Wednesday Volume 510 2 June 2010 No. 8

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 2 June 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] 417 2 JUNE 2010 418

In respect of my hon. Friend’s question, value for House of Commons money will be at the heart of everything we do. We are examining all expenditure in every single country, starting Wednesday 2 June 2010 with our country review shortly. Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire The House met at half-past Two o’clock South) (Lab): With your permission, Mr Speaker, let me return the compliment offered to me by the Secretary PRAYERS of State by extending my congratulations to him and his team of Ministers. The Department for International Development is one of Labour’s proudest achievements [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] and I wish him well in his stewardship of that important Ministry.I welcome the answer that he just gave emphasising value for money. May I ask whether he regards educating MEMBER SWORN young girls in Afghanistan as a valuable part of that The following Member took and subscribed the Oath comprehensive approach or whether he agrees with the required by law: Defence Secretary that it is simply Anne Caroline Ballingall McIntosh for Thirsk and “education policy in a broken 13th-century country”? Malton Mr Mitchell: I thank the shadow Secretary of State for his kind remarks. It is a tremendous advantage in Oral Answers to Questions the House and outside it that international development is regarded as a British policy and not a policy of any one of the three main political parties. On his point about education in Afghanistan, education is vital to INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT the future of Afghanistan and to building the capacity of that state. He will know that we now have more than 2 million girls in education in Afghanistan. The Secretary of State was asked— Departmental Expenditure Mr Alexander: I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State may have achieved the forced re-education of the Defence Secretary on the issue of value for money 1. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) in DFID expenditure. Has he also secured the re-education (Con): What mechanism he plans to use to review the of the new Secretary of State for Scotland, the hon. value for money of his Department’s expenditure. Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael [000441] Moore), who, according to correspondence that has now come into my possession, described as recently as The Secretary of State for International Development 20 April “the very real danger” of Conservative proposals (Mr Andrew Mitchell): We will fundamentally change to divert aid to military control? Who has got it wrong—the the way in which we look at the value for money of aid, Secretary of State for International Development or the moving from a focus on inputs to what our money Scottish Secretary? achieves—the outputs and outcomes we secure. We will gain maximum value for money for every pound through Mr Mitchell: I am afraid that I cannot comment on greater transparency, rigorous independent evaluation leaked documents that the shadow Secretary of State and an unremitting focus on results. has got. On his first point about the Secretary of State for Defence, perhaps I could draw his attention to the Stephen Metcalfe: May I take this opportunity to press conference that was given in Kabul by me and my welcome my right hon. Friend to the Dispatch Box and right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence to congratulate him on his new and important role? I and the Foreign Secretary. If the right hon. Gentleman am sure that Members on both sides of the House looks carefully at the text of that press conference, he recognise the important work he has done and will wish will see that one could not get a cigarette paper between him well in these very difficult economic times. Will he my views and those of the Secretary of State for Defence. reassure the House and my constituents that value for money will be at the heart of his Department’s vital work in tackling poverty in the poorest countries in the Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): May I just say how world? delighted we all are to see my right hon. Friend and his colleagues on the Treasury Bench? They are a fantastic Mr Mitchell: I thank my hon. Friend for his kind team: he did brilliant work in opposition, and I am sure remarks. As I look around the House, I see Members on that he will do brilliant work in government. both sides who are passionate and knowledgeable about However much value for money my right hon. Friend international development. I look forward to building manages to get out of his Department, our colleagues on the progress made by the previous Government on in the G8 must also do their bit. The UK has met the this important agenda and I pay tribute to my predecessor, targets that we set ourselves at Gleneagles, but does he the shadow Secretary of State, the right hon. Member not find it a matter of concern that France, Germany for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander), for and Italy are so substantially lagging behind what they his work in particular on international aid effectiveness promised at Gleneagles that they would do to meet and co-ordination. those targets? 419 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 420

Mr Mitchell: My hon. Friend is right that everyone aware that the situation in Darfur that I have described who signed up to those commitments at Gleneagles in is in many ways mirrored by what is going on in the 2005, in front of the international cameras of the world, south, where he will know that there has been an acute must honour them. We will be at pains to make it clear rise in food shortage and where more than £70 million that the vital development budget, which is so important, of British humanitarian relief is going in this year. I can should be supported by all the G8 countries. It is give him the undertaking that we will continue to work difficult to probe and indeed question countries in the hard to ensure that the referendum is conducted freely, developing world that do not live up to their commitments fairly and successfully, and that we are prepared for to their people if countries of the G8 do not live up to the results. the solemn commitments that they too have made in front of the world. Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): I add my own congratulations to the right hon. Gentleman, Sudan and send best wishes to him and his team—for now. Given that we are still a long way from meeting the 2. Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) millennium development goals, particularly in Sudan, (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the how will he and his colleagues use the remaining four humanitarian situation in Sudan; and if he will make a months before the UN’s poverty summit to help rebuild statement. [000442] the international momentum needed to achieve the goals? Will not one telling signal of the new Government’s The Secretary of State for International Development willingness to show leadership on this issue be whether (Mr Andrew Mitchell): The British Government are they bring forward legislation to put the UN’s aid target deeply concerned by the humanitarian emergency in of 0.7% on the statute book before that September Sudan. Recent fighting, particularly in Darfur and southern summit? Sudan, is causing further suffering and displacement. In 2010, we will provide emergency food, medicine, shelter, Mr Mitchell: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his water and sanitation for up to 5 million people. We warm wishes for now. On the second part of his question, continue to urge the Government of Sudan and rebel he will have seen in the coalition document that we are movements to improve access and security for humanitarian committed to enshrining in legislation our commitment workers. to an aid target of 0.7 % of gross national income by 2013. If he will bide his time in patience, he will see that Mr Clarke: In congratulating the right hon. Gentleman that is precisely what we will do. On his first point about on his appointment, may I ask that he assures the the critical importance of taking forward the agenda on House that, as a priority, this Government will continue the MDGs, which is so off-track at present, he will be to focus on Sudan? Will he bring the House up to date interested to hear that the Prime Minister will meet the by giving us his assessment of the current situation in Prime Minister of Canada tomorrow to discuss the east Sudan? approach of the G8 to the MDGs. In particular, in respect of MDG 5 concerning maternal mortality, which Mr Mitchell: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his is so off-track, we have specific plans to try and give that comments, and I pay tribute to his consistent work on a boost. Sudan over recent years. He will be aware that nearly 300,000 people have died in Darfur as a result of this Russian Federation emergency: 2 million people are displaced, 2.4 million are on food aid, and fighting is still going on in Jebel 3. John Howell (Henley) (Con): What his Department’s Mara and Jebel Moon. He will also be aware that this policy is on the provision of aid to the Russian Federation; conflict has internationalised itself across the border and if he will make a statement. [000443] into Chad, where there are already 250,000 Sudanese refugees, as well as into the Central African Republic. 10. Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con): What Tomorrow, the UN emergency relief co-ordinator his policy is on the provision of aid to the Russian will brief the UN Security Council on his recent visit. Federation. [000450] The British Government will look carefully at what he says about the humanitarian situation in Sudan, and The Minister of State, Department for International consider whether further action is necessary. Development (Alan Duncan): DFID’s bilateral project work in Russia totalled £1.5 million in 2009-10 and is Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I congratulate estimated to be some £1.4 million in 2010-11. The new my right hon. Friend on his appointment to the Cabinet. Government will wind down bilateral spending in Russia What is Her Majesty’s Government’s view on next as soon as is practical and responsible. year’s national referendum? He will no doubt have taken soundings from Ministers throughout Europe. It John Howell: I thank the Minister for his response is absolutely vital that the referendum is undertaken in and offer my congratulations to him on his position. the correct way, in order to bring stable Government so Those of us who have been involved in our commercial that we can see that humanitarian relief and aid are put careers in Russia would certainly agree that giving aid in the right place. to such a prominent G8 country could risk confidence in the aid programme as a whole, but Russia still has a Mr Mitchell: My hon. Friend is absolutely right long way to go in developing a full civil society. Will the about the critical importance of the referendum on the Minister look at how non-governmental organisations border between southern and northern Sudan, and we in Russia working towards civil society might be encouraged are watching the position extremely carefully. He will be to do their job? 421 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 422

Alan Duncan: I thank my hon. Friend for his kind the benefits of the increased transparency will extend words. I am well aware of his work in the past on the not just to UK taxpayers, but to the poor of the know how fund and I appreciate his continuing interest countries that the aid is intended to help? in the matter. As I said, we intend to wind down bilateral aid to Russia in an orderly way. Ministers and Mr Mitchell: My hon. Friend knows a great deal officials regularly discuss with Russia both bilaterally about these issues from her experience, not least in and as part of the EU a range of issues, including Uganda, and I thank her for her question. She is quite human rights and freedom of expression. We remain right about the importance of transparency, enabling committed to maintaining our dialogue with Russia as people in poor countries to hold their own politicians to a donor colleague in the global effort to provide good account, and it is a very important aspect of both quality aid. transparency and our development budget that we help build up the capacity of civil society in countries that Greg Hands: Further to that answer, will my hon. we are assisting so that they can do just that. Friend also consider moving the aid that has been going Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): Given the to Russia to Russia’s former satellites in central Asia? increasing importance of the European Union in aid For example, in Tajikistan more than 1 million people funding, does the Secretary of State agree that there are living on less than $1 a day, and five years on from needs to be greater harmonisation of aid priorities the Andijan massacre, Uzbekistan is desperately in need within the EU? of help for rebuilding civil society and democratisation. Mr Mitchell: The hon. Lady makes an important Alan Duncan: As I said, we intend to wind down point about the EU aid programme, which, as she bilateral aid to Russia in an orderly way, and we are knows, is conducted in two different ways—through carrying out a review of all bilateral programmes so own resources and through the European development that we can better prioritise the United Kingdom’s fund. I had the opportunity of speaking to the development assistance. At this stage in the review, I commissioner who is responsible for these matters last cannot make commitments to increase aid in the areas week about the importance of aid effectiveness and that my hon. Friend proposes, but I am happy to take transparency in the EU. There may be a case in some his comments on board. aspects of the programme for greater harmonisation, and we will always look at that through the prism of David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab): I welcome the hon. greater effectiveness. Gentleman to his post. A moment ago he mentioned raising the issue of human rights with the Russians. He Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): I will be aware of the disgraceful and homophobic comments commend my right hon. Friend for the proactive approach of the mayor of Moscow in his various attempts to ban that he is taking in ensuring that the UK takes the lead gay rights marches in Moscow. What message can the in providing greater transparency, but does he agree Minister take to the Russians and to all the recipients of that it is equally important that our international partners UK aid money that such disgraceful homophobic attacks follow suit, and, if so, could he share with the House and oppression will not be tolerated? how he intends to encourage them to do so?

Alan Duncan: The hon. Gentleman may be surprised Mr Mitchell: As my hon. Friend will be aware, this is to know that that is the one homophobic comment of an important aspect of the work that we intend our which I had not been fully aware. I am usually well on newly established, or to be established, independent top of these matters. We take human rights issues in evaluation programme to champion. An independent Russia very seriously and they will continue to be an evaluation is not only about looking at the money that important part of the dialogue between our diplomats we spend from DFID, it is also about looking at how and members of the Foreign Office and our Russian British taxpayers’ money is spent through the multilaterals counterparts. and some of the brilliant non-governmental organisations that we are funding. All of them need to be subject to Departmental Aid Programmes the same independent audit so that we ensure that we get value for money for the hard-pressed taxpayers who are providing it. 4. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What steps he is taking to ensure maximum transparency Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): in the distribution of aid under his Department’s The Minister may be aware of the incredibly good work programmes. [000444] that many charities and church-based groups are carrying out in east Africa, particularly in regard to transparency The Secretary of State for International Development and combating corruption there. Will he try to understand (Mr Andrew Mitchell): The public in the UK and in the and take information from those charitable groups and countries where we work have a right to access information ensure that that is replicated in the aid that goes to that about the aid that we provide. We will introduce full region? transparency in aid and publish details of all UK aid spending online, increasing the range and extent of the Mr Mitchell: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right information published. in the importance that he attaches to the work of some of these brilliant NGOs, not only in the part of Africa Pauline Latham: I congratulate my right hon. Friend that he mentioned, but all around the world, which and his team on the jobs that they are to do, because I during the last four years I have had the privilege of know that they are all passionate about the subject. Will seeing in action. We have every intention of introducing the Secretary of State please let the House know that a poverty impact fund targeted precisely at enabling 423 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 424 such charities to double the output of what they are The Secretary of State for International Development producing, and I will be able to give the House further (Mr Andrew Mitchell): Of £140 million in assistance to details of that in due course. Pakistan between April 2009 and March 2010, my Department provided £40.2 million in humanitarian Malaria aid for people displaced by conflict in federally administered tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The 5. Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): What UK’s humanitarian assistance targets those most in assistance his Department is providing for research need, regardless of population group, following into the treatment of malaria. [000445] internationally agreed principles of neutrality and impartiality. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Mr Stephen O’Brien): The Mr Sharma: I thank the Secretary of State for his Government are committed to a significant increase in response, and I add my congratulations to him on his our support to help reduce the terrible scourge of over appointment as Secretary of State and to his team. 800,000 known deaths from malaria each year—all of Does he agree that it is not only essential to win hearts which are preventable. Research is essential to develop and minds among the general populace, but vital to try new drugs and tools and identify the best way to deliver to assist minority groups in those regions through our them in a cost-effective way, and will play a part in our aid efforts? meeting this commitment as we increase our focus and activity on malaria. Mr Mitchell: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and underline the point that I made in my Tony Lloyd: In welcoming the Minister to his place at answer—that our humanitarian assistance targets those the Dispatch Box, may I offer my congratulations to the most in need, following internationally agreed principles Secretary of State who got into the Conservative party of neutrality and impartiality. I can tell him that I shall manifesto a commitment to £500 million spending per shortly be going to Pakistan, and I shall look very year on malaria, which in particular includes research specifically at the point that he has made. I can tell him into a malaria vaccine? Does that commitment still also that since the 2008 conflict, the UK has given stand, because it will gain support on both sides of the humanitarian support, providing shelter, food, health House? care, clean water and sanitation in order to help people recover their livelihoods when they return to their home. Mr O’Brien: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman I know that that has been a matter of concern to him. for his kind remarks, and he is aware that we are committed to spending up to £500 million as he notes, Female Genital Mutilation in particular in relation to developing an effective malaria vaccine. Theoretically, there is a real hope of such a vaccine in the future, and we believe that vaccine research 7. Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) therefore plays in important part, but at the same time (Lab): What steps he plans to take to ensure that should not detract from the need to get better at delivering projects to prevent female genital mutilation have what we know works now. Work on a future vaccine will access to internet-based funding programmes. [000447] be focused on what will be capable of being safely delivered, accessible to the poor and with sufficient The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for efficacy to be one of the key tools in the armoury that International Development (Mr Stephen O’Brien): The will continue to have to be used in the battle against Government condemn female genital mutilation as an malaria. extreme violation of women’s and girls’ human rights. An estimated 140 million women and girls have been Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): Further to that answer, subjected to that practice. Internet-based funding, such what commitment can the Minister give to the as GlobalGiving, is increasingly helping civil society Government’s approach to the talks on the replenishment organisations to access funding for programmes to prevent of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and female genital mutilation. We will look at that area over Malaria, which will take place in September? the next year as we design the poverty impact fund, which will support innovative ways of working. Mr O’Brien: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his question. He will be aware that that issue is Jim Sheridan: Genital mutilation is condemned by currently being considered, and we are looking at all the most humanitarian organisations, so how does the Minister representations received not only to work towards a plan to ensure that his “My Aid” programme will not negotiation of the replenishment of the Global Fund to disadvantage unpopular programmes? As I understand Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, but most it, his party’s green paper says that if 25% of people importantly to build on the very good work that that vote for Malawi, that country’s programme will get 25% fund, which is now the world’s largest health fund, has of the funding. But how will he protect vital programmes already demonstrated to date. that do not have the X factor and do not receive an internet vote? Pakistan Mr O’Brien: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman 6. Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab): for identifying the key issue of FGM. We will certainly What proportion of his Department’s aid to Pakistan consider carefully what he has said, as we look to roll was intended for minority groups in the federally forward the programmes, in order to ensure that we administered tribal areas of Pakistan in the last deal in the most effective way by bearing down not only 12 months. [000446] on the activity, which is clearly intolerable, but on the 425 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 426 societal and cultural drivers that lie behind it. That is PRIME MINISTER what will be most influential in driving the funds to help the programmes. The Prime Minister was asked— Departmental Aid Programmes Engagements

9. Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): Q1. [000426] Mr Douglas Carswell (Clacton) (Con): If What steps he is taking to ensure maximum he will list his official engagements for Wednesday effectiveness in respect of the aid provided under his 2 June. Department’s programmes. [000449] The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I am sure The Secretary of State for International Development that the whole House will wish to join me in paying (Mr Andrew Mitchell): It is essential that we spend every tribute to the soldiers who have died in Afghanistan in pound of aid effectively. We will do that through rigorous the last week: from 40 Commando Royal Marines, independent evaluation, greater transparency and an Corporal Stephen Curley and Marine Scott Taylor; and unremitting focus on results. We will transform the from the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, Gunner Zak transparency of aid information, ensuring accountability Cusack. These were men of outstanding courage, skill to UK taxpayers and people in developing countries. and selflessness. We must never forget their sacrifice. The UK will review all aid to focus it on results and on The House will also be alarmed and shocked by the outputs. events unfolding in Cumbria today. Police were called to Whitehaven at 10.35 this morning after shots were Mr Ellwood: I am grateful for that reply and welcome fired by a man, and I regret to report that a number of my right hon. Friend to his new appointment. He people have been shot and at least five people have died. stressed that Afghanistan is our main foreign challenge. I can confirm that the body of a gunman has been How will he ensure that the money that is poured into found by the police. The chief constable of Cumbria is Ministries in Kabul is able to make its way all the way working closely with other forces and other emergency down to the front line—to those communities that need services to ensure a co-ordinated response to these it most? rapidly moving events. The Government will do everything that they possibly can to help the local community and Mr Mitchell: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who those affected, and to keep the House informed. A full knows a great deal about those issues. We have looked statement will be made to Parliament tomorrow. When very carefully at the mechanism for delivering that aid, lives and communities are suddenly shattered in this which is vital to the development effort in Afghanistan, way, our thoughts should be with all those caught up in and independent analysis suggests that the World Bank these tragic events, especially the families and friends of trust fund, which, as he will appreciate, pays out on the those killed or injured. basis of receipts for work carried out by the Government Mr Carswell: All parties in this House will welcome and Government employees, is a highly effective way of the coalition’s proposals to eliminate quangos and shift getting money through to the front line. power away from unelected functionaries to elected representatives. The biggest quango of the lot is, of Caucasus course—[HON.MEMBERS: “The House of Lords.”] It is the other place, a legislative Chamber largely appointed 12. Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): by the Executive. Will my right hon. Friend confirm What recent assessment he has made of the that he will bring forward proposals in the next 12 months effectiveness of his Department’s work to promote to make all our law-makers accountable through the stability and the development of civil society in the ballot box? Caucasus. [000452] The Prime Minister: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for asking that question. I do not always give him The Minister of State, Department for International answers that make him happy, but this time I can. There Development (Alan Duncan): DFID no longer has bilateral will be a draft motion, by December, which the House aid programmes in the Caucasus region. The UK can vote on. I have always supported a predominantly Government’s conflict prevention pool, including civil elected House of Lords, and I am delighted that agreement society support, remains active in the region. The UK has been reached on the coalition programme. also continues to support development in the Caucasus [Interruption.] I can already hear what a challenge region through its membership of multilateral institutions, around the House it is going to be to achieve the including the EU. consensus that we need, but I hope that after all the promises of reform, this time we can move towards a Mr Marsden: I thank the Minister for his reply. Does predominantly elected second Chamber. he agree that given the continued progress towards a resolution of conflicts in the region, particularly in Ms Harriet Harman (Camberwell and Peckham) respect of Nagorno-Karabakh, it is very important (Lab): I join the Prime Minister in paying tribute to that, at a multilateral and primary level, the Government Corporal Stephen Curley and Marine Scott Taylor from give support to those sorts of activities? 40 Commando Royal Marines, and to Gunner Zak Cusack from the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery. As the Alan Duncan: We will look very closely at the hon. Prime Minister said, they were brave men who died in Gentleman’s representations in the context of all the the service of our country. We must never forget the reviews that we are currently making. sacrifice that they made. 427 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 428

I strongly support what the Prime Minister has said On the issue of anonymity, I sat on the Home Affairs about the dreadful shootings in Cumbria. We offer our Committee that examined this issue; it was of course a deepest sympathies to the families of those who have Committee in a previous Parliament, dominated by been killed and our strong support for the police, the Labour Members, and very ably chaired by Chris Mullin. emergency services and the local communities in Cumbria. We came to the conclusion that there was a case for May I ask the Prime Minister about the Israeli saying that between arrest and charge there was a case interception of the Gaza flotilla? I am sure that he for anonymity. The coalition agreement mentions the agrees that there has been a tragic loss of life, which has issue of anonymity, and we will of course be bringing angered the Palestinians and dismayed friends of Israel, forward proposals, which the House can then examine too. Can he tell the House what is the current position and debate. I think that there is a case for this to of the British nationals who have been detained by the happen, but I understand what the right hon. and Israelis? Will he tell us how the Government can contribute learned Lady says—that it is important that the publicity to international efforts to make the Israelis recognise around a case can help to bring forward other people that the blockade of Gaza is prolonging the suffering of who have been raped. I understand her case, but I think the Palestinians and making peace in the middle east that this does represent a good way forward. even harder to achieve? This blockade must end. Ms Harman: I welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition The Prime Minister: I thank the right hon. and learned of the first point. However, does he not also recognise Lady for what she said about our troops, and also for that to single out rape defendants, which is what he is raising the issue of the events off the coast of Gaza. proposing to do, sends a very powerful message to What has happened is completely unacceptable; we juries in rape cases that the rape victim is not to be should be clear about that. We should also deplore the believed, and sends a devastating message to rape victims loss of life. Indeed, I have spoken to the Prime Minister that, uniquely of all victims, they are not to be believed? of Turkey to extend our condolences for the Turkish citizens who have been lost. We should do everything The Prime Minister: I do not accept that. The Home we can to make sure this does not happen again; I Affairs Committee looked at this very carefully and stressed this point in a conversation with Prime Minister came to conclusion that in this case there was a case for Netanyahu of Israel. extending anonymity, also because in rape cases, obviously, those who have been raped have anonymity themselves, In answer to the right hon. and learned Lady’s specific and that was the case with this limited extension. We questions about British nationals, 42 British nationals will be bringing forward proposals that can be debated are caught up in this. I believe that around 37 of them and discussed in the House of Commons. We all want have had consular access and that all of them will be the same thing, which is to increase the number of coming home, and we need to make sure that they are successful rape prosecutions and to send more rapists to reunited with their families as fast as possible. jail: that is what this is about. The right hon. and learned Lady also raised the issue of international efforts to get the blockade open. As she Ms Harman: I am sorry, but I think that that is a knows, and as the shadow Foreign Secretary will know, disappointing answer, because the Prime Minister shows we should do everything we can through the United no understanding of the progress that has been made Nations, where resolution 1860 is absolutely clear about on prosecuting rape, and he does not realise how seriously the need to end the blockade and to open up Gaza. this will turn the clock back. I would say in addition that friends of Israel—and I May I turn to another subject that I believe the count myself a friend of Israel—should be saying to the Government should reconsider—the married man’s tax Israelis that the blockade actually strengthens Hamas’s allowance? It would go to only one in three married grip on the economy and on Gaza, and it is in their own couples, and would cost half a billion pounds a year. interests to lift it and to allow these vital supplies to get Can the Prime Minister tell the House how that would through. contribute to cutting the deficit?

Ms Harman: I thank the Prime Minister for that The Prime Minister: I am an unashamed supporter of answer, and I know that we will be hearing more from families and marriage, and I simply do not understand the Foreign Secretary in a statement immediately after why, when so many other European countries—I remember these questions. often being lectured when I was on the other side of the Can the Prime Minister give me an answer on another House about how we should follow European examples— important issue—one that I raised with him last Tuesday— recognise marriage in the tax system, we do not. I about prosecuting rape? We know that it is often only believe that we should bring forward proposals to recognise after many rapes that a defendant is finally brought to marriage in the tax system. Those in our happy coalition court, and it is often only at that point that previous will have the right to abstain on them, I am happy to victims find the courage to come forward. By making say, but I support marriage. We support so many other rape defendants anonymous, he is going to make it things in the tax system, including Christmas parties harder to bring rapists to justice. and parking bicycles at work, so why do we not recognise marriage? The Prime Minister: I know that the right hon. and learned Lady cares very deeply about this issue, as do I. Ms Harman: The Prime Minister knows that this will The fact that rape convictions are so low in this country not keep couples together; he is just hoping that it will is a scandal, and we need to improve on that. That keep his Back Benchers on side. He has not answered means working with the police, and also doing more to the question: how will this planned tax cut help reduce help rape victims, including backing rape crisis centres. the deficit? 429 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 430

The Prime Minister: If we are going to get control of Q2. [000427] Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I public spending in the long term in this country, we wholeheartedly support what the Prime Minister said should target the causes of higher spending, one of earlier about our armed forces, not least because a lot which is family breakdown. We should do far more to of young men and women from the Rhondda and the recognise the importance of families, commitment and other south Wales valleys are serving in Afghanistan marriage—and let me just say that any recognition of and elsewhere at the moment. He will know that one of marriage that we put in the tax system will also be the most important things for protecting our armed recognition of civil partnerships, because commitment forces is ensuring that they have the best training is important, whether someone is straight or gay. possible, technically and in military expertise. Will he therefore commit himself and his Government Ms Harman: So the Prime Minister is seriously saying unambiguously today to the new defence training that he expects us to believe that he thinks a £3 a week college in St Athan in south Wales, which would save tax break, which will cost the Exchequer half a billion lives in our armed forces and provide 5,000 jobs in pounds a year, will keep families together. No wonder south Wales? the Deputy Prime Minister is sitting so quietly by his side—because on this one, Nick agrees with me. We do The Prime Minister: I am grateful for the hon. not need it, it will not work, and they should drop it. Gentleman’s question. Everyone who has spent time in south Wales with the military knows that there is an The Prime Minister: I am afraid the right hon. and incredibly strong case for the St Athan defence training learned Lady has a slightly short memory, because establishment. I have heard that case on all the visits when she was sitting over here on the Government that I have made, but he will understand that we must Benches, an enormous recognition of marriage in the have a proper strategic defence review. We have not had tax system was introduced by the Labour Government one since 1998, and everything has to be included in in—wait for it—inheritance tax. [HON.MEMBERS: “Oh!”] that review. I would just say to him, as he feels so Yes, they massively increased the threshold for inheritance strongly about this, that he was in the last Government, tax that can be transferred between husband and wife. and that there was an opportunity to give that project If recognising marriage in the tax system is such a good the go-ahead before the election, but they did not do it. thing for the better-off, why do we not do it for the less well-off? [Interruption.] Q3. [000428] Mr Adam Holloway (Gravesham) (Con): Now that we know that the last Government spent Mr Speaker: I call Sir Alan Beith. £1 billion on advertising and “invested” £12,000 in golf balls, is the Prime Minister surprised that there is no Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD) rose— money left? [Interruption.] The Prime Minister: We are not really surprised, not Mr Speaker: Order. I know that the House wishes to least because of the letter that we got from the former hear Sir Alan Beith. Chief Secretary to the Treasury. I am glad to see that he has apologised for the letter, although he has not yet Sir Alan Beith: May I associate my right hon. and apologised for the legacy. My hon. Friend makes a good hon. Friends with the tributes that the Prime Minister point. In addition, we have discovered that £320 million paid to those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan was spent on hotels, £1.5 billion on consultants and—this and in the dreadful events in Cumbria? really did amaze me—one Department spent more than What means does the Prime Minister hope to use to £140 per person on cut flowers and pot plants. Perhaps achieve his stated and very necessary objective of allowing we could have a lottery to find out which one it was. the private sector to expand in the parts of the country, such as the north-east, that depend heavily on public Q4. [000429] Jim Dobbin (Heywood and Middleton) sector jobs? (Lab/Co-op): Four high schools in my constituency are in the last throes of the Building Schools for the Future The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman raises programme: Matthew Moss high school in Castleton, an extremely important issue, because we will have to Siddal Moor sports college, Holy Family—a new take difficult decisions about public spending; everybody joint-faith school—and Middleton technology college knows that. Let me be clear: no region of the country in Middleton. Can the Prime Minister guarantee that should be singled out, but he is right to say that some that programme will be seen through to its completion, parts of the country have a very high dependence on which would also help many of the construction public sector jobs. In the Budget on 22 June we will workers in my constituency? need to bring forward ideas that will fire up the private sector—for instance, the idea that any new firm established The Prime Minister: I know that the hon. Gentleman does not have to pay national insurance for the first will be pleased to see that in making the £6 billion 10 employees. I think that will help, but the right hon. in-year reductions—many warnings were given about Gentleman is right to say that we should also think what that would mean—we have protected the schools about ways in which, as we get the private sector growing budget, and ensured that schools and Sure Start are and make difficult decisions in the public sector, we can protected. In terms of building schools for the future, help regions that could be adversely affected. The let me be clear: our plans—and our passion, when it Government are looking seriously at that idea, because comes to education—are to ensure that new schools are we want to take the whole country with us as we deal provided so that we have real excellence, in the secondary with the £160 billion deficit bequeathed to us by the sector in particular. That is what it is about. Building Opposition. schools for the future is exactly what our plans involve. 431 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 432

Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands) (Con): Is seat, Tony Benn, who left this House saying that he the Prime Minister aware of the case of my constituent wanted to spend more time doing politics. Mr Edmond Arapi, who is facing extradition to Italy, What I would say to the hon. Gentleman is that we having been tried in his absence? Will my right hon. want to help children from less well-off backgrounds by Friend look into the matter urgently and accelerate the having a pupil premium. We will take money from review of extradition cases before Mr Arapi is taken outside the education budget to ensure that the pupil from his family and sent to an Italian jail? premium is well funded, so that children from the The Prime Minister: I am happy to look at this case, poorest homes get to go to the best schools and the and I will discuss it with my right hon. Friend the Home money follows the pupil into those schools. As for Secretary, who is working on the issue of deportations. university places, let me say this to the hon. Gentleman: Legal processes have to be followed, but I will discuss we are expanding the number of university places by this with my right hon. Friend, and perhaps then contact 10,000, compared with the legacy that we were left. my hon. Friend. Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I press Q5. [000430] Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): the Prime Minister a little further on excessive pay? My Now that the bank—some of them, anyway—are constituents are outraged at the amount of money that coming into profit, and the taxpayers are getting a some senior NHS managers are receiving. What can the small return on the enormous amount of money that coalition do to reduce such excessive expenditure? they put in, when does the Prime Minister envisage selling the shares off to his friends in the City? The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes a good The Prime Minister: I would much rather sell the point. By having transparency, we are able to see for the shares in the banks to the hon. Gentleman’s constituents. first time who is earning what in the public sector. That I believe in popular capitalism, and there might be an will create pressure on top people’s pay in the public opportunity to do that. Clearly, important decisions sector, to keep that pay down. That is the first thing. In will have to be made to ensure that we get the maximum the NHS specifically, as he knows, our plans are all amount of money back for the taxpayer, who has had about removing the centralised bureaucracy, partly by to put so much money into the banks, and that we have removing many of the centralised targets that have a fully competitive banking system that serves business caused that bureaucracy to grow. Our ambition is to in this country so that it does not get ripped off by the ensure that the priority is the people on the front banks. At the same time, privatising those banks back line—the nurses, the doctors, the people involved in into the private sector where they belong can help clinical care—instead of the endless increase in management encourage popular capitalism once again. that we have seen in recent years.

Q6. [000431] Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Q8. [000433] Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating South) (Lab): Many of my constituents are employed Denys Shortt of Stratford-on-Avon on his nomination by Nissan and in supply chain jobs. Can the Prime as entrepreneur of the year in the Ernst & Young Minister confirm that the £20 million grant awarded to competition—a well-earned accolade? On the question Nissan under the previous Government in March will of earnings, was the Prime Minister surprised to learn be honoured, in order to develop the next generation of that so many people in the public sector earn more electric cars? than he does? The Prime Minister: I join my hon. Friend in The Prime Minister: Let me welcome the hon. Lady congratulating his constituent. Transparency on pay is to her place and say that I, too, have visited the Nissan an important principle, because it is good for democracy plant near Sunderland. It is an absolute wonder to see and accountability if we know how much people in the the incredible investment that has gone in there and the public sector are earning. I also think that it will help us many jobs that have been created, not just at that plant to control public spending. When people see how much but in the supply chain. I want to see electric cars being people are paid in the public sector, the pressure will be developed, and when I was at Nissan we discussed that on to keep top pay levels down. It would also be worth specifically. As for the grant, I do not have a specific while having a maximum multiple of 20 times earnings; answer for her—[HON.MEMBERS: “Ah!”] It’s a funny old we are holding a review to get that done. People at the thing: I’m going to give accurate answers, rather than top of a public sector organisation should not earn make them up on the spot. I shall be delighted to let the more than 20 times what people at the bottom earn. It is hon. Lady know via a letter as soon as possible. that sort of progressive idea that we are looking forward to introducing. Q9. [000434] Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Noting the very high standards of professional care in the Q7. [000432] Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): Does NHS in Stroud, may I ask the Prime Minister to lend the Prime Minister share the concerns of two his support to the Stroud maternity unit? schoolteachers from Chesterfield who came to see me this weekend, that children from areas of greater deprivation will suffer disproportionately from his The Prime Minister: I welcome my hon. Friend, and plans to cut 10,000 university places? thank him for that question. I understand that the Stroud maternity unit was under threat under a previous The Prime Minister: First, I welcome the hon. Gentleman Administration, but I am happy to say that with our to his place as the Member of Parliament for Chesterfield. plans, under which the money in the NHS will follow We can all remember one of his predecessors in that the decisions that local people make with their doctors 433 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 434 about where to be treated, we will find that community the cost in life, limb and expenditure? Would he consider hospitals across our country can once again breathe taking a briefing on this subject, if possible in the easily. presence of the service chiefs of staff?

Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): May I associate The Prime Minister: I am grateful to my hon. Friend my right hon. and hon. Friends with the tributes that for asking that question; I know that he has great were paid earlier to our fallen heroes in Afghanistan? expertise in this area. I have understood the idea of a We should always remember them. In that spirit, may I bridgehead, but while it is worth examining, there are ask the Prime Minister, right at the outset of a new difficulties with it. The current strategy of counter- Parliament and a new Administration, to give a categorical insurgency is about trying to protect the public in assurance to our troops that they will always get the Afghanistan from the insurgency and enlarge the area equipment and resources that they need on operational of that country in which normal life can continue. What duty, to our servicemen and women returning home is in our national interest—that is what we should focus that they will always get the help and advice that they on—is an Afghanistan stable and secure enough for us need to return to civilian life, and to our maimed and to bring our troops home. That is what we want to wounded that, despite all the budgetary pressures, they achieve. I will listen to my hon. Friend’s ideas, but we will always get the care and compassion that they need have to give the current strategy time to work. and deserve, for however long it takes?

The Prime Minister: I thank the hon. Gentleman for Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): his question—and the way that he put it—about ensuring Comrade Premier—[Laughter.] I am surprised by that that we protect and help those at the front line with reaction. I mean, are we not all in this together? Are not everything that they need, looking after their families the vast majority of us—apart from a small sect—in and helping those who are injured. That is what our favour of strengthening the Union of the United Kingdom? focus should be. It is all those things, and it is all And do not the vast majority of us dislike, distrust and through the lifetime of those people. I have visited despise the Liberal Democrats? On the subject of safe places such as Headley Court and seen the incredible bases, does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is work now being done. However, what we have to realise no base safer than an aircraft carrier— as a country is that this is not just about getting the equipment or renewing the military covenant, so that Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for having to interrupt we serve our armed services properly, but about recognising the hon. Gentleman. On this closed question, I was that the people who have been injured so badly in Iraq eagerly anticipating an inquiry about Afghanistan, but and Afghanistan will need a lifetime of help. I do not sadly it was not forthcoming. think that the health service has yet fully woken up to the—quite rightly—very high demands that those people Engagements will place on the health services. That is why I have a strong defence team and a strong health team, who are going to work together to ensure that we deliver for Q11. [000436] Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): those people, who have done so much for us. What will my right hon. Friend be doing to ensure that foreign nationals engaged in terrorist-related activity in Afghanistan this country will be deported back to their country of origin when their evil plots are detected? Q10. [000435] DrJulianLewis(NewForestEast)(Con): What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of The Prime Minister: I really am grateful to my hon. NATO’s military strategy in Afghanistan. Friend for raising that question. When foreign nationals The Prime Minister: Afghanistan is my top priority. threaten our country but we do not have the evidence That is why we have set up the National Security necessary to prosecute them, it is essential for us to be Council and why it met on the first full day of the new able to deport them back to their country of origin. I Government. In terms of the military strategy, we are have asked the Home Secretary to work with the Foreign six months into the troop surge ordered by President Secretary to draw up agreements with as many countries Obama. That surge is to provide a proper counter- as possible, so that we can deport those people and keep insurgency campaign, protecting the people while tackling our country safe. All diplomatic efforts, including efforts the insurgents. We back that strategy, and we must give by me, will be made to ensure that we keep our country it time to work. There are some signs of progress, such safe. as markets opening up again and better district governance. As I said in the debate on the Queen’s Speech, we have Q12. [000437] Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) to support that military strategy with a political surge, (Lab): I heard what the Prime Minister said about the of which the peace jirga being launched in Kabul today military covenant in answer to a previous question, and is an example. I spoke to President Karzai about this as chair of the all-party veterans group, I was relieved yesterday, and stressed to him the importance of working to see a commitment in the coalition’s document to towards a political solution in which everyone in providing extra support for veterans’ mental health Afghanistan feels that the Government of Afghanistan needs. I was alarmed, however, to read that the are a Government for them. £2 million set aside by the previous Government to support Combat Stress had been placed under review Dr Lewis: Is my right hon. Friend aware of the by the present Government. Is the Prime Minister able concept of a sovereign base bridgehead area, which to renew that commitment to Combat Stress, or will it could meet our needs in Afghanistan for a fraction of fall at the first hurdle? 435 Oral Answers2 JUNE 2010 Oral Answers 436

The Prime Minister: First of all, let me congratulate Q13. [000438] Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): I welcome the hon. Gentleman on his work for veterans, which is the Prime Minister’s recognition of the progress made extremely important, and I welcome it. It is important, in the north-east economy. In the economic context, it as I have said, that we have a very strong ministerial is said that when the United States sneezes, the United team at the Department of Health and at the Ministry Kingdom catches cold and the north-east of England of Defence, and I understand the huge pressure that gets pneumonia. I was therefore sad to learn at the will be put on our health services because of the mental weekend that the regional development agency One health stress of people who have fought in combat. We NorthEast is preparing budgets within year for 40% will do everything we can to help them; the hon. Gentleman cuts in operational output. Does the Prime Minister has my word that that will happen. It needs to happen think that is good medicine for that sort of pneumonia? not just this year, while our troops are still in Afghanistan, but for all the years into the future. There are figures The Prime Minister: First, may I welcome the hon. that suggest that more people committed suicide after Gentleman on his election to this place? I well remember the Falklands war than were killed in combat. I take taking the Conservative party’s bi-annual conference to this issue extremely seriously; the hon. Gentleman has Gateshead. It was received all right, given what might my word that those services will be properly looked have been expected. after. Ian Mearns: Come back! Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I was greatly encouraged by the Prime Minister’s response to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr Hollobone) about the The Prime Minister: How can I refuse an offer like deportation of terrorist suspects. Does not my right that? hon. Friend agree that the most effective way to get rid On regional development agencies, what we have said of these people is to scrap the Human Rights Act? is that in areas of the country where they work well and where local authorities want to keep them as they are, The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend, as so often, is they can. We believe, however, that in many parts of the tempting me. He knows that my view is very clear that country, including the part I represent, there is a huge we would be better off with a British Bill of Rights amount of waste in the system and it would be better to rather than with the Human Rights Act, and that have local enterprise partnerships, with councils coming matter is being examined. Enthusiastic though I am together to support business. Wherever regional personally for that policy, I have to say that what is assemblies—or rather, regional development agencies— really needed for urgent action is individual agreements are, we think there is a large amount of waste within with countries like Pakistan in order to get a guarantee them. We think some of the planning and transport that people we send back there will not be mistreated. functions should be given back to local authorities With countries like Pakistan, we should be able to where they belong. That is what people will see from achieve that. We are a major aid donor and a major this Government: yes, we want to generate enterprise partner; we should be able to encourage them to give us and help businesses to get going, but we also want that guarantee so that we do not have to keep in our proper local government that controls the things that country foreign nationals that threaten to do us harm. local government should do. 437 2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 438

Gaza Flotilla and hon. Members who have already been in contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about their constituents and their families, and who have provided 3.32 pm information. We recognise the intense concern for those The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth involved, and the need to keep Members updated. Affairs (Mr William Hague): With permission, I will Israel has told us that it wants to move as quickly as report to the House on the events surrounding the possible to deport people from the flotilla who are interception of boats in the “Free Gaza” flotilla, on the currently held in Israel. If they agree, they will be immediate action that the Government have taken, and deported very quickly. Those who remain unwilling to on our planned next steps. leave will be allowed to stay for 72 hours in detention, In the early hours of 31 May, the Israeli defence which is the time limit allowed for them to appeal forces intercepted six of the eight boats sailing in the against deportation. Our understanding is that they will “Free Gaza” flotilla. The incident led to injury and be deported after that. We also understand that the deaths of a number of passengers, mainly on one of the Israelis have begun to transfer to Jordan detainees from vessels. We await details of all the casualties and fatalities, countries that are not represented in Israel. We understand but it is clear that many will be Turkish citizens. The that the individuals who were allegedly involved in Prime Minister and I have spoken to the Turkish Prime violence against Israeli servicemen during the boarding Minister and Foreign Minister respectively to offer our will have their cases examined in line with Israeli legal condolences. The six intercepted vessels were brought advice. We do not currently believe that there are any to shore in the Israeli port of Ashdod. Two of the boats British nationals in that last category, although I hope have been delayed by mechanical difficulties and remain the House will appreciate that this is a fluid situation. at sea. We believe that they are en route to Gaza. Our partners in the international community are working, as we are, to facilitate the swift release of those I can inform the House that it now appears that a detained. Turkey is sending six planes to fly out their total of 37 British nationals were involved in Sunday’s nationals, and the Turkish authorities have indicated events. That is different from the number given by the that detainees of other countries may join those flights. Prime Minister a short time ago, which was based on We believe that some of the British nationals to whom what the Israeli ambassador had said previously. I I referred earlier are on those flights now. spoke to our ambassador in Tel Aviv in the past 45 minutes or so before coming to the Chamber, and I repeat that The United Kingdom has played its full part in the the latest figures are of 37 British nationals, including European Union and the United Nations in agreeing on 11 dual nationals. We have so far received access to the need for a full, credible, impartial and independent 28 of those individuals, one of whom was deported investigation into these events. Our goal is a process yesterday. We understand that four more British nationals that ensures full accountability for the events that occurred agreed to be deported this morning and that the remaining and commands the confidence of the international British nationals are likely to be transferred to the community, including international participation. Further airport soon. We have expressed our disappointment to discussions are taking place in other international forums, the Israeli Government about the levels of preparedness including NATO and the United Nations Human Rights on their part, and the fact that we have not yet been Council. We will take the same principled stand in all given full information about British nationals detained our diplomatic efforts, and will stress to the Israeli and access to all of them. We are urgently pressing the Government the need for them to act with restraint and Israeli Government to resolve the situation within hours. in line with their international obligations, given that their actions appear to have gone beyond what was There is real, understandable and justified anger at warranted or proportionate. We need to know whether the events that have unfolded. The Government’s position more could have been done to minimise the risks, or to is as follows. Our clear advice to British nationals is not reduce the number of deaths and injuries. to travel to Gaza. However, we have made clear in public and to the Israeli Government that we deeply The events aboard the flotilla were very serious and deplore the loss of life, and look to Israel to do everything have captured the world’s attention, but they should not possible to avoid a repeat of this unacceptable situation. be viewed in isolation. They arise from the unacceptable The United Nations Security Council and the European and unsustainable situation in Gaza, which is a cause of Union have rightly condemned the violence that resulted public concern here in the United Kingdom and around in the loss of these lives. We continue to demand urgent the world. It has long been the view of the British information and access to all United Kingdom nationals Government—including the previous Government—that involved. Their welfare is our top priority at this time, restrictions on Gaza should be lifted, a view confirmed along with support for the families, who are understandably in United Nations Security Council resolution 1860, very worried. We are seriously concerned about the which called for seizure of British nationals in international waters, and “sustained delivery of humanitarian aid” that aspect of the Israeli operation must form a key part and called on states to of the investigation into the events. “to alleviate the humanitarian and economic situation”. The Prime Minister has spoken to the Israeli Prime The fact that that has not happened is a tragedy. It is Minister, I have spoken to the Israeli Foreign Minister, essential that there be unfettered access not only to and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and meet the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza, Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member but to enable the reconstruction of homes and livelihoods for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), has been in and permit trade to take place. The Palestinian economy, close contact with the Israeli ambassador in London. whether in Gaza or on the west bank, is an essential The embassy in Tel Aviv has been in constant contact part of a viable Palestinian state which I hope will one with the Israeli authorities. I am grateful to right hon. day live alongside Israel in peace and security. 439 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 440

[Mr William Hague] As Foreign Secretary, I negotiated UK-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 1860 in January 2009, As the once productive private sector has been decimated which eventually brought the Gaza war to an end. It and ordinary Gazans have lost their jobs and their demanded the full flow of humanitarian and reconstruction incomes, it is tunnel entrepreneurs and their Hamas materials into Gaza, and an end to the trafficking of backers who benefit. Hamas now has near total control weapons into Gaza, and its implementation by all sides of the economy. Other groups, even more radical and must be the central demand of the international community. violent, are finding a place amid the misery and frustration That needs UN, EU and Quartet pressure, not just felt by a generation of young people. In this context, engagement. current Israeli restrictions are counter-productive to The continuation of the blockade, not just by Israel Israel’s long-term security. We will therefore continue to but until yesterday by Egypt too, brings misery to press the Israeli Government to lift the closure of Gaza, Palestinians and does nothing to weaken the hold of and plan early discussions with Israel as well as with Hamas on the territory—the alleged aim of the policy. our other international partners about what more can In fact, revenue from smuggling taxes funds Hamas. be done to ensure an unfettered flow of aid while also The latest episode cost innocent lives, undermines ensuring that aid reaches those who need it and is not Palestinians and Arabs who believe in co-existence and abused. I discussed that with Secretary Clinton last the peaceful path to statehood, and further isolates night, and we will be taking forward our discussions on Israel in the international community. The only people the subject urgently. smiling are the rejectionists. The answer to them is a The House should not forget the role played by political process with drive and momentum. I was glad Hamas in this conflict. It continues to pursue an ideology to hear the Foreign Secretary talk about proximity of violence and directly to undermine prospects for talks, but proximity talks are worth having only as a peace in the region. Violence has continued in recent short prelude to substantive negotiations, and, frankly, days, with rocket fire from militants in Gaza and Israeli they have gone on for too long already without getting military incursions and air strikes in response. We call to the big issues. on Hamas to take immediate and concrete steps towards I have five sets of questions for the Foreign Secretary, the Quartet principles, unconditionally to release Gilad the first of which is about the welfare of British citizens. Shalit, who has been held in captivity for four years, The lack of clarity about the position of British nationals and to end its interference with the operations of non- is completely unacceptable. We are talking about 37 people, governmental organisations and UN agencies in Gaza. not 37,000 people. They have a right to consular support; It is more clear than ever that the only long-term and it says so in their passports. They should be given that sustainable solution to the conflict that produced these support immediately. If it is being denied, we should be tragic events is a two-state solution that achieves a denouncing that, not saying that we are disappointed viable and sovereign Palestinian state alongside a secure by it. Israel, with its right to live in peace and security recognised Secondly, on the legality of the action, I spoke to the by all its neighbours. The proximity talks that are under Turkish Foreign Minister in New York last night, and it way are more important than ever. These events should is clear that the Turkish Government intend to pursue not undermine those talks, but instead should underline that question. Can the Foreign Secretary tell the House just how important they are, and the Government will whether he believes that the action, which took place make it an urgent priority to give British diplomatic in international waters, was illegal, whether he has support to buttress that process. The Government will discussed the issue with the Turkish Government, and if continue to keep the House informed of developments. not, why not? Thirdly, the Foreign Secretary says that he wants to know whether more could have been done to minimise David Miliband (South Shields) (Lab): I am grateful the risks or to reduce the number of deaths during the to the Foreign Secretary for his statement, and for raid on the flotilla, but surely the question to ask is why advance sight of it. on earth armed and lethal force was used at all. A I said in the Queen’s Speech debate last week that a fundamental principle is involved; the language of policy of ignoring Gaza in the search for peace will not condemnation is used very sparingly in international work. In the early hours of Monday morning, we saw relations, but it is the view of those on the Opposition why the blockade of Gaza is a barrier not only to vital Benches that the loss of innocent civilian life should aid and reconstruction materials, but to any hope of always be condemned. We have done so since Monday, peace at all. The attack by the Israeli defence forces is and the language was repeated in the United Nations the latest in a series of self-defeating and deadly moves presidential statement on Monday night, which said by successive Israeli Governments in Gaza. We on the that the Security Council Opposition Benches join the international condemnation “condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 of an operation that was not self-defence but defence of civilians and many wounded”. a failed policy. Israel does have rights to security against We welcome that, but the Foreign Secretary and the terrorism, but we are talking here about a policy that Prime Minister have not used that language themselves. has done nothing to defeat terrorism. Until the people We call on them to say loudly and clearly that the of Gaza can be confident of an education for their British Government do condemn the loss of innocent children in schools not crumbling around them, of civilian life. If they will not do that, they are setting a being able to feed and clothe their families adequately, very dangerous precedent and sending a very bad message and of being able to live without a prescribed list of indeed. what they can and cannot use in their kitchens, there Fourthly, on the Government’s intentions, we note is no way that the call of negotiation and peace will the UN’s calls for an independent investigation, and of be heard. course we welcome them, but there are outstanding 441 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 442 requests for investigations into incidents that took place more about the legality of what may have happened. during the Gaza war 18 months ago. Will the Foreign However, to connect this to one of the right hon. Secretary therefore explain to the House whether Her Gentleman’s other questions, the Turkish Foreign Minister Majesty’s Government argued in the UN on Monday particularly thanked me for the role played by our night for a UN investigation now? If not, why not? In ambassador at the UN Security Council, because the that context, can he tell us how long he will give the presidential statement delivered to the council was, of Israeli Government to agree to an independent inquiry course, made on behalf of the members of the council, before he supports a UN inquiry? including Britain, so it is very much our language as Finally, the argument that opening borders only benefits well. We certainly condemn acts that lead to the deaths Hamas has been exposed, because the present situation of civilians—I have done that before, but if the right only costs innocent lives and actually damages Israel. hon. Gentleman has not heard me do so, I do so What action does the Foreign Secretary propose to take again—so there need be no difference between us on through the UN and the European Union to drive that point. forward improvements in the daily lives of people living Critically, an investigation must be prompt, independent, in Gaza? Is it not the case that the EU has standing credible and transparent. It is my view and, from the capacity waiting to be deployed to man checkpoints discussions that I had last night, the view of the United into and out of Gaza? Do we not need urgent engagement States that the investigation should as a minimum have to get an agreement, as per resolution 1860, for those an international presence. It is possible for Israel to forces to be deployed? establish such an investigation and inquiry. The right This is a political crisis, not just a humanitarian one. hon. Gentleman will recall that commissions or inquiries Rocket attacks will be defeated only by a substantive have on occasion been established in Israel that have political process towards a Palestinian state. That is delivered stinging criticism of the Israeli Government where the greatest responsibility lies for all the parties. and armed forces, although on other occasions such We will support all efforts on the part of the Government inquiries have not done so when we might have thought to make Gaza part of a wider international drive for it was merited. However, we look to them to heed the peace in the middle east, backed by the UN and the EU, international calls for such an inquiry and investigation, in support of US leadership, because without such an and if they simply refuse to do so—to answer his effort there will be no peace in the middle east. question—it would not be long before we added our voice for one conducted under international auspices. Mr Hague: I am grateful to the shadow Foreign The right hon. Gentleman is right that urgent work Secretary for his broad support for what is clearly a needs to be taken forward on providing the mechanism bipartisan policy shared across the Floor of the House. for access to aid into Gaza, and for trade in and out of His concern for the people of Gaza is felt very deeply in Gaza, while giving the Israelis sufficient assurance that all parts of the House. As he reminded the House, he it will not be used for the smuggling of arms, which played an instrumental part in the negotiation of UN none of us wants taken into Gaza. We are now taking resolution 1860 and he has always argued, as we have forward that urgent work with our partners in the EU argued, that ignoring Gaza will not work; this problem and the United States, and it is something on which we must be addressed. I am grateful for the implicit support will need to return to the House. that he has given to the Government’s position and for the argument that he makes that the Israeli policy Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): It is towards Gaza does not loosen but tightens the grip of easy to be condemnatory of Israel and to argue for the Hamas on the people of Gaza. raising of the blockade, but we must ask ourselves whether these things, taken by themselves, will bring I shall now respond to the right hon. Gentleman’s about the solution that we all seek. Drawing on our specific questions. He can tell that I am disappointed colonial experience and recent experience in Northern and very dissatisfied with the Israeli response, as it has Ireland, is it not clear that sooner or later, however gone on over recent hours, on consular access. The controversial it may be, Hamas will have to be brought reason why I do not condemn the Israelis unequivocally into the circle of discussions? is because there is a complicating factor: many people on board the ships did not have their passports or had Mr Hague: I always listen to my right hon. and destroyed all their papers, so it is not necessarily immediately learned Friend—I think I can now call him that, given obvious to which nationality they belong. In addition, that we are sitting on the same side of the House—with there has been a clear lack of preparedness by Israel for great care on these matters. He will be aware of the handling this number of people and dealing with this Quartet principles, which have been very clear for some number of consular inquiries. That is why, in some years: Hamas must forswear violence, accept previous cases, our consular staff, who have been working extremely agreements and recognise the state of Israel. That has hard, have had to go to the prison at Beersheba to been the long-standing position of British Governments, hammer on doors and ask people whether they are the United Nations and the whole of the Quartet, British. It has been chaotic, it is completely unsatisfactory including the United States, the European Union and and I am glad that some of the people are now able to Russia. I referred earlier to the need for Hamas to make leave the country. None the less, it is the most immediately concrete movement towards those principles in order urgent part of our work to ensure that that is put right for the rest of the international community to engage and that all the British nationals have been identified with it, and I continue to believe that that is the right and seen. position. It is a long-standing position and one that we The right hon. Gentleman asked whether I had spoken have in common with our allies and the rest of the to the Turkish Foreign Minister. I did speak to him. Of international community acting on the affairs of the course, one reason for an investigation will be to learn middle east. That position must be sustained. 443 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 444

Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): In Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab): Bearing welcoming the tone of the Foreign Secretary’s statement in mind that the ship was a peace ship in international and his condemnation of the loss of innocent life, may I waters, is not attacking such a ship against international ask whether he recognises that those innocent lives law and should it not be condemned by the Foreign might well have included any of the 37 United Kingdom Secretary as an illegal act? citizens present when the Israelis committed a war crime of piracy in international waters, kidnapping and Mr Hague: One has to agree that to board a ship in murder—and all in pursuit of upholding an illegal international waters can legally happen only in the most blockade on Gaza that amounts to collective punishment, exceptional and extraordinary circumstances, so that is as I saw for myself when I led an international parliamentary the basis we are working from. delegation there early this year? Will he assure the House that, if the Israelis fail to comply with the Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): My constituent perfectly modest and satisfactory request that he has Hasan Nowarah was injured when the flotilla came made of them, further action will be taken to make under attack, although he is now, thankfully, safely at Israel rejoin the international community? home with his family. He was motivated by a desire to help people in the most dire need, but the 45 tonnes of Mr Hague: Yes, it is very important that Israel responds medical equipment that he helped to collect is currently to the call from across the whole world, to which we floating aboard the ship, the Rachel Corrie, in the have added our voice, for a prompt, independent, credible Mediterranean. Will the Foreign Secretary use his and transparent investigation or inquiry. As I mentioned diplomatic efforts to persuade the Israeli Government earlier, in my response to the shadow Foreign Secretary, to let that vital medical aid be delivered to hospitals in if no such investigation or inquiry is forthcoming, we Gaza? will want to advocate such an inquiry under international auspices. The right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton Mr Hague: Yes, I very much take that point. The (Sir Gerald Kaufman) is right that whatever precise Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth words we use, a blockade of Gaza is counter-productive; Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North East it is wrong and it does not even serve the interests of Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), has just undertaken, as we the security of Israel. He is also right to point out were listening to the hon. Lady’s question, to look into that fatalities could have occurred among the British what is happening to that specific shipment. I believe nationals who were caught up in this. It is our strong that some of the aid on some of the ships involved is advice to British nationals, as it has been in the past and now arriving in Gaza, but we will look into the shipment will be in the future, not to travel to Gaza—let me make that she mentions. that absolutely clear—as they would be going into a dangerous situation, but it is absolutely wrong to maintain Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): the blockade. That is the clear position of the Government. This is a dreadful and deplorable tragedy, but will the Foreign Secretary tell us what urgent steps he will take Several hon. Members rose— to ease the transfer of essential goods through the crossings so that Israel’s security needs can be met? Does he accept that Israel has legitimate security needs Mr Speaker: Order. Another 29 right hon. and hon. against the enemy that is determined to destroy it? Members are seeking to catch my eye, and the debate to follow this statement is very heavily subscribed, so I Mr Hague: Of course Israel has legitimate security need short questions and short answers. needs. That is why I stressed in my statement the role and responsibility of Hamas and the need for it and Sir John Stanley (Tonbridge and Malling) (Con): Is anyone else in Gaza to end rocket attacks on Israel. my right hon. Friend aware that those of us who were That is a very important part of the entire situation as able to enter Gaza in the aftermath of the last Israeli well. We need to find a way in which Israel can be incursion could only come to the conclusion that there assured that the smuggling of arms into Gaza does not had been a wholly disproportionate use of lethal force take place while the flow of humanitarian aid and of very, very dubious legality? Does he agree that there general economic trade can take place. Clearly, some has now been a repeat of precisely that? What will the additional assurance is going to be necessary for that to British Government do to try to ensure that there is not happen, and that is what we are working on urgently. the same repetition again and again and again? Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex) (Con): May I welcome Mr Hague: Hopefully, I covered that point in my the clear but restrained way in which the Foreign Secretary statement. I referred to the actions that have been taken dealt with this very difficult matter? May I ask him a by Israel as appearing to go beyond what was warranted very precise question: has it not been clear for a long or proportionate, and I weigh those words very carefully. time now that the blockade of Gaza is illegal? Does it I also said that that is unacceptable and that Israel must not therefore amount to cruel and unusual punishment, act with restraint and in line with its international and is it not contrary to all international law and the obligations, so we have given a very strong message to Geneva convention? Israel. In the conversations that I had with the Israeli Foreign Minister and that my right hon. Friend the Mr Hague: The argument that I make is that, whatever Prime Minister had with the Israeli Prime Minister, the arguments about the blockade’s legality, it is unwise—it there could be no mistaking how strongly we feel. My does not achieve its objective. In a practical world, it is right hon. Friend the Member for Tonbridge and Malling not the right thing for Israel to do. No doubt, the (Sir John Stanley) adds force to how we feel. Government of Israel would make a different legal 445 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 446 argument from that of my hon. Friend: they maintain large enough to accommodate 4x4 vehicles, and of that the blockade is lawful because they are acting in course there is no restriction whatever on the importation their own self-defence. Therefore, the thing that they of weapons through them. must be persuaded of is that the blockade does not serve their security interests and that a change of policy Mr Hague: Yes, and my hon. Friend makes a very is urgently required. powerful point. What in effect happens is that Hamas is able to tax the importation of goods through the tunnels, Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): I note the providing funds for itself while further impoverishing Foreign Secretary’s demand for free and unfettered the people of Gaza. That is a further reminder that the access to Gaza but, in the absence of a blockade of blockade is not an effective policy. shipping into Gaza, how does he believe that the people Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Is it at all of Israel can be protected from the unprovoked assaults possible that the Israelis are aware of the worldwide by rockets and other armaments that are being imported revulsion at what has happened this week? The killings into Gaza by the supporters of Hamas terrorists? on the high seas had no justification whatsoever, and my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy Mr Hague: That is why I have referred to the international Corbyn) spoke about other measures that Israel has work that needs to take place to try to give assurance taken. Is it not clear that Israel seems to show no that such importation of arms cannot take place while concern at all for international opinion, and that it is humanitarian and economic aid, and general economic out of control? Unless firm action is taken by the trade, is going on. However, I stress again that it does international community, will we not see further tragedies not serve the interests of Israel’s security to maintain of this kind? the current position, which is putting more power into the hands of Hamas and driving the people of Gaza Mr Hague: I would not necessarily reach the conclusion into its arms. That does not serve the security of Israel. that there is no awareness or concern about international opinion in Israel. In fact, there has been a good deal of Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): Will my right criticism of the Israeli Government in the Israeli media hon. Friend use his good offices to ask Israel to desist over the past couple of days. Remember that Israel is a from using selective footage to make its case through democracy.There is free expression of opinion. Sometimes the media rather than engaging in the full inquiry into that is bitterly critical of their own Ministers, and this terrible incident that should take place? sometimes of their own armed forces. We saw that in the aftermath of the Lebanon war four years ago. I Mr Hague: My hon. Friend makes a very powerful think it would be over-simplifying the situation to describe point, although we will be doing very well in the world it as the hon. Gentleman did a few moments ago. There if we can persuade everyone to stop using selective is a consciousness in Israel of international opinion. footage in the media. It may be a little ambitious to That is why we have to express ourselves in a way that is think that we will be able to persuade Israel to do that, forceful but responsible, and ask them to do reasonable but that underlines the need for the impartial and things that are in their own best interest. That is the credible inquiry for which we have called. position that we have taken.

Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): In the past Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Will the Foreign Secretary 18 months, Israel has killed 1,400 people during Operation acknowledge that there has been up to 1 million tonnes Cast Lead. It has also carried out an assassination in of aid from Israel to Gaza since January 2009? Will he Dubai using false passports, and now it has killed also acknowledge that the reason for the blockade, people on the high seas. On each occasion, there has which we all want to end, is continued terrorism by been ritual condemnation, as there is today. I support Hamas, the hijacking of aid convoys and the smuggling that condemnation, but is it not time for us to take of arms from Iran into Gaza? sanctions against Israel, such as lifting the EU-Israel Mr Hague: It is very important to remember the role trade agreement? Israel must understand that it cannot played by Hamas. It is important to remind people all act illegally with impunity, and that it cannot kill people the time, as I did in my statement, that we need to see an on the high seas in the way that it has just done. end to the rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, as well as the other measures that we have called on Israel to take. Mr Hague: Israel will be listening to the condemnation My hon. Friend brings that necessary balance to the in this House, including from the hon. Gentleman. questions asked today. There is no doubt about that, but I do not think that the right policy is to impose sanctions. I think that the right Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): The Foreign policy is to urge on Israel the course of action that I Secretary will know that the terrible siege of Gaza has have set out today. The restrictions and the blockade of been ongoing now for three years, with huge suffering Gaza should be lifted, and a truly credible and independent caused to people, but given that the condemnations and investigation should be set up. They are part of the criticisms of Israel never seem to change the Israeli practical way forward that we should concentrate on, authorities’ actions, what further action does he propose and therefore they are the right foreign policy for this to take? In the EU association agreement with Israel, country. for example, there is a clause that provides for its suspension in the light of human rights abuses on either Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): I welcome my side. Will not his refusal to consider suspending that right hon. Friend’s statement, but does he agree that the EU association agreement give the message that we are effect of the brutal Israeli blockade of Gaza is to drive not serious about taking action with Israel, and that we all trade into the tunnels? Some of the tunnels are now are not serious about our EU agreements either? 447 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 448

Mr Hague: I do not think Israel will be in any doubt doing so quickly, and making the coherent case, including about the seriousness of the message. The fact that a to the Israelis, for lifting the blockade on Gaza. Those Security Council statement was agreed so rapidly, with are the right things to concentrate on. The right hon. the support of the United States as well as of the Gentleman refers to British naval protection and United Kingdom, will have made an impact on Israel; deployment, but the previous Prime Minister promised the hon. Lady can be sure of that. If she could have a British naval deployment in the Mediterranean to try heard the conversations that we have had with out to stop arms smuggling to Gaza, and no ship was ever Israeli counterparts, she could also be very confident sent. I will not make empty promises; we will concentrate that they are aware of the strength of opinion and our on the two issues that we have identified as necessary. deep concern about these issues. The EU-Israel agreement is not exactly progressing at Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Given the importance the moment anyway. I take the point that she makes of the investigation that the Foreign Secretary referred about that, but it is not an additional measure for this to, does he not also believe that there is a very powerful particular situation. As I have explained in answer to case for referring this to international arbitration and/or previous questions, I want to concentrate on trying to the international court at The Hague? After all, this make sure that that credible and independent investigation involves not only questions of international law. The takes place, and that the case is understood in Israel for political causes are well known, but they have not yet the lifting of the blockade of Gaza in their own best been resolved by the political intervention of the Quartet, interests. It is important that we put it in that way. and so forth, and international arbitration may well be a very good move to adopt. Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset) (Con): The flotilla, which was probably doomed to fail, was an expression of the frustration of ordinary people at the failure of Mr Hague: The position that we have taken does not the United Nations, and in particular of the Quartet, to exclude those things, but they are quite difficult things get Israel to comply with its UN obligations. The Foreign to bring about and seek agreement to, so the priority is Secretary has had conversations with Mrs Clinton. I to have an inquiry and investigation established as soon understand that he is also meeting the EU High as possible that meets the criteria that I have set out. Representative. Does he believe that between us we can However, we have not excluded advocating other courses encourage the Quartet to take firmer action with Israel, of action if that is not heeded. which still in its statements today seems not to understand the gravity of the situation? Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab): I think that we have pussy-footed around Israel for long enough. The Mr Hague: There is a real international focus on only language that it understands is not the language of these matters now, and that is true in the United States. diplomacy but the language of the hobnail boot, by I was with the EU High Representative, Baroness Ashton, which I mean sanctions, telling it to stop building any last night in Sarajevo, and she certainly has the same more settlements, and insisting that it has talks with focus on these issues, as do many other EU Foreign people—both sides—who represent the Palestinian people, Ministers. This morning I was at the EU-western Balkans as the right hon. and learned Member for North East high-level meeting in Sarajevo, and many of the Foreign Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) said. I hope that the Foreign Ministers discussed the issue in the margins of that. Secretary will develop a much more robust foreign One of the results of the action was to bring the issue policy towards Israel. centre stage. It has shone a spotlight on the problems of Gaza, to which so many right hon. and hon. Members have referred. It is now important for us to take the Mr Hague: Again, the right hon. Lady illustrates the momentum from that and make sure that the necessary strength of feeling in the House. I have not immediately work continues over the coming weeks and months to donned my hobnail boots, because the right way to improve the situation. approach the matter, which will make sense to people in Israel as well as to the rest of the world, is to advocate Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): Will the measures that I have called for today. That is a the Foreign Secretary not accept that what he said crucial ingredient for Israelis themselves to see—that today really amounts to saying that the United States, this needs to be properly investigated to international Britain and Europe will continue to tolerate the Israeli standards in a way that the international community blockade of Gaza? Does he not agree that this toleration can respect and take seriously, and that the blockade should be brought to an end, and, if necessary, Britain of Gaza makes no sense even from their own point of and the other European members of NATO should say view. Israel is a democratic country. It is possible to that if another flotilla sets off for Gaza, we are willing make these arguments and to have them heard there, so to give it naval protection, with the Royal Navy reverting I favour concentrating on that method of proceeding to its traditional role of protecting the freedom of rather than the hobnail boots that she wants me to the seas? put on.

Mr Hague: I understand, in every case in which right Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): My hon. and hon. Members express their outrage at what right hon. Friend has made it quite clear this afternoon has happened, the strength of feeling in many parts of that he thinks that the blockade is counter-productive the House and of the country. As I have explained, in because of the suffering that it causes to the people of the pursuit of practical foreign policy we should concentrate Gaza. Will he therefore press the international community on the two things that I have identified—the setting up to lift the blockade as a precursor to a full middle east of the right kind of investigation and inquiry, and peace settlement? 449 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 450

Mr Hague: It is a very important part of any middle inquiries—into some of the events in Lebanon in the east peace settlement, and my hon. Friend’s question 1980s and into the Lebanon war in 2006—that certainly reminds us that it is very important to continue the were independent and credible by international standards, work on a middle east peace settlement overall. The and that meted out considerable and, sometimes, severe proximity talks have been taking place and we want criticism to the authorities in Israel. It is possible for them to become much more serious. European nations them to do that. Today I have made the additional case now have to look to how we can buttress the efforts of that such an inquiry and investigation should have an the United States to push those talks forward. It is one international presence and, therefore, be not just an of the things that I want to discuss around European Israeli inquiry.But I have also not excluded this Government capitals next week. Ending this blockade of Gaza is an from advocating the sort of inquiry that the hon. Gentleman integral part of finding any such durable solution. would prefer to see, if no other action is taken in the meantime. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): Is it not clear that Israel believes that it has done absolutely Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Behind Hamas nothing wrong when it sends armed commandos to lurks the spectre of both Syria and Iran. Were the Gaza attack in international waters ships carrying humanitarian blockade to be lifted at some point in the future, what supplies to a tiny strip of land where more than 60% of practical assistance could Her Majesty’s Government, the population are food-insecure? Could that not be the European Union or NATO offer to Israel in order because, for many years now, Israel has put itself above to stop the smuggling of weaponry from those two international law, without consequence from the rogue states? international community? What does the Foreign Secretary think the practical consequences should be if Israel Mr Hague: Such assistance and such assurance is does not abide by the will of the international community very important, and that is why we are now consulting this time? other nations on the best vehicle for providing it: whether that is best done under United Nations’ auspices, and Mr Hague: We will see whether Israel thinks, in the how much more the European Union can do. There end, that it has done nothing wrong. The Israeli Cabinet have, of course, been previous attempts to provide it is, as I understand it, meeting this afternoon for the first under EU auspices, but it is very important to be able time since the incident and since Mr Netanyahu returned to stop the flow of arms into Gaza, just as it is so vital from north America, and we will see what, if indeed to be able to open up Gaza to humanitarian aid and to anything, comes out of that in terms of the investigation— more normal economic activity. My hon. Friend makes the inquiry—that we and most of the rest of the world a very powerful point. have called for. Again, I stress that it is important to make the case for those two things, the investigation Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ and the lifting of the blockade, because it would be Co-op): I join my colleagues in condemning the actions wrong to characterise everyone in Israel as insensitive to of the Israeli Government. Two of my constituents, international opinion. This is an argument that has to Sarah Colbourne and one other woman, are currently be won within Israel, as well as in the rest of the world. in detention in Israel. I thank the consulate for its work That is why I am taking the approach that we are taking with them, but I am concerned about their position. I and, indeed, previous Governments, broadly, have taken; agree with the Foreign Secretary that an international and I am sure that, for now, that is the right approach. flavour to an investigation, and an independent investigation, are important. Notwithstanding that, will Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con): he or the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is a little rich for for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), agree to the Israeli Government to justify their behaviour on the meet my constituents and others who were there—because ground that they are denying matériel to a terrorist nothing beats hearing it from the horse’s mouth—in an organisation when they have in the recent past shown attempt to shape this Government’s foreign policy towards themselves perfectly willing to import proscribed munitions Israel? for use against civilian targets? Mr Hague: Yes. In fact, my hon. Friend is already Mr Hague: Again, my hon. Friend adds to a strength working on plans to meet such a group when they have of feeling and to points made that will be widely noticed returned, if they desire such a meeting. and, I hope, taken note of in Israel itself. Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): I welcome Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): The Foreign the Foreign Secretary’s statement, in particular the call Secretary has quite rightly said that we need a credible for an international and impartial element to an and independent inquiry. This was an illegal act in investigation. However, is it not crucial to ensure that international waters, involving citizens from many countries the peace talks resume and that the role of Turkey, throughout the world. Surely the only way in which we which had been an important regional ally of Israel’s, is can have a credible and independent inquiry is if it is an both supported and encouraged? international, credible inquiry. Does the Foreign Secretary support that? If not, why not? Mr Hague: Yes, that is very important. It is important that the proximity talks turn into something much more Mr Hague: We shall see about that. The hon. Gentleman than proximity talks. Turkey has become very active may be right in the end, but, in answering his right hon. diplomatically in the whole region, and in a very welcome Friend the Member for South Shields (David Miliband), way; in our proceedings this afternoon, we have referred I referred to the fact that Israel has previously held several times to the role of the Turkish Foreign Minister. 451 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 452

[Mr Hague] sometimes Members of Parliament are able to go in a privileged and particularly safe way. Such visits must Turkey has tried hard in recent years to bring Syria and happen and are welcome; it is important for this House Israel closer together and it has sometimes come within to have as much knowledge and information as possible an ace of bringing permanent peace between the two about what is happening on the ground. I am not countries. In general, Turkey has played a very constructive discouraging right hon. and hon. Members from going role in the region, and I am sure that she will want to do under the right circumstances, but let us not mistake so in future. that for our general travel advice to the British public.

Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The unauthorised Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): As the boarding of a vessel in international waters by armed Foreign Secretary mentioned, under Israeli law aid workers combatants is normally referred to as piracy. The Foreign may face charges. Should not the killers of the aid Secretary is a Yorkshireman noted for his blunt speaking. workers face charges under international law? Will he not use that word on this occasion? Mr Hague: Since we have called for an investigation, I Mr Hague: The blunt Yorkshireman has been converted do not think that we can pre-empt such matters. I stress into a Foreign Secretary who weighs his words carefully, that, as far as we know, the aid workers, activists, or dramatic transition though that may be. As we are people who were aboard the ship—however we want to advocating a prompt, independent, credible and transparent describe them—and who may be in that position do not investigation and inquiry, in the terms that I have put include any of the British nationals. Again, the hon. forward, it is important for us to be prepared to see Gentleman makes a point that illustrates the strength of what it produces before feeling that we need to add any feeling in this House. That is one reason why we need to other language to how I have expressed things today. continue to call so strongly for the credible investigation to which I have referred. Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): This afternoon, the Secretary of State appears to have ruled out a number Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): The Foreign of options for dealing with Israel within a European Secretary has rightly referred to the strength of feeling Union context. What exactly is the United Kingdom in this House, and, indeed, almost on a global basis. doing within the European Union to maximise diplomatic However, he will be as aware as anyone that Israel has a pressure to end the blockade on Gaza? well-founded reputation for toughing out these crises, hoping that they will go away, and has been very successful Mr Hague: I am not conscious of ruling anything in doing that. He made the point, again rightly, that out, and I am not ruling anything out. But again I must these events are the recruiting sergeants for terrorism. stress that there is an enormous amount of pressure. I Can he tell the House—this is a serious question—what had dinner with many of the European Foreign Ministers will be different this time? in Sarajevo last night and I have seen many more of them this morning. They are all expressing themselves Mr Hague: I cannot guarantee to the hon. Gentleman in very similar ways, and very emphatically, to the what the course of events will now be. I can say, slightly Government of Israel. There is no doubt about the reiterating what I said earlier, that these incidents have intensity of the feeling and pressure from the European shone a particular spotlight on to the situation in Gaza. Union. Clearly, we will now want to discuss as a body The speed and unity of the diplomatic response is what more we can do and, most importantly, what we unusual. I referred earlier to the ease with which the can do working with the United States to try to give UN Security Council statement was agreed, including new momentum to the middle east peace process as a with the United States—I stress that point. I think that whole. The issue is right up there on the agenda and in that will have been duly noted in Israel; in fact, I know the minds of European Foreign Ministers, and there that it has been duly noted in Israel. Can I promise what will be a great deal of pressure. reaction the Israelis will now provide? No, I cannot, but we will watch it very closely and minutely, and we will Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): As someone argue very strongly for the measures that I have set out who has been to Gaza twice since Operation Cast Lead, today, not excluding other courses of action in the I ask the Foreign Secretary to exempt Members of the future. House, at least, and other people who can bear witness, from the advice not to travel to Gaza. Perhaps he would Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): It is an unusual like to go himself. Having a news blackout and hiding and impressive sight to see a Yorkshireman linguistically the appalling situation is exactly what the Israeli restrained, but I thank the Foreign Secretary for what Government want, as they did during Operation Cast was, in the main, a robust and refreshing statement. I Lead. May I add that the Foreign Secretary’s testy also include the shadow Foreign Secretary in that. conversations with Mr Lieberman are not going to get The Foreign Secretary mentioned that the Rafah us anywhere? We need sanctions if Israel is to lift the crossing has been reopened. We have been told in the blockade at all. past that that will open up an enormous amount of access for munitions and weapons of war. If some good Mr Hague: Testy conversations with Mr Lieberman has come from this bloodstained horror, it is the opening are part of what we need to do. I have explained our of the Rafah crossing. Will this be monitored, will there overall approach and my reaction to the suggestion of be a report to the House, and will we be able to sanctions. I understand the hon. Gentleman’s strength consider, in this House, whether the truth of the Rafah of feeling and knowledge about the situation in Gaza. crossing is that it is simply another border crossing, and Our general travel advice is not to go to Gaza, but not an access point for matériel for Hamas? 453 Gaza Flotilla2 JUNE 2010 Gaza Flotilla 454

Mr Speaker: There were three questions, but one today, but I have indicated that we have not excluded answer will suffice. other actions and pressures in the future. I would be very disappointed if we did not have a further opportunity Mr Hague: Yes, it is very important that this is to discuss these things. monitored, and I certainly welcome other opportunities for the House to discuss these matters and to be updated Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab) rose— on these events.

David Cairns (Inverclyde) (Lab): Is it not the case that Mr Speaker: Last but not least, I call Mr Denis resolution 1860, as well as calling for an end to the MacShane. blockade, acknowledges that the international community itself has responsibility to ensure that weapons are not Mr MacShane: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome smuggled into Gaza? We know that the Foreign Secretary the robust condemnations and statements from the does not want to send a gunboat to ensure that this Foreign Secretary and from my right hon. Friend the happens—[Interruption.] I think that a gunboat has a shadow Foreign Secretary, but is the Foreign Secretary rather different aim from what my right hon. Friend the aware that the Hamas charter states: Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Frank Dobson) “There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by wanted. Given that, what practical steps can the Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences international community take to offer assistance not are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility”, only to Israel, but to Egypt, to ensure that weapons are that not getting into the Gaza strip, which will reassure the “our struggle against the Jews is extremely wide-ranging” great mass of Israeli public opinion, which I believe will be as horrified about these events as are people in this and that House? “Israel…will remain erect until Islam eliminates it”? Such anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish language is the official Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman puts his finger on doctrine and policy of Hamas. I share in all the points what is required. There have been previous attempts at that the Foreign Secretary made and wish him well, but various forms of international presence and activity Hamas is part of the problem, not yet part of the around Gaza that were meant to give assurance. Clearly, solution. that has not worked, so we now have to find a new mechanism for doing so. Britain stands ready to help in many ways. When the hon. Gentleman referred to needing Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman—I a gunboat, one of my right hon. Friends said, “We never thought I would say those words, but I am. I hope haven’t got one.” That was indeed how it turned out that I made that point in my statement in a slightly under the previous Government, when such a thing was different way, by referring to the ideological motives of offered but never materialised. That is why I am not Hamas and reminding the House that there is a Hamas making any rash promises. However, given the huge dimension to the whole problem. It has refused to importance of this issue in international affairs, the forswear violence, recognise previous agreements and United Kingdom will do whatever we can to assist. recognise Israel’s right to exist, and until it starts making some concrete movement towards those things, it will Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): My constituents be very difficult for the international community to want more than pressure. Will the Foreign Secretary discuss the future with it. The right hon. Gentleman come back to the House and report on a timetable for adds force to that argument. the discussions on a diplomatic solution, just as we did on Ireland? Mr Speaker: I am grateful to right hon. and hon. Members for their co-operation, as a result of which Mr Hague: I think that there will be many more everyone who wanted to contribute on the statement discussions in this House. I am not offering a timetable was given the opportunity to do so. 455 2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 456

Debate on the Address poorer children, making the case for more investment in their education and for more freedom for teachers to [4TH DAY] close the gap in performance between the poorest and Debate resumed (Order, 27 May). the rest. It is thanks to him more than anyone that a Question again proposed, commitment to investing more in the education of the poorest—a pupil premium—is at the heart of this coalition That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, as follows: Government’s plans for schools. In securing that reform, he has already secured an achievement in government Most Gracious Sovereign, of which he and his many friends can be proud. It is my We, YourMajesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons profound hope that he will very soon have the chance to of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled, beg leave to offer our humble thanks to serve again, and I am sure the whole House will join me Your Majesty for the Gracious Speech which Your Majesty has in wishing him well at this time. addressed to both Houses of Parliament. Although we might disagree about much, I know that the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood is Education and Health wholeheartedly in agreement with me on that issue. I pay tribute to him, too, for the work he did in office. He 4.31 pm is a pugnacious political operator, as his rivals for the The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Labour leadership—including the right hon. Member It is a great honour to be asked to speak in support of for Leigh (Andy Burnham)—are about to find out if the Gracious Speech this afternoon. As the right hon. they do not already know. Having shadowed him for Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls) will know, three years, I know that his pugnacity is matched by there are few greater honours and few more daunting passion. He came into politics for the right reason: to invitations than being asked to lead the Government help the underdog. During his time at the Treasury, Department responsible for the country’s schools. I am although we may have argued with much that he did, it grateful beyond words for the chance to serve my country is to his credit that he never forgot to prioritise the fight in this job. against child poverty. I am grateful also to have a team alongside me that is During his time as Secretary of State, the right hon. distinguished and dedicated to ensuring that every child Gentleman secured real achievements. He secured a has a better start in life. I am grateful that my hon. better deal for children living with disabilities, with Friends the Members for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton more respite care for parents and progress on improving (Mr Gibb), for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim the education of children with special needs. The separation Loughton) and for Brent Central (Sarah Teather) have of exam regulation from curriculum design, with the agreed to serve in this partnership Government. I look creation of a new regulator, Ofqual, which has the forward to working with them in the years ahead. potential to play a part in restoring confidence in exam This Gracious Speech contains two education Bills. standards, was a real step forward. He also showed real Those measures will grant more freedom to teachers, leadership on child protection, with swift action in the give more choice to parents, reduce bureaucracy for all aftermath of the terrible tragedy of baby Peter Connelly’s schools and provide additional help for the weakest. death. The right hon. Gentleman also took constructive They will ensure that standards rise for all children and steps to help social workers in the vital task that they will specifically target resources on the most disadvantaged, perform. The coalition Government will build on his so that we narrow the gap between the rich and the initiative in this area, in particular taking forward the poor. recommendations of the social work task force. I also thank the right hon. Gentleman for the robust Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Will the Secretary of way in which he made the case for the continuation of State give way? key stage 2 tests to mark and monitor the achievement and attainment of children in primary schools. These Michael Gove: In due course. This is a progressive are a vital accountability measure, and his robust case programme and, as I am sure my hon. Friend the for their continuation ensured a consensus across the Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) appreciates, it House for more data, greater parental accountability comes from a partnership Government. I know that our and a relentless drive for improvement in early years programme commands support from hon. Members on education. We are all in his debt, and I hope that we can both sides of the House. It also owes a great deal in its maintain that consensus in months to come. design to someone I am proud to call a right hon. Friend. Before I say anymore, may I therefore say a few The right hon. Gentleman also always made the case words about my right hon. Friend the Member for robustly for his Department in budget rounds. He fought Yeovil (Mr Laws), who was for three years the Liberal with determination, and he was never reticent in letting Democrat spokesman on education? During that time the Treasury know just how it should discharge its I, like the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood, responsibilities towards our schools. That is perhaps got to know, like and admire my right hon. Friend. In why the shadow Chancellor has today come out in all our dealings, he was unfailingly honest, considerate, favour of the David Miliband leadership campaign. thoughtful and principled. He never, ever sought personal David Wright (Telford) (Lab): On the subject of advantage, but instead sought at all times to do the negotiations with the Treasury, can the Secretary of right thing, consistent with his principles. State tell us what negotiations he is having about the My right hon. Friend always sought to deploy his future of the Building Schools for the Future programme? considerable personal gifts—his intelligence and capacity Four secondary schools in my constituency are waiting for hard work—in the service of those who were less for a decision. They badly need to be renewed and fortunate. In particular, he championed the interests of rebuilt: will he deliver? 457 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 458

Michael Gove: We will seek to deliver at every stage. I most in need receive support with free school meals, am delighted that the hon. Gentleman is in his place and we are examining the evidence that has come in and that I had the opportunity to visit two superb from the pilots that she has mentioned. schools in his constituency, including Madeley school, which has recently been rebuilt. I know that Building Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Can Schools for the Future makes a distinguished contribution the right hon. Gentleman comment on the closure of to ensuring that we renovate and refurbish the schools BECTA, the British Educational Communications and estate, but I have concerns that under my predecessor Technology Agency, and the QCDA, the Qualifications the programme was not allocating resources to the front and Curriculum Development Agency, in Coventry, line in the most efficient way. It is critical that we ensure costing probably 600 jobs, and the potential impact not that taxpayers’ money is spent on the front line improving only in Coventry but on education for poorer families? education, and not on consultants, architects or bureaucracy. A letter was sent out announcing the closure arbitrarily, I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that we all have so what will happen to those staff? a duty to ensure that money goes to the front line, and I am sure that the right hon. Member for Morley and Michael Gove: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his Outwood will agree that we should congratulate the question. He, too, is a dedicated fighter for his constituency, Chancellor and the Treasury on the agreement that was and I know how hard he has fought for the interests of reached in the spending round just concluded. For the the people of Coventry. However, given the difficult remainder of this financial year, we will guarantee that state of the public finances and the situation that we there will be no cuts in front-line funding for schools, inherited from the Government whom he supported, we Sure Start and sixth forms. I hope that both sides of the have had to make some tough decisions. My judgment House approve of that. was that we had to prioritise spending on the front line. That has meant that those bodies—BECTA and the David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): My right hon. QCDA, which were responsible for spending money not Friend is setting out his stall eloquently and is being on the front line, but in an arm’s length way, as quangos— generous in his remarks. He mentions his discussions have had to accept that economies are necessary. I have with the Treasury. Will he accept that the county of ensured, by writing to those responsible for both Leicestershire is bottom of the pile when it comes to organisations, that we handle any redeployment and funding, and will he reconsider the funding formula, as any redundancy in the most sensitive way possible. we asked the previous Government to do throughout the last two Parliaments? Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his kind words. Michael Gove: My hon. Friend makes a passionate Before the interventions started, he confirmed that he case, and I know that Leicestershire is one of the F40 had agreed with the Treasury to match the previous local authorities that have had to do a remarkable plans for spending in the current financial year—2010-11 amount with not enough. I will listen sympathetically —for Sure Start, schools and 16-to-19 education. Can to him and to other colleagues from both sides of the he confirm to the House that he has reached a similar House who represent areas that need a fairer funding agreement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to formula. match funding for 2011-12 and 2012-13 as well?

Bob Russell: Will any revenue and capital funding for Michael Gove: The right hon. Gentleman, I am sure the so-called free schools come from existing education with admirable zeal, wants to look into the crystal ball budgets? and find out what will happen in future. However, I have to remind him that just six weeks ago, during the Michael Gove: I know how committed my hon. Friend general election campaign, he was engaging in his own is to the education of children in Colchester and, indeed, form of future forecasting. Just six weeks ago, he said to that of children throughout the country. He will be that if we took office, there would be 38,000 fewer staff relieved to learn that we will ensure that front-line working in our schools, 6,900 fewer teachers in primaries funding for existing schools will not be damaged by the and nurseries, and 7,300 fewer teachers in secondary reforms that we intend to make. schools. Those redundancies have not taken place. The Nostradamus of Morley and Outwood was found out. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Will the His predictions did not come true. For that reason, Secretary of State confirm that he is aware of some I will not enter into any forecasting about what will of the successful pilots that have been attempted in happen in future years. recent years to provide free school meals on a universal What I will say is that unlike the right hon. Gentleman’s basis in some of our primary schools? Will he confirm Government, we have secured additional funding from that the educational and health gains that have been outside the education budget, as confirmed by the seen as a result of those pilots will now be taken Prime Minister at this Dispatch Box just an hour ago, in forward, and that his Government will commit to order to fund our pupil premium—something that the continuing the pilots that the previous Government right hon. Gentleman was never able to do, but that we announced? have been able to do in partnership—to ensure that funding goes to the very poorest children. I would have Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her hoped that he would find it in himself to show the grace question. I know that in her previous incarnation, in the to applaud that achievement for our very poorest children. Child Poverty Action Group, she was a committed I would also have hoped that he would applaud the fighter for the very poorest children. We are now looking Chancellor for protecting front-line funding for Sure to ensure that we can guarantee that those children Start, 16-to-19 education and schools. 459 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 460

Christopher Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The The Secretary of State has been talking about protecting right hon. Gentleman might be having a bonfire of the front-line spending in education. Can he confirm that bureaucracies, but will he acknowledge that many of that includes important services such as special educational them are not just bureaucracies and that they actually needs provision and school transport, which are of do an important job in education? We still need curriculum great value to our constituents? development capacity, for example, and we still need technology to be applied in our schools to advance Michael Gove: I could not agree more. School transport good learning. There is a rumour sweeping through the is covered by the revenue support grant in almost all corridors that he is about to announce the abolition of circumstances and has not been affected. With respect the General Teaching Council for England. Is that true? to special educational needs, we are ensuring that the What would be the purpose of that? commitment is there to fund the services that our most vulnerable children need. Michael Gove: Lots of teachers are asking what the purpose of the GTCE is; they have been asking that What I would say to all hon. Gentlemen on the question for years. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to Labour Benches—[Interruption]—and hon. Ladies too—is reflect on where the resources should go. Should they that in their requests for more spending, however go to quangos or to the front line? He listens to teachers, passionately constructed, they should remember one and I listen to teachers. They want resources on the thing. Who were the Government until just a few weeks front line, in the classroom, raising attainment; they do ago? Who was responsible for the financial situation not want them spent on the bureaucratic bodies that that we inherited? Who was responsible for writing a have for too long siphoned money from where it needs letter to the Treasury saying, “There is no money”? to be spent. None of us in this House wants to see front-line spending on our schools reduced, but none of us on the Government Critically, I know that many hon. Members will want Benches would have wanted the public finances to be to ask why we are not honouring their commitment to reduced to the state that we inherited after the election. spend £250 on the child trust fund. Let me take that As the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill question head on. When the Labour Government left (Mr Byrne) put it, in a rare moment of candour when office, they ensured that every single child was paying he left the Treasury, there is no money left. In fact, as £23,000 of debt every year in order to deal with our the markets are all too aware, there is less than no deficit. Why is it progressive politics to saddle children money left. We are currently spending £163 billion with £23,000 of debt in order to give them a financial every year more than we take in taxes— product worth just £250? That is not progressive politics; it is Maxwell economics. Instead of seeking to defend Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ its financial mismanagement, the Labour party should Co-op) rose— apologise to the House and to the next generation for saddling them with a national debt so huge that it Michael Gove: And that is thanks to the financial undermines our capacity to make progress. mismanagement of the hon. Lady’s Government. Stewart Hosie (Dundee East) (SNP): The Education Secretary is right about the level of debt that the Labour Meg Hillier: In the right hon. Gentleman’s desire to party left behind: £1 trillion of national debt is a huge be sensible about money, which we would all want to amount. However, to use that as a justification for see, will he think about the extended schools programme? doing away with the child trust fund is wrong. The child What connections is he making with other Departments? trust fund is the only savings product I can think of That extension to school hours really helps working with a 71% voluntary take-up rate and, given that parents, and working parents help to tackle child poverty. savings ratios in this country were so low for so long That should be at the centre of his agenda, and I hope and that the fund goes directly to help children when thatitis. they leave school, it is a false economy to butcher the scheme, notwithstanding the chaos and mayhem that Michael Gove: I pay tribute to the hon. Lady’s the Labour party left the economy in. commitment to fighting child poverty, both in her role as a Minister and also, previously, as a member of the Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman answers his own Greater London assembly. She will be aware that my question: the Labour party did leave chaos and mayhem, Department is working with the Department for Work and the tough decisions that it relentlessly avoided now and Pensions and the Department for Communities have to be taken. By refusing to state exactly how it and Local Government to carry forward the good work would deal with the public spending mess that it left that is already in place as a result of the extension of behind, the Labour party is placing itself outside the hours, but it is critical to recognise that everything that European mainstream—[Interruption.] In every major is happening in and around our schools to support European country, including Ireland, Italy, Germany young people is taking place against a backdrop of dire and Spain, steps are being taken to deal with the deficit. economic news. That backdrop is one that she played a The right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood was a part in constructing when she was a member of the noted Eurosceptic, when he was at the Financial Times Government who left us with the desperate economic and when he was at the Treasury. I note that he is now situation in which we find ourselves. Our debt is growing taking a similarly Eurosceptic position by refusing to at a rate of more than £300,000 per minute. That money join the European consensus that we need to deal with could have been spent on the front line—on our schools, our sovereign debt crisis by bringing down public on teachers and on teaching assistants—but it is not expenditure. The longer the Labour party is in denial, being spent in that way, thanks to the profligacy and the longer it will consign itself to irrelevance and the inefficiency of the Labour Government. longer it will stay in opposition. 461 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 462

Mr David Blunkett (Sheffield, Brightside and Michael Gove: My hon. Friend served in a distinguished Hillsborough) (Lab): I am grateful to the right hon. way on the Select Committee that deals with these Gentleman for giving way, and I congratulate him. In matters, and I am sure that he will continue to serve in a suggesting that other countries are, to use his words, distinguished way in the future. He will know that many reducing their sovereign debt, is he not admitting—given of the Select Committee’s recommendations chimed that he is the Education Secretary and that he can with those that we made in opposition, but we need to therefore add up—that the previous Labour Government learn from countries like Finland and Singapore that cannot have been responsible for those countries’ debts? have succeeded in attracting an ever-more talented group Does he acknowledge that they took action in the same of our graduates into teaching. In fairness to the way as our Government did to protect us from a meltdown Government, we have seen over the last 15 years an in the system? increase in the number of talented people coming into teaching. We have among the most talented cohort that Michael Gove: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman any of us can remember, but we need to build on it and for making the point, as I was arguing, that other ensure that organisations outside the reach of Government countries are taking action now—in this year, even as such as Teach First are given the opportunity to expand; we speak—to deal with these problems. He stood on a the Government must support them. Unlike the last platform, as did the right hon. Member for Morley and Government, who refused to fund their expansion to Outwood, saying that it would be “folly” to take action the north-east of England, we will support that expansion this year. That view—that action was required this while ensuring that the current graduate teacher programme, year—was not put forward only by Conservative Members, which is too bureaucratic and puts barriers in the way of as it was the view of the Governor of the Bank of those who want to enter teaching, is expanded by England, who backed early action to deal with the turning it into a Teach Now programme. I see from the deficit. He said that we needed to nods coming from the former Chairman of the Select “tackle excessive fiscal budget deficits” Committee that he appreciates that there is room for and added: consensus and for constructive work in this area, which “I am very pleased that there is a very clear and binding unites everyone who is serious about raising teacher commitment to accelerate the reduction in the deficit over the quality. [Interruption.] lifetime of the Parliament and to introduce additional measures As well as mentioning the support we enjoy from the this fiscal year to demonstrate the importance of getting to grips hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), I should with that before running the risk of an adverse market reaction.” say that it is across the piece of public sector reform that How wise were those words and how welcome is such our belief in trusting professionals and attracting more robustness from the Governor of the Bank of England. talented people into the front line guides our hand. Indeed, one newspaper columnist has argued: That is why the Health Secretary has said deliberately “That is why Bank of England independence, once a controversial that our reforms to the health service will be led in idea, is now accepted across all parties and by both sides of future by clinicians and not by bureaucrats. He has industry.” called a halt to the reorganisation of health services The columnist in question is, of course, the right hon. promoted by his predecessor, so that we can ensure that Member for Morley and Outwood, writing in the Wakefield every change is driven by professional wisdom and not Express. by bureaucratic convenience. That should mean that in communities across the country, the maternity and A Ed Balls: It is a great column! and E services that are cherished by our constituents are protected, because clinicians put their needs first. It is Michael Gove: It is a great column and a great also why my right hon. Friend has ensured that in place newspaper—never was a truer word said. It is against of the more than 100 targets insisted on by Ministers in the backdrop of the terrible fiscal position left us by the the past, we will have a health care system driven by previous Government, in which the right hon. Gentleman results, not by processes, by clinical evidence, not political played such a distinguished part, that we have to make whim, and by patient choice, not top-down diktat. our judgments in this Queen’s Speech. Hard times require tough choices, and we have chosen Bob Russell: In the spirit of an holistic approach to to put health and education first, not just in terms of education and health, may I ask the Secretary of State spending, but in terms of reform. Unlike the last Prime to look at early-day motion 25, entitled “Fitness of Minister, we recognise that investment in the front line Children”, before the end of the debate, and may I ask has to be matched with trust in the front line. That is whoever sums up the debate to reflect on it? It clearly why, in both health and education, we will devolve states that children who walk or cycle to school are responsibility down—away from Whitehall towards schools fitter than those who are driven in a car or school bus, and hospitals. Power will be taken out of the hands of but everything that the Secretary of State is proposing politicians and bureaucrats, and placed in the hands of is literally driving children out of their communities teachers, nurses and doctors. into cars and buses to travel to schools at the other side of town. Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): I am grateful to my right hon. Friend and congratulate Michael Gove: I thank my hon. Friend for another him on his new post. The single most important way to constructive contribution. It is true that as I listened to raise standards in education is to attract, retain and it, the words “On your bike” passed through my head, motivate higher calibre people in teaching and school but I have to say that I agree with him. It is because I leadership. What steps will the new coalition Government believe in community schools and want them to survive take to make teaching more attractive and to ensure that I believe we should work together to ensure that that we increase the motivation and support of teachers? they are saved from the pressure—whatever it is and 463 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 464

[Michael Gove] prefer that money to be spent in the classroom, and I have been persuaded by them, the professionals. The from whoever it may come—that may lead communities GTCE does not improve classroom practice, does not to be robbed of the schools that they love. One of the help professionals to develop, and does not help children aspects of the reform programme that we are proposing, to learn. In short, it does not earn its keep, so it must go. which I hope will commend itself to him and to many of To those who argue that we need a body to help my hon. Friends, is our determination to ensure that police the profession, let me say that this Government small schools, urban or rural, can survive where there is want to trust professionals, not busybody and patronise strong parental support for them. them; but when professionals dishonour the vocation of The vision that we have for our education and health teaching, action needs to be taken. When the GTCE reforms is driven by the shared values of this partnership was recently asked to rule on a BNP teacher who had Government. We believe in devolving power to the posted poisonous filth on an extremist website, it concluded lowest possible level. We believe that the function of the that his description of immigrants as animals was not state is to promote equity, not uniformity; to enable, racist, and that therefore he could not be struck off. and not to conscript. We also believe that the power of I think that that judgment was quite wrong and that we the state should be deployed vigorously to help the need new proposals to ensure that extremism has no vulnerable and the voiceless, those who lack resources place in our classrooms, and I also believe that the and connections, and those who are poor materially bodies that have failed to protect us in the past cannot and excluded socially. be the answer in the future. However, we also believe that those most in need will never be helped to achieve all that they can unless we Mr Blunkett: There may well be an argument about harness the full power of civil society, the initiative of the role of the GTCE, especially in respect of the creative individuals, the imagination of social entrepreneurs, example the right hon. Gentleman has just given, but and the idealism of millions of public sector workers. does he agree that it does not behove him as the new That means reducing bureaucracy, getting rid of misguided Education Secretary to abolish the GTCE on financial political intervention, respecting professional autonomy, grounds, given that the sum of £36 per teacher to which and working in genuine partnership with local communities. he referred will not be taxed on teachers and therefore It is that genuinely liberal, and liberating, vision that will not be money that can be made available to the unites every Member on this side of the House and front line as he stated just a few minutes ago? Is this not gives our reform programme its radical energy, not least the kind of nonsense that got us into having the pledge in education. that £2.5 billion would be saved by doing away with We have—we have been bequeathed—one of the biometric passports, when it turns out that the correct most stratified and segregated school systems in the figure is £86 million over four years? developed world. The gap in exam performance between private schools and state schools grew under the last Michael Gove: I have great respect for the right hon. Government. That was a reverse for social justice, and Gentleman, but I must point out to him that £36.50 per an affront against social mobility. In the last year for teacher goes to fund the GTCE, and much of that which we have figures, just 45 of 80,000 young people money actually comes from the Department itself, although eligible for free school meals made it to Oxbridge. More some comes from teachers as well. I believe that the students went to Oxbridge from the school attended by money the Department currently spends supporting the the Leader of the Opposition, St Paul’s, than from the GTCE should instead be spent on supporting the front entire population of poor boys and girls on benefit. line, because I believe that overall we need to ensure I know that the consciences of Opposition Members that money that is currently spent on resources such as who are motivated by idealism will have been pricked by bodies, institutions, protocols and frameworks that do those figures. No one contemplating that record can be not raise the quality of teaching and do not improve the in any doubt that reform is urgent. That is why we are experience of children in the classroom should be shifted pressing ahead with the sort of changes that will drive so that it is spent in the right direction. improvement across the whole of the state school system. We are cutting spending on the back office to prioritise Ed Balls: Just for the record, can the right hon. spending on the front line. Gentleman tell us how much he will save for the public As was pointed out by the hon. Member for Coventry purse by abolishing the GTCE? South (Mr Cunningham)—who, sadly, is no longer in the Chamber—we have already saved millions of pounds Michael Gove: I have asked officials to calculate by taking steps to abolish BECTA and the QCDA—two exactly how much we will save. [Interruption.] Well, we bureaucratic organisations with their own chairmen, will bring forward legislation, but there is a sum of their own chief executives, their own boards, their own £36.50 for every teacher, which will save us hundreds of communications teams, their own strategies and their thousands of pounds. [Interruption.] Does the right own stakeholder groups—so we can ensure that money hon. Gentleman believe that the GTCE is the right goes to the classroom. Today I can announce—as the organisation to keep in place? Does he believe that this hon. Member for Huddersfield anticipated—that we money is better spent on the GTCE than in any other will take steps to abolish a third quango, the General area? Does he believe that the hundreds of thousands of Teaching Council for England. pounds that I think we should have spent on the front The GTCE takes more than £36 from every teacher line should continue to be spent on that body? every year, and many of them have told me that it gives them almost nothing in return. I have listened to Mr Sheerman: I rise to try to educate the right hon. representations from teacher organisations—including Gentleman. As he is very well versed in educational teaching unions such as the NASUWT—which would matters, he must know that what he is telling the House 465 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 466 is a fiction. The fact of the matter is that he will not be four: the quality of teaching; the quality of leadership; saving £36.50 for every teacher. Many teachers pay the pupil achievement and attainment; and pupil discipline £36.50 themselves. and safety. We also want to free outstanding schools from inspection, so that more time and resources can be Michael Gove: Some do, but many do not. It is devoted to helping others to improve. The absurd practice precisely because the Department pays the fees for so of “limiting judgments”, whereby great schools can be many teachers—it pays £33 of the £36.50—that I have ranked as “poor” because of clerical errors, will end, asked officials to work out how much we can save. If, and inspections will be driven by an in-depth look at instead of simply carrying on objecting to saving this teaching and learning, rather than by the current endless money, the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood paper chase, which deprives classes of teacher time. wants to tell me how he would spend it, or whether he would keep the GTCE going, I would be delighted to Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): I congratulate the hear from him. Secretary of State on his appointment to a very challenging Cabinet post—it is becoming more challenging by the Ed Balls: I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it is minute. Does he accept that a key factor in improving he who is now the Secretary of State, not I, and therefore attainment and achievement is the quality of learning he is the person who has to take the decisions and is and teaching? Why would any graduate be able to opt responsible. It is not proper government for him to out of a teaching qualification, given that, in my experience, come to the House to make an announcement and for it some of the most gifted academics are not the most to turn out that he has not even seen the advice on gifted pedagogues? Is this not a dilution that could have which the announcement has been made, and then for a negative impact on standards and quality? him airily to say, “Well, I think the figure is hundreds of thousands of pounds.” The right way to do it is to get the information first, then make the decisions, and Michael Gove: That was a beautifully read question then report them to the House; that is a better way of from the hon. Gentleman. As we know, he is a former doing things. headmaster of some distinction—indeed, he was headmaster of the school that the former Prime Minister Michael Gove: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman attended—so I shall listen to what he has to say. It is for his kind advice, but the one thing he has not done in crucial to ensure that we have high standards of teaching his question—or statement, even—is point out whether and learning. As I pointed out in a reply to my hon. he agrees with the policy. If he will tell me whether he Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness agrees with it, I will be interested to hear his views. We (Mr Stuart), we are taking steps to ensure that we do know, however, that money will be saved, and that improve the quality of both recruitment and teacher introducing this change in respect of this organisation is training—that is central to our reform programme. in the interests of teachers and of making sure that That is why we will expand Teach First, institute a new money that is otherwise spent on bureaucratic bodies programme called Teach Now and invest in continuous can be spent on the front line. [Interruption.] Ihavehad professional development to ensure that those who are the opportunity to read the advice, and I know that this currently in the classroom—they are doing a fantastic is the right thing to do. [Interruption.] I would be job—have the opportunity to enhance their skills and interested in advice from the right hon. Gentleman accept new responsibilities. about whether or not he thinks— It is because we want to attract more talented people into the classroom that we will also remove the biggest Mr Speaker: Order. I am very sorry to interrupt the barrier to people entering or staying in the teaching flow of the eloquence of the Secretary of State, but may profession; we will focus relentlessly on improving school I just say, particularly as we are discussing education, discipline. We will change the law on detentions so that that we all believe in the importance of role models, and teachers will no longer have to give parents 24 hours’ I am already finding that the behaviour of some senior notice before disciplining badly behaved pupils. We will Members is starting to be imitated by new Members? change the law on the use of force and enhance teachers’ That is very undesirable, and I know it is not a precedent search powers so that they will be able to prevent that the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) disruptive pupils from bringing items into school that would wish to establish. are designed to disrupt learning. We will change the law to enhance teacher protection by giving teachers anonymity Michael Gove: As I am sure the Secretary of State, when they face potentially malicious allegations, and we the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood, knows— will insist that allegations are either investigated within [Interruption.] Forgive me, I should, of course, have a tight time period or dropped. We will also change the said the shadow Secretary of State. How sweet those law to ensure that heads have the powers that they need memories are. As the right hon. Gentleman the shadow on exclusions, and we will ensure that there is improved Secretary of State knows, the Department provides provision for excluded pupils to get their lives back about £16 million every year to reimburse teachers for on track. the cost of that membership. I believe that that £16 million I hope that the hon. Member for Glenrothes (Lindsay is better spent on the front line. If he believes that the Roy), and others who believe in protecting teachers and money is better spent on the GTCE, perhaps he will say ensuring that we have good standards of discipline and so in his forthcoming remarks. behaviour, can support all those measures. I take it from As well as getting rid of that bureaucracy, we will his headshake that we have his enthusiastic assent. In reform other bureaucracies. We will reform Ofsted, the addition to improving discipline, we will strengthen our schools inspectorate, so that instead of inspecting schools exam system. We want to have fewer and better exams. on the current 29 tick-box criteria, it will examine just We want to reverse the trend towards modularisation, 467 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 468

