Thursday Volume 583 26 June 2014 No. 14

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 26 June 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 445 26 JUNE 2014 446

use zero-hours contracts to get around the national House of Commons minimum wage legislation will therefore be prosecuted? If employers seek to exclude people on zero-hours Thursday 26 June 2014 contracts from being able to take work with any other employer, cannot those contracts be declared void as being contrary to public policy? The House met at half-past Nine o’clock Vince Cable: On the latter point, we shall discuss in PRAYERS the forthcoming legislation how enforcement action might be taken in respect of exclusivity contracts. The answer to the first part of the question is yes, indeed: if [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] the minimum wage legislation has been breached, action is taken, initially by retrieving the sums involved and by naming and shaming, and under the forthcoming legislation Oral Answers to Questions it will be by very significant penalties. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Does the Secretary of State agree that the Government’s approach to zero-hours contracts has to tread the difficult BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS line between supporting the vast majority of employees who want to continue with those contracts, and limiting The Secretary of State was asked— the use of such contracts where they are neither necessary nor appropriate? Workplace Insecurity Vince Cable: My colleague is right that this is a 1. Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East difficult line to tread, which is why we must base our Cleveland) (Lab): What assessment his Department has policy on evidence and not on dogma. The evidence made of the main causes of insecurity in the workplace. very clearly shows that a large number of people do [904468] appreciate and see value in the current arrangements but that there is also abuse, which needs to be dealt The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and with. Skills (Vince Cable): Employees’ views on job security are related to their individual circumstances and underlying Zero-hours Contracts economic conditions. Unsurprisingly, insecurity rose in the recession, but the fall in unemployment from 7.9% 2. Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): What when we came into office in May 2010 to 6.6% in April assessment he has made of the implications for his 2014 and the creation of 700,000 permanent employee policies of the Office for National Statistics report on jobs since 2012 will almost certainly have reduced it. zero-hours contracts, published on 30 April 2014. [904469] Tom Blenkinsop: The national minimum wage gives people at work security and a statutory minimum, The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and ensuring decent wages. In January, the Chancellor advocated Skills (Vince Cable): The ONS report was a helpful a £7 minimum. Was that not just empty rhetoric, given addition to the debate on zero-hours contracts, alongside that no action has occurred since? Why are Ministers the Department’s call for evidence and final consultation. refusing to back Labour’s living wage plans? Our policy is that although zero-hours contracts benefit many employers and employees, there is a need to Vince Cable: Before I reply directly to the supplementary address abuse. question, may I thank the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my hon. Friend the Mrs Moon: The ONS study showed that 1.4 million Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott), who comes workers were on zero-hours contracts. Those workers to the end of her admirable period in office at the end of are unable to access rented property, because they cannot this week as her colleague returns from maternity leave? prove a work record, or mobile phone contracts and The Chancellor was not advocating a £7 minimum hire purchase contracts. What work has the Department wage; he was explaining the simple arithmetic of what undertaken also to identify the status of the 1.3 million would happen if a real minimum wage was restored. people whose jobs were not examined as part of the The hon. Gentleman will well know that measures will ONS study? Do we not need to find out more about the be coming before the House to introduce much more people on zero-hours contracts rather than staying where effective enforcement action on the minimum wage. We we are? should concentrate on strengthening the minimum wage, rather than pursuing the living wage as a mandatory Vince Cable: I thank the hon. Lady for her close option, about which there is confusion among Opposition interest in this matter and for trying to build up the Members. evidence base. There is some confusion here, because the 1.4 million figure relates to the number of contracts, Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Will my right hon. and individual workers may have several contracts; the Friend confirm that any employer found not to be best number we have from the ONS for the number of complying with the national minimum wage legislation workers involved is 583,000, which represents about 2% will be prosecuted, and that any employer seeking to of the total labour force. 447 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 448

Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Does the mainly small and medium-size enterprises. The funding Secretary of State agree that in today’s modern workplace ends in March 2015, and the fact that future rounds will many employees find zero-hours contracts very attractive be open only to larger businesses and universities with a because of the freedom they give them to combine minimum bid of £1 million will exclude many SMEs different jobs, to work from home and be available to that are vital to the future of Hull. Will Ministers look work, or to work and study at the same time? again at this matter?

Vince Cable: My hon. Friend rightly says that certain Vince Cable: On the hon. Lady’s first point about groups of workers find these contracts advantageous, women in senior roles in Government—of course I the main ones being workers who have passed retirement want to add again compliments to my colleague—she age and wish to do optional, flexible work, and students, may have noticed that the last of the FTSE companies for whom the lack of an obligation to turn up at a fixed that did not have a woman on the board, Glencore, has time for a fixed period is compatible with their studies. listened to our clear advice that it should proceed, and Mr Glasenberg appointed a woman director this morning. Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): Will the Secretary On the £30 million, which is of course the local fund of State clear up the confusion he created during the that was hitherto administered through the local enterprise last debate on this issue in the Chamber and confirm partnership but will come under the local growth fund that workers on jobseeker’s allowance who turn down a when it is available from 2015-16, the local enterprise zero-hours contract job will not face sanctions? partnership will have discretion over how to use the funding available to it. I am sure that it will, as before, Vince Cable: They will not face sanctions. I hope that continue to support development in Hull. that clarifies the matter. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): For Kettering’s sustainable urban extension to be sustainable, the Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Department for Transport says that a new junction on Employers are trying to steer a course between being the A14 called junction 10A is required at a cost of flexible and skirting around their legal obligations, but £39 million. That is supported by both the there is concern about the zero-hours contracts for care Northamptonshire LEP and the South-East Midlands workers, on whom we are becoming increasingly dependent. LEP. Given that the junction could release economic Will the Secretary of State’s Department take a careful activity worth up to £1 billion under the Treasury green look at that industry with a view to giving it further book rules, will the Secretary of State look favourably guidance if required? at this bid from Kettering for this new road junction? Vince Cable: Yes, indeed. We are already doing that, Vince Cable: That is an issue that the Minister of and I am discussing the matter with the Minister with State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks responsibility for care. The problem with domiciliary (Michael Fallon), the Department for Transport and I care is that there is almost certainly an avoidance by will have to examine. As I understand it, under the companies to pay the minimum wage, and that overlaps arrangements that will prevail in 2015, this is very much with the problem of zero-hours contracts. We recognise a matter for the two LEPs involved to exercise their that there are some very specific problems for workers priorities. in that sector. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Some Regional Growth really good stuff has happened under the regional growth fund, and I am glad to see the next round, but it is still not enough. We are still not getting borrowing for 3. Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): start-ups. New entrepreneurs are not being encouraged What contribution the regional growth fund has made enough, and we are not using crowdfunding and to rebalancing the economy across regions. [904470] crowdsourcing enough. What will the Secretary of State do to increase the number of young entrepreneurs who The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and have access to capital so that they can make a difference? Skills (Vince Cable): Some £765 million of regional growth fund support has been paid to companies Vince Cable: First, I thank the hon. Gentleman for throughout England, which has leveraged £1.8 billion his constructive remarks at the beginning. On funding, of private money.This combined investment of £2.5 billion he will be pleased to know that under the StartUp loan in areas that need private sector growth has already scheme, we now have 13,000 loans that have been disbursed. delivered or safeguarded 97,000 jobs. Round 6 was They operate through the Business Bank, which is also launched last week and I encourage hon. Members to funding crowdfunding, and it is operating on a significant support companies in their constituencies in applying scale and accelerating fast. for funding. Vocational Training

Diana Johnson: In paying tribute to the hon. Member 4. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott), perhaps the Secretary What steps he is taking to strengthen vocational of State could put in a good word for her to get another training. [904471] job—there are so few Liberal Democrat women Ministers in the coalition Government. Humber local enterprise The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David partnership has been among the best in showing that it Willetts): We are creating a system of vocational training needs to go further than Ministers are with Lord Heseltine’s to enable everyone to achieve their potential. We are on agenda on devolved funding, distributing £30 million of track to deliver 2 million apprenticeship starts. We have round 3 RGF funding to more than 80 companies, introduced traineeships for young people, we are supporting 449 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 450 national colleges for key sectors and technologies and disabled students. Often, improved provision by universities of course more than half of university students are is a better way of helping disabled students than funding doing a course that leads directly to a profession. to individual students. We will maintain strong support for disabled students. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): I welcome the huge progress that has been made. What progress Life Sciences has been made in implementing the Richards review recommendation to give employers greater purchasing 5. Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): What power over apprentices’ training to drive up standards? support his Department is giving to the life sciences sector. [904472] Mr Willetts: I met Doug Richards in a very upbeat mood only half an hour ago, and I can assure my hon. The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Friend that we agree with Doug Richards that employers Willetts): We are promoting research and development, should purchase apprenticeship training. We want providers innovation and manufacturing so the UK is a global to respond to businesses, not to Government. We have leader in life sciences. Businesses in life sciences have consulted widely on how to make that happen. We will announced more than £2 billion of investment since our publish details of our preferred payment mechanism strategy was launched. and next steps in the autumn. Mr Buckland: Following my right hon. Friend’s recent Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman and the Minister visit with me to see cutting edge 3D print technology at appear to have a symbiotic relationship, and we are BD’s plant in Swindon, will he work with me to help the grateful for that, I am sure. further development of high-value specialist manufacturing at companies such as BD, Patheon and Catalent, which Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): form an important part of Swindon’s life sciences sector? Despite all the praiseworthy emphasis that the Government have placed on increasing the number of apprentices, Mr Willetts: I remember vividly that visit last month the number of apprenticeship starts in the under-19 age and congratulate my hon. Friend on his very good group is dropping. The BIS Committee recommended working relationships with local employers. He is right that the Government should use public procurement to that our life sciences strategy is not simply about research increase those numbers, as a lot of local authorities do. and development, important though that is. It is also Why have the Government not done it? about supporting high-tech manufacturing and promoting more of that in the UK. Mr Willetts: The Government believe in promoting apprenticeships across the public sector. Figures published Mr Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab): In today show an increase in the number of apprenticeships the run-up to the election, it is important that we try to in that crucial age group. maximise consensus across the House on science policy. To help the debate, we launched our green paper on Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): science on Tuesday, and I welcome the Royal Society’s Apprenticeships are essential to help deliver a growing report today. It is important to be honest about where economy, but nearly 400 employers in the north-west we are, though. Life science investment has fallen, according have replied to the future of apprenticeships in England to the Library, by almost £500 million since 2010. In the funding reform technical consultation, and they have last year for which data are available, total R and D said that they will no longer recruit apprentices under spending in the UK is down by nearly £1 billion. We are the reforms that the Government propose. Will the now 23rd out of 33 for R and D spending in the OECD. Minister please say what he intends to do specifically Why does the Minister think that is? I am sure he will for SMEs, which are concerned about the proposals? agree that this is not the way to win a race to the top.

Mr Willetts: We have had a range of reactions to our Mr Willetts: A major change is happening in the consultation, and the national bodies that represent structure of the life sciences industry, with it moving businesses strongly support the proposals that we and away from having large, in-house R and D facilities. in particular my excellent colleague the Minister for That trend is happening around the world. We have Skills and Enterprise are putting forward. been particularly successful in this country in making sure that as that happens we promote alternative investment, Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): As a and we are now seeing—for example, in the facility that dyspraxic, I remember how much extra effort I needed Pfizer operated in Kent—significant renewal as new, to put in to succeed at university. Students with disabilities small businesses come in. Our life sciences strategy is and learning difficulties will be concerned about the attracting new investment to the UK—£2 billion of it Government’s reforms to the disabled students allowance, since we launched the strategy. under which many of them will lose out. The evidence shows that students with learning difficulties are already Regional Growth less likely to complete their course and less likely to achieve the highest grades. Why does the Minister want 6. Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): What steps he is to widen that gap even further? taking to promote regional growth. [904473]

Mr Willetts: Let me be clear: we are committed to The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation helping disabled students. We will expect universities and Skills (Michael Fallon): We want to see growth that to do more to discharge their direct responsibilities to is sustainable and balanced, but it is local businesses 451 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 452 and civic leaders who best understand what drives training, which, with the record number of jobs, have growth in their area. Through local enterprise partnerships contributed to a 98,000 fall in youth unemployment they will have at least £20 billion to allocate until 2020. over the last year. We are simplifying vocational education and today publishing a simple slide showing young Mark Menzies: May I take this opportunity to welcome people their education options between the ages of 14 the Government’s proposed plans to build a high-speed and 18. rail network between our great northern cities? In the light of that announcement will the Minister assure me Mr Evans: I have a BAE Systems plant at Samlesbury that local businesses in Fylde and the local enterprise in my constituency, and my hon. Friend the Member for zone in Warton will continue to receive the full support Fylde (Mark Menzies) has one in Warton. BAE Systems of Government to promote growth in west Lancashire? took on a record number of apprentices last year, giving young people an opportunity to learn new skills to use Michael Fallon: Yes, I give my hon. Friend that assurance in highly paid jobs when they are later taken on. What and tell him that we hope before the summer recess to are the Government doing to encourage many more agree a growth deal with the Lancashire local enterprise smaller firms to understand that apprenticeships can partnership, centring on the arc of prosperity it has also benefit them? identified alongside Lancashire’s huge strengths in energy, manufacturing and engineering. Matthew Hancock: I pay tribute to the work that BAE Systems does with its apprenticeships. It not only Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): On support for has hundreds of apprentices, many of whom I have met, regional growth, when will the financing be agreed for but offers more and more higher apprenticeships, which the electrification of the south Wales valleys train lines? provide the very best available training on the job. We have to make sure that smaller businesses get the message Michael Fallon: I shall certainly raise that with my that apprenticeships can help them too; in fact, the colleagues in the Department for Transport. I do not majority of apprentices are in smaller businesses. We have the date to hand, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman have made the apprenticeship grant for employers focused will welcome that investment. on smaller businesses to help them with the extra costs they have in taking on apprentices. 17. [904492] John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): Does the Minister agree that it is incumbent on local government 15. [904488] Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) leaders, LEPs and local MPs to work with local (Lab): When are the Government going to put an businesses to ensure that places such as Carlisle emphasis on quality apprenticeships? Why do we need maximise their potential as an economic powerhouse in 47 different streams of funding for skills generally? their region? Does he agree also that local government When are we going to sort out on-the-job training from and local businesses are as important as national actual apprenticeships? Are the Government lumping Government in promoting growth and job creation? on-the-job training into the figures for apprenticeships, when apprenticeships are totally different? Michael Fallon: Yes, I absolutely agree. I thank my hon. Friend and his colleagues for their input into the Matthew Hancock: No, the figures for apprenticeships Cumbria economic plan. I saw that close working for show the number of apprenticeships. They also show myself when I chaired the recent Cumbria forum on that we are on track to achieve 2 million apprenticeships advanced manufacturing. in this Parliament—in fact, figures published at 9.30 this morning show that there have been 1.8 million Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): Regional growth apprenticeships since the election. We are simplifying is dependent on good transport connections, and there the funding structures and putting more money through has been widespread concern in northern Lincolnshire employers, so that they can buy the apprenticeship among the business community about the threat to training they need. services on the south transpennine line. Will the Minister agree to meet a delegation of business leaders from Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): I believe northern Lincolnshire to discuss that and other issues? that the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks Michael Fallon: I am very happy to meet any delegation (Michael Fallon), and I are both due to attend the of business leaders with my hon. Friend. I am not the Royal London Society for Blind People’s youth forum Minister for rail transport, but I shall certainly refer the launch of “Let’s Work It Out”, which seeks to identify issue to the Department for Transport, and I am happy the barriers to visually impaired young people getting to have the meeting that my hon. Friend requests. into employment. What more can the Government do to encourage employers to see the potential of visually Employment Support: Young People impaired young people and to make them more aware of the technological assistance that can enable them to 7. Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): What function in the workplace? additional funding for training his Department has provided to support unemployed people and people Matthew Hancock: Making sure that those who are aged 16 to 24 to get into employment. [904474] visually impaired can fulfil their potential in the workplace is a vital part of the training we support. My right hon. The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew Friend the Minister of State is the president of the Hancock): We have record numbers participating in organisation that the hon. Lady mentions. Apprenticeships apprenticeships, new traineeships, maths and English are one option, and there are specific mechanisms to 453 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 454 ensure that those who are visually impaired can complete need reform, and that reform will happen, but what we an apprenticeship, but more broadly we need to make need are sensible contributions to the debate, given the sure that the whole skills system works as much for enormous hole in the public finances that we are still those with disabilities as for those who are fully able. having to fill.

Small Businesses and Self-employed People Foreign Direct Investment 9. Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): 8. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What assessment What plans he has to encourage foreign direct he has made of the effect of the Government’s policies investment. [904476] on small businesses and the self-employed. [904475] The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew Willetts): UK Trade & Investment is promoting a highly Hancock): The Government are making it easier to competitive corporation tax regime, seeking investment start, finance and grow small businesses. There are now in regeneration and infrastructure and emphasising the 400,000 more small businesses than in 2010. The total quality of our research base, all of which make us the number stands at a record 4.9 million, with a record best place in Europe to do business. 4.5 million people in self-employment. Yesterday, we introduced in the House the first ever small business Mr Bellingham: Is my right hon. Friend aware that Bill. there has been hugely significant inward investment of £500 million by the German firm Palm Paper in a paper Bill Esterson: The Federation of Small Businesses mill in King’s Lynn? Does he agree that we need more index has highlighted that small businesses are still such inward investment, and that to promote more struggling to get the finance they need to expand— foreign direct investment we need to deregulate further something confirmed by small businesses in my constituency social and employment measures? to a very large degree. The FSB also calls for greater competition and choice in business banking. Does the Mr Willetts: Our flexible labour market is one of the Minister accept that the Government’s failed schemes, many reasons that foreign investors are keen to invest in including Project Merlin and credit easing, have had no the UK and we can always pursue that important impact whatsoever? agenda further. The latest independent assessment shows that the UK was the most successful country in Europe Matthew Hancock: The hon. Gentleman was doing in attracting inward investment. quite well until that last exaggeration. I certainly agree that strengthening access to finance is a vital part of Regulatory Burden: Businesses securing our recovery, and of course measures in the Bill announced yesterday will help to do that, but 10. Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): What steps according to the FSB, small businesses’ confidence is at he is taking to reduce the burden of regulation on a high since Labour’s great recession. Small businesses businesses. [904479] in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency are playing their part, because unemployment on the claimant count has The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation fallen by 30% in the past year. and Skills (Michael Fallon): We have significantly reduced the burden of regulation on business. The one-in, two-out Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): Small rule has cut the annual cost of domestic regulation by businesses in my constituency and around the country £1.2 billion so far, and the red tape challenge has tell me that the real struggle when they are supplying identified over 3,000 regulations to be scrapped or large businesses is payment terms. Does my hon. Friend improved. To ensure that all future Governments remain agree that requiring large companies to publish their committed to reducing burdens, the Small Business, payment practices is an important step in helping to Enterprise and Employment Bill published yesterday drive a more responsible payment culture between large requires Governments to publish a target for removing and small businesses? regulatory burdens in each Parliament and to report against it. Matthew Hancock: I agree with my hon. Friend so much that we put such measures in the Bill we published Andrew Rosindell: I thank my right hon. Friend for yesterday. his excellent reply. Does he agree that for business and enterprise to flourish, particularly in constituencies such Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): I recently held a as mine that have many small and medium-sized enterprises, listening event for businesses across Bolton West. A we must stop the strangling of business by regulation major concern for them, and a definite barrier to success from the European Union, and that means that the for micro-businesses, is business rates. As they have Prime Minister is doing absolutely the right thing in gone up by £1,500 already in this Parliament and by trying to reform Europe so that business can flourish in another £270 in April, will the Minister support a cut in this country? business rates in 2015 and a freeze the year after? Michael Fallon: I completely agree with my hon. Matthew Hancock: It is interesting to hear another Friend, and I can tell him that of the 30 specific reforms Labour proposal that is uncosted and unfunded. We requested by the business taskforce I chaired last year, have instead taken action to reduce by £1,000 the business nine have already been delivered, two further directives rates on retail premises. We are clear that business rates were withdrawn last month, and since the transposition 455 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 456 rules were tightened three years ago there has been only Michael Fallon: It took some 18 months to get that one example of a European directive being gold-plated, compensation scheme approved by the Commission, which was the consumer credit directive that banned which is why it will take some time to get the compensation excessive payment surcharges. for the renewables obligation and the feed-in tariff and why that scheme will not apply until April 2016. The Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The Bathroom Commission did not agree to our request for backdating. Manufacturers Association is just one trade body which feels that regulatory policy has too little focus on Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): The hon. Member enforcement of regulation. That leads to the undercutting for Warrington South (David Mowat) asked exactly the of compliant, high-quality British manufacturers by same question in April and today received pretty much cheap, non-compliant foreign imports. When will the word for word the same unsatisfactory response. The Government understand that a mature and consistent fact is that the Government have imposed a unilateral approach to enforcement of regulation is not a burden carbon price floor that is widely divergent from the EU on high-quality British manufacturing business, but an emissions trading scheme, which has put Britain’s energy- aid to it? intensive industries at a competitive disadvantage to our European counterparts and done nothing to prevent Michael Fallon: I am happy to meet that trade association carbon leakage or encourage investment in low-carbon to follow up its specific concerns. The hon. Gentleman energy. What practical steps is the Minister taking to is right that business needs uniform and proportionate shape reform of the ETS to make it more credible and enforcement, and we are looking to deliver that through to level the playing field for British industry, or have the improved guidance with the relevant bodies, such as the Government lost that battle in Europe too? Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. Michael Fallon: Other countries such as Germany Energy-intensive Industries can of course offer higher support to their industries, but they did not have the appalling deficit that we 11. David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con): What inherited, because of course they did not have a Labour steps his Department is taking to support energy- Government. I intend to ask the new Commission this intensive industries. [904481] autumn for an early review of the ETS and to include new sectors, such as cement, that have missed out so far. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Michael Fallon): In the Budget the Government Apprenticeships announced a package of support of £500 million a year for energy-intensive industries. From 2016, we will introduce 12. Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con): compensation for the costs of the renewables obligation What support his Department is providing to and the feed-in tariff. We will also be extending to 2019 apprenticeships. [904483] the compensation scheme for the emissions trading scheme and the carbon price floor. Together with The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew amendments to the carbon price floor, these changes Hancock): The number of apprenticeships has doubled will be worth around £7 billion to businesses in Britain. and we are on track to deliver 2 million over this Parliament—this morning’s figures show that there are David Mowat: My right hon. Friend will be aware 1.8 million so far. It is all part of our long-term economic that several of our EU competitors are increasingly plan. cross-subsidising industrial use of electricity, creating a difficult landscape for our energy-intensive industries. Jack Lopresti: I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. A recent example of the impact of this is BOAL There are exciting plans to develop an aerospace Aluminium, an aluminium processor which was going apprenticeship training centre as part of the iAero to invest £2 million in the UK but has moved that, with proposals for the former Filton airfield land, which are all the associated jobs, to Belgium, where energy costs being discussed by his Department and aerospace businesses 30% less. Is there more we can do to prevent carbon in my constituency. Can he assure me of his support for leakage of that type? those plans?

Michael Fallon: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for Matthew Hancock: I am enthusiastic about those bringing representatives of the aluminium industry to plans. We are working closely with my hon. Friend and see me in the Department. It is important that we in colleagues in the aerospace industry to see whether we Britain do not lose out on such investment. We have can make them happen. The number of apprenticeships already paid out some £30 million of compensation to in Filton is up by 60% since 2010, so it is clearly a 53 of the most electricity-intensive companies and we success story and we want to build on that success. will continue to press for further reform in Europe. National Minimum Wage

Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): It is good that some 13. Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): What support is coming from 2016, but energy-intensive industries resources have been allocated for enforcement action need support now in the challenging times they face. It against employers who do not pay the national is good that the Government have finally got their minimum wage. [904485] package of compensation for their unilateral carbon floor tax through Europe, but the Minister has previously The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, given commitments to get that backdated to 2013, as Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott): The Government promised to business. What progress has he made in are committed to increasing compliance with minimum getting that compensation backdated? wage legislation. Everyone who is entitled to the minimum 457 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 458 wage should receive it. Her Majesty’s Revenue and forward for naming and shaming, and, unless exceptional Customs has 173 staff dedicated to enforcing the national circumstances are involved, they will be named publicly. minimum wage, and the Government are already taking That is acting as a real disincentive to employers not to tougher action on employers who break the law. We treat their staff fairly. have made it simpler to name and shame employers who do not pay the national minimum wage and have Manufacturing increased the financial penalties for breaking the law. 14. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): What assessment Andy Sawford: I thank the Minister for her response, he has made of recent trends in the level of but in Corby HMRC found that £120,000 was owed to manufacturing. [904487] local workers, and that was just on a three-day visit, so it was the tip of the iceberg and we need to do much The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation more. Will she, in her last days in her role, leave a and Skills (Michael Fallon): Office for National Statistics present for her successor by beginning a review into figures for April show that manufacturing output in the how local authorities could take a much stronger UK rose by 4.4% year on year—the fastest pace since enforcement role? They currently enforce on planning, February 2011. Industrial production rose by 1.1% in parking and environmental health, so why can they not the three months to April compared with the previous have a role in making the local labour market work for three months—the strongest three-monthly growth since people? June 2010.

Jenny Willott: Clearly we feel very strongly that employers Neil Carmichael: I thank the Minister for that should pay the national minimum wage. People working encouraging answer. With the need for more skills in on the minimum wage are, by definition, on the lowest energy engineering in mind, does he agree that it is a incomes in society, so it is critical that everything is very good idea to have a centre for those skills at the done to ensure that they are paid it. Every complaint now-decommissioned Berkeley power station, and that that is made to the pay and work rights helpline is that represents a significant step in the right direction investigated, and where arrears are found they are paid for the long-term economic plan? back and employers pay a significant penalty. We are happy to work with any part of Government and any Michael Fallon: Yes, I do agree. That project is a key organisations that are keen to ensure that the minimum part of Gloucestershire’s economic plan, and it can wage is paid. We will ensure that any complaints reported provide the skills that we will need for the next generation to the pay and work rights helpline are investigated. of nuclear power stations at Hinkley and Oldbury. We are currently considering Gloucestershire’s request for Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I pay tribute to local growth funding to support the project. I hope to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott), announce the allocation for Gloucestershire as part of who has always been a very kind and effective Minister, the growth deal before the summer recess. and wish her well in her return to the dark arts of the Government Whips Office. Given that compliment, I Small Businesses am sure that she will wish to agree with me that any sanctions for non-compliance with the national minimum 16. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) wage are ineffective without proper enforcement. Figures (Con): What recent support his Department has show that since the Government came to power the provided to small businesses. [904491] number of national minimum wage inspections is down by 60%, with only two prosecutions. That is hardly The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew surprising, given that a recent answer she gave to a Hancock): The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment parliamentary question committed a budget of £9.2 million Bill builds on a record of 42,000 businesses helped to to enforcement, but the head of the national minimum export by UK Trade & Investment over the past year wage enforcement unit publicly stated only last month and 15,000 small businesses supported by the growth that the budget is just £8 million. Just like the Chancellor’s accelerator scheme. As the Secretary of State said earlier, hollow promise to increase the national minimum wage the number of start-up loans approved has reached to £7, is this not just another example of the Government 18,000. failing to stand up for the lowest paid against rogue employers? Stephen Metcalfe: As my hon. Friend will be aware, large businesses still owe small businesses over £30 billion Jenny Willott: I completely disagree with the hon. in overdue invoices. Only yesterday, a company in Basildon Gentleman. The enforcement action taken by HMRC contacted me to say that one of Essex county council’s has significantly increased the number of workers who main contractors owes it well over £100,000 past the are getting the wages they are due. Between 2009-10 and due date. Will he expand on how we will use the small 2013-14, there was an increase of over 17% in the business Bill to resolve this issue and pump billions number of workers who were helped and were given back into the economy? arrears, and the amount that has been paid back has been increased significantly. In addition, we are increasing Matthew Hancock: The Bill contains two elements fourfold the penalty that employers have to pay, and we on prompt payment, the first of which is to increase the now have in place a very draconian naming and shaming amount that Government pay quickly. BIS pays almost scheme. That means that all employers who are found all its invoices within 30 days and the vast majority not to have paid the national minimum wage are put within five days. We will also bring transparency so that 459 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 460 when small businesses enter into contracts with large I welcome in particular the very exciting Ben Ainslie businesses they know their payment performance and project and my colleague is working closely with Rear- can negotiate on that as part of the contract. Admiral Stevens to develop the Solent maritime industries.

Several hon. Members rose— T2. [904495] Mark Menzies (Fylde) (Con): Fylde has a significant amount of advanced manufacturing companies, Mr Speaker: Order. I thought that we were through including BAE Systems and Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel. all the substantive questions with time to spare, but we May we have an update on what steps are being taken to will take a question from Debbie Abrahams. increase the number of highly skilled apprenticeships in the advanced manufacturing sector? Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) (Lab): I am very grateful, Mr Speaker. The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew I am pleased that the Government have finally produced Hancock): Absolutely. Through the trailblazer process, a Bill to deal with late payments to small businesses by we are putting employers in charge of the training large companies. It includes some of the recommendations involved in apprenticeships, to make sure that, in addition from my inquiry last summer into late payments. However, to the big increase in numbers we are seeing, we increase it does not go far enough and will give little comfort to the quality of training so that all young people have the the small businesses whose viability is threatened. Why opportunity to use an apprenticeship as an alternative are these measures so timid? to university in order to reach their potential.

Matthew Hancock: I pay tribute to the hon. Lady for Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): Does the the work that she has done on this subject. We consulted Secretary of State think it is acceptable for a Government on all the potential options, including statutory maximums Department to increase reporting requirements twelvefold for payment terms. We put the consultation out with an for businesses? open mind and a wide range of options. In fact, the small business groups that came forward with proposals Vince Cable: I am not sure what the hon. Gentleman in response to the consultation favoured transparency, is referring to, but, as the Minister of State, my right not a statutory limit. We followed the evidence and the hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks said a moment response to the consultation. Like her, I am determined ago, we have taken considerable action drastically to to do everything we can to tackle this problem while not reduce the regulatory burden on business. getting in the way of freedom of contract between businesses. We have taken these measures because of Mr Umunna: I am talking about the disgraceful burden what the evidence demonstrated, and I think they will being heaped on the one in five self-employed people in have a big impact. That is all part of our long-term this country who will be in receipt of universal credit. economic plan. Those businesses are being required to report their Topical Questions income not once a year, but every single month. Their earnings are being computed on a completely different basis from the assessment carried out by Her Majesty’s T1. [904494] Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen) Revenue and Customs for tax purposes, and the minimum (Lab): If he will make a statement on his departmental income they will be assumed to have is for 35 hours a responsibilities. week at the minimum wage. That is unjust and unworkable and it does not reflect how those businesses work. Why The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and has this ministerial team sat back and allowed the red Skills (Vince Cable): My Department plays a key role in tape baron—the Work and Pensions Secretary—to erect supporting the rebalancing of the economy through this barrier to aspiration? business to deliver growth while increasing skills and learning. Vince Cable: I would have thought that most reasonable Mr Denham: In September, the Portsmouth warship people would welcome the growth of self-employment yard, where many of my constituents work, will shut. and entrepreneurship that is happening under this That will leave the Government without a plan B for Government. I think they would also probably welcome warships if the referendum goes the wrong way. The the fact that the benefits system demands maximum work force will be dispersed before there is an alternative integrity. user and the shipyard’s role in providing manufacturing apprenticeships across southern England will be lost. T7. [904502] Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): Do Will the Secretary of State look to delay the closure Ministers agree that a central part of the long-term until the referendum is over, until there is a new user economic plan is the delivery of skills to the increasingly and until there is a credible plan for training manufacturing innovative and research-oriented manufacturing sector? and engineering apprentices in southern Hampshire? Matthew Hancock: Yes. As my hon. Friend may Vince Cable: The maritime industries are, of course, know, I am a fan of the long-term economic plan. In crucial in Portsmouth, as they are in the right hon. fact, I have found a copy in my pocket if he wants one. Gentleman’s Southampton constituency. On the approach Skills are a vital part of our long-term economic plan, we are adopting, a Government group led by the Minister because there is no doubt that, if we are not only to of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks maximise our economic capacity in the future, but to (Michael Fallon) is as rapidly as possible finding alternative make sure everyone in this country fulfils their potential, commercial users, working with the Ministry of Defence. we have to deliver on the skills that employers need. 461 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 462

T3. [904497] Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): including France and Spain. I shall visit Brussels next Britain has a crisis in finding young people willing to month to urge the Commission to redouble its efforts to study engineering, yet I have received an e-mail about a remove unnecessary directives, and to make sure that 19-year-old who has been offered a place on a pathways where new directives are proposed, they fully take account to apprenticeships engineering course. He will get access of the needs of small businesses, which are most likely to £30 a week living allowance, but he will lose his to create the jobs we need in Europe. unemployment allowance and he cannot access student grants. He may well not be able to take up the course. T5. [904500] Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South What are the Government doing to ensure that there is and East Cleveland) (Lab): More than a third of joined-up action across Departments for young people winning bidders in the regional growth fund’s first who want to study crisis employment subjects? round have now withdrawn, while others have waited about two years to receive any money at all. Is this all Matthew Hancock: I recognise the problem that used part of the Government’s long-term economic plan? to exist. The introduction of traineeships has tackled that. It is now possible for someone to go on a traineeship Michael Fallon: It certainly is not. There are many while still receiving their jobseeker’s allowance, because reasons why some RGF bidders withdraw—because we have tackled the 16-hour rule for traineeships. If the they do not get the planning permission they were hon. Lady writes to me about the individual case, I will anticipating, their main board does not give final approval make sure it is taken into account. for the plant, or they are not prepared to put in private sector money alongside the regional growth fund grant. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): At the Any money that is not used is of course put into future Mighty Middle conference held by GE Capital and the rounds of the fund. It is important that we carry out the Reform think-tank this week, mid-sized companies from necessary due diligence and check before taxpayer money across Britain were exceptionally positive about the is handed over. Government’s long-term economic plan. What more Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): can we do to celebrate and assist those mid-sized companies? The Business Secretary gave us the welcome news that Vince Cable: Mid-sized companies are absolutely central the local growth fund will come on stream next year. to the Government’s industrial strategy. We are working Infrastructure is the key to allowing local businesses to with them to develop supply chains in the car industry, develop. Will there be enough money in the local growth aerospace and the various energy sectors, and to support fund to improve and upgrade the A64 along its whole access to finance, training and innovation. They have a route from York through Malton to Scarborough? great deal of potential, as they do in countries such as Michael Fallon: I am afraid that my hon. Friend will Germany, where the Mittelstand are better developed have to be patient for a few weeks longer before we than they are here. announce the local growth deal for the local enterprise T4. [904498] Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): partnership covering her constituency, but I am aware May I draw the Minister’s attention to the excellent that that is one of the projects that the local enterprise “The state of the coalfields” report produced by the partnership wants to prioritise. Coalfields Regeneration Trust? The report has T6. [904501] Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian) (Lab): highlighted particular problems, including a legacy of When the Prime Minister returned from the G7, high and persistent youth unemployment, especially in he painted a very positive picture of progress in the NEETs group of those not in education, establishing public registers of beneficial ownership in employment or training. I also draw to his attention an the overseas territories and Crown dependencies, but excellent organisation in east Durham, the East the real picture is that only half of them have started or Durham Employability Trust. What additional support concluded their consultations. This is an opportunity can be put in its direction? for the Secretary of State to show off his leadership Matthew Hancock: I have seen the report on the skills, so what work is he doing with the Foreign and future of the coalfields. On the issue of NEETs, I would Commonwealth Office to make some real progress on point out that yesterday’s figures show that the number this issue? of people not in education, employment or training is at Vince Cable: We will have an opportunity to discuss a record low since the series of statistics began in 1994. I this in detail, because an open register of beneficial have no doubt that there is much more to do, because ownership will be one of the elements in the small any young person not in education, employment or business Bill. Britain will pioneer work in this area. Of training is one NEET too many. The fact that the course there are issues with our offshore territories. We number of NEETs is at a record low shows that the are not a colonial power that can send in gunboats to economic plan is working. solve these problems; we rely on persuasion, and that is what we will do. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): On the issue of new EU legislation, does my right hon. Friend agree Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): What does that it would benefit British business if the EU adopted the Secretary regard as his finest achievement in office? the same one-in, two-out rule that the UK Government What is his main goal for his last year in the Department? apply? Vince Cable: There is a very long list of achievements The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation that would bore the House considerably were I to dwell and Skills (Michael Fallon): It is encouraging that the excessively on it, but the set of advances that we have one-in, two-out rule, or the one-in, one-out rule, is made in giving business a long-term perspective through increasingly being adopted by other member states, the industrial strategy, the collaboration with business 463 Oral Answers26 JUNE 2014 Oral Answers 464 and the associated work that we have done on access to Low Pay Commission to work out how the system finance, the build up of apprenticeships and the could be simplified to ensure better compliance by developments in innovation through the Catapult make employers. up a considerable legacy of achievement. Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): A recent Which? Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Two thirds of investigation found that ticketing companies can add students on disabled students allowances are dyslexic. up to 37% to the face value of a ticket for music and Cuts to DSAs affect both the students and the institutions, theatre events in booking and delivery fees. Given that and penalise both. Will the Secretary of State think the market is dominated by a handful of big players, is again about reversing these cuts? the Minister confident that consumers are getting a good deal? The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David Willetts): Let us be clear. We are consulting widely on Jenny Willott: We have done a lot of work on ticketing. these changes. The main change is that people should As I am sure the hon. Gentleman is aware, we discussed only be supported with extra services, rather than, for this issue a number of times during the passage of the example, getting laptops indiscriminately, as they do at Consumer Rights Bill. The Department has been working the moment. We are talking directly to the representative with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to groups involved and students will not lose out by these look at the issue and a number of things are being done changes. to try to tackle ticket touting, while trying to ensure that we still have a vibrant market so that individuals who Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Every one of buy tickets and want to resell them because they cannot the 14 letters that the Governor of the Bank of England attend an event are able to do so fairly and openly. has written to the Chancellor explaining why the inflation target has not been met has mentioned the rising input Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): cost of resources. What are the Government doing to Like a number of MPs, I have taken on an apprentice, tackle the problems of input resource price spikes and something that has been recommended by the Minister, to incentivise infrastructure in the circular economy to but as a small employer this has only been made possible cope with that? by the Liverpool chamber of commerce, which provides all the training, development and support for James, my Vince Cable: I think that the hon. Gentleman is apprentice. Under his proposed reforms, how does the referring specifically to energy costs, which has been the Minister expect MPs to take on apprentices and provide main issue in the inflation of raw material inputs. My the same high standard of training and support and colleague the Minister of State, my right hon. Friend administer training budgets? How much time does he the Member for Sevenoaks gave a very full answer in expect us to take on this? explaining the compensation mechanisms that we are introducing to offset them. The Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew Hancock): I am delighted to hear that the hon. Lady has an apprentice. I now have two apprentices and the Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): House has an apprenticeship scheme that the Clerk has Will the Minister update the House on the progress been instrumental in bringing forward. Under the new made in tackling non-compliance by employers who fail system we will make sure that small businesses and to pay apprentices the rate they should? small employers, including MPs, can take on apprentices, and training providers will have a role to play just as The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, they do now in helping with bureaucracy. Innovation and Skills (Jenny Willott): We wrote to the Low Pay Commission on its remit for next year. One of Luciana Berger: How much time? the things we have asked it to look at is the apprenticeship rate for the national minimum wage. We are aware that Matthew Hancock: I do not expect it to take any there are a lot of concerns, particularly about non- more time than it does at the moment and I am sure compliance in paying the national minimum wage for that it will be just as valuable for the hon. Lady and apprentices. The system is quite complex and often for other MPs as it will be for small businesses across employers find it difficult to navigate. We have asked the the land. 465 26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 466

Business of the House I should like to draw the attention of the House to the written statement today from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, informing the House of the 10.29 am publication on 17 July of the report of Lady Justice Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of Hallett on the on-the-runs administrative scheme. the House give us the business for next week? Ms Eagle: I thank the Leader of the House for that announcement. The Leader of the House of Commons (Mr Andrew Lansley): The business for next week will be as follows: Later today, we will debate the commemoration of the centenary of the first world war. We must never MONDAY 30 JUNE—Opposition Day (3rd allotted day). forget the monumental sacrifice of those who gave their There will be a debate on entitled “Chaos and Waste at lives, including Thomas Neely, a Victoria Cross recipient the Department for Work and Pensions”on an Opposition from Seacombe in my constituency, who died less than motion. I expect my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister 50 days before the armistice. to make a statement following the European Council. Andy Coulson’s conviction this week has raised serious TUESDAY 1JULY—Motion to approve a procedural questions about the Prime Minister’s judgment. He and resolution relating to the Finance Bill, followed by his staff were warned that some brave journalists were motions to approve Ways and Means resolutions relating writing openly about Coulson’s behaviour, but he carried to the Finance Bill, followed by remaining stages of the on anyway and brought a criminal into the heart of Finance Bill (Day 1). No. 10. Does the Leader of the House agree that the WEDNESDAY 2JULY—Conclusion of the remaining Prime Minister was not just ignorant about Andy Coulson, stages of the Finance Bill. but wilfully negligent? Does he support calls for uniformity of vetting for senior Downing street advisers? Will he THURSDAY 3JULY—General debate on protecting children in conflict, followed by general debate on social mobility ask the Prime Minister to return to the House to make a and child poverty strategy. The subjects for both debates statement, including telling us if he was advised by any were nominated by the Backbench Business Committee senior civil servants in No. 10 against employing Andy in the last Session. Coulson? Next week, we will be discussing the Finance Bill. FRIDAY 4JULY—The House will not be sitting. The Leader of the House told me last week that everything The provisional business for the week commencing is going very well, so will he explain why the Chancellor’s 7 July will include: plan to cut the deficit is already running four years late MONDAY 7JULY—Estimates day (1st allotted day). and why he is borrowing £190 billion more than he There will be a debate on universal credit implementation, planned? While he is at it, will he tell us why the followed by a debate on the implementation of the Chancellor boasts about unemployment rates, while a common agricultural policy in England. At 10 pm, the report this week shows that new job creation has slumped House will be asked to agree all outstanding estimates. and 60% of those on benefits are actually in work? Is Details will be given in the Official Report. not the truth that this is the slowest recovery for 100 years and that the vast majority of people are just not feeling [The details are as follows: Universal Credit the benefit? implementation: monitoring DWP’s performance in 2012-13, 5th Report from the Work and Pensions Committee, The crisis at the Department for Work and Pensions HC 1209, Session 2013-14, and the Government response just gets worse and the lives of some of the most published as a 2nd Special Report, HC 426, Session vulnerable in our society just get harder. On Friday, the 2014-15; and Implementation of the Common Agricultural Chair of the Public Accounts Committee condemned Policy in England in 2014-20, 7th report from the Environment the personal independence payment as a “fiasco”. On Food and Rural Affairs Committee, HC 745, Session 2013-14, Monday, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Government response published as 7th Special sounded increasingly deluded as he defended his calamitous Report, HC 1008, 2013-14.] universal credit programme. Yesterday, it was revealed that universal credit could cost the public purse another TUESDAY 8JULY—Second Reading of the Modern £750 million because the DWP has not worked out how Slavery Bill, followed by proceedings on the Supply and to integrate it with free school meals. Appropriation (Main Estimates) Bill. The Work and Pensions Secretary told the House: WEDNESDAY 9JULY—Opposition Day (4th allotted day). There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. “Universal credit is on track to roll out against the timetable Subject to be announced. set out last year.”—[Official Report, 23 June 2014; Vol. 583, c. 9.] However, at the current rate of progress, will it not take THURSDAY 10 JULY—General debate. Subject to be a staggering 1,052 years before this programme is complete? announced. Universal credit is in chaos. The Secretary of State FRIDAY 11 JULY—The House will not be sitting. has lost control of his Department. Given that the I should also like to inform the House that the Leader of the House is such an expert on “pausing” business in Westminster Hall for 3 July will be: costly and calamitous reforms, does he accept that the THURSDAY 3JULY—Debate on the seventh report of Government should now pause universal credit? the Foreign Affairs Committee on the UK’s response to This Government are completely out of touch and extremism and instability in north and west Africa, completely unable to deliver on any of their promises. followed by a debate on the sixth report of the Communities When they came to office, the vast majority of people and Local Government Committee on local government could see a doctor within 48 hours; now one in four procurement. cannot do so within a week. They promised a bigger 467 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 468

[Ms Angela Eagle] In earlier sessions of business questions, the shadow Leader of the House had a thing going. It was called Army for a safer Britain, but the former Chief of the “mind the gap”, and it sort of disappeared. [Interruption.] Defence Staff has warned that the Army is not in a “fit Or was it there? If so, I missed it. I was wondering state” to deal with current threats. whether it would put in an appearance. It seemed to me It is no wonder that two parliamentary private secretaries that it was probably better to mind the gap than to resigned from the Government this week to spend more throw someone in front of the train, which appears time with their marginal constituencies—and the to be the latest suggestion. I am not quite sure who is in Government are in such disarray that their Departments charge of Labour party policy, and I am not sure that it did not even notice that they had gone. The Government really matters that much, but the hon. Member for have a Tourism Minister who declared from Brazil that Dagenham and Rainham (Jon Cruddas) seems to be people without passports should holiday at home, they suggesting that one else needs to be thrown in front of have a Health Minister who thinks it “exciting” that the the train, because the Leader of the Opposition is Government have lost control of the national health already standing in front of the train and will be the service, and they have a Prime Minister who claimed subject of the train crash when it comes. I think that is a that he had done nothing wrong, but apologised so rather sad reflection on what the hon. Lady’s colleagues profusely that he very nearly wrecked the high-profile feel about the position of the Leader of the Opposition. criminal trial of his mates at News International. I listened to Prime Minister’s questions yesterday; I think the Leader of the Opposition asked exactly the This week, I received an invitation to the Commons same question and got absolutely the right answer. If versus Lords shooting competition. I hope that the we look back at the evidence that was taken and the Commons team does not include any Ministers, because conclusions reached by Lord Justice Leveson, we see if it does, they will end up shooting themselves in the that he made it very clear that the Prime Minister foot—or they might even end up shooting each other. received those assurances and acted on the basis of Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister sent the England them at the time. If he had known then what we know football team a recorded good luck message, and just now, it would have been very different. He has made it over a week later, the team crashed out of the World clear that he gave Andy Coulson a second chance and cup. With the European Council upon us and the he regrets that he did, because it was, as it turned out, a appointment of Jean-Claude Juncker looking increasingly misjudgement. inevitable, may I suggest one last desperate tactic that The hon. Lady asked about security clearance. Well, the Prime Minister could use to stop him? Forget about these are matters for the civil service, and the Leveson the Luxembourg compromise; the Prime Minister should report is very clear, as was the evidence given by Gus send him a good luck message. O’Donnell, that it was a matter determined by civil When it comes to negotiating in Europe, the Prime servants, and rightly so, in relation to identifying where Minister should learn a lot from the World cup. Do not there is any risk. let expectations get the better of you; do not underestimate The hon. Lady asked about the economy, which is the power of smaller countries; and biting—or, indeed, good—I am glad she did. We are reducing the deficit we backbiting—is never a good idea. inherited from the Opposition. Their recession—Labour’s recession—cost every household in this country £3,000. Mr Lansley: As the shadow Leader of the House We are cutting the deficit. It is down by a third already, said, we are rightly having a debate today to commemorate and it will be down by a half by the end of the financial the events of the great war, and I am glad that we are year. Two million private sector jobs have been created— able to do so just two days before the centenary of the [Interruption.] I am afraid that any amount of wriggling events that precipitated that calamity. I hope that, during will not get out of the simple fact that jobs have been today’s debate, we shall hear from Members who represent created in this country on an unprecedented basis, not constituencies throughout the country whose constituents least because small businesses are being created on an are planning a wide range of commemorations over the unprecedented scale—400,000 more small businesses next four years. For my part, I remember talking to my and five new private sector jobs for every job lost in the grandfather about the second battle of Ypres. He was at public sector—as we are taking the necessary steps to Hill 60, where Lieutenant Harold Woolley was the first reduce the waste and inefficiency that we found in the member of the Territorial Army to earn a Victoria public sector under the last Government. That includes Cross. I think that all of us, through our families, have in the Department for Work and Pensions. recollections of those who were there—including those It was Labour who presided over the tax credit disasters, who were injured or, indeed, lost—and today’s debate and Members all across the House in previous Parliaments will give us an important opportunity to commemorate will remember how many of their constituents found that sacrifice. that the tax credit system was simply not working for I am afraid I must tell the shadow Leader of the them. Fraud and error were costing the welfare system House that, although the jacket has got brighter, the £30 billion and there was no control on the welfare jokes have got a bit duller. It is a shame. They are better budget, and now, we have capped the welfare budget than my jokes, though. and Labour is in no position to criticise that. It will try on Monday and it will fail, because it cannot criticise the programme of welfare reform that is delivering on Ms Angela Eagle: I will wear a black jacket next capping the costs of welfare while focusing resources on week! those who are most in need. That is what failed under the last Government. Costs were out of control and Mr Lansley: No, please don’t. As we move to summer, those often in the greatest need were not getting the it is a great step forward. greatest help. 469 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 470

At the Department of Health, I was only too aware to return it, has failed to answer successive letters from of that waste, for example. In this Parliament, we will the right hon. Member, and is guilty of the crime of have taken £1.5 billion a year—in total in this Parliament, larceny; calls on the Secretary of State for Business, I think that the figure is about £5 billion—out of the Innovation and Skills, the Home Secretary and Greater administration cost of the NHS. It is because we have Manchester Police to investigate these swindlers; and cut the number of administrators by 19,000 that we can warns everyone in Manchester and more widely to have increase, as we have, the number of doctors, nurses and nothing to do with this disreputable organisation.] other health professionals by 16,000, including over It refers to the swindle carried out by a so-called college 1,000 more GPs than three years ago. The number of in Manchester that keeps changing its name and location GPs per 100,000 in the population is now higher than it in an effort to evade responsibility. It has stolen £2,500 was at the time of the last election. in advance fees from a constituent of mine, which had Overall, I noted that the shadow Leader of the House been sent of behalf of relatives who were then not able now no longer has some of the questions that she had to take up their places. Will the right hon. Gentleman last week, because we have presented this week two ask those responsible, who are named in my motion, to more of the Bills that were announced in the Queen’s look into the issue and respond to me, and will he Speech, so eight out of the 11 Bills announced in the consider a debate on the matter, which is quite a wide Queen’s Speech are under way. She asked when we problem across the country? would have the first Second Reading. We are going to have the first Second Reading of one of those Bills Mr Lansley: I will, of course, ask my hon. Friends at taking place—on modern slavery—and I am looking the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and forward to us proceeding successfully with the legislative at the Home Office, in so far as that is also relevant, to programme set out in the Queen’s Speech. respond to the right hon. Gentleman on the issue raised in his early-day motion. He will have noted the steps Several hon. Members rose— that the Government have taken to close down some Mr Speaker: I remind the House, notwithstanding 400 bogus colleges, and I am sure that he noted the the number of colleagues interested in catching my eye statement by my hon. Friend the Minister for Security now, that there is a statement on health to follow and and Immigration earlier this week about the further that the debate on the commemoration of the first steps being taken to ensure the integrity of our higher world war is substantially subscribed. I am keen to try education system. to accommodate everybody now, but if I am to have any chance of doing so, brevity from Back Benchers and Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): In the light of the Front Benchers alike is essential. outstanding research referred to in the report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Youth mitochondrial transfer, and Professor Robert Winston’s unemployment in my constituency in May 2010 stood concerns at the Government’s intention to introduce at the scandalously high figure of 430. Last month, it those techniques before they are known to be safe—as was reduced to 200, showing that the coalition Government highlighted in early-day motion 122 that stands in my had reduced youth unemployment by half. We cannot name and is garnering significant support—will the be complacent and there is still more to be done, but can Leader of the House do all he can to ensure that we have a debate in Government time on the measures Members who are profoundly concerned about the that are being taken to improve apprenticeships to safety of three-parent techniques, whether or not they provide new opportunities for work and to encourage oppose them in principle, will be given the option to young people to understand that opportunities are out express that view when the matter comes before the there, rather than a life on benefits, as was delivered by House? the last Government? [That this House notes the comments of Professor Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend; what he Robert Winston reported in the Independent on Sunday says about his constituency is welcome and a good on 15 June 2014 on the premature introduction of example of what is happening across the country, with mitochondrial replacement techniques; urges the Government the youth claimant count down by 129,000 in a year—the to heed his warning that a great deal more research in as largest reduction in a year since 1997. The number of many animal models as possible ought to be undertaken 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or prior to such techniques being approved; further notes his training is at its lowest in five years. The 1.7 million view that full and far-reaching assessments must be conducted apprenticeships in this Parliament thus far are one of as to the potential risks to children born as a result of the the central things that have made a big and positive procedures; and calls on the Department of Health to difference, as has the YouthContract and work experience delay bringing the relevant regulations before Parliament more generally. until the international scientific community and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority have declared the Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): techniques safe.] Has the right hon. Gentleman seen early-day motion 163, which stands in my name and those of other hon. Mr Lansley: I understand my hon. Friend’s point. As Members? she knows, mitochondrial donation techniques can give [That this House expresses its utmost disgust with and women who carry severe mitochondrial disease the condemnation of Global Vision College, Manchester, opportunity to have children without passing on devastating otherwise known as OLC and Manchester School of genetic disorders. We consulted on the draft regulations Economics, which has stolen £2,500 in fees from a constituent that would be required to allow such treatment between of the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, refuses February and May. We are considering the responses 471 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 472

