Thursday Volume 512 1 July 2010 No. 25

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 1 July 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] 977 1 JULY 2010 978

will he consider ameliorating some of the concerns that House of Commons residents can have about incinerators, even the new generation incinerators? Although, as he says, they can Thursday 1 July 2010 be quite successful, local people get very concerned about them. Given the controversies that can arise, giving back to local residents the proceeds from the sale The House met at half-past Ten o’clock of some of the energy generated could make them slightly more palatable. PRAYERS Chris Huhne: That is certainly an interesting model. It has been tried with other schemes, such as with wind [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] turbines. I know of a wind farm in the highlands where that was the case. It certainly helps to get local support for particular schemes. However, fundamentally it has Oral Answers to Questions to be a local decision for the local authority. Local authorities know very well that we want to recycle first before going through to waste and energy recovery, but very high rates of recycling and energy from waste can ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE co-exist. In the Netherlands, for example, there is a 65% recycling rate with 33% energy from waste. Local The Secretary of State was asked— authorities must make their own decisions on this, but if they get the waste hierarchy right they can get the whole Energy-from-Waste Incinerators mix right.

1. Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con): What his Nuclear Power policy is on the building of energy-from-waste incinerators. [4933] 2. Ian Lavery (Wansbeck) (Lab): What plans he has for the development of nuclear power in the UK. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change [4934] (Chris Huhne): We support modern energy generation from waste where local communities want it and where The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change it makes good environmental sense. It is the responsibility (Chris Huhne): The Government are committed to removing of local authority managers and planners, and the local any unnecessary obstacles and allowing the construction authorities themselves of course, to decide on the best of new nuclear power stations to contribute to our waste management arrangements in their areas. Recognising energy security and climate change goals, provided that the concern that incineration can raise, the Government they receive no public subsidy. The Government will are committed to a huge expansion in energy from complete the drafting of the nuclear national policy waste using anaerobic digestion, and we are taking statement, which will be put before Parliament for steps to drive progress and greater ambition in that ratification as soon as possible. The Office for Nuclear area. In Germany, for example, combustion recovery Development continues. The Minister of State, Department energy-from-waste plants provide 7.5% of renewable for Communities and Local Government, my right hon. energy. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), has announced a new streamlined system to replace the Nicky Morgan: I thank my right hon. Friend for that Infrastructure Planning Commission. We will publish answer. In light of the policy, does he understand the an updated timetable for the production of all national concerns of my constituents in Shepshed, who are policy statements, including the energy national policy facing the building of an incinerator at Newhurst quarry, statements, later in the summer. On new public subsidies, which is both a site of special scientific interest and on the former and new Chief Secretaries to the Treasury the edge of the national forest, as well as another have pointed out that there is no money left. possible incinerator not 6 miles away? Will he encourage local authorities seriously to pursue alternative waste Ian Lavery: The Secretary of State has referred to management strategies? nuclear power and nuclear energy as a tried, tested and failed source of energy with huge costs and huge risks. Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her That is in stark contrast to the policy of the Tory question. The latest scientific evidence on the health Government. Given this huge conflict in policies within effects of modern municipal waste incinerators—this the coalition, will the Secretary of State tell the House might be reassuring for her constituents—was reviewed what impact those differences will have on the future independently by the Health Protection Agency. Its energy requirements of the UK and, in particular, on report, published in September 2009, concluded that the development of new nuclear plants? although it is not possible to rule out adverse health effects completely, any potential damage from modern, Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman knows that it was well-run and regulated incinerators is likely to be so precisely because there were very clear differences between small as to be undetectable. the Conservative part of the coalition and the Liberal Democrat part of the coalition that we dealt with that Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): I commend as one of the key issues—we reached agreement on how to the Secretary of State the report on energy-from-waste we would treat it—in the first coalition agreement. We issues by the New Local Government Network, which I set out very clearly that there will be a framework in had a hand in writing a couple of years ago. In particular, which there will be no public subsidy for nuclear, but 979 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 980 that if investors come forward with proposals they will that it would be. Is not the truth that we have a combination without any doubt be able to get them through the of the short-sightedness of the Conservative party, which House of Commons, as there is a majority on the hon. sees no role for Government in creating the green industries Gentleman’s side of the House in favour of nuclear of the future, and the prejudices of the right hon. power, and the Conservative party is in favour of nuclear Gentleman against nuclear power? power. I must say that the hon. Gentleman does a slight Chris Huhne: I assure the right hon. Gentleman that injustice to my personal position, which has been very my prejudices, whether they exist or not other than in clear. As an economist, I am sceptical about the economics his imagination, did not enter into this decision. It was of nuclear power, but I recognise that it is entirely up to simply unaffordable in the context of the fiscal legacy investors to make that decision. If there is no public that he and his friends left this House. We have it on no subsidy and if investors think that it is worth taking the less an authority than his colleague the former Chief risk, as they increasingly do, looking forward to rising Secretary to the Treasury that there is no money left. oil and gas prices and a rising carbon price, they will take those decisions. Wind Farms Mr Speaker: I am sorry, but I must tell the House that progress is simply too slow. We need snappier questions 3. Matthew Hancock (West Suffolk) (Con): What and snappier answers. plans he has to take account of local public opinion in determining the location of onshore wind farms. [4935] Mr Peter Lilley (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con): Will my right hon. Friend reassure the House that he will not The Minister of State, Department of Energy and be put off building nuclear power stations by exaggerated Climate Change (Charles Hendry): We want communities fears of the dangers of disposing of nuclear waste in to benefit directly from any wind farms that they host. one or two sites, especially as those who promote those That is why we will allow councils to keep the additional fears seem to have no doubts about the problems of business rates paid by wind farms and support communities sequestering CO2 from carbon storage and capture in in having a stake in appropriately sited renewable energy thousands of sites for thousands of years? projects such as wind farms. Chris Huhne: My right hon. Friend makes a very good point about the importance of continuing the Matthew Hancock: I thank the Minister for that Government’s efforts to deal with the legacy of nuclear reply. Is he aware of the proposal to build a wind farm waste and decommissioning as a reassurance to those near to Stoke by Clare in my constituency, which is in involved in new nuclear build that the problem will be the area of the country that was most often painted by dealt with properly. The Government have that very John Constable? What powers will local people have to much in hand. decide whether that would be appropriate?

Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): Can the Charles Hendry: I am very much aware of that proposal Secretary of State explain why it was right to give a because my hon. Friend has been so assiduous in promoting grant to Nissan to make electric cars—a proposal we the concerns of his constituents. We are very keen to support—but wrong to provide a commercial loan to ensure that such developments have local support. We help a British company, Sheffield Forgemasters, to be at want to see more local community partnerships in this the centre of the nuclear supply chain, particularly in area and more financial benefit going to those communities. light of the admission by the Minister of State, Department Of course, planning decisions should take account of for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member environmental concerns as well. for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk), that £110 million would have come back to the Government from that Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): The Secretary of loan and that the Government would have got extra State has mentioned the coalition Government’s new money if the company had made a profit? streamlined planning policy. Does that include, in relation to wind power and large wind farms, a Welsh dimension? Mr Speaker: The Secretary of State will keep his Will the Welsh Assembly Government be consulted on answer within the confines of nuclear power. it and will there be Welsh representation on the new planning unit? Chris Huhne: The right hon. Gentleman knows that the loan to Sheffield Forgemasters was not a commercial loan. If it had been, it would have been arranged Charles Hendry: We have had discussions with members through the banks and not the Government. It was of the Welsh Assembly Government and we are keen to precisely because of the public subsidy element and the find a way of continuing to make key infrastructure fact that that was not affordable that the Government decisions within the Department of Energy and Climate decided not to proceed with it. Change, but of course we understand the desire of local communities in Wales to have their voices fully heard. Edward Miliband: The Secretary of State is quite wrong about this, because the money was set aside from Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): In addition the strategic investment fund. A process was gone through to considering the opinions of the public and residents at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills regarding the location of wind farms, does the Minister about whether the loan would give value for money, and plan to give any guidance to local councils on how close the Industrial Development Advisory Board concluded to private homes such wind farms may be built? 981 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 982

Charles Hendry: We have looked at that issue. It Nadhim Zahawi: I thank my right hon. Friend for seems rather peculiar to set a minimum distance for a that reply. He is an economist, and I am an engineer— wind farm but not for a nuclear power station. We need sensible and sound national policy guidance that enables Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): A financial local councils to make the appropriate decisions, but we engineer! will continue to look at all the environmental issues relating to the applications. Nadhim Zahawi: Actually, I am a chemical engineer. I believe that engineers should be taken into account Joan Ruddock (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab): The when energy security is under consideration. Would my Conservative manifesto said that 15% of energy should right hon. Friend consider appointing a Government come from renewable sources such as wind. The Secretary chief engineer to feed into the thinking process? of State said that the proportion should be 40%. Who won? Chris Huhne: I have enormous respect for engineers. There are an awful lot of them in my constituency, Charles Hendry: The right hon. Lady is very much which is a very manufacturing constituency. Therefore, aware that we have a legally binding requirement from I think and hope that the country will go on providing the EU that renewable sources must supply 15% of our greater status to engineers than has often been the case total energy needs by 2020. The former Labour Government in the past. I am afraid that the question of whether the set a target for achieving that, whereas we are working Government should appoint a chief engineer is above out how to deliver it—something that they signally my pay grade, but perhaps my hon. Friend would like to failed to do—in order to make sure that we have a raise it at Prime Minister’s questions. robust policy that stands the test of time. Malcolm Wicks (Croydon North) (Lab): The UK’s energy import dependency will increase over the next Joan Ruddock: So the Tories won again. In our manifesto, 10 or 20 years, at a time when global demand for energy we said that every council should have a local target to could increase by 40% over 10 or so years. Given that, help meet the national target, which was indeed 15%. what plans are there to reorganise the machinery of The Liberal Democrats agreed with that. Is that now government, so that DECC, the Foreign Office, the the Government’s policy, or have the Tories won again? Ministry of Defence and other agencies can get a better Will Liberal Democrat and Tory councils still be saying, assessment and grip of the geopolitical risks that the “Not in my back yard”? UK faces?

Charles Hendry: The right hon. Lady fails to understand Chris Huhne: I am very grateful for that highly intelligent how the coalition works. We have—[Interruption.] We question which, given his interest in this area, is what I have identified ways to work very constructively together. would expect from the right hon. Gentleman. The National We are absolutely committed to the principle of localism, Security Council is explicitly charged with the co-ordination which means allowing local people, communities and of energy security. That will go across Government: it councils to decide on the issues that affect them most. will not be confined to my Department, but will include That lies at the heart of our approach, but we are the Foreign Office and other interested Departments. working out how to deliver on our policies—something The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, in that that she significantly failed to do in government. It is the figures show that, on the worst possible projections, fine to have ambitious targets, but without the real road our energy import dependence may well rise from 27% map for 2020—and way beyond, to 2050—that we are to over half in the space of just 10 years. This is a really putting in place, there was no hope of delivering on her key issue, which we need to address. high ambitions. Green Jobs Energy Supply Security 5. Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): What 4. Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): What discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on steps he is taking to increase the security of the UK’s increasing the number of green jobs in the economy. [4938] energy supply. [4937] The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Chris Huhne): The move to a low-carbon and eco-friendly (Chris Huhne):The coalition agreement set out that we economy is a key priority for the coalition Government. will reform energy markets to deliver security of supply Issues relating to increasing the number of green jobs in and investment in low-carbon energy, and to ensure fair the economy were discussed when I met my right hon. competition, including a review of the role of Ofgem. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation We will instruct Ofgem to establish a security guarantee and Skills in June, recently in the context of low-emission of energy supplies, and we will give an annual energy vehicles when I met the Secretary of State for Transport, statement to Parliament to set strategic energy policy and at the regional Cabinet on Tuesday. and guide investment. In addition, we are bringing forward a green deal as Alex Cunningham: I am grateful for the answer. North- part of the key legislation for the first Session. That will east England and in particular the Tees valley have help to close the gap between energy demand and major opportunities to develop green jobs and approaches supply in the cheapest way possible, through energy-saving to energy generation that could make a significant measures. contribution to the national economy. That would be 983 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 984 further boosted if the Government stood by the Lib-Dem The Minister of State, Department of Energy and election promise of £400 million-worth of investment in Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The target will be former shipyards to create those green jobs. Can he met at no overall cost to the public purse. Where savings please tell me what commitment there is to support the cannot be made through no-cost measures and development of demonstration activities such as carbon behavioural change, Departments will be responsible capture and storage, and to the investment promised by for finding any additional investment in their existing the Lib-Dems but omitted from the coalition’s programme budgets to deliver the Government’s commitment, or for government? using innovative shared saving contracts or similar energy service company—ESCO— arrangements. Showing real Chris Huhne: Let me make it clear that we continue to leadership in this area is an important part of our plan be committed to carbon capture and storage, and the to be the greenest Government ever and will help us to four demonstration projects are going ahead. It is a key deliver savings from reduced energy bills, but as I have part of our energy strategy for the future, because it is said, it is only the first step in a long-term strategy to the swing form of electricity generation. If we have reduce Government emissions and increase efficiency intermittent wind and nuclear comes on stream if investors across the whole public sector. make those decisions, which because of the economics will be running at full tilt, gas and coal carbon capture Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry, but these ministerial and storage will be the key elements. That is a clear answers are simply too long. Something has got to be commitment—I hope—across the House. done for next time. Let us get it right. We are also looking at the provision through the ports competition scheme of facilities for offshore wind. Gregg McClymont: In opposition, the coalition parties I was particularly impressed when I recently visited the demanded a 10% reduction year on year in CO2 emissions All Energy conference in Aberdeen and talked, for across the public sector. In government, they now pledge example, to Burntisland Fabrications about the way in these reductions only across the central Government which it has converted from oil and gas to offshore estate. Why the retreat? wind. Gregory Barker: The hon. Gentleman is slightly George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth) (Con): One misinformed as to what we promised. We said that there of the projects in my constituency which has a great was a clear need for Government to take responsibility deal of potential to create green jobs is the wave hub for getting their own house in order, which the previous project in Hayle. One of the obstacles to taking that Administration signally failed to do in 13 years. We are forward is the lack of a strategic environmental assessment. committed to 10% in the coming year, but we see it as Under the previous Government, the Department was part of a much more ambitious longer-term strategy slow to look at this issue. Is the Secretary of State across the public sector. willing to have conversations with officials about how to speed things up? Green Deal Chris Huhne: I am happy for my hon. Friend to write with the details. We will certainly do whatever we can to speed up the project. Wave is a key new technology 7. Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): What steps he which can provide us not only with our renewable plans to take to introduce the proposed green deal on energy needs but give the UK a real comparative advantage. domestic energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [4941] Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (Lab): Given that it has been admitted in a written The Minister of State, Department of Energy and answer that the coalition has no target for green jobs, Climate Change (Gregory Barker): In the emergency would the Secretary of State like to borrow ours? It was Budget the coalition Government confirmed their intention 1.2 million by 2015. to establish a green deal for all households and for business. The green deal will enable individuals to invest in home energy-efficiency improvements that can pay Chris Huhne: I welcome the hon. Lady to her new for themselves from the savings in energy bills, without role and I am glad to see that she is getting stuck in. I any up-front costs and without their incurring any form thought the whole point about new Labour was that it of personal debt or charge on their property. We have believed in a market economy.The last sort of organisation committed in the Queen’s speech to legislate in a first that set targets for jobs sector by sector was the Soviet Session energy Bill for finance tied to the energy meter, Union’s Gosplan, and we all know what happened which should allow for the full green deal to be available to that. by 2012. Only yesterday the Government announced that we are extending the carbon emissions reduction Carbon Dioxide Emissions target through to the end of 2012.

6. Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Andrew Stephenson: I thank my hon. Friend for that Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): What recent estimate he has very full answer. In my constituency many households made of the likely cost to the public purse of the are living in fuel poverty. Will my hon. Friend explain implementation of the Government’s commitment to exactly how households will be able directly to access reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions by 10% in the grant to help tackle fuel poverty and reduce fuel the next 12 months. [4939] bills? 985 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 986

Gregory Barker: The green deal is not a grant; it is Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): I welcome designed to be repaid through the savings made on bills the Secretary of State’s announcement. He was scornful over 25 years. The beauty of the green deal is that, about Gosplan a few moments ago, but there is a role unlike any previous proposal, it will be totally unrelated for Government, as the right hon. Member for Ross, to the household’s ability to pay. It will simply be Skye and Lochaber (Mr Kennedy) indicated. The Secretary repaid, regardless of the credit scoring or wealth status of State really cannot write Government out of government. of the individuals in the household. Of course, other measures will always be needed to make sure that Chris Huhne: The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly fuel-vulnerable and hard-to-treat properties have direct well that I am not one—nor are any of my ministerial financial support. colleagues—to write Government out of government. There is an enormous difference between the Government’s Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) (Lab): facilitating and setting a framework for the development Is the Minister aware that another source of useful of decisions made principally by market actors and efficiency savings in the domestic sector would be ground what the hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury source heat pumps, as part of the renewables initiative? (Emily Thornberry) was suggesting, which was a sectoral I see the Secretary of State nodding. Through his Minister, jobs target. I have not seen that in any economy in I can tell him that a company in my constituency which western Europe or any developed market economy; it is very big in this area has jobs that it can create and has been seen only in the former plan economies. orders in hand that it is ready to commit to. It seeks a meeting with the Secretary of State; it is not for the Electricity Transmission Lines Minister to reply on that, but I would be grateful if the matter could be taken seriously in the Department. 9. Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): What his policy is on the construction of electricity transmission lines in Gregory Barker: We are very supportive of new designated landscapes; and if he will make a statement. technology, and I am well aware of the potential of [4943] ground source heat pumps. We want to enable a whole universe of new technologies to be part of the renewables The Minister of State, Department of Energy and solution. If the hon. Gentleman’s constituents would Climate Change (Charles Hendry): It is for transmission like to meet me, I would be very happy to do so. network companies to put forward proposals for new transmission lines. The regulatory price control and planning processes then determine the appropriate balance Oil Fabrication Construction Sites between the need, costs and impacts of transmission lines in each location. Each case has to be considered on 8. Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) its merits. (LD): What recent assessment he has made of the potential for former onshore oil fabrication construction Tessa Munt: I thank my hon. Friend for his reply. Is sites to be used for construction activity relating to he aware that the people of Wells in particular and sustainable forms of energy; and if he will make a Somerset generally—some 26,000 people—are hugely statement. [4942] dependent on tourism? That is inextricably linked with the environment, the landscape and people’s health, The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and even though a large area of my constituency has (Chris Huhne): Many UK sites have potential for the potential to become the 17th world heritage site, development in areas such as offshore wind, as indicated potential is not enough in itself to protect people from in the “UK Offshore Wind Ports Prospectus”, and for the environmental vandalism, attendant health risks wave and tidal energy. Many of them are in Scotland, and other matters that come with placing 152-ft pylons where the Scottish Government are currently taking a across the landscape. strategic approach to the sector. Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend made those points very effectively in her eloquent maiden speech yesterday, Mr Kennedy: In thanking my right hon. Friend for on which I congratulate her. I know that she and her that reply I draw to his attention to the great potential constituents will make active representations to National offered by the Nigg site, which is built around the Grid during its consultation process. That is absolutely largest dry dock in Europe, and, on the west coast of the right way for her to take her concerns forward, and my constituency, the Kishorn site, which successfully I urge her to take every opportunity to do so. contributed to massive North sea oil platform construction in days gone by. Will my right hon. Friend work as Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Have the Tory-Lib Dem closely as possible with the Scottish Government, the Front-Bench team detected that their lofty ideals are Highland council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise being frustrated at every turn by every Government to promote internationally the interests of those two Back Bencher who is frustrating the development of a sites? real green policy by constantly putting forward objections to any proposals for development in their constituency? Chris Huhne: I am very pleased to reassure my right How will the Minister solve that problem? hon. Friend that my officials have already advised me about the potential for Kishorn and Nigg, and we will Charles Hendry: It is called local democracy, to which be working closely with all the relevant authorities to we are absolutely committed. If people have concerns try to create the maximum number of jobs and make about 150-ft pylons going through their communities, sure that their potential is realised to the full. they should be able to express them. If people have 987 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 988 concerns about new development, they should be allowed the 2020s. Our programme for government is clear: we to express them. We are trying to ensure a realistic will reform energy markets to deliver an appropriate balance between bringing on stream renewable energy security of supply mechanism. The lights will stay on. sources, which are in the national interest, and allowing communities to express their views. Mr Hollobone: Will the Secretary of State be kind enough to tell the House, how close we are likely to Carbon Capture and Storage come, on current projections, to having major blackouts throughout the country in the second half of the decade? 10. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): What his plans are for expenditure on the development of Chris Huhne: We will come forward with a lot more carbon capture and storage technology for gas-fired detail on that in the annual energy statement, which the power stations. [4944] hon. Gentleman will be able to examine for himself, but I assure him, as I said, that the lights will stay on. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Inevitably, as new generating capacity comes on stream Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I am grateful to my we will see the margin increase, and as the economy hon. Friend for his question. The Government will recovers we can expect that margin to shrink. However, continue public sector investment in carbon capture he should also bear in mind what is going on with and storage—CCS—technology for four coal-fired power energy saving and, particularly, the development of stations. The Committee on Climate Change has smart meters and smart grids, whereby in the long run recommended that we give serious consideration to there will be a possibility of, for example, turning off funding at least one gas CCS project as part of that freezers during power peaks, to reduce the need for programme, and we are carefully evaluating whether a electricity generation. demonstration project on gas would prove beneficial and add value to the programme. Mr Speaker: I gently encourage the Secretary of State to face the House. I understand the natural inclination, Julian Smith: Will the Minister confirm that the but he must face the House and address the House. Government are committed to providing the long-term infrastructure investments that will make the Yorkshire Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): The Secretary and Humber CCS cluster a worldwide success? of State’s faith in market solutions is touching—like that of all those with great religious fervour. However, Charles Hendry: My hon. Friend puts his finger on can he give an example of anywhere in the world where one of the most important issues that the previous the market has actually allocated secure energy supplies? Government failed to address. If we are to make a real success of carbon capture and storage, we have to develop the infrastructure of oversized pipelines and Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman should first be encourage clusters of those facilities in certain areas. aware of what happens with some of the schemes in the We have to take a long-term strategic view, and a good United States—we are looking at them very closely—where deal of work is being done in Yorkshire and Humberside, there is a forward market in supply. That ensures that on which I congratulate all those involved. distributors have to buy forward supplies, while they can also, for example, buy forward commitments to Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): Has energy saving, and in that way assure security. However, the Minister had any discussions with the Scottish I would not want him to run away with the idea that Government about the development of carbon capture I am somehow a market fundamentalist. I merely in Scotland, and in particular has he received any pointed out to the right hon. Member for Rotherham representations on the proposed new coal-fired plant at (Mr MacShane) that there is an enormous difference Hunterston? between setting a good framework as regards this aspect of regulation and legislation and making micro- management decisions of the kind that the hon. Member Charles Hendry: I had an initial discussion with the for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) First Minister last week, and we are determined to work seems to want us to make. closely through the respect agenda to ensure that the taking forward of devolved issues is fully within the Scottish Government’s remit. We want clean coal to New Nuclear Power Stations play an active part in our energy policy, but it must be genuinely clean coal. 12. Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD): What recent representations he has received on his plans to Projected Electricity Generation ensure that new nuclear power stations receive no public subsidy. [4946] 11. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): If he will bring forward proposals to increase the surplus of The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change projected electricity generation over demand after (Chris Huhne): I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his 2015. [4945] question. The coalition agreement is clear that there will be no public subsidy for new nuclear power stations—a The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change view that I have communicated to a variety of stakeholders (Chris Huhne): It will be important to ensure that the with a diverse range of views. In particular, I have UK has secure electricity supplies and an adequate received strong representations from the Chief Secretary capacity margin over the course of this decade and into to the Treasury. 989 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 990

Mike Crockart: I thank my right hon. Friend for his Gregory Barker: I think it is fair to say that we are answer. Does he agree that while the costs of generating taking a leadership role. There are concerns among nuclear power may well be competitive, there is still other partners about moving to a more ambitious target, considerable work to be done to ensure that the costs—as but we will be playing a very positive and constructive yet unknown—of decommissioning and waste disposal role in Europe, and we hope to persuade them of our are included in any calculations and do not end up strong argument. posing a significant risk to future taxpayers? Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): May I Chris Huhne: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to urge the Minister to come to Stoke-on-Trent in the near highlight that matter. The effect of failing to take account future to talk to the British Ceramics Confederation of these costs can be seen very dramatically in my own and pottery businesses to see how they are implementing Department’s budget for dealing with the nuclear legacy their carbon reductions while trying to remain competitive of the very many years when we failed to make adequate in an increasingly globalised market? provision for waste and decommissioning. It is precisely because of those warnings that we in the ministerial Gregory Barker: I would be very happy to come to team are absolutely determined that that will not happen Stoke-on-Trent. It is important that as well as having an again. ambitious target we understand its impact, particularly on manufacturing industry and efficiency in a global Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Secretary marketplace. of State implied that my hon. Friend the Member for Wansbeck (Ian Lavery) and the shadow Secretary of Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): One of the State were in some way misleading—in fact, I think he most important European initiatives for our future referred to fantasy—in their suggestions about his prejudice energy supply and the efficient implementation of renewable against nuclear power. Does he recall his own representation energy is the European super-grid. The previous Labour of 5 November 2007, in which he said, Government equivocated over the super-grid; what is the view of this Government? “Ministers must stop the side-show of new nuclear power stations now”? Gregory Barker: We can see the absolute merits of a Can he reflect on that representation and see whether he super-grid, but we do not yet have a fully evolved policy. is going to take it on board? I am sure the hon. Gentleman will play a key role in helping that policy emerge. Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman knows very well that my line on new nuclear has always been based on Carbon Pricing scepticism about the economics. As he knows, no nuclear power station has been built on commercial terms anywhere 14. Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): What recent in the world since Three Mile Island. That may be about discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on to change because of the framework of prospective oil carbon pricing; and if he will make a statement. [4948] and gas prices and carbon prices. It is up to investors to take those decisions. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The current carbon Carbon Emissions (EU Target) price is simply not providing a sufficient incentive for low-carbon UK investment. That is one of the reasons 13. Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): What why we are pushing for the EU to increase its target for his Department’s priorities are for the implementation cutting emissions to a 30% reduction by 2020. My right of the EU’s carbon emissions reduction target of 30% hon. Friend the Secretary of State discussed that when he met our European counterparts at the Environment by 2020. [4947] Council on 11 June.

The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Mr Weir: I thank the Minister for that answer, but is Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The Government not the truth that the floor in the carbon price is a way believe that despite the current challenging outlook for of giving a hidden subsidy to new nuclear power stations? a binding global agreement on carbon emissions, the Given the difficulties that already exist in the emissions EU should be taking a more ambitious leadership role. trading scheme with the free permits being given to We will be urging our European partners to agree an heavy industry, how will he convince European partners early EU move to the 30% reduction target. That would to go along with the idea? If he cannot, is it the put Europe firmly on a path to a low-carbon economy, Government’s intention to introduce a carbon floor stimulating innovation and efficiency and meeting the price in the UK alone? twin challenges of climate change and energy security. The details of how the EU would implement a higher Gregory Barker: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor target are yet to be agreed. of the Exchequer announced in the Budget that we would publish plans for a UK carbon floor price in the Greg Mulholland: I thank the Minister for that answer autumn. It is a key part of our plans for a transition to a and for the leadership that the Government are giving low-carbon economy.We see that transition as an advantage on this issue. Can he give an indication of the realistic and a competitive economic opportunity for the UK, possibility of the EU’s actually hitting that target; and but critical to that is providing a long-term strategic are other countries as committed to it as we are in this framework for industry to invest with confidence and country? certainty. 991 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 992

Energy Supply (Security) that not just the current Chief Secretary to the Treasury but the former one has assured us that there is no 16. Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): What money left. steps he is taking to increase the security of the UK’s Wave/Tidal Energy energy supply. [4951]

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change 19. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What steps he is (Chris Huhne): I have to say, I thought we had had this taking to encourage the development of wave and tidal question on security of energy supply before. energy technology in the UK. [4954]

Mr Speaker: I say to the Secretary of State very The Minister of State, Department of Energy and gently that that does sometimes happen at Question Climate Change (Gregory Barker): We are committed to Time. The fact that something has been raised once has harnessing the tremendous benefits that a successful never inhibited several colleagues from wanting to raise wave and tidal renewable energy sector can bring to the it over and over again—nothing new there. UK and are considering specific measures, such as marine energy parks, to achieve that.

Chris Huhne: Excuse my reluctance to be repetitive, Mark Menzies: Will the Minister also take steps to Mr Speaker. ensure that, when it comes to wave and tidal power, We are determined to increase the UK’s security of Britain leads the world in that technology, and that we supply, for precisely the reasons that I gave in answer to do not allow the technology and the jobs to go overseas? the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Nadhim Zahawi) earlier. Our energy import dependence will increase Gregory Barker: The hon. Gentleman makes a key dramatically over the next 10 years as oil and gas point. Under the last Government, 95% of the infrastructure production from the North sea gradually diminishes. and turbines for one of the largest offshore wind projects We have to work on our renewables and on energy was built abroad. We cannot allow that to happen, and saving to try to ensure that we are energy-secure. One we have a policy of marine parks to ensure that that element of that is not just physical security but resilience does not happen with this nascent, potentially world-beating against price shock. British technology.

Christopher Pincher: I am grateful to the Secretary of Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Will the Minister reaffirm State for reminding me of his answer, but I shall ask the commitment by his Government to the Severn estuary him another question. Does he have any plans to support tidal project to make genuine use of the tidal power the development of greater gas storage in Britain, both there? Can he give a progress statement on the consultation as a means of enhanced energy security and as a method to date? of developing our gas wholesale market? Gregory Barker: I understand the hon. Lady’s interest Chris Huhne: My hon. Friend will perhaps be reassured in this potentially important project. Ministers are currently to know that yes, plans are under way to increase gas considering the evidence from the two-year cross- storage. That is likely to continue. There needs to be Government Severn tidal power feasibility study with a greater gas storage, and that will help to provide us with view to deciding whether the Government can support greater security of supply. a tidal power scheme on the Severn estuary, and if so, on what terms. I cannot say anything today, but we Nuclear Power expect to make an announcement shortly. Topical Questions 17. Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): What his policy is on the development of civil nuclear T1. [4957] Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): power. [4952] If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Chris Huhne): The Government are committed to removing The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change any unnecessary obstacles and allowing the construction (Chris Huhne): I have several engagements in the diary. of new nuclear power stations to contribute to our energy security and climate change goals, provided that Mr Chope: That is a very reassuring answer—[Laughter.] they receive no public subsidy. Every family in this country is paying extra on its electricity bill to subsidise non-nuclear wind and solar Meg Munn: Two weeks after the decision was made, power. Will the Secretary of State ensure that in future will the Secretary of State finally tell the people of each electricity bill spells out in terms the extent of the Sheffield whether the decision on Sheffield Forgemasters extra money that that household has to pay to meet this was taken because of that coalition policy of no public Government’s policies in relation to the renewables subsidy? Yes or no? obligation?

Chris Huhne: I can assure the hon. Lady that the Chris Huhne: There will be measures in the energy decision on Sheffield Forgemasters was taken because Bill that we will bring forward later in this Session to the particular project concerned was simply not affordable. improve the transparency of electricity and gas bills. As I refer her to the earlier answer that I gave, stating part of the annual energy statement, we are also committed 993 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 994 to ensuring that there is complete transparency about Chris Huhne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his the levels of cross-subsidy for all forms of activity in question. Loft insulation is key. It has a very short which the Department is involved. payback period—less than a year in many cases—and he is absolutely right that there must be a focus, particularly Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): May I on the fuel-poor. One of the great difficulties in this say to the Secretary of State that the free-market philosophy area is that the energy use among the people in the that he increasingly embraces has led to the announcement bottom decile of income distribution is enormously this week of the abolition of the regional development varied—it varies by a factor of six—which makes it agencies? There is real dismay across the country about particularly difficult to reach them. Insulation and energy- that. How does he think the abolition will help to efficiency measures are key to dealing with that problem. promote balanced economic growth and green jobs? T3. [4960] Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) Chris Huhne: The right hon. Gentleman knows that (Lab): Does the Secretary of State accept one of the we are very committed to ensuring that there is growth main recommendations of the independent Committee across the UK, especially in those regions where on Climate Change report this week, which is that unemployment is high. That has been a focus of our the Government need to do more to support the activity. I do not think that the regional development development of electric-powered vehicles? If so, would agencies in their entirety are necessarily the best way of he not agree that it would be a short-sighted cut were ensuring that, but we are going ahead with local economic the subsidies for the purchase of such vehicles to be partnerships and a range of other measures to ensure removed in the comprehensive spending review? jobs and growth in the regions. Chris Huhne: The Government are committed to bringing forward low-emission vehicles. As the hon. T4. [4961] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Gentleman knows, there is an Office for Low Emission Environment Agency has just failed to make a Vehicles, which is run jointly by the Department for determination on a much delayed application for a Transport, my Department and the Department for 100 KW hydroelectric scheme on the weir at Avoncliff Business, Innovation and Skills, and we recently had a in my constituency. Will the Secretary of State meet me meeting on the subject to progress the agenda. He can to discuss the energy potential of the River Avon and be assured that we are completely committed to it. how we can prevent the Environment Agency from being an obstacle to making progress in the future? Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): I urge the Minister, when electricity smart meters are in place, Chris Huhne: I am happy to meet my hon. Friend to to look strongly at insisting that new build houses have discuss those issues. The Environment Agency has a solar panel roofs, especially in social housing, which statutory responsibility that it has to discharge in that will help to reduce fuel poverty. case and I would not want to comment on its role. Charles Hendry: We are absolutely determined to T2. [4958] Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): The move forward rather more quickly on smart metering. Minister will, I hope, be aware that there is real The position that we inherited—to roll out smart metering uncertainty and nervousness in the energy industry by 2020—was pathetically unambitious, and we are about the decision to scrap the Infrastructure Planning determined to bring it forward by some years. It will Commission, which is based in Bristol. What bring exactly the benefits that my hon. Friend talks reassurances can he give me that whatever replaces that about: encouraging microgeneration, helping with fuel body will not delay the approval of infrastructure poverty and really helping us to move towards a low-carbon projects and will provide certainty to the industry so economy. that it can plan ahead? T7. [4965] Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): The Minister of State, Department of Energy and According to a recent Conservative party report, Climate Change (Charles Hendry): I hope the hon. Lady “Rebuilding Security”, the party advocates “policies will have seen the reaction from the major energy companies designed for hunting” new UK oil reserves as well as this week to the statement made by the Minister of offering State, Department for Communities and Local “the right incentives to explore for and extract the remaining Government, my right hon. Friend the Member for reserves of oil and gas” Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark). It showed that there is Will the Minister agree that a moratorium on all new absolute clarity. There will not be a delay and there will deep-sea offshore drilling is essential, at least until a full be a strict time scale for making decisions in these investigation into the spill in the gulf of Mexico has matters. However, we are determined to introduce greater been completed? democratic accountability and to ensure that the risk therefore of judicial review can be reduced. Charles Hendry: I do not agree with the hon. Lady on this issue. We have in place in the North sea the T5. [4962] Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): toughest environmental regime in the world. In the light The loft insulation programme is most welcome from of the tragedy in the gulf of Mexico, we have doubled the point of view of saving money for households and the number of inspections and increased by half the for the environmental benefit. However, can the number of inspectors. We have a very tough regime and Secretary of State assure the House that there will be a we have a national interest in ensuring that we get the particular focus on the vulnerable and those most best possible return from the natural resources in the susceptible to fuel poverty? North sea. 995 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 996

Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): The timber industry Drax power station takes an enormous amount of is a significant employer in Hexham. All of us support natural material from constituencies such as Thirsk and wood biomass, but there is currently a cross-party team, Malton. It is also a renewable power supply and reduces with Members from both the Labour Benches and our CO2 emissions. How do the Government think we can own, seeking to change the distorted energy subsidy for increase and encourage expenditure in this exciting wood biomass. Would the ministerial team meet the form of renewable energy? cross-party team?

Charles Hendry: I am seeing the chief executive of The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Drax almost immediately after Question Time today, so Climate Change (Gregory Barker): We are very clear I will have the opportunity to explore that further with that wood biomass has a key role to play, particularly in her. The co-firing of biomass can make an important local energy economies, which we want to see developed contribution, but we have to be certain that it is done to encourage a greater link between local communities sustainably. There are questions about the great deal of and the energy that they consume—coppicing, for example, shipping involved in the transportation of biomass, but has great biodiversity as well as low-carbon advantages—so it can certainly make a contribution to reducing our I would happily meet my hon. Friend and his team. carbon emissions. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ T8. [4966] Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): I Co-op): Will the Secretary of State confirm that no am sure the Secretary of State would agree that not decision has yet been taken on the location of the only is he responsible for energy but that, as far as headquarters of the proposed green investment bank? climate change goes, he has a duty to drive this policy That being so, does he agree that Edinburgh would be through every aspect of Government. In that light, can an ideal location, particularly given what he just said he tell the House how many times this has been an about ensuring that green investment is not focused just agenda item before the Cabinet? in the south-east of England? Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman knows that Edinburgh Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman is right that this is is an ideal location for many things, including a number on the agenda across the Government. As I said earlier, of my hon. Friends. Decisions on the siting of the we discussed this at, for example, the regional Cabinet headquarters are perhaps a little way off, as we are still meeting on Tuesday. We discussed the importance of consulting on the exact shape of the investment bank, green jobs and the impact that the growth of the green but I am sure that we will bear in mind the considerable economy is likely to have, including outside the golden advantages of his constituency when we come to make area of London and the south-east. That will remain a that judgment. key focus in the Government’s work. Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): Is the Secretary Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) (Con): In my of State aware that some extraordinary technological constituency there is a reapplication for a biofuel plant advances are being made by British private companies? burning palm oil and jatropha. There is great fear that One in particular—Marshall-Tufflex in my constituency— although they are renewable sources of energy, they are would like to come and see Ministers to show them the not sustainable. Can my hon. Friend please tell me what advances that it has made that could help with general assessment he will be making of the eligibility of such carbon reduction. fuels for renewables obligation certificates, which make such applications possible? Gregory Barker: As my hon. Friend knows, I have visited Marshall-Tufflex, which has some interesting Charles Hendry: We are looking at the structure of and exciting products that could be a great help across ROCs at the moment. We are absolutely clear that the Government estate; indeed, I would be delighted to biofuels have a role to play, but it must be sustainable. see the company while in office and in government. That point will be at the heart of the way in which we look forward on such issues. David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): What discussions has the Minister had with his colleagues in relation to Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): The Minister oil or gas supplies from the Falkland Islands? said earlier that he objected to the idea of 150-foot turbines near villages, so is there a planning rule of Chris Huhne: The answer to that is that we have had thumb emerging, of, say, 1, 2 or 5 km away? discussions in Cabinet about the situation in the Falklands and the possibilities, in the longer run, of there being oil Charles Hendry: I did not say that I objected to them; and gas, but they are not at the stage where decisions I said that local communities had the right to object to need to be taken. However, no doubt when the time them. That goes to the heart of local democracy. What comes an announcement will be made. we are saying is that local voices have to be heard in the process, and we are absolutely committed to making David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con): that happen. We have not set a rule for how far wind Following on from the question by my hon. Friend the turbines should be from habitation—we share that position Member for Elmet and Rothwell (Alec Shelbrooke), with the previous Government—because the one house may I ask the Minister whether any steps are being that they are near could be the house of the person who taken to look into evening out the tariffs for electricity wants to put them up. Therefore, having a rule would be usage by card meter payments and by billing? I believe to take a completely self-defeating approach. that there is a differential, so are there any plans to sort 997 Oral Answers1 JULY 2010 Oral Answers 998 that out and make it easier for everyone to pay the same Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): tariff, purely and simply because that would lead to Can the ministerial team tell me what their assessment energy conservation? is of the effect of the 25% cut facing universities on research into energy efficiency and environmental research Charles Hendry: We have been very concerned indeed generally? about the relatively higher tariffs that people on prepayment meters pay for the electricity and gas that they use. Chris Huhne: The hon. Gentleman asks an important Addressing that will be one of the most significant question about the likely impact on research and gains of smart metering. If we look at the experience of development. We will obviously assess that when we Northern Ireland, where smart meters have already know more fully the shape of what will be happening in been largely rolled out, we see that people on prepayment the wake of the comprehensive spending review, but meters pay less than people on standard tariffs. That is tough decisions will have to be taken. As I have said the sort of gain that we want to achieve for people right already, the former Chief Secretary to the Treasury told across the United Kingdom. us clearly: there is no money left. 999 1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1000

Business of the House in respect of whom we would like to set up an early release of information scheme? First, there is the Defence Secretary for briefing on the departure of Sir Jock 11.30 am Stirrup. Secondly, there is the Secretary of State for Ms Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central) (Lab): Will Education for briefing on plans for schools. Thirdly, the Deputy Leader of the House give us the forthcoming there is the Secretary of State for Health for briefing on business for the week. the NHS operating framework. Then there is the entire Downing street staff for briefing on the whole Queen’s The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of Speech. Then there is the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the House of Commons (Mr David Heath): My right who has achieved a hat-trick here for briefing on spending hon. Friend the Leader of the House has given notice to cuts, financial reform and the Budget. Then there is the the shadow Leader of the House and to you, Mr Speaker, Secretary of State for Justice for briefing on prison that he is attending a memorial service this morning. I reforms. I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House will therefore be announcing the business and answering can assure us that he has checked with the Foreign questions on his behalf. The business for the week Secretary to ensure that nothing has been said to the media commencing 5 July will include: this morning that should have been said to the House MONDAY 5JULY—Motion relating to the Clear Line first. I am sure that the Deputy Leader of the House of Sight project, followed by opposed private business will seize this opportunity to take up the cause for named by the Chairman of Ways and Means for Parliament, as I know he would hate to be accused of consideration. saying one thing in opposition and another thing in government. TUESDAY 6JULY—Second Reading of the Finance Bill. Speaking of that, I was leafing through the Conservative-Liberal Democrat programme for government WEDNESDAY 7JULY—Opposition Day [3rd allotted only this morning and came across the section on day]. There will be a full day’s debate on Government Government transparency.It is well worth a read, especially support for jobs and the unemployed. This debate will the bit that says: arise on an Opposition motion. “We will create a new ‘right to data’ so that government-held THURSDAY 8JULY—General debate on defendant datasets can be requested and used by the public”. anonymity. Can the Deputy Leader of the House tell us whether The provisional business for the week commencing that right extends to Members of Parliament, particularly 12 July will include: when they are asking for figures such as those produced by the Treasury which showed that the Chancellor of MONDAY 12 JULY—Proceedings on the Finance Bill the Exchequer had been warned that measures in the (day 1). At 10 pm the House will be asked to agree all Budget would lead to 1.3 million people losing their outstanding estimates. jobs? TUESDAY 13 JULY—Proceedings on the Consolidated Given the Prime Minister’s extraordinary performance Fund (Appropriation) Bill followed by proceedings on yesterday, when he refused even to acknowledge that the Finance Bill (day 2). those figures existed, will the Deputy Leader of the WEDNESDAY 14 JULY—Motion to approve a statutory House place the Treasury documents in the Library? instrument relating to counter-terrorism, followed by Will he also ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to motion relating to police grant report, followed by make a statement to the House telling us when he first motion to approve a European document relating to the saw those documents, and why he did not include them European External Action Service. in his Budget statement? In that statement, will the THURSDAY 15 JULY—Proceedings on the Finance Bill Chancellor of the Exchequer be able to confirm whether (day 3). there was any contact between Ministers and their I should also like to inform the House that the Office for Budget Responsibility before the publication business in Westminster Hall will be: of their job forecasts yesterday? Will the Deputy Leader of the House tell us whether THURSDAY 8JULY—A debate on energy security. there will be any report to the House on the Cabinet’s visit to Yorkshire? I noted that during that visit the Ms Winterton: I thank the Deputy Leader of the Prime Minister was quizzed on how the Government’s House for the business statement. I think it is in order to protestations of support for manufacturing tallied with welcome him to his first business questions. I know that the withdrawal of the loan to Sheffield Forgemasters. he has a long record of campaigning for respect for Perhaps the Deputy Leader of the House will also Parliament. Indeed, I was looking through his contributions explain why the Leader of the House of the House said to the last Parliament and noticed that he said Ministers last week that should remember that “the Deputy Prime Minister is meeting Sheffield Forgemasters “their first responsibility in terms of information is to the House tomorrow in his constituency.” —[Official Report, 24 June 2010; and nowhere else”.—[Official Report, 3 July 1998; Vol. 315, Vol. 512, c. 433.] c. 657.] I understand that no such meeting was planned, or took I am sure that he was horrified when the Home Secretary place. I can only imagine that the Leader of the House was forced to come to the House to apologise for giving was misled by the Deputy Prime Minister. I am sure the media the statement on the immigration cap, which that the Deputy Leader of the House will want to should have been given here. clarify exactly what happened, so that Members can be Now at least the Home Secretary realised that this clear about what support is actually being given to had been a step too far, but will the Deputy Leader of important manufacturing companies such as Sheffield the House undertake to tick off the following offenders Forgemasters. 1001 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1002

Can the Deputy Leader of the House also help us out and she will have the opportunity to raise them with by telling us whether there will be a statement on the Ministers. Finally, I have to say to her that the figure future of the Tenant Services Authority? Apparently that was given—the 1.3 million losses that she cited—was the Housing Minister has called it “toast”, but the coupled with 2.5 million increases in employment in the Chief Secretary has said that abolishing it would put very same breath. By my simple arithmetic that makes a the finances of housing associations at risk. It would 1.2 million increase, and the fact that Labour Members greatly assist the House, and Opposition Members in cannot do that simple sum explains to me why this particular, to know that there is absolutely no sense of country is in the position it is. disagreement between Conservative and Liberal Democrat Ministers. We certainly wish to be assured that the Several hon. Members rose— Liberal Democrats are 100% behind all Conservative policy, including putting up VAT, putting people out of Mr Speaker: Order. Dozens of hon. and right hon. work, and the huge cuts that are to be made in public Members are seeking to catch my eye. As always, I services. should like to be able to accommodate every colleague, but brevity in both questions and answers will be essential Mr Heath: The shadow Leader of the House has if I am to have any realistic chance of doing so. asked me to restate a position that I stated many times in opposition, and I have no hesitation in doing so. It is Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Has my hon. Friend entirely clear, not only to me but in the ministerial code seen early-day motion 328, which describes how Google of conduct, that announcements of substantive changes allegedly mapped every wireless internet connection in in policy should be made to the House in the first Britain, including many millions in private homes? instance, and I know perfectly well that my right hon. [That this House is concerned by reports that Google Friend the Leader of the House brought that to the allegedly mapped every single wireless internet connection attention of the Cabinet yet again only this week. You, in Britain, including many millions in private homes, for Mr. Speaker, made it very clear in your statement yesterday, commercial purposes; is further concerned that the firm and it is our clear intention that it should be the case. I may have failed to disclose that it was building a massive have to tell the shadow Leader of the House that database of wi-fi networks across the UK without people’s occasionally there will be mistakes—[Interruption.] Even consent; notes the reports that BT and other companies Government Departments sometimes make mistakes, are using software to trawl social networking websites and that is obviously what happened in the case of the such as Facebook to identify anyone making negative Home Office announcement last week. What happened comments about them; and therefore calls on the Coalition was that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary came Government to balance innovation on the internet against to the House to apologise for that mistake, and that is individuals’ right to privacy and the new threat of a the right way of dealing with it. surveillance society.] It is important that we make sure that changes of Is it not time for a debate on the balance of internet policy are properly represented to the House, but I say innovation, and on the individual’s right to privacy gently to Labour Members that there is very little point versus the new threat of a surveillance society, given in raising as points of order or at business questions that we have just got rid of the previous Government’s issues raised by Ministers that are clearly set out in own one? existing policy in the coalition document. I am so pleased that the shadow Leader of the House bothers to Mr Heath: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. Yes, read that document. If it is policy set out in the coalition I have read his early-day motion and it seems to raise a document, it should be no great surprise that Ministers very important point about surveillance. The whole adopt the policy and are prepared to speak about it. issue of the increasing prevalence of what was called Therefore, it is not the case that that is an inappropriate “the surveillance society” is something that the coalition way of addressing political issues. Government are very aware of and want to address. I I shall now deal with the other issues that the right cannot promise him a debate in the next couple of hon. Lady raised. She mentioned an issue relating to weeks on this subject, but he may try to ask a question housing associations. That is important and I shall take at questions to the Secretary of State for Business, the matter back to the Departments and ask whether it Innovation and Skills on Thursday 8 July. This subject is possible for a clear statement of the position to be may also be a suitable one for the newly constituted given—we will ensure that that is the case. Backbench Business Committee to consider for future The right hon. Lady asked about the position on the business. employment figures and the expectations set out by a variety of economists on what might happen. I have to Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab): say that I do not always have great faith in what economists May we have an urgent debate in Government time on predict; nevertheless this is an important issue. What I the Chancellor’s grossly disproportionate attack on the do have faith in is the newly established Office for benefits system, not least on housing benefit, which is Budget Responsibility, which is independent of Government causing grave anxiety and disquiet among some of my and has set out the figures. I thought that the Opposition most vulnerable constituents? These feelings are exacerbated supported it. I thought that they saw it, as we do, as by the Government’s attempt to present all benefit being a gold standard of accurate information presented claimants as workshy scroungers. May we have a debate to the House, but they prefer to bang on about figures urgently so that this particular calumny can be disproved? that they want to choose instead. There will be an Opposition day debate next week, when the Opposition Mr Heath: I invite the hon. Lady to ask questions of will choose the matters that we will be debating. So she the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 July. She asks for an opportunity to raise these issues with Ministers also asked for a debate on this matter, and I suggest that 1003 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1004

[Mr Heath] that the policing pledge has been scrapped, how are we to guarantee that the police will spend 80 % of their she will find opportunities to raise it during our debates time on the streets? on the Finance Bill on Tuesday 6 July, Monday 12 July, Tuesday 13 July and Thursday 15 July. Mr Heath: The hon. Lady will know that this has been a recurrent theme over many years, since long Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con): before she was in the House. Members on both sides The shadow Leader of the House—[HON.MEMBERS: have been concerned about the most effective way of “Ah!”] I apologise, I meant the Deputy Leader of deploying police officers and reducing the bureaucracy the House. He will be aware of the WWF’s Rivers on that often prevents them from doing the job that we the Edge campaign. There has been great concern in the want them to do—namely, being out on the streets House for some time about the condition of English catching criminals instead of sitting in a back room in a chalk streams, and the debate on the subject that we had police station filling in forms. I hope that we shall be during the last Parliament was over-subscribed. Will he able to make rapid progress on these issues. As a former bear this in mind and see whether we can fit in a debate chairman of a police authority, I know that this has on the chalk rivers of England? been a problem for a very long time. The hon. Lady is Mr Heath: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. I right to bring the subject up, and it is equally right that have great affection for the World Wide Fund for Nature we should find time to debate it at some stage. because I used to work for it and promote its interests. I hasten to add that that is not a declarable interest. Mr Mike Hancock (Portsmouth South) (LD): May I There might be an opportunity for him to raise this first declare an interest as a member of Portsmouth city important issue at Environment, Food and Rural Affairs council? That council, like many others, is heavily involved questions on 29 July. It would also be an entirely in the Building Schools for the Future programme. suitable matter for a Westminster Hall debate or an There is real anxiety about the delay in getting decisions end-of-day Adjournment debate. on whether the plans are going to proceed as expected. The situation needs to be resolved quickly because of Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab): The next the amount of local authority money involved. Does time—or perhaps the first time—the Deputy Leader of my hon. Friend also agree that a shortage of parliamentary the House meets the Backbench Business Committee, time prevented Labour Ministers from coming to the will he raise the question of private Members’ Bills House to apologise for the number of times they briefed being discussed on Wednesday evenings to allow greater the media before speaking to us? participation? Will he also consider doing away with the knives procedure under which such Bills can be talked Mr Heath: I hear what my hon. Friend says on the out, and introduce deferred voting so that everyone can last matter. I could not possibly comment, but I am sure participate in the process? that some will recognise the issue. Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman knows that I agree My hon. Friend raises an important issue about that we need to reform the process for private Members’ Building Schools for the Future. I know that Members legislation. When we discussed this a week or so ago, it on both sides of the House are keen to hear the results was agreed that the Procedure Committee would look of that review. We had hoped that there would be a into the matter and bring forward proposals. I hope statement this week and, last week, my right hon. that its members will also speak to the Backbench Friend the Leader of the House said that he thought Business Committee so that we can have the benefit of that a statement was likely to be made this week. He the views of both Committees. It would certainly be to said that in good faith, but unfortunately it has not been the benefit of the House if we could improve the way in made yet. I understand that it will be made very shortly— which we deal with private Members’ business and put within days. an end to the procedural nonsense that we have at the moment. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman has already explained why some information Mr Christopher Chope (Christchurch) (Con): When is has been given not to this House but to other people. the motion on the fixed-term Parliament, which was May I ask him to take up with his colleague the Minister promised by my hon. Friend the Deputy Leader of the of State, Department for Work and Pensions, the hon. House on 25 May, going to be brought forward? He Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb), the fact said that it would be put on the Order Paper at the that I tabled a number of parliamentary questions on earliest opportunity, and that we would have a debate the important issue of housing benefit, asking for simple on it before the summer recess. Is that still the position? factual information, and received the response: “The Department for Work and Pensions undertakes an assessment Mr Heath: I think I am right in saying that the of the impact on specific groups as part of the policy development Deputy Prime Minister intends to make a statement on process”?—[Official Report, 30 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 548W.] that subject in the very near future, so my hon. Friend will have to be patient for a little longer—[Interruption.] We know that the Government have that information—they It will, of course, be made in Parliament, which is the could not have published the Red Book without it—but right place for such statements. we are being refused it. Will the Deputy Leader of the House take this matter up? Gloria De Piero (Ashfield) (Lab): A debate on police productivity would allow me to question Ministers on Mr Speaker: I assume that the hon. Lady is looking how much time police officers spend on the beat. Now for a statement. 1005 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1006

Mr Heath: Well, I shall also assume that the question the Department of Health to give a response. It seems has something to do with parliamentary business—[HON. to me that this is a very important issue—I have a great MEMBERS: “Oh!”] This is about business for the next deal of sympathy with the hon. Gentleman’s position—and two weeks; sometimes colleagues need to be reminded I am sure that his constituents would like some clarity of that on the issue. However, I also know that the legislative I do not think that I can guarantee that there will be a framework under which these proposals are considered statement or a debate on the matter. However, I will is the legislative framework introduced by the previous mention the hon. Lady’s concerns to my hon. Friend Government. the Minister of State and see whether more information can be obtained. Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab): May I press the Deputy Leader of the House on Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): May his earlier answer about the future of the Building we have a debate on supporting British citizens overseas? Schools for the Future programme? First, I was The Deputy Leader of the House might recall that last disappointed that there was not a statement this week, week I raised the case of my constituent, Ken Spooner, following the comments made by the Leader of the whose children have been abducted to Zambia. House last week to the effect that Members could Unfortunately, the case has taken a turn for the worse expect a statement on the programme’s future and the and Mr Spooner is now in a Zambian jail, having not huge uncertainty that it is being caused. Secondly, will been charged. Can we possibly ensure that he gets the the statement give specific details about which schools support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will be built and which will not be built? that he was promised? Mr Heath: I cannot possibly pre-empt the statement, Mr Heath: Obviously, it is always a matter of great but the hon. Lady is right to press us on this. We are concern to hon. Members when their constituents find very clear that we want a statement to be made at the themselves in difficulties overseas. It is part of the earliest opportunity. I can only apologise to her through consular duties of the Foreign and Commonwealth you, Mr Speaker, that we were unable to bring forward Office to provide such support as may be provided in the statement this week, which we had certainly intended country. I shall certainly make sure that these concerns to do. I can promise yet again that it will be provided are passed on to members of the ministerial team in the shortly. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Mr Mark Williams (Ceredigion) (LD): The Deputy Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): May we Leader of the House is aware of the impressive lobby have an urgent debate on pay for our brave servicemen of this place yesterday by the Huntington’s Disease and women, especially in the light of the written answer Association. Will he give us time for a debate to consider to the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) this the challenges facing the 6,700 people diagnosed with morning from the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, Huntington’s disease, particularly those to do with accessing the hon. Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan), insurance and the adequacy of research into a hitherto which announced that 140,000 members of the armed incurable disease? forces will have a pay cut next year? That is in marked contrast to what we did when we were in office, when we Mr Heath: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that honoured in full the recommendations of the independent question. I, too, yesterday met constituents who either pay review body for the armed forces. had Huntington’s disease or who were caring for people with Huntington’s disease. It brought home to all Members Mr Heath: I seem to recall that there was a significant of the House who had contact with those people how increase in the allowances made available to members of difficult the disease is to manage. It is a degenerative our armed forces serving in conflict areas. That seems disease with a genetic component that imposes a great to me to be a significant development. However, the deal of stress both on those who contract it and those hon. Gentleman will have the opportunity to raise these who care for them. I know that there are clear issues matters in the very near future, because Defence questions about future research and the sort of support that can are on Monday 5 July. be given at the point of diagnosis and the point of management in GP practices and elsewhere in order to Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Given the help. I understand that an all-party parliamentary group excellent agreement in New Forest East between leading on Huntington’s disease has been established and that is Liberal Democrats and Conservatives that fluoridation a welcome step forward. I cannot promise my hon. should not be imposed on the community against its Friend a debate in the next two weeks, I am afraid, but will, may we have a statement—not in the next two weeks, he might care to apply for an Adjournment debate or a but perhaps in the next two minutes—from the Deputy Westminster Hall debate on this important subject. Leader of the House, confirming that the fact that the Liberal Democrats have joined the Conservatives Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): in government in no way vitiates the pledge given by May I press the Deputy Leader of the House to get his shadow Conservative Health Ministers before the election master, the Leader of the House, to come to the House that fluoridation should not and would not be imposed and give the statement that he promised two weeks on communities that did not want it? ago on progress on setting up the European Scrutiny Committee, and to scotch the rumour that is going Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman will not have a about that Ministers intend to vote in the 1922 committee’s statement from me on a matter of health policy, but he election of the Conservative chair of that committee? can quite properly ask hon. and right hon. Friends in I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House will say 1007 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1008

[Michael Connarty] as much succour and comfort as possible to those people. I will certainly take the matter he raises back to that even the gelded Liberals would not stand for the the responsible Ministers and note the force with which Government’s trying to elect a Back-Bench committee’s he makes his case. chairman. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): May we have a debate Mr Heath: Happily, I have no responsibility whatsoever on the Government’s new sentencing policy so that we for what happens in the 1922 committee and that is no can point out to the Secretary of State for Justice that doubt a situation that will continue. The important the apparent premise that people who commit minor issue is the setting up of the Select Committees, including offences are frogmarched to a court and sent immediately the European Scrutiny Committee, and I understand to prison is a false one? What happens in the real world the urgency of that. I was very pleased that the motion is that the police tear their hair out over arresting the was passed by the House last night to make the small same people time after time only to find that the magistrates amendments to the number of members on Committees. courts do nothing but give them a slap on the wrist. The That means that the Committee of Selection can now people who eventually end up in prison do so only after proceed in good order to make appointments to all the community service and drug treatment orders Committees. We should have all the Committees of the have been tried and tried again but have failed. House up and running as soon as possible. Mr Heath: First, I congratulate the hon. Gentleman Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con): May I ask a on his election to the Backbench Business Committee, question in a similar vein to the request from my hon. on which he will have some responsibility for ensuring Friend the Member for Milton Keynes North (Mark that these very important matters are debated in full. Lancaster) for a debate on how our consulates aid and What I heard the Secretary of State for Justice say was advise our residents abroad in extreme circumstances? I that he wanted a justice system that worked, and that am thinking in particular about the Calder Valley resident disposals for people who are convicted ought to be the who died last week, Sarah Royle, and her family. She fell most effective disposals that will reduce the likelihood off a balcony watching the England match in the World of their offending again. He said that many of the cup. Sarah lost her parents at a very early age and her recurrent offenders whom the hon. Gentleman mentions— two remaining sisters, who are of limited means, are those whom the police pick up time and again—serve being asked to sign an indemnity against the costs of short sentences in prison and then go on to reoffend. bringing the body home and paying the bills, because Surely it cannot be right to continue with policies the insurance company believes that she might have that fail. been drinking at the time. Mr Wayne David (Caerphilly) (Lab): The Deputy Mr Speaker: I assume that the hon. Gentleman is Leader of the House will know that yesterday afternoon seeking either a statement or a debate on the matter. the Government suffered an embarrassing defeat by 21 votes to seven on the Welsh Grand Committee, Mr Heath: Obviously, my condolences go out to the which rejected the proposition on the Budget and the friends and family of the hon. Gentleman’s constituent, legislative programme as they apply to Wales. May we who died in very tragic circumstances. Rather than have another meeting of the Welsh Grand Committee securing a debate, the most effective thing I can do is to to consider these issues? draw his comments to the attention of Ministers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office so that they can, Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman is making an awful perhaps, give support. meal of the fact that he engineered a win of a vote in a Committee with 26 Labour members, three Plaid Cymru Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): May we have an urgent members, eight Conservatives and three Liberal Democrats. statement on the release of the documents on the Not even the most incompetent Opposition could lose a Hillsborough disaster? The last Government agreed vote on a Committee with those numbers. that those files and documents would be released. The Deputy Leader of the House will understand the concerns Andrew Griffiths (Burton) (Con): Despite Tony Blair’s about the Culture Secretary’s comments. As someone promise that they would result in a café culture, the who was at Hillsborough and who has in my constituency late-licensing laws are having a visible impact in towns families who lost loved ones there, this matter is of great and cities across the country. In my constituency, in importance to me personally. Rumours are circulating recent weeks, we have had a fatal stabbing of a young that the Government are thinking about not publishing man and two brutal beatings, all of which involved the files and that there are arguments between Departments late-night drinking establishments and late-night drinking. about the cost. Will the hon. Gentleman clarify the May we have an urgent debate on the failed late-licensing situation or arrange for an urgent statement to be made policy? as soon as possible? Mr Heath: I certainly agree that the change of licensing Mr Heath: I am afraid that I cannot give the hon. policy that the last Government introduced has not Gentleman the clarification he wants simply because produced the results that they claimed it would, whereby I do not know and there is no point in pretending that I we would all sit sipping our chianti in perfect peace and do. I recognise the circumstances of Hillsborough—the serenity in our town centres until late in the evening. tragedy that it was—and the continuing effect that it That does not seem to accord with the experience of must have on a large part of the population, not least most people in most parts of the country. It might his constituents. It is extremely important that we provide therefore be opportune for the matter to be debated 1009 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1010 again. I cannot promise the hon. Gentleman a debate in Government. She has put in a bid for the next such the next couple of weeks, but he could make an application meeting to be in Liverpool, and I shall pass that on to to the Backbench Business Committee for a debate on the Cabinet Office. I have no idea where it intends to licensing laws, or he could seek a Westminster Hall or hold the next one, but Liverpool is always a splendid an Adjournment debate on the matter. place to hold anything.

Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): May I draw Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): May we have a the Deputy Leader of the House’s attention to the debate on the role of the Environment Agency’s policies contribution of my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham on hydropower generation on our rivers? Two Secretaries (Clive Efford) in Hansard on Stockholm syndrome? of State have declined, on the Floor of the House, to Can we have a debate on Stockholm syndrome given comment on this matter, and I think that a debate that it may affect the judgment of leading Liberal would be fruitful in securing the resolve of Ministers to Democrat members of the condemned coalition? The address it. evidence base includes their support for regressive VAT increases, thereby displaying irrational emotional feelings Mr Heath: I have a great deal of sympathy with my and loss of concentration. Those symptoms are associated hon. Friend, because I used to raise this matter very with this condition, and I think it would be useful and regularly. I have a whole series of micro-hydrogeneration instructive if we could have a debate. plants on the Rivers Frome and Brue, so I know perfectly well the difficulties that those people have with the EA’s Mr Heath: I was rather hoping that there would be a regulations on water abstraction. Of course, the bizarre punch line. There might be a case for a debate on thing is that no water is abstracted by hydro-turbines, as Stockholm syndrome as it applied to those poor benighted it is returned to the watercourse. I hope that he secures souls who supported the Labour Government through either a Westminster Hall or an Adjournment debate on 13 years of mismanagement, particularly the candidates this issue, because it would be well worth explaining the for the leadership of the Labour party, who appear not difficulties that many people who want to be engaged in to have agreed with anything they did while in government. micro-hydropower experience on the ground. John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): May The Deputy Leader of the House will be aware that we we have a debate on the annual report of the National are in the middle of Co-operatives fortnight, celebrating Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, which was the value of community ownership across society. The presented to the House on Tuesday? The report describes Baywind project in my constituency has blazed a trail the position of treatment as “encouraging”, which is in for green energy, being locally owned and providing stark contrast with the 30th report of the Public Accounts electricity to local homes. Will the hon. Gentleman Committee in March, which concluded that £1.2 billion agree to a debate on the barriers that such schemes still is spent on tackling drug misuse without the Government face when trying to get off the ground, even though knowing the overall effect of that approach. Such a communities want them? debate could focus on the fact that only 4% of addicts become drug-free and on the urgent need for reform of Mr Heath: It would be very useful to have a debate on the drug treatment system. that subject. There is a huge amount to be said for co-operative and mutual organisations. That sort of Mr Heath: We have known for a long time that the corporate structure has been in abeyance in recent problems with substance, drug and alcohol abuse have years, and it is time that it made a reappearance. If the not been sufficiently addressed in Government policy. It hon. Gentleman applies for a debate, I hope that he is now needs to be addressed, and it is explicit within successful in securing one at some stage. I have to point coalition Government plans that that will be the case. I out that the case of Royal Mail offers the prospect of cannot promise the hon. Gentleman a debate or a an enormous mutualisation and expansion in the statement on this subject, but he might want to raise it co-operative sector, and I hope that Opposition Members by other means. will support that.

Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): May I Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): During the ask the Deputy Leader of the House for an early last Parliament, I was regularly concerned about the statement on potential venues for the next £100,000 blood pressure of the previous Speaker, as he had to Cabinet away day? The Cabinet could try Liverpool, tick Ministers off regularly for leaking information which would have the beneficial side effect of enabling to the press before they were brought to the House to the Culture Secretary to explain in person to the people make a statement. I am very concerned that your blood of Liverpool why, 21 years after Liverpool fans were pressure is not affected, Mr. Speaker, so will the Deputy exonerated from causing the Hillsborough stadium disaster, Leader of the House ask for a statement from the he suggested on live television that it was caused by Leader of the House next week setting out the punishment hooliganism. that can be meted out to Ministers who leak to the press before addressing this House? Mr Heath: And he then apologised very clearly, which is an important point to note. It really is extraordinary Mr Heath: First, may I also congratulate the hon. for Labour Members now to complain about regional Gentleman on his election to the Backbench Business Cabinet meetings, having introduced them. [Interruption.] Committee? I am not sure that the Leader of the House The hon. Lady was complaining about the cost of a has any sanctions that he can apply, other than exhortation, regional Cabinet meeting, but it was much cheaper but the Prime Minister does. Perhaps this is something under the coalition Government than under the previous that we need to draw to his attention. 1011 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1012

Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): May we have an The Deputy Leader of the House has already brushed urgent debate about the timing of reports from the aside concerns raised by the shadow Leader of the Office for Budget Responsibility? If the OBR is to be House about the memo that discloses Treasury predictions regarded as genuinely independent of the coalition of 1.3 million unemployed. The Leader of the Opposition collaborators, then not only the content but also the has already raised the matter with the Prime Minister, timing of reports must be absolutely free from interference. only to be ignored. Why can we not have full disclosure of this document, and a proper debate in this House? Mr Heath: I do not think that a debate would be The Deputy Leader of the House is supposed to be a worth while, because the OBR is independent of champion of Parliament, and there are clearly differences Government. of view as to the content of the document. Why can we not have a debate on it? Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): May we have a debate on the use of postal votes in our electoral system? It has Mr Heath: I thought that I had made it plain that we been proved to be open to corrupt practices, and it is are having four debates in the next two weeks on that compromising our democratic process. subject. I would have thought that that would be sufficient to satisfy the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps we ought to Mr Heath: Concerns about the integrity of the postal debate the pre-Budget forecast based on the policies of vote process have been expressed for a long time. Postal the March Budget—a Labour Budget—which showed a votes form a useful part of our electoral arrangements, reduction of around 500,000 public sector jobs by 2014-15. but nevertheless we must make sure that our electoral I think that that would be a very worthwhile debate. system has the highest possible integrity. The Government are committed to introducing the individual registration Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): The Deputy Leader of voters, and that will go a long way towards dealing of the House may have heard or read reports of an with some of the potential abuses of the current system. incident on Tuesday at the Lindsey oil refinery in my I hope that legislation will be introduced in due course constituency. Sadly, there was a fatality and a number that will enable the hon. Gentleman to make his points of injuries, and I am sure that the whole House would very forcefully. want to send our condolences in respect of the 24-year-old contractor who lost his life. In the immediate aftermath Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): The of the incident there are heightened concerns among deadline for the payment to pleural plaques victims of the local community.Will the Deputy Leader of the House compensation worth £5,000 has come and gone. On at ensure that a statement can be made to the House in the least two occasions in this House, Ministers have said next week or two? The police and the Health and that the payment would be made by the end of June. Safety Executive are conducting an inquiry. If it makes Will the Deputy Leader of the House please ensure that recommendations that relate to the Lindsey oil refinery the appropriate Minister makes a statement to the and other refineries, will he arrange for a debate to House to explain to victims of this dreadful disease in be held? my constituency exactly why they are still having to wait for the much promised and expected £5,000 payment? Mr Heath: I very much appreciate the hon. Gentleman raising this point on behalf of his constituents, and I Mr Heath: I am grateful to the hon. Lady, and also am sure that the whole House would want to express congratulate her on her election to the Backbench Business our condolences to the family and friends of Robert Committee. She raises an issue that I know is very Greenacre, who sadly lost his life in the incident. important to a large number of Members and constituents. As the hon. Gentleman said, the HSE and the I will pass her comments on to the relevant Ministers. Environment Agency have launched an investigation, in Hopefully, there will be statement in the near future, but conjunction with the police. I think that it would probably I cannot promise it. be unwise for us to debate the issue in the House until it has been properly investigated but, if there are then Mr Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con): May lessons that need to be learned that have a more general I urge the Deputy Leader of the House to award the applicability, I hope that we will either have a statement hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle) or that the hon. Gentleman will secure a debate on the the debate that she sought? We would be able to examine Adjournment or in Westminster Hall. That will enable in detail how the cost of the most recent Cabinet Ministers to consider the questions more widely. meeting in Bradford was one tenth of what was spent by the previous Labour Government on their away days. Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): May we have a debate on the Government’s fairness agenda? Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman has almost persuaded Recent announcements on tax increases, benefit cuts, me that we ought to find Government time for that education spending, pensions, capital funding schemes debate. I will give it very careful consideration indeed. and police funding all seem to be at odds with the fairness agenda. Such a debate would enable the Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): The Chancellor Government to explain why their policies do not have of the Exchequer came here last week and declared that any element of fairness in them. he would be the model of transparency. He said: “I am not going to hide hard choices from the British people or Mr Heath: I can tell the hon. Gentleman what is fair. bury them in the small print of the Budget documents.”—[Official He mentioned pensioners, and it is fair finally to give Report, 22 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 167.] them the triple-lock guarantee that their pensions will He added that the British public would hear those hard go up. That compares with the ridiculous 75p that we choices straight from him, in that speech. remember from the previous Government. Perhaps, 1013 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1014 therefore, we should have a debate on fairness, and on many affairs in his area, spends on their behalf. I differ the inability of the Labour Government to introduce from that view. I do not believe that a debate would any element of fairness into their fiscal policies. be greatly useful, but perhaps he would like to apply for one. Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): May we have a debate on the future of the UK’s financial Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): May we have a services industry? That would allow me to highlight the debate on how we ought to deal with habitual criminals, plight of the 535 Chester-based employees of Lloyds given that most of my constituents in Bury, Ramsbottom banking group, who heard yesterday that they had lost and Tottington feel that if there is not enough time their jobs, with the closure of the Premier house call during a short prison sentence properly to rehabilitate centre in my constituency. persistent offenders, rather than not send them to prison, the solution is a longer sentence? Mr Heath: Obviously, it is a serious matter whenever we hear about job losses of this kind, and the hon. Mr Heath: I say to the hon. Gentleman that we need Gentleman is right to raise it in the Chamber. I am not a penal policy that stops people reoffending and that sure that I can find an opportunity for a debate on the reduces crime. Sometimes, that will mean not prison subject in the next two weeks, but he makes a very good sentences, but more appropriate disposals that work point about the future of regulation in financial services. better. Sometimes, it will mean prison sentences, because That is something that is, of course, under active those are necessary either for rehabilitation or for the consideration in the relevant Departments. protection of people in an area. I hope the hon. Gentleman has the opportunity to put forward what are quite Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): May we have an urgent clearly firmly held views when the Justice Secretary debate on sentencing policy and the construction of brings forward his review of sentencing policy. new prisons? There is real confusion in north Wales about whether a new prison is to be built. The Secretary Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May of State for Wales says that she wants one, but the we have an early debate on the role and responsibilities Secretary of State for Justice is not telling. I am still of the Deputy Prime Minister? Did the Deputy Leader waiting for a meeting to ask a straight question. Is not it of the House share with me the feeling of pity for him about time that this House was shown the respect of when he was on the “Today” programme this morning being given a statement on sentencing policy, as the talking about the scourge of grey squirrels? What on hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) requested? earth is going on in his Department? Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman’s best opportunity to ask that question is at Justice questions on Tuesday Mr Heath: I do not find the difficulty that the hon. 20 July. I suggest that he tables a question right away. Gentleman suggests, because I believe that some of the legislation introduced by the previous Government is Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The children’s absurd and unnecessary. Whenever a Minister did not heart unit at Leeds general infirmary is one of the know what to do about a subject, they came to the oldest in the country—it has performed life-saving House and introduced a new criminal offence. The fact operations for more than 40 years. May we have an that we are going to get rid of some of those criminal urgent debate on the review of the 11 children’s heart offences will be widely welcomed across the country, units around the country to ensure that people do not because we do not want unnecessary offences and have to travel miles for life-saving heart surgery? regulation. The Deputy Prime Minister is doing an extremely good job of highlighting those issues. If he Mr Heath: Paediatric cardiac services are of considerable wants scrutiny, he does not lack it, given that a Select importance. Health Ministers are reviewing the situation Committee has been formed for that purpose and that at the moment—[Interruption.] The hon. Member for there are regular questions to him in the House. I do not Bolsover (Mr Skinner) is complaining that the Government think there are any such difficulties. are holding reviews. He was around in 1997, but let me remind him that the Labour Government announced Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): Will the Deputy 38 reviews between 1 May and 27 June 1997. One former Leader of the House agree to a debate on whether the Cabinet Minister said at the time: law currently provides sufficient protection for telephone “We have hit the ground reviewing.” bill payers from being charged for calls made by an We have hit the ground reforming. external hacker through their switchboard? Jolene Gregory, the practice manager of Pendle View medical centre Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I am in my constituency, has a bill for £4,700 for fraudulent keen to help the Government to cut waste and extravagance. calls made between September and December 2009, which In that context, does the Deputy Leader of the House to date, the telephone provider, Azzurri Communications, have an estimate of the cost to my constituents of the has been unwilling to cancel or reduce. Government’s direction that Birmingham council must now publish all spending details online? Indeed, in these Mr Heath: Many hon. Members will be shocked by cash-strapped times, should we not have a debate on the what has happened to the hon. Gentleman’s constituent—it cost to local authorities of that new Government is simply unacceptable. Many of us have found similar imposition? things in our constituency casework. Telecommunications companies in particular very often seem to have scant Mr Heath: I think I hear from the hon. Gentleman regard for the interests of their consumers. I am pleased that he does not think his constituents ought easily to that he had the opportunity to raise the matter today on be able to find out what a large council, which runs behalf of his constituent, and I will ensure that it is 1015 Business of the House1 JULY 2010 Business of the House 1016

[Mr Heath] rather breezily told me that there was no need for a statement because there would be a Bill, but there was brought to the attention of ministerial colleagues and no mention in today’s business statement of the Bill’s the regulator. In due course, he may feel it worth while introduction. Given the time it takes for legislation to to approach the Backbench Business Committee to ask go through both Houses of Parliament, is not the for a debate on the wider subject of consumer protection, reality that any legislation is unlikely to be enacted until which probably affects a large number of Back-Bench the end of this year at the earliest, which means that Members. payments will not be made until some time in 2011? May we have not only a statement but a debate on that Diana R. Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): cruel betrayal of Equitable Life policyholders by the Yesterday, two of my constituents travelled from Hull Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, given the promises to lobby me on the important issue of contaminated they made before the election? That is also a betrayal, blood products. When they came through security, they incidentally, of Members such as myself, who misguidedly were wearing campaign t-shirts, which they were told voted for a Liberal Democrat motion on the matter a either to remove or turn inside out. I know that the few weeks before the election. Deputy Leader of the House is committed to freedom and civil liberties, so will he make a statement on that Mr Heath: The hon. Gentleman has been a doughty particular practice of the House? supporter of Equitable Life policyholders over the years, Mr Heath: I was not aware of that situation and I am as have I and many hon. Members on both sides of the grateful to the hon. Lady for bringing it to my attention. House. It does not really help if he now uses the terms I may have to refer the matter to you, Mr Speaker, in that he has for this Government, who are trying to deal due course, for your consideration, but I am grateful to with the issue after year after year of prevarication from the hon. Lady for raising it. the previous Government. They set up Sir John Chadwick’s review. He has not yet completed it. He is now talking Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): May we about reporting in mid-July, so we have to await the end have an urgent justice debate on the devastating impact of the review. There is no question about that. for local justice in Skipton and rural Craven should My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has Skipton magistrates and county court close as a result said that legislation will be introduced at an early of the forthcoming review? opportunity, and it will. Mr Heath: Hon. Members on both sides of the House will have many questions to ask about the Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Will circumstances of their local magistrates courts. Far be it the Deputy Leader of the House consider his reply to from me to use my position to raise the issue of Frome the hon. Member for City of Chester (Stephen Mosley) magistrates court—that would be inappropriate—but about the redundancies announced by the insurance experience suggests that concern is felt by a large number arm of Lloyds Banking Group. Lloyds is, of course, of hon. Members. There is a genuine consultation on largely owned by the Treasury. Of those posts, 198 are what should happen and legitimate questions need to be going from Nottingham. What can be done to help with asked about court houses that are simply not fit for retraining and redeployment of those made redundant? purpose and that cannot be brought up to the required Many of our constituents in Nottingham are very concerned standard economically. However, the Justice Secretary about this matter. will welcome views from hon. Members about courts in their constituencies and their circumstances, particularly Mr Heath: It is something that the hon. Gentleman in relation to rural areas, where access to justice might may want to raise in the context of the Opposition day be an issue. I cannot promise a debate at the moment, debate because it is clearly relevant to that. I perfectly but no doubt when the review has reached its completion, understand the concerns that he expresses on behalf of there will be an opportunity. his constituents. We want to make sure that every possible assistance is given by the Government to the Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): Last week, the individuals made redundant. We bandy around percentages, Prime Minister said that our troops would be back from but someone who loses their job is 100% unemployed Afghanistan within five years, but yesterday he was until they find another job. That is the human tragedy contradicted by the Secretary of State for Defence. May that we always have to have in mind. we have a debate to clear up this mess as soon as possible? I hope that the hon. Gentleman will use that opportunity. Mr Heath: As the hon. Gentleman knows, we are If he feels that there is more that can be done, I hope committed to regular debates on the conflict in Afghanistan that he will seek a debate on the issue either in Westminster and Defence questions is on Monday—there are questions Hall or on the Adjournment. Such issues are very on policy in Afghanistan on the Order Paper, which will important. I leave the hon. Gentleman with one parting give him the opportunity to raise that. It is absolutely shot. He is right: this is a bank in which the UK clear that there is the intention of withdrawing our Government have a significant holding. I wish that the forces when the job is done, and we all hope that the job previous Government had applied some effective constraints will be done at the earliest possible opportunity. I do on the way banks operated when they took that equity not see any difficulty in reconciling that position. in the banks. Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ Mr Speaker: I am grateful to colleagues for their Co-op): Last week, when I asked for a Government co-operation, which has enabled everyone who wanted statement on Equitable Life, the Leader of the House to contribute to do so. 1017 1 JULY 2010 Points of Order 1018

Points of Order persuade Ministers to come here urgently next week to make a statement? The Deputy Leader of the House 12.32 pm must have known about this issue because it has been in the national news all week, yet he could not give us an Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): On a point of order, answer. Mr Speaker. Further to the points raised during business questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Halton Mr Speaker: I appreciate the importance that the (Derek Twigg) and for Garston and Halewood (Maria hon. Gentleman attaches to the matter. He has raised it Eagle), we have heard this week, 20 years on from the before and he feels a commitment to his constituents in Hillsborough disaster, that there are still misconceptions relation to it. Therefore, it is understandable that he has about the tragedy, even in the Cabinet. That is precisely flagged it up in passionate and explicit terms with me why I, together with my two hon. Friends, called for the this afternoon. I do not think that I can add anything, full disclosure of all public documents relating to the however, to what I have already said. If a new approach disaster and the establishment of the Hillsborough or policy is planned on a matter of great importance, independent panel to give the people of Merseyside which this certainly is, it should be the subject of a the full truth and to end the misconceptions once and statement to the House first. I have now said that twice for all. so I am sure that it has been heard in the relevant quarters. Together with the former Home Secretary, we signed Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): On a point off the terms of reference and the funding for the of order, Mr Speaker. You have just reiterated that Hillsborough independent panel before the election. Ministers should come to the House when there has The policy was settled. Today in the Daily Mirror I read been a change of policy. The Prime Minister came to that sources in the Department for Culture, Media and the House two weeks ago and made a statement on the Sport say that the Secretary of State is taking a new important subject of our involvement in Afghanistan. look at the issue and He then briefed the press when he went to Canada last “Things are not as simple as before”. weekend about time limits for our withdrawal. Yesterday Is it in order that on an issue of this significance and the Defence Secretary attended the right-wing Heritage importance a change of policy can be dealt with by Foundation in Washington. Is it not right that they off-the-record briefings? Do the people of Merseyside should make announcements here if policy has changed not deserve the courtesy of a Minister of the Crown in the past two weeks on Afghanistan? coming to this House to tell them exactly what they are Mr Speaker: All I can say to the hon. Gentleman is up to? that discussion of public policy is an ongoing process. It takes place all the time and Ministers can discuss policy Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman issues in a variety of ways, including in speeches and for his point of order and for advance notice of it. I exchanges outside the House. The crucial point is this. reiterate at the outset that if a Minister intends to make When a new policy is to be announced, it must be a new commitment in terms of policy or to change a announced here first. All that I can say is that I will keep hitherto understood public policy, he or she is expected a beady eye on this matter, not merely on a weekly basis to make that clear first to the House, as I hope experience but on a daily basis. earlier this week testifies. I appreciate the extreme importance of this matter. I Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North) (Lab): On a point am not aware thus far of any intention on the part of a of order, Mr Speaker. Now that the Deputy Leader of Minister to make a statement. It is open to the right the House has agreed to arrange for a debate on the hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members to table Government’s policy on fairness, how do I find out questions—[Interruption.] Order. The request that the when that debate will take place? right hon. Gentleman has made will have been heard on Mr Speaker: I think the answer to the hon. Gentleman’s the Treasury Bench, and I repeat that if a new policy is point of order is that that is a matter for the Leader of planned we had better hear about it here first. the House and, in his absence, the Deputy Leader of the Finally, and more widely, it might be of interest to the House. It is quite possible that a cosy chat will shortly House to know that applications have already been ensue between the hon. Member for St Helens North made for an Adjournment debate on this subject. Those (Mr Watts) and the Deputy Leader of the House. applications were not successful in the ballot, but knowing Diana R. Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): the persistence and indefatigability of colleagues who On a point of order, Mr Speaker. This follows on from are interested in this matter, I have a hunch that they my question during business questions and may be might apply again and, who knows, they might be more appropriate for you. When they came through successful. security into the House yesterday, my constituents were Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab): Further to that point of asked to remove a campaign T-shirt or turn it inside order, Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance and patience out. Can you give some guidance to our security staff on this matter, but I know that you understand because with regard to that policy? I have raised before the great concern not only on Mr Speaker: I shall certainly investigate the matter Merseyside but nationally and internationally about and revert to the hon. Lady. I am not familiar with the what is happening. We have had a disgraceful statement circumstances of this case, other than from what she from a Minister this week. We have now had briefings said. An overly restrictive approach in matters of this and rumours about the release of documents and arguments kind is undesirable. Occasionally, a bit of flamboyance about financing. An Adjournment debate is one way of is not such a bad thing. I think I can say that to the hon. looking at this, but is there anything more you can do to Lady from personal experience. 1019 1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1020

Global Poverty We understand that one of the main causes of sustained poverty is conflict—that it is conflict that so often 12.39 pm condemns women and children to grievous suffering. If someone is living in one of those dreadful camps, which The Secretary of State for International Development hon. Members may have visited, around the world—the (Mr Andrew Mitchell): I beg to move, Prime Minister and I visited some in Darfur—it does That this House has considered the matter of global poverty. not matter how much access to money, aid, trade or This is the first opportunity since the general election different articles of development they may have, because that the House has had to debate international development for as long as the conflict continues, they will remain and my first chance, as Secretary of State, to set out for poor, frightened, dispossessed and angry. Just as conflict the House how the coalition will address this vital condemns people to remain in poverty, so it is wealth agenda. My purpose today is twofold. First, I want to creation—jobs, enterprise, trade and engagement with set out for the House the changes that we are making in the private sector—that enables people to lift themselves my Department. Secondly, in the context of last week’s out of poverty. All that underlines, again and again, as Budget, in which the Chancellor set out the scale of the the Prime Minister did at the G20 last weekend, the fiscal crisis bequeathed us by the previous Government—a importance of not giving up on the Doha round and, crisis that means that of every £4 of public expenditure, notwithstanding how difficult it is, remaining absolutely £1 is borrowed—I want to make it clear why our coalition committed to it. Government stand four-square behind our commitment Making progress in the fight against international to the world’s poorest people, and why we will increase poverty and achieving the goals set down by the whole our expenditure on international development to 0.7% of international community and enshrined in the eight our gross national income from 2013, define that millennium development goals cannot be done without expenditure under the OECD/Development Assistance meeting the financial commitments set out so clearly at Committee rules and enshrine that commitment in law. Gleneagles in 2005—commitments that were underlined In his Budget, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor and strongly endorsed by the Prime Minister in Canada reaffirmed that development spending will increase. As at the weekend. Although the British Government focused the Prime Minister has consistently made clear, the particularly at the G8 summit on MDG 5 on maternal coalition Government will not seek to balance the books mortality, the most off-track of all the MDGs, we are on the backs of the poorest in the world. It is clearly also leading the argument for real progress to be made helpful that that strong commitment transcends party on all the goals. politics, both in the House and in the country. It is a When the UN summit meets in September in New strength of international development that it is seen not York, there will be just five years left for those goals to as the preserve or the passion of any one political party, be achieved. We want to see measurable outcomes and a but as a British commitment in which Members in all clear agenda for action agreed for the whole international parts of the House strongly believe. community to ensure that the goals are now reached. In In that context I would like to say how pleased I was essence, we are trying to ensure that good, basic health to see that the right hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm care, education, clean water and sanitation reach the Bruce) has been elected—unopposed—to resume his people at the end of the track, who today in all too chairmanship of the Select Committee on International many places in the world have none of those things. Development. I am also pleased that many hon. Members, Well spent aid has achieved miracles around the including my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury world. That is not of course to argue that aid is not (Tony Baldry), who have a long record of particular sometimes stolen, embezzled or badly used. We will involvement and commitment in this area are in their confront all three of those things head-on, but thanks places. to aid we have eradicated smallpox; we have reduced I should also like to express my admiration and polio from 350,000 cases a year in 1998 to under 2,000 respect for the extraordinary collection of skills and today, while the number of people on life-saving treatments expertise in the Department for International Development, for AIDS has increased from 400,000 in 2003 to 4 million which I now have the privilege to lead. As the Prime in 2008. In Afghanistan, there are today 2 million girls Minister said on his visit to the Department last week, in school thanks to the international aid effort. we should be very proud of the leading role DFID is taking in the fight against international poverty. The Chris Kelly (Dudley South) (Con): In a recent article fact that in this time of great economic difficulty DFID in a major newspaper the Secretary of State was singled has a ring-fenced, protected budget is not because we out for particular praise by Bill Gates. Can my right believe that money alone is the key to international hon. Friend inform the House how he plans to work development. closely with Mr Gates’s foundation in the coming years? Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): I welcome the right hon. Gentleman to his position as Secretary of State. Mr Mitchell: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend for He said that he hoped to enshrine in law the commitment that intervention. The Gates Foundation has had a that all parties in the House share. Can he give any more profound effect on the way we see and act in international information on how and when that might happen? development. Our contacts with the foundation, already significant, are certainly set to intensify. Mr Mitchell: I thank my right hon. Friend for his comment. I am not able today to give final details, but Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): I welcome the negotiations continue in the usual manner. I shall make right hon. Gentleman to his post. He has said a lot sure that the House is informed as soon as final decisions about aid, and clearly the role of his Department is on that point have been made. hugely important in these matters. Does he accept, 1021 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1022 however, that in relation to developing countries, what able to benefit from a VSO placement in Bangladesh. goes on across Whitehall is hugely important? I hope he The VSO placement scheme for parliamentary colleagues will also talk about his relationships with the Ministry has been running for a couple of years, but will his of Defence, the Department for Environment, Food Department continue to support it? It offers parliamentary and Rural Affairs and those Departments responsible colleagues an opportunity for short placements of two for matters that have an impact on poor people. to four weeks during the summer recess in order to visit some of the countries that DFID supports, and to learn Mr Mitchell: The right hon. Gentleman makes an much more about its work. extremely good point, and I hope to come to all those matters during my remarks. Mr Mitchell: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. I cannot give him that guarantee today, but I am familiar with the scheme he describes. It is an Mr Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con): excellent scheme, and we have no plans to alter it at this May I pay tribute to my right hon. Friend in his role time, but I shall write to him, giving him specific details, and ask him a question about civil justice? In many when we have made a decision. areas the problem of policing and ensuring that people can obtain justice is one of the most difficult and What is less easily articulated is that tackling poverty intractable. Is he bearing that in mind in his duties, throughout the world is also very much in our national particularly in the context of Afghanistan? interest. Whether the issue is drug-resistant diseases, economic stability, conflict and insecurity, climate change or migration, it is far more effective to tackle the root Mr Mitchell: I thank my hon. Friend for that comment. cause now than to treat the symptoms later. The weight Yes, the issue of grievance procedures—how one resolves of migration to Europe from Africa is often caused by grievances—is of particular concern in Afghanistan, conflict, poverty, disease and dysfunctional government. and we are looking precisely at that in conjunction with We see people putting themselves into the hands of the other important matters in the run-up to the Kabul modern equivalent of the slave trader and crossing conference. hundreds of miles of ocean in leaky boats in the hope of Our determination and commitment to tackling these tipping up on a wealthy European shore. Often, they are problems ever more effectively is both a moral matter not people seeking a free ride, but the brightest and the and one that is very much in our national self-interest. I best from conflict countries, seeking a better life for believe that in a hundred years’ time generations that themselves and their families. It is much better to help follow will look back on us in very much the same way them to tackle the causes of their leaving the country that today we look back on the slave trade. They will that they have come from. Our prosperity depends on marvel that our generations acquiesced in a world where development and growth in Africa and Asia. each and every day almost 25,000 children under five die needlessly from diseases and conditions that we Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): I welcome the absolutely have the power to prevent. For the first time, Secretary of State to his new position, and I know that not least through the benefits of globalisation, our he understands the close relationship between development generations have the power and ability to make huge and the environment. Will he add to the list of the issues progress in tackling these colossal discrepancies in that he has just mentioned the importance of ensuring opportunity and wealth around the world. that environmental issues are taken into account as part of the development process? Will he also commit to Many Members will have their own direct experience ensuring that, on the climate change promise that the of what I am describing. In my case, I think of a visit to previous Government made, there will be no more than a remote corner of Uganda with the Medical Missionaries a 10% overlap between environmental projects to combat of Mary, who work with families of AIDS orphans. I climate change and development aid—that his Government, remind the House that there are more AIDS orphans in too, are willing to continue with that commitment? sub-Saharan Africa than there are children in the whole of the United Kingdom. I think of the family of six Mr Mitchell: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his orphaned children I met, of whom the eldest, at 14—the remarks. On his general point, he is absolutely right same age as my own daughter at the time—battled each about the importance of including in all our aid and and every day to get her siblings dressed and to school. development activity a climate-smart approach—one I remind the House that today Britain is educating that, as he says, reflects the importance of the environment. 4.8 million primary schoolchildren in Britain, while at In opposition I had an opportunity to see the direct the same time in the poor world we are educating correlation between those issues in many different parts 5 million children at a fraction of the cost; in fact, 2.5% of the world, and, although I shall not speak extensively of the UK cost. today about climate change, I very much hope that It is those harsh realities of life in large parts of the there will be another opportunity to do so, and I take world—grinding poverty, hopelessness and destitution— his point on board. that have galvanised the commitment and passion of so In respect of the figure of 10%, the hon. Gentleman many in our country today to ensure that, in our time, will have to wait for the result of the spending review, through our generations, we will make a difference. It is but as he will know, the “fast start” money, which the true that charity begins at home, but it does not end previous Government announced and we support, will there. all come out of that 10% and out of the official development assistance budget. We have confirmed that that will Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): I happen under our Government, too. welcome the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues I deal now with the changes that we are making in my to their places and wish them well during their tenure. Department, and the plans that we set out in the coalition In respect of personal experience, my wife and I were agreement. A protected budget, at a time when expenditure 1023 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1024

[Mr Andrew Mitchell] for this debate. I should make it clear to him that several projects to which I put a stop will now proceed, and elsewhere is being reduced, imposes a double duty to officials are in touch with those responsible for them, eliminate waste and unnecessary expenditure and to making clear our value-for-money requirements. However, demonstrate at every turn that we are achieving value I have cancelled five, including the one to which he for money. refers, after looking very carefully at them and following advice from officials. Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I Let me list those five projects. I hope that the House welcome my right hon. Friend to his position; I am very will consider whether they should be funded from Britain’s pleased to see him and his team in place. One dilemma development project. First, there was £146,000 for a under the previous Government was that, although Brazilian-style dance troupe with percussion expertise money was poured into various countries, whether it in Hackney. Secondly, there was £55,000 to run stalls at should have gone there was questionable. India, for summer music festivals. Thirdly, there was £120,000 to example, has a space programme, and China hosted one train nursery school teachers in global issues. Fourthly, of the most elaborate and expensive Olympic games there was £130,000 for a global gardens schools’ network. ever. In South Africa, I recently visited the Khayelitsha And finally, there was £140,000 to train outdoor education townships, which were horrifying to see, but at the same tutors in Britain in development. time there are rich parts of that country. One must ask Spending money on international development in the whether we might put more pressure on those countries UK rather than on poor people overseas seems highly to help themselves, rather than just passing on money—I questionable. We need to ensure that any expenditure hear, in China—to the tune of £30 million. Has the has demonstrable outcomes in developing countries, Secretary of State had an opportunity to consider those and that is why I took the action that I did. However, I issues? have written to the hon. Gentleman, and he will have a chance to see in some detail why we took those decisions. Mr Mitchell: I thank my hon. Friend for his detailed intervention. If he will allow me to come to the point directly, I shall then answer his specific point about Mr Lammy: Will the right hon. Gentleman comment China. on the Greenbelt festival, from which it was proposed that money be withdrawn? I make that point in the hope I was making the point that a ring-fenced budget that he will appreciate that faith communities—particularly, imposes a double duty on my Department to eliminate the Christian community, as represented in that festival— waste and unnecessary expenditure, and to ensure that have done a considerable amount over a considerable we achieve value for money. Within a few days of taking time to raise the prominence of development issues. We office, I cancelled funding for five awareness-raising would not have had Jubilee 2000 and, then, Make projects, including a Brazilian-style dance group specialising Poverty History without that movement. in percussion in Hackney, securing savings in excess of £500,000. In addition, I am cancelling the global May I also say gently to the right hon. Gentleman development engagement fund, which would have funded that the projects that he outlined largely touch on young further awareness-raising activity in the UK, and creating people—it is hugely important that they continue to savings of £6.5 million. I shall make further announcements lobby Governments to make more progress—and on on prudent and sensible savings over the coming weeks. ethnic minorities, in which regard we should recognise I expect shortly to be able to announce that more that when we talk about development, it includes those than £100 million will be saved from projects that are a who have come to this country and look overseas to see low priority or not performing. That money will be what we are doing? reallocated to programmes that are more effective in helping the world’s poorest people. Last but by no Mr Mitchell: The right hon. Gentleman makes an means least, I am letting out another floor of my interesting and not unreasonable point. However, the Department. That better use of space in DFID will balance of judgment that has to be made is whether this earn revenue of almost £1 million a year, once let. money should come out of the ring-fenced development budget. As I said, we intend, in very difficult economic Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ circumstances, to seek to carry the country with us as Co-op): DFID has cancelled grant support for a project regards the validity of this budget. I have explained in run by Scotdec, the Scottish development education some detail why that is so important on moral grounds, centre, which has offices in my constituency. It was as well as on national self-interest grounds. I feared that given no reason for the withdrawal, other than the new the budget was in danger of being discredited by some policy that the Government announced, and it was just of the existing schemes that I have decided to stop, and about to submit the one-year evaluation of its project. that is why I made that decision. Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that that is not the way to act if he is to encourage projects to respond Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): There is a simple test to Government concerns? Surely Scotdec should have for all the Department’s spending—does it fall within been given an opportunity to respond to any Government the definition of international development set by the concerns about its project, and should not the Government OECD’s Development Assistance Committee? Clearly, reconsider the funding withdrawal that he announced a none of these schemes did. If we are going to have few weeks ago? ring-fenced spending, we will need to ensure that it falls within the DAC definition. Mr Mitchell: I have had a letter from the hon. Gentleman on that point, and I wrote to him late last night. I Mr Mitchell: My hon. Friend makes a very important apologise for the fact that he did not receive it in time point about value for money. 1025 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1026

I suggest to the House that we will not be able to Mr Mitchell: I think that the right hon. Gentleman maintain public support for Britain’s vital development can do a lot better than that. He will have to wait until budget unless we can demonstrate to the public’s satisfaction we issue our proposals ahead of the Kabul conference, that this money is really well spent. The lights have been and then he will be able to judge them on their merit. burning late in DFID as we embark on our ambitious In addition, our aid budget should be spent where programme of reform. In the seven weeks since the it is needed and where it can be best used. We have election, we have wasted no time in laying the foundations therefore started a review of all our bilateral aid programmes for a fundamentally new approach to development—an so that we can be clear that money is being properly approach rooted in rigorous, independent evaluation, targeted and worthwhile results obtained. We have already full transparency, value for money, and an unremitting announced that we will end aid to China and Russia as focus on results. Our Government will place the same soon as it is practical to do so. We want to work with premium on the quality of aid that the previous them as partners, not as donors and recipients. We Government placed on the quantity of aid. We will cannot justify giving taxpayers’ hard-earned money to a judge performance against outputs and outcomes rather country that has just spent billions hosting the Olympics than inputs. or is a member of the G8. In that context, my hon. Hard-pressed taxpayers need to know that the Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) expenditure of their money is being scrutinised fully raised India. We will be looking very carefully at the and is really delivering results. We are therefore working Indian budget, and we will issue any new proposals as to develop an independent aid watchdog, as we consistently part of our bilateral review. promised throughout the past four years, to evaluate the effectiveness of DFID’s spending. We will also Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): When the modify the way that aid programmes are designed so International Development Committee wrote its most that gathering rigorous evidence of impact is built in recent report about aid to India, which is currently our from the day they start. This will allow us to take biggest bilateral aid receiving partner, we did not call decisions about how we spend and allocate aid on the for an immediate end to the aid programme in India but basis of solid evidence. I expect to report to the House proposed that between now and 2015—the millennium shortly on both of those initiatives. development goals date—the aid programme should be changed so that there was no longer a cash transfer Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire after that date. The Secretary of State’s remarks suggest South) (Lab): I would be grateful if the Secretary of that he has not decided to go along with the Committee’s State could reconcile the statement that he has just recommendation. What are his plans, and why has he made with the written answer that he extended to me taken that decision? when I questioned the £200 million—the largest single cash announcement he has made in the past few weeks— Mr Mitchell: I understand the hon. Gentleman’s interest that is now going to Afghanistan. When I urged him to in India; he was a distinguished member of the International clarify what that £200 million of input would deliver in Development Committee. I have seen that report, which terms of output, he replied: makes a very valuable contribution and will be considered “We will make specific decisions on spending and focus areas as part of the bilateral review of our India programme. in time for this event.”—[Official Report, 24 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 349W.] We are conducting a similar review of our multilateral aid budget. There are good reasons for working through The event is the conference to be held in July in Afghanistan. international bodies, but I want to be certain that all Why was such an announcement made if the rigorous our funding is being used to support programmes that focus on outputs that he has upheld to the House as the align with our priorities, and that operational efficiency new approach in the Department has been applied? is as strong as it should be. In New York on Monday, in meetings with the heads of the United Nations Mr Mitchell: The right hon. Gentleman makes a very Development Programme, UNICEF and the United interesting point. We are working on the effectiveness of Nations Population Fund, I had the opportunity to set measures that are already being taken in Afghanistan— out the reasons for this review. I have also spoken to the [Interruption.] Well, if he will just bear with me, I will, heads of other multilateral agencies, including the World in the spirit of his question, give him the answer to it. Food Programme. At the Foreign Affairs Council in We are looking carefully at a series of inputs in relation Luxembourg, I took the opportunity to discuss our to the effectiveness that they will achieve, and we hope plans with Commissioner Piebalgs of the European to be able to announce some of the findings in the Union. Multilateral organisations that are performing run-up to the Kabul conference. When the Prime Minister well for the world’s poorest people stand to gain from gave that figure, he was referring to the amount that we this review, but if such agencies are not performing we have managed to find for additional expenditure in will scale down funding, or even stop it altogether. Our Afghanistan as a result of closing down or changing duty to the world’s poorest people, as well as to the other programmes. How that money will be spent will British taxpayer, demands nothing less. be accounted for by me to the House as soon as those decisions have been made. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): I welcome the Secretary of State and his team to their posts. I Mr Alexander: I would hope that the right hon. notice that one issue of which he has made no mention Gentleman can do a little better than that. I hear that so so far is gender. Can he confirm that gender equality far the only output from the £200 million that has been and the role of women and children will receive equal, announced is a press release. Can he confirm what the if not greater, priority under his guidance in the £200 million is actually going to purchase? Department? 1027 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1028

[Ann McKechin] them, many still girls, die as a result. Some 215 million women around the world who want to use modern Given that the Secretary of State has a particular contraception do not have access to it. No statistic interest in Afghanistan, may I bring to his attention this could more eloquently underline the importance of week’s excellent BBC television report by Lyse Doucet allowing women to choose whether to have children, about the status of women in prisons in Afghanistan, and we will pursue that argument vigorously and single- the vast majority of whom are in prison for no crime mindedly. whatsoever, in breach of the international conventions I invite the House to consider the further point that that Afghanistan has signed up to? Can he give an in Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, a assurance to the House that he will call on the Afghan population of 3 million in 1960 has grown to nearly Government to comply with their international 16 million today, and expert opinion judges that it will requirements and to ensure that the position of women rise to nearly 60 million in the next 40 years. It is a in Afghanistan receives the proper status that it deserves? country that suffers deeply from political, economic, climate and food insecurity. As I said last week in Mr Mitchell: I thank the hon. Lady for her comments. Washington, Britain will place women at the heart of On the report, I will have a look at that. On her first our whole agenda for international development. point about the role of women, I am coming to that That subject is closely related to the Prime Minister’s directly in my remarks. insistence at the G8 last weekend on combined action Doing the right thing with British aid is not just about on maternal and child mortality. As he made clear in saving money: it is about being honest and open about Muskoka, a woman’s chances of dying in pregnancy where our funding is going. Knowledge gives people the and childbirth are one in 8,200 in the UK, whereas in power to hold others—be they individuals, organisations Sierra Leone they are a stark one in eight. The resources or Governments—to account. That is why I have launched agreed at the G8, including a significant contribution a new UK aid transparency guarantee that will help to from the United Kingdom, should lead to an additional make aid transparent not only to people in the UK but 1.3 million lives being saved. to those in recipient countries. Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): I welcome Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Will what my right hon. Friend has just said. It is not just my right hon. Friend give way? helping women that is to be welcomed, because it is a simple fact that no country has got itself out of poverty Mr Mitchell: I am going to make a bit of progress, without first stabilising its levels of population growth. and then I will of course give way. Furthermore, we are very unlikely to achieve the millennium Building up civil society in the developing world is development goals without stabilising population crucial to enabling citizens to hold their own political development. I warmly welcome his points and I urge leaders to account. The transparency guarantee will him to give even greater emphasis to a global family help to create millions of independent aid watchdogs— planning approach to aid. people around the world who can see where aid is supposed to be going and shout if it does not get there. Mr Mitchell: I thank my hon. Friend very much for From January, we will publish full details of DFID those comments. As the House will know, he can probably projects and programmes on our website so that everyone lay claim to being the House’s greatest expert on population can have access to information about where our funding issues. is going and what it is intended to achieve. The simple Important though aid is, it is only part of the solution—a act of publishing information can reduce the amount of means to an end rather than an end in itself. The key to corruption and waste, improve the quality of public development is sustained economic growth. Over the services and increase public sector accountability. years ahead we will help more countries put in place the I wish to make two further points about Britain’s building blocks of wealth creation—trade, a vibrant bilateral aid programme. First, where it is relevant, in private sector, property rights and a low-carbon, climate- every country where DFID is active we will pay particular resilient economy. We are reorganising the structure of attention to the fight against malaria. It will be the the Department to ensure a sharper focus on wealth responsibility of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary creation and economic growth. I will give the House of State for International Development, whose involvement, further details of that in due course. I am also considering expertise and knowledge in the matter is well known to carefully the contribution made through CDC and the House. It is simply unconscionable that in this day considering how to improve its capacity to take forward and age, thousands of children and adults die every day development objectives. from that completely preventable disease. If there were I turn to the support that we give to the brilliant an outbreak of malaria in Europe it would immediately non-governmental organisations, charities and civil society be stopped in its tracks. Reducing the burden of malaria institutions whose work I have seen all around the in the developing world and focusing on the areas of world. It is often inspirational and a huge credit not just highest infection will be an essential part of our to their supporters but to Britain itself. They make an programmes. outstanding contribution to development work. As we Secondly, we must extend far further choice for women said in opposition, we want to develop that work through over whether and when they have children. It is outrageous our poverty impact fund. The principle of that fund will that today in sub-Saharan Africa, only 15% of women be both simple and clear: if an NGO is engaged in have access to modern methods of contraception. I development work that takes forward the millennium simply lay this fact before the House: every year, development goals, we will be prepared to match-fund 20 million women have unsafe abortions, and 70,000 of its budget if it, in turn, can increase its outputs and 1029 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1030 outcomes accordingly. That will, of course, be subject make an important contribution to that work. We are to our being satisfied of the probity of its funding and currently in advanced negotiations on how the review accounts. The fund will enable the taxpayer to piggyback will proceed and who will chair it, and again, I shall on the expertise and development results of some of keep the House closely informed. Britain’s best charities and NGOs. Again, I will report At the first International Development questions of to the House on progress in due course. this Parliament, I paid tribute to the work of the As I mentioned earlier, we will never forget that one outgoing Prime Minister on international development. of the biggest barriers to global prosperity is conflict. His passion and drive in this matter is shared in all Helping affected states and their people on to the ladder corners of the House and throughout the new coalition of prosperity is the greatest challenge of our time, so we Government. I know that it will be a priority for many will make conflict prevention, resolution and reconstruction in the House, and I am confident that we will make central to our approach to development. I have visited significant progress over the years to come. both Afghanistan and Pakistan within the first few weeks since being appointed and witnessed at first hand 1.18 pm the real challenges that exist in those countries. Together Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire with the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary, I South) (Lab): I reiterate the personal congratulations was able to spend time not only with the Government of that I extended to the Secretary of State and his right Afghanistan but with the brave men and women of our hon. and hon. Friends on the Treasury Bench on their armed forces, who are doing such important but difficult ministerial appointments at this, our first debate of the and dangerous work. new Parliament. I also welcome at this early opportunity those who will contribute today to their first debate on Barry Gardiner: I am most grateful to the Secretary global poverty. Many Members in their places today, of State for giving way; he has been very generous. some of whom are new Members, have great expertise On conflict, will the Secretary of State have discussions on the matter and a deep personal commitment to it, with his colleagues in the Cabinet about the situation in and I look forward to their contributions to our Sri Lanka and consider seriously the aid needs of the deliberations this afternoon. Tamil community in the north of that country? As I am It is now almost five years to the day since that sure he well knows, the aftermath of last year’s conflict remarkable Make Poverty History march took place in has left a number of displaced and dispossessed people Edinburgh and the Live 8 concerts took place around who are desperate to return to their homes and need all the world. For those of us who were committed enough the assistance that countries such as ours can provide to to march in Edinburgh that day, it was truly inspirational. ensure that they are not victimised further by the Sri The view of Edinburgh castle from Princes street, a Lankan Government. view I had seen many times previously, was on that day transformed by the banner that spanned the length of Mr Mitchell: I hear what the hon. Gentleman says. the castle ramparts and declared our common mission The Government have considered these matters, and I to make poverty history. Around the world, thousands will write to the hon. Gentleman to let him know what more gathered in fields and stadiums to join with millions our current view is. wearing white bands to demand that the G8 leaders The reason for sending our armed forces to Afghanistan take action. was one of national security, but if we are to make Five years on, we are sadly in less auspicious long-term gains that will provide stability when our circumstances in the fight against global poverty. armed forces eventually hand over to Afghan security Nevertheless, it would be wrong to focus only on the forces, we will require a long period of development in negative or on the challenges confronting us today. For concert with the international community, NGOs and when promises are kept, they can make life-changing other countries’ aid programmes. Through the new differences. Since that declaration of global solidarity in National Security Council set up by the Prime Minister, July 2005, it is fair to say that there has been significant we are joining together defence diplomacy and development progress, albeit not enough. I am especially proud that to support security and stability, to help build a more it was a Labour Government who led the way both on effective Afghan state and to deliver development to aid volumes and on aid effectiveness. Indeed, the most people on the ground. Ahead of the Kabul conference, recent DATA report published by the ONE campaign we are working with the economic cluster of Ministers ahead of the recent G8 meeting in Canada declared: to provide more support, particularly for training, boosting “The UK is the indisputable overall leader amongst the G7 Government capacity and improving the workings of countries in delivering on its ODA commitments”. the justice system and grievance proceedings, which That judgment followed a previous report that stated were referred to earlier. I expect to have more to say that the UK was the “leader”in the G7 on aid effectiveness. about that ahead of the Kabul conference, which both What a contrast with the 18 years before 1997, which the Foreign Secretary and I will attend. had seen our aid as a percentage of gross national Our country is rightly famous for the contribution income halve, the tying of aid to commercial interests that we make at times of emergency and disaster around and the shame of scandals such as the Pergau dam. the world. There remain real challenges, some of which The last decade of delivery in the fight against global were demonstrated in the aftermath of the appalling poverty has been regarded by some as a golden age, events in Haiti in January. We want to ensure that from the Jubilee 2000 campaign for debt relief through Britain’s reaction is always the best it possibly can be, to Make Poverty History and Gleneagles. But we now and for that reason we have made it clear that we will set face far more turbulent and testing times, and new up a review of how Britain provides emergency relief. challenges confront us. The world has been engulfed as That will involve all the organisations in Britain that never expected by the greatest financial and economic 1031 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1032

[Mr Douglas Alexander] that the new Secretary of State proves as willing to accept the expert policy advice of those officials as he crisis for generations, thrusting millions of our fellow seems to be willing to accept their speechmaking citizens back into poverty and creating pressure for suggestions. donor Governments across Europe and the world to The truth is that actions speak louder than words. So turn inwards and slash aid funding. At the same time, now the results of the summit are out, will the Minister the urgency of tackling the climate crisis has become when he winds up offer a clearer explanation to the ever more evident, and yet the capacity of the international House than we have so far heard as to why the G8 community to take the necessary action still remains achieved so little in that crucial area? elusive. Oxfam, which the Secretary of State praised a few A world trade deal that could lift millions out of minutes ago, described the initiative launched as poverty has remained out of reach. State fragility and continuing conflict have continued to plague and stunt “lower than our lowest expectations”. the progress of too many lives. The creaking international I was not surprised, but I was still outraged. system, devised in a different time and for a different set Blaming other leaders and using strong words is of challenges, has itself been placed under ever greater simply not good enough. Britain should be both leading strain. In this country, despite the words of the Secretary by example and putting the hard graft into international of State today, I still believe that there remain fundamental negotiations. On the basis of Muskoka, it is questionable differences of approach to the challenge of development. whether this new Government is doing enough. But So let us start by recalling what truly progressive that was not the only disappointment that we witnessed leadership can deliver. The agreements made at Gleneagles, in Canada. made in part because of the great public expectation that was generated around the G8 and developing country Tony Baldry: I had hoped that we might hear a Governments by the global anti-poverty movement, slightly more consensual speech. I appreciate that the have contributed to real progress for many of the world’s right hon. Gentleman was campaign manager for the poorest people. The recent DATA report highlights the late Prime Minister, but perhaps he could now focus on issue of malaria—about which we heard something in the international development brief. He cannot have it the last few minutes—where the world has exceeded the both ways. He cannot say both that the UK is leading Gleneagles goal of delivering 100 million bed-nets, with by example—and the accountability report published in 200 million more delivered between 2006 and 2009. On Canada shows that the UK is way ahead of the other education, the report states that the savings from debt G8 countries on contributions to the 0.7% target at relief, development assistance and scaled-up prioritisation 0.6% for 2010— mean that 42 million more children have been enrolled in school. Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): That However—despite these achievements—as Oxfam has was the Labour Government! pointed out, some 40% of the promised aid increases made at Gleneagles have not been delivered. That means Tony Baldry: But the right hon. Member for Paisley that there is as much as a $20 billion hole in the and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) cannot have it promises the G8 made back in 2005—enough, as the both ways. He cannot say that we should lead by House need not be reminded, to put every child in example, when we are leading by example, and then school or stop millions of children dying of malaria. whinge about how we are doing. The 60% that we helped to deliver has made a huge Mr Alexander: Let me try to clarify the point that I difference, but the shortfall is continuing to cost lives am making. I am proud of our record, and the figures today. That is why it was so urgent for G8 leaders to for the decade of delivery that we saw under Labour focus and take real and substantive action on maternal bear repeating. The House need not take my word for it. mortality and child health at their summit in Canada I am sure the hon. Gentleman will be willing to praise this past weekend. Every year, approximately 350,000 Oxfam if he has the opportunity to do so later, but mothers die from complications during childbirth, and Mark Fried of that organisation said after the summit: 8.8 million children die before their fifth birthday. The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister made a “The only promise that counts is the Gleneagles one to increase aid by $50 billion by 2010 and that is the one they have abandoned number of statements about their commitment to this today.” agenda in the media and in speeches over recent days. We heard those again this afternoon, and I welcome the It was at Gleneagles that the efforts of the former Prime rhetorical commitment offered by the Secretary of State Ministers, Tony Blair and my right hon. Friend the today. Speaking in Washington recently, he said: Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), buoyed by millions of campaigners around the world, “When a jumbo jet crashes anywhere in the world it makes the achieved the historic promise to increase aid by $50 billion headlines. If it were to crash week in week out in the same place there’s not a person alive who wouldn’t be talking about it. The by 2010, with $25 billion of that going to Africa, and international community would set up an enquiry and no money also agreed crucial steps on debt relief—what a would be spared in making sure it never happened again. Yet, in disappointing contrast with Muskoka and Toronto. Nigeria, the equivalent number of women die each and every The Prime Minister, writing in Canada’s Globe and week from pregnancy-related causes—and the world stands mute.” Mail newspaper shortly before this weekend’s summits, Those are important and welcome words, although said: I have to say that they are not entirely original. Indeed, I “I come to the G8 and G20 in Muskoka and Toronto with a recollect the particular official in DFID who encouraged clear commitment to make sure these summits deliver for people. me to use this very analogy when I too was preparing Too often, these international meetings fail to live up to the hype public remarks on maternal mortality.I only hope sincerely and the promises made.” 1033 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1034

But the Prime Minister seemed all too willing to let will the Minister tell the House how he envisages the other G8 leaders sweep their failures under the carpet new G20 group working and how it will be held to by dropping the historic Gleneagles agreement from the account? final communiqué. Members of the G8 and G20 need to reach beyond the easy myopia that often besets publics and politics in Mr Andrew Mitchell: In due time and on mature difficult times. That is why I argued, in the White Paper reflection, the right hon. Gentleman may regret the that we published in 2009, that we must not turn away tone that he has adopted. He quotes one particular in fear and isolation. Although we rightly focus on non-governmental organisation, but why does he not tackling the global economic crisis, we must also take quote what CAFOD or ActionAid said, when they the longer view. We need to help fashion a world in endorsed the Prime Minister’s leading role in trying to which better-regulated, greener and fairer markets operate ensure that other members of the G8 stand by the for all, and in which growth and prosperity is generated commitments that they made at Gleneagles and to and poverty alleviated, but not at the expense of people which I referred in my speech? or the planet, on which we all depend. We need to create a world in which the skills and energies of the private Mr Alexander: Well, let us be clear about what that sector are harnessed for the benefit of all, but in which “leading” role involved. Why is it that Downing street its excesses are not treated as an acceptable by-product. admitted to The Guardian that the Prime Minister had We need to create a world in which we help to tackle the simply conflict and insecurity that blights the lives of so many ordinary people, particularly women and girls, with a “not fought for the commitments to be included” broad-based concept of stabilisation, conflict prevention in the communiqué? To quote another NGO, Save the and peace-building that treats security and justice as Children was moved to describe the resultant dropping basic services. We also need to create a world in which of the Gleneagles communiqué as simply “shameful”. we maintain our promises to deliver the aid that helps So can the Secretary of State now tell us how many to catalyse development and realise rights, that puts phone calls and meetings he and the Prime Minister children into school, helps mothers have safer births, held with other Ministers about maintaining their and ensures clean drinking water is available. Gleneagles promises? Did they go the extra mile, or did We must recognise that tackling poverty cannot be they merely give up? The silence is deafening. reached by spending aid alone—on that there is common ground between us—although our aid remains essential. Mr Ellwood: As we are exchanging quotes, let me put We must take a transformative and holistic approach to on the record the truth about what happened regarding development, looking at the wider global economy and Gleneagles. ActionAid said that issues such as tax, conflict, sustainability and gender. “David Cameron is battling hard to safeguard the Gleneagles legacy… Cameron can hold his head high as the UK is standing Barry Gardiner: Was my right hon. Friend as revolted by its aid commitments.” as I by photographs in the press in the past couple of Rather than this silly exchange of quotes, we need to days showing the beating of young boys in Bangladesh move the focus of the debate back on to poverty. by police? Those boys were in the textile workers industry Although these new organisations, such as the G8 and and trying to improve their own conditions—currently G20, are important, it is the older organisations, such as they earn $35 a month. Does he agree that we need to the UN, the World Bank and the International Monetary incorporate into our view and distribution of aid a clear Fund, that have to pick up the pieces. The latter focus on human rights abuses in the country to which organisations are now out of date, having been created we are delivering an aid programme? when the world was very different, but have to comply with what the G8 and G20 tell them to do. The failure Mr Alexander: I find myself in agreement with my lies there, rather than with the British Government. hon. Friend. I was similarly horrified by the pictures that appeared in Britain’s newspapers. It reinforces the Mr Alexander: It ill behoves the Conservative party importance and urgency of continuing to make the to offer warm words of endorsement to the non- case, not just for human rights, as he describes, but for governmental organisation sector in the United Kingdom effective mechanisms of democratic accountability so and then express such discomfort when their policy that the public in countries where such difficulties are experts make a judgment on the conduct and performance emerging can exercise constraint on those Governments of the Prime Minister in his first international summit. and security forces. I shall turn to the G20. I will, of course, welcome any I want to address our aid promises, which have already attention that the new and larger grouping pays to been the subject of some of our exchanges. The Secretary international development and tackling poverty. I believe of State and the Prime Minister have been at pains to it is vital that the G20 discusses the wider global economic insist repeatedly in recent weeks that they fully intend to architecture, that the concerns of the poorest countries meet the 0.7% aid target by 2013, and I welcome the are at the forefront and that issues such as taxation and fact that the coalition agreement, on page 22, section the regulation and taxation of the financial markets are 18, under the title “International Development”, states: treated as development issues, in the way we sought to “We will honour our commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on do at the London G20 summit. I must express some overseas aid from 2013, and to enshrine this commitment in law.” scepticism, however, about another forum—the working I was hoping that a little more clarity might have been group on development—being created under the auspices brought to that commitment by the Secretary of State of the G20 at the same time as the G8 appears to be in the debate, but despite repeated questioning, we still abrogating its responsibilities. In his winding-up speech, have no timetable for the legislation he promised in the 1035 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1036

[Mr Douglas Alexander] and supported by Front-Bench Members at the time. Why, then, is the former Secretary of State now demanding first Session of this Parliament. Indeed, I have here an that Conservative Members move faster, given that he explanatory note, issued by his Department on the day had plenty of time to introduce this target into law of the Loyal Address, entitled: “Background Note—Non under his own Administration? Legislative Item—International Development Spending from 2013”. Why is this the case, given that a draft Mr Alexander: As I have said, I am happy to have Bill was scrutinised by the International Development both main parties’ records scrutinised. We trebled aid, Committee in the last Parliament? That deserves a whereas the previous Conservative Government halved better answer than the one offered today to the Committee it. My right hon. Friend played an honourable and Chairman. Will the Minister tell us when the legislation distinguished role in ensuring that, through the International will be introduced? Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006, there is effective scrutiny by the House of the rising Malcolm Bruce: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman budget line we delivered year on year. [Interruption.] for raising this point, but will he acknowledge that the Forgive me, but I will continue to speak through Select Committee, in scrutinising, acknowledged that Mr Deputy Speaker. there were some difficulties with the draft legislation? I can assure hon. Members that I support the legislation There was not unanimity, and indeed his own Government that the Labour party proposed and brought to the acknowledged that more work needed to be done. Can International Development Committee for scrutiny. I we get this together? We want legislation, but it is not would welcome the opportunity for our legislation to be quite ready. I agree with him, however, that we want a passed expeditiously. timetable. There is the question of where and how our aid Mr Alexander: I am unyielding in my admiration for money is allocated across Government, and on what it the right hon. Gentleman’s commitment and expertise is spent. We believe that the majority of our overseas on these matters. I recognise that an important process development assistance should naturally be programmed of pre-legislative scrutiny was undertaken by his Committee, and allocated by the Department for International but I do not believe that the question of how to ensure Development. We were joined in that view by the Secretary effective legislation is what currently divides us. What of State’s now Cabinet colleague the Scottish Secretary, divides us is the prospect of a parliamentary motion who warned during the recent general election campaign taking the place of legislation. I hope that he agrees that of the danger that Conservative plans could mean large legislation is required. sums ending up being diverted from the aid budget—for example, to count as climate finance in due course. Mr Andrew Mitchell: I never said that. Let me quote to House directly from the letter from the now Secretary of State for Scotland to the now Mr Alexander: Forgive me, but I am reading from a International Development Secretary: background note published by Ministers that describes “Dear Andrew…I am flattered by the attention that your international development spending from 2013 as a researchers are paying to us, but would politely suggest that their “non-legislative item”. If Department officials are not efforts would be better spent explaining to voters and the ‘development following ministerial direction, that is an issue for the community’how Conservative plans for DfID would work; specifically, the very real danger that under your proposals DfID departmental Secretary of State rather than us. I hope that, in the expenditure would leak to other departments such as the MoD winding-up speech, this matter can be clarified, with a and the FCO, what exactly is meant by ‘injecting business DNA clear and explicit commitment to legislation, along with into the department’ and how exactly your proposed annual adate. monitoring could hope to work for multi annual programmes. In other words, time better spent answering the very serious Mr Mitchell: The former Secretary of State needs to points raised by the NGOs and others about your own manifesto. elevate the nature of his speech. The right hon. Member With kind regards, for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), the Chair of the International Michael Moore.” Development Committee, had it absolutely right. I do not know where the former Secretary of State got that Elsewhere in that intriguing exchange of letters, the piece of paper from, but I am happy to confirm that it is Secretary of State attacked the now Scottish Secretary not accurate. and the now Business Secretary for “undermining” the consensus on international development. Mr Alexander: I am grateful for that admission from However, I am glad to say that it appears that the the Secretary of State, and I hope it will be followed up differences between the Conservatives and the Liberals in the Minister’s speech later with some clarity on the have been resolved—in the same way that a python timing of when we can seek to make progress. resolves its differences with a mouse. In the coalition programme for government, we see no mention of Mr Ellwood: The right hon. Gentleman has been additionality in climate finance, despite the fact that generous in giving way. He is demanding, or requesting, climate finance is such a crucial issue, as has been that we expedite our interest in moving towards 0.7%, recognised across the House today. In contrast, we and that is understandable. However, he was in power made it clear in government that from 2013 we would for 13 years. One of the first private Members’ Bills I ensure that additional sources of climate finance would was involved in was put forward by the right hon. be provided, with no more than 10% of our aid spending Member for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill being allocated to that purpose. The Liberal Democrats (Mr Clarke), who proposed that the then—and indeed had also called for additional climate finance, but alas, any—Government commit to this target. That was agreed like their promises on VAT, this now appears to have 1037 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1038 been another promise that has been conveniently forgotten. Let me turn to the crucial issue of basic services such Will the Minister of State therefore tell us whether the as health, education and clean water. I am concerned by Government intend to make any form of additional what I know to be the ideological approach taken by climate finance available, from what point, and from many on the Government Benches about the role of the what sources? If he answers that none will be provided, private sector in the provision of basic services. Instead perhaps he can tell us what he feels the prospects are for of seeing steps forward such as those that were recently the climate negotiations in Cancun later this year, in the taken in Sierra Leone, where health care was made free absence, as yet, of post-2013 commitments from the for pregnant women and babies, I fear that we could see Government. ill-advised and ideological voucher schemes, or other I would also appreciate it if the Minister could explain forms of private subsidy that fail to catalyse wider in more detail than we heard from the Secretary of change and are more likely to exclude the marginalised State what is meant by the Government’s proposals for and the poorest. Does the Minister of State intend to a military-led “stabilisation and reconstruction force”. continue promoting the removal of user fees, including We took a pragmatic but appropriate approach to through the establishment of a centre for progressive stabilisation in government, recognising the complementary health financing? Can he also assure the House that he but distinct roles that development, diplomacy and will make efforts, as we pledged to do, to raise the defence should play in places such as Afghanistan. In crucial issue of water and sanitation further up the one of the bloodiest weeks of the conflict, our thoughts international agenda? must be with the families and loved ones of those Related to that, there is the question of our effort and British soldiers who have fallen in the service of their engagement on those vital issues. As we have already country in recent days. The sacrifice of our troops in revealed in these exchanges, when it comes to international Afghanistan demands that those charged with the heavy negotiations and diplomacy, it requires real and sustained responsibility of overseeing the mission should bring effort and personal engagement at the highest levels to strategic clarity to that onerous and important task. make the sort of difference that is demanded by the The Prime Minister confirmed to the House in recent scale of the challenges that we face. So it was, again, sad days his commitment to the counter-insurgency campaign but revealing that, when questioned in the House last in which NATO is engaged. That of course requires week, the Prime Minister could not confirm whether military force, but in the words of the US army’s he had even spoken to President Zuma, other African counter-insurgency field manual, authored by the new leaders or even other donors before the crucial summit commander, General David Petraeus, action is also on education in South Africa in a few weeks’ time. required to Perhaps the Minister of State could tell us what efforts the DFID ministerial team has been making to ensure “uphold the rule of law, and provide a basic level of essential that the summit is a success. services and security for the populace.” The Secretary of State has launched a review of My personal conversations with General Petraeus multilateral and bilateral funding from DFID. I do not confirmed to me the depths of his personal commitment disagree with that approach—indeed, we regularly to a comprehensive approach that requires more than undertook similar reviews—but he needs to be clear just military pressure, yet since coming into government, about whether this is a serious review or whether he is the Secretary of State’s colleague the Defence Secretary merely creating straw men before destroying them. At has declared: the announcement of the bilateral programme review, “We are not in Afghanistan for the sake of education policy in he simply got it wrong by talking about Russia, when a broken 13th century country”. DFID has not had a bilateral programme in Russia Such ignorance of the key tenets of strategic doctrine, since 2007. Clearly he is now belatedly catching up with even from a new Defence Secretary, is as surprising as it the facts on China, too, since as recently as 28 May he is worrying. wrote to The Daily Telegraph acknowledging that For progress to be achieved through a comprehensive “the China aid programme will end next year.” approach to counter-insurgency—and so that the war He also knows full well since coming into office, thanks be ended—what is required is both strengthening of to the reviews that I and other Ministers regularly the state and its legitimacy, and striving for a political undertook, that it was already the case that 90% of our settlement, as surely as also weakening the Taliban bilateral aid was focused on just 23 countries, and the militarily. Under such an approach, diplomatic, vast majority of that on the poorest people. development and defence efforts will all play a crucial part in bringing about the conditions under which our The Secretary of State has spoken of taking the brave forces can return home. Will the Secretary of Prime Minister’s idea about the big society to the global State or the Minister explain to us in more detail how level, saying that his the proposed force will be funded, managed and directed? “approach will move from doing development to people to doing development with people—and to people doing development for As I have intervened to suggest, the Secretary of themselves.” State has also been at pains in recent days to stress the Frankly, the idea that DFID or many of Britain’s importance of leading charities, to which the Secretary of State has “redesigning our aid programmes so that they build in rigorous paid generous tribute today, “do” development to poor evaluation processes from day one.” people bears little relationship to reality and how much Perhaps the Minister of State will take the opportunity— has, thankfully, changed in the development community avoided by the Secretary of State—to explain the outputs over past years. Country-led development was a principle of the £200 million that has been announced by the that a Labour Government established when DFID was Prime Minister, most recently on his welcome trip to created, not to mention ending the Tory policy of tying Afghanistan. our aid. 1039 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1040