[Michael Gove] Michael Gove: I take my hon. Friend’s point that deprivation matters, which is why we have secured a reduce the role of coursework in certain subjects and partnership agreement guaranteeing that deprived pupils ask universities to help us to design new and stretching receive more for their education. I believe in the pupil A-levels that can compete with the best exams in the premium and the progressive alteration to education world. spending. However, deprivation does not automatically Just as we plan to learn from the rest of the world in mean destiny. As has been pointed out, there can be order to improve our exam system, so we will learn outstanding schools with challenging intakes, and what from the rest of the world in order to improve our marks them out is the quality of their leadership, which school system. In America, President Barack Obama is is why it is so inspiring and encouraging that so many pressing ahead with radical school reform on the model great head teachers, including of schools in some of the that we believe in. He is attracting more great people most challenging circumstances, have endorsed our into teaching, demanding greater accountability for proposals. parents and welcoming new providers into state education. Bob Russell: Does the Secretary of State consider He has insisted on having more great charter schools—the that the rush for freedom, as he would describe it, is American equivalent of our academies—to drive up perhaps more a vote of no confidence in local education attainment, especially among the poorest. He, along authorities, which are predominantly Conservative—for with other reformers, such as the Democrat Education example, Essex county council, which totally ignores Secretary Arne Duncan, the Democrat in charge of the views of my constituents? New York’s schools, Joel Klein, and the Democrat in charge of Washington DC’s schools, Michelle Rhee, Michael Gove: Once again, my hon. Friend makes the wants more schools like the inspirational Knowledge is sort of constructive contribution that I know will make Power Programme—KIPP—schools, which are raising our encounters over the next few years things to cherish. attainment in ghetto areas. Such schools are founded by I say to him that it is across the board, whether under teachers and funded by public money, but they are free Conservative, Liberal Democrat or Labour-led local from Government bureaucracy. They operate in authorities, that schools want to embrace freedom. neighbourhoods where, in the past, most children did Many of them want to do so, not because they resent or not even make it to the end of high school. Now, thanks are critical of local authorities, but because they relish to these KIPP schools, a majority of these young people the additional autonomy and freedom to disapply parts are going on to elite universities. These schools have a of the national curriculum, and because they want to relentless focus on traditional subjects and a culture of work in partnership with existing schools. I want to no excuses, tough discipline and personalised pastoral encourage that sort of partnership, between our two care. The schools have enthusiastic staff, who are in parties and between academies and local authority schools. charge of their own destiny and work hard to help every That is why I have requested that every outstanding child to succeed. Such schools are amazing engines of school that acquires academy status takes with it an social mobility, which is why we need more like them in underperforming school on its journey, so that the this country. process of collaboration, with the best head teachers That is, in turn, why we need to expand and accelerate driving improvement, continues, and so that schools the academies programme and why we are reforming can use academy freedom and head teachers can use state education to help groups of teachers, charities, additional powers to ensure that every child benefits. philanthropists and community groups to set up new In addition to asking that of outstanding schools, we schools. It is also why I have been determined to give will ensure that the academies programme delivers faster professionals more scope to drive improvement by inviting and deeper improvements in deprived and disadvantaged all schools to consider applying for academy freedoms. areas. Many more of our weakest schools will be placed We have invited outstanding schools to lead the way. in the hands of organisations such as ARK, the Harris I believe that heads and teachers, not politicians or Foundation and other academy sponsors best placed to bureaucrats, know best how to run schools, which is drive improvement. We will also ensure that parents why I am passionate about extending freedom. Since I have more information about all schools, so that pressure issued my invitation last week, I have been overwhelmed grows on schools that are coasting to improve, and by the response. In less than one week, more than 1,100 work in partnership with local government, from Essex schools have applied for academy freedoms, more than to Cumbria, empowering strong local authorities to half of which are outstanding—626 outstanding schools, continue to drive improvement. Most importantly, as I including more than 250 outstanding primaries. More have pointed out, we will target resources on the poorest. than half the outstanding secondary schools in the Our pupil premium will mean taking money from outside country have applied, and more than 50 special schools the schools budget to ensure that those teaching the have expressed an interest. That is a vote of confidence children most in need get the resources to deliver smaller in greater professional autonomy from those driving class sizes, more one-to-one or small group tuition, improvement in our schools—inspirational head teachers. longer school days and more extracurricular activities. Lindsay Roy: Apart from outstanding schools, special Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): Does the needs schools and some failing schools, what are the Secretary of State acknowledge that it is dangerous, criteria for acceptance to the academy programme? and certainly misleading, to use terms such as “outstanding” to describe schools when the evidence and research Michael Gove: Schools must demonstrate that the show overwhelmingly that the single most important acquisition of the freedoms will help drive attainment determinant in success and attainment is the deprivation for children in that area, and that it will also work for levels among parents of the children in a school? other schools. 469 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 470

This is a comprehensive plan to ensure that our state speech, I mentioned briefly—and I am happy to expand education system is the best in the world, and it is on this in a private meeting—that we will reduce the informed by what is happening across the world. Sadly, bureaucratic burden on schools by asking Ofsted to in the past 10 years, we have fallen behind other countries: focus on teaching, learning and three other areas. In we have slipped from fourth to 14th in the world for the many of the areas in which it currently acts as a quality of our children’s science; from seventh to 17th for bureaucratic, box-ticking, information-collecting body, the quality of their literacy; and from eighth to 24th for the requirements on it will be scaled back. the quality of their maths. We cannot go on like this. Returning to the right hon. Member for Morley and While other countries accelerated their reform programmes Outwood, I do not want to take anything away from his in the past three years, we went into reverse. In the past achievements, because the most stinging criticisms of three years, the outgoing Government added thousands his record have not been made by me but have come of pages to the bureaucratic burden faced by schools. from his own side. The shadow Foreign Secretary has They robbed academies of vital freedoms and tried to complained again and again in the past few weeks that abolish traditional subjects such as history and geography in the past few years Labour “lost focus on education”. in the primary curriculum. They created an inspection He has also complained that Labour lost the mantle of regime that stifled innovation, failed to take proper action reform and therefore forfeited its claims to be progressive. against extremism in the classroom and prevented teachers In the spirit of cross-party co-operation, I have to say from searching for disruptive mobile devices and hardcore that I agree with David. The Department did lose focus, pornography on so-called human rights grounds. reform did go backwards and progress did stall. The The previous Government did make progress in certain radical energy that infused the Labour Government’s areas. The former Secretary of State published his own programme in 2005, which was embodied in the White cook book, “Real Meals”— two, in fact—which was Paper of that year, was lost and in its place came the distributed to every school in the land. In the words of Brownite politics of dividing lines, partisan positioning the Speaker, when opening the debate on the Queen’s and misplaced aggression. We are determined to put Speech, I have “obtained a copy” for the better that to one side and push forward a programme of understanding of the House. Right hon. and hon. Members radical reform. may wish to read it during our deliberations this afternoon What do we want to do? Let me quote: to get a better understanding of just what he was doing “We need to make it easier for every school to acquire the drive for much of his time in office. Certainly, time spent and essential freedoms of Academies, and we need to so in a familiarising oneself with his recipes will not be wasted. practical way that allows their rapid development to be driven by I am sure that many of us will be captivated by the parents and local communities, not just by the centre…We want eye-watering sight of his mighty muffins in full colour every school to be able quickly and easily to become a self-governing on these pages. I have to say that the shadow Secretary independent…school”. of State certainly has a beautiful set of buns. May I Who said that? [Interruption.] Not me, but as the congratulate him for striking a blow against elitism with former Minister for Schools, the hon. Member for his cook book? For the first time in history, a socialist Gedling (Vernon Coaker) has just said—10 out of 10—it Government’s response to poor achievement was, “Let was the former right hon. Member for Sedgefield, who them eat cake.” is sadly no longer in this place, Tony Blair. He said: Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab): I welcome “In our schools…the system will finally be opened up to real parent power.” the right hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box. He will know that the last Conservative Government stopped He argued that all schools would be able to have academy- nutrition in school meals. Is it not true that that cook style freedoms and should be able to take on external book and many other things that have happened in the partners. He said that no one should be able to veto past 10 years have put it back in for the benefit of parents from starting new schools, or veto new providers children? coming in, simply on the basis that there were local surplus places. He promised a relentless focus on failing Michael Gove: I am delighted that the right hon. schools and that Ofsted would continue to measure Gentleman believes that the first responsibility of the performance, albeit with a lighter touch. He said that Secretary of State for Education is producing mighty schools should be accountable not to Government, but muffin recipes. I take a different view. I do not want to to parents, with the creativity and enterprise of teachers take anything away from the right hon. Member for and school leaders set free. Those promises were made Morley and Outwood’s achievements in the kitchen. in 2005 but, sadly, they were never honoured, because of the opposition to the White Paper and the legislation Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): I support the that was led from the Back Benches by the right hon. outline that the right hon. Gentleman has given for Member for Morley and Outwood and his allies. freedoms for schools, but how will he ensure that there is not too great a burden on schools when he wants to Presciently, the former Prime Minister anticipated find out how they spend their money, how they are the criticisms that he would face, and which were mounted governed, whether they have raised standards, how they by the right hon. Gentleman. He said: select pupils and a whole list of other things? How will “The reforms will naturally come under sustained attack…Parts he ensure that that does not lead to a lot of interference of the left will say we are privatising public services and giving too much to the middle class.” by his Department requiring information from schools that seek freedom? He added that “both criticisms are wrong and simply a version of the old Michael Gove: I have a great deal of sympathy with ‘levelling down’ mentality” the hon. Gentleman. I know, of course, that there is a that kept Labour in opposition for so long. As long as separate Minister who is responsible for education in the Labour party continues to stand in the way of the Province that he so ably represents. Earlier in my reform, it will condemn itself to continued Opposition. 471 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 472

[Michael Gove] unable to pledge to match our education spending for 2010-11, let alone for future years. We all know why: the Labour Members have a choice: will they continue to former shadow Chancellor would not support him in be a party of no, of the status quo, of carping, nostalgic, making that pledge. backward-looking criticism, always resisting innovation In this debate, we will hear from my right hon. Friend in the name of vested interests instead of pressing for the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), the shadow change in the interests of the poor? Or will they join us Health Secretary, who achieved great things in protecting in a forging ahead, after five wasted years, with a our vital national health service for the future. He will resumption of radical reform? Will they join us in set out why he fears that the reforms proposed by the giving professionals more power, the poor more resources, Government in this Queen’s Speech will be a backward and every child a better chance? step for the NHS. The NHS and international development I commend this Gracious Speech to the House. were protected by the then shadow Chancellor from spending cuts this year. In his speech, the Secretary of 5.21 pm State tried to divert attention from the threat in future years to the schools and children’s budgets by pointing Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): I to our economic record. congratulate the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath For the record, first, it was our Government who (Michael Gove) on his new role as Secretary of State for made the Bank of England independent in the face of Education. It is a huge honour and a great privilege, but opposition from the Conservatives, and took the tough also a great responsibility. decisions to get our national debt down lower than that I know that driving up education standards is a goal of France, Germany, Japan and America before the that we all share. The words “children” and “families” financial crisis. Secondly, it was our Government who no longer appear in the name of his Department, but I led the worldwide effort to stop a global financial hope that the Secretary of State and his Front-Bench collapse turning recession into depression, again in the team will commit themselves to giving every child the face of bitter and wrong-headed opposition from the best start in life, and to breaking down all the barriers Conservatives. While the right hon. Gentleman may to the progress, safety and well-being of all children in now pray in aid the loyal support of the Governor of our country. I can tell the House that, when the Secretary the Bank of England and the German Finance Ministry of State gets it right—when he acts to open up opportunities in advocating immediate and deflationary spending cuts for more children and drive up standards for all—he to reduce the deficit faster this year, he and his Chancellor will have our full support. are out of step with worldwide opinion and are running We did not agree on everything over the past three grave risks with the recovery, jobs and our vital public years—and neither does it seem that I will get his services. nomination in my party’s leadership election—but we For the past two years, the right hon. Gentleman was always had an open and honest relationship. I am sure unable to match our schools spending this year. Then that the whole House will join me in wishing him all the came the intervention of the right hon. Member for best in his new role. Yeovil who, in the days after the general election, stepped I thank the Secretary of State for the generous remarks in and saved the day by securing ring-fencing for 2010-11 that he made about me, at least at the beginning of his for the schools budget. Let me give the Secretary of speech. On behalf of all Ministers at the former DCSF State some gentle advice based on experience. It is in the last three years, I pay tribute to all those with rather dangerous to rely on the Chief Secretary to the whom we worked so closely to implement our children’s Treasury to fight his public spending battles for him. plan. I think that the right hon. Gentleman will find Moreover, with the right hon. Member for Yeovil now that the civil servants in his Department are the very out of the Treasury, let me say to the Secretary of best in Whitehall, and that his permanent secretary is State—this may come as some surprise, although I second to none. He will also find that our country’s mean it sincerely—that I stand ready. If he needs a little social workers, and those working for local authorities help with how to win arguments with the Treasury in and in the voluntary sector, as well as those in the the next couple of years, I am here to help. children’s and family services, are distinguished by their In office, the Labour party achieved, as I think the dedication and professionalism. He will discover too right hon. Gentleman generously acknowledged, some that, in our head teachers, teachers, teaching assistants good things in education over the past decade. We and support staff, our country has the best generation doubled spending per pupil, we had 42,000 more teachers of educators that it has ever had. and the biggest school building programme since the While I was worried by the new-found enthusiasm of Victorian era, and we went from one in two schools not the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr Laws) for cutting making the grade in 1997 to just one in 12. We had more the youth jobs fund, and for immediate and rather young people staying on in school, college or an drastic cuts to local government spending this year, over apprenticeship or going to university than at any time in the last three years he was a dedicated and wise our history. That is a record of which Labour can be spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in opposition. very proud indeed. I am sure that the whole House will join the Secretary of However, in the tough current financial climate in State in wishing him well, and I expect that we will see which we need to get the deficit down steadily, I agreed him back on the Front Bench at some point. last December with the Treasury that there would be Indeed, the children and teachers of our country rising spending above inflation for schools, Sure Start have rather more to thank the right hon. Member for and 16-to-19 education not just for one year, but for Yeovil for than they probably realise. For the past two three years to 2013 because I was determined to fight years in opposition, the new Education Secretary was my corner for the future of the children and young 473 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 474 people of our country. I can assure the Secretary of and that was before the new schools, the new academies State, now that the roles are reversed and he, not me, is and the thousands of extra places that the Secretary of doing the negotiating, that if there is anything I can do State wants to finance, and even before the pupil premium, to help him secure the best deal for children, schools which I understood was to be paid for by abolishing the and families, not just this year but in the next three child trust fund, but that has now been used to cut the years, I will play my part, although it is his responsibility. deficit, so that is one source of money that has been From what we heard today, no assurances at all for taken away from the right hon. Gentleman. 2012 and 2013 have been communicated to the right My first question therefore is where will the money hon. Gentleman by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. come from? We have already seen parents, teachers and Nor does he seem to have received any assurance that head teachers throughout the country planning for the pupil premium, his free schools and his new academies long-awaited new school buildings. I have lost count in will be met with additional funding from outside his the last two weeks of the number of Members, not just departmental budget. I hope he has some assurances from my side of the House, asking what will happen to from the Chancellor. If I were in his place, I would the Building Schools for the Future programme and the make sure I had them in writing. months of work, the thousands of pounds spent and the raised expectations in 700-plus schools that thought Michael Gove: I know that the right hon. Gentleman they were getting their new school and now find that it may have been otherwise engaged during Prime Minister’s is at risk. We had no reassurance today from the right questions, but the Prime Minister pointed out that hon. Gentleman or in Prime Minister’s questions from funding for the pupil premium would come from outside the Prime Minister about the future of those new school the education budget. building plans. All we have heard so far from the Secretary of State is a promise of £670 million of cuts Ed Balls: But I asked whether the funding for schools, from his Department this year to help reduce the deficit Sure Start and 16-to-19 education would be guaranteed in 2010-11. Even then, he provided almost no details. to match our rising spending above inflation in 2010-11, When I set out efficiency savings in March, I specified 2011-12 and 2012-13. What we discovered from the the £300 million I had found and said that I needed to right hon. Gentleman was that he does not have those find more. So far there has been no statement to the assurances for the next two years—this year maybe, House and no details have been set out. There are hints thanks to the right hon. Member for Yeovil, but for the of cuts to school transport through the local government next two years he said we would have to wait and see. line and to one-to-one tuition, but there is no detail at I shall come to the issue of funding. Given that the all. This is not good enough. The right hon. Gentleman Secretary of State spoke for 50 minutes and rather a lot is in government. It is he who must answer the questions of hon. Members want to make their maiden speeches, now when he is making these big policy announcements. I will be briefer, but I will take a couple of interventions In passing, we would also like to know—we will ask this and try to resist promising a meeting with the former at Question Time next Monday—how the £1.2 billion Schools Minister. of in-year cuts to local government services this year will impact upon vital children’s services such as child social work, libraries and looked-after children. Bob Russell: The shadow Secretary of State mentioned all the good things that new Labour had done for Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): children, but does he agree that after 13 years of a new Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Building Labour Government, levels of child poverty in this Schools for the Future programme is vital not only for country were among the worst in Europe, worse even the welfare of the future skills and education of our than those to be found in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia? children, but for the construction industry, whose welfare is vital for sustaining the employment, the tax levels and Ed Balls: I am happy to get into robust debates and the corporation tax necessary to pay off our public look forward to seeing the hon. Gentleman defend his debt? coalition, but between 1979 and 1997 the party that he is now propping up in government saw child poverty Ed Balls: Yes. Back in February, we thought that it double. From 1997, we had one of the fastest falls in was one of the shadow Schools Minister’s flights of child poverty of any country in the developed world fancy. We never realised that he was serious when it was because we prioritised money going to tax credits, which suggested that, despite schools being almost at the the Conservative party is now putting into question, point of signing the forms, when the work had been and his party as well. We will wait and see what the done and the contractors pretty much hired, at the last record shows when his party has had a chance to make minute all would be put on hold. That dashes expectations a few decisions, but I am a bit of a sceptic about what it for children and it takes away contracts and jobs. All we will do for child poverty. heard from the Secretary of State was that it was Let me come back to money, because, as I said, important that we built new free schools somewhere without the promise of extra and rising resources, not else. It is no satisfaction to know that there will be a new just this year but next year and the year after, I do not school down the road for some parents, if another see, on the basis of my experience, how it is possible for school, which was planned to be rebuilt, is suddenly put the new Government to fund free schools and more on hold. That is a reality for 700-plus schools all round academies without cutting deep into the budgets of the country. existing schools to pay for it. Even with the settlement that I negotiated, which had within it £1 billion of Michael Gove: The right hon. Gentleman painted a efficiency savings passed to the front line, it was tough devastating and damning picture of people who had for us to be sure that we would protect front-line staff, been expecting capital funding but were denied it. That 475 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 476

[Michael Gove] I agree with the Minister for Universities and Science, the hon. Member for Havant (Mr Willetts)—I hope the is exactly what happened under his Government, when Secretary of State does, too—that we can be proud of the Learning and Skills Council left colleges unbuilt our university sector in all its diversity. My advice to the and denied principals cash. Precisely the picture that he Education Secretary is, disown the Schools Minister—it paints, and which he says is bleak, was delivered under probably will not be the last time that he has to do so his Government. during this Parliament—and join me in saying that we welcome as teachers excellent graduates from all our Ed Balls: And the right hon. Gentleman is not the universities. only one who can abolish quangos, but I have to say to Whatever university the Secretary of State attended, him that back in 1997 no money was being spent on however, he is a very intelligent man, and I know that he further education. There is £2 billion-plus being spent will be delighted, as always, to show us all once again on further education capital projects now, so we are not just how very, very clever he is. For that reason, I have going to take any lectures from the Conservatives on prepared for him another Queen’s Speech quiz. I know new school buildings or new further education colleges. how much he enjoyed the last one, but given the Schools Under their previous Governments, such schools and Minister’s presence why do we not play “University colleges were starved of resources. Challenge”? Then we hear that, along with the free schools and Here is their starter for 10—no conferring on the the new academies, they are going to fund the new Front Bench. Who this weekend said: pupil premium. However, people will ask, “Where is the money going to come from?” I have seen some of “The free schools are generally attended by children of better the past advice, and I know how difficult it is to find the educated and wealthy families making things even more difficult for children attending ordinary schools in poor areas”? money to pay for such measures, so if I had to make an estimate I would say that an additional £1 billion a year Gove, Lady Margaret Hall? It was Mr Ostberg, Mr Bertil is going to be needed if the pupil premium is to have any Ostberg, as the right hon. Gentleman should know, the meaning. Swedish Education Minister. Where will the cuts fall to pay for the pupil premium? Let us try again. I have an easier one this time. Here is Will the right hon. Gentleman scrap the extension of their starter for 10—definitely no conferring at all this free school meals? Will he scale back one-to-one tuition time. Who in April described the new Conservative-Liberal and the Every Child a Reader programme? Will he cut Government’s proposed free schools policy as a “shambles” education maintenance allowances? Will he cut the and went on to say: budgets for disabled children, for children in care, for “Unless you give local authorities that power to plan and youth services, for school sport and for school music? unless you actually make sure that there is money available…it’s Will he scale back the 15-hour offer for three and just a gimmick”? four-year-olds? Will he abolish free nursery care for I am going to have to hurry them. Yes, Teather, St John’s, two-year-olds? Cambridge. It was in fact the hon. Member for Brent Where is the money going to come from? I do not Central (Sarah Teather), the new Minister for Children expect answers today, but we will need answers soon. and Families. In recent months, the Education Secretary’s The difference between the right hon. Gentleman in new Front-Bench colleague has made some notable opposition and now in government, as we found earlier, speeches—notable in retrospect, at least. Back in March, is that there is nowhere for him to hide. He will have to she told the Liberal Democrat spring conference: answer those questions and my advice is to him is, “The Tories don’t know what they are talking about. They have “Read the advice before you start making statements in no idea how the other 90% live. Scratch the surface and the old the House,” because if he does not he will find that he Tory party is alive and well.” gets into trouble very quickly indeed. Indeed, he can no longer rely on the right hon. Member for Yeovil being in [Interruption.] There is more. She also told her party the Treasury to bail him out on spending issues. conference last September that the Tories’ The right hon. Member for Yeovil might have ridden “only motivation is that they think it’s their turn. They don’t really think they can make things better. All they believe is that to the rescue to support the Secretary of State on they have a right to rule.” protecting schools spending, but on other aspects of Conservative education policy he was withering: he Of course, they are ruling only because the hon. Lady called the right hon. Gentleman’s free schools policy a and her Liberal Democrat colleagues put them into “nonsense”; he said that having a strict national curriculum power. I only wish I was attending the ministerial team for some schools while letting others opt out was “dotty”; meetings to see the sparks fly. There is a serious point and we all recall his views on the elitist policy whereby here. As we now know, on education policy this Government only people with a 2:2 or above would be allowed to go are divided from the start. It is not only the new into teacher training. The new Schools Minister, the Minister who needs to be persuaded that this new-schools hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton policy is not an uncosted shambles, to use her word. (Mr Gibb), seemed to go even further down the elitist It will be no surprise to the Secretary of State that we road in recent weeks. He said: Labour Members have very serious reservations about “I would rather have a…graduate from Oxbridge with no his lurch in education and academies policy. It is reported PGCE teaching than a…graduate from one of the rubbish universities that he has written to 2,600 outstanding schools, inviting with a PGCE.” them to become what he calls academies. They are told We need to know whether that is a statement of that they will get extra funds—funds that are currently Government policy. If so, which are those “rubbish” being spent on special needs, school food, transport and universities? We need to see a list. shared facilities such as music lessons, libraries or sports 477 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 478 facilities. At no point in his proposal does the Secretary will want answers. We will return to these issues in much of State explain the impact that that may have on other greater detail in the coming weeks as he tries to rush his local schools. Bill on to the statute book. Where our academy policy gave extra resources and I want to make clear to the House what sort of flexibility to the lowest-performing schools, the new Opposition we will be on education and children’s services. Secretary of State proposes to give extra money to his There are cuts that have to be made, and we will support favoured schools by taking money away from the rest. them, as I did before the election in outlining cuts to a Where our academies went ahead with the agreement of range of non-departmental bodies. When the right hon. parents as well as of local authorities, the new Secretary Gentleman gets it right, we will support him. When he of State is proposing in legislation to abolish any obligation is genuinely supported by teachers and parents, we will on schools to consult anyone at all before they become support him too. On some of the very difficult issues academies—no one will be consulted, including parents that will pass across his desk—some of the most sensitive and local authorities. issues that the Government have to deal with on a daily We brought in external sponsors such as universities basis, as I know—he will have our understanding and to raise aspirations, but we were clear that profit-making our support. However, I have to say to him that every companies were not welcome to sponsor academies. school building that this Government cancel, this However, the right hon. Gentleman is abolishing the Opposition will fight against tooth and nail; every requirement to have sponsors at all and encouraging programme vital to ensuring that every child succeeds, private companies to tout around the country to parents, this Opposition will defend; and every individual child’s offering their services for profit to provide education. future that this Government put in jeopardy through Our academies were non-selective schools in the their programme of immediate cuts, whether directly by poorest communities, but his new academies will be abolishing the child trust fund or indirectly by attacking disproportionately in more affluent areas and he will local government funding, this Opposition will oppose. allow selective schools, for the first time, to become That is because we believe that every child matters, not academies too. Where we used accredited schools groups just every other child. The right hon. Gentleman may to encourage school-to-school collaboration to raise have changed his Department’s name, but we will not let standards, he is allowing schools to opt out and go him duck his responsibilities. it alone. Several hon. Members rose— The policy is not an extension or even a radical reshaping; it is a complete perversion of the academies Mr Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I programme that the right hon. Gentleman inherited remind the House that Mr Speaker has placed an eight- and that my noble Friend Lord Adonis and I drove minute limit on Back-Bench speeches, which operates through in government. It is not a progressive policy for from now on. Any hon. Member who can speak within education in the 21st century, but a return to the old that figure will be doing a great favour to many others grant-maintained school system of the 1990s. It will not who are on the list. break the link between poverty and deprivation, but entrench that unfairness even further, with extra resources 5.46 pm and support going not to those who need it most, but to Mr Stephen Dorrell (Charnwood) (Con): I listened those who are already ahead. My very real fear is that with interest to the speech by the right hon. Member for that will lead to not only chaos and confusion, but deep Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls). His case appears to be unfairness and a return to a two-tier education policy that the previous Government did no wrong and, in as the Secretary of State clears local authorities out of particular, that their economic policy represented global the way and then encourages a chaotic free market in leadership and error-free judgments. If that is the basis school places. on which he seeks the leadership of his party, I can only I am not the only one who is concerned. Let me quote say that I wish him well. the chair of the Local Government Association, Margaret I warmly congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member Eaton. I am sorry; I should have said the new Conservative for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), the new Secretary of peer Baroness Eaton, who said: State, on his appointment and on the way in which he “Safeguards will be needed to ensure a two-tier education spoke of the things that we have in common within system is not allowed to develop”. the parties supporting the coalition Government and of Those are very wise words, and such concerns are the programme that the coalition Government have set widespread in local government and across the school before Parliament and the country, particularly on the system. Will schools that do not become academies pay reform of public services. There is obviously no doubt financially for those that do? Will the admissions code about the principal domestic challenge that faces the apply to new academies and be properly enforced? Will coalition: the fact that the deficit that we inherited from academies co-operate, as now, on behaviour policy, or the previous Government is unsustainable and must be will the Secretary of State allow high-performing schools reduced. That is a matter not simply of accountancy to exclude pupils as a first resort, without any role for but of creating the stability that is necessary to allow local authorities, Ofsted or children’s trusts? Will he the process of wealth creation to be reignited and, step in if things go wrong in what will be a massively particularly for the purposes of this debate, to provide centralised education system and how can he reassure the stability that is necessary if we are to secure our us that disadvantaged children will not lose common objective of delivering high-quality public services. disproportionately from the resources for wider children’s That is the core challenge facing the new Government. services that will be transferred from local authorities to A second challenge of equal importance to the country high-performing opt-out schools, as they take the money and to this House is the securing of our common away with them? Those are the questions to which we objectives for the delivery of public services. That is a 479 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 480

[Mr Stephen Dorrell] We need to look for opportunities to bring external support into the commissioning process rather than major opportunity for the coalition, because it represents imagine that we have the capacity in the NHS on an a failure of our predecessors to deliver our constituents’ entirely home-grown basis. We need to bring in outside objectives in health and education. It is also an opportunity expertise from both within this country and overseas. for the coalition, as my right hon. Friend made clear in There is no party divide in the House about the his speech, because within the coalition we share a principles on which the health service was founded. The commitment to a more localised and less bureaucratic Labour Government increased the resources available approach that accords significantly greater respect to to the health service on an unprecedented scale, but the professional people who work in those services. they never followed through in a sustained way with the I want in particular to talk about how those ideas are discipline required to deliver value for money and high- applied to the national health service. Let me begin with quality health care in return for those resources. That a brief piece of history. June 1990, exactly 20 years ago, opportunity is open to the coalition—to maintain the was the month in which the purchaser-provider split resources available to the health service, as it is committed was first legislated and brought into action in the health to do, but to add the commitment to deliver the results service. At that time, the introduction of accountability that, both as taxpayers and as patients, our constituents to purchasers was seen as an important means of driving want the service to deliver. accountability and quality into the health service, eliminating unaccountable practice variation and improving value 5.54 pm for money. Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab): I start by The Select Committee on Health in the previous saying that I intervened on the Secretary of State for Parliament conducted an audit and progress review of Education when he mocked a school book that encouraged where we had got to in achieving the objectives that children to eat more nutritionally. I admired the were originally set out for the purchaser-provider process, Conservative party when it was in Opposition for wanting which is now called commissioning. That report makes to reduce health inequalities in this country, but I say to depressing reading. In today’s health service, commissioning Government Members today that when considering is seen as over-bureaucratic and as too much of a issues such as childhood obesity, if we do not encourage box-ticking process. The power still lies with the provider, children to eat more nutritionally—no matter whether and worst of all, the process is seen as excessively that is done at school, at home or anywhere else—we expensive and certainly not delivering the objectives will never get anywhere near to reducing health inequalities. that were originally set out for it 20 years ago. The We should not mock such ideas, we should support Select Committee report poses the question whether we them. should therefore give up on the principle of commissioning I wish to mention two health issues that the Secretary and, by implication, although it does not say this, go of State for Education raised, one of which was that of back to a tradition of central planning. I hope that that trusting clinicians. In the previous Parliament, I chaired is an entirely rhetorical question, and I am pleased to the Select Committee on Health—indeed, I have been say that I believe my right hon. Friend the new Secretary involved in public health issues in Parliament for most of State for Health thinks so. of my years as an MP—and I have to say that, occasionally, To give up on the principle of commissioning would some parts of the national health service and some be to give up on the requirement to set priorities and clinicians give the distinct impression that they would make resources follow those priorities, and on the principle not have wanted any of the changes made since 1948. of accountability. In short, it would be to give up on the We therefore need to be careful about that matter. ideals on which the health service was originally founded. I am not saying that we should not take clinicians I am pleased that the Queen’s Speech makes it clear that along with us when dealing with the issue. The noble the coalition and both parties within it are committed Lord Darzi did so in his next stage review. He engaged to following through the logic of empowered commissioning thousands of clinicians to ensure that improvements and to making the idea work and be successful. were made. However, there were still people on the I offer my right hon. Friend four thoughts on how to ground opposed to such things as the seven-days-a-week, deliver that objective, all of which are in the coalition twelve-hours-a-day opening of primary health care centres agreement. The first way is through greater local so that people could see a GP. We should learn lessons engagement, including with general practitioners, and from the recent past about the attitudes of some professional the involvement of elected members in primary care bodies. trusts. That is needed so that local communities understand The Secretary of State mentioned health targets. If what is being done on their behalf. Secondly, we need any of my constituents go to their local district general greater engagement by the professions so that hospital because they want a new knee or hip, the wait commissioning in the health service is not something is measured in weeks—perhaps 18 weeks, or a lot less in that is done to professional people by managers but South Yorkshire at the moment depending on where something that engages the professionals themselves in they go. Not long ago, the wait was 18 months or more securing the objectives that we as lay people, and even and the consultant in the hospital concerned—the same more importantly the professionals themselves, have for surgeon who would have done the operation on the the health service. NHS—would say to patients, “If you want to have a The third objective is that commissioning needs to be new knee, I can do it next week at a private hospital in outcome-focused, so that we justify what we do in the Sheffield if you’ve got £3,500 lying around that you health service through improved outcomes experienced want to get rid of, or you can wait 18 months or two by patients. Fourthly, there is an idea that the previous years with a poor quality of life because of the pain.” Government canvassed on but never followed through. Targets have been set to help all our constituents with 481 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 482 their health needs, and we should ensure that if they are 6.1 pm removed it is not to the detriment of the massive improvements that have been made in health care over Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): It is a the past 10 years. pleasure to be able to contribute to this debate. I am certainly seeing the benefits of the election, as I think Right up until the general election, the Conservative that this is the first time that I have been called to speak party was considering putting in place what was effectively before 9 pm in the five years that I have been here. It is private insurance cover for social care. The Health also a pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Committee published a report on adult social care and Rother Valley (Mr Barron), who was an excellent Chair particularly care for the elderly. The idea expressed by of the Health Committee in the last Parliament. I the Conservatives only a few months ago was that regard him as a friend and he did a sterling job. people in my constituency who retired could find £8,000—or £16,000 for a couple—to pay into a scheme so that they I wish to thank my right hon. Friend the Secretary of would have their care needs met in future years, which is State for Health for coming to visit Milton Keynes an unbelievable concept. The Health Committee did hospital yesterday. I said during my election campaign not exactly praise the previous Government, as my right that I would make health my priority and, in the past hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) two years, we have had some particular problems in will remember. However, in the report on adult social Milton Keynes at the maternity unit. It was very reassuring care, we said that there needed to be a consensus about to have my right hon. Friend visit yesterday and to see the way forward and how the system should be paid for that the hospital, which is desperately trying to do so that it was fairer than the current system. I am the right things to put matters right, will have the full pleased that the new coalition has said that it wants to support of the Department of Health in trying to set up a commission to achieve that, but it should not deliver the positive change that we all want to see. wait longer to deal with the matter than it has to. Let us I shall address three issues—the funding formula, get the matter sorted out in this Parliament and get some targets and waste. NHS funds are allocated to primary fairness into the system as soon as practicable, when the care trusts on the basis of a complex weighted capitation commission has met and reported. Without consensus formula. The allocation is based mainly on the number across the House, the unfairness and inequity in social and age distribution of a PCT’s population and then care in this country will carry on for ever and a day. adjusted for a large variety of other factors, including The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence the type of population; deprivation; mortality rates; has today made a recommendation on the minimum and, controversially, the difference between previous pricing of alcohol. I believe that the recommendation allocation and formula results. stands up well, and indeed, the Health Committee felt The formula leads to a marked difference in per in most part that minimum pricing was the best way to capita allocation by PCT across the country. For example, deal with the alcohol problem. The recommendation in the current year the PCT with the lowest funding was has been made by an independent institution that has Leicestershire with £1,330 per head, and the highest was examined the effect that such a policy would have on Liverpool with £2,140 per head. This year, Milton Keynes alcohol consumption. It disagrees with what the alcohol PCT received £1,410 per head, the 12th lowest in the industry has been saying in and around this place for country. In other words, if Milton Keynes, with a crude many years—that minimum pricing will not stop binge population of approximately 240,000, had received average drinking. I ask people, and especially Ministers, to read national capitation, it would have an extra £51 million the NICE report. I am convinced, as were most members more than the £349 million it actually received, and had of the Health Committee in the previous Parliament, it been funded at the average rate of a northern PCT, it that the minimum pricing of a unit of alcohol is crucial would have received £74 million pounds more. Just to if we are to take control of alcohol consumption in this underline this point at a regional level, South Central country. There are other means of doing so, and people strategic health authority received £5.8 billion for its have argued that for some time. 4.1 million people. Had it received a typical northern The previous Government introduced regulations in per capita allocation, it would have received an extra April to stop the practice of students being invited into £1.2 billion. nightclubs where, for £10, they could drink all night. Given those numbers, perhaps it is not surprising that The Channel 4 News website says today: the NHS in the south of England struggles to make “At Dukes nightclub in Essex, the owner Lou Manzi told ends meet. Channel 4 News that they had stopped all you can drink for £15 and were now offering 15 drinks vouchers for £15, which they believed complied with the new rules.” Caroline Flint (Don Valley) (Lab): What are deprivation People will always try to get round any new rules, but levels like in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency? How the market cannot get round price. It worked to reduce much longer do people in his constituency live compared consumption of cigarettes, and we have a far healthier with men in Doncaster, Liverpool, Newcastle and other population as a result. This Government will need northern areas? We recognise that there are health income at some stage, and a minimum price for a unit of inequalities and we have to fund the necessary measures alcohol is the way forward if we are to stop alcohol to ensure equality in living as long as possible. abuse. More than 1.3 million children suffer because of alcohol abuse, and we cannot carry on thinking that Mark Lancaster: The right hon. Lady makes a valid education will make any difference. We have tried that, point. The whole point is that we have the health but we have failed. We have failed the nation, especially formula to take those factors into account, but despite those children, and action needs to be taken by this that the last Government artificially adjusted the funding Government to ensure that we price alcohol sensibly to to upgrade certain PCTs. If she listens to my speech, she bring some common sense back to consumption. will understand what I am trying to say. 483 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 484

[Mark Lancaster] based on clinical need and are not process driven—and do not lead, like the examples that I have just given, to Northern SHAs have surpluses approximately three scarce financial resources being squandered. times the size of South Central. Yorkshire and Humberside It is widely recognised that the NHS, in common with enjoys a surplus of £49 per head. However, putting the health care systems in every developed country, wastes inequality of this to one side, it means that the weaknesses possibly 20% or more of its resources on overuse, of the current NHS structures are likely to appear first misuse and underuse of health care. Many feel that the in the south rather than the north of England. But current configuration of hospitals and community services given that the allocation formula attempts to fund in England does not readily allow clinicians to offer the broadly according to need, why have the funding formula highest quality of care at lowest unit costs. at all if we are going to ignore it? The answer, in part, There is an argument that the rigid demarcation appears to lie in an extract from the Health Committee’s between primary and secondary services and the role of report, “Health Inequalities”, published in March 2009. the district general hospital needs to be allowed to Paragraph 96 says that evolve to meet the needs of the 21st century. That is “not all areas currently receive what they should receive according particularly true where administrative boundaries and to the resource allocation formula. This is because historically top-down planning have stifled local developments. For many areas have received less funding than they need, but rather than taking away large amounts of funding from some over-funded example, the Milton Keynes and south midlands growth areas to compensate more needy areas, the Government has area has a rapidly growing population. The growth area adopted a more gradual approach to shifting resources over a straddles three strategic health authorities and government number of years, meaning that some PCTs are still receiving regions. It has a population of nearly 2 million, but is funding below their ‘target’ amounts.” served by several small hospitals close together, each of The development of the weighted capitation formula which is struggling both financially and to provide the is continuously overseen by the independent Advisory quality and range of services that the population needs Committee on Resource Allocation, or ACRA. Given and expects. The challenge in and around Milton Keynes the inequalities in funding that currently exist, I would is to allow local communities and hospitals to think like to suggest some minor changes of my own. First, beyond and across artificial bureaucratic boundaries to the allocation formula should adequately address the find new ways of improving value for money and quality costs of providing health care to the elderly, especially of care. in areas with high life expectancy. Secondly, the allocation Taken together, if health services were held to account formula should adequately reflect the fact that the for the outcomes that they produce, rather than the majority of an individual’s lifetime costs of health care numbers of patients treated, the services of the future, are incurred in the last two years of life, whatever the and particularly hospitals, might need to look very age of death, and—crucially—regardless of the local different from those of today. However, if we allow level of deprivation. Finally, the key area in which the changes to be led by clinicians in consultation with the formula could be improved—I make no apologies for public—a bottom-up approach rather than the top-down the fact that as a very diverse community Milton Keynes approach advocated by the last Government—we can would benefit from this change—is by basing allocations be confident that, most importantly, the services will be on individuals’ health, rather than the blunt tool of of a higher quality. I believe that the measures outlined populations being aggregated at the PCT level. However, in the Gracious Speech are a step in the right direction, I accept that the principal problem with that is getting and that we can achieve those aims. sufficient data. In the final 20 seconds left to me, I simply want to Process targets sometimes yield perverse incentives wish all those about to give their maiden speeches the when coupled with the inappropriately named “payments best of luck. by results” scheme, which actually seems to reward activity rather than results. I shall give just two brief 6.11 pm examples. The first is the four-hour waiting time in accident and emergency. Say that after three hours Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ 55 minutes a patient is waiting for a blood test result. Co-op): It is a great pleasure to speak about a matter of The hospital will take them in as an in-patient—perhaps vital importance to my constituents young and old. A only for 10 minutes until the result arrives—so that it focus on education matters a great deal in Hackney, does not miss the target. That means that rather than where we have a multinational community and education being charged £70 for out-patient treatment, the PCT is highly prized. Hackney is a poor borough in many will be charged £700 for in-patient treatment. Is that ways, but it is also aspirant, and there is no lack of really the best use of scarce financial resources? poverty in the desire to get educated and improve one’s Hospitals have no incentive to discharge people from life. Education and skills training more widely, which I out-patients as they are paid for activity. Indeed, in would like to touch on, are important to my constituents. Milton Keynes, less than half of first out-patient They also help to tackle poverty and social exclusion. appointments are the result of GP referrals. For example, Hackney’s record is a good one. We have four brand-new lots of patients attending accident and emergency or city academies, with a further city academy on the way, the assessment unit will be given a hospital-initiated and we have seen massive improvements to other secondary out-patient appointment rather than being discharged and primary schools. Hackney’s record on educational back to their GP. If a hospital can see a patient several attainment at 16 has massively improved. The results times, generating a bill on each occasion, where is the improved from 30% of pupils achieving five GCSEs at incentive to organise care so that everything can be grades A* to C in 1997 to 70% doing so in 2009. In done at one visit if it can then only bill for that care particular, we should thank Mossbourne city academy once? I support limited targets, providing that they are and its head teacher, Sir Michael Wilshaw, for last year 485 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 486 having 83% of students achieving five GCSEs at A* to young people turn up to school without food in their C, which is well above the national average, and this in a stomachs because of their chaotic family backgrounds. borough that in the past would not have been a byword That meant that they were achieving less well. Thanks for good education. There is still more to do, of course. to Magic Breakfast and others, we have seen attainment Bridge, Petchey and City academies in Hackney, which increase. are yet to have GCSE years, are all working to emulate I want to know that the Government are still committed the Mossbourne example. It would also be interesting to extended schools, because they are vital to working to discuss with Ministers the establishment of a 14-to-18 parents. If we want child poverty to be tackled and academy in Hackney community college. attainment increased, we need to see that input in the There is more to do. Around 48% of 16-year-olds still family—those role models in place and that income leave school without five GCSEs at A* to C. It is not the coming in—which is something that any Secretary of only measure of success, but it is an important one in State for Education needs to see in the round, and as any attempt to get young people into work and further something that goes hand in hand with welfare support. education. We also need further improvement in our It is all very well asking people to go back to work, but primary schools. Some good work has been done in the without the child care in place, that is challenging, and 12 new Sure Start centres in the constituency, which are in Hackney that matters a great deal. of huge benefit to parents and under-fives across all In the time remaining I want to talk about skills and social backgrounds. I am concerned at the suggestion training. I do not have the time to go into all the figures, that this Government plan to segregate support for the but Hackney has one of the highest unemployment under-fives and focus only on those in greatest need. rates in London. However, we are fortunate to have a One of the strengths of Sure Start in Hackney is its good further and adult education sector, in the form of comprehensive nature. I have a one-year-old, as well as Hackney community college, BSix and the sixth forms other children, and I know that all parents, whatever emerging in new schools for 18-year-olds. In particular, their backgrounds, need the support. Hackney community college, organisations such as Working Hackney’s approach has been pivotal to how things Links and Lifeline, and the jobcentre provide support have worked. We have an elected mayor and a council in to workless adults, focusing on the skills and education Hackney, which have taken a can-do approach to what that they need to get off the dole and into work, the Government have to offer. Hackney’s focus across supporting themselves and their families. the board has been on practical results that change lives. We are not bound up in ideology; we want to With 34% of Hackney households speaking English ensure that what we do makes a difference. Mayor Pipe as a second language and 16% of adults in Hackney should be congratulated on his work, as should others having no qualifications, which is above the London on their work. We have taken what the Government average, we need to ensure that this issue is tackled. have offered and made it work for Hackney, tailoring it Significantly, however, the figure for adults with no to Hackney’s needs and interests. Whatever the Government qualifications has gone down, from 25% to 16% in just propose, we will continue to put Hackney children first three years, thanks to work by the community college in our schools system. and others. Significantly—this is directly linked to the work of Hackney community college, which should be I am concerned about the free school proposal—I congratulated—the number of young people not in would love to talk more about it, but I do not have education or training is down, from more than 12% to much time. How will it fit in with proper planning in 6.4%, again in three years. That is evidence to back the local authorities? Is it not a distraction? Is not the argument that the college should be supported in being proposal a policy for the few and not the many? allowed to become a city academy in media and health, I want to touch briefly on extended schools. Schools within the environs of the wider adult education that in Hackney are leading the way in that respect, with it provides. provision usually provided from 8 am to 6 pm, and in Hackney community college is soon to receive an secondary schools for far longer, with breakfast clubs, Ofsted report, which I do not doubt will be good. after-school clubs and, often, ESOL-type teaching—the Because of its excellent reputation and work, the colleges teaching of English for speakers of other languages—for deserves to have the freedom to decide how the money adults, as well as wider adult education. Such initiatives that it receives from the Government is spent, because help to tackle poverty and social exclusion where it what works in Surrey Heath might not work in Hackney. really matters: in the family, helping those parents to We need that flexibility between Government budgets help their children get better educated. In many to allow local priority setting, in order to ensure that communities, the young children coming to school at ESOL, basic skills, work with 16 to 18-year-olds, as well both primary and secondary levels often go home to a as those who are 19-plus, Train to Gain and apprenticeships household not only where no English is spoken—it is are judged by their results, rather than by the name fine for them to have that mother tongue—but where attached to the money that is given to them. If the the parents themselves are not very literate in their Government are serious about giving freedom to education mother tongue. Addressing that is an important aspect providers, I hope that they will consider giving freedom of what primary schools in Hackney provide. to further education colleges to make their own choices At the secondary level, we want to give young people about what works locally and be judged by the results, the opportunities provided by extended schools well rather than the tick-box approach based on where the into the evening and before school. Those clubs are money comes from. I hope that the Government will supported not only by schools, but by organisations consider meeting me and the principal of Hackney such as the excellent Magic Breakfast, which provides community college, Ian Ashman, to discuss that freedom, young children with breakfast in schools. It was discovered as well as setting up a city academy within the environs that in Hackney, as well as in other boroughs, many of the community college. 487 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 488