[Mr Lansley] Mr Lansley: I do know how much support the Bill has and I appreciate its importance. I am grateful and will announce our plans as soon as possible. My for the work that the right hon. Gentleman and others hon. Friend will understand that such regulations would did during pre-legislative scrutiny to enable the Bill be subject to debates in both Houses of Parliament and to come forward in the positive fashion that it has. require approval. It would probably be unwise of me to engage in speculation about the timing of the passage of legislation. Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): It may even be regarded as presumptuous, as the My constituent, David McIntyre, served his country for House needs to consider the Bill and we need to make more than 11 years as a soldier in Bosnia, Northern decisions about the timing of consideration beyond the Ireland and Afghanistan. As a result of events in his Committee stage. service, he has post-traumatic stress, depression and Mr David Amess (Southend West) (Con): Will my been assessed as being at risk of suicide. Despite his right hon. Friend find time for a debate on the renewal mental state, he faces extradition to the United States of rail franchises? The Southend to Fenchurch Street next week to answer charges, which he denies, relating line used to be known as the misery line. It is now to a commercial matter. Earlier this week, I wrote to the known as the happy line thanks to c2c, which should Home Secretary requesting an urgent meeting to discuss have its franchise renewed. That is in stark contrast with this matter, but to date I have received no reply. Will the Abellio Greater Anglia, whose service is absolutely Leader of the House ask the Home Secretary to respond lousy and whose trains are clapped out, as its managing to my request for a meeting? director will find out in two weeks when he travels on one with me. Mr Lansley: I will, of course, be helpful to the hon. Lady and contact the Home Secretary. I am grateful Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his that she has written to the Home Office, so that it has comments. Many years ago, when it was probably a bit details of this case, and I will endeavour to ensure that more of a misery, I used to travel daily into Fenchurch she has an opportunity to meet the Home Secretary or Street on that line and so was familiar with it. Happily it the relevant Minister. is better, as he described. He will know that the competition for the Essex Thameside franchise is ongoing and an announcement about the award of the franchise is Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): On 9 June, I received a expected shortly. A new directly awarded franchise has written answer from NHS England via the Under-Secretary been negotiated by the Government with the incumbent, of State for Health, the hon. Member for Battersea Abellio Greater Anglia, for 27 months between the end (Jane Ellison), stating that no patients from the south-west of the current franchise in July and the start of the next had been sent for gamma knife treatment at University competed franchise in October 2016. As is the case with College London hospitals. many other franchises, worthwhile and significant benefits After pressing NHS England further, on Monday to passengers arise from new franchises. The competition 23 June, I had another written answer saying exactly the for the next franchise will begin in spring next year, and opposite, admitting that it had paid for treatment of a consultation will be carried out to inform the specification those patients. May we have a debate on the need for for that. absolute honesty and accurate accounting from NHS Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): Wonga’s England when answering Members’ questions, as I am appalling deception and dishonesty has been laid bare. not the only Member who has been fobbed off with May we have a statement from the Chancellor on why inaccurate replies? that company or any of its directors should ever hold a credit licence again, or is the Government’s priority and Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will—[Interruption.] focus the protection of Tory party friends and donors? Perhaps the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) wants to reply to the questions. Mr Lansley: The latter part of the hon. Gentleman’s I have no doubt he does, but it is my responsibility, and remarks is uncalled for and inaccurate. He knows that. it is Ministers’ responsibility to ensure the accuracy of Members on both sides of the House will have been their responses to Members. My hon. Friend may be shocked by what they saw and the Financial Conduct aware that the Public Administration Committee is Authority has taken important action on the matter. I examining the issue of the accountability of public am not in a position to say any more than what the bodies and their responses to Members’ questions. FCA has said so far, but I will ask my hon. Friends at Notwithstanding all that, it is important for NHS England the Treasury, in consultation with the FCA, whether to ensure that it provides my hon. Friend with accurate they are in a position to offer a written statement to information. I will ensure, with the Department of the House. Health, that that is the case. Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): Last week I attended the “working together” conference Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): I thank the Leader organised by National Grid, EmployAbility and Round of the House for the statement about the Modern Oak school in my constituency. The aim of the conference Slavery Bill. He is aware that there is substantial support was to share best practice in recruitment and employment on both sides of the House for the measure. Will he practices, and to promote the widespread benefits of therefore guesstimate for us when it will complete its employing those with additional learning needs and process here before going to the other place, even if this disabilities. May we have a debate about the importance House tweaks it, hopefully, in a couple of important of ensuring that those with special needs are supported respects? in their search for work? 473 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 474

Mr Lansley: I am delighted that my hon. Friend was think it is sufficient for now that the statement will be able to attend that conference. It reflects the fact that on 17 July, and separately in this House the Northern many of our leading employers across the country, large Ireland Affairs Committee is undertaking its own inquiry, and small, are recognising the opportunities to support which I can see is detailed, into all the matters surrounding those with learning needs and disabilities in work. In the on-the-runs. July last year the Prime Minister launched the “disability confident” campaign, which has reached over 1,100 local Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): May we have and national employers throughout the country, increasing an early debate on childhood obesity? Experts today the confidence of employers in employing disabled people. have advised parents to cut fruit juice out of their I am very familiar with this in my own constituency children’s diets, after a generation of them have been over the years, through the work of the Papworth Trust. told that fruit juice is healthy. This is somewhat confusing, I cannot promise an immediate debate, but I know that and perhaps we should be focusing more on exercise for the point my hon. Friend made will be much shared youngsters born with an iPhone between their hands, among Members and he may find opportunities, not and stress that watching tennis at Wimbledon is fun, but least with other Members, to seek a debate of that kind getting out there and playing it is even more fun. at some point in the future. Mr Speaker: I second that proposition. Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): In the light of Mr Justice Saunders’ comments in the Coulson trial, Mr Lansley: The House will recall that we have may we have an urgent debate to publish the legal rightly had many opportunities to debate childhood advice given by the Attorney-General to the Prime obesity. My understanding is that the advice was that Minister, who may have inadvertently placed himself fruit juice intake should be moderated, rather than above the law? excluded from children’s diets. It is important to moderate Mr Lansley: The hon. Lady will know that successive the intake of all foods in a child’s diet to make sure it is Governments have never published legal advice offered balanced. We are looking for a proper balance between by the Attorney-General, nor commented on it. All I calories in and calories out, and the more we exercise, can say is that what the Prime Minister said the day the easier it is to strike that balance. On a positive note, before yesterday was not intended in any way to prejudice the latest data have shown a reduction in childhood any aspect of the completion of the trial. obesity among pre-school children, and that needs to be sustained. It is only one positive step in what needs to Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): The Leader of the be a long journey to reduce childhood obesity. House will know that there was insufficient time last week to consider my amendments on Sunday trading. Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Given that the current law is absurd and prevents land-based Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): Trade union officials at the companies from competing with the internet, protects Cumbernauld office of Her Majesty’s Revenue and the interests of Tesco Express more than any other Customs were told yesterday that the regional post-room company in the country and lumps garden centres in, where 40 people are employed has been earmarked for many of which are small businesses and should not be closure in March 2015, but the decision has yet to be prevented from opening for longer hours when they are taken. However, they were also told that 170 new jobs often one-man bands, can he find time for us to have a are to be created there. Can we have an early debate on proper debate about these absurdities so the House can this issue so that the Government can clarify for the consider whether further amendments need to be made? House the plans for both job losses and job creation in Cumbernauld? Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He will recall the answer I gave at previous business questions Mr Lansley: I cannot promise a debate at the moment. about the Government’s position, which is that we feel As the hon. Gentleman knows, not least from the we are currently striking the right balance in the law on answer the Prime Minister gave to a question yesterday, Sunday trading. I know that the debate on consideration the HMRC is rightly trying to ensure that it is as of the Consumer Rights Bill was abbreviated—it was efficient as possible in collecting tax and cracking down short—but there was an opportunity for points to be on tax evasion and avoidance. In the process, sometimes, made in the course of it. Of course, if my hon. Friend changes inevitably have to be made to the structure of wishes to bring forward any proposals, he can seek an the business it undertakes. However, I will ask Treasury Adjournment debate to raise issues in the House. Ministers to respond to the hon. Gentleman, in so far as Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): The Leader of there is any particular information relating to Cumbernauld. the House will be aware that the letters to on-the-runs have aroused great anxiety in Northern Ireland and that Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): Can my efforts should be made to ensure that those letters right hon. Friend find time for a debate or a statement cannot be allowed to let people evade justice, as appears on civil partnerships, which currently can be dissolved to have been the case for one person. Without wishing in only a certain number of courts? Only barristers are to prejudge the outcome of the statement on 17 July, allowed to make representations, and for a constituent will the Leader of the House set aside parliamentary of mine, going to London adds costs. We should be time if necessary to legislate on the annulment of those looking for equality of treatment and allow such cases ministerial letters to on-the-runs? to be dealt with at county courts. Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will understand Mr Lansley: To be as helpful as I can, I will, if I may, that I do not want to prejudice that statement and I do ask my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor to reply not think I can comment on his question at this stage. I to my hon. Friend on this issue. However, other Members 475 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 476

[Mr Lansley] Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): On top of the unfair treatment Hull receives in council may also be interested in it, so I will check with him funding and other funding that has been cut, this week whether there is a way he can inform them about the the Chancellor forgot to mention that Hull is at the end issue she raises. of the HS3 route he was proposing and now we hear that the Deputy Prime Minister is talking about a golden triangle between Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Peter Oborne, writing In the light of the snubs the Government keep giving in today’s Telegraph, says that he warned the then future Hull, may we have a debate on this? We are doing our Prime Minister that he would be very best, getting the city of culture and Siemens into “making an extremely worrying statement about the type of the city, but those are victories that are home-grown, government he plans to lead if he allows Coulson anywhere near not enabled by the Government. Downing Street”. Given these widespread concerns expressed at the time, Mr Lansley: That is uncharacteristically churlish on may we have a statement on the vetting processes used the part of the hon. Lady; the Government have been at the time and now, so that we make sure that vetting is part of that, for example, being part of the negotiation of the highest status that can possibly be achieved? with Siemens. The Chancellor talked at the beginning of this week about the vision for the future and greater Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman is getting a bit east-west connectedness and, as she acknowledged, what confused. The vetting process is a security vetting process, he was talking about included Hull as part of that which is quite distinct from the choice that the Prime potential connectedness. Minister rightly makes about who he employs as his advisers, including in special adviser positions. Those Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Following on are not the same process and should not be regarded as from the question from my hon. Friend the Member for such. However, as the Prime Minister explained yesterday Ribble Valley (Mr Evans), may we have a debate on the and as is reflected in the evidence to Leveson, a process consistency of official advice on nutrition—and indeed of inquiry was of course undertaken when Andy Coulson on whether we need advice on nutrition at all—given was first appointed director of communications to the the confusion that will inevitably be caused in the minds Conservative party.At that time and subsequently, questions of the public following today’s advice that we should were asked and assurances were received, which not be drinking fruit juice and instead should be drinking unfortunately led to—as we completely understand—the water? We have always been told that drinking fruit Prime Minister giving Mr Coulson a second chance, but juice and was part of our “five a day”, but now we are it proved to be misplaced. told that we should be drinking water. May we have an early debate about whether we need such nanny state advice? Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): In addition to the Prime Minister’s statement on Monday, can we at some Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend will have heard what I point have a debate on Europe that would enable those said in my reply a moment ago, but the recommendations of us who are inherently pro-European to make the published today are in draft form. The Scientific Advisory point to our colleagues in Europe that, if members of Committee on Nutrition is inviting comments on the the Council of Ministers are unable to make provision scientific aspects of its report, and it will consider those for and find a position for countries such as the UK and finalise the report later this year or early next year. I that do not wish to have the euro and are never going to hope that my hon. Friend and other Members will have be part of the eurozone—if we cannot be found an an opportunity at some point during that process to honoured place in Europe, and are unable to protect the express their views about how we can best achieve that inherent national interests of the City of London— good advice to parents about the diet they provide to inevitably, they are starting to push this country nearer their children. and nearer to the exit door? Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): Other countries Mr Lansley: We often have debates on this issue. My do not allow their football academies to take in foreign right hon. Friend is right, both in relation to the statement youngsters under the age of 18. Our home nations do next week and subsequent debates, that it will be immensely allow that, partly because they want to feed those important for us to set out clearly that we must have a players into the Premier League, but that means that a reformed relationship with the European Union, one lot of our players get dismissed at 16 and 17. The where we can be clear that this country’s interests can be foreign countries are still in the World cup, but we are protected. As one who also supports our membership not. May we have a debate about the future of youth of the European Union, I would say that our national football in this country and the investment the Football interests have to be protected—the Prime Minister and Association is putting into our academy structures? this coalition Government have done that on issues such as banking union, the EU budget and the fiscal Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman may be in his place pact, where the Prime Minister exercised our veto. next Thursday when Ministers at the Department for However, we can also promote our interests through Culture, Media and Sport will be here and this may be membership of the European Union. That is equally an interesting point for him to raise with them. If he part of this debate, and we can promote those interests will forgive me, I will not venture too far into this area. I by completing the single market, promoting competition, know that the Backbench Business Committee is deregulation in Europe and ensuring that the EU budget considering whether to schedule a debate on non-league is used effectively to support growth across the EU. football. There is widespread interest in the House in 477 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 478 football governance and football matters more generally, named day questions on the issue of passports, and not and perhaps this is something that may be considered one has had a substantive reply to date. Is the relevant on a Back-Bench basis as a priority for debate. Minister perhaps abroad?

John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): My constituents in Mr Lansley: It will not be long before I report to the Shrewton have recently drawn my attention to a tweet House on the performance as regards parliamentary from the Highways Agency that showed that there were questions in the previous Session. I hope to do that no problems with the A303 following the summer solstice before the summer recess. That may give Members an at Stonehenge last weekend. When they checked the opportunity to raise points on the issue, not least here at camera online themselves, the footage was unavailable. business questions. On the specific questions that the Will the Leader of the House make time for a statement right hon. Gentleman raised with the Home Office, it soon from the relevant Minister, so that my constituents sounds like the named day requirement was met with a can clarify whether the Highways Agency is deliberately holding answer. I will ask the Department when it can switching off that important camera, which is a source give him the substantive answer for which he is looking. of data that are highly relevant to decisions in Government? Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): I have been a Mr Lansley: This is a sensitive point on the A303, and long-time advocate for elected mayors, and I was pleased I can see the point that my hon. Friend is making. I do to hear the Chancellor’s comments on the subject in his not know the position, so I will, if I may, ask my right speech earlier this week. Will the Leader of the House hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport to find time for a debate on how the Government intend to reply to him. move forward with that proposal, which would make a significant contribution to delivering our long-term Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): This is economic plan? not a criticism of the Leader of the House, but can he give us a date or clarify when the Government will Mr Lansley: My hon. Friend and I share the view that honour their promise to introduce legislation to regulate elected mayors can make a significant and positive the Football League? We still have an ongoing saga in difference; we have seen that, not least in London. The Coventry, and the latest one is over Birmingham’s legislation is in place to enable this to happen; the ownership. Is it not about time that this issue was question is whether the political will and public consent cleared up? are available to push it forward. Mr Lansley: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Does saying that he was not making a criticism of me. I will the Leader of the House agree that we need a debate on talk to my hon. Friends at the Department for Culture, how Andy Coulson got access to highly sensitive material Media and Sport about the matter, and he heard what I without proper security vetting? That decision was taken said about questions next Thursday. None the less, my by civil servants who did not even bother to consult the recollection is that Ministers said not that they would Prime Minister. Do the public not have a right to know bring forward legislation, but that if football governance, just how widespread that despicable practice is across the Football Association and other authorities did not Government? take the necessary steps to reform governance in football, they would consider introducing legislation. They did Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman should get his facts not make a commitment to do so. right before he makes that sort of accusation. It is not Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): that there was no security clearance, but that developed Professor Elliott’s final report on food safety and security, vetting had not taken place, which is a substantially which was set up following the horsemeat scandal, is different process. Security clearance is distinct from expected soon. It will have great implications for shorter developed vetting. food supply chains, traceability and labelling. Will my right hon. Friend allow a debate in Government time on Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): these issues once the report has been adopted by the In the first three months of this year, car insurance Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs? premiums fell dramatically, according to the AA, due to legal reforms introduced by the Ministry of Justice to Mr Lansley: I will, as my hon. Friend would expect, curtail organised whiplash fraud. May we have a debate wait to see what the Elliott review has to say. No doubt on measures that the Government have introduced to my hon. Friends in DEFRA will want to tell the House help consumers and taxpayers—measures such as freezing how the Government propose to respond to it. I cannot fuel duties, raising the personal tax-free allowance, scrapping promise Government time. As I have often said to the green taxes and enabling local authorities, such as mine House on the allocation of time in the Chamber, the in North West Leicestershire, to freeze council tax for a great majority of Government time has to be devoted to fifth consecutive year? legislation. A significant part of the Government time that was previously available for debate has been handed Mr Lansley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He over to the Backbench Business Committee, so that rightly goes to points that matter a great deal to people. it can determine where Back Benchers feel the priority The fall in insurance premiums has been positive, and it lies. is positive that councils across the country have been supported to freeze council tax, which, in many areas, Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Will the Leader of doubled during the life of the previous Government. the House arrange for an early debate on timely responses Relatively low-income households who pay tax have to parliamentary questions? Since 4 June, I have tabled seen £700 come off their tax bill as a consequence of the 24 parliamentary questions, the majority of which are coalition Government’s commitment to increasing the 479 Business of the House26 JUNE 2014 Business of the House 480

[Mr Lansley] Mr Lansley: As the hon. Lady knows from exchanges that we have had here, and from when the Home personal tax allowance. Under Labour plans, fuel duty Secretary and the Minister have been here, intense was due to increase and escalate, but fuel will now be action is being taken by the Home Office to ensure that 20p cheaper than it would have been under those plans. it meets the requirements of applicants for passports There are so many examples of measures that are and travel documents. However, there will be no prejudice making a positive difference to people paying their to proper rigour in the scrutiny of applications, and of household bills. course in some countries that means that people are required to travel to where the appropriate staff are to Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): May we have undertake that scrutiny.I shall ask my colleagues particularly emergency legislation on compensation and compound to look at the case raised by the hon. Lady. interest? We should make Wonga pay out not £2.6 million compensation for unfair practice but, at its own outrageous Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): Can we have interest rates of 5,853%, £203 trillion. Perhaps then it a debate on the responsibility gap faced by British would understand the misery that it causes. Transport and Home Office police when they find an individual in emotional and mental crisis attempting Mr Lansley: The hon. Gentleman will recall the steps suicide? They take them to A and E and are told that that were taken in the previous Session to put a cap on because the person does not have a mental illness, they payday lending. We responded to some of the issues. It will not be admitted. The individual’s life is at great risk is important for the Financial Conduct Authority to and they have committed no crime, yet no one seems to ensure that this perfectly legitimate business is undertaken take responsibility for giving them support and assistance in a legitimate fashion. When it is not, it is absolutely during their emotional crisis. Can we look at that gap? right that the enforcement action is tough. Mr Lansley: Yes, I shall ask the Department of Health Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The Leader and the Home Office to look at that. My recollection is of the House has announced that there will be a general that considerable work is being done looking carefully debate on the Floor of the House on Thursday 10 July at the interaction between policing services and NHS on a topic yet to be announced. Given the recent and services, particularly in sensitive areas relating to mental important developments in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Israel, the health and those suffering any kind of mental health Palestinian Authority area and Egypt, surely the subject problems—[Interruption.] No, I understand, but from needs to be the middle east and north Africa. During the NHS point of view, with what it is presented with, it such a debate, we could raise concerns about what it is sometimes very difficult to distinguish between those says about modern Britain that more of our citizens who have a mental illness and those who have symptoms. appear to have signed up for jihad in Syria than have It is fair for the hon. Lady, and for us, to ask the NHS to applied to join the Army Reserve. explain how it responds. Saying, “You don’t have an illness, so you are not our problem” is not the way the Mr Lansley: I understand the point that my hon. NHS often responds. It responds by saying, “You are Friend makes, but that business for the week after next experiencing symptoms”—which people may well be—“and is not only provisional but highly provisional. I will the question is whether they are treatable.” If they are reflect on what he said and make an announcement not treatable, they may be something that requires about the future business next week. support more from the local authority than from the NHS. Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): In September 2013 the Treasury wrote that Equitable Life Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) policyholders would receive some repayments. My (Lab): May we have a statement on the arrogance of constituents are dying, sadly, and are very elderly, and this Government, who have a Prime Minister who dispenses they have not received a penny. Will the Leader of the with normal staff vetting procedures, a Chancellor who House ask a Treasury Minister to come to the House refuses to debate the merits of an audit of manifestos and explain this wholly unacceptable delay? by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, a Health Secretary who deems it acceptable to make Mr Lansley: I will ask my right hon. Friends at the announcements on patient safety to the media and has Treasury to respond to the hon. Lady on that. I will take to be dragged to the House, and a Work and Pensions an interest and ensure that I see the response. If they Secretary who is determined to push through his welfare need to correspond with Members more generally on reforms, regardless of the mounting evidence of their the subject, I will ask them to consider that, too. chaos and the untold harm to very vulnerable people in society? Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): There appears to be some slow movement in getting passports to the Mr Lansley: On every point that the hon. Lady Salvi family, my surrogate family who are trapped in mentions she is completely wrong. I shall not go through India. They have now been told that they may have to them all, but to suggest that the Prime Minister somehow travel 900 miles to Delhi to the high commission for an dispensed with security vetting is completely wrong. interview, even though that is not a legal requirement. The hon. Lady can read the Leveson report, which sets Please may we have a statement on the action that the out very clearly that civil servants, not the Prime Minister, Home Secretary is taking to get all the surrogate children were responsible for that decision, so her point was home from India? completely unfair. She referred to my right hon. Friend 481 Business of the House 26 JUNE 2014 482 the Secretary of State for Health, who made a written NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) ministerial statement to the House; that is informing the House. 11.25 am Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Further to the earlier remarks by the Leader of the House, may we The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt): have a debate on better regulation and the payday With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to lender parasites, Wonga, whose sending of threatening make a statement on the Jimmy Savile investigations. letters from non-existent law firms to 45,000 customers This morning, 28 investigations into Savile were is nothing short of a disgrace? published, including two larger reports on Leeds infirmary and Broadmoor hospital and 26 smaller reports on Mr Lansley: I agree; it was disgraceful. The hon. other institutions. I know that this House and, indeed, Gentleman will have heard what I said to other Members the whole country will share a deep sense of revulsion at about discussing with my colleagues at the Treasury what they reveal: a litany of disturbing accounts of rape how they might inform the House about the response to and sexual abuse committed by Savile on vulnerable that situation. Of course, the case was announced only children and adults over a period of decades. yesterday by the Financial Conduct Authority, so we At the time, the victims who spoke up were not will have to see what Ministers’ views are on the action believed, and it is important today that we all publicly that has been taken. recognise the truth of what they have said, but it is a profoundly uncomfortable truth. As a nation at that Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): time, we held Savile in our affection as a somewhat The Leader of the House should not be celebrating a eccentric national treasure with a strong commitment 0.3% reduction in childhood obesity when one third of to charitable causes. Today’s reports show that, in reality, kids are leaving our primary schools overweight or he was a sickening and prolific sexual abuser who obese. Can we have an urgent debate with the Secretary repeatedly exploited the trust of a nation for his own of State for Work and Pensions about the universal vile purposes. credit programme, which has cost millions of pounds but has not yet reached 6,000 people? The report published by Leeds infirmary today reveals that Savile was a predatory porter who abused and Mr Lansley: I think the hon. Lady will have heard me raped patients without scruple. Sixty people reported say that the latest figures on childhood obesity are a abuse to the investigation. One of his teenage victims small step in the right direction and, after years in believed that she was pregnant as a result of his abuse. which it was increasing, a very welcome one. It is one Two witnesses told the investigation Savile claimed to step on what needs to be a very long journey to reverse have had jewellery made from glass eyes taken from probably two decades of increasing childhood obesity. bodies in the mortuary. Other reported behaviour is too Regarding a debate on universal credit, the hon. Lady horrific to recount in detail to this House, but is set out will have noted that the Liaison Committee has set in full in the reports published today. down a debate on the implementation of universal Savile was also an opportunistic sexual predator at credit for estimates day on Monday week. Broadmoor. The investigation concludes that at least five individuals, and possibly more, were sexually abused Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East by Savile. Inexplicably, Savile was allowed to watch Cleveland) (Lab): In my constituency, Park End medical female patients as they stripped naked for bathing. centre, Skelton medical centre and walk-in centre, There were fewer incidents reported in the other Guisborough hospital minor injuries unit, and East 26 investigations, but there are strong indications that Cleveland hospital’s minor injuries unit are being closed. they were consistent with a wider pattern of offending. After being dragged here on Tuesday, the Secretary of I have placed the reports of all the investigations in the State for Health responded to my question by saying House of Commons Library. Five investigations are that Ministers had already met me about this subject. ongoing and will report later this year. That is not the case at all. May we have a debate about Health Ministers’ openness and transparency, so that Today’s reports will shake this House and our country we can discuss how they deal with Members of this to the core. Savile was a callous, opportunistic, wicked House and whether the comments they make are factually predator who abused and raped individuals, many of correct? them patients and young people, who expected and had a right to expect to be safe. His actions span five Mr Lansley: Ministers at the Department of Health decades, from the 1960s to 2010. The family favourite make immense efforts to ensure that they respond fully loved by millions courted popularity and used it to and accurately to Members of this House and keep the perpetrate and cover up his own evil acts. House informed. We are about to hear from the Secretary I and, I am sure, the whole House will want to pay of State for Health on a very important matter. However, tribute to all the victims who came forward to talk I will, if I may, ask my hon. Friends, notwithstanding about their experiences. It took great courage for them the hon. Gentleman’s complaint, to discuss with him to relive their often extremely distressing and disturbing the constituency issues he raises. experiences. The reports paint a terrible picture, as time and again victims were ignored or, if they were not, little or no action was taken. The systems in place to protect people were either too weak or were ignored. People and institutions turned a blind eye. 483 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 484

[Mr Jeremy Hunt] National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the National Association for People Abused in Today, I want to apologise on behalf of the Government Childhood to ensure that information is swiftly passed and the NHS to all the victims who were abused by on. Savile in NHS-run institutions. We let them down badly I conclude by paying tribute to Kate Lampard and and however long ago it may have been, many of them her team. When patient safety is the issue, speed is vital. are still reliving the pain they went through. If we These investigations have swiftly and effectively brought cannot undo the past, I hope that honesty and transparency to light vital issues that must be addressed. She will be about what happened can at least alleviate some of the publishing her conclusions and recommendations on suffering. It is the least we owe them. this scandal later this year, as will the national group on Today, changes to the way that we guard against sexual violence against children and vulnerable people. abuse would make it much harder for someone such as This report will bring together the Government’s wider Savile to perpetrate these crimes for so long. The work to eradicate violence against children and vulnerable safeguarding system, as the Leeds report makes clear, people. has been much improved over the past 30 years. The But today, above all, we should remember the victims landmark Children Act 1989 enshrined a child’s right to of Savile. They were brave. They have been vindicated. protection from abuse. The first child sex offenders He was a coward. He has been disgraced. The system register was established in 1997, and 1999 saw legislation failed to prevent him from abusing. It failed to act when to prevent sex offenders from working with children. people spoke up. We must not allow history to repeat Criminal Records Bureau checks and the Disclosure itself. I commend this statement to the House. and Barring Service have provided further protection. The Children Act 2004 requires NHS bodies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and to sit on the 11.34 am local safeguarding children board. NHS England published Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): I thank the Secretary its safeguarding framework in 2013. of State for notice and sight of his statement. I commend Savile was, however, never convicted of any offence, him for the way he introduced it to the House and so this safeguarding system depends on much better welcome everything he said. The reports published today awareness by professionals and the public and a much are truly disturbing, and as sickening as any ever presented heightened vigilance against such abuse than there was to the House. How a celebrity DJ and predatory sex in the past. Although that is reassuring to an extent, we offender came to have unfettered access to vulnerable cannot be complacent. Today, I am writing to all the patients across the NHS, and gold-plated keys to its system leaders in the NHS—NHS England, the NHS highest security hospital, surely ranks as one of the Trust Development Authority, Monitor and the Care worst failures of patient and public protection our Quality Commission—to ask them to ensure that they country has ever seen. It raises questions of the most and all trusts review safeguarding arrangements in the profound kind about how victims of abuse are treated, light of the reports, and to ensure that they are confident how systems for protecting vulnerable children and about patient safety. For its part, the Department of adults work and the nature of celebrity and society’s Health has accepted all the specific recommendations relationship with it. assigned to it in the Broadmoor report. The Secretary of State was right to begin with an There are some painfully obvious lessons for the apology—I support him in making it—to the hundreds system as a whole. First, we must never give people the of people who were appallingly failed and whose lives kind of access that Savile enjoyed to wards and patients have been haunted ever since. Our first thought must be without proper checks, whoever that person may be. with them today. They had a right to look to the NHS Secondly, if people are abusive, staff should feel supported as a place of safety and sanctuary, but they were cruelly to challenge them, whoever that person may be, and let down by the very institutions that were meant to take swift action. Thirdly, where patients report abuse, offer protection. As one of Savile’s victims put it: they need to be listened to, whatever their age, whatever “It was like another insult. I’m in a top security hospital and their condition, and there needs to be proper investigation someone has got to me again. When does it stop?” of what they report. It is deeply shocking that so few Today’s statement will have evoked memories of the people felt that they could speak up and even more most painful kind for them, so will the Secretary of shocking that no one listened to those who did speak State ensure that all Savile’s victims have full and direct up. That is now changing in the NHS, but we have a access to all the counselling and other support they will long way to go. need? In ensuring appropriate measures, we must not hinder One of the main purposes of this process of inquiry the extraordinary contribution of thousands of volunteers should have been to give all the victims the opportunity and fundraisers working in the NHS every day. They to be heard, but the Secretary of State might know that are the opposite of Savile and we need to ensure that there are reports today in the Yorkshire Post that one their remarkable contribution is sustained. person who tried to come forward was at first ignored in In parallel with this NHS work, the Department for October 2012. Will he assure us that all reasonable steps Education is overseeing investigations into Savile’s activity have been taken by those preparing these reports to help in care settings, based on the same tranche of information victims come forward and tell their story, including that led to the smaller NHS investigations. There are those who might have been ignored when they first other ongoing investigations by the police into allegations tried? of historic child sexual exploitation. I hope this reassures Many of Savile’s victims have suffered severe financial the House of the seriousness of this issue and our loss as a result of the challenges they have faced. I response to it. The Department will also work with the understand that claims for compensation will in the 485 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 486 first instance draw on Jimmy Savile’s estate. Has there the reports published today, and we wait for her second been an assessment of whether the estate’s funds will be phase of work, but questions remain about their sufficient to meet all claims? Given what has been independence given that each hospital has, in effect, revealed today and the abject failures of public bodies, investigated itself. There is also a question of whether should not the Government now consider allocating this needs to be more independent of Government. public funds to ensure that all the people damaged by The Broadmoor report raises serious questions about Savile are properly compensated and supported? the conduct of civil servants and Ministers in the Reading the report, it is not at all clear to me that a Department of Health in how Savile came to be appointed proper process has yet been put in place to hold people to the Broadmoor taskforce. In evidence to the inquiry, who failed in their public duties to account. If evidence the then Minister describes the main objective of Savile’s is revealed in any of these reports that shows that any appointment as follows: person still working in the NHS or the Department of “The principal question was can Government break this hold Health knowingly facilitated these crimes, will the Secretary that the Prison Officers Association has on the hospital.” of State assure us that they will now face the full weight She went on to say: of the law and that those who were negligent in respect of “This task force was dreamed up and seemed like a very good their public duties will also be held fully to account? idea and step forward Jimmy Savile who knew the place backwards It is incomprehensible how this could have been and was more than happy to volunteer his time to do this. And we allowed to happen over 55 years. Although it relates to a were happy to do it.” different era, there are serious lessons that we can learn, That paints a picture of chaos in the Department and a given that abuse continues in our health and care system complete absence of due process for a serious appointment today. Let me turn to those. The first area of concern of this kind. This is an extraordinary revelation. While relates to how victims of abuse are treated, particularly there is no suggestion that any Minister knew of any young people or people in the mental health care system. sexual misconduct, it does point to the need for a Sadly, there are still far too many instances of abuse in further process of independent inquiry so that we all, as our care system and in mental health settings, and the Ministers and former Ministers, can learn the lessons of real figure is likely to be higher because of under-reporting. what happened, but also so that we can draw together Will the Secretary of State consider what more needs to the threads of the multiple inquiries that are ongoing. It be done to give people the confidence to come forward simply cannot be left for Savile’s victims to try to pull and the reassurance that they will be listened to? Is together the details of these investigations. there a case for more training for staff in dealing with As the shadow Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend allegations of abuse? the Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford The second area of concern relates to how public (Yvette Cooper), has said, there is now a clear case for a bodies carry out vetting and barring arrangements, proper, overarching, independent review led by child make public appointments and manage their relationship protection experts into why there was such large-scale with celebrity.Hospitals across the country have increasingly institutional failure to stop these abhorrent crimes. I sophisticated fundraising operations and links with celebrity would be grateful if the Secretary of State gave this endorsers. Will the Secretary of State accept the Broadmoor proposal careful consideration. I finish by assuring him report’s recommendation that no celebrity should be of our full support in helping him to establish the full appointed to an executive position or given privileged truth of why abuse on this scale was allowed to happen access to a hospital or its patients and that they should for so long. be fully vetted if appointed to a non-executive position? More broadly, is there now a case for a code of conduct Mr Hunt: I thank the shadow Health Secretary for setting out the appropriate relationship that the NHS the constructive tone of his comments. Many of the should have with celebrity or business backers? suggestions he has made are very sensible. We will take On vetting and barring, figures obtained by my hon. them away and look at them, but I will go through a Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North number of them now. First, we will indeed make sure (Diana Johnson) show that the number of people barred that all Savile’s victims get the counselling they need. I from working with children as a result of committing a think that it has been made available to them, but it is sexual offence against a child has dropped by 10,000, or absolutely right to double-check that they are getting 75%, in the past three years. These extremely worrying every bit of help they need and that we are taking all figures have come about as a result of changes to the reasonable steps. vetting and barring arrangements. This raises the concern I hope that what has happened today will be, in its that there are people working in our health and care own way, another landmark for all victims of sexual system now who may pose a risk to children. Will the abuse in giving them the confidence that we are changing, Secretary of State look again at this issue, consult the not just as an NHS but as a society, into being much Home Secretary, and urgently report back to the House better at listening when people come forward with these on why these figures have dropped by so much in such a very serious allegations. It hits you time and again when short space of time, and on whether they believe that you read these reports how many people did not speak the current child protection regime is strong enough? up at the time because they thought that no one would The question arises of whether this process of inquiry believe them. We are not going to change that culture is a sufficient response to the scale of these atrocious overnight, but we have to be a society that listens to the crimes. It is hard to draw a clear picture and consistent small person—the person who might get forgotten and recommendations from 28 separate reports and all the does not feel they are important in the system. other inquiries that are still ongoing in schools, care On the claims for compensation, the right hon. homes, the BBC and the police. I, too, pay tribute to Gentleman is absolutely right to say that the first draw the work of Kate Lampard in assuring the quality of for those claims will come from the Savile estate. I hope 487 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 488

[Mr Jeremy Hunt] were of the necessary quality, and I think she has done that superbly. The second stage of her work is to see I can reassure him, however, that, as we have said, the what lessons can be drawn from the system as a whole. Government will underwrite this so that if there are any We need to hear what she has to say about that and, claims that are not able to be met by the estate we indeed, what the Department for Education and the finance them from the public purse. We think it is BBC learn from their reports, and then we will come to important that we should do that, although his estate is a conclusion about whether any further investigations the first place to start, for obvious reasons. are needed. The right hon. Gentleman is right to say that if there is evidence that people have criminally neglected claims Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): May I join the that were made at the time or behaved inappropriately— Secretary of State in paying tribute to the victims? They even if it is not a matter for the law and they behaved in were not silent. What today’s reports show is that very a way that could make them subject to disciplinary many people witnessed—even directly condoned—some procedures in NHS organisations—that should be deeply inappropriate behaviour. How could it ever be addressed. We will urge all NHS organisations to look acceptable for a celebrity to be able to watch female carefully at anyone who is mentioned in the reports. Of patients showering? Will the Secretary of State join me course, the police will, naturally, look at the evidence in sending a message to NHS staff that they should against any individuals, who of course have the right to always raise concerns if they witness such behaviour due process, which everyone in the House would accept. and that they will be protected if they do so? On the specific point about the behaviour of one Minister and what it suggested about the motivation for Mr Hunt: I am absolutely happy to do that. I Savile’s approval for his job at Broadmoor, my right wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend’s comments. hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe The NHS needs to move to a system where it is the (Mr Clarke), who was Secretary of State at the time, has norm rather than the exception to report, and where said that that behaviour would be indefensible now and NHS staff feel comfortable that reporting any concerns that it would have been indefensible at the time. I agree is an absolutely normal part of their job. She is right to with him. Everyone must be held accountable for the say that one of the most disturbing things in the reports actions they took. is the clear evidence that some people helped Savile in We are doing a great deal to make sure that all NHS what he did—for example, that people were escorted to staff are trained to feel more confident about speaking his private room in Broadmoor—which is very shocking. out. The Mid Staffs whistleblower Helene Donnelly is That is why it is very important that everyone is vigilant. now working with Health Education England to see I totally agree with what she said. what needs to change in the training of NHS staff in order to change that culture. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): On the new disclosure and barring scheme, we are The only people who emerge with any credit are the already doing work to examine the reason for the drop victims, and we need to support them. However, I was in the number of people who are being barred from slightly stung by the Secretary of State’s comment about working with children. The Minister of State, Department the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for North (Mr Clarke). If the right hon. and learned Gentleman Norfolk (Norman Lamb) is looking into that. I have thought that the actions of the Minister—it was Edwina given this a lot of thought and it is important to say that Currie, if I remember rightly—were inappropriate then, in the current environment, were we to have another as they would be now, will he apologise for his stewardship Savile, it is likely that the disclosure and barring scheme of the Department at the time, or will the Secretary of would bar him from working with children and in State look at the Minister’s conduct and come back to trusts, but that is not certain because he was never the House to explain how it was possible? convicted of a crime. The Criminal Records Bureau checks would not have stopped that, but it is possible Mr Hunt: I hope that I have gone some way to meet for the disclosure and barring scheme to prevent people the hon. Lady’s concerns because, on behalf of the from working with children and vulnerable adults even Government and the NHS, I have offered a full apology if they have not committed a crime. For example, their to all the victims for what happened, and I have accepted employment track record may show that they were that there were failures at many levels. It is very important dismissed for doing things that raised suspicions. It is to say that the reports show that there was no evidence also important to make the point—I think everyone in that Ministers or officials were aware of any sexual the House will understand this—that it is not possible abuse by Savile. I pointed to the comments by my right to legislate to stop all criminal vile activity. What we hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe depend on for the disclosure and barring scheme to because I wanted to make it clear that this Government work is a culture in which the public and patients feel are not defending actions which, as he has said, were able to speak out and staff listen when they do so, in indefensible then and would be indefensible now. order that these things surface much more quickly. Finally, the question of whether any further inquiries Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con): are necessary will, of course, be considered. The first I commend my right hon. Friend for his measured step is to let Kate Lampard do her full report. At this statement. Indeed, I welcome the shadow Secretary of stage, she has not drawn together all the different inquiries State’s comments about joining our call for an overarching and tried to draw lessons from the system as a whole. I inquiry, because this is the tip of the iceberg. There are asked her to do two things. The first was to verify still ongoing inquiries to do with Savile in the NHS, independently that the reports of NHS organisations 11 local authorities, care homes and others. 489 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 490

Specifically on the subject of victims, there is something children, but sex predators are not men in dirty raincoats; that the Secretary of State can do to help immediately. they come from all walks of life and all professions. So many victims have very bravely come forward after That perception means that children are not being suffering trauma over many decades and many are still heard. Will the Secretary of State make preventing as calling the ChildLine and NAPAC—the National well as detecting child sexual abuse a public health Association for People Abused in Childhood—helplines. priority? It is only through a better informed public, However, for too many, the therapeutic support that more aware of how predators such as Savile behave, they need to help them through such a particularly that we will be able to protect children from abuse. difficult time is absolutely not there. Police and health professionals have come to me to say that they know Mr Hunt: I completely agree, and that is one of the such people, but cannot do anything for them. With the big lessons. The shadow Home Secretary was absolutely resources in the NHS, the Secretary of State can help right to say that this issue raises serious questions about now. the nature of celebrity in our society. One of the reasons that totally inexcusable things happened—such as being Mr Hunt: I commend my hon. Friend for his given the keys to Broadmoor—was that somehow on campaigning for vulnerable children over many years. the basis of Savile’s image people made wrong assumptions The letter I sent to NHS England this morning asks it about him. The hon. Lady is absolutely right. One of to make sure that all the lessons are learned from the the things that will change as a result of this investigation reports, and it includes the very clear suggestion—I is that people will be more willing to challenge those want the NHS to interpret my letter in this way—that it who previously were not challenged. But there is a long should ensure that it commissions the support needed waytogo. for children in these circumstances so that they get the very support that is necessary. This is not just about Mr Simon Burns (Chelmsford) (Con): I totally agree encouraging people to speak out; it is about making with the Secretary of State’s belief that there should be sure that when they do, they feel listened to and supported. more openness, and an increased sense of need to report concerns, but is he satisfied that, particularly Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): I thank the with regard to NHS staff who may report concerns or Secretary of State for his statement and my right hon. whistleblowers, there is enough protection within the Friend the shadow Secretary of State for his considered system to encourage more people to be more open? response. In relation to the scale of the abuse—with ages ranging from five to 75, and involving 28 hospitals— Mr Hunt: No, I am not. That is why earlier this week lessons need to be learned about the systematic failure we asked Sir Robert Francis to do a follow-up review to not just within the NHS, but within other institutions. his public inquiry to determine what else needs to be Will the Health Secretary have discussions with the done to create a culture of openness and transparency Cabinet Office and others to make sure that appropriate in the NHS. We have come a very long way as a society lessons are learned? in terms of our understanding, but there is more work to be done. It is also very important, as I said in my Mr Hunt: Absolutely. I want to reassure the hon. statement—I know everyone would agree with this—that Gentleman that we are taking a cross-Government we do not undermine the brilliant work done by volunteers approach—across a range of Departments, but particularly in hospitals and that we do not create a kind of bureaucratic the Department for Education and the Home Office—and morass that makes it impossible for that really important that the Government as a whole will draw the lessons work to be done. However, I know we can do better from this whole horrific series of episodes to make sure than we are at the moment and important lessons need that we have a joined-up approach. to be learned.

John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): I agree Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): The Secretary of with the Secretary of State that our first thought has to State has been very gracious in his apology given that he be for the victims, and that in future we must listen was not Secretary of State at the time. Might I make to the powerless and not block inquiries. If we go back one further practical suggestion? Will he speak to the to 2011—before Savile died—an American journalist, Prime Minister about perhaps appointing a Minister to Leah McGrath Goodman, was banned from coming to co-ordinate all these reports across the public institutions? the UK to investigate child abuse, including by Jimmy Savile. Even more recently, she was arrested at the Mr Hunt: I reassure the hon. Lady that that responsibility airport on 5 June, while coming to an inquiry. Will the lies with the Home Secretary, and the Home Office has Secretary of State speak to his colleague the Minister a cross-governmental committee that will bring together for Security and Immigration to ask why somebody in all the lessons from all the reports. My first priority is to the UK Border Agency seems to be aiming to inhibit ensure that we are doing everything we can to make one of the inquiries? NHS patients safe, but there are much broader lessons to be learned. That is being led by the Home Office. Mr Hunt: I am afraid that I do not know the details of that particular case, but I will look into it and write David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Con): to the hon. Gentleman. Does my right hon. Friend agree that what has happened is absolutely abhorrent and that it sends out a strong Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab): Is not one of the wider message to everyone in society that even a celebrity is problems our perceptions of how a sexual predator not above the law of the land? May I also praise the looks and acts? When men like Savile are arrested, the work of Kate Lampard and her team in bringing this usual reaction is shock that such a nice man could abuse forward? 491 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 492

Mr Hunt: That is absolutely right. Celebrities have into bed with a young patient and thought it funny. All never been above the law of the land, but what is clear the rules in the world provide some defence, but how do from the report is that even though that is the case we get people to exercise judgment—whatever the rules legally, in practical terms they were above the law because say, whatever the circumstances and whoever does it—and they were able to get away with things for a very long say that this behaviour is not acceptable? time that ordinary people would not have been able to get away with. That is why this is such a big moment of Mr Hunt: I would like to associate myself with the reflection for us. I know that everyone in the House will right hon. Gentleman’s comments; I share his disbelief want to think hard about what we need to do to change and shock that it has taken so long. In some ways that culture. justice will never be done, because Savile died before it could be served on him, which is one of the biggest Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): We know that tragedies of all. I agree: there was a major lack of Savile was well regarded by many politicians; by way of judgment, some of it because of the different attitudes example, he was friends with Cyril Smith and appeared prevailing at those times. One of the big differences in a Liberal party political broadcast in the 1970s, and today is that we make links between what is disgusting had friends in high places. Surely an overarching inquiry but not illegal behaviour and potential abuse in a way into child sex abuse would help us to understand the that did not happen in those days. I want to share with political networks to which Savile belonged. the right hon. Gentleman what most shocked me personally in the reports, and it was the way in which Savile Mr Hunt: I know that the hon. Gentleman has interfered and abused people who had just come out of campaigned a lot on these issues. We have not ruled out operations and were recovering from them. The fact anything, but we want first to draw together the lessons that Savile was able to do that, without being supervised, for the NHS and across Government as quickly as is shocking and when those people spoke up about what possible. One of the important benefits of the way in had happened, they were not believed. That is one of so which we have proceeded so far is that, because it is an many lessons that need to be learned; I know that investigation and not a public inquiry, we can get to the everyone wants to learn them. truth relatively quickly. However, we will certainly look at the cross-governmental lessons. Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): It is clear from the Portsmouth report that there were incidents Dr Phillip Lee (Bracknell) (Con): As a former member with no corroborative evidence of the abuse. In one of the medical staff at Stoke Mandeville hospital and local case, the complainant was unconscious at the time now as the Member representing Broadmoor hospital, I of the alleged incident and learned of it from a hospital have many questions, but let me concentrate on one. In cleaner who witnessed it. Does my right hon. Friend appendix 2A part V, there is a letter about Broadmoor agree that “no proof” is not the same as “it did not from Jimmy Savile to the Department of Health. It is happen”, that his welcome words of apology should headed “National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke apply to all those who think they may have been abused Mandeville”, and it is signed “Dr Jimmy Savile”. Indeed, and that we need a clear process for how such unprovable the content of the letter is deeply unprofessional and complaints can be dealt with? remarkable, and it was copied on to a series of people, including the then Secretary of State. Will my right hon. Mr Hunt: Absolutely right. The case that my hon. Friend assure me that each of these individuals has Friend mentions was a real tragedy because that person been investigated in respect of their response to this suffered very real psychological harm in subsequent correspondence, as I cannot believe that people could years as a result of what they were told by the cleaner. have received it without being deeply concerned about There are two points. First, we cannot necessarily this vile man’s involvement in a high-security hospital? corroborate, but we can see a pattern. What is impressive about these investigations is the fact that the investigators Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend raises a very important say time after time that although it is not possible to point. We received the reports only this week, but I will prove that these things happened, they believe that they certainly take this away with me and look into exactly did because the evidence was credible. On one or two the point he makes. occasions, they say that they are not sure, but in the vast majority of cases, they thought that the evidence was Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): I thank the Secretary credible. Secondly, there will continue to be times when of State for allowing me early advance notice of the offences are alleged, but it is not possible to prove them report relating to St Catherine’s hospital in Birkenhead. in a court of law. The big lesson to be learnt is that that Much more importantly, may I associate myself with does not mean no action should be taken. We must do the apology that the right hon. Gentleman gave to my what it takes to protect patients. constituent and others. He will know that that hospital has been bulldozed and that we now have a fine community Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): I appreciated the hospital. To bulldoze these practices within the NHS, right hon. Gentleman’s statement. Does he agree that will the Secretary of State consider and come back to the fear of litigation by NHS practitioners appears to me later on these two issues? First, it took my constituent be one of the reasons why the system does not lend 48 years before she was believed and 50 years before she itself to the provision of a good listening ear, and, received an apology. What steps are we going to take to indeed, one of the reasons why a compassionate response ensure that justice is provided much more quickly? to that listening is not always forthcoming? What practical Secondly, Jimmy Savile was escorted around St Cath’s steps can be taken to ensure that, at an early stage, Birkenhead by officials, who witnessed him jumping practitioners actually listen to complaints? 493 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 494

Mr Hunt: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I think given access to hospitals and to wards, and they must that we need to change the balance in the NHS, so that expect to be subject to those checks. The present the safest thing for people to do if they want to avoid arrangements must change. litigation is to report concerns rather than sitting on them. That is an interesting lesson that has been learnt Mr Hunt: We do need more robust checks. However, I in other industries, such as the airline industry, and I can tell the hon. Lady that I have apologised to all the hope that the follow-up review by Sir Robert Francis victims and have said that if some of the reasons given will help us to understand it better. in the reports for Jimmy Savile’s appointment to one position were as the reports claim, that was indefensible. Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I thank the Moreover, the Secretary of State who was in office at Secretary of State for what he has said about the the time has said that it was indefensible. I think that reports. In his statement, he referred to the importance that is accountability. of the changes that have come about over the past few years, both under this Government—and there are more Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The Secretary to come—and under the last Government. Many of of State has been good enough to apologise on behalf those changes have derived from advice given by specialist of Her Majesty’s Government and the NHS. Given that police forces or by teams within police forces. Jimmy Savile’s celebrity status was largely due to his employment by the BBC, are we not owed a big apology The Association of Chief Police Officers runs courses, by the BBC, now that the report has been published? and collects expertise for the purpose of those courses. Its aim is to catch the individuals concerned, to help Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend makes an important point. those who have been attacked by them and to monitor Today’s report is about the NHS and that the BBC those individuals after they have been put on the sex report is ongoing, as is the report being done by the offenders list. Does the Secretary of State think that it Department for Education and the work being done by would be useful to ask ACPO whether it could provide other Departments. We have to wait for the BBC to any more advice for the Government to consider? I make its own statement on the matter, but my priority know that the Metropolitan police’s Jigsaw team is now is for NHS patients, and the reason that I wanted currently considering changes that would help it to to go at speed on this was to make sure that any changes monitor and control sex offenders once they have been we need to make now, we do so. detected and put on the list. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): The Mr Hunt: My hon. Friend has made an important Secretary of State says, quite understandably, that we point. Of course we need to co-operate very closely with cannot undo the past, but there are several people the police service, and the Home Secretary is doing a culpable in this affair who are still drawing substantial huge amount of work to establish what needs to be NHS pensions. Why does he not consider docking their done to increase conviction rates for sexual offences. pensions, as a consequence for their behaviour and as a The point for the NHS to consider, however, is that the clear warning to others? disclosure and barring scheme will only work properly if NHS organisers comply with it—as they are obliged Mr Hunt: I do not rule that out at all. If someone has to do—and report incidents, because that enables other behaved in a way that is in breach of either the law or NHS organisations to find out about them. I am not the regulations that were in place at the hospital in satisfied that the levels of compliance are as high as which they worked, and there is a way to have legal they should be. redress such that things like pensions can be docked, I think that they should face the full consequences of Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): I that. feel that our concern for victims must lead us to ask whether the actions of Ministers, or managers in the Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): Child sexual abuse is always NHS, caused the pain that they suffered. That is one of abhorrent. The victims are always innocent and nobody the things that we can still do. Beyond compensation, should be above the law. At the beginning of this there is accountability, and there must be accountability. month, six Members and I wrote to the Home Secretary— now we are supported by a further 104 MPs—requesting I must tell the Secretary of State that I do not think it an investigation by an independent panel into at least was enough for him to say that behaviour was indefensible. eight cases of child sexual abuse going back over 30 years, Colleagues of his were Ministers at the time of that where the evidence has been lost or destroyed by the behaviour, and they must be brought to book for their police, by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise and by actions. I agree with my right hon. Friend the Member other agencies, and where the cases have therefore been for Leigh (Andy Burnham): we should focus on the fact stalled or abandoned altogether. To date, we have had that that appointment of a disc jockey to a hospital no reply, so can I ask the Secretary of State to encourage position was not appropriate. In some respects, that the Home Secretary and the Education Secretary, and individual would have carried more credibility because anyone who else who might be moved to take the matter of his appointment, and that is why I think that on, to do so, and accept that such an independent accountability is important. investigation is essential to search out the truth and to I also think that, in future, children and vulnerable make sure that action is taken after that? patients must be protected from certain people who have access to wards. It is not good enough to talk Mr Hunt: I would like to reassure the hon. Lady that about bureaucracy. Volunteers, celebrity fundraisers and we have a Home Office committee, chaired by the business backers must be subject to checks before being Home Office Minister from her own party—the Minister 495 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 496

[Mr Jeremy Hunt] to make sure that it really is set up in a way that would make it more likely for us to catch someone like Savile. for Crime Prevention, the hon. Member for Lewes Again, I think it is likely that he would be caught by the (Norman Baker)—that is drawing together all the lessons DBS, but I would like Kate Lampard to look at that from Savile across all Departments. It is then going to and give me her views. take that view as to what needs to happen next to prevent child sexual abuse, and I would like to reassure her that the Home Office and the Government as a Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): I whole have no higher priority than that. am not sure that I share the Secretary of State’s view about Jimmy Savile being caught by the procedures now in place through the DBS, but I want to ask him Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): this: under changes introduced by this coalition, a regular Jimmy Savile visited the Royal Victoria infirmary in volunteer at a children’s hospital—acting, for example, Newcastle on a number of occasions—generally, it appears, as a reading volunteer on the ward—will not require a around the time of the great north run. The Newcastle Criminal Records Bureau check, and given the harm hospital trust’s investigation concludes that nothing done by the revelations about Jimmy Savile, I am sure untoward happened and there was constant supervision, that will cause concern to millions of parents around but it refers to an NSPCC investigation that had access this country. Does the Secretary of State share that to other witnesses, which suggests that unsupervised concern, especially in the light of the NSPCC’s comments access did occur. That is obviously a matter of huge this week that the pendulum has swung too far towards concern for everyone who put their trust in the RVI, the abuser by the changes that his Government have whether as a patient or as a child. Is not my right hon. introduced? Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) right? It is not up to them to try to draw what could be horrendous conclusions from these somewhat conflicting reports. Mr Hunt: I do not agree with that. The CRB checks Do we not need an overarching independent inquiry? that were introduced by the last Labour Government were a very important step forward when they started in Mr Hunt: We are having an overarching independent 2002 but what is also important, as I am sure Labour inquiry—that is what Kate Lampard is doing—but on recognises, is that they have limitations, because they whether we need to have further inquiries, we need to identify whether someone has a criminal record. Jimmy wait until we get the response, which we are hoping for Savile was never convicted of a criminal offence, so this autumn, because at the moment, we have published CRB checks alone would not have stopped this abuse. individual reports, but we have not drawn any wider That is why we need a broader system, which is what the lessons for the NHS system-wide. One of the things that disclosure and barring scheme is intended to be. It is I hope will be a consequence of today is that if there are deliberately set up as something that is risk-profiled, so any victims who were abused at the RVI, they will use the higher the risk, the higher the standard of investigation, today as some encouragement to come forward. I have but that is one of the things that Kate Lampard will given instructions and I am absolutely clear as Health look at and we need to listen to what she says when she Secretary that I want every single one of the concerns gives us her final report. of anyone who comes forward to be investigated thoroughly—as thoroughly as all the ones that are tragically coming to light today. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): I was grateful for the opportunity early this morning to look at the thorough report of Jimmy Savile’s visits to Odstock hospital. At Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): It is astonishing Odstock, although it seemed that Mr Savile visited, the that this catalogue of abuse was allowed to happen and report concluded that there was no evidence of any that no action was taken at the time. I commend my wrongdoing. However, one recommendation was that right hon. Friend for his statement, both for the way he the Department of Health issue national guidance on has delivered it and for the content, but can he elucidate VIP policy and VIP visits. Can the Secretary of State for the House what specific changes he foresees in confirm that he will look at that, so that all hospitals, legislation, although legislation has moved forward, including the successor to Odstock, Salisbury district and any specific changes to procedures that now need to hospital, can have a reliable policy in place? be taken as a result of the publication today?