[Mr Douglas Alexander] Surely the true lesson of leadership in international development can be drawn from the experience of The Secretary of State talked a lot today about Gleneagles five years ago. At that time, there was a change, but I believe that the new Government have dynamic, independent and vibrant global civil society found that much of what they see in DFID shows that it campaign—connected with politics and politicians who is working effectively. Indeed, as he was forced to concede instinctively shared the same values and ambitions—that in one of his first speeches: had the ability, the tenacity and the willingness to work “I have been struck by how much DFID contributes to Britain’s for that shared vision so that great things could be global reputation. How it has broken new ground in international achieved. Sadly, at the moment, we see little sign of development and often succeeded where others have failed.” those dynamics at work in the most recent summit. We are told that the Minister of State, who is sitting For the sake of those with whom we share a common next to him, has also been focused on change in the bond of humanity, of those who today continue to be Department. However, according to the newspapers, afflicted by needless and avoidable poverty, and of that appears to have been more about ministerial those with whom we share a common interest in a safer, accommodation. Out went the pictures of Africa and more sustainable and more equal world, we on this side those whom we were helping and partnering; in came a of this House will continue to scrutinise and challenge flagpole, a velvet curtain and a framed photo of the this Government where required, and, yes, support hon. Gentleman beaming his inimitable smile with the them, where deserved. The seriousness of the issues we former Prime Minister, Baroness Thatcher. That is hardly debate today demands nothing less of us. inspirational to the staff of a Department that, under her Government, watched the percentage of gross national Several hon. Members rose— income halve after 18 years in which aid had been trebled. In all seriousness, however, what concerns me is Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. A number not what is on the Government’s walls, but what is not of colleagues have asked to speak in this popular and in the statements that they have made so far. important debate. We also have a few maiden speeches What concerns me most about this Government’s to be delivered. We will not get everyone in if Members approach to global poverty, even in these earliest weeks, speak at inordinate length. We have three and a half are the limitations of the vision, and, indeed, of ambition, hours: I will be in the Chair and I intend to start the that have so far been revealed. With the greatest of winding-up speeches at 5.30 pm, so that we have a respect to the right hon. Gentleman, I was deeply decent time for the debate to be answered. Will Members disappointed by his speech to the Carnegie Foundation please show some restraint? If they go wildly over in Washington last week, despite the fact that it dealt 10 minutes, the Chair will have to look again at whether with vital topics such as gender and development. There to impose any time limits. was nothing particularly wrong with many of the assertions it contained, but it was a series of assertions in search of 1.53 pm an argument. Indeed, I cannot recollect someone travelling so far to say so little. Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): It is a pleasure to I therefore ask the Secretary of State: what is the speak under your chairmanship, Mr Deputy Speaker, clear forward agenda, beyond the re-packaging of existing given your role on the International Development policies? With just weeks to go, where are the Government’s Committee in the last Parliament. Indeed, having both clear and concrete proposals and red lines for the UN Mr Speaker and a Deputy Speaker as ex-members of millennium development goals summit in September? that Committee, I feel that international development Where is the detailed vision about how we tackle climate will have the kind eye of the Chair during this Parliament. change and promote development, and how those can I very much welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary be effectively aligned? Or, indeed, where are the serious of State to his position. I believe that the speech he commitments on issues such as climate finance? made—whatever the debating points arising out of The Secretary of State rightly talked about the it—showed that he is someone with a deep commitment importance of measures “beyond aid”, but where is the to, and passion for, international development, who has crucial strategy on issues such as taxation and development, a real desire to make an impact and make a difference. highlighted, even in recent weeks, by the excellent work Although Labour Members are entitled to challenge of charities such as Christian Aid and ActionAid? For and criticise, I was a little disappointed with the tone of example, how can we take forward steps on multilateral the speech by the right hon. Member for Paisley and and automatic exchange of tax information or measures Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander)—not least because on country-by-country reporting? I wanted to open my remarks by paying a genuine and warm tribute to the Labour Government and the Labour Leadership in international development involves more party. I believe that the establishment of the Department than having a bonfire of straw men. It involves serious for International Development and the International ideas and serious action. Benedict Brogan, writing in Development Act 2002 set the basis for reforming the The Daily Telegraph last week, revealed: mistakes made in the past. I think we should recognise “The other department that has got the mandarins talking is that they are now a long way in the past, and all parties DfID, where there is a lot of disobliging muttering about Andrew now acknowledge that that older style of overseas Mitchell, the new broom. His view of what aid policy should be development has gone for ever. In DFID, as the right and how it works is going down badly and officials are muttering about abilities”. hon. Gentleman said, we created a Department that has provided world leadership in development, and it So much so, apparently, that he is now being has made a huge impact. I give credit to Clare Short, “monitored closely by No 10.” the first Secretary of State of the Department, and to 1041 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1042 the right hon. Members for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) There is perhaps also some concern about the definition and for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, who have all of official development assistance, how it is applied and made a contribution to that development. how it will be controlled across Departments. The vast It seems to me that we are trying to accept that we majority of overseas development assistance currently have perhaps the best Development Ministry in the goes through DFID, and I hope that that will continue world, but that it has to move forward and that there is to be the case; but the House needs to be sure that ODA scope for change, innovation and development. The which does not go through DFID meets the same new coalition Government will inevitably want to bring objective criteria. its own ideas to bear. It is certainly my hope that we will build on that, develop it and take it forward. I am the Mr Thomas: Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that Chairman of this cross-party Select Committee, and we transparency of development assistance is not something will of course monitor progress, ask questions and dramatically new? Does he recall, as Opposition Members make periodic reports to the House. do, that when the Conservatives were in opposition they On the exchanges we had about the 0.7% commitment, used independent evaluations of DFID programmes to we should all be grateful that there is complete consensus ask perfectly reasonable questions on the Floor of the in the House over the commitment to deliver that by House? Further measures may be welcome, but the 2013. In an informal conversation I had with the Secretary right hon. Gentleman should bear in mind the fact that of State—I hope he will not mind my saying this—we the last Government also took a series of measures to realised that it is not this House that lacks commitment; increase transparency. the problem is the engagement with the wider public, Malcolm Bruce: I certainly accept that there was not which requires the House to maintain its united only a lively debate but activity in the Department and commitment and to engage the public to ensure that the evaluation unit. The Committee visited the unit and support remains for achieving this goal. met its representatives. In that context, the Secretary of State clearly read out—as, indeed, did the shadow Secretary of State—what I do not suggest that there was a monopoly on one it says in the coalition agreement about enshrining the side of the House in this regard, but a permanent 0.7% commitment in law. I do not want to labour the problem with aid and development is establishing what point. I just want to say that the Select Committee took works, how the extent to which it works can be measured, evidence on the draft legislation that came before us and how people can be reassured that it works. We have under the previous Government—I have to say it came all observed it in journalists’ correspondence, and in very late in their programme, and the previous Government what is said by people we meet around the place. The should acknowledge that—and it raised a number of bottom line is that people think that billions of pounds questions. No one denied the value of having this of British taxpayers’ money is being put into Swiss legislation. If the present Government have the same bank accounts on behalf of corrupt politicians. We all commitment, I look forward to taking it forward, but know that that is not what happens to the vast majority some refinement will need to be made, in the light of the of UK aid—indeed, we hope, to any of it—but we must evidence our Committee took, if the legislation is to be constantly improve presentation so that we can reassure fit for purpose. I hope that in due course the Secretary taxpayers that that is demonstrably not the case, and of State will give us an indication of how and when that that the aid really is making a difference. If it is possible legislation will be brought into law. to improve the existing mechanism, there is no reason why we should not try to do so. As a final point on this issue, the commitment does not require legislation—and neither does the lack of The summit on the millennium development goals legislation in any way bring the commitment into question. will take place later this year. The current Parliament is What it does is set and reinforce the example, demonstrating due to end in 2015, the year in which the MDGs are set to the public that Parliament is united over this achievement. to be delivered. We know that they will not be, but The Secretary of State set out a number of priorities during this Parliament we must determine exactly how that he wants to bring to bear on development in the much we can prioritise them, and what we must do future. Of course, there are some questions in the about those in regard to which we fall farthest behind. development community, and rightly so. He said that Let me say something about MDGs 4 and 5. The his primary aim is for aid to be transparent and accountable Select Committee paid particular attention to maternal and that he wants to set up a new mechanism for health in the last Parliament, and I was horrified by achieving that. In due course, further details will no what we learned during that inquiry about the appalling doubt be brought to the House. I appreciate that the and needless suffering of so many women in so many Select Committee will have an important role to play in parts of the world. As has been said by the hon. the process. Member for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin), whom I I agree with the Secretary of State that the more we welcome back to the Committee, the problem is often can demonstrate the outcomes from our investment and the treatment and status of women rather than our aid, the more we can convince people that the programme inability to deliver services that could meet the needs of is effective, that it works and that it does deliver. I add women in poor countries. Certain societies do not recognise the cautionary note that not every aspect of aid can be the importance or necessity of such services. so easily measured or monitored, and certainly not in I was particularly shocked, when the Committee visited the same time scale. I support the objective, but it is northern Nigeria, to be told that the education of girls important to recognise that not every aspect of the involved learning the Koran by rote, on the grounds budget can be subjected to the same objective criteria; that that was all that they needed to know because they we need some other ways to evaluate it. The principle, would be married by the time they were 12 and pregnant however, seems to me to be fundamentally sound by the time they were 13—and, in many instances, dead and right. before they were 14. 1043 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1044

[Malcolm Bruce] we might speed up the process of economic development rather than just aid support, with the help of better We should not even think of girls in societies of that trading relations, a World Trade Organisation deal giving kind in the context of girls in our own society, who, at people real access to markets, and the elimination of 12 or 13, might be regarded as far too young to give internal obstacles to trade, both within countries and birth, but who might none the less be quite well developed. between neighbouring countries. In countries where nutrition is poor, many girls aged The hon. Member for Brent North (Barry Gardiner) 12 or 13 are not fit to give birth to children, which is has left the Chamber, but I want to say something about why they die. Worse, those who do give birth are expected climate change. There is concern in the developing to deliver their children alone, without any form of countries that all the commitment to poverty reduction attendance or support. I consider that appalling. I could be easily subsumed into climate change measures. welcome the commitment to treating it as a priority, but The 10% ruling was arbitrary, but I consider it important I think it reasonable to suggest that the health of for the Government to focus primarily on poverty reduction, children up to the age of five should be linked to it. and not to allow climate change to divert funds that While the welfare of women has a very big impact on could be used for that purpose. We need a safeguard to children, an awful lot of children die at the age of three, ensure that that does not happen. four or five. I think that unless we consider the two I am conscious of your constraint, Mr. Deputy Speaker, issues together, we may not be able to achieve the results and I shall not say too much more, but I want to make for which we hope. two or three comments about the country programmes. I was slightly surprised that the Secretary of State did The Secretary of State said that there would be a review not say more about the role of economic development of those programmes. We need a fairly early indication and the role of the partnership between the public and of how that will take place, so that people are not faced private sectors, although there was a passage in his with too long a period of uncertainty about where it is speech about it. Unlike the former Secretary of State, heading. Other countries, notably and recently Sweden, the right hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire have conducted such reviews. It might be best if our South, I am not talking about the role of the private review focused on a smaller number of countries in sector in delivering social programmes and the like. I which our assistance could be even more effective. am talking about how we can deliver economic development The Secretary of State will not be surprised to learn better in partnership: how DFID’s engagement can that I have a view on the debate about China. The hon. create a climate in which businesses, whether indigenous Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley), who is present, or external, will invest and commit themselves to developing does not agree with the rest of the Committee on the countries, so that those countries can grow their economies subject. I entirely accept that the development relationship and revenue bases and reduce their dependence on aid. with China should come to an end—that is not a point The Secretary of State mentioned CDC in passing. of concern to me—but the general relationship with the The way in which CDC operates—as a kind of arm’s country seems to me to have continuing value, and it length “fund of funds”—is very easy to criticise, and will require some budget if it is to continue. The Committee Private Eye has had a field day doing so. However, heard effective evidence of how well that can be done, CDC has clearly delivered a substantial amount of and what a contribution it makes to reducing the MDGs, investment at no cost to the taxpayer, and has increased given the size and scale of China. I urge the Secretary of our development capacity because of the profitability State to look at our report again. It does not really of the fund. There are question marks over the use of disagree with his conclusions or those of his predecessor, tax havens, although I see the logic of the argument that but it does suggest that there should be a little more that releases even more money for investment. I do not space in the continuing relationship with China. That particularly want to develop that argument, but I have would be very beneficial to UK-China relations and to felt for some time that there is a gap between DFID’s poverty reduction in China, not because the Chinese development activity and CDC and the business sector want our money but because we would be able to work that could be addressed constructively. with them to deliver better ways of achieving poverty reduction. Such an approach might even lead to Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Chairman of the Select partnerships in third countries between Britain and Committee has made an extremely good point, but I China, which would be a remarkably interesting and think that if he reads the report of what I said today, he worthwhile development. That is all I would ask that he will see that we are very much on the case. We are take on board. restructuring the way the Department handles the issues to which he has referred, and we are looking specifically Mr Mitchell: The Chair of the Select Committee is at CDC to ensure that we secure as much development on to a very good point, because the Conservatives have gain and value from its work as we possibly can. We aim for years said that it was wrong to spend taxpayers’ to do more rather than less. money in China. That country has just spent £20 billion on the Olympics, it has a space programme and it is a Malcolm Bruce: I shall be interested to see how that nuclear power. Since we made that plea on behalf of the develops. British taxpayer, the right hon. Member for Paisley and I entirely accept that investing in health, education Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) has spent tens of and infrastructure helps to create a climate in any given millions of pounds on British aid in China. The Chair country that will make the business community better of the Select Committee rightly says that we need a able to thrive and survive, but there are times when a partnership, an elevated relationship whereby we work partnership with business is needed to establish what together on common objectives and have a high-level aspects of health, education and infrastructure will best dialogue on partnering on aid and development. We are deliver investment. If we could do that more effectively, in the process of working out precisely how to do that. 1045 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1046

Malcolm Bruce: I am grateful for that intervention. Committee, I look forward to its engaging with the The only practical point I make is that it requires a bit Department in a constructive way that will help to of funding to do demonstration projects. shape that policy and influence it positively. Interestingly, the same arguments will start to apply 2.14 pm to India, and I suspect that we are unlikely to come to the same conclusion on India. I found it interesting that Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): It is almost five the arguments used by the previous Government to years to the day since the Gleneagles summit, which was justify the closure of the programme in China were used a high point in the UK’s influence in global development in reverse to defend the programme in India. policy. We led by example and we secured commitments from the other G7 members to double their aid and reach the UN’s 0.7% contribution target. Allied to that, Mr Mitchell: China and India are fundamentally the European Union gave a parallel commitment in the different, because India has more poor people within its same year. I therefore deeply regret that the Gleneagles boundaries than the whole of sub-Saharan Africa and commitments were dropped from this year’s G7 the average income of an Indian is a third that of a communiqué, because that has given the impression, at Chinese. Of course we also have deep historical links least to some non-governmental organisations—the shadow with India through the Commonwealth and many other Secretary of State mentioned Oxfam and Save the mechanisms, so I do not think that there is a direct Children—that our country’s development policy under analogy between the two countries. the coalition Government has fallen at the first hurdle. I will say that the Prime Minister is right to lay Malcolm Bruce: I think that intervention proves my continuing emphasis on the millennium development point. The Select Committee may well wish to examine goals, as Tony Blair and my right hon. Friend the the issue of India again, but we have not yet been Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) formulated and we have made no such decisions. did before him. However, I say to the Secretary of State Finally, it is impossible to have a discussion on global that that is not an alternative to doubling aid, because poverty without examining this country’s engagement the Gleneagles commitment on doubling aid was a in Afghanistan. I am concerned about the debate about means to an end; it was designed to get the world’s Afghanistan, because the situation is complicated. Inevitably, major donors to provide the resources to make meeting the focus is on the military engagement and the casualty the MDGs possible. We simply will not get all children rate, and rightly so. We have to show, and we do show, in least developed countries into primary schools if that enormous appreciation of the bravery of our forces and doubling of aid commitment is not met, nor will we be the sacrifices that they are making in order to contain able to reduce by three quarters the ratio of mothers an insurgency and create the space for a successful dying in childbirth—that MDG is the most off track. Afghanistan that can manage its own affairs—we hope I therefore wish to focus on what I believe the that that is what will happen. It worries me that people Government should do to re-engage other G7 and do not appreciate what is happening in Afghanistan. European Union countries in order to get them to They do not appreciate that we are operating across the honour their commitments, and to build a continuing whole country, that we are having real success in large profile for our country as a development leader. There parts of it and that the military operation in the south are two opportunities to do that over the next six is not the whole expression of what is happening. So it months. The first is to use the negotiations within the is important that the Department for International World Bank on the 16th round of the replenishment Development’s engagement in Afghanistan continues in of International Development Association funding— a way that demonstrates that what we are trying to do is IDA16—to persuade donor countries to increase their build a state that can not only run its own affairs and financial commitments to the World Bank’s next three-year enable us to remove our military support, but deliver to IDA period. IDA is the World Bank’s window for its people a development programme that will take lending to least developed countries. This matter is them out of poverty. That will be the best and strongest important because the World Bank is the world’s biggest basis for a secure future for Afghanistan and it is the multilateral development agency and, for all its faults, right and proper, legitimate aspiration of the people of we will not achieve the MDGs unless IDA has increased Afghanistan. Our UK aid programme must be focused resources to do the work it does. The United Kingdom on that more than anything else. People are looking for is in a particularly strong position to influence others a clear separation between aid and development, and on commitments to IDA, because in the current IDA military support and containment; they are not looking round—IDA15—we were the world’s largest donor. for confusion between the two. I hope that, provided we IDA16 will doubtless be discussed at the annual can keep that right, we will be able to maintain a meeting of the World Bank in October and will probably programme in Afghanistan that will continue to command be finalised at the spring meeting next year. IDA16 is popular support, because it is a poor country that we particularly important in relation to the MDGs, because should and would be engaged in even if it was not in a it will cover the last three-year period leading up to conflict situation. 2015, which is the target date for implementing the This is an important debate. The change in Government MDGs. Ending up with an IDA16 with less money clearly will result in questions from all parts of the pledged than in the current IDA round would limit the House about the future of our overseas development opportunity of donors to ensure that the MDGs are assistance, but what is clear to me is that we have a met. So I hope that the Minister of State’s response will coalition Government who are determined to deliver set out the Government’s plans to talk to their opposite our United Nations obligations and to apply principles numbers in other G7 and EU countries and to seek to development that will continue to mean that Britain from them the assurance that they will make commitments is a leading global player. As Chairman of the Select to IDA. 1047 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1048

[Hugh Bayley] of State to ask him to come to the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank’s annual conference in I chair an international parliamentary body called December as a keynote speaker. We are also about to the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank, which launch a call to action to publicise what we are doing. If is a network of some 1,200 parliamentarians, roughly he were able to provide some sponsorship and support half from developing countries and half from developed for that in July, or some time soon, we would welcome countries. We seek to hold the World Bank and the that. International Monetary Fund to account, especially to parliamentarians. Malcolm Bruce: The hon. Gentleman is a valued member of the Committee, and his work with the Mr Andrew Mitchell: May I ask the hon. Gentleman Parliamentary Network on the World Bank is also a serious question on this point? On what basis does he valuable. Does he agree that the effectiveness of such a believe the Government should decide on the amount campaign will be dependent on the amount of information of funding for the IDA replenishment? What is his view that is published and made available to Members of on the mechanisms by which we should reach that Parliament, especially in the developing countries? Does conclusion? he welcome in principle the Secretary of State’s commitment to publishing the detail of the funding on the website? Hugh Bayley: I would like our Government to contribute Will he reinforce my request to the Secretary of State to IDA16 at least the same proportion of their development for as much detail as possible, in order to illuminate finance during the three-year period in question as the what is going on and enable parliamentarians to be UK contributed to IDA15. In other words, it would be more effective? more money in real terms but the same proportion of UK aid overall. That would be a good starting point. If Hugh Bayley: Yes, I do welcome that commitment, the UK were to make such a commitment, implying an and I very much endorse what the Chairman of the increase in our contribution to IDA for the crucial Select Committee says. I should perhaps acknowledge three-year period leading up to 2015, we would be in a that one of the reasons that the Parliamentary Network strong position to seek commitments from other on the World Bank is able to launch its campaign is that development partners. I know that, in reality, some G7 the Department for International Development has countries—Italy, for instance—have made very negative supported the core cost of running our Paris-based decisions on development spending. There are others, secretariat, which is developing the campaign. however—including France, which was broadly on track, A second opportunity for the UK to re-engage with although it might have slipped back a bit now—that we our G7 and EU partners and win commitments from ought to be able to persuade to make a firm commitment them in the next few months will be in the work leading in relation to IDA. up to the September UN summit on achieving the I can make an offer to the Secretary of State. Through millennium development goals. Again, it would be helpful the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank, I have if the UK Government were to set out their plans for been one of the architects of a campaign among any bilateral conversations with other EU and G7 Heads parliamentarians in countries north and south to raise of Government and to seek to influence the statements the question of the IDA16 replenishment in their those Governments will make at the UN summit on the Parliaments, and to seek commitments from donor level of their aid funding. There will certainly be an country Governments to debate the financial commitment anticipation in the developing world that donors will they will make to IDA16. We are also seeking a serious come up with the resources to back up the conclusions debate in the Parliaments of developing and developed of the summit on achieving the millennium development countries on what can be done to improve the aid goals. effectiveness of the World Bank’s IDA programmes, The Secretary of State said that the Government building on the Paris declaration, the Accra programme intended to legislate to commit the United Kingdom to of action and the findings of the World Bank’s own providing 0.7 % of its gross national income for mid-term review of IDA15. That review contained some development aid. The Chairman of the Select Committee good proposals about how the World Bank could achieve reminded the House that the Committee had examined more with the money that it already has. the draft Bill and made a number of recommendations. I would also like to see the introduction of a peer The first of those was that the millennium development review mechanism, so that one World Bank office can goals summit is an important opportunity to renew review the performance of another, in order to drive up commitments to aid allocations. The Committee’s report aid effectiveness. I would like parliamentarians in each also identified the real danger that, as aid levels increase country to have a role in these processes. In Ghana, for to meet the 0.7 % target already agreed, more official example, one would expect the country office of the development assistance will be spent through other World Bank to report to parliamentarians in Ghana. Government Departments that are not subject to the That is not to say that the constitutional relationship UK’s International Development Act 2002. I agree with should change. The World Bank is owned by its the Chairman of the Select Committee that we need shareholders, and they are Governments. In relation to greater clarity from our Government if a proportion of achieving greater aid effectiveness, however, we want to the increased aid to which they are committed is going see more openness and transparency. to be spent by Departments other than DFID. We need We are going to run the campaign as well as we can reassurance that the goals of that spending will remain and in as many Parliaments as possible, in the north similar to those of DFID, and that poverty alleviation and the south, during the period of discussion on the remains the key goal, whether the money is spent in IDA replenishment. I hope that the UK Government DFID or any other Department. There has been a great will support us. I have already written to the Secretary deal of interest in this point among the NGO community. 1049 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1050

We live in a globalising world. I do not need to poverty—a debate in which I was inspired to speak after remind hon. Members how much the world economy, meeting class P of Hayfield primary school in Upton. If environmental challenges and migration bind us all I had not spoken today, I am convinced that they would together; that is well understood. The centre of gravity never have forgiven me—so more of class P later. of global politics is moving from west to east. In that First, may I say that it is a great honour to be here to context, “east” does not just mean Japan, China, Korea represent the people of Wirral West? For those who do and India; it also means the Pacific basin as a whole, not know Wirral West, it is placed on the north-west tip including California and British Columbia. Were there of the Wirral peninsula between the River Mersey and more time, I could say a lot about the UK and Europe’s the River Dee, with wonderful views of the Welsh hills need to recast their foreign and defence policy—to and the Liverpool waterfront. It is described as a hidden some extent, the UK Government will be doing that in treasure, made up of a beautiful collection of towns their strategic defence review—but I shall just say a few and villages—West Kirby, Hoylake, Greasby, Frankby, words before I sit down about EU policy. Irby, Pensby, Barnston, Thingwall, Upton and Caldy—like The European Union as a whole still has the world’s a string of pearls, each one a jewel, sitting next to one largest GDP—some $16.5 trillion a year, compared another. However, let us not get carried away. Beyond with $15 trillion for the United States, $5.5 trillion for the natural beauty, we have struggles and concerns: China and $5 trillion for Japan. The UK’s share of that the small village shops, fighting for survival against is some $2.5 trillion. The EU remains economically a the giant supermarket chains; youth unfulfilled and big player on the world stage, but the UK on its own is unemployed; debt; and financial hardship. To that end rather less so. I believe that the EU punches below its and for those reasons, I shall be supporting my constituents. weight. I am not in any sense a federalist, but I want the They had the faith to vote for me, and I have the new European External Action Service, under Baroness strength to support them. Ashton, to deliver a great deal more for people living in Some distinguished MPs have done so before, for I Europe than the old directorate-general for external follow in the footsteps of some notable predecessors, relations. I want to see a comprehensive approach whereby distinguished by their considerable ability and dedication the European Union’s common foreign and security of service: Lord Selwyn-Lloyd, who served as Foreign policy and common security and defence policy, as well Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Speaker of as its development policy, EU aid policy and trade the House; David Hunt, now Lord Hunt of Wirral, who policy, all pull in the same direction to ensure that became Secretary of State for Wales and Secretary of long-term development, state building, peace building, State for Employment; and, more recently, Stephen trade, foreign relations and reform of international Hesford. They all served their constituents tirelessly, institutions such as the UN also all pull in the same and I hope that I will follow that tradition. direction better to co-ordinate the development policies On a personal note, I want to thank David Hunt and of the European Union and member states and to his wife Paddy. They both still play a significant role in strengthen the poverty focus. the community and, in particular, with Hoylake cottage We have a strong poverty focus in this country, whereas hospital, Wirral marine disabled association and the the EU has a much less stronger one. Only half of EU Wirral sick children’s fund. They have been a source of aid goes to the least developed countries compared with tremendous support to me, helping me throughout the about two thirds among donors as a whole. We need to 10 years for which I have tried to win this seat. It has minimise duplication and wasteful competition between been a long journey. To anyone who says that it is a fast individual bilateral donors, reduce red tape and increase way into politics, I say that it is not. But it was a journey the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of our aid. Now, worth taking, and those 10 years have made it all the 60% of all the world’s aid—some ¤50 billion out of a more pleasurable to be here. total ¤80 billion—comes from Europe, both from EU Wirral West is an enchanting and enriching place that member states bilaterally and from the EU acting on is full of history, legend and the spirit of Vikings. I shall behalf of the Union as a whole. If the world is to explain some of that today, but hon. Members will have succeed in achieving the millennium development goals to discover the rest when they come to visit, which there by 2015, the EU and its member states must deliver will be plenty of opportunity to do. Golfers are likely to more with the resources that are already committed to want to visit the Royal Liverpool golf club at Hoylake, development as well as increase their spending to meet which will host the Open again in 2014 and the women’s the commitments given at Gleneagles. British open for the first time in 2012. There is also The Government are in a position to use the EU to sailing, particularly the annual Wilson trophy championship, multiply the value and effectiveness of aid from member in which 200 Olympic-class sailors compete. It is frantic states. It would be wrong, in my view, to back away and frenetic as they spin across the water touching from the EU or to reduce the UK’s contribution to EU grand prix speeds. Our home team, the West Kirby development programmes. Our aid alone, however well Hawks, is one of the best around and won last year. spent, will not be enough to ensure that the least developed Wirral West has been shaped by its geography, the countries achieve the millennium development goals. prevailing winds and the high seas. Back in AD 900, Glorious isolation would make us less influential and they brought the invading Vikings who settled there and less effective than concerted action to get the new made their parliament at the hamlet of Thingwall. On European External Action Service to improve the EU’s Thurstaston hill, the highest point of the Wirral, is performance. Thor’s stone. Legend has it that when Thor, the great Viking god of thunder, fertility and the law, rode across 2.32 pm the heavens on his chariot, the noise would be the Esther McVey (Wirral West) (Con): Thank you, rumble of thunder, and when he threw his hammer Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to there would be a flash of lightning across the skies. His make my maiden speech during the debate on global hammer is meant to be buried under the stone. It is said 1051 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1052

[Esther McVey] All of us come here with the desire to help others and, ultimately, to enable them to help themselves, but that Thor had a simple way of making laws and righting different times—and we are living in different times—require wrongs: killing those who stood in his way. Being mere different solutions. We are living in a financial downturn mortals, and not gods, we have produced a moderate and at a time of financial restraint. We have inherited a way of performing those duties which begins here in record deficit, so we have to do things differently. We the House. have to have a different strategy but, that said, we must King Canute is said to have stood at the sea port in work together and use and acknowledge the successes Meols attempting to turn back the tide from flooding of past Parliaments. the north shores of Wirral. Whether that is fact or fable, So I welcome the new coalition Government’s it is a lesson that neither man nor king can turn back commitment to spending 0.7% of gross national income the tide. But, when given the right to govern and to as aid by 2013, helping the poorest in the world. I hope work in consensus, as this historic coalition has been, that that is welcomed by all Members of the House, and we can look forward to creating and altering our future. I am sure that it will be—just as it will be welcomed by The people of Wirral know all about that, for they have the children at Hayfield school. strength of character, warmth of heart and a sense of humour; perhaps there is a bit of Viking left in them. 2.41 pm They know what is good for their area and they will fight hard for what they believe. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): May I begin To those who say that democracy does not work or by welcoming to the House the hon. Member for Wirral that a person or community cannot change things, I say, West (Esther McVey)? She gave a very confident and “Take heart from the people of Wirral.” They were lucid speech, and raised the very pertinent issue of how threatened with the closure of their libraries and leisure the vision of children can often inspire us to consider centres, and it was viewed as a fait accompli, but it was some of the greater global problems that we face. not. Some 60,000 people took to the streets in Wirral, As the right hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm demonstrated, lobbied and held public meetings, and Bruce) correctly said earlier, the environment for a the decision was overturned. People can make a difference debate on development is very different from what it and the people of Wirral have done so. was five years ago, when we had the Make Poverty I did not know which debate I was going to make my History protest in Edinburgh. Obviously, we are facing maiden speech in, because they were all relevant to the much greater economic pressures domestically, but the people of Wirral West and to their aims and ideas. A two problems are not separate. Increasingly, our future health debate would have been relevant, because we are is bound to that of the developing south, in an age of home to Arrowe Park hospital, which employs 6,000 people growing volatility. and serves 400,000 people across Wirral. The acute The millennium development goals must remain at trust is the biggest and busiest in the north-west. Education the heart of our policy direction and development. I is also important; Wirral West has some of the best and welcome the new Government’s commitment to the progressive schools, including Calday, West Kirby grammar, MDG process and the 0.7% target, but many of us Hilbre, Pensby and Woodchurch high school. Work and would be much more comforted if we had a more pensions issues are also important to us, as the young settled timetable for passing binding legislation to achieve search for employment and the old search for support. that. In increasingly difficult times, the issue of ring-fencing However, when I received 20 letters from class P at will be coming under pressure, and it is important that Hayfield primary school, and another letter from the all sides retain support. sixth-form girls at Upton convent, I knew that I had to However, I also think that this is a time to look back make my maiden speech in this debate. and reflect on how we can sustain and improve performance Class P has signed up to the 1GOAL campaign to in respect of the MDG targets. I believe that we need to help global poverty through education. The campaign move away from a narrow focus on technical intervention is trying to use the profile of the 2010 World cup in and move to a focus on supporting citizens’ ability to South Africa, bringing together footballers and fans of exercise their rights. Our overarching philosophy should all ages with charities and local and world leaders, to be that poverty is not inevitable. We should not believe make education a reality for 72 million primary school that aid in its current form should be a permanent children worldwide by 2015. I asked Class P to explain fixture in world affairs; rather, we should believe that it what poverty meant to them. They said it was about not is the means to help countries out of dependency and to being able to go to school to learn and make friends, empower them to tackle their national problems by about being sick but not having a doctor and about their own means. living in fear. Most of all, poverty is about living with As I have argued before in this House, I believe that no hope and dying with no one caring. According to one area of poverty that does not receive sufficient UNICEF, 24,000 children die that way each day, and priority is employment. Globally, more than 1 billion 10.6 million children die before the age of five—that is people are currently unemployed, under-employed or the same total as all the children of France, Germany, working poor. As populations in the developing world Greece and Italy added together. So today I bring the continue to escalate, global official unemployment has message of the next generation to the attention of the now reached a record high of over 185 million. current generation—beat poverty through education. Nearly half that total are people under 24 years of Yes, and I believe in the goodness of human beings age, yet younger people represent only a quarter of the and the thread of humanity that touches the core of working-age population. That problem may well get every one of us. It is here in this Chamber, on all sides of worse in the coming decade, when young people will the House, and it is in class P at Hayfield school. make up the highest ever proportion of the world’s 1053 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1054 population. Currently, there are 1.5 billion people aged developing basic public services, we need to consider between 12 and 24, of whom 1.3 billion live in the how wealth can be redistributed within societies to south. It is estimated that, due to the global recession of achieve social progress, how the voice of the poor can the last few years, 64 million more people worldwide be properly recognised, and how democracy, and thus will fall into extreme poverty this year alone. If we do the accountability of Governments to their citizens, can not wish the progress on the MDGs to recede, we increase. All three elements are vital to progress on need to give employment a much greater priority at the MDGs. every level. Christian Aid recently made two specific calls in Increasing urbanisation in poor nations is exacerbating respect of taxation to aid a fairer distribution. I hope the problem, as more and more people are concentrated that when he responds, the Minister can provide an in shanty towns, often without access to basic utilities assurance that the Government support multilateral, and at increased risk of disease, abuse and marginalisation. automatic exchange of tax information between tax Obviously, that can lead to increasing domestic political jurisdictions, so that we can better tackle the pernicious instability, with little enforceable domestic security. It impact of tax havens, and a new international accounting also provides the perfect environment for human trafficking standard that requires corporations to report on profits and other forms of criminal activity, such as drugs and that they have made in every country where they operate. arms trading, the consequences of which we can see in Those two measures will not cost the UK taxpayer a every town and city in Europe. We face not only global penny, but they could make a real and substantial bank and debt crises, but a global unemployment crisis, difference to millions of the world’s poorest. I am sure both at home and abroad, but too often in their language that they would pass the Secretary of State’s value-for- and responses, our world leaders fail to place employment money test. at the core of their priorities. I should like briefly to address gender. Sadly, it is no Now is exactly the right time to revive world trade surprise that MDG 5, on maternal mortality, is the talks, and I welcome the Secretary of State’s comments most off track. Women account for 70% of the world’s on the Doha round. We must not bury trade talks or poor, and because they face systematic discrimination, pander to protectionist instincts. This time, we need to their opportunities to escape poverty are correspondingly ensure that the talks focus on creating jobs rather than fewer. The interlinked problems of high fertility rates on increasing corporate profits. The UK is one of the and maternal mortality continue to impede economic leading international donors, and should use its influence and social development. The underlying causes of high at both bilateral and multilateral levels to promote fertility, morbidity and mortality are not lack of investment in job-rich industries and services, and to contraception, blood loss and infection, but rather, as make a decent work agenda a core factor in its support the right hon. Member for Gordon correctly said, apathy for private sector development. Trade agreements must and a lack of respect for women and their fundamental not signal a race to the bottom in terms of income, and rights. One symptom of that is that the data on women they need to be accompanied by firmer agreement on and girls are patchy. Key statistics, for example, are minimum labour standards. available only in about one quarter of developing nations. However, another reason why getting greater numbers That in turn leads to women’s concerns being given low into the formal economy is important is that we want political priority and to a lack of impetus to change. to create a permanent, stable tax base, which is a key I believe that the UK should continue to be at the element in reducing dependency on aid. In a world that forefront of working with others to press for voluntary is changing rapidly—politically, economically and family planning that is universally accessible, and I environmentally—we can anticipate greater periods of welcome the Secretary of State’s comments this afternoon, turbulence, higher food and energy prices, water depletion, but we also need to prioritise support for social and fish depletion, and deforestation. Demand growth is legal measures that stem the widespread practice of accelerating, and the World Bank estimates that food early marriage of young girls in many parts of the production will need to increase by close to 50% between developing world. For a number of reasons, we in the 2000 to 2030. Increasingly, a nation’s resilience in the west have shied away from this issue, but it is fundamental. face of disruption will mark its ability to survive successfully. It goes without saying that getting girls into school is Those of us who live in richer nations have distinct important, but if we simply rely on primary education advantages: strong states, an ability to harness sophisticated for success rather than the full range of secondary and technology and highly skilled citizens. To differing degrees, tertiary education, we will not make much change. developing countries lack many such advantages, and accordingly have much higher levels of vulnerability. Sixty per cent. of the world’s out-of-school children are girls, and they are less likely to progress to secondary If the ambitions of the MDGs are to bear fruit, it is and tertiary education as a result. Children of mothers important to protect the advances that have already who can read themselves are likely to achieve significantly been made before we seek further progress on the higher results and accordingly continue their education targets. Despite the fact that we have made considerable longer. Tackling illiteracy, particularly among girls and progress since 2000, those who have been taken above women needs to have priority if we are going to give absolute poverty remain very close to the threshold. women better opportunities. We also need to give greater They live in emerging economies, so they are subject to support to initiatives to encourage girls to continue much more pressure and are more vulnerable, and there their education and address the cultural barriers to is a very high risk that they will go back into absolute female employment. Currently, 82 million girls in poverty. developing nations who are now aged 10 to 17 will be Increasingly, we need to consider innovative ways in married before their 18th birthday. Where the birth rate which to improve resilience and sustain the improvements in countries has fallen, between 25% and 40% of economic that have been made. Rather than focusing only on growth is attributable to demographic changes. Tackling 1055 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1056

[Ann McKechin] behalf of the poorest. At the same time, in order to take the public with us, we also need to ensure that every penny will reach those issues would bring fundamental and permanent those who need it most. That means transparency and accountability improvement to the rights of women and tackle the along the lines that we are introducing. It also means that the projects we support must be deliverable, practical and measurable, millennium development goals on which we are most addressing the causes of poverty and not just alleviating the lagging behind. symptoms.”—[Official Report, 28 June 2010; Vol. 512, c. 566.] What we need most in the year to follow is political My first point is that it is good to see so many will of the type that saw the birth of the MDGs and was Members in the House this afternoon for a debate on prepared to look not just at the latest emergency but at international development. We will all have to recognise, how we want the world to be in the next 10 to 15 years. as times get difficult when the spending cuts bite, that The outcome of the G20 summit last week was we continually need to make the argument that spending disappointing for development; there is no doubt about on international development is valuable and is in our that. We need the UK Government to provide continued national interest—in terms of stability, security and a leadership in the tough times as well as the good. sense of common humanity, and, as the Prime Minister September’s summit gives us an opportunity, and I made clear yesterday during Prime Minister’s questions, hope that it will be grasped. because it enables us to have our voice heard much more clearly in the world. We are also entitled to look 2.52 pm for the support of the non-governmental organisations in making that argument. Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): I think the whole House will have agreed with the comments by the hon. Secondly, there has, quite rightly, been a lot of talk Member for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin) until her this afternoon about Britain meeting the 0.7% target by peroration about the UK Government not showing 2013. We are not far off that already. According to the leadership. As I hope I will show, my right hon. Friend Muskoka accountability report, published at the end of the Prime Minister showed considerable leadership in last week’s G8 summit, the Development Assistance Canada. Until she spoiled her speech with that last bit, Committee estimates that in the 2010 calendar year the it was actually a very good speech. The whole House is UK’s official development assistance spend will be grateful to her for the work that she does on the equivalent to $15.5 billion, or 0.6% of GNI. We are far all-party group on trade, aid and debt. and away the country that is nearest to meeting that I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Wirral West 0.7% target. The nearest to us is France, at 0.46%. (Esther McVey) for an outstanding speech, which was Even with a ring-fenced commitment, my right hon. fluent, articulate and very much to the point. I am sure Friend the Secretary of State, skilled as he is, will not be that the House will look forward to hearing her speak in able to extract from the Treasury during the lifetime of future debates on many topics that she also highlighted. this Parliament any more than 0.7% of GNI for his It is heartening that the maiden speeches, certainly on Department’s budget. That means that if various NGOs this side of the House, have been of the highest quality or others think that extra money should be spent on a that the House has heard for many a new Parliament. particular policy area, they will have to demonstrate to I am delighted to see my right hon. Friend the Secretary us all which parts of existing DFID spending should be of State for International Development in his place. He reduced. DFID is not a bottomless pit, and the situation showed outstanding commitment as shadow Secretary will become very competitive. If NGOs or pressure of State and he has shown extreme grip by what he has groups argue that a particular area of spending should done already in the Department. I know that he will do increase, it will be beholden on them to explain to an extraordinarily good job for international development Ministers, and the rest of us, where they think spending during his time as Secretary of State. should be reduced.

Chris Kelly: Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating Mr Thomas: Is the hon. Gentleman saying that he the Secretary of State on his fantastic work in Rwanda, does not think any further resources should be made where he has led Project Umubano for several years available for climate finance, and that if, as a result of now? He took the then Leader of the Opposition to the climate negotiations, further resources are asked of Rwanda and the then Secretary of State, who is going the developed world by developing countries, Britain’s back to Rwanda this summer, as am I for the second contribution should not go beyond the 10% that the last time on this fantastic project. Government said would come from DFID, and that other cuts in other programmes in DFID should take Tony Baldry: I certainly join my hon. Friend in paying place? tribute to my right hon. Friend for what he did with the project in Rwanda. It reinforces one of the three points Tony Baldry: It is a bit rich for Opposition Front that I want to make. Benchers, who left this Government with absolutely no I am conscious that others want to speak. What I money at all and in a situation where this country is the would like to say in this debate can be summed up by most indebted in the world, to have one chorus, which is one paragraph in the Prime Minister’s statement to the “more money”. It does not lie in the hon. Gentleman’s House earlier this week on the G8 and G20 summits. mouth to give the impression that DFID and every He said: other Department should receive further funding from the Treasury. The reality is that most ministerial colleagues “Even at a time when our countries face difficult budget decisions, it is important that we maintain our commitment to face substantial cuts in their departmental budgets and helping the poorest in the world. The UK is maintaining its spending lines. DFID is fortunate, because its spending commitment to increase spending on aid to 0.7% of gross national is protected, but it must be clear to everyone, including income. That gives us the opportunity to exercise leadership on Opposition Front Benchers, that, if they call for extra 1057 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1058 spending from the DFID budget in one policy area, Five years ago today, in 2005, I was in The Meadows they are beholden to explain—[Interruption.] Iam in Edinburgh making final preparations for the Make answering the hon. Gentleman. They are beholden to Poverty History march and demonstration that took explain where DFID spending will be reduced. They place ahead of the G8 summit in Gleneagles. I was and some NGOs cannot just come along and suggest privileged to play a role in organising that event and in that somehow DFID has a blank cheque, and that, if it the movement that grew up around the Make Poverty does not increase spending on their policy area, it is History campaign. The Gleneagles summit was very failing. That is intellectually dishonest. much a defining moment for the anti-poverty movement, Thirdly, we all agree that between now and 2015 it is not only because of the international commitments that important that we meet, in so far as it is humanly were made there but because civil society made itself possible, the millennium development goals. I hope that heard on that occasion. Some 250,000 people marched as many Members as possible will read the accountability through Edinburgh that day. For a city of half a million report that was published following the G8 summit, people, that was a phenomenal outpouring of civic because NGOs such as Oxfam, which the shadow Secretary statement about what was really important to those of State prayed in aid, would do well to start working people, and indeed to those from all over the UK and out how they engage with other G8 countries to ensure further afield who joined the demonstration. that they meet the obligations that the UK has already Citizens demanded that the G8—the richest countries met. Some of the amounts that are being spent are of the world—take action. As the right hon. Member pitiful. Russia spends just 0.07% of GNI on overseas for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) development, the United States spends 0.19% and even said, the £50 billion in commitments that was made at Japan spends only 0.18%. If the other G8 member Gleneagles is currently about £20 billion behind. For states spent anything like as much as we in the United example, in real terms, the £25 billion pledged for Kingdom spend on official development assistance, as Africa has translated into only £11 billion. That is a agreed by the Development Assistance Committee, the shameful shortfall. Frankly, last week’s manipulation of volume of money going into international development the statistics that came out of Gleneagles, whereby would increase substantially. people used the fluctuation in the value of the dollar to The Prime Minister reported to the House on Monday, make it look as though they were giving a lot more than and I hope that the NGO community joins him in they are, was a real disgrace. In that context, I welcome making it clear that we need not just accountability and the commitment by the new Government that they will transparency at DFID, which my right hon. Friend the honour the 0.7% aid target and focus efforts on achieving Secretary of State has guaranteed, but to ensure that all the millennium development goals. I am very pleased G8 member states live up to the commitments that they that DFID’s budget is being protected in the current made at Gleneagles. Otherwise, come 2015, we will all spending round. I am also glad about the non-partisan be frustrated by the lack of progress. It cannot be made approach that the new Government are taking, which is by the United Kingdom on its own, and if people think a reassurance to Members across the House. that it can they will be disappointed. The United Kingdom I welcome the emphasis that is being placed on is effectively at its 0.7% target, and there will be a finite transparency in how aid money is going to be spent. amount of money available to DFID, however committed Much has already been said about transparency and we all are to international development. accountability. Increasing transparency has obvious I hope that the NGO community, including organisations potential to improve accountability in aid delivery. It is such as Bond, and all the various NGOs that subscribe important to say, however, that a great deal of work is to and are members of Bond, will see that there is a already going on to make aid spending accountable and need for them to start focusing outwards and engaging transparent. Many NGOs are already highly innovative other countries in meeting their 0.7% target. The same in how they monitor the effectiveness of aid. At an could apply equally to climate change. Copenhagen did international level, organisations such as CIVICUS are not fail because of what the UK Government did or did improving the practice of aid delivery and ensuring that not do; it was a disappointment largely because the there is a highly regulated and well-monitored and international community had not engaged sufficiently evaluated sector. I urge the Government not to reinvent with China on that country’s aspirations and concerns. the wheel when they consider their own moves forward. If we are going to meet the millennium development It is also important to recognise the potential of goals, we will have to ensure that the other countries increased transparency in raising public awareness of which promised so much at Gleneagles and have so far the fantastic work that is being done by DFID and the delivered so little live up to and deliver on their promises. organisations that it funds, and in making visible the In that way, I hope that by the time we get to 2015 we positive impact of development aid. We always hear will see that as many of the millennium development about the downsides of aid—the mistakes, the failures, goals as possible have been met. the things that go wrong—but we do not hear nearly enough about the success stories. It would, however, be 3.5 pm unfortunate if increased transparency were to result in a proliferation of more abstract data and increased Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I, monitoring and evaluation at the expense of an enhanced too, welcome the Secretary of State and his team to profile for the life-changing impacts of aid. In that their posts and wish them well. I am pleased to have the respect, I am concerned that the new independent quango opportunity to contribute to this debate on an issue charged with impact assessment that the Government that, perhaps more than any other, defines how the UK are proposing will add little to the existing accountability is seen in the wider international community, and matters mechanisms. It is somewhat ironic that they are keen to to people in constituencies across these islands. encourage civil society in developing countries as a 1059 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1060

[Dr Eilidh Whiteford] There is a dreadful monitoring and evaluation culture in the development sector, which has grown up around means of holding their Governments to account, while very short-term interventions. I would welcome assurances they are slashing funding to the excellent civil society that the Government’s plans will not add to the pick- and educational organisations here in the UK that are and-mix plethora of short-term, fashionable projects equipping our own young citizens to hold the Government that fail to have any sustained, long-term impact and to account. That is deeply regrettable. that just create a full employment scheme for highly It is important to emphasise that aid really does paid, and often highly qualified, consultants based in work. Since 2005 and the Gleneagles summit, 4 million northern countries. I would rather make a plea for extra people have received life-saving antiretroviral HIV monitoring that is commensurate and proportionate and AIDS treatment, 4 million more children have and does not place an undue bureaucratic burden on survived beyond the age of five and 33 million children developing countries, and for impact assessment that is are in school who would not otherwise have been. qualitative and longitudinal, not just quantitative, and However, let us acknowledge both the scale of the helps people to improve how they work rather than problems and the impact of the shortfall in the aid simply tick boxes. commitments. As others have mentioned, 350,000 women Let us face it—most people working in development are still dying in pregnancy and childbirth every year, already have an ultimate accountability mechanism in and almost all those deaths are preventable. Some the aid sector. If they do not deliver within a year or 9 million children under five are still dying every year, two, their funding is cut. It is as simple as that. That also almost all from preventable causes. On current contrasts rather markedly with how Government projections, millennium development goal 4 on child Departments operate in many parts of the developed mortality will not be met until 2045, which is an world and even more sharply with the UK, where bankers unacceptable abdication of responsibility by the in failed businesses seem still to be receiving bonuses. international community. Much has been said this afternoon about the importance I should like to outline some of the challenges in of economic development and questions have been improving accountability and transparency in aid. One asked about how DFID will take forward its engagement of the key questions that we need to ask is: transparent with the business community. No one would deny that and accountable to whom? Clearly, citizens here and in foreign direct investment has an important and invaluable the countries that receive aid need to be involved in the role to play, especially in middle income countries. process. One of the practical challenges that we face is However, I wish to stress to the Secretary of State and that developing countries receive support from a range others that it cannot be a substitute for aid in meeting of governmental and non-governmental sources, which the millennium development goals. There are few examples all have different reporting requirements, some of which of places where foreign direct investments generate are highly bureaucratic. enough economic growth to finance essential services such as health, education and access to water. Those are Mr Andrew Mitchell: The hon. Lady, whose constituency the services that underpin poverty reduction everywhere I visited during the general election campaign, is making it has been achieved. an excellent speech. She asks to whom the accountability It is fascinating to note that regardless of the political should be extended, and she is absolutely right to do so. ideology and economic philosophies underpinning the The answer is, first, to our own taxpayers, who need success of countries in poverty reduction, they have all confidence that their hard-earned money is being spent ensured that their citizens have access to basic health well, but secondly to the people in poor countries whom care, education and clean water. We are talking about we are trying to help and support. If we place in their countries as disparate as Cuba and the so-called tiger hands the ability to see what is happening to the money, economies of south-east Asia. They could not be more we help them to make their own civic leaders and distinct in their philosophy and ideological approach, politicians accountable for how it is spent. but they have all had essential public services at their heart. They have also had strategic economic investment Dr Whiteford: I agree with the right hon. Gentleman, and planning, as well as proper investment in infrastructure. but I reiterate that the way to do that is not to slash Those are the things that will create the necessary funding to the very organisations in this country that pre-conditions in which businesses can thrive, but one will make the work that is going on far more transparent cannot be done without the other. to taxpayers and put it in a format penetrable to people One of the key economic challenges in the efforts to other than policy wonks and statisticians. I urge him to address global poverty is that women are significantly think again and go back to the drawing board on that over-represented among those living in extreme poverty, point before we see a lot of very good work undermined those missing out on school and those unable to read and destroyed. and write. They are also grossly under-represented in There has been some progress in recent years on political forums, corporate boardrooms and decision- streamlining and co-ordinating reporting mechanisms making bodies around the world. We will not be successful for NGOs and developing country Governments, and I in addressing global poverty unless we tackle the economic, stress the value of doing that. The resources that are political and social exclusion of women. There is no spent on servicing bureaucracies could be better utilised doubt that economic investment and growth have the elsewhere. Another concern about the accountability of potential to lift people out of poverty, but women need development spending is that a lot of it tends to be to be part of that and they need education to be able to project-based, short-term and unco-ordinated and to be part of that. duplicate existing structures. Consequently, it is often Increasingly, people connect to global markets for monitored in technocratic ways and measures inputs labour, goods and services, but a lot of evidence suggests rather than impacts. that the benefits of economic development bypass the 1061 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1062 poorest, most of whom are women. In and of themselves, town of Stevenage grew out of a small Saxon settlement the markets will not address poverty and, in particular, in the early 700s, but began to expand massively when, will not address the inequality between women and in 1946, it was designated as the first new town and the men—indeed, they can compound existing gender building of large-scale housing estates began. The town inequalities. I hope that the Government will look closely continues to expand to this day. However, it is a very at that issue and consider how the support that the UK green area, with more than a third of the space being offers in business development overseas benefits both parklands and green spaces. It has few traffic lights, for women and men. which we are grateful, and an integrated cycle network. Part of the answer lies in improving the accountability Furthermore, Stevenage football club won promotion of business and corporations operating in developing to the football league this year, and we are very proud to countries. I warmly welcome the fact that the Government be hosting league football for the first time ever. The are committed to establishing a grocery ombudsman, as town is also home to many high-technology major that has the potential to improve significantly the welfare employers, such as MBDA, which builds complex weapons and working conditions of the predominantly women systems, Fujitsu and GlaxoSmithKline, which has one workers in the global food supply chains that supply of the largest research and development facilities in the our supermarkets. Numerous constituents have written area. Arguably, it could even be called the space capital to me on this issue, and I hope that the Department for of the UK, as Astrium builds its satellites there and the Business, Innovation and Skills will work closely with Mars Rover is under development in Stevenage. DFID to bring forward concrete proposals in this area. Coming back down to earth, on the edge of the town Incidentally, the ombudsman will also have the potential is the village of Aston, which has a long history and was to deliver benefits to agricultural producers in the UK, the home of Aston house, where the Special Operations including thousands of people in my constituency who Executive designed, tested and produced secret weapons. work in farming, fishing and food production. Near this is the village of Datchworth, which is a My final point on accountability is about our own typical English village with an enormous village fête accountability to the global community with regard to that attracts people from many miles around and illustrates climate change. Developing countries are already the sense of community present in the area. Then we experiencing the adverse effects of increased flooding, have Knebworth, which is a much larger village with an droughts and extreme weather events associated with interesting history. It is one of the largest open air man-made climate change. Few poor countries have the concert venues in the UK and has seen numerous acts resources to invest in mitigation measures. Nor do they play, from Led Zeppelin to Robbie Williams. The latter have the resources to rebuild infrastructure and houses drew a crowd of more than 300,000 people, while 3.5 million that are damaged or destroyed. Climate change is destroying watched on television. The southern most point of the habitats, reducing food security, fuelling conflict and constituency is Codicote, where there are dynamic plans creating refugees. I hope that the Secretary of State can to improve sports facilities for the whole community for assure me that he intends that, distinct from the aid many generations to come. budget, we should meet our obligations to those countries The fantastic history, transport links, high-tech industries that have not caused climate change but have to cope and sense of community show why so many people with the consequences. I echo the questions posed earlier choose to come to my constituency from all over the about climate financing and ensuring that aid money is UK to set up home and make a better life for themselves not vired over to deal with the effects of climate change. and their families. It really is a microcosm of British Poverty reduction is fundamentally a matter of political society today, which brings me to the issue that I would will and priorities. That will does exist in our civil like to tackle. We must move away from a culture where society, and the challenge for Members of Parliament spending money is seen to be the answer to all the will be to rise to the expectations of our own citizens problems in our society. We have to target our resources and keep the aid promises that we made five years ago. both at home and abroad to focus on activities that deliver results and will make a real impact on the lives of millions of people. 3.19 pm I will take two examples of where significant progress Stephen McPartland (Stevenage) (Con): Thank you, can be made quickly. The first is the millennium Madam Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity development goal to reduce by two thirds the mortality to make my maiden speech in this important debate. I rate among children under the age of five. There is congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral concern that this, like many of the other goals, will not West (Esther McVey), who spoke warmly and eloquently be achieved by 2015, but if we take targeted action we about her constituency, and the issue being debated. can make real progress. At the moment, around the I also thank the people of Stevenage for placing their world, one child dies every 15 seconds from pneumonia, trust in me. I will endeavour to repay that trust by which is the leading killer of children under the age of working hard to represent their interests in the House. five. The majority of those deaths are preventable because I pay tribute to my predecessor, Barbara Follett, who is there are effective vaccines that can protect against the well known within the House and the constituency. I majority of strains of the disease and effective treatments hope that she will be remembered for her many impassioned such as antibiotics. speeches against apartheid. She followed Tim Wood, Increasing evidence shows that pneumonia is linked who is still remembered fondly in the constituency as a to global poverty, and 98% of these deaths occur in the man dedicated to helping local people. developing world, mostly in marginalised communities. The constituency of Stevenage is centred predominantly Yet pneumonia is a disease that can be managed relatively on the town of Stevenage and the surrounding villages simply if the resources are available. I am proud of the of Knebworth, Datchworth, Codicote and Aston. The leading role that GlaxoSmithKline, a major employer in 1063 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1064

[Stephen McPartland] Although Rochdale is commonly perceived as a classic Lancashire town with problems of its own, there is also my constituency, has taken to try to save the lives of much debate about international affairs. I started as the millions of children in the world’s poorest countries. candidate in 2007, and it was not long before people GSK is one of the first manufacturers to sign an advanced were impressing on me the importance of the problems market commitment, which, by guaranteeing an affordable faced by the Palestinian people. The concern was so long-term price, will support the sustained use of vaccines. great from people in Rochdale, who felt passionately GSK has worked closely with GAVI and IVAC—the about Palestine, that in 2008 I visited the west bank for Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, and myself. The most saddening aspect of the situation is the International Vaccine Access Centre—the leading that the poverty experienced by the Palestinians is caused NGOs in trying to sort the problem out, and whose by an Israeli state that seems, to me at least, determined work I commend. to wear the people down, to push them into a smaller Turning closer to home, we know that here in the and smaller area, with fewer and fewer resources, and to UK, it is possible to help a child out of poverty and hide the Palestinian people behind what can only be improve their chances in life if they receive a good described as an apartheid wall. Although our Governments education. However, we are not doing enough; we are find a strong voice to criticise other countries whose not lifting enough people out of poverty.In my constituency, actions inflict such poverty on their neighbours, for like in so many others across the UK, there are children some reason our Governments cannot or will not speak who have tried so hard in school. There is a cadre of up enough on the Palestinians’ plight. dedicated and professional staff who have helped them Earlier this year I visited Bangladesh, and I hope to along the way and invested so much of themselves in visit Pakistan and Kashmir in the near future. There are helping those children try to improve their life chances, lots of Rochdale residents whose origins are in those but the system does not seem to work. Those children three countries. The reason I mention them today is that are being forced through an education system that although poverty exists in those countries, there is also pushes them out the other end with little chance of much potential for economic growth. We as a country getting a job, as they do not have the skills that local need to do what we can to help them prosper, so that the employers want. poverty can be reduced. What we can also do for those We need to encourage employers to work with local countries is help them learn the lessons that the people schools and colleges, to get fully involved in education, in Rochdale have already learned about asbestos. Rochdale to highlight the skills that are missing and even perhaps was home to the largest asbestos manufacturing plant to take preventive action, possibly by designing some of in the world, and residents have suffered and continue the more vocational courses. Perhaps the prize at the to suffer from this deadly product. Indeed, Spodden end of the course should be a job or an apprenticeship valley, where the factory was located, is still heavily with the employer. We need to be innovative and flexible, contaminated, yet we have developers wanting to build so that courses can reflect the skills gap locally and on it—something that I will continue to oppose. more local people can get local jobs. Only by focusing The lessons learned in Rochdale are important. There on results here and abroad will we be able to help people are companies in developing countries that are playing lift themselves out of poverty. fast and loose with asbestos, still creating years of Finally, I would like to finish by urging us all to illness, injury and death, which then leads to poverty for remember that it is very easy to discuss statistics in these the families involved. That is why the global economy is debates in the House, but we must never forget that so important. The jobs provided by the asbestos plant behind the figures are real people—real families and in Rochdale are long gone to businesses abroad—but at real lives—who have to live day to day with the decisions what cost to human life? Many of Rochdale’s textile that we take. mills and engineering firms have also gone abroad and we find ourselves in a position where unemployment 3.26 pm remains unhealthily high. Our town centre has gradually Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): I, too, would like deteriorated to the point where we have about 50 empty to make my maiden speech and contribute to the debate. shops and a real loss of retail jobs. Before I do that, however, I would like to congratulate The previous Government did much to invest in the hon. Member for Stevenage (Stephen McPartland). Rochdale, but that investment was not always handled I was particularly pleased to hear that there are very few well locally. Rochdale’s Kingsway business park has got traffic lights in Stevenage, which makes me concerned off to a slow start; the council has not handled our town that there are far too many in Rochdale. centre’s redevelopment well; and we now face financial As is customary, I would like to start by paying delays and cuts. The new Government have put our tribute to my Liberal Democrat predecessor. Paul Rowen transport interchange on hold, there are question marks prided himself on being Rochdale born and bred, and I over school building funds and they are proposing to have no doubt that he would have contributed to this close our magistrates court. debate. Indeed, he devoted much of his time to overseas Although I have described a relatively bleak picture, issues and was often a champion for countries such as there are many positives associated with Rochdale. Our Bangladesh, Uganda and Kashmir. I am sure that he will football club moved up a division this year after languishing be sadly missed by those with an interest in such issues. in the bottom of the league for more than 30 years—well I also want to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the done, lads. We have some amazing countryside, including Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Mr Woolas), Hollingworth lake, and great architecture such as our who had Milnrow and New Hey within his constituency town hall. As many will know, Rochdale is the birth boundaries until general election day.He is an exceptionally place of the Co-op, and co-operation continues with good MP, and I consider him to be a good friend. communities coming together cohesively. The churches 1065 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1066 and mosques and the voluntary sector do a fantastic about a fairer society. Perhaps now, in the wake of the amount of work across our town, and we have many most recent recession—the deepest since the 1930s—we excellent businesses and local entrepreneurs. should reflect on how to reconstruct a fairer global It is our people for which the town is most famous. community. They are the warmest and most honest people anyone Fortunately, in our own country we have made great could wish to meet. Hon. Members may not be aware of strides in tackling each of the five giants that Beveridge it, but during the general election, the former Prime identified. Elsewhere across the world, people have not Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy been so lucky. The facts and figures may be over-told, and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), had the opportunity to but they still make for sobering reading. According to receive a real Rochdale welcome. I spoke with Mrs Duffy the most recent millennium development goals report just before her conversation with the former Prime from the United Nations, 1.4 billion people live on less Minister and I have also met her subsequently. On a than $1.25 per day, while it is believed that more than serious point, she is a very good woman; she was half the world lives on less than $10 per day; 17% of the articulating what many people feel, which is that times world are undernourished; 11% of the world’s children are tough and that it is ordinary working people who still do not receive a primary school education; 74 out are feeling the pain. of every 1,000 children die before they are five years Sadly, I genuinely do not believe that ordinary working old; 536,000 women and young girls die every year people are going to be helped by this Government’s across the world as a consequence of complications in Budget or its cuts. For instance, I, like many other pregnancy; despite falling infection rates, about 2 million people, was brought up on free school meals in a people die of AIDS every year; and 36% of people in one-parent family helped by the welfare state. It was the developing world live in poor housing. The statistics hardly surprising that I left school with no qualifications go on and on. and little confidence to get on in life, but it was the As we enter a new decade, has the time not come for availability of further education and the support of my the developed world to put an end to rhetoric and meet trade union that combined to create a second chance for the fundamental challenges that confront the world in me. Now is not the time to attack public institutions dealing with global poverty? The most important of that are vital for working people to move on in life. My those challenges is economic development, an issue that worry now for the people of Rochdale, and for the has been brought further to the fore by the global people of Britain, is that the VAT increase, the cutting economic crisis. It is believed that, as a result of that of free school meals, the growth in unemployment, the crisis, nearly 100 million more people have remained in cuts to public services—all these things and more—will poverty than would otherwise have been the case. recreate the 1980s society in which I grew up, and that According to the United Nations, while productivity—a the second chances will no longer exist. primary indicator of economic development—has steadily risen in the developed world, productivity in the developing I am in no doubt that my primary responsibility as world has been sluggish. Between 1998 and 2008, output the MP for Rochdale is to fight for opportunities in our per person employed—measured in 2005 United States town, to make sure our people receive the life chances dollars—rose from $60,000 to $71,000 among those that are available in many other parts of the United working in the developed regions, while in the developing Kingdom, and to make sure that Rochdalians are given regions output per person rose from $8,000 to $11,000. the hope to succeed. It is a privilege to represent the That is just over a quarter of the growth of the developed people of Rochdale, and I will work hard in that endeavour. world. Limited increases in productivity indicate that an economy has little potential to create new jobs. Several hon. Members rose— Moreover, that can lead to stagnant wages, which keep hundreds of millions in poverty and prevent the creation Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. of the stable domestic markets that are essential to As Members can probably see, a great many wish to further economic progress. speak. If contributions can be limited to 10 minutes or The link between economic development and reducing less, I may manage to fit everyone in. May I gently poverty seems obvious, but while a great deal of the remind Members that others wish to contribute to this focus has been on aid, it ignores the necessity of encouraging important debate? growth in developing countries. That is less eye-catching and more difficult to achieve, but in the long term it will 3.35 pm produce better results. Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): Thank A report published in 2006 by USAID, the United you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I will keep it brief. States Agency for International Development, highlighted the position of South Korea and Ghana. In 1950, South I congratulate my hon. Friends the Members for Korea’s per capita income was $770. Ghana’s was slightly Wirral West (Esther McVey) and for Stevenage (Stephen higher, at $1,222. By 2000, however, South Korea’s per McPartland), and the hon. Member for Rochdale (Simon capita income had risen to $14,000, while Ghana’s Danczuk), on their excellent and thoughtful maiden remained at around $1,280. The figures for life expectancy, speeches. literacy and infant mortality have improved dramatically More than 60 years ago, the Beveridge report was in South Korea since 1950, but the problems continue published. It identified the five giants that threatened to dog Ghana. That is despite the hundreds of millions Britain in the wake of post-war reconstruction: want, of pounds given to Ghana by Britain alone over the disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness. It showed a past few decades. country scarred by the events of the great depression—one Although I do not doubt the necessity of aid to assist of the worst financial disasters that the world has ever people in developing countries who live in poverty, we witnessed—and sought to find a way in which to bring must not allow ourselves to mistake aid for the cure. 1067 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1068

