensure that they are delivered to the start of MST with Peter Luff: In the defence and security sectors, small the agility and flexibility required for the current operating and medium-sized enterprises are often an important environment. source of research and innovation, as well as offering HFT is constantly updated using the relevant lessons adaptability and flexibility. The forthcoming Green Paper learned from operations and training. on Equipment, Support and Technology for UK Defence 895W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 896W and Security will consider on how the Government can Headcount best encourage and enable SMEs to participate more fully in these sectors. April 2010 89,970 Departmental Film May 2010 89,770 June 2010 89,500 July 2010 89,300 Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for August 2010 88,970 Defence how much his Department has spent on the September 2010 88,570 production of (a) films of speeches for use at events October 2010 88,130 and (b) other films since May 2010. [31138] November 2010 87,940 Source: Peter Luff: Photographers are employed by the DASA (Quad Service) Department for a range of purposes, including capturing and editing videos. The costs associated with producing There has been a freeze on external recruitment since video records of speeches are not identified separately May 2010, other than for business critical posts, such as across the Department. those in direct support of operations, apprenticeships, fast stream and specialist graduates and posts paid for Videos are made by the Ministry of Defence for in full by other parties (for example United States internal training and information purposes. Additionally Visiting Forces and NATO Support Facilities). the armed forces commission films for recruiting campaigns for use across a range of external media channels, Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for including TV, cinema and online. Defence what the change in staff numbers in his Since May 2010 the Department has spent around Department has been since 1 May 2010. [31295] £850,000 producing such films, the majority of which are for recruiting and training purposes. The costs Peter Luff: Between May and November 2010, there broken down by services are shown in the following was a reduction of 1,830 in the staff headcount in the table: Ministry of Defence.

£ Departmental Photography 670,000 British Army 133,000 Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Royal Air Force 45,000 Defence how much his Department has spent on photography since 1 May 2010. [31139] Departmental Internet Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence’s expenditure on Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for photography is incurred in a number of ways, including: Defence how much his Department has spent on its Manpower costs, including travel and subsistence, for photographers website since May 2010. [31137] employed by the MOD and the armed forces. Photographic equipment and software costs, including purchase Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence website is an and maintenance. important channel for communicating with the wider Costs incurred by individual military units and establishments. defence community, the general public and the worldwide Forensic and technical photography costs. internet audience. It provides a platform for MOD to Training for photographers and photo editors. respond rapidly to current issues as well as providing an Costs relating to the deployment of military and civilian authoritative source of enduring information about photographers on Operations. defence and the armed forces. Costs are not held centrally and could be provided From 1 May to 30 November 2010 the MOD spent only at disproportionate cost. £206,803.24 on the www.mod.uk website; where applicable, these figures include VAT. Spending falls under the following categories defined by the Cabinet Office: Departmental Publications Strategy and planning Design and build Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of his Department’s Hosting and infrastructure expenditure on printing (a) Command Papers, (b) Testing and evaluation. papers laid before Parliament by Act, (c) consultation Departmental Manpower documents and (d) other papers in each of the last 10 years. [28385]

Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Peter Luff: The information is not held centrally and Defence how many staff were employed by his could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Department in each month since April 2010. [31293]

Mr Robathan: The following table shows the total Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure strength of the Ministry of Defence1 by month from April 2010 to November 2010. Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Totals listed are headcount and have been rounded to the Defence in respect of which leukaemias nuclear test nearest 10. veterans are eligible for war pensions. [30643] 897W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 898W

Peter Luff: Awards under the war pension scheme Royal Navy Harrier pilots would not be required to can be made for any leukaemia (other than chronic leave the Naval Service before July 2012 unless they lymphatic leukaemia) and primary polycythaemia rubra apply to leave earlier. Any pilot made redundant will vera with clinical onset within 25 years of visiting the receive the same standard retraining package offered to sites, based on presence only at the tests (i.e. exposure to any service personnel made redundant and will qualify service-related ionising radiation does not need to be for graduated resettlement training. In addition, any shown). service personnel made redundant will receive compensation in the form of a lump sum in addition to normal Military Aircraft entitlements to pensions and retirement benefits. Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Military Bases Defence for what reason the use of fixed wing aircraft on operations in Afghanistan for up to five years was deemed to be the overriding factor determining the Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for future of fixed-wing naval capability for at least the Defence whether his Department has engaged independent next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [30069] advisers in respect of its base review. [30685] Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence is now addressing gave on 24 November 2010, Official Report, columns the full range of issues affecting the defence estate 317-19W, to the hon. Members for New Forest East (Dr following the Strategic Defence and Security Review. Lewis) and Portsmouth North (). This work is being carried out by MOD civilian and service personnel across the Department under their Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for normal responsibilities as part of the MOD’s annual Defence whether the Typhoon is (a) currently or (b) planning round. There are no independent advisers. We scheduled in future to be capable of ground attack are listening to representations made by interested parties operations in Afghanistan; which aircraft will be used as well as consulting with other Government Departments, for ground attack operations in any theatre after the the devolved Administrations and local communities as withdrawal of the Tornados from 2021; and if he will appropriate. make a statement. [30070] Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick Harvey: The majority of Typhoons and all Defence (1) how many staff of his Department in each Tornado GR4s have a precision guided ground attack post at each grade are working on its base review; capability.Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will have this capability [30689] as it enters service. Therefore post 2021 both JSF and (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the Typhoon will be capable of ground attack operations. public purse of his Department’s base review. [30850] Ground attack support in Afghanistan is currently provided by the Tornado GR4 which will continue to provide support for the foreseeable future. Nick Harvey: The work to address the range of issues affecting the Defence Estate following the Strategic Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence and Security Review is being carried out by Defence (1) how many (a) Fleet Air Arm and (b) Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilian and service personnel Royal Air Force Harrier pilots will be required to leave across the Department. It is being undertaken under the armed forces as a result of the withdrawal of the their normal responsibilities as part of the MOD’s Harriers; how many Harrier pilots there were in each of annual planning round. This means it is not possible to the two services prior to the withdrawal of the give a breakdown of the individual posts involved in the Harriers; and what arrangements will be made for work, and that there are no additional costs to the pensions for those made redundant as a consequence of public purse. that withdrawal; [30071] Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) how soon after the withdrawal of the Harriers Defence what criteria are used to determine whether to redundant Harrier pilots will be required to leave their close a military base. [30851] services; whether they will be entitled to full retraining packages before leaving; and if he will make a Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence keeps its statement. [30072] estate under continual review to ensure that it is of the Mr Robathan: There are currently 135 Royal Air right size and in the right locations to support current Force and 53 Royal Navy pilots who are qualified to fly and future defence capability. Military sites are declared Harrier aircraft, which are due to be withdrawn from surplus when no continuing defence use can be ascertained service at the end of December 2010. The number of for them. RAF Harrier pilots who will be required to leave the However a site belonging to one service may close Service as a result of the withdrawal of that aircraft is and then be re-used for another defence purpose, as the focus of detailed analysis regarding the wider issue happened, for instance, when RAF Innsworth near of implementing the strategic defence and security review’s Gloucester became Imjin Barracks. outcomes including manning and supporting the front-line. The number of Fleet Air Arm Harrier pilots that will be Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for required to leave the Royal Navy is subject to ongoing Defence what estimate he has made of the decommissioning work between the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force and clean up costs consequent on the closure of the to determine how best to meet the requirement to RAF bases currently under consideration for closure. re-generate a Carrier Strike capability in 2020. [30856] 899W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 900W

Nick Harvey: None. We are examining the potential Mr : Of the £80 million already designated future defence uses for those sites which, as a result of for the philanthropy match funding programme, £30 decisions taken during the Strategic Defence and Security million will come from my Department, and £50 million Review, are no longer required by the RAF. As no from Arts Council England’s national lottery funds. decisions have been taken which will necessarily result in the closure of an RAF base, the costs of remediation Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for in preparation for disposal are not being examined at Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport which Department this stage. has lead responsibility for the review of Government Rescue Services support for philanthropy announced on 8 December 2010. [30926] Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times search and rescue helicopters Mr Jeremy Hunt: The Cabinet Office has lead based at RAF Lossiemouth have been involved in responsibility for philanthropy across Government. The operations involving fishing vessels in each of the last review will be supported by the Department for Culture, five years. [31145] Media and Sport, Her Majesty’s Treasury and other Departments as appropriate. Nick Harvey: The information requested is shown in the following table. Departmental Billing

RAF Lossiemouth call-outs to Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, fishing vessels Olympics, Media and Sport how many invoices his 2005 1 Department processed in the last 12 months for which 2006 12 figures are available. [30747] 2007 10 2008 11 John Penrose: The total number of invoices processed 2009 3 by the Department in the 12 months to November 2010 2010 5 was 5,669. Departmental Coordination CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Arts: Finance Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on what dates his regular meetings with the Secretary of State for Education, Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the Government and the Secretary of State for Business, answer of 19 November 2010, Official Report, column Innovation and Skills to discuss cross-departmental 968W,on arts: finance (1) whether he raised with ministerial issues have taken place since May 2010. [31297] colleagues the likely effects on arts and culture funding of the abolition of regional development agencies before Mr Jeremy Hunt: I met the Secretary of State for the announcement of the outcomes of the comprehensive Business, Innovation and Skills on 14 July and on spending review; [31298] 17 November 2010; the Secretary of State for Communities (2) whether he raised with ministerial colleagues the and Local Government on 15 July and 11 November effects on arts and culture funding of reductions to 2010; and the Secretary of State for Education on local authority grants prior to the announcement of 8 June, 14 July, 22 September and 25 November 2010, to the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. discuss cross-departmental issues. [31299] Departmental Manpower Mr Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss cross-departmental issues. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many (a) Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding temporary and (b) agency staff his Department has he plans to provide for his matched funding arrangements employed since 24 May 2010; and at what (i) grade and to stimulate philanthropic funding of arts organisations. (ii) total cost to his Department. [30229] [31301] John Penrose: The table sets out the number of temporary Mr Jeremy Hunt: Of the £80 million already designated and agency staff the Department has employed since for the philanthropy match funding programme, £30 24 May 2010 and their total costs at each grade up to million will come from this Department, and £50 million end October 2010. from Arts Council England’s national lottery funds. Cost to the Charitable Donations Number of Department DCMS Civil service temporary and inclusive of Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for grade equivalent grade agency staff VA T ( £ ) Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much of the C Executive officer 3 6,550 funding to be provided for the match-funding arrangements (EO) to stimulate philanthropy he expects (a) his Department A Grade 7 1 29,536 and (b) National Lottery funds to contribute. [30924] 901W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 902W

Departmental Public Expenditure after the ending of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council; and whether such responsibilities are to be Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for transferred to another body. [31404] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the proportion of the reduction in his Mr Vaizey: The future of archives work currently Department’s budget that will be achieved through undertaken by the Museums, Libraries and Archives efficiency savings over the period of the comprehensive Council is still being considered. We expect to be able to spending review. [30303] make an announcement shortly.