Mr Hunt: I hope my hon. Friend will forgive me if I Mr Hunt: I think that is a very sensible suggestion. I do not try and predict what Kate Lampard’s want to wait until Kate Lampard gives her final report recommendations are before she makes them, but I in September, so I do not want to pre-empt what she think the obvious question to ask is whether we have says, but certainly, one of the blindingly obvious things the procedures in place that ensure that someone like that jumps out at us from these reports is that too Savile would not be given the keys to an institution in generous treatment was given to someone on the basis the way that he was? I do not believe that would happen of that celebrity status, and we definitely need to learn today. My understanding of the way that NHS lessons. As I am sure my hon. Friend would appreciate organisations work is that it would be impossible for from his own constituents’ point of view, the fact that someone to be given the freedom of a trust in the way there is no evidence of abuse sadly does not mean that that he was at Broadmoor, but I do not want to take there was no abuse, and that is why it is really important that as a fact. I want Kate Lampard to look at that, so for us to remember that there may well be many people that we can be absolutely sure that it would not happen. who are not mentioned today who have been quietly I think the other obvious area for her to consider is the suffering for many years. I hope today will give them functioning of the disclosure and barring scheme, and encouragement to come forward. 497 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)26 JUNE 2014 NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) 498

Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): I protection not just to the victims identified in these thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of the reports, but to people going forward. That is the least report from Wythenshawe hospital this morning. For we owe them. me, the shocking revelation that I noted was that it was an open secret among patients, as early as 1962, that Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): Has this man was doing what he was doing—and I quote: the Secretary of State received intelligence, or does he “a dirty old man up to no good”. have a suspicion, that victims of Savile were frightened If there is one good thing that can come from this for to come forward because he enjoyed powerful political the nation, it is that we implore all institutions, both protection? governmental and in civil society, to keep their child protection, safeguarding and recruitment selection Mr Hunt: I do not believe there is any evidence of procedures up to date and under review. that in the reports, but there is a lot of evidence that people felt that they would not be believed because of Mr Hunt: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right Savile’s celebrity status. Part of that celebrity status was and touches on a matter that we have not touched on so his connections in high places, and that is part of the far this morning. Recruitment is a very important area myth that we need to puncture as a result of today’s that we must get right in this process, and I wholeheartedly report. agree with what he said. BILL PRESENTED Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Today will be an emotional day for victims and their families PENSION SCHEMES as the report is published. Will the Secretary of State Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) tell the House how victims have been supported and Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, supported by the Prime informed about the publication, particularly today and Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of in the run-up to today, and how they will be kept the Exchequer, Danny Alexander, Secretary Vince Cable informed as subsequent actions are carried forward? In and Steve Webb, presented a Bill to make provision particular, what efforts have been made to inform and about pension schemes, including provision designed to support those who are most vulnerable, such as those encourage arrangements that offer people different levels with learning difficulties or who are severely mentally of certainty in retirement or that involve different ways unwell, perhaps as a result of the abuse they suffered of sharing or pooling risk. many years ago? Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Mr Hunt: The hon. Lady is right to raise that issue, Monday 30 June, and to be printed (Bill 12) with explanatory and the guidance that I have issued to NHS organisations notes (Bill 12-EN ). today makes it clear that I want to give maximum 499 26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 500

First World War (Commemoration) I know that the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis), who will speak for the Opposition, agrees with that because he told me last week that he was 12.50 pm about to speak about the great war to the well-respected The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Labour History Group. I took the precaution of securing (Dr Andrew Murrison): I beg to move, a copy of his speech, and I hope I will not embarrass or disadvantage him too much by saying what a very good That this House has considered the programme of commemoration for the First World War. speech it is. He is right to say that politicians probably should not do history, but I am sure he would be the One hundred years ago, a poor scrap of a man who first to say that we should all have an opinion on such was already dying of tuberculosis fired two shots into an important matter. The Prime Minister has an opinion, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, his wife Sophie, and their I have mine—fortunately for me, it is somewhat similar unborn child. Meanwhile back here, the following afternoon to his—you, Madam Deputy Speaker, will have your a debate on foreign affairs happened to be scheduled, opinion, and each right hon. and hon. Member in this although Hansard records that hon. Members were well most opinionated of places will have theirs. into proceedings before anybody mentioned Sarajevo. Eventually, an obscure Liberal, Sir Joseph Walton, raised Perhaps I may put my cards on the table. Like most in passing reports of an assassination he had read about Members present, I suspect that I would have supported in the morning papers. By the time Foreign Secretary Herbert Asquith in the summer of 1914, but it would Sir Edward Grey got to his feet shortly before 7 o’clock, have been through a veil of ignorance that obscured the lazy summer ears appeared to be pricking at a city that full horror of what was about to be unleashed, not least then, as now, few Britons could accurately place on the from Asquith himself, whose brilliant son Raymond map. Although next day the assassination got Asquith was killed two years later on the Somme and is listed to the Dispatch Box, he was there to eulogise not to No. 7 on the Palace of Westminster’s own village war debate the geopolitical consequences of Gavrilo Princip’s memorial at the top of Westminster Hall, between chaotic street corner encounter with a man who, had he Archdale and Balfour. lived or died that day, was fated to change the course of In my view, Britain’s entry into the great war fulfilled history. the Augustinian precepts for a just war, and we should From 28 June to 4 August is 37 days. To overplay be grateful that our predecessors in uniform and on the contemporary events on a similar time frame is to home front ultimately triumphed against the Kaiser—a remind people in positions such as ours, and in significant militaristic aggressor, general disturber of the peace countries such as this, of the solemn responsibility they and, in 1914, surely Europe’s public enemy No. 1. There hold. The first lesson I draw is the frightening speed is nothing jingoistic or triumphalist in the view that this with which peace, civilisation and a functioning rules-based country has a tradition of reluctant, sober and purposeful system can descend into chaos. military intervention as a last resort on the part of oppressed people, particularly in continental Europe, I am privileged to lead our second debate on this and where the well-being and liberty of her own citizens subject. By common consent, the first debate on is threatened. The men and women we will celebrate on 7 November was of high quality, as was their lordships’ Armed Forces day in Stirling and across the country debate on this subject yesterday. From the luminaries this weekend uphold that proud tradition. seeking to catch your eye, Madam Deputy Speaker, I look forward to further such debate today. This debate Most people’s experience of the centenary will be is well timed since the 100th anniversary of the Archduke’s through broadcast and social media, and the BBC is assassination this weekend falls on Armed Forces day, playing a central role in that in its best Reithian tradition. when right hon. and hon. Members will celebrate the I am not always the Beeb’s greatest fan, but I have been men and women of today’s armed forces. I am delighted bowled over by the quality and scope of its TV and that this year that celebration will be centred on the radio offerings, which constitute the biggest and most great and historic city of Stirling. ambitious pan-BBC season ever undertaken. The corporation’s stated intention is to bring the nation I underscore “celebration” to contrast with together in order to create a national conversation commemoration, and let it be understood that the great about the great war. Well, it is hitting the spot, and has war is cause for the latter, and assuredly not cause for viewer figures and feedback to prove not only the the former. The Government pegged out the centenary success of its programming, but the sheer scale of in 2012 when the Prime Minister announced the UK’s public interest in the centenary. approach in October that year at the Imperial War museum. The guiding lights are remembrance, youth and education, with the Government creating a framework Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): The for a national conversation about the war within which Minister is making a thoughtful speech and I commend people can explore its causes, conduct and consequences him on his work on mental health in the services, which for themselves. Linked to that, the public will not have has great relevance to this debate. Does he agree that an official narrative foisted on them. We should not not the least of the strengths of what the BBC has been confuse the role of historians and pedagogues with that doing is its coverage of life on the home front, and also of politicians. The job of government is to spark the the extraordinary outpouring of the arts, particularly national conversation, not dictate its terms. Historians music, resurrecting many of the semi-forgotten composers have a responsibility to rigorously and dispassionately from the first world war? examine the facts, contest the evidence, and offer interpretation. Through open challenge and debate, the Dr Murrison: I certainly agree. The BBC has a difficult credibility of that interpretation is tested, and we glimpse balance to strike. In my view, it is doing that extremely the truth. well. I particularly commend its efforts to shine a light 501 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 502 on some of the perhaps least well explored elements of war. Interspersed will be myriad anniversaries from the great war. We all know about the mud and the Coronel to Cambrai marking the waypoints of war, trenches. We know rather less about the home front. I each commemorated appropriately with international hope that, as we proceed through the four-year centenary, participants and national units and their successors. we will have a more holistic view of what it meant to be Big anniversaries, with their attendant large-scale alive between 1914 and 1918. national events, are pegs on which to hang the clothes The UK’s commemoration will begin on Monday of the centenary. The richness will come from 1,000 4 August in Glasgow, where the JoyFest of the projects, from the flagship rebirth of the Imperial War Commonwealth games will be replaced by the solemnity museum on 19 July, to the Woodland Trust centenary of Glasgow cathedral and remembrance in George forests to be planted in each of the four nations, to the square. In the evening, the evocative Commonwealth small local initiatives that I heard about a week ago in War Graves Commission site at St Symphorien near Norfolk, as the guest of my hon. Friend the Member Mons has been chosen for an event based on reconciliation, for Broadland (Mr Simpson). Many of those are funded which we know the public want and expect to see. from the £56 million already allocated by the Heritage German and Belgian representatives will join us, as will Lottery Fund. Many are part of the First World War Heads of State and Government and the families of Centenary Partnership, which now has 3,000 member those interred, irrespective of nationality. organisations in 50 countries, and many already have On the same day, the Step Short project in Folkestone the active involvement of constituency MPs. will unveil its memorial arch over the road of remembrance, The 14-18 Now cultural programme will add granularity down which troops marched to embarkation. I congratulate and texture to the centenary and bring it alive. May I my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe pick out its letter to an unknown soldier project, a (Damian Collins) on bringing that important project to literary memorial centred on the enigmatic statue of a maturity. It is a flagship for thousands of independent soldier reading a letter on platform 1 at Paddington projects up and down the country that have been inspired station? The statue makes us wonder what is in the by the centenary. soldier’s letter. Members of the public are now invited to write that letter. All sorts of celebrities have already Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): I am done so, and MPs certainly should. grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind words about the I recently sent a note to all right hon. and hon. Step Short project. Does he agree that the debate is Members about the centenary poppy campaign, which timely because the memorial arch is being erected today is a great way for MPs to get involved locally and in the in Folkestone? process both proliferate wild flowers and raise money to help the Royal British Legion to support today’s service Dr Murrison: I am pleased to hear my hon. Friend’s community.I urge colleagues to take up the Commonwealth news. I have been watching the project with much War Graves Commission offer to visit its sites in this interest. I know that it will be an important part of our country. There is most likely to be at least one such commemoration. As I said in response to the hon. site in or close to each UK constituency. There are at Member for Blackpool South (Mr Marsden), it is important least two Commonwealth War Graves Commission to commemorate all elements of the centenary. The commissioners in the House today. I know that they will magic of Folkestone is the ability to plot the course of underscore that point. It is a revelation to many of us that final trip for so many thousands of servicemen as how many Commonwealth War Graves Commission they embarked for France. Many, of course, never returned sites there are in this country. They are not by any but many did—the majority did. Folkestone in those manner of means all on the western front. years held a particular place in the hearts of the service community, either because it was the point of embarkation Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I pay tribute or because, more happily, it was the point of return. to the way in which my hon. Friend is laying out the At 11 o’clock, the hour at which Britain entered the plans for this great year. The Commonwealth War war on 4 August, the day will be closed with a vigil Graves Commission recently took me around several of centred on Westminster abbey, which will run in parallel the war graves in my constituency. I have set about with similar services at St Anne’s cathedral in Belfast, visiting all 55 churchyards with Commonwealth war Llandaff cathedral in Cardiff and other churches and graves in my constituency, 209 graves in total. Whether I faith communities across the country. At the same time, will achieve that, we will have to see. I am taking with public buildings, workplaces and homes will be encouraged me children from local primary and secondary schools to participate in Lights Out to refer to the observation that are near those graves. That may be an initiative that by Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey on the eve of war others want to follow. that the lamps were going out across Europe and they would not be lit again in his time. As part of that, the Dr Murrison: I commend my hon. Friend’s project. Royal British Legion plans to sell a million candles to Other hon. Members will wish to emulate it. Like me, remember a million fallen, each one extinguished at he has a large number of Commonwealth war graves in 11 pm. Here is the clever bit. In the darkness, a single his constituency. I know that primary schools in particular lamp will be left burning, since hope never dies, and it in my constituency are keen to honour the fallen. Several never did. of those schools have similar projects. The centenary The centenary is a marathon, not a sprint. Following will be an occasion when our minds will be focused 4 August, we have the 2014 season of remembrance, closely on the subject. I suspect that, over the four years, Gallipoli in April next year, Jutland and the Somme interest will increase, particularly in schools. I hope that in 2016 and Passchendaele in 2017. In 2018, Amiens MPs will be able to take the lead in promoting that, as to Armistice will mark the last 100 days of the my hon. Friend has done in his constituency. It is 503 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 504

[Dr Murrison] prepared to address them without prevarication. My hon. Friend knows that in Australia in particular the important that parliamentarians apply leadership in “lions led by donkeys” mythology is prevalent in some such matters. I am confident, given the interest among quarters, and it is important to be able to address those colleagues, that they will do precisely that. concerns without attempting to avoid or sidestep them, It is important also to ensure that our war memorials because in so doing we come to a better understanding are in a fit state. A centenary is surely an opportunity to and much closer to the truth. We will be working ensure that we revisit those extraordinary monuments particularly closely with our Anzac cousins, as my hon. that lie at the heart of most of our communities. I am Friend would expect, as our history runs long and deep. pleased to say that over £5 million has been made This centenary is a wonderful opportunity to make sure available from Government to ensure that local war we are not seen to be taking that relationship for memorials are in good order. For details of that and the granted, but that we broaden and deepen it, and I am extensive work being done by Government Departments very confident, having visited Gallipoli this year, that and agencies, I recommend the Government centenary that is on not only our agenda, but the agendas particularly webpage. of our Australian and New Zealand friends. My hope is that the centenary of the first world war I have to say that the complexities I have cited in our will provoke a wider interest in history and that it will relationships with other countries have not all been in enrich the teaching and study of the discipline more predictable places. In the main they really have not been generally. It is not just about educating young people. I with Germany, Austria and Turkey; they have been in learnt about the wars of the 20th century from my some unhappy corners of relationships with allies. We parents and grandparents, who were contemporary have discussed already where some of those may lie, but witnesses. Young children these days do not have that we must in particular respect and acknowledge attitudes advantage. In a curious reversal, to our surprise and of the sort that are prevalent in South Africa to events delight, we have found that children participating in the that are deeply troubling, such as the sinking of the £5.3 million battlefields project have been inculcating troopship Mendi in 1917 and the treatment of non- awareness of the great war among their parents, so it is European participants in the war effort. All of this has bottom-up replacing top-down. to be part of our centenary commemoration, and we must do nothing to avoid it, airbrush it or finesse it. The Government intend to continue to work with the 60 or so countries worldwide who have a direct interest On the very cusp of the centenary of the war to end in the centenary. In Ireland the great war centenary falls all war, our first duty has to be remembrance, but the within a decade of commemoration. It is an opportunity measure of our success will be the extent to which we for reflection and conversation facilitated by the Queen’s lift our understanding of the conflicts, causes, conduct historic visit in 2011, and it is set to further mature and and consequences, and the advancement of relations strengthen one of the most important relationships for with today’s close friends and partners from both sides both countries. of the great war’s great divide. This year a Commonwealth War Graves Commission cross of sacrifice is being erected in Dublin’s incredibly 12.44 pm important Glasnevin cemetery, which I had the great privilege of visiting recently. Given the history, the Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab): I am proud to significance of such a monument in the shadow of open this debate on behalf of the Opposition, and I Daniel O’Connell’s tomb is very clear. History is often know that Members on both sides of the House are complex and nuanced, but no good is served by finessing grateful for this opportunity to mark this important its inconveniences. year of remembrance. Let me begin by paying tribute to the Minister. He Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): My hon. Friend and I have been discussing these commemorations for is making an excellent speech. On the Commonwealth, over three years, and I commend him on both the way I was privileged last night to entertain Corporal Mark he has opened this debate and his diligent and genuinely Donaldson VC from Australia, and is this not an cross-party approach to leading these commemorations. appropriate moment to remember just how much this There are few moments in modern society when we country owes our cousins in Australia, New Zealand, come together as a country to reflect on our shared Canada, the troops who came from India and all over history, and as we approach Armed Forces day and the what was then the Empire and is now the Commonwealth, 100th anniversary of the shooting of Archduke Franz without whom we probably could not have seen through Ferdinand this weekend, and the other centenary either of the world wars in the way that we did? anniversaries later this year, many people around the country will pause and think, perhaps for the first time, Dr Murrison: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. about the first world war and what relevance those We have been working very closely with the Governments events of a century ago have to our lives today. I know of all the countries he has cited and more, as he would the Minister and I are agreed that these moments of expect. The high commissioners, particularly in London, reflection are not only rare but precious, and that is why have been very keen to engage. Indeed, several of those our commemorations must be inclusive, engaging and, high commissioners serve as trustees of the Imperial above all, respectful. Let us be clear—we are all agreed War museum, which is absolutely front and centre, and on this—that this is a commemoration, not a celebration. appropriately so, of our centenary commemoration. On Armistice day 1918, the Prime Minister, David This is an opportunity to bring us closer together. It Lloyd George, came to this House and announced the is, however, important to understand that there are very end of what he described as the war to end all wars. often complexities in the relationship, and we need to be Today we know that it was not that, but it was the war 505 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 506 that changed life in this country for ever. The first world Later that day, we visited the memorial to the missing at war touched every family, affected every community Thiepval. As I read the names inscribed on the memorial, and fundamentally altered our country’s place in the that I suddenly saw my own name, “D. Jarvis”, staring world. It took the lives of 16 million soldiers and back at me. It was a sobering moment that brought civilians across the globe, including around 900,000 home the scale of the sacrifice, and an experience that servicemen from Britain and the Commonwealth. It so many visitors to the battlefield will have had. was a conflict that transformed society, bringing about Our country’s deployments over the past 13 years in profound social, political and economic changes that Afghanistan and Iraq have now lasted over three times we can still feel today. The centenary commemorations longer than the first world war; 632 servicemen and provide us with a unique opportunity to reflect on that, women have lost their lives, and we have felt the pain of to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed for us each and every one of them, so it is hard to imagine now 100 years ago, and to pass those memories on to future what it must have been like to live through a conflict generations. The Minister outlined some of the ways in that took the lives of six times that many soldiers every which the commemorations programme will help to week, or to appreciate how much the country was enable that over the next four years. wounded by the first day of the battle of the Somme, The programme has our full support, and I would when 20,000 men were cut down on a single beautiful like to put on record our thanks to the thousands of summer’s day on 1 July 1916. organisations, community groups and dedicated volunteers who are making this happen across the country. I would Mr Brazier: I am very grateful to the hon. and gallant particularly like to pay tribute to the following: the First Gentleman for giving way during his really excellent World War Centenary Partnership, led by the Imperial speech. Is not the most remarkable testimony to the War museums, which has brought together nearly 3,000 spirit of the nation at the time encapsulated in the member organisations from 49 countries and is delivering words of a famous general from his own regiment, more than 2,000 events; the 14-18 NOW programme, General Anthony Farrar-Hockley, who observed that which is bringing the centenary to life with 50 artistic on the eve of this, the largest military undertaking in creations and exhibitions across the country; the Woodland British history up to that point, not one single soldier Trust, which is planting four new centenary woods was listed as absent without leave? across the United Kingdom as a lasting memorial to the fallen; the BBC, which will deliver 2,500 hours of Dan Jarvis: I am very grateful to the hon. Gentleman programming on the subject over the next four years; for that intervention. I am not entirely certain which and the Royal British Legion, the Commonwealth War General Farrar-Hockley he is referring to—there were Graves Commission, the Heritage Lottery Fund and two in my regiment. [Interruption.] The elder. But many, many others. There are more than I could ever whichever one it was, the words he recalls are an absolutely hope to have time to mention, but we applaud all of fitting tribute to the steel with which young men from these groups for what they are doing. Each of them is across our country faced adversity. He is absolutely helping to retell our national story. By bringing people right to take the opportunity to make that point. together to revisit our shared history, they are making an important contribution. Mr Marsden: My hon. and gallant Friend is making I would like to say a particular word about the an excellent and poignant speech. Tomorrow, I will visit battlefield tours programme for schools, which is being our mini-arboretum in Blackpool, where not only a delivered by the Institute of Education. There are few whole range of war veterans are recognised, but there better ways to connect our young people with those are particular plantings for those from Blackpool and who made the ultimate sacrifice on the western front the Fylde coast who died in Afghanistan and Iraq; than by taking them to walk the battlefields where so indeed, their names have been added to the war memorial many fought and died. Anyone who has visited those in Blackpool. Does he agree that it is really important cemeteries will know what a moving and powerful that we make a special effort in this centenary year to experience that is. There were 16,000 towns and villages ensure that those who lost their lives in Afghanistan across Britain in 1914, but only 40 of them—40 thankful and Iraq are commemorated on local war memorials? parishes—would reach 1918 without having lost someone in the conflict, so every visiting school will be able to Dan Jarvis: I am very grateful for that intervention, follow in the footsteps of soldiers from their own and my hon. Friend is absolutely right to say that this community. commemoration provides a very important opportunity Last month, I travelled to Serre in northern France to to reflect on the service and sacrifice of not just those retrace the route taken by the Barnsley Pals battalions who served us 100 years ago, but those who more from my constituency. These were the men who responded recently served our country in very difficult circumstances to Lord Kitchener’s famous recruitment poster in 1914. in Afghanistan and Iraq. This commemoration provides They included miners, glassworkers, clerks, stonemasons a very important opportunity to make sure that we and clerics, many of them friends and neighbours. They continue to pay tribute to those who served, and who joined up together; they trained together; they went to continue to serve, our country. war together; and ultimately, many of them died together. I was reflecting on the impact that the loss of 20,000 I walked the ground over which the Barnsley Pals young men must have had on our country in July 1916. fought at the battle of the Somme, and I stood in front Naturally, it is right and understandable that there are of their graves in the pouring rain. Looking out from strong and differing opinions about that war, which those trench positions that still scar the French countryside, took the lives of so many young men. That was certainly I imagined what it must have been like. It was hard not true 100 years ago, and it is true today. Some will say be overcome by the emotion of what happened there. that those young men died in a conflict that, though 507 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 508

[Dan Jarvis] As I was saying, the story of the home front during the first world war is less well known. In my own appalling, was necessary and needed to be fought. Others Yorkshire region, hundreds of coal miners would die argue that their sacrifice was futile, in a war that achieved serving our country underground between 1914 and nothing and could and should have been avoided. It is a 1918. One personal hope that I therefore have for these debate that has engaged historians and many others for centenary commemorations is that one day, there will many years and I am sure will continue to do so, but I be a fitting national memorial to recognise the debt we believe that these commemorations should not be about owe to everyone who contributed during the first world Government and politicians sitting in judgment on war here at home. events that took place 100 years ago. They should be about creating an environment in which we can all Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Some reflect on these events in an open and democratic way 30,000 miners were on the front line during the first that is respectful of opinions that did, and do, differ. world war. They were tunnellers, and a lot of them lost As well as the silent tributes we will pay, there will their lives. also be room for lively debate and discussion. We should not shy away from talking about the anti-war movement, Dan Jarvis: Again, I am grateful for that intervention. about the protest that took place against the war, and It is incredibly important that we take the opportunity about those who refused to fight as a matter of conscience. to commemorate the sacrifice of those who served on As well as remembering the brave sacrifice of those on the front line and those who served on the home front. the front line, it is very important that we take the As a Member representing a Barnsley constituency, I opportunity to include in this discussion the heroes who know how important people consider it to be that we do served our country on the home front, because we know not lose sight of the difficult conditions that thousands that the first world war reached far beyond the poppy and thousands of men worked under, not only underground fields of Flanders. These commemorations should also in this country, but supporting our armed forces on the tell the story of the people who kept this country going: western front. the miners; the factory and railway workers; and those who worked the land and cared for the wounded. I was about to say that one personal hope I have for these centenary commemorations is that we have a This particularly struck me last week when I visited fitting national memorial for those who contributed on the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, a the home front during the first world war, not just beautiful place that honours with fitting dignity and because of the importance of their service, but because grace all those who have served our country in conflict. it is also part of the story of how our country changed. I was joined by a number of other Members, including The war led to more working women than ever before, my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) taking on roles that had previously been the preserve and my hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive only of men. An estimated 2 million women entered the Efford), who is doing so much in his role—as is my hon. work force, including 1 million women employed by the Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr Jones)—to Ministry of Munitions alone. More than 250,000 joined support these commemorations and help make them a the women’s Land Army and helped Britain fight off great success for the whole country. Together, we paid the peril of starvation caused by German U-boats. our respects at memorials to those who fell in the first They joined countless individual heroines who showed world war and other conflicts since. We also visited us how bravery can come in many different forms, memorials to those who served on the home front including amazing women such as the nurse Edith during the second world war, which underlined for me Cavell and the doctor Elsie Inglis. Together, those women the fact that, although groups such as the Bevin boys left millions of cracks in what had previously been a have rightly become imprinted on our national pretty immaculate glass ceiling. Not one woman and consciousness, the story of the home front in the first hardly any working men had the vote when the war world war is less well known. broke out. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): My hon. Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): Will my hon. Friend is making an eloquent and intelligent speech. Friend also acknowledge the women who were called The first world war was also a period of enormous up to into a profession that previously had been seen as political and social change; there were the rent strikes in being way beyond their capability—the police force? Glasgow, in which tens of thousands of people participated. Those women walked the streets at night on their own, They led directly to the first rent restriction legislation keeping them safe, as well doing the unique little job of in the whole of the Europe, which was passed in record calling on women whose husbands were at the front to time, in recognition of the work, led by women, for check that they were not up to any shenanigans. change in their own society.

Dan Jarvis: I am very grateful for that intervention. I Dan Jarvis: I am always grateful for my hon. Friend’s think my hon. Friend is referring to Mrs Barbour and interventions and she makes an important point. I say “Mrs Barbour’s Army”. again that this commemoration provides us with a unique opportunity to reflect on the role that women Ann McKechin indicated assent. played and still play in our society, and it is important that we take the opportunity to reflect that in these Dan Jarvis: I completely agree with my hon. Friend commemorations. that this commemoration provides a unique opportunity As I was saying, not one woman and hardly any to reflect on the very important social change that took working men had the vote when war broke out, but place, and I will say more about that in a moment. by 1918, 8.4 million women were finally enfranchised by 509 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 510 the Representation of the People Act 1918. Our democracy We should also take the opportunity to reflect on the expanded, society became less deferential, the trade fact that the war left its mark on this place where we union movement grew, the role of the state changed and gather today. Of all the countries that went to war in our politics would never be the same. The strains of war 1914, Britain’s was the only Parliament to debate entry also contributed to unrest in Ireland and helped change into the conflict. When the lamps went out that night the shape of the United Kingdom. Britain’s place in the on 4 August, it left more than just a shadow over world shifted, and men who had never been before to this place; 251 existing and future MPs would serve in Britain would come here to fight for it. Millions of the first world war, and 19 from the Parliament of 1914 people from across the Commonwealth served in the would not come back. Their shields mark this Chamber British war effort—more than 1 million came from the and watch over us today, and they were joined by Indian subcontinent alone—fighting side by side with 24 Members of the other place, as well as 20 parliamentary British troops on land, at sea and in the air. When the staff—clerks, waiters and cleaners—who were also killed British Expeditionary Force was on the brink in late in action. September 1914, 28,000 troops from the Indian army, the first ever to fight on European soil, came to Britain’s Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Is the hon. and aid and played a crucial role in holding the line on the gallant Gentleman aware of the marvellous memorial western front. They would, of course, be joined by in the offices of the Select Committee on Defence to the soldiers from many other countries, including volunteers secretariat and people from that defence Department from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the West Indies who lost their lives in the great war? and parts of Africa; 175 of those servicemen from overseas would be awarded the Victoria Cross for their Dan Jarvis: I was not aware of that, so, again I am courage and gallantry, and we must never forget that. grateful for that intervention, from which I have learned something. Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): I was reflecting on the impact that the war had on My hon. Friend is making an outstanding speech. On this House and speaking about those Members of Monday, I attended the world war one commemoration Parliament who went to serve, but we should be mindful event at Hounslow civic centre, in my constituency. It of the fact that the war would not just be experienced was also attended by the Gurkhas and so many others, by those on the front line. When the Lochnagar mine including people of Indian origin, who share great was detonated at 7.28 am on 1 July 1916 by the Royal pride in the role that they have also played. Does he Engineers at the start of the battle of the Somme, the agree that it is incredibly important that during this noise was heard in Downing street. That same year, all year of commemoration we recognise the diversity of three party leaders would lose a son in the war in the those who have been involved in our forces and the space of six months. In December 1917, the Speaker at importance of diversity in Britain today? I am talking the time was forced to adjourn a debate so that hon. not just about what we share today, but about our Members could, as Hansard records it, “’retreat to the common bonds from our histories. cellars” during a German air raid. These commemorations, as well as looking back, Dan Jarvis: I completely agree with that; there is a should also be about looking forward, because if we get strength that comes from our diversity. As the Minister this right and if we dedicate ourselves to these also said, it is incredibly important that we take this commemorations in the right way, they should also be opportunity to commemorate the service and sacrifice relevant to the lives we live today. We should be mindful of those people who had never come to Britain before of the fact that 100 years ago, on 22 May 1914, suffragettes but came here to support our efforts. We have a huge were being arrested at the gates of Buckingham palace, debt of gratitude to pay to them, and we will miss an petitioning for the right to vote, whereas on 22 May opportunity if we do not reflect on that in these 2014 nearly two thirds of a country with universal commemorations. suffrage decided they were better off staying at home on election day. One hundred years ago the debate was Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): The hon. and gallant about whether women should be allowed in the polling Gentleman mentioned Ireland and the troubles it was booth and whether they could do jobs that only men experiencing during the first world war. None the less, had done before. Today, the debate needs to be about the Irish came across to support us, from north and getting more women on to ballot papers and into south, in huge numbers. He also mentioned the Victoria boardrooms at the top of our work force. Cross, so I would like to place on the record the fact that One hundred years ago, nobody had ever heard of it has been won by more Irishmen than Englishmen, shellshock or post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, the Scotsmen and Welshmen put together. issue is not just what more we can do for our veterans returning from action, but how we prioritise the mental health of everyone. One hundred years ago, people Dan Jarvis: I am grateful for that intervention as I did from all over the world fought and died to protect this not know that. I am sure that the House will be extremely country. Today we need to remember the debt that we grateful for that contribution and I suspect that many of owe to people who were not born here, but who helped us will have learned something from it. make this country what it is. One hundred years ago, the In that same spirit, I wish to reflect briefly for a first world war changed the role of the state. Government moment on the significance of people such as Walter took action on food, rents and wages, and that links to Tull, the first black officer in the British Army; that was one of the central arguments in our public life today: just one small step on the road to affording ethnic what Government should and should not do in the minorities the recognition and respect they deserve. 21st century. 511 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 512

[Dan Jarvis] the British empire and Commonwealth forces. As much as the Somme, it is a symbol of the first world war. This I began by reflecting on a quote of David Lloyd evening, those leaders will gather at the Menin Gate, the George on Armistice day. Let me finish with some great memorial to some 57,000 men who have no known words from a week later. On 18 November 1918, this grave and who died in the salient. That figure only goes House gathered again to debate an address to the King up to August 1917. They could not get on all the names; on a victorious peace. These are the words spoken that the rest of the names are at the Tyne Cot cemetery. day by Herbert Asquith, who began the war as Prime Friends and foes will gather tonight and thoughts will Minister and ended it as Leader of the Opposition. This be going through their minds. The event is important was his reflection: for us because the old British Army died at Ypres in “When history comes to tell the tale of these four years, it will 1914. It is important because some of the first Indian recount a story the like of which is not to be found in any epic in troops were being deployed in late 1914 to 1915. It is any literature. It is and will remain by itself as a record of also important for the Belgians and the French. Sometimes everything humanity can dare or endure--of the extremes of possible heroism and of possible baseness…The old world has we tend to erase them from the folk memory of the first been laid waste…All things have become new.”—[Official Report, world war. Yes, they should be grateful that the British 18 November 1918; Vol. 110, c. 3237.] empire came to their assistance, but it is as much about Nearly a century on, those words have lost none of their memories of the first world war. After all, Ypres their power or their resonance, and they reflect what was almost totally destroyed by 1918. Indeed, in 1919, should be our guiding light in these commemorations. Churchill, as the Secretary of State for War and Air, We should remember that sacrifice that was laid to dust suggested that Ypres should remain a ruin to immortalise and reflect on what changed and what became new. If the sacrifice of the British and Commonwealth armies, someone is to look back in 50 or 100 years to what was not taking into account that the Belgians had a different said when this House and this country marked the view on all of that. centenary of the first world war, let us hope that it will Tonight is also important for the Germans. Chancellor be said that we kept true to that—that we kept the Merkel will be there. Just north of Ypres—some Members memory of those who served burning brightly, not will have been there—there is the German cemetery at wearied by the passage of time, and that we took this Langemark, which commemorates about 40,000 German important opportunity to reflect on how we became the soldiers, most of whom died in 1914. One man who had country we are today and on all those who made it a narrow escape was an Austrian serving in a reserve possible. Bavarian regiment; he was Grenadier Adolf Hitler. If only some old British soldier had taken him out, things Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. As might have been different. there are important and relevant speeches to be made, may I suggest to all Members that they aim to speak for Those leaders who are gathering tonight will discuss about 10 minutes each? That will give everyone a fair controversies such as the future of the EU. A number of chance to make their speech and to raise their constituency my colleagues become enraged at the idea of linking the issues. EU with the centenary of the first world war. I want to do not that, but to remember the fact that one of the 1.12 pm reasons why the French, Germans and Belgians came Mr Keith Simpson (Broadland) (Con): It is a great together after the second world war was to prevent privilege to participate in the second debate in this another major clash between the French and Germans. Chamber on the centenary of the first world war. I After all, they did it in 1870-71, 1914-18 and then congratulate my hon. Friend the Minister and the hon. 1940-45. We should be sensitive to that. It does not Member for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis) on two mean that we have to agree with everything, but we excellent speeches, outlining not only the programme should realise that, for the French and the Germans, but many of the issues that we are here to debate. I will Verdun is probably a bigger symbol than what will touch on two areas, but first, let me declare an interest happen at Ypres. as somebody who, as a military historian, has written I propose to Ministers—I hope that this will find about this subject in the past. I am a parliamentary support among colleagues across the House—to add commissioner on the Commonwealth War Graves one other specific commemoration on the Government’s Commission, along with the hon. Member for North national commemoration list. On 21 May 2017, we Durham (Mr Jones), and joint chairman of the advisory should commemorate the centenary of the establishment board on Parliament and the first world war. of what was then called the Imperial War Graves We should not shy away from the fact that this Commission. I am parti pris to this because I am a centenary is controversial. It is not up to the Government commissioner, but most people recognise that the to lay down views on every aspect of it, but we should Commonwealth War Graves Commission is the biggest recognise that it is controversial—that history is alive deliverer of much of the commemoration of the first today. The Minister mentioned the fact that in two world war. The Imperial War museum, the BBC and the days’ time it will be the centenary of the assassination Heritage Lottery Fund are very important, but the of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo. Commonwealth War Graves Commission is something That anniversary is controversial for Serbs, Bosnians, that most people at some stage have come across or are Croats and the successors of the old Austro-Hungarian going to come across, and it was not predetermined. empire, because it is about symbols as much as anything Many colleagues recognise the fact that before the else. first world war, when men in the Army died serving in As we speak, the leaders of the European Union are Europe, they were usually thrown into a pit. Occasionally, gathering in the Belgian town of Ypres. The Immortal officers got a separate burial or, just occasionally, they Salient is something that resonates very strongly with were brought home. We should not forget the fact that 513 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 514 the overwhelming majority of men who served in the the first world war, the great war or the war to end all Royal Navy or the merchant navy have no known grave. wars reflects its global nature, the extent of the fighting Nelson was rare; he was brought home in a keg of rum, and the fact that this was the first total war of the most of which was drunk at Gibraltar before he was put modern age. I am struck that the commemorations so in a proper coffin. There is nothing like the old chief far have been very personal to my constituents and petty officers for getting to the heart of the matter. many people I meet. It is as though everyone has a story The point is that in 1914 nobody thought that the to tell or everyone is searching for a story to tell, so I casualties would be on such a scale, and it was by want to begin with an example that is not extraordinary chance that a 48-year-old ex-Plymouth Brethren, former in any way; it is just one story among millions. member of Lord Milner’s young people in South Africa, The story is that of Sergeant Matthew Brown, who and former editor of the Morning Post,whowasin served in the 12th Battalion of the Durham Light charge of a Red Cross ambulance column, began to Infantry. He was born in Consett in county Durham. worry about what was going to happen to the dead—where He was one of seven children. He became a stonemason. they would be buried and so on. That man was Fabian He never married. He had no children. He was killed Ware. As much as anything else, it was his determination, during the later stages of the battle of the Somme in political nous and knowledge of French that enabled October 1916. He was just 27 years old, which is less the setting up of what we know today as the than half my age. He was blown to pieces near the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. village of Le Sars, along the Albert-Bapaume road, and To give hon. Members some context, the War Office his body was never recovered. His name, with those of did not really want to know about war graves, but thousands of his comrades, is inscribed on the great and within three months the British Army had suffered moving memorial to the missing at Thiepval. I do not 80,000 casualties in France. His Grace the Duke of know what went through Matthew Brown’s mind when Wellington’s Army suffered 3,500 at the battle of Waterloo. he enlisted or in the hours and days before he died, but I The sheer scale of the losses was enormous. Parents, doubt very strongly that he would ever have imagined in wives and husbands were worried about this. Ware a million years, let alone a hundred years, that his name achieved in December 1915 an agreement with the would be mentioned in this great House of Commons, French Government that they would allow a series of let alone by his great nephew, but I am proud to do so. dedicated areas to be consecrated as proper war cemeteries, The commemorations are not just about those where British dead could be brought during the war and individuals, of course. They bring together local afterwards. It was logistically important but also perhaps communities. Less than two weeks ago, I stood with emotionally important that Ware decided not to allow veterans and local residents in Cullercoats in my tens of thousands of people to bring their husbands constituency at a service to rededicate a plaque with the and sons home. names of local men who died in the first world war. The So the Commonwealth War Graves Commission deserves plaque stands on the east side of St George’s church to be part of the recognition of the centenary. It meets and was rededicated at exactly the same time on exactly all the criteria that hon. Members are looking for. It is the same date as the original plaque was dedicated about more than Great Britain. It is about equality in 93 years earlier. Students at Marden high school took death, which was a rare thing that Ware demanded. part in the event, and they will now research further the There would be no distinction in rank or background; effects of the war on what was then a small fishing the gravestone would be the same. It would be laid out community. in a way that British empire people would recognise as One issue that emerged, and I am sure is emerging in representing what Britain stood for. He brought in many other places, is that some of the names on the some of the best architects such as Lutyens and Blomfield, plaque were of men who had no link with that community. who designed the Menin Gate, and of course the great Many of the men who died in the community are not on wordsmith Rudyard Kipling. Kipling pulled every string that plaque. Yet of course, it is a listed monument so, to get his under-age son into the Irish Guards and then apart from one small correction of a spelling mistake, had the tragedy, like so many parents, of learning that and that after a great deal of deliberation, no changes he was killed and missing. The irony was that, long after can be made. That is frustrating for families sometimes. Kipling and his wife had died, we were able to identify a The plaque includes the names of Major and Captain body that was his son. Kipling came up with most of Knott. Their father Sir James Knott was distraught at the terminology that we know today. the deaths of his only two sons and set up a trust that I hope that, apart from debating the history and continues to do good work today, including the building sometimes the controversial nature of the first world of Knotts flats to improve the provision of municipal war, we will be able collectively to persuade Ministers to housing in what was then a declining fishing and mining celebrate the centenary of the establishment of the port. Imperial War Graves Commission—its patent, if you The Tynemouth world war one project is based at the like—with the national centenary. It meets every criteria, Linskill centre and funded by the Heritage Lottery not least in educating young people about the first Fund. More than 70 volunteers, under the inspirational world war. leadership of Alan Fidler and Dan Jackson, are mapping the stories of men and women from just one borough— 1.23 pm Tynemouth. They have already identified 2,000 men Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth) (Lab): I begin by who lost their lives as a result of world war one. Most of commending the Government both for finding time for them are from the town where I live, North Shields. this important debate and for the measured way in Any of us who have studied or taught the history of which these centenary commemorations are being prepared. the 19th century and looked at industrial cities will be The way in which we describe the events of 1914-18 as familiar with the maps that show where people died in 515 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 516

[Mr Alan Campbell] to write to the mother or wife of a fallen soldier. He himself had fought with a courage and bravery we all cholera and typhus epidemics. The map that has been wish we could display in our own lives. I know that produced by the project is remarkably similar, yet this Patrick worked hard for the people in Newark, particularly was a man-made epidemic. in his care and support for those returning to Lectures at Northumbria university have been well Nottinghamshire from Iraq and Afghanistan. I know attended and there have been less formal ones at the he was, and remains, deeply attached to this beautiful Low Lights Tavern. The project aims to mark with a constituency. plaque as many houses as can be found of those who The town of Bingham was represented by my right fell. It is important for local people to know. Local hon. and learned Friend the Member for Rushcliffe newspapers such as the News Guardian and Evening (Mr Clarke) for some 40 years prior to 2010, and it Chronicle have given not only support but excellent would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to him, too. coverage of what the project is doing. This Saturday the There remains great affection for Ken around Bingham database will go live and on 3 August there will be a and, indeed, across Nottinghamshire. I understand that parade and service in Northumerland square. The project’s there is even talk of a statue, but opinion divides as to aims were to be informative, accessible and inspirational, whether it should face the local cricket pitch, his favourite and it is all those things and more. hostelry or the local Chinese restaurant where the young The north-east paid a particularly high price in the Mr Clarke is said to have held his early surgeries. I also war. It was said that working in the coal mines and walk in the footsteps of Gladstone, who did not stay shipyards gave local men the aptitude and stamina for long as a Newark Conservative, losing the confidence of trench warfare. Northumberland raised 55 battalions of the Duke of Newcastle, upon whom much depended in fusiliers—more than any other county in the country. those days, and perhaps recognising that, as in the The Durham Light Infantry raised 43 battalions. Their recent by-election, the Liberal vote in these parts can be histories record them as being where the action was quite limited. heaviest. There were eight battalions of Tyneside Scottish It is almost unnecessary for me to tell the House and Tyneside Irish, showing where men had come from about my constituency because many right hon. and to work on the great northern coalfield. The Tyneside hon. Members are already surprisingly familiar with it. Scottish alone lost all four of its lieutenant-colonels on Indeed, it has been said that Newark has not seen so the first day of the battle of the Somme. many parliamentarians since the end of the civil war. As Scholars and historians will go on debating the first one sage trader in Newark market said to me at the world war, its causes, its course and its effects, and so weekend, the town has become such a popular destination they should, but what is not debatable is the sacrifice for MPs that it is surely time that we, too, established an made by individual soldiers, sailors and airmen, or all-party parliamentary group. the munitions workers, miners and shipyard workers— I enter the House following a by-election, the result 60,000 of them along the banks of the river Tyne—who of which was historic—the first such victory for our worked tirelessly to support the war effort. As the son of party in government since that of my right hon. Friend a Bevin boy, I support very much the idea that there the Foreign Secretary. After 25 years and 16 consecutive should be a lasting memorial to them. Millions of men defeats, my right hon. Friend was, I suspect, only too and women were prepared to defend their country—our glad to see his record broken. One journalist described country—and the values that they believed their country us as the Fred Perry and Andy Murray of the Conservative stood for. For the millions who gave their lives, in the party. The people of Newark have had to endure four famous words of Laurence Binyon, I say, “We will by-elections in the last 100 years, and a further one was remember them.” narrowly averted. It is my ambition to ensure that Newark now enters a period of electoral stability. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): We are now Newark is rich in history and blessed with some of going to hear a maiden speech. I call Robert Jenrick. England’s lesser known but most attractive towns, villages and countryside. It stretches from the shadow of Belvoir 1.30 pm castle in the south to the tidal Trent villages of Bassetlaw in the north, and includes Southwell—or Southall— Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con): Mr Deputy Speaker, dominated by its Norman minster, Tuxford and Bingham, I thank you, Members in all parts of the House and the the latter recently voted England’s best place to bring staff of the House for the warm welcome I have received up a family. The eastern border is Nottinghamshire’s since I arrived here. It is an honour to make my first county boundary, and includes villages of great beauty modest contribution during this debate. As the Prime and historic connections, such as Elston, home of the Minister said last year, commemorations say something Darwin family, and Norton Disney, the ancestral seat about who we are as a people, and we in this country of Walt Disney. To the west the seat stretches from have a tradition of striking the right tone on such Lowdham and Epperstone, close to the city of Nottingham, occasions. It is right that the House and the Government through Caunton, Laxton, Wellow and Egmonton into have given this such thoughtful consideration. Before Robin Hood country—the old Nottinghamshire dukeries I do so, I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, whose occupants once dominated its politics and the Mr Patrick Mercer, and say a few words about the Nottinghamshire coalfields once a major part of our constituency that I am incredibly proud to represent. economy. There are almost 100 villages set in undulating, Patrick Mercer came to politics after 25 years as a largely arable agricultural land, watered and too often soldier in a Nottinghamshire regiment, the Sherwood flooded by becks and tributaries of the River Trent. Foresters, and his strongly held views, particularly on Newark has been a meeting point for almost 1,000 years. defence and national security, were rooted in his own The Romans built a motorway through it, the Fosse experience of military service. He knew what it was like way, and later the Great North road. We have to put up 517 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 518 with the A1. The Normans built a castle, later replaced is not only to finish the job—there are, after all, no final by Bishop Alexander of Lincoln’s summer palace, or at victories in politics; all achievements, however hard least that is what he told the King when asking permission won, can be and are undone—but to position towns like to build it. That castle was slighted by Cromwell after Newark and, indeed, the country as a dynamic and Newark surrendered following its third siege in the civil optimistic place, living and trading courageously, face war. No town stood alone longer. No people proved turned to the world. more resilient. Its fall was the last order of Charles I, In times of great change, a sense of anxiety can the price of his own surrender to the Scots at Kelham, prevail, which brings me back to the subject of today’s having arrived at the Saracen’s Head in Southwell late debate, the importance of remembering our past and the night before from Oxford, disguised as a priest. doing so in a manner that reflects and enriches our During the recent by-election, the same inn played values. On 10 August this year in Newark, young and host to the leader of the United Kingdom Independence old together will recreate the rally and great march from party, who arrived from Malta, not in disguise as far as our market square to Radcliffe-on-Trent undertaken on I know, but also heading to Kelham, in this case for the the same day in 1914, six days after war was declared, election count—although he too has not always enjoyed by hundreds of young men, who went on to training being at the mercy of the Scots. Newark will soon boast and ultimately to the trenches. Fewer than half of those the first national civil war museum. Having experience men returned. Proportionally, Newark was one of the of the arts business, supporting our heritage sector, most affected towns in the UK. On 24 August, Newark particularly in the regions, where funding has been football club will recreate the peace or truce match in limited, I intend to contribute on the subject. Ypres, playing a German side from our twinned town, Newark’s economy has at various times relied on inspired by William Setchfield, the Newark lad widely wool, beer, grain, sugar, cream cakes, transport and credited with sparking the famous match 100 years ago antiques. The economy is growing, with 8,000 new jobs this Christmas. created since 2010. Newark has a high proportion of Southwell minster has hosted an evocative collection small and medium-sized businesses. My parents set up of local memories that I enjoyed taking a primary school their own manufacturing business at our kitchen table to visit, entitled “No Greater Love”. Love is, I think, and I will seek to support many Newark constituents the key: to those who served our country, we offer taking personal risks, working hard and pursuing belatedly our love by remembering and better understanding enterprising lives by defending low and simple taxation what they experienced, placing young people and education and light and flexible regulation. front and centre, and displaying the British virtue of An area whose virtue has long been location, location, being thoughtful and compassionate, able to look outward location urgently needs investment in its creaking and to the future without neglecting our past. infrastructure, whether that is a southern relief road for It is an honour to serve as Member of Parliament for Newark, increased services on the Lincoln-Newark- Newark. In doing so, I will act with the hopes, dreams Nottingham railway and east coast main line or broadband and aspirations of Newark as my guide. for our underserved rural communities. A growing population requires appropriate public services, particularly health care, whether that be ensuring the long-term 1.42 pm future of Newark’s cherished hospital or ensuring that Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): With other our ambulance service is fit for purpose. There is a Members of the House, I welcome the hon. Member for sentiment that Newark has not been front of mind for Newark (Robert Jenrick) to his place. I knew his predecessor decision makers. Being a hidden gem is all well and well and often heard his views on defence. We did not good, but this one now requires some attention. always agree, but more often than not, we did. I should I am also conscious of how this little corner of apologise, because family commitments meant that I England can prosper on a wider, global stage. I join this am one of the Members who has not visited his constituency House having spent the last four years managing a lately. I therefore found it particularly interesting to British business expanding by entering new markets, hear his description, which may explain why so many accepting wholeheartedly the challenge and reward of Members flocked there. I recognise his hope that there globalisation. Newark businesses are succeeding in the will be no more by-elections for Newark and that we global race. Our architects, Benoy, have grown from will now enter a period of stability. designing the local cowsheds to designing the shopping malls of China. I want to see more such businesses in If the hon. Gentleman is right and the view he takes my constituency. in this House is one of “investment, investment, investment”, particularly in services, I think he will get a This is in many ways one of the greatest times to be great deal of support from across the House. Investment alive, when much of what we thought we knew is wrong, in schools, educational standards and skills for young with the shift in power from west to east, the financial people is something that many Members agree on. markets turned upside down and the internet upending old industries. But our success depends greatly on whether Today is a difficult day on which to make a maiden we can deliver the best schools and skills to young speech, because we have already heard some stunning people, preparing them for the jobs of the future. My speeches from Members on both sides of the House. It constituency is blessed with some outstanding schools—the is interesting to see the hon. Gentleman at the heart of Minster, Toot Hill and Tuxford—and a growing number parliamentary unity, surrounded by Conservative Members. of quality apprenticeships. I will make it my priority to I hope that he continues to occupy such a harmonious raise educational standards in Newark—a town that, place with members of his party. for all its many virtues, suffers areas of deprivation I must admit to some shenanigans on my part. On where we must do all we can to increase opportunity for Sunday, I attended a church service in Kenfig Hill, all. The challenge as we emerge from the great recession celebrating a week of community activities in Kenfig Hill 519 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 520

[Mrs Madeleine Moon] The scouts and children were never told exactly why the Government needed conkers, but they collected them alongside a commemoration of the first world war. In with energy. So successful were their efforts that more the service, the address was led by the Venerable Philip conkers were collected than could be transported, and Morris, archdeacon of Margam and priest in charge at piles rotted at railway stations, but 3,000 tonnes of the parish of Ewenny and St Brides Major. When we conkers made it to their destination, the Synthetic Products came out of the church, I sidled up to the archdeacon Company of King’s Lynn, where they were used to and said, “Great sermon! Can I borrow it?” As a result, produce acetone, needed for the manufacture of cordite, much that the House will hear today the archdeacon which was the propellant for shells and bullets. helped me write. The scheme had been created by the Ministry of It is only appropriate that I commemorate the Munitions, run by that great Welshman, David Lloyd archdeacon’s part in this speech, because I too wanted George. The programme was kept secret until after the to talk about how people in our local communities and war for fear that the Germans would learn of the idea. the surrounding area played a part in the British war The wartime Government refused to disclose the purpose effort, in the trenches and at home. Many of the youngsters of the collection of conkers and, rather oddly, the who went to war came from farm labouring jobs and Ministry of Defence, when questioned, was not clear in had a very limited understanding of the wider world. its answer, stating only that the conkers were needed for For most of them, going as far as the large town of “certain purposes”. That sounds like the sort of answer Bridgend would have been a huge achievement; to get we get even today. as far as Cardiff would have been beyond their belief; My right hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth and crossing the Severn into England would have been (Mr Campbell) said he thought his great-uncle would viewed with dread. Yet many joined the Glamorgan have been proud to know that 100 years later my right Yeomanry, headquartered in Bridgend, and on 9 August hon. Friend would be a Member of the House. My boarded a troopship—the SS Arcadian, which sailed grandfather, Driver A.E. Ironside, 17785, would have from Devonport—for the front. been amazed that women had the vote, and even more Instead of arriving at “the front”, the Glamorgan amazed that we were allowed into this House. He was Yeomanry, knowing only the wet and the cold of the called up at the start of the war and left on a troopship Welsh countryside, arrived in Alexandria in Egypt. We on 14 August from Limerick. His first nine days at the need to remember that the front was not just in France front were peaceful, if rather damp, but from 23 August and Belgium. Instead of wet and rainy, the place they he and his compatriots were under constant fire, arrived at was hot and dusty. On the first day in camp, often running to abandoned positions and seeing many there was a sandstorm in which many of their tents wounded, as he saw action at the battles of Le Cateau were blown away, never to be recovered. They fought and Mons. the Germans in Libya and Egypt, and the Turks in My grandfather’s diary for 5 September records: Palestine, and eventually they were taken to Marseilles to participate in the last big push in France. Four “We arrived in Monthyon stayed here for the night properly hundred and fifty-three officers and 7,661 other ranks knocked out both horses and men. We found this place upside down with people. The houses its terrible to see the poor people of the Glamorgan Yeomanry were killed or wounded. on the road in a large cart and they don’t know where to go for For many children, the war years are remembered in safety, its heart breaking.” the lines of Dylan Thomas, whose 100th anniversary is One of the places such people went was Porthcawl in also this year. He wrote of his childhood in the “ugly, my constituency. The hon. Member for Broadland lovely town” of Swansea, (Mr Simpson) said that we should remember the Belgians. “This sea town was my world…and…beyond that...a country Well, in Porthcawl we do remember the Belgians, because called ‘The Front’ from which many of our neighbours never in my local museum, where we are commemorating came back. At the beginning, the only ‘front’ I knew was the little lobby before our front door; I could not understand how so many Porthcawl’s engagement in the first world war, there is a people never returned from there”. large display about the Belgians—about how 4,500 who That would have echoed with many children in the came to Wales found a welcoming place, and how Britain of 1914-18, though many were deeply involved people in Porthcawl took them in and helped them find in the war effort. Boy scouts were used to watch for their feet. invasion along the coast; they helped farmers on the According to the local paper, Porthcawl had land, because farm workers were going to the front. “done better than any place in the country, having regard to They helped during harvest; they acted as messengers population and other circumstances.” for Government Departments and as orderlies in hospitals, The same paper, the Porthcawl News, ran a Flemish helping those who had been injured at the front and glossary and a Belgian column in order to aid the brought home to hospitals in the country. Girl guides interaction between the Welsh people and the Belgians. worked on vegetable patches and, like the scouts, on The Porthcawl Belgian refugee committee, run by farms, digging and weeding, and they harvested fruit. councillors and citizens, organised the assimilation of Scouts and guides carried important messages and delivered the refugees into the community, managed donations to milk. They parcelled up clothing such as knitwear to be the refugee fund, found accommodation and employment sent to soldiers, and they learned first aid so that they for the refugees and placed Belgian children in local could help the injured. schools. Although the majority of the Belgians returned There is a great story, in what others have remarked is home after the war, in 1921 Britain had double the the wonderful BBC coverage, about how the scouts Belgian population. We must remember the efforts of contributed to the war effort by helping to collect those Welsh men, women and children at home, who conkers. The collection was described as opposed the Germans peacefully while the military gave “invaluable war work and…very urgent. Please encourage it.” their lives. 521 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 522