6.18 pm M11. Inexplicably, Harlow was built with just one entrance, Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Given that it has with most of the industrial quarter being at the opposite taken me 10 years and three elections to reach this end. As a result, traffic in Harlow has reached gridlock, place, I feel a real privilege and a sense of service in with large lorries trundling along from one end of the giving my maiden speech. Although I am the first town to another. If Harlow is to have a viable future, a Halfon to serve as a Member of Parliament, I am not bypass is not a luxury but a necessity. the first to have a role in British politics. I understand I mentioned a moment ago that one of the best that my ancestor Isaac Halfon, who was an expert on tributes to my constituency is its strong community. I divorce legalities, was called on by King Henry VIII to am a community Conservative, so I will always act to discover the status of Judaic law regarding the King’s support and strengthen community organisations, even proposed divorce from Catherine of Aragon. Fortunately when financial resources are not readily available. To for me, I am told that he gave the right answer. I am me, communities are the bedrock of our stability and reminded of the quotation of the civil war poet, Robert are fundamental to our well-being, but there remain Herrick, who said: significant problems that we have to confront, rather “Know when to speake; for many times it brings than sweep under the carpet. One in eight adults in Danger to give the best advice to kings.” Harlow have literacy problems, and one in five have I hope I will remember that as I begin my career in this difficulties with numeracy. There is also a skills deficit. Chamber. In Essex, nearly 4,000 young people are not in employment, education or training, and Harlow is one of the worst- Harlow is a unique place, and a varied constituency. affected towns. In less than 10 minutes, one can travel from new town to leafy village. It is thought that one of the first slaves to I have come to the conclusion that education and be buried in England, who was known as Hester, was skills are the real answer to these problems, but we must laid to rest in 1767 in St Mary’s church at Little Parndon. also transform the nature of vocational training and I am glad to say that the MPs who lived in west Essex at apprenticeships in our country. If we give young people the time were contemporaries of William Wilberforce, the necessary skills and training, we give them opportunities and that they fought alongside him for the abolition and jobs for the future. Expanding and improving of slavery. apprenticeships is not just about economic efficiency Harlow has a long tradition of helping the most based on pure utilitarianism; it involves the profoundly vulnerable, and of being a thriving community and a Conservative ideas of helping people to help themselves, place where social justice is at the forefront of the minds of a work ethic, of opportunity and, most importantly, of its political representatives. Winston Churchill represented of social justice. Harlow between 1924 and 1945, when it came under the I have seen for myself the power of apprenticeships Epping constituency. In 1923, in a speech in Victoria to transform lives. I have seen John Tennison, the Hall in Old Harlow, he urged the restoration of the managing director of Smiths aircraft industries in Harlow, penny post and of pensions for widows with children. who started as an apprentice there more than 30 years Similarly, although I had many policy differences with ago. I have seen the construction training partnership, my predecessor, Bill Rammell, there was never any doubt which helps youngsters supported by youth offending about his absolute passion for Harlow, or about his teams to train in building, electrical work and plumbing, determination to improve the lives of those most in need. and gives them the chance to succeed. I have seen Harlow new town was built primarily to provide Harlow college, and was delighted to visit the Essex decent homes and living space for those living in poor apprentices scheme there with my right hon. Friend the quality housing in east London. It has many beautiful Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan places, most notably Parndon Mill, which is perhaps the Smith). It is no accident that our college is climbing so most romantic spot in Essex. The town park, Harlow high up the league tables, with its aim to be one of the common, the green wedges and our picturesque villages best in England. of Hastingwood, Matching Tye, Roydon, Nazeing and Our policy of creating 100,000 extra apprenticeships Sheering are a testament to the green nature of my every year is something to be proud of, but we must do constituency, and I will always fight hard to preserve this. more, particularly in regard to reducing red tape and Like so many residents of Harlow, I am delighted regulation and giving better incentives to businesses. that the Government have said no to an extra runway at Above all, we need a root-and-branch cultural change Stansted, with all the environmental damage that that in our country. Winning an apprenticeship should be as would have wrought. Nevertheless, despite our many highly regarded as getting to Cambridge university—or beautiful areas and original architecture, parts of Harlow any university, for that matter. Apprenticeships should are creaking with age. There is a great feeling of optimism be held in the same regard as higher education by about the regeneration of the town, however, thanks to secondary school teachers, yet all the evidence shows the work of Harlow Renaissance, local councillors and that the opposite is the case. The apprenticeship organisation the former MP. Some regeneration has already been Edge says that two thirds of teachers regard their knowledge completed, including a new leisure zone, which is soon of apprenticeships as poor, and that just one in four to be opened, and the revamped water gardens. Anglia teachers believe that apprenticeships are a good alternative Ruskin university—which my partner, Vanda, attends to A-levels. As an MP, I intend to play my part in as a mature student—is due to open a campus in changing the way we regard apprentices. Harlow next year. The regeneration will strengthen I began my speech with the story of a monarch, and Harlow’s rightful place in the pantheon of great new towns. I hope that you will forgive me for ending it with For the regeneration of Harlow to succeed, however, another. Queen Elizabeth I was a great fan of Harlow, there are certain things that the town desperately needs. having visited it on a number of occasions. It is well One of the most important is an extra bypass to the known that her chief adviser, Lord Burleigh, suffered 489 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 490 from the most tremendous gout. He expressed his concern for infirm paupers. Today it is an excellent hospital, about his service to his Queen, to which the monarch caring for 250,000 children every year. Its plans for replied: redevelopment will create the first ever children’s health “My Lord, we make use of you, not for your bad legs, but for park in the UK—replacing buildings, most of which are your good head.” 100 years old, with some having been built to the design Mr Deputy Speaker, I have good news for you and this of Florence Nightingale. The plan is for a hospital set in Chamber. I do not suffer from gout, but I do have the a park that will be the most environmentally sustainable heart and stomach to fight hard in this House for hospital in the country. I know that the new Secretary Harlow and for our country. of State for Health visited Alder Hey earlier this year and was very impressed by what he saw. I hope he will 6.27 pm be able to take the opportunity when he closes today’s debate to reaffirm the Government’s support for Alder Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): Hey, so that the children’s health park can open in time I congratulate the hon. Member for Harlow (Robert for the Alder Hey centenary in October 2014. I also Halfon) on an excellent maiden speech. We look forward urge the Secretary of State to give the go-ahead for the to his future contributions. I should also like to echo his Royal Liverpool hospital scheme, which is so vital for tribute to his predecessor, Bill Rammell, who was popular the future health of the people of Liverpool. on both sides of the House. Today I am making my second maiden speech—the I want to focus on education in the time remaining. first was 13 years ago—and I am doing so in the hope Last week, at the beginning of the debate on the Loyal that I shall not have to deliver a third at any point in the Address, the Prime Minister characterised Labour’s future. My predecessor, Bob Wareing, entered the House approach to public services as simply a combination of in 1983. Bob was one of the first MPs to propose extra spending and Whitehall diktat. Well, yes, we did private Members’ legislation to tackle discrimination increase spending, and we make no apology for having against disabled people. I know he was respected on done so. The fruits of our investment can be seen in all both sides of the House as a decent, courteous our constituencies—in the children’s centres, in the new parliamentarian who believed passionately in the causes and refurbished schools, in better paid teachers and in a for which he spoke up. In his maiden speech in 1983, he new work force of teaching assistants in our schools—but spoke out against the threatened closure of Croxteth it was never just about money. It was about innovation comprehensive school. The school was saved in the and improvement in our schools, and the sharing of 1980s but, sadly, it is due to close next month, despite best practice across the system. It was about the literacy massive local opposition. I will work with local parents, strategy, Teach First, the National College for Leadership with Liverpool city council and with the Government to of Schools and Children’s Services, school federations, explore options to restore a mixed, non-faith school for academies and trust schools. All these reforms were 11-year-olds in Croxteth and Norris Green. designed to improve the quality of education, and most notable of all was Sure Start—perhaps the most significant Almost 1,000 years ago, West Derby featured in the innovation in social policy in this country in the past Domesday Book. Today’s parliamentary constituency half century. includes Dovecot, Tuebrook, Croxteth, Norris Green, Knotty Ash and West Derby itself. Perhaps my most Those are real achievements of which Labour Members famous constituent resides in Knotty Ash. He is the can be proud, but we also need an honest debate about comedian Ken Dodd who is now 82 years old and still where we made mistakes during our period in government. going strong—[Interruption.] I shall make no comment We did allow the target culture in public services to go on his politics. West Derby village has the only free-standing too far. Many professionals felt that their voices were post-mediaeval courthouse in the country. It was built not being heard by the Government, and we sometimes in 1586 and restored in 2005. focused too much on structures and not enough on Crime and policing are key challenges in the communities content. On that point, I fear that the new Government that I represent. The appalling murder of young Rhys might well be in danger of making exactly the same Jones in 2007 shocked the entire country and united the mistake. At the heart of good public services are good people of Liverpool not only in revulsion but in a relationships. The best schools combine effective leadership determination that no more young lives should be lost. at all levels with an absolute focus on the quality of Rhys’s parents have shown great dignity and courage learning and teaching. throughout their terrible ordeal. As we consider the Government’s school reforms in West Derby has a vibrant community and voluntary more detail, I suggest three tests against which we sector, in which the “big society” is already a reality. should judge them: will they support improved teaching The sector involves groups such as Kinship Carers, and learning; will they encourage better leadership at all which supports grandparents with caring responsibilities; levels; and will they promote fairness both in admissions Chrysalis, which provides a voice for families living with and in school funding? I welcome increased flexibility the horror of domestic violence; and the Communiversity, and freedoms for schools, but we should support which provides jobs, training and apprenticeships for co-operation between schools and a continued role for hundreds of local people. Then there are active citizens, local authorities to guarantee fairness at the local level. such as Lee and Stephen Dunne, whose son Gary was I want to finish by talking about Building Schools for murdered in Spain—they had to fight to have his body the Future because BSF is about promoting both fairness returned home and are now setting up a charity in his and excellence in education; it is not just about new name to tackle the scourge of knife crime. buildings. A deliberate choice was made by the Labour Perhaps the best known facility in the constituency is Government to focus first on the poorest parts of the the truly wonderful Alder Hey hospital, which was country. I am proud that Cardinal Heenan, Broughton founded in 1914. It was originally conceived as a workhouse Hall and West Derby schools in my constituency are 491 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 492

[Stephen Twigg] serve in Iraq, and he has used that experience to speak eloquently about defence matters while in opposition. currently being rebuilt—£67 million being well spent, He reminds us of the professionalism of our armed but there are five more schools waiting to find out forces, both regular and reservist. whether the Government will decide to go ahead. I urge Finally, the Devizes constituency has also contributed the Government to go ahead with these important to the Chippenham seat. My predecessor there was programmes. I want an 11-year-old in my Liverpool Michael Ancram, who served three constituencies during constituency to have the same opportunities that a child his time in this House, as well as serving his party as going to a top private school can take for granted. That chairman and deputy leader. I commend his last speech was the vision behind Building Schools for the Future. in this place, which was during the debate on the Budget If we are serious in this House about social justice, it is a statement. He was concerned that this generation’s legacy vision that we should reaffirm today. to the next would be worse than financial debt, which can, after all, be repaid, as we risk leaving as our legacy 6.35 pm a permanently damaged environment. He quoted a Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Thank you, native American saying, which has long been a favourite Mr. Deputy Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to of mine: make my maiden speech so early in this Parliament. I “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it congratulate the hon. Members for Harlow (Robert from our children.” Halfon) and for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg) He urged this new Government to recognise and address on their thoughtful and compassionate speeches. They the coming environmental challenges, the greatest of are indeed a hard act to follow. which is surely man-made climate change. Accepting One of my predecessors as Member of Parliament this mission—one that has also been put to me by the for Chippenham, albeit almost 200 years ago, was Bradford-on-Avon climate friends— will be a focus of Sir Robert Peel. His maiden speech was to second the my activities throughout this Parliament. reply to the King’s Speech and it was described by the Chippenham has not been represented by a Liberal then Speaker as since Alfred Bonwick more than 80 years ago. I am also “the best first speech since that of William Pitt”. the first Liberal Democrat Member to serve in this It lasted 40 minutes and Members will be pleased to House for Wiltshire. Chippenham has experienced hear that I cannot hope to emulate him—in that respect, substantial growth in recent years, so I am pleased that at least. the coalition Government have resolved to scrap the Although Chippenham first returned Members in housing targets in the regional spatial strategy, which 1295, it is one of this Parliament’s new constituencies, would otherwise have seen Chippenham grow by about formed from parts of North Wiltshire, Devizes and a quarter over the next 15 years, threatening open land Westbury, all of which were represented by Conservatives. near to Birds Marsh woods and along Chippenham’s My hon. Friends will therefore find me in the unfamiliar flood plains. position of saying kind words about not one, but four, Although not included in its name, my beautiful and Conservative MPs—I could certainly use the practice! diverse constituency also includes the towns of Melksham, I say four because Sir Richard Needham was the most Corsham and Bradford-on-Avon, as well as villages recent Member to represent a constituency going by the such as Holt where I live, Hilperton, Winsley, and the name of Chippenham. Sir Richard was the longest-serving National Trust village of Lacock—and, indeed, the British Government Northern Ireland Minister and southern tip of the Cotswold area of outstanding natural also a successful Minister of Trade. He continues to beauty at Limpley Stoke. In fact, my constituency will work in business and I had the pleasure of meeting him be familiar to fans of costume drama, as Lacock has on the very day that the election was called, as I visited a starred in adaptations of “Pride and Prejudice” and company in my constituency of which he is chairman. “Emma” among others, and is better known to many as The significance of the visit was not lost on the local Cranford. and regional media, who reported it widely, and I am The railways have long been vital to the constituency’s grateful to him for his enthusiastic welcome. economic development, yet Melksham, which is the Sir Richard was succeeded by my honourable neighbour, county’s fifth largest town, has only two trains a day in the current hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr Gray). each direction. Some Members may pass through Corsham, We were both involved in the campaign to save Chippenham after Brunel’s impressive box tunnel, when travelling by hospital, which, like the minor injuries unit that closed rail to Parliament. The town certainly sees many trains in Melksham, had been frustrated by a lack of support each day, but none of them stops there for the people of from Wiltshire county council when it really mattered. Corsham to use. Through my work here, I will continue My honourable neighbour secured an Adjournment to campaign for the improved rail services that my debate on the issue on 18 March 2008. I came to the constituents so badly need. Gallery that evening to lend my support and to see him I hope to open a constituency office in Chippenham put the then Minister on the spot. Now that we sit on town centre, which, if successful, will make a modest the same side of this House, I look forward to finding contribution to the town’s services. However, I shall not common cause with him more often. be able to match Joseph Neeld, who paid for a new town Members will know that my honourable neighbour, hall to be built on the high street. It still bears his name, the hon. Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison), although—or perhaps because—his energies were so formerly Westbury, is a doctor. He served for 18 years as focused on the town that, in the 24 years that he spent as a medical officer in the Royal Navy, leaving as a surgeon Member of Parliament for Chippenham, he did not commander and continues to serve as an officer in the speak once in Parliament. It seems clear already that I Royal Naval Reserve. This saw him recalled in 2003 to have not managed to show such self-restraint. 493 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 494

As a Wiltshire school governor for the past eight I joined the Labour party. I have always been inspired years, I was particularly keen to make my first speech by the people who choose to serve a place, to commit during a debate on education. Great teachers, excellent themselves to it, and to see it change in terms of schools and a world-class university all helped to give individual lives and on a regional level. That is the me the confidence, financial security and independence model that I have sought to replicate. to embark on the journey that has brought me here Luton South is a wonderful constituency, and I can today. honestly say that I would not want to represent any Despite my father’s best efforts, both my parents other seat. As well as containing Luton airport, two attended secondary moderns, and, in his case, a technical mainline railway stations, a carnival arts centre, Luton college. I recall my mother telling me while I studied for Hoo, the General Motors plant in which my father GCSEs that she had left school by the time she was that worked, Stockwood park, many improving schools, and age. Nevertheless, as loving parents, they well understood the villages of Caddington, Hyde and Slip End, Luton the difference that embracing learning could make to the South is home to a rich and diverse range of communities. opportunities that lay ahead for all of us, and I was the Indeed, it has been remarked to me that should it first in my family to go to university—something that choose to declare itself an independent state, we should we could only afford with the help of a grant. have all that we need. Now that my hon. Friend the I was very fortunate. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins) and I are Deputy Prime Minister pointed out repeatedly during the only two Opposition MPs in the east of England, the recent election, family wealth still makes a massive perhaps that is not such a bad idea. difference to the educational outcomes achieved by I love our town, and it fills me with enormous pride children today. I agree with Nick. There are some that her residents chose one of their own to represent us excellent schools serving communities in less well-off in Parliament. In her maiden speech, my predecessor areas, but it simply is not good enough for so many Margaret Moran spoke about a pupil of Dallow primary families to find that accessing a good education for school. In 1997, that pupil was in a class of 37, facing their children is dependent on their faith, on paying educational challenges that few would recognise today. fees, or on being able to afford a home in an expensive Our Labour Government faced up to the reality of that catchment area. Every school should be a good school. time, and moved to act and invest in education. The pupil premium that our Government will now Margaret Moran served the people of Luton South introduce is a crucial lever for directing funds into for 13 years in a position that carries its own unique schools serving families who cannot buy their way to a pressures, and she deserves recognition as someone more successful school elsewhere, so that we can be sure who, as part of that significant intake of 1997 Labour that all children receive the support and attention that Members, transformed fundamentally the terms of debate they need. I believe that this Government will become not just in relation to politics, but in relation to education known for their ambitious school reforms, the measure in particular. The legacy of those Members can be seen of success for which will be that a great education is in the educational achievement of every child who no within reach of every child, whatever their background longer has to sit in an overwhelmed class or a crumbling and whatever their family’s means. building. The House has lost many from that landslide Whether in education, the economy or the environment, year, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. looking ahead with a concern for the next generation I have always believed that education cannot simply will, I hope, be the hallmark of my contribution to this be reduced to the economic transaction of knowledge place—a contribution to which I will devote the very and skills in return for time and money. Education is best of my ability. about the investment that we make in each of our young people. Education is about the kind of society that we 6.43 pm seek to create. I should like to think that my own comprehensive education provided me not just with Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): Mr. Deputy knowledge but with values—the values of a mixed Speaker, I thank you for calling me in this important society, and of a shared experience beyond income, race debate on the Gracious Speech, and congratulate the or religion. hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames) on his While the debate of the coming years will inevitably maiden speech. I am sure you agree that every maiden focus on greater diversity of provision, we must ensure speech makes the last constituency flit away as we hear that the vast majority who receive a comprehensive of the honours and excitement of the new constituency. education are not left behind. Education remains the It is an honour and a privilege to speak in this most effective and, indeed, the most intuitive route to Chamber. Indeed, it is something that very few people ensuring social mobility. We recognise it in developing in each generation are able to experience. A year ago, countries all over the world as the silver bullet—the I did not anticipate that this would be part of my means of tackling both poverty and inequality—and we life—certainly not at such a young age—but the voters should recognise it here as well. of Luton South have bestowed on me this position of The excellent university of Bedfordshire also has its service, and I will for ever owe them a debt of thanks. home in Luton South. In the coming Parliament, we To me, Luton South is not just a seat; it is my home. will examine the issue of student funding in greater I was born in the town, receiving the schooling that saw detail; and here the economic argument continues to me into Girton college, Cambridge. I was fortunate hold sway. It is often true that graduates earn more, but enough to receive a bursary to study there, and my it may not automatically be true that as a result they student fees were covered by the public purse. Those should pay more, at the cost of student fees which, investments in me are, I hope, being repaid in my desire despite all the safeguards, can still deter those from to serve our society. I worked for a local church, and disadvantaged backgrounds. When we educate someone, 495 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 496

[Gavin Shuker] bovine TB epidemic. As a doctor, I have to tell Members that we cannot treat infected badgers by vaccination. be it as a teacher, a doctor or even, dare I say, a social Vaccination can only hope to prevent the disease in science graduate, we all benefit. That must be an important unaffected individuals. I have been teaching junior doctors part of this debate. evidence-based medicine for 11 years, and I can say that Finally, let me speak in the context of the times in one of the problems we face is that the randomised which we find ourselves. It has become fashionable to badger culling trial has for years wrongly been used to say that markets must have morals, but it is also worth justify a policy of inaction. Unless we do something articulating that there are limits to markets altogether. about bovine TB, more and more of our farmers will go In natural monopolies such as rail, in the provision of out of business. We need to recognise the effect on them education, where they can serve to ration provision, and and their families, and the very real distress bovine TB in other areas in which co-operative ideals best express causes them. their form, we are forced to examine the prevailing The main reason why I came to this House is because orthodoxies and expose their weaknesses. I feel passionately about our NHS and the patients it My Christian faith confirms in me the conviction treats. I welcome the proposals in the Gracious Speech that we are fundamentally designed to operate in to get rid of top-down bureaucracy in the NHS and to co-operation and not merely in competition; that not hand power back to clinicians on the front line. just some but all have inherent worth and value; that In my constituency, we have four community hospitals, tackling inequality is not merely a political concern, but and I would like to pay tribute to their staff, and also a moral one; and, also, that there is more to life than their volunteers, for the work that they do. I hope that politics. I am young, but I am not naive. I am sure that giving patients a louder voice in our NHS will prove to I will humbly need to reacquaint myself with those be the best protection for community hospitals, because convictions in the years ahead. people, particularly those in rural constituencies, really value them. I hope Members will support me in this 6.49 pm endeavour. Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): Thank you, There is another issue I wish to highlight, which Mr. Deputy Speaker, for letting me catch your eye when affects not only my constituents, but those of all Members. so many hon. Members wish to do the same. After the tragedy of the Paddington rail disaster in which 31 people lost their lives, we rightly held a public I thank the hon. Members for Chippenham (Duncan inquiry and that led to the setting up of the Rail Safety Hames) and for Luton South (Gavin Shuker) for their and Standards Board, and after 3,000 terrible deaths in passionate speeches about education. I come to the the USA, we joined a “Global War on Terror”, so what House with little political experience, but as a doctor should we say should happen after 15,000 to 20,000 deaths and teacher selected through an open primary, the first every year in this country as a result of alcohol? I pay in the country to give every voter in a constituency the tribute to the right hon. Member for Rother Valley chance to select their candidate. I would also like to (Mr Barron), who has chaired the Select Committee on thank my predecessor, Anthony Steen. He served this Health. It has recommended minimum-price alcohol as House for an extraordinary 36 years. He is not the sort the best way forward. That may not be popular—in to retire, and I wish him well in his continuing fight fact, in suggesting that we cull diseased badgers and against the evils of human trafficking. raise the price of alcohol, it is clear that I am going for I am very fortunate to represent one of the most the popular vote! However, unless we do something spectacular and diverse constituencies in this country. about this, our constituents will continue to suffer. Let The Totnes constituency stretches from the hill farms of us look at the statistics: 1.3 million children in this Dartmoor to the most stunning of west country coastlines, country are directly affected by alcohol, and alcohol is a which supports a diverse tourist and fishing industry. factor in half of all homicides. Members also need only Many people may not realise this, but more fish are consider the number of constituents they see in their landed at Brixham than at any other port in England—and surgeries who are victims of domestic violence. Alcohol I hope all Members will join me in recognising the continues to be the number one date-rape drug in this adverse effect of the common fisheries policy on our country, too. I ask all Members to look at the evidence, fishing industry. so we can have evidence-based politics. The evidence is out there, and it is very clear. If we Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): Hear, hear; want to do something about the death toll—15,000 to very well said. 20,000 people a year in this country—we have to do Dr Wollaston: Thank you. something about price and availability. This is not about the nanny state; lives are at stake, and I ask the House We are also home to “Transition Town Totnes”, to look again at the evidence, not only from the National which is the home of the transition towns movement. Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence report issued As such, it recognises not only the problem of climate today, but from its own Select Committee. I commend change, but problem of the peak oil; it is planning minimum-price alcohol to the House. ahead for a time when we no longer have abundant or cheap fossil fuels. There is no such thing as cheap alcohol; we are all paying a very heavy price. In the South Hams, we also have some of the most spectacular countryside, but I have to inform Members that that countryside is in crisis. We are fast losing our 6.55 pm sustainability as more and more dairy farms in particular Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab): go out of business because of the problems of bovine I congratulate the hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) tuberculosis. Devon is, in fact, at the very heart of the on making such an excellent maiden speech, and I also 497 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 498 congratulate all the other new Members who have made This year, as a proud Wolves fan I am happy to be able their maiden speeches today. I thank you, too, Mr. Deputy to say that we are still in the premier league at the end of Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to make my a tough season. maiden speech as the new Member for Wolverhampton Wolverhampton also boasts the headquarters of the North East. It is a privilege and an honour to represent UK’s most successful regional newspaper, the Express my home town in Parliament. & Star, which has a circulation of more than 130,000 a My predecessor, Ken Purchase, is a giant of a man. night, six nights a week. Never shy of embracing new Apart from being tall and broad, his booming voice was technology, the Express & Star blazed a trail when it the envy of many in this House, and many on the was the first daily newspaper to publish colour photographs. Government Benches will remember him well. Ken’s Since its foundation in 985, Wolverhampton has always lifetime of public service extends over some 40 years: he been a place of trade and commerce, starting as a served for more than 20 years as a local councillor and market town famous for its mediaeval wool trade and for 18 years as a Labour MP. His commitment to the developing into the beating heart of the industrial constituency was exemplary, in particular his fight for revolution. Household names such as Sunbeam cars, greater equality and fairness. As a tireless campaigner Chubb locks, Boulton Paul aircraft and Norton motorbikes for improved social housing, he touched the lives of were famous worldwide and symbolised British thousands of his constituents. manufacturing at its very best. Manufacturing continues I would also like to pay tribute to the powerful to play a crucial role in the city’s economy; it is more women who have preceded me in Wolverhampton: the important to Wolverhampton North East than to the journalist and activist, Renée Short, who represented west midlands region as a whole, with 18% of its work the constituency for more than two decades until her force employed in manufacturing jobs compared with retirement in 1987; and Jennie Lee, who in her second the regional average of 13%. Leading aerospace companies, stint in the House of Commons straight after the war, such as Goodrich, HS Marston and Moog, as well as represented the constituency of Cannock, which then companies such as Goodyear, Carillion and Banks’s stretched south to cover Wednesfield and which now brewery, are all major local employers. forms a large part of my constituency. Jennie was a Of course, our service sector has also developed firebrand socialist and a passionate defender of the strongly and the largest private employer is the headquarters poorest in society. She blazed a trail that many other of Birmingham Midshires. However, the recent recession women would follow—and I, too, hope to follow that has demonstrated clearly the dangers of relying too trail. Always outspoken on issues that mattered to her, heavily on financial services. The UK remains the sixth in her maiden speech in 1929 she defied the convention largest manufacturing nation in the world, and we need of avoiding controversy and launched a stinging attack to build on our expertise and take full advantage of the on the Government. Never one to pull her punches, she low-carbon revolution to secure a strong and sustainable described their Budget as economy in the wake of the global financial crisis. “a mixture of cant, corruption and incompetence.”—[Official Report, 25 April 1929; Vol. 227, c. 1117.] We must look to the future as well as learn from the past, and I am optimistic about Wolverhampton’s future. Years later, she was appointed Arts Minister by Harold During my election campaign, I promised to champion Wilson and her lasting legacy was the establishment of local jobs and industry, and I am already working with the Open university, securing a revolution in education. local businesses and Advantage West Midlands to ensure That was a huge achievement, as relevant and important that projects such as the new i54 business park are a today as it was back then. Jennie’s belief in expanding success. On that point, I am deeply concerned about the educational opportunities is one that I share and am new Government’s planned cuts to regional development passionate about. agencies, including Advantage West Midlands, which Wolverhampton has a long and rich history. While brings a return of more than £7 to the regional economy Jennie Lee was the youngest parliamentarian of her for every pound spent. This Government’s plans to cut time—in fact, she was too young to vote—the Liberal its budget dramatically will put local businesses and Member, Charles Villiers, was the longest serving MP in jobs at risk, and I urge the Government to think again. parliamentary history; and while Villiers opposed the Public services are central to a strong economy and a corn laws in the 19th century, Sir Geoffrey Mander was strong society. I am proud of the previous Labour one of the first MPs to take a strong stand against Government’s achievements in health and education. appeasement a century later. New Cross hospital is at the heart of my constituency, Wolverhampton has been first in many other areas, and the previous Government’s investment has resulted too, and I am proud of its achievements. In 1866, in a massive increase in the number of front-line staff, Queen Victoria made her first public appearance after lower waiting times and a state-of-the-art heart and her husband’s death when she unveiled a statue of lung centre. Educational standards have also risen, and Prince Albert in the centre of Wolverhampton to honour the university of Wolverhampton is the sixth largest in his memory. Still standing today, the statue is a busy the country and has a proud record of tackling social meeting point and affectionately referred to locally as exclusion. “the man on the horse”. My journey to stand here today as the newly elected Not far from there is our fantastic football stadium, MP for Wolverhampton North East has been a very the Molineux, which is home to our great football team, personal one. I grew up in Wolverhampton and memories Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves were the first English of my formative years lie in our great city. It has long team to play in the Soviet Union and were hailed by the been my home and it has given me the opportunities press at the time as “the unofficial world champions” that I have taken. I now hope to give something back to after one of their most famous victories, against Budapest. the good people of Wolverhampton, who are our city’s 499 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 500

[Emma Reynolds] However, we all know that it is not only money and direct investment that can make a difference to tackling biggest asset. They are friendly, hard-working and fair- inequality—and thank goodness, because there is not a minded, and I promise to fight their corner to the very lot of it around. Human resources are also massively best of my abilities in Parliament, championing local important. I am therefore incredibly excited about and industry and speaking up for greater equality and fairness. welcome the measures contained in the Gracious Speech to expand organisations such as Teach First. I tugged 7.3 pm the elbows of those in Teach First a couple of years ago, begging them to come to Bristol. They did not say no, Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) (Con): Thank but they did not say yes. Given the legislation that we you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make my will be considering, I hope that they will be able to come maiden speech. I shall keep it short, given that there are to Bristol North West, as Teach First will make a so many maidens-in-waiting. I cannot let this opportunity tangible difference to the lives of the children there. pass without congratulating all the new Members, including Such measures, which often start out merely as ideas in my new hon. Friend the Member for Chippenham a report that are then taken to this place, can sometimes (Duncan Hames), who is just leaving the Chamber, and seem dislocated from those whom they are supposed to my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston). serve. The world outside this Chamber can seem very My father works in the NHS, so I am delighted that we distant when one has been sitting down inside it for five have her kind of expertise on these Benches, because it hours, but it is there. I very much look forward to seeing is of great benefit to the whole House. these ideas make a tangible difference. I stand here as a newcomer to the House who is I shall cite one example in that regard. St Ursula’s slightly intimidated by the formalities—I beg your school is a private school in my constituency, but it indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker, should I mess up any wants to open its doors to take state pupils. It exists in of these formalities while making this speech—and an area of burning parental need and desire for a new sometimes the Chamber can seem a very long way from school. Parents have asked for this new school, but all the streets of my constituency, where I have spent the along the line the authority has said no—the computer past three years campaigning. My predecessors in Bristol has said no. I shall be delighted if the legislation set out North West have campaigned to ensure that this place is in the Gracious Speech means that parents who want a not a distant Chamber, removed from places such as the new school find that the computer can say yes and that streets of Bristol North West, but is a Chamber that the authority can help them to realise their ambitions serves the people of Bristol North West and, indeed, of for their children, giving children from all backgrounds the entire country. On that note, I should like to pay access to new, good schools—to schools that only the tribute to my direct predecessor, Dr Doug Naysmith, well-off can afford at the moment. who will be known to many hon. Members and who In conclusion, I thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for brought a tremendous amount of expertise, wisdom indulging me. It has been an honour to address this and integrity to the House. I am not following formalities debate on the single most effective way of closing that when I say that he will be a very hard act to follow. gap between the haves and the have-nots, which remains I should like to focus the majority of my remarks on so stark in my constituency. I am talking about education, education, which is the subject of today’s debate. Bristol and I look forward to working within this Chamber, North West is a fantastic and incredibly diverse constituency. with my honourable colleagues and friends, to ensure It contains areas ranging from the fantastically successful that Bristol North West is a tale not of two cities, but of Bristol port, which is undergoing expansion, to the one city. I want it to be a place of opportunity for all, rolling downs in Stoke Bishop. That diversity also means and that is also what I want this country to become. that Bristol North West is a tale of two cities, whereby extreme poverty and deprivation exist side by side with some of the richest wards in the country. Nowhere is 7.8 pm that inequality seen more starkly than in education, Hywel Williams (Arfon) (PC): I congratulate the hon. because in my constituency some of the best-performing Members for Wolverhampton North East (Emma schools in the country can be found just hundreds of Reynolds) and for Bristol North West (Charlotte Leslie) metres away from some of the most challenged schools on their maiden speeches, both of which promised in the country, and I am privileged to be able to address much for the future. I well remember my own maiden the Chamber today on education and to discuss some of speech. It was supposed to have been non-controversial, the measures in the Gracious Speech. so I chose the entirely non-controversial subject of Breaking down the terrible and invisible barriers that holiday homes in Wales! divide the haves from the have-nots will not be easy, but In this new Parliament, Plaid Cymru and Scottish I am delighted that one thing on which the coalition National party Members will be vigorous participants rests is the pupil premium. Quite a long time ago, back in the business of the House. I am glad to say that the in 2005, I was lucky enough to work with my hon. new Green MP, the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion Friend the Member for Grantham and Stamford (Nick (Caroline Lucas), has joined us on this Bench, because Boles) and James O’Shaughnessy on the pupil premium, she, too, has much to contribute. I would have been glad and little did we know then that it would be a raft for to hear contributions from our erstwhile colleagues, the such a friendly and successful coalition. The financial former independent Members Dai Davies and Richard incentive directed to those most in need is just the Taylor, both of whom worked very hard, and I pay beginning of eradicating the educational inequality that tribute to their work while in the Chamber. Richard exists in my community and it will help schools such as Taylor is a consultant physician, and I remember him Henbury school, Orchard school and the Oasis academy saying in his maiden speech, “Since I joined the NHS, Brightstowe. there have been 28 reorganisations. I rather liked the 501 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 502

19th.” That is a cautionary word for the Government but it does not apply to research moneys. If it did, we and their aim of reorganising the health service in would get not 2% but 5.6% of research money, which England. would make a huge difference. Much education and health legislation is not directly I will not take up much more of the Chamber’s time, relevant to Wales. However, there is a great deal to be because many people are waiting to make their maiden said about education and health in Wales, not least the speeches. I will add, however, that the One Wales First Minister’s incomprehensible decision last week to Government—the red-green Government—in Cardiff sabotage Welsh medium education in Cardiff West. are committed to social justice, sustainability and inclusivity, No doubt the Welsh electorate will make their view and firmly reject NHS privatisation and the market clear on that next spring—but I shall not stray into models in the health service. That might come as a devolved matters in this speech. Health is largely a surprise to some hon. Members who do not know the devolved matter, although some important matters are ins and outs of Welsh politics, but that is how it stands not. Early in my career here, I tackled the then Secretary at the moment. That refers back to my earlier point of State for Health, Alan Milburn, over nurses’ pay. His about this country being the UK and not just England. erroneous response was, “It is an abiding joy to me that The Welsh Assembly Government are also responsible I have no responsibility for things Welsh.” He was for the Wales-wide practical curriculum, including a actually wrong, and I hope that this Government and foundation, play-based phase for four to seven-year-olds. their Ministers are better informed and will show at Were I in charge of taking lessons from Sweden, I least a modicum of better grace in dealing with all would look at the universal child care available there, matters Welsh. which I saw a couple of years ago on a visit with the The question from Wales is, what is the significance all-party Sweden group, rather than at some of the of the Queen’s Speech for education and health? The other lessons that the Government are taking. We also Academies Bill will apply to England only. I was interested have in Wales the Welsh baccalaureate and are developing to hear the Secretary of State refer repeatedly to “this 14-to-19 education in general. In this respect, I hope country”, whereas, of course, he should have referred to that Wales will be protected from the coalition’s wilder “England”. He should be aware that there are other enthusiasms in respect of health and education, and I parts of the United Kingdom that will not go down the genuinely regret that that choice is not open to people in route of academies or any of the other measures for England. education in England that he has outlined. The education and children’s Bill and the health Bill will have some 7.16 pm provisions that apply to Wales, but it is not particularly Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): I am grateful clear which ones. for this opportunity to deliver my maiden speech as the The main effect in Wales of the Queen’s Speech will new Member of Parliament for Croydon Central. I of course come from cuts. We know already that the congratulate the hon. Member for Arfon (Hywel Williams) Government are postponing looking at the Barnett on his contribution and, in particular, my hon. Friend formula, even though successive independent reports the Member for Bristol North West (Charlotte Leslie), have shown clearly that Wales is underfunded. The last who has just left the Chamber, on her maiden speech. report, the Holtham report, showed that Wales is already I know how hard she has worked to get to this place. underfunded to the tune of £400 million. Added to that It is traditional to start a maiden speech by paying are the cuts already announced for Wales as part of the tribute to one’s predecessor, and despite the fact that he first £6 billion tranche and the much bigger cuts that we was an opponent in the recent election, I have absolutely are facing in the future. Clearly, public services in Wales no hesitation in doing so. Andrew Pelling was elected to are in great danger. That is even more pressing because the House in 2005 as a Conservative, but for the last two the easy—or easier—efficiency savings available in some and a half years sat as an independent Member. During parts of England are not necessarily applicable in Wales. his time here, he experienced a number of difficulties in The Prime Minister mentioned this morning savings his personal life, but despite them he was regarded in from development agencies, but that opportunity has the constituency as an excellent local MP.In addition to gone in Wales. It is particularly galling, I am sorry to his service in the House, he served the people of Croydon say, that we are facing these cuts, given that the Liberal and the Conservative party as a local councillor for Democrats campaigned in Wales very much on the more than 20 years, and as a member of the Greater prospectus of raising public spending. Now we have not London assembly for eight years. He was one of the only cuts but no changes to the Barnett formula, in the people who encouraged me to get involved in local foreseeable future at least. politics, and I wish him well in whatever he chooses to We also have cuts in the numbers of additional university do in the future. I hope that his contribution to public places. Again, the number for Wales is unclear, although life is not at an end. one might speculate that it might be 500. This is particularly It is a great honour to represent Croydon. It has been difficult given that universities in Wales are clearly my home since I was a few months old, and it is where underfunded as well. A study of cross-border education my wife and I have chosen to bring up our children. by the Welsh Affairs Committee, of which I was a There is no getting away from the fact that Croydon has member in the last Parliament, showed that universities an image problem—a reputation for rather unwelcoming in Wales were underfunded to the tune of £60 million 1960s architecture, and for crime and antisocial behaviour. per annum, and that university research in Wales was The town centre is certainly in need of regeneration, underfunded to the tune of about £40 million. Both which our Conservative council and its excellent chief sums of money, of course, would go far in filling the executive, Jon Rouse—a former chief executive of the funding gap. Successive Labour Secretaries of State Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment— claimed that the Barnett formula has served Wales well, have ambitious plans to deliver as the economy emerges 503 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 504

[Gavin Barwell] Luton South (Gavin Shuker) recognised. Of course it is important that young people leave school, college or from recession. It is also true that crime is my constituents’ university with the qualifications they need to get a job, No. 1 concern, although it is lower than in many other but education is about much more than exam results. It London boroughs, and the town centre, in particular, is is about inspiring children, raising their aspirations and safer than it was a few years ago thanks to the efforts of giving them the confidence that if they work hard, they our local police, led by Borough Commander Adrian can fulfil their dreams. Roberts. Given the time available, there is just one more issue Those two problems aside, Croydon has much going that I wish to raise—standards in secondary schools. for it. Historically, it was a market town in Surrey, My constituency is lucky to have some excellent state situated in a valley between the Crystal Palace escarpment faith schools—Coloma Convent, a Roman Catholic and the north downs, just north of a gap in the downs school for girls, and Archbishop Tenison’s, a co-educational and therefore on the natural route from London to the Church of England school, both of which deliver excellent south coast. The Archbishop of Canterbury had his results on limited budgets thanks to outstanding leadership summer residence in the town, and some of the original by Maureen Martin and Richard Parrish respectively. buildings survive and today form part of Old Palace We also have some excellent independent secondary school. The arrival of the railways—first the Surrey schools—the Islamic Al-Khair school, as well as the iron railway between Croydon and Wandsworth in 1803, Trinity and Old Palace schools, which are part of the then connections to London in 1839 and Brighton in foundation established more than 400 years ago by 1841—led to a 23-fold increase in Croydon’s population Archbishop Whitgift, about which I should declare an between 1801 and 1901, and as Croydon grew north, interest as a governor. London grew south, and by the outbreak of the great war it had become part of the London metropolitan area. Until recently, parents who were not practising Christians and who did not wish or were not able to go independent Further change came after the second world war. The had either to accept places at schools where standards Croydon Corporation Act 1956, coupled with Government were not high enough or send their children miles away incentives for office relocation out of central London, to Bromley, Surrey or Sutton. Thankfully, a couple of led to almost 500,000 square metres of office space years ago, our Conservative council took action to being built or given permission in just seven years—much address the problem, replacing low-performing schools of it in multi-storey blocks—plus an underpass and a with new academies and putting in place plans to expand flyover, which transformed the town from a market popular schools. Some of those plans are dependent on town into a mini Manhattan. Today, Croydon is a city Building Schools for the Future funding, and I was in all but name, a major commercial and retail centre, therefore grateful to hear the Secretary of State’s positive and the largest metropolitan area in western Europe comments in that regard earlier in the debate. without city status. However, it is also part of London, the world’s greatest city. It has excellent transport links, Unfortunately, not all councils are as progressive as including a 24-hour rail service to central London, mine. Too many turn a blind eye to low performance, Gatwick airport and the south coast. Croydon tramlink rather than taking the tough decisions needed to turn is London’s only tramline, and the East London line things around. That is why it is so welcome that the extension to West Croydon, which opened just over a coalition proposes to remove the monopoly of local week ago, has finally put Croydon on the tube map. As councils and to allow parents, teachers, charities and a result, Croydon residents can be in central London in local communities to set up new schools. Each year, just over 15 minutes, while living on the edge of the thousands of parents are told that the inn is full. They beautiful countryside of the north downs and not having are told that there are no places at any of the schools to pay through the nose for housing. where they want to send their children and that they Croydon’s greatest asset is undoubtedly its people, have either to send them to a school they did not choose many of whom have come from all over the world to or educate them at home. The policy that my right hon. make it their home. They set up new businesses, work in Friend the Secretary of State has championed with such our public services, contribute to the town’s thriving passion will provide another option to those parents, voluntary sector and enrich its culture, making it a and the knowledge that a new school could open if vibrant, cosmopolitan place to live. The real Croydon is enough local parents are dissatisfied will put pressure a mix of ancient and modern, city and countryside, on low-performing schools across the country to raise long established and newly arrived. Like many suburbs, their game. Croydon is not without its problems, but it is a great The right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood place to live. (Ed Balls) is concerned that the proposals in the Queen’s I am grateful to have had the opportunity to make my Speech will create a two-tier system, but the reality is maiden speech in this debate for three reasons. First, as surely that the current system of catchment areas coupled a parent of three young boys, who I expect are watching with the local authority monopoly of supply allows at the moment, and as the chairman of governors at a well-off parents to move into the catchment areas of local secondary school, education is an issue in which I good schools and leaves the less well-off with little or no have a personal interest. Secondly, it is also a key issue choice. It demonstrably does not ensure that everybody in my constituency, particularly in relation to secondary gets an equal education. The previous Government school standards, which I shall come to in a moment. believed that a top-down approach was the best way to Most importantly, if we want to lift people out of drive up standards. I believe that a bottom-up approach, poverty and to increase social mobility in our country, based on parent and pupil choice, is far more likely to then education, and not the ever more complicated tax be successful. That is what my constituents want, and and benefit system favoured by the previous Government, I look forward to supporting the measures when they is surely the key to doing so, as the hon. Member for come before the House. 505 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 506

7.24 pm commerce and the local authority.I am seeking reassurance from the Secretary of State and his Ministers tonight Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): that that excellent scheme will go ahead. Let me begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Croydon Central (Gavin Barwell) on his maiden speech, The House might be interested to hear that those new which was extremely informative. It outlined not only buildings, which are planned for 2013, were opposed by the needs of his constituents, but the attractions of his my Liberal Democrat opposition in the election. She constituency. told us in a focus leaflet—not the most reliable source of evidence, I know—that she was leading the opposition There are a great many measures in the Queen’s to the academy on ideological grounds. Those ideological Speech that I am very concerned about, that I disagree grounds were, apparently, that she deplores—and thinks with and that I think will be unhelpful to my constituents. her party’s policy is against—any schools being brought There are also a few measures that I think will be out of the local authority family. I should therefore like unhelpful for our democracy, the most obvious of which to hear from the Government how they have managed is the proposal requiring the approval of 55% of the to reconcile the huge differences between both parts of House for its Dissolution. I also think that a number of the coalition on academies and whether they used the the measures proposed will undermine local democracy services of Relate to bring them together. as it is embodied in our local councils. I am talking not only about the effect that drastic cuts will have on I hope that those new buildings go ahead. Labour services, but about the proposals to remove most of our saw that investment as essential to improving opportunities schools from the local authority family. for our young people, so I am very concerned about a policy that seeks to make all schools into academies I have a number of concerns about the proposals on without necessarily adding to their facilities or introducing education, including those covered by the Department new facilities. We all know that simply removing schools for Business, Innovation and Skills, that I want to from the local authority will not necessarily lead to outline, the first of which relates to the further withdrawal innovation or the driving up of standards that is necessary. of funding from our universities. Like many others in the House, I believe that universities are the powerhouse The fourth issue that I want to talk about is the free of our future economy. They provide young people and schools policy. At the moment, we probably have more others with the necessary skills to compete in the global questions about it than answers, and I am going to add jobs market now and into the future. The withdrawal of a few questions of my own this evening. If there is a 10,000 places and the cutting of a further £200 million rush for free schools, how will the Government ensure from the higher education budget is to be wholly deplored. that all areas benefit equally? If resources are directed I suspect that those who will lose out on a place this to them, what will happen to existing schools, particularly autumn will not be those from the most affluent in areas where there are falling rolls? If additional backgrounds, but those who were hoping to benefit money is put into free schools, will it be taken away from Labour’s widening participation strategy and perhaps from others? to be the first person in their family to go to university. When the coalition parties talk about the pupil premium, What will happen to those young people if they do not they do not say much about the money already directed gain a place at university? Are the Government going to to disadvantaged schools through targeted grants. Again, offer them a job or alternative training, or will they I wonder whether those grants will be continued with simply throw them into unemployment? the pupil premium. If the Government are going to That brings me to the cuts in the future jobs fund. We withdraw them, they should make that very clear. think that about 40,000 to 80,000 young people could The last issue that I want to raise is that of free school be affected by the cuts in funding. It is interesting that meals. My hon. Friends the Members for Kingston both parties in the coalition thought that programme upon Hull North (Diana R. Johnson) and for Washington was a very good one before the election—and, indeed, it and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson) and I, together was. When Labour left office, there were around 40% with the public services trade unions, drove forward the fewer young people signing on than during the recession campaign for free school meals. I am extremely fortunate under the Tories in the 1990s. Labour Members will be to have a pilot scheme in my constituency. It is showing taking a very careful look at how this issue plays out in enormous benefits in improving the understanding among the areas of the country that we represent that are most our very young people of the importance of eating well, disadvantaged. In particular, we will look at how it and it is also helping them with their studies by enabling feeds into youth unemployment. them to concentrate more. I would really like to hear The third issue that I want to address is that of from the Government this evening that they are going academies. Like all Members of the House, I think, to continue and expand these excellent pilots, which are education in my constituency was transformed under doing so much to tackle educational disadvantage and the last Labour Government, with attainment levels child poverty. improving from the low 30s, in percentage terms, in relation to those gaining five GCSEs. That figure was 7.31 pm about 31% in the early 1990s, whereas currently the figure is higher than 80% for a number of schools in my Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I have been here constituency.That did not happen by accident: it happened throughout the debate and there have been some excellent because of the investment that Labour put in. But we maiden speeches. I congratulate all those who have are still waiting for our first academy. We have an spoken so far, and there will be more to come. I also excellent proposal, and a scheme that was approved by thank those who paid tribute to their predecessors. That the last Labour Government is under way. It brings is appreciated as well. together a very interesting partnership between the I will be voting for the Queen’s Speech, warts and all, excellence of Durham university, our local chamber of because I think that a Government must have a programme 507 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 508