John Penrose: No direct estimate of the proportion Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for attributable to efficiency savings has been made; however, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what funding (a) the majority of the reduction to the Department’s budget was allocated to the Museums, Libraries and Archives will be delivered through a combination of efficiency Council (MLA) in 2010-11 and (b) will be so allocated savings and ending lower priority work. in 2011-12; and whether such funding will be allocated to Arts Council England should the MLA’s functions Hat Factory: Finance be transferred to that body prior to March 2012. [31405] Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will undertake Mr Vaizey: The Museums, Libraries and Archives an economic impact assessment in respect of proposed Council (MLA) received £60.71 million in 2010-11, reductions in funding to the Hat Factory arts venue in including core, Renaissance and strategic commissioning Luton; and if he will make a statement. [30863] funding. The MLA has received an indicative allocation of £51.97 million in 2011-12 for core and Renaissance Mr Vaizey: There are no plans for the Department to funding. It is expected that funding will be transferred conduct economic impact assessments into funding to Arts Council England at the appropriate time during decisions for individual arts venues made by other 2011-12 once a transition timetable has been agreed. organisations. In most cases, public funding for these venues comes through local authorities and through Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Arts Council England, operating at arm’s length from Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether museums government. which do not have national status and are unable to secure sponsorship other than from central Government Listed Buildings: Double Glazing will continue to receive funding from the public purse. [30921] Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess Mr Jeremy Hunt: As with every other arm’s length the merits of relaxing restrictions on replacing single body, the non-national museums have been allocated glazing in listed buildings with slim double or funding until 2014-15, which will be transferred with triple-glazed panes. [30821] them to any new sponsors. If no new sponsorship arrangements can be found for the non-national museums, John Penrose: English Heritage is responsible for this Department will consider the needs of these museums assessing and advising the Department on this matter. along with its other sponsored bodies in the next spending Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of English review period. Heritage to write direct to the hon. Member. Museums: Closures Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Museums Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many museums closed in (a) England and (b) Sussex in each Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for year since 2005. [30477] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding he plans to make available to the (a) museum development Mr Vaizey: Since the start of the Museums, Libraries work, (b) library development work and (c) statutory and Archives Council Renaissance programme in 2002, property functions of the Museums, Libraries and Archives none of the Regional Hub Museum Services has closed. Council from 2012-13 to 2014-15. [31289] Information on closures of independent, local authority or charitably funded museums is not held centrally. Mr Vaizey: The total funding that will be made available to Arts Council England for museum development Olympic Delivery Authority: VAT work, library development work and statutory cultural property functions will be £46.56 million in 2012-13; Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for £45.99 million in 2013-14 and £45.96 million in 2014-15. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his most It will be up to Arts Council England to determine how recent estimate is of the effect of the increase in the to allocate this funding, though cuts to the Renaissance standard rate of value added tax on the budget of the in the Regions programme will be limited to 15%. Olympic Delivery Authority. [31150]

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Hugh Robertson: The increase in value added tax of Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he 2.5% from 4 January 2011 has a forecast impact of plans to take to meet the responsibilities of archives £45.6 million over the life of the programme. This cost 903W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 904W has been provided for in the 2010 spending review The scheme can be accessed in Welsh and English at: settlement. Savings elsewhere in the Olympic budget http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ mean that the overall cost remains within the £9.3 plus billion public sector funding package. http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/ Public Libraries 3602.aspx http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for plus Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how he plans to http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/ meet his statutory duty to oversee and promote the 3602.aspx public library service after the end of (a) the Advisory Youth Sports: Finance Council on Libraries and (b) the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [31407] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Vaizey: Officials will work with relevant bodies to Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the ensure appropriate intelligence about the library sector answer of 19 November 2010, Official Report, column is captured, and that mechanisms are in place to 971W, on youth sports: finance, whether he raised with communicate it to this Department. Officials can then ministerial colleagues the issue of funding for school advise the Secretary of State on the use of his statutory sports partnerships before the announcement of the powers in the absence of the Advisory Council on outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. Libraries and the Museums, Libraries and Archives [31300] Council. Mr Jeremy Hunt: I regularly meet ministerial colleagues Sports: Birmingham to discuss cross-departmental issues.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is TREASURY taking to increase adult participation in sport in Birmingham before the London 2012 Olympics. [31120] Addison Lee

Hugh Robertson: Sport England is the arm’s length Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer body with responsibility for community sport. Their whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies aim is to increase and sustain levels of participation in contract services from Addison Lee private hire taxi sport and develop talent to drive standards of elite company. [30848] performance throughout the country. National governing bodies of sport (NGBs) are Mr Gauke: HM Treasury, the Debt Management responsible for the strategy, delivering through their Office and the Asset Protection Agency have a contract networks of community clubs, coaches and volunteers. with Addison Lee for the provision of taxi and courier Sport England is investing £480 million through 46 services. governing bodies over the next four years and has The Royal Mint Advisory Committee does not contract agreed ‘grow’, ‘sustain’ and ‘’excel’ targets with each services from Addison Lee. one. Each sport has developed a whole sport plan to achieve these targets. Since 2006, Sport England has Air Passenger Duty invested a total of £3,780,824 into the Birmingham Ladywood constituency. Mr Dodds: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Additionally, the £135 million Mass Participation (1) what assessment he has made of the likely effects on Olympic Legacy—Places People Play—was launched in regional airports of increases in air passenger duty; November and is available to residents of Birmingham. [30879] This programme will be funded by lottery money and (2) what proportion of air passenger duty revenues has been developed in partnership with Sport England, was raised from flights originating in Northern Ireland the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and in each year since the introduction of the duty; [30880] Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the British Olympic (3) what discussions he has had with the Secretary of Association (BOA) and the British Paralympic Association State for Northern Ireland on air passenger duty and (BPA). its effects on Northern Ireland. [30881] Welsh Language Schemes Mr Gauke: The existing rates of air passenger duty (APD) were set and legislated for by the previous Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Government. An impact assessment was published at Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when his Department last published a Welsh language scheme in http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/apd-reform-ia.pdf. accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Data are not available on APD paid by origin of Act 1993; and at which web addresses such schemes passengers or flights. HMRC only collects data on can be accessed in (a) Welsh and (b) English. [31155] APD-chargeable passengers, split into the four destination bands. John Penrose: The Department published a Welsh The June Budget announced that the Government language scheme in accordance with the provisions of will explore changes to the aviation tax system. Major the Welsh Language Act in June 2007. changes will be subject to consultation. 905W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 906W

Bank Notes: Costs child and (b) families with two or more children as a result of the announced changes to the child care Mr Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer element of working tax credits. [30648] what the cost to the public purse of printing banknotes was in the last three years for which figures are Mr Gauke: The change in support from the child care available. [30873] element to cover 70% of costs is estimated to reduce the entitlement of families with one child by £8.50 a week, Mr Hoban: This information is publicly available in and for families with two or more children by £10.50 a the Bank of England’s Annual Report and Accounts: week. http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/annualreport/ index.htm Departmental Grants Bureaux de Change: Regulation Anas Sarwar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what grants have been awarded by his Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Department in 2010-11 to date; what grants he plans to Exchequer what plans he has for the regulation of award in each of the next two years; what the monetary currency exchange services. [30658] value is of each such grant; and to which organisations such grants are to be made; [26581] Mr Hoban: Retail currency exchange is subject to the Price Indications (Bureaux de Change) (No 2) Regulations (2) what the monetary value was of grants awarded 1992, and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007. by his Department in 2009-10; and how much he plans to award in such grants in (a) 2010-11 and (b) The Government keeps the extent of the regulation 2011-12. [26583] of currency exchange under review. Cheques [holding answer 25 November 2010]: The Treasury did not award any grants in 2009-10 and has no plans to do so in 2010-11. On the Department’s Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the current plans, a single grant of £1,750,000 is to be Exchequer what recent representations he has received awarded in 2011-12 and 2012-13 to the Office for Budget on the use of cheques issued by UK banks as a method Responsibility. of payment; and if he will make a statement. [31203]

Dr Wollaston: To ask the Chancellor of the Disability Living Allowance: Care Homes Exchequer (1) what arrangements he plans to put in place to mitigate the adverse effects on small businesses Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the and individuals arising from the phasing out of Exchequer for what reasons his Department has cheques; [31049] revised its estimate of the savings arising from the (2) what recent discussions he has had with the UK removal of the mobility component of disability living Payments Council on alternative methods of payment allowance for claimants in residential care from to replace cheques. [31050] £135 million to £160 million in 2014-15. [29067]

Mr Hoban: I have written to every Member of the Maria Miller: I have been asked to reply. House to set out the Government’s position on cheques. The savings arising from this measure have been Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with updated in line with additional information on the a wide variety of organisations in the public and private status of care home residents who entered residential sectors as part of the process of policy development care before 1998. Prior to this date there was no procedural and delivery.As was the case with previous administrations, requirement to record entry or exit dates into residential it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of care. Additional estimates have been produced to ensure all such discussions. increased accuracy.

Child Benefit: Belfast EU Budget

Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of Exchequer what the net financial cost to the public households which will be affected by the removal of purse was of the UK’s membership of the EU in each child benefit from higher-rate tax payers in Belfast East of the last five years. [30566] constituency; and how many of those households are single parent households. [30660] Mr Gauke: The UK’s net contributions to the EU Budget over the period 2005-06 to 2009-10 were: Mr Gauke: Information on household income and composition for child benefit claimants is not available £ billion at parliamentary constituency level. 2005-06 4.4 Child Care Tax Credit 2006-07 3.5 2007-08 4.2 Miss Begg: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2008-09 3.0 what estimate his Department has made of the average 2009-10 4.7 weekly change in entitlement to (a) families with one 907W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 908W

Financial Services: Regulation Mr Gauke: It is estimated that income tax liabilities due in 2011-12 would fall by £120 million if the starting Naomi Long: To ask the Chancellor of the rate of tax for savings income were reduced to 0% and Exchequer what benefits he expects to accrue to (a) by £100 million if the starting rate limit for savings small payments institutions and (b) their customers as income were increased to £5,000. a result of registration of such institutions within the These estimates are, however, illustrative and do not Financial Services Authority. [30659] take into account behavioural effects. Actual Exchequer impacts are likely to be smaller due to the deduction at Mr Hoban: The registration of small payments source of tax on savings income at the basic rate of tax, institutions is a requirement of the payment services and would depend on how taxpayers with savings income directive. Registration is a proportionate way to identify in the starting rate band respond to the changes. and monitor all persons providing remittance services without imposing undue costs on small businesses. The benefits to customers of registration are that firms will have to provide them with information in ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE advance, before they commit to using their services, for example on costs and charges, cancellation rights and Energy Prices other essential information. Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Gift Aid Energy and Climate Change when he last met representatives of (a) Ofgem and (b) energy suppliers Jim Shannon: To ask the Chancellor of the to discuss consumer energy prices. [30975] Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of Gift Aid repayments made to charities in each region in Chris Huhne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I each of the last five years. [30563] gave to the hon. Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley) and the hon. Member for Stockton North (Alex Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Cunningham) earlier today. does not separately identify Gift Aid claims by regions of the UK. Gas Security Amounts of tax repaid to charities in the UK on donations under Gift Aid are published in Table 10.1 on Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy the HMRC website at: and Climate Change what recent assessment he has www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/charities/menu.htm made of the security of gas supplies in winter months. 1 In 2009-10 a total of £1,007 million was repaid to UK [30978] charities under Gift Aid. 1 Provisional. Chris Huhne: National Grid’s Winter Outlook forecasts demand for winter 2010-11 will be 0.5% higher than Inheritance Tax weather corrected actual demands in 2009-10. Gas supplies are forecasted to be higher than last year’s forecast, and Nicky Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the there is further potential for even higher levels of supply Exchequer what recent discussions he has had on the from Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and imports over the threshold at which inheritance tax is charged. [31003] interconnector. Mr Gauke: The Budget in June 2010 confirmed that Government place highest emphasis on security by the inheritance tax threshold will be frozen at £325,000 supporting a highly liquid and open market where gas is until 2014-15. As set out in the coalition agreement, the obtained from a diverse range of sources. Government have decided that making changes to the Carbon Emissions personal allowances for income tax should take priority over other tax cuts including cuts to inheritance tax. Any changes to the inheritance tax regime will then David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for have to be considered with due regard to the Government’s Energy and Climate Change what research on the priorities of reducing the fiscal deficit and ensuring reduction of the level of the UK’s carbon dioxide economic recovery. Any decision would be made through emissions comparing the costs and benefits of different the usual Budget process. means of generation and conservation of energy his Department has taken into account in reaching policy Taxation: Personal Savings decisions on such matters. [29787]