I urge Members not to go to by-elections but instead takes place every night at dusk at the Menin Gate. The to come to Porthcawl, where there is not going to be a next day at Tyne Cot cemetery, I made a point of going by-election, on 2 and 3 August to see and hear illustrated to look at the names of the fallen of the 1st Battalion 30-minute talks about Porthcawl during the war. They the Essex Regiment, to see whether there were any with can join the Glamorgan Family History Society, which the name of Russell. There was Private J. Russell. A few will help them to find members of their family who months earlier, my first grandson, Joseph Russell, had took part in the great war. There will be a recruiting been born. Following on from what the shadow Minister sergeant, period street events, and a Lions club vintage said, it was a poignant moment to see on a war memorial fair, and the Rotary club will have a vintage car display. the name of my first grandson. Joseph Russell, who will We will end, appropriately, with a service of reflection shortly be 13, will go later this year to the fields where at All Saints church, just as we will all be reflecting so much loss of life occurred, on a battlefields tour for throughout today. students. It is important that we bring to today’s generation 1.53 pm what happened 100 years ago. I am delighted that the Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): I congratulate the women of the war are to be featured. The poppy fields Minister and the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for is an excellent addition, which I hope will be featured. Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis), on two excellent speeches We had a bombing raid in Colchester in the great war, setting the tone of the debate. As has been said, this is which needs to be recognised and remembered. There the second debate that we have had on the subject, and are photographs showing the damage. we have not yet started the four years of commemoration On 5 and 6 July, the Colchester military festival will of the great war. I suspect there will be more debates to take place, in aid of ABF The Soldiers Charity—formerly come. I, too, pay tribute to everybody who has been the Army Benevolent Fund. Although the aim is to involved in preparing the ground, notably the Imperial show how important our armed forces are in the War museum and the BBC. Both those organisations 21st century, particularly in the garrison town of Colchester, are keen, as are the Government and Members across I think that it will set the scene for what happens from the House, that those should be commemorations, not 4 August onwards. In the autumn, Colchester Military celebrations, and that wherever possible they should be Wives Choir will sing in the town’s Mercury theatre. local commemorations. Again, that is not a direct first world war commemoration, I am delighted to say that in Colchester, local military but there is clearly a link. historian Jess Jephcott has set up a Facebook page for It is also worth mentioning that on 19 July the this purpose with just one line: “Colchester Remembers transformed Imperial War museum in London will 1914-1918”. On other webpages he kindly mentions a reopen to the public, revealing its brand-new first world public meeting that I convened in March this year war galleries, which will be free to the public. They will “to explore ways in which Colchester could commemorate the allow audiences young and old to explore what the first centenary of the First World War. Those persons who attended gave a positive response and comprised members from the armed world war was like, and to learn how terrible it was for forces, the Royal British Legion, youth organisations and private the hundreds of thousands of young men who came individuals. It was agreed that a vigil should be held on the from around the world to fight. I am delighted that the evening of the centenary of the first day of war being declared”, hon. Member for Canterbury (Mr Brazier) mentioned so at 7 pm on 4 August, just a few hours before the some of the countries that sent their young people to midnight deadline in Berlin was reached, we will gather fight. One of them was Canada. The Imperial War museum for a few minutes for a silent vigil—no banners, no great features an exhibit on the Canadian expeditionary force. speeches, just a silent vigil—because, of course, it was We are talking today about a war that commenced all going to be over by Christmas. 100 years ago; 100 years ago, it was the 100th anniversary We anticipate that there will be further commemorative of another war—one that has been airbrushed out of events over the next four years, culminating in a celebration this nation’s history. Those Members who have read to mark the end of hostilities on 7 November 1918. yesterday’s Hansard will have seen that yesterday I had a There are those who believe that the war ended in 1919, debate in Westminster Hall—it begins at column 88—on as I mentioned in the previous debate; some communities “History Curriculum: North American War, 1812-14”. believe that the war ended with the treaty of Versailles Had the Americans won that war—we won it—Canada in 1919, which is the date one sometimes sees on war would not have existed, and there would have been no memorials. The aim of the Colchester group is to welcome Canadian expeditionary force in 1914, because the United others to join them in creating appropriate events to States did not join the war until 1917. Who knows commemorate the various happenings, and to link up whether the war would still have been raging in 1917 with others who are planning similar events within the had it not been for the Canadians and others from the town and the local community. The idea is not to have a empire who took part? formal committee or a big group, but to bring in individuals I welcome this debate. It is important that we remember and groups such as the scouts, the guides or the Royal the history of 100 years ago, but we must also remember British Legion to organise their own events, using a history prior to that. central webpage in the hope of avoiding clashes. The 2.2 pm opening page concludes: “Does your locality’s war memorial need sprucing up? Has Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): I anybody done a transcription of your war memorial? Do you welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. have pictures of these men and women who served during WW1 I rise to speak not only as a Member of this House, but and stories to go with them?” as chair of the Northern Ireland First World War In the summer of 2001, I had the great honour of Centenary Committee. I also have the pleasure of visiting the battlefields when I accompanied the Colchester representing Northern Ireland on the national advisory sea cadet band, which played at the great ceremony that board for the commemorations. 523 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 524

[Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson] between the two parts of the island, based on mutual respect—the kind of respect that was in the hearts of I thank the Minister for the excellent work that he the men of the 10th and 16th Irish Divisions and the and his colleagues have undertaken in providing leaderships 36th Ulster Division who fought side by side at Messines for the centenary commemorations, which is very much in 1917. It is particularly poignant that Willie Redmond appreciated in Northern Ireland. The help and assistance was carried off the battlefield by men from the 36th that we have received from the Department in Whitehall Ulster Division, including Private John Meeke of the has not gone unnoticed. I also want to thank my 11th Inniskillings. colleagues on the committee in Northern Ireland, who In honour of men such as Captain Arthur O’Neill represent all the key stakeholders involved in the MP and Major Willie Redmond MP and the ideals they commemorations, for the excellent work they are upheld, we have chosen remembrance and reconciliation undertaking. I will say a little more later about the as the twin themes for the centenary commemorations programme being developed in Northern Ireland for in Northern Ireland. Our programme reflects that. On the centenary period. 4 August, as we mark the outbreak of the war, there will Mention has already been made of the worldwide be a special service at St Anne’s cathedral in Belfast significance of the war. It helped to shape the history of representing all traditions on the island of Ireland, Europe in the 20th century, and its impact on the island current and past. We will then have a candlelight vigil at of Ireland was particularly significant. Indeed, arguably the cenotaph at Belfast city hall, where representatives the events of that period continue to shape the history of the Government of Northern Ireland and the of Ireland today. Many of the men who fought in the Government of the Republic of Ireland will come together ranks of the 10th and 16th Irish Divisions and in in an act of remembrance. We hope to have, for the first regiments such as the Royal Irish Regiment, the Connaught time in Northern Ireland, the pipes and drums of the Rangers, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Munsters, the Royal Irish Regiment play alongside those of the Irish Leinsters and the South Irish Horse were Irish volunteers army band. committed to securing independence. Equally, the men We are planning other events as we look forward. I of the 36th Ulster Division, who filled the ranks of the acknowledge, as the Minister has reported to the House, Royal Irish Rifles, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the Inniskillings the excellent work being undertaken at Glasnevin cemetery. and the North Irish Horse, were Ulster volunteers who Not only have the war graves been restored to an believed passionately in maintaining the Union with excellent condition, but the erection there of the cross Britain. The future of Ireland was shaped not on the of sacrifice is particularly symbolic and significant. As streets of Dublin in 1916, but on the muddy, blood-soaked he pointed out, the cross not only sits in the shadow battlefields of the western front, where Irishmen from of Daniel O’Connell’s monument, the round tower, every province of the island fought side by side in but alongside Gladstone’s grave. Sorry. I do not mean common cause. Gladstone, who would not have been buried in Ireland— The first Member of this House to lose his life in the some people on my side of the House might have war was an Ulsterman, Captain Arthur Edward Bruce wanted to bury him in Ireland. I of course meant Parnell, O’Neill, who was the Member for Mid-Antrim, which is who was leader of the Irish nationalists. De Valera is now represented, at least in part, by my hon. Friend the buried there too. Alongside their graves we have that Member for North Antrim (Ian Paisley). Captain O’Neill fitting memorial to the men—56,000 of them—who left was killed in action while serving with the 2nd Life the island of Ireland and gave their lives in defence of Guards at Klein Zillebeke ridge on 6 November 1914 at our freedom. the age of 38. He was the father of Captain Terence Looking ahead, in 2015 we will join others from O’Neill, who became Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. across the Commonwealth at Gallipoli, where the Irish Captain O’Neill served with valour. In November this made a significant contribution at the battle there. In year, with Mr Speaker’s permission, we hope to hold a 2016, the centenary of the battle of Jutland, there small act of remembrance at the war memorial in will be a particular focus on HMS Caroline, which is Westminster Hall in memory of the honourable Captain based in Belfast harbour and currently being restored Arthur Edward Bruce O’Neill MP. by the National Museum of the Royal Navy. I thank the Minister and his colleagues for helping us to secure not Another Member of this House to die in action only the retention of HMS Caroline in Belfast but the during the great war while representing an Irish constituency funding that will now see her restored to her former was Major Willie Redmond. He was killed in action glory and right at the heart of the commemoration of while serving with the 6th Battalion the Royal Irish the battle of Jutland. Regiment at Messines ridge on 7 June 1917 at the age of In 2016, it is the centenary of the battle of the 56. He was a committed Irish nationalist, and brother Somme, which is seared into the collective memory of of the leader of the Irish parliamentary party in this the people of Ulster. The men of the 36th (Ulster) House. In the winter of 1916, months before his death Division were at the forefront of the battle of the and in the aftermath of the slaughter at the Somme, Willie Somme. On that fateful morning of 1 July, thousands of Redmond wrote these words to Arthur Conan Doyle: those men lost their lives or went missing in action as a “It would be a fine memorial to the men who have died so result of their heroic efforts. Indeed, a number of them splendidly if we could, over their graves, build up a bridge won the Victoria Cross. We are participating in the between North and South.” national project across the United Kingdom to mark After the war, the lines were drawn across Ireland and the memories of the men who won the Victoria Cross the bridges were broken down. We all know the history during the first world war with the placing of a stone of the decades that followed that war. Today, in the in their town of birth. This will be done not only in 21st century, those bridges that Willie Redmond spoke Northern Ireland but in the Republic of Ireland, where of are being built. They are bridges of co-operation the Irish Government have consented to receive the 525 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 526 stones to mark these men. We very much welcome the Of course, even today, conflicts go on across the world, fact that they will have their memories commemorated but, thank goodness, we do not see them in our own in that way. country or across much of Europe. That is very much to In 2017 we mark the centenary of the battle of be welcomed. Messines, when the Irish Divisions fought alongside the I congratulate the Government and all the political Ulster Division. We intend to mark that particularly parties on the events that will take place throughout this poignant occasion in a number of ways, bringing together memorial year, because it is right that we remember. For people from across the island of Ireland. Finally, of many of us, perhaps, this is history, and when we see course, we move towards the centenary of the armistice things about battles on television and in films, it brings in 2018. We are considering a major project that will home to us what happened. As the generations of leave a lasting legacy of the centenary of the first world young people go by, they need to be reminded of it, not war in Northern Ireland. in a bloodthirsty way but in a way that shows them the I want to conclude my remarks with two quotations. loss of life that took place and what happens in war, so At this time, it is the people who served and those who that we can try to bring about a situation where there is were left behind at home that we remember most. far less war in future. Captain Wilfred Spender served with the 36th (Ulster) I very much welcome the centenary apprenticeship Division at the battle of the Somme. After the battle, as scheme that the Government have launched, which he reflected on the heroics of the men who had gone out encourages 100 companies that existed 100 years ago, at to fight that morning, he wrote these words: the start of the first world war, to offer apprenticeships. “I am not an Ulsterman but yesterday, the 1st. July, as I That is a very good scheme. followed their amazing attack, I felt that I would rather be an I have strongly supported Devon county council in its Ulsterman than anything else in the world.” commemorative project, Devon Remembers. We have A number of those men won the Victoria Cross that to make sure that the memorials in all our villages are morning. The sacrifice was enormous. remembered, maintained, and brought up to a reasonable The Minister mentioned the cultural side of the standard. centenary, with the war poetry and the music, and all The Woodland Trust is planting four woods across that is very important. I want to quote one verse from a the country, and that is a very good idea. With my poem written by Susan Adams from Pipers Hill in Lisburn farming background and my great belief in growing in my constituency. It is a tribute to her son, Private things, I think there is nothing better than a tree as a Ralph Adams of the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, living thing that represents bringing things to life again who was killed in action on 1 July 1916. She wrote this: after such a terrible war. “In afar distant land though his body now rests. In Beer, a small village in my constituency on the Far from his home and the ones he loved best, coast of south Devon, men who were called up to the Still deep in our hearts his memory we’ll keep, Royal Naval Reserve marched along the streets to a band Sweet is the place where he now lies asleep.” as they went off to war. That will be commemorated Those words remind us that whether in the far-off fields on 3 August, 100 years on, when the same thing will of France or in the graveyards across this United Kingdom, happen again. it is the men and women who fought and died whom this centenary is most about. Even politicians were not immune. The hon. William Walrond was Member of Parliament for Tiverton from 2.14 pm 1906—a little while before me. He died in 1915 while Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): It gives serving as a lieutenant with the Royal Army Service me great pleasure to follow the right hon. Member for Corps during the first world war. His name is listed on Lagan Valley (Mr Donaldson), who made a very poignant the memorial to the dead in Westminster Hall and is on point about how Ireland fought together in the first one of the 42 heraldic shields in the House of Commons world war. I am sure that that spirit will mean that all Chamber commemorating each of the MPs killed during people can live together in Ireland in future. I thank the both world wars. Minister and the shadow Minister for their great It is not possible for me to attend the Remembrance contributions to this debate, which is a very poignant day services in all the villages and towns in my constituency, moment for us to remember the war. I congratulate the because they are so spread out, but I attend services in hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick) on an excellent Honiton, Tiverton, Axminster and Seaton on an alternate maiden speech. We look forward to many great speeches basis. On reading the list of names, I find it poignant from him. The people of Newark are very well represented that the number of those killed in the first world war is in this place. probably two to three times the number of those killed As we stand here some 100 years on from the start of in the second world war, and many of the family names the first world war, we take so much for granted—our of those who lost loved ones in the first world war are freedom of speech and our ability to vote in democratic repeated on the list of those who died in the second elections. We must remember the 887,000 soldiers from world war. That is what brings it home to me. We need the United Kingdom and the British empire and the to remember that and create a memorial that is about more than 1.6 million in total who were killed in that not which country was right and which was wrong, but conflict. We must remember that at that time there were bringing those countries together. It is good that we significantly lower populations in this country and across now remember alongside not only France and Belgium, the world, so a huge percentage of young men were cut but Germany. down. Perhaps some will dispute this, but—dare I say My mother is 89 and our family were fortunate, it—it was such a pointless, needless war: a war of because five of her uncles went to war from farms in imperial powers muscling up to each other to see who Somerset, with their horses, and all five of them returned. was the greatest. Such a waste of life is quite unbelievable. That was, of course, very unusual, and we were blessed 527 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 528

[Neil Parish] “to crush that beautiful Germany of Beethoven, Schubert, Martin Luther and Schiller but we do have to smash the military caste.” that so many of our family returned. The relatives of That was his view at the time and it is an interesting many of my constituents did not return, so it is very good observation. that we are holding this, not celebration, but memorial My great-uncle is buried near Albert, in the Peronne to what happened in the first world war. The treaty of road cemetery, which I will visit this summer to pay my Versailles led very much to the rise of Hitler and the respects. I add my thanks to all those involved in the Nazis and all that followed. Let us in the 21st century Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the work remember what happened in the 20th century and pray they do. I think that the speech of the hon. Member for to God that we do not let it happen again. Broadland (Mr Simpson) will stand the test of time: people should read and take note of it, because it was 2.22 pm fascinating on many levels. Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): It is a My grandfather was blown up on the Somme on pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Tiverton and 12 July. He came back very badly injured and could Honiton (Neil Parish), particularly given his comments never get life insurance as a result. These were the days about the four proposed woods. Many of us will be able when post-traumatic stress disorder was not recognised. to picture photographs and Paul Nash’s paintings of How did he cope with what he had done and what he the destroyed trees and their stumps. The proposal is an had seen? It is very interesting and it is only as I grew appropriate part of the commemoration process. older and when I was an adult that I understood some It is always a privilege to listen to a good maiden of his behaviour. He used to take himself off to his speech: we certainly heard one today, and I welcome the allotment to be by himself. When family were present hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick) to his place. and people were chatting, he would not involve himself I am sure that most of us have listened to many in the conversation. He would go off and play the piano excellent BBC programmes and heard many moving in a very solitary way. He never, ever talked about his accounts from the men who served. I want to add to experience. I think that was the only way in which he those accounts. No account is more poignant to me could manage and deal with the horrors he had seen. than the diary entry I am going to read now. It is dated Everyone present probably has a similar family story. 17 August 1914 and is from the diary of my great-uncle We also need to remember those on the home front, Lieutenant George Ward of the Duke of Cornwall’s including the women who worked in the munitions Light Infantry, who was killed in action on 24 August factories, and the terrible risks they faced at the time. 1916. His cousin, Gordon Clarke, wrote to his brother—my Today we talk of urgent operational requirements, grandfather—who was recovering from serious wounds but the speed with which the Government moved following received earlier in the battle of the Somme, that he had the outbreak of war and the way in which cities such as seen George a couple of days earlier and he was in good Plymouth responded was astonishing. We should remember spirits. The date of that letter was 24 August, the day he that in those days, they sent telegrams rather than text was actually killed. There are so many stories like that, messages. Local historian Derek Tait notes that by and Gordon was killed four days later. 9 August the Government had already taken over control My great-uncle wrote: of the railways and all regular schedules were suspended. “Europe is plunged into an awful war, what the issue will be no Five of the 14 Plymouth-based ships were sunk during one can say. What waste of human life.” the battle of Jutland, including HMS Indefatigable. She He also expressed concerns about the problems of the had seen action in the Dardanelles, but was sunk after slums in Britain and the need for money to be spent her magazine exploded following two or three direct there, and questioned whether the war would be just hits. Only two of her 1,019 crew members survived. and sensible. For a very young man, he was prescient in When we think about the losses experienced in the his concern about the size and scale of what was about trenches, let us also not forget the huge loss of life at sea to happen. Nevertheless, even with his misgivings and or, indeed, the short life expectancy of pilots flying for concern for the poor in Britain, he felt that it was his the Royal Flying Corps in those early planes that seemed duty to serve. He had been a member of the Congregational to be held together with nothing more than string. Church and the Boys Brigade and had been involved in Flying boats also took off from Mount Batten. Plymouth adult school evening classes. is a very rare thing indeed—a place where all three forces have been based simultaneously. The city of Plymouth My great-uncle also wrote to his parents to tell them will, of course, be holding many commemorations. The of the great conflict in his soul about joining up. He felt city museum is running a series of exhibitions that I that he should be away with his fellow countrymen hope people will go along to. fighting a noble cause, which was difficult because his parents were staunch pacifists. In fact, my great-uncle HMS Warspite was launched in 1913 from Devonport, George’s name is not on the local war memorial because where she began her distinguished career as the most his father would not allow it to appear. That is a cause decorated ship in the Royal Navy. Plymouth was one of of enormous sadness to me, but it was very strongly felt the most important ports and that remains the case and that is why his name does not appear. today. Of course, our merchant navy also went in and out of Plymouth, Portsmouth and elsewhere. We should In my great-uncle’s letter to his parents, he said: take time to consider the losses that it incurred and the “Could we have reasonably remained neutral without prejudice bravery of those men who sailed and kept this country to our national honour? I think not!” supplied. That was the view of an ordinary man at the start of the conflict. Clearly he had his fears and he queried the Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): I congratulate jingoistic comments in some newspapers. He wrote the hon. Lady on the excellent speech she is making. about not wanting Has she visited, as I have, the fantastic memorial to the 529 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 530 merchant navy by the Tower of London? It is very least because it allows me to congratulate my hon. moving—it lists the ships sunk and the loss of life on Friend the Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick) on an each of them—and does she agree that it is a very excellent maiden speech. It could not have been improved, special memorial for a nation that has always depended even—I am sure that we all agree—with the insertion of on the sea? the words “long-term economic plan”. He will have the pleasure of knowing that no hon. Member will ever Alison Seabeck: Indeed. The hon. Gentleman is absolutely have to look up his constituency when they want to correct. I urge people who come to London and visit refer to him in a debate. the tower to go to see the memorial, particularly this I want to start by paying tribute to the fallen, of year or during the coming four years. whom 6,000 were from my city of Portsmouth, and to Interestingly, the war coincided with the amalgamation the wounded, of whom 18,000 were from my city. It is of three towns—Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse— right that we remember their sacrifice and commemorate into what we now know as the city of Plymouth. It was them, but I wish to focus my remarks on those from my as Plymouth that citizens rallied around to support the city who—today—have been of immense service in enabling troops and to care for the injured. Some 120,000 soldiers us to do just that. mobilised out of Plymouth in just four days between 5 and 9 August. Like many other cities, we had Pals Mr Charles Haskell has given time, artefacts, money regiments. and effort to build the World War One Remembrance Centre at Fort Widley, which opened last year. I believe I again thank the Plymouth Herald and local historians that it is the only world war one museum in the south of for drawing my attention to the Plymouth Argyle players England, with the exception of the Imperial War museum. who enlisted. Jack Cock earned the military medal for As well as a record of events and personal stories, it has bravery in the field. At one stage, he was pronounced artefacts donated by local people displayed there. Volunteers missing presumed dead, but, fortunately for his family have recreated a trench experience, which has been a and for the club, that was not the case. He went on to real draw with schoolchildren from across the region. It score 72 league goals, as well as to play for England. I is a real labour of love, and I commend the work of am sure that the current Green Army are very proud of Mr Haskell and his volunteers on their remarkable their club’s players, and of their bravery and sacrifice. achievement. Many schools in the city were converted for a range I pay tribute to the vision of Bob Beech, Portsmouth of uses, including as hospitals, and the city saw the football club and the researcher Alan Laishley, who return of injured Australians from the dreadful battle of have documented the stories and sacrifice of the Pompey Gallipoli, as well as the opening of a hospital specifically Pals—my city’s response to the initiative of General for US servicemen. Troops from across the empire—from Sir Henry Rawlinson. In August 1914, the Portsmouth Canada, India and New Zealand—set off from Plymouth, citizens patriotic recruiting committee called on the and we should remember the sacrifices of those men men of the city not already occupied in essential war alongside those of other allies. work to form Portsmouth’s own battalion. It was not Such a wealth of information on which to draw gives long before the city—including the surrounding areas us a very varied picture of what happened and of how of Gosport, Havant, Waterlooville and Petersfield—had individuals responded to the dreadful challenges they raised two battalions, which were formally known as faced and the sights they witnessed. I was therefore a the 14th and 15th Portsmouth Battalions, the Hampshire little surprised to read an article sent by my great-uncle, Regiment. Like the other Pals battalions, which formed Lieutenant Ward that was printed in the Romford Recorder, a major part of Kitchener’s new Army, they served on because he gave it very much warts and all; there was no the western front from the middle years of the war and censorship. He described feeling happy to be alive but faced a baptism of fire on the killing grounds of the went on in graphic detail to describe the shelling of his Somme. By the end of the war, 1,400 of the Pompey trench and wrote about a private Pals had made the ultimate sacrifice. In August, a “wild-eyed, white and haggard looking, plastered with mud asking memorial to them will be unveiled at Fratton Park, for urgent help for the ‘Durhams’ who have got it.” which will ensure that their sacrifices are remembered He also talked about the bravery and calmness of the often. stretcher bearers, and particularly about a Corporal I am very grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Swain, a man from Cornwall. It is therefore interesting which has given my city’s museum a grant of £97,000 to that when I was on a walk along the cliffs at Pentire support the Lest We Forget project. It has gathered point in Cornwall, I came across a plaque which reads: volunteers from across Portsmouth to record and gather “For the Fallen stories and to run community events to enable us all to Composed on these cliffs, 1914”. remember. The whole city has responded to that and The words by Laurence Binyon have already been other initiatives. Churches, community groups, the creative mentioned, but they are worth repeating: industries and other organisations are all taking the “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. opportunity to discover their local history and the Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. stories of the time, as well as to ensure that future At the going down of the sun and in the morning generations can do the same. I wish to pay tribute to all We will remember them.” the work that is going on, which is largely being done by volunteers. 2.32 pm I pay tribute to the work of the Department for Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): It is a Culture, Media and Sport, and the Under-Secretary of pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Plymouth, State for Defence, my hon. Friend the Member for Moor View (Alison Seabeck), who made a very personal South West Wiltshire (Dr Murrison), as well as of my speech. It is also a pleasure to speak in this debate, not hon. Friend the Member for Broadland (Mr Simpson), 531 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 532

[Penny Mordaunt] the equivalent of 45% of all those who served. This is a staggeringly tragic statistic. The research details the on whose committee on this House’s commemorations regiment in which the men served and when they were it has been my privilege to serve. It is right that so much killed. During the war years, there were just under 1,000 effort is being made for this centenary, and I thank households in the Trimdons. Every household would them not only for putting on national events, but for the have been affected in some way by the catastrophe of opportunities and support that have assisted my constituents the European battlefield. in creating some wonderful and lasting projects on this At the battle of the Somme, 11 sons from the Trimdons occasion—for the benefit of us all—to remember so many. were killed on that first day of July. By the end of the Lastly, we have quite rightly focused on world war one Somme campaign, 39 families had lost a son, husband, graves over the past few months and in this debate, and brother or father, half of them with no known graves. on second world war graves through the 70th anniversary For example, on 1 July, Private Martin Durkin served of D-day and other such events, but by comparison with the 26th Tyneside Irish Battalion, the Northumberland with those white stones, the wooden crosses of those Fusiliers. His battalion set off across no man’s land, who died in service between the wars often form a stark marching, according to a war diary and tatty contrast. I hope that we can create a similar “as if on parade under heavy machine gun and shell fire”. effort to ensure that their last resting places are also Private Durkin did not return to Trimdon Grange, has cared for and maintained. They deserve no less. no known grave and was one of his battalion’s 489 casualties that day. Private Barnes, of the 1st Battalion, 2.38 pm the Border Regiment, was from Lower Hogg street, Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): I congratulate the Trimdon Grange. Private Barnes was one of the many, hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick) on his maiden as the regiment’s war diary records, who was speech, which I thought was excellent. I, too, welcome “wiped out by machine gun fire in our own wires.” him to the House. The battalion suffered 619 casualties, and Private Barnes The first world war affected virtually every town and rests at Mailly Wood cemetery in France. On the same village in Britain. In every community there stands a day, Private Frederick Hunter of the Royal Fusiliers memorial to those who lost their lives fighting for their was one of his battalion’s 227 casualties who were country. In my constituency of Sedgefield, it is no involved in fierce hand to hand combat. Mr and Mrs Hunter different. From Hurworth on the river Tees in the south of Trimdon lost a son that day. to the former colliery village of Thornley in the north, The horror of the Somme went on until mid-November. those who served and died are honoured and remembered. Private Fred Shorthouse was killed at the Somme on At least 1,500 men from the constituency were killed 8 November 1916, just days before the end of the campaign. in the war to end all wars. In the town of Ferryhill, Fred was the second son of Mr and Mrs Shorthouse of more than 130 gave their lives; in the village of Chilton, 7 Pringle street in Trimdon Colliery to be killed in the more than 100; in the village of Thornley, 134; in space of six months. His brother had been wounded at Wingate, 147; and in Wheatley Hill, 96. All those Gallipoli and died earlier that year on 29 May. Private communities had something in common, which was Fred Shorthouse was also married. He lived with his that they were all colliery villages, and many men wife Mary at Lawson street, Trimdon Colliery. Their volunteered for the armed forces rather than go down son Arthur, was born on 4 April, 1914. Fred joined the the pit. In the Army, they were sure to be fed and 1st Battalion DLI in 1915. Shortly after, he wrote home clothed, and they would be able to stand up straight. to his mam and dad. He wrote: They of course believed that the war would be over in a “I was out to tea and supper on Saturday and was at a concert at few weeks. the Chapel...and last night again at a lecture so you see mother I am not wasting my time... the battalion is going foreign in a week I want to mention at this point two specific members or two...but it is not to fight we are for garrison duty abroad...we of the armed forces from my constituency who fought have not to fight so you see everything works together for good...The in that war. The first is 2nd Lieutenant Jack Youll, a only thing that will trouble me will be leaving the old homestead miner from Thornley who won the VC on June 15 1918 and the faces I love because you have been a good mother to me. I but was killed on 27 October at the battle of Vittorio will never forget you but we just have to hope for better days to Veneto in Italy. He did not survive the war. Thomas come”. Kenny, a private in the 13th battalion of the Durham Private Fred Shorthouse has no known grave. Light Infantry from Wheatley Hill received his VC from Many of the streets and terraces of the first world the King and went on to survive the war, spending the war Trimdons are no longer there, but it can still be rest of his life working down the pits of Wheatley hill recorded that Front street, Trimdon Grange, lost four and Wingate. men to the war. Railway row, Deaf Hill lost three. Cross I believe that the number of soldiers around the street, Trimdon Foundry, lost three. Kelloe Winning constituency commemorated on memorials to be an lost four. Coffee Pott row, Trimdon Colliery, lost four. underestimate in many cases. The war dead of the The Plantations, Trimdon Grange, lost five. The list Trimdons prove the case. In 1914 over 2,000 miners goes on. worked down the local pits, and the memorial on the The research undertaken by Adam Luke will be wall of St Albans church in Trimdon Grange tells us placed in a roll of honour and will detail not just those that 450 from the Trimdons served in the war. The from Trimdon who were killed during the First World memorial also lists the names of 94 who did not return. War, but those killed in all the wars since. The Trimdons There is also a memorial in Trimdon colliery that shares have given up 269 of their own in conflicts since 1914. I some of the same names. Research by Adam Luke, an want to commend the work Adam has done to ensure Oxford university student from Trimdon village, has that all those who have lost their lives from the Trimdons revealed that 199 men from the Trimdons were killed, will be remembered. 533 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 534

At 10.30pm on Monday 4 August, in St Mary Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): A long time Magdalene’s Church in Trimdon Village—like in many ago. other places of worship up and down the land—a candlelit vigil will take place to remember the 199 Trimdon Sir John Randall: It was indeed a long time ago and I men killed during the war to end all wars. The Trimdons’ can just about remember it. Just after my 18th birthday, loss was not unique, but it serves as a sobering reminder I was standing, literally, in the footprints in the pavement of the suffering our communities embraced between in Sarajevo, by the river Miljacka, where Gavrilo Princip 1914 and 1918. stood and fired those fateful shots that sparked the The horizons of the men from the Trimdons during conflagration we are discussing today. At the time, it those years were limited to going down the pit or going was chilling to think what had happened and what the to war. All that lay on the horizon for the women of the consequences were. As my hon. Friend the Member for Trimdons during those years was inevitably to live in a Broadland and others have said, the causes of the war pit village and marry a pitman. In 2014, all the pits have and who was to blame are matters for historians to closed and there is no world war. The horizon for the discuss at great length. I have noticed that a certain young people of Trimdon is broad and, for many, is lit amount of revisionism is going on in certain quarters, with optimism. Adam Luke is the grandson of a bus but I will leave that aside. Little did I realise then, of driver and is now at Oxford university, something that course, that Sarajevo, having been the trigger point for could never have been dreamed of during Fred Shorthouse’s such conflict would in a few decades again become the short life. The aspirations of our young people in the very centre of more conflict and killing in Europe in our second decade of the 21st century are many and varied. own era. It is down to us to ensure those aspirations are fulfilled I am afraid to say that the folly of us all as human in a world where neither death by coalfield disasters or beings is that we never seem to learn the lesson of world wars will ever happen again. history. That is why these commemorations have to be I want to end my speech by returning to Private Fred held and why we have to educate generation after generation Shorthouse and some words by his wife Mary. She in the hope that somehow those mistakes will eventually could not afford a sturdy memorial to sustain his memory be realised. We must remember, too, how easy it is to over the decades. Mary had instead a Remembrance fall into violent conflict. card printed. It read: I congratulate the Government and the country as “In loving memory of Private F Shorthouse, Beloved husband of a whole on the way in which they are embarking on Mary Shorthouse of Trimdon Colliery, Who fell in action, November this anniversary. There will be many commemorations 8th, 1916 aged 27 years. Deeply mourned by his loving wife and throughout the country—some grand, some major civic child. Gone, but not forgotten. ones, some local, some individual ones. In my own I hope someday my eyes shall see, small parish church, St Laurence in Cowley near Uxbridge, The face I loved so well, they are researching the names—not a great number—of I hope someday my hands shall clasp. those on the war memorial. We are still trying to track And never say farewell.” down the one lady whose name is on there—Olive We must ensure that our nation never says farewell to Latham. We have not yet found out about her history, those who served and died for their country.We must never who she was and why she is on the memorial. forget. That is why this debate and the commemorations I am proud to say that when a memorial was built to come are so important. and consecrated in Uxbridge after the first world war, we called it a “peace memorial”. I grew up thinking that 2.47 pm it might have been done in the ’70s—in a decade of awakening in which we felt that we should not be talking Sir John Randall (Uxbridge and South Ruislip) (Con): about war—but I found that that was the original name It is an honour to follow so many colleagues on both for our memorial. That is fitting, given that Uxbridge sides who have spoken so movingly, including my hon. was, and to some extent still is, a centre of non-conformism. Friend the Member for Broadland (Mr Simpson) and The hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View (Alison the right hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr Campbell), Seabeck) talked about her forebears in the congregational with whom I sparred gently over the years before I was church, and that applies to me, too. For many of the retired out of the service. But it is fitting that in this local people, at heart, there was a degree of pacifism but place, to which we all come from different walks of life perhaps there was a need for people to answer a stronger and different parts of the country, our memories of our calling to serve their country. constituents or our families reflect exactly what happened As we have heard movingly from many Members, 100 years ago, where so many people fought and died every family will have memories from those days while disregarding their status in society. That is reflected that have been told down the generations. Both my here today. grandfathers were in the forces. My maternal grandfather May I also say what an honour it was to listen to my was in the Royal Flying Corps, principally because he hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick)? was a woodwork teacher and the aeroplanes were made I have to say that that was a marvellous speech. As out of wood. He ended up doing important work someone who came to the House in a by-election I can mending the planes, so he did not have to serve on the say that it is all downhill from now on. The Whips will front line. My paternal grandfather, Bert Randall, joined have taken note of a speech like that and will mark my the Royal Horse Artillery and kept a diary. Being a hon. Friend down for plenty of statutory instrument good Randall, as I hope I have been, we always obey the and delegated legislation committees because that is rules. He wrote his diary every day, but it ceased as soon what it is all about. as he went overseas, when keeping a diary was not Just after my 18th birthday— allowed. 535 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 536

[Sir John Randall] women, particularly Scots but some English women, who served on that front. Although they are much feted It is fascinating to read what my grandfather had for in Serbia and elsewhere, we know very little about them breakfast, lunch, dinner and many other things from over here—something we should try to rectify. day to day, but it does not provide the sort of insightful, Those women mostly went out as nurses. One particular deep and philosophical thoughts of which we have woman, not in the first flush of youth, had been rather heard from other diaries. I noticed from the diary that snubbed over here. She wanted to join up and do he started off with a boyish enthusiasm, joining up with nursing, but they did not think she had enough his mates going off to war. While he was training, first qualifications, so she joined the Red Cross and went in Reading and then in Norfolk, it is possible to see that over to Serbia, where along with various others who enthusiasm being tempered, as he realised that some of had volunteered, she was thrown into the middle of an his comrades were being sent off to France to fill the horrendous typhus epidemic. In the early days of the gaps as a result of all the casualties. The realisation that war, more soldiers were dying there from typhus than this was not a game was dawning on him. they were from battle wounds. Many of the nurses and One of the most poignant pieces of memorabilia doctors succumbed to the disease, but these women pertaining to my grandfather is provided by a little note gallantly turned some of these hospitals round. he sent. He was on the front line in France, manning a Then, as the Serbian army pushed back, something gun limber, and the horse was blown up underneath began to happen in 1915. I hope that we shall take part him, wounding him quite severely. He came home on a in some of the commemorations of it next year, because hospital train and I have the very note he scribbled out the British were involved, although not as much as in pencil, which he gave to someone to deliver to his some. The Serbian nation—I say “nation” because this mother in Uxbridge, saying “I’m all right, I’m safe”. He included the Parliament, the King, bishops, the army said he did not know why he was being sent to Nottingham and many civilians—retreated across the Albanian when he was only a few miles away from her, but he told mountains along to the Adriatic coast, and thence to her, “Don’t worry, Mum, I’m okay”. I find that incredibly the island of Corfu. It was a terrible retreat, during moving, because these stories are all about people. I am which hundreds of thousands of people died. It is sure that many of us here are parents and we can hardly interesting to note that the Albanian people allowed the begin to imagine the horror of seeing one’s children Serbian army to pass freely. Some of the rivalries about going off to war. which we hear today may not be as long-lasting as we My grandfather never wanted to talk about the war—it probably assume. could be an example of that non-conformism. On At the time of the retreat, a nurse, Flora Sandes, Remembrance Sundays, my father who had served in decided to enlist in the Serbian army. She did not see the second world war was very happy to wear a poppy, why she, as a woman, should not be able, or allowed, to but my grandfather was not. I think it was the horrors do what a man could do. The Serbian army were a little he had seen. He never really wanted to talk about it. bit sceptical, but they needed every person they could That stays with me. get. They thought that somehow having one of their Thankfully, both those grandparents returned home, allies—a British person—alongside them would be a but not everybody in Uxbridge was so lucky. Lord morale-booster, and so it proved to be. Flora joined up Hillingdon was one whose son, the honourable Charles as a private, and she did not get many special favours. Mills, died in action. He was killed in 1915 when Lord She was on that terrible retreat, and she went to Corfu. Hillingdon was the sitting Member of Parliament for After the French and the British had enabled those on Uxbridge. Everybody is affected and, as I said earlier, the retreat to convalesce and re-equip themselves, they we have to educate every generation about what happened. arrived at the Salonika front. Flora Sandes was very We have talked about some of the excellent schemes seriously injured. that have been put in place—that of the Institute of As I have said, I do not think that we in this country Education, for example—and there has been a have fully recognised that at a time when women did not concentration on the western front. It is quite easy to have the vote and it was very rare for them to be send schoolchildren across to France and Belgium to doctors, women such as Flora Sandes not only wanted see the moving war cemeteries, the Menin Gate and so to do such work, but were given an opportunity to do it forth. We have to remember, however, that the war was in a place that was not their own. There is an excellent fought on many fronts and that many people lost their book on the life of Flora Sandes and others, and I have lives throughout the world. In my own borough of to say that the more I read such stories, the more of a Hillingdon, there is an obvious link with the wider feminist I become. That may seem unlikely, but it is true. world where graves of Australian and New Zealand The Scots did not only send nurses. They, as well as servicemen can be found at Harefield church, which has the French, took some of the young people from Serbia an annual Anzac day service at which local school- who had gone on that terrible retreat—many of them children put a little Australian or New Zealand flag on had been orphaned—into their homes, where they were the graves. Harefield is one of the smallest villages looked after. I think that some connections still exist. in Middlesex—it is still there, still a village and still in Scotland took a very proud part in those events, and is Middlesex—but it was home to two Victoria Cross remembered very fondly in the Balkans as a result. recipients in the first world war. We know that we must engage in these commemorations Returning to my theme of remembering what happened for the reasons that I have already given, but I also elsewhere, I shall talk briefly about the conflict on the remember an experience that I had a few years ago, just Salonika front. I shall do so not only because I studied before we had to vote on the war in Iraq. I took two of the history and languages of the Balkans at university, my children—it was half term—to the site of the battle but because I discovered recently the story of British of Waterloo, and also to the cemeteries and trenches of 537 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 538 the first world war. I am not a great military historian recorded and then engraved on one of the war memorials like my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland that are to be found in villages and towns throughout (Mr Simpson), but I think it important for people to Europe. know about their history. In another of Owen’s celebrated poems, “Dulce et When I saw, face to face, the reality—the enormity—of Decorum Est”, the poet exposes “the old lie” that it is what armed conflict means in terms of human life, it sweet and noble to die for one’s country. However, quite became very difficult for me to say that I had the right apart from the horrendous ways in which the young to send people to their deaths. There are times when we men died—which was, of course, what the poet was have to do it, and I recognise that: I am not a pacifist by referring to in his closing couplet—this was not a war nature. However, it makes us all have to think, because that sprung from noble causes. On the contrary, it was making such decisions is not an easy matter. For that inspired by competing imperial foreign policies. Speaking reason, I am thankful that I had the opportunity to at an event in Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this make that visit. month, the Nobel peace prize winner Mairead Maguire Let us go forward into these commemorations. Let us argued that try to ensure, for the sake of those men and women who “The shot fired in Sarajevo a century ago set off, like a starting gave their lives—and those men and women whose lives pistol, a race for power, two global wars, a Cold War, a century of were ruined for ever because of all the trauma, which immense, rapid explosion of death and destruction.” might have been gassing or might have been just what The worst lie of all was the claim that this would be the they saw, and were never really mended afterwards—that war to end all wars. In hindsight, we see that the end of those lives were not given in vain. We must do everything the conflict in 1918 only marked the prelude to mass we can to try to avoid the follies that we end up going unemployment, depression and, eventually, a second into. world war. During a period of convalescence in July 1917, the 3.5 pm soldier and poet Siegfried Sassoon wrote a letter to his Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) commanding officer renouncing the war effort. Copies (PC): I want to associate myself with the tributes that of the letter were printed in newspapers under the title have been paid by Members in all parts of the House “Finished with the War: A Soldier’s Declaration”, and to the millions of people, of all nationalities, who lost Sassoon’s words were quoted during a debate in this their lives during the first world war. I must admit, place by Hastings Lees-Smith, MP.In his letter, Sassoon however, that I have been somewhat uncomfortable lamented the fact that the war with the way in which debates surrounding the “on which I entered as a war of defence and liberation, has now commemorations of the “great war” have been framed become a war of aggression and conquest.” in recent months. He further added: At the end of October 2012, my hon. Friend the “I am not protesting against the conduct of the war, but Member for Arfon (Hywel Williams) and I tabled an against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting early-day motion criticising the Government’s decision men are being sacrificed.” to spend £50 million on plans to commemorate the He only escaped a court martial by being diagnosed centenary of the beginning of the war, in an attempt, as with shell shock and declared unfit for service. the Prime Minister put it, to replicate the national A year later, the Army officer Charles Carrington “spirit” that marked the Queen’s diamond jubilee said: celebrations. We argued then that, in view of the fact “England was beastly in 1918…Envy, hatred, malice and all that an estimated 10 million soldiers and 7 million uncharitableness, fear and cruelty born of fear seemed the dominant civilians had lost their lives and 20 million had been passions of the leaders of nations in those days.” seriously wounded, any attempt to observe the centenary A recent editorial in The Irish Times summarises the in a jubilant manner would be deeply insensitive. With political capital of the debate rather well. The piece, that in mind, I have been greatly heartened by the published on 18 June this year, points out that themes that have featured in today’s debate. commemorations of the first world war have This should not be, as some have argued, an opportunity “been a battle for the control of memory as much as it has been to celebrate the “best of British” spirit. It should not be about remembering those who were killed.” used as an excuse to redraft the national curriculum so It also argues: that schoolchildren, in England at least, are taught a “Today, the fight to control history continues, since the war is skewed, victorious version of history. The first world seen though the prism of the growing debate about the need to war should rather be remembered as the unnecessary define and assert ‘British values’ in a changing cultural landscape.” massacre that it was. It was, after all, the first industrialised That is perhaps what Jeremy Paxman had in mind when war of its kind, and marked the first occasion on which he commented recently: chemical gas, machine guns and tanks had been used on “The events now are so built upon by writers and attitudinisers such a scale. and propaganda that the actual events seem submerged.” Men and boys rushed to enlist, thinking that it would It is fitting, of course, that part of the commemorations “all be over by Christmas”. The military leaders who will include the reopening of the Imperial War museum. led them into battle were utterly unprepared for how The museum fulfils a highly important role in educating long the conflict would last, and for the horrors that generations about the realities of war, and it should be trench warfare would bring about. The fate that awaited commended on the work that it does, but we should not them, as Wilfred Owen had it, was that they would “die forget that when the museum first opened on 9 June as cattle”. The sheer numbers of the dead meant that 1920, its chairman, the right hon. Sir Alfred Mond MP, the Army was forced to review the way in which dead said: soldiers were buried. Rather than there being mass “The museum was not conceived as a monument to military burials and unmarked graves, each soldier’s name was glory, but rather as a record of toil and sacrifice.” 539 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 540

[Jonathan Edwards] In “Goodbye to All That” in 1929, Robert Graves said of the Armistice: Those in public life today would do well to keep that in “The news sent me out walking alone along the dyke above the mind. marshes of Rhuddlan…cursing and sobbing and thinking of the During debates on the Imperial War Museum Act dead.” 1920, Lieutenant Commander Joseph Kenworthy MP Even peace, for some, served only to emphasise the said: futility of the war and the senselessness of so many dead. “We should forbid our children to have anything to do with the This year’s commemorations should provide an pomp and glamour and the bestiality of the late War, which has opportunity for sombre reflection, for pausing and for led to the death of millions of men. I refuse to vote a penny of remembering those who died, but we should not forget public money to commemorate such suicidal madness of civilisation the pity of war and the pointlessness of the conflict that as that which was shown in the late War.”—[Official Report, began in 1914. As history has shown, it was far from 12 April 1920; Vol. 127, c. 1465.] being the war to end all wars. A distinction should be made, of course, between I would like to end by quoting an englyn by William celebrating the pomp, glamour and bestiality of war, Ambrose: and commemorating those who died. I am a firm supporter “Celfyddyd o hyd mewn hedd—aed yn uwch of the campaign to erect a Welsh memorial in Flanders, O dan nawdd tangnefedd; which has already raised over £100,000 of its £150,000 Segurdod yw clod y cledd, target. I understand that the Welsh Government have A’i rwd yw ei anrhydedd.” also pledged money to the project. The closing couplet translates as: The memorial, which will be made from stone donated by Craig yr Hesg quarry in Pontypridd, will be unveiled “Idleness is the glory of the sword during a ceremony on 16 August this year. In May, my And rust is its distinction”. colleague and right hon. Friend the Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Mr Llwyd) hosted a reception in this 3.14 pm place to raise awareness of the campaign in Parliament. Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): I congratulate I was glad to lend my support then and do so again the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr now, because it is only right that a memorial of this (Jonathan Edwards) on a passionate speech, although I kind should be in place. Tens of thousands of Welshmen disagree that the Government have struck the wrong died during the war, and every village in Wales was left balance. As we have heard from those on the Government in mourning. Over 4,000 Welshmen died in Mametz and Opposition Front Benches, a careful balance has wood alone in July 1916, most from Monmouthshire been struck in these commemorations. and Breconshire. Indeed, it is bitterly ironic that some I join in the tributes to my hon. Friend the Member of those killed had survived the mining disaster in for Newark (Robert Jenrick) for his excellent maiden Senghennydd in 1913. Owen Sheers has written a poem speech. I met him some time before he became a candidate about Mametz, which is now on the GCSE curriculum, in Newark, so I looked forward to him coming to and his play, “Mametz”, is being staged by National Parliament. He struck a good tone in his comments, Theatre Wales this week in Usk. and I must admit to a twinge of jealously, not at the It is pertinent, though, that the new memorial will be warm reception that he received in Parliament, but in Flanders, where the majority of Welshmen lost their because he was talking about fighting to improve his lives—including our celebrated poet, Hedd Wyn. That rail services, and his are more than twice the distance was the pen name of Ellis Humphrey Evans, who was from London that mine in Worcester are, but the journey awarded the prestigious chair prize in the Eisteddfod of takes about half the time. I look forward to working 1917 for his winning awdl, “Yr Arwr”, or “The Hero”. with him to promote the interests of business and fight Evans was killed during the battle of Pilckem ridge on for fairer funding for schools in both our counties. 31 July 1917. During the chairing ceremony the following It is truly an honour to speak in a debate on such a September, when his poem was declared the winner, it significant commemoration, and on an event that has was also announced that he had died in battle, and the been variously described as a catastrophe, the great war, chair was draped in a black cloak. Ever since, Evans has and, for some years, the war to end all wars; as so many been referred to as “Bardd y Gadair Ddu”—the bard of people have said, that sadly turned out not to be the the black chair. In a moving poem of that name, R. case. The commemorations of the centenary will cover Williams Parry imagines that the arms of the chair itself a sequence of events that profoundly changed our nation, are reaching each of our constituencies, and the world. As constituency “mewn hedd hir am un ni ddaw”, MPs, almost all of us will take part in Remembrance which translates as Sunday services, and for me, it is one of the proudest but most humbling moments to take my place each year “in everlasting peace, for one who will never come”. in Worcester cathedral for the moving service of I should note that the English meaning of “Hedd Wyn” remembrance. In recent years, those services have attracted is white, or blessed, peace. ever larger crowds, and those at the Cenotaph service I would, of course, wish to associate myself with the outside the cathedral now dwarf the packed congregation tributes made to those who died, and I believe that it is inside. Later I will touch on some of the local aspects of only right that their sacrifice should be commemorated, commemoration that will take place in Worcester, and but as my hon. Friend the Member for Arfon and I my recent visit to Commonwealth war graves in Worcester. argued in our early-day motion, it would surely be more First, however, I will focus on one of the most positive appropriate to commemorate the end of the war in aspects of commemoration, which is the way it can 2018, rather than its beginning. bring communities together, heal the wounds of the 541 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 542 past, and remind us of the things that unite us, rather I would like to return to matters closer to home, and than those that divide us. The Minister touched on the in particular to my constituency of Worcester. Alongside importance of the commemorations to Ireland, both the privilege of attending each year’s Remembrance Northern Ireland and the Republic, and the right hon. Sunday service, I have also been honoured to go each Member for Lagan Valley (Mr Donaldson) made an year as MP to the city’s Gheluvelt park and attend the excellent speech on those issues. As Parliamentary Private commemorations that take place there of a battle that Secretary to the Northern Ireland Office and someone may sound unfamiliar to many in this House, but which who attended my first British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly is firmly inscribed in the honours list of the Worcestershire earlier this year, that point has been impressed on me Regiment. very clearly. 31 October will mark the 100th anniversary of the It is truly remarkable that last year the Secretary of battle of Gheluvelt, part of the first battle of Ypres in State for Northern Ireland stood alongside the First 1914, in which the 2nd Battalion the Worcestershire Minister and the Taoiseach for a service of remembrance Regiment advanced against overwhelming odds and, at Enniskillen, and the Minister of State joined Ministers despite other forces retreating all around them, stopped of the Republic of Ireland in laying wreaths at both the Germans’ advance and thwarted their attempt to Glasnevin and Islandbridge. It is perhaps more remarkable break through the lines. That intervention was crucial. still that last year’s Remembrance Sunday service in The cost of the attack was terrible: in a single day, the Belfast was attended by the Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of battalion lost 187 men, including three officers. Field that city—the first time in which that party has formally Marshal Sir Claud Jacob said of the action: taken part in the event. “Let it never be forgotten that the true glory of the fight at Those steps toward reconciliation are welcome, and I Gheluvelt lies not in the success achieved but in the courage which commend not only the excellent speech of the right urged our solitary battalion to advance undaunted amid all the hon. Member for Lagan Valley, but his work in bringing evidence of retreat and disaster to meet great odds in a battle the exhibition “Fields of Battle—Lands of Peace” to apparently lost”. Parliament; it echoes the theme of reconciliation through To this day, one of the finest parks in Worcester remembrance. commemorates that action. I will be there this October, It was good to see Her Majesty the Queen on her visit along with the Royal British Legion, Worcestershire’s this week to Northern Ireland laying a wreath at Coleraine regimental association, the Mercian Regiment and other and launching the programme for the Royal British units that fought alongside it. The commemorations of Legion’s commemorations in both Northern Ireland the bravery of the Worcesters on that day will rightly be and the Republic. I am glad that that programme also balanced with remembrance of the tragic loss of life. includes the service at St Anne’s cathedral in Belfast Growing up in a small village in rural Worcestershire, and the Woodland Trust work in County Londonderry. I was struck by the fact that the only names on our little It is especially appropriate that the programme of war memorial in Abbots Morton were not from big commemorations has funded the extensive restoration battles such as Ypres or the Somme, but from somewhere of HMS Caroline, which, as Lord Trimble said yesterday, that, as a child, I would have found difficult to find on a is the last surviving veteran of the battle of Jutland. map—Mesopotamia. It is worth remembering, as so It is welcome that the British-Irish Parliamentary much focus is on the western front, the wider scope of Assembly is planning on holding its next plenary in the great war, and the fact that thousands of British and Ashford, so that Members from the Dáil, this Parliament, imperial soldiers and sailors fought, suffered and died and all the other Parliaments represented in that body in far off places such as Iraq, Gallipoli, Salonika—as can travel to the first world war battlefields, pay tribute my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and at the Island of Ireland peace park, and read the pledge South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) pointed out—Tanzania inscribed on a pillar in that park. If the House will and the south Atlantic. excuse me, I think it is worth while reading into the record the wording of that pledge: For much of the great war, the Worcestershire Yeomanry were deployed, as were the Glamorgan Yeomanry, which “From the crest of this ridge, which was the scene of terrific carnage in the First World War on which we have built a peace the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon) mentioned, park and Round Tower to commemorate the thousands of young in what we now call the middle east, fighting the Ottoman men from all parts of Ireland who fought a common enemy, empire. For all that most people of my generation have defended democracy and the rights of all nations, whose graves seen “Lawrence of Arabia”, it is important that we are in shockingly uncountable numbers and those who have no should not allow the further-flung elements of the war graves, we condemn war and the futility of war. We repudiate and to be forgotten. I am pleased that the Worcestershire denounce violence, aggression, intimidation, threats and unfriendly regimental museum contains displays about the war in behaviour. the desert. In these days when we closely follow such As Protestants and Catholics, we apologise for the terrible deeds we have done to each other and ask forgiveness. From this worrying news from that part of the world, we should sacred shrine of remembrance, where soldiers of all nationalities, remember the role that Britain played in shaping the creeds and political allegiances were united in death, we appeal to modern middle east, understand that interventions did all people in Ireland to help build a peaceful and tolerant society. not start in 2003, and bring a greater historical appreciation Let us remember the solidarity and trust that developed between to our understanding of the region. We should also Protestant and Catholic soldiers when they served together in remember that alongside the more recent sacrifices that these trenches. our armed forces have made in Iraq there were previous As we jointly thank the Armistice of 11 November 1918, when generations who fought, sweated, suffered and died in the guns fell silent along this western front—we affirm that a that land. fitting tribute to the principles for which men and women from the Island of Ireland died in both World Wars would be permanent One Worcestershire hero who fought the Ottomans peace.” was Private Fred Dancox, who went on to become the Amen to that. city’s one and only Victoria Cross winner. Little is 543 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 544