[Bob Russell] of State, I drew attention to early-day motion 25 in my name, which relates to the fitness of children. Linked to take forward. However, I give notice that, when some with that is early-day motion 24 on learning outside the of those warts come back, I shall need some convincing classroom, and Ministers may also want to look at if I am to vote for them. early-day motion 65, which raises questions about the In Essex, there is an attraction about getting shot of results achieved by academy schools. Essex county council. It is not so much that it has a Lastly, this debate is about education and health. I dead hand on education: as far as Colchester is concerned, therefore urge the Secretary of State for Health to draw it has a warped hand. The council has failed to listen to together health and education in an holistic approach, the people of my constituency even though, in a and bring education about first aid into the school consultation exercise, in excess of 96% of them said no curriculum. All the evidence shows that that would save to the secondary school reorganisation. the NHS tens of millions of pounds a year by reducing If we can persuade the sixth-form college and the the numbers of people going to hospital accident and Colchester institute to come together with all the local emergency departments. Lives would be saved in the secondary schools in a co-operative—or whatever name precious two or three minutes after an incident happens, we want to give it—my hope is that we can build on for example when someone falls down the stairs or is what the coalition is putting forward and get shot of involved in a road crash. Essex county council. As the previous Government well To conclude, although I will be voting for the Queen’s knew, the council is a disaster as an education authority. Speech, I have set out my serious reservations about Indeed, hon. Members who were in the last Parliament school academies and free schools. will know that I raised the shortcomings of the Essex education authority time and time again. 7.37 pm The coalition needs to look at a policy paper put to the Liberal Democrat spring conference of March 2009. Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): Thank you, It stated: Mr. Deputy Speaker, for calling me to give my maiden speech today. I congratulate my fellow south Londoner, “the Academies model is unfair in relation to freedoms granted the hon. Member for Croydon Central (Gavin Barwell), and unsustainable given the way it is centrally run from Westminster. and others on their fine maiden speeches. It is a pleasure Liberal Democrats would replace the Academies programme to be able to make mine in the same debate this evening. with a new devolved model of Sponsor Managed Schools in which…All schools, including existing Academies (which would I am deeply humbled to stand here as only the second become Sponsor Managed Schools) would be under the strategic Labour Member of Parliament for Streatham. Six oversight of local authorities and not Ministers in Whitehall.” individuals have represented the constituency since its Nothing that I have heard or seen in the succeeding creation in 1918. I am incredibly proud to succeed my year and a bit since has altered my view on that. A letter very good friend the right hon. Keith Hill, who in 1992 appeared in last Friday’s Liberal Democrat News from became the first Labour Member to represent the Helen Flynn of Skipton and Ripon, and I should like to constituency. Returning Members will know that Keith put it on the record. It said: served in the last Labour Government, from 1997 until 2007, in a variety of roles. Most notably, he was Under- “Though much has been achieved in terms of shoehorning in Lib Dem policy in many areas of the Coalition Agreement the Secretary of State for Transport, as well as being Minister Queen’s Speech shows how we have dropped the ball on education— for London and Minister for Housing and Planning. He massively. was also Parliamentary Private Secretary to the then It defies belief that as the party supposedly set apart for its Prime Minister, the right hon. Tony Blair, until the stance on localism in education we have allowed in massive latter left office. expansion of the Academies Programme, which is at once centralised Keith is a larger-than-life person. He was, and is still, as opposed to local in its accountability framework, and is very respected in this House, and is remembered with divisive as opposed to inclusive in terms of its admission great affection on all sides. He made a big contribution arrangements.” to this place and, above all, did so with great humour. I will delay more comment until the Second Reading In a tribute to Keith earlier this year, Mr Blair told how, of the Academies Bill. We look forward to that with at 11.57 am every Wednesday, just before Prime Minister’s great interest, but I return to the fact that Essex county Questions, Keith would arrive to take him to the Chamber, council has failed the secondary school system in Colchester. greeting him with the words, “Prime Minister, a grateful I was greatly encouraged by the Secretary of State—and nation awaits your presence.” This never failed to bring I shall be reading Hansard closely tomorrow—because a smile to Mr Blair’s face. I think that there is a glimmer of hope in what he said. In May 2007, Keith announced that he would retire It was confirmed only this week that Colchester is the at the general election that we have just had because he fastest growing borough in the country, yet Essex county thought that, at the age of 66, it was time to pass the council has plans to shut two secondary schools there baton on to a new generation. Notwithstanding Keith’s when all the figures show that they should be retained, age—I do not think age should be a barrier—Keith and that a new school will be required elsewhere. That is always went about his work with a certain youthful nonsense: shutting schools while expanding others to vigour right up until retirement, and it will come as no provide for up to as many as 2,000 pupils is not localism surprise to those who know him well for me to tell the and does not make sense. House that he is, at this very moment, surfing the waves I hope that Colchester schools will come together in Cornwall in a wet suit. and that we can save Thomas Lord Audley school in I helped Keith with his constituency surgeries for half Berechurch and Alderman Blaxill school at Shrub End. a decade and saw for myself what a fine Member for the In one of my interventions in the speech by the Secretary constituency he was. He has been a great source of 509 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 510 support to me, for which I am so grateful. I am conscious (Gavin Barwell) referred to positive comments about that I have very big shoes to fill, but I have every BSF. I did not hear them myself, and I want to know intention of living up to his very high standard. what is going to happen about that. From the bottom of my heart, I thank the good We all understand the need to address the public people of my constituency for electing me to succeed sector deficit, but that cannot be at the expense of those Keith as their Member of Parliament. I am the first to whom we are looking to grow our economy in the Member for Streatham who was born and bred in the near future. Ensuring a return to economic growth is constituency, and it is such a privilege to represent surely a key element in ensuring the recovery. The them. The constituency is officially the centre of my economic recession that we have just lived through was universe. For the benefit of those who have yet to hop triggered by the global credit crunch that led to the on the No. 159 bus just outside on Whitehall to go to collapse of several major financial institutions. The Streatham, it is a constituency situated in south-west root causes of the global downturn are complex and London and covers Streatham and parts of Balham, varied, but a culture of excess and of recklessness in the Brixton, Clapham and Tulse Hill in the London borough banking sector undoubtedly played a role. of Lambeth. The A23, which runs directly through the At the beginning of my legal career, I worked for just middle of the constituency taking in Brixton hill and over three and a half years as a corporate employment Streatham high road, contains the longest piece of lawyer in the City of London, and I acted for a number continuous high street in Europe. of institutions in the financial services sector on a variety of international transactions. I know from my The constituency is hugely diverse in many ways. time working in the City that it makes a big and With my own mixed English, Irish and Nigerian heritage, important contribution to our economy, but a casino I am in many ways typical of the constituency, which is culture was allowed to develop there. In all parts of the a very multicultural area. More than 35% of the population House, it is acknowledged that the financial services is, like me, from an ethnic minority, and there is also a sector needs to be better regulated. To say that things big socio-economic mix, with the north of the constituency got out of hand is an understatement, so I welcome the being quite inner-city in nature, and the south being continued prominence that the new Government are more suburban. Like much of London, next to pockets giving to reform of the financial services sector, and I of great wealth can be found areas of great deprivation. intend to take a particular interest in how we reform it. Huge strides were made under the last Government We must never again allow a situation to develop in reducing deprivation in my constituency, be it through where the hard-working people whom we are elected to Sure Start—we have nine children’s centres—or through represent are left to pick up the tab for a financial crisis the numerous tax credit innovations that have helped that was not of their making, jeopardising continued keep people above the poverty line in my area. However, investment in our schools, hospitals and other public the big outstanding gap between the rich and the poor services that we are debating today. It is they whom we is there for all to see. This is something that I am are elected to serve and I, for one, will never forget that. determined to work to reduce during my time in the House. 7.45 pm Although there are outstanding problems, there is a terrific sense of community in the constituency. It is not Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): broken in the way that some have described our country It is a very great pleasure to be here today. It has been as being. “Broken” is a word which I think has been too quite a couple of weeks for the town of Blackpool. Not loosely bandied about to describe our society. The word only did it elect me as a Member of Parliament, but we is often attached in television news reports to images of now have the delight of playing in the premiership next young people in inner-city areas like mine. That is season, not just against Wolverhampton Wanderers, reinforced by a tabloid media that at times presents about whom we heard earlier, but against many other young people as nothing but trouble. It is utterly deplorable teams that I am sure we all support. I was thinking of to demonise our young people in this way. buying a tangerine tie, which is our club colour, but I thought that that might push the politics of coalition Take the latest school exam results in our borough. that bit too far, as I do not own such a thing. Across Lambeth we saw success last year. Dunraven It was with great pleasure that in my acceptance school in the middle of the constituency has a sixth-form speech on election night I paid tribute to Joan Humble. centre that opened in 2003 to address the lack of A-level It was no problem for me at all and I am delighted to do places. Last year, 70 per cent. of its A-level students got so again. She was always courteous, unfailingly polite A to C grades. Likewise, the percentage of Lambeth and gracious. I note that she is remembered with affection pupils obtaining five or more A* to C GCSE grades in all parts of the House. She was an excellent member soared to 71 per cent., which is well above the national of the Work and Pensions Committee. More important average. These are not the results of a broken society. in my view was the work that she did with the all-party There are planned building developments at three of group on non-combat deaths in the military, particularly the five secondary schools in my constituency that have in the aftermath of the Deepcut inquiry. Her work on not reached the financial close stage of development. that group demonstrates to me what can be achieved as We know that we do not see such results unless we a Back Bencher. It is a useful lesson to all of us newer invest in our schools. Those developments in my Members that we do not need to hanker after ministerial constituency are Building Schools for the Future projects. office to achieve in the House. I hope that the Secretary of State for Education will Joan was, of course, the Member for Blackpool, at some point clarify the Government’s intentions in North and Fleetwood. There are people out there, that regard. The hon. Member for Croydon Central beyond the Chamber, who take great interest in the 511 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 512

[Paul Maynard] first few years of my education, I would not have been able to transfer to mainstream education. Without the nomenclature that attaches to constituencies. Cleveleys speech therapy that I got at primary school, I might not is a debutante in having a constituency named after it. It have been able to stand here today and make a speech, is an interesting town, partly because it does not really so special needs education does matter. exist. There is another group of anoraks out there who Once again, as far as we can tell, I also the first know all about postcodes; they are obsessed with postal Member of Parliament to be elected who has cerebral towns. Cleveleys is part of what is called Thornton palsy. I do not claim that that marks me out as anything Cleveleys. No one is quite sure where Thornton stops special at all. I have never let it define my politics. Those and Cleveleys starts or where the two merge. who know me know that my interests are wide-ranging Cleveleys has a distinct identity. It is attractive to and far-reaching, and I will not let it define what I do in day-trippers from across the north-west and beyond, as this Chamber—certainly not. I do not see myself as a far south as Stoke, but it faces a number of challenges. I role model for anyone. I have too many frailties, weaknesses shall highlight one today that affects education and and imperfections for that. I am but a weak and humble health: long-term care for the elderly and long-term man after all. medical conditions. At the time of the last census the None the less, I hope that I can be a role model to the Blackpool, North and Fleetwood constituency had the many people out there who might feel that they want to highest number of people living in a household where play a role in public life, but may not quite have the somebody had a long-term medical condition—some confidence to do so. I know from experience that one 42 per cent. needs a bit of courage, yes; a bit of self-deprecation, So I urge those on my Front Bench to bear in mind yes; and the humility to accept that sadly, yes, the bar is that what matters in health care is not just what occurs still that bit higher for some of us. I found that during in an acute hospital. It is not just about what can be my campaign, when my cerebral palsy was used against measured and put on a website as an indicator. It is me by some. It surprised and shocked me, but on about things such as quality, and perhaps most 29 April I picked up The Economist and read in an importantly—a word that I never hear often enough in article about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget crisis in political discourse—dignity.We cannot measure a patient’s California that people with cerebral palsy and epilepsy—the dignity, but we know when they have lost it. Once again, combination I have—had “mental disabilities”. If a I urge my Front-Bench team to put dignity at the heart publication as august as The Economist cannot get it of all they do in health care. right, it shows that there is an awful lot of work to do. I pay tribute to Cleveleys first because I would hate it Just last week, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of to feel overshadowed by its big brother to the south, Lord Morris’s Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Blackpool. I am sure all hon. Members know Blackpool. Act 1970, which introduced the basic concept of rights Many of them will have propped up the bar in the for disabled people, an Act without which I would not Imperial hotel in my constituency at many a conference. be here in the public sphere today, and I pay tribute to Everybody loves Blackpool, but I wonder whether they that. But it is abundantly clear to me that no matter know much about the real Blackpool, the Blackpool how much we legislate, no matter how many laws we behind the headlines. There are some extremely deprived pass, we cannot legislate for what occurs in people’s parts of my constituency, and there are some real public minds. I hope, by my presence in the House over the health issues that we have to deal with as a Government. coming years, not so much by what I say but by the very It is of great satisfaction to me that, as a party, the fact of being here, that I can challenge some of the Conservatives started almost seven years ago working misconceptions, prejudices, fears and suspicions that go on improving public health policy. I pay tribute to the with my conditions. work that the Secretary of State has done in delivering an excellent public health document while in opposition. 7.53 pm I hope we can build on that. Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- The other key issue that affects Blackpool, or the part op): I am grateful to be given the opportunity to make that I represent, is educational aspiration. Sadly, we my maiden speech in the House in such an important have some fairly underperforming schools that still have debate. I start by paying tribute to the excellent contribution national challenge status. It is not easy running an from the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys education system in Blackpool. Deprivation does not (Paul Maynard). I think that we would all agree that his make for easy pupils, and the staff in Blackpool do a maiden speech will be read time and again, and I hope tremendous job. Yes, results are slowly beginning to that people will take account of it. It was very eloquent improve, but there is a poverty of aspiration within the and I am sure that we will all have much to learn from town. Too many generations have not felt that education his experiences in future. had any purpose for them; that there was any point in As I make my maiden speech, I am conscious of and investing time in their studies so that they could build very humbled by the great privilege that has been bestowed lives for themselves. on me by the people of Kilmarnock and Loudon electing I feel passionately as a new Member that I want to me as their Member of Parliament. As people may be introduce or try to reintroduce that culture of aspiration, aware, I also serve in the Scottish Parliament, and those because educational aspiration matters to me personally. who know me from that place may have warned Mr Speaker As far as we can tell, I am the first Member of Parliament and Mr Deputy Speaker that I need little encouragement to be elected who attended a special school, and I to wax lyrical about my home town of Kilmarnock, not particularly ask those on the Front Bench to pay special least because it is the home of Scotland’s oldest professional attention to needs of special schools, because they do football team. My family roots are there as well as in the matter. Had I not gone to that special school for the nearby mining community of Auchinleck, and my adopted 513 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 514 home is in Mauchline, which was also home to Rabbie ever be able to match his skills of oratory. Similarly, the Burns. I will not have time today to extol the virtues of Member who followed him, Mr Willie McKelvey—much every town and village in my constituency, but I trust loved in Kilmarnock—was well known in the House that I will, given Mr Speaker’s good grace, have the not just for his wit but for his love of greyhounds. He opportunity in future to talk at length about issues that was succeeded by the retiring Member for Kilmarnock matter to the people in my constituency, particularly and Loudon, Des Browne. Des will be a hard act to when we come to debate jobs and the economy and how follow. He served this House in a number of important to revitalise our former coalfield communities and our posts, in his own distinct and inimitable style. I pay former industrial towns, which is highly pertinent given tribute to his work on behalf of all my constituents and the impending loss of jobs at the Kilmarnock Johnnie wish him well in his future political career in another Walker plant. place. Kilmarnock has an enviable history of representation. Let me say a few words on the subject of today’s I am delighted to be the first woman to take my seat to debate. Having had the privilege of serving as a Minister represent Kilmarnock, if not the first woman elected to for Education and Young People in Scotland, I hope to serve. At the general election in 1945, Clarice Shaw won make meaningful contributions not only today but in the parliamentary election with a majority of just over future in relation to those matters. Education in Scotland 7,000 to become the first woman Labour Member of is a devolved matter, but what happens in this House is Parliament in Ayrshire. Unfortunately and tragically, important, particularly in terms of decisions on budgets, she was struck down by a serious illness shortly afterwards, because what happens here has an impact on what is which stopped her ever attending the House of Commons, taken forward in the Scottish budget. although she continued faithfully to deal with her Like my hon. Friend the Member for Luton South parliamentary work until she was forced to resign in (Gavin Shuker) who spoke earlier, I am very fortunate September 1946. I am grateful to a resident historian at to have been one of the first pupils to go through the the Kilmarnock Standard, Mr Frank Beattie—whose comprehensive education system when it was introduced, mother was one of my primary school teachers—for and I am pleased that the current constitutional settlement researching Clarice’s background and for a fascinating recognises the opportunity for us to do things differently account of her journey. Clarice was a socialist and a in different parts of the UK. However, those solutions co-operator, and I intend to bring those values and must be based on the underlying principle that every principles to the House on behalf of my constituents, child is given the best possible start in life, with added and perhaps take up some of the issues that my predecessor support for those who, like myself, come from a low-income was not able to take forward. background, and for those whose life chances make It is also an honour to represent the constituency of things very difficult. Kilmarnock and Loudon as a Labour and Co-operative I want to conclude on a particular note, with a plea to Member, partly because that area is home to what is the Government to reconsider their position on child now generally recognised as the first consumer co-operative trust funds and, specifically, the proposal to end the in Scotland, and—dare I say it—perhaps in the UK, if payment of such funds to looked-after children—some the Rochdale Pioneers will forgive me. The Fenwick of the most vulnerable and needy children, for whom Weavers Society began in the village of Fenwick in we all have responsibility. Those funds for looked-after 1761—meeting at a place, incidentally, that is now known children give youngsters who have been brought up in as the Parliament Wall. In 1769, the society expanded to the care system the opportunity to move forward and become a consumer co-operative, initially designed to go with some financial backing into further or higher foster high standards in the craft of weaving, although education or the world of employment. Surely it is not activities later further expanded to include collective too much to ask that any Government consider it purchasing of bulk food items and books. important to look after those young people as we move The need for the co-operative movement and those forward. co-operative principles to be represented in this place I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to has perhaps never been more important, particularly in the House today. I hope that the Government will light of the turmoil that our financial services sector address those issues, and I look forward to being able to has recently faced. Perhaps the near collapse of a system play a meaningful role in, and make a meaningful to which we have been intrinsically bound may be the contribution to, our debates in future. crucible of a new beginning. Surely the time has come for co-operation to come to the fore again, and the idea 8.1 pm of people owning and running their own democratically accountable banks has once again come of age. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to speak, Mr Deputy Co-operation also brings new opportunities in education Speaker. I have been very impressed with the numerous and health. Mutually owned and run care co-operatives debates to which I have listened, and the one thing that are already providing more responsive services, and the I have learned about the House is that one does have to principles of co-operation are taking root in many of be patient from time to time. I completely agree with the our schools. I hope that the new Government will take hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Cathy account of those values and principles as they move Jamieson) about the power of the speech of my hon. forward rather than simply trying to rely on private Friend the Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys sector solutions that have failed in the past. (Paul Maynard). It was outstanding, and it will be one Other notable representatives in Kilmarnock and Loudon of those that everybody remembers—and quite right, include Willie Ross, who has legendary status, certainly too. It was also so right that he emphasised the need for in Scotland and probably also in the House. Although I special education. That is of pivotal importance, and he hope to match his commitment, I doubt whether I will should be appreciated for that. 515 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 516

[Neil Carmichael] Government unfold their policies to encourage renewable energy. That is good news for Stroud, and renewable I want to talk about two of my predecessors. The first energy is one of its characteristics. is Lord John Russell, who was twice Prime Minister and I want to talk about education, and I have only two once MP for Stroud, between 1835 and 1841. I do so minutes and 46 seconds in which to do so. The Gracious because I want to emphasise the good neighbourliness Speech contains some important measures that will that exists with our coalition partners—Lord John Russell benefit Stroud and, indeed, this country. One is the being a Whig, a Liberal. That is a good sign that we will move to academies, but the key thing to remember is co-operate well, especially because he piloted the 1832 that our task is to ensure that all schools are good Reform Act through the House, and as the Deputy schools. The issue is not just about the best schools; it is Prime Minister said recently, this Government will be as more important to talk about the schools that are dramatic in shaping our constitution as the Government having problems and failing, because we have to ensure of that period were. That represents a signal change. that everybody can fulfil their lives. There is nothing The next predecessor whom I want to mention is, of more heartbreaking than discovering that people cannot course, the one who preceded me, David Drew. He was do things simply because they have not had a decent an outstandingly good constituency MP. He served his education. That must, of course, be the fundamental constituents with total devotion, and there was never a point about our interest in education. stone left unturned in order to ensure that they were It is also critical to emphasise the importance of school looked after. His will be a hard act for me to follow, but leadership and management. I have had some experience I intend to do just that. He was a very good constituency of dealing with such issues as a governor of a school. I MP, and I therefore pay tribute to him. Incidentally, am still a governor of Stroud college, in which I must I wish him well in his new role as chairman of Forest clearly declare an interest. Leadership and management Green Rovers, our local football team, which is based in in schools is critical because the most important thing Nailsworth. He has a job to do there, and I am sure that about schools is the people who are in them—the people he will tackle it with vigour. who do the teaching, who do the work, who deal with All constituencies are beautiful, but none is as beautiful the pupils and who ensure that the pupils are given the as Stroud. I can prove that by reference to a king who best chance. We must never forget that. was on his way back from the failed siege of Gloucester. Further education is an important subject. Sometimes That, of course, was King Charles I, who stopped off it is the Cinderella of education, but I want to emphasise along the Painswick valley and was so impressed by it how important I think it is. Effectively, it is the facility that he remarked that it was “paradise”. That name has that can overcome the problem of people who thrive stuck to the community in Painswick ever since. Stroud not in schools but in vocations and in the further contains another four magnificently beautiful valleys, education environment, so it is absolutely right that the which all comprise really interesting communities and further education sector be helped as much as possible. some fantastic reputations—for writing, with Laurie Reducing the amount of bureaucracy and regulations is Lee, for example; for textiles, with the mills; and so on. clearly one thing that must happen, but we must also We also have the vale, which is about the same size as tackle the question of funding. That is complicated, but the valleys put together. It is equally beautiful and we need to ensure that FE colleges know where the money impressive, but very different in terms of appearance. is coming from. Governance of colleges and schools is Stroud has a number of other features which it is well important. Governors must recognise and take on their worth telling the House about. One is its reputation for responsibilities, because if we are to have academies we engineering and manufacturing. The businesses are usually must have capable governors and a governance system small, but they are all really exciting and think about that works and ensures that schools are checked. high added-value and new technology products. If we The House can be sure that I shall represent Stroud’s manage to support manufacturing and engineering, as constituents as vigorously as David Drew did, and I we so desperately need to do, that is where Stroud and shall also ensure that it is properly and powerfully the whole country will find its economic growth once represented in this House in terms of policy, holding again. the Government to account and ensuring that the people Stroud is beautiful, as I have said, and we rejoice in of Stroud thrive. the fact that we have got rid of the regional spatial 8.9 pm planning system, because it is good to know that we will not be carpeting over green fields to the absolute outrage Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): and fury of our residents. We need to build houses and I congratulate the hon. Member for Stroud (Neil more social housing, but that will come from proper Carmichael) and all those who made their fascinating local community activities, decided by local people. maiden speeches that we have heard in this debate. It That is very exciting, and we already have a very strong has been a real education. I thank you, Mr Deputy movement through community land trusts. Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity to make my maiden speech in this debate. In his book “In Place of I should mention agriculture. I am a farmer myself, Fear”, Nye Bevan wrote of the frustration caused to and it is an important part of the constituency. We have new MPs who provocatively deliver the concerns of big and small dairy farms, all of which are vulnerable to their constituents in their maiden speeches and are met TB and struggling with the price of milk and so forth, simply by a polite response from the next speaker, so the House can expect that I shall be a steadfast according to parliamentary convention: supporter of agriculture. “After remaining in his seat a little longer, the new Member Stroud has a good tradition for renewable energy and crawls out of the House with feelings of deep relief at having got some exciting ideas about its promotion. Hydro is one it over with, mingled with a paralysing sense of frustration. The good example, and we will see more of that as the stone he thought he had thrown turned out to be a sponge.” 517 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 518

Notwithstanding parliamentary tradition, I shall endeavour Braddock attended a Socialist Sunday school in to make my points provocatively, and to receive equally Marmaduke street in the constituency. I intend to keep strong, uncompromising answers from Members opposite the rich socialist tradition alive. in due course. We will be celebrating two notable anniversaries in I succeed the right hon. Jane Kennedy, an inspirational Wavertree this year. In 1836 the world’s oldest passenger lady who served our nation and the people of Liverpool, station, described by some historians as the start of the Wavertree—formerly the constituency of Liverpool, modern world, opened in Edge Hill, and this September Broadgreen—for nearly 20 years. She worked tirelessly marks the 180th anniversary of the opening of the for her constituents and was also a Minister in no fewer Liverpool to Manchester railway line, which started at than six Departments. Her time as security Minister in Edge Hill station. That was the first time anyone in the Northern Ireland was precious to her. Jane was incredibly world could travel between two cities by rail. This proud that it was the Labour Government who made celebration will be taking place at Metal, a creative hub such strides against the scourge of youth unemployment. that sits in the station today. We are also marking the When Jane was Minister for Work, there was virtually 100-year anniversary of the Wavertree garden suburb, a no youth unemployment, and serving as Health Minister, development that was part of a national movement to Jane was also so proud of the improvements made to improve urban living conditions, which gave tenants a our NHS under the previous Labour Government, stake in the place where they lived. particularly as they affected older constituents. I requested the opportunity to make my maiden speech Jane did what so many could not or would not. I was during the education and health debate because knowledge struck by the number of people I met on Wavertree’s and well-being are so important to my constituents. I doorsteps who admired her greatly for the courageous urge the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire actions that she took, particularly for her stance against (Mr Lansley) to honour the guarantee that he made in the militant tendency. A brave woman, she will always March to rebuild the Royal Liverpool hospital. The remain an inspiration—never afraid to roll up her sleeves scheme is so important, not only to sustain the provision and get stuck in, even at the highest levels of Government. of high-quality health care for all the people of Liverpool, Jane did a sterling job for her constituents, for the including many in my constituency, but also because it Labour Government and in this House. As my friend will be the catalyst for sustaining growth in the economic and mentor, I hope to do her proud. renaissance of Liverpool, with the creation of a globally excellent, biomedical science campus. I have the privilege of representing the warm and Similarly, as highlighted by my hon. Friend the Member kind people of Liverpool, Wavertree. It is a remarkably for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg), Alder Hey—the mixed constituency—culturally and historically rich, largest national children’s hospital in Europe, which and ethnically diverse. It is a mixture of suburbia and treats young people from more than 85% of the UK’s metropolis, and a place where the old meets the new. We PCTs—must see its accommodation upgraded. Alder have our fair share of notable residents and landmarks Hey has put forward the most affordable hospital scheme from across the business, academic, musical, religious in the country to replace its Florence Nightingale design and political worlds. Wavertree is the birthplace of from 100 years ago, so it can provide paediatric treatment Meccano, Littlewoods pools and catalogue shopping. It in 21st-century facilities. is also home to the oldest Hindu community in the UK outside London. As a Labour and Co-operative MP, I am delighted that there have been real strides to expand mutualism in Perhaps our most famous residents were John Lennon our public services. Mutualism ensures the promotion and George Harrison; Penny lane sits on the border of of democratic accountability—giving users, staff and the constituency. Some lesser known people also other stakeholders a real say in how our public services deserve mention for the contribution they have made, are run. So far, the biggest expansion of mutuality has not only to local life but also nationally. Dr Fred taken place in the NHS, with the formation of 129 NHS Freeman was a Wavertree businessman who owned a foundation trusts, which are accountable to a widely large department store in the constituency; he was also defined membership of more than 1.5 million. Similarly, the philanthropist who pioneered tax-effective giving in social care 178 user-led organisations have been in the UK. James Newlands, a resident of Edge Hill, created, and they both design and deliver high-quality became the first borough engineer for Liverpool in 1847 services. and paved the way for municipal engineering as the I move on to education. Incredible investment has world knows it today, creating the world’s first integrated been made into my constituency, where we have made sewerage system. The significance of that development great strides in education. Before the right hon. Member cannot be overrated. During his years in office, Newlands for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) starts redirecting money succeeded in doubling the average life expectancy from from the education budget to create new free schools, 19 to 38. I urge him to come and see how education is working in Politically, the constituency has seen a whole spectrum Liverpool. I urge him to invest in those schools, such as of political representation. The new hon. Member for St Hilda’s in Picton and Archbishop Blanch School in Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) went to school in the Wavertree, that already have a vibrant community ethos constituency, as did Edwina Currie. Lord Alton was and active governing bodies, and are already achieving once its Member of Parliament and Derek Hatton lived above national-average grades at GCSE. in Childwall. Although Wavertree has been home to Nearly 90 years ago, my great-uncle, Manny Shinwell, notable political representatives from across the political newly elected as the Member for Linlithgowshire, made divide, it is the rich Labour witness within the constituency his maiden speech to this House. It feels almost eerie that has made such an impact. Stewart Headlam, one of now to echo the words that he said then, that the pioneers and publicists of Christian socialism, was “in opposition we would bring every kind of pressure—constitutional born in Wavertree, and fiery campaigner “Battling Bessie” pressure, I may say—to bear on the” 519 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 520

[Luciana Berger] reopening of new schools with co-located mainstream schools. For nearly 30 years, I have also been a school Coalition governor in special, primary and secondary schools, “Government in order to compel the Government to implement and I am still a governor at two schools in Bradford. the pledges they gave”.—[Official Report, 23 November 1922; Bradford has one of the fastest growing populations Vol. 159, c. 119.] in the country, and one of the youngest. Believe it or not, one in four of the population in Bradford East is Mr Deputy Speaker (Hugh Bayley): Order. That was under the age of 25. That is scary, because many of a wonderful maiden speech, but I am afraid that the those young people are failing quite badly educationally. clock stops for no one in this place. I call David Ward. There is a view—we have heard it tonight—that if one can only improve the educational outcomes of children 8.17 pm in deprived communities, that will somehow break the cycle of deprivation. Well, that is not my experience. It Mr David Ward (Bradford East) (LD): I praise the is not by raising educational outcomes that we reduce hon. Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) deprivation—it is by reducing deprivation that we raise and all those who have made their maiden speeches for educational outcomes. This is why I intervened earlier. their eloquence and endurance. It is customary during a We need to look at all the possible determinants of maiden speech to speak in complimentary and glowing educational attainment, including gender, ethnicity, religion, terms—indeed, frivolous terms in some cases—about and school structure—we have been through them all: the relevant constituency. However, I hope people do community, foundation, grant maintained, academies, not mind if, as a Bradford councillor, I pass on that and city technology and private. Nothing, but nothing, compares leave it until another occasion. with deprivation as the overwhelming determinant of a I love my constituency, I really do, but it does have its pupil’s academic success and later, sadly, their prospects problems. I fought it five times over a period of 20 years for employment, mental health, physical health and life and I never considered for even one second trying to be expectancy. In education, class really does matter. an MP anywhere else. I am proud to be an MP, but even Yes, schools can be improved—I have been there—by prouder to be MP for Bradford East. better leadership, management, governance, teaching, I shall get one thing out of the way. I did not know learning, and freedoms from central Government. However, Terry Rooney, my predecessor, too well, although I all head teachers and governors know that the most fought him five times. I do know, however, that he was a effective way of improving attainment is to change the colleague of many here and gave 20 years’ service to intake of a school. I get very angry when I hear people the House. He put in many years’ work on the Work glibly talking about good, bad or failing schools. I was and Pensions Committee and chaired it. I pay tribute chair of governors at a school branded as a failure—part to him. of the national challenge—because of its attainment levels. At the same time, it was the first secondary I have extensive yet limited experience of education; school in Bradford to be categorised by Ofsted as I shall try to explain what I mean by that. The extensive outstanding—madness. Schools in the more affluent experience includes working for Leeds Metropolitan parts of Bradford district are deemed to be good, but university for nearly 25 years. I cannot say that I regret only because of their A to C grade attainment. They are having failed to come here sooner, because that would left standing, in terms of contextual value added, by have meant my missing out on my wonderful memories many inner-city schools that are looked down on. of working with thousands of bright, funny, infuriating, The Queen’s Speech—certainly, the agreement—contains creative and inspiring young people. many education proposals that I welcome. The slimmed- For the past five years, I have been seconded to down national curriculum and flexibility in terms and Bradford City football club. I went there to help it to conditions are necessary if the pupil premium is to create a community department to engage with the work. I am not sure why these freedoms cannot just be predominantly Pakistani-Bangladeshi community that made available to all schools, and why that has to be the surrounds the club in Manningham. It is now host to a preserve of academies. The most important freedom is positive lifestyle centre, which has run programmes for not from overpowering local authorities, which can be more than 11,000 school children in the past five years. controlled—perhaps unlike Essex. That view is out of There is the football in the community scheme, which date. The most important freedom is from the strangulating works with 130 of Bradford’s schools. I am probably control of local education and authorities and schools most proud of all to be associated with my hero, Andy by central Government. Sykes, who joined the British National party, understood The pupil premium, which is conspicuous by its how he had made an error, was going to leave, went absence in the Queen’s Speech, offers the real prospect undercover and was featured in the BBC documentary of redressing the disadvantage faced by young people “The Secret Agent”. Andy was that man, and he now from deprived backgrounds. There is already deprivation works with Dale Althorp carrying out some really funding, but it is a pittance. By and large, the amount of tough work across the country with some really tough money that a school gets is based on the number of young people with extreme racist views. pupils in the school. That cannot be right, because For 26 years, I was a councillor in a ward in Bradford, going into an Ilkley primary school on a Monday where I was a group spokesperson for education. For morning is not the same as going into a school in BD3, four years, I held the education portfolio at a very the area that I represent. difficult time, with a privatised education service, an I said that my experience of education is extensive Ofsted inspection that was one of the worst in the whole but limited. It is extensive because of what I have done, country, a move from a three to a two-tier education but limited because of where it has been—in Bradford. system, and the closure of all special schools and the I acknowledge that. However, it is that understanding 521 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 522 of Bradford that I was sent here to voice. In a place such history. It is a town that has endured great hardship, but as Bradford, proposals for more faith schools and academies at great cost. From the great depression to the extreme and the rights of parents to set up their own schools poverty and deprivation that George Orwell railed against threaten social cohesion, strategic planning of school in “The Road to Wigan Pier,” Wigan has achieved places, co-ordination of admissions and collaborative extraordinary things, too often against the odds. partnerships. I worry about that. The scars that still run deepest in my constituency are For many years, my wife has worked in a service those that were formed by the decimation of the town’s providing support for Travellers, Gypsies, Roma, asylum historic mining and industrial base in the 1980s. It was seekers and refugees. My personal test of new academies in that divisive and heated decade that my politics were and free schools will be based not on their standing in a forged. I grew up in the north-west believing that the league table showing key stage 2 and 4 results, but on Government not only did not speak up for people like the extent to which they provide a helping hand for the me, but actively opposed us. My challenge to the new clients my wife represents. We will wait and see. Government is not to repeat that bitter experience. I address that challenge to both sides of the House. 8.26 pm In Wigan, there is pride in what we have achieved, but Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Thank you, Mr Deputy that is mixed with frustration at what we have not, and Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to address the fear for the future. I believe we can and must do more. House for the first time. It is a great pleasure to follow For the past five years, I have worked at the Children’s the very many hon. Members who have also done so Society with some remarkable children caught up in and have spoken so passionately about their constituencies. that situation. It has been devastating to see them living I will listen with interest over the next few days as many with the consequences of decades of under-investment, more Members to do the same. and growing up in poverty with inadequate housing. Our duty to our constituents is one that we share in However, it has been equally devastating to work with all parts of the House, and this debate could not be their classmates, who fled persecution abroad to seek more relevant to my constituents in Wigan. Even with safety in the UK, but who often have been blamed for the much-needed investment over the past 13 years, the problems faced by their peers. We owe it to those people in Wigan still get sick earlier and die younger, children not to play politics with their lives and to and too many of their children leave school without challenge the politics of fear and hatred, rather than good jobs to go to or without the qualifications they pander to it. need for the jobs that there are. Those facts are a scar on I believe there is reason to hope for better. I am the conscience of this House, and we must not rest until privileged to come from a family that spans a wide social justice is a reality in Wigan and across the country. political spectrum from liberalism to Marxism, which I know that that is a view that I share with my gives me the belief that things can be better, that predecessor, Neil Turner. Neil drew on several decades assumptions can be challenged and that those things of experience in, and service to, local government when can be achieved without delay, however difficult the he arrived in the House 11 years ago after the tragic times. Wigan has bucked the national trend through the death of his predecessor, Roger Stott. In his leading role efforts of its excellent council and many hard-working in SIGOMA—the special interest group of municipal community groups. We have kept youth unemployment authorities—which is the campaigning network for local low and attracted new investment, such as from the authorities, Neil fought hard for better public services, Tote and Keep Britain Tidy. We have retained important particularly housing, which was one of his passions. He employers, such as Heinz, and have world-class rugby was proud to be a Parliamentary Private Secretary to a league and football teams, which crucially support a number of Ministers, including my right hon. Friend strong network of community sports clubs. the Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey), Perhaps more importantly, through testing times Wigan who has done such important work in this field. Neil has always fought against the politics of hate with the was also a leading light in another of his passions—the politics of hope. The story of Wigan is the story of a all-party rugby league group—and I think it is fair to community that has refused to be characterised by say that he has taught me literally everything I know poverty, despair or fear throughout its history. No about rugby league. group could better embody that than Wigan and Leigh However, it is for his tireless work in redressing United Against Racism, whose thriving and energetic inequality in health funding that I think Neil will really presence I am proud to be associated with. be remembered. He fought for, and got, recognition It is with that sense of energy and ambition that I that places such as Wigan were chronically and unfairly approach this Parliament. I am ambitious for positive underfunded. The results of this change in Wigan have new solutions where they are so badly needed, but I am been visible and striking. To suggest that his work has also ambitious for respect for those policies that have saved lives is not an overstatement: it could not be more served us so well. We must continue to invest in social important to the people I now represent. It is this housing, including council housing, and we must strive perseverance that marks Neil out both as a politician for a level playing field in education if we want a society and as a person. It is rooted in a generosity and a in which the choices we make are more important than kindness from which I have also benefited. His refusal what we are born into. Decent workplace rights and to give up when he was told, firmly, “No”, was a beacon strong trade unions will always be the most fundamentally of hope to a people who frankly deserved better, and an effective way to tackle fear about immigration. If we are example that I am determined to follow. serious about showing people that we are on their side, Neil and I are both part of a long line of Labour we should back the living wage and the minimum representatives of Wigan that stretches all the way back income guarantee. We must lift people up, not drive to 1918. Many hon. Members will know much of Wigan’s others down. 523 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 524

[Lisa Nandy] My aims for the future are to build on the great reputation that we have for hard workers. We are at the We face a clear choice in this Parliament: a fairer, heart of the country and our inward investment plans more equal society or a return to the inequality and will lead to even more companies from Japan, China, despair of the 1980s. My promise to this House is to Sweden and all over basing themselves in South Derbyshire. work tirelessly, fairly and constructively to achieve the That will happen because we intend to get the future former, but my promise to the people of Wigan is to education of our children right, and I intend to play my fight every inch of the way if they face the latter. There part in working with Ministers to make that happen. is a generation of children and young people in my I am proud to represent the area in which I live, and I constituency who are expecting us to succeed, and there look forward to encouraging the Minister to visit us are older generations who have worked tirelessly for just shortly. that. We must do the same in this House, because we cannot afford to fail. 8.36 pm 8.32 pm Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): I congratulate Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): I stand the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Heather Wheeler) to make my maiden speech, which is a daunting task on her speech. It is a wonderful part of the country to not least because my seat has been represented by such visit, as I do regularly from Sheffield. I also share the colourful MPs in the past. This is the seat that was hon. Lady’s passion for manufacturing. looked after by George Brown and Edwina Currie. The lady has been mentioned twice tonight—what a night It is an extraordinary privilege for new Members to for her. My immediate predecessor, Mark Todd, was a address the House for the first time. For me, Sheffield diligent constituency MP—indeed, having had Brown Central is an extraordinary constituency to represent. and Currie, such a quiet and thoughtful man looking Significantly redrawn in the last boundary review, stretching after us for 13 years was definitely a time of respite and from Hillsborough Corner to Manor Top, from Kelham calm from the spotlight that the earlier incumbents Island to Carterknowle, it is the heart of Sheffield. It is drew to the area. I wish him well with his new job as also a special privilege to represent the city that is my chairman of Derby City primary care trust. home, although my son would be the first to point out that I do not really count as a Sheffielder because, South Derbyshire is a great place to live, work and unlike him, I was not born and bred there. He would say visit. We are a semi-rural constituency made up of that I am an incomer because I first moved to the city at 84,000 acres and 98,000 people, so the idea of a 100,000- the age of nine. person constituency in two years’ time is perfect. We are the fifth fastest growing district in the country and at Hugely diverse, Sheffield Central includes both Victorian the centre of the constituency is our largest employer, Broomhill, which was once described by John Betjeman Toyota. I particularly wanted to speak in today’s debate as the “prettiest suburb in England” and the Park Hill on the Gracious Speech because education and the flats, which opened in 1961 to international acclaim, as provision of schools and apprenticeships are crucial to an innovative replacement by the Labour council of the the future success of my residents. I have already had a time for tenements and back-to-back slum housing. request for the Minister to visit to discuss the setting up Now the largest grade 2 listed building in the UK, Park of a new free school by parents who run Dame Catherine Hill is currently being refurbished in a major regeneration Harpur school in Ticknall. We also desperately need a project, combining social housing, owner occupation, new secondary school near Melbourne and that initiative and business units. I hope that the project will be will help with that too. I have held meetings with other supported by this Government as strongly as it was by colleagues who are in the House tonight who have also the last. met with the unions at Rolls-Royce. We have been Among the neighbouring constituencies is Sheffield, working on some innovative ideas for apprenticeships Hallam, which is of course represented by the Deputy that I hope we will be able to take further. One glaring Prime Minister. A consistent message in his election omission from the services that we have in South Derbyshire literature, of which I saw a great deal, was “If you don’t is a college. All our residents have to travel for full-time want the Conservatives, vote Liberal Democrat here”. further education, and there is an opportunity for us to I wonder whether he is now reflecting on that message, do better for my residents. because I can assure him that many Sheffield voters are South Derbyshire has a great history. Indeed, it is the doing so. resting place of the Mercian Kings, was invaded by The constituency was previously represented by Richard Vikings and has a diverse economy, with a split of 27% Caborn, and I pay a deep and genuine tribute to his based on manufacturing and 27% on tourism. We have work here over 27 years. In considering my maiden a strong heritage, from market gardening to coal mining speech today, I looked up Richard’s from 1983. Having and clay pots. We have the largest inland marina, and not spoken in the House until November of that year, our canals are a major attraction in the area. he referred to an article in The Sunday Times, which I am even more proud that we are at the heart of the had described him as a “tight-lipped Member of national forest, with Rosliston forestry centre receiving Parliament”. Now I have heard Richard described as thousands of visitors every year. South Derbyshire is many things, but those who knew him in this House and always reinventing itself and being host to new ideas. in Sheffield would never call him “’tight-lipped”. He is Right now, a new golf academy is being built, which someone who has always been quick to share his views, will have apprenticeships for the next generation to and to do so robustly. But he is someone who has the learn to excel. At one end of Swadlincote is a dry ski special talent of provoking argument, respect and affection centre and at the other a golf course. When people visit, at the same time and he is recognised across Sheffield as they are not bored. a relentless champion of the city he loves. 525 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 526

Richard’s roots are in the steel industry. One of the rebuild trust and confidence in democratic politics. I am things that he was proudest of was his role over the past pleased to commit myself to that task and to thank the three years in helping to secure an £80 million loan for people of Sheffield Central for giving me that opportunity. Sheffield Forgemasters, which is facilitating an investment of £140 million to enable the purchase of a major new forging press, the largest in the world outside Japan and 8.44 pm Korea. I am deeply concerned that the new Government Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): First, let me are reviewing that loan. Speaking in Yorkshire last pay tribute to the hon. Member for Sheffield Central week, the Prime Minister said that he wanted to encourage (Paul Blomfield) for his wry and measured contribution. manufacturing, particularly outside the south-east and I remember reading many years ago that an august particularly in high-tech engineering and low-carbon former Member of this House once said that one’s technology industries. If that statement is to have any maiden speech was the easiest speech that one would meaning, the Government need to act quickly to end ever have to make in the House of Commons. Standing the uncertainty and confirm the loan facility for Sheffield here now, I suspect that I speak for a few people who Forgemasters. were in the same position earlier this evening when I say Future jobs and prosperity in Sheffield will be built that that former hon. Member had a very singular not only on the skills of our traditional industries, but interpretation of the word “easy”; because although on the research and innovation of our two universities. this is a tremendous honour, it is also terrifically Both are located in my constituency. I have spent most intimidating. I can therefore tell the House that nobody of my working life in one—the university of Sheffield—and is looking forward to the end of my speech more than several years as a governor in the other, Sheffield Hallam I am. university. They play a key role in supporting economic development in the region. Sheffield Hallam university I shall say a few words first about Tamworth and then has worked with local companies in pioneering product about my predecessors. Tamworth is an ancient town development. The university of Sheffield has used its whose history stretches back to when England was research collaboration to apply specialist engineering formed. It was founded in 874 by King Offa, who built expertise to real-world manufacturing problems, most the dyke to keep out the Welsh. Sadly, his defences did notably in the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, not extend to keeping out the Danes, who came and established in partnership with Boeing. burned the town down a few years later. The townsfolk were not daunted, however. They picked themselves up, Both universities are leaders in their sectors, and they got themselves together and rebuilt their town. That did make Sheffield an increasingly popular destination for not commend itself to the Danes, who promptly returned students. Together, their students account for 10% of and burned it down again. It says something about the the city’s population, and the direct economic benefit is resilience of the people of Tamworth that they did not more than £1 billion. I therefore speak for many people give up. They built their town again, this time with the in Sheffield when I express concern that the new help of the Normans, who built a castle to protect it. Government have chosen to target universities in the The castle is still standing, and the Danes never returned. first wave of cuts. Reducing funding and university Ever since that time, through the reign of Edward II, places will damage economic development and crush when the town received its charter, and the reign of the hopes of thousands of young people. Funding the Elizabeth I, when it got another, to the age of Peel, nation’s universities must be a priority for this Parliament. when Tamworth played host to the launch of the When we consider the Browne review, we should ensure Conservative party with the Tamworth manifesto, the that it considers all the options and does not limit itself town has been at the heart of England. It has been part to a debate about the level of tuition fees. of our national history and identity. The city of Sheffield is constantly seeking new Sadly, not enough people know about Tamworth’s opportunities. As chair of the city trust for 11 years, I history. When I tell people that I come from there, they had responsibility for many of our sports and cultural say, “Ah,yes. The Snowdome!”or “Ah,yes. The Tamworth facilities, and I have seen the economic benefits of the Two! The escapee pigs that caused such a furore during international events that we have hosted. I am proud the BSE scandal eight years ago.” They do not mention that we were recognised as the UK’s first city of sport Peel or the Tamworth manifesto. So I hope that when and, with our thriving cultural industries sector, that we the Secretary of State for Education introduces his have been shortlisted as a candidate to be the UK city education proposals, he will ensure that history is set of culture in 2013. first and foremost in the teaching of young people, so We also have a great radical tradition in Sheffield. We that they can learn much more about Tamworth and were the first major city in the country to elect a Labour the Tamworth manifesto, and a little less about the council, replacing—perhaps presciently—a Liberal- Tamworth Two. Conservative coalition. That early Labour administration Let me now say a few words about the issue at hand. did away with slum housing, through a radical programme Education is an extremely important subject in Tamworth. of house building, tackled childhood disease and led We have suffered for many years as one of the poorest- the way with innovative environmental policies. That funded local education authorities in the country. That tradition continues today. We are the UK’s first “City of sets children in Tamworth apart; they start at a disadvantage. Sanctuary”, having welcomed refugees from throughout We need to even up the opportunities for young people the world—people who have added to the rich range of there, which is why I welcome my right hon. Friend’s cultures that form the constituency of Sheffield Central. invitation to head teachers to apply for academy status, As I said in opening my remarks, it is an extraordinary and his proposal to lift the burden of bureaucracy off privilege to take my seat in this House. There is a special the backs of teachers and to give them more power. responsibility on all of us who do so at this time to Only if we give head teachers more power and more 527 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 528

[Christopher Pincher] here by the people of Tamworth, and so it is. I feel that honour acutely tonight, and I hope that, however many money to spend on their schools as they see fit, and only speeches I make, however long I am here, however many if we give teachers the time and the space to teach, brickbats get thrown up from this or that side, I will which is what they want to do, will we drive up educational acutely remember that honour. standards and improve the morale of the teaching profession. 8.52 pm But it is not just a question of improving education; it Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): I congratulate all is also a question of providing job opportunities. The the new Members who have made their first speeches, as Government need to get the burden of bureaucracy off well as thank the old Members who have stayed in their the backs of businesses, so that they can grow, prosper places to listen to us. I am grateful to you, Mr Deputy and create new jobs. In that way, the children who are Speaker, for allowing me to make my first speech in the now leaving school in Tamworth can be employed and House. I would like to place on record my thanks to build their own prosperity. I hope that, when the those in the offices of the House who set up the induction Government introduce their great repeal Bill, the Secretary day, which made our life as new Members much easier of State for Education will use all his artistry and and helped us to settle in. eloquence to prevail upon his right hon. Friend the Members will have noticed that I share the same Deputy Prime Minister to focus not only on civil liberties surname as my right hon. Friend the Member for but on the promotion and preservation of business Leicester East (Keith Vaz). There has already been liberty. I want to see a bonfire of red tape, so that some confusion, as some Members think I am his businesses in my constituency—such as Forensic Pathways daughter, while others think I am his wife. Thankfully, and Alcon—can grow and prosper, and employ and no one has suggested yet that I look like his mother, but reward more people. Personal prosperity is the best that may be to come. For the record, I am his sister, and guarantee of liberty, and I hope that the Government I have had congratulations and commiserations in equal will take that on board. numbers for that. It was our parents, Merlyn and Tony— I should like to say a few words about my predecessors. sadly, both now deceased—who taught us about public Tamworth is an old constituency, and it has had a long service and that when much is given, much is expected. line of great—sometimes rather colourful—Members After my father died, my mother brought up three of Parliament. In the 18th century, our Member, Sir Thomas teenagers single-handedly. All three of us became lawyers, Guy, built our almshouses before going to London to but that was not her fault. She found time when she was build his hospital. Peel, whom I have already mentioned, a pensioner to become a councillor and set up the first was a great Member for Tamworth. He founded the senior citizens committee, highlighting that important police force, reformed our penal laws and emancipated and growing group of citizens. Her initiative to give the Catholics. He also repealed the corn laws, thus Christmas hampers to senior citizens was legendary. enshrining free trade as a fundamental principle of the There is an invisible thread that links me standing Conservative party. He was a great statesman who here today with Emily Davison—the suffragists and the represented Tamworth. Incidentally, he also had the suffragettes, but particularly Emily Davison—because county boundary of Staffordshire moved so that his she hid in a cupboard below the west cloisters, so that house fell within his constituency. Now I do not suppose her address in the 1911 census would be the House of that the modern Boundary Commission would be quite Commons. A former right hon. Member, Tony Benn, so accommodating to any such request I might make, placed a plaque there so that we can remember her. It is which I suspect is the price we pay for progress. because of her actions that I am able to give my address More recently, as some Members might remember, as the House of Commons. we had Sir David Lightbown—a Member much loved Following custom and practice, I want to pay tribute in his constituency, but much feared in the passageways to my predecessor, Bruce George. He was a Member of of this Palace. My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Parliament for 36 years. He was a member of the Select Worcestershire (Peter Luff) reminded me that that was Committee on Defence and then its Chairman, but his true, to his own cost, some years ago, when Sir David, a heart and soul always remained in Walsall; he cared Whip of some considerable stature, picked him up by about Walsall and its people above all else. the lapels to remind him which Division Lobby he was In his first speech, Bruce referred to part of his meant to be going into that night. constituency that was represented by the late John My immediate predecessor was Brian Jenkins, who Stonehouse. Members will recall what was said about held the seat for 14 years, in which time he worked hard him—that he was the only Postmaster General to sew to put his constituents first and foremost. During the his own mailbags. Curiously, he stood in Twickenham, six years I have been a candidate in Tamworth, I have as I did in my first attempt in a parliamentary election never heard a bad word said about Brian Jenkins, who I in 1987. I also have a link to the right hon. Member for think genuinely demonstrates that an MP does not have Twickenham (Vince Cable), as we both have family who to sit on the Treasury Bench or be a great orator or come from Goa, India—mine by birth and his from his firebrand like the hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner) first marriage. in order to be a good parliamentarian. Brian Jenkins A previous Member of Parliament for Walsall South, served his constituents conscientiously and quietly for Sir Henry D’Avigdor-Goldsmid, referred to Walsall in 14 years. If I can work as hard for them as he did, I will his first speech as a town of a hundred trades. Many reckon myself a good parliamentarian. have gone, particularly the steel industry, but I am It is a great honour to stand in this spot where Peel pleased to say on this coronation day that our Gracious must have stood close by. I said at my count just a Sovereign’s handbags are still made in a factory in month ago that it was the honour of my life to be sent Chuckery. 529 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 530

Walsall is also a place that has seen the fruits of Aid and construction materials should be allowed under regeneration. Massive investment by the previous the supervision of the EU and the UN. Anyone who Government made possible the completion of the Manor attended the BBC Proms, where the East West Divan hospital, and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Orchestra played—the initiative of Daniel Barenboim Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick) for the huge and the late Edward Said—will see hope for the future. part that he played in ensuring that funds were secured. When people meet, they do not fear each other. The There has also been regeneration in the town centre, children of Israel and Palestine should hear music, and there is new housing. There is a refurbished Walsall laughter and their parents’ voices, not gunfire and the college, and a new Tesco site that will create nearly mourning of lost lives. 3,000 jobs. Let me end by saying that there is a strong feeling The creative arts are celebrated in the New Art Gallery among Members to whom I have spoken, new and old, Walsall, an iconic building which I urge members to that we will do good work together in the House, and go visit. At the gallery there is a new generation of poets: some way towards restoring trust in Parliament. I pledge Helen Calcutt, who, with her father David Calcutt, a that to the House, and to the people of Walsall South. renowned writer and poet, performed her poem celebrating regeneration, entitled “Where there was nothing”. She 8.59 pm referred to another iconic part of Walsall’s skyscape, “to the thought of light’s near breaking, over the bell tower, over Simon Wright (Norwich South) (LD): Thank you, St Matthews Spire.” Mr Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to That continues the literary tradition of Walsall, for it is make my maiden speech. I am pleased to follow the in Caldmore—pronounced “carma”; they do things maiden speeches of the hon. Members for Walsall South differently in Walsall—that Jerome K. Jerome was born. (Valerie Vaz) and for Stroud (Neil Carmichael) and of Members will recall the first line of “Three Men in a many other Members who have spoken today with great Boat”: pride in their constituencies and also a good sense of humour. I was pleased to learn of the farming background “There were four of us”. of the hon. Member for Stroud. As someone who grew That seems so relevant to this coalition Government. up on a Norfolk farm, I am aware of some of the Walsall South is a constituency of contrasts. There is significant challenges facing agriculture, and it is good a farm at Pheasey Park Farm, and, at the other end, the that someone with direct expertise in that area has been vibrant, close community of Palfrey and Pleck. However, elected to this House. there are inequalities. When it comes to one of the key I would like to start by paying tribute to Charles performance indicators at GCSE grades A to C, there is Clarke, the previous Member for Norwich South. Charles a contrast between one end of the constituency and the brought immense intellectual rigour to debates on policy, other. In Paddock, an affluent ward, the rate is 100%, both locally and nationally. He worked very hard for his whereas in Darlaston it is 41%. That is why it is important constituents, and while he was serving outside the Cabinet that Joseph Leckie school, which was in line for repairs he also built a reputation as someone with real independence and upgrading from the Building Schools for the Future of mind, and with great confidence in speaking up fund, is not overlooked in any future decision. when he felt his party was wrong. I do not think that education can be measured as a Norwich has a tradition of rebellious tendencies. In unit or in fiscal terms. I would like the Wellington 1381, it was a focus of the peasants’ revolt; the city gates College well-being course to be taught in every school, were forced open and the castle taken by the rebels. because it is a design for life. Education is continuous. Within 200 years, my city experienced another great From birth, there is Sure Start. I am pleased that the rebellion: Robert Kett led a three-week uprising against Government have no plans to dismantle it, especially as the enclosure of common land. His army seized the city, there are 17 schemes in Walsall, and in Palfrey good and defeated a Government army in battle. In 1793, work is done with both fathers and mothers. However, Norwich’s Bell hotel was the meeting place of a secret it concerns me that the 5,000 child trust funds that were group hoping to spread French revolutionary ideals. started in Walsall South will end. The funds are a gift As I am probably not giving too much reassurance to from the state to children, and, in my view, teach them my party’s Whips about the value of having a representative fiscal responsibility, because they can track their investment from Norwich in their ranks, I shall move on to talk as they grow up. about some other issues that affect my constituency. It I ask the Government to rethink the future jobs fund. truly is a great honour and privilege to represent Norwich My right hon. Friend the Member for Normanton, South. Norwich is a great city in which to live and work. Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) and I saw its Economically, politically and culturally, it is a very work at first hand. Young people who would have been important capital within Norfolk and East Anglia, and on the dole were taught skills. There was no Government we aspire to be, and do, so much more. interference, but money was given directly to local However, like the rest of Britain, Norwich faces its organisations which taught skills to match the available own challenges. Top of the list is the need to develop the jobs. When I asked what the young people received at infrastructure supporting Norwich’s economy. One of the end, I was told that they received a CV and a the major issues is the need to improve the Norwich reference—along with, I am sure, lashings of self-esteem. to London rail service, which has suffered from Many of my constituents are very distressed by the underinvestment for many decades. As part of the events that have taken place in international waters near Greater Anglia rail franchise, I want to see a genuine Gaza. I am pleased that the Foreign Secretary and the commitment to 90-minute journeys between Norwich shadow Foreign Secretary have made strong statements, and London, more reliable services, newer trains and and I support them, but the blockade must be lifted. improvements to capacity. Although new high-speed 531 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 532