[Chris White] justice throughout this Parliament, and I congratulate him on his election to this House. I also congratulate Aid must be used as a short-term means in order to the Secretary of State for International Development achieve economic development, which is the long-term on his new role and wish him all the best in his endeavours. end. Schools and hospitals, the beginnings of a solid I am also delighted to see the Chair of the Select infrastructure, are the things that aid can help to achieve. Committee on International Development in the Chamber, However, the real work of lifting people out of poverty and I look forward to serving with him on that Committee. will be done only by a growing economy, with the In this country, we are extremely proud of the fact creation of jobs and rising wages. that everyone has access to clean water, nutritious food, That work can be done enough through encouraging quality health care and a first-rate education, thus a fiscal and administrative reform. Countries can, thus, ensuring that everyone has a good basic standard of be helped to adopt tax systems that are fairer, easier to living based on equitable principles. If we really do implement, less vulnerable to corruption and less distorting believe in such rights and principles, we cannot limit to economic activity, in order to help to develop their application to ourselves alone. In this regard—I transparency. We also need to ensure that strong monetary use a legal phrase here—equity truly is equality. I strongly frameworks are in place. I am glad, therefore, that the believe in the principles of equality and justice, both at Government have taken such a keen interest in ensuring home and abroad—indeed, they are the very reasons that economic development is placed at the heart of our why I engaged in the political process in the first place. poverty-reduction strategy. I welcome, for example, our I passionately believe that every child, regardless of support for a pan-African free trade area, which we where they were born, should have the same chances hope will lead to the greater development of markets in life. within developing countries and help to generate a cycle Many hon. Members, in their travels to and from of prosperity. Parliament on the underground, may have seen the Moreover, an issue that goes hand in hand with amazing photo of a young African boy playing football economic development is that of governance. As was with his friends. The caption reads: worryingly reported only a few years ago by the National “Abello is also tackling hunger, poverty and disease”. Audit Office, aid is often open to abuse. Poverty reduction This incredibly moving charitable advertisement highlights budget support—that is money given directly to the the fact that even while the entire world is gripped with Governments of recipient countries—represents more the outcomes of the football World cup, there are still than £1 billion of DFID’s budget and is the preferred millions of people around the world, many of them method of distribution. That comes with the risk of children, who are fighting poverty on a daily basis. funds going missing and being misdirected for the private Surely, in this day and age, that cannot be right. This is gain of individuals within Governments. We must ensure an age that the formidable former Member of Parliament that Governments that receive this aid do not do this, Tony Benn has described as one in which and I welcome the coalition’s commitment to supporting “we have the power and technology to be able to resolve many of the development of local democracy and civil society in the problems the world faces and improve the lives of so many order to create the environment necessary for stable people”. governance to follow. Moreover, the commitment to I am fiercely proud of my party’s record on international ensuring that there is full transparency in aid and to development while in government. Since 1997, we have publishing details of all UK aid spending is also a step created a dedicated Department for International in the right direction. Development, and Britain’s aid budget has trebled, helping to lift an estimated 3 million people out of Aid given by this country has the potential to help poverty. Britain was the first country to sign up to the tens of millions of people across the world and, as part United Nations agreed target of spending 0.7 % of of larger multilateral packages, to help hundreds of gross national income on development assistance. We millions. However, I am reminded of the fact that the have also led the way in cancelling debts owed by the Department that deals with reducing global poverty is world’s poorest countries, and we are now the world’s called the “Department for International Development”. second largest bilateral humanitarian aid donor. We That title recognises the simple truth that development—in have stopped aid being tied to commercial interests, particular, economic development—holds the key to enabling poor countries to use the money to buy goods reducing and eventually eliminating global poverty. As and services from the most cost-effective sources. That we look forward to tackling the great giants of global is a legacy that we on these Benches are rightly extremely poverty, we should ensure that we place long-term proud of, but it is also a legacy that must be built upon, economic development before eye-catching spending not diminished, because a tremendous amount of work commitments. I am glad that the Government seem to remains to be done. be taking that course, and I hope that they continue in that direction. Approximately 80% of people in the world still live on less than $10 a day. Thousands of people die every day due to lack of food, and nearly 30% of children in 3.43 pm the developing world are estimated to be underweight. Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): First, I Millions of people die every year due to preventable congratulate all the new Members who made their diseases, around half a million women die every year maiden speeches today: the hon. Members for Wirral while giving birth, and more than 1 billion people do West (Esther McVey) and for Stevenage (Stephen not have access to safe drinking water. The list is endless. McPartland), and, in particular, my hon. Friend the I really cannot stress enough to the Government the Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), who so powerfully importance of continuity, through ensuring that the highlighted the plight of the Palestinian people. I am millions of people we have helped over the past 13 years sure that he will be a great voice for peace, equality and do not fall back into poverty and through continuing to 1069 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1070 take millions more out of poverty every year. We can do Perhaps most importantly, we need to prevent tax that only by maintaining pressure on the international avoidance in developing countries by helping to build community and working with our international partners and strengthen their tax administration and collection to ensure that the eight millennium development goals— systems. More effective tax collection is vital because ending poverty and hunger, universal education for not only does it provide a sustainable stream of finance children, the elimination of gender inequality in education, for developing countries but it promotes stronger improving child health, improving maternal health, governance through an accountable state-citizen combating HIV/AIDS, achieving environmental relationship. The increased stability that it brings sustainability, and the creation of a global partnership significantly enhances the prospects of economic growth. for development—are all met. The UN millennium development goals meeting in The millennium development goals have galvanised New York later this year represents a major opportunity extraordinary efforts to help the world’s poorest people, to agree urgent action on behalf of the world’s poorest but it is widely considered unlikely that they will be children. Globally, millions of children still have to achieved by the 2015 deadline, especially following the work to survive and are having their rights denied as a results of the recent G8 meeting and the G20 summit. result of poverty. In order to secure the best possible I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by deal, the Government must, from the outset, put forward the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) in his a clear agenda for the meeting in terms of the key question to the Prime Minister yesterday when he said objectives they wish to obtain. Otherwise they will risk that our commitments to international development having a re-run of the shocking episode that took place must be maintained because over the last weekend. “our national interest, security stability and sense of humanity At a time when people question whether there is a very often begin overseas”.—[Official Report, 30 June 2010; global role for Britain to play in today’s world, what Vol. 512, c. 860.] better role can there be for us than that of the leading Hon. Members will therefore appreciate how hugely voice for international development? disappointed I was to learn that the Prime Minister did not manage to persuade other members of the G8 to 3.50 pm stick to the historic aid commitments that they had Rebecca Harris (Castle Point) (Con): I am very fortunate made at Gleneagles, which were kept out of last weekend’s to have in my constituency two of the only charity G20 communiqué. This is doubly disappointing when shops in Britain that donate all their profits to UNICEF, we consider the fact that the global economic downturn which campaigns to fight child poverty and exploitation is having a devastating effect on the lives of millions of around the globe. Indeed, my right hon. Friend the the world’s most vulnerable people. Secretary of State was able personally to give them an The failure of France, Germany and particularly award earlier in the year for their sterling fundraising Italy to deliver on the commitments that they made at work and to see first hand the dedication of the volunteers Gleneagles represents an unforgivable betrayal of the and staff who make such a difference to children around world’s poorest people, because, in the words of the UN the world. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, In 2006, before the bubble burst, triggering the global “we cannot balance budgets on the backs of the world’s poorest financial crisis, the British public donated more than people. We cannot abandon our commitment to the most vulnerable.” £33 million just to UNICEF and its global campaigns For international development to be effective, it has to through direct appeals and fundraising activities in be a truly global effort on behalf of all developed communities all over the UK, including the two shops nations. The Government must therefore do more to in my constituency. In 2009, the year after the collapse ensure that the future of the world’s poorest remains and at the height of the global financial crisis, the high not only on their agenda but on the agendas of British public donated more than £40 million to UNICEF other members of the international community. and its global campaigns. Following the tragic earthquake in Haiti in January, the Disasters Emergency Committee— If we are to address global poverty, we must address the umbrella organisation for the independent humanitarian its root causes by making the global economy work relief agencies in the UK—raised a staggering £38 million better for the poorest nations. On a practical level, that in individual donations in less than one week from means that we must ensure that the consistent and coherent members of the British public who were horrified by the approach adopted by my right hon. Friend the Member sheer scale of human suffering thousands of miles from for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander)—to our shores. whose contribution as the former Secretary of State for It is clear from those facts—I am sure that colleagues International Development I pay tribute—is kept as a from all parties will agree—that the British public have part of our international trade policies by firmly placing not wavered in their generosity towards alleviating the development as their core guiding principle. suffering of the worlds’ poorest and most vulnerable We also need to reform global financial institutions people in the face of the world’s global financial crisis, such the World Bank and International Monetary Fund and neither should we. However, I am sure that I am not by making their decision making processes more transparent alone in this House in being asked by constituents some and inclusive. We need to do much more to monitor and searching questions about the Government’s commitment regulate international business and the impact that it to ring-fence the foreign aid budget. There is worry has on the environment, because the effects of climate about it, particularly given the pressure across all other change are making it even harder than before to tackle budgets as we approach a spending review in the autumn global poverty. Developing nations now need significant and what will be economically challenging years ahead. sums of additional finance just to help them adapt to Worse still is the sense that the aid budget might be climate change. poorly targeted or siphoned off due to corruption. 1071 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1072

[Rebecca Harris] priority development area. The focus on development and reconstruction is absolutely essential if we are to In an era of global responsibility, where 24,000 children leave that country able to look after itself. Of course, die in poverty every day and more than 3 billion people the NSC allows us to take the broader view on which live on less than $2.50 a day, it is right that we should development projects both have intrinsic moral value maintain our international aid budget and do all we can and work towards our national security interests in the through trade, diplomacy, business investment and climate long term. change policy to ensure that our efforts to help the In conclusion, I want to underline the generosity and world’s poorest are not damaged by the uncertain state moral focus of the British public towards tackling global of the global economy. It is also right that in the current poverty, which has strengthened, if anything, in the economic climate, more than ever every pound of taxpayer’s recent global financial crisis. There is still a monumental money that we deliver in aid must provide the most battle to fight against global poverty; we are right to value possible and be distributed through a system that protect the aid budget and we look forward to providing is completely transparent. greater value and transparency. In doing so, we can not I am sure that many people in this House were only ensure that we lift as many lives as possible out of alarmed by recent reports that billions of pounds in poverty but reassure the British taxpayer that international cash have been flown out of Kabul airport since 2007, development works not only to the benefit of the developing suggesting that huge sums of aid from us and our countries but in Britain’s best interests. NATO allies has been falling into the wrong hands and has been used for the wrong purposes. The misuse and 3.57 pm mistargeting of international aid resources is still a big obstacle in the fight against global poverty and we need Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): May I begin to seek out new ways to guarantee that aid is getting to by paying tribute to the hon. Members who have made where it has the greatest effect and does the most to their maiden speeches today? The hon. Members for alleviate poverty. Wirral West (Esther McVey) and for Stevenage (Stephen One issue that many people feel strongly about, which McPartland) and my hon. Friend the hon. Member we have already covered today, is the aid that we have for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk) all made excellent given to China. In the 2008-09 financial year, we donated contributions. My contribution will not be anything £118 billion of aid to the People’s Republic, £40 billion like as expert as those of my hon. Friends the Members of which came through the Department for International for York Central (Hugh Bayley) and for Glasgow North Development. By anyone’s observation, the British taxpayer (Ann McKechin), who made wide-ranging speeches is not getting value for money by continuing to give that covered many aspects. I want to highlight two millions of pounds of aid to the second-largest economy specific points about global poverty, the first of which is in the world. I welcome the Government’s commitment the importance of trade, particularly fair trade. The to withdraw from its bilateral aid programmes with second is the important role of democracy in tackling China and Russia. Similarly, the British taxpayer was global poverty, particularly in relation to backing up not getting value for the money that they expected to go organised labour in poor countries and supporting people towards tackling global poverty. Millions of pounds on very low incomes in fragile employment. were spent on UK-based awareness projects by the On fair trade, we are all aware that aid is not the final Department for International Development under the answer but a tool to assist economic development. I last Government. have felt strongly for many years about the possibilities As well as gaining more value for money from our aid of Fairtrade labelling. The idea that started many years budget, it is vital that the giving of all forms of Government ago is now coming to fruition: by telling people in aid is as transparent as possible. Taxpayers should consumer countries that the goods that they buy somehow easily be able to gain a real understanding of how their back up people on low incomes in producer companies, money is going to make a difference in the fight against we have a mechanism for delivering on economic poverty and they should also have access to as much development. I pay tribute to the previous Government’s information as possible so that they can form an opinion achievements in supporting the Fairtrade Foundation. on where that money should go and on how effectively There has been a massive expansion of the Fairtrade it is being spent. label, with 70% of people in Britain now recognising the I sincerely welcome every commitment that was outlined label and understanding what it means—seven out of by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in his 10; that is a real achievement. Also, the Fairtrade label speech at Oxfam’s “21st-Century Aid” report launch has been adopted by major brands in this country. earlier this month. I particularly welcome the introduction Many people around the UK are choosing to back of the UK aid transparency guarantee to ensure that producers in other countries, and that is a victory. the most value possible is squeezed out of every pound I put this challenge gently to the Government that of aid under this Government and that people can be they should continue to support the Fairtrade Foundation. fully reassured about where their money is going. I also We are rightly seeking to reduce the deficit but, although strongly support the clearer linking of aid to the work the sums devoted to assisting international organisations and ambit of the National Security Council. One of the to monitor free trade labelling are small, they have the tragedies of Iraq was the failure to put in place a proper power to do real good. I feel particularly strongly about plan to restore and maintain the infrastructure that no this matter, as it combines two of my biggest passions in doubt extended the insurgency. Linking our development life—shopping, and supporting people on low incomes work to our military work and responsibilities is difficult abroad. I have a personal commitment that I recommend and includes risk. Many of the organisations that we to all Members of the House, and it is that I always buy work alongside will no doubt have reservations, but we any new product that carries the Fairtrade label, whatever cannot do anything but regard Afghanistan as a major it is—and then, before we know it, we are always buying 1073 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1074

Fairtrade coffee, which is great. As I said, I encourage is one small example, but it is the pattern we need to the new Government’s Ministers to look at that programme follow. I call on the Government to work across Whitehall carefully, to see what more we in this country can do to to stand up for low-paid workers internationally. back up Fairtrade. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow North had My second reason for speaking in this afternoon’s much to say about the importance of considering debate is that I came across an example in my constituency employment as a factor in poverty, and Professor Sen, of Wirral South of trade union members in this country whom I quoted, has also investigated that in great backing a campaign being run by trade union members depth. We should all learn that the things that we are in Pakistan. I found it quite inspiring and I want to calling for in other countries are what we would want share with the House the success that has been achieved for our friends and families in employment in this but, before I do, I shall read a quotation from the Nobel country. I hope the Government go forward on that laureate Amartya Sen. He is a fine philosopher and basis and I look forward to debating such issues in economist who has done extensive research into the future in this Parliament. subject of famine and food security. He said that “no major famine has ever occurred in a functioning democracy 4.6 pm with regular elections, opposition parties, basic freedoms of speech Joseph Johnson (Orpington) (Con): I congratulate all and a relatively free media”. those who made their maiden speeches today. They I think that the lesson for us all is that we must support have made the afternoon fly by, such has been their the good functioning of democracy in other countries. quality. We cannot allow a discussion about global poverty to I wish to express my wholehearted support for the pass without recognising the politics that exists in other vision for UK aid outlined by my right hon. Friend the countries. Secretary of State, especially in so far as it is driven by a In that light, well-functioning trade unions are especially desire to focus the UK programme on outcomes and important. I mentioned that that had been highlighted value for money rather than on inputs and on what for me by local members of a trade union in Wirral quantities of money are shovelled overseas. I particularly South. The company Unilever is based in my constituency welcome his comment that he intends to review the and, by and large, it is a fine employer. I hear great UK’s aid relationship with India. As he said, there is reports from people in my constituency, who say that it now a double duty to demonstrate not only that aid is fantastic to work for. However, Unilever has a tea money is well spent but that it is spent where most production plant at Khanewal in Pakistan, where needed so that the Government can carry the country 723 workers were contracted through an agency on a with them at a time of intense budgetary squeeze and no-work, no-pay basis. retrenchment. Now, I am from Merseyside, and I grew up with the Under the coalition Government, the Department tales of what used to go on in the Liverpool docks. for International Development is already curtailing aid There are memories in my family of what it was like to to China and Russia and promising much greater value go down to the dockside without knowing whether for money. I believe that it is time to scale back DFID’s there was any work or whether the family could be fed. substantial India programme. I say that in response to Therefore, I feel passionately that we must seek to end the question asked of the Opposition by my hon. Friend these practices, wherever they are. What happened in the Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), who asked Liverpool all those years ago was not right, and it is not them to show where money could be saved in the DFID right if it happens anywhere else in the world today. budget. The workers in Pakistan had no sick leave or annual When we look at DFID’s expenditure, we see that the leave, and no right to join a trade union, but they India programme is the single largest country programme organised themselves. With the support of the IUF, an by quite some distance—it is worth £825 million over international trade union, they were able to make the three years to 2011. By my calculations, that means representations on how to deal with the problems that that the flow of grant aid from the UK to India is they faced, and they received support from trade union greater now than at any point for at least the past activists all over the world. Eventually, the IUF helped 20 years and, although I cannot trace the figures, perhaps them to undertake negotiations with Unilever, which more than at any time since independence in 1947. took place under the auspices of the UK’s national contact point responsible for the application of the Defenders of the aid programme to India can legitimately OECD’s guidelines for multinational enterprises. argue that progress towards meeting the millennium development goals by 2015 hinges on India—that is The two sides came to a settlement, under the terms quite right. However, nuclear-powered India can now of which Unilever agreed to create 200 additional fund its own development needs, considerable though permanent jobs, and many other successful outcomes they are in a country that is home to 450 million poor were also achieved. The IUF general secretary said: people and a third of the world’s malnourished children. “The Khanewal agreement…is a great moment for hundreds of our members in Pakistan who will now take up permanent Those who follow Indian affairs will know that it has employment…It brings better livelihoods for their families and a defence budget of $31.5 billion and, as my hon. some dignity and security at work…Unilever’s willingness to Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) work with us so constructively through the OECD process suggests mentioned, it has a very ambitious space programme, we may be able to look forward to an ongoing and structured including plans for an unmanned moon shot. It also has dialogue with Unilever.” a substantial aid programme of its own. It is obviously I wanted to highlight that because it is a real success. not yet at China’s stage of development—India is not That shows what people can achieve when they are China—but it is a claimant to a permanent Security given the dignity to stand up for themselves and their Council seat and to a place at the top table of world work, and to influence their terms and conditions. That affairs. As such, it is hardly a natural aid recipient. 1075 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1076

[Joseph Johnson] the room and no indication of anything to which anyone would have any objection if they studied its work. Of course, the moral arguments are very finely Scotdec—the Scottish Development Education Centre—is balanced—a poor person is a poor person wherever he based in my constituency but does work in many parts or she is in the world—but to my mind, common sense of Scotland. It is a respected educational organisation suggests that it is a better idea for the UK to prioritise that works with local authorities, the Scottish Government aid to countries that cannot afford to fund their and development organisations and has been supported development over those that take the money just because by DFID for work with teachers over many years. I can it is going free. Many other donor countries in recent only assume that the work was recognised by the further years have been kicked out of India for being too grants that were given to it for the current project, small—managing their donations was simply too which has now had its funding withdrawn just one year bureaucratic and cumbersome a process to be worth the into a three-year project. Indian Government’s while. The aid flows of others Scotdec tells me that it works with almost half the such as the US peaked 50 years ago in 1960. The US has schools in south-east Scotland. That is a lot of work for stated that it is “walking the last mile” in India. The just three staff, not only answering enquiries but going result is that the UK, perhaps inappropriately, now into 228 schools. I have had letters from staff at Jewel accounts for as much as 30% of all foreign aid to India. and Esk college in Edinburgh and other organisations That is arguably money that New Delhi could allocate with which Scotdec has worked, saying that it performs to its own development if it chose to do so. My view is valuable work that fits into wider educational programmes that we must, as the coalition programme states, work and teacher training programmes in south-east Scotland. towards a new partnership with India for the 21st century Mention was made of the fact that the project works —a “new special relationship”, as the Conservative with nursery teachers, as if that was sufficient to say manifesto originally put it. It must be based on strong that it must in some way be a bit dotty. Let me assure bonds of trade, not anachronistic ones of aid that hark the Secretary of State that, according to my information, back to a previous relationship between our two countries. the project works not only with the occasional nursery teacher but with further education colleges and their 4.11 pm educators as part of programmes that have been validated Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ and recognised for their value since the project started Co-op): I should like to say a few words about the issue just over a year ago. raised by the withdrawal of a grant to an organisation based in my constituency, which I raised briefly in an Mr Andrew Mitchell: The hon. Gentleman is making intervention on the Secretary of State. I appreciate that a strong case for his constituents and the organisation we are considering many issues of great international that is based in his constituency. We are endeavouring significance in this debate, and I do not want to take up to get him a copy of the letter that should have reached too much time on what some may regard as a relatively him this morning; I hope that it will arrive during tangential matter, but I want to raise my concerns about the debate. the way in which, certainly on the information I have, a The issue is not really whether the expenditure that he small organisation doing good work has been unfairly has identified is of good quality; it is whether it should treated. That decision also raises issues about the come from the budget that I mentioned earlier. The Government’s approach to development awareness activities hon. Gentleman may wish to consider whether it is an in the UK funded by the Department, and the Minister appropriate way to deploy international development should say something about it in his reply to the debate. expenditure or whether there are alternative forms of I shall first give some information about the grant support that his constituents might be able to attract. that has been withdrawn and the organisation that received it. Hon. Members will recall that at the start of Mark Lazarowicz: I know that the Secretary of State’s the debate the Secretary of State, as he set out his office has been trying to get a letter to me this morning decisions, headlined one of the five projects from which and this afternoon. Unfortunately, despite contact with funding has been withdrawn—a Brazilian-style dance both my office here and my constituency office, it troupe with percussion in Hackney. That project was appears still to be lost somewhere in cyberspace. The certainly given some attention in the media. I presume right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that I have to that the only reason why the Secretary of State headlined proceed on the basis of the information that I have. that project was that “Brazilian-style”, “dance troupe I shall address the Secretary of State’s comment with percussion” and above all “Hackney” are phrases about whether this project is the type of work that that set every bell ringing in the right-wing media and should be funded by DFID, but I want first to say pressure groups. If one mentions “Brazilian-style dance something about the project itself. The Secretary of troupe” and “Hackney” together, one does not really State has almost given support to my argument because have to argue any further in some people’s minds. That he does not appear to suggest that there is anything is an unfortunate approach to the debate and I suspect untoward about the project. I understand that he had that it stereotypes that particular group in Hackney. I no criticism of the work that the project has undertaken. have no knowledge of the group, but I suspect that my Indeed, I am informed by Scotdec that it was about to right hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) submit its first-year report to DFID, but had not actually who intervened on the Secretary of State wanted to gone into the Department, so presumably the decision suggest that it was somewhat more than the latter had to withdraw the funding could not have been based on portrayed. any knowledge or understanding of the project. The In any event, I assure the House that when I visited Secretary of State’s comments seem to suggest that that the very small office of the organisation based in my is the case: the decision was based on a general principle constituency, there were no samba bands practising in rather than any criticism of the project’s work. 1077 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1078

The project organiser was very unhappy—I can see start on awareness-raising work than with our youngest why—about the fact that the first information the citizens-to-be? I urge the Secretary of State to reconsider organisation had that the project was going to lose its his decision on that project and, if it reflects a wider funding was a phone call and e-mail received late on a policy, the wider policy as well. Friday afternoon, followed by a press notice on the Monday. Apart from being extremely discourteous, that 4.21 pm was hardly a fair way to allow a small organisation to Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): respond to a withdrawal of funding which has severely It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to speak in impacted on its ability to carry out its work. today’s debate, and I congratulate all the new Members I shall look at the letter that the Secretary of State is who have made their maiden speeches today. They put seeking to send me. It may well arrive by more conventional mine to shame. This is only the second time that I have means during the afternoon. spoken in the Chamber, and I was very excited at the Behind the Secretary of State’s decision there is, as he prospect. However, I was a little disappointed to hear has indicated, a clear political choice to stop funding the tone that the shadow Secretary of State chose to for projects of this nature. Is there now a general policy take and, especially, the fact that he cast doubt on our of not funding projects promoting development awareness Secretary of State’s attitude to development, because and education in the UK? If so, that takes matters we only have to look at his leadership of Project Umubano, further than the Department’s press statement on 17 May, in which he has taken hundreds of Conservative activists in which the Secretary of State said: and Members to Rwanda and Sierra Leone, to see exactly what commitment he has. It is a practical “There is a legitimate role for development education in the UK, but I do not believe that these projects give the taxpayer commitment and an effective commitment, and the value for money.” shadow Secretary of State might like to take some advice on how to behave in opposition. No evidence has been given that these sorts of projects do not give value for money.The project in my constituency In Oxford we have a proud tradition of playing our has been cut just over a year into what was to be a part in international aid. After all, Oxfam takes its three-year project. A lot of preparatory work has been name from the city, and in the midst of this discussion carried out for the next year, which suggests that it would about the value that the public place on aid we should not be good value for money to cut it at this stage. give our electors more credit for their compassion and personal commitment to the issue, not to mention their In any event, the press notice from the Secretary of understanding of the basic fact that global poverty State seemed to suggest that there might be some promotes global instability. I have seen the evidence of circumstances in which development education was to that compassion and understanding in my constituents be funded in the UK by DFID, but if the policy is now again and again, and it is in exactly no one’s interests to that no development education will be funded in the let the poorest countries get poorer. UK, that is extremely regrettable. Just last week, I was so proud to attend the sixth The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister face anniversary of Helping Hands, a local charity that criticism from some of the more right-wing elements on works to improve child health in Uganda. The celebration their Back Benches and in the media for agreeing, with was at Cumnor primary school, which has long been all the qualifications that we have heard in this debate, linked with a school in Uganda. The children whom I to maintain spending on international development. It met were so excited to tell me about how they fund-raised seems that a few projects are being thrown to the to buy equipment, wrote letters to their friends in wolves—a bit of red meat for the right wing—in order Uganda and, if they are able to raise the money, will to distract their attention from the rest of the Department’s visit that school in October. Not one person there—child, work, and if that is the case it is extremely regrettable. If teacher or governor—expressed doubt about the value the Secretary of State is, indeed, withdrawing support of that investment. for development education in the UK, I ask him to However, speaking to those girls and boys, whose reconsider that decision in respect of the project in my enthusiasm and resourcefulness would be a lesson to all constituency and more generally, because it would be a Members, I was struck by the fact that, were I speaking retrograde step and a reversal of what Governments of to a similar class in parts of Afghanistan or sub-Saharan all parties have recognised as a minor, but important Africa, I might well find similar levels of ingenuity, but part of the activity that DFID funds here in the UK. I would not find similar numbers of female pupils I shall briefly make the case for Government support or staff. As the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan of development education in the UK. Everyone in the (Dr Whiteford) said, the statistics on gender inequalities debate so far has recognised that an essential component are still shocking. Women and girls are affected of international development is justice—trade justice disproportionately by poverty, and they are more likely and debt justice. That requires action not only by to become victims of the main causes of poverty. That Governments and international organisations, but by means that women still make up a staggering 70% of civil society, including citizens, business organisations, those living in extreme poverty. They perform 66% of trade unions and many more besides. Such action is the world’s work and produce 50% of the food, but earn more likely to be achieved, and Governments are more only 10% of the income and own only 1% of the property. likely to move towards greater trade justice and debt Of an estimated 93 million children who are out of justice, if as many people in this country as possible are school, the majority are girls, meaning that women able to engage with and understand the issues—yes, make up two thirds of the world’s 1 billion people who through awareness-raising work among the general public. can neither read nor write. An estimated half a million If the Government are withdrawing funding from women die every year as a result of pregnancy complications such programmes, I find that extremely regrettable. In in childbirth, with 99% of those deaths occurring in terms of the project in my constituency, where better to developing countries. 1079 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1080

[Nicola Blackwood] half the population to victim status, we dismiss 50% of a developing country’s human resources—a 50% who These statistics, shocking as they are, do not convey are already active and engaged. the humiliation and suffering that they are intended to This trend is particularly noticeable in the area of represent, and they do not show the ripple effect that food production, security and climate change. Despite poverty, lack of education and poor access to health traditional stereotypes, women are engaged in agricultural care have on entire communities. Fatima’s story does, production in increasingly large numbers. Data offered though. It clearly shows the dire consequences that a by the UN hunger taskforce suggests that of the 4 billion mother’s death can have for her entire family and poor and hungry, 50%—2 billion—are smallholder farmers, community. Fatima and her husband Ahmed already and the majority of those are women. The Food and had nine children and were barely surviving on his salary Agriculture Organisation further suggests that women as a security guard when she became pregnant again. account for 70 to 80% of household food production in He nearly lost his job taking care of the family during sub-Saharan Africa, 65% in Asia, and 45% in Latin her difficult pregnancy. Then Fatima died giving birth America and the Caribbean. That so-called feminisation to twin boys in a Kabul hospital. Because of Afghanistan’s of agriculture means that women are becoming increasingly shattered health care system, one in every six Afghan important to agricultural production systems. The reasons women will die from complications of pregnancy and for the trend are wide-ranging but include rural-to-urban childbirth. migration of men, war and its demographic impacts Fatima’s hospital expenses put Ahmed into even deeper and mortality linked to HIV/AIDS. In many instances, debt, so he took their 13-year-old son out of school to it actually means that the role of men in agricultural work. The twins had to be fed on expensive formula, production is becoming less significant than that of and they were often ill with diarrhoea or acute respiratory women. infections, the most common killers of infants worldwide. Finally, and perhaps most importantly in the context The family’s 11-year-old daughter was then taken out of of food security, the production of crops and produce is school to care for them. At seven months, the smaller frequently divided along gender lines. Men are often twin died. Ahmed remarried, increasing his debt and involved in non-food produce such as tobacco or higher- poverty, so he married off his oldest daughter when she value food crops for export. Women, on the other hand, turned 13. She became pregnant at 15, before her body are much more likely to be involved in the production of was ready, and suffered an agonising obstructed labour. staple food crops for sale in the local market or for Her baby was born brain-damaged and she was left household subsistence. In that respect, they are the ones with an obstetric fistula that made her incontinent. As a who ensure that the food security needs of families and result, her husband abandoned her, and she had to communities are met. return to her family to live in increasing poverty. Climate change is only increasing the challenges that Stories like this are all too common, and they are the they face. Where it has acute effects on land productivity, reason millennium development goal 5 calls for massive women run a higher risk than men of losing their means reductions in maternal mortality. International failure of livelihood. There is already evidence of that in areas to stay on track with this MDG undermines progress in with prolonged drought or heavy flooding, where men achieving all the other MDGs on education, gender have left the rural areas in search of employment leaving equality, child health, and poverty—for everyone, not women and children on farmland with dwindling resources. just for the women who die unnecessarily. I am pleased that the Secretary of State has recognised that improving Because women continue to be regarded as home performance on MDG 5 needs to be a DFID priority, producers or farming assistants and not as economic and I am sure that the UK’s representations at the agents in their own right, they continue to be left out of September summit will include strenuous calls for other policy support for mitigating and adapting to climate countries which are not living up to their international change. Climate risk insurance, for instance, is unlikely commitments to do the same. I hope, too, that those to reach women farmers if farming policy continues discussions will include in-depth considerations of the to ignore small-scale food growers. In fact, women in impressive impact that abolishing user fees for maternal forestry, fishing and agriculture receive just 7% of total health has had in Sierra Leone—despite the fact that I aid, and in Africa women receive just 10% of the credit do not want to agree with the shadow Secretary of for small-scale farmers. When women do obtain credit, State. Finding a workable way to deliver this policy the average value is 42% of what is granted to male alone may go a significant way towards meeting MDG 5 farmers, and they often require a much higher percentage by 2015. of collateral. That is clearly unsustainable. As the realities of climate change and food insecurity are beginning This is not exactly breaking news: it has long been to bite—I am thinking particularly of the Sahel food recognised that women face greater obstacles to escaping crisis—it is becoming increasingly clear that one hope poverty than men, and there have been many campaigns of effectively increasing the resilience of communities at to try to improve the situation; the MDGs are evidence risk is to engage, resource and train women who are enough of that. However, while this campaigning has already doing more than their fair share to clothe and been superbly effective in catalysing Governments and feed some of the poorest communities in the poorest multilaterals into developing strategies to address these countries. obstacles, there has been an unintentional and unfortunate side effect. All too often, women are seen as helpless I hope that I have gone some way to showing what victims—the passive recipients of aid programmes that effective agents for development women in agriculture can never quite manage to stem the tide of violence and already are. As developing effective strategies to tackle disease that preys on them. This is complete nonsense, food insecurity and climate change becomes ever more and it is dangerous nonsense, because by consigning urgent, I hope that investing in women in agriculture 1081 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1082 will be seriously considered as a cost-effective and Members on the other side of the House have mentioned sustainable way of creating more sustainable communities the scepticism about aid in some quarters among the in the areas in question. British public, but I suggest that only a significant minority are concerned about Britain spending money 4.32 pm on aid while we are also cutting back at home. It would Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): May I be unjustifiable for Britain to take any other course. If take this opportunity to welcome you to your post, we do not do everything that we can to try to take Mr Deputy Speaker? This is the first opportunity that I people out of poverty in other parts of the world, have had to speak in a debate with you in the Chair. we—and they—will have to live with the consequences. We are already seeing the impact on human rights in I also welcome the Government Front Benchers, and those countries, with significant amounts of unrest I welcome much of what the Secretary of State said in because of long-term increases in economic inequality his opening contribution. The political commitment to within countries as well as between countries. ring-fence the international development budget is extremely significant, particularly given the huge cuts that are We have already seen, for example, an increase in the being announced in other departmental budgets. My number of trade unionists being killed. In a recent hon. Friends are right to say that there will be political report, the International Labour Organisation, which is pressure from some quarters to reconsider that over the part of the UN, said that there had been a 30% increase coming period, and I am sure that many Members in all between 2008 and 2009 in the number of trade unionists parts of the House will speak up on the matter and killed. Similar figures are being recorded relating to provide support to ensure that the level of funding other aspects of human rights. provided to the Department is maintained. Several hon. Members have mentioned the position The previous Labour Government had an excellent of women, and I welcome the fact that the Government track record on international development. They trebled have said that they want to put women at the heart of the amount spent on aid during the period from 1997, development issues. Several colleagues have talked about and, on top of that, a huge amount of work was done the figures on, and the concerns about, maternal mortality. to ensure that the types of project that the British United Nations millennium development goal 5 was Government funded were as effective as possible. It is aimed at reducing maternal mortality by 75%, and I important that we say that again and again, and that the urge the Government to maintain the previous coalition Government build upon it. Government’s strategy of putting women at the centre of their policies. As we have heard, huge numbers of people on the planet struggle in abject poverty, and I would like to We need to consider other ways of providing further focus particularly on the impact on those people of the funding for aid. However, I ask the Government to global economic crisis that we have gone through and consider not just aid, but some of the suggestions from are still going through. The situation is getting worse the various non-governmental organisations campaigning rather than better. My hon. Friend the Member for on this issue, particularly the suggestions for a Tobin Glasgow North (Ann McKechin) has already mentioned tax and international forms of taxation, the funding the estimate by the World Bank that by the end of this from which could be earmarked for, and directed towards, year 64 million more people will be in poverty than at trying to do something to bridge the huge gap in the the start of the year. It also says that 53 million more world between rich and poor, both within and between people were trapped in poverty during 2009 as a direct countries. I have heard the comments about providing result of the global economic crisis. The World Bank aid to relatively well-off countries, but although countries says that that will have a long-term effect, with estimates such as Colombia are relatively well-off in international suggesting that by 2020 poverty rates will be higher, terms, they still have huge inequalities of wealth and even if everything goes well from now on, than they millions of people still living in shanty towns. Even for would have been if the global economic crisis had not relatively well-off countries, where there is abject poverty taken place. and where people are living in squalor, it is appropriate that the British Government take a stance and look for The concern is that the cuts announced in this country ways to provide assistance. and in other European countries may have an impact It has been a pleasure to make a contribution to this on growth, and the developing countries will feel the important debate. I hope that all Members will do all effect if people in this country do not buy their products they can to hold the new coalition Government to and provide a market for their goods. It is therefore vital account on this issue and maintain the politic pressure that we maintain the levels of aid that we provide. We that clearly exists in the country to ensure that Britain is should also do everything that we can—at the international at the forefront of efforts to address global poverty. events in which the Government are involved—to ensure not just that Britain moves towards the 0.7% target, but that as many countries as possible make similar progress, 4.41 pm because this will be a very difficult time for developing Damian Hinds (East Hampshire) (Con): It is a privilege, countries as their exports decline, prices fall and pay if a little daunting, to speak in the same debate as my rates are lowered. hon. Friends the Members for Wirral West (Esther Developing countries are also dealing with a food McVey) and for Stevenage (Stephen McPartland) and crisis. In 2008, because of international events, the the hon. Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), who prices of the foodstuffs bought by people in many made outstanding and passionate maiden speeches. developing countries soared. According to the most As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said, recent millennium development goals reports, food prices aid is not the final answer. Nations become sustainably remain high, and that will have a significant impact on prosperous not through our charity or redistribution, malnutrition rates in many countries. but when they can create their own wealth. My hon. 1083 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1084

[Damian Hinds] One of the things that I learned about was micro-finance. I had the opportunity while in Rwanda to pay a short Friend the Member for Castle Point (Rebecca Harris) visit to the country’s largest micro-finance institution, mentioned the letters and e-mails that a number of hon. the Urwego Opportunity micro-finance bank. We saw Members are getting from people who are unhappy the two extremes of that organisation’s operation. The that, at a time when the Government are having to cut first was the bank’s flagship city branch, which looked a back severely on spending programmes, we are still bit like a small branch of Barclays and was very high-tech, committed to spending money on aid. I do not know with all sorts of fingerprint identification technologies. whether, as the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and The second example, at the other extreme, was what one Arran (Katy Clark) said, those people constitute a might call the field operation—quite literally—in a small or a significant minority, but they certainly exist, market on the edge of the city, where no such technology and we have to work hard to carry them with the would be available. Instead, gathered on a patch of programme. ground were the 30 or so members—most, but not all of The line “charity begins at home” holds a certain them, women—of a micro-finance circle. The majority attraction, but, as we see again and again from the were sole traders in that market. generosity of the British people when called upon, Micro-finance there works in cycles of four months. charity here certainly does not end at home. The moral People get the money at the start of the period and, so and altruistic argument for aid is strong, but as politicians long as they pay it off at a rate of 3% a month, they can we can, and must, do better than hitherto in explaining borrow again in the next four-month period. Critically, to, and convincing, people why aid can also be in our each member of the circle vouches for the others, and if own interests when properly targeted and as long as we someone defaults, the other members have to pick up know that other wealthy nations are also making their the slack. The system is therefore largely self-policing, proper contribution alongside ours. A larger world and before someone joins a circle, Mr Deputy Speaker, gross domestic product benefits not just newly developing you can bet that the other members will ensure that countries, but the entire world economy, through bigger their business is viable. markets, specialisation and trade. It ensures that the world’s scare resources, including human resources, are In that circle and that cycle, a lot of money changed put to better use, and through the promotion of stability hands. For example, 9.6 million Rwandan francs, which in otherwise volatile parts of the world, it contributes to is almost £10,000, was brought to the circle by a female our security. Furthermore, there are benefits in terms of Urwego employee in a paper bag—it is quite astounding climate change, economic migration and so on, and that there is not more theft on such occasions. The often direct benefit can be had from strategic bilateral biggest borrower—a lady called Veronique—had borrowed relationships, which of course are competitive exercises almost £800, which, when we consider that this would between countries. be almost £2,500 over the three cycles in a year, is quite Private enterprise is the single most important driver a lot of money. She uses that money to finance her bar of development. It creates jobs, wealth and opportunities. and pay for the satellite television service, so that she It also harnesses the talents and the enterprise of can charge keen Rwandans to watch English premiership entrepreneurs, who in turn, through their ingenuity and football teams—notably, I am pleased to say, the drive, will create opportunities for their countrymen Arsenal—on her television set. and women to prosper. However, in the world’s developing economies, just as here at home, that hinges on access The sums of money involved in such projects are now to credit. such that one could say that they straddle micro-finance and mainstream finance. Indeed, one needs credit at all Like everybody else, poor people need money if they levels to finance the development of such an economy. are going to start businesses. However, mainstream In rural areas of Rwanda, there are much smaller-scale banks often do not want to deal with them, because the operations, sometimes involving loans as small as just sums of money involved are so small and because it is £1. Around the world, micro-finance programmes have difficult to find an attractive return once the full operating shown again and again that poor people can and do costs have been factored in. A key to successful development have a strong repayment record—in most cases over is micro-finance, providing loans to some of the world’s 95%. However, according to the World Bank, the industry poorest people and playing a key role in generating a is not even close to meeting the demand for its services. real private sector. In some countries, such as India and There could be up to 500 million poor people in the Bangladesh, the micro-finance sector is already well world for whom a small business loan would be a great established. The Grameen bank, which is the best-known opportunity, while two thirds of the world’s population example, having pioneered the sector in 1983, has since have no access to a bank account at all. The problem is made loans to more than 8 million borrowers. In other particularly acute in sub-Saharan Africa. countries, however, there is still a lot of work left to do. My introduction to micro-finance came in Rwanda in The chance to witness micro-finance in progress in 2008. Like a number of my hon. Friends this afternoon, Rwanda left a great impression on me. People talk I have had the opportunity a couple of times to join my about developing market economies, but there was a right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on two of the market economy developing before our eyes. I hope and volunteering projects that he has organised in that trust that, in our programme of help for the poorest of country, to which my hon. Friend the Member for the world, we will focus very much on those helping-hand Oxford West and Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood) referred programmes, which enable people to help themselves. I earlier. In the short time spent on such a project, the also hope that more airtime is given to those programmes, contribution that one can make is tiny. However, although so that the British public can increasingly see aid as an one’s contribution may be modest, it is fair to say that investment in the future and in a rising rate of world what we learned could hardly be overstated. growth, and not just as money spent. 1085 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1086

4.50 pm challenged during the election about why we were ring- fencing funding for international development when Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): I there was so much economic pressure on all the other begin, like others, by paying tribute to three excellent Departments. I am glad that my right hon. Friend maiden speeches. It was delightful to hear those speeches the Secretary of State spelled out the importance of and I am sorry that the Members who delivered them keeping aid working and of making sure that we are are no longer in the Chamber to hear my speech. They able to support the countries that need it so that they are probably celebrating in the Tea Room, having got can help themselves. Otherwise, immigration issues and through the first milestone here in Parliament. I pay environmental issues will grow, and the problem will tribute to the hon. Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), become much bigger in the long term. who spoke passionately and with great knowledge about his constituency; to my hon. Friend the Member for The causes of poverty can be broken down, crudely, Stevenage (Stephen McPartland), who is clearly going into two areas—the natural and the man-made. On the to be a great contributor to the field of defence and, natural side, there is the swell of population in places indeed, international development; and, last but not like India, or crop failure in places like Sudan or indeed least, to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral West disease and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS in places like (Esther McVey). Those of us slightly older in the tooth South Africa and southern Africa. On the man-made on the Government side—and that might include yourself, front, equally affecting, we have things like corrupt Mr Deputy Speaker—might recall her giving a passionate leadership as we see in Somalia, or civil war as we see speech at the annual conference in Blackpool on the right across Africa and particularly in places like Angola. theme of “What is a girl like me doing in the Tory Then there is economic failure or even the deliberate party?” That was a fantastic speech, and from her denial of funding to poor communities for necessary performance here again today, we can see why a girl like projects. her is in this place. I am sure that she will represent her Climate change can also be seen to be man-made as constituents well. well. If sea levels continue to rise, places like Bangladesh would be hugely threatened. What is called water stress Before moving on to my main theme, I would like to would be the result, and the lack of drinking water is respond to the hon. Member for Glasgow North (Ann estimated to affect 1 billion to 3 billion people. These McKechin), who made a passionate plea to keep funding are issues that we in the developed world need to debate, based in the UK, which has been stopped by my right even though they may affect more people in the developing hon. Friend the Secretary of State. [Interruption.] Let world. me quote to that hon. Member— The yardstick for our debates is now the millennium development goals, put forward in September 2000 by Ann McKechin rose— the United Nations with eight clear aims. The first is the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Unfortunately, Mr Ellwood: Let me finish the point. we are a long way from achieving our 2015 target in that respect. The second is the achievement of universal Ann McKechin: It was my hon. Friend the Member primary education. The number of children receiving for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar) who said this, not primary education has risen to 89% in the developing me. world, but we are still short of our millennium goal target. The third is the promotion of gender equality Mr Ellwood: I stand corrected; I mean the hon. and the empowerment of women. That remains out of Member for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar). What it reach, as, indeed, do the reduction of child mortality says on the tin—I presume that this was true from when and improvement in maternal health, which are the the Department for International Development was fourth and fifth goals. created—is that DFID is The sixth goal is the combating of HIV and AIDS; “the part of the UK Government that manages Britain’s aid to the situation seems to have stabilised in many regions. poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty.” The seventh is the ensuring of environmental stability, That is not in line with what the hon. Gentleman was and the eighth is the development of a global partnership pleading for—for funding to remain in his constituency—so for development, which involves developing open trading perhaps he wants to see the definition of DFID change. and financial systems. My hon. Friend the Member for I will come back to the definition and its importance East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) spoke passionately later in my speech. about his attempts to establish and promote such systems in Rwanda. What do we mean by poverty? It is not just about Those are the eight themes that we will use as our an individual, a community or a country being poor; benchmarks. When the countries meet for the summit in it is about being economically challenged. Poverty is New York in September there will be much to discuss multidimensional. It is lack of food and water, yes, and and much food for thought, given the huge shortfall it is a lack of shelter; it is also the lack of health and between where we are now and where we would like to access to medical support. Poverty is also about the be by 2015. lack of education and the inability to read, not having a What is our role in all this? What can the United job, and fearing for the future, living one day at a time. Kingdom do to tackle the problems, either individually In essence, poverty is about powerlessness, lack of or with other countries, and how should we contribute? representation and lack of freedom. I believe that there are many ways in which the UK can I am pleased that we are having this debate so early in make its mark. We often put our hand up when other this Parliament in order to discuss the issues and the countries do not, and it is fantastic that we continue to role Britain can play in the future. It is an important be willing to step forward and encourage other developed debate. I—like many other Members, I am sure—was countries that may be reticent. 1087 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1088

[Mr Ellwood] was set up to do. It does tackle poverty well, and it has been congratulated on that, but it has had to develop As I said in an intervention on the shadow Secretary a new role in working in insecure and dangerous of State, the G8 and the G20 are new organisations that environments. I am pleased to say that the stabilisation have been able to bring in many voices that may have unit and the other work being done are working well, been excluded in the past. They make decisions and but we took an awful long time to get there. For the first agreements, and issue challenges. Older organisations year in Afghanistan the budget was £47 million but the such as the United Nations, the World Bank and the current budget is £5 billion a year. Had we bothered to International Monetary Fund, which were created when get the reconstruction and development right when life was very different during or just after the war, have there was a small window of opportunity to win over to pick up the pieces and deal with the details of those the hearts and minds of the locals, we would have been challenges. out of Afghanistan by then. I am pleased that DFID The older organisations are out of date, and are in has moved forward, I am glad that the new management dire need of modernisation. While we have renewed and have pledged to ensure that there is better scrutiny, and are reinvigorated the methods with which we distribute I wish the new team well. aid to ensure that we receive value for money, I do not believe that the same can be said for those major Several hon. Members rose— organisations. That is why I am pleased that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been hesitant Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Four about handing over money before he has guaranteed to Members are trying to catch my eye and half an hour is ensure that it will be well spent. left before I call for the wind-ups, so if those Members could divide the time among themselves, everyone will Ann McKechin: Let me gently suggest to the hon. get a fair crack of the whip. Gentleman that confusing Glasgow and Edinburgh is not a practice that he should try to repeat. However, he 5pm has made an interesting point about the current management of the World Bank and the IMF. Does he Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): Sadly, I, agree that we should try to ensure that donee nations like many other Members in the Chamber, have received have a much bigger say in management and decision-making letters and e-mails from constituents saying that we are than they do at present? going to be subjected to cuts in most departmental budgets, so we should also cut DFID’s aid budget. I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State say that “charity Mr Ellwood: The purpose of the debate is to enable begins at home, but it does not end there”, because I ideas such as that to be put into the pot. In this instance, will be able to go back to my constituents to tell them we are not taking about minutiae, but about the need that we have a duty in this relatively wealthy country to for a root-and-branch change in the way in which help others. organisations both operate individually and interconnect. Afghanistan is a good example of the failure of huge I know that this will upset many of those correspondents, organisations to co-ordinate their activities sensibly in but I am very pleased to see that the Chancellor, the order to assist with post-conflict reconstruction. Prime Minister, and the Secretary of State and his team understand the importance of the budget for developing As long as conflict continues in developing areas, countries. I congratulate the Secretary of State on the poverty will thrive. Only when it ends can peace flourish, start that he has made in changing the priorities in his which will allow support and investment to move in, Department because, as many Members have said, we and business and trade to flourish as well. That is our need to ensure that money is well spent. There is a lot of role. It is dual-faced. We can use what Joe Nye used to corruption and we must ensure that the money goes to call soft and hard power, or soft and hard influence. On the people whom it needs to help and does not just go the soft side there are, for instance, the fairtrade initiatives, into the pockets of some politicians. That is why I am and ensuring that we support businesses in developing particularly keen to see measures put in place that stop countries in the knowledge that buying a product in the that money going astray. supermarket will genuinely help people in need rather than corrupt organisations. The setting of tariffs can We do have poverty here in Britain, but the poverty in also help, as can targeted investment and funding—which developing countries is very different and we can make has already been mentioned—and choosing support a difference. Even in these difficult times, 0.7% of our responsibly. gross national income is not a huge sum, but it might save some lives and help countries to escape from the Any of us who have travelled to African countries worst life expectancy rates and early deaths from disease. will have observed that China is taking full advantage Places such as Africa have to deal with many illnesses, of those countries’ desire for hard currency, but I am such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. If we can help these afraid that it is doing so in an irresponsible way. The places by providing the correct medicines at an affordable Chinese are not allowing local skills to be developed. price and bed nets to save children from mosquito bites, They bus in their own people, rob the country of its which cause malaria, we will help with the population’s minerals, drain it dry and then go home or move on to education. Children cannot go to school if they are ill; if another area. That is happening on a huge scale, and no they do not get an education, they cannot get a job; and one seems to want to challenge it. the cycle is perpetuated. Much of Africa does have I will finish my contribution by discussing conflict primary education but many children never go to secondary and the relationship between DFID and other organisations. schools. Even if they do, girls may have to miss one For 10 years, DFID has been waking up to the fact that week in four because they have no sanitary protection it has had to do something very different from what it and have to stay at home. That cannot be right in 2010. 1089 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1090

Aid money must be spent well, because we need to country that is improving its environment day by day. In reduce the difference in the life expectancy of people in fact, it is the cleanest African country I have ever been developing countries and that of ourselves—that is to. Much of Kigali has pavements, which few other crucial to the well-being of these countries. I was one of poor countries would even think of having. That is those people who went on Project Umubano with the because the President has a vision of what he wants his Secretary of State, and we saw so many things that country to achieve. impressed us. It is not that the people in these countries Uganda has oil, but I fear that the people will not are stupid or unable to study; they have fantastic minds, benefit from any revenue. Oil could put the country into but they do not always have the opportunities. a completely new ball game, providing money for decent I have organised my own aid project in a small way in housing, sanitation, education and better health care. Uganda, so I have seen at first hand what direct aid can We have a duty to persuade Presidents in this situation do to help communities. Such aid could be for an to use their country’s natural resources to produce education project—we constructed one school and helped wealth to help everyone, not just themselves. I urge the another to finish the building that included a hall, now Secretary of State to take this into account whenever he called Derby hall, having been named after my speaks to the leaders of such countries. Those Presidents constituency—or it could provide a water butt to collect should enable their countries to become self-sufficient water because there is none on site and people have to through their own wealth, and give it to the people to walk half a mile to collect it. We started a women’s spend rather than spending it on their own pet projects. co-operative using old British Singer hand-sewing machines That would create wealth-generating communities, and to give AIDS widows the opportunity to learn to make we would need to provide less aid, which in turn would school uniforms and to have an income, rather than live enable us to help more people in other countries, rather without money. We are also helping farmers to start to than having to spread the aid too thinly. become self-sufficient in growing crops. We give each farmer that has cleared 1 acre of ground 10 kilos of 5.8 pm maize seeds to plant. At the end of the season, they give Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): I congratulate those 10 kilos back, replant another 10 kilos for the next hon. Members who have made their maiden speeches season and either sell or consume what is left. That is a today, including my hon. Friends the Members for highly sustainable way of getting farming off the ground. Wirral West (Esther McVey) and for Stevenage (Stephen Those farmers should now be able to make money each McPartland), and the hon. Member for Rochdale (Simon season from their very fertile ground, which was previously Danczuk). underused because of a lack of leadership in the area. Last year, my right hon. Friend the Member for This year, we have given money to enable some farmers Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), whom I welcome to his to start growing upland rice on the same principle. position as Secretary of State, wrote: That is just one of many thousands of private projects. “In a globalised world, we are all bound together, our destinies The students I have taken out there and I have not linked.” changed poverty in Africa, but we have helped one I fully agree with that. He has made a compelling case small area of Uganda, and we hope to continue to do for the importance of the UK’s international development so. There are many thousands of projects in Britain programme. That case is a moral case, and we have helping countries throughout the developing world, heard the reasons behind it, including the fact that and I suggest that we harness that tremendous enthusiasm 25,000 children die of preventable diseases every day. and get them to work with us—rather like the big However, there is also a case to be made for our national society idea and the fact that we are asking people out interest, and I would go beyond saying that it lies simply there what laws and regulations they want to see scrapped. in ensuring that people no longer wish to flee the Why not ask churches and schools that have their own conditions in their own countries to seek a better life projects, along with the many other volunteers, to tell us elsewhere. That is part of it, but I would echo the words what has worked for them and whether any projects of Sir Terry Leahy this week. He said that financed by outside aid have failed? That would give us a clearer insight into the matter. Big charities such as “we need to think more about how we can engage in the world as it is and will be.” Oxfam do fantastic work, but they sometimes get carried away with what they are doing and do not see what is He went on to say: happening in small pockets of the country where the “I think it is a wonderful thing that already a billion, and small groups of volunteers are working. potentially billions, are going to be taken out of poverty” I should like my project to help in that way, by leading to helping the coalition Government to come up with “an incredible business opportunity where Britain is well positioned.” inventive ideas for helping people in Africa and elsewhere. I pay credit here to the work of the previous Government We have the expertise out in Africa. My project in on international aid. Uganda is in an area not far from Kampala—it is only For much of my working life, I have worked in two and a half hours’ drive away—yet most of the developing countries in business and I therefore declare people there had never seen a white person before we an interest. I remember that in the late 1980s there was started going out to them. As with everything else that always a lot of tension between those involved in business the coalition is trying to do, we need to ensure that there and those involved in development. These days, it is is value for money, and that every pound we spend in a very different. It is accepted that the best way to tackle developing country gets to where it can make the maximum poverty is through economic development and that the difference to the real people, and not to corrupt politicians. private sector will play the leading role in that. Indeed, Rwanda’s President has a fantastic vision of what he the private sector has come a long way in recognising wants his country to be like, and it is possible to see the that it, too, has social responsibilities. It recognises that difference that he has made, year on year. It is a clean Government and development organisations are its partners. 1091 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1092

[Jeremy Lefroy] costs in Africa have been estimated to be on average double those in Asia. Infrastructure projects in the past If there is no functioning health system, its staff and have been riddled with corruption and beset by special customers will suffer. If schools are inadequate, where interests, but if countries come forward with serious will it recruit the staff that it needs? I have the good business cases for not only building but maintaining the fortune of being married to a doctor who ran a health necessary infrastructure, we should look at them. As the education programme for 11 years in Tanzania, and she Conservative party’s Green Paper states always reminded me of the importance of that sector. “we are convinced that effective support for infrastructure has a There are three areas in which aid has an important central role to play in boosting growth and development around role to play in economic development. The first is the world, particularly in Africa.” agriculture, which has been so eloquently described by I have spoken about agriculture and infrastructure, my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford West and and to some this might seem a throwback to the early Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood). There was a tendency days of international development. People might point in some parts of the developing world to see agriculture, out that many countries have not yet thrown off the and in particular smallholder agriculture, as a business shackles of poverty, but it was precisely because agriculture of the past, to be superseded by the brave new world of was ignored for 20 years and infrastructure was built state-owned industry. Many of those factories have and not maintained that the benefits of that investment long ceased to function while the smallholders continue were often not realised. What is, perhaps, new is the to earn their living from the land. appreciation at last that no country will develop Agriculture is a business of the future, certainly in economically without allowing its small businesses, including Britain, in my constituency and around the world. Any smallholder farmers, to flourish. Give them firm property country, including ours, that ignores the potential of rights, fair taxation, access to affordable finance that agriculture does so to its cost. The OECD’s report on will not take the shirt off their back if things go wrong, sustainable agriculture states that in 2005 to 2030, food and a good basic infrastructure, and they will create the demand is expected to increase by 50% across the jobs that are so desperately needed. They will also world. That is a huge opportunity for farmers in developing create the tax revenues that will pay for the health, countries. Agriculture, especially on small farms, is an education and other services on which they depend, as excellent way to promote economic development. The well as the stability without which no real development International Fund for Agricultural Development has is possible. found that a healthy agricultural sector acts as a multiplier in local economies, spurring higher incomes and increasing 5.15 pm access to markets. That is why I am delighted that the Secretary of State has highlighted agriculture as an Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): I essential building block of wealth creation. congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage The second area in which aid is important is small (Stephen McPartland) and the hon. Member for Rochdale businesses, which have been mentioned. I might as well (Simon Danczuk) on their excellent maiden speeches. I say “other small businesses”, as smallholder farmers also congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral are business men and business women. In the UK, we West (Esther McVey), whom I met at the beginning of recognise small and medium-sized enterprises as the her 10-year journey. I think I will remember her class P engine of the economy, and it should be no different in for ever. developing countries. Employment and unemployment There has been much talk since the emergency Budget are critical, as the hon. Member for Glasgow North about austerity and hardship, and it will be a tough few (Ann McKechin) said, yet anyone wishing to set up a years for many as we deal with the excesses of the past business in many developing countries faces great problems: and move our country back on to the road to recovery. the cost of registration, tax authorities that often want As a developed nation with a Government who are taxes to be paid before the business has started trading, committed to the principles of responsibility, freedom and, above all, lack of finance. That was mentioned by and fairness, we cannot turn our backs, even in these my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian difficult times, on those in greater need than ourselves. Hinds), who talked about microfinance. As we are talking about the ongoing challenges caused Of course, the growth of microfinance has been a by global poverty, it will be useful to define poverty. The great success story in the past 15 years, but there is a gap World Bank says that people who live on less than between microfinance and the level at which private risk $1.25 a day in developing countries are living in poverty. capital will lend—typically, $50,000 or $100,000 and That is the level of income deemed necessary to fulfil above. Banks do not fill the gap and they usually require basic human needs in the developing world, where some security, which the entrepreneur cannot provide. I urge 1.4 billion people have been living below that poverty the Secretary of State to consider how the UK can work line. We need to address that. The concept of poverty is to overcome that financing gap. It is not straightforward, brought to life more vividly by this World Bank description: as I know from being involved over the past six years in “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being helping to finance small businesses in Tanzania through sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having a charity, but it can be done. Well-managed revolving access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not equity or quasi-equity funds enable a pound of aid to having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty be used several times over. The Secretary of State is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty rightly emphasises the importance of the effectiveness is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom.” of aid, and that is an opportunity. None of us can listen to that description without feeling The third area in which aid is important is infrastructure. a call to action and a need to do all we can to address It is of little use to produce crops only for them to rot in the unfair balance that is suffered by people purely the field because they cannot reach the market. Transport because of the lottery of where they were born. 1093 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1094