[Mr Robin Walker] county’s major project, Worcestershire World War One Hundred, one of the most significant Heritage Lottery known about his life before the war, but he fought at Fund funded programmes outside London. Gallipoli and, having survived the horrors of that brutal The vibrant arts and cultural scene in Worcester is battle, he earned eternal fame by his actions back on the also playing its part. Last Friday at our Guildhall, western front at the third battle of Ypres, better known under Woodbine Willie’s portrait, I attended the launch as Passchendaele. His citation for the Victoria Cross of the Worcestershire literary festival and heard excellent reads: poems on the theme of “a prelude to war”. This year’s “For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in attack…this Three Choirs festival will host a performance of Britten’s man entered the ‘Pillbox’ from the rear, threatening the garrison “War Requiem”, talks on how the war influenced Edward with a Mills bomb. Shortly afterwards he reappeared with a Elgar, and a specially commissioned piece by the German machine gun under his arm, followed by about 40 enemy. The composer Torsten Rasch that is to be called “A foreign machine gun was brought back to our position by Private Dancox, field”. Our museums will be hosting special exhibitions, and he kept it in action all day. By his resolution, absolute disregard of danger and cheerful disposition, the morale of his and our schools will be running projects to research comrades was maintained at a very high standard under extremely local history related to the great war. trying circumstances.” I join my hon. Friend the Member for Broadland That citation was published in the London Gazette on (Mr Simpson) in congratulating the Commonwealth 23 November 1917. At that time, Private Dancox had War Graves Commission on the work it is doing to been granted leave to return home to Worcester. A civic promote understanding and visits to the war graves in reception was prepared, and the story goes that the our city. mayor and council were even waiting at the station to My generation is perhaps the last that will have had meet him. Tragically, he was never to arrive. On any living contact with the generation that remembered 30 November 1917, Private Dancox VC was killed in the great war. I recall my grandmother on my father’s action. A few years ago, I attended the unveiling of a side telling me what it felt like to be bombed by a plaque to the memory of Fred Dancox, and it is appropriate zeppelin in east London, and my mother talking about that our new TA centre in Worcester has been named in how, in the 1960s, her grandfather still felt the effects his honour. of having been gassed. The passing of the years and the The programme of commemorations in Worcester generations should not stand in the way of our will include the 150th anniversary of our Territorial understanding or our remembering the heroism and the Army unit, 214 Battery Royal Artillery, based at Dancox sacrifice, the triumphs and the tragedies, and the long-term house, which also played its part in the great war, and consequences of the first world war. I congratulate the on 16 August Worcester will witness a military parade Minister and the shadow Front Benchers on setting to celebrate that milestone. We will also celebrate the out such a fitting and appropriate programme of life and achievements of one of the city’s most famous commemorations, and I am proud that Worcester will sons, the Reverend Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, better be playing its part. known as Woodbine Willie. This pastor served with distinction as a forces chaplain and brought comfort to 3.26 pm the troops over a number of years, doling out cigarettes Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): This has been an in a way that may be frowned on today but was clearly excellent debate, with speeches of knowledge, poignancy much appreciated by the soldiers of the day. Although and passion from all Members. I do, however, want to he joined up with conviction to serve his country, his single out the maiden speech of the hon. Member for experiences at the front convinced him of the futility of Newark (Robert Jenrick). I, too, came into this House war, and in its aftermath he became a passionate pacifist after a long-run by-election, so I know what he has and Christian socialist. His legacy is well remembered gone through. I wish my maiden speech had been as in Worcester, and it is right that the programme includes good as his; it marked him out as somebody from whom exhibitions on his life and work, as well as a service at we will look forward to hearing more. I think he will our cathedral in his memory. have a long and strong period of time in this House and Another Worcester character who will be remembered I wish him all the very best. is Vesta Tilley, who became known as “Britain’s best I am proud that in my maiden speech I mentioned the recruiting sergeant”. This locally born music hall actress bombardment of the Hartlepools, and I want to return used her controversial performances, dressed as a soldier to that today, because 16 December this year will mark or sailor and singing songs such as “The Army of the centenary of that event. At 10 minutes past 8 on the Today’s All Right” and “Jolly Good Luck to the Girl morning of 16 December 1914, three German battle-cruisers Who Loves a Soldier”, to drum up recruits, and sometimes started firing shells off the coast of the north-east enrolled volunteers during her performances. I was towards Hartlepool and West Hartlepool. A total of recently very moved to hear, as part of the BBC’s 1,150 shells were fired over a 40-minute period, and excellent commemorative work, a recording of a war 118 people, including 37 children, were killed in the widow whose husband was recruited from under her bombardment and many hundreds were injured. nose at one of these performances. An exhibition about I believe it is right for this House and the country to Vesta Tilley’s life and work starts this month and will commemorate that event, because I believe it had profound run into September at the Commandery. and historic implications at local, national and international Today at the Commandery, which hosted Charles I’s level. Certainly, at the local level my constituency headquarters at the battle of Worcester, the door is experienced the horror and the carnage. The scene that being opened to the Worcester public so that they can morning in hundreds of Hartlepool homes will have bring their war stories, photographs and memorabilia, been replayed countless times before and since: a mad in order to make sure that they are included in the rush to get children to school on time—children who 545 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 546 were probably thinking about the imminent arrival of It is for those reasons that the bombardment merits Christmas a mere nine days later. What is not so usual, national coverage and strong recognition through first thankfully, is the confusion and terror that must have world war commemorations. I very much hope that the arisen after the shells started raining down. House will have an opportunity to debate and reflect on As I said earlier, 118 people in Hartlepool and West the bombardment of the Hartlepools on the centenary, Hartlepool were killed, including 37 children. Belk street, 16 December. Each year at 10 past 8 on that day, my which is still standing and is still inhabited, was particularly constituency holds a ceremony, organised by the Heugh badly affected. That is where the youngest victim, Benjamin Gun Battery Trust, to mark the occasion of the Lofthouse, died; he was just seven months old. Families bombardment. This year, as the House will appreciate, were torn apart. The Cornforths lost three generations it should be very special. I hope that, at the very least, to the bombardment on that day. Peter Whitecross, the Secretary of State for Defence will attend, along aged eight, and his brother John, aged six, were killed with other Members; they will be made very welcome. I together. Sarah and Hannah Jobling were aged just six also hope that the Government will mark the centenary and four. William and Andrew Peart were aged just five in a respectful and appropriate manner. In this way, the and two. The Dixon family lost three children that day: bombardment of the Hartlepools will be given the George, aged 14; Margaret, aged eight; and Albert, national recognition and commemoration that the attack, aged seven. but most of all the lives lost in my constituency almost I hope those names and ages make clear to the House 100 years ago, fully deserve. the big scar that the bombardment left on my constituency. 3.33 pm Many of the streets where the shells landed are still in existence and still lived in. The families who suffered Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con): It is in the bombardment still live in the town. The list of a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Hartlepool people who died in the attack—the Cornforths, the (Mr Wright), who reminded us in his excellent speech Dixons, the Horselys, the Hunters—are strong Hartlepool that the losses of the first world war occurred not just in families with long lineages. They are very familiar to me Gallipoli or in the trenches, but at home as well. The as long-standing Hartlepool families whose direct raid on the Hartlepools was a terrible story that is well descendants are still my constituents. Although the remembered now and had a huge impact on people at bombardment of the Hartlepools was a century ago, in the time. In Folkestone in 1917, more than 60 people my constituency it seems much more recent. were killed in a single air raid. German planes that were The bombardment also has national importance. It looking for London dropped their bombs on the way was the first attack on the mainland in the first world back to the continent, killing innocent women and war. It also saw the first soldier to be killed on British children—including children who were only a few months soil since the battle of Culloden in 1746. Private Theo old—in the process. That was a tragic and terrible Jones was a local lad who lived in Ashgrove avenue. He incident, and we should remember that there were important enlisted in the Durham Light Infantry, and was one of losses at home, as well as those on the western front. six members of 18th Battalion DLI to be killed on duty One important thing we will find during this centenary that day. Private Jones was 29 years old. He had left period is that we have forgotten lots of things about the Hartlepool to become a teacher in Leicestershire but war. I am talking about stories of individual heroism had returned home to west Hartlepool to serve in his and of the way communities worked together, which local regiment. He had been one of the first to volunteer were not part of the big narrative and are not found in in those heady summer days of August 1914. His pupils the history books, but which are very important local, had given him a prayer book on his leaving, and a shard community stories. During these centenary years we of the shell that had hit Private Jones in the chest was will have the chance to tell them again. found lodged in the prayer book he was carrying in his My main focus as the MP for Folkestone and Hythe—I breast pocket. That prayer book will be included in a also declare my interest as chairman of Step Short, the programme of events to be organised by the museum of first world war centenary charity in Folkestone—has Hartlepool and located at the Heugh gun battery, on been to mark the role that Folkestone played in the war the actual spot where British troops, including Private effort as the main port of embarkation from these Jones, repelled the German attack. That has been made islands to the western front. There were more than possible through an Arts Council grant, for which I am 10 million movements of service personnel through very grateful. Folkestone port during the war; those were people from The bombardment also has implications beyond local all around the world, as well as from all corners of these or even national considerations, however. The first world islands. During this centenary we should remember that war was four months old at the time of the bombardment, more than 1 million men from the Indian subcontinent, which changed warfare and military tactics massively, as well as people from China and south America, arguably for ever. Following the bombardment, the fought in the allied war effort and cause during the war. enemy realised the panic and disruption, loss of support As part of Folkestone’s commemorations, we are certainly for Government and sapping of public morale that remembering those people, too. direct attacks on civilian populations could unleash. We should also remember that we not only sent Changing technology meant that warfare was not confined people out to fight, but gave comfort to people seeking merely to the armed forces in somewhat distant trenches refuge. Folkestone received tens of thousands of refugees on a foreign field; the full horrors of war could be from Belgium in the first weeks of the war; these people experienced by innocent men, women and children on were fleeing for their lives, fleeing persecution and fleeing civvy street. The bombardment of the Hartlepools was the advance of the enemy troops through their country— in this regard the unwanted architect of the blitz of the through their homeland. They came to this country and second world war and the terrorist atrocities of the late we gave them a home. These people went all across the 20th and early 21st centuries. UK, but tens of thousands of them stayed in Folkestone 547 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 548

[Damian Collins] depths of resilience and bravery that probably everyone has. When we consider this first world war centenary during the war. A great painting, painted in 1915, period, we must ask ourselves whether we could make commemorating the arrival of the Belgian refugees sits those sacrifices today. Could we do as people did 100 years in the town hall in Folkestone, and they are a very ago? Are we too cynical? I think the answer is absolutely important part of our community’s story about the not. What the first world war demonstrated was the work people did during the war. incredible resilience of people and the sacrifices that The main community effort we have supported to they were prepared to make in a good cause. The same mark the centenary has been the building of a memorial is true of the 9/11 attacks in New York. Did those arch that will stand over the route that those millions of firemen wake up that morning thinking that they would soldiers marched to the ships waiting in the harbour to have to run into a collapsing building while people were take them on their journey to France. The walk down running out of it? They did their job out of duty and at the Slope road, as it was known then—after the war it the moment in time they were called to do it. People did was renamed the Road of Remembrance—to the harbour the same in the first world war, and that is one of the was for many the final journey leaving this country. things that we remember. Wilfred Owen spent his last night in England at the Another important reason for remembering the first Grand hotel in Folkestone, billeted there before making world war is the message that emerged, which was that that journey. So we wanted to do something that marked we were all in it together. It was a war fought not just by that route and that journey, and we are building a armies but by societies and nations. We relied on everyone’s memorial arch over the route they took. As I mentioned efforts. There was mass conscription into the armed earlier, this debate is particularly timely because that forces. We had a field army of more than a million arch is being assembled today and will be in place by the people, all of whom were trained and fit. They had a end of the evening. On 4 August, His Royal Highness diet and an education that enabled them to take part in Prince Harry will be coming to Folkestone to dedicate the war effort. The people who could not fight in the the arch as part of the centenary commemorations and war worked in the munitions factories and in the fields. that centenary day itself. Everyone was part of the war effort. The ability to put I remember going on a battlefield tour when I was at an army in the field and to win such a war required the school, 25 years ago, with my history teacher Mr Fitzgerald, participation of the entire population. It also required who is still head of history at St Mary’s Roman Catholic people of genius, inspiration and ingenuity to design high school in Herefordshire. He has been running new weapons, new techniques and new technologies exactly the same battlefield tour for 25 years, taking that would make winning that war possible. To fight schoolboys and schoolgirls to Tyne Cot and Vimy ridge and win such a conflict required the resources of the to see things for themselves and walk in the footsteps of entire population, and the entire country had to be the soldiers. That trip had a profound impact on me; strong. one has to stand on the site and experience it. Our school always went in the autumn. Typically for that Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): My hon. Friend is part of Europe, it is often blowy, cold and wet. Visitors making an impressive speech. Will he join me in saluting get the tiniest insight into and glimpse of what it might the work of the charity Never Such Innocence, which is have been like to have been standing there during the marking the massive contribution made by the Dominions, war. We could never truly know what it was like; we as they then were, towards the great war? It is ably led cannot imagine, in our lives today, what it must have by Edward Wild and Lady Lucy French, whose great-great been like to fight in that war. There is something sacred grandfather was Field Marshall Sir John French. about these places, which is why it is right that the Government are supporting schools and encouraging Damian Collins: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for them to take such trips, in order to get more schools to his intervention. I was about to mention Never Such go to the battlefields to see them for themselves. Innocence. The charity, which has been working closely That is why we in Folkestone also wanted to dedicate with Australia house, has done a fantastic project of a space that was relevant to the war and the experience work this year, and I hope that it continues. I know that, of the soldiers—the place they marched down. They like me, the hon. Member for Barnsley Central (Dan marched down the Road of Remembrance, they could Jarvis) is also a supporter of the charity. I am grateful see the ships in the harbour waiting to take them; they that the charity made a contribution to the Step Short could see France, where they were going; and, in the project in Folkestone, and that it provided support to distance, they were probably able to hear the guns at the military charities such as Combat Stress. front, which were only 100 miles away. They were not It is interesting to note that Combat Stress marks its looking with wonder across the channel at the boats own centenary in 2019. It was formed to deal with the crossing; they were looking across a frontier to a very unique challenges, injuries and needs of people coming hostile place they were journeying to. back from the war. It was only after the first world war Throughout this debate we have heard stories of that we really understood the nature of stress—mental people who won great awards for their gallantry—Victoria stress from the battlefield—and the fact that it required Crosses and other military medals. Many of them were special treatment. Combat Stress is a very relevant and not servicemen before the war. They were not professional, important charity in its own right, and it is significant trained soldiers. They gave up their lives at home, their that it should be linked to the good work of Never Such families and their livelihoods, and they sacrificed themselves. Innocence. They demonstrated incredible bravery, fighting for I also want to underline the role of the Commonwealth themselves, their communities and their families to in the war effort, especially that of the Anzac troops. defend their homeland. They demonstrated the incredible Anzac day is marked now in increasingly growing numbers 549 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 550 in this country as well as around the world and is of to Folkestone and the museum has worked with local huge significance and importance to the history of the historians and history groups to put on the exhibition, Commonwealth as well as to Australia and New Zealand. which opened on Tuesday this week and will run for I want to come back to the point about how there was 10 months. It provides an excellent educational resource this sense during the war of us all being in it together. telling the story of going to war. I hope that the people The lesson of the war was that we need a strong society, who come to Folkestone to see the memorial arch will and that to function properly there should be rewards also take a look at that exhibition and that it will and benefits for the whole of society coming out of that complement the exhibition that will be put on in the war. We also learned that the ability of a nation to fight Sassoon room in Folkestone library shortly, which tells wars in the future would depend on the strength not just the story of the Folkestone community during the war of the armed forces, but of the whole country, and that in pictures. our duties and responsibilities lie beyond our shores. I also urge all my Kent colleagues to look at the We should fight not just wars of defence but wars to excellent online resource called Kent in World War One. uphold the values of democracy and freedom that we We are asking people to share their data and information, have in our country. We went to war not just to defend pictures and stories. Such local projects and the online ourselves but to liberate other people from oppression. work of the Imperial War museum are merging official There can be no nobler cause than that. data—war records, service records and medal records The first world war changed the whole of this country; and charts—with personal data such as diaries, letters, it changed society. Anyone who had lived in the 20 years stories and photographs. That will create a wonderful before the war would not have seen a huge amount of resource, bringing those stories together. change before 1914. If they had come back to this It is fantastic not just to hear a citation for bravery country 20 years after the war had ended, they would and read someone’s war record but to hear a personal have noticed that society had changed for ever. That is story. The Kent in World War One project maps that on why these centenaries are so important. It is to remember local streets so that people can see what people who that period of change. lived in the road where they live now did in the war, Finally, I thank the Minister and the Government for bringing the stories alive in the community. It is an the support they have given to the Step Short project. I excellent way of marking the centenary of the first also thank the Ministry of Defence, which is providing world war. parading soldiers and the band of the Brigade of Gurkhas I am sure that 4 August will be a day of moving, for the commemorations in Folkestone on 4 August. fitting and appropriate commemorations right across Soldiers will march through the memorial arch in the the United Kingdom, but in many ways it will be the steps of the soldiers who went to war. It is right that the start of a process. We will see more and more such armed forces should be involved in the commemoration commemorations on the important anniversaries that of the war. We are in no way seeking to make this a fall throughout the four and a half years up to the military occasion or to glorify war; we just want to centenary of Armistice day in 2018. It is a programme remember that it is the servicemen who made the sacrifice that we should all celebrate and be proud of. and got on the ships to go and fight, and they did so in the service of their country and in the service of 3.47 pm others. It is right that they should be involved in the commemorations that day. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): It is a I am also grateful for the support of Shepway district great privilege to speak in this debate, and I join colleagues council and Kent county council, who provided who have welcomed the tone in which it was introduced financial support for the project. More than half of the by the Minister and my hon. Friend the shadow Minister. money that has been raised by Step Short has been I also compliment right hon. and hon. Members who given as private donations. Private organisations have have contributed to a powerful debate this afternoon. It raised money. It is right that local authorities should has also been a pleasure to participate in a debate in support heritage projects in their areas, but also that we which the hon. Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick) should seek broader support. It is right to recognise gave his maiden speech, and I look forward to hearing that the greater part of the support that we have many more such articulate contributions from him in received has come from other sources. the months to come. I thank the property company Lend Lease, which Last Saturday, I visited Imperial War Museum North, has provided its services for free to build the memorial which is located in my constituency, and saw its exhibition arch in Folkestone. They have given a dedicated team “From Street to Trench”. The IWM North is at the to project manage it. That is an enormous contribution heart of the world war one anniversary commemorations, on its part. The company exemplifies the point made with a programme of outreach and collaboration, which by my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Neil has enabled others across the region and beyond to Carmichael) that this is a Commonwealth effort. Lend mark and appreciate the significance of the anniversary. Lease is based in Australia, but it is giving its resources Some beautiful, moving and innovative projects are to support the project in Folkestone. It has also led on being sponsored under the auspices of the museum. the work to restore the Imperial War museum. There has been a creative response to the anniversary I would also like to thank—this is a bit of an Oscar through Reactions 14, involving the English National thank you speech, but I would like to get it on the Ballet, the BBC, local, national and international artists record—the large number of organisations that have such as Bill Fontana, Mark Anstee and Jennifer Vickers, helped us with our centenary project in Folkestone. The the Royal Northern College of Music, the BBC National Army museum has brought an exhibition Philharmonic, the Lowry theatre, other museums across to Folkestone that tells the story from enlistment to Greater Manchester, local councils across Greater embarkation. Parts of their collections have been brought Manchester and local libraries and archives. We are 551 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 552

[Kate Green] first to be sacrificed. I wonder, as we consider the international challenges and tests that face us today, looking forward to “Honour”at the beginning of August, and the conflicts around us and the way in which we to the Asian art triennial in September and, of course, decide that we will or will not be drawn into them, to “Lights Out” on 4 August. whether we do enough to hear the voices and views of It is important to note that the Imperial War Museum young people—the generation that we would, after all, North is also at the heart of an important programme send to fight. of educational outreach and engagement with young I am very proud of our record in the north-west in people. We have learning boxes, filled with world war the first world war and in other wars. Our region one replica items for use in schools, particularly where continues to contribute to this day; for example, through children cannot come to visit the museum, and we have the volunteer 207 field hospital located in Old Trafford “Finding our first world war”. Of course, we hope that in my constituency, whose volunteers—reservists all of as many of our young people as possible from across them—have recently returned from Afghanistan. I am the region and beyond will visit the museum, as I did also proud of our industrial contribution. Trafford last week. Park was and remains the largest industrial estate in “From Street to Trench” is a remarkable exhibition Europe, and much of the production and industry that showing how world war one affected families from all went to support world war one and other wars took walks of life across our region, and I encourage right place there. That of course made it a magnet for enemy hon. and hon. Members who are in the north to visit it. attack, including air attack, during those wars. It includes footage of soldiers serving on the different I am proud of our record of dissent in the north-west. battlefields and of workers in munitions factories as “From Street to Trench” carries some testimony from well as those dealing with foodstuffs, cotton and other conscientious objectors, some who contributed in other textiles. As has been noted by other hon. Members, ways to the war effort, some who refused altogether and many of those factory workers were women, who filled were imprisoned for their beliefs. It has testimony from the vacancies left by men serving at the front. It is religious dissenters and from political dissenters and, of possible to listen to recordings of the voices of veterans course, as has been mentioned, it acknowledges the recounting their experiences first hand and to look at debate that began the first world war, continued through photographs, medals, uniforms and equipment. One it and was, to a degree, starting to be concluded after it can read letters, which other hon. Members have mentioned, on the role of women and women’s suffrage. Perhaps including those from service personnel writing home to this is the moment to put on record how pleased I am their families, which are very touching. There is a letter that Parliament is to commemorate women’s suffrage from Clement Attlee to his great-nephew, which I was and the arrival of women here in this House through particularly pleased to take a look at. the work of Parliament’s artist in residence, Mary Branson. There are also, of course, poems—poems written I know that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and other from the heart by ordinary service people and their colleagues look forward to being closely involved in families, but also early versions of poems by some of that work. our greatest war poets, including one of Wilfred Owen’s The final point I want to put on the record is that “Dulce et Decorum est”, a poem that I first read, as I dissenting, resisting war, not being prepared necessarily am sure many colleagues did, at school and which some to adopt the prevailing wisdom, takes great courage and 40 years later still has the power to move and, I have to bravery and is a form of contribution, too. Negotiating say, chill me with its words. first and last, putting our efforts into diplomacy and building relationships, internationally through our If I may say so, and I hope that I will not offend membership of the European Union and other European anyone in this House or outside it when I say this, what bodies, and here at home in our diverse multicultural struck me most in the exhibition was how little happiness communities, where we must reach out to each community there was in the images that I saw. Faces were exhausted, and hear their views—that is where I want us to use this demoralised and bleak. I do not say that for one moment anniversary period to concentrate our energies, because to denigrate the courage, the comradeship and the pride for me it is a tragedy that 100 years after the war that that people clearly took in the work that they were was described as the war to end all wars, we still cannot doing in the factories and the fields, but what came say with confidence, “Never again.” across to me is that war is hell, and not just on the front line. 3.57 pm The day before I went to the exhibition, I was at Stretford high school in my constituency, and I was Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): It is a huge asked by one 15-year-old student why the UK is involved honour to speak in this important debate. Many Members in so many wars. We discussed the significance of our have said that, and I think that when we reflect on the imperial history and our notions of international justice way the debate was introduced by both Front-Bench and obligation to our neighbours in other countries. We teams, we have to salute that fact. I commend the Front talked about notions of power and economic self-interest Benchers for what they have done. and our international alliances and friendships and, in As Members walk into this House, they are witness particular, how that had led to the domino effect of to a memorial to the first world war—the great war—as country after country collapsing into conflict that they walk past plaques in memory of the many gallant characterised the start of world war one. It was clear in Members who have laid down their lives. Two are the discussions with the young people in that class that particularly significant: one for Captain O’Neill and they did not want that to happen in their generation. one for Major Willie Redmond—two Irishmen, one an They see fighting as failure, and of course it is their Irish Unionist and one an Irish nationalist, both of lives—the lives of our young people—that are the whom fought for king and country and both of whom 553 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 554 made the ultimate sacrifice for king and country. They My right hon. Friend the Member for Lagan Valley were able to set aside their other divisions and associations (Mr Donaldson) earlier read on to the record Captain and to unite behind a greater cause: to fight for liberty W.B. Spender’s comment that he was not an Ulsterman, and freedom for all their people. Those two plaques on but that the previous day, 1 July 1916, he wished he had either side stand as pillars in this House. We pass them been. Captain Spender went on to say: each day, probably rarely paying attention to them, but “The Ulster Volunteer Force, from which the Division was today we have the opportunity to reflect on how those made, has won a name which equals any in history. Their devotion pillars unite two very different ideologies and viewpoints deserves the gratitude of the British Empire.” on what should happen on my island. That is significant; King George V said: it is poignant; and it is important. “I recall the deeds of the 36th (Ulster) Division, which have more than fulfilled the high opinion formed by me on inspecting The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate that force on the eve of its departure for the front. Throughout Green) said this was the war that was supposed to end the long years of struggle, which have now so gloriously ended, all wars and to change all wars. Of course, it also united the men of Ulster have proved how nobly they fight and die.” our peoples in a solemn way. It united us in bravery and Winston Churchill wrote of the 36th Ulster Division in grief, and we should reflect on that. I, of course, as an and his pride in them. He said that Ulster Unionist, am proud of the people of my country “they acquired a reputation for conduct and devotion deathless in and want to reflect on the sacrifice that I believe was military history of the United Kingdom, and repeatedly signalised beyond the call of duty made by many an Ulsterman in the despatches of the Commander-in-Chief.” and Ulsterwoman. That says something of the devotion of Ulsterman in The number of Victoria Crosses won by Irishmen in the battles of the first world war, and of Irishmen who the first world war has already been commented on in volunteered to fight for king and country. The level of the House today. One of those men was from my own sacrifice reminds us that we as a nation must now constituency, from the village of Bushmills. As the hon. resource that memory and encourage our schools, colleges Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) and education boards to grasp that memory and ensure said, these were not professional soldiers, but ordinary that it is not lost in time. That would be a great travesty. men and women. Private Quigg was a gamekeeper on I believe that we have a duty to remember our glorious the Macnaghten estate in Bushmills and it is appropriate dead. Some 140,000 Irishmen volunteered to fight in that his gallantry is put on the record of the House. He the great war. According to the records, 50,000 men was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous from Irish divisions were casualties. Indeed, 5,500 from bravery” at the battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. the 36th Ulster Division were killed or wounded in one day on the Somme, between 1 and 2 July 1916. In Prior to a major offensive, Quigg’s unit had been September, another 4,500 were recorded as wounded or placed in the French village of Hamel. On 1 July the missing from the 16th Irish Division at Guillemont. The Mid-Antrim Volunteers were ordered to advance through 16th Irish Division suffered more than 28,000 casualties the defences towards the heavily defended German during the war. The fact that they came from so small a lines. During the advance, they encountered fierce resistance nation amplifies their sacrifice all the more. from heavy machinegun and shell fire. Quiggs’s platoon made three advances during that day, only to be beaten As other Members have mentioned, the sacrifice was back on each occasion by German fire. The final evening not only from these islands; a major sacrifice was made assault left many hundreds of the 12th Battalion lying by the Dominions and other nations. The British empire dead and wounded in no man’s land. in 1914 covered 9 million square miles and represented 348 million people. Canada sent 458,000 men to the In the early hours of the next morning it was reported war; Australia sent 332,000; New Zealand sent 112,000; that Lieutenant Harry Macnaghten, also from Bushmills, South Africa sent 136,000—the list goes on. The sacrifice the platoon commander, was missing. Robert Quigg of each of those nations was immense, but also terrible immediately volunteered to go out into no man’s land and troubling, given what they had to do. to try to locate him. He went out seven times to search As we remember our glorious dead and the glorious for the missing officer, each time without success. On memory that they have rightly earned and paid for in each occasion, he came under heavy machinegun fire, their blood across Flanders fields, and as we tell the but he managed to return with a wounded colleague on story and try to commit these things to memory, we every occasion. It was reported that on one of his forays must also look forward and recognise that some good he crawled within yards of a German position to rescue has to come from all that. Her Majesty the Queen, on a wounded soldier, whom he dragged back on a waterproof her gracious visit to the Republic of Ireland, visited the groundsheet. After seven hours of trying and wrestling memorial to the Irish soldiers who fought in the first through that mudbath and bloodbath to try to find his world war. That act was not only very important and platoon commander, he gave up in exhaustion. Robert’s significant, but a recognition of the fact that Irishmen efforts to find the body of Lieutenant Harry Macnaghten now want to remember that they made a major contribution were in vain, as his body was never recovered. to the battles that were fought, and that is very significant. On 8 January 1917, Quigg received the Victoria Cross Indeed, it is encouraging, because although there are from King George V at York cottage, Sandringham. things that divide us, there are things that have united us Queen Mary was also present. Later the Russians recognised that are far, far stronger. his bravery and presented him with the medal of the Order of St George, fourth-class division. This is the 4.7 pm highest award the Russian empire could give to any Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I congratulate individual who was not a Russian citizen. That says both Front Benchers on setting an exemplary tone for something about the remarkable efforts that that Ulsterman the debate and all hon. Members on both sides of the made. House on contributing so well. In particular, I congratulate 555 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 556

[Huw Irranca-Davies] Huw Irranca-Davies: If the hon. Gentleman will excuse me, he will understand if I do not give way on this the newest Member, the hon. Member for Newark occasion, because other people are waiting to speak. (Robert Jenrick), on making his maiden speech. If I It was not all to do with the stories on the front; it may give him some advice, it is to listen to everybody in was also about what was happening back home. It is the House and then make up his own mind and do his interesting that the local papers such as the Glamorgan own thing. Gazette would occasionally print letters from front-line I want to reflect on some of the excellent work that is troops. On 11 February 1916, the Glamorgan Gazette being done for the commemorations by many of the published a Blaengarw soldier’s lament in which he says: local families who can trace their history back, as many “Sir, can, within our communities, and also by the local May I, through the columns of your newspaper put forward a history societies, which remind us of the personal, local complaint? I am a native of Blaengarw, at present on active and human face of war and what it means for their service in France, doing a little bit for the old country.” communities in this long trail of history that reaches us He went on to complain about the use of the Prince of here today in this Chamber. Wales fund and the committee that was stopping his Many of the people in the valleys I represent, such as wife’s allowance so that she could not now pay the rent. Ogmore, Garw, Llynfi and Gilfach, left their work in He concludes: the pits, even though they were protected jobs and they “Maybe if a few of the committee-men were out here doing could have chosen to stay, to enlist and go overseas into their bit, and their wives and families were pinched a bit at home, areas that they had no knowledge of. They certainly did they would take a different view of things.” not foresee the horror that awaited them. They were Signed Tommy Atkins.” people such as Corporal James Llewellyn Davies of We have no way of tracing the writer or his family. We Nant-y-moel row, who was posthumously awarded the cannot know whether they survived the war or, indeed, Victoria Cross for his bravery in Pilkem ridge in 1917. the peace that came afterwards. Another such individual was Horace Rees, one of the Then there are the Garw officers who wrote back first men in the Ogmore valley to answer the call in home. Thanks to the local Garw history society, we 1914, or at least to try to, because he tried 14 times and have this undated letter, which says: was rejected each time—he has a cleft palate and a speech impediment that made him unfit to enlist. He “Christmas Eve, and we are in the trenches again. We came in last night, and we will be here for some time. It is fearfully wet succeeded on the 15th attempt, although there are here. Last night I got simply soaked through from head to foot; it rumours that he first had to bribe the recruitment was awful, and the rats were mighty. I am about 100 yds behind sergeant. Horace Rees was indeed a persistent man, but the front trenches, and the noise is fearful. Our battalion may be his gallantry and fighting spirit were also exemplary. He out on Monday, then 4 days rest billets, about 5 miles behind the was recommended for the Victoria Cross for his bravery lines, then in again for 8 days, I think. I nearly got hit as we went at the battle of Festubert in May 1915. The recommendation out of the trenches on Wednesday night. I was with the Commanding fell on deaf ears, but it was recognised in the very next Officer and another, a Colonel. Going out we had to duck and battle, as he was awarded the Military Medal on jump into a dug-out, as there was a sniper on. We lost a Captain on our first day, killed by shrapnel. I hope you have a happy 25 September 1915 at the battle of Loos for rescuing the Christmas. I wish I was with you, but this is my place, and I hope wounded under fire. we shall be alright.” Another such individual was Chief Petty Officer George Private Francis George Ricketts wrote back to his Prowse. He was born in Brynsion terrace in Gilfach parents, saying in the middle of his letter: Goch and worked as a collier in Swansea before enlisting. “During our eight days of rest we were billeted in barns, and He was the only survivor of a small group of men who slept on straw, but although it was wanting in home comforts, we successfully captured an enemy strongpoint, including were glad to be in such, and we were happy and contented. It was 23 prisoners and five machine guns, at Pronville in in these billets that we spent our Christmas ‘holidays’. Although France on 2 September 1918. Very shortly afterwards, we were within the sound of the guns, we all went to church on 27 September he was killed in action at Anneux in services on Christmas morning, and all of us joined in singing the France. old well known carol ‘Peace on Earth.’ And how beautiful were the strains of ‘Aberystwyth’ and ‘Mae hen wlad fy nhadau,’ as Then there is Hiram Davies DCM, a Welsh-speaking over a thousand Welsh throats sang them in our own native miner from Maesteg who enlisted in the 10th Welsh tongue. Although we were far away from the ‘Land of Song’ our Regiment on 11 November 1914 with his brother Illtyd, hearts were there amongst our old folks at home.” who was killed in action in May 1917, and other fellow Then there is the story of Francis Banks and his miners from Garth colliery. It was quite typical that pals brother Jack, who both joined up. Jack ended up being from collieries would enlist and go together. He fought captured very early on and spent most of the time as a in Mametz wood, Passchendaele, and was awarded the prisoner of war, but Francey fought in France and Distinguished Conduct Medal for single-handedly taking Belgium with the Royal Irish Regiment. He was Irish out three machine gun posts during the battle for Delville but lived in Maesteg in the Llynfi valley. He was company Wood in August 1918, saving countless numbers of lives. runner and, in the words of his captain, H. J. O’Reilly, Men from all across the valleys went and fought, “consequently my right hand man, whether in action or out of displaying great bravery in the face of unimaginable it”. horror and carnage. Their families and communities are On 16 August 1917, Francey was bringing a message right to be immensely proud of them. back to camp and to his captain. When he was just 12 yards away, he was shot by a German sniper. He Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Will the struggled on and died in the arms of his captain, who hon. Gentleman give way? says in a letter he sent home: 557 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 558

“A more gallant or finer soldier never drew breath but there is There are going to be several commemoration events this great consolation back to you and me, that no soldier could across my constituency and I will refer to some of the have wished to die a better or a more glorious death.” towns involved later. I congratulate Melton on its extensive I thank again all those families and historical societies work on involving people of all ages in its commemorations. that have pulled together this material in order to show I also pay tribute to the Royal British Legion, which is today’s children exactly what this means and how poignant leading much of the activity, as well as the Heritage it is. Private Morgan Llewellyn of the Royal Army Lottery Fund, which has provided a lot of money Medical Corps, who had been reported missing believed towards it. killed in Serbia in 1915, wrote home from Salonika in The Suffolk Regiment raised 14 battalions, was awarded December 1916: two unit Victoria Crosses and lost many men in Belgium “When I was in Serbia last winter, I met many Garw, Ogmore and France. The very first casualty on our own shores and Maesteg boys, and I won’t forget that retreat in a hurry”. happened just off the coast of Felixstowe on 6 August He went on: 1914, when HMS Amphion, returning to the port of “There are a good few Maesteg boys in this Division and also a Harwich, hit mines and 150 men died. Six weeks later few from Tondu. A batch of Maesteg and Garw boys have just arrived, and the first word I got the other day from a Pontycymmer three more ships were sunk by a U boat off the coast of lad was ‘Hello, good old Mog; You’re still alive! They mourned Suffolk. It was then that the Royal Naval Air Service you as dead once in Pontycymmer.’ When I get hold of a Gazette seaplane base, which had been established the previous out here, it always means a few hours of interesting reading for year in Felixstowe, started its main role of patrolling the me. It is sent out to me here regularly by a friend in Pontycymmer. seaforUboats.Bytheendofthewar,RNASFelixstowe I was more than pleased to read the news of Pte W.J. Ridgeway, had become one of the largest bases in the world. R.A.M.C., winning the M.M. in France. I was greatly interested too in his letter in the Gazette, and I hope he and I and all the I was pleased to open an exhibition in Felixstowe Garw lads will be spared to land once again in dear old Blighty.” museum, and I pay tribute to Pam Cole, Sue Tod and The stories reach out to us down the years and their team for putting together a fascinating, compelling remind us of the human faces of war and how we and moving exhibition that I hope many children and should strive at all costs to avoid it wherever possible. adults in Felixstowe will visit. It is not the only museum They are also a poignant lesson not only for politicians, along the coast, but I certainly learned a lot there. It is but for today’s children and our communities, which based around Landguard fort, which had seen action in gave and lost so much in the great war—the war that other wars. I had never realised that this happened in was supposed to end all wars. this country, but Felixstowe was declared a martial town, meaning that people had to have papers to go in 4.16 pm and out of it. I am learning new things all the time about my constituency in Suffolk. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): It is a great privilege to speak in this debate, to which there Slightly further along the coast is the very interesting have been many stunning contributions, including by site of Orford Ness, where experimental things happened. my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Robert Jenrick), It was, and still is, rather remote. I am visiting it who made an excellent maiden speech of which he tomorrow, thanks to the National Trust. Aeroplanes will be rightly proud. My hon. Friend the Member for had been invented only a few years earlier, but it was Broadland (Mr Simpson) also made a very moving tasked with creating bombs and depth charges, and and excellent speech on war graves. There are two with how to mount machine guns on to planes. Essentially, Commonwealth war graves just 100 yards from my it was a key part of trying to turn around some of the house, and they are a constant reminder to us of military initial issues that arose in the war. Indeed, many of the action. scientists who were there during world war one went on I have already been to one commemoration event in to help with the effort during world war two. One of the Laxfield, which is in my neighbouring constituency, but more peculiar things they did was with parachutes—world the parishes of Cratfield, Ubbeston, Huntingfield and war one pilots were not allowed to have them, because Heveningham were also involved. I was moved by a they were considered too dangerous—about which they churchyard that is not in my constituency, but in Shotley did a lot of research. Basically, pigeons were put in in South Suffolk. HMS Ganges is where a lot of orphan wicker crates and then dropped with parachutes over boys went to train to be midshipmen and they have very the continent. Some interesting things happened there, special graves—distinctive crosses with black plaques—in as well as some very sad ones. that churchyard. If Members go to Suffolk, I would Many aeroplanes and other pieces of machinery were recommend that they visit that very peaceful churchyard. built in the Garrett lorry shop further along the coast at Perhaps unusually, a zeppelin was shot down in Theberton Leiston. Women worked in such factories. Indeed, they in 1917. Most of the crew were killed and they are played a big role in Suffolk not only in such work, but in buried in Theberton churchyard. As has been said, hospitals and convalescent homes. It was often said that people died on both sides. someone injured in Flanders on a Monday would be We have heard from many Members representing being cared for by Suffolk women by the Thursday. constituencies across the United Kingdom, which reflects I have already referred to the special village of Theberton, the fact that nearly every village was affected in a where the Zeppelin was shot down in 1917. Lieutenant devastating way. I think that the number of thankful Colonel Charles Doughty-Wylie—better known as Dick villages to which everyone came back was only 53. I am Doughty-Wylie—of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, was awarded sure we all notice during our Remembrance day services the VC. He had served as the military British attaché in that many more names are read out from world war one Turkey, so when the world war started he was attached and, in particular, that the same surnames are often to a unit in Gallipoli. After the commanders had been repeated, so there was a devastating effect on the families killed, he gathered some men and led a successful attack left behind. in parts of Gallipoli, but he was shot dead. He was 559 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 560

[Dr Thérèse Coffey] It was particularly emotional for me to discover in the national archives one medal records card that matches buried where he fell, which means that he is the only my great-grandfather, Peter Marsh. It has the medals he British, or indeed Commonwealth, soldier to be buried was awarded throughout the first world war, but at the on the Gallipoli peninsula. We will commemorate end there is a line though the card, and the phrase, Lieutenant Colonel Doughty-Wylie next year with one “Forfeited by desertion in 1919.” He survived and was of the very special paving slabs that have been issued to not one of those who were tragically shot at dawn. We villages around the country. do not know the full story in the family. We know that To finish very briefly, I could not let this debate go he was terribly scarred by his experience, both physically by— Actually, I will skip that bit of my speech, or else and mentally, for the rest of his life. We do not know if I will break down in tears, Madam Deputy Speaker. he was traumatised, if he was sent somewhere else and Bravery untold, never forgotten. wanted to be demobilised and was not, or whether he simply could not cope any more. His story is similar to those of many who returned and saw their lives irrevocably 4.23 pm changed. Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/ These were two stories from my family but, like many Co-op): It is a pleasure to follow the excellent speech of Members, I have been looking into those of my constituents. the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey). I will I am pleased to say that St Augustine’s church in come on to mention my family’s connections with Penarth—one of the most historic churches in the area—has Suffolk, which are very much related to the history of undertaken a project to restore its roll of honour from world war one. the first world war. It is a fantastic piece of art and remembrance in the church. The project has been generously Like many other hon. Members, I have read many funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the War excellent pieces of literature about the world war one Memorial Trust, and there has been a significant amount period. One book that touched me as a young person of local fundraising to remember all those from Penarth was “The Wars”by Timothy Findley, an excellent Canadian and the district who fell. author. It recounts tales of those from the Commonwealth and the dominions who lived through those tragic and The roll of honour was designed by John Batten and terrible times. This passage has always stayed with me: carved by Joseph Armitage, who, interestingly, also designed the oak leaf symbol of the National Trust. “Someone once said to Clive: do you think we will ever be Unfortunately, the memorial has degraded over the forgiven for what we’ve done? They meant their generation and the war and what the war had done to civilization. Clive said years. Some of the names have been lost but fantastically, something I’ve never forgotten. He said: I doubt we’ll ever be thanks to this project, the roll is being restored. An forgiven. All I hope is—they’ll remember we were human beings.” online archive has also been created to detail the lives of many of those who appear on the roll, and of their That very much reminds us of the individual human families. I very much look forward to attending the lives, from our or our constituents’ families, that were re-dedication of that shortly. irrevocably changed by the war and its consequences, as well as by service in the armed forces in general. Many members have spoken about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I had the I have looked into my family history, as other hon. privilege of meeting Andy Knowlson from the commission Members have done. It is a pleasure to follow the last Friday. He took me on a fascinating and emotional hon. Lady because my great-grandfather Ernest Hubbard tour round a number of war graves that I had absolutely lived in the village of Euston in Suffolk. His family, and no idea were in Penarth cemetery and St Augustine’s many of my relatives, were in service to the Duke and church. I am also hoping to go to see some of those in Duchess of Grafton at Euston hall. They were farm the Cardiff area. As we have heard, the CWGC looks labourers, servants, cooks and cleaners there. Uniquely, after many thousands of graves in 153 countries. I was as servants, they were remembered on the family’s roll staggered by the scale of its work, and the absolute of honour in the church on the estate at Euston hall. dedication and care with which it memorialises the My great-grandfather, his cousins and brothers, others heavy price paid by many constituents, including Gunner who fell and those who returned are all memorialised Bendon of the Royal Field Artillery, whose grave I saw; there. I was privileged to go and see that myself a he died in 1917 at the age of just 32, which is younger number of years ago. than I am. On the other side of the family, my great-grandfather Thinking a lot about first world war memorials has Peter Marsh served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. made me think carefully about how we memorialise I never knew Peter but my mum remembers meeting those from all the conflicts of the past 100 years, him as a child. He was still suffering the effects, many whether we are talking about Afghanistan, Iraq, the years later, of being gassed in the trenches. The King’s Falklands or any of the other conflicts that British Own Scottish Borderers was an old and historic regiment service people have been involved in. formed in 1689 in Edinburgh following the Glorious I recently met a constituent, Sian Woodland, and the Revolution. Numerous battalions were raised at the mother of Paul Woodland. Sian and Paul were due to start of the war and a number of new battalions were be married, but sadly Paul, a Royal Marine, was killed created. The KOSB served and fought at Gallipoli, the during operational training with the Special Boat Service Somme, Ypres, Vimy ridge, the battle of Gaza and in October 2012. Sian has done amazing work since many others. The 6th battalion in particular suffered raising money for charity, and to memorialise her fiancé. heavy casualties at the battle of Loos in September 1915 She has rightly raised the question of how we should and later fought at the Somme. The 7th lost two thirds memorialise all those who have died on active service of its men and the 8th battalion lost over a third. That and training since world war one. We should all think shows the scale of the losses. carefully in this year of remembrance about how properly 561 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 562 to memorialise people, not only at fantastic facilities I congratulate the Minister not just on his speech such as the National Memorial Arboretum, but in our today, but on the work he has done over the past few communities up and down the country. years. I remember meeting him shortly after he was appointed as the Prime Minister’s special representative 4.30 pm for commemorating the first world war. I give credit to Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): It is a pleasure the Minister, because what he envisaged should happen to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South over the four years leading up to the commemoration and Penarth (Stephen Doughty), and I join him in and what I discussed with him then has actually worked. praising those who tend the Commonwealth war graves. I refer to the idea that this should not be a celebration It is a pleasure, too, to follow the hon. Member for driven centrally by the Government; it should be about Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey), and I join her in praising local communities coming together at a local level to the Royal British Legion and all it does in supporting remember not just those who fought and fell in action, our armed services and the important role they will play but all those who made a contribution in the widest in the commemorations. possible sense. I think that he should be congratulated I greatly welcome this debate on the commemoration, on that vision. as well as the commemoration itself. I want to take this In April, I had the honour of visiting Gallipoli with opportunity to place on record my profound respect for the Minister. As has already been pointed out today, it all those from Oxfordshire and beyond who served and is important to recognise that this is not just about the suffered, along with their families, during the first world United Kingdom; it is also about the Commonwealth war. As is evident from so many of the contributions we countries that made a contribution during the war—India, have heard, the scale of people’s courage and sacrifice South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada—and was matched only by the horrors that they were forced the other European nations that took part. to endure. In a real sense, whatever we are able to say I have the privilege to serve as one of the here in such debates cannot do justice to what people 15 Commonwealth War Graves Commissioners, along who went through the first world war endured. It is with the hon. Member for Broadland (Mr Simpson). I almost beyond our imagination. The most fitting thing might refer to the hon. Gentleman as “my hon. Friend”, to come out of the commemoration, and the epitaph to because I consider him to be a very good friend. I pay the centenary, must be a firm resolve on the part of us tribute not only to the work of the commission and its all to do everything we can to prevent such carnage staff, but to their tremendous dedication. Last year, a from happening again. gardener in France asked me, “When you think about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, what is 4.31 pm the main thing that you think about?” I said, as I always Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I will be as quick as say, that it was the dedication and hard work of the I can, and I would like to apologise for not being here individual members of staff who maintain cemeteries for the entire debate; I was at Buckingham palace for and organise commemorations around the world—in the 95th anniversary of the Not Forgotten Association. 150 countries, as we heard from my hon. Friend the I am glad to be back. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty). I want to say very quickly how very frightened those One of the projects in which the commission has boys on the front lines must have been. None of us can been involved as part of the commemorations is intended understand how ghastly it must have been. I felt a little to raise awareness. My hon. Friend the Member for of that when in March 1993, my staff sergeant beside Broadland and I have been trying to ensure that people me was shot in the head by a sniper. That was on the are aware of Commonwealth war graves that are in front lines in Bosnia. I was determined to go, and I churchyards in their own communities. If Members went. What was so awful was my tummy and my have not taken the opportunity to visit those graves fear—the jitters. Overcoming that and trying to go with the commission’s staff, I urge them to do so. They forward was difficult; my feet felt like lead. That was will find the experience very educational, and I think it just one little instance, so let us try to think what it must important for them to try to involve their local communities have been like for those men from Ulster and those in that way. other brave men on 1 July 1916 when they had to climb those ladders and go over the top in that dreadful Sir Bob Russell: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? row—with all that fear and all that kit and all that thinking of their mothers. Soldiers always think of their Mr Jones: I would, but I am very short of time. mothers. I think we would all totally understand that we I congratulate the hon. Member for Newark (Robert can have no idea how bad it was for those boys who Jenrick) on a fantastic maiden speech. Not only did he fought in the first world war; we just have a little deliver it with force and passion, but he rightly praised glimmer from what they left behind and what they said. the beauty of his constituency. Having been born in God bless the lot of them. Nottinghamshire, I know the constituency very well. I went there once during the by-election campaign, but 4.33 pm I have fonder memories of fishing on the River Trent—with, Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): Let me first I have to say, not a great deal of success. I was also say how appropriate it is to have this debate today as we pleased to hear that the right hon. and learned Member look forward to Armed Forces day this weekend. I for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke) is so highly thought of in the congratulate the Minister and my hon. Friend the Member area, although I suspect that the hon. Gentleman will for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis) on their opening find out very soon that the same sentiment is not shared remarks, and I pay tribute to the work in this area of my among members of the parliamentary Conservative hon. Friend the Member for Eltham (Clive Efford) as party. I wish him all the best for his parliamentary the shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport. career, and congratulate him again on his speech. 563 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 564