[Simon Wright] Building a better Norwich, or building a better Britain, does not come about simply by dropping Government rail is, of course, to be welcomed, we must not distract legislation from a great height and hoping that it will attention from such routes, where investment is so bear fruit. It comes about through working the ground desperately needed. to enable it to bear fruit and working with the people I also want to see the soonest possible completion of whom it affects in order to harvest their ideas and the dualling of the A11, a key road link connecting experiences as to what works and what could be made Norwich to London. Following a Government inquiry to work. I am a local representative as a well as a into this matter earlier this year, we are all now awaiting parliamentarian, so I know that we must connect the the inspector’s report. It has been estimated that for legislative process with our communities. As the Member every pound required to complete the dualling, the local of Parliament for Norwich South, I will spend the next economy would benefit by £5. It is a very strong and five years and, I hope, many more thereafter, working necessary investment, which would give Norwich and with individuals, community groups, the police and Norfolk a much needed boost. The state of the public council representatives—with everyone who has a stake finances means that there is real pressure on budgets in the future well-being of my city—to bring about the supporting such infrastructure development, but it is very best for Norwich. I look forward to working over vital that those parts of the county that have not had a the years ahead to raise, through Parliament, the concerns fair deal in recent years do not lose out now. and issues expressed by my constituents in Norwich and to working with colleagues from all parties to deliver on Norwich is seeking to become the UK’s first capital the proposals outlined in this debate to the benefit of of culture, in 2013. My city has a fantastic cultural my community. heritage. I am enthusiastically backing Norwich’s bid, and I urge other Members to join me in doing so by 9.6 pm signing up to my early-day motion. This would mean so Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): Thank much to the city of Norwich and the wider region, not you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity only in terms of cultural growth, but through the economic to make my maiden speech. I hope to have learned from and tourism boost a successful bid would provide. I fear my experience in local government when making this that I probably will not have the backing of the hon. speech, in that it does not matter what someone says as Member for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield), however. long as they are brief, because then people will like My city’s culture and heritage includes a wealth of them. I congratulate everyone who has made their pubs and churches. Norwich was once famous for having maiden speech this evening, because we have heard a church for every week of the year, and a pub for every wonderful contributions demonstrating real passion for day, with the highest number of watering holes per the home territories of hon. Members, and I hope that square mile in the UK. It is also thought that Norwich’s my speech can do the same. churches were so popular in part due to activities that I wish to start by paying tribute to my predecessor as resulted from the popularity of its pubs. the MP for Walthamstow, because I know that I have a Norwich is also known for its world-class research hard act to follow. In E17, we have a fine tradition of in the field of climate change. As a low-lying county MPs who have embodied the best of my party and the with a soft coastline, Norfolk is in many ways at the best of our politics, not only in London but nationally. forefront of climate change in the UK. Many of the Just like another previous incumbent, Clem Attlee, our UK’s leading climate change experts are based at research MP Neil Gerrard fought tirelessly for the ideals that institutions in Norwich, including the university of brought him into political life with independence and East Anglia and the Norwich research park. This with honour. I am reliably told that he is a man who was Parliament will prove to be of vital importance to the a Whip’s delight, taking up the causes that others often future of our planet, and the expertise in my constituency shied away from. He was a tireless advocate for a better can play a vital role. and more humane approach to asylum and immigration, for the need to support action on HIV and AIDS, and Another area I am passionate about is education. As for prison reform. He has also been a powerful voice for a former secondary school teacher, I am committed to my home of Walthamstow, and I have been honoured seeing that schools get the best deal possible. I am to work with him. delighted that front-line school funding will be protected, Neil and I have campaigned together for many years and that the new pupil premium will provide greater on local issues that matter to the future of our area and support for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. to the community in which we live. We have called on Norwich is a university city, and my constituency London & Quadrant Housing Trust not to leave our contains the university of East Anglia. Like university iconic local dog track derelict for six years and instead students throughout England, its current and potential to name its price so that we can bring it back into use. students are nervous about taking on the level of debt We have called on the Universal Church of the Kingdom now required to study their chosen degree courses. I am of God not to leave the beautiful EMD cinema derelict one of an increasing number of MPs who has the and instead to work with the McGuffin Film and Television misfortune of having a substantial debt to pay off. I Society and local residents so that we can have cinema passionately believe in the case for free higher education in Walthamstow. We have fought for more investment in and, until the country can afford to deliver on that, our local Whipps Cross hospital and for local school I hope that we can at least work to address the issue of places. We have stood up for human rights in Sri Lanka, student debt. We also need to widen participation in Kashmir and Palestine. The Whips may be horrified to higher education and increase the number of young learn that Neil has been an inspiration to me, and I people entering it from less well-off backgrounds. Education promise in this Chamber to follow his good work for the and aspiration are key to improving social mobility. people of Walthamstow. 533 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 534

IknowfrommyworkwiththepeopleinWalthamstow first steps of their career ladder. They are not the young that we are not a community short on ambition. We put people who have the networks and connections that our money where our mouth is, organising and mobilising mean that success is assured, but they have grabbed for a better future for our families, wherever in the with both hands the start that this scheme offers. I also world they may be. Whether we are talking about the urge Ministers: if they say they care about social mobility, Senior Citizens Asian group, our local Somali, Anatolian they should rethink their planned cuts for universities. I and Tamil communities, the mum and dads in our Sure can attest that it is in places such as Walthamstow that Start centres in Lloyd Park, Sybourn or Church Hill, those kinds of policies, over the past 13 years, have our local toy library, or the many local youth projects transformed the life chances of young people. with which I am proud to work, including the Active When the previous Government started to increase Change Foundation, Pak Cultural Society, the X7eaven the number of places available in higher education, Dance Group, the Woodcraft Folk or even the Scouts, Walthamstow’s children took the opportunity it represented. Walthamstow is full of people with ideas and dreams In the past 13 years, the numbers of young people from about what they want to do and with the passion and my constituency going to university have rocketed by commitment to each other to work together to achieve it. 87%, and the evidence shows that they are the children Indeed, I contend that because Walthamstow has from poorer backgrounds. Our young people in always been full of people like that, our area has played Walthamstow do not lack ability. We have the top- a key and yet too often unacknowledged part in shaping performing economics department in the country, at Sir the lives of everyone in this Chamber. I want to try to George Monoux college, and we have pupils who have change that this evening. Hon. Members may not be benefitted from the Building Schools for the Future aware that Walthamstow and the Lea valley were the fund, in schools such as Walthamstow School for Girls original base of British aviation and motoring. Our and Frederick Bremer school, and we are concerned area also has a proud history in the creative industries, about what will happen if we hang the axe over projects which ranges from its being part of the original British such as the one for Willowfield school in Walthamstow, film industry and having Turner prize winners as residents, because we see the difference that such investment to holding on to William Morris and even the grime makes. music scene. We lay claim to helping put a man on the I urge the Government to ensure that they will guarantee moon, to England football team greats, through David the Building Schools for the Future funds that have Beckham, to even the kinder Conservatives, through already been committed. Above all, this programme Disraeli, and to the best of British rock, through Ian shows that these things happen not by accident, but by Drury and the Rolling Stones. I am proud to share with design. The Labour party understands that when we Keith Richards’ grandmother the honour of having invest in the future of every young person in Britain, served as mayor of Waltham Forest. wherever they live, we all benefit. That is why I give Yet for all that we have contributed to this country, notice to those on the Government Benches: on behalf we in Walthamstow know that we still live in a world in of the people of Walthamstow and their families, which too often it is where someone lives, rather than I intend to fight for every place, every opportunity and what they are, that defines whether they have the every chance that my community wants and deserves; to opportunity to realise their potential. I am so proud to challenge the Government’s proposals that will mean a represent Walthamstow, and therefore so determined bleaker, not a brighter, future for them; to use my place that that situation must change. I know that it is worth in the House to be a voice for those who will be our while. If we can unlock the talent of Walthamstow’s forgotten by the Government’s proposals; and to argue residents, Britain will benefit even more than it has that there is not simply opposition to the Government, done already from the creativity of previous generations. but an alternative. The potential that we have in That is why I wanted to speak in today’s debate and why Walthamstow to contribute to the future prosperity of I want to draw the Government’s attention to how their this country demands nothing less. education plans will hinder, not help, young people in places such as Walthamstow. 9.13 pm Following on from what the Secretary of State said, I Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con): want to prick the Government’s conscience: if they can Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for letting me make my find the money for marriage, they can find the money maiden speech this evening. I congratulate all the other for the programmes that actually work for our families. hon. Members who have made their first speeches today, Political leadership is about the ability to think long particularly my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool term. I urge the new Administration to rethink their North and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard), whose speech proposals for child trust funds, and instead to recognise was quite inspirational. the investment in the future that this scheme represents. I feel honoured and privileged to have been sent by For the 8,000 young people in Walthamstow who have the people of Sittingbourne and Sheppey to represent one, they offer the kind of opportunity that too many in them here in Parliament. They have placed on my previous generations have been denied. They are a shoulders a great responsibility, and it is a responsibility launch pad for a leap into further and higher education; that I take very seriously.I know my immediate predecessor, the start of funding for a down payment on a house; or Derek Wyatt, felt the same way, and I would like to pay money to help pay for training or start a business. Do tribute to him for his dedicated service to our community not listen to me; listen to the 30% of poorer families over the past 13 years. Of course, like many other topping up their child trust funds as we speak. political opponents, we locked horns on a number of The same could be said of the future jobs fund. For occasions, and the 2005 general election was a real many young people in Walthamstow this has been a ding-dong battle that ended with me winning by 118 votes lifeline, getting them into employment and on to the —or so I thought. Understandably, Derek asked for 535 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 536

[Gordon Henderson] local primary school so that it could help that school to drive up standards. I am sure that hon. Members on a recount, and hon. Members can imagine my both sides of the House would agree that that this is just disappointment, and his relief, when the result changed the kind of initiative that we should welcome. But the to a 79-vote victory for him. Part of me was disappointed staff and governors at Westlands are even more ambitious when Derek decided not to seek re-election this time than that. To make their school even better, they are because I wanted to beat him fair and square without keen to become an academy. They have already made the need for recounts, but another part of me was pretty inquiries about obtaining academy status, but have relieved, because he was well liked and well respected in been told that their bid would not succeed because they my constituency and if he had been the Labour opponent, are in a federation with a school that was deemed to it would have been far more difficult for me to convert have been struggling. It seems that a key test for approving that 79-vote deficit into what was eventually a majority academy status is that the applicant school is “outstanding”. of 12,383. I have no problem with that criterion, except that it Life moves on. I am now the MP for Sittingbourne effectively prevents federated schools from gaining academy and Sheppey, and standing in this Chamber today is the status unless both schools are “outstanding”. That seems culmination of a lifelong dream. I come from a humble a particularly perverse rule when one considers that one background. I grew up on a council estate, went to state of the objects of the Academies Bill is to give schools schools and, like many of my generation, left school at “the freedoms and flexibility they need to continue to drive up 16. For boys from the Fort Luton secondary modern standards”. school in Chatham, there were few employment options. I very much hope, when the new Academies Bill is It was pretty well expected that we would become drafted, that that rule can be amended to make an apprentices in the dock yard, go to work in the oil exception for outstanding schools like Westlands which, refinery on the Isle of Grain or join the armed forces. for the best of intentions, have linked up with a less Going to university was something that we could only successful school. That would make a great deal of dream about—particularly someone like me who failed sense if we are genuine about driving up standards in all the 11-plus. our schools. Despite having had a less than classic education, my In conclusion, let me explain briefly what motivates generation of working-class children was taught to love me. One of our regional newspapers published recently our country, honour its traditions, obey its laws and a short biography of all the new Kent MPs. Each piece respect its institutions, particularly Parliament, which is finished with what might be a dream job for that MP. the very heart of our democracy. I have been concerned The jobs ranged from Sports Minister through to Prime by the way in which respect for Parliament has diminished Minister. My dream job was listed as being the Member in recent years and I am determined to play my part in of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. That helping to restore its somewhat battered reputation. I pretty well sums me up, because being able to represent will do my best to uphold the best traditions of Parliament a community that I love here in Parliament is actually and I will never knowingly bring it into disrepute. That what motivates me. is my pledge to the House and to the people of Sittingbourne and Sheppey. 9.21 pm I want to be a true parliamentarian, holding the Executive to account and representing without fear or Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab): Thank you very favour those who sent me here. Those people—my much, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for calling me to make my constituents—are special people, and Sittingbourne and maiden speech this evening. I would like to congratulate Sheppey is a special constituency that I am very lucky the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon to represent. For those who do not know, it is situated Henderson) warmly on his maiden speech. I share his on the north Kent coast and is one of the most unique passion and conviction in wanting to represent my and diverse constituencies in the country. I know that constituents. He is right to say that doing that is a very we all say that, but in my case it is true. We have a port great honour for all of us, and it is one that I hope to that has the deepest water outside of Rotterdam and we carry out to the best of my ability. have one of the few steelworks in the south of England. I should also like to congratulate all the other new We have three prisons, which is pretty unique in itself. Members who have made their maiden speeches today. We have a seaside community and a rural, farming I have listened to most of them—it has been a long community with both livestock and fruit farmers. Some day—and I think that many of them spoke with great 40% of our population lives on an island, which is also conviction. They have been extremely accomplished, unusual in England. We have 24 town and parish councils and I congratulate them on opening their accounts. and three large, unparished urban areas. My predecessor as the Member for Pontypridd was Each of those communities has uniquely different of course Dr Kim Howells. Kim first entered the House problems and concerns, and I will be dedicating myself in a by-election in 1989, and he served with what can to highlighting some of those concerns in the coming only be called great flair and passion for over 21 years. months and years. Today, I would like to start by His broad experience and interests—his hinterland, so addressing an issue that is relevant to the Academies to speak—allowed him to serve with great distinction in Bill. Two years ago, one of the secondary schools in my a wide range of Departments. At the Department for constituency, Westlands school, received an outstanding Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture, Ofsted report. So good was the report that the head and Media and Sport, and as Minister for Higher Education, his senior staff were seconded to help to improve standards he spoke fluently and fearlessly to Members and media in a number of other schools in Kent. More recently, alike—so fearlessly on occasion, in fact, that many of Westlands decided to form a federation with a struggling us who know him well were deeply worried when we 537 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 538 learned that he was going to be announced as the new social justice and economic equity dictate that, whichever Minister for the Middle East. However, Kim of course Government are in power, we must recognise the need carried off that portfolio, like all of the others, with to shrink that gap further. great panache, charm and purpose, as he did his role as That is why I chose to make my maiden speech Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee during this important debate on health and education, when he returned to these Back Benches. I know that he because although a devolved Wales may be insulated, in will be greatly missed in this House and in my constituency, part, from the policies currently proposed by the Tory his former constituency. I wish him well, and I am sure coalition, other actions already undertaken will have a that many others in the House will join me in doing so. long-term impact on the ability of my constituents to For my own part, I intend to carry on Kim’s tradition improve their health and educational achievement. In of speaking without fear or favour on behalf of the particular, I refer to the so-called efficiency savings that constituents of Pontypridd, addressing the issues that the Government are achieving through abolishing the matter to them and serving them by articulating their future jobs fund and axing the baby bonds, policies that concerns both in and outside this great Chamber. I will were proving popular and effective in my constituency. do so with passion, and a conviction that I think comes As a Welsh MP in a British Parliament, I make no easiest to those of us in this House who are lucky apology for addressing the substance of the Government’s enough to represent the towns that made them. As a proposed education Bill, which appears to subvert entirely man of Pontypridd once naively hopeful of achieving the original intention of the academy system, transferring the highest accolade his town might bestow on him— freedoms that were accorded as a specific stimulus to playing for the first XV at Sardis road, of course—I schools in challenging circumstances and with diverse have no qualms in stating that standing here today is intakes, and affording them instead to already successful almost as proud a moment as it would have been to pull schools, allowing them to float free from democratic on the black and white jersey of Ponty. and local control. I am sure that hon. Friends from neighbouring As for the notion of free schools modelled on their constituencies will forgive me for saying that Pontypridd Swedish equivalents or US charter schools, I urge those is an iconic valleys seat. From the town of Pontypridd, on the Government Front Bench to examine the evidence bisected as it is by that most Welsh of waterways, the anew. Already today we have heard that state education Taff, whose once coal-black eddies mix now with the authorities in Sweden have decidedly mixed views about Rhondda in the great park of Ynysyngharad, through the track records and the segregating impact of the free to the former mining towns and villages of Beddau, schools there. From America, there is already a growing Tynant and Tonyrefail in the north, to the farmland body of evidence that leading educationists such as turned commuter communities of Pontyclun, Miskin Diane Ravitch are railing against them. She described and Efail Isaf in the south, it is modern south Wales in them recently as a “free market construct” designed by microcosm. Its past is also a near-perfect reflection of “right wing think-tanks for the purpose of destroying public south Wales history. Ponty grew from village to market education and the teachers’ unions”. town, then county town, on the profits from coal. The rush for black gold in the 19th and early 20th century In that one phrase the true agenda of the new right-wing forged great architecture, culture, character and a frontier coalition Government shines through, and it is a vision town attitude that would have been recognised in Abilene that I and others on the Opposition Benches will oppose or Dodge City in the same era. with vigour and conviction. That period left us with our famous bridge, once the I have had a lot of advice since arriving here as a new widest single span crossing in the world, and another by MP, all of it well meaning and most of it entirely Brunel; a train station built to accommodate the great contradictory—speak early and make a name for yourself, caravans of coal trucks, also at one point the longest in or bide your time for a decade or two; frequent the Tea the world; boxing champions like Freddie Welsh, singers Room with regularity, or shun it like the plague; never from the bass baritone of Geraint Evans to the Treforest show weakness to the Whips, and never cross them tenor of Tom Jones, and rugby stars by the dozen—Glyn either. I would like to thank all the honourable and Davies, Russell Robins, Neil Jenkins, Martin Williams, venerable Members for these pearls of wisdom. However, Gethin Jenkins; the list is endless. I believe the best advice I have taken was not delivered first hand, but in the pages of a newspaper by the Pontypridd’s present, too, mirrors post-industrial Wales: former deputy leader of the Labour party, Roy Hattersley. greener, cleaner, healthier and wealthier now, thanks to Labour investment. There is a new hospital, four new Lord Hattersley stated that schools, a massive increase in quality housing and home “it is belief that sustains MPs through the unavoidable days of ownership, and now a £40 million learning campus doubt and disappointment.” soon to be opened in Nantgarw, just one current testament I am not sure about the next bit, as he went on: to our ambition, the aspiration of our people and our faith in them. “The pay is … moderate. The conditions, though improved, are still inadequate. The status is equivalent to that enjoyed by However, questions remain about the future of snake-oil salesmen. Without clear convictions, life at Westminster Pontypridd. Though the last decade has seen my is a boring waste of time. With them, it is a great and glorious constituency, and others like it, start to close the gap in adventure.” health, wealth and opportunity between them and more I have my beliefs and my convictions, and I intend to affluent parts of Britain, the distance is still unacceptably hang on to them. I intend my time in this place to be a wide. It can be closed, in part, with effort and aspiration, “great and glorious adventure,” at the end of which I but it requires sustained investment too, and although will have made real improvements to the lives of people we live in much straitened economic times, principles of in Pontypridd. 539 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 540

9.29 pm I have never doubted the right hon. Gentleman’s Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): What a great note on commitment to the NHS, but I am less sure about the which to end. We are sure that will come to pass. people behind him and around him. Last August, a ComRes survey of prospective Tory parliamentary I begin by congratulating the Secretaries of State for candidates found that an amazing 62% disagreed with Health and Education on their new positions. I also their Front-Bench policy to increase NHS spending in welcome back to the Department of Health the hon. real terms during the course of this Parliament. Member for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), who left it in [Interruption.] I do not know whether the hon. Member 1997. I trust that he finds the NHS in much better shape for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) was one of the respondents than he left it all those years ago. Whatever policy to that survey, but it was an amazing statistic that so differences we may have, I do not think that any Opposition many people could not agree with the policy that Member would doubt the conviction or the depth of Conservative Front-Bench Members were putting forward. knowledge with which both Secretaries of State speak We have not heard from them today, but I suspect that in their new roles. The two Departments that they now there are a few more members of the Daniel Hannan lead have established impressive collaborative working tendency on the Government Benches. I am sure that in recent years, particularly on children’s health, on we will come to know and love them as the weeks and promoting children’s activity and on child safeguarding, months go by. and I hope that I can begin on a non-partisan note by encouraging them to build on that track record. My With apologies to some of the older hands in the right hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Outwood House, in the time remaining I would like to concentrate (Ed Balls) and I rarely missed an opportunity to promote on some of the 23 maiden speeches today. All hon. joint working between our two Departments, although Members spoke with great authenticity, and it is refreshing we can probably both admit now that jumping on a for Members who have been in the House for some time rope swing was, in retrospect, a promotional step too far. to hear such speeches made with real sincerity and passion, and before people learn the tricks and artifices Ed Balls: I enjoyed it. of this place which we all know so well. Andy Burnham: I beg to differ. Let me mention some of those speeches. The hon. Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon) spoke of his ancestors We heard from another former Secretary of State advising Henry VIII on divorce, and the thought crossed today, praising Labour’s investment in the NHS—the my mind that the family’s skills might be of some use if right hon. Member for Charnwood (Mr Dorrell). When the fabled married men’s allowance ever reaches the the Education Secretary spoke, he really laid bare the Floor of the House. We had a second maiden speech difference between the two sides of the House. He from my hon. Friend the new Member for Liverpool, boasted of the funding settlement that he had secured West Derby (Stephen Twigg). I have just been out to for this year, but under questioning from my right hon. check, and I can assure the House that the second was Friend, he could not answer tell us about future years. much better than the first—[Laughter]—but the first Nor could he say whether it extended to 11-year-olds was quite good as well, actually. He made mention of and beyond. the wonderful, international institution that is Alder The big difference between us is that we on the Hey hospital, and all Members, not just north-west Opposition Benches recognise that improving the health MPs, look forward to its successful rebuild in the coming of the nation depends on investing in far more than the years. It really is a true, national jewel in the crown, and NHS. It involves investing properly in local government we look forward to seeing that scheme make progress. and in our schools to ensure that we have public services that are able and equipped to work together. The The hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames) Government have made their commitment to increase praised the beauty of his constituency, and it is indeed a health spending in every year of this Parliament at the wonderful part of the world. My hon. Friend the Member expense of other crucial budgets on which the NHS for Luton South (Gavin Shuker) praised the huge change depends. It is a judgment that has more to do with that took place in his constituency after Labour came to political positioning than with sound and good policy power and, particularly, the progress that the university making, and they will come to regret it. of Bedfordshire has made. Perhaps others have said this to him since his wonderful victory, but I was musing on It is important for me, on behalf of all Opposition the idea that his victory speech was the shortest ever Members, to put something on the official record at the given at a count, with just the words: “That’s life.” I am start of this Parliament. Labour has left the NHS in its sure that that was the speech. It did not need to be much strongest ever position. That is a fact, and no attempt more than that. by the Government to rewrite history will change that. The NHS is substantially rebuilt and renewed. It has an The hon. Member for Totnes is a very welcome expanded, skilled and fairly rewarded work force, able addition to the House. We have lost a GP in Howard to meet the expectations that today’s patients have. Stoate, whom Opposition Members will remember very Waiting times are at an all-time low and infection rates fondly, but the hon. Lady brings back to the House the are right down; consequently, patient satisfaction with experience and voice of a general practitioner. She the NHS is at an all-time high. That did not happen by brings also some experience of wider public involvement chance. It happened because of decisions taken by in the political process, which is a good thing, too, and Labour Members in the teeth of opposition from the she spoke very knowledgeably about the real problem new Secretary of State and Conservative Members. and threat that alcohol misuse poses to our society. Because we took those tough decisions, we have left the My hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton NHS in that position. We shall be watching the North East (Emma Reynolds) rightly praised Ken Purchase, Government’s decisions closely to ensure that the NHS who made a distinguished contribution over many years continues to move forward in this period. in this House, not least in securing the redevelopment of 541 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 542

Wolverhampton’s New Cross hospital. My hon. Friend The right hon. Gentleman will remember that I approved said that she hoped to follow in the proud tradition of that decision not long before leaving the Department of women MPs who have come from the area, particularly Health. There can be no question but that the hospital Renée Short and Jennie Lee, and I am sure that she will redevelopment is essential for the city of Liverpool. It is keep up that fine tradition. not only the hospital trust that is involved; there is also The hon. Member for Bristol North West (Charlotte a partnership between the university of Liverpool and Leslie) made a very fair-minded and good maiden speech, the pharmaceutical industry. The hospital desperately talking of the need to improve educational opportunities needs to be replaced and I hope that the right hon. for all. She praised her predecessor, Doug Naysmith, Gentleman will encourage the decision back out of the who was also very warmly regarded by Opposition Treasury and allow it to proceed quickly. The scheme is Members and, I am sure, by Members from all parts of much needed to improve the health service on Merseyside. the House for his crucial work on the Health Committee The hon. Member for Bradford East (Mr Ward) and on mental health. stressed the significant effect of deprivation on a whole The hon. Member for Croydon Central (Gavin Barwell) host of factors, including life chances. We may feel that made a very strong maiden speech. “Croydon born and he is more in sympathy with us than with his new bred,” he said, and he talked about the town’s image friends on the Conservative Benches. My neighbour problem. However, on that outing he has already done and hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) his bit to reverse that idea and is already an excellent made an excellent speech praising my good friend Neil ambassador for his home town. Turner. She mentioned the importance of rugby league My hon. Friend the Member for Streatham in our borough and rightly said that our borough is (Mr Umunna) gave a very insightful and measured only now recovering from the effects of the recession of speech. Again, born and bred in his constituency, he the ’80s and ’90s. That is why it is so crucial that the spoke knowledgeably of the casino culture in the City Government should continue to help the North West and of the gap between rich and poor. It is still too Development Agency and others to develop the jobs of wide, and Opposition Members will renew our efforts the future in boroughs such as Wigan. We will hold the to narrow that gap. He talked also of the former Member Government to account for the decisions that they take for Streatham surfing in Cornwall as we met here today, on that. and I think we could all hear his trademark laugh The hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Heather echoing around the House as we imagined that scene. Wheeler) spoke of the importance of Toyota to the We then had a very rare moment in the House: a most Derbyshire area and I am sure that she was right to do impressive and incredible maiden speech. The hon. so. My hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Central Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys (Paul (Paul Blomfield) paid tribute to another good friend, Maynard) followed his leader in speaking without notes, Richard Caborn, who will be remembered most as a and as he can see not all of us can manage to do that, very distinguished Minister for Sport. My hon. Friend even after nine years in the House. However, he gave a also reminded the House of something that we may most confident speech, mentioning that he is the first want to file away and come back to a few times before former pupil of a special school to take a seat in the the next general election—how his neighbour, the right House and, indeed, the first Member with cerebral hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr Clegg), now palsy. He made a huge contribution this evening and a Deputy Prime Minister, was wandering around his huge impression, and nobody could fail to be moved by constituency right until polling day warning people that it. We all want to hope that people can fulfil their they should vote Lib Dem if they did not want the ambitions, whatever difficulties they face in life, and he Tories. We need to remind the right hon. Gentleman will make a distinguished contribution in the years to of that. come. His praise for Joan Humble was very well received The hon. Member for Tamworth (Christopher Pincher) by Opposition Members, and I do not know whether he praised Brian Jenkins, who made a distinguished makes any connection between Blackpool’s recent contribution to the House, and my hon. Friend the promotion to the premier league and his recent election Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz) made a as Member for the town, or indeed whether it is too distinguished speech. Finally, she is in this House in her early to make such a claim, but Everton look forward to own right, and she is very welcome. She will make a picking up six points when the new season begins. huge contribution. The hon. Member for Norwich South My hon. Friend the Member for Kilmarnock and (Simon Wright) paid tribute to Charles Clarke in a Loudoun (Cathy Jamieson) spoke passionately about distinguished speech. the importance of co-operative values and she was right There was a spirited and passionate speech about to do so. In the age that we live in, the public are Walthamstow from my hon. Friend the Member for looking for organisations that embody something different Walthamstow (Stella Creasy). I do not know whether, and give the public something that they can trust. She as a former Health Secretary, I can admit to having made that important point well. My hon. Friend also been to the dog track there, but I have. It was a wonderful mentioned Des Browne, whom we all remember well. place and we need to ensure that she fulfils her ambitions He made a huge contribution to public life and will for her constituency. She made a wonderful speech. The continue to do so in another place. hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon The hon. Member for Stroud (Neil Carmichael) praised Henderson) spoke passionately about the fulfilment of David Drew; I believe that the hon. Gentleman comes his dream. Finally, I turn to my hon. Friend the Member from his constituency and is well known there. My hon. for Pontypridd (Owen Smith). We could not give him Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana the black and white of Ponty rugby football club, but Berger) made an important point, and I ask the Secretary we have given him the green Benches. We hope that they of State for Health to consider it. She spoke of the are good enough. His first speech shows that he will important need to rebuild the Royal Liverpool hospital. have a great career in this place. 543 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 544

[Andy Burnham] Let me say to the right hon. Gentleman, in return, that I thank him, on behalf of the NHS, for his In the time that I have left, I want to tell the Health commitment. From the days when he began as a Minister Secretary that we will come back time and again in this in the Department and then went, as it were, back to the Parliament to the commitments that he made during shop floor, I think that nobody has doubted his personal the general election campaign to remove NHS targets. commitment to improving standards in the NHS, nor, That is the biggest difference between us. I am picking indeed, that of his outgoing ministerial team. He is on up whispers that, having spoken to the civil servants in his own in the shadow health team—[Interruption.] the Department, he is having second thoughts and Oh, I beg their pardons. However, he has lost his fellow thinks that that is not such a good idea after all. That Ministers. I will not go on at length, but I know that was the whisper in the trade press. However, this afternoon they were all committed to their jobs. I want especially at the Dispatch Box, the Prime Minister said that the to mention Ann Keen. As a nurse, she showed her targets would be going. Let me tell the Health Secretary personal commitment to the NHS and to nursing as a directly that if those targets are removed from the profession. My colleagues, including the Under-Secretary national health service, people everywhere who depend of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for on a good service from the NHS will no longer be able Guildford (Anne Milton), and I will ensure that we to count on that. Those standards, which Labour continue the work of identifying how we can take introduced, have given us a national health service that nursing forward as a profession. That includes the work provides a good standard of care to people right across that she and the Minister of State, Department of the country. They are good standards to have in a Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford national health service. (Mr Burns), have done in looking at nursing as a The Secretary of State needs to come clean at the profession for the future. Dispatch Box. Is he going to back up those standards, As Secretary of State, it is my privilege to be able to or does he have something else in mind? Is he going to represent those who work in the national health service. keep the 18-week target, the two-week target for cancer, We have reason, all of us, to be grateful to them every and the four-hour A and E target? He needs to give a day. People in Cumbria, especially today, have reason to direct answer. If he is not going to do that, he will leave be grateful to the north-west ambulance service, to local lots of people without the peace of mind that they need GPs, and to those who work in North Cumbria University and that tells them the NHS will be there for them when Hospitals NHS Trust, particularly those at West they need it. I can tell him that if he removes those Cumberland hospital, whom I have twice visited. I standards in a time of financial pressure in the NHS, know the responsibility that they feel, even on a day-to-day then as sure as night follows day, waiting lists and basis, for providing hospital care—acute care—to patients waiting times will begin to increase, and Labour Members across that part of Cumberland, which is at a great will hold him and his colleagues responsible for that. distance from other hospital locations. I know that We have given the warnings. We do not want to see the people in Cumbria will be deeply grateful for the service progress made in the NHS lost in the months and years that they have provided to look after them today. ahead, and we will hold him to ensuring that commitments It is a privilege for the shadow Secretary of State and given will be honoured. He said that he will take the I to respond to this debate, which has included 23 maiden NHS forward, and we will ensure that that is indeed speeches and, indeed, some fine speeches by Members what he delivers. who are not new. Before I respond to those speeches in If the Secretary of State makes those changes and detail, I want to say that it was very encouraging to hear leaves people without the peace of mind that they need the commitment to improving quality expressed on from the NHS, and if the Education Secretary and the both sides of the House. Business Secretary go ahead and take away people’s life chances by restricting access to university and the future It was particularly encouraging to hear my right hon. jobs fund, it will not be a case of, “We’re all in this Friend the Secretary of State for Education and other together”, but of leaving people who have least and are Members on these Benches demonstrate that what we in a much deeper hole than the others without the need to achieve that quality is a change from a command- security and peace of mind that they need from a strong and-control, top-down system of running our schools, NHS and, for young people looking for a job, the hospitals, health care and social care services to one ladder to get up to a better life. We will hold this that is built on standards of delivering quality. We need Cabinet to account for those decisions, and we will to understand that if we are really going to achieve that, ensure that the excellent progress that we have made is we have to give parents greater choice and control over not threatened or jeopardised by this Government. the education that their children receive. We have to give patients greater information, choice and control over the health care that they receive, and in all the public 9.46 pm services that we are talking about, we must provide The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley): those who deliver them with a much greater sense of It is a great privilege to be able to come to this Dispatch ownership. Box for the first time as Secretary of State for Health, It is all very well for the right hon. Member for Leigh after six and a half years as shadow Secretary of State. I to talk about what has been achieved in the NHS over thank the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) recent years, and I have never been one to diminish for his kind words about me and my team. I am very what has been achieved. However, many who work in proud of the team that we have at the Department of the service, notwithstanding the fact that they are better Health. I was proud when the Prime Minister spoke of paid than they were and know that they have had us in warm terms today, and we will fulfil the responsibilities an unprecedented increase in resources to deliver that he has placed on us. improvements, still feel demoralised and that they are 545 Debate on the Address2 JUNE 2010 Debate on the Address 546 not in control of the service that they provide. They decision making inside the education and health services, cannot give the care that they want to give, and they as we intend to do, things happen differently in different know that they are not yet matching the standard of places. That is precisely why those services should be care that they could achieve given the opportunity to do empowered to respond in different ways in different so. It is our responsibility to make that happen and I do places, and that is our intention. not doubt the commitment of Government Members There have been some fabulous maiden speeches to do so. I visited 62 constituencies during the general today. I say to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow election campaign and, without exception, I met candidates (Robert Halfon) that I appreciate the 10 years that he who were committed to delivering improvements in has been fighting for the people of Harlow. He showed health care, not least because in many cases they had today his absolute commitment to maintaining exactly personally campaigned for years to deliver improvements that support for the people whom he represents. in health care services. That is why we will not let It is good to see the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Labour’s debt crisis, which we have inherited, mean that Derby (Stephen Twigg) back, and to those of us who we cut the NHS and make the sick pay. entered the House at the same time as him, it feels as When the right hon. Gentleman was Secretary of though he had not gone away. I understand exactly State, he commissioned McKinsey to go off and publish what he says about Alder Hey, and the same is true of a report. It produced a report for him stating that on Broadgreen. I visited Alder Hey shortly before the average, something like 10% of those employed by a election, and it tells us a lot when families are crammed provider of health care with 300 staff should be taken together on a ward, but all they want to do is say how away, mostly clinical staff. That was the recommendation wonderful the care that they are receiving is. However, given this March to my predecessor as Secretary of we have a responsibility to ensure that terrific care is State, but that is not the way we should go. We must provided in physical circumstances that reflect it. We move towards a change in priorities from a service that cannot make announcements about the Royal Liverpool was increasing the number of managers three times as and Broadgreen, or about Monitor in relation in Alder fast as the number of nurses to one that deploys clinical Hey as a foundation trust, but I hope that we will be staff on the front line to deliver the care that patients able to do so soon. need. The hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames) and others talked about the importance of community Andy Burnham: Just for the record, the report was not hospitals. I hope that he will have heard the Prime commissioned by me or by Ministers but by the former Minister say this afternoon that they are supported and director of commissioning in the Department, who left valued. That is absolutely the case, and I know Chippenham before I arrived. hospital from visiting it in the past. The hon. Member for Luton South (Gavin Shuker) said that there is more Mr Lansley: Let me put it like this: I inherited a to life than politics. That is very wise, very true and very Department in which the report had been produced but good advice for those in the Labour party at the moment. not published, so I published it. I published the report The hon. Member for Wolverhampton North East (Emma on London and will publish all the reports that were Reynolds) has obviously learnt her politics well, because prepared before the election, such as the prescription she mentioned the Express & Star, which is very sensible. charges review that the Secretary of State commissioned She also talked about New Cross hospital, which I have from Professor Ian Gilmore, which was not published visited, as she will know. before the general election. As far as I am concerned, We must provide the public with the information we are committed to transparency and getting that required to enable them to support the driving up of information out. standards through the exercise of control and choice, I have immense respect for the right hon. Member for but also sometimes just through holding people to Rother Valley (Mr Barron). He and I do not agree account publicly for the quality of the service that they about the specific issue of minimum unit pricing on provide. New Cross is a great example: there has not alcohol, and he knows why—I do not believe we have been a case of MRSA there since June 2009. That is seen the evidence of its benefit compared with cost, terrific. The former Secretary of State will say, “Haven’t particularly for low-income households. However, my we done well in reducing infections?” However, that is hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) is from a terribly high base. What will drive down infections absolutely right that we must do something about the is a constant focus on places that achieve the best matter. We must acknowledge the scale and severity of results, and New Cross—as I know from personal the problems resulting from alcohol misuse, and we experience—does extraordinarily well. must tackle supply, pricing and problem drinks. We My hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North West must ensure that we enforce legislation properly, but we (Charlotte Leslie) and others talked about the pupil must also recognise that it is not just about restricting premium and the health premium, how we can reduce the availability of alcohol. We must change our relationship health and education inequalities and how we can achieve with alcohol as individuals and as a society, and we will a greater sense of equality in our society. Notwithstanding address that issue. some of the correct arguments about the wider social My hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes determinants of health and education, if we tackle both North (Mark Lancaster) knows that I am committed to as communities and as a society, we can do a great deal maternity services there and to helping them deliver the to reduce those underlying inequalities at the same time quality that his constituents expect. The hon. Member as we tackle economic inequality. for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Meg Hillier) said My hon. Friend the Member for Croydon Central that what works in Surrey Heath may not work in (Gavin Barwell) and I go back a long way—20 years—and Hackney. Exactly—that is the point. When we devolve it was a delight to hear him talking about Croydon and, 547 Debate on the Address 2 JUNE 2010 548

[Mr Lansley] Integrated Health Care Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House in particular, about leadership, because that is important. do now adjourn.—(Miss Chloe Smith.) Many other hon. Members also talked about that issue, and rightly so. I heard no references to traffic lights from the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr Umunna), 10 pm but I used to live in Balham and it was a delight to learn David Tredinnick (Bosworth) (Con): I count myself more about the area. I never knew that I was walking lucky to have secured this debate on the day that we the longest high street in western Europe. The hon. have debated health matters in the Queen’s Speech, and Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Luciana Berger) to discuss integrated health care for the first time in this managed to tell us about the world’s first integrated Parliament. I am fortunate to be—[Interruption.] sewer system and Meccano, so the debate this evening has been very educational. Mr Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the I do not want to leave anybody out, and I was hon. Gentleman. This has been a stimulating and, for delighted to hear the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and many, a rewarding day, but if Members who are leaving Loudoun (Cathy Jamieson), who talked about mutualism the Chamber could please do so quickly and quietly, the and social enterprise, which are terrifically important. House will benefit from the words of the hon. Gentleman. We will do more to give employers in public services ownership of the services that they provide. The hon. David Tredinnick: I am flattered to have the Secretary Member for Bradford East (Mr Ward) will know that of State for Health on the Front Bench, the shadow examples such as Born in Bradford will be part of how Secretary of State for Health on the Opposition Front we approach our public health strategies. Everyone Bench and, to my left, a former Secretary of State for seemed to mention academies this evening, but my hon. Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for Charnwood Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Heather (Mr Dorrell). It is perhaps pertinent that it was him—then Wheeler) was the only one to mention a golf academy. the Member for Loughborough—who, as an Under- My hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool North Secretary, first made it possible for GPs to refer patients and Cleveleys (Paul Maynard) made the important to practitioners who were regarded as complementary point that we must deliver improving long-term care and alternative, if they took clinical responsibility. That that allies health and social care together. We will do was the Conservative policy that he instituted way back that and we will reform adult social care—and we will in 1990. not wait until 2015-16 as proposed. We will press on This debate fits so well with my right hon. Friend the and examine how we can do that in a matter of months, Secretary of State’s determination that, in the words of not of years. Queen’s Speech, The hon. Members for Norwich South (Simon Wright) “The voice of patients and the role of doctors will be and for Walthamstow (Stella Creasy) gave us further strengthened”.—[Official Report, 25 May 2010; Vol. 510, c. 31.] visions of how they will achieve their objectives for their This evening I would like principally to address three constituencies, as did my hon. Friend the Member for related issues: the situation regarding homeopathy and Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson) and homeopathic hospitals; the regulation of herbal medicine the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Owen Smith). They and acupuncture; and the consideration of other available are robust advocates in speaking up for their constituencies models, particularly in Australia and the United States. and explaining their convictions. Let me start by welcoming my hon. Friend the Under- In conclusion, I am committed, as is my right hon. Secretary to her place. In a sense, this was an integrated Friend the Secretary of State for Education, to putting health care general election, because the arch-opponent in place sustainable, stable reforms that achieve our of anything to do with non-orthodox medicine, the vision of delivering health and educational outcomes former Member for Oxford West and Abingdon, was that are as good as anywhere in the world, based on defeated and the gentleman who stood against me on principles of equity, excellence and delivering greater an anti-alternative medicine ticket lost his deposit. That efficiency in the services that we represent, but most of was because people are increasingly in favour of having all based on empowerment of people. alternatives in the health service. Indeed, 50% of the population have at some stage tried one form of integrated 10 pm health care or another—acupuncture, herbal medicine The debate stood adjourned (Standing Order No. 9(3)). or homeopathy—or a back treatment. Ordered, That the debate be resumed tomorrow. The Secretary of State’s proposal for an independent national health service board to allocate resources, provide commissioning guidance and allow GPs to commission services on behalf of patients is the ideal vehicle to give guidance. The first point that I would like to make to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary is that the new board, when instituted, should offer guidance, through the primary care trusts, on what is available in the health service and stress why integrated health care is so important, for which I would suggest there are three principal reasons. First, people often turn to the alternatives when mainstream medicine has not succeeded. Secondly, conditions often fall into what is known as the effectiveness gap—that is, a category that conventional treatment is 549 Integrated Health Care2 JUNE 2010 Integrated Health Care 550 unable to help. Thirdly, people might not have benefited message across, we will have performed a great service. from conventional treatments or they might have I am of course speaking to my hon. Friend on the Front experienced adverse effects owing to drug reactions. Bench. Another important point, which fits the new coalition The regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture Government’s proposal for cost-effectiveness, is that the is a crucial area. The previous Government spent for alternative disciplines—herbal medicine, aromatherapy, ever debating the matter and calling various professors homeopathy, osteopathy, chiropractic—are very cost- to look into it. They asked for more and more information, effective. They are often cheaper than other treatments and the final recommendations, produced by Professor and, if used in conjunction with mainstream medicine, Pitillo and Lord Chan, were that these areas should be can be very effective in reducing the effects of heart regulated by the Health Professions Council so that disease, asthma, back pain and stress, for example. An there could be an interface with European legislation integrated approach will offer my hon. Friend the Minister next year. However, the recommendation of the outgoing and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State new Government was that these matters should be regulated weapons in the armoury of health care. by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council In the past few years, there has been a concerted instead. I think that that would be a mistake; I believe attack on the homeopathic hospitals in this country, that we should go for stricter regulation. All the other which go back to the formation of the health service, disciplines could join the 3,000 now registered on the and on homeopathic treatments generally, on the ground CNHC register. That would be the way forward. Certainly, that the science is weak and does not demonstrate that all the organisations in the field—including the Association they are effective. This has manifested itself in bogus of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the European Department of Health circulars, in the fact that the herbal medicine and acupuncture societies—want statutory British Medical Association’s conferences have tabled regulation. motions on the subject, and in the Science and Technology Finally, I turn to deal with what is happening in the Committee’s recent highly controversial report claiming rest of the world. I have already referred to the fact that that homeopathy was a placebo. we should take note of the widespread and increasing use of homeopathy in France—I did not mention Germany The effect of that has been to reduce the number of —and India, while we should also look at what is happening referrals from primary care trusts in London, particularly in Australia, which has been a leader. In Australia, to the Royal London Homeopathic hospital. The hon. according to Government reports, 50% of the population Member for Hampstead and Kilburn (Glenda Jackson) are now using herbal or complementary medicines. took up that matter. In other parts of the country, There are a number of colleges where these disciplines pressure has been put on training. I encourage my hon. can be studied and a Complementary Medicine Evaluation Friend the Minister to make a statement tonight that committee has been set up; the Australians also have a the Government are supportive of the homeopathic Therapeutic Goods Administration committee. Herbal discipline, as they said they were before the general medicines are considered by the TGA of Australia to be election. “reasonably safe with less adverse reactions than conventional The problem with the report that the Science and pharmaceutical treatment”— Technology Committee produced was that it did not this is the big hint that we should look seriously at these take evidence from primary care trusts or from the treatments—and Sydney university has established the Society of Homeopaths, and it ignored completely the herbal medicines research and education centre evidence from abroad, which shows a greatly increased “to promote high-quality scholarship and research excellence in use of homeopathic treatments. For example, in France, herbal medicines through teaching, research and international homeopathy is taught in seven medical schools and linkages.” practised by 25,000 doctors. In India, it is part of the In fairness to the former Secretary of State, the right health service. There are 180 colleges teaching homeopathy hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), who has just there, and more than 300,000 practitioners. Whatever left the Chamber, I should say that he introduced a the merits of the scientific research, the fact is that there number of surveys, through the National Institute for are 500 doctors in Britain who choose to use homeopathic Health and Clinical Excellence, which was a welcome treatments as part of their work. Whatever the science development. I think, however, that my hon. Friend the says—whether it is proven or not—those people believe Minister could do more, and I hope that she will. The that homeopathy works, and that is important. Australian institutions were given a lot of money. I am The costs involved are absolutely minimal. The cost not suggesting that there is a lot of money around at the per year to the national health service of homeopathic moment, but if Australia can provide $4 million to start medicines is £152,000, out of a budget of £11 billion. up and get going its National Institute of Complementary Over the three years from 2005 to 2008, the hospitals Medicine, it is something that we should also consider doing. themselves cost the nation £12 million—£4 million a The other country way ahead of us is the United year. These are very small costs, and we really need to States of America, which now has a National Centre for take that on board. We must also recognise that there Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the federal are new approvals coming on stream. At Sao Paolo Government’s lead agency for scientific research on university in Brazil, homeopathic treatments have been complementary and alternative medicine. It is one of found to be effective in treating depression, instead of 27 institutes that make up the National Institute of Prozac, and the university of Texas has shown the Health in the US and it is statutorily regulated. The positive effect of homeopathic treatments in killing mission is to explore cancer cells while maintaining good cells. There is a “complementary and alternative healing practices in the context lot to look at there, and the message should be that of rigorous science… train complementary and alternative medicine doctors who wish to use these therapies should do so researchers and… disseminate authoritative information to the and should be free to refer. If we can get that simple public and professionals.” 551 Integrated Health Care2 JUNE 2010 Integrated Health Care 552

[David Tredinnick] claimed that all of them are now in a precarious position as a result of such significant funding losses. That is a It conducts research using scientific methods and advanced matter of concern, given that they have clearly offered technologies to study CAM. I believe that we should valuable treatments to patients. follow that model. My hon. Friend said that a number of people turn to During my time in the House, I have had the honour alternative therapies when they have either been failed to chair and be an officer of the parliamentary group by conventional medicine or have adverse responses to for integrated and complementary healthcare and the it. Although he referred to the current position, it may old parliamentary group for alternative and complementary help if I make some more general points connected with medicine. Over a period of more than 20 years, we have our approach to health care. seen these disciplines come in from out of the cold to Decisions about patient care are best made by clinicians. complement and augment the wonderful work of our Local practitioners are best equipped to decide which national health service. With our very liberal approach therapies will ensure the best outcomes for individual to empowering doctors and to giving patients greater cases, and are best placed to decide which services can choices in what they want, we have a great opportunity cater for their areas’ health needs—in conjunction, of to draw on the wonderful resources we now have vested course, with patients themselves. The Government’s in our homeopathic hospitals, which offer many other role in all that is to empower patients and professionals treatments besides homeopathy, and in our 20,000 to to take control of the funding and provision of health 30,000 practitioners out there in the field who can offer services in their areas, to encourage further research on herbal medicine and acupuncture. new treatments and therapies, to support the local NHS The Minister now has a great opportunity to grasp by providing information on the clinical effectiveness the nettle and complete the great work that was started and cost-effectiveness of various treatments, and, of when my right hon. Friend the Member for Charnwood— course, to protect the public by ensuring that those originally the Member for Loughborough—agreed that treatments are safe. We do that through the National doctors taking clinical responsibility could refer to these Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which is practitioners. We need to move 20 years ahead, and responsible for making recommendations on treatments complete this process with statutory regulation for herbalists to the NHS, and through the Medicines and Healthcare and acupuncturists, proper referrals and an acceptance products Regulatory Agency, which is responsible for that our 500 homeopathic doctors can refer patients if regulating the safety of medicines and treatments. The they want to do so. If we do that, my hon. Friend the Government also encourage research on new medical Minister will be well remembered in years to come. treatments and technologies, primarily through the National Institute for Health Research. Research proposals are 10.14 pm assessed in open competition, on the basis of scientific quality, and are subject to peer review. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health My hon. Friend raised the issues of choice and cost- (Anne Milton): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member effectiveness. He observed that complementary and for Bosworth (David Tredinnick) on securing this alternative medicines were often very cost-effective, and Adjournment debate on complementary and alternative that the methods of treatment often involved limited medicine and integrated health care—a subject that I invasiveness. It may be useful to deal with those two know is close to his heart. His continued interest and issues together, as they go to the heart of my hon. continued efforts to raise the matter in this House, as Friend’s concern: the fact that PCTs are not commissioning well as his determination to keep the issue alive and or fully using complementary and alternative medicines. uppermost in our minds, is legendary. He commented As I stated earlier, we believe that local practitioners himself on his 20 years of campaigning on this issue. It are best placed to make decisions about individual care, is important to note that it is the efforts of individual and that GPs are often most in touch with the health Members—their continued efforts, sometimes against needs of their local populations. That is why it is so the odds—that keep these issues uppermost and alive in important that this Government will seek to give GPs our minds. more power to commission services, and patients more My hon. Friend may be interested to know that power to choose health care providers. By bringing although I trained as a nurse and worked in the NHS together groups of general practitioners and giving for 25 years in conventional medicine, my grandmother them direct control over the health budgets of their trained at the homeopathic hospital in London, and patients, we will push the decision-making process closer was herself a homeopathic nurse. Later, she became a to patients—closer to the heart of the problem. GPs Christian Scientist. I am therefore not without my own will have the power to choose how to spend resources in roots in alternative therapies. My hon. Friend may also order to achieve the best health outcomes, and we will be interested to know that my grandmother never, until ensure that PCT boards include directly elected individuals her death at the age of 89, took any conventional who can speak for patients at board level so that local medicine. people have a voice when decisions are made about My hon. Friend raised the issue of homeopathic local health provision. hospitals and his concern about them. I understand Giving GPs more responsibility and more control that there are five such hospitals in the United Kingdom, over how NHS resources are used in their areas, and based in London, Bristol, Tunbridge Wells, Liverpool giving patients the power to choose any provider that and Glasgow. However, the Tunbridge Wells homeopathic meets NHS standards, will result in a health service that hospital stopped providing services in March 2009 owing is not only more flexible, which is what my hon. Friend to the primary care trust’s decision to end funding. All wants, but more responsive to patient need. As he will the hospitals have experienced a reduction in the number be aware, the decision to commit NHS resources cannot of referrals over the past three years, and it has been be taken lightly, especially during a period when the 553 Integrated Health Care2 JUNE 2010 Integrated Health Care 554

NHS as a whole must find considerable efficiency savings. In conclusion, I wish to thank my hon. Friend for his Commissioners must be sure they are funding treatments contribution to the debate and to suggest that perhaps that will result in the best health outcomes. That is what the picture is not as bleak as he fears—I noted a certain we all want. They must be sure of the safety, clinical and weariness in his voice; he feels that he has raised this cost effectiveness, and availability and evidence in support issue on so many occasions and it has fallen on deaf ears. of any therapy, and they must be sure that there are David Tredinnick: As I have been in this position suitable practitioners in their area to deliver it. before, I was nervous that the Minister might sit down The issue of regulation was raised, and it is a thorny before I had the chance to make a final intervention. I one. When I was a shadow Health Minister, I met on wish to make one plea to her. I listened carefully to what numerous occasions psychologists, psychotherapists and she said in the past five minutes and I wish to suggest to counsellors who were very concerned about the regulation her that it would be enormously helpful if the Department of their professions. Across the professions allied to were to issue a circular to primary care trusts saying health care, there are those who are keen on regulation that it is not against these therapies and it is up to and those who feel regulation would be wrong and doctors to decide whether or not they can be used, that would be unable to deal with the intricacies of their it has no bias against them and that it is leaving it to the work. There is no doubt that vulnerable people are clinicians to decide whether or not they wish referrals to often preyed upon by unskilled and unscrupulous be made to PCTs and on to hospitals. A great fog practitioners, and I think that professions wanting to surrounds this issue. Nothing may come out of tonight’s achieve the highest standards will welcome proper debate apart from the fact that we have discussed the regulation. The issue for Government is always whether matter, but it would be very helpful if she could consider statutory regulation is the most appropriate way of issuing a direction saying, “It’s over to you. We are not dealing with that risk, or if a lighter-touch approach objecting to this.” would be more appropriate. That is why, as I understand it, last year the Department of Health, along with Anne Milton: I thank my hon. Friend for that devolved Departments, consulted on the regulation of intervention. As the new Minister in this post, I am practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine and hesitant to commit to things that I feel might be above traditional Chinese medicine. As my hon. Friend will be my pay grade. aware, the consultation closed in November, and more than 6,000 responses were received. The high response Mr Stephen Dorrell (Charnwood) (Con): Quite right. rate is a testament to the strength of feeling about Anne Milton: I think that I am quite right about that, public access to complementary and alternative medicines; because that sort of thing is, in general, a career-limiting I am sure I am not alone in having received a huge move. I think that what my hon. Friend the Member for number of letters on the subject. Bosworth is saying, what his concern is and why he feels The consultation examined in detail the options for that the picture is rather bleak is that he has encountered regulation, including alternatives to statutory regulation. minds that are closed to alternative therapies. That will Once the Government have considered the consultation not be solved by the Government issuing directives, responses, we will make clear the next steps in the because a number of issues need to be considered, one regulatory process. In acknowledgment of my hon. of which is the training of doctors and those in other Friend’s keen interest in the matter, I am very happy to professions allied to health care. Our move towards keep in touch with him about it. In the meantime, the GPs having more power and control, and towards their Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council provides having the ability to commission services, will, in itself, for voluntary registration for practitioners from nine loosen the ties on how they think about where the best complementary therapy disciplines. I appreciate that treatment will be found. my hon. Friend feels that that is not sufficient, but that I am sure that my hon. Friend will be pleased that is in place for the moment while we consider the consultation acupuncture is used widely in pain clinics and even in that has taken place and make a decision on what the some maternity services, and that the Department of next steps should be. Health continues to fund research into new treatments, I note my hon. Friend’s comments on the Lords through the National Institute for Health Research, Science and Technology Committee report on homeopathy, and to award funding for studies into the efficacy and and I am aware that it caused quite a lot of concern. It value of complementary and alternative medicines. The was published on 22 February, and we are still considering National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence it and will formally respond in due course. He raised has already published guidance that refers to considerable concerns about the report, and highlighted complementary therapies—for example, those relating the low cost of many alternative therapies and the to lower back pain, multiple sclerosis, antenatal and important contributions they make. He also made reference palliative care. Our approach to all treatments, be they to experiences from around the world—he mentioned complementary, alternative or mainstream, is the same. Australia in particular, and also the USA—and he Treatments must be supported by robust evidence, and made an important point about the open-mindedness they must meet safety, quality, clinical and cost-effectiveness of some countries to alternative therapies. criteria. If they are then called for by clinicians on the In considering outcomes, patient-reported outcome ground, they should be, can be and will be used in the measures must be an important factor. As my hon. NHS. Friend rightly said—and as I mentioned—individuals’ Question put and agreed to. own experiences are very important, and if we want to achieve the best outcomes, one step we must take is to 10.28 pm ask the patient whether they actually got better. House adjourned.

17WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 18WS

The main Research Council items discussed on 26 May Written Ministerial were the Commission’s Europe 2020 strategy, ITER (the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), Statements the Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) European earth observation programme, the Baltic sea research and development programme (BONUS) Wednesday 2 June 2010 and the European research area. On Europe 2020, the proposed EU-wide 3% GDP target for investment in research and development was debated by Ministers. The UK stressed the importance BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS of research and innovation and said it was considering its national target. A number of member states said EU Competitiveness Council they wished to keep their national targets under review. The Council discussed the status and long-term funding of ITER. The UK and a number of other member The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, states recognised the scientific importance of ITER but Innovation and Skills (Mr Edward Davey): The EU stressed the need for careful negotiation on funding to Competitiveness Council took place in Brussels on 25 and avoid placing undue cost burdens on member states. 26 May 2010. The Secretary of State for Business, The Council also agreed conclusions on innovation Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member which will contribute to the Commission’s research and for Twickenham (Vince Cable) represented the UK on innovation plan. The presidency gave an update on EU internal market and industry issues on 25 May and progress on reaching agreements with the European the Minister for Universities and Science, my hon. Parliament on GMES and on BONUS. The Council Friend the Member for Havant (Mr Willetts) represented also agreed conclusions on the European research area the UK on EU research issues on 26 May. Andy Lebrecht, on the formation of a new more strategic committee. the UK’s deputy permanent representative to the EU The any other business items discussed covered updates represented the UK when a Minister was not in attendance. on the Citizens agenda of Science and Innovation, the A summary of those discussions follows. European Institute of Technology, European Co-operation The main Internal Market/Industry Council items in Science and Technology (COST) and the Strategic discussed on 25 May were harmonisation of the marketing Forum for International Scientific and Technical of construction products, energy-efficient vehicles, future Co-operation. revision of the trade mark system in the EU, the services directive, EU consumer rights, and the Mario Monti COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT report on the EU single market. The Council reached political agreement with UK Local Government (Doncaster) support on a common position for a regulation on the marketing of construction products. Council conclusions The Secretary of State for Communities and Local were agreed on an EU strategy for clean and energy-efficient Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I am announcing today vehicles. In discussion the UK supported the strategy a package of intensive measures that I am proposing to but stressed the need for a technology-neutral approach, put in place to turn around Doncaster metropolitan which was also supported by several other member borough council after 15 years of poor governance and states. dysfunctional politics. The Council approved conclusions on the future of Following a corporate governance inspection of the the trade mark system in Europe and the Commission council, the Audit Commission published their report confirmed their commitment to the harmonisation of on 19 April 2010 which concluded that the council is EU trade marks systems and the enforcement of intellectual not properly run, is failing, and lacks the capacity to property rights. The Commission and the Spanish EU improve. The commission recommended statutory presidency gave an update on the implementation of intervention by the Secretary of State. the services directive, stressing the added value that full The then Government accepted the report, announced implementation would bring to the EU. that Government would intervene, and sought There was a ministerial lunchtime discussion on the representations from the authority and its partners by recent Mario Monti report on the future strategy for the 25 May on the form that intervention might take. It also EU single market. The Council also debated the proposed established an emergency advisory board to provide, if EU consumer rights directive which seeks to harmonise urgent decisions were needed, leadership and clear support consumer law to make cross-border trade easier. The to the council’s acting chief executive. UK stressed the importance of full harmonisation where I have considered carefully the Audit Commission’s this would be beneficial, while allowing member states report and recommendations, together with the to determine the right level of consumer protection and representations received from the council, including the consumer rights. mayor, and its partners about the form of any intervention. The any other business items discussed covered a I am satisfied that there is a strong case for intervention draft regulation on textile labelling, the Commission’s at Doncaster metropolitan borough council, and I have EU digital agenda document, the latest EU consumer issued today to that authority a draft of a direction that markets scoreboard and a legal framework for gambling I intend to make under section 15 of the Local Government and betting in the EU. There were also Commission Act 1999 specifying the form of intervention to be put reports on a recent European shipbuilding conference in place at Doncaster, together with a draft explanatory and on an informal EU Ministers meeting on tourism. memorandum. 19WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 20WS

The intervention package that I am proposing has Council conclusions on the Stockholm programme been developed working with the Local Government action plan are on the A points list for agreement Association and others in local government. It consists without discussion, unless any member state intervenes. of my giving directions on three matters: first, the The conclusions emphasise that the Stockholm programme appointment of a head of paid service who will provide sets the agenda, note that there are inconsistencies officer leadership and recommend appointment of statutory between the action plan and the programme and urge officers; secondly, the appointment of three commissioners the Commission to bring forward only those actions who will be responsible for other officer appointments that are in full conformity with the programme. and any other matter referred to them; and thirdly, the Her Majesty’s Government do not support every council’s co-operation with an intervention and recovery aspect of the Stockholm programme action plan and board comprising the commissioners and other experts while we will support the Council conclusions I will to provide external support and challenge. make it clear that this does not imply our backing for The authority now has until the 23 June to make any the entirety of the Stockholm programme, in particular representations it wishes on the draft direction. Having the idea of a European public prosecutor and a common regard to any representations I receive, I intend to take asylum policy. The UK will consider whether or not to a final decision on the form of intervention by the end opt in to new legislative proposals resulting from the of June. Stockholm programme on a case-by-case basis. Copies of the draft direction and explanatory memorandum have been placed in the Library of the The Council, beginning in Mixed Committee with House. Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland—commonly referred to as the Schengen States—will hear a state-of-play report from the Commission on the second generation HEALTH Schengen Information System (SIS II). The Commission will also present a comprehensive global schedule and Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer budget for the entry into operation of SIS II. Affairs Council The Council will be asked to adopt conclusions encouraging member states to make more extensive use The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health of automated border control systems at their external (Anne Milton): The Employment, Social Policy, Health borders. The UK will not participate in these automated and Consumer Affairs Council will meet on 7 and systems, or the EU passport regulation on which the 8 June. The Health and Consumer Affairs part of the automated systems will be based, as they build on Council will be taken on 8 June. elements of the Schengen acquis in which we do not participate. Items on the main agenda are: patients’ rights in cross-border health care; provision of food information The Council will receive an update on the progress of to consumers; health inequalities; and national initiatives the visa liberalisation road maps for the western Balkan on salt. countries agreed by the EU in 2009. The UK does not The presidency is likely to ask Ministers for political participate in EU common visa policy, as it builds on an agreement on the directive on the application of patients’ area of the Schengen acquis in which the UK does not rights in cross-border health care. They also propose to participate. adopt Council conclusions on both the reduction of After Mixed Committee, the presidency will present health inequalities and the reduction of salt in food. the first main assessment description report for internal The United Kingdom supports the adoption of these debate (MADRID) report on internal security in the two proposals. A policy debate is expected on a regulation EU. The report is a combination of threat assessments on the provision of food information. from Europol, Eurojust and Frontex against which the Under any other business, information will be provided Council will be invited to debate and consider priorities from the presidency on the two aspects of the for future action. The Council will not however be pharmaceutical package—proposals to reduce the threat asked to approve the report. from counterfeit medicines and strengthening of community pharmacovigilance). In addition, we expect the presidency Next there will be a discussion on the most recent to provide information in preparation for the conference report from the counter-terrorism co-ordinator (CTC), of the parties to the framework convention on tobacco Gilles de Kerchove, on the implementation of the EU control to be held later this year. strategy and action plan to combat terrorism. The report examines the nature of the threat, transportation security—especially in the field of land transport— HOME DEPARTMENT monitoring of terrorist travel, and the connecting of internal and external security. The UK supports efforts Justice and Home Affairs pre-Council Statement made by the EU CTC to continue to drive forward EU action and co-operation on counter terrorism. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the The Council will then be asked to accept the draft Home Department (James Brokenshire): The Justice and text and sign off the EU-US counter-terrorism declaration, Home Affairs Council is due to be held on 3 and 4 June the declaration is intended to provide a durable framework in Luxembourg. the Secretary of State for Justice, my tor EU-US counter terrorism co-operation. The UK right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe supports the declaration. (Mr Clarke) and I, intend to attend on behalf of the Over lunch Interior Ministers will discuss the seat of United Kingdom. As the provisional agenda stands, the the IT agency. The UK has not yet taken a view on following items will be discussed: which member state’s application to support. 21WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 22WS

The presidency will update Ministers on progress on last November. The Government are broadly content the “European Pact to Combat International Drug with this approach, although we have not yet decided Trafficking”, which is designed to enhance operational whether to opt in and the proposal remains subject to co-operation of EU countries in the fight against drug parliamentary scrutiny. trafficking. The pact focuses on three broad areas of The presidency will seek political agreement on a activity: disrupting cocaine routes; disrupting heroin proposal to authorise enhanced co-operation in the routes; and tackling the money flows. The UK supports area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation— the pact and looks forward to its implementation. also known as Rome III. This will be the first time that The Council will receive an update on the progress of enhanced co-operation has ever been used. The presidency negotiations with the US on the agreement between the will be seeking also to reach agreement on key elements European Union and the United States of America on of the draft regulation implementing enhanced co-operation the terrorist finance tracking programme (TFTP). The in this area. The Committees will be aware that that the Council agreed in May a negotiating mandate for the UK did not opt in to the original Rome III proposal in Commission to undertake negotiations with the US. 2006. The Government do not intend the UK to participate The presidency will update Ministers on the EU-Russia in the enhanced co-operation. JHA Permanent Partnership Council meeting of 25 and There is also due to be agreement to high-level political 26 May, which was held in Kazan at which possible guidelines for future work on the proposed regulation EU-Russia visa liberalisation and migration dialogue on succession and wills. As the UK has not opted in to were discussed. this proposal it will not participate in any vote on these The Commission will ask the Council to adopt guidelines. conclusions on unaccompanied minors, outlining proposals The Council will look to confirm the adoption of a for handling the large numbers of unaccompanied children negotiating mandate for discussions with the Council of who enter the EU annually. Europe on the EU accession to the European convention of human rights. The aim of the accession is to close The Council will debate the follow-up to the EU pact the gap in judicial protection of fundamental rights on immigration and asylum, in advance of the first in the EU by ensuring that the EU institutions, as well annual debate on this issue scheduled to take place at as the member states when implementing EU law, will the June European Council. The Council will also adopt clearly be subject to the convention. The UK supports conclusions on the Commission’s first annual progress the EU’s accession to the ECHR. report on the implementation of the migration pact, which summarise activity since implementation of the Ministers will be presented also with a state-of-play pact and make recommendations for priorities in the report on e-Justice work and asked to endorse an updated coming year. road map setting out a timetable for future projects. Under any other business, at the request of the Austrians, Under AOB, Malta has requested that the Council there will be an item on the academy for the fight discuss a LIBE—European Parliament Civil Liberties against corruption. This was discussed recently at the Committee—study entitled “What system of burden- CATS meeting for senior officials. This is likely to be a sharing between member states for the reception of presentation by Austria outlining progress on the academy asylum seekers?”. The Council will also be updated on which is based near Vienna and is due to be operational the progress of negotiations on the EU readmission in 2011. The academy aims to be a centre of excellence agreement with Turkey and any further action required in anti-corruption education, research and professional by individual member states to continue momentum on training, and will be the first of its type in the world. negotiations. The Czech Republic has asked the Commission to update the Council on their negotiations with Canada to lift the current visa requirement on Czech citizens. PRIME MINISTER On the second day of the Council, there will be a state-of-play report on the proposed directive on Machinery of Government: Departmental Organisation interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. This is the first measure of the criminal procedural rights road map, and it aims to improve access to The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I am today interpretation and translation for defendants. The presidency outlining machinery of government changes affecting a hopes to inform the Council about the first reading number of existing Departments of State. agreement with the European Parliament, which is expected These changes are a result of the formation of the to vote to approve the instrument, as amended, during coalition Government and will help implement the the week commencing 14 June. programme for Government. Further adjustments may The Spanish presidency will be looking to agree on a be made and announced in due course. general approach for a directive on the European protection The Cabinet Office order. This is a proposal by the Spanish presidency that As previously announced the Deputy Prime Minister aims to provide continuous protection to vulnerable has been given special responsibility for political and people as they move from one member state to another constitutional reform. To bring this into effect responsibility The presidency will seek to reach a general approach for the following will transfer from the Secretary of on the Commission proposal for a directive on combating State for Justice to the Deputy Prime Minister: human trafficking as the basis for the next stage of Introducing fixed-term Parliaments negotiations with the European Parliament. The text is Legislating to hold a referendum on the alternative vote system broadly similar to the text of the proposal for a framework for the House of Commons and to create fewer and more decision on which the Council reached political agreement equal sized constituencies 23WS Written Ministerial Statements2 JUNE 2010 Written Ministerial Statements 24WS

Supporting people with disabilities to become MPs The Government Equalities Office Introducing a power for people to recall their MP The Government Equalities Office, which is responsible Developing proposals for a wholly or mainly elected second for the implementation of the Equality Act 2010, as Chamber well as the Government’s overall strategy on equality Speeding up implementation of individual voter registration issues, will report to the Home Secretary, who is also the Considering the “West Lothian question” Minister for Women and Equalities. The Olympics Introducing a statutory register of lobbyists Ministerial responsibility for the Olympic and Paralympic Reforming party funding games was previously held by the Minister for the Supporting all postal primaries Olympics in the Cabinet Office. The Secretary of State The Deputy Prime Minister will also have policy for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport will now be responsibility for the Electoral Commission, Boundary responsible. Commission and Independent Parliamentary Standards Education Authority. The Secretary of State for Education has replaced the The Office of the Third Sector will become the Office Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, for Civil Society and support the Minister for Civil and the Department for Children, Schools and Families Society who is based in the Cabinet Office. is renamed the Department for Education. 3W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 4W

Alamein Road Written Answers to Anzio Crescent Salerno Crescent Questions Aisne Road Menin Road Messines Road Wednesday 2 June 2010 Mons Road St Barbara’s Road Cambrai Road DEFENCE Cassino Road Armed Forces: Deployment Knightsbridge Close Rimini Close Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Homefield Road (numbers 21-44 only) how many (a) UK troops and (b) UK civilian personnel Leas Road are involved in the (i) MONUC, (ii) MINURCAT, (iii) Malting Road UNAMID, (iv) UNMIL, (v) UNMIS and (vi) UNOCI Meadow Road missions. [626] St Catherine’s Close St Michael’s Road Peter Luff: The following table shows the number of Cottonwood Close UK troops and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel currently involved in the listed United Nations (UN) All other roads are either adopted by the local authority missions. or maintained by private owners. Armed Forces: Mental Health Services Number of Number of UK MOD military civilian Dr Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mission: personnel personnel what steps his Department takes to assess the mental MONUC (UN Mission in the Democratic 60health of personnel who have served in combat zones Republic of Congo) (a) at the time of and (b) subsequent to discharge. MINURCAT (UN Mission in the Central 00 [423] African Republic and Chad) UNAMID (UN and African Union 00Mr Robathan: All armed forces personnel receive a Mission in Darfur) discharge medical assessment 90 days prior to discharge. UNMIL (UN Mission in Lebanon) 0 0 This detailed examination is undertaken by a doctor UNMIS (UN Mission in Sudan) 3 0 and the results are recorded on the individual’s F-Med-1 UNOCI (UN Operation in Cote d’Ivoire) 0 0 form. This form contains a specific assessment of the mental capacity and emotional stability of the individual. A reassessment is carried out seven days prior to discharge Armed Forces: Housing to confirm the record or reflect any further changes. A summary of each individual’s medical history while Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for in the armed forces, including the results of the discharge Defence who is responsible for the maintenance of medical, is recorded on an F-Med-133 form which is roads, pavements, draining and lighting on those roads given to the individual to pass on to their civilian within the Ministry of Defence housing estates at the general practitioner (GP). The F-Med-133 also contains Colchester Garrison on which houses are now information on how the GP can gain access to the occupied by civilians; and if he will make a statement. individual’s complete service medical records if required. [358] Following discharge, ex-service personnel with concerns Mr Robathan: The following list sets out the names of about their mental health should obtain treatment through the roads at Colchester Garrison for which the Ministry the NHS. The Department of Health and devolved of Defence is responsible. Administrations, with support from the Ministry of Defence, are undertaking community mental health Cottonwood Close pilots for veterans at six NHS trusts across the UK in Ebony Close Staffordshire and Shropshire, Camden and Islington, Ilex Close (numbers 102-141 only) Cardiff, Bishop Auckland, Cornwall and Edinburgh. Beechwood Close These arrangements aim to make it easier for veterans Hornbeam Close with concerns about their mental health to seek and Peerswood Road access help. The pilots, which will be evaluated later this Earlswood Way year, provide key input into planning future provision across the NHS, including how a dedicated PTSD treatment Olive Grove service within the NHS might best be configured. Fallowfield Road Ex-service personnel can also access the Medical Midway Road Assessment Programme (MAP) which is available to Mareth Road veterans who were deployed on operations since 1982. Glebe Road (junction with Mareth Road only) MAP offers comprehensive physical and mental health Holly Close assessments who feel that their ill-health may be linked 5W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 6W to military service. Veterans are also designated as a Departmental Official Cars special interest group (SIG) in the Department of Health’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Programme. Transport how many Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are allocated to Ministers in his Department. Defence Storage and Distribution Agency [303]

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: The current interim arrangements for Defence what plans he has for the future (a) role and the Department for Transport are (a) one car and (b) (b) structure of the Defence Storage Distribution one driver allocated to departmental Ministers. This is Agency; and if he will make a statement. [42] supplemented by the use of pool cars as needed. The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May Peter Luff: The Treasury-led Operational Efficiency 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement Programme made a number of recommendations regarding to travel by Government car. It states that: increased outsourcing of the work of the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, subject to Value for Money “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other considerations. The Ministry of Defence is currently relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use considering, in consultation with the trade unions, how cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. these recommendations could be delivered. Once this The Department for Transport and its Government Car work is complete, I will make a further announcement. and Despatch Agency are working with Departments South China Sea to effect the transition to the new arrangements. The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, is Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for available on the Cabinet Office website. Defence what British naval assets are deployed in the South China Sea. [465] M1: Nottinghamshire

Peter Luff: There are no British naval assets deployed Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for in the South China sea. Transport when he expects the road works between junctions 28 and 25 of the M1 motorway to be Trident completed. [37]

Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mike Penning: The new additional lanes on the M1 what plans he has to include the renewal of Trident in between junction 25 and junction 28 were opened to the Strategic Security and Defence Review. [722] traffic on 21 May 2010. Dr Fox: We will maintain Britain’s nuclear deterrent, Some work on the project has still to be completed and have agreed the renewal of Trident should be and this is scheduled to be completed by autumn 2011. scrutinised to ensure value for money. The Highways Agency plan to carry out as much of this work as possible at night time and without daytime lane Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence or speed restrictions. whether he plans to examine the value for money of the proposal to renew Trident. [723] Railways: Finance

Dr Fox: Yes. John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the impact of planned reductions in his Department’s TRANSPORT funding of rail in 2010-11. [399] A1079: Accidents Mr Philip Hammond: My Department has agreed to contribute a total of £683 million to the £6 billion of Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for in-year budget reductions sought in the emergency budget. Transport how many people were (a) killed and (b) As part of this Network Rail has indicated that, injured in traffic accidents on the A1079 in each of the subject to the consent of the Office of Rail Regulation, last five years; and if he will make a statement. [16] it will reduce its requirement for Government funding by £100 million. Mike Penning: The information requested is given in I am clear that similar efficiencies can be driven from the following table: the large organisations to which the Department for Casualties in reported personal injury road accidents A1079: 2004-08 Transport makes grants, such at Network Rail, as can Casualties be found by the Department. Killed Injured Total Railways: Greater London 2004 5 198 203 2005 11 184 195 2006 2 154 156 Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007 0 182 182 Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of each technical and financial assessment of alternative 2008 5 168 173 London termini for High Speed 2. [60] 7W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 8W

Mr Philip Hammond: The “Route Engineering Study” ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS published by HS2 Ltd. alongside its report of 11 March Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control contains the detailed analysis of London termini options. Further information about how HS2 Ltd. appraised and sifted these options is contained in its report, “High Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Speed Rail—London to the West Midlands and Beyond”. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on badger culling; and if she will make a statement. [572] Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the most recent estimated cost is of Mr Paice: The Government have committed that construction of the proposed tunnel for High Speed 2 as part of a package of measures, we will introduce a from Old Oak to Euston. [61] carefully-managed and science-led policy of badger control in areas with high and persistent levels of bovine TB. Mr Philip Hammond: The estimated base construction We need to consider all the issues carefully, including cost, excluding risk, of the link between the Crossrail the scientific evidence, to work out the detail of the Interchange station at Old Oak Common and Euston, package to ensure we get it right. We will be looking at including the cost of the tunnel, is £457,983,408. Further vaccine and culling options as part of that package. detail can be found in the “HS2 Cost and Risk Model” (appendix C—section 8/02) prepared by HS2 Ltd. and Coastal Erosion published on 11 March. Copies of this report are available in the House Library and at Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for www.dft.gov.uk/highspeedrail Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the effectiveness of the Government’s policies in preventing coastal erosion; if she will visit the Suffolk Railways: Northamptonshire Coastal area to examine the likely impact of current policy proposals; and if she will make a statement. [58]

Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: We are currently working through Transport when he plans to publish the compensation the detail of the policies set out in the coalition agreement arrangements to apply to homeowners in South and other issues in the DEFRA portfolio, which include Northamptonshire constituency adversely affected flooding and coastal erosion risk management. We will following the announcement of the High Speed Two keep the DEFRA website updated as work progresses. route preferred by the previous administration; and Planning of ministerial visits is under way and an when he expects such compensation to be paid to early visit to the coast, including Suffolk, is being homeowners who can demonstrate genuine hardship. considered as part of this. I am keen to use such a visit [581] to learn more about existing approaches to managing coastal erosion risk and to hear ideas about innovative Mr Philip Hammond: I refer my hon. Friend to the community-led approaches. High Speed Rail written ministerial statement of 27 May Departmental Public Expenditure 2010, Official Report, columns 15-16WS, on the Exceptional Hardship Scheme. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for If the Government decide to bring in a scheme it will Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when and in seek to introduce it, assess cases and, where necessary, what form she plans to publish a list of all items of issue compensation as quickly as possible, but the precise expenditure by her Department over £25,000. [273] timing is subject to the nature of the responses to the consultation. Those most affected by the proposed line Richard Benyon: It is planned that this information will also be eligible for statutory blight compensation at will be published quarterly on the following dates on the point that a final decision on the route has been the DEFRA website. taken. Period Date of expected publication

November 2009 - March 2010 Data being extracted now and Tyne and Wear Metro to be included in the mid July publication. April 2010 - June 2010 Mid July 2010 Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for July 2010 - September 2010 Mid October 2010 Transport how much funding he plans to allocate to October 2010 - December 2010 Mid January 2011 Nexus for the purposes of the Tyne and Wear Metro January 2011 - March 2011 Mid April 2011 reinvigoration programme. [331] Farmers: Suicide Norman Baker: On 17 May 2010 the Chancellor and Chief Secretary asked all Departments to re-examine Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for spending approvals by the previous Government since 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment January this year. This includes the funding of £350 she has made of the reasons for changes in the rate of million for Tyne and Wear Metro Reinvigoration that farmer suicide in the last 12 years; how many such was approved in February 2010. This work will be suicides there were in each month in each such year; carried out as quickly as possible. and if she will make a statement. [143] 9W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 10W

Mr Paice: We have made no assessment of the reasons Supermarkets: Competition for changes in the rate of farmer suicide, or of the specific monthly figures. However, the Office of National Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Statistics provides us with proportional mortality ratio Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will (PMR). These data are presented as one of the Sustainable discuss with the National Farmers’ Union her plans for Farming and Food Strategy indicators. PMRs should an ombudsman to enforce the Grocery Supply Chain be interpreted with care because the proportion of Code of Practice; and if she will make a statement. deaths from the cause of interest is affected by the [332] relative frequency of other causes of death. The following data compare the rate of suicides for Mr Paice: The coalition programme for Government, farmers and farm workers aged between 20 and 74 years published on 18 May, makes a commitment to introduce with that for the rest of the working population in an Ombudsman, in the Office of Fair Trading, to enforce England and Wales. The results are expressed as a the Grocery Supply Code of Practice and curb abuses proportional mortality ratio where the suicide rate for of power which undermine our farmers and act against all workers is expressed as 100. Slight classification the long-term interest of consumers. changes mean that data from 2001 cannot be directly I have discussed this with the National Farmers’ compared with previous years. Union and with other interested bodies.

Farmers Farm workers All workers = 100 1996 153 134 100 HOME DEPARTMENT 1997 215 132 100 1998 228 81 100 Anti-Semitism 1999 254 118 100 2000 224 156 100 Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2001 237 94 100 Home Department what steps (a) she has taken since her appointment and (b) plans to take in the next six 2002 207 98 100 months to protect the Jewish community from anti- 2003 239 126 100 Semitic attacks; and if she will make a statement. [195] 2004 234 143 100 2005 177 111 100 James Brokenshire: The Government abhor all forms 2006 245 115 100 of hate crime. I look forward to meeting with representatives 2007 218 103 100 of all faith groups, including representatives of the 2008 238 152 100 Jewish community such as the Community Security Source: Trust, in order that we can begin a dialogue on the issue. ONS Between 1996 and 2008: Asylum The proportional mortality ratio (PMR) for farmers varied between 153 and 254 and for farm workers between 81 and 156. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum The figures show that the proportion of deaths from suicide (a) were received in 2009 and (b) have been received in relative to other causes of death since 1996 for both farmers and farm workers is generally slightly higher than for all workers. 2010 to date; and from which countries. [39] The figures vary from year to year with no overall trend. Damian Green: A breakdown of asylum applications by nationality for 2009 can be found in Table C of the Land Drainage supplementary excel tables of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary United Kingdom Fourth Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Quarter 2009. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which pumping A similar breakdown for the first quarter of 2010 can stations primarily fulfil land drainage functions; and be found in Table 2a of the supplementary excel tables how many acres of farmland are served by such of the First Quarter 2010 edition of the same statistical pumping stations. [85] summary. Information on asylum applications is published quarterly Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not hold comprehensive in the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical information on individual pumping stations. Summary United Kingdom which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Development and Statistics Directorate website at: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- her Department makes available for the replacement of stats.html pumping stations which primarily fulfil land drainage Detection Rates: Essex functions. [86] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Richard Benyon: DEFRA provides capital grant in Home Department what the crime detection rate for aid to the Environment Agency for flood and coastal Essex police force was in each of the last two years for risk management and land drainage schemes. which figures are available; whether she plans to meet Capital grant paid in 2009-10 for land drainage pumping the Chief Constable of that police force to discuss stations was £4 million. detection rates; and if she will make a statement. [190] 11W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 12W

James Brokenshire: From 1 April 2007 the rules governing Mephedrone recording of non-sanction detections were revised to reduce the scope within which they can be claimed to a Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for very limited set of circumstances. For this reason the the Home Department what steps she plans to take to preferred method of presenting detections data is to use reduce the supply of mephedrone following the sanction detections. The sanction detection rate for all introduction of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 offences detected in Essex was 32% in 2007-08 and 35% (Amendment) Order 2010. [148] in 2008-09. Detection rates are a ratio of crimes detected in a James Brokenshire: Following the control of mephedrone period to crimes recorded in a period. They are not and other cathinone derivatives under the Misuse of based on tracking whether individual crimes recorded Drugs Act 1971 on 16 April 2010, the Association of in a period have eventually been detected. Chief Police Officers has issued detailed advice and The Home Secretary will be undertaking a series of guidance to all forces regarding the changes to the law. visits across the United Kingdom in the coming months Police officers are visiting ‘head shops’ to ensure substances where she will meet police and other partners to learn which may now be controlled are not being offered for more about how crime is being tackled in their areas. sale. Police action on seizures includes prosecution where there is evidence of possession with intent to supply. Independent Police Complaints Commission: Pay Border force officials are enforcing import controls, and have so far seized and destroyed consignments of Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the mephedrone detected at the border to reduce the supply Home Department how many officials in each civil of the drug entering the UK. The Serious Organised service pay band in the Independent Police Complaints Crime Agency is also actively developing approaches to Commission were eligible for (a) performance and (b) identify websites offering mephedrone for sale, both at special bonuses in each of the last three years; how home and abroad, so they can take action at an international many people received each type of bonus; what the level to close these down. average payment was for each type of bonus; what the maximum payment was for each type of bonus; whether Police she plans to bring forward proposals to regulate such bonuses; and if she will make a statement. [188] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to take steps to Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this increase the level of public accountability of police information. The issue of remuneration for staff of the constables; and if she will make a statement. [185] Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is a matter for that organisation, in line with HM Treasury Nick Herbert: The Government are committed to guidance. The IPCC will write to the hon. Member replacing bureaucratic accountability with democratic about the information sought. accountability.We will introduce directly-elected individuals to replace police authorities and hold the Chief Constable Knives: Crime to account on behalf of the public. We will also ensure that police officers attend regular beat meetings with Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the their communities and enhance local crime mapping so Home Department if she will meet the founder of that communities have the information to hold the www.KnifeCrime.Org.uk to discuss knife crime. [341] police to account. Rape Nick Herbert: We are committed to tackling knife crime and serious youth violence. I look forward to Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for meeting and engaging key stakeholders over the coming the Home Department what estimate she has made of months including Ann Oakes-Odger. the number of unreported incidents of rape in the last 12 months; and what recent research her Department Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the has commissioned on the issue. [619] Home Department for what reason the It Doesn’t Have to Happen.Co.UK programme on knife crime was James Brokenshire: According to the latest data available, removed from her Department’s website; and if she will the British Crime Survey 2007-08 shows that 89% of make a statement. [343] victims of serious sexual assault did not report this to the police. It is not possible to break this down into James Brokenshire: In line with Cabinet Office guidance specific types of sexual assault as this data is not all previous content was removed from Home Office collated. corporate websites following the change of administration. Data for 2010-11 will be published by the British All removed content was transferred to the National Crime Survey in January 2011. Archive website. While content on the Home Office website is being Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for rebuilt the website refers users to the National Archive the Home Department what recent evidence her version of the Home Office site for content and guidance Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated as it stood immediately pre-election. The It Doesn’t on (i) the number of reported rapes where a false Have to Happen anti-knife crime campaign website can allegation of rape was or may have been made which therefore still be accessed via: did not result in (A) a prosecution and (B) a conviction http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100413151441/ and (ii) the comparative rate of (1) false allegations of http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/stopknifecrime/ rape and (2) reported rapes. [620] 13W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 14W

James Brokenshire: Statistical information held centrally (2) whether the £325 million in-year budget by the Ministry of Justice on rape cases on the Court reductions announced by the Chief Secretary to the Proceedings Database for England and Wales does not Treasury will be met by a reduction in the Probation identify the circumstances of the offence. Therefore it is Service budget; [584] not possible to separately identify those cases resulting (3) what estimate he has made of the number of in court proceedings that have arisen solely from persons additional prison places required as a result of an making false accusations. increase in the short-sentenced prison population The Home Office and Government Equalities Office following a reduction of £325 million in the Probation jointly commissioned Baroness Stern in 2009 to investigate Service budget; and what estimate he has made of the how rape complaints are handled by public authorities cost of such provision per place assuming (a) no in England and Wales. As part of the report, Baroness recourse to Operation Safeguard and (b) the activation Stern reviewed evidence of false allegations and of Operation Safeguard; [592] recommended that research be undertaken to establish (4) how many jobs will be redundant as a result of their frequency. This can be accessed at: the £325 million of in-year budget reductions by (a) http://www.equalities.gov.uk/PDF/ his Department’s corporate centre, (b) the National Stern_Review_acc_FINAL.pdf Offender Management Service and (c) probation Special Constables: Recruitment trusts; and what estimate he has made of the monetary cost to his Department of such redundancies. [593] Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constable Mr Kenneth Clarke: Over the past three weeks the applications are awaiting processing in each police Ministry of Justice director generals and their staff authority area. [329] have reviewed all current spending plans in line with priorities. Each area of the Department is contributing Nick Herbert: This information is not held centrally to the delivery of these savings (including arm’s length and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. bodies). When identifying these savings we have sought Work Permits to ensure that they will not adversely affect services. As with the rest of the Department, savings for John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the National Offender Management Service (including Home Department how many work permits under the probations services and probation trusts) will be achieved Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (a) have been by reducing discretionary spend, reducing capital and allocated and (b) are planned to be allocated to each IT spend and stopping or deferring planned change (i) county and (ii) region in 2010. [50] programmes. Damian Green: Work permits are no longer in use On 28 May I announced that we would not be and were replaced in November 2008 by Tier 2 of the pursuing plans to build a new 360 place juvenile prison Points Based System. on the site of HMYOI Glen Parva. A cheaper, equivalent number of adult prison places will instead be provided on existing prison sites in a move that reflects the falling JUSTICE population of juveniles in custody. Further details of the specific budget implications of Departmental Public Expenditure these savings are still being finalised. Once this has been Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice completed (at the time of the Budget) I will make what mechanism was used to calculate the £325 million further announcements of the implications of this on in-year reduction in his Department’s budget; which of specific budgets. his Department’s programmes will be affected; and by how much in each case. [575] Electoral Register Mr Kenneth Clarke: Over the past three weeks the Ministry of Justice directors general and their staff have reviewed all current spending plans in line with Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice priorities. Each area of the Department is contributing how much funding was provided to local authorities for to the delivery of these savings (including arm’s length the purposes of electoral registration in the latest bodies). These savings will be achieved by reducing period for which figures are available; and how much of discretionary spend, reducing capital and IT spend and that funding was spent. [162] stopping or deferring planned change programmes. When identifying these savings we have sought to ensure that Robert Neill: I have been asked to reply. they will not adversely affect services. Government funding for electoral registration is provided We will be in a position to announce full details of the mainly through formula grant, which comprises Revenue savings plans at the time of the Budget on 22 June 2010. Support Grant and redistributed business rates which Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice this Department pays on behalf of Government as a (1) how the £325 million reduction in his Department’s whole. This is an unhypothecated block grant and councils budget announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury are free to spend it on any service provided that they is to be implemented; and if he will publish revised meet their statutory duties. For this reason, and due to allocations for (a) the National Offender Management the method of calculating formula grant, particularly Service, (b) the Probation Service and (c) each probation floor damping, it is not possible to say how much grant trust; [583] has been allocated for any particular service. 15W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 16W

Net current expenditure on the ‘registration of electors’ offending and current behaviour. Some courses will not by local authorities in England was £67.6 million in be appropriate because of the prisoner’s previous offences 2008-09. while others will be inappropriate because they would Source: lead to a vocational qualification that the prisoner Revenue Outturn Statistics 2008-09 would be unable to use. Prisoner’s access to computers is tightly controlled and underpinned by rigorous IT Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice security measures. if he will consider the merits of collating information on (a) the sums spent by local authorities on electoral registration, (b) the number of staff employed by local FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE authorities on electoral registration and (c) the local authorities with the (i) best and (ii) worst performance China: Human Rights in electoral registration. [696] Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome The Electoral Commission has informed me that they was of the recent formal meeting between the UK and will be publishing their report into the cost of electoral China on human rights; and if he will make a administration covering the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial statement. [43] years in early June 2010. It will contain the information referred to at (a), (b) and (c), and the findings are to Mr Jeremy Browne: The latest round of the UK/China be published shortly. The information will be placed on Human Rights Dialogue took place on 18 March in the Commission’s website when it is published. Beijing. The UK side raised a series of important issues Information on performance by electoral registration including freedom of expression and the rule of law. officers is collected by the Electoral Commission as part The agenda also included discussion of the role and of their work on monitoring performance standards. regulation of lawyers in human rights protection and Their second Report on Performance Standards for co-operation with international human rights mechanisms. Electoral Registration Officers in Great Britain was The UK side expressed concern over the human rights published in March 2010. situation in Tibet. Before the dialogue a list of individual cases of concern was handed over. The Chinese are yet Pleural Plaques: Compensation to respond on any of the cases. Government Hospitality: Wines Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether (a) those affected by asbestos Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign poisoning, (b) those affected by pleural plaques and and Commonwealth Affairs at which events held (c) the families of people affected by those conditions between 11 May and 25 May 2010 wine from the will receive compensation under the compensation Government wine cellar was served. [31] scheme recently announced by his Department; and when he expects compensation payments under that Mr Bellingham: Government Hospitality managed scheme to begin. [64] one function during the period 11 May to 25 May 2010 at which wine from the Government Hospitality wine Mr Djanogly: The extra-statutory payments scheme cellar was used. It was a dinner for the British-American will provide one-off payments to individuals who had Business Council on 13 May 2010. begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the House of Lords Iran: Nuclear Power 2007 judgment. We hope that the extra-statutory scheme will be in a position to start accepting claims from the Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign end of June 2010. The compensation will not extend and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent more widely and people who have suffered actionable assessment is of the state of development of Iran’s and compensatable damage as a result of exposure to nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement. asbestos are able to bring a claim for compensation [72] under the civil law. Alistair Burt: The Director-General of the International Prisons: Education Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will issue his report on Iran on 7 June. Iran has shown no sign of suspending its George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for enrichment programme as required by numerous UN Justice what account is taken of the offences for which Security Council Resolutions, and continues to stockpile those prisoners applying for computing training enriched uranium. Iran has also announced its intention courses have been convicted in determining the to build more enrichment plants and has started enriching outcome of their applications. [578] uranium to 20 per cent. a significant step towards weapons grade enrichment, despite having no credible Mr Blunt: Decisions on the training courses that civilian purpose for the fuel. We continue to share the prisoners attend, including computing training and higher IAEA’s concerns about the possible existence in Iran of education, are made in prisons by Prison Service staff activities related to the development of a nuclear payload based on individual prisoner assessments. These will for a missile. The UN Security Council is currently take into account both rehabilitation requirements as considering a new sanctions resolution in order to urge well as risk assessments that take into account previous Iran to cooperate fully with the IAEA. 17W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 18W

Iran: Sanctions Mr Jeremy Browne: The status of disputed territory in the South China Sea is an issue for the countries Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign disputing sovereignty to resolve. We welcome regional and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take confidence building measures and commitments to find at the United Nations in the next six months on a peaceful resolution. allegations of (a) arming of and (b) funding of Hamas by Iran; and if he will make a statement. [71] Yemen: Human Rights

Alistair Burt: The situation in the middle east is Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign discussed regularly by the UN Security Council on a and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he monthly basis. The UK will push for the full implementation has made of the human rights situation in Yemen. [32] of UNSCR 1860 which aims to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms into Gaza. We will give our full support to the Alistair Burt: The Government have a number of UN Sanctions Committee in pursuing and investigating concerns about human rights in Yemen. These include sanctions violations. aspects of the judicial system, arbitrary detention, capital punishment and freedom of expression including the Israel: UN Resolutions diminishing freedom of expression of the Yemenimedia. We are also concerned about ensuring the protection Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign of civilians in situations of armed conflict. and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy The annual Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human to bring pressure on Israel to comply with all relevant Rights Report for 2009 highlighted our ongoing concern UN resolutions. [255] about early marriage in Yemen and the failure of the Yemeni Parliament to ratify and implement legislation Alistair Burt: The situation in the Middle East is declaring a minimum marriage age for girls. discussed by the UN Security Council on a monthly The UN Periodic Review of Yemen (May 2009) basis. The UK will continue to urge Israel to ensure full highlighted the areas of judicial reform, corporal and implementation of all relevant UN resolutions. capital punishment, women’s rights, and torture and mistreatment of detainees. Middle East As internal conflict has increased in Yemen in recent years, these issues have become more urgent. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to The Government feel strongly that human rights are visit the Middle East; and if he will make a statement. universal and all governments must adhere to their [92] international obligations. Our ambassador in Yemen and Government officials Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in London regularly raise human rights issues with the and I both look forward to visiting the region in due YemeniGovernment. We also raise human rights through course. We are not able to provide further details for multilateral forums such as the EU and UN. In addition, security reasons. all of our capacity building programmes in country build human rights awareness and development into the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty work.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK’s ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE objectives are for the outcome of the Nuclear Departmental Electronic Equipment Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in New York in May 2010. [146] Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) plasma and (b) Alistair Burt: I am delighted that we achieved our LCD televisions there are in Ministerial offices in his objective of a politically-binding action plan to strengthen Department. [387] the Treaty’s three pillars. We pushed hard for success: on 26 May 2010 my right hon. Friend the Foreign Gregory Barker: There are no plasma televisions in Secretary made public the maximum number of nuclear ministerial offices. There are two LCD televisions in warheads the UK holds and announced a review of our each Minister’s office. declaratory policy. I attended the Conference to meet delegations to help promote a positive outcome. This Departmental Manpower conference was an important milestone in our long-term Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy vision for a world without nuclear weapons. and Climate Change how many full-time equivalent staff at each Civil Service grade are employed in the South China Sea private office of each Minister in his Department. [125] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the position Climate change employs 19.5 full-time equivalent staff of the Government is on the ownership of the Spratlys, in the private offices of the Secretary of State, Ministers the Macclesfield Bank and the Scarborough Shoal in of State and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the South China Sea. [464] at the following grades: 19W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 20W

The Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, is Number available on the Cabinet Office website. Senior Civil Service PB1 1 Industrial Diseases: Compensation Grade 6 1 Grade 7 3 John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy HEO 8 and Climate Change how many claims for (a) EO 4 vibration white finger and (b) chronic obstructive AO 2.5 pulmonary disease have been settled in (i) Bassetlaw, (ii) Leigh, (iii) Doncaster North, (iv) South Shields and Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for (v) Morley and Outwood constituency; and how many Energy and Climate Change what his estimate is of the such claims in each such constituency were settled by cost to the public purse of proposed reductions in each firm of solicitors. [52] numbers of non-frontline staff in his Department and Charles Hendry: The number of claims for vibration its agencies. [488] white finger (VWF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary Gregory Barker: The Department has made no estimate disease that have been settled in Bassetlaw, Leigh, Doncaster of any such costs. North, South Shields and Morley and Rothwell constituencies settled by each firm of solicitors is shown Departmental Official Cars in the following tables as at 23 May 2010: The Department is unable to provide data for Morley Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Outwood as this is a new constituency and the and Climate Change how many Government (a) cars Department does not have a breakdown of these figures. and (b) drivers are allocated to Ministers in his Headline figures as at 23 May 2010 Department. [293] Constituency Number of settled claims—VWF

Gregory Barker: The current interim arrangements Bassetlaw 5,197 for the Department of Energy and Climate Change are Leigh 705 (a) four cars and (b) four drivers allocated to departmental Doncaster North 3,878 Ministers. This is supplemented by the use of pool cars South Shields 1,186 as needed. Morley and Rothwell 280 The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May Total 11,246 2010, contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement to travel by Government car. It states that: Constituency Number of settled claims—COPD “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will Bassetlaw 8,951 be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other Leigh 4,956 relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use Doncaster North 9,632 cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. South Shields 3,016 The Department for Transport and its Government Car Morley and Rothwell 1,563 and Despatch Agency are working with Departments Total 28,118 to effect the transition to the new arrangements.