Mr Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) Gregory Barker: Cost effectiveness is one of a number what his latest estimate is of the cost to the Exchequer of important criteria Government must take into account of reducing the starting rate of income tax on savings when considering policy options—both in the short-term income to 0 per cent. in the first 12 months following and long-term—and across the economy. implementation; and if he will make a statement; An economic appraisal of the costs and benefits of [30674] an intervention is a mandatory part of impact assessments (2) what his latest estimate is of the cost to the for all policies, and allows consideration of the relative Exchequer of increasing the starting rate limit for savings merits of different policy options. This must be carried income to £5,000 in the 12 months following out in line with HM Treasury’s Green Book and the implementation. [30675] supplementary guidance on the valuation of energy use 909W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 910W and greenhouse gas emissions for appraisal and evaluation Electricity where policies have a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Considerations of the long-term pathway to the UK’s Energy and Climate Change if he will publish his target to reduce emissions by at least 80% on 1990 levels projections for electricity to be fed from each source by 2050 is also part of the evidence base to inform into the grid in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 decision making—and analysis from economy wide long- and (e) 2014. [30435] term pathway least-cost optimisation models has been commissioned in the past (ie for the Low Carbon Transition Charles Hendry: The Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme Plan, Climate Change Act impact assessment, and Energy for Great Britain was launched in April 2010. The White Papers) and will be drawn on in future, to gain scheme covers sub-5 MW wind, hydro, solar PV,anaerobic insight into the key long-term considerations. digestion and domestic scale micro-CHP installations. Across the package of policies and measures put in DECC published an impact assessment in February place to deliver the savings required to meet the UK’s 2010 setting out projections for TWh generation levels, carbon budgets there is a wide range of cost-effectiveness: for further details, see: Conservation and energy efficiency measures typically http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/ represent more cost-effective options in the near term, elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx while decarbonising the power generation sector is key Internal analysis by DECC, consistent with the ‘chosen to place the UK on track with its long-term target—and option’ in the Impact assessment, shows that over the to do so at least-cost, avoiding locking in to costlier period 2010 to 2014, over 80% of projected electricity alternatives. generation under the FITs scheme is expected to be Evidence on the net costs and cost effectiveness of exported back to the grid. The following table sets out the economy wide package of policies and measures to these estimates in greater detail. deliver the first three carbon budgets was published in Projected electricity generation under FITs (inclusive of business-as- the Analytical Annex to the Low Carbon Transition usual)1 Plan (DECC, July 2009). Since then various individual Financial years impact assessments have been produced, for example to 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 support the Energy Bill, and an impact assessment on the Electricity Market Reform will be published alongside Total GWh 259 603 1,113 1,665 2,342 the consultation document. The Government will produce Percentage exported 87 84 82 80 80 its report on delivering the Fourth Carbon Budget by back to grid October 2011. GWh exported back 227 507 907 1,334 1,865 to grid References: 1 Where business-as-usual represents sub-5 MW generation that would Valuation of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions for appraisal have occurred in the absence of FITs under the renewables obligation. and evaluation In addition, there will be other electricity generation http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/anafysts group/ analysts group.aspx connected to the distribution networks that is not supported under the Feed-in Tariff. Low Carbon Transition Plan 2009 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/ lc_trans_plan/lc_trans_plan.aspx Energy Supply Energy White Paper 2007 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/white_papers/ Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State white_paper_07/white_paper_07.aspx for Energy and Climate Change if he will hold discussions Individual impact assessments available on the BRE online library with representatives of household consumer gas and oil companies on the recent rise in prices of such fuels to http://www.ialibrary.berr.gov.uk/links/ domestic customers; and if he will make a statement. [31410] Departmental Conferences Charles Hendry: The Office of Fair Trading and the Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Competition Commission are responsible for enforcement Energy and Climate Change what steps he has taken of competition and consumer law which applies to the since his appointment to reduce expenditure on conferences sale of heating oil and liquid petroleum gas. from budgets within his responsibility. [28354] If consumers have reason to believe that the price for heating oil or LPG indicates anti-competitive behaviour Gregory Barker: The nature of the Department’s by suppliers, evidence about this behaviour, should be work means that there is some need for Ministers and sent to the OFT. staff to attend conferences. However, a new travel and subsistence policy has been introduced with effect from Energy: Housing October 2010 under which: Staff should only travel if it is absolutely necessary Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Subsistence claims will be based on actual costs Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to All travel bookings must be made though the official suppliers take to ensure that fuel expenditure in vulnerable Standard or economy class must be used unless there is a clear households using the Pay As You Save scheme will be business need for a higher class to be approved reduced sufficiently to raise each household out of fuel All claims will need to be approved regardless of grade. poverty. [31383] 911W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 912W

Gregory Barker: The Green Deal will provide the Energy: Tariffs opportunity for householders to take action to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, and protect themselves Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy against price rises through greater energy saving. and Climate Change if he will ensure that the proposed A new Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which Energy Security and Green Economy Bill includes will take over from the current Carbon Emissions Reduction provisions requiring minimum standards for energy Target and Community Energy Saving Programme when tariffs including the removal of tracker tariffs from the they come to an end, will run in parallel with the Green market until a standard benchmark for tracking is Deal when introduced in 2012. agreed and the removal of tariffs marketed as having Through the ECO, we expect energy companies to no standing charges but with an increase in the unit play a greater role than under previous obligations in rate equivalent to the value of the standing charge; and helping ensure that more of the poorest and most if he will make a statement. [31401] vulnerable can afford to heat their homes adequately. Alongside insulation measures, we expect them to be Gregory Barker: The Energy Bill does not contain the able to offer basic heating systems for those who most measures the hon. Member asks about. However, following need them. the publication of their latest quarterly prices report, Ofgem announced a review of the retail energy market In addition, from April next year, energy suppliers to decide if further changes are needed to ensure the will be required to provide greater help with the works in the interests of consumers and to costs of energy bills to more of the most vulnerable fuel increase transparency. Ofgem will report on this review poor households through the Warm Home Discount. in March of next year. This announcement is available online at: Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressRel/Documents1/ Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to Retail%20Market%2026%20November.pdf take to ensure that the energy use in households using In addition, following their 2008 probe into retail the Pay As You Save scheme will generate sufficient energy markets Ofgem introduced standards of conduct savings to repay the loan from his Department. [31384] that it expects suppliers to take all reasonable steps to adhere to. Included in these standards is an expectation Gregory Barker: Green Deal arrangements will be that suppliers should not sell products that are inappropriate financed by private companies, and not by the Department. to a customer’s needs or offer products that are unnecessarily A key principle is that payments collected through the complex or confusing. Green Deal should not exceed the expected savings, but it is not possible to guarantee this, as both energy price Fuel: Poverty and energy usage can fluctuate over time. We are reviewing how best to design the assessment Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for at the beginning of the Green Deal to enable the savings Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made estimates to be as accurate as possible, and we are of the proportion of those in fuel poverty who are considering what behavioural advice can be given to eligible for assistance in the priority group for (a) consumers to ensure they understand how to realise the Phase Two of the Energy Efficiency Commitment scheme maximum potential savings. and (b) the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target scheme. We are also designing the new Energy Company [31385] Obligation to ensure that further support is available for Gregory Barker: We estimate that in 2006 58% of fuel those in need of additional help, including low income poor households were eligible for assistance in the priority vulnerable households and those in hard to treat properties. group as defined in phase two of the Energy Efficiency Energy: Prices Commitment. In 2008, the most recent Fuel Poverty statistics available, approximately 77% of fuel poor Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for households were eligible for assistance in the priority Energy and Climate Change whether he has assessed group as defined in the Carbon Emissions Reduction the merits of bringing forward proposals to require Target. energy companies to maintain tariffs offered to Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for consumers for a minimum of six months from the date Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of contract acceptance. [29934] of the proportion of recipients of assistance in the priority group for (a) Phase Two of the Energy Efficiency Charles Hendry: DECC has not carried out detailed Commitment scheme and (b) the Carbon Emissions analysis of these proposals. However, as part of its Reduction Target scheme who are fuel poor. [31386] upcoming retail market review, Ofgem will be looking into issues concerning tariff complexity and consumer Gregory Barker: The priority group target ensures engagement. that households more likely to experience fuel poverty Under existing rules Ofgem already require suppliers do receive support. However, we do not have data to take all reasonable steps to bring the principal terms detailing whether households that received measures of a contract to the attention of a customer, before it is under priority group rules during either supplier obligation agreed, including whether a tariff is variable, fixed or an phase were fuel poor at the point of installation. This introductory offer. Consumers are able to take advantage summer we introduced a super priority group obligation of a range of fixed rate deals offered by suppliers, if under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target to ensure they want to ensure that a tariff is maintained for a that more of the low income households vulnerable to period of time. fuel poverty receive energy efficiency measures. 913W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 914W