Many people have talked about the eight millennium “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach a development goals, which represent the human and man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.” basic needs that every individual around the world In the same way, providing support for building skills should be able to enjoy, and my hon. Friend the Member and education is critical to creating the self-sustaining for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) has described cycle that will break developing countries out of poverty. those goals. The confirmation of the goals was a real As I said, it is not sufficient just to provide effective step forward in international efforts to combat global aid internationally. We also need to ensure that there are poverty, but, as the Secretary of State said this morning, fair global policies in place to ensure access to finance measurable outcomes of the goals are needed to make and remove trade barriers so that developing countries them effective. are able to compete in the global marketplace. Alison It is fair to say that progress has been made, with Evans, the director of the Overseas Development Institute, some countries achieving many of the targets, but others put this succinctly when she said: not on track to achieve any. Key successes include the “Think aid, think smart aid but also think beyond aid.” significant progress towards eradicating poverty, the major progress on getting children into school, especially It is critical that Governments from the developed in sub-Saharan Africa, and the reduction in child deaths world play their role in ensuring fair practices to support owing to HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases. developing nations. I visited sugar plantation farmers in However, the report on the goals concedes that progress Mozambique who were desperate to be able to trade has been severely challenged, particularly given the with us to create a strong, stable and sustainable economy global economic crisis of the past few years. Without a for the long term in their country. They pleaded with us major push forward, many of those goals are likely to to remove EU tariff barriers so that they could achieve be missed. We need to address that. that. There is considerable regional variation, with areas In my constituency of Brentford and Isleworth is a such as eastern Asia benefiting most from the continued company called Microloan Foundation. We have heard economic growth in China and India. In contrast, sub- already from my hon. Friend the Member for East Saharan Africa suffered from low levels of economic Hampshire (Damian Hinds) about the role that growth and faced significant challenges to reaching microfinance can play. What Microloan Foundation targets. Even within countries, there are major differentials does is a real example of how we can provide loans to between rural and urban areas, which we must address. people in rural areas to enable them to set up their own We have to get aid to where it is really needed. self-sustaining businesses. Peter Ryan, the founder of There has been some criticism of the implementation Microloan Foundation, said: of the G8-backed funds, which some believe have at “The challenge of building the operation from the ‘ground up’ times been hijacked to pay for natural disasters. Although has resulted in the creation of a social model which, coupled with worthy, that use of the money might not have a direct strong business management, is beginning to yield exceptionally impact on the achievement of development goals. Others good results.” have criticised the distribution of funds, suggesting that This week, the company launched its Pennies for Life elements of cronyism can be detected in the allocation campaign, and I encourage everyone to join it. People of funds. Some feel that not enough has been done to who sign up pay an extra lp every time they buy something, tackle corruption in the countries receiving aid and to and that money helps to support this microfinance ensure that aid gets to the right places. However, despite initiative. This is a great success story. increases in international development aid over the Finally, I believe that, even in these difficult times, as following years, in 2007 a total of $103.7 billion was a developed country we must do our utmost to maintain committed, which represented only 0.28% of developed our commitment to eradicating the causes of global countries’ GNP. We still have some way to go to achieve poverty. In so doing, we will all benefit from a safer and our goal, but I welcome the announcement made by the more secure world. Prime Minister at this week’s G8 summit in Canada. He I applaud the UN’s efforts to focus the hearts and confirmed the UK’s commitment to 0.7% of GNP minds of the developing nations on making progress being spent on international aid, and said it was an towards reducing global poverty, and the role that the “opportunity to exercise leadership on behalf of the poorest.” millennium development goals have played in that regard. I have been fortunate, in my time as an ambassador for ActionAid and as part of the Leaders’ Quest As we move forward, I believe that we need to focus programme, to have visited many countries that suffer on the best way to translate the MDGs into bottom-up, extremes of poverty. They include China, India, practical projects that achieve the shared objectives as Mozambique, South Africa, and I also visited Rwanda well as value for money in terms of aid spent. I endorse with the Secretary of State. Although seeing the difficulties what the Government are doing with their aim of that people face every day can be distressing, more transparency and their desire to address the causes of often than not I have found it to be an uplifting experience poverty. and have been inspired by those who have so little. We have an important role to play in reducing extreme Sometimes, not only money but connections make a poverty globally, and in creating a world that is more difference. I found that with the school twinning exercise stable, more just and more secure. that I organised between Kayonza modern secondary school in Rwanda and Brentford school for girls in my 5.23 pm constituency. Many of the people I have met have been full of hope and optimism for the future, just looking Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Some sceptics say for a way to help themselves get out of the situation that that charity begins at home and use that argument to they have found themselves in through no fault of their resist spending on international aid. I agree that charity own. The famous Chinese proverb states: begins at home, but it depends how one defines the 1095 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1096

[Robert Halfon] 5.27 pm word “home”. There are geographic boundaries but Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): I there are also moral boundaries, and we are all neighbours. welcome this early opportunity to debate global poverty, Just because someone lives thousands of miles away but with the UN’s poverty summit so close, this debate does not mean that the moral boundaries are any different. could and should have been on the Second Reading of We should be building bridges, not walls. When aid is Labour’s 0.7 % legislation. As I reviewed the speeches of well spent, it is hugely in the national interest. I know the Secretary of State and the Minister in preparation that the Secretary of State is aware of that, as he came for this debate, I saw many of the themes and examples to my constituency before the election and met the that recent Ministers have used, so I certainly warmly paralympian Anne Wafula Strike, who does so much welcome many of the concerns highlighted by the Secretary work with Africa. However, for aid to work we need of State. However, recent events and the debate have three things—more bilateral aid, more know-how and revealed both the lack of action at a key moment by the more transparency. coalition Government and a lack of strategy for the Department’s future work. That should alarm hon. I believe that aid must cut out the middle man. For Members and those outside the House who see the example, why do we often give aid through the EU, for declaration in 2000 that gave birth to the millennium the EU to distribute? Why do we not give it directly? Why development goals as a direct challenge to our generation not give more aid directly to schools and other community to help the world’s poorest. institutions? The localism for which we yearn here is yearned for abroad as well. As the policy paper “One We heard three excellent maiden speeches, the first of World Conservatism” states, when aid is well spent, it which was from the hon. Member for Wirral West “has worked miracles: eliminating smallpox, almost eradicating (Esther McVey). The pupils of class P at Hayfield polio…helping get millions of children into school and saving school can indeed be proud of their work in support of millions of families from hunger and disease.” the 1GOAL campaign, and indeed for influencing their The best form of aid is sharing expertise and Member of Parliament to speak up on their behalf. She knowledge—know-how. Many of my hon. Friends spoke rightly raised the continuing plight of 72 million children about Project Umubano in Rwanda, which I have been who are still denied the opportunity of an education. privileged to go on for two years to teach English. The hon. Member for Stevenage (Stephen McPartland) People are hungry not only for food and work but for also made an excellent maiden speech. It takes a certain knowledge. Voluntary Service Overseas does a huge talent to work Led Zeppelin and Robbie Williams into a amount to share concrete practical skills. The Westminster speech on global poverty, but he did so with some Foundation for Democracy, with which I worked a few panache. He also raised the important issue of access to years ago in Uganda and Tanzania through the medicines and the need for continuing work on that. Conservative party, shares knowledge with democratic parties abroad. All the evidence shows that greater My hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale (Simon democracy means less poverty. By democracy, I mean Danczuk) made a particularly impressive maiden speech, not just regular elections but the rule of law and property deploying humour about one particular election moment rights. Perhaps in future, as part of the sharing of to make a nevertheless important point about the views expertise, businesses could sponsor aid apprentices through of many of his and, I suspect, all our constituents. As their social responsibility initiatives to build up technical someone who has the honour to chair the Co-operative capacity overseas. party outside this House, and having attended the Co-operative Congress in Plymouth only last weekend, On transparency, we need a much clearer idea of I warmly welcomed my hon. Friend’s reference to the where our money is going. When Hillary Clinton pledged contribution of the Rochdale pioneers to this country. hundreds of millions of dollars in new aid to Palestine In the context of this debate, I welcomed his reminder in 2009, she said that it must not benefit Hamas. Why? about the profound challenges facing the Palestinians, Because she knew that aid to the Palestinian Authority and his call for all of us to do more to help them was had ended up in the wrong hands in the past. That is particularly timely. just one of many examples from around the world, but it proves that transparency must be at the heart of what We heard a strong speech from the hon. Member for we do and what we demand from our partners. Banff and Buchan (Dr Whiteford) who, having worked That is why the revolution in open government is for Oxfam and helped organise the Gleneagles rally five welcome. Taxpayers ought to be able to track overseas years ago, has real authority on these issues. My hon. aid on the internet from the moment it is allocated to Friend the Member for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin) the moment the results are delivered. I also welcome the crucially reminded us of the importance of the decent proposal in “One World Conservatism”for the £40 million work agenda and the continuing need to champion “MyAid” fund, which would be controlled by taxpayers, labour standards. Together with my hon. Friend the because it would introduce popular competition among Member for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar), whose aid projects and increase democratic control. election to the International Development Committee Bilateral aid, know-how and transparency must be I welcome, she raised the important need for progress our watchwords in reducing global poverty. Now that on tax issues, which, as she rightly reminded us, Christian we are united in our coalition, I should like to conclude Aid does so much to champion so well. by quoting a Liberal. Gladstone said: My hon. Friend the Member for Wirral South (Alison “Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right.” McGovern) reminded us that we all need to continue to I agree. Helping our neighbours overseas is morally and buy Fairtrade goods—a point also raised by the hon. politically right, and it will ensure that the British Isles Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood). She also continue to be a beacon of light and hope for the most referred to the need for democracy and a strong civil vulnerable in our world. society as basic pre-requisites for development progress, 1097 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1098 making a particularly acute point about the role of sign of the extent to which the Government are really trade unions in civil society, which was heard, I noted, willing to champion the needs of the world’s poorest. A in absolute silence by Government Members. supposedly new initiative on maternal health, with no My hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and extra money behind it, is frankly a dismal return from Arran (Katy Clark) and the hon. Member for Oxford the Prime Minister’s first international outing. Indeed, West and Abingdon (Nicola Blackwood) made strong his failure to fight for the world’s poorest does not cases for continuing investment in developing countries. augur well for any effort the new Government are In the case of the hon. Member for Oxford West and intending to put in to make a success of the UN review Abingdon, her argument was spoilt only by two mild of progress to meet the millennium development goals reproaches to my right hon. Friend the Member for in September. If the Secretary of State cannot get his Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander), which own leader, or even No. 10 staff, to press for the world’s I suspect were designed more to please those on her poorest at meetings of the richest nations in the world, Front Bench rather than made because she took them it suggests that his influence at the heart of Government particularly seriously. I was tempted to put a membership is not particularly high. Coming so soon after the Gracious form for the Labour party in the post to her, so good Speech, which talks not of legislation on the target of was her speech. aid being 0.7% of GNI but of a mere parliamentary mention, challenging scrutiny of his performance is The Secretary of State highlighted the particular what the right hon. Gentleman must now expect from challenges of unsafe abortion. It would have been helpful Opposition Members. if he had mentioned the last US Republican Administration, who bear a particularly heavy responsibility for the fact Tony Baldry: The hon. Gentleman and the right that more progress was not made more quickly in their hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South eight years to provide proper facilities for women to (Mr Alexander) have played on this point. The hon. have an abortion. The previous Government strongly Gentleman makes assertions about the Prime Minister supported investment in health care to tackle this issue not doing enough in Canada, but what is his evidence? directly and funded international bodies such as the I can only assume that he was not in the House for the United Nations Population Fund and the International Prime Minister’s statement on Monday, when he made Planned Parenthood Federation, which remain pivotal it very clear that he had stressed the importance of to further progress. transparency and accountability, and of meeting the I also welcome the Secretary of State’s interest in the MDG targets. What my right hon. Friend said to the broader issue of maternal mortality. We committed to House bears no relation to the travesty of the facts scale up support for maternal and newborn health to being put forward by the Opposition today. help save the lives of 6 million mothers and babies by 2015; so if the right hon. Gentleman intends to continue Mr Thomas: With all due respect to the hon. Gentleman, our work in this area, I certainly welcome that commitment. the fact that this G8 communiqué was the first in five I worry about the growing number of aid sceptics in years not to include any mention of the Gleneagles the Conservative party. The honest speech of the hon. commitments and that organisations as significant as Member for Orpington (Joseph Johnson) was an interesting Oxfam—which he has praised in the past—damned the example of that. I wonder whether that is the reason communiqué and the actions of the Government for why the Secretary of State will not or cannot announce failing to get such language included should be a gentle a timetable for introducing legislation to put the reminder to him why we are concerned about the 0.7% contribution goal on our statute book yet. Government’s performance. The Secretary of State made important points about Malcolm Bruce: I can understand the Labour party’s the case for development, which I welcome. There is a desire to protect its record, but has not the problem moral case for not standing by in countries such as been that we have had a commitment to the Gleneagles Zimbabwe and Burma, where the Governments are goals in every communiqué from every G8 in the last failing to help their peoples, as well as for helping five years—and absolutely no delivery. Words are no Governments in countries such as Zambia, Malawi use unless we get delivery. and Ghana, who want to do the right thing by their people, to build up their economies, health systems and Mr Thomas: I welcome the fact that the right hon. school systems. Gentleman has been elected to resume the chairmanship The right hon. Gentleman also made the crucial of the Select Committee. The notion that there was no point that there is a strong self-interest for Britain in delivery on the Gleneagles commitments in the last five championing the needs of developing countries, perhaps years is simply wrong. I accept that there was not most acutely at the moment in Afghanistan and Pakistan, enough delivery, and the hon. Member for Banbury and a point touched on by the hon. Member for Harlow others are right to say that some countries need to do (Robert Halfon) in the final Back-Bench speech of the more. debate. The Secretary of State has yet to prove that his What is now needed is action to back up those fine Department is as influential and as central as it was sentiments from the Secretary of State. The hon. Member before 6 May. for Banbury (Tony Baldry) and my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow Central were right when they Mr Andrew Mitchell: I am disappointed that the hon. made it clear that other countries must meet their Gentleman, of whom, as he knows, I am a great champion, commitments on aid. It is for exactly that reason that should descend to this level. What matters about Gleneagles the failure to fight at the G8 for meaningful language is that those solemn commitments, made, rightly, in on the Gleneagles commitments is a deeply worrying front of the whole world community and its press, 1099 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1100

[Mr Andrew Mitchell] desperate to see more impact made in developing countries to help the needs of the world’s poorest? The lack of should be acted on. If, after the debate, he looks at the clarity about the Government’s strategy for the UN’s reports that have come out of the summit, reads the millennium summit was particularly striking in his speech, statement made by the Prime Minister and sees what because he spoke more about what he will not fund and organisations such as ActionAid said about the summit, will not do than about what he will fund. In particular, he will see that our Prime Minister banged the drum for he said very little about what he plans to do about the standing by those commitments and made it absolutely principal development event of the year. He wants an clear that Britain’s commitment leads on this point. action plan to emerge from the summit, but what does he want to see in it, and how will he get it? What Mr Thomas: I want to champion the right hon. conversations has he had with the Deputy Prime Minister, Gentleman’s career, too, and I suspect that he will need who is due to represent us there, and what are the Prime me to, so I say gently to him that the G8 was the Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister going to do to international community’s pivotal meeting before the help secure the outcomes that the Secretary of State UN’s poverty summit, and not to refer to the Gleneagles desires? commitments in the communiqué sends a powerful The Department is a great place in which to serve, signal to the rest of the international community, which, and I join the right hon. Gentleman in praising the I worry, will be a signal for them not to do what they officials who serve there. The Ministers who serve there should do at the UN poverty summit in September. It have a heavy responsibility to champion, challenge and would be a terrible shame if the Department developed mobilise for the world’s poorest, but the striking thing a reputation as the place where the Prime Minister about what the Government have said and done so far sends not only those he does not want to sack yet, but is, first, the lack of any clear strategy on what they will those he does not want around. I hope that I am wrong, do next in order to help those poorest people, and, but I fear that the Secretary of State and the Minister secondly, the failure in international meetings to do the are in danger of becoming Parliament’s answer to Jedward: heavy lifting that is required in order to keep development they are both political treasures, and there is plenty of at the centre of global political attention. I hope that sympathy for them and a strange fascination about things will change, but I fear that they will not. what they will do next, but at one performance soon neither will be in their usual place. 5.44 pm As my right hon. Friend the shadow Secretary of State said, what is striking about the Secretary of State’s The Minister of State, Department for International speech today and, indeed, his speeches so far outside Development (Mr Alan Duncan): I start by being nice the House is the lack of any clear strategy for the about the hon. Member for Harrow West (Mr Thomas), Department. Under the previous Government, DFID even though he does not seem to have been inclined to sat at the heart of development thinking. It was sought be nice about me this afternoon. I do, after all, sit at his out by Governments internationally, valued in Europe former desk. I have lifted the chair a little so that I can and respected by development bodies throughout the see things, but it would be churlish not to acknowledge globe, from UNICEF, which the hon. Member for that, as my predecessor, he remained in post for almost Castle Point (Rebecca Harris) mentioned, to the Grameen seven years—a record in the Department, I think—and bank, which the hon. Member for East Hampshire did a lot of good when he was there. Indeed, having (Damian Hinds) rightly praised. heard the debate this afternoon, such is my affection for him that, should he so wish, I am very happy to endorse Under this Government, the Department should be his application to become Governor of the Pitcairn at the centre of development thinking, but it simply is Islands. not yet. It could champion reform of the World Bank, which, despite doing a lot of good, needs to evolve It has been a genuine pleasure to listen to this debate. quickly, get its staff out of Washington and into the It is evident from the quality of the contributions and African countries that it is supposed to help, and continue the passion with which they have been delivered that the reform of its governance. However, there has been global poverty is a topic about which Members on both nothing from the right hon. Gentleman on that issue sides of the House care very deeply. I should like to yet. Under him, DFID could champion reform of the thank them for their observations, and I will turn to UN development system in order to help all developing their contributions in a moment. countries, including those with whom we do not have In opening the debate, the Secretary of State made it bilateral aid programmes. It could continue to demand clear that we cannot allow current economic pressures a change to how the UN humanitarian system works—or, to deflect us from our goal of helping the world’s in the case of Haiti, did not work anything like well poorest people. We will not turn away and abandon enough. The Department could demand that UN agencies those whose need is so great. True leadership is forged work together better in developing countries, but we in the heat of adversity, and this Government will not have heard nothing from the right hon. Gentleman on be found wanting. However, neither will we be prepared that topic, either. He could certainly lead the development to squander the hard-earned money of British taxpayers. community on highlighting the finance that is necessary My right hon. Friend spoke of the radically new to help developing countries deal with the impact of approach that this Government will take to international climate change, but there has been radio silence on that development—an approach that has accountability and issue, too. transparency at its core. These are not empty words. It What signal does the right hon. Gentleman think the is these principles that will allow us to demonstrate to £10 million loan that he announced today to the Turks the British public that their money is being put to good and Caicos Islands sends to his Back Benchers, who are use: that it is saving lives, creating futures and, ultimately, 1101 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1102 securing a more prosperous and peaceful world for us Wirral West (Esther McVey) made a charming, thoughtful all. Combating poverty is not only morally right: it is, as and generous-spirited maiden speech, and I think it is the Secretary of State has said, very much in our fair to say that it was listened to admiringly by all of us national interest. Abroad and at home, development is in the Chamber and also, I noted, by the noble Lord the right thing to do. Hunt, her Conservative predecessor. Last weekend, the Prime Minister took to the global The hon. Member for Glasgow North (Ann McKechin) stage to reaffirm Britain’s commitment to meeting the rightly wants aid to be so successful that it does not need internationally agreed goal of 0.7% of GNI to be spent to be permanent. We wholly agree. That, in a nutshell, is on aid from 2013. We all know that some G8 members exactly what the “development” bit of international have not kept to the promises they made five years ago development is all about. We look forward to the continued at Gleneagles, and that is utterly shameful. However, wisdom and consistent expertise of my hon. Friend the those who say that we should cut our aid budget are Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry), and the House, asking us to break our word; we are not prepared to do and particularly we on this side, appreciated the consensual that, and nor would we ever wish to. Two wrongs do not tone of the contribution of the hon. Member for Banff make a right. Since when has someone else’s weakness and Buchan (Dr Whiteford). been a good reason for us to surrender our belief in a My hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Stephen fairer, safer and more secure world? We will do our bit, McPartland) made his maiden speech. It took me a and we will continue to hold others to account at each little time to tune into his Stevenage accent, and I hope and every opportunity. he will let me know when Robbie Williams is next Britain is in the lead on international development. playing locally. His thoughtful comments on international Indeed, developed countries are looking to us for inspiration development were much noted, and I hope that his as much as developing ones are looking to us for help. interest in the issue will continue. Likewise, the hon. We are the first country to say that we will enshrine the Member for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), in his maiden 0.7% contribution in legislation; and unlike America, speech, made a passionate defence of the interests of for example, our aid is not tied to commercial interests. beleaguered Palestinians, an issue that will figure in We have a dedicated Whitehall Department whose Secretary both our foreign and defence policy. I am sure that he of State has a seat in Cabinet, and now, too, a seat in the will make many such comments on the topic in future. National Security Council. This Department has a voice, I enjoyed his warm account of his own meeting with and this Department is being heard. Put simply, Britain Gillian Duffy as well—someone I would quite like to can be proud that it is the standard-setter and principal havemet,Ihavetosay. leader in a world in which charity confined to home My hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and would be an abrogation of our wider responsibilities. Leamington (Chris White) said that we need to tackle As many hon. Members have said, charity may start Beveridge’s five evils globally. The hon. Member for here, but it must not end here. Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar) made a very good Despite all this, we must be frank and honest: there speech, and I look forward to his contribution to the are some who, through the pages of the press or elsewhere, International Development Committee. Many other still question the validity of spending taxpayers’ money Members spoke, and I fear that I will not quite have the on international development. They speak of money time to go through their contributions, but I think I given in good faith but diverted into the hands of have covered all the maiden speeches. I hope the House tyrants or used to prop up corrupt regimes. The natural will forgive me if I do not mention everyone who has corollary seems to be that we should therefore give up spoken. I certainly urge everyone who has contributed and go away, at whatever human cost that might entail. to continue to participate in our debates and oral questions, I, and we, and I think Members on both sides of this and to form a cadre of informed opinion in the House House, profoundly disagree. that will continue to raise international development to As the Secretary of State has said, the answer lies in the position that it deserves in our deliberations. greater rigour, more transparency, and full accountability. It lies in the new UK aid transparency guarantee that Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): Many of the speeches will help us to track money far more accurately. It lies in this afternoon rightly referred to the human rights of our conviction that internal evaluation is not enough women and girls around the world. Will my right hon. and that we must set up an independent body to scrutinise Friend make a brief comment on the extent to which where and how we are spending taxpayers’ money. The the human rights of gay people are under threat in some answer, in short, lies not in passive defeatism but in parts of the developing world with which we have active resolve. significant ongoing relationships? I am wary of any sense of using aid as a political weapon, but I hope that I wish to acknowledge all the speakers who have the influence of the Department can be brought to bear contributed to the debate. The first after the Front as appropriate. Benchers was my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce), who said that it was good Mr Duncan: As my hon. Friend will appreciate, I have that we were trying to measure results but pointed out a particular interest in that issue, and I follow it and how difficult it is to measure everything easily and feel for it closely. I see the hon. Member for Rhondda consistently. No doubt the Select Committee that he (Chris Bryant) in his place, and he is also a champion of chairs will look into exactly that type of issue in the the issue at home and abroad. We do not want to use months ahead. aid as a weapon, but we will always be very forthright in The hon. Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley) defending people’s rights. The whole issue of gay equality made a strong plea for us to engage fully in negotiations is moving from a domestic argument to a global one, on the structure of IDA16. We will do that, and indeed and that is where our passions should now more we are doing that. My hon. Friend the Member for sensibly rest. 1103 Global Poverty1 JULY 2010 Global Poverty 1104

[Mr Duncan] finances that he could not even, when he was Secretary of State, give us his own figures for next year. I have mentioned the good speeches that we have I have acknowledged the insightful contributions that heard today, but sadly I have to say, and I think the we have heard from Members today, but I now wish to House feels, that the tone set by the shadow Secretary acknowledge the influence and record of my right hon. of State lived down to our expectations rather than up Friend the Secretary of State. His passion for international to them. It added to our deliberations a nasty and development is known to all in this Chamber and none divisive flavour that simply does not need to exist on can doubt his genuine commitment and considerable this topic. The right hon. Gentleman has experience, expertise. Indeed, rarely has a Member of Cabinet which we value. Might he not have had the inclination shadowed their portfolio for the length of time—nearly to share that experience and appreciate that his reputation five years—that he has done. Only yesterday, Jon Snow and the House would both benefit from learning from said: it? We would much rather do that than watch him hop around looking for a scrap in the playground. Also, for “Andrew Mitchell is unquestionably the best prepared Secretary of State—nobody has waited longer in the wings and everyone in him to use his former position to say that he knows the the sector knows of his commitment to the sector”. name of the particular official who worked on the speech for his successor as Secretary of State is nothing It is telling that within a few short weeks my right short of contemptible. hon. Friend has already set in train a number of initiatives that will allow us to bring about a fundamental re-think The right hon. Gentleman seemed to blame half the of the way we give aid. He has, for example, launched world’s poverty on a strange historic conspiracy between two critical reviews—a bilateral review that will look at General Kitchener and the Conservative party. If he how we spend money directly with specific countries, wants to know the real feeling of the modern Conservative and a multilateral review that will follow the money that party on this issue, he need only look at the number of we are channelling through other bodies such as the people on the Benches behind me today to realise what EU, the World Bank or the UN. Meanwhile, the full they feel. He accused us of being ideological, but I can scale value-for-money review that he has commissioned assure him that we are wholly non-ideological. To us, is already yielding savings that can be directed back to what matters is what works. On user fees, for instance— the front line. which he mentioned—we want to get children into school, and in many cases we are paying for those user In today’s economic climate, we need—more than fees out of our budget. He laboured the point about ever—to be able to show the British taxpayers that their 0.7% this afternoon—talk about giving a dog a bone—as money is going where it can do most good, and that if there were a great issue about a departure from the when it gets there, every single penny of it is put to the clear policy on which we stood at the election. We are best possible use. Our focus will be at the sharp end, committed to enshrining 0.7% in law from 2013. As he where it matters—on results not process. It will no well knows, we are considering how to proceed, not longer be the number on the aid cheque that matters, whether to proceed, as he implied. He will just have to but the number of people it helps. As my right hon. wait for an announcement at the appropriate time. Friend said, our thinking and action will not stop there. Additional climate finance, as the previous Government We will look ahead to the millennium development made clear, will come from the existing aid budget. On goals summit and we will push everything that we can the question of how the G20 working group on to focus on poverty. development will be held to account—something that Britain can be proud of its position on international he knows all about as a former Secretary of State—it development. We can hold our heads high and I hope will report to leaders through their sherpas. On the that Members on both sides of the House will join us in forthcoming millennium development goals summit, the fight and the cause ahead. the UK ambition is to agree on an ambitious action Question put and agreed to. agenda for attaining the MDGs. The shadow Secretary of State absurdly asked for our post-2013 spending Resolved, plans. But so badly did his party mess up the public That this House has considered the matter of global poverty. 1105 1 JULY 2010 Act of Settlement 1106

Act of Settlement Chancellor has to issue certificates for anyone in the line of succession stating whether they have married a Catholic Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House or someone who has now renounced their Catholic do now adjourn.—(Mr Vara.) faith. Not the most recent—there was an instance last June when the Lord Chancellor had to do this—but the 6pm better known recent case is probably that from 9 April Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): We move from a 2008, when the marriage of Peter Phillips and Autumn matter of modern, enormous significance to one of Kelly had to be signed off by the Lord Chancellor. historic significance. None the less, it matters to today’s In 1801, when the Parliaments of Ireland, England society, particularly, I would suggest, to many Roman and Scotland were joined together, there was further Catholics in this country, as well as to people of other reform of the Act of Settlement, which meant that the faiths. I am talking about the Act of Settlement, which Irish agreed to the provisions in the Act. Later, the makes a series of provisions. I will not deal with them Accession Declaration Act 1910 specified that on accession, all, because some have been dealt with in previous the monarch would have to declare: legislation. I shall instead focus on those that state, first, “I am a faithful Protestant”— that the throne was to pass to the Electress Sophia of capital P again— Hanover and her Protestant successors; secondly, that the monarch “and that I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne of my “shall join in communion with the Church of England”; Realm, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of thirdly, that anyone who is married to a Catholic should my powers according to law.” be barred from the line of succession; and fourthly, that The Statute of Westminster 1931 further determined the monarch should make a series of oaths and declarations that if there were to be any changes to those or many when they accede to the throne or are crowned. other provisions, they ought to be consulted on around The provisions of the Act of Settlement built on the the Commonwealth so that, on a particular day, one Bill of Rights of 1688, particularly where it reads that could not have a different monarch for Australia from “whereas it hath beene found by experience that it is inconsistent the monarch for Canada and the United Kingdom. with the safety and welfaire of this protestant kingdome to be However, it is worth pointing out that, because we had governed by a popish prince or by any King or Queene marrying to perform another piece of legal jiggery-pokery over a papist the said lords spirituall and temporall and commons doe the abdication of Edward VIII, there was one day when further pray that it may be enacted that all and every person and Ireland had a different monarch from the United Kingdom. persons that is are or shall be reconciled to or shall hold communion with the see or church of Rome or shall professe the popish There was one further, tiny, Church of England measure religion or shall marry a papist shall be excluded and be for ever that affected the position, which was the Admission to uncapeable to inherit possesse or enjoy the crowne and government Holy Communion Measure 1972. That meant that any of this realme”. person in good standing with their Church—in other In addition, the Coronation Oath Act 1688 provided words, not necessarily a member of the Church of that the new monarch would have to take an oath upon England—was able to receive communion in the Church their coronation that they would of England. In theory, that could mean that a monarch “maintaine the Laws of God the true profession of the Gospell who was not an Anglican—or, for that matter, a and the Protestant reformed religion established by Presbyterian member of the Church of Scotland—but law…and…preserve unto the bishops and clergy of this realm was, for instance, a Methodist, would be able to enter and to the churches committed to their charge all such rights and into communion with the Church of England without privileges as by law do or shall appertain unto them or any of being a member. them.” All those different provisions have meant that, in sum One further provision springs from common law and and in total, there is a complete bar on any Catholic—and means that the succession in the United Kingdom falls probably also any member of various other religions— to a male, rather than a female, which is known as male sitting in the line of succession or becoming the monarch preference primogeniture—another element that many of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern people now would think to be rather outdated. Ireland, and, by extension therefore, of her further Subsequent Acts have amended elements of the Act territories and the Commonwealth. I believe that this is of Settlement. The Scottish and English Acts of Union now wholly inappropriate. The legislation that was written in 1707 ensured that there would be no alteration to the in 1688 and 1701 was, in one sense, deliberately offensive Presbyterian Church of Scotland, that the new monarch, to those whom it termed “papists” or “followers of the when monarch of both kingdoms, would ratify the popish religion”, because it was believed to be against the confession of faith, and that a new oath would be secure interests of the people of this land. Notwithstanding undertaken by the monarch in relation to the Church of the fact that anti-Catholicism is, unfortunately, still a Scotland stating that the monarch vibrant part of many sections of the British media and “shall inviolably maintain and preserve the foresaid settlement of British society, I do not believe that there are many in the True Protestant Religion”— this country who believe, in all honesty, that the Roman I note that “True Protestant Religion” always comes Catholic faith undermines our national security. with a capital T, capital P and capital R— “with the Government Worship Discipline Right and Privileges Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ of this Church as above established by the Laws of this Kingdom.” Co-op): I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for raising Subsequent reforms also included the Royal Marriages something that is not only offensive to Roman Catholics Act 1772, which provided that the monarch could determine and people of many other faiths, but offensive to anyone who any member of the Royal family or anybody in the who wants equality under the law in our constitution in line of succession could marry. Today, still, the Lord all respects. He will know that one of the arguments 1107 Act of Settlement1 JULY 2010 Act of Settlement 1108

[Mark Lazarowicz] What would I like to see, then? First of all, we should remove all objectionable references to Catholicism from made against taking any such measure forward with our constitutional settlement. That means significant urgency is that it would require agreement among all repeal of large elements of the Act of Settlement 1701. the countries of which the monarch is the Head of Before anybody says, “But the Act of Settlement is State. If by some chance we were to amend the legislation quintessential to our national identity; this will be undoing here in the UK, but Tuvalu, Belize, or St Vincent and and rubbing out parts of our history,” it is worth noting the Grenadines, for example, inspired by some form of that we have already rubbed out large parts of that anti-Catholicism, did not change their constitutions, so history. One element of the Act of Settlement states that we ended up with a different monarch in the UK that the monarch should never be allowed to travel from those countries, would that really be a particularly abroad without permission of the House of Commons. worrying matter? That was repealed many years—indeed, several centuries— ago, and rightly so. We need to make sure that our Chris Bryant: I do not think that it would be, but I constitution is silent—absolutely silent—on this matter, happen to know that some of those discussions have so that there is equality for all. already happened with many parts of the Commonwealth, Secondly, I believe that we should have a new single and I do not see any reason why we would not be able to accession and coronation oath. This oath should be proceed fairly swiftly. It is worth pointing out that, for determined by this House—not by the heir to the throne; the abdication of Edward VIII, we had to ensure that not by the monarch when he or she decides to come to the rest of the countries to which my hon. Friend the throne; and not by the Archbishop of Canterbury in referred also subscribed to the change of monarch, so consultation with anybody. It should be determined by that not only Edward VIII, but any of his children or this House, as has been our history and our tradition. I successors would also be barred from the succession. I think the oath should be made between the monarch therefore do not think that the issue that my hon. and Parliament, all sitting together, having been previously Friend has raised is too much of a problem, although I determined by us. will come to some of the problems that I think the Thirdly, we need to remove all references to marriage. Minister might raise a little later. We need to repeal the Royal Marriages Act 1772. We The other point is that it is not just Catholics, but need to make sure that any member of the royal family Muslims, Jews, Unitarians and Quakers who are all or anyone in distant line to the throne—it is remarkable, barred from being the monarch, either by virtue of the looking down the list, who is still caught by this fact that the law expressly says that they have to be in provision—is free to marry precisely as they want to. communion with the Church of England or by virtue of We should establish in our constitutional settlement the fact that they have to make a series of oaths that absolute, straightforward equality between men and women. they would not be able to make. In addition, we have I was contacted by Hansard and asked whether I this ludicrous process of certification by the Lord Chancellor could provide a copy of my speech. I pointed out that it of those in line to the throne. The state in this country was unusual for Members to read out their speeches— should not be deciding who can marry; the Crown indeed, it is proscribed—but Hansard said, “Well, it is should not be deciding which distant relative is able to absolutely certain that the Minister will read out his marry or whom they can marry. That should surely be speech, so he is likely to send it to us beforehand.” something of the past; indeed, it was much criticised in I hope he has not, as I want him to respond to the 1772 as well. things I have said. I suspect, however, that one thing he We also have a series of oaths, including a Protestant might say is, “Yes, but this is awfully complicated, as declaration, an oath in defence of the Church of England there are so many bits of legislation.” I hope he will not and an oath in defence of the Church of Scotland, do this, but he might go through all the legislation with which are made at different times—either in a Privy which I have already bored the House. I hope he is not Council meeting, at the coronation service or at the first suddenly going to say, “Aha, the hon. Member has left meeting of Parliament—but this is all hideously out Princess Sophia’s Precedence Act 1711.” I can see anachronistic now. We have protection for the Churches from the Minister looking through his notes that he was of Scotland and England but, to be honest, I think that toying with mentioning that Act. the Churches of Scotland and England can defend To be honest, when I have heard Labour Ministers themselves. There was a time, in the 13th century and advancing from the Government Benches the argument the early 14th century, when the lower clergy, as well as that it is all too difficult, I have said, “Poppycock. the prelates, of the Church of England were invited into Absolute tosh. Posh tosh maybe, but absolute tosh.” I Parliament, but that has long gone. I hope that in the know that the Minister is a stout, worthy, independently near future we will see the end of the prelates in Parliament, minded person, who is determined to see reform in but it is surely time to give the Church of England and many things. He is bringing forward, I hope, many the Church of Scotland their own protection without pieces of legislation that we will be able to support. I any special pleading. hope he is not going to advocate delaying “because it is It is also wholly wrong to have a male preference in so awfully difficult in the Commonwealth” or say that the line of succession. Now is the time to change this, we do not want to open up this Pandora’s box. If he is before the young princes have children—just in case thinking of invoking Pandora’s box—it has been written they were to have a daughter before they had a son, into many Ministers’ speeches in the past—let me point whereupon there would suddenly be a constitutional out that at the bottom of that box is one important crisis. In other countries that have changed the law, they thing: hope. have sometimes had to do so when they are already I very much hope that the Minister is going to open effectively changing the next in line to the throne. I Pandora’s box so that we can move forward. There are think that it would be better to do it now. many people—not just Catholic prelates, not just Catholic 1109 Act of Settlement1 JULY 2010 Act of Settlement 1110 priests, not just Catholics—who find it deeply offensive Chris Bryant: As I said, posh tosh. The Minister is that we retain a piece of legislation that we could going to cite arguments that the civil servants around change, which would bring in full equality. I hope that the corner will have prepared for him about how awfully this Minister will be like Alexander and cut through the difficult this is and how many pieces of legislation are Gordian knot. It will be a simple piece of legislation. involved, but if he is going to reform the House of Many others have brought forward legislation before Lords he is going to have to start with Magna Carta, and Labour Ministers have found ludicrous reasons for and that is going considerably further back than the Act saying no to them in the past. I hope that this Minister of Settlement. is not going to be like that, and I hope that we shall be able to say of him, as the Archbishop of Canterbury Mr Harper: I said that merely to illustrate that this is said of Henry V in Shakespeare’s play “Henry V”, a Government who are happy to carry out reform when “Turn him to any cause of policy, it is necessary. The Gordian knot of it he will unloose, Clearly we would not legislate today to give men precedence over women in the line of succession, and Familiar as his garter”. I do not think that we would concern ourselves today with the religion of the monarch’s spouse or treat 6.15 pm differently members of a particular religion. However, it is one thing to say that we would not legislate in that The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Mark way today, and quite another to say that there are no Harper): The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) obstacles to change. We need to think through the tests us with flattery, hoping that it will get him somewhere, changes and their consequences before making them. but I fear that he may be disappointed. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the Act of Settlement I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his choice of is part of a political and constitutional settlement with subject. The House will know that it is a subject in strong historical roots. It does not, of course, prevent which he has been interested for some time. Indeed, in those in the line of succession from marrying Roman 2008 he presented the last Prime Minister, the right hon. Catholics; it merely means that if they do so, they will Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown), lose their spot in the line of succession. It raises complex with his plans for reforming the constitution. I presume issues about the relationship between Church and state. that they were broadly in line with what he has just There are many who, like the hon. Gentleman, do not proposed. He nods in assent. I understand from a think that the Church of England should be the established report in The Guardian at the time that his plans were Church— given to the last Prime Minister’s new adviser on the constitution, but not much seems to have happened to Chris Bryant indicated dissent. them in the following two years. Mr Harper: That was the implication of what the Chris Bryant: Apart from their getting into our manifesto. hon. Gentleman said when he talked of allowing the Church of England to rush off by itself. In any event, Mr Harper: They may have got into the Labour the Act raises issues connected with the establishment manifesto. Many things may have got into the Labour of the Church, and it does us no service to pretend that manifesto. I fear, however, that the hon. Gentleman it is not so. might have been disappointed even if Labour had been The issue of primogeniture, particularly male preference successful in the election. primogeniture, has been raised from time to time, as has As the hon. Gentleman said, many Members of both the hon. Gentleman’s point about giving female descendants Houses have sought debate on this issue, and it is of the sovereign the same rights as their male siblings. important for us to discuss it. However—I know that The title to the Crown, however, derives not just from this will disappoint the hon. Gentleman—it is complicated. statute but from common rules of descent. Succession He himself listed a significant number of pieces of to the throne in this country is based on a form of legislation that would have to be considered, amended primogeniture which favours sons over daughters, but or possibly repealed: the Bill of Rights 1689, the Coronation favours daughters of a sovereign over the siblings of Oath Act 1688, the Act of Settlement 1701, the Royal that sovereign, so an older sister would lose her place to Marriages Act 1772, the Union with Ireland Act 1800, a younger brother but not to an uncle. Again, changing and the Regency Act 1706. This is not a straightforward that arrangement would be a major constitutional measure. matter, and I do not think that pretending it is The hon. Gentleman pointed out one thing that is straightforward or simple does any of us a service. important to note, which is that currently the first three The hon. Gentleman is right to say that the Government members of the royal family in line to the throne are all —indeed, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister male and so we have some time until there may be a and I—will be introducing a number of pieces of legislation pressing issue to address. that are mentioned in the coalition Government’s The hon. Gentleman highlighted an issue that is programme for government. We will introduce legislation complicated and I do not think it is right to sweep it on a referendum on the alternative vote, on reviewing away, pretending it is not. I am talking about the fact the boundaries, on fixed-term Parliaments, and indeed that this is not just an issue for the United Kingdom, on reform of the House of Lords, which may deal with because Her Majesty the Queen is sovereign of a further the issue that the hon. Gentleman raised about the 15 independent nations and they have a right, with us, position of bishops in the other place. He can be to decide on the line of succession. I do not suggest that confident that we have the appetite for reform, but I they would necessarily have any problems with removing think that this particular matter involves a number of outdated provisions, but it is not the substance of the complicated issues. issue that is the problem; the problem is how we go 1111 Act of Settlement1 JULY 2010 Act of Settlement 1112

[Mr Harper] the view of the Church on this, although I appreciate that there are divergent opinions. The previous Cardinal about doing that. Because of the nature of our Parliament, Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, this House and the other place can change the most said that he thought that the Act of Settlement was fundamental of our constitutional provisions by a simple “discriminatory. I think it will disappear, but I don’t want to cause Act of Parliament, so the Act of Settlement could a great fuss”. indeed be amended in this House, as could any of the The current Archbishop of Westminster has said: other Acts that he mentions. That is true of some of the “I wouldn’t rush to support such a change in the law. I think other countries of which Her Majesty is Queen, but it is that the position of the Queen and the monarchy is to be handled not true of all of them. For some that have a federal with great sensitivity”. constitution, such as Australia and Canada, amending Chris Bryant: However, Catholic cardinals in Scotland those rules is a more complicated process, involving the have asserted very forcefully that they believe the law is states in those countries; it is not as straightforward as it entirely discriminatory and should be changed, and is here. many prelates in the Church of England have also said The relationship between the Crown of the United it should be changed. I think I am right in saying that Kingdom and the Crown of the other realms is complicated. the General Synod of the Church of England also The hon. Gentleman mentioned the one occasion when believes that it should be changed. it has been tested, which was the abdication of Edward VIII. In those days, there were only six realms involved— Mr Harper: The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, that point. Cardinal O’Brien in Scotland, for example, Newfoundland and Eire. Only three still survive as is much firmer about wanting to move quickly on this. realms, although there are now a further 12, which were However, this merely highlights the complexity of the mentioned by the hon. Member for Edinburgh North debate. There is not even a single clear view within the and Leith (Mark Lazarowicz), who is no longer in his Catholic Church in these islands. Some very significant place. Even then, when the concept of the “imperial Catholics think that the law should be changed, but crown”and the “imperial Parliament”was much stronger, should not be rushed or done in a way that causes the there were, as the hon. Member for Rhondda highlighted, monarchy difficulty. a number of different views about the extent to which Chris Bryant: But there is not a single Catholic in the the United Kingdom could legislate on their behalf and land who does not think that the law should be changed. the extent to which if we changed the line of succession to our throne, that would automatically feed into their Mr Harper: I cannot possibly know the views of arrangements. So if we were to go ahead and legislate in every single person in the United Kingdom, and neither the UK alone, we would either be presenting the other can the hon. Gentleman. realms with no choice in their own Head of State or we As I have said, the Government are not saying that there would cause a divergence in the line of succession. should be no change. We are simply saying that, if we The hon. Gentleman alluded to the fact that discussions are to undertake change, we need to do it in a careful have started with those Commonwealth countries and and thoughtful way. We are not saying that the parts of are continuing, but they should involve careful consideration the Act of Settlement that we are discussing should never of how we would implement change, the consequences be changed. We do not rule out change. We simply argue and the timing. I do not think that those matters should that, if there is to be a change, it should be thoughtful, be unduly rushed. Dealing with our non-codified and undertaken carefully and with due consideration constitution is complicated without having unexpected for our obligations to the other Commonwealth realms consequences. The Act of Settlement is part of the of which Her Majesty is Queen. We should also have backbone of our constitution, and tinkering with it consideration for the consequences not only for the lightly without thinking through all the changes would Crown and the succession but for the position of the have unforeseen consequences. established Church in this country. To give the hon. Gentleman hope, let me assure him Chris Bryant: I sort of sympathise with the Minister that we have not ruled out change, but it would need to because he has officials who want to make life difficult be done carefully and thoughtfully. If done in that way, for him about this. But the truth about timing is that if it is much more likely to endure and not have unforeseen Prince William were to have a daughter first and then a consequences. I shall leave him with that positive message, son, in realms other than this, where people wanted to although I am sure that he will go away disappointed. I assert that they thought it was unfair to have an unequal will also leave him with the thought that, although I will system that disfranchised or shoved the daughter further give the Hansard reporters a copy of my speech, I have down the list, there would be a constitutional crisis. waited until after the debate to do so, rather than giving That is why it is timely to do this now, while there is not it to them in advance, as he suggested. He was probably a problem. expecting the comments that I have uttered tonight. I Mr Harper: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that point, fear that he will have to be disappointed in the pace of but that is why I thought it was important to highlight reform in this area, but when we bring to the House the the fact that discussions are under way with other measures on other areas of constitutional reform that Commonwealth countries. It is not that the Government were in our manifesto, I shall look forward to his are in favour of no change; we are simply considering wholehearted support for them. change carefully and thoughtfully. Question put and agreed to. The hon. Gentleman mentions timing, so it is worth picking up on the issue relating to the exclusion of 6.27 pm Roman Catholics from the throne. We should examine House adjourned. 293WH 1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 294WH

caring, and to have a career, a marriage, friendship and Westminster Hall hobbies—all the things that the recent carers week survey told us that so many of them do without. Thursday 1 July 2010 Let us not forget about young carers. Officially, there are 175,000 of them, but I think that we all know that that figure is just the tip of the iceberg and that there are [MR JOE BENTON in the Chair] significantly more. Young carers are children who do not have a recognisable childhood because of their Supporting Carers caring responsibilities. They do amazing things to support Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting parents, brothers or sisters, but they need considerable be now adjourned.—(James Duddridge.) support themselves. They need tailored and integrated support, with schools, social services and community 2.30 pm groups working together to ensure that they have the Mr Joe Benton (in the Chair): Before I call the Minister, same opportunities as other young people: a good I want to explain, chiefly for the benefit of new Members education; good health; training opportunities; a social who are attending Westminster Hall for the first time, life; and, yes, the ability just to be children and have fun, that the procedure for this debate will be that I will call which is what childhood should be about. the Minister, after which I will call individual Back I am making the point that the policies that we Benchers. I hope that we can begin the winding-up introduce and the support that we offer must reflect speeches from the Opposition spokesman and the Minister that kaleidoscope of carers’ backgrounds, experiences at about 5 pm. and needs. Although many carers enjoy their caring responsibilities, I have no doubt that hon. Members in 2.31 pm the Chamber have met carers in their constituencies who are at the end of their tether. Those carers feel The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Paul undervalued and overlooked, and frustrated that the Burstow): It is a great pleasure to open the debate and to care and support available is not tailored to fit their do so as a Minister. I look forward to working with the families’ needs. Sometimes they feel a whole host of hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara emotions: anger that such a thing could have happened Keeley) in her new role as an Opposition spokesperson to their family; grief at a life forgone out of love and on health. I forgot to welcome her to her role at Question duty; and guilt for feeling that they need a break, a Time the other day, so I put that right now. breather and a bit of time to themselves. We are here to debate a very important issue for our That is why mainstream statutory services can make society: how we offer proper support for the nearly a massive difference. A comparison of the findings of 5 million adults in England who spend a significant the personal social services survey by the Department proportion of their life providing unpaid support to of Health, which was published yesterday, with the family members or friends. Among those 5 million findings of the recent Carers UK survey entitled “No life adults, there is real diversity with respect to the amount of my own” reflects that point. The Department of of care they provide, how long they provide it for, and Health survey of 35,000 carers, all of whom were in when they provide it during their lives. contact with statutory services, found that only For instance, the biggest group of carers is made up 13% reported having no time to do anything that they of older people in their 60s or 70s, or even their 80s. valued or enjoyed. In contrast, the Carers UK survey of Typically, they are looking after a husband or wife who more than 3,000 carers who may have had little contact is in declining health, although they themselves might with the NHS or social services reported that 76% of be in poor or frail health. They are often devoted to respondents did not have a life outside their caring role. their husband or wife, yet they are deeply concerned about what the future holds. The existence of that What does that tell us? I think that it suggests that group reinforces the need for better identification of when carers have contact with services—whether in the carers, for better ongoing support to ensure that they voluntary sector, the local authority sector or the private stay healthy and well, and for better integration of sector—they are more likely to have a positive experience. services across health and social care to ensure that That makes it all the more important that such services those carers are fully involved in the treatment and work harder for carers. ongoing care of their spouse. There are four points that I want to emphasise today. Next, there are carers of my generation—people in First, we must identify more carers so that we can put their 40s or 50s—who find themselves caring for a them in contact with the services that can help them. parent or partner for several years, or perhaps longer. Many people simply do not identify themselves as a Those people need real flexibility and control to carer and hence do not come forward to get the help to ensure that they can balance their caring duties with which they are entitled. This is an area in which GPs their work responsibilities and bringing up their own can play a role, which was reinforced to me recently families. They are the “sandwich generation” that is when I visited an excellent GP centre in Lambeth. often talked about. Just a few days ago, I attended a round-table event There are also significant numbers of lifelong carers, organised by the Afiya Trust at which a number of who might have a son or daughter with a physical speakers told me about the specific challenges faced by disability or a learning disability. They can become certain ethnic groups. On that point, I intend to look at carers in their 20s. They have a lifelong commitment to how we can break down some of the barriers that exist support a loved one, which means that we are looking and ensure that we get culturally sensitive support to for support that can help them to lead a life outside those who need it. 295WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 296WH

[Mr Paul Burstow] need to make significant cost savings to help the country to reduce the deficit. There will be a premium on Secondly, we must ensure that there is effective integration efficiency and on ensuring that every penny of taxpayers’ across the whole system. We need joined-up planning, money counts, reaches the front line and makes a difference joined-up commissioning and joined-up delivery for to carers’ lives. carers and the people for whom they care. Public services That may involve difficult judgment calls. For example, need to talk to each other, but not just to each other—they I have just made the decision to terminate the caring also need to talk to the voluntary sector. They must with confidence training programme on the grounds respond to the whole picture of a family’s circumstances, that it was not delivering value for money or giving rather than just considering their own specific area of carers training where it mattered. We will be providing expertise. We need one system pulling together, rather the training materials from that programme free of than different systems pulling apart. charge to carers’ centres and others so they can carry Better integration across health and social care is on, with local partners, delivering training for the benefit particularly vital. Such integration has been talked about of carers who need it. Having cancelled that programme, for years—I have attended debate after debate about it. we can now ensure that the money does much more to If we want to make progress for carers, councils and benefit carers on the ground. We will shortly roll out a health authorities will have to make such integration training programme to raise GPs’ awareness of their happen on the ground, along with their partners in the role in, and contribution to, supporting carers. third and independent sectors. Better support is not necessarily about spending more Thirdly, we must make personalisation a reality for money; it is about spending more wisely, which is what everyone and ensure that packages of support genuinely we intend to do. At the same time, the state should not fit around a family’s needs and the way in which they over-reach itself. There are limits to what the Government want to live their lives. We plan to do that by encouraging and statutory services can do on carers’ behalf. As the far wider use of direct payments, which is already a demography and patterns of disease remould our very popular way of giving carers more flexibility and society, the wider community has a responsibility to control. The Government have made a clear commitment adapt to those changes. That involves a big role for in the coalition programme that we will encourage more charities and voluntary groups, which can do much to local authorities to offer direct payments. We will also stimulate grassroots response to many of the day-to-day challenge local authorities to provide those payments, issues that carers face. As a Member of Parliament for and we will encourage others to hold local authorities 13 years, I come to this debate not because of my to account so that they provide them. personal experience in a caring role but because I One thing that we will not do, however, is to make have been taught and shown the issues confronting promises that we cannot keep, which was what the carers by my own carers’ centre in the London borough previous Government did when they promised £150 million of Sutton. for breaks for carers. Thanks to the Princess Royal Whether we call it active communities, social capital Trust for Carers, it is now well documented that primary or the big society, we need to reignite the latent sense of care trusts siphoned off that money to spend on other collective responsibility that leads people to look out things. Speaking from my personal experience, I can say for each other and make the small gestures that can help that getting information from PCTs about how they in a big way. Employers also have a big role to play in were spending that money was like pulling teeth. Despite making it easier for carers to stay in work. We pledge to the fact that inquiries and freedom of information extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, requests were made, some PCTs conspicuously failed to but a right to request is not a right to have. I am answer the local population that they exist to serve. conscious that change depends on whether organisations Let me be clear that local NHS commissioners should across the private and public sectors grasp the economic have full autonomy and control over how they spend arguments about what making such a commitment will the money that is allocated to them. Therefore, if we are deliver. We will be making those arguments strongly in putting money into the baseline, a Minister cannot the coming weeks and months, and I hope that all hon. claim credit by saying that they are going to spend the Members in the Chamber will make the case when money on x when they know perfectly well that they talking to employers and employers’ organisations in cannot guarantee that. their constituencies. We must also make staff much I stress, however, that if we agree to loosen Whitehall’s more aware of the opportunity to ask for a break. The grip, it is important that there is much greater local right to request was introduced four years ago, yet accountability. As part of a series of far-reaching reforms, recent research indicates that half of those entitled to it we will set out shortly a programme for much greater did not even know that they had that right. transparency and accountability for the NHS at a local In conclusion, carers are and will remain a vital level. Hon. Members and their constituents will be able thread holding our society together. We pick at that to hold their local health services to account for how thread at our peril. We will use this summer to develop a they spend taxpayers’ money. As a starting point, strategic fresh, new carers strategy. We will build on what went health authorities have already reviewed how PCTs before and acknowledge what the last Government actually go about prioritising support for carers. We did, but ensure that what we have is deliverable and will publish the results of that audit and they will be put affordable, and that it addresses carers’ concerns. I hope in the House of Commons Library in the near future. that today’s debate will play its part in shaping that I am afraid that I have to inject a dose of realism into refreshed strategy, and I look forward to hearing hon. this debate, as we also have to deal with the repercussions Members’ contributions. of the financial legacy that the Government inherited. As the recent Budget made clear, the Government will Several hon. Members rose— 297WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 298WH

Mr Joe Benton (in the Chair): Order. Before I call the to meet medical needs but to support much wider social next speaker, I refer again to the fact that 10 Members participation needs. This is about meeting the extra have so far indicated that they want to speak. As costs that come with disability and long-term ill health. Members know, the debate will finish promptly at 5.30 pm. Medical assessments do not get to the nub of those Obviously, I will do my best to accommodate everybody, problems. but that is not a matter for me. However, I ask hon. Another of the Government’s financial announcements Members to bear that in mind so that everyone can affecting carers that is causing concern is the decision speak. not to continue with the savings gateway. Caring eats into savings, leaving families with little to fall back on. 2.43 pm The savings gateway has been a success story, enabling Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I am people to set aside modest amounts in the knowledge pleased to have the opportunity to speak in this debate, that their saving plan would be supplemented and supported not least because it is an important chance for us to pay by Government investment. Many carers are disappointed tribute to the tremendous contribution made by carers that it will not continue. across the country. I pay tribute particularly to the I am sure that my hon. Friends and other hon. carers in my constituency. Members will also want to speak about the impact on As the Minister rightly said, many people do not even the wider service network available to carers and concerns identify themselves as playing a caring role, yet they about the implementation of public service cuts. The make a substantial contribution to supporting family cuts must be made in a way that protects carers and members. That, of course, saves the public purse an ensures that their needs continue to be met. I highlight enormous amount of money, but it frequently puts such particularly the concerns in my constituency about the individuals and their families under great pressure and tremendous time lag in assessing family members’ needs stress. that frequently leaves carers without any support at all. Often, in due course, that support is put in place, but it I want to highlight the importance of providing is quite unacceptable that assessments should take weeks, carers with the financial support needed to participate months or, in some cases, even years. In the meantime, fully in a life beyond care. That is at the heart of all the carers are put under great pressure to manage as best other forms of engagement and support rightly identified they can. by the Minister, such as service support and measures enabling carers to get out into the community and, if Other hon. Members will also want to draw attention they want to and can, to take up paid work. to the opportunities for carers to participate more fully I am concerned that carers are facing a raw deal in paid work. I was pleased that the Minister referred to financially. Many carers are placed in a position of the need to ensure that people are aware of their right to relative poverty as a result of their caring role. I am request flexible working and acknowledged that we concerned that recent announcements and the effect of have a significant job to do with regard to employers. I the spending cuts that are still expected could put them certainly accept his challenge to ensure that the employers in a yet more difficult position. in my constituency are well aware of the issue. There is a particular imperative on the public sector to lead the I am particularly anxious that, in the medium term, way and to show that it can be the sort of employer that linking the value of safety net benefits to the consumer exemplifies the highest of standards in this field. price index will depress the value of carers’ income. I think that we would all agree that carer’s allowance is Of course, the real problem for carers entering into far from generous. Many other benefits important to paid work is the massive financial disincentive that they families that include carers will be hit by the same face as soon as they earn only a modest amount of constraint. The financial resources available to carers money and the cliff-edge threshold that comes in as are a concern. Clearly, adequate financial resources are soon as they are on earnings of more than £97 a week. I a prerequisite of every form of social participation: for think that we can all agree that that is a modest sum—for example, the ability to take time out to go to the a large number of carers, work simply does not pay. We cinema, to go swimming or even just to have the pleasure cannot afford the carer’s allowance to become the new of a cup of coffee in the town centre down the road. equivalent of the much criticised dumping ground that, The second issue about which carers have expressed in effect, incapacity benefit became, when it was used as concerns to me, not because it directly affects them a way of massaging people out of the workplace on to individually but because of its effect on the people for some other form of inadequate benefit. It is important whom they care, is the Government’s intention to test that carers can make work pay through a more generous eligibility for disability living allowance. Carers recognise disregard of earnings and a more gradual withdrawal that their entitlement to carer’s allowance is affected in rate as they move into paid work. many cases by the assessment made of the individual Everyone understands the financial pressures on public for whom they care and whether that person is entitled expenditure, but it is absolutely wrong that carers, who to DLA. contribute so much and who are among the poorest, I alert the Minister to the difficulties already arising should take the biggest hit. They are being hit by the in the processes for testing people for the new employment triple whammy of poor benefits, a difficulty in making and support allowance. If testing is to be widened work pay and a worry about the future investment in significantly, it is important that those problems are not the services on which they rely. Those factors cumulatively replicated and that people’s eligibility for benefits to add up to a severe limitation on the ability of carers to which they are entitled can be confirmed quickly. It is participate in the activities outside caring that so many extremely retrograde to run people through medical of them desire to undertake. I very much hope that the tests for a disability living allowance intended not specifically public spending round of the comprehensive spending 299WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 300WH

[Kate Green] the love that is so clearly there. Too often, it is easy for politicians and policy makers to revert to statistics and review will provide more generosity towards that vital jargon that is in many ways all too familiar to us in such group of people than the Budget has given us cause to debates. We must not forget that every carer has a hope for so far. personal story that cannot always be easily told—one that we can never put a price upon. However, we must 2.52 pm accept that caring will take an ever greater role in the structure of our society. Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): As a member of the Select Committee on Health and secretary of the As a result of improvements in the quality of treatment all-party group on disability, I take a keen interest in and medical technology, more children and young people this important matter, and I am very grateful to the are surviving with complex health conditions. It is estimated Government for arranging the debate. that 1.7 million more people will need care and support by 2026, because they are living longer, and they will The figures mentioned in the debate are clear. As a need that care and support for a longer period. More nation, we rely on a silent army of carers—some 6 million people are living longer, with the number of people people or 10% of our population—to look after and expected to live beyond 90 soaring. However, one in support the most vulnerable in society. Those people four of those people will probably suffer from some dedicate and sacrifice their own time and lives for the form of dementia. We must therefore recognise that, in sake of those whom they love. Family members depend this decade, more people than ever before will become upon such people—as we all do—to ensure that those carers. in the greatest need live the best possible lives, as they deserve. The new Government are determined to do all that they can not just to recognise, but to improve the lives We should not have this debate today without admitting of carers across the nation—we must do so at every the enormous emotional and, at times, physical cost level—and I welcome the fact that the Secretary of that the role of a carer can bring. Some 1.9 million State for Work and Pensions has said that the Government people care for more than 20 hours a week and around want to 1.25 million people care for more than 50 hours a week, although I suspect that the hidden figures—those that “enhance and support that role”— no Department is able to calculate—are probably far of carers— greater. Often the people who have to care for a relative, “ensuring that carers are valued throughout what we do”.—[Official husband or wife—with whom they have spent their Report, 14 June 2010; Vol. 511, c. 600.] entire lives—who is incapacitated by dementia or There is a need to ensure that the benefits system is physical frailty are themselves elderly. It is estimated easier for carers to access. Carers UK has said: that over-65s account for around a third of all carers “carers want to see the benefits system simplified since its complexity who provide more than 50 hours of care a week. As a often prevents people from finding out about their entitlements”. result, it is sadly of little surprise that carers are twice as The welfare system that was inherited from the previous likely to suffer from ill health, because they are providing Government is hugely complicated, and simplifying the such substantial care. system should encourage fairness and responsibility. It As the Minister said, caring comes to dominate the is encouraging that the Government have stated that lives of such people, and as the recent figures released they by Carers UK reveal, 76% of carers have no time left at “will consider carefully the needs of carers as we develop our all in their lives to do anything other than care for the thinking on welfare reform.”—[Official Report, 7 June 2010; relative concerned. We know that carers, through their Vol. 511, c. 5W.] selfless dedication, make an enormous contribution to I, for one, thank them for that. society—estimated at some £87 billion a year—yet we There is an urgent need to balance the needs of carers must realise that carers do not do what they do for who work—something that has been touched upon money or see their role in terms of the economic already in the debate. It is estimated that as many as one benefits. Carers looking after a relative or a member of in five carers have left or turned down a job because of their close family—a son or daughter, their father or their caring responsibilities or because they feel social mother—do so because of love. care support is insufficient. As the Minister has outlined, I suspect that each of us in this Chamber has in some there is a strong case for increased flexible working. way cared for a relative—either in the final days of their Currently, flexible working is available to employed life or through some period of illness or accident—and parents of children aged under 17, disabled children at times have been the single person responsible for that under 18 and carers of certain adults. Therefore, person’s well-being. That is an awesome burden to bear approximately 10.5 million employees benefit under on one’s shoulders, yet we must consider that it is the current legislation, including 8 million parents and carried by some people every day, with tireless devotion. 2.65 million carers of adults, yet Carers UK points However, with that devotion, comes the sheer exhaustion out that up to 79,000 carers do not request flexible of wanting to do one’s best to ensure that a loved one is working best looked after. There may also be frustrations caused “because of the way that the complex definition of carer has been by the fact that such love is not reciprocated by the put together.” person being cared for and that, for whatever reason, That must change. they are unable to say thank you. Extending the right to request flexible working to all If a relative has a degenerative condition, a carer will employees should help those carers. The coalition agreement also have anxiety about what the future might hold. At contains the commitment to the same time, for a carer, considering having a few “extend the right to request flexible working to all employees, hours break or a temporary escape seems a betrayal of consulting with business on how best to do so”. 301WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 302WH