[Mr Kevan Jones] My hon. Friend the Member for Broadland raised the issue of controversy around the first world war, and We have heard 24 very good speeches today, which clearly that continues. The hon. Member for Carmarthen have demonstrated not only the breadth of knowledge East and Dinefwr (Jonathan Edwards) also raised that about this subject in the House, but the way in which issue, and I think he was wrong when he said that this is Members of Parliament are engaging with their constituents, about the glorification of war. The Minister and the with volunteers and with others to ensure that the story Government have made clear that this is not about of the first world war and the involvement of their local celebration or jingoism; it is about remembering what communities is recognised. The hon. Members for Tiverton happened during the first world war and how it impacted and Honiton (Neil Parish) and for North Antrim (Ian not only on Parliament and the international situation, Paisley) and the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley but on daily lives. If the hon. Gentleman looks at the (Mr Donaldson) referred to Members of Parliament Heritage Lottery Fund, he will see that it is funding who had fought and died in the war. I think it important projects including those remembering conscientious to recognise not only those who died but those who objectors, as referred to by my hon. Friend the Member fought, because they influenced the debate that took for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green). The role of place a generation later in the House. It is clear from the conscientious objectors, whether for religious or political memoirs of Macmillan and Attlee, who fought in the reasons, is important to the lessons of and the stories first world war, that their experience brought a certain told about the first world war. understanding of the gravity of the decisions that were A number of Members, including my hon. Friend the made a generation later as we entered the second world Member for Bridgend and the hon. Member for Folkestone war. and Hythe (Damian Collins), spoke about Belgians. Many Members, including my right hon. Friend the Again, it has been forgotten that during the war, this Member for Tynemouth (Mr Campbell) and my hon. country opened its arms to large numbers of Belgian Friends the Members for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), for refugees, who settled here, fleeing violence in their own Plymouth, Moor View (Alison Seabeck) and for Ogmore country. In the north-east, they made a huge contribution (Huw Irranca-Davies), related personal stories about at the Royal Ordnance factory in Birtley to the war members of their families who had fought and, in some effort. I am pleased to announce that later this year, the cases, died in the first world war. I expect that we shall Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be re-erecting hear more such stories from all over the country over a number of headstones in Birtley to honour Belgian the next four years, as Members engage in family research soldiers who lost their lives during the first world war. to find out what their forebears did. The home front also featured in a lot of today’s Another important point is that in some contributions contributions, whether it was the changing role of women, and commentary, there is an emphasis that it was all or the contributions made by coal miners and factory about the western front, but what has been good this workers, which my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley afternoon is that a number of Members have recognised Central mentioned. In the North Durham coalfield, a that the commemoration has to recognise the idea that huge number of miners not only volunteered for active it was a world war, with fighting across the globe. The service, but kept the pits going throughout the first right hon. Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip world war to provide the coal that was needed. (Sir John Randall) mentioned the dedication shown by There are also examples of people in reserve occupations. nurses in parts of Serbia, and he raised an issue that we One of my predecessors, Jack Lawson, who was Member sometimes forget: people not only died of their wounds; of Parliament for Chester-le-Street from 1919 to 1949, a number died of typhus and Spanish flu after the war. was in a reserved occupation at the time as a county The hon. Member for Worcester (Mr Walker) said councillor. When his brother Will was killed at the that this war was not only on the western front, mentioning battle of Ypres in 1915, he volunteered at the age of 39 the fighting that took place in Mesopotamia. That was for service on the western front. That did not stop the also mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Liberals in 1918 accusing him, when he fought the next Bridgend, and it is important, certainly when looking at general election, of being a conscientious objector because issues from the first world war and how they impact on he had been a member of the Independent Labour our lives today. We can look back and see that the party.That shows the contribution that many communities boundaries that were drawn up after the first world war made across the country. My hon. Friend the Member have had and still are having a direct impact in the for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) and the hon. Member for tragic events in the middle east today. Folkestone and Hythe spoke about the civilian cost, Many Members have said thanks to the Heritage and it was the first war that brought war to the home Lottery Fund, and can I put on record everyone’s front, such as in the bombardment of Hartlepool or the thanks for the contribution it is making, in terms of Zeppelin raids mentioned by the hon. Member for allowing local communities to remember the first world Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey). war? From speaking to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Another great change, which was illustrated in the from visiting various constituencies, I have been struck speeches of the right hon. Member for Lagan Valley by the variety of projects that it is backing: for example, and the hon. Members for Worcester (Mr Walker) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth for North Antrim (Ian Paisley), is the contribution mentioned the excellent Tynemouth world war one made from Ireland. We heard stories of Captain O’Neill project. Also, school groups are putting on plays and and Willie Redmond, and today this opportunity is villages are holding events about their village at war. In being used to ensure that reconciliation comes into a few weeks’ time, in Sacriston in my constituency, I will being. I saw that first hand last year when I visited be attending a village at war presentation done by the Glasnevin cemetery, and I pay tribute to the group there local heritage group. That shows the variety of ways in who are ensuring that there is a fitting memorial and a which we can remember the first world war. recognition of the contribution made. 565 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 566

With time pressing I will mention just one other area: African Native Labour Corps. Among the more than education. That has been mentioned by many Members, 600 world war one projects made possible by the Heritage and is something that we must press not just this year Lottery Fund are many with a minority focus, such as but over the next four years. The hon. Member for “Hackney Remembers”, which will look at the Jewish Colchester (Sir Bob Russell) is taking his grandson to experience in the war; and a major new exhibition at the France, and we must also ensure that children visit local School of Oriental and African Studies on the military cemeteries to see graves. We must ensure that the sacrifices contribution of Sikhs. made during the first world war are not forgotten, and My right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and that some of the lessons can be learned. South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) and others have spoken about the important contribution of women. The 4.47 pm empowerment of women was one of the most important ways in which the war shaped modern Britain. Not only The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, did they enter the workplace as nurses, farmers and Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant): I thank hon. munitions workers, but they kept communities going Members from across the House who have spoken when the men were away and when many were dealing today, and I have listened with great attention to what with personal loss. Their huge contribution helped to they have said. Many have spoken with passion, and bring about votes for women and it is right and proper tears at times, and I will refer to as many contributions that we should mark that now. as possible in the time allowed. On international women’s day, my Department awarded The Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my hon. the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry a £20,000 grant to aid Friend the Member for South WestWiltshire (Dr Murrison), its present-day mission, and the Heritage Lottery Fund set out at the beginning of the debate what the Government has supported many local projects that tell women’s are doing for the first world war centenary, so I will not wartime stories, such as the digitisation of the British rehearse that now. The commemoration will be accessible Red Cross’s volunteer women’s records and a theatre and relevant to all parts of the country. It will reach out project in Leeds enabling young people to learn about to young people, as custodians of the first world war the evolution of women’s roles during the war. Many legacy, and we will be mindful of our present-day projects and events linked to the Imperial War museum’s friendships, both with our former adversaries and with centenary partnership are wholly or partly about women, the Commonwealth. such as the exhibition on women in industry in the first world war at Imperial War Museum North in Manchester, Michael Ellis: Will the Minister give way? to which the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Kate Green) referred. The Imperial War museum’s new Mrs Grant: I am afraid that I will not because I have first world war galleries, opening in July, will include a so little time. section on the contribution of women. My Department’s The hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr arm’s length bodies are delivering various programmes (Jonathan Edwards) spoke about the tone of the looking at the home front, including the British Library’s commemorations. The first world war continues to be a new educational website, which explores topics such as focus for strongly felt and widely differing responses. class and gender during the war and its aftermath. Some people see it as a squabble between empires; The hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston also others as a just war, and all points in between. Let me be referred to the exhibition at Imperial War Museum clear that it is not the Government’s role to accept or North covering conscientious objectors. I have not yet promote one view or another. We are neither celebratory visited it, but I hope to do so. The Heritage Lottery nor apologetic. Although it is clear which side won, the Fund has recently awarded a grant of £95,000 to the enormous sacrifices on both sides and the horror of war Peace Pledge Union to help to explore the history of referred to by the right hon. Member for Oxford East conscientious objectors during the first world war. It is (Mr Smith) and my hon. Friend the Member for right that the lottery programme should reflect a broad Beckenham (Bob Stewart) means that there is no cause range of views and experiences of the war, and that is for celebration. Instead, we wish to commemorate the just one such example. war appropriately and with humility, though with pride My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton in the courage of our ancestors. (Neil Parish) spoke about the importance of how we The Government share the view of many hon. Members engage with our young people. One of our key objectives that the programme should be inclusive. We want people for the centenary is to encourage young people by of all backgrounds to have a chance to get involved and making connections between young people today and not just by ensuring diverse attendance at national the young people who fought and died a century ago. events. For example, the immense contribution of troops Our battlefield visits programme will connect young from all the present-day Commonwealth will be recognised people with battlefields and offer a special experience on 4 August and beyond, including the sacrifices of the that they can share with classmates. Indian army’s famous Jullundur Brigade at Neuve Chapelle; My hon. Friend the Member for Broadland the exemplary record of the Anzacs during the Gallipoli (Mr Simpson) spoke poignantly about the work of the campaign; the heroism of the Canadians at Passchendaele; Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We fully and the considerable contribution of the Caribbean appreciate its wonderful work. Indeed, it is responsible regiments in various theatres. for providing some of the sites for our national events. We are also exploring ways to mark the life of Walter Recognition of the commission’s work is inherent in all Tull, the first black commissioned officer in the British we do. Nevertheless, I am grateful to him for his suggestion. Army, and to commemorate the tragic sinking of the SS I will look at what he said and come back to him on the Mendi in 1917, with the loss of 646 men of the South proposal. 567 First World War (Commemoration)26 JUNE 2014 First World War (Commemoration) 568

[Mrs Grant] for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies) and for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty) and my hon. Friend Many Members have spoken about the commemoration the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey)—I hope activities in their constituencies. I was delighted to listen that I have not missed anyone out. They related to a to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Robert variety of individuals and groups ranging from the Jenrick), who delivered an excellent maiden speech. I Barnsley and Pompey Pals, “Mrs Barbour’s army”, was also delighted to visit his constituency recently, on Edith Cavell, Fred Dancox, Matthew Brown and the at least three occasions, so I know what a beautiful Bevin Boys, Driver A. E. Ironside, Major Willie Redmond, constituency he has the honour to represent. Being Captain Arthur Edward Bruce O’Neill MP, Lieutenant Sports Minister, I was especially interested to hear George Ward, the sons of Trimdon who died on the about the recreation of a Christmas truce match on Somme, the bombardment of Hartlepool, Robert Quigg, 24 August in his constituency, which I am sure will be a Horace Rees and his 14 rejections and, last but certainly great success. not least, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Doughty-Wylie. I was also pleased to hear from my hon. Friends the We can feel nothing but respect and awe when we hear Members for Colchester (Sir Bob Russell), for Portsmouth about such personal suffering and sacrifice and bravery, North (Penny Mordaunt), for Worcester (Mr Walker) and the commemorations will help us to mark such and for Folkestone and Hythe (Damian Collins) and contributions. They will also make future generations my right hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and aware of the history of the war, so that we can continue South Ruislip (Sir John Randall) about a range of to learn from the past. different activities in their constituencies, from Facebook I again thank all Members who have spoken and sites, “Colchester remembers” 1914-18, silent vigils, made interventions today. Many Members have written pipes and drums, world war one museums, events to to their constituents urging them to get involved in the commemorate the bravery of the Worcesters, the centenary commemoration, and to great effect. I ask construction of an incredible arch in Folkestone—today, Members to carry on with a steady drumbeat of I believe—and the special Step Short project, which my information about what is being planned over the next hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe has four years. Connections to the war can be found in our worked very hard on, to the researching of local war churchyards and in the names on our memorials and memorials in Cowley. These are precisely the types of even in those photographs that we keep at home of project that we want to hear about, and I wish them family members who are no longer with us, but whose every possible success. stories remain to be discovered again. I want to mention that the original Military Wives The war and its legacy is of such importance that it is performed a wonderful medley of first world war songs right that the Government should be leading the last night in Portcullis House. I hope many Members commemoration of its centenary. However, it is relevant were able to be present, because they were incredible. to everyone in this country and the ownership of it rests They were guests of my hon. Friend the Member for with the public as a whole. I hope that what we have Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile), so said this afternoon assures the House that what we have well done to him. It was an excellent and very special planned, and what we continue to plan, will have a life event. beyond the next four years, so that our generation We have heard many personal recollections today, passes what we have learned to the generations yet to too, and it was humbling and emotional to listen to the come, so that they may pay their respects to the service individual stories of the right hon. Members for Tynemouth and sacrifice of those who did and endured so much (Mr Campbell) and for Lagan Valley (Mr Donaldson), 100 years ago. the hon. Members for Barnsley Central (Dan Jarvis), Question put and agreed to. for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), for Plymouth, Moor View Resolved, (Alison Seabeck), for Sedgefield (Phil Wilson), for That this House has considered the programme of commemoration Hartlepool (Mr Wright), for North Antrim (Ian Paisley), for the First World War. 569 26 JUNE 2014 Shop Closures (South Shields) 570

Shop Closures (South Shields) 365 Project, but we need a central Government policy that supports businesses and empowers local communities Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House as well. However, it simply is not happening. do now adjourn.—(Mr Evennett.) At complete odds with their localism agenda, the Government have taken away the protections offered by 4.59 pm the use class system which allowed communities a say in Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): I am shaping their high streets, and have made it easier for very grateful for being given time in the Chamber today payday lenders, pawnbrokers, fast-food takeaways and for my first Adjournment debate. I chose today’s subject betting shops to set up. Research conducted by the because of the strong attachment my constituents feel Local Government Association found that the clustering to King street. The shopping street that runs through of such outlets has discouraged people from visiting the heart of our town has always been at the centre of their high street. Our King street has a current vacancy public life in Shields. Today, I will be explaining some of rate of approximately 21%, compared with the national the challenges it faces, but in spite of these, King street average of 12%. When I wrote to the Secretary of State and South Shields still have a huge amount to offer last month to express my concerns about King street, visitors—not just shops but our beautiful coastline, the Minister claimed that the UK’s high streets were beaches and parks. We also have great plans for the starting to “bounce back” and that vacancy rates are future, and I am excited about the changes on the way. falling, but on King street we have seen a new set of closures in the last few months. King street has always been part of community life in South Shields and has historically been popular with King street is not alone in the challenges it faces. Let shoppers from across the region. Generations of families, me briefly recap the government’s record: more than including mine, have pride in and are fond of our high 50,000 shops standing vacant, a disproportionate number street, with its friendly banter of our local market of them in the north; business rates having risen by an traders, retailers and locals. We have always had a average of £1,500, with one in 10 small businesses strong local and tourist presence, but even in my lifetime spending more on business rates than rent; and more I have seen changes to our King street. In recent years, a payday loan shops, betting shops and pawnbrokers on number of businesses have departed, leaving vacant our high streets than there were in 2012. The Government shop fronts behind. In the last three years alone, retailers are unclear about what approach to take. Bill Grimsey in and around King street such HMV, Curry’s and JJB neatly sums it up, saying: Sports have shut down, as well as local sellers such as “We’ve seen reviews, pilots, future high street forums and Thompsons TV.Thompsons opened as a family business more. But none of these initiatives are making much impact and run by three brothers in 1930, selling wirelesses and there is a frustrating sense of policy being conducted in the later all kinds of other electronics. It was a fixture in our margins. The need to grasp the nettle is bigger than ever.” town for the best part of a century, before financial In his letter, the Minister pointed to the business rate pressures forced it to close last year. package announced in last year’s autumn statement as a In February, Marks & Spencer announced the sad solution. Although this support is welcome, it does not news that it too would be ending its 80-year presence in appear to have benefited King street, where the majority Shields. M&S had always been one of our most popular of retailers I speak to still say that business rates are stores and attracted large numbers of shoppers to King their No. 1 concern, and where closures have continued street. Shoppers and businesses tell me that in the three since the changes took effect in April. Mr Blake, owner months since M&S’s closure, there is already a noticeable of Premier Furnishings & Carpets, said his business drop in footfall in the town centre. When I spoke to rates are so high that they are actually double his rent Marks & Spencer after the announcement, it explained and most weeks he goes without a wage. Another that the store simply did not have the customer base it retailer told me that she no longer expects to make a used to. There are a number of reasons for that. The profit; breaking even is a good week for her business. global recession has resulted in less spending power in Another told me she cannot afford staff, so needs to the pockets of my constituents. This, combined with the work longer hours, yet her profits continue to fall. rise of online shopping, large supermarkets and out-of-town The Forum of Private Business, towards the end of shopping and entertainment complexes, means people last year, found that action on business rates is the No.1 spend less money in town centres than they used to. In demand from small businesses, and judging by the 2013, it was reported that for every £100 of disposable discussions I have had with retailers, that is still the case income, our residents were spending only £3.70 in our on King street. Labour Members are listening to businesses, town centre. and we know we need to go further to support them. We However, just because people’s shopping habits have have committed to reversing the hike due to take effect changed does not mean that our high streets need to in April 2015 and then freezing rates for 2016. That will decline. Out-of-town shopping centres are not new, and help some 1.5 million businesses, including shops, save online shopping has been popular for some years, but it up to nearly £450 over two years. is in the last couple of years that we have seen the rate of It is not just business rates that are crippling our local closures speed up on King street. I believe that the retailers, but the decline in footfall. As I mentioned, decline in people’s incomes is one the main factors, and Marks & Spencer left our high street after 80 years in the Government need to take responsibility for that. Of South Shields, explaining that it had seen a downward course, high streets need to adapt to changing times as trend in custom in recent years but that the drop had well, and since securing this debate I have been contacted been most noticeable over the past two or three. Sadly, by constituents with creative and innovative suggestions the loss of M&S has meant that there is less activity on on how to support King street. Our council, too, is King street, and since its announcement other stores, looking to regenerate the town centre through its ambitious including Mothercare and Thorntons, have shut down. 571 Shop Closures (South Shields)26 JUNE 2014 Shop Closures (South Shields) 572

[Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck] those plans into reality. That means giving them more say over the kinds of shops that open on their high Retailers and constituents have consistently expressed streets, as my hon. Friends have proposed. concern to me regarding footfall, and they agree that The Minister’s letter to me stated that Government the decline began some three to four years ago. One “cannot and should not look to bail out or prop up ailing high local store manager estimated the store had seen a 20% street businesses.” decline in customers in the past year alone. Mr Hedley, a local cobbler, told me that he feels that in the past year We are talking about not any one business, but the things have been worse than they have ever been for long-term future of our towns, and protecting the small businesses. It is no coincidence that as people’s communities in which people live. incomes are falling, shopping on our high streets is also The reason why closures in King street stir so much in decline. Mr Hedley has been in business for 29 years passion in Shields is that the area is personally important and he wants to know why the Government did not to the people who live there—people like me who shop reduce business rates to help businesses such as his there every week and who have fond memories of being during the economic downturn. a child and going to the bustling and lively street, as I The Government’s decision to delay the revaluation did with my parents and my Gran. That is not something of business rates is one factor in all this. The Minister that the Government should ignore. They could take will know that both the Business, Innovation and Skills away that sense of powerlessness that people feel now Committee and the Portas review noted the difficulties by giving them control and a sense of ownership over that was creating for the retail sector, particularly in their area. towns where businesses are already struggling. It is My constituents and I are proud of our town and of disappointing for these retailers that the Government our council’s plans for the future, and we are not too have failed to recognise the urgency of the situation. proud to ask this Government to make the changes needed. King street, and high streets like it across the The cost of living is also at the heart of the issue, and country, are endangered by the coalition’s plans. it is little wonder that when levels of poverty have soared under this Government, people have less money I hope the Minister will consider a few points in his to spend on their local high street. It is quite simple: if response. What assessment has he made of the way people are well paid, they will spend money in their falling incomes are affecting our businesses? Does he local economy and if they are not, the local economy agree that his Government need to target extra support will suffer. The Opposition understand that, which is for businesses in areas where vacancy rates remain why we want to get rid of exploitative zero-hours contracts, high? Will he do more to support councils and communities tackle failure to pay the minimum wage and introduce a such as mine by giving them more power to oversee the jobs guarantee to get people back into work. types of shops that are opening in their community? I hope the Minister will be able to offer some good news The Minister also wrote in his letter to me that to my constituents today. “it is for councils, businesses and communities to decide what their high streets and town centres will look like in the future”. 5.12 pm There is no shortage of ideas in South Shields. Pop-up shops have been allowed to occupy vacant units, and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the council has worked with local businesses to offer a Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): I parking refund scheme. Last year, I also hosted an event congratulate the hon. Member for South Shields in South Shields as part of Labour’s small business (Mrs Lewell-Buck) on securing this debate. It is always Saturday, with a Christmas market and special offers good to have a chance to discuss the situation on our from local retailers. That small business Saturday gave high streets and to highlight the great work that is going our town a small boost and resulted in an estimated on all over the country to develop them. Many local £500 million being spent across the UK in small and councils are committed to the regeneration of their independent shops. town centres and to longer-term programmes, such as As I mentioned earlier, our council has embarked on the £100 million plan, South Shields 365, which aims to a transformative project, the 365 project, which will see regenerate the area. The plan includes a new central more than £100 million invested in our town centre and library and digital media centre; improvements to the bring new visitors to Shields. The Haven Point leisure market square and the public realm; new integrated centre opened last year and will soon be joined by a new transport, retail, leisure and cinema facilities; and a new library and a cinema. Our council does not own any of food store, as well as a new multi-storey car park and the shops on King street. I agree with it that the wider other surface-level car parking. town regeneration will act as an incentive to bring If high streets are to remain at the heart of our businesses back to our high street. communities, they need to be more than simply places My constituents and I have welcomed these developments to shop. We must be brave enough to admit that they and the council’s plans, and we look forward to welcoming are changing and that they need to change. They need new visitors to Shields all year round. By attracting to be vibrant and viable places where people live, shop, new visitors, we can also make our town a more attractive use services and spend their leisure time, both during place for business, but the regeneration will take time. the day and in the evening. They are no longer just As I have highlighted in this debate, we need some somewhere to shop. action from the Government to help our retailers. It is good to see the recent signs that the UK’s high Local authorities and communities have no shortage of streets are starting to recover. Overall, vacancy rates ideas for improving their town centres, but they need a have started to reduce, and reoccupation rates for the national Government that will enable them to turn high street are much higher— 573 Shop Closures (South Shields)26 JUNE 2014 Shop Closures (South Shields) 574

Mrs Lewell-Buck: If that is the case, how does the the Localism Act 2011, which allows local authorities Minister explain the fact that more shops are shutting to discount the business rates by 100% if they want. on my high street, month after month? If there is a Many of the small, independent businesses that she sense of recovery, why is it not being felt in towns such referred to are able to benefit from the small business as mine in the north? rate relief that this Government have taken forward and doubled for another year. About 300,000 business across Brandon Lewis: If the hon. Lady will let me continue, the country will benefit from small business rate relief. I will give her some examples. At 70%, reoccupation We have also brought in a new £1 billion package on rates are higher than they are for shopping centres or business rates that gives a discount of a further £1,000 retail parks. A recent report from Experian highlighted to those with a rateable value of under £50,000. We the systematic change that is under way in our town must remember that the local authority can go even centres, with traditional occupiers making way for a further and give a bit more. I will outline that a bit wider range of services—a mix of leisure, including further in a moment. food, and the night-time economy. Any area has to look The Chancellor announced a comprehensive package at what is right for it and drive change. I am sure that of support—the largest business rate package of support— the hon. Lady will want to work with her local area to before Christmas. We recognise that high streets are work out what is right for that community and drive it changing, and we are helping to put in place a framework forward. Areas are doing different things; her area has of support to see that change through. to look at what is right for it. In a Deloitte report not that long ago, the No. 1 issue The hon. Lady mentioned the comment from Bill raised was the importance of parking to the modern Grimsey about the plethora of things that the Government high street and town centre. It is not just about business have done. She is right. There are town teams; there are rates. We have consulted on local authority parking Portas pilots; there is the future high streets forum. enforcement and recently announced a range of reforms There is a menu of options for people who want to get that could help the high street. We have to ensure that involved and take their high street forward. That is a people can get to the high street and park affordably positive thing. It means that towns, villages, market and easily in order to encourage them back to the high squares and high streets can choose from that menu street; we should not use some of the policies of yesteryear what is right for them and apply it to their area, rather that discourage car use. than being restricted, as the Opposition would have it, to a one-size-fits-all. We do not believe in that. We We are restricting local authority use of CCTV for believe that it is right to be committed to helping parking enforcement, introducing a 10-minute grace communities to adapt, but to be clear that there is not a period and extending the powers of traffic adjudicators. one-size-fits-all solution. The business rate support package is the biggest package of support in more than 20 years. It includes capping Every town is different and has to address the problem the retail prices index increase this year, and a £1,000 at a local level. That is why we believe that the visions, discount for premises with a rateable value of up to plans and ideas for town centres must come from the £50,000. That includes shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants, areas themselves. I will touch in a minute on the powers and it places a clear, sharp focus on benefiting the high that we have provided. Contrary to what the hon. Lady street. said, we have given a phenomenal amount of powers and opportunities to local areas to design their own To help small businesses, we have extended the doubling future. It is for councils, businesses and communities of the small business rate relief for another year and themselves to decide what their high streets and town changed the rules to allow those taking on an extra centres will look like in the future. The consumer will property to keep their relief for an extra year. To help drive what the high street will be, not a Government tackle vacant properties, we have introduced a new body, be it local or central Government. reoccupation relief, halving business rates for 18 months for businesses taking on long-term empty retail property. Just recently, we have worked with the future high Those measures will make a huge difference to the small streets forum to publish a model to deliver good local shops and local traders that are essential to town centres leadership, sharing best practice—a key part of delivering across the country. successful change. That model was developed by the forum, based on an analysis of the activity in some of Mrs Lewell-Buck: Does the Minister realise that freeing our Portas pilot towns. I will say more on the forum in a town centres from regulation means that payday loan moment. The Department for Communities and Local shops and betting shops now proliferate on the high Government is funding a support programme for town street? Far from allowing communities to make decisions, teams, of which there are 333 across our country. That he has taken decisions away from them. helps them to develop the vision and tools that they need to tackle the issues in their area. Brandon Lewis: Again, I suggest that the hon. Lady Mrs Lewell-Buck: I thank the Minister for giving way talks to her council about using the powers that it again. It is all well and good giving towns and our high already has. It could use article 4 powers to deal with streets opportunities to decide what they want to do, the issue, should it wish to. but if retailers and businesses will not come because the business rates are too high, that will not solve the Mrs Lewell-Buck: Will the Minister give way again? problem. Brandon Lewis: I shall just make a little more progress. Brandon Lewis: The hon. Lady makes a good point, We must bear it in mind that this package is worth and I am surprised that she has not convinced her about £1 billion to businesses in England, of which council to discount the business rates using powers in about £500 million will benefit retail in England, making 575 Shop Closures (South Shields)26 JUNE 2014 Shop Closures (South Shields) 576

[Brandon Lewis] retail, local government and business leaders working together in the future high streets forum. The forum has the point that this is about the whole high street, with a been key in bringing together leaders across multiple mix of leisure, retail, hospitality and services. We are sectors to drive forward new ideas and policies. also undertaking a review of business rates administration I mentioned the recent report on leadership; the that will look at longer-term reforms to make the system forum has also worked closely with Government and even more transparent, efficient and responsive to economic the Association of Town and City Management to circumstances. develop the great British high street awards for 2014. The hon. Lady touched on planning. We have lifted The competition was launched just last week, and today planning restrictions to increase the flexibility of use on we have launched the social media portal that goes with high streets, making it easier for communities to look to it. The competition will recognise and celebrate the their future with a smaller retail core and encourage strides taken and the hard work done by high streets people to come back to live in town centres. Over the and their communities. summer, we will consult on further changes to allow the Many high streets are now thriving because they have high street to respond to changing demand, and perhaps changed to serve their changing communities. Different to enable restrictions on payday lenders and betting places will change in different ways and at different shops in a way that goes beyond the powers that local paces. South Shields has an ambitious project, which I authorities already have. think is exciting and offers real opportunity for the Looking wider, the only sustainable way to raise future. Local authorities can look at measures such as living standards and create employment is to grow our improving access to services, making it easier to click overall economy. This Government are systematically and collect on the high street, or offering more fun and putting in place the measures that businesses want and variety. The competition we are running will highlight need to thrive. We took action on corporation tax and what can be achieved, and what is being achieved, when national insurance contributions. Corporation tax has there is a strong partnership between local authorities, been reduced to 21% and will fall again next year, to businesses and consumers. We are looking to town 20%. We are also easing the tax burden on small shops. teams or local partnership bodies to nominate themselves, Since April this year, every business and charity has backed by their communities and Members of Parliament, been entitled to an allowance against their national so I encourage people to get involved and get behind insurance contributions. Up to 1.25 million businesses their local town teams and partnerships. will benefit, with around 450,000 of them taken out of We will continue to support councils, businesses and paying employer contributions altogether. Over 90% of communities. I remind the hon. Lady that if business the benefit of that allowance goes to small businesses rates are the key issue in South Shields, we have given with fewer than 50 employees. Retail is one of the major that authority the power to discount business rates by employers of young people, and we are making it cheaper as much as it wants—even by 100%. High streets are to take them on by abolishing employer contributions evolving. We have to embrace the future, and everyone for those under 21 who earn up to £813 per week. has to play their part, not just in regeneration but in There is only so much national Government can do. identifying and celebrating what works. We will continue We can put the framework in place. It is right that we do to do that. that, and we will continue to take opportunities where Question put and agreed to. we can to help and support at a national level, but everyone needs to play their part, from local authorities, businesses and communities working together to develop 5.25 pm the vision and solutions for their areas, to Government, House adjourned. 129WH 26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 130WH

hear in the immigration debate are based on that tiny Westminster Hall sample of people, many of whom might be reticent, to say the least, about giving full and frank answers about Thursday 26 June 2014 where they have come from, who they are, why they are here and where they are going. To be clear, that group includes people entering and emigrating from the UK, [MR CHARLES WALKER in the Chair] so the sample number of immigrants in the survey may be as small as 3,000. Migration Statistics Unsurprisingly, migration estimates based on the [Relevant documents: Seventh Report of the Public international passenger survey are subject to a large Administration Select Committee, Migration Statistics, margin of error, known to statisticians as the confidence HC 523, and the Government response, HC 1228.] interval: that is, the degree of confidence that it is Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting possible to have about a particular margin of error. As be now adjourned.—(James Brokenshire.) we all know, the Government have stated that they intend to bring net migration—the difference between 1.30 pm annual immigration into and emigration out of the Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): UK—down from hundreds of thousands to tens of Thank you, Mr Walker, for the opportunity to present thousands. That is not a 90% cut; in fact, it amounts to to the House the Select Committee on Public about 50%. Administration’s report of the 2013-14 Session on migration On the ONS calculations for net migration as measured statistics. It has proved one of the most controversial by the unadjusted IPS estimate, the 95% confidence that we have produced during this Parliament. interval is plus or minus 35,000, meaning that we can Migration statistics are of supreme importance to only be 95% certain that the true figure lies within public policy and the debate about immigration in this 35,000 of the estimate either way. In other words, the country. National and local government depend on error range is 70,000. those estimates in planning public services. For reasons of security, we need to know not only how many people Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (Con): Does are arriving in and leaving the UK, but who they are. my hon. Friend agree that the error margin he gave is Migration statistics help us understand what is happening one of random variation in a bell curve distribution? in British society and the British economy. Another potential source of variation could be systematic Accurate and reliable migration statistics are also bias in the survey. For instance, if immigrants are not important for public trust. How can the public trust likely to complete the survey or if they say that they are politicians’ promises on immigration if we do not have not planning to stay for a long time when they actually reliable numbers on which to base our policies? One are, that would make the margins vary even more. reason why the debate on immigration has become so toxic is that people no longer believe they are being told Mr Jenkin: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As I the truth; they do not even believe that Governments said, the survey relies on full and frank answers from understand what is happening to their own country. those being interviewed even to include them. If people We conducted our inquiry last year and came to a say that they are just visiting a relative for a week, they conclusion that everybody in the know about immigration are not counted as migrants. To that extent, the 70,000 range has understood for years, but been loth to say too for potential error within the 95% confidence interval is clearly for fear of the consequences: the immigration of significant size for the estimate. statistics produced by the Office for National Statistics If annual immigration is 120,000 or 150,000, there is and the Home Office are but blunt instruments for only a 5% or one in 20 chance that the official figures measuring, managing and understanding migration to are on target. The figures could say that the Government and from the UK, and they are not fit for purpose. are missing their net immigration target by tens of The current sources of migration statistics were thousands when in fact they are meeting it, or they established when migration levels were much lower than could show that the UK is meeting its target when in they are today. Those sources are not adequate for fact it is missing it by tens of thousands. We do not have understanding the scale and complexity of modern enough confidence to know. It is clearly a completely migration flows, despite attempts in recent years to inadequate measure of net migration, but we must be improve their accuracy and usefulness. Most people are careful before dismissing it, because it is all we have. astonished when they learn how the inadequate estimates That degree of confidence applies only to the headline that we do have are compiled. When a person checks in numbers. The ONS estimate simply does not provide or out of the country, their passport is scanned, but sufficient detail to judge properly the social and economic they are not counted in or out of the country, even if consequences of different types and origins of migration, they are a foreign national. The headline immigration, and the effects of immigration policy on, for example, emigration and net migration numbers are annual estimates students or people from particular countries. Nor does based on interviews of about 800,000 people stopped at it provide any useful idea about international migration random at ports and airports each year—a tiny fraction in and out of local areas. Efforts to achieve a blunt net of the overall flow of passengers and people in and out migration target are therefore bound to have unintended of the UK. The method is called the international consequences, such as skills shortages and effects on passenger survey. universities. The number of non-UK citizens identified from the The shortcomings of relying on the IPS were highlighted sample as migrants entering or leaving the UK each when the 2011 census showed that the population of year is fewer than 5,000. Most of the numbers that we England and Wales was 465,000 higher than expected 131WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 132WH

[Mr Jenkin] to be “residents” and thus decide not to complete the census form. Many others, who have overstayed or are given the recorded number of births and deaths and the in the country illegally for other reasons, are most estimated level of net migration during the decade since unlikely to complete the form. Immigration will thus the previous census. The ONS identified several possible have been even higher in the last decade than was causes for the difference but considered that the estimated by the census. “largest single cause is most likely to be underestimation of The PASC concluded that the UK’s immigration long-term immigration from central and eastern Europe in the statistics are not fit for purpose. There was some pushback middle part of the decade”, from the Home Office in reaction to our report last which of course was not picked up by the international summer, but I think we have to regard that as a natural passenger survey. The ONS concluded that the reaction of denial about the failure of the system of underestimation came partly from taking samples of immigration statistics that has been building up for people from the wrong airports. That is, the IPS sample decades. The UK Statistics Authority agrees with us in under-represented airports such as Cardiff and ports that respect, saying in its response to our report: such as Newcastle, where more immigrants are coming “The limitations of the International Passenger Survey (IPS) in than was previously understood. in particular and UK international migration statistics in general, especially for local areas, have long been known and debated. The As a result, this April, the ONS published a revised Statistics Authority believes that action must now be taken to set of net migration estimates for the United Kingdom address this.” for the period 2001 to 2011. Total net migration during As I mentioned, when we look at smaller groupings that period is now estimated to have been 346,000 higher within the 3,000 immigrants identified, such as immigrants than previously thought; the original estimate of 2.18 million from the EU or from specific countries, the system has been revised to 2.53 million, plus or minus 35,000. becomes even less reliable, as the 95% confidence interval becomes larger relative to the size of the sample, eventually Mr Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): With current becoming larger than the sample itself. technology, there is no reason not to have accurate figures, never mind estimates. Clearly, the most appropriate Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab) rose— way to get them is at ports of entry and departure, but I Mr Jenkin: I give way to the Chairman of the Select have gone through Heathrow and Gatwick airports and Committee on Home Affairs. seen enormous queues of people coming in who are non-EU citizens; it is actually quite bad for EU citizens. Keith Vaz: I am sorry that I missed the opening My only caution is that if we are to get adequate remarks of the hon. Gentleman’s very important speech. figures, we must ensure that sufficient personnel are May I say how pleased I was, and the Home Affairs made available, so we do not have 24-hour backlogs of Committee was, to know that his Committee had people coming through our airports at entry. undertaken such a thorough examination? One of the big problems has been the absence of a resolution of the Mr Jenkin: My hon. Friend highlights the complexity issues relating to the e-Borders programme, which was of moving purely to a counting in and counting out promised to be the best and most effective way of system. Only two countries in the world base their counting people in and out. Does the hon. Gentleman immigration and emigration estimates entirely on counting. share my concern that, years after that programme was One is Australia, which is a good example. A less introduced and then closed, there is still no resolution encouraging example is North Korea. However, every of the problem relating to e-Borders? other country in the world bases its migration flow Mr Jenkin: I do share that concern, but if the right estimates on samples, measuring and estimating or a hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I will deal with that population register. Germany, for example, keeps an issue later. up-to-date population register—the equivalent of a census I was talking about the 95% confidence interval in kept constantly up to date—to monitor its migration respect of smaller samples relating to individual countries. flows. The ONS will publish estimates of immigrants by country We are in a no man’s land at the moment. We neither only for the top 15 source countries, because for all the count effectively nor sample effectively, and even though other countries the sample is too small to provide a we have the decennial census, which has provided the meaningful estimate—in other words, the number of correction of 346,000, that does not resolve the problem people from Iran or Afghanistan is actually smaller between censuses. The underestimation of net migration than the 95% confidence interval itself, so the number is was identified only by the census on a 10-yearly basis, meaningless. so the ONS is unable to revise its annual estimates of We have vague estimates of the numbers coming in immigration and emigration as components of migration from China, India, Poland, the USA, Australia, Spain, during the same period, even though it knows that they Pakistan, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Nigeria, must be wrong. As a result, for the years from 2001 to New Zealand, Lithuania and Hong Kong. Those are 2011, our best estimate of net migration each year is not the countries for which figures are published. For the equal to our best estimate of immigration minus our other 180 or so countries, no figures are published, so best estimate of emigration. We are into an Alice in we cannot tell from the data how many Russians, Iranians, Wonderland world of numbers in which we know that South Africans or Romanians are coming to this country. our official figures for each year are wrong, but they For the same reason, the ONS migration data cannot cannot be changed, as we have no other sources to use. provide anything meaningful for local authorities that In all probability, the actual population of the country are trying to work out how migration flows affect their will be even larger than that recorded in the census. area or to plan for population changes. The UK Statistics Many people in the country do not consider themselves Authority also stated: 133WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 134WH

“The IPS sample size is too small to enable the production of in relation to smaller geographical areas and be of some reliable international migration estimates at a local authority help to local authorities such as Westminster, which at level, and cannot realistically be made sufficiently large to achieve the moment are reduced to doing surveys of their own. robust local estimates.” In the longer term, as the Chairman of the Home The census, which is designed to count every member Affairs Committee the right hon. Member for Leicester of the population, provides the only reliable data on the East (Keith Vaz) and my hon. Friend the Member for number and characteristics of migrants at local level, Ribble Valley (Mr Evans) said, the only sure way to but we get it only every 10 years, which is why it was so improve migration data is to use the e-Borders information. full of surprises. That comes from the advance passenger information, or In evidence to us, Westminster city council said that API, which airlines and other carriers provide to the the current methodology for estimating migration was authorities whenever there is an incoming aircraft or not robust enough to support accurate local-level estimates, ship. so that “Using e-Borders data in the production of long-term and “the measurement of migration from the perspective of an LA short-term migration counts would be a ground-breaking improvement user and as reliable information on our residents is failing”. that would offer several advantages over the migration estimates The leader of Westminster more or less told us that the produced solely from the International Passenger Survey”. only way it can find out the nationalities of the people Those are not my words, but those of the ONS. in the borough is to go around and count them itself. The ONS and the Home Office should move as That may be a responsibility that it should take on, quickly as possible towards measuring immigration, but—[Interruption.] emigration and net migration using e-Borders data, so Mr Charles Walker (in the Chair): Order. I say to the that at least a significant proportion of people can be official who just approached the Minister: please do not counted in and out of the country as they enter and do that again. This is a Chamber. leave. The e-Borders scheme has now been replaced with the border systems programme, but it should still Mr Jenkin: That, perhaps, is one of the shortcomings be possible to use it to count people in and out of the of Westminster Hall, Mr Walker. country.Those administrative data would give information The question is how this situation could be improved. about cross-border movements different from that provided We suggested, and I suggested to the Prime Minister by the IPS, but they would still not be without faults. In when he came before the Liaison Committee, that we many respects, the data would give a deeper understanding should expand the size of the international passenger of the comings and goings from our country. In their survey and therefore increase the size of the migrant response to our report, the Government said that the sample on which the estimates are based. We were data gathered through the border systems programme advised that if we spent an extra £15 million on the IPS, “does not hold the information to directly estimate net migration” that would quadruple its size. That would halve the size and that: of the confidence interval, meaning that there would be “The Border Systems Programme is not designed to provide a 95% chance that the data were within 17,500 of the direct statistical measurement of migration flows”. estimate, rather than there being a total margin of error, My understanding is that that represents a significant on a 95% confidence interval, of 35,000. That brings downgrading of the Government’s original ambitions the range down, but it is a lot of money for not much for the programme and a failure to deliver what was improved accuracy and it still helps us only with the originally envisaged. The Government’s original business headline figures. It does not help us with the quality of case for the e-Borders scheme said that it would provide the data for smaller groups of migrants or for local areas. “the ability, for the first time, to comprehensively count all foreign national passengers in and out of the UK, improving public The ONS could see what extra value it could derive confidence in the integrity of the border and enabling a more from the IPS by, for example, asking respondents for accurate count of migrants for future planning and for informing various details, notably passport numbers but also national the population count.” insurance or NHS numbers, which would allow responses Of course, not everyone entering or leaving the UK is to be linked to administrative data, but that would still migrating, but if people are on a visa, it should be not address the fundamental problem of the small possible to measure when they enter and when they sample size. leave the country. Passport checks are all about checking Alternatively, there could be a survey more specifically whether people have a valid visa and whether they are targeted at migration. A large-scale face-to-face survey on a watch list. Currently, although 80% or 90% of of migrants in the UK has previously been considered, visas are scanned on entry or exit, we are told that those leading to a feasibility report published by the Home data are not used for counting in and counting out visa Office in January 2011. I ask my hon. Friend the Minister nationals. Why not? to give that further consideration. The Government I think that most of the British travelling public concluded against funding such a migrant survey after would be astonished to find out that passports are it was estimated that it would cost a mere £2 million, scanned, but not even people who are on a visa are based on the survey design envisaged. Unlike the recorded as they pass into or out of the country. The Government, I think that that would be good value for Home Office should move as rapidly as possible towards money, and that option was recommended by the Office integrating visa information with border systems for National Statistics. I hope very much that the Minister programme data, so that an accurate measurement can will deal with that in his closing remarks. be made of immigration, emigration and net migration A migrant survey could provide valuable information by people in different visa categories. That would also on the characteristics and distribution of migrants. provide data on the number of people in different visa That would increase the reliability of immigration estimates categories currently living in the UK, and it would 135WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 136WH

[Mr Jenkin] We are now in an election year, during which the issue of immigration will be hotly contested, but that debate enable the Home Office to gather detailed information is likely to do no more than produce despair in the on the characteristics of migrants who are subject to minds of our voters. The politicians of the main parties migration control. are arguing about policies, the effects of which they As things stand, we simply do not know how many cannot measure, in relation to numbers of migrants that visa nationals are currently in the country; we do not they cannot determine. That can only undermine trust know how many comply with the rules and how many and confidence in political life, and it will provide an overstay; and we do not know how many of the people avenue for extremist parties to exploit at the expense of migrating to and from the UK on a long-term basis the proper government of this country. We owe it to our entered the country in each visa category. That makes it voters to deliver more accurate migration statistics as hard to work out whether changes in visa policy are soon as possible. having the intended effect on migration flows and almost impossible to establish the scale of the problem of people who stay here illegally. There is no reason for the 1.56 pm situation to persist now that the Government have Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Thank you committed to reintroducing exit checks, but in their for the opportunity to contribute to this debate, Mr Walker. response to the Public Administration Committee the The Public Administration Committee report on migration Government made no commitment to track the entries statistics was published before I was appointed by the and exits of visa holders once that becomes possible, House to be a member of that Committee, but it is, even though it is fully within their power to do so. They none the less, excellent. It is a testament to the fine say only that that leadership of the Committee by my hon. Friend the “may be feasible in future”. Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin), and to the hard work of current and previous Committee We believe, however, that it should be done as a matter members. of urgency. The Committee is tasked with scrutinising good To be clear, we have not recommended that the government across all Departments. Many people would Government should stop using the IPS by any means, argue that after the defence of the realm, the Government’s but the Public Administration Committee recommended most important role is to protect and uphold the rights that the Government plan to end their reliance on that and interests of the citizens of the United Kingdom. In survey as the sole basis for estimating migration flows. order to do so, they need to know with a high degree of The IPS was not designed for the important job that it accuracy exactly whose rights and interests they must now has. It was never intended to be used for the protect and uphold. That information is necessary to purpose of estimating international migration; it was ensure that public services can be properly planned and designed to support the work of the then British Tourist to enable the Office for National Statistics to produce Authority by providing economic data on travel and statistics in which the public and the House can have tourism. confidence. The next five years will see much work in Government It is absolutely clear that the citizens whose rights on developing new data sources that will eventually and interests the Government should protect are interested replace the decennial population census. It is vital that in who is in our country, why they are here, what they work on immigration be fully co-ordinated and are doing and when they leave. In order for the Government that Departments share intelligence. That our official to fulfil their duties to UK citizens, plan public services, immigration and emigration estimates do not match produce accurate statistics and address the legitimate our official net migration figure for a whole decade concerns of the people, they must do all they can to underlines the Committee’s main finding that the current ensure that migration statistics are accurate, up to date system of relying solely on the IPS for migration statistics and fit for purpose. is not fit for purpose. Although the IPS provides useful information about the characteristics of migrants, it On the Isle of Wight, UKSA usually refers to the UK cannot be relied on to give us accurate numbers of Sailing Academy, but it also stands for the UK Statistics those migrating into and out of the United Kingdom. Authority. Despite the excellent work of the former organisation on the island, I am speaking today of the There is no reason why the Government cannot use latter institution. In 2009, the UKSA said: border systems programme data dramatically to improve the accuracy of migration data. The Home Office told “Both users and ONS’ statisticians generally agree that migration statistics are not fit for all of the purposes for which they are us: currently used and require further improvement.” “There will be some possibility to link e-Borders data in the Between 2008 and 2012, some improvements were made future, in due course”, in the statistical data, which the Public Administration but we have not yet received any clear commitment that Committee welcomed. Those improvements were not that will happen, let alone a time scale. That is not enough, however, to earn the wholehearted support of adequate. The issue requires urgent action. Estimates the Royal Statistical Society, the British Society for based on a survey alone are no longer fit for purpose. Population Studies or the Royal Geographical Society, Instead, we need to make proper use of the electronic although the latter body conceded that the ONS is data from the border systems programme. The public doing a good job with poor data. The international need and deserve to be given accurate information passenger survey, which is used as the primary source about migration to the UK, using the latest technology for those statistics, was never intended for that purpose, and methods available. as my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and North 137WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 138WH

Essex has said. It is hardly surprising that the survey the Member for Mid Sussex (Sir Nicholas Soames) and was not up to a job for which it was never designed, so the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) echoed more needs to be done. my statement. There is huge demand for housing in our The original recommendation from the Committee cities and larger towns, with consequent movement into was that e-Borders data, due to be fully operational this more rural towns, which was called “white flight.” My year, should also be fed into the statistics. That was statement followed the admission of the then Home superseded by the news in March that Labour’s over- Secretary, the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside ambitious and badly implemented e-Borders scheme and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett), that he “hadn’t a had to be scrapped. However, I welcome the Government’s clue” about the number of illegal immigrants in the commitment to make much more of the information UK. from the border systems programme available to the Even some of those on the Opposition Benches now ONS to help improve the statistics. decry Labour’s disastrous policy of opening this country’s doors to all comers—a policy with no mandate, Keith Vaz: The e-Borders scheme is a particular concern implemented in secret. Andrew Neather, a former of the Home Affairs Committee. Does the hon. Gentleman Government adviser, suggested that Labour’s policy share my concern that we still do not know why the was agreement made between the previous Government and “to rub the Right’s nose in diversity.” the company that was undertaking e-Borders went wrong? That is still the subject of litigation. When we have Labour conducted its affairs privately so that, by massive procurement, as we had with e-Borders, it is encouraging mass migration, it would not alienate its extremely important that we know what went wrong core working-class vote. Such actions are neither acceptable before we procure for the future. nor beneficial to the country in any way. The Labour Government brought two and a half Mr Turner: That is absolutely right, and I am grateful cities the size of Birmingham—a total of almost 3 million to the right hon. Gentleman for pointing it out. people—to this country without breathing a word. There I also welcome the Government’s acceptance of the is little doubt that we have made significant progress in Public Administration Committee’s recommendation putting better controls in place and repairing some of to use data held by other countries. The Government the damage, but we need accurate statistics that demonstrate are hamstrung by EU free movement legislation, which that our policies are working. So as well as knowing prevents their gathering information on why people who is coming in, we need to know who is leaving. I from EU countries are coming to the UK and how long hope the Home Secretary’s expectation that full exit they intend to stay. checks will be in place by next year is met. I will draw my remarks to a close by saying that I Mr Nigel Evans: Is my hon. Friend aware that the understand how difficult a job my hon. Friend the normal price for a visa is £83, but for people staying a Minister and his Conservative predecessors have had. year or more the price is £300? That is a substantial They inherited a right old muddle, and sorting it out sum. Surely some of that visa money should be allocated was never going to be easy or quick, but if people are to to ensuring that we have proper software and data have confidence in migration statistics, those statistics collection systems in place. I do not apologise for going need to chime with the reality of people’s day-to-day back to make certain that people are welcomed when experiences. At present, the statistics simply do not do they come into the United Kingdom via our airports. that, so I particularly welcome the Government’s sensible We want to ensure that people, particularly tourists, are and positive response to the Committee’s recommendations not kept unduly in long queues while we collect the data on communicating the statistics to the public better. that are necessary for us to have accurate information. These are complex issues, but improvements in communicating the data will help the public to understand Mr Turner: We should be able to collect the data them better and lead to more informed debate, which is rapidly, as we all recognise. I agree entirely with my hon. something we will all welcome. Friend. I know that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is considering what can be done. In the meantime, I urge 2.6 pm the Minister to make all possible information available Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): It is a pleasure to to the ONS to help it improve its statistical analysis of serve under your chairmanship of this important debate, migration figures. I ask him to keep in mind possible Mr Walker. I did not plan to speak, but I will say a few sources of information that might help the ONS and words in support of the excellent report published by make those sources of information available, and to do the Public Administration Committee. Those of us who so even when he is not being held directly to account by sit on the Home Affairs Committee welcome the fact the Public Administration Committee, the Home Affairs that other Committees are interested in migration issues. Committee, the whole House or even those who sit in I am not in any way parochial, and I do not believe that another place. I hope he is able to assure me that he will there are bits of Government that should be reserved do so. only for one Select Committee or another. Such oversight People across the UK, whatever their political persuasion, is a core function of the Public Administration Committee, welcome the Government’s aim to cut immigration. In which is so ably led by the hon. Member for Harwich 2003, I made it clear that growing immigration levels and North Essex (Mr Jenkin). The Committee has would have an effect on the already overstretched jobs produced a brilliant report that will help not only the market, as well as on the public services to which Home Affairs Committee, but other Select Committees immigrants would become entitled. My right hon. Friend that cover immigration policy, either directly or indirectly. 139WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 140WH

[Keith Vaz] there is another Adjournment debate before six o’clock; I do not know whether he knew that. It is an easy win I will say a couple of things about the importance of for him to announce this change. It needs the co-operation accurate statistics. The hon. Gentleman is right that of security staff at Heathrow airport, of course, as well there will be a great deal of debate about immigration in as that of BAA and others, including the airlines, but it the run-up to the next general election. We are in the can be done. odd situation of knowing the date of the general election. When I went on my last visit abroad and I gave my Subject to any changes that might occur in the coalition details to the people from the Office for National Government over the next few months, we know when Statistics—they wanted to know my details; I do not the general election will take place and we know—one know whether the Minister had sent someone to the does not have to be a genius to know this—that immigration airport to check whether I was coming back or not—I will probably be in the top three issues of concern to the referred to this report by the Public Administration British people. That is why it is so important that we Committee. They were extremely grateful. They knew have accurate information when immigration is debated about it and they said, “When you go back, please in this House, and when it is debated outside by others remind everybody that we would like to do this survey who represent parties unable to get elected to this for everybody, but we’re not given the resources to be House. That is why the report is not only important but able to do that.” I then asked whether it was the quick timely. survey or the long survey and they said, “We’re happy As the House goes on the slow journey to recess, to do the quick survey, but we would like to do everyone some of us may choose to go abroad for a holiday— rather than the limited number that we do,” so there is a depending, of course, on whether our passports have willingness. People want to be helpful. It is not a case of been renewed. We will be watching and observing the civil servants and other officials wanting to thwart the “exit strategy” when we get to the airport. It has always will of Parliament and the will of the British people; been a mystery to me why we have to go through the they want to help. Given that and given the arrangements great drama of supplying passport information and that are made at airports, why on earth can we not bring accurate information about our names, so that they do this change into effect before 7 May 2015? not differ in any way from our passports, prior to departure, yet after people check in and walk past the Mark Reckless: Can I clarify what is being suggested last person before getting to security, their passports do here? I think that my hon. Friend the Member for not really get checked. Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin) was talking I know that the Government’s commitment, which I about quadrupling the size of the international passenger am sure the Minister will reaffirm, is to have full exit survey. Is the right hon. Gentleman suggesting that, checks by the time of the general election, so that by instead of quadrupling the survey, it should be made May 2015, we will have counted everyone out. However, universal? If so, would we then not be talking about the I still do not understand why it is not possible, even at count, and would there not be a better way of doing that stage—after checking in and walking past the last that than having a separate person with a clipboard person before security—for the officers at Heathrow asking questions? airport to check a passport on departure. After all, it is Keith Vaz: I say to the hon. Gentleman, who is an not a question of queues. I do not think any special assiduous member of the Home Affairs Committee, arrangements are made for me or other members of the that we should be open to offers. Let us look and see Home Affairs Committee—people may say, “If not, what is available and what is the best way to do things. why not?” but anyway—but when I travel through That approach may not be the best way to do things—I Heathrow, I do not see many queues building up at the like what the Public Administration Committee has point where people show their tickets, walk through and recommended—but it would certainly be an improvement get a little plastic bag to put in their liquids. There are on the existing situation. queues before check-in—there is no doubt about that—and there are queues at security.There is an excellent opportunity I am glad that the hon. Gentleman intervened, because to glance at people’s passports as they wait to go he and I went on new year’s day to check how many through security, because there are always queues there, Romanians were arriving at Luton airport. That was whatever channel they go through. because we did not trust the ONS or the media hype, so we went to see for ourselves what was going on. Mr Jenkin: That is an interesting observation. The Unfortunately, we cannot do that when every single task of checking people’s luggage and what liquids they plane or coach arrives in the UK—because if we did, he are carrying is far more complicated physically than would never see Mrs Reckless and I would never see my checking passports or tickets or checking people in. wife. The key thing is that there should be a practical However, where there has been a real will to try to way of getting over the problem. It is not rocket science. reduce that anxious and tiresome part of the journey Let us consider the options that are available, some of for passengers, great strides have been made in making which have been described very eloquently, not only in a very painful process tolerable for passengers. Does the speech by the Chairman of the Public Administration that not show that where there is will, there is a way? We Committee but in the Committee’s report. Let me say could get far more data from passengers as they go this about e-Borders. Whenever an immigration Minister through ports of entry. has appeared before our Committee—certainly in the seven years since I have been Chairman—we have always Keith Vaz: Absolutely. I agree with the hon. Gentleman: asked him about e-Borders. I give the current Minister a of course it can be done. It is an easy win for this free pass: he will be asked about it when he appears Minister, who is a hard-working Minister—I think he before us on 22 July, or possibly before, if the passport has now been in the House three times this week and crisis is not sorted out very quickly. 141WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 142WH