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for A number of recent developments have been well-received Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department by the Nabucco consortium. In March 2010, it welcomed takes to assess whether a household in England is in the news that the intergovernmental agreement of 13 fuel poverty; and how many such households there are July 2009, which provides a stable legal framework for in (a) England, (b) London and (c) the London gas transit, had been ratified by all signatory countries. borough of Brent. [31387] In addition, in June 2010, the consortium welcomed the agreement between Turkey and Azerbaijan which defined Gregory Barker: In England, a household is said to the terms of gas transit to Turkey and Europe. be in fuel poverty if it needs to spend more than 10% of We understand that the proposed Nabucco pipeline is its income on fuel to maintain an adequate level of currently under consideration by the consortium that warmth (usually defined as 21 degrees for the main owns the Shah Deniz II gas field in Azerbaijan, with a living area, and 18 degrees for other occupied rooms). final investment decision expected in 2011. In order to determine the required spend on fuel, the Nuclear Power Stations annual energy consumption of each household is modelled based on characteristics of the dwelling and the households Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy members. The source of data for this is the English and Climate Change how much energy UK nuclear Housing Survey (EHS), an annual survey commissioned power stations produced in the latest period for which by CLG. In addition, the EHS also contains information figures are available; and what proportion of energy on the structure of the property, energy efficiency measures, produced in the UK that figure represents. [31330] the type of walls and the fuels used. Charles Hendry: In 2009, UK nuclear power stations This modelled consumption is then combined with produced 69,098 GWh of electricity. This was 18% of energy price information in order to calculate the required the 375,663 GWh of UK electricity generation in 2009. spend. The information on domestic gas and electricity (In terms of primary energy, nuclear contributed 15,229 prices is collected and published by DECC on a quarterly thousand tonnes of oil equivalent (ktoe), 9.1% of the basis via a survey of all major energy suppliers. Information UK primary energy production of 166,895 ktoe.) on prices of other fuels come from external sources, including from the Office for National Statistics and the Oil: Prices Sutherland tables. Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Income information is collected as part of the EHS, and Climate Change what steps his Department takes via a set of detailed questions. This information includes to prevent oil companies increasing oil prices during income from the earnings, benefits and savings for the inclement weather. [31197] whole household. Full details of the methodology employed for calculating Charles Hendry: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer fuel poverty statistics can be found in the Fuel Poverty I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Tewkesbury Methodology Handbook at: (Mr Robertson). http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/ Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 fuelpov_stats/fuelpov_stats.aspx Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for The following table shows the number of households Energy and Climate Change what methodology he uses in fuel poverty (and the year to which the statistics to calculate the number of households defined as relate) in England, London and Brent. vulnerable for the purposes of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000. [31112] Number of households in Area fuel poverty Gregory Barker: Vulnerable households are those that contain the elderly (60 or over), children (under 16) (a) England 2008 3.3 million or somebody who is long-term sick or disabled. (b) London (Government office 2008 328,000 region) (c) London Borough of Brent 12006 10,300 BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS 1The latest year for which sub-national fuel poverty statistics are available is 2006. Broadband Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Nabucco Pipeline Project Innovation and Skills how much of the £530 million allocated from the BBC licence fee for high speed broadband provision by 2015 has been allocated for Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for expenditure in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Energy and Climate Change what recent reports he has Wales. [30826] received on progress on the proposed Nabucco pipeline project; and if he will make a statement. [29599] Mr Vaizey [holding answer 15 December 2010]: No specific amounts have been made to England, Scotland, Charles Hendry: In its Second Strategic Energy Review Wales or Northern Ireland out of the £530 million of November 2008, the European Commission set out allocated in spending review to support broadband its support for the development of a southern gas rollout. corridor. The proposed Nabucco pipeline was specifically The approach being taken to the support of broadband designated as a project of strategic importance in the rollout is to support specific projects rather than to Trans-European Networks—Energy programme. make allocations to nations or regions. Four pilot projects 915W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 916W were announced on 20 October for the Highlands and Disqualification (of total Islands of Scotland, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Financial year Imprisonment cases prosecuted) Herefordshire. Final allocations to these projects will await the outcome of open procurement processes but it 2000-01 2 10 is expected that £5 million to £10 million will be spent 2001-02 4 24 on each project. 2002-03 0 11 The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media 2003-04 3 11 and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South 2004-05 0 13 West Surrey (Mr Hunt), announced on 6 December 2005-06 1 9 2010 that bids would be invited for a further wave of 2006-07 7 10 projects in April 2011, with £50 million of the £530 2007-08 0 6 million being available for that wave. 2008-09 3 4 2009-10 2 11

Company Liquidations: Greater London The following table provides figures for all persons imprisoned or disqualified following prosecutions by the Department for offences under the Companies Acts Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for during this period: Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) compulsory and (b) creditor voluntary liquidations were commenced Disqualification (of in (i) Greater London and (ii) the London borough of Financial year Imprisonment total cases prosecuted) [30478] Enfield in each of the last five years. 2000-01 2 23 2001-02 11 35 Mr Davey: Official statistics covering corporate 2002-03 7 34 insolvencies for England and Wales are not currently 2003-04 6 39 available at sub-national level. 2004-05 8 34 Annual totals for both compulsory and creditors’ 2005-06 8 36 voluntary liquidations in England and Wales are presented 2006-07 9 14 in Table 1 of the Quarterly Insolvency Statistics, the 2007-08 17 23 latest publication of which can be found on the Insolvency 2008-09 12 11 Service website: 2009-10 21 17 http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/otherinformation/statistics/ 201011/table1.pdf The following table provides figures for all persons imprisoned or disqualified following prosecutions by Annual figures for 2010 will be available in the next the Department for all offences during this period: release of the Insolvency Statistics on 4 February 2011. Disqualification Total number (of total cases Directors: Disqualification Financial year of convictions Imprisonment prosecuted) 2000-01 347 32 231 Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2001-02 365 32 116 Innovation and Skills how many (a) directors and (b) 2002-03 332 21 112 chief executives have been (i) imprisoned and (ii) disqualified 2003-04 259 21 75 from office for offences related to the discharge of their 2004-05 250 19 78 functions in each of the last 10 years; and for what 2005-06 190 22 78 offences. [28096] 2006-07 184 31 53 2007-08 250 48 75 Mr Davey [holding answer 6 December 2010]: The 2008-09 197 37 47 Department’s records relating to prosecutions record 2009-10 164 47 53 outcomes according to offences prosecuted and do not specifically identify either company directors or chief All figures provided relate to prosecutions brought by executives. The Department prosecutes a range of offences, the Department. We do not hold relevant figures pertaining primarily under the Insolvency Act 1986, the Companies to prosecutions brought by any other prosecuting authority. Acts 1985 and 2006, and the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. Many of the criminal offences Student Loans Company: Fees and Charges created by the Companies Act 2006 are committed by “an officer of the company” and will therefore apply to Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for directors, managers and secretaries. Consequently, it is Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what the monetary not possible to indicate the numbers of directors or value was of outstanding tuition fees not paid by the chief executives imprisoned or disqualified for offences Student Loans Company in each of the last three years; relating to the discharge of their functions. [30956] The offence relating to the re-use of a company name (2) how much and what proportion of tuition fees following insolvent liquidation created by section 216 of had not been paid by the Student Loans Company the Insolvency Act 1986 is aimed solely at directors or within (a) six and (b) 12 months of the due date in the shadow directors. Relevant figures are in the following latest academic year for which figures are available; tables: [30957] 917W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 918W

(3) what proportion of tuition fees was paid on time student’s attendance has been confirmed. Comparatively by the Student Loans Company in the latest academic small sums (less than 0.1% of the total) are held back, year for which figures are available. [30958] usually due to the need to reconcile overpayments made in previous academic years (for example, when a student Mr Willetts: Where students take out loans for tuition leaves their course early and the full amount of tuition from the Student Loans Company (SLC), payments are fee, already paid, may no longer be applicable). This is normally made direct to universities in two instalments, illustrated as follows. Figures are not available for AY2007/08 in February and May each year. I am informed by SLC and earlier. that almost all tuition fees are paid promptly once the

AY2009/10 Percentage of Amount paid Amount outstanding Percentage Estimate of amount estimate of amount Domicile (£ billion) (£) outstanding outstanding (£) outstanding

England 2.33 1n/a n/a 529,000 0.02 All UK 2.60 595,000 0.02 n/a n/a n/a = Not available 1 There are no comparative figures available for amounts outstanding for England only. Note: Data calculated as at early December 2010 AY2008/09 Amount paid Amount outstanding Percentage Estimate of amount Percentage of estimate Domicile (£ billion) (£) outstanding outstanding (£) of amount outstanding

England 2.01 1n/a n/a 778,000 0.04 All UK 2.24 875,000 0.04 n/a n/a n/a = Not available 1 There are no comparative figures available for amounts outstanding for England only. Note: Data calculated as at early December 2009

Telephone Services: Health number of programmes that directly benefit women’s organisations and activities in Afghanistan over the Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, past year. For example, our support to the International Innovation and Skills whether his Department has provided Planned Parenthood Foundation and WOMANKIND funding for the launch and operation of the European Worldwide is supporting civil society organisations in Harmonised Number for Emotional Support; and if he Afghanistan address the human rights and practical will make a statement. [30732] needs of women and girls. DFID has also committed £12 million from 2010-11 Mr Vaizey: Ofcom launched a comparative selection to 2012-13 to the Afghanistan Rural Enterprise process for the 116123 “Emotional support helpline” Development Programme, implemented by the Afghan service in February 2009 and allocated it to the charity Ministry for Rural Rehabilitation Development. The Samaritans and its chosen communications provider programme has a Gender Equality Strategy, which has BT in October 2009 after an extensive selection process. helped to ensure that men and women participate almost The number is now operational alongside Samaritans’ equally in project-supported activities. UK-wide 0845 number and local branch numbers. Afghanistan: Overseas Aid The Department for Business does not provide funding for any of the 116 range of numbers. Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of aid from his Department was allocated to each province in INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Afghanistan in the latest period for which figures are available. [31108] Afghanistan: Females Mr Andrew Mitchell: In 2009-10 approximately 16% Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for of the Department for International Development’s International Development what proportion of his (DFID’s) bilateral programme budget in Afghanistan Department’s funding to projects in Afghanistan has was spent directly in Helmand province. The remaining been allocated to projects to support women’s organisations 84% was spent on programmes that cover the whole of and activities in the last 12 months; and what projects Afghanistan (including Helmand). have been so supported. [31408] Departmental Equality Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Government are placing women at the heart of the whole of our agenda for Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for international development. All the Department for International Development when he intends to publish International Development’s (DFID) programmes take an updated Gender Equality Action Plan for his account of their impact on women and girls in their Department; and what consultation he plans to carry design and implementation. DFID has supported a out on the plan. [31107] 919W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 920W

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International improve their effectiveness. These evaluations are published Development’s (DFID’s) Gender Equality Action Plan so that other donors can use them in the design of their (GEAP) has been extended until March 2011. DFID own programmes. currently has regular and ongoing dialogue on our The reports are also open to public and parliamentary GEAP, for example with Bond and the Gender and scrutiny, providing a direct line of accountability for Development Network, with whom officials will be DFID’s activities. From next summer we are taking this meeting on 12 January. a step further with the launch of an Independent The UK Government are placing women at the heart Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) which will have a of the whole of our agenda for international development. remit to evaluate and review any UK aid spending. The We have set out our objectives for empowering women Independent Commission will be clearly separated from and girls in DFID’s Business Plan 2011-15. These are to DFID, reporting directly to Parliament. increase the number of girls in primary and secondary education, promote economic empowerment of women Madagascar: Agriculture and girls, pilot new approaches to violence against women and improve maternal health and access to Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for family planning. The Business Plan is available on the International Development what plans his Department No. 10 website and in the Library of the House. has to assist Madagascar in its agricultural development. [30719] Departmental Public Expenditure Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Development (DFID) has no bilateral programme in International Development what budgetary guidance Madagascar. We have no plans to offer direct assistance his Department has issued to each country office on (a) on agricultural development. All of our funding to existing spending agreements, (b) contractual arrangements Madagascar—over £51 million in 2008-09—is provided with external parties or governments and (c) future through our attributed share to multilateral institutions funding programmes since the announcement of its such as the EU, World Bank and African Development bilateral spending review. [31406] Bank.