Following on from that, the Government have maintained In the past 12 months, Hartlepool Carers has provided that extending the right to request flexible working to help to more than 1,200 people. Led by Tracy Jeffries, all will ensure that individuals within the wider caring chaired by Ruby Marshall, and with 11 paid members structure—for example, grandparents and neighbours—can of staff and more than 100 volunteers, the charity also take a more active role in caring and managing provides long-term support to 560 adult carers and their work and family lives effectively. That extension 125 young carers. It is estimated that the charity saves will also remove the stigma attached to flexible working taxpayers about £150 million every year by reducing requests, as the Minister has mentioned. Both those pressure on NHS resources and keeping those being developments are welcome. cared for out of care homes and the formal care system. I welcome what the new Government are setting out The hon. Gentleman mentioned the overall national to achieve in improving the lives of carers and in bill for the work done by carers. If we were to send such granting them greater independence, so that they can a bill to the Exchequer, it would be for more than live their lives as best they possibly can. As the Prime £87 billion, more than four fifths of the NHS budget, Minister has said, which puts into perspective the invaluable contribution “carers are the unsung heroes of our society…the work they do to carers make. Carers provide not only an invaluable and help disabled people is simply invaluable. Just imagine what personal service for their loved ones or neighbours, but would happen if all the carers in this country suddenly packed a huge and often unrecognised contribution to the their bags and left. It’s not just that the financial cost of looking national finances. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. after so many disabled people would be a massive burden on the state. It’s the sheer emotional effect on all the people who depend, I think that we all agree that, as a country, we should day in, day out, on their love and care.” be doing much more to assist carers. As the hon. Carers across the country do so much for so little. We Gentleman and my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford must do even more to ensure that they are supported and Urmston (Kate Green) have said, carers often feel and looked after, which I know the new Government isolated and unsupported. Caring for someone can be will do their best to achieve. physically demanding, and if a loved one has dementia or some form of degenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s, that can be psychologically distressing. As the hon. 2.58 pm Gentleman rightly pointed out, that can affect a carer’s Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): It is a pleasure to own health. They might feel a failure, or they might serve under your chairmanship, Mr Benton. I remember need a stiff upper lip to keep going. with affection the long hours we spent together on the In Hartlepool, many carers have given up employment Housing and Regeneration Bill. I know that you will because of their caring responsibilities. Not going out keep us in order to the best of your ability. I welcome to work can be not only isolating, but result in real the Minister to his new role and I wish him all the best financial hardship. That is why the events that charities in making sure that there is a real champion for carers such as Hartlepool Carers provide are so vital for in Government. carers’ well-being. They provide drop-in services so that I shall concentrate on some of the issues for carers in carers can take a break and have a good cup of tea and my constituency. I know that many hon. Members will a chat. In addition, the charity provides volunteer services, disagree with this, but I am fortunate to represent which offer carers access to low-level, but vital, support Hartlepool, as it is the best place in the country.Hartlepool services such as gardening, dog walking and collecting is a strong, close-knit community, and a sense of community prescriptions. That extra help and support might not and family remains an enduring part of the Hartlepool sound like much to us, but it is absolutely vital in character. Despite the knocks and disappointments that providing a degree of respite. we have had over the years, and the social and economic I have several questions for the Minister, and my challenges we have faced, that selfless sense of wanting main line of questioning follows the comments on to help one’s neighbour down the road, or to assist one’s finance made by my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford partner, parents or grandparents as they get older, runs and Urmston. Frankly, I was worried by some of the strongly through the Hartlepool character. comments the Minister made in what was, I thought, a It might often be derided in sophisticated, metropolitan decent and civilised speech, as he might have been lining circles, but in Hartlepool it is not unusual for three or us up for further cuts to the care sector. Rather than four generations of the same family to live on the same cuts, I would like to see some of the £87 billion that has street or in the same estate, all providing help and been saved given back to carers. What can the Government support to each other. That could be a grandmother do to encourage carers to receive what they are entitled caring for her grandchildren so that the parents can to? Carers in Hartlepool, in keeping with the Hartlepool work, or a son or daughter caring for older relatives. character to which I have referred, are far too modest That sense of caring is very strong in Hartlepool, where and reticent to request all that they are entitled to, but it people do it almost without thinking and where it is is right and proper that we should do our utmost to seen simply as part of being a member of a family, or as ensure that that happens. part of the “in sickness and in health” vow. I genuinely do not want to make narrow, partisan The hon. Member for Kingswood (Chris Skidmore) points on the matter—the remarks I am about to make referred to the silent army of carers—an apt phrase—in do not apply to the Minister—but I am concerned that his excellent and thoughtful contribution, and he is the rhetoric from the new Ministers in the Department absolutely right. The strong sense of community is for Work and Pensions somehow suggests that all benefit obviously demonstrated by the high quality of carers in claimants should not be believed or that they are somehow my constituency. In a town that has a high-quality third scroungers. Given the enormous contribution carers sector, a local charity, Hartlepool Carers, stands tall make to society and the savings to the public finances with its great blend of professionalism and informality. that have already been outlined in the debate, what steps 303WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 304WH

[Mr Iain Wright] “He is autistic, diabetic and epileptic. Over the years he has grown in self confidence but still needs help regarding taking will the Government take to ensure that carers are able insulin etc. and constantly needs someone with him. He now goes to come forward and receive what they are entitled to to college and for the first time has started to make friends. His teacher at his review said he didn’t want his home life to affect his with confidence? In an era of tight public finances, what education and moving him on would be the worst thing to happen will the Minister do to ensure that some of those to him.” savings are handed back to carers? When he is 18, he will have to leave Dawn’s home, and a In a similar vein, some of the low-level support carer and a warden-run placement will have to be services that Hartlepool Carers provides, which really found, which will obviously put additional pressure on enhance a carer’s quality of life, are very much dependent hard-pressed resources. It would be reasonable to have on finances from local government. There is a strong the flexibility to allow Dawn to continue the current partnership between Hartlepool borough council, situation for several years beyond the age of 18, so will Hartlepool VoluntaryDevelopment Agency and Hartlepool the Minister ensure that greater personalisation? He Carers, but the local authority is expected to find mentioned direct payments and personalisation in his £1.7 million of savings from its area base grant this year opening comments, so what extra flexibility can be put and is bracing itself for cuts of about 30% from its total into the system to ensure that the artificial break point budget over the next couple of years, so tensions will at age 18, when the young person becomes an adult, naturally arise between local government and the voluntary does not hinder their progress? sector. What reassurance can the Minister give to carers in my constituency that those vital services will be The positive role that carers play across the country, safeguarded? especially in Hartlepool, is absolutely invaluable, as other hon. Members have said, and I hope that the That brings me to a particular concern about young Minister will recognise that in his closing remarks, as he carers. Those young people have their whole lives ahead did in his opening comments. I also hope that he will of them and should be able to fulfil their potential, but ensure that the appreciation of the role that carers play, because a family member might be ill and require which has been evident throughout the debate, is support, they often sacrifice their education, their free demonstrated by giving hard-working carers something time, their friends and their future, all because they love back. their family and want to help. Young carers in my constituency are ably helped by Karen Gibson of Hartlepool Carers, but I would like the Government to 3.10 pm do so much more for them. When I was a Minister in the Department for Children, Schools and Families, I Tracey Crouch (Chatham and Aylesford) (Con): This looked into the life chances of young carers, which was is not my maiden speech, but it is the first time that I absolutely heartbreaking. Young carers tend to have spoken in Westminster Hall and under your underperform in educational attainment, which in turn chairmanship, Mr Benton, and it is an honour to be limits their job prospects. The Government should be doing so in this debate. giving them as much help and support as possible in I want to speak briefly to signal my interest in the order to break that artificial barrier. important issue of supporting carers. I am not an Again, I do not want to make narrow party political expert, a carer or a mother, and my parents are, thankfully, points, but I am concerned that the Government are still physically and mentally well, so I literally have no cutting specific programmes that could be used to help personal experience of caring for anyone. However, in young carers, such as the future jobs fund, the working the past few years of being a candidate, and now as an neighbourhoods fund and, in Hartlepool, a quarter of MP, I have met many people who care or have cared for the education element of the area-based grant, which loved ones, and that has opened my eyes to an area of was helping young carers fulfil their potential. When I policy, a set of issues and a group of almost invisible had some responsibility in government for apprenticeships, workers who need our support. I tried to prioritise young carers for places. What work The first carer I met in my constituency was a man will be done across the new Government to ensure that called Maurice. He wrote to me about dementia and his more help will be given, particularly to young carers, to views on the service that his wife had received. When I help with training places and apprenticeships that will went to see him, I asked him to explain what had allow them to fulfil their potential so that their love for happened from start to finish. The point of the story their family is not a barrier to a successful future? that had most impact on me was when he started to tell My final point relates to foster carers. This week I me how his wife had ended up in full-time residential received an e-mail from a constituent, Dawn Robinson, care because he could no longer cope with caring for who demonstrates her commitment to the local community her. This brave man, who has served his country and not only by being joint secretary of the Burn Valley who now fights and fights for improved health services North Residents Association, a great residents’ association for other local people with dementia, welled up in front where I enjoyed a fantastic pie and pea supper on of me as he recalled his guilt when he realised that he Saturday night—I urge hon. Members to come along could no longer care for his wife. Although so many and sample the next one—but by being a foster carer parts of his story needed attention, it was that very and a carer to her husband. Dawn has expressed concern point that made me wonder why he had felt so alone about the lack of flexibility for young people in foster and unable to cope. What help had he received? Where care, as support tends to end abruptly when they reach was the support network? It might well have been there, the age of 18. She has been looking after a young but if a man who wears a military badge with honour person for about three and a half years, and he is fast suddenly realises that he cannot cope, something is not approaching 18. She writes: quite right. 305WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 306WH

I appreciate that caring for someone with dementia is but can recall the time she bought a loaf of bread, my difficult and that dementia is not the only condition heart breaks for them. Carers really are the unrecognised that requires full-time care. To learn more, I recently heroes of society, and it is our responsibility as a visited the Medway carers centre, which is run by the Government to do as much as we can to support them. Princess Royal Trust for Carers. There are 21,000 carers across the Medway authority, which includes the Chatham part of my constituency, but only about 5% of them are 3.15 pm known to the centre, which demonstrates, as all of us in Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): It is a the Chamber know, that a huge number of carers out pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Benton, there are forgotten, unrecognised and probably inadequately although the matters that I have to deal with are somewhat supported. distressing. I wish to address the proposed closure of I had the good fortune to meet some carers who were the Hammersmith and Fulham carers centre, which is at the centre on the now departed caring with confidence the main carers centre in my constituency. Hammersmith course—I would welcome an opportunity to speak to and Fulham council is closing the centre at the end of the Minister further about his announcement about July in the most irregular and arbitrary way, and that that in his opening remarks. As I spoke to those will leave no service for carers in the borough for the carers, a number of things became clear. The first foreseeable future. supremely obvious point was that carers come from all I should perhaps begin by declaring an interest. The backgrounds—rich, poor, male, female, old and young. centre was set up in 1998, when I was the leader of the Requiring care does not discriminate. I met carers who council, and I have been a strong supporter of it over looked after their husbands and wives, and a carer the past 12 years. The centre occupies substantial premises who looked after her mentally ill son. I met a carer who in Hammersmith road, which is about five minutes’ looked after her mother and her children—she was part walk from Hammersmith Broadway, so it is located in of the sandwich generation that the Minister mentioned. the centre of the borough and highly accessible for the I met a carer who looked after two disabled children, carers who use it. It has a lot of space, so it can run but who never had a day off because respite services activities, and it has—or had—six staff. It has provided would take only one of them at a time. a service to many thousands of people, and I shall read That leads me to my second point: no two carers are some of their testimonials in a moment, but let us just the same. They might share experiences, but their needs say for present purposes that it has run a good service. are often very different, so the support for them needs It should now be delivering a service to adults and to be flexible so that it recognises those different needs. young people using its budget of £300,000, which is As the hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) split roughly 70:30 between those two groups. In addition mentioned, what a young carer needs is very different to providing services in the main building, it also provides from what a senior carer requires. We talk a lot in policy outreach services across the borough. terms about flexible working for carers, which is welcome, In 2008, the then relatively new Conservative council but many carers require flexible living, and respite care decided to conduct a tendering exercise. It is a moot is still patchy. Supporting carers’ physical and mental point as to whether that was necessary, and the council well-being is essential if we are to help them to carry out failed to identify whether the body involved should be their role safely and effectively. voluntary or whether staff would be employed by the Although direct payments are excellent in principle, council, but it went ahead. The problem was not the we still need to ensure that carers are supported so that exercise itself, but the fact that it was so incompetently they can make the right budgetary decisions. The carers managed that three separate tendering exercises were I met were genuinely anxious about becoming, in their carried out over the ensuing two years with no successful words, “self-employed business men”. The fear of doing resolution. Despite the council going to great lengths the wrong thing and making the wrong decision should and spending a lot of money on the process, the most not outweigh the benefit of giving carers more control recent exercise had only one bidder, which was the and purchasing power. There are agencies and charities existing carers centre. The centre passed its appraisal, at that can help, but the signposting needs to be strong least as far as the adult part—the majority part—of the and available at the earliest possibility. quality assessment was concerned, so it anticipated I made it clear at the start of my speech that I am no being awarded the contract. However, at that point—again, expert and that I would talk only briefly. I have only a entirely arbitrarily—the council decided that it would new interest in this issue as a result of meeting so many terminate the contract with immediate effect. Indeed, it dedicated carers recently. As someone who will turn should have been terminated yesterday, on 30 June, but 35 shortly, and who is at the start of what I hope will be a winding-up extension has now been granted until the a long political career, I cannot begin to comprehend end of July. how other people suddenly change their lives to care for Some people thought that these events might be a member of their family or a loved one. However, I am connected with the fact that the council, as part of its sure that I would join the 6 million carers who do that if fire sale of most of the borough’s capital assets, wanted I needed to. to sell off the building for an estimated £1.7 million. It Of course, people who care for their loved ones often had initially tried to move the centre into small, unsuitable want to do so, but they do so more often because they premises in a less accessible location, which had to be need to. When I think of the many young carers who accessed through another charity’s premises, but it then give up playing on their bikes or going out with their decided to get rid of the centre altogether. friends because they need to look after mum or dad, or Events then take a more remarkable turn. The chair of the working woman who gives up her job to wash of the management committee, Kamaljit Kaur, who has and bath a parent who struggles to remember her name an extensive background in the voluntary sector, has 307WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 308WH

[Mr Andy Slaughter] ‘You’re among people who know what carers do,’ she says of the Hammersmith Road centre in west London. ‘I can come in been trying to run the centre in an exemplary way over here just because I’ve had a horrendous day.’ The centre provides the past few years since taking over that role. She met advice and peer support, and runs a Department of Health-funded programme, Caring with Confidence, offering free training for the council’s director of adult services on 23 June and carers who want to develop their caring skills.” failed to persuade him—because his mind had already been made up by politicians—to reconsider or even to Later the article says: extend the centre’s tenure while alternative provision “Pat Williams, who cares for her disabled son and runs the was made. We now know that there will be no alternative Caring with Confidence sessions, says: ‘It’s a fait accompli—get us out of the building, don’t give us the contract, and run the provision until at least April. After the failure of that organisation down.’ ” meeting, she wrote a letter to carers and other interested parties, including me, in very mild terms given the Hon. Members will not be surprised to learn that I circumstances. Part of her letter read as follows: have received an extraordinary number of letters about this matter. I will not take up too much time, but I want “The Council went through a tendering process for Carers to read excerpts from some of them, as I think that hon. Support Services and made three attempts to attract potential bidders for this contract. However, we were the only bidders for Members should realise what a serious matter this is for their adult and young carer’s contracts. Our bid was evaluated by thousands of carers in my constituency. I shall not give the Council’s TAP: our bid was successful in the adult carer’s names, but one letter states: contract and was recommended for funding by the TAP, but “I have been a member of Hammersmith and Fulham Carers eventually turned down at senior officer level. Centre for the last 10 years and have relied on the Centre for The Council have been informed that the prime reason for the support through all my times of crisis during those years…I am lack of interest in this contract for potential bidders was the shocked and devastated at the closure of the Carers Centre…Not requirement to employ existing centre staff and the financial only will the Centre close, but there will be no co-ordinated liabilities that go with this requirement. We now believe that the service for carers…How can the Council close down our service Council’s sole intention behind closing down the Carers Centre is and offer nothing in its place? What on earth are the Council part of its strategy to remove existing staff, thereby removing the playing at?” requirement for new bidders to take on this financial responsibility. The letter continues: We also believe that this will attract national organisations to bid “I can get no sense from anybody at the Hammersmith and for this contract.” Fulham Council…In the meantime, where will we H and F Carers That is quite likely, because that is a method that the meet for our support groups? Who will we talk to when we need council has used before—getting rid of local organisations help? Will a building be made available to us? Without a place to and bringing in national ones that they believe can come to, when we are in distress, how will we manage?” handle matters cheaply if not as well. Another carer wrote: The response to that letter, which also explained how “Dear Andy, I am one of the borough’s many fulltime carers people could protest about what was happening, was an and have learned this week that after some 12 months of what the council has termed ‘review’, they have pulled all funding from the extraordinary six-page letter from the director of adult carers centre…My 2 sons use the services of the Young Carers services making serious personal allegations against the Group, and get the kind of support and respite that we will not, chair, including an allegation of an improper family again, find anywhere else. I feel passionately that carers are such a relationship with someone who had a pecuniary interest soft target, as our responsibilities make it so hard to mount the in the contract. Late last night, the councillor responsible— kind of defence of these services that they deserve.” Councillor Carlebach—and the director of community Another of my constituents writes: services had to issue an apology: “I care for my mother who is over 90 years, and also my “Since issuing our letter of 28th June on this matter, we have daughter who is disabled. I do use the carers centre and found received a single representation that we have misunderstood and that the people who run it are very helpful.” mis-stated the position”. A further letter reads: They state that they are “I have been caring for my wife with severe dementia for “writing to clarify that it has now been made clear” 20 years, and the aspect that worries me most is the fact that the centre holds the emergency contact to look after my wife, if to them that the individual in question anything happened to me; an accident or such like.” “is not the brother of Kamaljit Kaur.” This is the letter that touched me most: The letter continues in an exculpatory way to try to “I am an eleven year old boy. I have a brother with cerebral excuse them for what happened. The chair informed me palsy. My dad died when I was seven from a heart attack. I love earlier that she now feels under an obligation to resign my brother so much but I had to face very difficult things. and is taking legal advice with a view to an action for Children have made fun of me because of my brother’s condition. defamation. I do not want to pursue that matter, but I People that don’t understand my brother’s condition treat me differently to other people. I didn’t go on holidays. People made simply set out those facts to show that the local authority fun of me when I was near my brother. I missed a lot of school. I is out of control and behaving in a highly improper felt stressed and unsure. I was unsure if I was doing the right or way—as it is in many other respects. wrong thing. I didn’t have anyone to talk to. Leaving aside the process, what is the effect on carers? When I first went to the young carers project I made friends Hon. Members might have seen in the debate pack an quite quickly. I told them my experiences and they told me theirs. article from The Guardian of 16 June, part of which I The young carers project took me on trips and I was able to express my emotions and feelings. They helped me to understand shall quote: bullies and that there was nothing wrong with me. They helped “For 12 years, Margaret Turley has known where to go in a me realise that I did do things correctly. They also took me crisis. Eighteen months ago, when the 26-year-old learning-disabled camping, which was lots of fun and taught me different dances son she cares for developed epilepsy and began going blind, for example street dancing and martial arts style dancing. It is a Turley headed for the Princess Royal Trust Hammersmith and chill out zone for all young carers and adult carers. It gives us Fulham Carers Centre. freedom from our caring role. 309WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 310WH

If you close the young carers project, you’ll be closing a family important carers are, and I pay tribute to the many of people who came together because of difficulties. Which is whom I have met in my experience as a doctor—they unfair for all young carers and adult carers. I just can’t believe really are extraordinary people. you’re closing down the young carers project for all the good work they have done.” I would like to focus on young carers in particular, There is, of course, substantial resistance to the decision. and to draw hon. Members’ attention to the fact that There are daily pickets outside the town hall. I have the average age of a young carer is 12, which is written to the leader of the council to ask him, at the extraordinarily low. The 2001 census showed that there very least, to extend the contract until alternative provision were 175,000 young carers in the UK, 13,000 of whom is in place, and to allow the carers centre to bid again for cared for more than 50 hours a week. Those young the contract. The matter was debated at full council last carers provide not only help with cooking, cleaning and night on a motion from the Labour opposition, but of shopping, but often very intimate and personal care, course that was voted down by the Conservative majority and emotional support to parents with severe mental on the council. Given the exceptional circumstances illness. Organisations such as Barnardo’s need our thanks that I have set out, I ask the Minister to take a personal for their work, particularly in helping young carers to interest and to look at the matter. I believe that the cope and in identifying them before they find themselves situation has arisen not simply because the council is a in crisis. Conservative one; the local authority is acting without My constituency takes in much of Torbay, where its jurisdiction, in a highly improper way. there are 350 identified young carers. Those children What I have described is not an isolated incident. suffer low attainment at school, which is partly due to Some hon. Members might know about the council their poor attendance as a result of their caring work. newspaper in Hammersmith and Fulham. Last weekend, They are also particularly prone to living in poverty. I the Secretary of State for Communities and Local would like to draw the Minister’s attention to a particular Government, referring in part the Hammersmith and subset of young carers: the 20% of the children and Fulham council newspaper, said: young people in the Torbay area who are carers as a “Councils should spend less time and money on weekly town result of alcohol and drug abuse, and associated mental hall Pravdas…our free press should not face state competition illness. Those who have been identified are the tip of the from propaganda on the rates dressed up as local reporting.” iceberg. Some fear coming forward for help because To read the paper in question one would think that they worry that they might be taken into care. Those everything was well at the carers centre. According to its children have no access to the carer’s allowance. They front page, the leader of the council says: are particularly prone to living in poverty and to going “We will sell assets we no longer need because, when times are on to misuse drugs and alcohol themselves, and also at tough, we have to put services before buildings.” risk of domestic violence. Last night, the council announced a fire sale of most of My interest is in prevention as well as cure. We know the public buildings in the borough, ranging from the that drinking adversely affects up to 1.3 million children Irish centre in Hammersmith Broadway, which has an in the UK, and that group especially needs our help. international reputation, to Fulham town hall and many Police forces estimate that 40% of all child abuse cases voluntary sector buildings, including one that was referred and 62% of incidences of domestic violence are directly to in the article in The Guardian, Palingswick House, related to alcohol. I would like the Minister to look which is home to more than 20 voluntary groups but is again at the evidence on what works to reduce alcohol- to be sold later this year. related crime and violence, and therefore the number of Lest there be any doubt, the incident that I am children becoming young carers. The evidence shows recounting is not a mistake or isolated incident; it is a that that is about pricing and availability, so I hope that calculated attack on the poorest and most vulnerable there will be support for the Health Committee and people in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, NICE, which is clearly on the side of minimum pricing in the guise of putting through a policy that was never as the way forward. agreed. It is being put through not just callously, but I pay tribute to the caring organisations in my without the remit of the local authority. I ask the constituency. A fortnight ago, I was privileged to attend Minister to take a particular interest in what is happening the opening of the Brixham carers centre. Brixham is in Hammersmith and Fulham not just because of the particularly fortunate as it is also home to Brixham staff and the build-up of expertise in the past 12 years, Does Care, which supports 150 carers and has which will be lost for ever at the end of next month if a 150 volunteers. Those organisations asked me to raise stop is not put to what is happening, but on behalf of with the Minister the time that volunteers’ Criminal the thousands of people—we believe that there are Records Bureau checks take. Only this morning I was more than 11,500 adult carers and many young carers told that some checks submitted in April were still in the borough—who rely on an excellent service, but pending. We need to look closely at how we reduce the will be without it from next month. barriers to volunteering, because volunteers are a lifeline for carers. I welcome the review of the vetting and Mr Joe Benton (in the Chair): Before I call the next barring procedure that has been announced by the speaker, I ask all hon. Members to ensure that they have Home Secretary, but I would like the Minister to look at switched off their mobile phones. the time that the checks take.

3.30 pm Respite care is another concern of carers in my constituency. Will the Minister consider the issues facing Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): I am grateful for the John Parkes unit, which provides respite care for the opportunity to speak in this important debate. After some of the most severely disabled children in my 24 years as a doctor, I do not need to be told how constituency and is used by many of constituents? 311WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 312WH

3.34 pm Another comment states: “My mum is regularly committed to hospital, usually at the Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): drop of a hat. My personnel manager refuses to recognise me as a This is the first time that I have served under your carer because my mum’s condition fluctuates.” chairmanship, Mr Benton, or made a speech in Westminster A further comment is: Hall, and I am delighted to be taking part in the debate. “The pressure of looking after my elderly mum and working Two recent experiences in my constituency have led full-time was getting too much for me. I had no support whatsoever me to understand better the challenges faced by many from my employer. I had to leave because I felt if I had a people who care for a parent, child or other dependent. breakdown I would be no use to my mum.” I recently spent a morning at the Liverpool carers The situation for carers at work has to be improved and centre, which is run by Local Solutions, a social enterprise the enormous pressures on those with caring commitments in my constituency. I heard at first hand about the who work must be relieved. What will the Minister and experience of many carers, who come together weekly his Department do to ensure that carers know about for a couple of hours in a supported environment to do their rights? He mentioned the right to request flexible activities such as tai chi and to use the gym. Many working hours, but has he considered introducing the carers told me about the numerous challenges they face, right to paid time off work at times of family illness or such as feeling isolated or seeing a loved one’s condition emergency? deteriorate. Those carers were the fortunate ones, however, During the week before last, we celebrated carers as they were able to join a support group at which they week in the House. Its theme was that carers deserve a could share their load each week. life of their own. Whether we are talking about the 4.8 million working carers or the 1.2 million carers not Unfortunately, not every carer has the opportunity to of working age, whom many hon. Members have spoken have some respite and to mix with other carers and about this afternoon, I urge the Minister to do everything share experiences, as I saw when I spent time at a local to ensure that carers have a life of their own. supermarket for parent and carers day—a campaign run by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. Its object was to raise awareness among the 3.39 pm staff of the help available. As my hon. Friend the Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) highlighted, while It is a great pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, it was striking that most parents knew of the support Mr Benton, for my first speech in Westminster Hall. available to them, carers were significantly less aware of the support that they could access, such as carer’s I was pleased to hear from the Minister that we will allowance, help at home, aids and equipment, vouchers have a new carers strategy—it is very much needed. I and direct payments. I met a teenager who had left would like to focus today on three aspects that I believe school at 16 to care for her disabled mother. She was are important in allowing carers to have a life beyond working at the supermarket for 20 hours a week, but did caring. not qualify for carer’s allowance as she was earning The first aspect—working carers—has been touched slightly more than the £97 limit. She was struggling to on by the hon. Members for Stretford and Urmston get by and to pay her bills. (Kate Green) and for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger). I would like to take a slightly more specific That leads me to the focus of my speech: the plight of approach than they did when they spoke about the working carers. I support USDAW’s campaign to end cliff-edge factor in earnings, and look at the needs of barriers to work by extending the carer’s allowance to carers who want to work and go to Jobcentre Plus low-paid workers who earn up to £150 a week. If the hoping to find a job. When they get there, they do not allowance was tapered at the same rate as tax credits, all get the help that they need, for several specific reasons full-time carers earning up to £300 a week would receive revealed in a National Audit Office report, “Supporting some support. I also support USDAW’s call for carer’s Carers to Care”, at this time last year. I shall highlight allowance to be improved. It is £53.90 a week for those reasons for the Minister. anyone who cares for more then 35 hours a week, but that is one of the lowest rates in Europe, amounting to There is an enormous army of carers, as we have £1.54 an hour—less than a third of the national minimum recognised today, but they form a small part of the wage. I would like carer’s allowance to be increased to at work load at Jobcentre Plus. Many advisers rarely deal least the same amount as jobseeker’s allowance, as that with more than one or two carers each month. It is vital would provide better support to the estimated 4.8 million that the centres have specialist advisers to deal with carers of working age. Yes, that would come at a cost of carers who are looking for employment. Because of about £1.1 billion at a time when cuts are being made, their caring duties, many carers do jobs that, inevitably, but considering that carers save our economy an estimated are part time. Therefore, they do not form part of what £87 billion a year, I believe that that is a small price Jobcentre Plus has to submit to meet its targets for to pay. placing people in full-time employment. Because carers do not help Jobcentre Plus to hit the targets that central USDAW recently carried out a survey of its members Government want it to achieve, they are seen by Jobcentre that highlighted some of the pressures faced by people Plus not as a priority but as a marginal part of its who juggle paid work with caring for a disabled, elderly business. or vulnerable relative or friend. Some of the comments I am also concerned by what I read in the NAO highlight the challenges that a working carer can face, report about many Jobcentre Plus advisers not being such as certain of what they are doing. For example, the report “pressure and more pressure, the dreadful feeling when the phone found that two thirds did not realise that carers who rings and you have to ask for time off.” claim only carer’s allowance do not need to attend 313WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 314WH work-focused interviews. It worries me that two thirds with old age. I think that the figure is higher than of the staff do not understand a crucial part of the 20% in a constituency such as mine. Blackpool North needs of carers. Finally, as an example of a Kafkaesque and Cleveleys is a deprived area with many public bureaucracy gone mad, Jobcentre Plus advisers are health needs, and I would have thought that many encouraged to hand out carer’s allowance application younger carers are dealing with relatives who have a forms but are not allowed to help fill them in. “Here’s a drug addiction, alcohol or mental health problem. form, but don’t ask me any questions, please, because I At the back end of carers week this year, I went to the can’t answer them”—I am afraid that we hear that so local branch of Frankie and Bennys near the Odeon often. I hope that the new carers strategy will try to cinema in Blackpool. The local carers centre, which is address some of those specific issues so that those who funded by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, as so go to Jobcentre Plus to look for work get the help that many carers centres are, has a particular interest in the they need. needs of young carers. Nigel McMurdo, who runs the The second area that I would like to focus on is the project, does a fantastic job in trying to give them treats need for respite care. I welcome what the previous every now and again. One of the treats was dinner at Government did in recognising that it is good to give Frankie and Bennys, so I trundled off to meet them, to carers respite care, but I regret the fact that, for one listen to their stories and to understand a bit more reason or another, as the Minister said, much of the about what they go through. money never quite made it to the front line. That shows Nigel told me one tale about how caring can impact the danger of raising expectations within a group of on education. A young man caring for his mother, who people that are then not fulfilled. had a mental health problem, had a geography exam I pay tribute to organisations such as Vitalise, a one day, but she would not let him out of the house. charity that provides space for 7,000 people to have There was a real battle just to get him to school to sit respite breaks each year. Its work stretches from Cornwall the exam. That demonstrates how caring for parents, as in the south to Southport in the north; I regret that it an act of love, can be a bar to educational attainment. cannot manage an extra 20 miles to make it to Blackpool For many of our young carers, caring has an impact on and provide breaks there, but perhaps I can encourage their health, education and ability to have a social life. it to do that bit more—who knows? As its part of carers The inadequacy of child and adolescent mental health week this year, it set up a care to share forum, which was services is a long-standing problem. If mental health an opportunity for people who need respite breaks to services are the Cinderella service of the NHS, CAMHS share experiences of what they had had and, indeed, is Cinderella’s daughter—it is a Cinderella service within what they did not get, having expected something as a a Cinderella service. I have raised this matter with the result of the previous Government’s announcements. Minister in respect of autism but, more widely, I have That was a useful thing for Vitalise to do, because great concerns about the condition of CAMHS in this carers’ nervousness about going abroad, going away, or country, and how it excludes far too many people who leaving the person for whom they care, is a significant need help. It is a real problem. issue. There are many hurdles to overcome if they are to In addition, in terms of education, bullying has a have that ambition, and the more that we share information major impact on the lives of many young carers. It and allow carers to feel more confident about leaving occurs when someone is seen to be different. If they the people for whom they care, even for just 24 hours, have a caring responsibility, it means that they cannot the easier it will be for respite care to become an hang around outside the school gates after school, or established part of the caring agenda. they might be 15 minutes late, or they might not always Will the Minister therefore ensure, in the national get their homework done on time. Inevitably, bullying health service operating framework and in NHS Vital takes place, and young carers need support in relation Signs, that provision of carers support is not just an to that. optional extra for primary care trusts but critical—either Young carers in Blackpool are at present trying to tier 1 or tier 2? By having it at tier 3, PCTs are basically draw up a young carers charter. At the top of their list is given permission not to bother with it. Unfortunately, a demand that every school should have a nominated that is just one of the ways in which micro-management teacher who can pay attention to the needs of young from the centre can become an excuse for not providing carers, as a kind of early warning system. Such a system a service. is needed, and I do not think that we can place the I would also ask that when this or any Government burden entirely on general practitioners, as we always make new moneys available, they make the announcement seem to try to do, to act as early warning gatekeepers. only when they are confident that they can monitor There is a difficulty in identifying young carers. We implementation and ensure that the money is spent on know of about 200 in Blackpool, but we are certain that what it is supposed to be spent on. It is not acceptable to there are some 600 more whom we simply do not know raise the hopes of vulnerable groups so that they think about—we cannot find them, they are not there. We that they will get something but then, through no fault often speak about the unmet need and how to reach the of Ministers, the Government or Departments but just hard to reach. I fear that that is a perennial question in because the layers of bureaucracy absorb the money bit public health policy. by bit, it does not happen further down the line. That Platitudes abound in the debate on carers. I desperately simply is not fair. try to avoid platitudes in anything that I do, but it is I echo what my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes often difficult to avoid them when mentioning this (Dr Wollaston) said about young carers. She was right topic. I should like some concrete steps to be taken that to identify in particular the needs of the 20% who do benefit carers, including benefit simplification. I have not do what I would call traditional caring, where the lost count of the number of times that I have tried to relative has a progressive disease associated, perhaps, explain to people in my constituency that to be able to 315WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 316WH

[Paul Maynard] Of course, for economic reasons, carers like to stay in work if they can. Many people become carers gradually apply for the carer’s premium they must first apply for over time, rather than suddenly, so they try to keep pension credit, which they know that they are not going, but they face a number of barriers. I am a entitled to. The people that I explain that to find it member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied illogical, and so do I, but it still seems to go on. Can we Workers and I have supported its campaign for carers. I please try to change that? am pleased that the Labour Government introduced the When I first became involved in health policy some right to request flexible working for carers some four 10 years ago, the file in my office marked “Care” years ago, but as hon. Members have mentioned, there focused on the width of doors for wheelchairs as described is still a mentality in some work places that does not in the Care Standards Act 2000. I watched the Minister allow that. This is a serious issue, because it affects not raising care issues many times in the House of Commons. only whether people can ask for flexible working, but Carers week was regarded as a peripheral matter 10 years attitudes towards promotion. Womencarers are particularly ago. The large queue in Portcullis House during carers affected, and although they might like to do something week, for the photo opportunities and so on, was testament different or something new, they do not like to ask to the progress that is being made, but I still think that because they feel that they might have to go through an we have to go one step further. I may be a new MP, but I interview and explain about being a carer, and they feel am already a little bit tired of photo opportunities—during that that might be viewed negatively. We are missing which I stand beneath a Perspex stand, smile and shake talent and not using people to the full. hands—that are somehow meant to provide evidence of It is well documented that, often, carers take a job my commitment to an issue. I would rather MPs took below their qualifications or have to compromise what fewer photo opportunities and visited more local carers they do in other ways. That is a great shame, because we centres, as many hon. Members in this Chamber have, are missing out on a lot of talent. Yet with a bit of to hear what is going on and speak to real carers. That flexibility and understanding—as long as employers would bring a bit more reality into this place. understand that there may be certain needs: people It was good that the previous Government recognised should be able to take their loved ones to hospital, or that carers have a role to play, and I welcome that. whatever—a lot more can be done to help. However, we now have to focus on how we enable carers Many carers suffer financial hardship because they to live a more ordinary life: a life beyond caring. We cannot work much or have to give up work altogether. I need to start to fit provision around the needs of carers. implore the Minister to make certain that there is no cut As with too much in public life, we expect people to fit to the carers allowance. I am worried about the current into existing tick-boxes on forms and woe betide them if economic situation, because the rise in VAT will put their circumstances do not enable them to fit neatly into additional pressures on families with the lowest incomes. those boxes. That is not good enough. I implore the Minister to ensure that, in addition to not We need to build provision around the individual. I reducing the carers allowance, at every opportunity an know that that will be difficult, but not every carer increase is made to it to try to keep up with the wants to play bingo and not every young carer wants to increasing costs of living. go to the cinema of an evening. We all have individual As my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree requirements as carers. We are all individuals, after all, (Luciana Berger) explained, a great step forward would and we should remember that. I hope that the carers be to increase the earnings disregard to £150, for example, strategy that is being drawn up over the summer will with an additional tapering—similar to how tax credits mean that we will start to regard carers not just as a work—so that people earning up to £300 a week receive group with a label attached and a set of demands, but as some benefit from it; doing so would target help to individuals who need to be empowered. I look forward people who need it most. Targeting is important during to seeing what emerges after the summer. a period of economic restraint throughout the country. I am considerably worried about the provision of 3.52 pm respite care. Many carers can only cope throughout the year if they have the opportunity to take advantage of Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): I will try not to repeat respite care, even though doing so may be difficult, as things mentioned by my hon. Friends and other colleagues the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys in this important debate, but it is difficult when several (Paul Maynard) said, because they worry about leaving have spoken previously. somebody, even for a short while. Respite care is not just We all recognise the huge savings that carers make for an opportunity for carers to gallivant around the world. the economy—some £87 billion a year—and we recognise Often, it allows them to paint a room in the house, for that they are not just economic savings. With some example, because it would not be practical to do so understandable and notable exceptions, the majority of while the person they care for was there. Perhaps the people who are cared for by carers have a far better carer wants to attend their son’s wedding a couple of quality of life if they can stay at home, being looked hundred miles away, or to do something similar. Without after by their friends and family, and can take part in some respite care, such simple tasks can become impossible. their social life as fully as possible, rather than going This is not just about residential respite care. Respite into an institution, no matter how good it is. However, care can involve someone sitting and looking after the unless we put in the support yet more people will reach person being cared for, allowing the carer to do the crisis point, with carers not being able to cope any shopping. longer. Other solutions have to be found. However, People in my constituency are being denied respite some of the solutions are often not satisfactory, either care opportunities, where previously they were offered for the family or the person being cared for. them. I am worried that that might be regarded as an 317WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 318WH easy cut for local authorities to make and that it might 4.3 pm be an invisible cut, because, for example, one family would not know that another family had also had their Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): I am grateful to you, request for care turned down. The criteria can be confusing Mr Benton, for giving me the opportunity to contribute and families can find that, although in the past it has to the debate. With Baroness Pitkeathley in another been possible for a family member to go into care, that place, I co-chair the all-party group on carers. We is no longer so. succeeded the hon. Member for Aberavon (Dr Francis), who during the last Parliament carried out that task In taking up such matters with the local authority, I alone and so brilliantly that it took two of us to succeed have found that some of the reasons given are economic, him. I pay tribute to his work—I am sure that he will but it also says that it does not have the proper equipment. continue to be a contributing member of the group—and An increasing number of people who need to be cared many of those who have contributed to the debate have for need hoists, for instance. An increasing number of joined the all-party group because we want to be a carers are therefore coping at home with quite complicated strong collective voice in the House for carers. issues, and when the person whom they care for goes away, equipment such as hoists, which is needed, is no The Minister is in a privileged position because the longer available in an easily accessible form through the hon. Gentleman, the Minister and I were made local authority. parliamentary champions for carers during carers week earlier this year. It is rare to move from being a Clearly, we must ensure that respite care does not parliamentary champion to being a ministerial champion become a Cinderella service, because it is often the only for carers within a few days. We will see how my hon. way in which people keep going. If it is not provided, Friend delivers in his new and challenging task on the obvious alternative is that carers will stop doing the behalf of carers. It is rare in Whitehall for a Minister to job and we will have to find full-time care for the person walk into a Department understanding part of the brief who was being cared for. Obviously, that is to everyone’s that he has been asked to cover. detriment, and the situation may end up being not so happy. Whether provided by the council or charitable organisations—help comes from many different funding Mr Iain Wright: That is dangerous. streams, including third sector organisations and so on—we must ensure that funding for care in the community Tony Baldry: The hon. Gentleman may say that, but I does not diminish. think that it provides a phenomenal opportunity for my The incoming Government must take a national care hon. Friend to stride out and seize the agenda. I will try strategy by the horns, because we all know that in the to keep my comments short. During carers week, I next 20 or 30 years the number of older people will made a long speech which, for hon. Members and increase, people will live longer and the number of others who are new to Hansard and who may wish to those who need various forms of care will increase. If read it, is on my website at tonybaldry.co.uk/campaigns/ we do not have a national care strategy in place quickly, carers. We are all in the new technological world, and I cuts will be made, homes will be closed and all sorts of do not want anyone to believe that only the new intake care services will be withdrawn. We will build up a is up to date with the internet. Some of us who have dangerous backlog of problems that will have to be been around for a bit can keep up with the new global sorted out. We must get that national care strategy technology. moving quickly, because it will have enormous implications I want to make various points to my hon. Friend the for funding. It must be a long-term proposal; it cannot Minister. I am glad that we frequently have debates on be adopted tomorrow. I beg the Government to take up carers, largely as a consequence of carers week and the the excellent work that has been done on that to date. previous Prime Minister’s intervention. Last year, we Finally, I want to speak about research into conditions had a topical debate, and I am glad that we are having a such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. We all know full afternoon’s debate in Westminster Hall. One of the how distressing a physical illness may be, but at least the first issues is identifying carers. Many carers do not sufferer can carry on a dialogue with loved ones and recognise themselves as carers, so they are not recognised negotiate, discuss and decide the best thing to do. Sadly, in the system as carers. It would help them enormously diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are often the if social services and the health service recognised and Cinderella of medical research services. But the long-term encouraged people to recognise themselves as carers. impact on families of the distress caused by someone We would then have a much more accurate picture of who does not recognise them and makes all sorts of the number of carers in the community. accusations may be difficult, added to which sufferers GPs may have thought—I defer to my hon. Friend may be kept alive for a long time and remain physically the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) on this—that it well. Sadly, I have seen cases of early onset dementia, would not be beneficial to identify carers because they which is distressing because the sufferer often needs could do little for them. The ability to recommend 24-hour supervision. We must prioritise the research respite care for carers may have prompted GPs to ask that may not attract big funders. Some research subjects themselves, “Is this person a carer; is there something I are fashionable, but for others, such as dementia, it is can do to help them and to support them through much more difficult to attract funding, often because respite care?” they are not pinpointable as specific diseases. There are We are about to move to GP commissioning for many generalised and different forms of dementia, and services. I will try to ensure on my patch that I identify we need support and backing for research. which partner in every GP practice in my constituency Thank you, Mr Benton, for giving me the opportunity has the lead responsibility for carers. One objective of to speak. I hope that the Minister will be able to answer organisations such as the Princess Royal Trust for Carers some of my questions. and Carers UK is for them and us collectively to encourage 319WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 320WH

[Tony Baldry] and other carers centres that have grown up over a period of time. The North and West Carers Centre in GPs to engage with carers and to recognise and note Banbury won the Queen’s award for unsung volunteers. those GP practices that are particularly helpful in supporting Those people are not going to go away; they are committed carers. With the best will in the world, the picture is to supporting carers. patchy. Some practices work hard to support carers, but However, there is a risk of an inevitable momentum, others, which may not be insensitive, have not taken and that the county council social services department such support fully on board in their list of priorities. might feel that it has an obligation under some EU or We must all recognise that the number of carers will Government directive to put services out to tender. It inevitably increase with an ageing population. There is might feel obliged to contract out carers services to something else, which I fully appreciated only recently some completely different provider in some other part during carers week. At a reception in the Jubilee Room, of the country. That does not seem to go with the grain I listened and talked to a number of carers who were of what I understand when I hear colleagues from all looking after relatives with Parkinson’s disease. My sides of the coalition talk about the big society. If the mother was a theatre sister during the blitz in Coventry, big society—as opposed to the big state—means something, and people either survived or died. People from earlier it means building on the work of those volunteers and generations went into hospital for one acute incident on the community spirit within one’s own community. from which they either recovered or died. Generally, the It means building on civic pride and local roots, not Greco-Roman medicine of western Europe works on undermining those things. I hope that ministerial colleagues the basis that people are given drugs or medicine and in the Department of Health and other Departments they get better. will understand that, although we should ensure that The truth, however, is that an increasing number of every Department gets value for money, that should not people in our society have to care for people whom they undermine the volunteers who have the competencies love very much, but who are progressively getting worse that are needed. and know that they will never get better. There are That brings me on to how we train carers, and I make people who have Parkinson’s disease, dementia or this point simply so that my hon. Friend the Minister Alzheimer’s disease, and in addition to the financial and can respond to it should he wish. There has been some other challenges that carers face, the psychological drain concern about the Department’s contract with Caring of knowing that, however much someone is loved and with Confidence, which is an organisation that has cared for, they simply are not going to get better but will trained carers at carers centres. The Department has felt progressively get worse must be enormous. it appropriate to cancel that contract, possibly because The number of people who have to care for people it felt that sufficient carers were not being trained. with age-related dementia and Alzheimer’s is increasing. However, there is an issue about how one ensures that When I was first elected nearly 30 years ago, each carers and people who, often late in life, find themselves Christmas I would go round every nursing home in my as carers can acquire the skills and competencies that constituency. Most of the residents were frail widows in will help them. their 70s who were perfectly spritely and intellectually I make my final point so that we can have some sound. I have now given up going around nursing clarity on this issue, either now or at some stage in the homes on my patch at Christmas, because almost everyone future when the carers strategy is published. Hon. Members is suffering from some form of age-related dementia from all parties have drawn attention to the carer’s and they have absolutely no idea who I am at all. There allowance. At present, the only assistance that a working is that standard joke where an MP goes in and says to a carer receives is the carer’s allowance, but those who are resident, “Do you know who I am?”, and they say, “No retired—many carers are above retirement age—get no dear, but if you go and ask matron she may be able to further recognition in the system because Treasury rules help you.” state that people cannot claim two benefits. That is not The pressure on staff is enormous, and if someone is new; it is a long-standing rule. If someone draws a state old and frail, their chances of getting into a residential retirement pension, they can draw only that and cannot care home are increasingly less, so people have to be get anything more for being a carer. looked after at home by carers. Furthermore, the number During the previous Parliament, a couple of Select of people who have early, pre-senile dementia and are Committee reports were published on this subject, and waiting for places to get into a nursing home is increasing, that work should not be lost. The new Government and those people have to be looked after by carers. must respond to those reports, and either make it clear Therefore, the number of carers in our communities will that they cannot afford any further financial support increase substantially over time, and we must ensure for carers, or give some indication that they may be that any carers strategy takes account of that. willing to consider recalibrating the benefit and financial We must ensure that new policy initiatives, such as system in support of carers. GP commissioning, help carers and do not work against In 2008, the Work and Pensions Committee them. There are also other initiatives. For example, recommended an overhaul of the benefits system. A local authorities are, quite rightly, being enjoined to report entitled, “Valuing and supporting carers”, which ensure that they get value for money in all services, was the fourth report of the 2007-08 Session, recommended including carer services. a new two-tier support system with a carer support In Oxfordshire, as in the constituencies of other hon. allowance paid at the same rate as jobseeker’s allowance Members I am sure, carer services are going to be and a caring cost payment that would be available to all tendered. However, in Oxfordshire, we already have three carers in intensive caring roles, similar to child benefit good carers centres that are manned—or womaned—by and set at between £25 and £50. That element would be volunteers. There is the Princess Royal Trust for Carers available to some carers who were unable to claim the 321WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 322WH first element, including those carers in receipt of a state taken on responsibility is sometimes able to look after pension. The Committee also recommended that the themselves and be a parent, and sometimes is unable to Department for Work and Pensions commission an look after themselves and is being cared for. For a child, urgent examination into introducing a taper to the having to cope with a parent who sometimes acts as a carer’s allowance earnings limit and lifting the 21-hour parent and an adult and sometimes is not capable of study rule. looking after themselves must be incredibly difficult, Like so many Select Committee reports in the last because they never know when they go home whether Parliament, that report got lost in a review—I do not their mother will be poorly, drunk or whatever and wish to criticise; it is just a fact, a process. The then whether they will be the carer or the child. Government said that they were introducing the carers Schools and the system therefore need to give young strategy and would take the report on board and think carers particular support. I do not understand why about it, but I cannot recall anything coming out at the every year when carers week comes round, we continue, other end on what they thought about the Committee’s a bit like groundhog day, to have the same debate about recommendations. young carers. This area does not require huge amounts Last year, the Public Accounts Committee published of extra money; it just requires the system and the a report called “Supporting carers to care”, which criticised community—society—to work out how we give younger the confusing and complex processes and poor carers greater support. communication involved in the support that carers received It is clear from the debate and I can tell the Minister from the Department for Work and Pensions, including that it is clear simply from the number of hon. Members benefits and employment support—that point was made who have joined the all-party carers group—I am sure tellingly in a good contribution by my hon. Friend the that many more Members of both Houses have not yet Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul got around to joining it but are equally interested—that Maynard). The Committee found that one fifth of there is considerable interest in and support for carers in carers who received benefits struggled with the application Parliament. Those Members will be anxious and keen, process, which is not surprising if no one helps them to in the course of the Parliament, to see what further fill in the forms. It found that the complexity of the work we can do in support of carers. Particularly for system discouraged applications, and that Jobcentre Government Members, if what my right hon. Friends in Plus advisers were not given enough incentive to help the coalition Government are saying about the big carers to find part-time work. I am not sure that we ever society and about engaging the community is to have had a response from the last Government to the Public any meaning at all, a very good test of that will be how Accounts Committee’s report. we deliver enhanced and better lives for those who are It would be helpful if, early in the life of the present caring in our society. Government, we had an indication of how Ministers collectively see the opportunities for supporting carers 4.24 pm financially. Of course, everyone recognises that that is set against a background of very difficult financial Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): It constraints and circumstances. That is a given. It should is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Benton, not be necessary, every time that one makes a speech and to speak in this important debate on carers. I thank now, to explain that we are the country with the largest the Minister for his comments on my new role. He may amount of debt in the world, due to circumstances. know that carers issues were of importance to me However, it would be helpful, with a view to taking before I came to this place. I have always made it a forward policy on carers, if we had an understanding of priority to champion carers and carers organisations. It how the Government see the ability to give carers is very important that a number of hon. Members who further support. I am referring to support that is valuable have spoken today feel the same way and might take on not only in financial terms, but because it makes carers that role, too. If we believe that carers have been a silent feel that they are being recognised by the wider community army, it is up to us, as Members of the House, to be a for the work that they do and the role that they play. voice for them in relation to Government. Many hon. My hon. Friend the Member for Totnes rightly raised Members here today will be able to do that, and I hope the issue of young carers and my hon. Friend the that they do. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys raised the I pay particular tribute to the work of the all-party issue of young carers being bullied. I am always at a loss carers group, which has always been a very strong voice to understand why, in the 21st century, schools, the in the House. The chair, the hon. Member for Banbury education system and all the people involved are not (Tony Baldry), has just spoken. The group is ably supported capable of being more supportive of young carers. That by Carers UK. I pay tribute to the work of the Princess goes back to the point about identifying carers. Young Royal Trust for Carers, Crossroads Care, Age Concern carers deserve to be identified just as much as any other and the many other organisations that provide vital carer. One would hope that the education system and advice and support to carers. I also pay tribute to the schools were capable of recognising young carers, that social standing commission on carers—whose chair, Philippa services, GPs and others would try to ensure that schools Russell, is with us today—because it provides a voice knew who the young carers were and that schools for carers. would give young carers support. Often, they deserve In relation to supporting carers to have a life outside double the support for the tasks that they are undertaking. caring, I think that the key issues are respite care and Many hon. Members, at different times in their lives breaks, supporting carers financially and supporting as constituency MPs, come across families that include young carers and the people for whom they care, so that young carers and find out that the stress is incredible those young people do not have to take on the heavy because they are often asked to take on adult responsibilities. burden of caring that many of them do. In the debate, Another difficulty is that the parent for whom they have we have already touched on most of those issues. 323WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 324WH

[Barbara Keeley] In debates last year, both the Minister and the former shadow Minister for care services, who is now the The Labour Government’s vision for carers as detailed Under-Secretary of State for International Development, in the updated national carers strategy identified the expressed concerns about whether the £150 million following outcomes. It stated that allocated to primary care trusts for emergency respite “carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have care was used for the purpose for which it was intended. access to the integrated and personalised services they need to If the Minister and his Conservative colleagues were support them in their caring role; carers will be able to have a life concerned to see ring-fencing of budgets for respite of their own alongside their caring role”— care, I hope that now that they are in government, they the subject of our debate— will be committed to ring-fencing of budgets for essential social care services. I am not convinced that the transparency “carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial at local level that he mentioned is enough. History has hardship by their caring role; carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity; children proved that ring-fencing is the best way to ensure that and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and money goes where it is intended to go. have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy The coalition Government say that they understand positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child the urgency of reforming the social care system to Matters outcomes.” provide much more control for individuals and their I hope that the Minister supports those or similar carers and to ease the cost burden that they and their outcomes in the refreshed carers strategy that he announced. families face. The Minister said yesterday that an New Members may not know that we did not have a announcement will be made soon about the commission national carers strategy at all until 1999. It has been on long-term care; I should be grateful if he would tell refreshed once, but however good those strategies are, us more about that today. I am pleased that all the looking at them again and taking them forward is very options for funding care will be considered, including welcome. an inheritance levy, which the Opposition support. I support the comments of the hon. Member for The Government have pledged to extend the greater Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard). The roll-out of personal budgets to give people and their revised NHS operating framework mentioned making carers more control and purchasing power. The Labour dementia a priority, but did not mention support for Government made the social care reform grant available carers, which carers organisations have noted. I hope to local authorities to enable the development of that it is an omission that can be corrected in the next personalised care and personal budgets, but that grant revision. We did not have an oral statement in the is now in its final year. How will the Government House when the important changes in the revised operating encourage local authorities to extend the roll-out of framework were announced, so today has been the first personal budgets and to provide more control to individuals chance that we have had to ask questions about that. I and their carers, given that, as we heard earlier, local hope that it can be taken on board. Ministers and civil authorities are facing cuts to their social care budgets? servants need to understand that these days there is so I shall touch on the caring with confidence programme. much support in the House for carers that if carers are Training for carers in their caring role is a vital way of not mentioned in a document, that will be noticed supporting them and giving them confidence. The hon. pretty quickly. Member for Banbury mentioned that aspect. The Minister My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) announced the decision to cancel the caring with confidence and other hon. Members rightly highlighted the importance programme; will he consider how local carers groups of respite care and breaks for carers. The coalition and carer centres are to fund that vital training? Offering agreement states that the Government will use better materials for free is to be welcomed, but the organisations community-based provision to improve access to respite also need trainers and premises and to have their costs care. I asked the Minister yesterday to tell the House covered if they are to run that training. The carers how the Government planned to deliver that promised strategy aims to ensure that carers will be supported so increase in access to respite care through improved that they are not forced into financial hardship through community support provision, because support provision their caring role. I hope that the Minister will support is already starting to fall away. Carers organisations are that aim. However, many carers are now concerned reporting that cuts in local authority funding are already about Government plans that will hit disability and leading to cuts in funding for charities and other providers carer benefits. We have heard quite a bit about that this of care. The Minister repeated the commitment that the afternoon, and rightly so. Government will deliver on their promises to carers, but Concern was expressed this afternoon about the measure he did not give us any more information. Carers and to increase benefits annually by the consumer prices carers support organisations need to know exactly how index rather than the retail prices index. Carers UK community support provision will be improved. estimates that indexing carers allowance by the consumer A 25% cut in local authority budgets, together with prices index over the past 10 years would have cost further pressure from the council tax freeze, could pose carers £5 a week, or about £270 a year. The Labour a substantial risk to essential care and support services. Government did not do that. As my hon. Friend the My hon. Friend the Member for Hammersmith Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) said, (Mr Slaughter) made a passionate case against the whatever the country’s financial difficulties, carers should local council action to axe the carers centre in his area. I not have to take the biggest hit. Under the coalition am very glad that he was able to do that. I hope that Government’s plans for indexing benefits, carers allowance his contribution helps to highlight the case against would be worth £62.95 by 2015 if uprated by the retail what sounds like a damaging and unnecessary action by prices index, but only £60.35 if the consumer prices that council. index is used. That is a difference of some £130 a year. 325WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 326WH

Does the Minister think it fair to hit carers in that way? information files on all wards at Salford Royal; and Carers and those whom they care for will also be there is increased awareness among carers’ social workers affected by a similar change to the attendance and at the hospital. Another recent development is that disability living allowances. Carers UK has said that pharmacists and other professionals in Salford are now single parents caring for a disabled child, a partner or supporting the work of identifying carers. elderly parent may have to rely on carer’s allowance, The coalition Government propose radical changes disability living allowance and the other means-tested to primary care trusts; they also propose that schools benefits as their only source of income. Carers UK could opt of local authority control. I am anxious that believes that making savings in that way will hit hard excellent practice in identifying carers, such as that the incomes of the most vulnerable—those who are developed in Salford, will be affected by the changes. already struggling to make ends meet—and I agree. How can carers organisations ensure that a strategic Hon. Members have referred to the extreme concern view of the needs of carers in an area can be taken once among unpaid carers caring for relatives with disabilities GPs and schools are acting independently? about the introduction of a medical assessment for the The importance of signposting carers to sources of disability living allowance. If the person cared for becomes information should not be underestimated. Signposting ineligible for the allowance, the carer’s own income is done by carers centres and carers support groups, but would be hit, as carer’s allowance and other benefits are I believe that it can and should be done more by GPs, based on the disabled person receiving a certain level of their primary care teams and by hospital staff. However, disability living allowance. A poor medical assessment we must be realistic about the work that it entails. could spell financial disaster for carers and their families. Members have spoken of the big society and volunteers, I understand that the Office for Budget Responsibility but identifying carers means reaching a large number of questions whether savings could be achieved, given the people working throughout the health service. The figures cost of implementation and the large volume of subsequent for NHS and social services staff in 2008 are as follows: appeals. I urge the Minister and his colleagues to ensure there are 33,730 GPs and 88,435 hospital doctors; that any changes are fully thought through, and that 92,000 people working in primary care trusts, including they avoid the stress and anxiety that a new system or 4,200 doctors involved in primary care delivery; and poor decision making, or both, could cause. 49,800 social workers, of which 2,205 provided health- My final thought about carers and financial hardship related social work. is on the axing by the Government of the savings The role of reaching out to all those GPs and primary gateway scheme, mentioned by my hon. Friend the care staff, hospital doctors and health-related social Member for Stretford and Urmston. The savings gateway workers cannot be left to primary care projects such as would have given carers in receipt of carer’s allowance the one in Salford. The Princess Royal trust has recently an additional £50 for every £1 that they saved. I am sure worked with the Royal College of General Practitioners that Members will have seen research by Carers UK in developing an action guide to help GPs and their showing that carers spend their savings over the years, teams to support carers. That guide has been distributed which leaves many of them caring unpaid around the to every GP practice. The royal college also piloted a clock, and with no savings and no buffer against large training programme for GPs. I believe that the Government purchases. That places an enormous strain on carers. could give more of an incentive for GPs to undertake My hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree the vital task of identifying carers. (Luciana Berger) made a strong case for raising carer’s I commend to the Minister and the House the private allowance. When the Minister was in opposition, he Member’s Bill that I introduced to the House in asked the then Minister for a timetable by which carer’s April 2007—the Carers (Identification and Support) allowance would be raised. He also asked for its eligibility Bill. The Bill would require health bodies to identify to be extended so that pensioner carers would get patients who are carers or who have a carer, and would proper recognition in the payments that they receive. require identified carers to be referred to sources of Will the Minister take on board comments about the help and support. It would also require health bodies to coalition’s plans for benefits for carers and those whom ensure that health services for patients and carers took they care for, and will he consider giving us the timetable the carers’ needs into account. In a second version, it that he asked for when in opposition for increasing would have required schools to have a policy to identify carer’s allowance and dealing with the eligibility of and support young carers. Without such legislation, pensioner carers? GPs have as an incentive only three points in the quality A further matter is the work being done by carers and outcomes framework awarded for work undertaken organisations, with primary care trusts and schools, to to identify carers in their practice population. That does identify carers and refer them to sources of advice and not seem much of an incentive. I hope to reintroduce support. In Salford, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers my Bill to the House, and I hope that the Minister and has two excellent projects to identify and support carers. all present today will support it. I understand that the One works with primary care teams and the other with Minister has said that he wants to see GPs identifying local schools. The primary care project run by the carers more often. excellent Julia Ellis has developed effective partnership An important link has been identified today—that of working with teams at Salford primary care trust and at raising the matter with GPs and developing similar Salford Royal hospital. Over recent years, Salford has guidance for schools. Ofsted highlighted in a report that moved from having a low level of recognition of carers local authorities were identifying fewer young carers to a situation that sounds as good as might exist elsewhere. than might have been expected. We do not know the There is a carers link in most GP practices and a new precise number of children and young people who care GP toolkit; NHS staff and staff at the Salford Royal for family members. In my Worsley and Eccles South hospital act as the lead on carers issues; there are carers constituency, the young carers project supported by 327WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 328WH