VWF claims settled Constituency Claimant’s representatives Office Number of settled claims

Morley and Rothwell Beresfords Solicitors Doncaster 14 Morley and Rothwell Branton Bridge Manchester 1 Morley and Rothwell BSG Solicitors London 1 Morley and Rothwell Corries York York 4 Morley and Rothwell Emsleys Solicitors Castleford 1 Morley and Rothwell Farleys Solicitors Burnley 4 Morley and Rothwell Foys Solicitors Worksop 1 Morley and Rothwell Gorman Hamilton Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 1 Morley and Rothwell Gorvin Smith Fort Solicitors Stockport 1 Morley and Rothwell Green Williamson Wakefield 1 Morley and Rothwell Hamers Solicitors Hull 1 Morley and Rothwell Hartley and Worstenholme Solicitors Pontefract 1 Morley and Rothwell Hartley and Worstenholme Solicitors Castleford 1 Morley and Rothwell Hugh James Cardiff 2 Morley and Rothwell Ibbotson Brady Solicitors Leeds 1 Morley and Rothwell Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Sheffield 28 Morley and Rothwell Keeble Hawson Doncaster 1 Morley and Rothwell Keeble Hawson Moorhouse Sheffield 5 Morley and Rothwell Marrons Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 1 Morley and Rothwell Meloy Whittle Robinson Preston 5 21W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 22W

VWF claims settled Constituency Claimant’s representatives Office Number of settled claims

Morley and Rothwell Morrish and Co. Solicitors Leeds 4 Morley and Rothwell Mortons Solicitors Sunderland 1 Morley and Rothwell Moxons 1 Morley and Rothwell On Legal Solicitors Halifax 2 Morley and Rothwell Oxley and Coward Solicitors Rotherham 1 Morley and Rothwell Pannone and Partners Solicitors Manchester 2 Morley and Rothwell Raleys Solicitors Barnsley 91 Morley and Rothwell Robinson King Solicitors—ceased trading Stockport 1 Morley and Rothwell Russell Jones and Walker Solicitors Sheffield 1 Morley and Rothwell Saffmans Solicitors Leeds 12 Morley and Rothwell Shaw and Co. Solicitors Doncaster 2 Morley and Rothwell The Smith Partnership Derby 1 Morley and Rothwell Thompsons Solicitors Manchester 2 Morley and Rothwell Thompsons Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 5 Morley and Rothwell Thornleys Huddersfield 1 Morley and Rothwell TLW Solicitors North Shields 6 Morley and Rothwell Towells Solicitors Wakefield 67 Morley and Rothwell Wake Smith and Tofields Solicitors Sheffield 1 Morley and Rothwell Watson Burton LLP Newcastle upon Tyne 4 Total 280

COPD claims settled Constituency Claimant’s representatives Office Number of settled claims

Morley and Rothwell 1 Legal Solicitors Swansea 6 Morley and Rothwell Armitage and Guest Wakefield 1 Morley and Rothwell Ashton Morton Slack LLP Sheffield 2 Morley and Rothwell Atteys Retford 1 Morley and Rothwell Atteys Rotherham 6 Morley and Rothwell Avalon Solicitors (ceased trading) Warrington 74 Morley and Rothwell Barber and Co. Liverpool 73 Morley and Rothwell Beaumont Legal Wakefield 2 Morley and Rothwell Beresfords Solicitors Doncaster 452 Morley and Rothwell BHP LAW Belmont 1 Morley and Rothwell Birchall Blackburn Preston 18 Morley and Rothwell Branton Bridge Manchester 1 Morley and Rothwell BRM Solicitors Chesterfield 12 Morley and Rothwell Browell Smith and Co. Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Morley and Rothwell Canter Levin and Berg Solicitors St Helens 1 Morley and Rothwell Catteralls Wakefield 1 Morley and Rothwell Collings Solicitors Altrincham 2 Morley and Rothwell Corries York York 23 Morley and Rothwell Delta Legal Manchester 39 Morley and Rothwell DMH Stallard Brighton 4 Morley and Rothwell Donald Race and Newton Solicitors Burnley 1 Morley and Rothwell Elliot Mather Solicitors Chesterfield 1 Morley and Rothwell Emsleys Solicitors Castleford 7 Morley and Rothwell Farleys Solicitors Burnley 3 Morley and Rothwell Foys Solicitors Worksop 1 Morley and Rothwell Gorman Hamilton Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 9 Morley and Rothwell Gorvin Smith Fort Solicitors Stockport 4 Morley and Rothwell Green Williamson Wakefield 1 Morley and Rothwell Hartley and Worstenholme Solicitors Castleford 2 Morley and Rothwell Hilary Meredith Solicitors Wilmslow 19 Morley and Rothwell Holmes and Hills Solicitors Great Dunmow 1 Morley and Rothwell Housemans Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 1 Morley and Rothwell Hugh James Respiratory Disease 46 Department Morley and Rothwell Ibbotson Brady Solicitors Leeds 5 Morley and Rothwell Ingrams Solicitors Hull 27 Morley and Rothwell Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 1 Morley and Rothwell Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Sheffield 39 23W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 24W

COPD claims settled Constituency Claimant’s representatives Office Number of settled claims

Morley and Rothwell J M Skinner Solicitors Birkenhead 3 Morley and Rothwell Keeble Hawson Doncaster 1 Morley and Rothwell Keeble Hawson Moorhouse Sheffield 11 Morley and Rothwell Kidd and Spoor Harper Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 2 Morley and Rothwell Kingslegal Cardiff 1 Morley and Rothwell Levi and Co. Leeds 1 Morley and Rothwell Lloyd Green Solicitors Chelmsford 1 Morley and Rothwell Manners Pimblett Solicitors Cheshire 1 Morley and Rothwell Mark Gilbert Morse Newcastle upon Tyne 48 Morley and Rothwell Matrons Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 3 Morley and Rothwell Maurice Smith and Co. Solicitors Castleford 1 Morley and Rothwell Meloy Whittle Robinson Preston 9 Morley and Rothwell Morrish and Co. Solicitors Leeds 3 Morley and Rothwell Mortons Solicitors Sunderland 2 Morley and Rothwell Nelson and Co. Solicitors Leeds 3 Morley and Rothwell On Legal Solicitors Halifax 2 Morley and Rothwell Onyems and Partners Essex 11 Morley and Rothwell Oxley and Coward Solicitors Rotherham 1 Morley and Rothwell Pannone and Partners Solicitors Manchester 4 Morley and Rothwell Proddow and Mackay Solicitors Sheffield 24 Morley and Rothwell Raleys Solicitors Barnsley 307 Morley and Rothwell Randell Lloyd Jenkins and Martin Llanelli 2 Morley and Rothwell Recompense Ltd. Totnes 10 Morley and Rothwell Robinson King Solicitors (ceased trading) Stockport 1 Morley and Rothwell Ryan Carlisle Thomas Lawyers Victoria 2 Morley and Rothwell Saffmans Solicitors Leeds 20 Morley and Rothwell Shaw and Co. Solicitors Doncaster 5 Morley and Rothwell Silverbeck Rymer Solicitors Brunswick Street, 1 Liverpool Morley and Rothwell Simpson Millar Solicitors Leeds 3 Morley and Rothwell Thompsons Solicitors Manchester 3 Morley and Rothwell Thompsons Solicitors Newcastle upon Tyne 18 Morley and Rothwell Thornleys Huddersfield 1 Morley and Rothwell TLW Solicitors North Shields 38 Morley and Rothwell Towells Solicitors Wakefield 94 Morley and Rothwell Twigg Farnell Solicitors (ceased trading) Rotherham 1 Morley and Rothwell Union of Democratic Mineworkers Mansfield 16 Morley and Rothwell Watson Burton LLP Newcastle upon Tyne 19 Morley and Rothwell Wheelers Solicitors Ash Vale 1 Total 1,563

WORK AND PENSIONS The table below shows the number of cases with arrears in Children: Maintenance Bassetlaw Local Authority has continued to fall in the last four years. It also shows the amount of arrears collected in each financial year from 2006/07 to 2009/10. As of March 2010, there John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work were 800 cases with outstanding arrears. This is compared with and Pensions how many Child Support Agency applicants 940 cases in March 2007. The Child Support Agency collected in Bassetlaw were waiting for arrears payments on the £225,100 in arrears in Bassetlaw Local Authority last year and latest date for which figures are available. [62] £820,900 over the last four years. Maria Miller: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Number of cases with outstanding arrears in Bassetlaw Local Authority Commission is responsible for the child maintenance Month Cases Arrears collected (£) system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner March 2010 800 225,100 to write to the hon. Member with the information March 2009 830 217,700 requested and I have seen the response. March 2008 890 246,800 Letter from Stephen Geraghty: March 2007 940 131,300 In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission, the Secretary Notes: 1. Cases are the number of cases by parent with care geography which have of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance outstanding arrears at the end of the month shown. This is rounded to the Commissioner. nearest 10. You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how 2. Arrears Collected shows the amount of arrears collected by non resident many Child Support Agency applicants in Bassetlaw were waiting parent geography during the year to the month shown. This is rounded to the nearest £100. for arrears payments on the latest date for which figures are available. [62] I hope you find this answer helpful. 25W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 26W

Departmental Carbon Emissions Mr Vaizey: Broadcast advertising is strictly controlled by the Advertising Standards Authority working in a Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for co-regulatory partnership with Ofcom. This regulatory Work and Pensions what steps his Department plans to regime is independent of Government and sets the take to reduce its carbon emissions by 10 per cent. in standards for all television advertising. Under existing 2010-11. [55] rules non-commercial providers of post-conception advice services are permitted to advertise on television in the Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions UK. However, the body responsible for writing and already has a range of measures planned to reduce maintaining the broadcast advertising code, the Broadcast carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency over Committee of Advertising Practice, recently consulted the coming year, which will also provide ongoing financial on possible changes to the rules in this area. We understand savings. These include the installation of a combined that the regulators will make a statement on this subject heat and power unit in Quarry House, Leeds, saving later this year. £93,000 and 428 tonnes of CO2 per year, and the launch If, in exceptional circumstances, the Secretary of State of a joint energy campaign (AWaRE—Avoid Waste and was persuaded that the rules in this area were not strong Reduce Energy) with estates partners Telereal Trillium. enough there are, ultimately, powers under the A full range of activities is included within our Carbon Communications Act to direct Ofcom on the descriptions Reduction Delivery Plan and already in work. These of advertisements that should not be included in programme include: services. Further audits of buildings to identify site specific energy Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, saving ‘spend-to-save’ initiatives. Olympics, Media and Sport what representations he has Challenging DWP businesses to seek out local opportunities to received from (a) members of the public, (b) hon. Members reduce energy consumption. and (c) Members of the House of Lords against television Introducing volunteer ‘Energy Wardens’ across DWP sites to advertisements for abortion services since 15 May 2010; help promote and encourage energy efficient behaviours from and if he will make a statement. [234] staff. Working with the Carbon Trust to identify potential funding Mr Vaizey: At 26 May, 603 pieces of electronic schemes for long payback low-carbon initiatives such as solar, correspondence have been received from members of wind, biomass etc; and also to undertake a detailed study on the the public about television advertisements for post- use of LED lighting in Jobcentre Plus public areas and across all conception advice services. Five pieces of correspondence offices. on the same subject have been received from MPs, and Looking at the potential to use feed-in tariffs to incentivise none has been received from Members of the House of on-site generation. Lords. Of the total received, 607 representations oppose Working with the Building Research Establishment to identify the advert. best in class ‘end-of-life’ plant and equipment replacements. Broadcast advertising is strictly controlled by the Building carbon efficiency into IT strategies and ongoing management. Advertising Standards Authority Building the case for flexible working into the Estate Strategy working in a co-regulatory partnership with Ofcom. and also making low-carbon location choices. This regulatory regime is independent of Government and sets the standards for all television advertising. Jobcentre Plus: Translation Services Under existing rules non-commercial providers of post- conception advice services are permitted to advertise on Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for television in the UK. Work and Pensions how much was spent on translation If, in exceptional circumstances, the Secretary of State facilities for benefits claimants in the most recent year was persuaded that the rules in this area were not strong for which figures are available. [669] enough there are, ultimately, powers under the Communications Act to direct Ofcom on the descriptions Chris Grayling: The most recent figures available are of advertisements that should not be included in programme for 2008-09 when under the previous Government services. £4,380,993 was spent on translation services. BBC The Department procures its translation services from providers. We are working with providers to streamline the services we receive, as well as collaborating in a Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, cross-Government initiative to link up services across Olympics, Media and Sport what meetings (a) he has Departments. These steps will lead to greater efficiency had with the BBC since his appointment and (b) plans and lower costs. to have in the next two months; what the agenda was of each such meeting; who attended each such meeting; if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each such meeting; and if he will make a statement. CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT [191] Advertising: Abortion Mr Vaizey: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for State has not yet met with the BBC Trust in his role as Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will review Secretary of State but will do so in the coming weeks as the operation of the regulations governing the advertisement part of a number of introductory meetings with key of abortion services on television; and if he will make a partners across the Department’s sectors. statement. [155] No formal agenda has yet been set for such meetings. 27W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 28W

Any such meetings will be private; a copy of any Director General of the BBC; and if he will make a minutes will not be placed in the House Libraries. statement. [238]

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Mr Vaizey: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of Olympics, Media and Sport what account he plans to State is meeting a number of key stakeholders, including take of the BBC’s undertakings to ensure the (a) making the BBC, in the coming weeks. of efficiency savings and (b) prevention of inflation of Departmental Manpower staff and talent costs in determining the future level of the BBC licence fee; and if he will make a statement. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for [193] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many full-time equivalent staff at each Civil Service grade are Mr Vaizey: All relevant factors will be taken into employed in the private office of each Minister in his account in setting the level of the television licence fee Department. [128] in future. Hugh Robertson: This Department currently employs Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, 14 full-time equivalent staff to support the Ministers. Olympics, Media and Sport when he next plans to meet The number of full-time equivalents, by grade, in the (a) the Chairman of the BBC Trust and (b) the private office of each Minister is shown in the table:

Office Civil Service Grades Total Senior Civil Executive Higher/Senior Servant Pay Officer Executive Officer Grade 7 Grade 6 Band 1

Secretary of State for 12—115 Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport Minister for Culture, 2—1——3 Communication and Creative Industries Minister for Sport and 2—1——3 the Olympics Minister for Tourism 2 1—— —3 and Heritage — ——— —14

Departmental Official Cars Hugh Robertson: We are currently formulating the processes and timings for when the list of items of Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for expenditure by the Department for Culture, Media and Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many Sport over £25,000 will be published. Details will be Government (a) cars and (b) drivers are allocated to published on our website in due course. Ministers in his Department. [289] Listed Buildings Hugh Robertson: This Department has no cars or Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for drivers allocated to Ministers. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he expects The new ministerial code, published on 21 May 2010, to announce the future listings and protected status of contains changes that affect ministerial entitlement to (a) buildings, (b) monuments, (c) harbours and (d) travel by Government car. It states that other structures. [690] “the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other John Penrose: Decisions on a small number of listing relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use applications have been delayed during the election period. cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed”. We aim to make decisions on these as soon as possible. The Department for Transport and its Government Over 30 cases have been decided in the last two weeks. Car and Despatch Agency are working with departments to effect the transition to the new arrangements. The ministerial code, published on 21 May 2010, is available on the Cabinet Office website. TREASURY Civil Servants: East Midlands Departmental Public Expenditure Christopher Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Exchequer whether he plans to relocate civil service Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when and in what employees or Government agencies to (a) Nottingham form he plans to publish a list of all items of and (b) the East Midlands; and if he will make a expenditure by his Department over £25,000. [269] statement. [59] 29W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 30W

Danny Alexander: There are currently no plans held Council Housing Finance Review centrally by the Chancellor’s departments to relocate civil service employees or Government agencies to (a) Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Nottingham and (b) the East Midlands. I will not be Communities and Local Government what plans he making a statement on this matter. has for the future of the Housing Revenue Account Credit Unions Review. [65]

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Andrew Stunell: We are committed to resolving this what his policy is in respect of credit unions; and if he long-standing issue and will look closely at responses to the consultation ‘Council housing: a real future’ which will make a statement. [253] closes on 6 July. Mr Hoban: This Government recognise the role that credit unions have in our society. We have announced Council Housing: Construction that we will bring forward detailed proposals to foster diversity, promote mutuals and create a more competitive Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for banking industry. Communities and Local Government what estimate he Mutual Societies has made of the number of local authority homes which will be built in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of the next four financial years; and if he will make a Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer statement. [334] what assessment he has made of the merits of (a) banks and (b) building societies having mutual status. [254] Andrew Stunell: The Department does not make estimates of the number of new local authority homes (council Mr Hoban: Banks and Building societies with mutual houses) that will be constructed in future years. However status both have an important role in the UK’s financial the Department is currently supporting a number of sector. We will bring forward proposals to foster diversity, local authorities to deliver new homes through a dedicated promote mutuals and create a more competitive banking funding programme. Work on over 2,000 houses has industry. already begun and will complete over this financial year and the next. Revenue and Customs: Finance Council Tax: Religious Buildings Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is expected to make (a) nationally and (b) in Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many the North East in each of the next three years. [229] private houses are classified as exempt from council tax Mr Gauke: The Government’s spending plans, including as houses of prayer. [157] those for HM Revenue and Customs, will be set out in the spending review. Robert Neill: There is no exemption from council tax for private dwellings used for prayer.

Departmental Electronic Equipment COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Affordable Housing: Construction Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many (a) Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for plasma and (b) LCD televisions there are in ministerial Communities and Local Government what plans he offices in his Department. [383] has to devolve planning powers to local authorities to ensure local need for affordable housing is met. [671] Robert Neill: The number of televisions has not changed since the General Election. There are six LCD televisions Robert Neill: Planning Policy Statement 3 (Housing) in ministerial offices in Communities and Local sets out the current planning requirements of local Government. planning authorities to provide for affordable housing to meet local needs. We have committed, in the Coalition Departmental Manpower Government document ‘The Coalition: our programme for government’, to radically reforming the planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, Communities and Local Government what his estimate based on the principles set out in the Conservative party is of the cost to the public purse of proposed publication ‘Open Source Planning’. We have also reductions in numbers of non-frontline staff in his committed, in the Coalition Government document, to Department and its agencies. [484] publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of Robert Neill: Communities and Local Government is development and setting out national economic, implementing an external recruitment freeze in line environmental and social priorities. We will provide the with the rest of Government. The recruitment freeze details of how we intend to do this shortly. has no direct or underlying costs to the public purse. 31W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 32W

Departmental NDPBs Robert Neill: The FiReControl project has been subject to delays and increasing costs. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for We are looking closely at this project to establish Communities and Local Government what savings each what we can do to improve the situation. We are committed non-departmental public body for which his Department to ensuring value-for-money for the taxpayer, improving is responsible will be expected to make in each of the resilience and stopping the forced regionalisation of the three years consequent on the announcement made by fire service. the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010. Government Offices for the Regions [239]

Robert Neill: Communities and Local Government’s Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for contribution to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s Communities and Local Government what plans he announcement of £6.2 billion savings in 2010-11 has has for the Government Office in each region of been announced as £780 million. This includes £50 million England. [679] savings this year from back office functions and arms length bodies’ running costs. Revised budgets for arms Robert Neill: We announced in ‘The Coalition: Our length bodies for 2010-11 will be published at the time Programme for Government’ that we will abolish the of the Budget. The full Spending Review in the autumn Government office for London and consider the case will determine budgets for future years. for abolishing the remaining Government offices. Accordingly, the future of the remaining Government Departmental Public Expenditure offices will be considered as part of the spending review. Home Information Packs Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for has made of the cost to his Department of the (a) Communities and Local Government what timetable implementation of penalty clauses and payments in its he has set for ending the home information pack contracts and (b) potential legal action arising from scheme; and if he will make a statement. [41] the deferral and cancellation of contracts and projects under his Department’s plans to achieve cost savings; Andrew Stunell: We plan to bring forward measures and whether those estimates are included in the total to abolish the home information pack (HIP) as part of cost savings to be achieved by his Department. [567] legislation to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities control Robert Neill: The Department has estimated that over housing and planning decisions. Our aim is to there will not be any additional costs arising from the introduce legislation later in the parliamentary session deferral or cancellation of any contracts and projects. and achieve Royal Assent as soon as parliamentary time allows. Durham County Council: Cost-effectiveness However, to prevent uncertainty and remove unnecessary bureaucracy and cost for sellers, we decided to act Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for swiftly to suspend HIPs from 21 May. Sellers are still Communities and Local Government what required to commission, but not necessarily to have contribution Durham County Council is expected to received, an Energy Performance Certificate before they make to the target of £230 million efficiency savings to put their home on the market for sale. be made by local government. [232] Housing Robert Neill: It will be for individual local authorities to make decisions about where savings are found. To Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for ensure that councils have maximum flexibility to deliver Communities and Local Government what plans he efficiencies and focus their budgets on the services that has for the future of the (a) Tenant Services Authority, their residents value most, the Government have retained (b) Homes and Communities Agency and (c) Housing Formula Grant funding at the level approved by Parliament Market Renewal programme; and if he will make a for 2010-11 (£29 billion). It has also lifted restrictions statement. [512] on how local government spends its money by de-ringfencing £1.7 billion of central Government revenue Robert Neill: The Government are committed to reducing and capital grants in 2010-11. the number and cost of quangos and has set out plans to achieve this. The role of all CLG quangos is being Fire Services examined closely, but no final decisions have been made about the future of the Tenant Services Authority and Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Homes and Communities Agency. Communities and Local Government what plans he The Housing Market Renewal programme was included has for the future of regional fire control rooms; and if with the savings announced by the Chancellor on 24 he will make a statement. [737] May, reducing the 2010-11 capital programme budget announced in December 2009 by up to £50 million. Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for This reduction is subject to consultation. The budget Communities and Local Government what plans he review process has still to be concluded and as a result has for the future of the South West Regional Fire the final decision on individual allocations has still to Control Centre; and if he will make a statement. [571] be taken. 33W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 34W

Housing: Construction advises that loss affecting any designated heritage asset should require clear and convincing justification, and Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for that substantial harm to or loss of designated heritage Communities and Local Government whether he plans assets of the highest significance, including grade I or to amend Planning Policy Statement 3; and if he will II* listed buildings, should be wholly exceptional. make a statement. [44] Local Government Finance Robert Neill: We have committed, in the Coalition Government document ‘The Coalition: our programme Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for for government’ to radically reforming the planning Communities and Local Government what estimate he system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine has made of the cost to (a) Durham county council the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, and (b) all local authorities of publishing the details of based on the principles set out in the Conservative party each item of expenditure of £500 or more. [56] publication ‘Open Source Planning’. We have also committed, in the Coalition Government document, to Robert Neill: No estimate has been made of either publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated figure. national planning framework covering all forms of development including areas covered by current Planning Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Policy Statements and setting out national economic, Communities and Local Government what reduction is environmental and social priorities. We will provide the expected in funding of the Working Neighbourhoods details of how we intend to do this shortly. Fund in 2010-11 as a result of the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Secretary Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for to the Treasury on 24 May; and if he will make a Communities and Local Government what steps he is statement. [476] taking to ensure that locally set house building projections meet national assessments of housing need. Robert Neill: Reducing the deficit and continuing to [675] ensure economic recovery is the most urgent issue facing Britain. Robert Neill: We have committed, in the Coalition Government document ‘The Coalition: our programme It is fair that local authorities make a contribution to for government’, that we would radically reform the the £6.2 billion of savings in 2010-11, to enable Government planning system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to take immediate action to tackle the UK’s unprecedented to determine the shape of the places in which their deficit in this financial year. inhabitants live, based on the principles set out in the The Government will shortly provide local authorities Conservative party publication ‘Open Source Planning’. with information on the revised allocations for specific In terms of planning the supply of housing, we have set grants including reductions in the area based grant. It out our intention in ‘Open Source Planning’ to abolish will be for local authorities to make decisions about national and regional building targets and return decision- where savings are found. making powers on housing and planning to local councils. We will provide more details on our approach shortly. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what reduction is Housing: Empty Property planned in area-based grant in 2010-11 as a result of the announcement made by the Chancellor of the Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Exchequer and Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 Communities and Local Government what his policy is May; and if he will make a statement. [477] on returning empty houses to residential use. [352] Robert Neill: As part of the recent exercise to identify Andrew Stunell: We are currently exploring a wide £6.2 billion of savings, Departments are currently range of measures to bring empty homes back into use. establishing how the savings committed will impact on their funding to local authorities. When this process is Listed Buildings complete, CLG will announce the Government’s detailed funding proposals to local authorities as they affect Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for area based grant. Communities and Local Government what protections will be afforded to harbours which have grade (a) 1, Christopher Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) 2 star and (c) 2 listed status in respect of major Communities and Local Government with reference to listed building consent applications. [694] the recent reductions in grant allocated to local authorities for 2010-11, whether authorities have the Robert Neill: The listed building consent procedure power to alter their council tax levels within this ensures that all proposals to demolish a listed building, financial year to compensate; what assessment his or to alter or extend it in a way that affects its special Department has made of the likelihood of authorities architectural or historic interest, are given due consideration undertaking such action; and if he will make a by the decision-maker. Listed harbours are no different statement. [499] from other listed structures in that respect. In considering applications for consent the decision-maker has regard Robert Neill: Decisions about the level of council tax to the listing grade of the building concerned. Planning are a matter for individual local authorities. Once an Policy Statement 5 (Planning for the Historic Environment) authority has carried out its statutory responsibility of 35W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 36W calculating its budget requirement and its basic amount Andrew Stunell: We do not make estimates of the of council tax for a financial year, legislation allows the number of new local authority and housing association authority to make substitute calculations—but in doing dwellings that will be constructed in future years by so the authority may not increase the level of either its local authority area. budget requirement or its basic amount of council tax. Trade Unions The relevant provisions are section 37 (in relation to billing authorities) and section 49 (in relation to major precepting authorities) of the Local Government Finance Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Act 1992. Communities and Local Government what plans he This Department has made no assessment of the has to consult trade unions in (a) his Department and likelihood of authorities varying their council tax in (b) its agencies on cost reduction plans. [600] this way. Like every other part of the public sector we believe local authorities can make significant efficiencies Robert Neill: Full consultation with our trade unions and, if necessary, reduce spending or reprioritise with will take place in accordance with the agreed protocols no effect on council tax or frontline services. of the Department and its agencies. Travellers: Caravan Sites Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what the detailed Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for breakdown is of projects affected by the £1.16 billion Communities and Local Government what revisions he reduction in funding for the local government grant proposes to make to Circular 01/2006 on Travellers; settlement announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and if he will make a statement. [153] and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May; and if he will make a statement; [502] Andrew Stunell: We have committed to producing a (2) which of the specific grants to local government new National Planning Framework that will consolidate to combat deprivation and unemployment funding will and streamline the Government’s planning policies. No be affected by the proposals announced by the Chancellor decision has yet been made on the extent to which the of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury content of individual circulars will feature in that on 24 May; and if he will make a statement. [478] framework. Further announcements will be made in due course. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what individual Wind Farms: Planning Permission grants to local authorities he plans to reduce under his Department’s planned reduction in spending of Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for £1.165 billion. [513] Communities and Local Government what his policy is on local participation in planning decisions concerning Robert Neill: An announcement on the specific grant wind farms; and if he will make a statement. [580] streams that will reduce in 2010-11 will be made shortly. Robert Neill: We will radically reform the planning Regional Planning and Development system to give neighbourhoods far more ability to determine the shape of the places in which their inhabitants live, based on the principles set out in the Conservative Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Party publication Open Source Planning. We will abolish Communities and Local Government what his policy is the unelected Infrastructure Planning Commission and on regional spatial strategies; and if he will make a replace it with an efficient and democratically accountable statement. [214] system that provides a fast-track process for major infrastructure projects. We will publish and present to Robert Neill: We are absolutely committed to abolishing Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning regional strategies and returning powers on housing framework covering all forms of development and setting and planning to local authorities and we have announced out national economic, environmental and social priorities. legislation in the Queen’s Speech to do this. We are keen To be successful it is vital to have broad public support to move in advance of legislation and we are currently and the consent of local communities. This includes considering using existing powers to revoke regional giving communities not only a say, but also a stake, in strategies ahead of legislation. The Secretary of State appropriately-sited renewable energy projects like wind has written to all local authority leaders to confirm this farms. We will therefore encourage community-owned policy saying that in the interim he expects them to have renewable energy schemes where local people benefit regard to his letter as a material consideration in planning from the power produced. We will also allow communities decisions. I have placed a copy of the letter in the that host renewable energy projects to keep the additional Library of the House. business rates they generate. Social Rented Housing: Construction PRIME MINISTER Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Andy Coulson and Jonny Oates has made of the number of new local authority housing association dwellings to be constructed in each Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister what the London borough in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; duties are of (a) Mr Andy Coulson and (b) Mr Jonny and if he will make a statement. [145] Oates. [227] 37W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 38W

The Prime Minister: Mr Andy Coulson is Director of Brain Injuries Communications and Mr Jonny Oates is Deputy Director of Communications. Both are employed on special Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health adviser terms. what his policy is on the provision of assistance for Rupert Murdoch those with acquired brain injuries in respect of (a) early and accurate diagnosis, (b) immediate treatment Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister who attended and (c) on-going rehabilitation; and if he will make a his recent meeting with Rupert Murdoch; how many statement. [344] civil servants were at that meeting; for what reasons each civil servant was present; and what matters were Mr Burstow: The National Institute for Health and discussed at the meeting. [243] Clinical Excellence published guidelines for the triage, assessment, investigation and early management of head The Prime Minister: As was the case with previous injuries in infants, children and adults in 2003. The Governments, I and officials have meetings with a wide guidelines contain recommendations about when it is range of organisations and individuals on a range of appropriate to admit patients to hospital following a subjects. Information on official meetings by Ministers head injury, what level of care they should receive and with external organisations will be published in accordance correct protocols for transferring patients to specialist with the Ministerial Code. head/brain injury units. Whips: Pay We recognise the need for specialised rehabilitation services for people recovering from head and brain Mr Watson: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many injury. These can be provided locally, depending on the Government Whips (a) receive and (b) do not receive needs of the patient and the severity of the injury, and a salary; [230] may involve collaboration between health, personal social (2) which departmental Ministers are paid from the services, further education and employment services. salary budget of the Government Whips’ Office. [574] The National Service Framework for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions, published in 2005, focuses The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the on improving health services for people with neurological press notice issued by my office on 19 May 2010. A copy conditions, including those with brain injuries. is available on the No. 10 website at: http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/latest-news/2010/05/her- majestys-government-49840 Cancer: Drugs Copies have also been placed in the Library of the House. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the provision of additional funding for new cancer drugs. [703] HEALTH Mr Simon Burns: We plan to create a new cancer drug Accident and Emergency Departments: Lancashire fund, from 2011, which will help patients get the drugs their doctors recommend. We will publish our plans for Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for the new fund later in the year. Health if he will visit East Lancashire at the earliest opportunity to examine the provision of emergency Dental Services: Hygiene care services. [704]

Mr Simon Burns: My right hon. Friend the Secretary George Hollingbery: To ask the Secretary of State for of State and his ministerial team plan to make a number Health whether he plans to refer his Department’s of visits to national health service organisations over document on cross infection control, reference HTM the coming months. 01-05, to the National Institute for Health and Clinical The Government have committed to ensure that, in Excellence for the purpose of checking the (a) future, all NHS service changes must be led by clinicians evidence base and (b) cost-benefit analysis contained and patients, not be driven from the top down. To this in that document. [577] end, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has outlined new, strengthened criteria that he expects decisions Mr Simon Burns: The document HTM 01-05 contains on NHS service changes to meet. departmental guidance on the decontamination of dental Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust: Pay instruments. The evidence and measures within the document were scrutinised by a number of means in John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health order to ensure validity and proportionality to the how much funding his Department has allocated for assessment of risks. Advice was taken from an expert the salary of the Chief Executive of Bassetlaw Primary working group, the Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Care Trust in each of the next four years. [3] Committee (SEAC) and the Advisory Committee on Decontamination Science and Technology (ACDST Mr Simon Burns: The Department makes no specific previously ESAC-Pr) who supported the general principle allocation for salaries. Chief executives in primary care of the need to improve local decontamination within trusts are covered by the ‘Pay Framework for Very dentistry. In this light, we are not persuaded that there Senior Managers in Strategic and Special Health would be added benefit in referral to the National Authorities, Primary Care Trusts and Ambulance Trusts’. Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. 39W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 40W

General Practitioners: Malton We will be assessing our priorities carefully and will announce details on mental health policy in due course. Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what applications have been made for funding Hormone Replacement Therapy: Fees and Charges for improvement or replacement of the GP premises of Dr Carrie and Partners at Sherburn Surgery, 50 St Gordon Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Hilda’s Street, Sherburn, Malton, North Yorkshire in Health what assessment his Department has made of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [401] the practice of charging women twice for hormone (2) when the next opportunity is for (a) consideration replacement drugs when two different coloured tablets and (b) approval of the development plans of the GP are packaged and dispensed in a single carton; and practice for Dr Carrie and Partners at Sherburn Surgery, what his estimate is of the cost of this practice to the 50 St Hilda’s Street, Sherburn, Malton, North Yorkshire; NHS in relation to patients who receive free and if he will make a statement. [402] prescriptions. [158]

Mr Simon Burns: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are Mr Simon Burns: The Department has made no such responsible for the commissioning of primary care services assessment, nor has it made any estimate of the cost of for patients in their area, including services provided by this practice. general practitioners (GPs). Hospitals: Greater London Arrangements for GPs to apply for funding to improve or replace their practice premises are matters arranged locally by PCTs. The hon. Member may therefore wish Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for to contact Jayne Brown, chief executive of the North Health (1) what plans he has to consult on future Yorkshire and York PCT for this information. The hospital configurations in the London North Central address for the PCT is: area; and if he will make a statement; [181] North Yorkshire and York PCT (2) what plans he has for the future of the accident The Hamlet, and emergency department of the Whittington [182] Hornbeam Park, Hospital. Harrogate, Mr Simon Burns: My right hon. Friend the Secretary HG2 8RE. of State has outlined the criteria that decisions on Health Services: Learning Disabled national health service service changes must meet. Change must improve patient outcomes; consider patient choice; have support from GP commissioners; and be based on Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health sound clinical evidence. Any major changes to services what his policy is on the provision of assistance for will require full public consultation. Local NHS those with learning difficulties; and if he will make a organisations will need to make sure any plans for statement. [346] change have local support and meet these criteria.

Mr Burstow: This Government’s commitment to Hospitals: Wynyard supporting disabled and disadvantaged people—including those with learning difficulties and learning disabilities—is very clear. We have set out our intention to take decisive Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for steps to accelerate the pace of reform so that all disabled Health what plans he has for the future of the proposed people get the care they need and have more choice and new hospital at Wynyard in Hartlepool constituency; control, ensuring that: and if he will make a statement. [89] services are personalised to individual needs, with personal Mr Simon Burns: As with all significant spending budgets giving people choice and control over how their needs are met; commitments made between 1 January 2010 and the election on 6 May, the proposed new hospital scheme at preventative support is given to people when they most need it with health and social care working together to help people Wynyard for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation stay independent at home; and Trust will be subject to the Government’s re-examination carers are helped to provide care and support for friends and of such approvals to ensure they are consistent with the family members. Government’s priorities and good value for money. Health Services: Mentally Ill Maidstone Hospital: Maternity Services

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the provision of assistance for what plans he has for the reconfiguration of maternity those with mental illness; and if he will make a services at Maidstone Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [347] statement. [57]

Mr Burstow: As a new Government we have a large Anne Milton: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of number of issues to tackle. The national health service State for Health is currently considering initial advice will be backed with increased real resources yet we from the Independent Reconfiguration Panel following recognise that there are still efficiencies to be made, the referral made by the Kent County Council’s Overview however, we intend to make sure front-line services in and Scrutiny Committee. A decision by the Secretary of the NHS as a whole are protected from cuts. State for Health will be made in due course. 41W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 42W

NHS from this resource, which will be focused at colleges that have yet to receive significant investment. Following the Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for announcement of revised criteria we hope to invite Health what future commissioning role primary care colleges to apply to this fund shortly with a view to trusts will have following the implementation of successful projects starting as soon as is practicable. measures in the Government’s proposed Health Bill. [683] Concert Halls: Leeds Mr Simon Burns: The ‘Coalition: our programme for government’ document indicates the new role and functions Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for envisaged for primary care trusts. We will bring forward Business, Innovation and Skills what grant he plans to more detailed proposals in due course. allocate to the development of the Leeds Arena in 2010-11. [63] NHS: Dismissal Mr Prisk: In December 2009, the Department for Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills gave Yorkshire Forward Health what the reasons were for the dismissal of each approval to spend up to £9.88 million from its budget consultant dismissed from each hospital trust since on the project. It did not “allocate” funds to the project. 2005; and from which NHS employer and on what Some £8.1 million has already been spent. Yorkshire dates employees have been dismissed for reasons Forward is not expecting to spend any more on the related to data protection since 2005. [4] project during this current financial year. Mr Simon Burns: The information requested concerning reasons for dismissal of consultants is not collected or Departmental Electronic Equipment held centrally by the Department. Performance of staff (including disciplinary issues) and any arising matters are monitored and managed by local national health Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for service organisations. This includes any issues arising Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) plasma from breaches of the Data Protection Act. Reasons for and (b) LCD televisions there are in Ministerial offices dismissal are a matter that is dealt with by the local in his Department. [381] employer. Mr Davey: There are no plasma screens. All Ministers Prescriptions: Fees and Charges bar one have currently only one LCD television in their office. One Minister inherited two LCD televisions from Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health his predecessor and asked for the second television to be what assessment he has made of the merits of ending removed immediately on taking office. prescription charges for adults with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement. [256] Departmental NDPBs John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to (a) maintain and (b) Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for extend the programme of free prescriptions for people Business, Innovation and Skills how much is expected to with long-term diseases. [714] be saved by each non-governmental organisation for which his Department is responsible in order to contribute to Mr Simon Burns: Decisions on any future changes to the £100 million reduction in expenditure set out by the the system of prescription charges and exemptions in Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May 2010. [99] England would need to be taken in the context of the next spending review, which is due to report in the Mr Davey: The £100 million saving equates to autumn. In the meantime, there are no plans to make approximately 11% of the overall running costs for the any changes to the current list of conditions which are Department and we are expecting that saving to be exempt from prescription charges. applied across BIS and its partner organisations.

Higher Education: Student Numbers BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Building Colleges for the Future Programme Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for made of the likely change in the number of students in Business, Innovation and Skills how many further education universities in the North East between academic year colleges he expects to be rebuilt or refurbished from the (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11. [97] £50 million of Government funding allocated for that purpose. [504] Mr Willetts: The number of students in each institution will depend upon the recruitment decisions taken by Mr Hayes: The additional £50 million for college individual institutions. However, we are making available building projects will support further education institutions funding for an additional 10,000 places in academic to offer the best facilities possible, bringing real benefits year 2010/11 which will be allocated by the Higher to learning and training. Many colleges will benefit Education Funding Council for England. 43W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 44W

Nissan: Finance Mr Davey: The most recent reported actuarial valuation for the deficit was in 2006 and it gave a figure of Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for £3.4 billion. The company and the pension trustees are Business, Innovation and Skills if he will maintain the currently working together to complete the ongoing previous Government’s commitment of a £20 million March 2009 triennial plan valuation. This is scheduled grant to Nissan to fund the development of fuel- to be finished by the end of June. efficient vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [151] Royal Mail has recently said that it estimates the current value of the deficit to be around £10 billion. Mr Prisk: The Chief Secretary has written to all Secretaries of State asking them to re-examine all spending St George’s Day approvals made since 1 January and re-examine all pilot schemes. This is due diligence by the Government of John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for their inheritance. It is not a blanket cancellation of Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider the projects or pilots. Where projects or pilots are affordable, merits of introducing a national holiday for England consistent with the Government’s priorities and good on St George’s Day. [651] value for money, they will go ahead. Mr Davey: The Government regularly receive representations requesting additional bank holidays for One North East a variety of reasons. The pattern of bank holidays is well established and accepted but we keep all of these Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for suggestions under consideration. Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future of One North East; and if he will make a Supermarkets: Competition statement. [152] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: The Government set out their position on Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the future of Regional Developments Agencies (RDAs) the (a) date of introduction of a supermarket in their programme for Government: “Freedom Fairness ombudsman and (b) powers the ombudsman should Responsibility”. We will support the creation of Local have in respect of suppliers in (i) the UK and (ii) Enterprise Partnerships to replace RDAs. developing countries. [653]

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Davey: The coalition programme for Government, Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for published on 18 May, makes a commitment to introduce the future of One NorthEast; and if he will make a an ombudsman, in the Office of Fair Trading, to enforce statement. [87] the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and curb abuses of power which undermine our farmers Mr Prisk: The Government set out their position on and act against the long-term interest of consumers. the future of Regional Developments Agencies (RDAs) We are currently carefully analysing some 60 responses in their programme for Government: “Freedom Fairness offering a wide range of views on the consultation Responsibility”. We will support the creation of Local which ran from 5 February to 30 April. We want to Enterprise Partnerships to replace RDAs and will publish ensure that this body is robust and effective and shall be the future of our plans in due course. looking to make further decisions on this measure as soon as practicable.

Post Offices: Bank Services Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) when he expects to Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, announce his plans for the enforcement of the Grocery Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the role of Supply Code of Practice regulation introduced by the the Post Office in delivering bank services. [658] Competition Commission on 4 February 2010; [692] (2) what assessment he has made of the results of the Mr Davey: We have been clear in “The Coalition: our public consultation on the Government’s proposal to programme for government” that we will ensure that establish a Supermarket Ombudsman. [693] post offices are allowed to offer a wide range of services in order to sustain the network, and will look at the case Mr Davey: The coalition programme for Government, for developing new sources of revenue, such as the published on 18 May, makes a commitment to introduce creation of a Post Office Bank. an ombudsman, in the Office of Fair Trading, to enforce the Grocery Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and curb abuses of power which undermine our farmers Royal Mail: Pensions and act against the long-term interest of consumers. We are currently carefully analysing some 60 responses Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for offering a wide range of views on the consultation Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent which ran from 5 February to 30 April. We want to estimate is of the size of the (a) current and (b) (i) five ensure that this body is robust and effective and shall be and (ii) 10-year projected (A) surplus and (B) deficit of looking to make further decisions on this measure as the Royal Mail pension scheme. [678] soon as practicable. 45W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 46W

Vergo Retail EDUCATION Building Schools for the Future Programme Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will hold an Tony Baldry: Toask the Secretary of State for Education inquiry into Vergo Retail Ltd.’s acquisition from the what plans he has to distribute funds allocated under the East of England Co-operative Society of the society’s Building Schools for the Future programme in the last non-food trading activities in 2009 and its subsequent six months; what plans he has for the future of that operation of the business. [215] programme; and if he will make a statement. [40]

Mr Davey: Vergo Retail Ltd. went into administration Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education on 11 May 2010. In view of the reporting duties imposed what his plans are for continuation of the Building on the joint administrators of the company the Department Schools for the Future project for (a) Westhoughton would not normally duplicate their work by carrying High School and (b) Smithills School; and whether out separate inquiries. However, my officials will ask the funding for each project will be maintained at the joint administrators to inform them of any specific previously planned level. [480] matters that come to their attention in relation to the company’s affairs which might require further consideration Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for by the Department. Education whether Hurworth Comprehensive School remains a priority for funding under the Building Schools for the Future programme. [590]

LEADER OF THE HOUSE Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education from which of his Department’s budgets funding will be allocated for the (a) capital and (b) Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority annual revenue costs of free schools. [216]

Mr Winnick: To ask the Leader of the House (1) how Mr Gibb: The Department has not taken any decisions many staff are employed by the Independent Parliamentary on Building Schools for the Future. Any future rollout Standards Authority; and when the organisation is expected decisions will be announced in due course. to be fully staffed and functioning; [45] Schools: Transport (2) what senior vacant posts are being advertised by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and what the salary offered is in each case; [46] what change there will be to his Department’s funding (3) what (a) complaints and (b) other representations towards school transport as a result of the announcement have been made on the helpline of the Independent made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Chief Parliamentary Standards Authority; what categories of Secretary to the Treasury on 24 May; and if he will information (i) may and (ii) may not be provided by the make a statement. [475] helpline; and what plans there are for the helpline to provide more information to hon. Members and their Mr Gibb: The vast majority of funding for home to school transport is provided through revenue support staff; [47] grant (RSG) to local authorities which was protected as (4) what the (a) duties, (b) salary and (c) other part of the Chancellor’s and Chief Secretary’s remuneration is of (i) the Chair, (ii) the Chief Executive announcement about 10-11 savings on Monday 24 May. and (iii) each other official with a salary of over £50,000 There are a small number of transport related grants of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; within DFE area based grants totalling £39.76 million. [48] As part of the DFE contribution to savings from local (5) if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority government the overall level of DFE area based grants (IPSA) will make it its practice to provide assistance to are being reduced from £1.3 billion to £986 million. staff of hon. Members whenever required in their dealings RSG has been protected at the level set by Parliament with IPSA; and if he will make a statement; [49] and £1.7 billion of central Government revenue and (6) if he will discuss with the Chair of the Independent capital grants have been de-ring fenced, giving local Parliamentary Standards Authority the development of authorities maximum flexibility to deliver efficiencies administrative mechanisms which will ensure appropriate and focus their budgets on services their residents value levels of authentication for all claims submitted by hon. most. This will ensure frontline services can be protected. Members without undue complexity; and if he will make a statement; [589] (7) if he will discuss with the Chair of the Independent DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Parliamentary Standards Authority the reason for requiring House of Lords hon. Members to produce a fresh contract of employment for a contracted employee working for one day a week Helen Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of additional duties undertaken in place of what estimate he has made of the cost to the public another employee of the same hon. Member who has purse of the creation of 100 additional peers; and what taken leave; and if he will make a statement; [591] discussions he has had with the House of Lords authorities on the cost to the public purse of administration of the Sir George Young: There is no ministerial responsibility House of Lords consequent on the introduction of 100 for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. additional peers. [54] 47W Written Answers2 JUNE 2010 Written Answers 48W

Mr Harper: I have been asked to reply. Maternal Health The expenses which Members of the House of Lords 13. Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for are able to claim are published and are available at: International Development what recent assessment he http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldpeers/ has made of his Department’s contribution to progress ldpeers.pdf towards the millennium development goal in respect of The cost of appointing new Members to the House of maternal health. [453] Lords will vary depending on what expenses they are entitled to, and may choose to claim, and on the provision Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International of facilities and services provided by the House Development (DFID) conduct annual assessments of administration. progress towards key Millennium Development Goal targets based on international data. These assessments concentrate on countries where UK development assistance is focused and where we expect to make the most CABINET OFFICE impact. The latest assessment in 2009 found some progress on Public Sector: Low Pay the maternal health Millennium Development Goal in Asia but that progress was lagging in sub-Saharan Mr Meacher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Africa. This assessment can be found in the DFID Office how many public sector workers are paid less Autumn Performance Report (2009) which is available than £7.20 an hour. [203] in the House Library. Malawi Mr Maude: The information requested falls within 14. David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have International Development what discussions he has asked the Authority to reply. had with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2010: Commonwealth Affairs on international development As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I aid to Malawi since his appointment; and if he will have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question make a statement. [454] requesting how many public sector workers are paid less than £7.20 an hour. (203) Mr Andrew Mitchell: Department for International The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is carried Development (DFID) and Foreign and Commonwealth out in April each year and is the most comprehensive source of Office (FCO) Ministers have had several conversations earnings information in the United Kingdom. ASHE methodology on aid to Malawi since my appointment. cannot be used to provide estimates of the numbers of employees DFID is one of Malawi’s largest donors with an £80 whose earnings is less than a specific amount, but can be used to million programme, supporting the Malawi Growth provide estimates of percentage of employees in that category. and Development Strategy, and focused on three areas: Levels of earnings are estimated from ASHE and are provided good Governance, Growth and Resilience, and Human for employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. In April 2009, the latest Development. period for which figures are available, the percentage of all UK The Public Accounts Committee has said that UKaid public sector employees whose paid gross hourly earnings excluding has actively contributed to Malawi’s development, including overtime is less than £7.20 is 9.3 percent. reducing hunger and building a better health service. Nigeria John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT International Development whether he has had recent discussions with the President of Nigeria on the Afghanistan provision by his Department of assistance to his country; and if he will make a statement. [455] 8. Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Andrew Mitchell: I have not yet had the opportunity International Development what recent assessment he to meet President Jonathan. The British high commissioner has made of the outcomes of educational initiatives in and the head of DFID’s office in Nigeria have met the Afghanistan supported by his Department. [448] President several times over the last two months to discuss his priorities and UK support. Nigeria is a Mr Andrew Mitchell: The latest assessment shows hugely important country to the development of Africa. that the number of children attending school grew to I will be reviewing our programme in Nigeria alongside 5.2 million in 2009, up from one million in 2001. Over other policy and country reviews which I have one-third of these children are girls. commissioned.

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Col. No. Col. No. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 417 INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—continued Caucasus...... 425 Russian Federation ...... 420 Departmental Aid Programmes ...... 421 Sudan...... 419 Departmental Aid Programmes ...... 425 Departmental Expenditure ...... 417 PRIME MINISTER ...... 426 Female Genital Mutilation...... 424 Afghanistan ...... 433 Malaria ...... 423 Engagements...... 426 Pakistan ...... 423 Engagements...... 434 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

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Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 17WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 19WS EU Competitiveness Council...... 17WS Justice and Home Affairs pre-Council Statement... 19WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 18WS Local Government (Doncaster) ...... 18WS HEALTH...... 19WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 22WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Machinery of Government: Departmental Affairs Council ...... 19WS Organisation ...... 22WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 41W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— Building Colleges for the Future Programme ...... 41W continued Concert Halls: Leeds...... 42W Regional Planning and Development...... 35W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 42W Social Rented Housing: Construction ...... 35W Departmental NDPBs...... 42W Trade Unions ...... 36W Higher Education: Student Numbers...... 42W Travellers: Caravan Sites ...... 36W Nissan: Finance ...... 43W Wind Farms: Planning Permission...... 36W One North East...... 43W Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 43W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 25W Royal Mail: Pensions...... 43W Advertising: Abortion...... 25W St George’s Day ...... 44W BBC ...... 26W Supermarkets: Competition ...... 44W Departmental Manpower...... 28W Vergo Retail ...... 45W Departmental Official Cars...... 27W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 27W CABINET OFFICE...... 47W Listed Buildings ...... 28W Public Sector: Low Pay...... 47W DEFENCE...... 3W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 29W Armed Forces: Deployment...... 3W Affordable Housing: Construction ...... 29W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 3W Council Housing: Construction ...... 30W Armed Forces: Mental Health Services...... 4W Council Housing Finance Review ...... 30W Defence Storage and Distribution Agency ...... 5W Council Tax: Religious Buildings ...... 30W South China Sea ...... 5W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 30W Trident ...... 5W Departmental Manpower...... 30W Departmental NDPBs...... 31W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 46W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 31W House of Lords ...... 46W Durham County Council: Cost-effectiveness ...... 31W Fire Services...... 31W EDUCATION...... 46W Government Offices for the Regions ...... 32W Building Schools for the Future Programme ...... 46W Home Information Packs...... 32W Schools: Transport ...... 46W Housing ...... 32W Housing: Construction...... 33W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 18W Housing: Empty Property ...... 33W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 18W Listed Buildings ...... 33W Departmental Manpower...... 18W Local Government Finance ...... 34W Departmental Official Cars...... 19W Col. No. Col. No. ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—continued HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Industrial Diseases: Compensation ...... 20W Knives: Crime ...... 11W Mephedrone...... 12W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Police ...... 12W AFFAIRS...... 8W Rape...... 12W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 8W Special Constables: Recruitment ...... 13W Coastal Erosion ...... 8W Work Permits ...... 13W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 8W Farmers: Suicide ...... 8W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 47W Land Drainage...... 9W Afghanistan ...... 47W Supermarkets: Competition ...... 10W Malawi...... 48W Maternal Health ...... 48W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 16W Nigeria...... 48W China: Human Rights ...... 16W Government Hospitality: Wines...... 16W JUSTICE...... 13W Iran: Nuclear Power...... 16W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 13W Iran: Sanctions...... 17W Electoral Register...... 14W Israel: UN Resolutions...... 17W Pleural Plaques: Compensation...... 15W Middle East ...... 17W Prisons: Education...... 15W Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty ...... 17W South China Sea ...... 17W LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 45W Yemen: Human Rights...... 18W Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority .. 45W

HEALTH...... 37W PRIME MINISTER...... 36W Accident and Emergency Departments: Andy Coulson and Jonny Oates ...... 36W Lancashire ...... 37W Rupert Murdoch ...... 37W Bassetlaw Primary Care Trust: Pay ...... 37W Whips: Pay...... 37W Brain Injuries ...... 38W Cancer: Drugs...... 38W TRANSPORT ...... 5W Dental Services: Hygiene...... 38W A1079: Accidents ...... 5W General Practitioners: Malton ...... 39W Departmental Official Cars...... 6W Health Services: Learning Disabled ...... 39W M1: Nottinghamshire ...... 6W Health Services: Mentally Ill...... 39W Railways: Finance ...... 6W Hormone Replacement Therapy: Fees and Railways: Greater London ...... 6W Charges...... 40W Railways: Northamptonshire ...... 7W Hospitals: Greater London ...... 40W Tyne and Wear Metro ...... 7W Hospitals: Wynyard...... 40W Maidstone Hospital: Maternity Services ...... 40W TREASURY ...... 28W NHS...... 41W Civil Servants: East Midlands ...... 28W NHS: Dismissal ...... 41W Credit Unions ...... 29W Prescriptions: Fees and Charges...... 41W Mutual Societies ...... 29W Revenue and Customs: Finance ...... 29W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 10W Anti-Semitism...... 10W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 23W Asylum ...... 10W Children: Maintenance ...... 23W Detection Rates: Essex ...... 10W Departmental Carbon Emissions ...... 25W Independent Police Complaints Commission: Pay . 11W Jobcentre Plus: Translation Services...... 25W 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,

not later than Wednesday 9 June 2010

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CONTENTS

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 417] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for International Development Prime Minister

Gaza Flotilla [Col. 437] Statement—(Mr. Hague)

Debate on the Address (Fourth Day) [Col. 455] Debate Adjourned

Integrated Health Care [Col. 548] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 17WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 3W] [see index inside back page]