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Immediately after the election, Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for a number of projects were identified as either poorly International Development what plans his Department performing or of low priority. Country offices were has to assist Madagascar meet its commitments under instructed to reallocate identified funds to other priority the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development areas as soon was practical and to do so in line with Programme. [30720] existing contractual arrangements. I launched a review of the UK’s bilateral aid programmes Mr O’Brien: The Department for International on Wednesday 16 June 2010. While the review is ongoing, Development (DFID) strongly supports implementation country teams have continued to implement existing of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programmes with the exception of those already identified Programme (CAADP), as well as related initiatives such as poorly performing or of low priority. as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and African Union work to establish long term investment Ministers and officials in my Department are currently plans and increase the proportion of national budgets in discussion regarding the allocation of UK aid to for agriculture. DFID is providing a £10 million grant countries and priority areas over the spending review to a Multi-Donor Trust Fund, with the World Bank, period. final decisions will be made upon the conclusion which will facilitate the implementation of the CAADP. of the bilateral and multilateral aid reviews early next DFID does not provide separate bilateral funding to year. Madagascar to support CAADP implementation.

Developing Countries: Agriculture Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for spent on agricultural development in Madagascar in International Development what steps he is taking to each of the last five years. [30724] ensure aid for agricultural development funded by his Department reaches people living in rural areas. [30570] Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) has no bilateral programme in Mr O’Brien: Our programmes are designed to ensure Madagascar. We have provided no direct assistance on that end beneficiaries are identified from the outset. agricultural development over the last five years. All of People in rural areas are a target group for agricultural our funding to Madagascar, over £51 million in 2008-09—is development programmes. During implementation, we provided through our attributed share to multilateral regularly monitor progress to ensure that programmes institutions such as the EU, World Bank and African are delivering their intended results. Once a programme Development Bank. has finished, a formal project completion report assesses results achieved against objectives set. Madagascar: Climate Change For some programmes, specifically those which are large scale or innovative in design, we subsequently Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for carry out full evaluations to ensure that lessons learned International Development what recent assessment his during implementation are captured and taken into Department has made on the effects of climate change account in the design of subsequent programmes to on agriculture and food security in Madagascar. [30721] 921W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 922W

Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Funds have been spent on: emergency treatment for Development (DFID) has no bilateral programme in acutely malnourished children; emergency assistance to Madagascar. We have made no direct assessment of the help communities recover from the damage and destruction effects of climate change on agriculture and food security caused by tropical storms and cyclones; and the pre- in Madagascar. positioning of stocks in the event of future disasters. No specific support to emergency food aid has been Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for provided to date. International Development (1) what steps his Department (a) is taking and (b) plans to take in the Sub-Saharan Africa: Food future to ensure that the poorest and most marginal farmers in Madagascar can adapt to climate change; Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for [30722] International Development if he will hold discussions (2) how much his Department has spent on climate with his Chinese counterpart on the effects on local change adaptation for smallholder farmers in Madagascar food production in sub-Saharan Africa of deforestation in each of the last five years; and what proportion of his attributable to the development of palm oil plantations Department’s expenditure on (a) climate change measures by Chinese land owners. [29940] overseas, (b) climate change measures adaptation overseas, (c) climate change in the developing world and (d) Mr O’Brien: The Department for International climate change adaptation in the developing world this Development (DFID) and the Department for represented in each such year. [30723] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) are working in partnership with China on a project on the Mr O’Brien: The Department for International international palm oil industry. This is developing the Development (DFID) has no bilateral programme in rationale for the import into China of sustainable palm Madagascar. We have provided no direct assistance on oil products. This will cover work on Chinese investments climate change adaptation for poor and marginal farmers overseas, including in Africa. It will conclude in March in Madagascar over the last five years. 2011 with a report and policy options, which we will discuss with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Earlier this month, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced extra support to the Consultative UN Central Emergency Relief Fund: Conferences Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). In 2010-11 DFID has allocated £36.75 million to the Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for CGIAR, including £7.25 million for a new CGIAR International Development which Ministers from his Consortium Research Programme, which will help adapt Department he expects to attend the forthcoming UN farming systems in the developing world to both current Central Emergency Relief Fund replenishment conference; and progressive climate change and to limit its impact. and if he will make a statement. [27704] DFID has also provided £10 million (from 2008 up to 2012) to the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Mr Andrew Mitchell: The UK Permanent Representative Research in Eastern and Central Africa, of which to the UN in New York represented the UK at the UN Madagascar is a member, to support research into Central Emergency Relief Fund replenishment conference agricultural issues, including climate change adaptation. which took place on 14 December and made a statement Madagascar: Food outlining our ongoing support. The UK provided £40 million to the UN Central Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Emergency Response Fund (CERF) in 2010 and I have International Development what recent assessment he just released an additional £40 million for 2011. Future has made of the level of food security in Madagascar. contributions to the CERF will be determined as part [30718] of the Multilateral Aid Review, which will report in February 2011. Mr O’Brien: According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the food security situation in southern Madagascar is likely to worsen in the coming months as a result of HEALTH consecutive droughts and poor rainfall. The Department for International Development (DFID) has no bilateral Abortion programme in Madagascar, but will continue to monitor the situation closely. Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pregnancy terminations among Madagascar: Food Aid women under the age of 19 years there were in Brighton and Hove in each year since 2007. [31102] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department Anne Milton: Information on the number of abortions spent on emergency food aid for Madagascar in each of carried out on women under the age of 19 resident in the last five years. [30725] Brighton and Hove in each year since 2007 can be found in the following table. Mr O’Brien: The Department for International Abortions for women aged under 19, resident in Brighton and Hove Development (DFID) has provided over £3 million in PCT, 2007-09 total, over the last five years, to United Nations agencies Number and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to respond to the most urgent humanitarian needs in Madagascar. 2007 168 923W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 924W

Abortions for women aged under 19, resident in Brighton and Hove Paul Burstow: The Government published an update PCT, 2007-09 to the 2008 Carers Strategy on 25 November 2010. Number “Recognised, valued and supported: Next Steps for the 2008 158 Carers Strategy” sets out clear priorities for the next 2009 138 four years, focusing on the four areas which will have Source: the biggest impact on carers’ lives: Statistical Bulletin, Abortion Statistics, England and Wales for 2007, supporting those with caring responsibilities to identify themselves 2008 and 2009 as carers at an early stage; enabling those with caring responsibilities to fulfil their educational Baby Care Units and employment potential; personalised support both for carers and those they support; Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for and Health (1) what assessment he has made on the effect of supporting carers to remain mentally and physically well. introduction of the toolkit for high quality neo-natal In addition, the Department will provide additional service on care for pre-term babies since 2009; [31048] funding of £400 million to the national health service (2) what plans he has for the future number of over the next four years to enable more carers to take neonatal nurses (a) nationally, (b) in the South West breaks from their caring responsibilities. The 2011-12 and (c) in Totnes constituency; [31117] NHS Operating Framework states that primary care (3) if he will take steps to improve neonatal services trusts (PCTs) should pool budgets with local authorities (a) nationally, (b) in the South West and (c) in Totnes to provide carers’ breaks, as far as possible, via direct constituency. [31118] payments or personal health budgets. For 2011-12, PCTs should agree policies, plans and budgets to support Anne Milton: The Toolkit for High Quality Neonatal carers with local authorities and local carers’ organisations, Services and the recently published National Institute and make them available to local people. for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Quality The Department will also provide up to £6 million to Standard for Specialist Neonatal Care are valuable fund training to increase general practitioners’ awareness tools to assist national health service commissioners and understanding of carers’ needs for support. and providers in the provision high quality care for babies and their families. Doctors: Training Since publication of the Toolkit, progress has been made. Every neonatal unit is now part of a managed Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health clinical network and networks have increased transport whether his Department has conducted any research services hours and coverage. There is still more to do. into the reasons why some foundation house officers do As set out in the NICE Quality Standard, networks, not complete their foundation training. [29861] commissioners and providers will wish to undertake an annual needs assessment and ensure each network has Anne Milton: The UK Foundation Programme Office adequate capacity. This includes ensuring there are has collected data since 2009 on the reasons foundation appropriate numbers of neonatal nurses. doctors do not complete foundation training. There are a number of reasons why some foundation Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for doctors do not complete their training. Some resign, Health how much he has allocated to neonatal care (a) some leave the programme for personal/family reasons, nationally, (b) in the South West and (c) in Totnes some transfer to flexible training, some require remedial constituency in each year of the spending review training and are therefore unable to progress until this is period. [31116] completed, a small number are dismissed from the training programme because of disciplinary or performance Anne Milton: The Department currently makes recurrent issues. revenue allocations direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) The proportion of doctors who did not complete on the basis of a national weighted capitation formula foundation training in 2009 was 6%, and 5.42% in 2010. which is used to determine each PCTs target share of available resources. The components of the formula are General Practitioners: West Midlands used to weight each PCTs population according to their relative need (age and additional need) for healthcare Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost for Health how many general practitioners provide of providing healthcare (the market forces factor). out-of-hours care in (a) Coventry and (b) the West PCT recurrent revenue allocations are not broken Midlands. [30807] down by policy or service area. Once allocated, it is for PCTs to commission the services they require to meet Anne Milton: This information is not collected centrally. the healthcare needs of their local populations, taking This information may be available directly from the account of both local and national priorities. West Midlands primary care trusts. Herbal Medicine: Regulation Carers: Social Services Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member Health what recent steps his Department has taken to for Bosworth of 7 December 2010, Official Report, improve services for carers. [30617] column 165, on the regulation of qualified herbalists, 925W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 926W what plans he has for the regulation of practitioners of Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Chinese herbal medicine; and if he will make a what steps he plans to take to increase availability of statement. [31303] kidneys for donation from heartbeating and non- heartbeating donors. [30937] Anne Milton: In my response to the hon. Member for Bosworth (David Tredinnick) of 8 December 2010, Anne Milton: We realise that people waiting for a Official Report, column 337W, I indicated that the kidney transplant represent the highest proportion of Government are currently considering their overall strategy people on the transplant waiting list. Kidney transplant on professional regulation, including the possibility of also has the highest potential to release savings to the establishing a registration scheme for practitioners of national health service through decreasing demand on traditional forms of medicine. Consideration of the renal haemodialysis. feasibility of such a scheme applies to both herbal The Department has therefore worked with NHS medicines practitioners and practitioners of traditional Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) and other key professional Chinese medicine. organisations since the Organ Donation Taskforce presented Hospitals: Admissions 14 recommendations in early 2008. Work has focussed on redesigning and strengthening the NHS infrastructure Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for to help ensure that all potential donors are identified Health what the survival rate was for acute myocardial and their families approached with the offer of organ infarction within 30 days after emergency hospital donation. admission in (a) each primary care trust and (b) Steady improvement is being made. During 2009-10, England in each of the last 10 years. [30712] organ donor rates increased to nearly 20%, over the baseline year of 2007-08. NHSBT aim to see organ Mr Simon Burns: Data on survival rates are not donor rates continue to rise, allowing many more people available centrally. to benefit from a life saving or life enhancing transplant. However, data for the standardised rate of deaths within 30 days of emergency admission to hospital for Kidneys: Transplant Surgery patients aged 35 to 74 years who have had a myocardial infarction are available, and the figures for the financial years 1999-2000 to 2008-09 have been placed in the Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Library. These are the latest 10 financial years available. what his most recent estimate is of the number of (a) women, (b) men and (c) children on waiting lists for In Vitro Fertilisation: Homosexuality kidney transplants; and what recent estimate he has made of the average time spent on such a waiting list Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for by each type of patient. [30934] Health whether same sex couples are eligible to receive IVF treatment on the NHS. [31409] Anne Milton: The number of patients currently on Anne Milton: Access to national health service funded the waiting list for a kidney transplant as at 13 December fertility services is based on clinical need. If a couple 2010 is in the table. has clinical grounds for accessing NHS fertility treatment, then provision should be considered regardless of the Status patient’s sexual orientation. Gender/age Active Suspended1 Total The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Male 4,138 1,603 5,741 (NICE) is currently updating its fertility guidelines. Female 2,923 1,048 3,971 NICE is at the stage of gathering evidence and currently Gender not reported 9 3 12 expects to publish the final updated guidelines towards the end of 2012. The scope of the update includes consideration of treatment for same sex couples. Paediatric 110 34 144 Adult 6,960 2,620 9,580 Kidneys: Donors Total 7,070 2,654 9,724 Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 1 Suspended indicates those patients on the waiting list who are what recent representations he has received on the use temporarily suspended from the list for a number of reasons. Sometimes, of kidneys from non-heartbeating donors within the patients are suspended from the waiting list because of, for example, an infection which results in them not being well enough for a national kidney allocation scheme. [30935] transplant or a wish to have a holiday. Anne Milton: Donation after cardiac death (DCD) The numbers include patients also waiting for other has been increasing steadily in the United Kingdom for organs in addition to a kidney (such as kidney/pancreas). some years. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), an The average waiting times are 1,088 days for adults arm’s length body of the Department, recently welcomed and 276 days for children. NHS Blood and Transplant a study reported in The Lancet, which highlighted the does not have figures on the average waiting time split success of kidney transplants from DCD donors. between males and females. However, previous analyses Although DCD is not a substitute for donation after have shown that female patients wait longer for transplants brain stem death, it increases the number of people who than males. This is due to higher levels of sensitisation can benefit from a transplant. NHSBT has set up a in female patients caused by pregnancies, which means working party to consider possible changes to the national that it can be more difficult to identify a compatible allocation scheme for DCD donor kidneys. donor. 927W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 928W