[Barbara Keeley] I have identified a number of key issues from this debate: what we can do better to identify carers, whether Salford carers centre is doing some excellent work on they are young, old or from ethnic minority communities; identifying and supporting young carers in two local what we can do to provide information and support for high schools. I met the young carers on an adventure carers so that they can navigate their own way through day out and also when they launched their DVD on the system; and what we can do to make the system bullying—bullying is a serious problem for young carers. simpler so that it is not the maze of benefits and Family pathfinder projects have done some good complex rules about which we have heard so much in work on improving support for young carers. The Labour the debate. We realise that people who wear the label Government provided funding to the Princess Royal “carer” are not all the same. Carers are unique individuals Trust for Carers and the Children’s Society to help them confronting unique circumstances that require individualised raise awareness of the issue and to build skills in supporting and personalised responses. I agree entirely with hon. young carers. They published guidance for schools, Members’ points about the need to empower carers as developed information sheets for GP practices and produced well as the people being cared for. other materials, such as DVDs on listening to young I will try my best to answer the questions that have carers. I hope that the Minister and his colleagues in the been put today, but if I miss anything out, I guarantee now Department for Education support the continuation that I will write to hon. Members with a fuller response of that funding, and adopt and develop the good practice than I can give today. I will also ensure that the points coming out of the 19 young carer pathfinder projects. that have been made, particularly in respect of benefits, My hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) are raised in cross-ministerial and cross-departmental spoke movingly about the needs of young carers and discussions on the carers strategy at the right place and the difficulties that vulnerable young people have in at the right time. I want them to be taken into account their transition to adult services. A possible impact of as the work around simplifying and modernising the the personalisation agenda might be that a family that benefit system is taken forward. includes a young carer of a person who is self-funding The hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South through an individual budget may have little or no (Barbara Keeley), who spoke for the Opposition, made contact with professional agencies. If professional agencies a number of points, many of which we can work on are not good at identifying carers when they have contact, together. Many hon. Members will be aware of her they will definitely not be good at it if the family is track record inside and outside the House. Elements of managing the budget themselves. There is concern about her speech made me feel that she expected me to take that, and it makes awareness-raising work with professionals full responsibility for the things that the previous important. The role of schools and GPs in identifying Government did not quite get right, such as the times carers becomes crucial to ensure that the child or young when their implementation of a measure was flawed or person gets help and support. when they failed to take note of representations. Although It has been a pleasure to be part of this debate it is entirely fair for her to rehearse the points that I today. Some 10 Members and the Minister have made made in opposition—I certainly take those to heart—she contributions. As the hon. Member for Banbury said, will understand if I say to her that the last Government’s the Minister understands the issues for carers and for record left a lot to be desired, by which I mean that the social care. He also understands, I think, the strength of improvements for which carers were hoping were not our expectations that he will continue to be a champion actually delivered. for carers. It is delivery on commitments that matter to them. Reference has been made to the huge financial pressures in many of our public services at the moment. I was 4.41 pm struck quite strongly by the way in which the cuts that Mr Burstow: I absolutely agree with that point, and have been in train in local authorities for many months that is why we will not promise to pay cash sums into are somehow being laid at the door of this Government. the NHS baseline that therefore cannot be delivered to In reality, those cuts were initiated and conceived under where Ministers claim that they will be delivered, and it the last Government, and I just wish that there was a bit is why we will ensure that we, as a Government, will more humility and understanding of that. We have a provide both leadership and, when appropriate, direction shared challenge when it comes to dealing with the huge to deliver the sorts of things that hon. Members on public sector deficit in this country. It is all well and both sides of the Chamber have outlined today. good challenging this Government about what they will This helpful and useful debate will help to take our do in terms of the spending review over the next few thinking forward as we begin our work on refreshing months, but it would also be appropriate for a responsible the carers strategy. Hon. Members cited many examples Opposition to offer up suggestions that they believe of good practice on the ground, and they offer beacons would be painless that we could do instead. of hope for how services might look across the country. Challenging those who commission services locally to Barbara Keeley: I do not know whether the Minister ensure that they learn from such examples of good has experienced this during his parliamentary career, practice is a task for not just the Government, but but the constituency that I represented between 2005 and everyone. Examples of best practice do not come from 2010 covered two local authorities, and it was interesting the statutory sector alone, even though the most innovative to see the different priorities that those authorities gave parts of that sector are themselves beacons. As many to their work in social care and for carers. We heard a hon. Members have said, we also have to applaud and very good example of that in the debate, as Hammersmith encourage the social enterprises and social entrepreneurs and Fulham is adopting a swingeing policy that could who have spotted opportunities to do something for take away a vital resource from carers, which I hope that their communities and found the resources to do so. something can be done about. I have heard the leader of 329WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 330WH

Salford council hotly defend the fact that he would being spent, and I hope that that message will be rather spend money on adult social care than on potholes, understood by our local organisations that deliver yet quite a lot of people in the city want money spent on such services. potholes. Transparency and localism is one thing but, as The hon. Lady also talked about ring-fencing more with other aspects of health and support services, we broadly. The Government are determined to ensure that could end up with a situation whereby a council such as there is as much flexibility as possible for local authorities Hammersmith and Fulham could remove a service, to make choices about how they prioritise their resources leaving its carers with nothing, while another area, such to deliver what is necessary to meet the needs of their as Salford, would have excellent voluntary organisations local communities. We have made it clear that because and a council that prioritised social care. we see the social care transformation grant as such a priority for investment in changes to services, so that Mr Burstow: The hon. Member for Hammersmith they are genuinely personalised in the future, the budget (Mr Slaughter) made some important points about the for the final year in which it is available to local authorities situation in his constituency and what his local authority will continue to be ring-fenced. We wanted to send the was doing. The hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) signal that we considered that grant to be important, also made references to the impact of tendering. Those and we want to ensure that local authorities deliver that are issues to consider, but I am not going to become a grant during the course of this year. Minister responsible for micro-managing every single local authority and the decisions that they take on the The hon. Lady made a number of very useful points allocation of resources—that is not a Minister’s job. about good practice and the way in which GPs, schools However, we do need to ensure that there are not and others play a part in delivering early identification unintended consequences with respect to the rules and of carers, whether those carers are young, old or otherwise. procedures followed by local authorities that fall under That should certainly inform the thinking of any the Government’s responsibility. I will be very happy to Government when it comes to delivering a good carers hear further from both hon. Members, either in this strategy. debate or afterwards, to ensure that we have the correct The hallmark of this important debate has been the rules. We want to support local services that are appropriate great consensus about what needs to be done and the to a local community and that the community actually value that Members from all parties place on carers. I values. shall now try to address some of the other points that have been made. Mr Slaughter: For the avoidance of doubt, I just The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate want to say that it is not so much the financial situation Green) talked about financial issues and benefit changes, in my area that I am concerned about, because my local and such concerns were echoed by others. The carers authority says that it will, in due course, provide a cross-government programme board, which is charged service for carers. I am more concerned about the with providing cohesion around the carers strategy, will impropriety and mismanagement that has led to a long- look at those issues and hold cross-government discussions standing service being simply dissolved overnight although about them to ensure that the way in which we go about there is no provision in place for the best part of a year simplifying the benefit system actually delivers the right to come. I would have thought that that was something results at the end of the day. in which a Minister and the Government would be interested. It is not to do with involvement in individual The hon. Lady also expressed concern about the cuts; it is to do with the fact that a local authority is impact of public service cuts, which was also referred to unable to manage its own affairs. by several hon. Members. Again, it is important to remember that some of the measures that are already in Mr Burstow: The hon. Gentleman has been a Member place were not initiated by this Government. Nevertheless, for some time, so he will know that there are regulatory we have to be mindful about the impact of any budget systems in place that would deal with local authorities decisions that we make through the spending review that were performing in the way that he describes. I am process. That will certainly be at the forefront of Ministers’ not aware that the authority’s activity has been reported thinking in the coming weeks and months as we consider in such a way. However, I stand by the offer that I have all the options that will have to be considered as part of made, and I will be happy to receive further representations the review. about the impact of tendering arrangements. The hon. Lady also talked about the difficulties faced I want to pick up on the references that were made to by carers coming back into the workplace—the cliff the operating framework because the hon. Member for edge, as she described it. The coalition Government’s Worsley and Eccles South was right to point out that, in programme sets out very clearly a desire to improve this the operating framework that the Government issued country’s tax system significantly so that we raise the just last week, we identified a requirement in the local amount at which someone starts to pay income tax to priorities for the publication of dementia strategies. We £10,000. We believe that as we move towards implementing think that that is an important signal. It was a signal to that change, we will begin to smooth out some of that local PCTs that we wanted them to be more public cliff edge and start to have a significant impact on facing and accountable to their local communities, and easing people’s return to work. that they should account for why they have chosen not The hon. Member for Kingswood (Chris Skidmore) to spend money on dementia strategies. The signal was made a very good speech in which he set out a number not specifically about dementia, but that we expected of the challenges that we face. In particular, he rightly more of that sort of transparency in general. People discussed the current complexity in the benefit system should not need freedom of information requests to get and the way in which it can be an obstacle to take-up information from PCTs about how public money is of benefits. 331WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 332WH

[Mr Burstow] advice about some of the ways in which the Government might tackle that issue, such as a pricing policy, and The hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) made cited advice that the NICE has given. I can tell her that a very good speech. He set out a range of issues relating we will be publishing a White Paper on public health to young carers in particular, but he also raised other later this year setting out the Government’s approach points. He made a very important point about the on such challenging issues. I hope that my right hon. Hartlepool carers centre, which he mentioned a lot in Friend the Secretary of State for Health will say more his speech, and it clearly provides an important service about that White Paper in the not-too-distant future. in his area. He also cited about the £150 million a year The hon. Lady also talked about safeguarding, and that it saves taxpayers by reducing pressures on NHS we have announced a review of the vetting and barring resources. We need to ensure that such examples of system. I am one of the Health Ministers with responsibility social enterprises playing a part in easing pressure on for safeguarding, so I will receive the recommendations public services and helping carers are considered. Such from that review. We need to ensure that the system is mutual operations can really make a difference. proportionate to the risk and that it delivers the appropriate The hon. Gentleman, like several hon. Members, safeguards, but it must not be so bureaucratic and talked about the role of GPs. He also made some difficult that it actually becomes a barrier to people comments about benefits. I refer him to what I have said participating as volunteers, so that is one of the tests about how we intent to move forward on benefits. that we will apply to the system. The hon. Gentleman also asked specifically about The hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana young carers. The key point I would make is that the Berger) talked about the USDAW campaign, as well as Department of Health is piloting personal health budgets. the importance that she attaches to the role of carers in In my written ministerial statement on Monday, I her constituency, some of whom she has already visited. announced how we intend to evaluate those schemes. She also discussed the plight of working carers, their The schemes should give us yet another way of smoothing interaction with the benefits system and the need for an and removing some of the cliff edge that we have heard examination of tapering as a way in which people could about by providing access to resources for care and retain an element of carer’s allowance. All I can say at health in a way that allows people to exercise real this stage is that the Government are committed to control over them and therefore much more control reviewing the system with a view to simplifying it. over their lives. That is particularly important for managing The hon. Lady also asked how we could ensure that and smoothing the transition from childhood into there is greater awareness of the right to seek flexible adulthood, and we all want to ensure that that transition working. Again, that is not just a challenge for the is made smoother. Department of Health. We will need a cross-government The hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey approach on the issue involving my colleagues in the Crouch) spoke about the key issue of the identification Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the of carers. She said that only 5% of carers in her area Department for Work and Pensions. Together, we have had been identified by the local carers centre. A large a part to play in ensuring that people are genuinely number of people are hidden at the moment and do not aware of that right. necessarily identify themselves as carers. The identification The hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys of carers is a key challenge as part of the process of (Paul Maynard) spoke very effectively. I was in the refreshing the carers strategy. House when he made his maiden speech and it was one We have heard about the importance of flexible support of the most impressive that I have heard. I know that his for carers. Again, that is why personalisation will remain speech was excellent compared with mine 13 years ago. an absolutely central part of how the Government take forward the development of services. Such services should Mr Wright: Hear, hear. be tailored to fit around people’s lives, rather than requiring people constantly to navigate around them, often for the convenience of the service provider rather Mr Burstow: I wish that I had not put it that way, but than the convenience of the person or family themselves. there we go. That is the trouble with putting things on We want to accelerate towards achieving that vital aim, record. and we also need increased use of more user-led We heard about the National Audit Office report on organisations that are much closer to the circumstances Jobcentre Plus, and it is important that the Government of the family, meaning that they can play an important pay close attention to the work of the NAO. I was a part in advocacy, brokerage and helping families to member of the Public Accounts Committee during the navigate around the system. last Parliament, and when the NAO identifies opportunities I think that I have already addressed the main point to obtain value for money and get more out of existing made by the hon. Member for Hammersmith, who resources, it is important that we take them. If the clearly put on record a number of powerful testimonies report is not already required reading for DWP Ministers from his constituents about the value that they place on and officials, it should be. the centre to which he referred. However, as I have said, The hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys I will not attempt to micro-manage the decisions of also discussed the care to share forum that was set up to local government colleagues of any particular party consider respite. We see peer support as a powerful part persuasion, as it is for them to account to their electorate of what the big society is all about. It enables people to for the way in which they spend public money. step up and support each other, rather than seeing local The hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) discussed authority services as the solution to everything. The young carers and talked about the devastating impact right to respite has been discussed a lot in this debate. It that alcohol can have on people’s lives. She offered is often not the case that a carer wants a week off; a 333WH Supporting Carers1 JULY 2010 Supporting Carers 334WH matter of hours can make a huge difference. When I the programme. Having useful materials will be good was visiting some services in Newham recently, I met thing, but materials are not enough to run a course. the people who run a telecare project and several carers They need somewhere to run it, a trained person—probably who had benefited from it. It was clear that what was paid—and resources during the day. It would be useful important to them was the knowledge that the person if some of the money could be diverted to training GPs, for whom they cared was safe so they could go have a but that is a mainstream NHS matter. I emphasise that cup of coffee with a friend, a chat and a bit of real life, there is a great deal of concern among carers organisations as that refreshed them. We need more such opportunities about the programme, so anything that the Minister can for many others. do will be a help. The hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) discussed how we can ensure that carers can both stay in work Mr Burstow: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that and return to work. She also mentioned Alzheimer’s point. I spent time earlier this week on the phone with and dementia, and research into those diseases. I am all the carers organisations that have a direct interest in sure that she will know that, in the coalition programme the matter. We are discussing actively with them the best for government, we indicated a clear commitment to way to reinvest the money to deliver good outcomes for prioritise dementia research. I am the Minister who carers. As and when that becomes clearer, I will certainly chairs the board with responsibility for considering the make further announcements to the House. issue, and we will be making announcements about how Tony Baldry: Will my hon. Friend tell us when the we will take it forward in due course. general issue of funding for carers will be addressed, The hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) said and whether it will be addressed in the carers strategy? some kind things, as a result of which I now feel immense pressure—thank you very much! He also made Mr Burstow: I am looking at my notes on the points a good point about carers week that I read in this way: about benefits that the hon. Gentleman made and the carers week is not an annual event; it is every week. We precise time scales. Obviously, I am not the Minister need to find ways to make that not just a platitude but a responsible for the review of welfare benefits, which reality for carers throughout our country. He spoke a several hon. Members have mentioned, but it is clear lot about the role of GPs as commissioners and the that the timetable is quick and that reports back will be difference that they can make. They are one of the made during the spending review. Hon. Members who universal services and they see many carers. We must have representations to make about how we ensure that ensure that all GPs understand that when someone carers’ interests are served within those changes should comes to see them because of a sickness or disability, therefore make them now. This debate is a good part of the person with them is often the carer, who needs to be that process, and I will ensure that the matter is kept in identified and offered the signposting and support that the minds of Ministers and officials. will make a difference for them. There will be tough decisions, one of which has been The hon. Member for Banbury mentioned the caring my decision about caring with confidence. We will need with confidence programme, as did several other hon. to ensure that every penny we spend has an impact on Members. I purposely included it in my opening remarks the lives of carers, but we must make no false economies. because I wanted to be up front about what I had One of the themes of this debate is that we must ensure decided to do. My view, having considered the evidence that the investments that we make deliver good outcomes, about the programme, was not that the training materials and that when we must reduce public expenditure, we were not excellent—they are well regarded by the carers do not just shunt costs around the system. We understand who have been through the programme—but simply that point. that we were not getting value for money from the I hold to the view that carers are an important thread delivery. Not enough carers had been through the that holds communities together. We need to do more programme, and there was no evidence that delivery to support them. Their value will grow as our society would accelerate significantly. Now the money will be ages and people with disabilities live longer. We must reinvested into delivering more training—including GP ensure, both across parties and within the coalition, training, which has been mentioned—and more support that the refreshed strategy delivers tangible results, rather for carers. We will make further announcements in due than being just a statement of intent. It must be clear course. about delivering change for carers. That is this Government’s commitment, and I look forward to making the difference, Barbara Keeley: As with other developments, I did along with colleagues, as we go forward. not hear about this in the House; I heard about it from Question put and agreed to. carers organisations. Does the Minister realise the extent to which carers support groups and organisations are 5.8 pm concerned? They were geared up and trained to deliver Sitting adjourned.

47WS Written Ministerial Statements1 JULY 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 48WS

for purpose. This second decision point also allows Written Ministerial SDSR to inform whole fleet numbers, based on the future size and shape of the British Army, before the Statements major investment decision is taken. The award of this contract, to progress the replacement Thursday 1 July 2010 of the current CVR (T) fleet, demonstrates commitment to long-term equipment planning for the Army. This will be welcome news to our soldiers. CABINET OFFICE

Ministerial Responsibilities HEALTH

The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster Quality Accounts General (Mr Francis Maude): The new “List of Ministerial Responsibilities” has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): Houses. Copies will also be sent to each hon. Member’s This Government’s ambition is for health outcomes—and office in this House. our national health service—to be as good as any in the The list can also be accessed on the Cabinet Office world. To achieve this, the NHS will need to focus on website at: providing high-quality care, led by empowered clinicians, http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/government-business/ with the patient at the centre of the service. The NHS, government-ministers-responsibilities.aspx free of bureaucratic interference and the tick-box culture, will make quality improvement the central principle along the entire care pathway, integrated with a reformed DEFENCE social care service. A quality account is an annual report to the public Armoured Vehicle Contract from providers of NHS healthcare services about the quality of their services. It allows clinicians to demonstrate their commitment to continuous, evidence-based quality The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence improvement. By making boards and leaders of healthcare (Peter Luff): I am pleased to announce a major contract organisations visibly accountable for service quality, in award in favour of General Dynamics (UK) for the the same way that they are responsible for finances, prototyping and demonstration of a new armoured quality accounts put what matters to patients at the combat vehicle intended to replace the existing combat heart of the NHS. vehicle reconnaissance (tracked) (CVR(T)). This award represents a major step towards equipping the British Quality accounts require boards and leaders of healthcare Army with a fleet of new highly capable, modern specialist organisations to review quality across all of the healthcare tracked combat vehicles, able to conduct a wide range services they offer, and to identify objectives for continuous of military tasks representative of both current and quality improvement that meet the needs of the public anticipated operational scenarios. Initially this contract they serve. They are therefore a tool to empower providers will focus on an improved reconnaissance variant called and patients to produce the best possible outcomes of Scout but will also demonstrate a common base platform care. which will be the basis for other essential variants, and The first quality accounts—for providers of acute offer logistical commonality and benefit. national health services—have now been published. They We have chosen a tracked vehicle design, that builds are available from the providers themselves, and from upon a mature platform already in service with other the www.nhs.uk website. European nations, but which offers growth to meet the We want staff, patients and the wider public to read UK’s current and anticipated requirements over the their local providers’ quality accounts, and then make next 30 years. As a result, the specialist vehicle family their views known to the boards and leaders of those will benefit from increased protection, modern systems, providers. The public’s input to their local quality accounts improved fire power and, importantly, greater survivability has demonstrated a great willingness to get involved—which over existing vehicles, and will be optimised for deployment provides a clear spur for boards of provider organisations world wide. to focus their attention on improving patient care. GDUK is based near Newport, Gwent, where the This is a step towards focusing the NHS on continuous main programme management team will be situated; quality improvement, and allowing patients to see the their proposed manufacturing solution has a high UK information they need to make an informed judgment content (over 70%) with many UK-based subcontractors about that commitment to quality improvement. More involved. Skills required are largely high-value engineering needs to be done to standardise our definition, measurement design skills, which will help sustain and develop the and reporting of service quality—along lines that clinicians UK defence engineering sector. will recognise as evidence-based and be accountable for. This contract only commits MOD to the demonstration We need to drive up the range and quality of information phase at this time. Commitment to full production will published, to enable patients to exercise choice. Quality not happen until around the middle of this decade, accounts help with this transformation. when sufficient evidence has been gathered from the For the future, quality accounts will evolve to reflect trialling of prototypes and other demonstration work the Government’s aim of developing a new culture of to ensure the vehicle designs are optimised and fully fit leadership and responsibility across the NHS. Following 49WS Written Ministerial Statements1 JULY 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 50WS a formal evaluation over the summer, we will consult on In order to address the immediate shortfall, we last how the potential of quality accounts can be better week agreed a short-term loan of up to £10 million to realised, including by: help meet unavoidable commitments including staff relating the content to emerging outcome measures and salaries for the police, health and education services. quality standards; This loan will be repaid in full as soon as the package building in third party assurance through external audit; and outlined above is in place. Our aim is to restore and extending quality accounts to primary and community care firmly embed the principles of sound financial management, providers, following the evaluation of the pilots in the North-East sustainable development and good governance. This and East Midlands strategic health authorities. should help rebuild confidence in TCI and its ability to Proposals will be consulted on in the autumn, with manage its public finances. updated regulations and guidance to follow later in the year. TRANSPORT H1N1 Pandemic EU Transport Council The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): I have today placed a copy of the report of the The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Philip independently chaired review of the United Kingdom Hammond): I attended the second Transport Council of response to the 2009 H1N1 (“swine flu”) pandemic in the Spanish presidency in Luxembourg on 24 June. the Library of the House. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office. The review was jointly The Council adopted a decision to sign a protocol commissioned, and the chair appointed, by all four of amending the 2007 Air Transport Agreement with the the UK Health Ministers in March 2010. Dame Deirdre United States. I noted the UK’s support for the decision Hine chaired the review. and that we would look forward to further co-operation and reform in the future under the mechanisms set The four UK Health Ministers set up this independent down in the agreement, particularly with regard to the review with a remit to review the appropriateness and liberalisation of investment opportunities in airline effectiveness of the UK strategy for responding domestically operators. The protocol itself was signed by the presidency to the swine flu pandemic, and make recommendations on behalf of the EU, by Ministers on behalf of the for any future influenza pandemic. The review was not member states, and by the US ambassador to Luxembourg asked to comment on operational matters. and the US Assistant Transportation Secretary for Aviation I would like to thank Dame Deirdre Hine and her on behalf of the US. team for their work and I welcome her report and The Commission updated Ministers on the work recommendations. I will take these into account, alongside requested by the extraordinary Transport Council on financial and operation considerations, and other research 4 May on the topic of the volcanic ash cloud. The evidence, when reviewing our future pandemic plans in Commission reported that there was ongoing technical the national framework for responding to an influenza work in refining the limit values that would provide a pandemic. definition of a safe environment for flying and on I would like to express the Government’s thanks to adopting new mechanisms and approaches for co-ordinating everyone who has assisted and advised on the response action at the EU level. Guidance had been produced on to the swine flu pandemic. how passenger rights legislation should be applied and work was ongoing with respect to a European mobility INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT plan. In respect of state aid, the Commission noted that the treaty opens the possibility for member states to Turks and Caicos Islands compensate airlines, but to date no member state had in fact made a formal request for state aid clearance, nor had any draft proposals been presented to the Commission. The Secretary of State for International Development I noted that more technical work was needed to refine (Mr Andrew Mitchell): Following the last Government’s limit values and that there was a need to maintain statement about the situation in TCI in October 2009, I pressure in order to establish safe tolerance levels. I would like to update the House. The financial situation further noted that there was an opportunity to pool in TCI has worsened to the point where it was not efforts for conducting research flights. Although we possible for its Government to meet their June financial acknowledged the losses suffered by business as a result commitments, including payment of public sector salaries. of this event, I indicated that in current circumstances, Without immediate UK support, TCI would fall further with constrained budgets, the UK would not wish to into economic crisis. raise expectations that financial assistance would be Following discussions with the Foreign and forthcoming. While passenger protection during the Commonwealth Office, I have decided to provide a closure of airspace was vital, I asked the Commission temporary package of financial support. This support to review Regulation 261/2004, on passenger rights, in is conditional on the TCI Government strengthening light of the European Court of Justice decision of their capacity and systems to manage their public finances, November 2009 which has resulted in some perverse and balancing their budget within the next three years. and disproportionate consequences with respect to the We are finalising the details of the package, which we financial impact on airlines of having to compensate want to put in place together with commercial lenders passengers for delayed flights. over the coming months. We intend these arrangements Council conclusions were adopted unanimously on to be at or near zero cost to Her Majesty’s Government the Commission’s Urban Mobility Action Plan, which over the medium term. sets out a framework of initiatives to promote integrated 51WS Written Ministerial Statements1 JULY 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 52WS policies and optimise urban mobility. The conclusions removed and urged the Commission to bring forward support the development of sustainable urban mobility the necessary legislative proposals to facilitate this, in policies, while maintaining the principle of subsidiarity. order to allow scanners to be used as a primary method The presidency noted that the European Council had of screening at UK airports. recently agreed its Europe 2020 strategy for growth, and The Commission informed the Council of the adoption invited views on how transport could contribute to the of the Galileo Action Plan in June and that the focus strategy. The Commission stated that, although it did would now be on co-ordination of efforts, with regulatory not feature prominently in the Europe 2020 package, proposals only being bought forward if necessary. transport was important for growth, and the strategy During a further discussion on the Galileo programme, provided a suitable basis for the Commission to take I informed Ministers that, following the success of a forward its work on transport. A White Paper would be joint bid with France to host the Galileo Security forthcoming before the end of the year which would Monitoring Centre, the UK would be withdrawing its include views on intelligent transport systems, multi- bid to host the Galileo Supervisory Authority and modality, and alternative sources of funding. I noted would instead support the bid of the Czech Republic to that the UK’s overarching national objectives for transport host this entity in Prague. I also informed Ministers that were to support economic growth and contribute to the the UK would not support any additional funding 2020 carbon reduction targets. Additionally, I stressed requests for the Galileo programme, within the current the importance of having competitive transport services, financial perspective. and the need to avoid excessive regulatory burdens on The Commission announced that it intended to withdraw business. the proposal to exclude self-employed drivers from the Following the Detroit terrorist incident at the end of scope of the 2002 Road Transport Working Time Directive 2009, the Commission presented its communication on following the recent rejection of the proposals by the the use of security scanners at EU airports. I stated that European Parliament. With support from the other EU restrictions which currently prevented the effective delegations, I urged the Commission to continue with and efficient use of security scanners needed to be efforts to seek a compromise solution with the Parliament.

7P Petitions1 JULY 2010 Petitions 8P

Observations from the Secretary of State for Foreign Petitions and Commonwealth Affairs: The Government’s approach to foreign policy is based Thursday 1 July 2010 on a belief in freedom, human rights and democracy for all. We will always speak up for these values. We are concerned about the circumstances of OBSERVATIONS Mr Mohammed El Sharkawi’s detention in Egypt. We believe Mr El Sharkawi is one of many administrative detainees who continue to be held indefinitely and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE without charge in Egypt under the provisions of the persisting State of Emergency. Regrettably, the State of Mr Mohammed El Sharkawi Emergency was extended for a further two years on 11 May 2010. The Petition of the people of Croydon, We will continue to press the Egyptian Government Declares that Mohammed El Sharkawi has been to address a wide range of human rights issues including imprisoned in Eygpt without trial for 15 years despite arbitrary detention. We will encourage Egypt to accept 16 court orders issued supporting his release, and the and fully implement the recommendations of February’s UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention deeming United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic his incarceration unlawful. Review, including Egypt’s commitment to put an end, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of as soon as possible, to the State of Emergency which Commons urges the Government to hold talks with the has been in place since 1981 and to ensure that the Egyptian Administration to ensure Mr Mohammed provisions of future anti-terrorism law do not impose El Sharkawi is at last brought to a fair and just trial. restrictions on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms that are contrary to international And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by human rights standards. Mr Andrew Pelling, Official Report, 7 April 2010; Vol. 508, Our Embassy in Cairo will continue to raise c. 41P .] Mr El Sharkawi’s case with local civil society and [P000823] humanitarian organisations.

593W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 594W

pages, lesson plans, films, games and activities. Users Written Answers to can also subscribe to a monthly electronic newsletter. The Education Service will provide materials on request Questions to Members to support their work with schools. Plans for the next 12 months include further interactive online resources including games and updating of existing Thursday 1 July 2010 material to reflect the result of the 2010 election. In September 2010 a new film explaining the general election will be made available to schools, replacing an existing one from the previous election. ATTORNEY-GENERAL House of Commons Staff: Pay Coroners Helen Jones: Toask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Mr Raab: To ask the Attorney-General in relation to answering for the House of Commons Commission how many defendants charged with criminal offences how many officers of the House are paid salaries at a the Crown Prosecution Service has applications for the level higher than that of hon. Members. [4536] removal of the jury under Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 pending. [4898] Sir Stuart Bell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 24 June 2010, Official Report, column 293W to The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew has no applications pending for the removal of the jury Selous). All the staff listed there are officers of the under Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. House. The defence have notified the CPS of their intention to appeal in a case in which an application has already been granted. The case involves one defendant. ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Electoral Systems

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for South West Parliamentary Education Service Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission what plans the Electoral Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, Commission has to publish information on different answering for the House of Commons Commission voting systems in advance of his proposed referendum what materials the Parliamentary Education Service on electoral reform. [5472] issues to (a) schools and (b) individual pupils; what Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me publications the service plans to issue in the next 12 that it would expect to provide public information in months; and if he will make a statement. [5441] advance of any referendum on changes to the electoral Sir Stuart Bell: The Education Service produces a system. This is likely to include information on what the range of materials about Parliament, the work of Members referendum is about and how to take part in the referendum. (of both Houses), and political literacy generally. All The extent and nature of any public information provided resources are provided free to schools. While many of by the Commission would be determined by the relevant the materials are suitable for use by individual pupils, legislation. they will primarily be used in the classroom. One publication targeted at pupils directly is the young person’s guide entitled ‘The Houses of Parliament’, which is distributed WORK AND PENSIONS to all school-aged visitors taking a tour of Parliament. Accidents: Liverpool Resources currently in print include a new range of booklets carefully targeted at pupils from key stage 2 to Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work key stage 4 (covering ages seven to 16) that are available and Pensions when he expects the Health and Safety for schools and Members to order. These can be used Executive to publish its report on the collapse of a independently or as part of class study.Due for publication crane on to flats at Chandlers Wharf, Liverpool; and if shortly is the last in this new series which will be a he will make a statement. [5154] booklet for KS5 (16 to 18). There is also a set of four films on DVD, including the award winning ‘Democracy? Chris Grayling: This incident is still under investigation You Decide and You’ve Got the Power’. This will be by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive updated shortly to reflect the 2010 general election (HSE). Until HSE has made a decision as to possible result and is available with a teacher’s booklet for three legal action, they are not in a position to release a age groups. It is also available on Parliament’s YouTube report. channel: Carer’s Allowance www.youtube.com/UKParliament The Education Service re-launched its website: Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for www.parliament.uk/education Work and Pensions (1) if he will increase the level of in October 2008. This provides a variety of resources the carer’s allowance to £65.45 per week; [3975] which can be used online and also downloaded, including (2) if he will increase the carer’s allowance earnings all the printed publications together with information threshold to £150 per week. [3976] 595W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 596W

Maria Miller: The Government have no immediate Chris Grayling: The information requested on the plans to increase the level of carer’s allowance or the Doncaster Central constituency and local authority carer’s allowance earnings limit. area is not available. In the Yorkshire and Humber area We have set out our commitment to modernise and the latest official statistics, covering the period from simplify the benefit system in order to improve work October 2009 to January 2010, show that 700 people incentives and encourage responsibility and fairness. were recorded as starting a job funded by the future We will consider carefully the needs of carers as we jobs fund. develop our thinking on welfare reform. The Young Person’s Guarantee will be replaced next The Chancellor announced in the emergency Budget year by a new Work Programme. This will offer better that from 2011 the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will be targeted and integrated employment support to people used to measure the growth in prices for the purposes of who find themselves out of work, including young uprating carer’s allowance. In keeping with its promise people. Unlike the Young Person’s Guarantee, where to protect people in the most vulnerable situations the young people are eligible only if they are claiming Government will not implement the previous Government’s jobseeker’s allowance, the new Work Programme will policy of clawing back the 1.5% ’advance’ that was provide help to young people regardless of the benefit applied to carer’s allowance in April 2010. that they are claiming. We believe that the CPI is a more appropriate and stable measure of the cost of living for recipients of Housing Benefit: Tower Hamlets carer’s allowance. Under that index carer’s allowance would have received an increase in 2010, not simply an Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for ’advance’ of future potential increases. Work and Pensions how many families resident in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are in receipt of Departmental Legislation (a) housing benefit, (b) housing benefit of over £250 per week for a one bedroom property, (c) housing John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Work benefit of over £290 per week for a two bedroom and Pensions how many officials of his Department are property, (d) housing benefit of over £340 per week for working on preparations for the (a) Pensions and a three bedroom property and (e) housing benefit of Savings Bill and (b) Welfare Bill. [5114] over £400 per week for a property with four or more bedrooms. [4881] Chris Grayling: As at 30 June 2010, there is one full-time equivalent working on the Pensions and Savings Steve Webb: The National Statistics published in Bill and one full-time equivalent working on the Welfare March 2010, show that in the London Borough of Bill. Tower Hamlets there were 35,570 housing benefit recipients, These people draw on additional legal and policy of which 5,200 were living in the private rented sector. teams as necessary. As preparations progress we expect At March 2010, for housing benefit claims in the to increase the number of officials engaged full time on London Borough of Tower Hamlets in the private the Bills. rented sector assessed under the local housing allowance Employment Schemes: Young People arrangements, our records show there were: fewer than five recipients with a one-bedroom entitlement Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work receiving over £250 per week; and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number 530 recipients with a two-bedroom entitlement receiving over of young people who will not now be helped into £290 per week; employment following the Government’s decision not 180 recipients with a three-bedroom entitlement receiving over to extend the Young Person’s Guarantee. [5259] £340 per week; and 20 recipients with a four-bedroom entitlement receiving over Chris Grayling: The Young Person’s Guarantee will £400 per week. be replaced next year by a new Work Programme. This Notes: will offer better targeted and integrated employment 1. With the exception of the figure for one-bedroom support to people who find themselves out of work, entitlement, all figures have been rounded to the nearest including young people. Unlike the Young Person’s 10 recipients. Guarantee, where young people are only eligible if they are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, the new Work 2. The single housing benefit extract does not have Programme will provide help to young people regardless bedroom entitlement recorded in 13% of the local housing of the benefit that they are claiming. allowance cases in Tower Hamlets so there maybe some underestimation in the numbers reported. Future Jobs Fund: Yorkshire and the Humber Source: Ms Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Single Housing Benefit Extract Work and Pensions how many people resident in (a) Doncaster Central constituency, (b) Doncaster local Lone Parents: Employment authority area and (c) Yorkshire and the Humber have found employment through the Future Jobs Fund since Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008; and what estimate he has made of the number of Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the people aged between 18 and 24 years resident in each number of lone parents with disabled children of school area who will no longer be entitled to assistance under age who returned to work in the last 12 months. [4999] the Jobs Guarantee in the 12 months after the ending of the Fund. [5431] Maria Miller: The requested information is not available. 597W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 598W

New Deal Schemes: Disability Working age incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants in Bexley local authority with a diagnosis of alcoholism or drug abuse, at November 2009 Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Work November 2009 and Pensions how many disabled people resident in Alcoholism 80 Don Valley constituency have found employment Drug abuse 60 through the New Deal in each year since 2001. [2741] Notes: 1. Employment and Support Allowance replaced Incapacity Benefit Chris Grayling: The information requested is in the and Income Support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008. following table. 2. The primary diagnosis of incapacity on a claimant’s medical Jobs gained by disabled people1 through New Deal from 2001 in the certificate is recorded. parliamentary constituency of Don Valley 3. Employment and Support Allowance figures are not currently New New New available by diagnosis. Deal New Deal Deal New New 4. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification Young Deal Lone Disabled Deal Deal of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. People 25+ Parents People 50+2 Partner2 Total 5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 6. Figures shown are for working age claimants only (females aged 16 2001 20 * * * n/a n/a 20 to 59 and males aged 16 to 64). 2002 10 * * 10 n/a n/a 30 Source: 2003 20 * * 10 20 n/a 50 Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate 100% 2004 10 * 10 40 20 * 80 Work and Pensions Longitudinal Survey. 2005 10 * * 60 20 * 90 2006 10 * 10 70 10 * 90 Work Capability Assessment 2007 10 * 10 60 10 * 90 2008 10 * 10 90 10 * 130 Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 3 2009 * * 10 90 10 * 120 and Pensions whether any changes to the work Total 100 10 50 430 100 * 690 capability assessment system are planned following the “*” = Nil or negligible. “n/a” = Not applicable. Department-led review of that system published on 29 1 Disabled people are defined as those who are on the New Deal for Disabled March 2010; and if he will make a statement. [5252] people and those on other New Deals identified as disabled by the disability indicator. 2 The information given is for the number of jobs gained through each spell on a Chris Grayling: The Department undertook an internal New Deal. review of the work capability assessment which was 3 Since the introduction of Provider-Led Pathways to Work, New Deal for published on 29 March 2010. The review found that Disabled People has been available only in Jobcentre Plus Pathways to Work districts. An individual who has had more than one spell on a New Deal may generally the assessment accurately identifies individuals therefore appear more than once in the table. Information on spells on New for benefit. The review made a number of recommendations Deal 50+ and New Deal for Partners is unavailable, so individual level information for improving the work capability assessment. We is given instead. This means that information is only given on one visit to each of these New Deals per individual. announced on 29 June that we will be implementing Notes: those recommendations. 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals may not sum due to rounding 3. The latest New Deal figures will be affected by the introduction of the new Jobseekers Regime and Flexible New Deal (gradual implementation started ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE from April 2009). 4. The latest data on Jobs is to November 2009. Nuclear Power 5. The New Deal for Young People pilots began in January 1998 and full national roll-out occurred in April 1998. 6. The New Deal for 25 plus programme was introduced in July 1998. 18. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for 7. The New Deal for Lone Parents was introduced in October 1998. Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the 8. Data on New Deal for Disabled People is available from July 2001 (programme proportion of electricity to be generated from nuclear was introduced in 1999). 9. Data on New Deal 50 plus Jobs is available from April 2003 (programme was sources. [4953] introduced in April 2000). 10. Data for New Deal for Partners is available from April 2004 (programme Chris Huhne: It is for energy companies to bring started in May 1999). forward proposals for nuclear new build without public Source: subsidy. The Office for Nuclear Development (OND) Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate will act to enable investment in the UK from the earliest possible date and is focused on removing potential Unemployment Benefits: Bexley barriers to investment. To date energy companies have announced plans to build up to 16 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear in the UK. Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Green Deal and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people in the London Borough of Bexley in receipt 20. Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for of out-of-work benefits as a result of (a) alcohol and Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to take (b) drug dependency. [3310] to introduce the proposed green deal on domestic energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [4955] Chris Grayling: Information about the number of 21. Alec Shelbrooke: To ask the Secretary of State for people who are receiving Employment and Support Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance as a result of drug take to introduce the proposed green deal on domestic or alcohol dependency is not available. energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement. The available information is in the following table. [4956] 599W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 600W

Gregory Barker: I refer my hon. Friends to the answer Energy: Yorkshire and the Humber I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Andrew Stephenson) earlier today. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what support his Department is Carbon Emissions giving to the development of low-carbon energy projects in Yorkshire and the Humber. [4936]

Liz Kendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Charles Hendry: Government have provided support and Climate Change what research his Department has for a range of low carbon energy projects in the Yorkshire (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of a and Humber region as part of our wider support for EU-wide carbon floor price on the volume of carbon low carbon technology development and deployment. dioxide emissions. [4544] Support ranges from direct investment—for example in the Government’s provision of around £22 million to Gregory Barker: DECC has not commissioned or establish the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research undertaken any analysis on the effects of a EU-wide Centre in Sheffield—to support from the Carbon Trust carbon floor price on the volume of carbon dioxide which has worked with customers in the region to help emissions. reduce their emissions and energy bills. Carbon Sequestration: Gas Fired Power Stations Environmental Transformation Fund

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on Energy and Climate Change by how much the budget public expenditure on the development of carbon of the Environmental Transformation Fund will be capture and storage technology for gas-fired power reduced; and which projects and programmes will be stations. [4915] affected by those reductions. [4296] Gregory Barker: The 2010-11 budget for the national Charles Hendry: We have stated that the Government Environmental Transformation Fund and DECC’s Low will continue public sector investment in carbon capture Carbon Investment Funding will be cut by £34 million and storage (CCS) technology for four coal-fired power as part of the response to the record deficit inherited by stations. The Committee on Climate Change has the new Government. recommended that we give serious consideration to funding at least one gas CCS project as part of the DECC is reviewing all activities funded from these programme of four projects. We are carefully evaluating budgets before finalising which activities will be cut, or whether a demonstration project on gas would prove scaled back. beneficial and add value to the programme. Green Investment Bank

Departmental Public Expenditure Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department’s Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for definition is of green as applied to the Green Energy and Climate Change by how much the budget Investment Bank. [4747] of each of his Department’s work programmes will be reduced to make savings. [4267] Gregory Barker: The Government are considering a wide range of options for the scope and structure of the Green Investment Bank and will put forward detailed Gregory Barker: It was announced on 24 May that proposals following the Spending Review. the Department of Energy and Climate Change will contribute £85 million savings to the Government’s Nuclear Power Stations: Public Expenditure overall savings of £6.2 billion in 2010-11. The spending plans of the Department for the period 2011-12 to Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 2014-15 are being considered as part of the Government’s and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the Spending Review and no decisions have been reached cost to the public purse of subsidies to the nuclear yet. industry in each year since 1997. [4671]

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Charles Hendry [holding answer 28 June 2010]: With and Climate Change what steps he is taking to review the exception of British Energy, there have been no his Department’s capital funding programmes in advance public subsidies to the nuclear generating sector since of the next Comprehensive Spending Review. [5068] the privatisation of parts of the industry. The Government are underwriting the Nuclear Liabilities Gregory Barker: The Department for Energy and Fund, the segregated fund which meets the cost of Climate Change is reviewing all capital funding programmes British Energy’s decommissioning and certain uncontracted as part of the next Spending Review, in line with the liabilities to the extent that its liabilities outweigh its approach set out in the Spending Review Framework assets. In return, the fund received the proceeds of the presented to Parliament on 8 June. This involves sale to EdF in January 2009 of the Government’s undertaking a fundamental review of capital spending interest in British Energy, this amounted to a contribution plans, to identify those areas of spending that will of £4.42 billion to the fund. On current valuations, the achieve the greatest economic returns. assets of the fund exceed the liabilities. 601W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 602W

In terms of British Energy (privatised in July 1996), a Mrs May [holding answer 24 June 2010]: Ministers loan facility was provided to the company in 2002 to have had a number of discussions with both the Association support it through its restructuring. This loan was of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police repaid in full with interest in December 2003 and no Authorities about our proposals, and we will continue further drawings can be made. As a result of the to do so. restructuring which completed in January 2005, the Sexualisation of Young People Review Government have taken direct financial responsibility for BE’s historic spent fuel liabilities. The following Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the payments have been made, from Government, since Home Department whether she plans to implement restructuring to meet those historic spent fuel liabilities: the recommendations of her Department’s review of the sexualisation of young people. [5159] £ million James Brokenshire: In our Coalition programme for 2004-05 185 Government, we stated that we will crack down on 2005-06 189 irresponsible advertising and marketing, especially to 2006-07 196 children, and take steps to tackle the commercialisation 2007-08 205 and sexualisation of childhood. The Government are 2008-09 211 currently looking at options for responding to the 2009-10 212 independent reviews that were commissioned last year as part of the previous administration’s consultation on The public sector nuclear sites, including the first violence against women. This includes the Sexualisation generation of nuclear reactors have largely ceased normal of Young People Review conducted by Dr Linda operation and entered decommissioning. In April 2005 Papadopoulos. responsibility for cleaning up the legacy sites was passed to the newly created Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). These were previously owned variously by the PRIME MINISTER UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL). These sites have always been in Andy Coulson the public sector and the clean-up costs are recognised as public sector liabilities. BNFL’s operational facilities, Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister whether his including the Magnox power stations, were run on a Director of Communications is entitled to use a car commercial basis under contracts negotiated with their from the Government car pool. [2652] customers. The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the The NDA mission is fully funded by the public sector, answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for through a mixture of direct grant and commercial the Cabinet Office on 30 June 2010, Official Report, income. The latter will decline over time as the remaining column, 563W. operational nuclear plants close and enter decommissioning. The European Commission approved the funding of BP: Pensions NDA under the state aid rules and in the same Decision, Gordon Banks: To ask the Prime Minister what concluded that there was no aid or subsidy to either recent discussions he has had with (a) the President of BNFL or UKAEA. the United States, (b) the Chairman of BP and (c) others on the effect on pension funds in the UK of Wind Power: Manufacturing Industries trends in the BP share price; what assessment he has made of the effect on such funds of those trends; and Ms Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for what his policy is on protecting pension funds invested Energy and Climate Change whether he is reviewing the in that company. [4702] decision to allocate £60 million to fund port infrastructure for off-shore wind turbine manufacturing. [5152] The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the comments made by a Downing Street spokesman following Charles Hendry: The Government are committed to my meeting with President Obama on 27 June 2010, a the development of UK manufacturing to support the copy of which is available on the No. 10 website at: growing offshore wind sector. Funding for offshore http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2010/06/pm- wind ports infrastructure has not been selected for holds-talks-with-president-obama-52499 suspension or cancellation as part of the recent cost I also refer the hon. Member to my answer of 22 June cutting exercise, but as with all public spending it is 2010, Official Report, column 141W and to my answer being reviewed in the context of the Spending Review. at Prime Minister’s Questions on 23 June 2010, Official Report, column 289.

HOME DEPARTMENT CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Police Gambling Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and (b) the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the Association of Police Authorities on the Government’s answer of 17 June 2010, Official Report, column 490W, proposals to introduce a directly-elected individual to on gambling, what records his private office keeps of oversee the work of each police force. [4137] his engagements with outside interest groups. [4805] 603W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 604W

John Penrose: The Ministerial Code published by the John Penrose: The amount spent with the Prime Minister on 21 May sets out the standards of Department’s catering contractor in each year was as conduct expected of Ministers. In particular, it requires follows: the regular publication by Government Departments of ministerial meetings, hospitality, gifts and travel on Financial year £ a quarterly basis. 2004-051 113,417 I can however confirm that since 17 May, I have met 2005-06 202,844 with Baroness Julia Neuberger, Chair of the Responsible 2006-07 176,944 Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB) on 3 June, Quaker 2007-08 198,546 Action on Alcohol and Drugs (QAAD) representing 2008-09 223,069 the views of faith and community groups on 17 June, 2009-10 180,285 and representatives of the Association of British 1 Six months only. Bookmakers on 22 June and British Amusement Catering Trades Association on 23 June. These costs include the net cost of the staff restaurant and the cost of providing hospitality to Horserace Totalisator Board meetings. Prior to 2001, the Department did not have in-house catering facilities, and catering costs were not discretely Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of recorded. Between 2001 and 2004, in-house catering State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the was provided by the facilities management contractor, ownership structure is of the Tote; what his timetable is and costs cannot now be accurately disaggregated for deciding on the future arrangements for the Tote; without incurring disproportionate cost. In December what his most recent estimate is of the value of the 2009, the staff restaurant facility on site closed. Tote; and if he will make a statement. [5087] Olympic Games 2012: Employment John Penrose: The Tote is a statutory corporation and the Government appoint the chairman and non-executive members of the board. The Government Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for have the power to dispose of the Tote under powers Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many residents contained in the Horserace Betting and Olympic of (a) Tower Hamlets, (b) Hackney, (c) Waltham Lottery Act 2004, and my right hon. Friend, the Forest, (d) Newham and (e) Greenwich are employed Chancellor of the Exchequer, confirmed in the Budget at the London 2012 Olympics site; what steps his on 22 June that the Government will, over the next 12 Department is taking to increase local employment months, resolve the future of the Tote in a way that opportunities; and how many jobs in the host boroughs secures value for the taxpayer while recognising the he expects to be created by the London 2012 Olympics. support the Tote currently provides the racing industry. [4880] The Government will continue to talk to all parties Hugh Robertson: At the end of March, the date for with an interest in the Tote and to those with an which the most recent figures are available, 20% of the interest in acquiring the Tote during that process. For park work force were resident in the Olympic host reasons of commercial confidentiality I cannot disclose boroughs, with the figure for each borough as follows: the value placed upon the Tote as to do so would harm both the Tote’s business and the Government’s (a) Tower Hamlets: 201 workers financial interest in its disposal. (b) Hackney: 133 workers (c) Waltham Forest: 280 workers Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of (d) Newham: 436 workers State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how (e) Greenwich: 222 workers. much the Tote contributed to horse racing (a) The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and its partners including and (b) in addition to Levy payments in each have put a range of measures in place to help local of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. people in particular access training and employment [5088] opportunities on the site. These include investing in training and apprenticeship opportunities with over John Penrose: The information requested for 2007- 2,800 people benefiting from training, including 199 09, is available on the Tote corporate website under apprentices since the project began. Vacancies are offered financial results at the following link: exclusively to the host borough employment brokerages http://corporate.totesport.com/financial/results/ and Jobcentre Plus offices in the area for a period of The results for 2005-06 can be found at: 48 hours. Vacancies unfilled after this time are advertised across London for a further 24 hours and after this are http://corporate.totesport.com/financial/agm/documents/ made available across the UK through the national 2006.pdf Jobcentre Plus network. Official Hospitality: Expenditure The ODA forecasts that 30,000 people will work on the Olympic Park and Village over the lifetime of the construction programme. During games-time, the Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for London Organising Committee of the Olympic games Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his and Paralympic games estimates that it will require Department spent on catering in each year from 1997 approximately 6,000 paid staff, up to 70,000 volunteers to 2009. [4851] and 100,000 contracted staff. 605W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 606W

Shops Mike Penning: The Government are currently undertaking a Spending Review, the outcome of which Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for will determine the Department for Transport’s budget Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment for the period 2011-15. Once the spending review is has been made of the likely effects on the number of completed, we will review all planned highways scheme jobs in corner shops and small convenience stores and we expect to report the results of the review in the which do not have a national lottery terminal of the autumn. granting to Camelot of permission to enter the bill payment and mobile telephone top-up market. [5298] Network Rail: Pay

John Penrose: The Department has made no such Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for assessment. The decision on whether to allow Camelot, Transport what steps his Department is taking to seek the national lottery operator to undertake any ancillary a review of senior management pay at Network Rail. activity, including offering bill payment and mobile [4921] telephone top-up facilities through national lottery terminals, is one for the National Lottery Commission Mrs Villiers: Network Rail is required under a condition (NLC). of its network licence to maintain a Management Incentive The NLC is currently considering responses to its Plan, which is used to determine the remuneration of its public consultation on a proposal from Camelot to senior executives. The Plan is drawn up by the company’s offer commercial services. That consultation Remuneration Committee and must be submitted to the specifically sought views on the EU/competition law independent Office of Rail Regulation for approval. considerations which may arise from the proposal. Network Rail announced on 24 June a review alongside the Office of Rail Regulation of the future suitability of its Management Incentive Plan for 2010-11. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Office of TRANSPORT Rail Regulation have made clear that this review must be fundamental and far-reaching; and result in a framework Driving: Licensing that focuses on rewarding exceptional long-term performance.

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Ports: Energy Transport what steps the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency takes to ensure the accuracy of addresses on its driving licence database. [4922] Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on enabling ports to meet Mike Penning: To encourage compliance the change the requirements of green energy production. [5111] of address transaction is free of charge. Mike Penning: Within the context of free market To make it easy for customers to keep their address operation, and the requirement for sustainable development, up to date, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency the Government encourage ports to consider all the accepts notifications made online, by telephone, at the opportunities for supporting renewable energy production. Post Office™ as part of the driving licence photo renewal, as well as by post. Telephone callers making general Road Signs and Markings inquiries about their driver record have their address checked as a matter of course. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for The Agency also conducts an address matching Transport what plans he has to bring forward proposals comparison against a third party database before issuing to delegate the powers to control the placing of stop driving licence photo renewal reminders. signs in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 to (a) local highway authorities and Highways Agency (b) parish councils; and if he will make a statement. [5155] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the chief Norman Baker: Although the Department for Transport executive of the Highways Agency to discuss the work has no specific plans to delegate responsibility for placing of the agency. [5751] traffic signs to parish councils, the Department is reviewing traffic signs policy to see where greater flexibility can be Mike Penning: Ministers meet regularly with the chief given to local traffic authorities to remove unnecessary executive of the Highways Agency and the Secretary of regulatory and administrative burdens. I will make sure State is meeting the chief executive today, Thursday 1 the placing of stop signs is considered as part of the July. wider review.

M60 Road Traffic: North West

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on continuation of the Transport what estimate was made of the cost to the Lane Gain project for junctions 12 to 15 on the M60. economy of road congestion in the North West in the [4152] latest year for which figures are available. [4429] 607W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 608W

Norman Baker: The 2006 Eddington Study estimated constituency, local authority and region is available in that, using the Department for Transport’s National the HMRC snapshot publication ″Child Benefit Statistics Transport Model, the direct costs of congestion to Geographical Analysis. August 2009″, available at: business could rise by £10-12 billion from 2003 to 2025 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_benefit/chb-geog- (in 2002 prices). Adding in the value of the lost aug09.pdf time experienced by other travellers raises this figure to £23-24 billion per annum. This report is available at: Child Tax Credit http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http:// www.dft.gov.uk/about/strategy/transportstrategy/ Yvette Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer eddingtonstudy/researchannexes/ (1) how many individuals to whom the child tax credit is Congestion in the North West in 2003 was estimated paid in families with two earners have annual incomes to cost business and other travellers £1.9 billion in lost of (a) between 0 and £5,000, (b) between £5,001 and time (in 2002 prices). £10,000, (c) between £10,001 and £15,000, (d) between These figures are based on the difference between the £15,001 and £20,000, (e) between £20,001 and £25,000, actual time taken to make a journey and the time that (f) between £25,001 and £30,000 (g) between £30,001 would be taken under theoretical “free-flow” conditions. and £35,000, (h) between £35,001 and £40,000 and (i) They do not necessarily represent the net benefit that over £40,001; [4665] would result from removing congestion. (2) what methodology he uses to estimate the average income of the individual to whom child tax credits are paid in households in receipt of child tax credit with TREASURY two earners. [4666] Child Benefit: Bishop Auckland Justine Greening [holding answer 28 June 2010]: Child Helen Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer tax credit is awarded on the basis of overall household how many mothers receive child benefit in (a) Bishop income and in the case of a couple is paid to the person Auckland and (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys who has the main responsibility for the child. constituency; and how many children trigger qualification The following table shows, as at April 2010, the for payments in each of those constituencies. [5093] number of individuals to whom child tax credits are paid, who are in two-earner households, by their 2008-09 Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of finalised income. Incomes for 2009-10 have yet to be families receiving child benefit, by each parliamentary finalised. constituency, local authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot publication “Child Benefit Statistics Individual income of the person Geographical Analysis. August 2009”. This can be found in the couple who is getting paid Number of individuals to whom at: CTC, 2008-09 CTC is paid (thousand) http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_benefit/chb-geog- £0 to £5,000 370 aug09.pdf £5,001 to £10,000 535 The constituency referred to in the question—Blackpool £10,001 to £15,000 370 North and Cleveleys—was formed after August 2009 so £15,001 to £20,000 250 the previous boundary of Blackpool North and Fleetwood has been used instead. The information for the new £20,001 to £25,000 145 constituency would be available only at disproportionate £25,001 to £30,000 85 cost. £30,001 to £35,000 40 £35,001 to £40,000 15 Child Benefit: Dunfermline Over £40,000 10 Thomas Docherty: To ask the Chancellor of the Total 1,825 Exchequer how many people in (a) Dunfermline and Based on the same information, the average income West Fife constituency and (b) Fife local authority in 2008-09 for such individuals was £11,970. The total were claiming child benefit on the latest date for which income of these families was on average £33,290. figures are available. [5773] At Budget the Government announced that the child Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of element of the child tax credit will be increased by £150 families receiving child benefit, by each parliamentary above indexation in 2011-12 and £60 above indexation constituency, local authority and region is available in in 2012-13. the HMRC snapshot publication “Child Benefit Statistics Geographical Analysis. August 2009”, available at: Departmental Manpower http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_benefit/chb-geog- aug09.pdf Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Child Benefit: Lancashire how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time employees there were in his Department’s Euro Preparations Unit; Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual budget of the unit was; and to which how many mothers receive child benefit in West Lancashire central Government departments such employees will constituency; and how many children trigger child benefit be redeployed. [4831] payments in that constituency. [5624] Justine Greening: The number of staff employed Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of within the Euro Preparations Unit (EPU) from its inception families receiving child benefit, by each parliamentary until 2006 was as follows: 609W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 610W

Personal Income Number of staff Date Full time Part time Yvette Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the March 1998 4 0 Exchequer pursuant to chart A2 of Budget 2010, HC6, March 1999 15 0 if he will publish charts showing the effect of increases March 2000 13 0 announced in the June 2010 Budget and excluding the March 2001 12 1 effect of measures announced in the March 2010 March 2002 12 3 Budget as a percentage of net income by income March 2003 14 3 distribution for each year to 2015-16. [4646] March 2004 13 2 March 2005 8 1 Mr Gauke [holding answer 28 June 2010]: The analysis March 2006 4 0 published in the Red Book showed the impact of measures to be in place in 2012-13 compared with those in place today. The Government believe that as they have chosen Since 2006 the Euro Preparation Unit’s work has to retain some of the policies they have inherited while been undertaken by a wider Treasury team. Costs of reversing other decisions that this is the most appropriate staffing and expenditure on euro preparations have way to present the impact of June 2010 Budget decisions. therefore been grouped within that team’s overall costs and cannot be separately identified. Analysis for years beyond 2012-13 will be more uncertain due to greater uncertainty surrounding longer term The Chancellor announced at the recent emergency economic forecasts underpinning the model. Budget that all work on euro preparations within Government will cease with immediate effect. The Treasury Pregnant Women: Grants staff member working on euro preparations has been redeployed to other Treasury policy areas. Rushanara Ali: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many mothers resident in Bethnal Green and Bow constituency received the Health in Pregnancy grant in Employment: Older People each year since its introduction. [4879]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the Exchequer how many of those aged over 65 years are in answer given to the hon. Member for Rutherglen and (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment. [4838] Hamilton West (Tom Greatrex) on 29 June, Official Report, column 502W. Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply. Private Sector: Job Creation The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the to reply. Exchequer pursuant to the Financial Statement of 22 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: June 2010, Official Report, columns 166-80, what the As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I source was for the statistics on regional private sector have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking jobs generation cited at column 176. [4860] how many of those aged over 65 years are in (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment. (4838) Danny Alexander: The source is the Centre for Cities’ For the three-month period January-March 2010 it is estimated June 2010 report “Private sector cities: A new geography that of those aged over 65 years, 185,000 were in full-time of opportunity” (p.6). The figures are based on NOMIS employment and 419,000 were in part-time employment. 2010, Annual Business Inquiry data. These estimates are derived from the Labour Force Survey The report can be found online at: (LFS) and are not seasonally adjusted. The LFS is a survey of http://www.centreforcities.org/index.php?id=1166 residents in private households and therefore excludes people living in communal establishments such as hostels and residential homes. Taxation: Financial Services As with any sample survey, the estimates provided are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Frank Dobson: To ask Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue from the financial services sector to be foregone by the Exchequer Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer as a result of the proposed reduction in corporation tax what recent estimate he has made of the median annual in each financial year to 2015-16. [5170] income for those aged over 65 years who are in employment. [4839] Mr Gauke: The cost to the Exchequer of the reduction in the main rate of corporation tax are given to 2014-15 Mr Gauke: Information on incomes and tax from in table 2.1 of Budget 2010. The cost from financial pensioner taxpayers can be found in table 3.12 “Income sector companies in these years is £0.1 billion in 2011-12, and tax for individuals of pension age, by gender and £0.2 billion in 2012-13, £0.3 billion in 2013-14 and country” at: £0.4 billion in 2014-15. There is a negligible impact in http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by- 2010-11. year.htm#314 The financial sector covers companies classified as Estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes, ‘Banking and Finance’, ‘Insurance and Pension’ funds of which 2007-08 is currently the latest available. and ‘Auxiliary Financial Services’. 611W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 612W

Banks will also be affected by the bank levy announced However, through using survey data and aggregating in the Budget 2010. The yield from the bank levy is this over ranges of income, it is possible to provide an estimated to be £1.15 billion in 2011-12, £2.32 billion in estimate of the average increase in expenditure for 2012-13, £2.5 billion in 2013-14 and £2.4 billion in households in specific income bands. Charts A1 and A2 2014-15. in Annex A of the Budget present an estimate of the increase in expenditure by income decile, both in absolute VAT: Newcastle upon Tyne terms (£ per annum) and as a proportion of net income, available at: Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_annexa.pdf Exchequer what estimate has been made of the increase in expenditure of an average earning household in (a) Welfare Tax Credits the UK, (b) England, (c) the North East and (d) Newcastle Central constituency as a result of the Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the increase in the rate of value added tax in the 12 months Exchequer what estimate he has made of the tax credit from January 2011 compared with the previous 12 (a) over payments and (b) under payments arising months. [4821] from the Government’s proposals to (i) reduce the income disregard from £25,000 to £10,000 for two Mr Gauke: Households with similar levels of earnings years in 2011-12 and to £5,000 from 2013-14, (ii) can show considerable variation in the degree to which introduce an income disregard of £2,500 for falls in they are affected by an increase in the rate of value income from 2012-13 and (iii) reduce backdating of added tax, due to differences in composition, eligibility new claims and changes of circumstances to one month for benefits, or preferences for goods subject to, or not in 2012-13. [4651] subject to, value added tax. These differences mean that it is not possible to provide a robust estimate of the Justine Greening [holding answer 28 June 2010]: The average increase in expenditure for a typical household following tables show these estimates after taking account on average earnings at the UK or sub-UK level. of other changes to the Tax Credit system.