Let me outline the issue. Of course the last Government First, I say a huge thank you to my hon. Friend the were wrong to have entered into an agreement with a Member for Harwich and North Essex (Mr Jenkin) for private company just because that company was able to the presentation of the report by the Public Administration provide such services in other parts of the world. I Committee. Given that immigration is one of the top believe it was a huge mistake, and it would be good to three issues in the country, it is absolutely vital that we look back and see who was responsible for it. I was a have a look at the underpinning foundation of the Minister in the last Government, although not the statistics and data that inform the debate about it. Minister who took the decision to enter into this agreement. However, it is important to look at the process. When I also thank the Minister, before he even makes his the last Government signed the agreement with Raytheon, closing remarks, because I know that he is working they did not put benchmarks in that agreement. As a exceptionally hard; he has worked exceptionally hard in result, Raytheon was able to turn round and say, “Well, all the jobs he has had. I am aware that we have the we were not told what to do.” That is the subject of an same agenda. We would like to see better statistics but arbitration that has been going on for, I think, four sometimes in coalition it can be tricky to get these years. It could well be the longest arbitration in history, things through at the pace that he may wish for. and every time our Committee asks for information, I will try to keep my remarks as brief as possible, but nobody wants to tell us anything about what is going nothing I say today is to be taken as criticism; it is on. merely observation that there are better ways in which It is important to learn, although not so that we can we can collect the statistics and more intelligent ways in blame Ministers in the last Government—as I say, two which we can present them. of them are in the Chamber today: my right hon. As a former shadow Minister for science with a Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson) and me. degree in a social science—a semi-science—and as chairman Rather, it is important to learn so that, when we procure of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, services in future and civil servants and Ministers sign I think that evidence is vital to any decision that we off deals worth hundreds of millions of pounds, the make in the public domain. Indeed, although I speak as Government are clear about what they want and when a Back-Bench MP, I say as chairman of the Parliamentary they want it done, clear that it is being properly monitored, Office of Science and Technology that its mission is to clear that there are penalties if what they want is not ensure that any parliamentary debate and policy formed being done and clear that the company is clear as well. on the Floor of the House is informed by the data and We are talking about £750 million. This is not chickenfeed. evidence, and that those are behind the decisions. We need to treat taxpayers’ money carefully. The data are so important in the immigration debate— Mark Reckless: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that has largely been highlighted by the migration report— that one of the reasons why many parties to contracts because it is a sensitive issue in the public domain. If we provide for arbitration rather than litigation in the consider it in a political sense, a Government could event of a dispute is that arbitration takes place in stand or fall on the basis of their immigration policies private, so people do not hear the detail about the case? and how the data are presented, and upcoming parties Is that appropriate in any public contract, let alone one not currently in this place could succeed or fail on the worth £750 million? basis of immigration data. Our national cultural-social cohesion could implode on the basis of a lack or Keith Vaz: The hon. Gentleman raises an important misrepresentation of immigration data, and our future point. This is about the public knowing—it is public economic prosperity and relationship with the European money that has gone into this—and we need to know Union could depend on the data and their presentation. precisely what was going on. We also need to know why It is an overwhelmingly important and sensitive issue. it has taken four years. The right hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) was right to cancel the contract One of my key concerns is that when I say “immigration”, when he did, otherwise it would have drifted on, year people think it means different things. Some people after year. At the end of the day, however, we need to think it is all about illegal immigrants and get upset know what went wrong so that we do not do it again. about it, some think about genuine asylum seekers and For all we know, if we do not know what went wrong, others think that we need more immigration, saying, this problem could happen again and again. It is vital “Surely we need more, because we need more work that we get to the bottom of the problem of e-Borders. visas for those important jobs in society that we are currently unable to fill here in the UK. Of course, those I welcome this excellent report, which says some people go back.”Some think specifically about Romanians valuable things. The Home Affairs Committee continues, and Bulgarians because of the recent public debate and of course, to look at immigration and migration issues. some think about investors, bringing millions and sometimes As I said at the beginning of my speech, the best way to billions of pounds here to the UK, buying nice houses deal with the issue of migration and immigration is to in the centre of London. Others may be thinking about have accurate statistics that everybody can sign up to. visitors coming to join their families for a period who At the moment, we are conducting a debate without may return a year or two later, and some may—admittedly, knowing the full facts. mistakenly—think that tourists are part of the immigration debate. 2.18 pm The word “immigration” and immigration data are Adam Afriyie (Windsor) (Con): Thank you for calling proxies for so many other things. That is why it is me to speak, Chairman Walker—if that does not sound important that we have great clarity about the data we too much like Chairman Mao. It is a pleasure to speak collect and what they mean. We must ensure that they in this debate. are statistically significant. 143WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 144WH

Keith Vaz: I agree with everything that the hon. the level of Romanian and Bulgarian immigration, for Gentleman has just said. There are too many myths example, although the data just are not there to justify about immigration. That is why we need official statistics the statements. that people can sign up to before we can even start My hon. Friend the Member for Rochester and Strood a debate. We are not saying that there should not be a (Mark Reckless) made it clear on “Newsnight” a few debate; the hon. Gentleman knows that, having attended weeks ago that, when looking at current data collection, many debates in the House about immigration. Issues a handful of Romanians or Bulgarians—four, five or have been raised with him as they have with me. Once six—making a certain statement could lead to a difference those data are available, the big issues that concern the of 4,000 in our estimate of the number of Romanians public can be tackled. or Bulgarians coming into the country. It is clear that the data are currently insufficient to draw conclusions Adam Afriyie: That is absolutely right. Clear, accurate or create policies from. and granular information, data and statistics will enable The current data are vague and self-selecting. People groups with a view on each category of immigration to who go to another country wanting to stay there, knowing take a reasoned view. that there were no exit checks and that they could I often think that politicians’ use of statistics—I probably get away with it—not that I would do this—would, confess that this may include me in my early days—is if they were desperate, answer appropriately to a question like a drunk’s leaning on a lamp post, less for illumination in a passenger survey about how long they intended to and more for support. I do not mean to criticise the stay, to ensure that it looked okay. There is a lot of ONS or even the passenger survey, which is doing what self-selection in who answers the survey and there will it is told to do in the best way it can, but the danger of clearly be, if we are all reasonable human beings, an the Government’s or any politician’s leaning on the understanding that people will answer questions to immigration data and statistics is that they are weak serve their purpose, although I would hope that everyone and will just fall over. Yet the public animosity and is honest. disharmony that can be created by the misuse or Although we want to get immigration levels down to misrepresentation of the data are all too well known. tens of thousands, rather than hundreds of thousands, with the data and statistics that have been available for Mr Andrew Turner: Does my hon. Friend agree that the past four years our current estimates could be the £2 million, which my hon. Friend the Member for 200,000 or 250,000, one way or the other: these numbers Harwich and North Essex said the Government are not are enormous and the statistical significance of the data willing to spend, is a tiny amount when it is considered really needs to be examined and reined in as soon as that the same sum is proposed to be spent on a quarter possible. of a mile of A road in my constituency? Why cannot the Home Office find the £2 million? Keith Vaz: Is the hon. Gentleman telling the House that, because of the problem with statistics, the Government will not meet its target or that we should not have a Adam Afriyie: The Home Office is doing difficult target because of the problem with statistics? work in difficult circumstances of coalition. I agree with my hon. Friend. It would seem that spending Adam Afriyie: A very apposite question. No, I am £1 million or £2 million—or even £5 million or £10 million saying that we do not have any idea about whether these —to deal with such a vital issue at the heart of a current targets may be met. If the immigration figures came in national debate, which could unsettle an entire nation, at 30,000 or 40,000 a year, it could be argued by one side is a small sum, if that is what is required to put this that this goal had been magnificently achieved. It could matter right. also be argued that the goal had been achieved if the I suspect that only small sums and adaptations in figures came in at 200,000 or 150,000. Conversely, political how we use existing data and how we conduct the opponents may argue that, given the statistical significance passenger surveys would be needed, and that those of these data, the goal has definitely not been achieved. would assist enormously, in addition to the exit checks. Above all, in the absence of accurate, robust data, it is If we are to plan our public services, we need to have impossible to have a sensible public discourse. a good idea about what the immigration statistics and Again, if we had the granularity of data that I and data are. It is interesting that the ONS said that the data most hon. Members would like to see on the various at the moment categories of migrant in and out of Britain, we could “should not be used as a proxy for flows of foreign migrants into have a robust argument about each category of immigration. the UK”. Perhaps, in years to come it might not be necessary to have a blanket limit or target; we could take a more The Oxford Migration Observatory stated: granular approach. For example, I would be in no way “sampling errors are too large to measure with a reasonable unhappy if we had an extra several hundred thousand degree of accuracy the number of migrants to a single region” students studying in our universities, paying tuition within fees, helping to fund our great institutions and spreading around the world a deep well of good will on British “the UK, or from a single country of origin”. culture, British language and the British way of being. Yet if we listen to the public debate, including in my That would be fantastic, because the evidence is fairly constituency, assumptions are already being made about clear that the majority will return to their countries of particular areas and the effect of immigration. I have to origin and spread the message that Britain is a great admit that sometimes assumptions are presented by place. That could enormously enhance our standing in Departments, senior politicians and political leaders on the world and our economic performance. If we can get 145WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 146WH down to the granularity of debate, we will come to and targeted understanding of each of the groups that better policy solutions. In getting to the granularity of we approve or, in some cases, disapprove of, and the debate, I commend the Committee’s report, which makes debate can become more rational. a huge step in the right direction by observing that we I urge the Minister to take another look at the report need more granular data. and to bring forward more speedily some changes or What is the solution? I do not purport to have all the suggested changes for the IPS, the ONS and the speeding solutions, but I put forward a few suggestions on data up of exit checks from the United Kingdom. We can be collection, based on the report, my experience and what a happy nation. The British people deserve better is possible with technology. First, a little more data need immigration data, particularly given that they will not to be collected in the international passenger survey, be that expensive to collect. possibly as a short-term measure, until we resolve the whole situation. Having had a chat with the Minister, I accept that we may well need more data collected by the 2.35 pm international passenger survey in the short term, but Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): It is a pleasure to the location in which the data are collected might be serve under your chairmanship today, Mr Walker. In relevant in coming up with better numbers. fact, it is such a pleasure that it will take several months It is also important that exit checks come in sooner for me to lose the image of “Chairman Walker”, which rather than later. As Conservatives, we would have the hon. Member for Windsor (Adam Afriyie) put in loved to have seen them come in very early in this my mind. I pay tribute to the hon. Member for Harwich Parliament, but sadly, in coalition, other priorities often and North Essex (Mr Jenkin), his Committee and the get in the way. It may well be that there are elements work it has done. We came into the House on the same among our current political friends, but usual foes, who day—9 April 1992—and I cannot recall many occasions believe in completely liberal border control, where people when we have agreed on every issue, but I say, with can move around without any checks at all. I recognise genuine openness and the hand of friendship, that the that that might be an element in the challenge of bringing report is excellent. It puts a number of issues on the the exit checks in sooner rather than later, but it is agenda and suggests policy areas that we should look at perfectly achievable by 2015. and seriously consider adopting. I cannot find much When we talk about exit checks, we need to be that I disagree with in his tone or policy or the tenor in mindful that someone would not necessarily have to which he began the debate. queue and answer questions to exit the country. Indeed, I disagree with one or two of the comments made by when I visit many African and middle eastern countries, the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr Turner) on the I have virtually no conversation at all. I simply walk previous Government’s record. We have had discussions into the country, they scan my passport, frown at me on that before. There has been unanimity across the and ask one question. Then, as I leave the country, I House today on the importance of integrity in statistics hand the passport over, they scan it and say, “Have a and of understanding who is coming to the country, nice day, sir”, and that is it. With technology, the idea who is leaving, why they are here and what procedures that there would need to be intrusive surveys and so on we undertake. It is important that we ensure for the is not necessarily right. public we serve that there is reliability, trust and confidence We also need to bear in mind that the airlines and in those statistics. Today’s debate is important and travel companies hold an enormous amount of electronic welcome, because the Public Administration Committee’s data, which raises the question of why we do not use report on how we calculate migration statistics has those data. We type in all the details on easyJet when we raised serious questions on the statistics’ reliability, fly abroad, as do others when they travel in from robustness and usefulness. The report raises a number overseas. Why are those data not used—not all of them, of extremely serious questions on a range of issues, but a reasonably relevant or statistically significant which the Government need to focus on. sample—to check people when they are coming in and If there is one area that I want to press the Minister going out? I am sure that parts of the data may be used on, it is that the Government’s response to the report for certain purposes, which the Minister cannot discuss. was disappointing in addressing some of the serious It would be such an easy win, however, to open up issues raised by the hon. Member for Harwich and access to those data, which people are freely providing North Essex and his Committee. There has been unanimity when they travel, to get a better grip and understanding from my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester of the various types of migration and whether people East (Keith Vaz), the hon. Members for Isle of Wight are leaving the country. and for Windsor, and other Members who have intervened, Finally, I know that there is a will among Conservative which shows that there is genuine support for bringing Members of Parliament, many elements of the Labour forward the proposals. The report and the response party and the Liberal Democrats in Parliament that we from the UK Statistics Authority have made categorically get the issue resolved. I urge the Minister, for the sake of clear the words of Andrew Dilnot, the chair of UKSA, national harmony and a sensible national debate in the who said that run-up to the 2015 election—when people must make “these statistical sources are currently not fully meeting all the their minds up about all sorts of things, including, different needs of the users of these statistics.” hopefully, in the not too distant future, whether they It is important that we know who comes to the want the UK to remain in the EU—to put some further United Kingdom, who leaves, when they leave and, for measures in place, so that people are clear on the the reasons that the hon. Member for Windsor gave, various categories of immigration data before that election. why they are here. We all have experience of discussing We would then not need broad, sweeping statements immigration and, as he said, there are many types of about immigrants in general; we would have a precise immigration, whether for business, education, tourism 147WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 148WH

[Mr David Hanson] “with our e-Borders system, we are very close to 100% coverage of flights coming from outside the EU, so we know who everyone or asylum. The more information we have and the is before they get on the plane, which is a much more effective way greater our depth of knowledge, the better our response of exporting the border if you like.” will be, whatever our political view on these issues. After four years in office and after spending £185 million, however, the head of UK Border Force, Sir Charles If I look at the Committee’s recommendations, I can Montgomery, announced to the Home Affairs Committee find, without repeating too much of what the hon. in March that the scheme had been cancelled. The Member for Harwich and North Essex said, little with Minister is shaking his head, but we need clarity and the which I disagree. Recommendation 1 states that, Minister has the opportunity to provide it. There has “the International Passenger Survey is inadequate for measuring, been no statement to the House or explanation. There managing and understanding the levels of migration that are now typical in the UK.” has been no guidance or indication of whether that £185 million of taxpayers’ money is still investable in I agree. Recommendation 2 states that, relation to the objectives of the Public Administration “e-Borders data has the potential to provide better headline Committee. estimates of immigration, emigration and net migration”. I agree. The report states: Adam Afriyie: The right hon. Gentleman is making “Data held by other countries on migration to and from the one or two political points, but will he clarify whether UK could help improve the depth and quality of UK migration the Labour party is happy that it abolished universal statistics.” exit and entry border controls in 1998, pretty much as it I agree. Paragraph 6 of the report states: came into power? That seems to be the root cause of “If the International Passenger Survey is not an adequate most of the challenges that the coalition Government source for this information, and no other sources are available, are trying, somewhat belatedly, to repair today. new sources of migration statistics are needed”. I agree. Where it says that we should look at building on Mr Hanson: I anticipated that question and looked at the principle, if not the current practice, of the e-Borders the matter prior to today’s debate. The Library of the system, I agree. House of Commons, which the hon. Gentleman will Finally, on the public’s understanding of statistics, it agree is independent and provides impartial advice, is important, for the reasons stated by the hon. Member informed me that exit checks were abolished by the for Windsor, that we get clarity and a full and accurate Conservative Government in 1994. A Library briefing picture of migration to and from the UK. The different paper states: types of immigration have different impacts and it is “Paper-based embarkation (‘exit’) controls for passengers departing important that we have information at hand. In other from the UK were ended in two stages. Checks on persons travelling from sea ports and small airports to the EU (which words, the report is helpful in showing that whatever we covered 40 per cent of departing passengers) were abolished in have now, which is partly due to the legacy of the 1994. The remaining checks were abolished in 1998.” previous Government and previous Governments before The Labour Government, having been in government them and partly due to what has happened under this for three years, decided in 2000 to reintroduce checks, Government’s watch, is not fit for purpose, and that we which is why we began the e-Borders programme. need to consider the Committee’s recommendations. The e-Borders project still has some issues outstanding, I want to focus on the e-Borders project, because including, as mentioned by my right hon. Friend the work needs to be done and there is potential for the Member for Leicester East, the dispute with Raytheon. project to be developed to ensure that we get the necessary I have tabled parliamentary questions to the Minister, information to meet the objectives that all hon. and asking him when the dispute might be resolved, what right hon. Members have mentioned. Earlier this year, I the terms of any final resolution will be and when he was fortunate enough to travel to America to visit intends to bring the matter back to the House, all of relatives. Before we travelled, I had to fill in an online which is integral to the objectives suggested by the ESTA—electronic system for travel authorisation—form Public Administration Committee’s report. We need for my whole family in order to provide our details to political consensus to ensure that over the next three or the US Government. It took me no more than 15 minutes four years, whoever the next Government are, a system to fill in the details for five members of my family. of exit checks is put in place that meets the objectives When we went to America, the details were checked and desired by every Member who has spoken today. agreed and we were in. When we left, they were checked and agreed and we were out. It is a simple concept, which any Government should consider putting in place. Mark Reckless: Does the shadow Minister share my concern that an implication of contracts providing for Although the previous Government tried to implement arbitration rather than litigation in the event of a dispute the e-Borders project, the coalition agreement also makes is that that arbitration takes place in secret? reference to such a scheme. The hon. Member for Harwich and North Essex made some play about difficulties Mr Hanson: I take two points from major computing with coalition partners, but page 21 of the coalition contracts. First, there is a lack of public scrutiny and agreement states: transparency about the methods, the drawing up of “We support E-borders and will reintroduce exit checks.” contracts and the terms and conditions. It would be We have only about nine months for an agreement to be helpful if Parliament and the public could have that made in order for that objective to be achieved. The scrutiny. I would like agreed final contracts to be made Minister’s predecessor, the right hon. Member for Ashford public and open to scrutiny and benchmarking and (Damian Green), said on the “Today” programme on testing by the public. Secondly—this is not meant to be 11 April 2012 that, critical of anyone in particular—I was fortunate to be a 149WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 150WH

Minister for 12 years and I often got involved in a major 2.50 pm computing contract after it had been agreed by somebody The Minister for Security and Immigration (James else or at the end of a review and found that Governments Brokenshire): It is a pleasure to serve under your are good at policy, but not at delivery. Benchmarking, chairmanship, Mr Walker. the methods of control over major contracts and whether I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Harwich and or not the expertise is there to implement major contracts North Essex (Mr Jenkin) for the work of his Committee are issues that we need to consider in detail. and for his speech this afternoon. He advocated the points his Committee made on the quality of immigration Mr Jenkin: Just as an aside, if the implementation is information, as well as presenting the broader issues no good, that means that the policy was no good, about immigration, its importance as an issue to the because there is no point in one without the other. public and the occasional complexity of the debate We are of course outside the Schengen area, so exit about it. Those points were echoed in contributions by and entry checks mean nothing unless we can check other right hon. and hon. Members, and were made people coming across our borders from other European clearly by my hon. Friends the Members for Isle of Union countries within the Schengen area. Will the Wight (Mr Turner) and for Windsor (Adam Afriyie). right hon. Gentleman make it clear that his party’s Immigration impacts upon every part of our lives. It policy is that we should be able to check any passenger is important that the debate about and Government coming in or out of the UK from or to another EU policy on immigration are well informed—that is why I country regardless of the free movement provisions, welcome the contribution from the Public Administration and that we should be able to ask them who they are, Committee—and migration statistics clearly play a crucial why they are coming here, where they are going to, and role in that, so it is right that we discuss how we can all the other questions that we would ask any other ensure that they are as accurate and as relevant as person coming in or out of our country? possible. I therefore express the gratitude of the Government to the Committee for both its report on migration Mr Hanson: I will give the hon. Gentleman a simple statistics and the wide-ranging programme of work that answer: yes. It is extremely important that we can make it has undertaken recently on statistical issues more such checks. I support the principle of free movement, generally. which involves a range of issues, but it is still important, In our response to the Committee the Government as we are outside and will remain outside of the Schengen welcomed many of the positive points made. It is heartening area, that we are able to control our borders. to see the Committee acknowledge the improvements Given the comments of the director general of UK since 2011 in the breadth of migration data published Border Force in March to the Home Affairs Committee, by the Home Office. Those improvements have also we need clarity on the status of the e-Borders project. been welcomed in feedback from a wide range of users The Minister shakes his head again, but we need clarity of the statistics. We agree with the recommendations on on the programme’s trajectory and we need to know better communication of migration statistics—a complex when he expects to achieve 100% coverage, and the total issue that my hon. Friend the Member for Isle of Wight cost. He also needs to provide information about progress highlighted. Not everyone will be as familiar with the in the contract discussions with Raytheon. If the intricacies of those statistics, or where they can be Government are to stick to a net migration target, they found, as the hon. Members in the Chamber this afternoon. need to know the issues arising from migration in I am therefore pleased by the positive view of the and out of the United Kingdom. Without up-to-date Committee about the accessibility of our statistics on information, as outlined by the Public Administration the new Home Office website. Committee, they will not be able to keep their promise [MR GRAHAM BRADY in the Chair] on net migration. We also agree that public understanding of migration Getting the figures right is also important because, as issues can be poor and that ongoing work to improve everyone who has spoken today has said, the integrity that understanding is required. I welcome the support of the figures and our trust and confidence in them are of the Committee and everyone who has contributed to what will give us permission to debate this issue in a the debate this afternoon in that context. It is to improve positive way in the run-up to the election. The issue of public understanding that we work closely with the immigration has an element of toxicity to it—it is Office for National Statistics on the migration statistics difficult to debate, and there are a range of political quarterly report, which provides an overview of migration opinions about it. Our debate will be much better trends each quarter. The report details both ONS statistics informed if in future we have clarity about which people and Home Office data on visas and asylum to provide are coming to the United Kingdom, how, where and the public with a coherent picture of migration. The when they are doing so, the basis upon which they are ONS is the independent and trusted source of immigration here and, crucially, when they leave. statistics, and I am pleased with the significant steps it That is my final point: as the hon. Member for has taken to improve how it presents those statistics. I Harwich and North Essex said, we still do not know know many users have already commented on the how many people are overstaying their visas, where they improvements in its webpages about migration. Last are and what the position is on being able to remove week, the ONS launched a public consultation on further them. That undermines the integrity of our immigration changes to the quarterly release, and I urge all those system. I want to see that integrity in the system, with with an interest in these issues to contribute to that so basic information collected in a meaningful way. Dare I that we can make further improvements. say it, we have the opportunity to get political consensus Although the Government welcome a number of the on doing that, so I look forward to hearing what the Committee’s proposals on clearer communications, which Minister has to say. chime well with our approach and that of the Office for 151WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 152WH

[James Brokenshire] Mr Jenkin: In my remarks, I raised the question of the 2011 study conducted by the Home Office into the National Statistics, as our response indicated we do not expansion of the use of separate migration survey data. agree with all of the Committee’s recommendations. I That would cost only £2 million, so is much better value will address the main points in that regard, as well as than increasing the size of the international passenger dealing with other issues that have come up during the survey. Is the Minister going to come on to that point in course of the debate. his remarks? First, we do not agree that the international passenger survey is inadequate for measuring migration. The view James Brokenshire: My hon. Friend did mention that of the independent UK Statistics Authority is that our specific aspect. The current discussions with the ONS migration statistics are the best available within the indicate that its current approach is, rather, to look at current level of resources and that the ONS has taken other forms of data—other administrative data, such as significant steps in recent years to ensure that the statistics those from the Department for Work and Pensions—to are as reliable and accurate as possible. I will go on to better inform the statistics. That is its preferred option explore that in further detail. for this type of work. I give a commitment to discuss The issues of cost, value and expenditure have been the issues again as part of our discussions with the raised this afternoon and were also highlighted during ONS, but that is its preferred approach instead of the Committee’s evidence session on this matter. It may setting up a separate survey. I have noted the point that be helpful if I provide some more context. The international my hon. Friend has made, following on from the Select passenger survey already screens close to 800,000 travellers Committee’s recommendations, and we will check and per year to determine whether they are migrants. It has confer with the ONS that that remains its preferred been suggested that we increase the sample size—indeed, response in providing more localised data in order to that was suggested this afternoon. In oral evidence to inform this subject more carefully. That is certainly the the Committee the issue of quadrupling the budget for feedback that we have had thus far in respect of what the IPS came up. At that time both the Chair of the might be beneficial or might help to supplement the Committee and Guy Goodwin, the expert witness from information provided by the international passenger the Office for National Statistics, agreed that that would survey. be bad value for money. The proposal to increase the IPS may not provide the Our current view aligns with that of the ONS: expanding best value for money, but that does not mean that we or the survey would be unlikely to provide value for money. the ONS are at all complacent, or that we do not However, I am conscious of the need to continue to recognise where improvements can be made. In that discuss and reflect further on these issues. I note that context—I think my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor the Prime Minister wrote to my right hon. Friend the advanced this point—it has been acknowledged that Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith), Chair there were problems with the IPS’s estimates following of both the Justice Committee and the Liaison Committee, the large surge in eastern European migrants following about his recent evidence to the Liaison Committee, EU enlargement in 2004. We know that the absence of giving an undertaking that the Home Office would transitional controls, unlike elsewhere, in the majority continue to discuss this issue with the ONS and would view resulted in an unprecedented and surprising number inform the Public Administration Committee of the of new arrivals in the years that followed. As my hon. outcome of those discussions. It is fair and appropriate Friend the Member for Harwich and North Essex that we continue the dialogue and discussion on the highlighted, that significant change also surprised the passenger survey and any improvements that could or statisticians. That is why the ONS has taken steps since should be made to it in the context of both the report’s then to address the coverage of the IPS survey. The recommendations and our proper consideration of ONS is rightly independent and I cannot speak for it, the facts. but the revised statistics it has published indicate that some of the issues have been resolved by the size of the In that context, it is important to note that we have survey and some of the specific questions that are being been sharing data from what is known as the Semaphore raised as part of its migration statistics improvement system, which uses advance passenger information. I programme. The problems that the ONS found were in draw the attention of right hon. and hon. Members to the survey design, and they have been addressed by the statement released by the ONS on 13 June, in which recalibrating the survey’s coverage and increasing the it underlined the fact that it had received an extract of sample size as part of that programme. Semaphore data and set out the work it was undertaking Questions have been asked about whether the figures in respect of those data. The ONS is doing further are reliable enough for the Government to use them as a analysis of the data and will be providing further responses basis for our aim on net migration. I accept that any and updates in due course, so work is ongoing in that reliance on a survey to monitor a policy objective regard. inevitably means confidence intervals in the central Alongside that, on 13 June we saw the user update on estimates. However, this is not a new issue. Survey that work, and there will be further important updates estimates have been used in this way for many years to at the end of the year. The ONS has committed to that, monitor Government policy and societal changes more and I am happy to provide further details to the Chair generally. They are well-established scientific techniques of the Select Committee. I am also pleased to be able to used to ensure that social surveys are well designed and reassure the House that the Home Office will continue their estimates robust. That is why I would take the to collaborate closely with the ONS in its work on this advice of the UK Statistics Authority that the central matter. I am happy to provide a further report on that statistical estimate derived from the IPS is currently the work at the same time as the ONS provides its update. best available estimate of net migration. 153WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 154WH

It must also be remembered that we have a lot of hold and the length of time they have lived in the UK information on migration to monitor migration policy recognise the strong public concerns about immigration. from a wide range of other sources that provide a clear We welcome that new statistical resource, which will go and coherent picture of trends. That picture is reported some way to meeting the Committee’s recommendation, every quarter in the ONS’s migration statistics quarterly but I will come to further refinements. report, and I welcome the steps that the ONS is taking The Home Office has commissioned additional data to improve the way in which the data are reported and to inform our understanding, such as a new question on presented. Those data sources continue to be developed emigration in the international passenger survey, the and improved—for example, with the release of additional first results from which are now in the public domain, information by the Home Office on certificates of and a new question for the labour force survey on why acceptance of study. The new data allow the public and foreign respondents had originally come to the UK. us to see the impact of the Government’s policies to The breadth and depth of that work reinforces the fact close down bogus colleges. My hon. Friends will no that no single data source can provide a comprehensive doubt be aware of my most recent announcements on picture of migration. That is why I also welcome the this issue. work in the UK statistical system to develop and enhance As well as reporting on trends, it is important to look the range of sources, which together mean that we have at the impact of migration, and we are grateful for the a picture of migration that I believe is as good as that excellent work of the ONS, through its reports from the available to any other country across the globe. 2011 census and other sources, in informing the British I noted what the shadow Minister said about filling public clearly and authoritatively about the significant out the ESTA form and how that might be used. It is changes in population that we have seen over the past interesting to note that the US uses population surveys, decade and the impact of migration on the make-up of not the ESTA system, to measure migration. It is important the population in the UK. to recognise the interrelationship between the two, and that in some respects the information from e-Borders Adam Afriyie: I appreciate some of the assurances may help to supplement, but not replace, other information. the Minister is giving. General key concerns are whether the changes to which he is referring—I appreciate that Mr Hanson: The point I was making about the ESTA they are not all in place—will mitigate the criticisms or system was that—unlike, potentially, our visa system—the observations by the Royal Statistical Society and the Americans would know when and whether I had left the Oxford migration observatory that with the present country. statistics and information we cannot at the moment work out reliably people’s source country or changes in the migratory patterns from individual source countries James Brokenshire: The right hon. Gentleman draws in the EU or elsewhere, and the impact on specific me on to the e-Borders system and its programme. We regions in the United Kingdom. Is he satisfied that with hear the point that the Committee have made in respect the changes being made those concerns will be mitigated? of that. While valuable, the border systems data are, in our judgment, not the right way to measure immigration flows, for which we believe that well-designed surveys James Brokenshire: I will come to exit checks. The are more appropriate. The data do not capture passengers’ way in which advance passenger information data can onward travel plans or duration of stay, so they could be used to supplement and for support is important and not be directly used to measure long-term international I will address that directly. I highlight the fact that there migration. Rather, they are designed to alert us to are other sources of data. My hon. Friend may be aware passengers of interest leaving and entering the country, of the workforce data survey and the use of the statistics so that we can strengthen security and immigration for national insurance registrations. The IPS itself highlights controls. They allow law enforcement partners to target and provides data in its reports and analysis in respect and monitor those seeking to travel to and from the UK of different countries and provides separate analyses of who might harm this country’s interests—the point my where those flows come from, such as net migration hon. Friend the Member for Windsor highlighted. They from outside and from within the EU, and it produces are an extremely valuable tool; indeed, since 2010 our the graphs that my hon. Friend has no doubt seen, border systems have issued alerts resulting in more than tracking those back over 30 years. It gives a sense of 13,300 arrests, including 60 for murder, 59 for kidnap long-term trends; it is important to understand where and 167 for rape. there may be growth in particular areas and what that I therefore understand why the Committee took the might mean in terms of informing policy. view that border systems data might entirely replace the It is important to recognise some of the excellent and IPS. However, that is at odds with the statistical advice innovative research and analysis that has increased our we have received and the evidence that academic experts knowledge of migration—for example, the migrant journey provided to the Committee. None the less, it is important reports, the report on the social and public service to see how the information can be used to interpret impact of migration, and the recent report on labour what is happening. That is why it is important to share market changes. All that work is critical in helping us to Semaphore data with the ONS, so that the ONS can understand and appreciate the impact of migration on carry out further analysis. our country. I want to come back on some of the points made I highlighted the 2011 census, which provides extremely about exit checks. The Home Office is on track to meet valuable data that has captured a much broader range by April 2015 the commitment to introduce exit checks of information on migrants than any census previously. on those who leave the UK via scheduled international The new census questions on the passports that people air, sea and rail services. Exit check capability will be 155WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 156WH

[James Brokenshire] the fact that this is not a simple matter. Difficulties associated with dual nationality, lost and renewed passports founded on advance passenger information, supplemented and changes of name preclude the possibility of producing by embarkation checks at ports, where necessary. That statistically reliable estimates of migration flows. That will further bolster border security. means the data do not meet the very fine tolerances that Exit checks will also identify individuals who are would be required for a reliable statistical estimation of wanted by the police, who pose security, immigration or migration. customs threats, or who fail to comply with the conditions As I mentioned, that does not mean that data cannot of their visas. It is important that checks are used in be used to identify individuals of interest for valuable that way. We have introduced a power in the Immigration operational purposes. The ONS also believes there are Act 2014 to enable those already involved in outbound significant benefits in using the border systems data, passenger processes—for example, the staff of airlines, which will help to improve IPS weighting methodology other carriers and port operators, as well as others—to and the identification of the main flows into and out of integrate embarkation checks with existing processes the UK. That will significantly enhance the degree to where necessary. There is also a power to compel them which we can rely on the IPS, but it does not imply that to do so, if necessary. we can replace the IPS completely. The new exit checks system, which will be introduced Mr Hanson: Will the Minister say what the position is by April next year, will give us, for the first time, a more on non-scheduled traffic—in particular, private flights complete picture of those leaving the UK. The system and through small airfields and small ports? I have will improve our ability to take appropriate enforcement tested him on those issues in parliamentary questions action against those who have potentially overstayed or and have had no reply as yet, although that is for are abusing the UK’s health and welfare systems. However, reasons of national security, which I understand. it will not, on its own, provide a replacement for the comprehensive estimates of the number of migrants James Brokenshire: The right hon. Gentleman will be arriving in and leaving the country. aware that Border Force, which is led by Sir Charles That said, the Government acknowledge the importance Montgomery, takes the issue of small airfields and the of the debate. That is why we will keep under review the maritime arena very seriously. Indeed, those flying in or arrangements for collecting statistics in this vital policy out of airfields must provide various reports, and that is area. Only by ensuring that policy making and public monitored to ensure there is a focus on border security. debate are as well informed as possible can we continue We are focused on all those issues, and Border Force is to build on the successes we have already achieved. I attentive to those arrangements, as well as to broader very much welcome the contribution the Committee approaches and the advance passenger information provided has made. I also welcome the contributions that right in respect of existing scheduled airlines and other forms hon. and hon. Members have made this afternoon. We of transport. will keep the issue under close focus, given the importance I want to come back to some of the accusations the of reliable statistics and the faith and trust that the right hon. Gentleman made, which may be founded on public put in them. That will inform the important a reading of press reports following the appearance of debate on immigration into this country, as well as the director general of Border Force at the Home Government policy on this essential issue. Affairs Committee in March 2014. Sir Charles Montgomery wrote to the Committee to explain that the reporting in 3.17 pm the media was “factually incorrect”. He said that the Mr Jenkin: Thank you, Mr Brady, for taking the work of the e-Borders programme Chair. I thank all the right hon. and hon. Members who “has been incorporated within the…Border Systems Programme”. contributed to the debate—particularly two members None of this work has been suspended; indeed the pace of my Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for of development has quickened. The Home Office remains Ribble Valley (Mr Evans) and my hon. Friend the committed to delivering exit checks by 2015. It was Member for Isle of Wight (Mr Turner), who reminded never the intention of the e-Borders programme, as now us that we can help to inform our own immigration data incorporated in the border systems programme, to deliver by sharing data with other countries. a direct measure of net migration. I fear that the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee, As a Government, we must decide what is feasible, the right hon. Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), is taking account of expert evidence. The reasons why we on the wrong track. He was complimentary about my will not be able to rely on the border systems data to report, I hasten to add, and I am grateful to him; but a measure international migration were set out in the UK massively larger international passenger survey is not Statistics Authority and Government responses to the the best use of resource, however enthusiastic the people Public Administration Committee’s report. I will not doing it might be. His question about why arbitration repeat all those points here, but we hold detailed information on the e-Borders contract is taking so long was apposite. on those passengers required to apply for a visa. However, I hope that the Minister will consider that. Home Office systems do not require information from My hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Adam those travelling from other EU countries. There is, Afriyie) is right to say that if we want more granular therefore, a limit to what visa data provide. data, we need to collect it. Despite what the Government Borders system data collect information on an individual’s say about the inadequacy of e-Borders or border systems travel documents, so one might imagine that one could data and advance passenger information, I cannot help track travel movements over time to identify the proportion but feel that we could make better use of it, particularly of migrants. However, Professor Salt, who provided when it can be cross-referred with visa data information expert witness evidence to the Committee, alluded to that will be collected from 2015. 157WH Migration Statistics26 JUNE 2014 Migration Statistics 158WH

I commend the Opposition spokesman, the right press the Government to get systems going to enable hon. Member for Delyn (Mr Hanson), for his bipartisan those data to be used to inform the survey data. That approach. I draw comfort from his remarks and those would give us far more confidence about the IPS data of the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee. There and the component parts of those data about where appears to be a degree of cross-party consensus in people are going and the groups within the sample. support of the general thrust of our report and on the That is the passing thought that I want to press on my need to deal urgently with the issues it raises. hon. Friend—I think he said yes, sotto voce, but I will not require Hansard to record that comment, as I am My hon. Friend the Minister showed the extraordinary not sure whether I understood him correctly. complexity of the issues in his response, and I am grateful for what he said. My parting thought for him is I thank you Mr Brady, and Mr Walker, for chairing about not dismissing the fact that checks are made on the debate. We will keep an eye on the matters in passports—and will be made on visas—when people question. enter and leave the UK. We can surely use those Question put and agreed to. administrative data in conjunction with other data. We were not calling for the e-Borders data to replace the 3.20 pm international passenger survey data, but we do want to Sitting adjourned.

21WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 22WS

sources of funding—as well as the main business Written Statements representative bodies. I will be launching the guide in Committee Room 10 at 11.00 today as part of a session Thursday 26 June 2014 on access to finance. I am making copies of the strategic plan and the new business finance guide available in the Vote Office. The strategic plan for the British Business Bank can be BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS found on gov.uk and the British Business Bank website.

British Business Bank TREASURY

The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable): I would like to update the House Tax Policy on the British Business Bank. The British Business Bank is already achieving significant results as over 30,000 businesses are benefiting from its The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Andrea programmes. Last year, £782 million of new lending Leadsom): The bank levy, a permanent tax on banks’ and investment in UK small firms was generated by balance sheet equity and liabilities, was introduced by business bank programmes—this is double the level of the Government from 1 January 2011. It remains an activity generated by Government finance programmes essential policy tool, in helping to ensure a fair contribution to small business in 2012-13. from the banking sector and provide incentives for banks to move towards more stable funding profiles, The British Business Bank has also played an important increasing their resilience to liquidity shocks. role in promoting a wider range of finance options. A total of 61% of its activity is channelled through smaller Despite recent changes to simplify the tax base and investors and lenders, with only 39% of support going better align it with the regulatory regime, a number of through the big four banks. Over the coming years, I concerns have been repeatedly raised by the sector in expect that this bias away from the big banks will respect of the levy’s existing design: continue. banks’ balance sheets, and thus bank levy receipts, remain highly sensitive to economic and regulatory change; Examples of the innovative investments over the last year include: £7.8 million committed to the Dawn Capital the need for successive changes to the bank levy rate in order to achieve the revenue target has, it is claimed, created some II venture capital fund; £25 million to the Episode 1 uncertainty and impacted on perceptions of UK competitiveness; venture capital fund; £30 million committed to Praesidian and Capital Europe debt fund; £15 million in BMS finance, the marginal cost of the bank levy has, it is claimed, created £40 million invested through Funding Circle and £20 million risks of distortion and unintended impacts on banks’ behaviour. in the Sussex Place Ventures capital fund. In all this Accordingly, the Government announced that they cases, the British Business Bank’s investments of public were willing to explore (on a non-committal basis) money have been made alongside private sector investors, whether a revenue-neutral reform to the bank levy so crowding in new finance for small business in the charging mechanism, in which the headline rate would UK. be replaced by a new banding approach for determining In addition to this, the British Business Bank also a bank’s charge, could help to address these concerns funds the start-up loans programme, which has lent and increase the predictability and sustainability of £70 million to new entrepreneurs in the UK. The bank bank levy receipts. has increased utilisation of the enterprise finance guarantee Feedback from banks, building societies and advisory to £348 million—up by 21% year on year. This programme bodies as part of the consultation process suggests that helps firms with good cash flow but low levels of it would not, irrespective of how it was structured. collateral to obtain bank finance. Instead, it was considered that a banding approach Today I am publishing the new strategic plan for the would create uncertainty over banks’ charges, strengthen British Business Bank which sets out our ambitious the incentives for activities to be relocated overseas and plans for further increasing the impact of the institution. create arbitrary differences between banks’ effective tax The full board of the British Business Bank is now in rates and the relevance of the levy’s behavioural incentives. place, as are the majority of the staff and senior management team, operating out of the headquarters Reflecting on these concerns—which were raised by in Sheffield as well as, temporarily, the BIS office in banks of different domicile, structure and balance sheet London. The next stage will be to complete state aid size and trajectory—the Government have decided against negotiations with the European Commission later this the introduction of a banding approach for the bank year. At this point, responsibility for the assets and staff levy at Finance Bill 2014 and have no plans to consider currently of the bank will transfer fully to the new this idea further. corporate structures we have put in place. Two wider revenue-neutral proposals were put forward I would also like to inform the House of the publication by the sector as part of the consultation, both of which today of a new business finance guide aimed at making may warrant further evaluation. smaller businesses aware of the options for finance First, a technical amendment was proposed to the available across the market produced by the British bank levy legislation, aiming to address certain banks Business Bank and the ICAEW.It has been produced in inability to accrue the costs of the bank levy for quarterly association with trade bodies representing all the major reporting purposes, which is seen to create an inaccurate 23WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 24WS representation of quarterly operating profit, reduce that still allows for the orderly conduct of a meeting. comparability in interim results and necessitate careful We also wish to make crystal clear that council meetings market and shareholder explanation. in England should be conducted in English, and not in Secondly, a number of respondents suggested that a foreign language. the levy could be applied to the opening rather than Most town halls in England are already embracing closing balance sheet, in order to provide greater certainty such transparency, and do not need to wait for permission to banks over their in-year charge and allow them to from Whitehall to open their doors to the press and make more informed commercial decisions over short-term public. However, a small minority are dragging their investment horizons. feet; Ministers want to make it clear that there is absolutely The case for making these changes remains unclear no reason for the public not to be able to exercise their and the Government need to give further consideration new rights once the secondary legislation has been as to their merit, legality and legislative deliverability. approved by Parliament and made. However, the Government intend to maintain a dialogue with the sector on these points. Overall, the Government would like to thank those CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT who participated in the consultation process. The views put forward have been, and will continue to be, valuable in informing policy decisions in this area. Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant): The remaining provisions of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act Openness of Local Government 2013 (the Act) will come into force on 10 December 2014, subject to parliamentary approval. These provisions include section 9 of the Act which provides for the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for conversion of civil partnership into marriage and schedule 5 Communities and Local Government (Brandon Lewis): of the Act which makes provisions concerning married Through the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, persons or civil partners who change their legal gender. the coalition Government are committed to opening up The Government has also today published: council meetings in England to digital and social media, a consultation on marriage according to the usages of non- updating the provisions of Margaret Thatcher’s Public religious belief organisations, as required by section 14 of Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 to a digital the Act. The consultation is available on the Ministry of age. This will give the press and public new rights to Justice website at: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital- film, report, record, blog and tweet council meetings, communications/marriages-by-non-religious-belief- organisations. allowing the public to see the good work that councillors do, and increase the understanding of local democracy the report on the conclusions of the review of civil partnership in England and Wales, as required by section 15 of the Act. in action. The report is available on the Department for Culture, The draft “Openness of Local Government Bodies Media and Sport website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/ Regulations 2014”, which have been laid before Parliament, consultations/consultation-on-the-future-of-civil- implement these provisions. Without prejudging the partnership-in-england-and-wales. consent of Parliament, it is important that local government the report on the review of survivor benefits under occupational is in a position to implement promptly these new access pension schemes, as required by section 16 of the Act. The rules, including those cases where current Standing report is available on the Department for Work and Pensions website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ Orders might not be unambiguously in line with the occupational-pension-schemes-review-of-survivor-benefits. new requirements. To facilitate these changes and ensure the smooth introduction of the new rights, the Government are undertaking not to make the statutory instrument (which would come into force on the day after that on DEFENCE which it is made) until at least 28 days after the day on which parliamentary approval for the statutory instrument is given. In taking this approach we have also had Gifting Package (Republic of Kazakhstan) regard to the report of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments on the draft regulations. We will also shortly be sending to local authorities a The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): draft version of a new plain English guide on openness I have today laid before Parliament a Ministry of Defence of council meetings, to explain the new rights and departmental minute describing a gifting package which duties the regulations would bring. I will place a copy in the UK intends to make to the Republic of Kazakhstan. the Library of the House in due course. Following any Central Asia is a region of growing importance to the parliamentary approval, we will then publish a final UK’s security and prosperity.The UK and the international plain English guide for the press and public. In the light community must continue to influence and engage with of recent reports of journalists and bloggers being the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the other central obstructed at council meetings of certain local authorities, Asian republics, on a range of issues, including counter- we will highlight the need for councils to provide reasonable terrorism, counter-narcotics and border security, if we facilities to the free press (including print media, film are effectively to promote wider regional security and crews, hyper-local journalists and bloggers) in a way stability. 25WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 26WS

The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan have The scheme is the Government’s approach to meeting played a constructive role supporting ISAF operations the requirements of article 8(4-6) of the EU energy in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan will face increased security efficiency directive (2012/27/EU). challenges once ISAF has withdrawn from Afghanistan; In developing this scheme, officials in my Department the international community has a part to play in have worked closely with colleagues across Government preparing its security forces for these challenges. Kazakhstan and with industry experts. Government consider that also aspires to develop and deploy its troops in support ESOS demonstrates a proportionate approach, in line of UN peacekeeping tasks. The departmental minute, with principles of better regulation—we expect the scheme which I have today laid before Parliament, describes a will yield significant net benefits for the UK as a result gifting package to the Republic of Kazakhstan of surplus of the energy saving achieved. quad bikes with trailers and handheld night vision The Government response sets out our consideration equipment that is intended to contribute to this. Both of the responses to the public consultation held from items have been examined and cleared against the July to October 2013. The Government response consolidated EU and national arms export licensing summarises stakeholder responses to each of the criteria, which includes an assessment of whether the consultation questions, and sets out the Government’s equipment might be used for human rights violations or policy decisions, with reasoning. internal repression, the risk to UK forces and the risk of diversion to an undesirable end user. Subject to completion We are also publishing a guide to ESOS for scheme of the departmental minute process, delivery is expected participants, and the ESOS impact assessment. This to be undertaken during the summer of 2014. demonstrates that ESOS has real potential to enhance economic growth and energy security in the UK, and to reduce our carbon emissions through improved energy Service Complaints Commissioner’s Sixth Annual efficiency—saving 3 TWh per year. Report

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Anna Soubry): I am pleased today to publish the MOD’s FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE formal response to the Service Complaints Commissioner’s (SCC) sixth annual report on the fairness, effectiveness and efficiency of the service complaints system. A copy Afghanistan Monthly Progress Report will be placed in the Library of the House. The response sets out how the MOD proposes to address each of the new recommendations made by the The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth commissioner in her latest report. We are committed to Affairs (Mr William Hague): I wish to inform the House ensuring that our service personnel and their families that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, together have a complaints system in which they can have confidence, with the Ministry of Defence and the Department for and one which is simpler and quicker. That is why we International Development, is today publishing the introduced the Armed Forces (Service Complaints and 38th progress report on developments in Afghanistan Financial Assistance) Bill on 5 June to make improvements since November 2010. to the system and to create the first service complaints The Afghan Independent Election Commission ombudsman. confirmed that none of the presidential candidates secured No servicemen or women should lack confidence in over 50% of votes needed to win the election in the first seeking redress through the complaints process, and we round. Abdullah Abdullah was in the lead with 45% of know that to encourage them to do so we need a system the vote, followed by Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai with that is fairer, more effective and more efficient than at 31.6%. There were 6.6 million valid votes in the presidential present. While the Bill is progressing, we will continue election, 2 million more than the 2009 election, a display to learn from the SCC’s annual reports and implement of popular support for the democratic process. lessons from the services’ own continuous improvement Approximately 36% of voters were women. The second programmes. round was scheduled for 14 June. The Afghan Parliament passed by majority vote the ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE presidential decree amending article 26 of the criminal procedure code. This amends the controversial wording of the original articles that legally prevented relatives Energy Savings from testifying in cases involving their own family members. 12 May marked the beginning of the fighting season. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and While there was a spike in violence and ANSF casualties Climate Change (Gregory Barker): The Government are on this date, this was expected and consistent with levels today publishing the Government response to the energy seen in previous fighting seasons. There were also two savings opportunity scheme (ESOS) consultation and selection days for the first female blook (platoon) which laying draft regulations in Parliament to give effect to selected 33 candidates to start in June 14, demonstrating the policy. the ANSF’s commitment to increase the role of women ESOS will require large enterprises to undertake energy in the security sector. audits to identify opportunities to save money on energy The Helmand redeployment continued with the closure bills through improved energy efficiency. It is estimated of observation post Sterga 2 on 10 May. Following the that the scheme will deliver £1.6 billion of net benefit to closure, conventional UK forces in Helmand are now the UK. based only in Camp Bastion. 27WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 28WS

President Obama announced planned US post-2014 Energy Community and their member states, of the one force levels. 9,800 US personnel will remain deployed in part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part. a regional model in 2015, reducing to 5,500 in Kabul by Council decision on the conclusion of the association agreement the end of 2015. A “normalised” embassy-based mission between the European Union and the European Atomic supported by up to 1,000 troops will be in operation by Energy Community and their member states, of the one the end of 2016, providing a bilateral security agreement part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part. is concluded satisfactorily. The EU-Moldova association agreement constitutes I am placing the report in the Library of the House. a reform agenda for Moldova, based around a It will also be published on the gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/ comprehensive programme to more closely align their government/publications/afghanistan-progress-reports legislation to EU norms, focusing on support to core reforms including economic recovery and growth, governance and co-operation in a wide range of sectors. This will help to ensure a stable and prosperous region EU-Georgia Association Agreement on the edge of the European Union, which is in the UK’s national interest. The Council decisions approving the EU’s signature The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I wish and conclusion of the EU-Moldova association agreement to inform the House that the Government have opted in give approval to the EU to sign and conclude provisions to the following measures: covered by title V of the TFEU, in particular, in respect Council decision on the signing, on behalf of the European of provisions related to the temporary presence of Union, and provisional application, of the association agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic natural persons for business—mode 4—and to the Energy Community and their member states, of the one readmission of persons. The UK’s Justice and Home part, and Georgia, of the other part. Affairs opt-in has been triggered as a result. The Council decision on the conclusion of the association agreement Government have decided that it is in the UK’s best between the European Union and the European Atomic interests to opt in to these Council decisions. Energy Community and their member states, of the one When making this decision, the Government took part, and Georgia, of the other part. into consideration that the UK already participates in The EU-Georgia association agreement constitutes a the existing readmission agreement between the EU reform agenda for Georgia, based around a comprehensive and Moldova and as such it is appropriate that we now programme to more closely align their legislation to opt in to the new provisions which require the parties to EU norms, focusing on support to core reforms ensure the full implementation of that agreement. including economic recovery and growth, governance The mode 4 provisions are in line with the EU’s Doha and co-operation in a wide range of sectors. This will round offer to the World Trade Organisation and are help to ensure a stable and prosperous region, which is subject to rigorous safeguards, including minimum skills in the UK’s national interest. levels. The Council decisions approving the EU’s signature and conclusion of the EU-Georgia association agreement give approval to the EU to sign and conclude provisions EU-Ukraine Association Agreement covered by title V of the TFEU, in particular, in respect of provisions related to the temporary presence of natural persons for business—mode 4—and to the The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I wish readmission of persons. The UK’s Justice and Home to inform the House that the Government have opted in Affairs opt-in has been triggered as a result. The to the following measure: Government have decided that it is in the UK’s best interests to opt in to these Council decisions. Council decision on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application, of the When making this decision, the Government took association agreement between the European Union into consideration that the UK already participates in and the European Atomic Energy Community and the existing readmission agreement between the EU their member states, of the one part, and Ukraine, of and Georgia and as such it is appropriate that we now the other part, as regards titles III, IV, V, VI and VII of opt in to the new provisions which require the parties to the agreement as well as the related annexes and protocols. ensure the full implementation of that agreement. On 17 October 2013, Official Report, column 66WS, I The mode 4 provisions are in line with the EU’s Doha informed the House that we had opted in to a previous round offer to the World Trade Organisation and are version of this Council decision. In November 2013 subject to rigorous safeguards, including minimum skills former President Yanukovych decided not to pursue levels. signature of the association agreement. This decision resulted in unrest in Ukraine, and in February 2014 a new interim President was appointed. The political EU-Moldova Association Agreement titles of the agreement were signed at a European Council on 21 March 2014. That part of the agreement did not include provisions covered by title V of the The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I wish TFEU and therefore did not trigger the UK’s JHA to inform the House that the Government have opted in opt-in. Following successful presidential elections in to the following measures: May 2014, President Poroshenko confirmed his intention Council decision on the signing, on behalf of the European to sign the association agreement. The above new decision Union, and provisional application, of the association agreement has since been brought forward to enable signature of between the European Union and the European Atomic the remaining titles of the agreement. 29WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 30WS

The EU-Ukraine association agreement constitutes a July 2012, we published the “Consultation on standardised reform agenda for Ukraine, based around a comprehensive packaging of tobacco products”. The report of the programme to align their legislation more closely to EU 2012 consultation was published in July 2013. norms, focusing on support to core reforms including The consultation on the introduction of regulations economic recovery and growth, governance and co- for standardised packaging of tobacco products has operation in a wide range of sectors. This will help to been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. ensure a stable and prosperous region on the edge of the Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from European Union, which is in the UK’s national interest. the Printed Paper Office. The Council decisions approving the EU’s signature I encourage any person or organisation with an interest and conclusion of the EU-Ukraine association agreement in standardised packaging of tobacco products to engage give approval to the EU to sign and conclude provisions with the consultation. covered by title V of the TFEU, in particular, in respect We have also today published on the web the detailed of provisions related to the temporary presence of responses that were received to the 2012 consultation. natural persons for business—mode 4—and to the These can be seen at: readmission of persons. The UK’s Justice and Home www.gov.uk/government/consultations/standardised- Affairs opt-in has been triggered as a result. The packaging-of-tobacco-products Government have decided that it is in the UK’s best interests to opt in to these Council decisions. When making this decision, the Government took Health Council into consideration that the UK already participates in the existing readmission agreement between the EU The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Ukraine and as such it is appropriate that we now (Jane Ellison): The Employment, Social Policy, Health opt in to the new provisions which require the parties to and Consumer Affairs Council met in Luxembourg on ensure the full implementation of that agreement. 19 and 20 June 2014. Health issues were discussed on The mode 4 provisions are in line with the EU’s Doha 20 June and the United Kingdom was represented at the round offer to the World Trade Organisation and are meeting by the UK deputy permanent representative to subject to rigorous safeguards, including minimum skills the EU. levels. The presidency provided a progress report on the medical devices regulations and asked member states for an exchange of views on a compromise text on the HEALTH designation of notified bodies, post-market surveillance and the tasks allocated to the medical devices co-ordinating Standardised Tobacco Packaging group. Member states provided a range of opinions on these questions and the presidency and Commission The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health thanked member states for their views. (Jane Ellison): The Government have today published The Council adopted Council conclusions on the the “Consultation on the introduction of regulations economic crisis and health care, and on nutrition and for standardised packaging of tobacco products”. This physical activity. Italy and Romania tabled a joint consultation is being conducted on a UK-wide basis. declaration, expressing concern with the call upon the In November 2013, the Department of Health Commission to implement nutrient profiles. commissioned Sir Cyril Chantler to undertake an Under any other business, France asked member independent review of whether the introduction of states to work together to respond to the high price of a standardised packaging of tobacco is likely to have an new hepatitis C medicine. Ireland briefly informed effect on public health, in particular in relation to delegations of their plans to introduce standardised children. The report of the Chantler review, which was packaging of tobacco products, should the Bill successfully published in April 2014, concluded that if standardised pass through their Parliament. packaging was introduced, it would have a positive Most member states, including the UK, signed an impact on public health. agreement to be able to jointly procure vaccines in the Before reaching a decision on whether to introduce future, if we choose to exercise this. standardised packaging of tobacco products, we are Italy presented their broad priorities for their presidency holding a final, short consultation. This consultation which begins on 1 July 2014. These cover a range of will run for six weeks until 7 August. So that our areas including dementia and anti-microbial resistance decision on whether to introduce standardised packaging (AMR). is properly and fully informed, the consultation includes a set of draft regulations so that it is clear how such a Liverpool Care Pathway policy would work in practice. The draft regulations set out proposed requirements for the packaging of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, and requirements for the The Minister of State, Department of Health (Norman appearance of individual cigarettes, should standardised Lamb): The Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying packaging be introduced. People has today published details of the approach to In the consultation that has been published today, we secure high-quality, personalised care for everyone in ask, in particular, for views on anything new since the the last few days and hours of life in England. last full public consultation on standardised packaging Today’s publication by the alliance of 21 organisations that we ran in 2012 that is relevant to the development follows the report by the independent review that I of this policy, including evidence relating to the wider commissioned to consider the Liverpool care pathway implications of introducing standardised packaging. In (LCP). The review panel made 44 recommendations, 31WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 32WS including that the LCP should be phased out over the which is currently out for consultation. It has also succeeding six to 12 months. As I announced on 15 July published its standards for competence as a separate 2013, the Government accepted that recommendation. stand-alone document. I said that the Government would consider fully the The review panel found evidence of both good and recommendations of the review and work with the poor care given to people in the last few days and hours organisations to which the panel addressed its of life. Use of the LCP was not found to be synonymous recommendations, other stakeholders and charities to with poor care. The panel said that whilst in some inform a full system-wide response to the review’s circumstances, the LCP had supported the delivery of recommendations. That response, which includes details good care, it was not always applied properly. Where it of the new approach, is published today. was used as a generic protocol, the LCP ran the risk of The work that has been done goes beyond responding becoming process-driven. to each of the recommendations. The leadership alliance As I made clear in my statement of 15 July 2013, has developed five priorities for care of the dying person. everyone who uses health and care services has the right These set out, for dying people, their families, health to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion by and care staff and others, what should happen when staff with the skills and time to care for them properly, someone is thought to be close to dying. and any variation in standards of care is not acceptable. The priorities for care provide that: The priorities for care make it clear that where someone the possibility that a person may die within the next days and is thought to be in the last few days and hours of life, hours should be recognised and communicated clearly, decisions there must be sensitive communication, involvement in about care made in accordance with the person’s needs and decision making and consideration of the needs of wishes, and these decisions reviewed and revised regularly; those who matter most to the dying person. sensitive communication should take place between staff and the person who is dying and those people who are Key national organisations in the health and care important to the dying person; system have committed to a co-ordinated programme of actions to take forward the priorities for care. This the dying person, and those identified as important to them, should be involved in decisions about treatment and care; includes providing relevant education and training, as well as regulatory and inspection action. There is no the people important to the dying person should be listened to and their needs respected; and excuse for individual organisations and health and care staff to deliver anything less than high-quality care for care should be compassionate and reflect a care plan for the people in the last few days and hours of life, as set out in individual dying person. the five priorities. The response includes further details of the priorities, The Government will continue to take a close interest as well as a statement of the duties and responsibilities in this area and intend to publish a report, around July of health and care staff to deliver the priorities, and 2015, two years on from the review panel’s report, implementation guidance for service providers and assessing how national organisations have implemented commissioners. The 21 organisations have also published the commitments they have set out today.The independent a collective statement, as well as individual statements, review panel chaired by Baroness Neuberger will continue of the key actions they will take to implement the to have a role, providing independent advice to Ministers priorities. These include that the National Institute for about implementation of the commitments in the system- Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will be developing wide response. Their views will inform the report that new clinical guidelines on the care of the dying adult the Government intend to publish. and end-of-life care for children. These guidelines will inform the development of a quality standard for end-of-life I am grateful to members of the panel for agreeing to care for children and an update of NICE’S quality continue in this role, as well as for their wider commitment standard on end-of-life care for adults. From October to ensuring high quality, compassionate care for everyone 2014, Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections will in the last few days and hours of life. incorporate the priorities as part of inspection of end of One chance to get it right, which incorporates the life care. system-wide response to the report of the independent Taking account of the fact that one of the panel’s panel on the LCP, has been placed in the Library, along recommendations was in two parts, the organisations with the commitment statements made by national have accepted 28 of its recommendations in full and organisations. Copies are available to hon. Members 12 in principle or in part. There are three that have not from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the been accepted at this stage or that are still being considered. Printed Paper Office. Two recommendations have not been accepted. NHS England and Health Education England will not promote the use of prognostic tools in relation to dying. The approach in the priorities for care does not, unlike the HOME DEPARTMENT LCP, rely on a diagnosis of dying. The priorities apply “when it is thought that a person may die within the next few days Al-Muhajiroun and hours” and will support good care irrespective of whether someone is actually dying. The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Rather than issue guidance to nurses on caring for Brokenshire): We have today laid an order under section people at the end of life, the Nursing and Midwifery 3(6) of the Terrorism Act 2000 which, with effect from Council will instead incorporate the principles behind tomorrow, will specify “Need4Khilafah”, “the Shariah the priorities into the revised NMC code: standards of Project” and “the Islamic Dawah Association” as aliases conduct, performance and ethics, a draft version of of the proscribed organisation known as al-Ghurabaa, 33WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 34WS the Saved Sect, al-Muhajiroun and Islam4UK. This National Fraud Authority organisation was proscribed in 2006 for glorifying terrorism and we are clear it should not be able to continue these activities by simply operating under alternative names. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the The effect of this order is that being a member of or Home Department (Karen Bradley): The National Fraud supporting any group operating under these names will Authority annual report and accounts 2013-14 has been be a criminal offence as to do so will amount to being a laid before the House today and published. Copies will member of or supporting al-Ghurabaa, contrary to be available from the Vote Office. sections 11 and 12 of the Terrorism Act.