Maternity Services Swine Flu

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many maternity units closed in each primary what recent representations he has received from the healthcare trust area in the latest period for which Health Protection Agency on preparedness for any figures are available. [31042] outbreak of the (a) H5N1 and (b) H1N1 virus; and if he will make a statement. [31011] Anne Milton: The information requested is not collected by the Department. Anne Milton: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) works closely with the Department to ensure the national Mental Health Services health service remains prepared should a new pandemic emerge. The HPA has links with other international agencies and regularly monitors the situation on outbreaks Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for of H5N1 influenza in other countries. The 2009 pandemic Health whether his Department plans to increase the tested organisations’ plans and the NHS remains well funding available to support mental health early prepared should a new pandemic emerge. This includes intervention teams. [29227] the potential for a more severe pandemic, such as could be caused by bird flu, and supplies of H5N1 prepandemic Paul Burstow: The funding plans have already been vaccine have been purchased as part of the preparedness set out in the spending review and the national health plans. The Department is currently reviewing the national service is sufficiently funded to support the commissioning strategy for pandemic preparedness and will take into of early intervention teams. The Government are supportive account the lessons learned from the H1N1 2009 swine of the use of evidence-based care, such as early intervention, flu response and recent scientific evidence. for young people with first onset psychosis. However, it The HPA publishes a Weekly National Influenza is for local commissioners and providers to make the Report, which is available at: decisions on commissioning and providing specific services. www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/ Seasonallnfluenza/EpidemiologicalData/ Palliative Care: Prisoners 02influsweeklyreport/ The H1N1 (2009) virus is now regarded as one of the Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State group of seasonal influenza viruses in general circulation for Health what palliative care provision there is for and therefore the National Institute for Health and prisoners; and if he will make a statement. [30808] Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommendations on the use of antivirals for treatment and prophylaxis will Paul Burstow: I refer the hon. Member to the written apply during the 2010-11 influenza season. This was answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool communicated to the NHS by the director of immunisation North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard) on 9 December in a letter dated 10 December 2010 which is available at: 2010, Official Report, columns 390-91W. www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ documents/digitalasset/dh_122573.pdf Primary Care Trusts: West Midlands A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library. The seasonal flu vaccine offers protection against Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State H1N1 (2009) and two other strains of flu virus. The for Health what representations he has received from Department encourages all those aged 65 or over, those local authorities in the West Midlands on the transfer with a condition that puts them at risk from the effects of public health responsibilities from primary care of flu, and pregnant women to take up the offer of trusts. [30806] vaccination if they have not already done so.

Mr Simon Burns: The Regional Director of Public Swine Flu: Vaccination Health (RDPH) in the West Midlands has individually met all the chief executives of local authorities in the Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health region to discuss the future public health system. She is whether his Department has issued guidance to leading the transition arrangements within the West primary care trusts and GPs on the use of vaccination Midlands on behalf of the Department, and local authority against the (a) H5N1 and (b) H1N1 virus. [31021] chief executives are involved in those arrangements. Chief executives from across the region are members of the main transition group. Anne Milton: The Department has issued information to primary care trusts and general practitioners about Following publication of the Public Health White the annual seasonal influenza immunisation programme Paper “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for for winter 2010-11. This programme offers vaccination Public Health in England”, the Government will shortly against the H1N1 swine influenza virus. consult on both the public health outcomes framework and the commissioning and funding for public health. The interim chief medical officer’s letter to the national The RDPH will continue to work closely with local health service dated 23 June 2010 on the seasonal government during and after the consultation period to influenza immunisation programme is available at: ensure we address areas of concern, facilitated by www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ arrangements for several consultation events across the documents/digitalasset/dh_116943.pdf West Midlands. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library. 929W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 930W

A letter from the director of immunisation was sent Within these households there were 1,490 children or to the NHS on 19 November 2010 to highlight the expected children. The Department has not produced importance of achieving high uptake of seasonal influenza forecasts for future years. vaccine in eligible groups. This letter is available at: Under homelessness legislation that applies to England, www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/ bed and breakfast cannot be used by a local housing Lettersandcirculars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_121934 authority to discharge a duty to secure accommodation A copy of this letter has already been placed in the for applicants who are pregnant, or whose household Library. includes a pregnant woman or a dependant child, unless Supplies of H5N1 pre-pandemic vaccine have been no other accommodation is available and then for no purchased as part of the preparedness plan and relevant more than six weeks aggregate. advice would be issued as required in the case of the This Government are committed to tackling and vaccine being distributed. preventing homelessness. We have protected Homelessness Tamiflu Grant funding, with £400 million over the spending review period. This will be made available to local authorities and the voluntary sector to support their Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health work to tackle homelessness. We have made an additional what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness £190 million available for discretionary housing payments on patients of (a) Tamiflu and (b) Relenza. [31280] and other forms of practical support alongside the Anne Milton: The antiviral drugs marketed as Tamiflu Government’s package of welfare reform measures. (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) can be used in I also refer the right hon. Member to my letter on the two broadly distinct disease settings. Firstly, in seasonal spending review’s settlement for housing of 20 October influenza, the kind of ‘flu’ that occurs annually over the 2010, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, on winter months, the National Institute for Health and our plans to build more affordable homes and renovate Clinical Excellence (NICE) have examined the effectiveness poor quality social housing. of both drugs and concluded that they both should be Children: Day Care made available to treat at-risk patients with suspected influenza illness and when seasonal influenza virus is circulating. Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans This NICE guidance does not cover the use of these to provide alternative forms of (a) provision and (b) drugs in a second disease setting, pandemics of influenza, support to adults using day centres where such services which occur only rarely but at potentially any time of are withdrawn as a result of local authority spending year. For this situation, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza reductions. [31304] Advisory Committee (SPI) reviewed the effectiveness of Tamiflu and Relenza in 2007 and concluded that both Robert Neill: Local government are responsible for drugs could have a significant beneficial impact in decisions on the delivery of social care in their area. The reducing morbidity and thus mortality. SPI is currently Government have provided additional funding in re-examining the scientific evidence base for the use of recognition of the adult social care pressures that local antiviral drugs in pandemic influenza. The output from authorities will face and the importance Government this review will be published in early 2011. places on social care, including an extra £l billion which Weather the NHS will make available by 2014-15 in order to support social care services which benefit health. Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Community Groups Health what representations he has received on proposals for a national winter emergency plan; and if he will make a statement. [31667] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written (a) public houses, (b) libraries and (c) community answer I gave the hon. Member for Bolton West (Julie centres have transferred ownership to community Hilling) on 22 November 2010, Official Report, groups in each of the last five years in (i) Scotland, (ii) column 168W. England and (iii) Wales; and if he will make a statement. [31307]

Andrew Stunell: There are no centrally held records of COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT completed asset transfers in England. However, the Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: Children Asset Transfer Unit, which is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, holds statistics Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for for completed asset transfers relating to government-funded Communities and Local Government what estimate his asset transfer programmes, and these show that there Department has made of the number of children under has been a total of 51 transfers since 2007. This total the age of 16 years living in bed and breakfast includes 15 community centres and five libraries. A accommodation between 2010 and 2015. [30667] survey carried out by SQW consultants in 2009 for the Development Trusts Association indicated that of around : The latest homelessness statistics show 1,000 transfers under way in England, approximately that at the end of September 2010 there were 930 households one third related to community centres. As many public in bed and breakfast style temporary accommodation houses are privately owned and purchased, there are no containing dependent children and/or a pregnant woman. centrally held records. According to figures provided by 931W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 932W the Plunkett Foundation, there are three legally registered Local authority chief executives were notified in a co-operative pubs in England. Figures for other forms letter dated 26 October that payments made through of community ownership of pubs are not available. area based grant in respect of work to undertake the Information relating to Scotland and Wales is a devolved Status survey would consequently cease from October matter. 2010.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Council Tax for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the average time taken for the transfer Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for of ownership of a public house to a community group Communities and Local Government how much on in the latest year for which figures are available; and if average was levied in council tax per dwelling in each he will make a statement. [31308] local authority in 2009-10. [30775]

Andrew Stunell: There are no national statistics collected Robert Neill: The latest information on the average for the transfer of public houses to community ownership, council tax levied per dwelling for individual authorities so it is not possible to estimate the average time that a in England for 2009-10 was published in table 6 of the transfer takes. statistical release “Council tax levels set by local authorities in England—2009-10 (Revised)”. This release was issued The time it takes to transfer a public house to community on 30 July 2009 and is available on the Department for ownership will vary considerably according to the local Communities and Local Government website at: circumstances. Determining factors will include the expertise http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ available within any particular community, the level of statistics/counciltax200910update support that a community group can access to ensure they have the required knowledge and skills, the level of Departmental Conferences funding needed, and the operational condition of the pub. Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his Compulsory Purchase: Coastal Areas Department’s annual budget for conferences was on (a) 7 May 2010 and (b) 7 December 2010. [29962] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Robert Neill: In May 2010 the Government announced has made of the number of premises that were subject plans to achieve £6.2 billion of savings in 2010-11 and to a compulsory purchase order in each principal introduced an immediate freeze on new marketing and seaside town in England in the last year for which communications spend. The Department, therefore, figures are available. [31372] cancelled all space and stands at exhibitions and conferences except where they had already been paid for in full and Robert Neill: The Department does not hold estimates cancellation costs exceeded the costs of attendance. of the number of premises subject to compulsory purchase Advice was also given to managers that careful consideration orders. However the number of orders in principal should be given to staff attendance at conferences but seaside towns confirmed by the Secretary of State was they may continue to do so where appropriate. three, the number referred back to the acquiring authority The Department does not set an annual budget for for their own confirmation was seven and the number conferences. Budgets are delegated to managers who not confirmed was four. This information has been have flexibility to move resources between different based on the addresses show on each individual order. expenditure categories and update their expenditure My officials will retrieve the relevant files from archive plans monthly. and I will write to the hon. Member confirming the number of plots. Departmental Pay Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Council Housing: Surveys Communities and Local Government how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for equivalent to or above the London living wage in the Communities and Local Government when he expects latest period for which figures are available. [31231] to announce his plans for the future of the NI160 Status Survey Grant. [30730] Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not currently employ, and has Grant Shapps: I wrote to local authority chief executives not employed in the last financial year, any staff who on 10 August 2010 setting out that, as part of the are paid less than a rate equivalent to the London living Government’s commitment to reducing centrally imposed wage. burdens, stock holding local authorities would no longer be required to complete the Status survey or report Departmental Plants against National Indicator 160 on local authority tenants’ satisfaction with landlord services. Along with the Place : To ask the Secretary of State for Survey, these were expensive and burdensome cosmetic Communities and Local Government how much the exercises. Instead, the new Government will be strengthening (a) Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) Deputy social tenants rights of redress as outlined in my Prime Minister’s Office spent on pot plants during the Department’s press notice of 18 October 2010. period it was a Government Department. [29380] 933W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 934W

Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of As outlined in my Department’s press notice of 6 July 14 September 2010, Official Report, column 1027W, 2010, we believe there is significant scope to save taxpayers’ given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burton (Andrew money by publishing job vacancies online in an open Griffiths). and standardised format. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister existed Housing Revenue Accounts from May 2002 to May 2006 before becoming the Department of Communities and Local Government (ODPM). In July 2004, the Office of the Deputy Prime Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Minister signed a contract with its current facilities Communities and Local Government with reference to management supplier for maintenance of internal plants the answer to the hon. Member for Swindon South of in Eland House. Details on the expenditure on pot 30 April 2007, Official Report, column 1518W,on housing plants prior to July 2004 are not held centrally and revenue accounts, how much each local authority in could be provided only at disproportionate cost. England has paid to the Exchequer from its housing ODPM spent the following on the maintenance of revenue account in each year since 2005-06. [31127] pot plants during that period. Andrew Stunell: The housing revenue account subsidy Contract year July to June: Cost (£) amounts either paid or received by each local authority to the Exchequer for the years 2005-06 to 2009-10, are 2004-05 5,555.88 shown in a table that has been placed in the Library of 2005-06 5,555.88 the House. Negative figures denote subsidy payments made to the Exchequer. In July 2010, the Department gave due notice that this contract will be terminated; the contract will formally Housing: Construction end in September 2010. Details of the expenditure on pot plants by the Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Deputy Prime Minister’s Office are not held. Communities and Local Government (1) how many homes started by the Homes and Communities Agency Departmental Recruitment in 2009-10 have been completed since 1 April 2010; Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for [30697] Communities and Local Government how much his (2) how many homes started by the Homes and Department and its agencies spent on job advertisements Communities Agency in 2009-10 have not been in The Guardian newspaper in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 completed. [30698] and (c) 2009-10. [29378] Grant Shapps: The Homes and Communities Agency Robert Neill: The Department has spent the following (HCA) published official statistics detailing its housing with The Guardian newspaper on job advertisements: delivery programme achievements for the six months from 1 April 2010 to 30 September on 30 November £ 2010: 2007-08 31,174 http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/six-monthly- 2008-09 26,215 housing-statistics 2009-10 0 The total number of units expected to be completed Total 57,389 in 2010-11 are available in the update to HCA’s Corporate Plan: The Department’ agencies have spent the following: http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/public/documents/ The Planning Inspectorate Corporate-Plan-2010-11-update.pdf £ Completions this year will be made up of starts from 2007-08 3,450 a number of earlier years so will not correlate directly 2008-09 0 with the starts from 2009-10. 2009-10 6,871 Housing: Disability Total 10,320

Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State £ for Communities and Local Government whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State 2007-08 2,044 for Energy and Climate Change on the effect of cold 2008-09 3,067 housing on disabled people; and if he will make a 2009-10 0 statement. [31306] Total 5,111

Fire Service College Andrew Stunell: Ministers in this Department have £ had a number of discussions with Ministers at the Department for Energy and Climate Change on measures 2007-08 1— to improve the energy efficiency of homes, so that all 2008-09 1,116 sections of the community can have warmer homes and 2009-10 0 lower fuel bills, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary Total 1,116 of State for Energy and Climate Change has recently 1 Fire Service college could supply figures for 2007-08 only at disproportionate published proposals for the Green Deal which is intended cost. Note: to achieve that. We have not had specific discussions Figures include VAT. about the effect of colder housing on disabled people. 935W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 936W

Planning by outreach services. However, the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) database in London, Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for which the Department funds Broadway (a homelessness Communities and Local Government (1) what funding charity) to run, does collect this information. Their his Department has allocated to assist local areas to Street to Home Annual report 2009-10 indicates the meet the cost of preparing neighbourhood plans; following breakdown: [30691] Age Percentage (2) what funding his Department has allocated to assist local areas with the cost of conducting Under 18 0 referendums on neighbourhood plans. [30788] 18-25 8 26-35 26 : Funding for local authorities on 36-45 35 neighbourhood planning is subject to the final outcome 46-55 21 of the spending review process. I expect to make further Over 55 10 announcements in due course. We have already announced Source: CHAIN, London. funding and assistance for a Neighbourhood Planning Vanguard Scheme, information on which can be found Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for at: Communities and Local Government which local http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/ authorities have not conducted a street count of rough planningsystem/neighbourhoodplanningvanguards/ sleepers in 2010. [30666]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Grant Shapps: Information on rough sleeping counts Communities and Local Government what organisations is available both in the Library and via the DCLG his Department plans to classify as competent to prepare website: and conduct consultations on neighbourhood plans. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/xls/ [30700] 1648099.xls Since 1998, only councils in areas with a known, or Greg Clark: A parish council or a neighbourhood suspected, rough sleeping problem were required to forum will be able to bring forward proposals for conduct an official rough sleeper count—which meant neighbourhood planning. that only 70 councils submitted information to central In unparished areas, any organisation which is established Government. Figures published in July 2010 showed to further the well being of residents of a neighbourhood, that under this previous method, on any given night consists of and is open to all individuals living in the there were 440 rough sleepers in England. However, neighbourhood and has a written constitution can apply when the remaining 256 councils provided estimates of to the local authority to be considered as the neighbourhood the scale of the problem in their areas, this added a forum for that area. further estimated 807 rough sleepers—taking the national Before being brought into effect, all proposals for total to 1,247 rough sleepers on any given night. neighbourhood planning must have the approval of a Under new guidance all councils across England will majority of voters in a referendum. now provide information on rough sleeping. This move follows consultation with homelessness charities and Planning: Referendums councils and is aimed at getting a clearer picture of the scale of the problem in each area so more targeted Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for support can be provided to some of the most vulnerable Communities and Local Government what rights he in society. plans to give to (a) residents, (b) parish councils and (c) community groups to challenge the outcome of a Social Rented Housing: Central Heating referendum on a neighbourhood plan. [30787]

Greg Clark: Parish councils will have the power to Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for bring forward proposals for neighbourhood planning. Communities and Local Government in how many Residents and community groups will have the opportunity social homes central heating was newly installed on at to be engaged during the development of proposals and least one floor between 1997-98 and 2009-10. [30780] to make representations to an independent examination of proposals before they are put to a referendum. Andrew Stunell: We do not hold the data requested. Since 2001 we have collected data on the number of Actions of any public authority are also subject to council dwellings that have had works to improve their challenge through existing legal processes. central heating. 1,265,000 dwellings have received such Sleeping Rough works. We do not collect similar data from housing associations. Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what data his Social Rented Housing: Double Glazing Department holds on the age profile of rough sleepers contacted by outreach services since May 2010. [30664] Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social Grant Shapps: The Department does not collect homes were fitted with double glazing between 1997-98 information on the age profile of rough sleepers contacted and 2009-10. [30777] 937W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2010 Written Answers 938W

Andrew Stunell: We do not hold the data requested. £ Since 2001 we have collected data on the number of HRA capital funding council dwellings that have had windows replaced (it is Local reasonable to assume most replacement windows will authority Total be double glazed units). 1,172,000 dwellings have received supported Gap funding departmental replacement windows. We do not collect similar data ALMO capital for housing support by funding expenditure associations year from housing associations. 1998-99 — 386,000,000 — 3,608,794,448 Social Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance 1999- — 452,000,000 — 2,456,693,448 2000 Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for 2000-01 — 1,819,000,000 — 3,783,595,014 Communities and Local Government how much funding 2001-02 — 684,000,000 — 4,195,099,153 his Department provided for repair and modernisation 2002-03 55,924,286 785,000,000 — 4,292,884,329 of social housing in each year from 1997-98 to 2009-10. 2003-04 321,126,161 837,000,000 — 4,512,259,417 2004-05 576,803,882 741,004,000 1,600,000 4,715,030,841 [30791] 2005-06 854,162,176 821,716,993 9,772,000 5,107,446,425 Andrew Stunell: The following tables set out the funding 2006-07 781,814,984 341,070,000 31,842,000 4,624,783,915 support provided by the Department for repair and 2007-08 925,690,000 311,680,000 79,277,000 4,695,867,923 modernisation of social housing in each year from 2008-09 896,110,590 272,418,000 124,956,000 4,660,580,761 1997-98 to 2009-10. Funding is provided in the form of 2009-10 930,000,000 266,027,000 148,786,000 4,735,091,677 Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Allowances and Total 5,341,632,079 8,159,915,993 396,233,000 55,136,256,556 Capital Funding Allocations to local authorities. In addition, the Department has provided gap funding to housing associations in a limited number of housing Social Services: Blackpool stock transfers. Departmental support by year for local authorities and gap funded housing Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for associations Communities and Local Government what proportion £ of the revenue spending power allocated to Blackpool HRA subsidy allowances borough council for 2011-12 he plans to allocate to Management and Major repairs Private finance NHS support for social care. [31412] maintenance allowance allowance initiative

1997-98 3,305,129,205 — — Robert Neill: The Government are providing £1 billion 1998-99 3,222,794,448 — — of additional funding by 2014-15, through the health 1999- 2,004,693,448 — — budget to break down the barriers between health and 2000 social care. Blackpool primary care trust will transfer 2000-01 1,964,595,014 — — £2.442 million to Blackpool borough council in 2011-12 2001-02 1,924,186,919 1,586,912,234 — to support social care and benefit health. The Government 2002-03 1,922,998,987 1,528,961,056 — will set out more detail on how the NHS should use this 2003-04 1,895,030,656 1,455,753,376 3,349,224 funding to support social care in the 2011-12 Operating 2004-05 1,980,122,628 1,402,024,575 13,47o,756 Framework, which it will publish shortly. 2005-06 2,046,667,384 1,353,498,281 21,629,591 2006-07 2,115,024,665 1,307,534,539 47,497,727 2007-08 2,046,612,201 1,247,960,645 84,648,077 Tenancy Deposit Schemes 2008-09 2,040,298,214 1,240,045,822 86,752,135 2009-10 2,048,328,187 1,250,408,574 91,541,916 Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 28,516,481,956 12,373,099,102 348,894,426 Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2010, Official Report, column £ 184W, on tenancy deposit schemes, who funds the free HRA capital funding adjudication service for landlords in dispute over Local tenancy deposits. [30655] authority Total supported Gap funding departmental ALMO capital for housing support by Grant Shapps: The alternative dispute resolution services funding expenditure associations year operated by the three tenancy deposit protection schemes