Table 1: Change in amount of overpaid tax credits due to Budget announcements £ million 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Reduce the income disregard from £25,000 to £10,000 for two years in 2011-12 and to £5,000 from +145 +155 +430 2013-14. Introduce an income disregard of £2,500 for falls in income from 2012-13. 0 -20 -20 Reduce backdating of new claims and changes of circumstances to one month in 2012-13. 0 -15 -20 Total +145 +120 +390

Table 2: Change in amount of underpaid tax credits due to Budget announcements £ million 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Reduce the income disregard from £25,000 to £10,000 for two years in 2011-12 and to £5,000 from +5 +5 +5 2013-14. Introduce an income disregard of £2,500 for falls in income from 2012-13. 0 -305 -310 Reduce backdating of new claims and changes of circumstances to one month in 2012-13. 0 -60 -60 Total +5 -360 -365

Welfare Tax Credits: Bishop Auckland Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of families with children benefiting from child and working Helen Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the tax credits, by each parliamentary constituency, local Exchequer how many households in (a) Bishop authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot Auckland and (b) Blackpool North and Cleveleys publication “Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. constituency receive tax credits. [5095] Geographical Analyses. April 2010”, available at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog- Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of apr2010.pdf families with children benefiting from Child and Working Tax Credits, by each parliamentary constituency, local authority and region is available in the HMRC snapshot publication “Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Geographical Analyses. April 2010”, available at: JUSTICE http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog- apr2010.pdf Courts: Closures Welfare Tax Credits: Lancashire Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the how many (a) magistrates’ courts and (b) county Exchequer how many households receive tax credits in courts are under consultation for closure in (i) rural 50 West Lancashire constituency. [5646] and (ii) rural 75 constituencies. [4874] 613W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 614W

Mr Djanogly: The consultation includes nine magistrates County courts courts and five county courts in rural 50 and 38 magistrates Rural 50 courts and 13 county courts in rural 75 constituencies Worksop across England and Wales. The following, lists the courts concerned: Skegness Grantham Magistrates courts Hitchin Rural 50 Newark Worksop Rural 75 Retford Bishop Auckland Brigwater Goole Alton Whitehaven Guisborough Ludlow Newark Haywards Heath Coalville Evesham Flint Oswestry Consett Abergavenny Penrith Rural 75 Melton Mowbray Alnwick Penzance Bishop Auckland Skipton Goole Llangefni Whitehaven Daventry Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which members of the judiciary were consulted Coleford on the decision to publish a list of courts where Tynedale consultation is to take place over their closure. [5016] Lewes Ludlow Mr Djanogly: We are currently consulting on the Mid Sussex closure of 103 magistrates courts and 54 county courts. We welcome responses from all interested parties including Blandford Forum the judiciary. Wisbech Prior to the launch of the consultation a small number Cromer of senior judges were given an indication of those Market Drayton courts likely to appear on the list on which the Lord Oswestry Chancellor has consulted. In addition, the judicial members of the HMCS Board were involved in the Board’s Penrith decision to agree to the list of courts which were place Melton Mowbray before the Lord Chancellor. Rutland Court closures are a matter reserved for the Lord Penzance Chancellor and he will decide whether and which courts Selby to close following the consultation. Skipton Gary Critchley Frome Ely Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Liskeard Justice what recent representations he has received on Spalding the (a) length of time spent in prison by Gary Sudbury Critchley relative to his sentence and (b) safety of Gary Critchley’s conviction; and if he will review the Thetford case of Gary Critchley. [4901] Swaffham Honiton Mr Blunt: Several representations have been received Totnes in recent months from MPs, members of the public and from Mr Critchley himself. Didcot Mr Critchley is serving a life sentence for murder. He Wantage is currently detained in hospital under the Mental Health Witney Act 1983. His release is a matter for the Parole Board Ammanford but the board will not consider his case as long as he Llandovery remains lawfully detained in hospital. Cardigan The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is the independent non-departmental public body responsible Pwllheli for reviewing alleged miscarriages of justice. It is open Llangefni to Mr Critchley to make an application to the CCRC. If 615W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 616W the CCRC were to consider that there was a real possibility Court proceedings data collected centrally only provides that his conviction would not be upheld they could refer detail on the court and police force area in which the his case to the Court of Appeal. Only the Court of proceedings took place, it does identify the specific Appeal can quash his conviction. location in which an offence took place. Although proceedings in criminal cases begin in magistrates’ courts, Human Trafficking: Prosecutions the majority of cases involving rape will progress on to the Crown Court. This may be in a different location to both where the offence was committed and where Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for proceedings were instituted. It is therefore not possible Justice how many people charged with human to provide the specific information requested for Haringey. trafficking offences were subsequently prosecuted in Court proceedings data for 2009 are planned for the last 12 months. [4764] publication in October 2010. Mr Blunt: During 2008, latest currently available, a Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for rape1, 2, Greater London police force area total of 61 persons were proceeded against at magistrates 2005-083, 4 courts in England and Wales for human trafficking 2005 2006 2007 2008 offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and the Asylum & Immigration (Treatment of Claimants) Act 2004. Proceeded 640 589 557 567 against Data for 2009 are planned for publication in October Found 118 151 156 173 2010. guilty 1 Includes: Rape and attempted rape of a female or male. Magistrates Courts: Ammanford 2 Includes: Conspiracies, charges of participation in offences as accessories after the fact and charges of participation in offences by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the offender. Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for 3 The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons Justice how much has been spent on the recent for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they refurbishments of Ammanford Magistrates’ Court. were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is [4713] imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory Mr Djanogly: £59,000 was spent on refurbishments maximum penalty is the most severe. and maintenance work at Ammanford magistrates court 4 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate in the 2009-10 financial year. With the exception of and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by £5,000 spent on re-lamping works, the expenditure was the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken necessary in order to secure a water-tight and structurally to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are sound building. taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services in the Ministry of Justice. Magistrates’ Courts: Closures

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for EDUCATION Justice on what date the list of magistrates’ courts proposed for closure was presented to the Board of Departmental Official Cars HM Courts Service. [5015] Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the (a) make, (b) model and (c) place Mr Djanogly: On several occasions the Board of HM of manufacture is of the car allocated for the use of Courts Service has discussed the court estate, based on each Minister in his Department. [1478] principles agreed in 2007. On 16 June 2010 the HMCS Board agreed that the Michael Gove: Ministers at the Department for Education Lord Chancellor should be invited to consult on the inherited five allocated cars from Ministers in the previous possible closure of 103 magistrates courts and 54 county Government. The full details of (a) make, (b) model courts. and (c) place of manufacture are as follows: Court closures are a matter reserved for the Lord Chancellor and he will make a decision on whether and Number Vehicle make/model Place of manufacture which courts will close following the consultation. 1 Jaguar XJ TDVi Sovereign UK 3 Toyota Prius T3 Japan Rape: Greater London 1 Honda Civic ES Hybrid Japan These arrangements are changing following the Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice publication of the new Ministerial Code which contains how many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions for changes that affect ministerial entitlement to travel by rape there were in (i) Haringey and (ii) London in each Government car. year since 2005. [4893] The expectation is that Ministers not in the Cabinet will use the pool service and that Cabinet Ministers who Mr Blunt: Information on the number of number of have an allocated car will wish to consider how that car prosecutions and convictions for rape in London, 2005 might be utilised by other Ministers within the Department to 2008 (latest currently available) are given in the before calls are made on the Government Car Service following table. Pool. 617W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 618W

However, the Ministerial Code states that “the number Mr Jeremy Browne: I raised Burma with ASEAN of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept Ministers at the EU-ASEAN Ministerial on 26 May at to a minimum, taking into account security and other which the Burmese Foreign Minister was present. I relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled made clear that without the release and participation of to use cars from the Government Car Service Pool as all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, needed”. Burma’s elections will not be free and fair. Our ambassador The Department for Education is working with the in Rangoon also raises issues of concern directly with Department for Transport and its Government Car and the Burmese regime including calls for the release of all Despatch Agency to effect the transition to the new political prisoners. arrangements. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and other members of the G8 discussed Burma at the summit in Canada and issued a statement urging the Burmese LEADER OF THE HOUSE regime to allow for free and fair elections, to release without delay all political prisoners, including Aung National Security Strategy San Suu Kyi, and to engage the democratic opposition and representatives of ethnic groups in a substantive Mr Arbuthnot: To ask the Leader of the House with dialogue on the way forward to national reconciliation. reference to Standing Order No. 152I, what discussions he has had on the establishment of a Joint Committee We will continue to raise our concern at the highest on the National Security Strategy; and if he will make a possible level with Burma’s neighbours, in the EU, the UN and directly with the regime. statement. [5286] Sir George Young: Discussions about the Committee will be taken forward in the usual way. Burma: Export Controls Members: Oaths and Affirmations Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Ian Paisley: To ask the Leader of the House pursuant and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received to the answer to the hon. Member for South Antrim of on the purchase by the Burmese government of dual 23 June 2010, Official Report, column 291, what the scope use goods which could be used in the development of is of the Prime Minister’s re-examination of the nuclear weapons; and whether he has taken steps to arrangements for those who have been elected to the House ensure that no such dual use goods can be exported to to attend the House without having taken the Oath or Burma from the (a) UK and (b) EU. [5158] Affirmation of Allegiance; whether he plans to examine possible revisions to the Oath and Affirmation; and if Mr Jeremy Browne: We are concerned by reports he will make a statement. [4521] suggesting that Burma may be developing a covert nuclear programme in collaboration with North Korea. Mr Heath: Members are required by law to take the We continue to urge Burma to act strictly in accordance Oath or make the Affirmation before taking part in any with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation proceedings of the House. The Government have no Treaty, to abide by the terms and conditions of its plans to change these requirements. International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards Agreement, and declare all nuclear material in its possession. Should there be authoritative evidence that Burma is in FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE breach of its international obligations, the UK would raise the matter with other EU member states. Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Our ambassador to Rangoon has recently lobbied the Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Burmese regime on their obligations under UN sanctions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment and raised proliferation issues with senior members of he has made of how the current unrest in the Kyrgyz the military. We will continue to raise our concerns at Republic will affect operations in Afghanistan. [5197] the highest possible level. Bilaterally the UK actively discourages trade and Alistair Burt: The International Security Assistance investment with Burma which could benefit members Force uses Manas Transit Centre to supply the mission of, or those persons associated with, the Burmese military in Afghanistan. Operations at the Transit Centre are regime. The EU has had restrictive measures in place currently unaffected by the unrest in Krygyzstan. The against Burma since 1996. The EU Council Decision Provisional Government of Krygyzstan has agreed to (formerly an EU Common Position) was renewed for a honour all commitments, including on the Manas Transit further year in April. EU sanctions against Burma are Centre, at least until the end of the current agreement, calibrated to address the deteriorating political situation by which point a new Parliament should be in place and abuses of civil and human rights by the military with which to discuss further arrangements. regime. There are at the present time no specific EU Burma: Elections measures in place which restrict the export of machinery to Burma with a potential dual use of this nature. Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign he has had with the Government of Burma on the and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the forthcoming had with his German counterpart on the alleged breach elections in that country. [5141] by Germany of the EU Common Position on Burma 619W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 620W through the export to that country of industrial Parliament, Mohammed Abu Tir, Ahmed Othwan, equipment with a potential dual use in a nuclear Mohammed Tutah and Khalid Abu Arafa from their weapons programme. [5160] homes in Jerusalem. [4337]

Mr Bellingham: The EU has had restrictive measures Alistair Burt: The UK is extremely concerned by in place against Burma since 1996. EU restrictive measures recent reports of Palestinians’ residency permits being against Burma are calibrated to address the deteriorating revoked. We can confirm that President Abbas has political situation and abuses of civil and human rights requested the Israeli Government to rescind their decision. by the military regime. The EU Council Decision (formerly an EU Common Position) was renewed for a further Pitcairn Islands: Child Protection year in April. There are no specific EU measures in place which restrict the export of machinery to Burma, Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign with a potential dual use of this nature. Bilaterally the and Commonwealth Affairs what child protection UK actively discourages trade and investment with measures are in place to protect children on the Burma, which could benefit members of, or those persons Pitcairn Islands from convicted sex offenders. [5080] associated with, the Burmese military regime. We continue to urge Burma to act strictly in accordance Mr Bellingham: A Child Safety Review, commissioned with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and Treaty, to abide by the terms and conditions of its the Department for International Development, was International Atomic Energy Agency Safeguards completed by independent experts (including from the Agreement, and declare all nuclear material in its possession. Lucy Faithfull Foundation) in June 2009. The Government In light of the activities suggesting Burma is acting in are working to implement the recommendations made contravention of its international obligations, the UK is in the report for further strengthening of child safeguarding seeking to raise the matter with other EU member measures on Pitcairn. states. There is a significant community of professionals Our ambassador to Rangoon has recently lobbied the based full-time on Pitcairn including a community police Burmese regime on their obligations under UN sanctions officer seconded from the New Zealand Police Service, and raised proliferation concerns with senior members a family and community adviser (who is a New Zealand of the military regime and we will continue to raise our trained social worker), a teacher and a doctor. There is concerns at the highest possible level. also an FCO official, stationed full-time on Pitcairn, who is engaged in safeguarding work. All professionals Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign receive child protection training before they go to the and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has island and there are established policies and procedures received of assistance given by North Korea to Burma in place for handling specific child protection concerns. in the acquisition of nuclear weapons technology. Most members of the island community have also [5161] attended human rights training and child protection training. Mr Jeremy Browne: We are concerned by the allegations Convicted offenders who are released on parole are that Burma may be developing a covert nuclear programme subject to a number of conditions laid down by the in collaboration with North Korea. We take such issues Pitcairn Parole Commission, including restrictions on very seriously. We continue to urge Burma to act strictly their movements and on whom they may associate with. in accordance with its obligations under the Nuclear Offenders are closely monitored by their supervision Non-Proliferation Treaty, to abide by the terms and officer—the community police officer. Offenders are conditions of its International Atomic Energy Agency also obliged to participate in an Offender Treatment Safeguards Agreement and declare all nuclear material Programme, which is now almost completed. in its possession. A Pitcairn Sexual Offences Ordinance (2010) has We continue to urge all countries, including Burma, recently been introduced. This is modelled on the UK to respect their obligations under UN Security Council Sexual Offences Act 2003. It provides for a sex offenders Resolutions 1718 and 1874 which clearly prohibit the register, Sexual Offences Prevention Orders and Risk of export from North Korea of all items, materials, equipment, Sexual Harm Orders. goods and technology which could contribute to North A further review of child safety is planned for 2011. Korea’s nuclear weapons programme. Our ambassador to Rangoon has recently lobbied the Burmese regime on their obligations under UN sanctions and raised proliferation concerns with senior members DEFENCE of the military regime. Burma cannot afford to risk the grave consequences of breaching the measures that Afghanistan and Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations have been adopted to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of military waste materials Middle East: Armed Conflict have been removed from (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan since British troops entered each country; what Mr Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign quantities of such waste remain in each country; at and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has what locations such waste has been treated or buried; received on allegations of the proposed expulsion by and what the cost of treatment or burial has been in the government of Israel of Palestinian Members of each case. [3739] 621W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 622W

Peter Luff: The quantities of military waste material Peter Luff: Cost information on the Future Family of removed, remaining, treated or buried in Afghanistan Light Armoured Vehicles (FFLAV) programme, which and Iraq are not held centrally and could be provided dates from the early 1990s, is not held in the format only at disproportionate cost. requested. The estimated costs to the public purse of the other Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for two programmes are as follows: Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2010, Official As at September 2002, the cost of the Tactical Reconnaissance Report, columns 2-3W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) operations, how much of the remainder of £27 million Programme was some £131 million. will be spent on (a) remote vehicles and (b) military The cost to date for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) working dogs. [4386] Utility Vehicle programme is £133 million. Peter Luff: The allocation of an additional £67 million While vehicles have been procured under either of the announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June 2010 to above programmes, the money invested has refined the support the campaign to counter the Improvised Explosive understanding of the requirement, reduced technical Device (IED) threat in Afghanistan, includes more than risk and increased the skills of both the department and £11 million for remote control vehicles for use by our industry with specialist management and integration Counter-IED teams, and approximately £2 million for skills. enhancements to our military working dog capability. Defence Equipment and Support: Salaries Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2010, Official Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Report, columns 2-3W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping Defence how many people are employed by Defence operations, how many vehicles of each type will be Equipment and Support at Abbey Wood; and what the purchased with the £67 million to support the campaign cost of their salaries was in the latest year for which to counter the improvised explosive device threat in figures are available. [4351] Afghanistan. [4387] Peter Luff: On 1 April 2010, there were 21,810 staff Peter Luff: I am withholding this information as its within Defence Equipment and Support, of which 7,656 disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the service personnel and civilian staff were employed at capability, effectiveness and security of our armed forces MOD Abbey Wood, excluding contractors’ employees. in Afghanistan. The annual staff cost, excluding overtime and allowances, is approximately £330 million. Armed Forces: Barnsley Defence: Finance Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from (a) Barnsley East Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for constituency and (b) the Metropolitan Borough of Defence what proportion of the funding allocated to Barnsley are serving in (i) the Army, (ii) the Royal Navy doubling the Operational Allowance will come from and (iii) the Royal Air Force. [5147] the (a) reserve and (b) defence budget. [4264] Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held Mr Robathan: The operational allowance, estimated centrally. I can confirm however that as at April 2010 no to be a total of £114 million in 2010-11, is drawn service personnel were stationed in Barnsley. equally from the Government Reserve and the core Armed Forces: Enfield Defence budget. This reflects the priority that this Government place on both supporting our armed forces Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for on operations and rebuilding the Military Covenant. Defence how many people resident in (a) the London Borough of Enfield and (b) Enfield North constituency Defence: Procurement are currently serving in the (i) Army, (ii) Royal Navy and (iii) Royal Air Force. [5590] Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the capacity Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held of small and medium-sized businesses to complete the centrally. I can confirm however that as at April 2010 no pre-qualification questionnaire for businesses wishing Service personnel were stationed in Enfield. to tender for defence procurement contracts. [4840]

Armoured Fighting Vehicles Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence has been working with the Office of Government Commerce and other Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Departments to identify and implement ways of improving Defence if he will estimate the cost to the public purse access to public procurement by small and medium-sized of the (a) Future Family of Light Armoured Vehicles enterprises (SMEs). This includes simplification of the programme, (b) Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured pre-qualification process, and the Ministry of Defence Combat Equipment Requirement programme and (c) is considering adopting a standard pre-qualification Future Rapid Effect System Utility Vehicles programme questionnaire developed by the OGC for lower-value on the latest date for which figures are available; and procurements. This should reduce the administrative how many vehicles were procured under each programme. burden on SMEs wishing to tender for defence procurement [4670] contracts. 623W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 624W

Departmental VAT Mr Robathan: The Met Office Review Group is not due to meet in the near future; however work continues Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for on the implementation of the review’s 2009 Defence what estimate he has made of the change in recommendations. the level of value added tax his Department will be The remit of the group has not changed since my required to pay in financial year (a) 2010-11 and (b) appointment. 2011-12. [4571] Military Aircraft: Procurement Peter Luff: Departmental budgets are set on a tax- inclusive basis. Based on currently planned expenditure, Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the estimate of the additional expenditure required by Defence if he will estimate the cost of cancelling the the Ministry of Defence based on the increased level of (a) purchase of the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft and value added tax is approximately £38 million in financial (b) Future Rapid Effect System Specialist Vehicles year 2010-11. Budgets for the financial year 2011-12 contract. [4597] have not yet been set and it is not possible to estimate the impact of tax changes in that year. Peter Luff: The overall cost of the RC-135 Rivet Joint Project, through life, is circa £1.2 billion and at this early stage of the project life cycle any cancellation France costs would be a small fraction of this. Rivet Joint is being acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence process which allows customers to withdraw at any time pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2010, Official Report, on payment of all costs incurred to date, and any column 181W, on France, for what reasons there was no unavoidable liabilities held by the US Government and accommodation cost for the Minister; and for what its contractors. reasons the cost of accommodation for officials was On 1 July 2001, the Ministry of Defence announced £88. [4326] that a demonstration phase contract for Specialist Vehicles had been signed. The cost of a subsequent cancellation Mr Robathan [holding answer 28 June 2010]: During would be agreed with the contractor with the Department my visit to France for the 70th anniversary of Dunkirk I paying fair and reasonable costs and liabilities at the was the guest of the Mayor of Dunkirk and did not time of the cancellation. accrue accommodation costs. Officials stayed at local accommodation at a total cost of £44 per room. Nuclear Weapons: Decommissioning

Future Large Aircraft Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to dispose Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for of obsolescent and surplus nuclear weapons. [4863] Defence when the first Airbus 400M will be delivered to the UK; when it will enter service; and what estimate Peter Luff: The UK does not have any obsolescent or surplus nuclear weapons that require disposal. he has made of the unit cost of each aircraft. [4596] Radioactive Materials Peter Luff: The A400M military transport aircraft programme will be reviewed as part of the Strategic Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence and Security Review, but on current plans the Defence pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2010, Official first UK delivery is expected in 2014 and it is due to Report, column 470W, on radioactive materials, what enter service with the Royal Air Force in 2015. security and safety standards apply to the storage and I am withholding the unit cost information for transport of each different class of special nuclear commercial reasons. materials. [4751]

Met Office Peter Luff: The security standards that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) applies to the storage and transportation John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for of the various categories of Special Nuclear Material Defence whether the future of the Met Office will be (SNM) are consistent with International Atomic Energy considered as part the Strategic Defence and Security Agency (IAEA) guidelines such as ‘The Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Facilities’. These Review. [4916] security standards are designed to protect Defence Nuclear Material against unauthorised access and malicious Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the answer acts. I am withholding specific details as their publication I gave to the hon. Member for Halton (Derek Twigg) on would be likely to prejudice national security. 9 June 2010, Official Report, column 182W. On the safety standards applied to storage and transportation, the relevant policy is contained within Met Office Review Group Joint Service Publication (JSP) 518 ‘Regulation of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programme’ and JSP 538 John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for ‘Regulation of the Nuclear Weapon Programme’. For Defence when he next expects the Met Office Review the storage of SNM, the standards applied are the same Group to meet; and whether the remit of that Group as those applied to civil nuclear installations under has changed since his appointment. [4917] nuclear site licensing. For the transport of SNM, the 625W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 626W

JSPs cite the IAEA publication ‘Regulations for the Development (DFID) will take this agenda forward and Safe Transport of Radioactive Material’, which forms is currently considering ways to put this commitment the technical basis of legislation covering the transport into action. of radioactive materials in the UK. I recently affirmed the UK’s Fast Start commitment Where exemptions or derogations from the legislation of £1.5 billion for the period 2010-12, which will help apply, it is MOD policy to introduce standards and developing countries to adapt to climate change, adopt management arrangements that are, so far as reasonably clean technology and reduce emissions from deforestation. practicable, at least as good as those required by the legislation. Developing Countries: Fossil Fuels

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for SCOTLAND International Development pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2010, Official Report, column 557W, on Video games developing countries: fossil fuels, if he will take steps to end support for fossil fuel extraction and transport Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for projects by multilateral development banks. [4620] Scotland whether he has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effects of the Mr Andrew Mitchell: I am currently reviewing my taxation regime for the computer games industry on Department’s position regarding the energy lending of the industry in Scotland. [5339] the multilateral development banks in the light of our commitment to poverty reduction and tackling climate Michael Moore: I have discussions with the Chancellor change and will set out our position in due course. of the Exchequer on a variety of subjects. The June 2010 Budget announced major reforms to business Peru: Forests taxation, designed to make the UK the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20. The video games industry is well placed to benefit from these changes. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department is giving to (a) sustainable forestry management projects and (b) projects to reduce emissions from deforestation INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT and degradation in Peru. [4668]

Departmental Manpower Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing £3.7 million (2008-12) Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State to Global Witness to increase transparency in the for International Development how many staff are management and governance of forests in four countries, employed full-time by his Department in the (a) water, including Peru. With this support representatives of the sanitation and hygiene, (b) health and (c) education 1,300 indigenous communities that inhabit over 12 million sectors; and if he will provide a breakdown of staff hectares of forest have participated in the development numbers by country offices. [4683] of a new national forest law to be approved this year. This support is also enabling civil society to monitor Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International forest sector transparency and legally ask the Government Development (DFID) has not hitherto held a central of Peru for access to information on industrial forest record of staff broken down by the categories specified. concession allocation. A significant number of DFID programme staff and DFID has provided funding to the Centre for professional advisers work across different sectors and International Forestry Research (CIFOR), which has multi-disciplinary teams. It is therefore not possible to trained Peruvian loggers to improve their harvesting answer the question as stated without incurring techniques, and helped the national forestry department disproportionate costs. develop community forest management. DFID is currently working towards publishing details DFID also finances the World Bank-administered of staff positions from October 2010 in line with the Forest Investment Programme and Forest Carbon Prime Minister’s recent announcement on transparency Partnership Facility. Peru has applied for support from across Government. both of these funds. Developing Countries: Climate Change

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for CABINET OFFICE International Development what plans he has to assist vulnerable and developing countries to support an Deaths: Cervical Cancer ambitious global climate change deal. [4628]

Mr Andrew Mitchell: In “The Coalition; our programme Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet for government”, the Government laid out our commitment Office what proportion of deaths from cervical cancer to “exploring ways of helping the poorest developing occurred in women (a) over the age of 60, (b) between countries to take part in the international climate change 30 and 59 and (c) under 30 years in each year since negotiations”. The Department for International 2001; and if he will make a statement. [4925] 627W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 628W

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the The table attached provides the number and per cent of deaths responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have where cervical cancer was the underlying cause of death in asked the Authority to reply. England and Wales, in women aged (a) 60 years and over, (b) between 30 and 59 years and (c) under 30 years, for the years 2001 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: to 2009 (the latest year available). As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what year by sex, age and cause are published annually on the National proportion of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in women (a) Statistics website at: over the age of 60, (b) between 30 and 59 and (c) under 30 years in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement. (4925) http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15096

Table 1: The number and percentage of deaths where cervical cancer was the underlying cause, by age, England and Wales, 2001 to 20091, 2, 3, 4 Deaths (females) Number Percentage5 0 to 30 30 to 59 60+ All ages 0 to 30 30 to 59 60+ All ages

2001 22 416 608 1,046 2 40 58 100 2002 14 389 600 1,003 1 39 60 100 2003 25 351 577 953 3 37 61 100 2004 18 370 563 951 2 39 59 100 2005 16 360 541 917 2 39 59 100 2006 24 332 475 831 3 40 57 100 2007 28 341 451 820 3 42 55 100 2008 26 330 474 830 3 40 57 100 2009 25 311 494 830 3 37 60 100 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code C53. 2 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. 3 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. 4 Deaths registered in 2009 are provisional. 5 Deaths from cervical cancer in each age group as a percentage of all deaths from cervical cancer.

Job Creation: Leeds New Businesses: Barnsley

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) how many new jobs have been created in the Office how many new businesses were started in (a) private sector in Leeds North West constituency in Barnsley East constituency and (b) the Metropolitan each of the last five years; [5156] Borough of Barnsley during 2009-10. [5146] (2) how many new jobs have been created in the Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the public sector in Leeds North West constituency in each responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have of the last five years. [5157] asked the Authority to reply. Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I asked the authority to reply. have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many new businesses were started in (a) Barnsley Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: East constituency and (b) the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I during 2009-10. [5146] have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking Annual statistics on business births, deaths and survival arc how many new jobs have been created in the public sector in available from the ONS release on Business Demography at: Leeds North West constituency in each of the last five years; and www.statistics.gov.uk how many new jobs have been created in the private sector in Data are only available for 2008 and are for the ward areas that Leeds North West constituency in each of the last five years. cover the new constituency of East Barnsley. (5157 & 5156) Statistics regarding the number of new jobs created are not Count of enterprise births for 2008 in Barnsley East parliamentary available. constituency and Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley National and local area estimates for many labour market Number statistics, including employment and unemployment are available Barnsley East 245 from the NOMIS website at Metropolitan Borough of 695 http://www.nomisweb.co.uk Barnsley

National Citizen Service COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Mr Timpson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he plans to introduce a National Citizen Community Infrastructure Levy Service. [4801] Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Hurd: Full details of this programme will be Communities and Local Government what plans he announced by the Cabinet Office later this year, with a has for the future of the Community Infrastructure launch expected in 2011. Levy. [5565] 629W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 630W

Greg Clark: The Government are currently considering We have committed, in the Coalition Government the future of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). document The Coalition: our programme for government, We will make a public announcement shortly. to publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all Fire Services: Retirement forms of development and work is proceeding on this within my Department. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is Housing: East of England on raising the retirement age for firefighters. [5707] Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: There is no compulsory retirement age Communities and Local Government what figures (a) for firefighters and age discrimination legislation applies Suffolk Coastal District Council and (b) Waveney to the fire and rescue service. District Council submitted to his Department for the Housing: Construction formulation of option 1 of the East of England housing strategy. [5129] Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has Robert Neill: The equivalent to ’option 1’ is the draft to reward councils for allowing housing developments East of England Plan Review, published in January by changing the distribution of the Revenue Grant; and 2010, which suggests targets of 290 dwellings a year for if he will make a statement. [5221] Waveney and 440 dwellings a year for Suffolk Coastal, excluding the Ipswich Policy Area. Grant Shapps: We are committed to increasing housing I would stress that local planning authorities are best supply and seeing more of the homes that people want, placed to determine how to meet their ambitions for in the places that people want them, to meet Britain’s housing. They may retain the housing targets set out in housing need. The coalition agreement set out our clear the soon to be revoked Regional Strategies or they may intention to provide incentives for local authorities to decide to review these. deliver sustainable development, including new homes and business. I will set out further details of the timetable Local Government Finance for introducing incentives in due course. Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Communities and Local Government when he plans to written ministerial statement of 10 June 2010, Official issue new planning guidance to councils to encourage Report, columns 15-17WS, on the local government housing development. [5223] savings pledge, if he will (a) undertake and (b) publish an impact assessment of the effect of the in-year Robert Neill: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of reductions to grant funding to local authorities on (i) State wrote to the leader of each local authority in businesses, (ii) levels of growth and (iii) levels of England on 27 May to reaffirm our commitment to employment in (A) Nottingham, (B) Nottinghamshire abolish Regional Strategies and return decision making and (C) the East Midlands. [4269] powers on housing and planning to local councils. Decisions on housing supply will rest with local planning Robert Neill: Tackling the UK’s record deficit is the authorities without the framework of regional numbers Government’s top priority and we believe that it is right and plans. that local authorities make a contribution to the efficiency The coalition agreement makes a clear commitment savings of £6.2 billion in 2010-11. We have adopted a to providing local authorities with real incentives to fair approach to the reductions in grants and funding build new homes. Local authorities which take action streams and have limited the amount councils, including now to consent and support the construction of new those in the East Midlands lose. The impact on their homes will receive direct benefit from their actions. area of the reductions in grants this year will be for Our coalition agreement also states that we will publish those local authorities to decide. We have ensured that and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated councils, including those in the East Midlands, are able national planning framework covering all forms of to deliver essential frontline services by making no development. changes to the £29 billion they receive through Formula We will make an announcement on how we propose Grant and by increasing flexibility for local spending to take forward our incentive plans and the national decisions through removing restrictions on how they planning framework and the implications for specific spend their money. areas of planning policy. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of Communities and Local Government when he State for Communities and Local Government what proposes to inform (a) Sheffield City Council and (b) guidance his Department is providing to people who other local authorities of their in-year reductions in wish to build their own houses; and if he will make a grants from his Department. [5282] statement. [5283] Robert Neill: The reduction in grants for individual Greg Clark: Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing local authorities for which final allocations had been (PPS3) provides planning guidance on the development announced is set out in the document made available to of housing. PPS3 applies to all types of developers, the House at the time of the written ministerial statement including people who wish to build their own homes. of 10 June 2010, Official Report, columns 15-17WS. 631W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 632W

The document sets out the main revenue allocations expenditure and any other loss or damage resulting paid to each local authority including formula grant from such action. A key tenet of the planning system is and area based grant. that once planning permission has been granted the Further to the ministerial statement, my Department applicant should be able to proceed with certainty. wrote to all local authorities chief executives, on the Regional Planning and Development same date, providing specific details of the reductions of grants as they affect individual local authorities. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Government Finance: North East Communities and Local Government when he expects his review of successor arrangements to regional development agencies to be completed; and if he will Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [5058] Communities and Local Government pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 10 June 2010, Official Robert Neill: The Secretaries of State for Communities Report, columns 15-17WS, on the local government and Business issued a joint statement to the House on savings package, if he will (a) commission and (b) 29 June 2010, Official Report, column 34WS, in which publish an assessment of the effects on (i) businesses, they called for local councils and businesses to send (ii) economic growth and (iii) employment levels in the proposals to Government on how they would like to North East of the in-year reductions in grant funding form local enterprise partnerships to replace the regional to local authorities. [4539] development agencies. Further details will be published in the Government White Paper on economic development Robert Neill: Tackling the UK’s record deficit is the later this summer. Government’s top priority and we believe that it is right that local authorities make a contribution to the efficiency Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of savings of £6.2 billion in 2010-11. We have adopted a State for Communities and Local Government when he fair approach to the reductions in grants and funding expects to announce the replacement of the regional streams and have limited the amount councils, including spatial strategy system of planning; and if he will make those in the North East, will lose. The impact on their a statement. [5284] area of the reductions in grants this year will be for those local authorities to decide. We have ensured that Robert Neill: We are absolutely committed to abolishing councils, including those in the North East, are able to regional strategies. We are keen to move in advance of deliver essential frontline services by making no changes legislation and are currently considering revoking regional to the £29 billion they receive through Formula Grant strategies ahead of taking legislation through Parliament. and by increasing flexibility for local spending decisions We will make a statement shortly. through removing restrictions on how they spend their money. Social Rented Housing

Official Hospitality: Expenditure Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for plans to take to ensure (a) local authority and (b) Communities and Local Government how much his private sector tenants have greater security of tenure. Department spent on catering in each year from 1997 [4797] to 2009. [4852] Andrew Stunell: As my right hon. Friend the Minister Robert Neill: The Department has spent the following for Housing and Local Government said in this House with its facilities management supplier on catering since on 10 June 2010, Official Report, column 451, we will 2006. Figures for earlier years could be supplied only at respect the tenures of social tenants. The vast majority disproportionate cost. of social tenants have a very secure degree of tenancy. We believe that the existing legislative framework £ covering the private rented sector achieves the right 2006-07 591,619 balance between the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. In the past, excessive regulation of the 2007-08 497,886 sector led to a severe contraction as landlords sold up 2008-09 459,939 and left. Particularly in the current financial climate, we 2009-10 314,557 would not want to make changes that would discourage growth in the sector and risk rising private sector rents Planning and reduced choice for tenants. That would not help low income households who rely on private renting for Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for their homes. Communities and Local Government if he will make revisions to Planning Policy Guidance 3 to allow for Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the revocation of planning consents previously Communities and Local Government what plans he granted. [5297] has to review security of tenure for social tenants. [5224]

Robert Neill: Local planning authorities already have Andrew Stunell: I refer the hon. Member to the powers to revoke or modify planning permissions, but answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for use them rarely and exceptionally. Local authorities are Housing and Local Government on 10 June, Official liable for compensation to applicants for abortive Report, column 451. 633W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 634W

Tenant Services Authority HEALTH Arthritis: Health Services Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable he has set for the abolition of the Tenant Services Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions officials in his Department have had Authority. [5680] (a) with NHS organisations and (b) the National Grant Shapps: The Government are reviewing the Audit Office on the 18-week referral-to-treatment role and purpose of the Tenant Services Authority and standard for people with rheumatoid arthritis; and the framework for social housing regulation, in line what assessment has been made of the effects on with our commitment to reduce the number of quangos people with rheumatoid arthritis of the introduction of and cut unnecessary regulation. The review will conclude that standard. [5273] as quickly as possible. Mr Burstow: During the National Audit Office’s field work for the value for money report “Services for people with rheumatoid arthritis”, Departmental officials provided referral to treatment data to the National DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Audit Office to inform the study. Latest data show that in April 2010, the average Electoral Register (median) waiting time from referral to treatment was 3.4 weeks for rheumatology patients admitted to hospital Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for treatment and 5.7 weeks for rheumatology patients which local authority had the lowest percentage (a) whose treatment did not require an admission to hospital. increase and (b) decrease in the number of people on Rheumatology is the treatment function category into its electoral register in the last two years. [4363] which most rheumatoid arthritis patients will fall. The revised NHS Operating Framework for 2010-11, Mr Harper: The information requested falls within published on 21 June, removed the burden politically the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have determined central performance management of the 18 asked the Authority to reply. weeks waiting times target by the Department. The Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated June 2010: Department will continue to publish and monitor referral As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I to treatment data. This will incentivise providers and have been asked to reply to your question asking which local commissioners to work together to keep clinically unjustified authority had the lowest percentage (a) increase and (b) decrease waits down and to tackle unnecessary variation. in the number of people on its electoral register in the last two Targets that were not grounded in clinical evidence years (4363). had unintentional consequences and fettered clinical The local authority with the lowest percentage increase in the judgments and autonomy.The Government are determined number of people registered to vote in local elections from 2007 to 2009 is Hartlepool Unitary Authority, with an increase of 0.33 to liberate clinicians and empower patients to deliver persons per 1,000 voters. better outcomes. The local authority with the lowest percentage decrease in the Officials have not held discussions with national health number of people registered to vote in local elections from 2007 service organisations on the 18 week referral to treatment to 2009 is Cardiff Unitary Authority, which decreased by 0.18 standard for people with rheumatoid arthritis. persons per 1,000 voters. The latest year for which electoral registration data are available Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health is 2009. These changes have been expressed as increases or decreases what plans he has to conduct a formal evaluation of per 1,000 people because the numbers involved are too small to self-management programmes provided by the NHS to helpfully express as percentages. patients with rheumatoid arthritis. [5274]

Written Questions: Government Responses Mr Burstow: It is the responsibility of commissioners of healthcare services to ensure that their populations Mr Watson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when have access to and information about the services available he plans to answer (a) Question 226, on the to them. “Your Guide to local health services” enables Committee on Nuclear Deterrence and Security tabled primary care trusts to ensure that patients receive local on 25 May 2010, (b) Question 291, on departmental information about services including support for self official cars, tabled on 25 May 2010 and (c) Question care. 576, on the use of Chevening, tabled on 26 May 2010. At a national level, NHS Choices provides people [3841] living with long term conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, with information about the choices that should The Deputy Prime Minister [holding answer 22 June be available to them locally to enable them to self care 2010]: I refer the hon. Member to my answers of 29 in partnership with health and social care professionals. June 2010, Official Report, column 532W on departmental The Expert Patient Programme Community Interest official cars and 30 June 2010, Official Report, column Company has developed a training course specifically 563W on Chevening. on rheumatoid arthritis that is co-delivered by a lay I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given by person with rheumatoid arthritis and a rheumatology the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 17 June 2010, specialist nurse. The programme will be available nationally Official Report, column 519W on the Committee on and is supported by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Nuclear Deterrence and Security. Society. 635W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 636W

The Department currently has no plans to conduct a (2) what plans he has to improve dementia care; and formal evaluation of self-management programmes if he will make a statement. [4740] provided by the national health service to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mr Burstow: We plan to build on the National Dementia Strategy published on 3 February 2009 by accelerating Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the pace of improvements through a greater focus on what his most recent estimate is of the number of delivery and local accountability and through empowering rheumatoid arthritis specialist nurses working in the citizens to hold local organisations to account. This NHS; how many rheumatoid arthritis specialist nurses process will be aided by driving up quality standards he expects to be working in the NHS in 2012; with through a tariff for dementia patients, better regulation reference to the oral evidence taken before the Public of providers, improving commissioning processes to Accounts Committee on 23 November 2009, on services deliver greater efficiencies and through national health for people with rheumatoid arthritis, HC 46, Session service and public health interventions having a greater 2009-10, what the evidential basis is for the expectation focus on outcomes for individuals. that the number of specialist rheumatoid arthritis nurses in the NHS is increasing; and if he will make a statement. Additionally, revisions to the NHS Operating [5295] Frameworks for 2010-11 identified dementia as an area for local prioritisation. It is for primary care trusts Mr Burstow: The expectation that the number of (PCTs) to decide locally how best to deliver the national rheumatology specialist nurses is increasing is based on requirements and local priorities set out in the NHS the rounded care model for rheumatoid arthritis which Operating Framework including the National Dementia is built around a multidisciplinary team approach. Strategy. Local PCTs are asked to publish their plans Multidisciplinary teams within rheumatology services for implementing the strategy. see some of the functions traditionally carried out by In order to gauge progress overall in implementing consultant rheumatologists appropriately transferred to the National Dementia Strategy, the Department is other members of the team, such as specialist nurses. undertaking a national audit of dementia services. We National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will use the data from this, alongside information from clinical guideline 79 “The management of rheumatoid locality action plans prepared by local authorities and arthritis in adults” makes the multidisciplinary team, PCTs in March 2010, in order to focus on where action including a specialist nurse, a key priority for is required to accelerate implementation of the Strategy. implementation. In addition, the Department is updating the current Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health implementation plan for the National Dementia Strategy with reference to the oral evidence taken by the Committee to ensure that it is focussed on those areas that will have of Public Accounts on 23 November 2009, on services the most impact on the lives of people with dementia for people with rheumatoid arthritis, HC 46, Session and their carers. These include; promoting early diagnosis 2009-10, what progress his Department’s Acting Director- and referral with general practitioners, care of people in General for Commissioning and System Management hospital and care homes with dementia and reduction has made in responding to the request made in question 21 of the prescribing of anti-psychotic medication to people to investigate the potentially adverse effects of with dementia. commissioning decisions on patient care in the Departmental Public Expenditure rheumatology specialty; and if he will make a statement. [5296] Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Burstow: The Department’s policy is clear—all Health (1) how many of his Department’s contracts patients should be treated without unnecessary delay with its suppliers are under review as a result of the according to their clinical need, it is for doctors to recently announced reductions in public expenditure; determine a patient’s clinical priority, and patients should and what the monetary value is of all such contracts not experience undue delay at any stage of their treatment which are under review; [3641] pathway. It is important, therefore, that services match (2) how many officials in his Department are their capacity with demand so that no patient waits working on renegotiating contracts for the supply of unnecessarily to be seen whether for their first appointments goods and services to the Department as a result of or for follow up appointments. recently announced reductions in public spending; Data published by the Department of Health looking what savings are expected to accrue to his Department on an all speciality basis shows that the ratio of subsequent from such renegotiations; how much expenditure his attendance (follow-up) to first out-patient appointment Department will incur on such renegotiations; and has remained broadly stable over the last three years at when such renegotiations will be completed. [3663] around two (subsequent attendances) to one (first out- patient appointment). Mr Simon Burns: The Department works with its Source: suppliers on an ongoing basis to maximise value for Department of Health Monthly Activity Return (MAR) and money and continual service improvement in the delivery Quarterly Activity Return (QAR) of its contracts. Dementia: Health Services From May 2010, the Department has targeted categories of spend worth approximately £19.5 million in the first Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for instance—this is for information and communication Health (1) what progress his Department has made in technology (ICT) products and services, travel, office implementation of the National Dementia Strategy; supplies and catering. The breakdown of this figure is: [4738] 1. ICT products and services—£6 million 637W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 638W

2. Travel, office supplies and catering—£13.5 million Hospitals: Admissions Officials have met, or are planning to meet, the current suppliers of each of these services to agree Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for where additional monetary savings on expenditure can Health what estimate he has made of the additional be derived. It is likely that the Department’s suppliers cost to NHS trusts of paying hospitals for the will also be engaged in discussions with Cabinet Office treatment of individual patients according to their and Office of Government Commerce colleagues relating subsequent re-admission for the same condition. [5166] to cross-Government savings opportunities where the Mr Burstow: Given that emergency re-admissions supplier provides services to a number of Government into hospitals have increased from 359,719 in 1998-99 Departments. to 546,354 in 2007-081, we have decided that from 1 The Department is also represented on the existing April 2011 hospitals will not receive further payment procurement Category Boards and Working Groups led for avoidable re-admissions within 30 days of discharge. by the Office of Government Commerce and Cabinet No formal estimate has been made by the Department. Office. The Department will fully support the Government’s Officials are working on the detail of this change. plans to support increased efficiency savings through 1 Source: procurement. Compendium of clinical and health indicators, National Centre The Department estimates that five officials are spending for Health Outcomes Development, October 2009. a proportion of their time working on the renegotiation Hospitals: Greater London of existing contracts. It is not possible at this stage to provide a savings figure, how much expenditure will be Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for incurred or when such renegotiations will be completed. Health what estimate he has made of average waiting times to be seen at the accident and emergency Drugs: Finance department at (a) the Royal Free Hospital, (b) Whittington Hospital, (c) University College London Hospital and (d) St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington in Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the latest period for which figures are available; and if (1) what estimate he has made of the cost savings to the he will make a statement. [4810] NHS attributable to parallel trading in each of the last three financial years; [4586] Mr Simon Burns: Information is not collected in the (2) what estimate his Department has made of the format requested. effect on NHS costs of manufacturers’ quotas on Information is held at the level of trusts and information medicines and drugs and of restrictions on the parallel is not available for specific hospital sites. The following importation of drugs and medicines in the last three table sets out the mean and median time spent between years. [4698] arrival and departure in accident and emergency (A&E) departments for Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Mr Simon Burns: Costs and savings to the national The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, University College health service attributable to parallel trading and London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial manufacturers’ quotas are not separately identifiable. College Healthcare NHS Trust in 2008-09 (latest data The Department is unaware of any restrictions placed available). on the parallel importing of drugs and medicines. Minutes Mean duration to Median duration Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Hospital provider departure to departure what recent discussions he has had with pharmaceutical Royal Free Hampstead NHS 182 156 manufacturers on their quotas for the supply of medicines Trust [4699] and drugs to the NHS in England. The Whittington Hospital 164 169 NHS Trust Mr Simon Burns: Departmental officials regularly University College London 143 139 Hospitals NHS Foundation meet with supply chain and manufacturer representatives Trust to discuss issues affecting the supply of medicines. Imperial College Healthcare 155 127 NHS Trust Hearing Impairment Notes: 1. An attendance is a record for every patient that attends an A&E department, including a major A&E department, single specialty A&E departments, walk-in centres and minor injuries units. Any one patient can Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health have multiple attendances, which may be in the same or different time periods, if he will require personal music players sold in the UK for the same or different condition. to have a health notice forming part of the permanent 2. Duration to Departure: The time (expressed as a whole number of minutes) between the patients arrival and the time the A&E attendance has concluded casing warning users of the potential danger to their and the department is no longer responsible for the care of the patient. hearing of playing them too loudly; and if he will make 3. A&E Data Quality: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are compiled from a statement. [4770] data sent by a number of NHS providers across England. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seek to Mr Burstow: There are no plans to require personal minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings music players sold in the United Kingdom to have a remain. The A&E HES publications addresses some of the key data quality statutory health warning. The safety and regulation of and coverage issues. These are available on HESonline at: consumer products, such as personal music players is, www.hesonline.nhs.uk Source: within government, primarily a matter for the Department Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health of Business, Innovation and Skills. and social care 639W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 640W

Lung Cancer: Screening patients with upper gastro-intestinal cancers, including stomach cancer, should be organised in order to ensure Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the best outcomes. Health when he expects to publish the results of the The information is not held in the format requested. Health Technology Assessment’s pilot study Information concerning the proportion of newly diagnosed undertaken as part of the UK Lung Cancer Screening stomach cancer patients who are recommended for Trial; and if he will make a statement. [4688] treatment is not collected centrally, and neither is information concerning how many people diagnosed Mr Burstow: The Department’s current expectation is with stomach cancer in the latest year for which figures that the United Kingdom lung cancer screening trial are available were tested for HER2 positive status and pilot study will start in early 2011. The result of the were found to be HER2 positive. study is likely in these circumstances to be published in Strokes: Health Services the second half of 2013. Pharmacy: Standards Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much funding his Department has allocated for Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the implementation of the National Stroke Strategy in (1) what assessment his Department has made of the 2010-11; [5149] number of patients who had to wait more than 48 (2) whether he expects changes to be made to the hours to be dispensed medicines after presenting level of funding for the implementation of the National prescriptions to a pharmacy or dispensing doctor in the Stroke Strategy in 2010-11. [5150] latest period for which figures are available; [4585] (2) what assessment his Department has made of the Mr Simon Burns: Funding of the stroke strategy has effect on the wholesale and retail pharmaceutical sector largely been provided through primary care trust baseline of manufacturers’ quotas for the supply of medicines allocations which were increased to take account of the and drugs in England. [4700] demands of implementation. It is for the national health service locally to decide how best to invest resources to Mr Simon Burns: We are aware of various issues that meet the strategy’s objectives. When the strategy was are causing supply difficulties and delays to the dispensing published, additional central funding was also made of some medicines and manufacturers, wholesalers and available. Of this, £34 million is earmarked for 2010-11 pharmacists are making additional efforts to ensure and currently there are no plans to increase or decrease patients get their medicines when they need them. While this. no assessment has been made of the number of patients affected by these issues, the Department continues to Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health work collaboratively with supply chain organisations to whether his Department plans to publish an evaluation explore further measures to help alleviate the situation. of the progress made on implementing the National Stroke Strategy. [5151] Stomach Cancer Mr Simon Burns: Progress with implementation of Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the stroke strategy is kept under review. In February, the (1) what recent estimate he has made of the proportion National Audit Office published a comprehensive report of newly-diagnosed patients with stomach cancer who on the progress in improving stroke care following the are recommended for treatment; and if he will make a 2007 stroke strategy and this gives the information we statement; [5131] need at this point in time. Options for a longer evaluation will be considered in due course. (2) how many people were diagnosed with stomach cancer in the last year for which figures are available; and of those how many people were (a) tested for BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS HER2 positive status and (b) found to be HER2 positive. [5132] Business Services Association

Mr Burstow: The latest available figures for newly Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, diagnosed cases of stomach cancer are for the year Innovation and Skills which (a) Ministers and (b) 2007, in which 6,330 people were diagnosed. In 2008-09, officials within his Department have met the Business the number of finished admission episodes (FAEs) where Services Association since his appointment. [5258] the primary diagnosis was stomach cancer was 22,251. Mr Prisk: I have not met the Business Services An FAE is the first period of in-patient care under Association since I took office; Ceri Smith, Director of one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs this Department’s Business Environment and Growth are counted against the year in which the admission Directorate, met the Association on 26 May. episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number Colleges Renewal Grant of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for It is for individual clinicians to recommend appropriate Business, Innovation and Skills (1) with reference to the treatments for patients based on the available evidence. letter to hon. Members from the Minister of State for To assist clinicians, in 2001 the Department published Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning dated “Improving Outcomes in Upper Gastro-intestinal Cancers”, 21 June 2010, which colleges will receive a share of the which set out recommendations on how services for renewal grant; [5019] 641W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 642W

(2) with reference to the letter to hon. Members from Grimsby Institute the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Guildford College of Further and Higher Education Lifelong Learning dated 21 June 2010, which colleges Hackney Community College will be entitled to apply for a share of the enhanced Halesowen College renewal grant. [5020] Harlow College Mr Hayes: There are 158 colleges eligible to receive a Harrow College share of the renewal grant. These colleges are listed as Hartpury College follows. These very same colleges are also eligible to Havering College of Further Education apply for a share of the enhanced renewal grant. Henley College, Coventry Eligible colleges Hereford College of Arts Abingdon and Witney College Hereward College, Coventry Accrington and Rossendale College Hillcroft College Amersham and Wycombe College Hopwood Hall College Askham Bryan Hugh Baird College Aylesbury College Hull College Barking College Huntingdonshire Regional College Barnfield College Isle of Wight College Basingstoke College of Technology Joseph Priestley College Bedford College Kensington and Chelsea College Bexley College Kidderminster College Bicton College Kingston College Blackburn College Kingston Maurward College Blackpool and the Fylde College Knowsley Community College Boston College, Lincolnshire Lakes College West Cumbria Bournemouth and Poole Further Education College Lancaster and Morecambe College Bradford College Leeds College of Art and Design Bridgwater College Leeds College of Building Brockenhurst College Leek College of Further Education and School of Art Brooklands College Lewisham College Brooksby Melton College Lincoln College Burton College Loughborough College Bury College Lowestoft College Cambridge Regional College Mary Ward Centre (The) Capel Manor College Mid Cheshire College Carlisle College Milton Keynes College Carshalton College Morley College Central Bedfordshire College Moulton College Chelmsford College Myerscough College Chesterfield College New College Nottingham Chichester College New College Stamford Cirencester College New College Swindon City College Brighton Newbury College City College Plymouth Newham College of Further Education City of Bath College Northern College for Residential Adult Education City of Sunderland College PETROC (new name for North and East Devon Colleges) City of Wolverhampton College North East Surrey College Of Technology (Nescot) Cleveland College of Art and Design North East Worcestershire College College of Harringey, Enfield and North East London North Hertfordshire College College of West Anglia North Lindsey College Craven College North Nottinghamshire College Dearne Valley College North Warwickshire and Hinckley College Derwentside College Northbrook College Dudley College Northumberland College Eastleigh College Norton Radstock College Fareham College Norwich City College Farnborough College of Technology (FCOT) Oaklands College Fircroft College of Adult Education Otley College Grantham College Oxford and Cherwell Valley College Greenwich Community College Peterborough Regional College 643W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 644W

Plymouth College of Art and Design Mr Prisk: The East of England Development Agency’s Preston College (EEDA’s) financial reporting systems are unable to Redbridge College separate spend into the four categories above. Information Richmond Adult Community College is held on costs for catering, hospitality and corporate entertaining. Richmond upon Thames College Riverside College Halton £ Rotherham College of Arts and Technology Corporate Royal Forest of Dean College Catering Hospitality entertaining Runshaw College 1999-2000 0.00 n/a n/a Ruskin College 2000-01 650.01 n/a n/a Salford College 2001-02 44,104.29 n/a n/a SEEVIC (Essex) 2002-03 12,350.20 3,000 4,650 Shipley College 2003-04 15,784.76 9,418 11,582 Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology 2004-05 19,517.80 6,851 32,777 South Downs College 2005-06 22,015.27 6,233 55,409 South Nottingham 2006-07 19,703.96 674 35,767 South Staffordshire College 2007-08 28,522.86 9,543 53,465 2008-09 28,579.93 312 18,500 South Tyneside College 2009-10 21,341.83 n/a n/a South Worcestershire College Southgate College EEDA defines “hospitality” and “corporate Southport College entertainment” as expenditure on individuals or groups Southwark College of stakeholders and partners that is paid for directly by EEDA. Sparsholt College Stafford College, Staffordshire Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Stanmore College Business, Innovation and Skills how much the East of Stourbridge College England Development Agency spent on (a) internal communications and (b) external marketing and advertising Stratford College in each year since it was established; how many staff it Strode College employed in each salary band (i) in internal communications Sussex Downs College and (ii) external marketing communications and advertising Tameside College in each of those years; and whether the agency had an Telford College of Arts and Technology internal magazine during this period. [4873] Thanet College Mr Prisk: Please see the following table for details of The Calderdale Colleges Corporation how much the East of England Development Agency The Henley College (EEDA) has spent on each of the specific categories The Oldham College requested. (a) Internal communications Tower Hamlets College The following amounts were spent on internal Tyne Metropolitan College communications. Uxbridge College Spend on internal communication Wakefield College £ Walford and North Shropshire College Waltham Forest College 1999-2000 n/a 2000-01 n/a West Nottinghamshire College 2001-02 n/a West Suffolk College 2002-03 5,000 Weymouth College 2003-04 0 Wiltshire College 2004-05 2,838 Worcester College of Technology 2005-06 3,657 Workers’ Educational Association 2006-07 2,926 Working Men’s College (The) 2007-08 4,787 Worthing College 2008-09 1,709 2009-10 2,140 Yeovil College Due to the nature of our financial reporting systems, East of England Development Agency data on spend for the purposes of internal communications cannot be extracted prior to the financial year 2002-03. Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) External marketing and advertising Business, Innovation and Skills how much the East of EEDA’s spend on marketing and communications is England Development Agency spent on (a) corporate listed in EEDA’s Annual Report and Accounts. These hospitality, (b) alcoholic drinks of each type, (c) food are published on EEDA’s website and (d) conference facilities and room hire in each year www.eeda.org.uk since it was established. [4872] and are available from the Libraries of the House. 645W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 646W

(c) Staff employed by salary band offices which do not have a national lottery terminal in Number of staff employed (FTE equivalent) circumstances in which Camelot’s application to offer Internal External marketing post office services through lottery terminals is granted; communications1 communications2 and if he will make a statement. [5299] 1999-2000 0 n/a Mr Davey: Camelot’s proposal to provide commercial 2000-01 0 n/a services through lottery terminals is still subject to the 2001-02 0 n/a regulatory approval of the National Lottery Commission. 2002-03 0 n/a If the commission consents to Camelot’s proposal, Post 2003-04 0 n/a Office Limited will carry out an assessment of the 2004-05 0.6 n/a impact on sub post offices. 2005-06 0.6 n/a 2006-07 0.6 10 Regional Development Agencies 2007-08 0.6 9 2008-09 0.6 9.2 Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10 0.6 9.2 Business, Innovation and Skills what research he has 1 The FTE salary band for the 0.6 FTE in Internal Communications is undertaken on the likely effects on the (a) number of TAC 4 £25,289 - £29,083. jobs and (b) economy in each region of his proposals 2 External marketing communications is defined as marketing, public to end regional development agencies; and if he will relations and communications. Due to the way EEDA retains information on staff and organisational structure, it is not possible to extract make a statement. [5153] information on this prior to the financial year 2006-07. The salary bands for the 9.2 employees working on Mr Prisk: Our proposals are for restructuring the external marketing communication roles in the financial delivery landscape for economic development. Replacing year 2009-10 are as follows: - the regional development agencies (RDAs) with local enterprise partnerships will ensure that these partnerships Number of staff Grade Salary band (£) better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas that they serve. 1 SM1 56,960 Reorganising the delivery of economic development 1 PM4 48,048 - 53,106 will ensure a focussed targeted delivery of policy/services 1 PM3 41,727 - 46,784 in areas where it can have the most benefit, and we 2 PM2 35,404 - 40,461 would not expect that that this transition will have a 3 PM1 29,083 - 34,140 negative impact on the economy in the English regions 1.2 TAC4 25,289 - 29,083 or the number of jobs.

(d) Internal magazine Regional Growth Fund EEDA has never published an internal magazine for staff. All written communication with staff is electronic, Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for via the organisation’s intranet and email systems. Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to allow funding from the Regional Growth Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Fund to be provided to areas of serious deprivation in Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff regions to which the fund does not apply. [4458] members are allocated to maintaining the East of England Development Agency’s erebusonline website; Mr Prisk [holding answer 29 June 2010]: The Regional and what recent assessment he has made of the value Growth Fund, launched on 29 June by the Deputy for money derived from expenditure on the website. Prime Minister, will create the conditions for growth [5234] and enterprise in the regions by stimulating investment and create sustainable private sector jobs. Mr Prisk: The maintenance of the East of England The details of the fund and criteria for selection of Development Agency’s (EEDA’s) EREBUS (Eastern successful proposals are still to be determined and will Region Broadband Uplift Scheme) website amounts to be outlined in the forthcoming White Paper on local two hours each month for one member of staff. and regional growth. The fund will, though, apply to The erebusonline website was built internally at EEDA. the whole of England and bids will be invited from both The development of a scripting tool (to manipulate private bodies and public-private partnerships. Proposals automated email responses) was commissioned externally will need to demonstrate high value, bringing in private and cost: £355.00. The annual fee for hosting the domain investment and supporting sustainable increases in private for this website is £211.56. sector jobs and growth in the local area that the proposal No assessment has been made of the value for money covers. derived from expenditure on the website. EEDA has received positive feedback from broadband providers Regional Planning and Development regarding the erebusonline website. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Post Offices Business, Innovation and Skills which bodies are to have responsibility for (a) inward investment, (b) Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, growth, (c) economic regeneration strategy and (d) Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department cross-boundary infrastructure projects in each region; has made of the likely effects on the income of sub-post and if he will make a statement. [5164] 647W Written Answers1 JULY 2010 Written Answers 648W

Mr Prisk: The Government will replace regional Mr Prisk: The coalition Government are committed development agencies with local enterprise partnerships. to reforming our system of sub-national economic We are reviewing all the functions of the RDAs. Some development by enabling councils and business to replace of these are best led nationally, such as inward investment, the existing regional development agencies. We are sector leadership, responsibility for business support, encouraging local businesses and councils to work together innovation, and access to finance, while others can be to develop their proposals for local enterprise partnerships. scrapped, such as Regional Strategies. Local enterprise We anticipate the local enterprise partnerships will wish partnerships will want to create the right environment to provide strategic leaderships in their areas to set out for business and growth in their areas, by tackling issues local economic priorities. such as planning and housing, local transport and Local enterprise partnerships will therefore want to infrastructure priorities, employment and enterprise and create the right environment for business and growth, the transition to a low carbon economy. The Government by tackling issues such as planning and housing, local have asked for outline proposals from partnerships of transport and employment and enterprise. Supporting local authorities and businesses. small business start-ups will therefore be important. Further detail will be provided in the White Paper on sub-national growth that will be published later in the summer. Students: Finance Regional Planning and Development: Yorkshire and the Humber Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for estimate is of the effect on the living costs of students Business, Innovation and Skills which organisation or of an increase in the rate of value added tax from co-ordinating body will have responsibility for (a) 17.5 per cent. to 20 per cent. [4894] assisting the creation of new businesses and (b) developing the private sector in Yorkshire and the Mr Willetts: No estimate has been made of the effect Humber; and if he will make a statement. [5163] on student living costs of the value added tax increase. ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 1 July 2010

Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 977 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued Carbon Capture and Storage ...... 987 Green Jobs ...... 982 Carbon Dioxide Emissions ...... 983 New Nuclear Power Stations...... 988 Carbon Emissions (EU Target) ...... 989 Nuclear Power...... 978 Carbon Pricing...... 990 Nuclear Power...... 991 Electricity Transmission Lines ...... 986 Oil Fabrication Construction Sites...... 985 Energy Supply Security...... 981 Projected Electricity Generation ...... 987 Energy Supply (Security)...... 991 Topical Questions ...... 992 Energy-from-Waste Incinerators ...... 977 Wave/Tidal Energy...... 992 Green Deal...... 984 Wind Farms ...... 980 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Thursday 1 July 2010

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 47WS HEALTH—continued Ministerial Responsibilities...... 47WS Quality Accounts ...... 48WS DEFENCE...... 47WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 49WS Armoured Vehicle Contract ...... 47WS Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 49WS HEALTH...... 48WS TRANSPORT ...... 50WS H1N1 Pandemic...... 49WS EU Transport Council ...... 50WS PETITION

Thursday 1 July 2010

Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 7P Mr Mohammed El Sharkawi...... 7P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 1 July 2010

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 593W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Coroners ...... 593W continued Housing: Construction...... 629W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 640W Housing: East of England...... 630W Business Services Association ...... 640W Local Government Finance ...... 630W Colleges Renewal Grant...... 640W Local Government Finance: North East...... 631W East of England Development Agency ...... 643W Official Hospitality: Expenditure ...... 631W Post Offices ...... 645W Planning...... 631W Regional Development Agencies...... 646W Regional Planning and Development...... 632W Regional Growth Fund ...... 646W Social Rented Housing...... 632W Regional Planning and Development...... 646W Tenant Services Authority...... 633W Regional Planning and Development: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 647W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 602W Students: Finance ...... 648W Gambling...... 602W Horserace Totalisator Board...... 603W CABINET OFFICE...... 626W Official Hospitality: Expenditure...... 603W Deaths: Cervical Cancer...... 626W Olympic Games 2012: Employment ...... 604W Job Creation: Leeds ...... 627W Shops ...... 605W National Citizen Service...... 627W New Businesses: Barnsley ...... 628W DEFENCE...... 620W Afghanistan and Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations... 620W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 628W Armed Forces: Barnsley...... 621W Community Infrastructure Levy...... 628W Armed Forces: Enfield ...... 621W Fire Services: Retirement ...... 629W Armoured Fighting Vehicles ...... 621W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 625W Defence Equipment and Support: Salaries...... 622W Departmental Manpower...... 625W Defence: Finance ...... 622W Developing Countries: Climate Change ...... 625W Defence: Procurement...... 622W Developing Countries: Fossil Fuels...... 626W Departmental VAT...... 623W Peru: Forests ...... 626W France...... 623W Future Large Aircraft ...... 623W JUSTICE...... 612W Met Office...... 623W Courts: Closures ...... 612W Met Office Review Group ...... 623W Gary Critchley ...... 614W Military Aircraft: Procurement ...... 624W Human Trafficking: Prosecutions...... 615W Nuclear Weapons: Decommissioning...... 624W Magistrates Courts: Ammanford ...... 615W Radioactive Materials ...... 624W Magistrates’ Courts: Closures ...... 615W Rape: Greater London ...... 615W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 633W Electoral Register...... 633W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 617W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 633W Members: Oaths and Affirmations...... 617W National Security Strategy ...... 617W EDUCATION...... 616W Departmental Official Cars...... 616W PRIME MINISTER...... 602W Andy Coulson...... 602W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 594W BP: Pensions ...... 602W Electoral Systems...... 594W

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 598W SCOTLAND...... 625W Carbon Emissions...... 599W Video games...... 625W Carbon Sequestration: Gas Fired Power Stations .. 599W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 599W TRANSPORT ...... 605W Energy: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 600W Driving: Licensing ...... 605W Environmental Transformation Fund ...... 600W Highways Agency ...... 605W Green Deal...... 598W M60 ...... 605W Green Investment Bank ...... 600W Network Rail: Pay...... 606W Nuclear Power...... 598W Ports: Energy ...... 606W Nuclear Power Stations: Public Expenditure...... 600W Road Signs and Markings...... 606W Wind Power: Manufacturing Industries ...... 601W Road Traffic: North West...... 606W

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 617W TREASURY ...... 607W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 617W Child Benefit: Bishop Auckland ...... 607W Burma: Elections ...... 617W Child Benefit: Dunfermline...... 607W Burma: Export Controls ...... 618W Child Benefit: Lancashire...... 607W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 619W Child Tax Credit ...... 608W Pitcairn Islands: Child Protection ...... 620W Departmental Manpower...... 608W Employment: Older People ...... 609W HEALTH...... 634W Personal Income ...... 610W Arthritis: Health Services...... 634W Pregnant Women: Grants...... 610W Dementia: Health Services ...... 635W Private Sector: Job Creation...... 610W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 636W Taxation: Financial Services ...... 610W Drugs: Finance ...... 637W VAT: Newcastle upon Tyne ...... 611W Hearing Impairment ...... 637W Welfare Tax Credits...... 612W Hospitals: Admissions ...... 638W Welfare Tax Credits: Bishop Auckland...... 611W Hospitals: Greater London ...... 638W Welfare Tax Credits: Lancashire ...... 611W Lung Cancer: Screening ...... 639W Pharmacy: Standards...... 639W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 594W Stomach Cancer...... 639W Accidents: Liverpool...... 594W Strokes: Health Services...... 640W Carer’s Allowance...... 594W Departmental Legislation ...... 595W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 601W Employment Schemes: Young People...... 595W Police ...... 601W Future Jobs Fund: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 595W Sexualisation of Young People Review...... 602W Housing Benefit: Tower Hamlets ...... 596W Lone Parents: Employment...... 596W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 593W New Deal Schemes: Disability ...... 597W House of Commons Staff: Pay...... 594W Unemployment Benefits: Bexley ...... 597W Parliamentary Education Service ...... 593W Work Capability Assessment...... 598W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied, nor can corrections be made in the Weekly Edition. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

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CONTENTS

Thursday 1 July 2010

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 977] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

Business of the House [Col. 999] Statement—(David Heath)

Global Poverty [Col. 1019] General debate

Act of Settlement [Col. 1105] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Supporting Carers [Col. 293WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 47WS]

Petitions [Col. 7P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 593W] [see index inside back page]