1997-98 — 443,000,000 — 3,748,129,205 are funded by the scheme providers as part of their overall running costs. ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 16 December 2010

Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 1025 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Bioenergy...... 1025 Heating Bills (Newcastle upon Tyne Central)...... 1040 Carbon Reduction ...... 1031 Low-carbon Energy Products...... 1038 Carbon Reporting (Private Companies)...... 1033 Marine Renewables ...... 1032 Community Energy Schemes ...... 1030 Nuclear Power Stations...... 1039 Domestic Fuel Prices ...... 1038 Onshore Wind Farms...... 1035 Electricity Supply...... 1036 Onshore Wind Sources...... 1036 Energy Prices ...... 1026 Smart Metering...... 1029 Geothermal Energy...... 1026 Topical Questions ...... 1041 Green Deal...... 1037 Warm Front ...... 1034 Green Deal...... 1040 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 16 December 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 111WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 124WS Council for Science and Technology ...... 111WS Control Order Powers ...... 124WS EU Competitiveness Council (Post-Council Gang-Related Violence ...... 127WS Statement)...... 111WS Immigration (Detention of Children) ...... 125WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 128WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 113WS Development Ministers’ Foreign Affairs Council... 128WS Building Regulations...... 114WS International Development Association of the Fire and Rescue Service ...... 113WS World Bank...... 129WS NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 130WS DEFENCE...... 115WS “A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland: Next Armed Forces Pensions...... 116WS Steps” (Responses)...... 131WS Call-Out Order (Iraq/Afghanistan) ...... 115WS Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 .. 131WS Continuity of Education Allowance...... 116WS Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (11th Annual Report)...... 130WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Robert Hamill and Rosemary Nelson Inquiries ..... 131WS AFFAIRS...... 117WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 132WS Agriculture and Fisheries Council (13-14 Advisory Committee on Business Appointments December) ...... 117WS (11th Report) ...... 132WS Agriculture and Fisheries Council (29-30 November)...... 118WS TRANSPORT ...... 133WS Single Payment Scheme...... 120WS Coastguard Services (Modernisation) ...... 133WS Search and Rescue Helicopters (Procurement)...... 134WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 121WS TREASURY ...... 112WS Victims of Terrorist Incidents Overseas ...... 121WS Carbon Price Support Consultation...... 112WS EU Agencies (National Experts)...... 113WS European Union Finances White Paper...... 112WS HEALTH...... 122WS Drug-Related Crime and Rehabilitation ...... 123WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 134WS New Dental Contracts (Pilot Schemes) ...... 122WS Remploy (Annual Report and Financial Value-Based Pricing (Consultation) ...... 122WS Statements 2010)...... 134WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 16 December 2010

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 854W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Departmental Billing ...... 854W Telephone Services: Health ...... 917W Ejup Ganic...... 854W CABINET OFFICE...... 888W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 914W Charities: Public Expenditure ...... 888W Broadband ...... 914W Departmental Contracts ...... 888W Company Liquidations: Greater London...... 915W Electorate...... 889W Directors: Disqualification...... 915W Government Departments: Procurement ...... 889W Student Loans Company: Fees and Charges ...... 916W Immigration...... 890W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 929W EDUCATION—continued Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: Children ...... 929W Free Schools...... 857W Children: Day Care ...... 930W School Linking Network Programme...... 858W Community Groups ...... 930W Schools: Sports ...... 859W Compulsory Purchase: Coastal Areas ...... 931W Special Educational Needs: Academies...... 860W Council Housing: Surveys...... 931W Council Tax ...... 932W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 908W Departmental Conferences...... 932W Carbon Emissions...... 908W Departmental Pay ...... 932W Departmental Conferences...... 909W Departmental Plants ...... 932W Electricity...... 910W Departmental Recruitment ...... 933W Energy: Housing ...... 910W Housing: Construction...... 934W Energy Prices ...... 908W Housing: Disability ...... 934W Energy: Prices ...... 911W Housing Revenue Accounts ...... 934W Energy Supply...... 910W Planning...... 935W Energy: Tariffs ...... 912W Planning: Referendums ...... 935W Fuel: Poverty...... 912W Sleeping Rough ...... 935W Gas Security...... 908W Social Rented Housing: Central Heating...... 936W Nabucco Pipeline Project ...... 913W Social Rented Housing: Double Glazing...... 936W Nuclear Power Stations...... 914W Social Rented Housing: Repairs and Oil: Prices...... 914W Maintenance ...... 937W Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 . 914W Social Services: Blackpool...... 938W Tenancy Deposit Schemes...... 938W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 876W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 899W Agriculture: Land ...... 876W Arts: Finance ...... 899W Agriculture: Weather...... 877W Charitable Donations...... 899W Birds of Prey...... 877W Departmental Billing ...... 900W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 877W Departmental Coordination...... 900W Compost: Mushrooms ...... 878W Departmental Manpower...... 900W Dairy Farming ...... 878W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 901W Departmental Conferences...... 879W Hat Factory: Finance...... 901W Departmental NDPBs...... 879W Listed Buildings: Double Glazing ...... 901W Departmental Travel ...... 881W Museums ...... 901W Farmers...... 881W Museums: Closures...... 902W Farmers: Poverty...... 882W Olympic Delivery Authority: VAT...... 902W Floods: Steart Peninsula ...... 883W Public Libraries...... 903W Food: Consumption...... 883W Sports: Birmingham...... 903W Forests: Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 884W Welsh Language Schemes...... 903W Hill Farming ...... 884W Youth Sports: Finance ...... 904W Otters...... 884W Port of Falmouth Development Plan ...... 885W DEFENCE...... 891W Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Afghanistan: Armed Forces and Police ...... 891W Restriction of Chemicals Regulation...... 885W Air Force: Scotland...... 891W Sewers ...... 886W Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment ...... 891W Slaughterhouses ...... 886W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 892W Timber: Consumption...... 887W Armed Forces: Investigations...... 892W Waste Disposal: Motor Vehicles...... 888W Armed Forces: National Insurance Contributions . 892W Armed Forces: Pensions...... 893W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 874W Armed Forces: Training ...... 893W China: Africa ...... 876W Army: Training ...... 893W Government Hospitality: Wines...... 874W Crimes of Violence: Females...... 894W Liu Xiaobo ...... 875W Defence: Industry...... 894W Piracy...... 875W Departmental Billing ...... 894W South America: Corruption ...... 875W Departmental Contracts ...... 894W Departmental Film ...... 895W HEALTH...... 922W Departmental Internet ...... 895W Abortion ...... 922W Departmental Manpower...... 895W Baby Care Units...... 923W Departmental Photography...... 896W Carers: Social Services ...... 923W Departmental Publications ...... 896W Doctors: Training...... 924W Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure...... 896W General Practitioners: West Midlands...... 924W Military Aircraft ...... 897W Herbal Medicine: Regulation ...... 924W Military Bases...... 898W Hospitals: Admissions ...... 925W Rescue Services ...... 899W In Vitro Fertilisation: Homosexuality ...... 925W Kidneys: Donors...... 925W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 869W Kidneys: Transplant Surgery...... 926W Public Transport ...... 869W Maternity Services ...... 927W Mental Health Services ...... 927W EDUCATION...... 857W Palliative Care: Prisoners ...... 927W Day Care: Disabled...... 857W Primary Care Trusts: West Midlands ...... 927W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 857W Swine Flu...... 928W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued TRANSPORT—continued Swine Flu: Vaccination ...... 928W Departmental Manpower...... 864W Tamiflu ...... 929W Departmental NDPBs...... 863W Weather...... 929W Departmental Travel ...... 864W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Swansea ..... 865W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 860W Electric Vehicles: Retail Trade...... 865W Detention Centres: Children ...... 860W Fuels: Official Cars ...... 865W Human Trafficking: Children...... 861W Marine Salvage Tugs: Public Expenditure...... 866W Police: Manpower ...... 861W Official Cars: Carbon Emissions ...... 866W Sergei Magnitsky...... 861W Public Transport ...... 866W UK Border Agency: Training...... 861W Public Transport: Fares...... 867W Welsh Refugee Council: Finance...... 862W Roads: Snow and Ice...... 867W Welsh Language...... 868W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 853W Construction: Finance ...... 853W TREASURY ...... 904W Drinking Water...... 853W Addison Lee...... 904W Official Hospitality ...... 853W Air Passenger Duty ...... 904W Bank Notes: Costs ...... 905W INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY Bureaux de Change: Regulation...... 905W STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE ...... 854W Cheques ...... 905W Communication ...... 854W Child Benefit: Belfast ...... 905W Loans: Members ...... 855W Child Care Tax Credit...... 905W Members: Allowances ...... 856W Departmental Grants...... 906W Members: Bank Services ...... 856W Disability Living Allowance: Care Homes ...... 906W Visits ...... 857W EU Budget ...... 906W Financial Services: Regulation ...... 907W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 917W Gift Aid ...... 907W Afghanistan: Females ...... 917W Inheritance Tax...... 907W Afghanistan: Overseas Aid...... 918W Taxation: Personal Savings...... 907W Departmental Equality ...... 918W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 919W WALES...... 851W Developing Countries: Agriculture ...... 919W Departmental Manpower ...... 851W Madagascar: Agriculture ...... 920W Departmental Overseas Visits ...... 851W Madagascar: Climate Change ...... 920W Departmental Secondment ...... 851W Madagascar: Food ...... 921W Departmental Temporary Employment ...... 851W Madagascar: Food Aid ...... 921W Departmental Training ...... 851W Sub-Saharan Africa: Food ...... 922W UN Central Emergency Relief Fund: Conferences. 922W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 869W Addison Lee...... 869W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 852W Employment Schemes ...... 869W Banks...... 852W Future Jobs Fund...... 870W Departmental Pay ...... 852W Jobcentre Plus: Advisory Services ...... 870W Jobcentre Plus: Buildings ...... 870W SCOTLAND...... 852W Maternity Payments: Coventry ...... 870W Higher Education...... 852W Members: Correspondence ...... 871W Pensioners: Poverty ...... 871W TRANSPORT ...... 862W Social Security Benefits...... 872W Cycling: Greater London ...... 862W Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations..... 872W Departmental Billing ...... 863W Unemployed People: Training...... 873W Departmental Conferences...... 863W Universal Credit...... 873W Departmental Consultants...... 864W Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments ...... 874W 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

Thursday 16 December 2010

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 1025] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Business of the House [Col. 1047] Statement—(Sir George Young)

Electricity Market Reform [Col. 1064] Statement—(Chris Huhne)

Royal Assent to Acts passed [Col. 1078]

Backbench Business [14th allotted day] Park Homes [Col. 1079] Motion—(Annette Brooke)—agreed to

Public Accounts Committee [Col. 1117] Motion—(Margaret Hodge)—agreed to

Football Governance [Col. 1150] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Drugs Policy [Col. 341WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 111WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 851W] [see index inside back page]