Immigration Removals (New Restraint System)

Detention of Persons with Statutorily Extended Leave The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Brokenshire): I am today announcing that I have formally The Minister for Security and Immigration (James approved a new restraint system for safely managing Brokenshire): A removal decision under section 47 of people being escorted during immigration removals. the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 This fulfils a commitment by this Government to (the 2006 Act) may be made in relation to any person provide training for escort staff that reflects the environment whose leave is statutorily extended leave by virtue of they work in, both in-country and overseas. The bespoke either: training is tailored to the experience and behaviour of section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 (the 1971 Act)—where detainees and staff in immigration removals and provides the migrant has made an in-time application and a decision practical tools to de-escalate situations and minimise on the application is pending or an appeal against refusal the use of restraint. has not yet been exhausted; or The new system has been assessed by the independent section 3D of the 1971 Act—where leave has been revoked advisory panel for non-compliance management, chaired or curtailed with immediate effect and any appeal against by Stephen Shaw. The panel was established to provide that decision has not yet been exhausted. support to the National Offender Management Service The previous Government stated that migrants who in the design of the new training package to provide had received a removal decision under section 47 of the independent advice on the quality and safety of the new 2006 Act could not be subject to reporting conditions package, in particular on the use of restraint techniques. or detention while they had continuing leave pending The report by the independent advisory panel for the outcome of an appeal, 29 March 2006, Official non-compliance management is welcomed by the Report, column 908. In fact, schedule 2 of the 1971 Act Government. The report recognises the balance to be allows their detention, and in circumstances where leave struck between treating detainees with respect and has been abused this may be appropriate. minimising the need for restraint, with our responsibility Curtailment with immediate effect is used where the to enforce immigration law, which sometimes requires migrant has failed to comply with the conditions of the use of physical intervention. their leave, or their character, conduct or associations After careful consideration of the panel’s comprehensive make it undesirable to allow them to remain in the assessment of the quality and safety of the new system, UK—for example, there is reliable evidence that they the Government have accepted all of its recommendations. have facilitated or entered into a sham marriage or civil partnership to gain an immigration advantage. Sham The new training for overseas and in-country escort marriage is known to be a significant and increasing staff will begin implementation on 28 July 2014. threat to UK immigration control. I am placing a copy of the full report of the independent To allow robust and proportionate enforcement action advisory panel for non-compliance management and against individuals who abuse the immigration system, the Government’s response to the report in the Library we are changing policy in regard of persons who have of the House. A redacted version of the manual for statutorily extended leave under section 3D of the 1971 escorting safely and supporting guidance will be published Act. Migrants whose leave has been revoked or curtailed in due course. with immediate effect will be liable to be detained or to report to the Home Office (depending on the individual circumstances of the case) pending their removal from Potential Miscarriages of Justice the UK. The Home Office will continue not to detain persons whose leave is extended by virtue of section 3C of the The Secretary of State for the Home Department 1971 Act. In these cases, migrants have sought to regularise (Mrs Theresa May): When I made my statement to the their stay before their leave expired and should not be House on 6 March 2014, announcing the findings of subject to enforcement action before their application is the Stephen Lawrence independent review by Mark finally determined. Similarly, a person whose leave is Ellison QC, I said that: curtailed for reasons outside their control (for example, “In identifying the possibility that SDS secrecy may have the college at which they were studying has closed caused miscarriages of justice, Mark Ellison recommends a further review to identify the specific cases affected. I have accepted that down) would normally be left with some leave remaining, recommendation and Mark Ellison will lead the work, working in order to let them find alternative provision. A removal with the CPS and reporting to the Attorney-General. That will decision would not be made with the curtailment decision mean that proper consideration can be given to those cases and to and they would be unaffected by this policy change. any implications that may arise. In doing that work, Mark Ellison 35WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 36WS and the CPS will be provided with whatever access they judge INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT necessary to relevant documentary evidence”—[Official Report,6 March 2014; Vol. 576, c. 1063.] Parliamentary Oral Question (Correction) Mr Ellison, the Attorney-General and I have now agreed his terms of reference. Mr Ellison will continue The Secretary of State for International Development to be supported by Alison Morgan, who was Mr Ellison’s (Justine Greening): I am taking this opportunity to junior counsel during the Stephen Lawrence independent provide a corrected answer to a question asked by the review. The terms of reference are: hon. Member for Stroud (Neil Carmichael) on 5 March “Mark Ellison QC will co-ordinate a multi-agency review, 2014, Official Report, column 877. The hon. Member reporting to the Attorney-General, to assess the possible impact asked: upon the safety of convictions in England and Wales where What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the UK’s relevant undercover police activity was not properly revealed to programme of support for Syrian refugees. [902826] the prosecutor and considered at the time of trial. Nothing in these terms of reference affects the statutory responsibilities of On the basis of the World Food Programme’s final the various agencies and office-holders working with the review. figures for 2013, the answer to this question is: The review will initially focus on the undercover police activity The UK has allocated £265 million to support refugees in of the MPS’s Special Demonstration Squad and the National countries neighbouring Syria, providing approximately 1.3 million Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) which, while not an monthly food packages last year, 71,000 medical consultations, MPS resource, worked to similar objectives. The review will then and an improved water supply for more than 40,000people. We assess whether its scope may need to be broadened to cover other are working closely with Governments, the UN and others to undercover police activity. ensure that the overall international response builds resilience and is implemented effectively. The review will seek to ensure, by working co-operatively with the Home Office, Operation Herne (on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS)), other police forces, CPS, Criminal Cases NORTHERN IRELAND Review Commission (CCRC) and any other relevant agencies, that the following tasks are carried out: Hallett Inquiry 1. Establish the relevant document retention and destruction policies adopted within the relevant organisations; The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa 2. Identify the extent of surviving police, prosecution and Villiers): I would like to announce that the report of the court case files; Hallett inquiry will be published on 17 July. On that 3. Establish the nature of undercover policing undertaken day, I will make a further statement to this House and and the potential for undercover police activity to have been lay the report in both Houses. relevant to a prosecution but unrevealed to the appropriate As the person responsible for publication of the authority; Hallett report once it is delivered to me, I have a duty to 4. Identify, using both available records and other reasonable act in a way that is compatible with the European means, any convictions where it appears there was relevant convention on human rights. To fulfil this duty, I need undisclosed and unrevealed undercover police activity capable of impacting adversely on the safety of the conviction; to take steps to satisfy myself that publication of the report will not breach article 2 of the convention by 5. Ensure that any cases falling in 4 above, where it appears putting the lives or safety of individuals at risk. These the safety of a conviction may have been adversely affected, are referred to the appropriate authority for evaluation and obligations were outlined in detail in the written statement appropriate action; I made on 31 October 2012, Official Report, column 18WS, regarding the release of the de Silva review. The same 6. Ensure that any cases falling in 4 above are reviewed to establish the rationale for non-revelation and to establish the duties apply to me in relation to the Hallett report. extent to which the MPS and the Home Office were aware In order to comply with these duties, prior to publication and identify the action taken as a result; and the report has to be checked by a team of legal advisers 7. Agree a protocol with the MPS (and all other police forces and officials in relation to human rights and national subsequently identified), the CPS, the CCRC and any other security matters. This is in line with the approach used relevant agencies regarding the tasks that each will undertake; for the Bloody Sunday, Billy Wright and Rosemary the availability and handling of material; and other issues as Nelson inquiries, and the de Silva review. necessary. The report is being prepared for publication by Lady Mark Ellison QC will aim to report the review’s findings in Justice Hallett’s team. I will see the final report for the writing on the above to the Attorney-General by 31 March 2015”. first time on 16 July, 24 hours before publication. As The review has already begun its preliminary work. with the publication of previous reports, I intend to Where the review identifies a potential miscarriage of grant advance sight to those who Lady Justice Hallett justice, the case will be referred to the Criminal Cases has recommended as being interested parties. Review Commission for its consideration of whether the case should be referred to the appellate courts. At PRIME MINISTER the conclusion of the process, the review will produce a report to the Attorney-General, which he will publish. Intelligence Services Commissioner (Annual Report) That report will not include the details of the individuals whose cases have been examined, as to do so could The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): Ihave prejudice any subsequent appeal proceedings or retrials. today laid before both Houses a copy of the latest I am grateful to the Director of Public Prosecutions, annual report from the Intelligence Services Commissioner. the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and to Chief The right hon. Sir Mark Waller was appointed by me to Constable Creedon for the support they have offered to keep under review the exercise by the Secretaries of the review. I know that the Metropolitan Police Service State of their powers to issue warrants and authorisations will co-operate fully with the review team. to enable the security and intelligence agencies to carry 37WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 38WS out their vital functions. The commissioner also uses issued updated and revised safeguarding directions to his position to check the lawful use of the powers and local planning authorities along the London to west duties imposed on the intelligence services and the midlands HS2 route. These adjust the previous directions Ministry of Defence by the Regulation of Investigatory issued in October 2013 to more closely match the description Powers Act 2000 and the Intelligence Services Act 1994. of the scheme set out in the HS2 hybrid Bill and The commissioner’s report provides a complete summary accompanying environmental statement currently before of the inspection regime that he has undertaken. It the House. shows that the agencies, Ministry of Defence personnel, Safeguarding directions aim to ensure that land which civil servants and Secretaries of State understand their has been earmarked for major infrastructure projects is responsibilities and comply with the law. Through his protected from conflicting developments before construction inspection process and as a result of self-reporting by starts. They also enable many of those who own property the relevant agencies, Sir Mark’s report sets out a number in the safeguarded area to serve a blight notice and of instances in which human error has resulted in request that the Government purchase their property regrettable administrative errors. In these instances the under the terms of the compensation code. commissioner has satisfied himself that these errors As the Government are no longer planning on building were not deliberate and has suggested changes to ensure a link between HS1 and HS2 at the London end of the that they are not repeated. railway, the relevant land has also been removed from The commissioner has also made available to me a safeguarding. confidential annex to his main report, which as per HS2 Ltd is writing to all known property and landowners section 60(5) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers within the relevant areas to notify them of the revised Act 2000; Sir Mark and I have agreed it would not be in directions, and their effect. the public interest to publish. However, as the commissioner makes clear, the findings in the confidential annex do Safeguarding directions also trigger statutory blight not detract or change the conclusions that he reaches in procedures under the Town and Country Planning Act his main report. 1990. Owner-occupiers of properties within the safeguarded The intelligence agencies’ work is vital to protect the area who wish to move may apply to sell their property UK’s national security. We have a robust legislative to the Government by serving a blight notice. If they framework and strong system of oversight to ensure meet the relevant criteria they can expect to receive the that the agencies operate within the law and that their “un-blighted” open market value of their home, a home actions are in accordance with our legal obligations. loss payment of 10% of the value of their home—up to Sir Mark’s role, as set out in his annual report, is an £47,000—and reasonable moving costs such as legal important part of that system of oversight. I am pleased fees, and stamp duty on a replacement property. that this annual report provides more detail than ever As I announced on 9 April, Official Report, before of how his oversight operates. It provides an column 19WS, the HS2 express purchase scheme now independent and informed account of the agencies’ applies in the surface safeguarded area. The scheme compliance with the law and the high ethical standards provides eligible property owners with the same their staff follow. I am grateful to Sir Mark for his compensation entitlement, whether or not their property scrutiny and oversight and welcome his conclusion that is required for the scheme. Where an area of land has the public should have confidence that the agencies act been removed from the safeguarded area by these new within the law. safeguarding directions, the express purchase scheme will remain available to owners of properties in that House of Lords (Appointments) area—the extended home owner protection zone—for five years. This does not apply to properties along the The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): The House formerly proposed link between HS1 and HS2, which of Lords Appointments Commission is responsible for will no longer be close to the high-speed railway. Full recommending non-party political appointments to the information and maps describing the new directions, as House of Lords. In line with the practice of the previous well as guidance and application forms for express Administration, I continue to nominate direct to Her purchase and other property compensation schemes, Majesty the Queen a limited number of candidates for are available at, www.hs2.org.uk or by phoning the HS2 crossbench peerages, based on their public service. I am Ltd public enquiries line on 020 7944 4908. extending the criteria for these recommendations to ensure they can properly encompass a range of individuals with a proven track record of public service, not solely public servants on retirement. The nominations will WORK AND PENSIONS continue to be vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. The number of appointments covered under this arrangement will remain unchanged at a Child Poverty Strategy 2014-17 maximum often in any one Parliament.

TRANSPORT The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith): Today, jointly with my right hon. Friend HS2 Safeguarding Directions the Minister of State for Schools, I will publish the Government’s child poverty strategy 2014-17. At the The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Patrick end of this Parliament, as at the start, the coalition McLoughlin): I can today inform the House that Government are committed to ending child poverty by under the Town and Country Planning (Development 2020, transforming the lives of the most vulnerable in Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010, I have our society. 39WS Written Statements26 JUNE 2014 Written Statements 40WS

Despite the tough economic climate, we are making The Bill will also encourage “collective schemes”, progress. With employment at a record high, up by which are popular in many countries around the world nearly 1.7 million since 2010, there are now 290,000 as the pooled risks can make pension outcomes more fewer children in workless households. Poor children stable. are doing better than ever at school, with the proportion The time is right for a new regulatory framework for of children on free school meals getting good GCSEs, future private pension provision; we know that consumers including English and maths, having increased from value greater certainty in pensions and over a quarter of 31% in 2010 to 38% in 2013. This is the kind of lasting employers are interested in offering a pension involving life change that makes a real difference to children’s risk sharing. outcomes. I shall place a copy of the delegated powers Based on an in-depth evidence review, today’s strategy memorandum and impact assessment in the Libraries sets out the actions we will take to build on this momentum, of both Houses along with a list of the relevant older restating our commitment to tackle poverty at its source. papers. We will help families into work and to increase their Copies of the impact assessment and the delegated earnings; support living standards through decreasing powers memorandum will be available in the Vote Office costs for low-income families; and prevent poor children and Printed Paper Office and on the gov.uk website becoming poor adults through raising their educational later today. attainment. In doing so, we can break the cycle of disadvantage, offering families security and stability for the future. Health and Safety Executive (Triennial Review) To achieve this end, our strategy calls for action from employers, the devolved Administrations, local areas and the voluntary and community sector. All must play The Minister of State, Department for Work and their part, for we know that central Government action Pensions (Mike Penning): On 9 January 2014, I made a alone cannot end child poverty. written statement to Parliament—Official Report, column Alongside the strategy, it is our firm belief that we 19WS—announcing the publication of the independent need a revised set of child poverty measures which report of Martin Temple on the triennial review of the underline our commitment to ending child poverty, but Health and Safety Executive (HSE). I am pleased to better reflect the evidence about its underlying causes announce that later today the Government response to and where we need to target action most. the triennial review of HSE will be published. We are not yet in a position to put these forward. In HSE is an Executive non-departmental public body the meantime, the Child Poverty Act 2010 requires us to (NDPB). It is the national, independent regulator for set a persistent child poverty target through affirmative work-related safety and health. Its mission is the prevention regulations by December 2014. As we will not have put of death, injury and ill-health to those at work and forward new measures by then, the Government remain those affected by work activities. committed to meeting their existing obligations under I am very grateful to Mr Temple for producing such a the Act. We are therefore consulting on a persistent thorough independent report, which has been widely child poverty target based on the definition set out in welcomed. I support the majority of his recommendations. the Act and at a level of less than 7% by 2020, which is Today’s Government response explains the actions we consistent with existing statutory child poverty targets. will take on all the recommendations and updates on progress made so far in implementing them, where Defined Ambition Pensions appropriate. In some areas, as set out in the Government response, I want to go further to reform HSE to ensure that it The Minister of State, Department for Work and delivers value for money to the taxpayer, while ensuring Pensions (Steve Webb): I am pleased to confirm that the safety for the nation. Good health and safety is vital to Government have published their response to the good business in a growing UK economy. There is consultation “Reshaping workplace pensions for future international interest in learning from and adopting generations”. Later today, we shall publish independent Britain’s health and safety regulatory system. Realising research on defined ambition—or shared risk—pensions, HSE’s potential as a world leader in providing health commissioned by DWP, and we intend to introduce the and safety advice will create a new income stream for Pension Schemes Bill 2014. Government as well as benefiting UK businesses who The Bill provides for a new legislative framework for already work within this regulatory framework. defined ambition pensions that enable employers and I will place a copy of the Government response to the their workers to share risks, providing more certainty triennial review of HSE in the House Library later for savers and controlling costs for employers. today. 253W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 254W

concern in the annual human rights report. The next Written Answers to global assessment will therefore take place shortly before the end of 2014. Questions Bangladesh

Thursday 26 June 2014 Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Bangladeshi counterpart on allegations of human rights abuses in that country FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE since January 2014. [201842] Bahrain Hugh Robertson: We take human rights very seriously and follow the situation in Bangladesh closely, raising Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State concerns where there are credible allegations. We welcome for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent the Bangladesh Government’s assurances that they are assessment he has made of the prevalence of human committed to protecting human rights and recognise rights abuse in Bahrain. [201822] the positive progress that has been made across a range of social development indicators. Hugh Robertson: The UK works closely with the However, allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced Government of Bahrain to provide targeted and practical disappearances and human rights abuses are deeply assistance in torture prevention, judicial reform, civil concerning. We regularly raise our human rights concerns service capacity building and community policing. During with the Bangladesh Government. The Senior Minister my visit to Bahrain in June for the UK-Bahrain Joint of State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi Working Group, I discussed the importance of human last raised reports of extrajudicial killings and rights and political reform and UK assistance with the disappearances with the Bangladesh High Commissioner Bahraini authorities. We also continue to encourage all on 13 May. During Bangladesh’s 2nd Universal Periodic sides to engage constructively in political dialogue in Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council last year order to reach an inclusive political settlement. we also recommended that the Government of Bangladesh thoroughly and impartially investigate and, if credible Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State evidence emerges, prosecute all allegations of human for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his rights violations. Department will take steps to investigate reports of human rights abuses, torture and arrests of political Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for prisoners in Bahrain. [201823] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the operation and impartiality of the Hugh Robertson: We continue to monitor the human ongoing International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. rights situation in Bahrain. The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading [201843] treatment or punishment as a matter of fundamental Hugh Robertson: We are clear that the International principle. Our Torture and Mistreatment Reporting Crimes Tribunal (ICT) must improve the way it operates. Guidance, published in March 2011, reiterates the long- We have concerns that the ICT process does not adequately standing policy that our staff must report any allegation meet international fair trials standards. This is a message about suspected torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading that we give consistently, both publicly and privately. treatment or punishment so that such allegations can be We have also made clear that we are opposed to the acted upon appropriately. death penalty in all circumstances in all countries. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State During Bangladesh’s 2nd Universal Periodic Review for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the (UPR) at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013, Government is taking to encourage civil rights and the UK urged the Government of Bangladesh to ensure democracy in Bahrain. [201824] that the International Crimes Tribunal meet international legal standards. Hugh Robertson: We work closely with the Government of Bahrain to provide targeted and practical assistance Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for in torture prevention, judicial reform, civil service capacity Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions building and community policing. We also continue to he has had with his international counterparts on the encourage all sides to engage constructively in political International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh. [201844] dialogue in order to reach an inclusive political settlement. Hugh Robertson: We are clear that the International Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Crimes Tribunal (ICT) must operate in a manner that and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meets international fair trials standards. This is a message reassess whether Bahrain should be designated a that we give consistently, both publicly and privately, country of concern. [201833] for example at Bangladesh’s 2nd Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013. Hugh Robertson: We assess every country where we The Senior Minister of State, my noble Friend the have human rights concerns before the end of each right hon. Baroness Warsi raised this at length with calendar year for possible inclusion as a country of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during her 255W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 256W last visit to Dhaka in December 2013, and also made the Burmese Government contravened its long-standing clear our absolute opposition to the use of the death assurance that all individuals would have the right to penalty in all circumstances in all countries. self-identify their ethnic origin in the census. We have been clear that this decision is contrary to international British Indian Ocean Territory norms and standards on census conduct. I summoned the Burmese ambassador to make these points. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Counter-terrorism contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 17 June 2014, Official Report, column 947, on Diego Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Garcia, what factors the Government will take into for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what change account when deciding on future plans for British there has been in the number of dedicated counter- Indian Ocean Territory. [201664] terrorism officials employed by his Department since the end of the last financial year. [201871] Mark Simmonds: In my answer in the House on 17 June I spoke about the key factors that the Government Mr Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will consider in coming to a policy decision on resettlement does not release information about staffing on counter of the Territory-value for the UK taxpayer, long-term terrorism for operational and security reasons. contingent liabilities, and defence requirements of Diego Garcia to the UK and our allies. This consideration will Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State clearly be driven by the report on the feasibility of for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy resettlement by the independent consultants, which will is on changes to funding for his Department’s Counter provide us with a factual analysis of the practicalities Terrorism Directorate. [201872] that any resettlement might involve, including the economic sustainability of a resettled population, and its Mr Hague: Keeping Britain and British nationals environmental impact, and of course the views of safe from terrorism is a top priority for the Foreign and Chagossians themselves about what they want to see Commonwealth Office (FCO), and we are fully committed from our policy. We look forward to the final report to safeguarding the UK’s national security. We constantly which is expected by January 2015. monitor and review our projects, programmes and Burma diplomatic engagement, as our part of the wider Government efforts on counter-terrorism, to ensure our resources are having the maximum possible impact in Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the right places as the global security environment and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has changes. made of whether there is a causal link between the census in Burma and the violence currently taking place The FCO Counter Terrorism Programme Fund (CTPF) is the main fund for terrorism-related assistance to in that country; [201777] foreign countries used by the FCO Counter Terrorism (2) what assessment he has made of the conduct of Department. This is complemented by other budgets the current census in Burma and the extent to which used for counter-terrorism related activities and the this has been affected by recent violence and rising tri-departmental (FCO, Department for International ethnic tensions. [201776] Development and Ministry of Defence) Conflict Pool, as I set out in my statement to the House on 24 June Mr Swire: Reports from independent international 2014, Official Report, columns 9-12WS. CTPF has been observers of the census suggest that, with the exception reduced as we redirect FCO resources to where they can of Rakhine State and parts of Kachin State, the have the most impact, and move some programmes to enumeration process appears to have been largely carried other Government Departments who are better placed out effectively. We continue to monitor the process to carry out that work. It is not the case that important closely. There has not been a census in Burma for 30 activities have ceased or are now under-funded. The years, and this census will provide a vital source of data FCO’s work on counter-terrorism goes well beyond to inform better government service delivery. CTPF—it is at the heart of our diplomacy across our We are concerned by reports of the census being used overseas network, particularly in areas of instability. as a pretext for one incident of localised violence in We have, for example, recently: opened an embassy in Kachin State. However, we do not believe that there is a Mogadishu to support our work on stability and security link between the census and recent violence elsewhere in in Somalia; brought together key players on Nigeria to Kachin. Conflict in Kachin State has been ongoing for secure much needed assistance to tackle the threat from almost three years, and the challenges of census data Boko Haram; and continued our work to stop terrorists collection in the area reflected the continued lack of getting their hands on money to fund their activities, trust on the ground. We continue to support strongly through leading efforts on disrupting financial flows government and ethnic group efforts to reach a sustainable from sources such as ‘Kidnap for Ransom’. peace, through a ceasefire and political dialogue that can help bring an end to human rights abuses in ceasefire Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State areas. for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what change Similarly our assessment is that recent violence in there has been in overall resources available for counter- Rakhine has been caused by underlying intercommunal terrorism work in his Department in the last financial tensions that have previously led to violence there. We year; and what change there will be in such funding over were deeply disappointed that, in the case of the Rohingya, the next financial year. [201873] 257W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 258W

Mr Hague: Keeping Britain and British nationals safe Mr Hague: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office from terrorism is a top priority for the Foreign and does not release information about staffing on counter Commonwealth Office (FCO), and we are fully committed terrorism for operational and security reasons. to safeguarding the UK’s national security. We constantly monitor and review our projects, programmes and Egypt diplomatic engagement, as our part of the wider Government efforts on counter-terrorism, to ensure our Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign resources are having the maximum possible impact in and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he the right places as the global security environment changes. has made to his Egyptian counterpart on allegations of The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is one of brutality and torture of detainees in Azouli prison; and the largest policy Departments in the FCO. The Counter if he will raise this issue at EU meetings and with other Terrorism Programme Fund (CTPF) is the main fund international bodies. [201749] for terrorism-related assistance to foreign countries used by CTD. The administrative budget for CTD was £237,500 Hugh Robertson: Recent allegations of torture and in 2013-14 and the allocation for CTPF was £30 million. mistreatment in Egyptian prisons are deeply worrying. The administrative budget for CTD in 2014-15 is £211,000. A recent Amnesty International report suggests that up The figures exclude the staffing costs of individuals to 400 civilians are being held without charge at the working on counter-terrorism in the FCO and across Azouli prison, with no access to their lawyers or families. our overseas network. CTPF is complemented by other The European Union made a statement at the 26th budgets used for counter-terrorism related activities Human Rights Council regarding the treatment of prisoners and the tri-departmental (FCO, Department for in Egypt. The statement expressed concern at the continued International Development and Ministry of Defence) detention of thousands of Egyptian citizens, many of Conflict Pool, as I set out in my statement to the House whom were detained on unclear grounds, and the conditions on 24 June 2014, Official Report, columns 9-12WS. A under which they are detained. written ministerial statement will follow on the FCO Representatives of the British embassy in Cairo raised Strategic Programme Fund allocation for 2014-15, which the issue of Azouli prison with the Egyptian Ministry will include the CTPF. of Foreign Affairs on 24 June. The UK Government condemns the use of torture in all circumstances and Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State strongly urges the Egyptian authorities to ensure that for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of all human and legal rights of all detainees are upheld. its budget his Department spent on counter-terrorism in (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2013-14. [201885] Palestinians

Mr Hague: Keeping Britain and British nationals Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for safe from terrorism is a top priority for the Foreign and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what most recent Commonwealth Office (FCO), and we are fully committed reports he has received on the three Israeli teenagers to safeguarding the UK’s national security. We constantly kidnapped on the West Bank on 12 June 2014; what monitor and review our projects, programmes and recent steps he has taken to help secure their release; diplomatic engagement, as our part of the wider what representations he has made regarding this Government efforts on counter-terrorism, to ensure our matter; and if he will make a statement. [201532] resources are having the maximum possible impact in the right places as the global security environment Hugh Robertson: The Foreign and Commonwealth changes. Office receives daily updates from our posts in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. We have offered practical support. The The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) is one of Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth the largest policy Departments in the FCO. The Counter Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Terrorism Programme Fund (CTPF) is the main fund (Yorks) (Mr Hague), spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister for terrorism-related assistance to foreign countries used on 17 June about this issue. I also discussed this issue by CTD. The administrative budget for CTD was £237,500 with both Israeli and Palestinian authorities during my in 2013-14 and the allocation for CTPF was £30 million. visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories The administrative budget for CTD in 2014-15 is £211,000. between 18-19 June. The figures exclude the staffing costs of individuals working on counter-terrorism in the FCO and across our overseas network. A written ministerial statement will follow on the FCO Strategic Programme Fund ATTORNEY-GENERAL allocation for 2014-15, which will include the CTPF. The CTPF is complemented by other budgets used for Apprentices counter-terrorism related activities and the tri-departmental (FCO, Department for International Development and Robert Halfon: To ask the Attorney-General how Ministry of Defence) Conflict Pool, as I set out in my many apprentices have been hired under the Law Officers’ statement to the House on 24 June 2014, Official Report, Department’s new contract for procurement. [201525] columns 9-12WS. The Solicitor-General: The Law Officers’ Departments Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State do not hold any central records of the number of for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many apprentices who may have been hired by its suppliers. dedicated counter-terrorism officials were employed by To provide this information would involve contacting his Department in the (a) 2014-15 and (b) 2013-14 numerous companies and would therefore incur a financial year. [201886] disproportionate cost. 259W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 260W

PRIME MINISTER Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Northern Ireland Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister how many Ireland what her policy is on the future funding of the times he has met with the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether there has been any recent change in that policy. [201778] Northern Ireland in the last 12 months. [201731]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the Mrs Villiers: Like other UK Government Departments, answer I gave him on 1 May 2014, Official Report, the Northern Ireland Office faces a significant reduction column 761W. in its budget—of 11.15% in 2015-16. My Department has therefore requested that all of its arm’s length bodies provide an impact statement on the practical measures that might be taken to meet such a reduction. NORTHERN IRELAND I have not yet made any decision in respect of the Commission’s budget. I met the acting chair of the Civil Servants: Recruitment Commission last week. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Parades Northern Ireland how many apprentices the Northern Ireland Office accepted as part of the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme in each year since the Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for scheme started. [201742] Northern Ireland whether her Department has discussed the consideration of any specific parade application Mrs Villiers: My Department has not accepted any with any member of the Parades Commission since apprentices as part of this scheme since it started. January 2014. [201743]

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Villiers: Neither I nor my officials have had any Northern Ireland how the Northern Ireland Office discussions about specific parade notifications with any promotes the Civil Service Fast Stream programme in member of the Parades Commission since the period Northern Ireland. [201744] referred to in the question. Consideration of parades notifications is an operational Mrs Villiers: The civil service fast stream programme, matter for the Parades Commission, acting independently including opportunities to join the Northern Ireland of the Government, in exercise of their powers under civil service as a fast streamer, is promoted via the civil the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. I play no role in service fast stream website. that process. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new fast streamers were Senior Civil Servants placed in the Northern Ireland Office in each year since 2010. [201849] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of staff in the Northern Mrs Villiers: One new fast streamer was placed with Ireland Office are senior civil servants. [201848] my Department in 2011. Mrs Villiers: As of 1 June 2014, my Department has Educational Testing Service 155 members of staff and of these eight, or 5%, are members of the senior civil service. Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what current contracts (a) her Department and Trade Promotion (b) each of her Department’s non-departmental public bodies hold with the Educational Testing Service or any of that organisation’s subsidiaries. [202174] Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had with the Mrs Villiers: My Department currently holds no Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth contracts with the Educational Testing Service or any of Affairs on how the UK’s Embassies and High Commissions that organisation’s subsidiaries. may be used more effectively to promote Northern My Department has two executive non-departmental Ireland trade and investment. [201783] public bodies; the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Parades Commission for Northern Mrs Villiers: I have regular meetings with the Secretary Ireland. As these bodies are independent of Government, of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my my hon. Friend may wish to write directly to them on right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) this operational matter. Contact details are provided as (Mr Hague), and other Cabinet colleagues on a range of follows: matters concerning Northern Ireland, including the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission—contact: promotion of trade and investment. The Government feels that it is important that the UK trade and investment [email protected] system works as effectively as possible with Northern Parades Commission for Northern Ireland—contact: Ireland counterparts to maximise Northern Ireland’s [email protected] impact. 261W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 262W

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for and junction 32 with the M18; and for what reasons Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 19 June such works have not been phased to take place 2014, Official Report, column 723, on business, whether consecutively rather than concurrently. [201460] the Minister of State for Northern Ireland plans to attend any of the 16 events planned by UK Trade & Mr Goodwill: There are currently 11 stretches of road Investment in connection with the International Festival works that are taking place on the M1 between London for Business in Liverpool. [201853] and junction 32 with the M18. Of these, two are related to a major improvement —M1 J28-31 upgrade to Smart Mr Robathan: I have no plans at present to attend the Motorway and M1 J19 Catthorpe improvement. International Festival for Business but I shall discuss To maintain the strategic road network in a safe and the Festival when I next meet the Northern Ireland serviceable condition, it is inevitable that Highways Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Agency road works will need to be undertaken at several I expect the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, locations at any one time throughout the year. Maintenance my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet work is programmed to achieve good value for money (Mrs Villiers), to discuss the Festival with the Chief and minimise disruption to road users. The majority of Executive of UKTI when she meets him shortly. work is undertaken overnight to reduce lane closures when the motorway is busy. World War I: Anniversaries The Agency operates a road booking system to manage planned works, but overnight emergency and other David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for maintenance activities will take place on the M1 which Northern Ireland what plans she has to commemorate may require single lane closures, temporary speed limits the First World War in Northern Ireland. [201583] and occasional slip road closures. Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer When it is cost effective to do so, road works are also I gave to the hon. Member for North Down (Lady lifted on bank and seasonal holidays to limit disruption Hermon), on 23 June 2014, Official Report, columns to road users. 52-53W. In planning major road works, the option of breaking construction into a number of smaller sequential phases is considered, however this usually has the impact of prolonging the overall duration of construction and TRANSPORT therefore the length of time of disruption for road Educational Testing Service users.

Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what current contracts (a) his Department and (b) DEFENCE each of his Department’s executive agencies or non- departmental public bodies hold with the Educational Armed Forces: Asperger’s Syndrome Testing Service or any of that organisation’s subsidiaries. [202175] Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Defence Consultant Stephen Hammond: The Department has no current Adviser for Psychiatry about Asperger’s syndrome in contracts with Educational Testing Services or its the context of the Defence Medical Services policy subsidiaries. review; and whether he plans to change his Department’s Large Goods Vehicles policy on the recruitment to the armed forces of people diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. [201860] Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations the UK has made at a Anna Soubry: There have been no such discussions European level on the introduction of more rounded with the Secretary of State or other Defence Ministers. front designs of HGV lorry cabs to increase fuel It is our policy that armed forces personnel should be efficiency. [201461] recruited to be fully fit for deployment worldwide on operations. For this reason, the services do not recruit Stephen Hammond: We have been involved in negotiations personnel with existing medical conditions which may on the Commission’s proposal to amend the General adversely impact on the effectiveness of the armed Circulation Directive (maximum weights and dimensions) forces, or which may themselves be exacerbated by since they commenced in January, in which we have military circumstances. supported the proposals to enable the introduction of This is particularly relevant in cases of individuals more rounded front designs of HGV lorry cabs to with autism or Asperger’s syndrome, as military personnel increase fuel efficiency. are expected to perform in multiple roles, which may be Political agreement on the presidency text was reached difficult for someone suffering from these disorders. in the Transport Council on 5 June. Further, all military personnel are required to work in close-knit teams, and in operational environments the M1 pressures are such that anyone with significant disability in social interaction may potentially be a danger to Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for themselves or their team. These two diagnoses have Transport how many different stretches of road works significant disability in social interaction as part of are currently taking place on the M1 between London their defining features. 263W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 264W

The policy on Asperger’s has recently been changed (2) what assessment he has made of the Lightning to allow some minimal degree of relaxation for those II’s combat capability against the Russian (a) NNIIRT candidates for the services who do not display classic 55Zh6M Nebo Mobile and (b) Almaz-Antey S-400 / symptoms of the syndrome or where their diagnosis SA-21 Growler SAM System radar systems; [201936] may be in doubt. It places more emphasis on assessing (3) what assessment he has made of the extent to their ability to perform as part of a team and to which overseas espionage has compromised the function within a simulated military environment and fighting ability of the Lightning II; and if he will make less on medical opinion. a statement; [201971] (4) what the loss/exchange ratio for the Lightning II is. [202105] Armed Forces: Cadets Mr Dunne: The Lightning II aircraft is specifically Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State designed to operate in a contested environment. Regular for Defence what change there was in the number of simulator work and operational analysis is carried out (a) sea cadets and (b) army cadets in Northern to confirm the system’s performance and operational Ireland between January 2004 and 2014. [201471] test of the aircraft is planned to do the same. The air system currently meets or exceeds our requirements. I Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence-sponsored am withholding the level of detail requested as its cadet forces offer challenging and enjoyable activities disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the for young people, and prepare them to play an active capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. part in the community while developing valuable life skills. Navy Information held centrally by the Ministry of Defence on the numbers of sea and army cadets in Northern Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Ireland is provided in the following tables. For sea Defence how many current suitably qualified and cadets, reliable data is available from January 2005. For experienced personnel positions are (a) required and army cadets, estimated information on the Army Cadet (b) vacant in (i) Type 23 and (ii) Type 45 ship crews. Force is available from March 2012 although comparable [199752] data about the Army Combined Cadet Force is not available in the format requested. Information prior to these dates could be provided only at disproportionate Anna Soubry: The information requested, as at 1 May cost. 2014, is shown in the following table:

Royal Marine Adult Volunteers Required Positions Vacant Positions Sea Cadets (RM) Cadets (Sea and RM) Type 23 2,060 180 January 2005 225 13 146 Type 45 1,010 80 January 2014 235 22 157 Note: Change +/- +10 +9 +11 All figures are rounded in accordance with the Defence Statistics rounding policy. All numbers over 100 are rounded to the nearest 10 with numbers ending in 5 rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid bias. Numbers under 100 are Army Cadet Army Combined rounded to the nearest 5. Force Cadet Force Adult Volunteers None of the existing vacancies is in a post categorised March 2012 11,925 2- 1350 as safety critical and no ship would go to sea without January 2014 1,422 598 397 the minimum required complement of suitably qualified Change +/- -503 3- +47 and experienced personnel. 1 Estimated 2 Not held 3 Not known Type 26 Frigates Since 2012 the Army has worked to improve the accuracy of their record keeping with a concerted effort Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for to identify those cadets not actively participating and to Defence how many variants of the Type 26 global either encourage them back into cadet activities or to combat ship are being planned. [201541] remove them from the management information system. This has accounted for a significant drop in Army Mr Dunne: On current plans, all Type 26 global Cadet Force figures over the past few years. However, combat ships will have the same base level of capability we are actively recruiting Army cadets in Northern but equipment fits tailored to task will enable them to Ireland and numbers are beginning to increase. meet their specific operational requirements.

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Defence how many countries have expressed an interest in operating the Type 26 global combat ship. [201543] Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the Mr Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I Lightning II’s combat capability against the (a) gave on 3 December 2012, Official Report, column Chinese J-20, (b) Russian Sukhoi PAK FA and (c) 615W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth Russian Su-35S fighter aircraft; [201935] North (Penny Mordaunt). 265W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 266W

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission if the Electoral Commission will Electoral Commission revise its Key Success Measures, Target Performance for completeness of register from “completeness does Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South not deteriorate” to a policy of “increasing completion West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on rates year on year”. [201270] the Electoral Commission, what recent assessment the Electoral Commission has made of (a) its successes Mr Streeter: The commission’s key success measures and (b) failures over the last five years. [201257] are included in its corporate plan which is updated and presented to the Speaker’s Committee for approval on Mr Streeter: The Commission continuously assesses an annual basis. The next opportunity to update the its work and publishes an annual assessment of progress corporate plan will be when the 2015-16 to 2019-20 plan within its annual report and accounts. The Commission’s is presented to the Speaker’s Committee in spring 2015 annual reports and accounts, together with its corporate and the commission will be reviewing the key success plans are laid before Parliament each year by Mr Speaker measures in preparation for this plan in autumn 2014. and are available on its website here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/our-work/ Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad publications/corporate-publications Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on Electoral Register the Electoral Commission what steps the Electoral Commission is taking to increase the number of British Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West overseas electors registered to vote. [201363] Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, what recent assessment the Electoral Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Commission has made of the potential benefits of the that it runs public awareness campaigns to encourage inclusion of the actual number and proportion of UK British expatriates to register to vote; the most recent citizens registered to vote as a measure of the Electoral took place ahead of the European elections this year. Commission’s effectiveness. [201267] Two briefing notes, which included details of the campaign, were circulated to hon. Members in advance Mr Streeter: The inclusion of the actual number and of the elections. These notes are available on the proportion of UK citizens registered to vote is not commission’s website here: currently included as a key success measure of the www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/ Electoral Commission’s effectiveness. The Commission’s 164449/Elections-May-2014-briefing.pdf key success measures are reviewed each year and included www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/ in its Corporate Plan which is updated and presented to 165893/The-elections-on-22-May-2014-Briefing-note-2.pdf the Speaker’s Committee for approval on an annual The commission intends to run a similar campaign basis. ahead of the 2015 general election. It is currently evaluating The Commission works with Electoral Registration the performance of its 2014 campaign to identify Officers (EROs) and other stakeholders to increase the improvements that could be made for the general election number and proportion of UK citizens registered to campaign. The commission will ensure that a copy of vote and therefore the change in registrations cannot be the evaluation is sent to the hon. Member when it has attributed solely to the Commission. Changes in registration been completed. rates are also likely to be the result of some factors which do not relate directly to registration practices, Electoral Register: Northern Ireland including levels of political engagement and changes in population mobility. However, the Commission sets targets for the number Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West of registration forms downloaded from its AboutMyVote Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the website. This measure provides a proxy for the number Electoral Commission what the electoral registration of registrations attributable to each Commission campaign. rates were in Northern Ireland in each of the last 15 The targets for the number of registration forms years. [201258] downloaded vary for each poll taking account of, for example, the size of the electorate. Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that it does not hold data on the electoral registration It is currently not possible to directly map the number rate for each of the last 15 years. of forms downloaded from the Commission’s site to actual registrations as the registers are managed by 363 However, the commission has periodically carried Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across Great out specific research on levels of registration in Northern Britain and EROs do not measure the number of Ireland. This found that the local government register registration forms downloaded from aboutmyvote.co.uk for Northern Ireland was 83.4% complete in December for the specific period of Commission campaigns. Following 2007 and 73% complete in April 2012. the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration, Following the publication of findings for the April the Commission will examine the opportunities presented 2012 register, a household canvass was conducted in by online registration to review its registration Northern Ireland in autumn 2013. After the canvass, measurements. the commission reviewed the results and concluded that 267W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 268W it had been well run and significantly improved the The Commission collects electoral data at each set of completeness of the register. The commission’s report polls. In nearly all cases these are collected down to the can be found here: level of individual contests, which means that it only http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/ holds ward level data for local elections. pdf_file/0004/166999/Report-on-the-Northern-Ireland- electoral-registration-canvass-2013.pdf Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South Electoral Commission, which wards, in which town, West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on county and constituency had a postal vote turnout the Electoral Commission, which 100 wards in which greater than 90 per cent at the last General Election. town, county and constituency in Northern Ireland [201283] had (a) the highest electoral registration rate and (b) Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission does not the lowest registration rate in the latest period for hold the data requested at ward level. which information is available. [201279] The Commission collects electoral data at each set of polls. In nearly all cases these are collected down to the Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me level of individual contests, which means that it only that it does not hold information about ward electorates holds ward level data for local elections. for Northern Ireland. This information is held by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland. Written Questions

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the answer of Electoral Commission, how many and what proportion 12 May 2014, Official Report, columns 375-7W, on of questions answered by the Electoral Commission electoral register, what causes have been identified for involving four pages of data or less were (a) placed in the relatively low electoral registration rates in Northern the Library without a web link, (b) placed in the Ireland. [201427] Library with a web link and (c) given in full in Hansard in each of the last five years. [201289] Mr Streeter: The Commission published a report in Mr Streeter: The Commission informs me that it November 2012 on the electoral register in Northern does not collect this information in the requested format. Ireland. This found there had been a substantial drop in levels of registration since the previous assessment in 2007. This report can be found here: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/ COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT pdf_file/0004/152626/Continuous-electoral-registration-in- Affordable Housing: Nottinghamshire Northern-Ireland.pdf The report suggested that the low level of completeness Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for was mainly the result of the failure of the processes that Communities and Local Government how many affordable had been employed to manage the register in Northern homes have been built in (a) Ashfield constituency and Ireland, under continuous registration, to keep pace (b) each borough in Nottinghamshire in each of the with either population change or home movement. In last five years. [201707] particular, it identified the absence of a full household canvass as contributing to the drop in completeness. Kris Hopkins: Statistics on additional affordable housing Following the publication of findings for the April delivery are not available by constituency but are available 2012 register, a household canvass was conducted in for each local authority area in England. These are Northern Ireland in autumn 2013. After the canvass, published in the Department’s live 1008, which is available the Commission reviewed the results and concluded at the following link: that it had been well run and significantly improved the https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables- completeness of the register. The Commission’s report on-affordable-housing-supply can be found here: These figures include both newly built housing and http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/ acquisitions. pdf_file/0004/166999/Report-on-the-Northern-Ireland- Almost 200,000 affordable homes have been delivered electoral-registration-canvass-2013.pdf in England since April 2010. A further £23 billion public and private investment will help ensure another 165,000 new affordable homes are provided between General Election 2010 2015 and 2018. More council housing has been built in the four years of this Government than in all the 13 years of the last Government combined. Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Homelessness Electoral Commission, which 100 wards in which town, county and constituency had the lowest turnout for Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for voting in person at the last General Election. [201280] Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the number of (a) homeless Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me people and (b) rough sleepers in (i) Coventry, (ii) the that it does not hold the data requested at ward level. West Midlands and (iii) England. [201190] 269W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 270W

Kris Hopkins: As outlined in the written ministerial Private Rented Housing: Children statement of 18 September 2012, Official Report, column 32WS, my Department does not publish statistics by Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Government office region. Communities and Local Government what assessment National and local authority data for homelessness he has made of the number of households with children are published in Live Table 784a which is available in the private rented sector in England. [200690] online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live- Kris Hopkins [holding answer 18 June 2014]: According tables-on-homelessness to the English Housing Survey, in 2011-12, there were National and local authority data on rough sleeping 3.9 million households in the owner occupied sector can be found in Table 1 of the Rough Sleeping in with dependent children, 1.3 million in the private rented England statistical release which can be found on the sector and 1.2 million in the social rented sector. Department’s website at: Public Buildings: Disability https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rough-sleeping- in-england-autumn-2013 David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for We are investing over £500 million over the current Communities and Local Government what targets his spending review period to help local authorities and Department has on access to public buildings by voluntary sector partners prevent and tackle homelessness, physically disabled people. [201564] rough sleeping and repossessions. This includes £20 million to support the roll out of the ‘No Second Night Stephen Williams: The Equality Act 2010 requires Out’ standard and protect vital front line services. We service providers and employers to make reasonable have also supported the voluntary sector to deliver adjustments to meet the needs of disabled people, which ’StreetLink’ a national rough sleeping hotline, website might include making buildings more accessible where and app to connect rough sleepers to local services. it is reasonable to do so. Part M of the building regulations On 10 June we announced that over £65 million of sets out requirements for access to, and use of, buildings. additional funding across Whitehall is being offered to councils and other organisations to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping around the country and ensure that vulnerable people can access a range of support and HEALTH lead independent lives. Abortion Housing: Harlow Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms his Department has put in Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for place to ensure that terminating doctors fulfil their Communities and Local Government how many new statutory obligation to fill in HSA4 forms correctly. homes have been built in Harlow constituency in each [201535] of the last 15 years. [201699] Jane Ellison: The Department has recently issued a Kris Hopkins: Statistics on house building completions range of guidance which will help clinicians to comply in Harlow district are published in the Department’s with the requirements of the Abortion Act, including live table 253, which is available at the following link: their obligations with regard to the completion of HSA4 http://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables- forms. on-house-building Incorrectly filled in HSA4 forms are returned to the Non-domestic Rates: Warrington terminating practitioner by the Department of Health until such information is corrected. We are working Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Communities and Local Government how many businesses to take forward their recommendations on tackling in Warrington North constituency have qualified for under-reporting of abortions for fetal abnormality. the full business rate discount to date. [201712] Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Brandon Lewis: At the autumn statement we announced at which gestations the proportion of selective a £1 billion package of business rates support to help terminations performed under ground E were shops and local firms. This included a £1,000 discount performed in 2013. [201558] for two years for smaller shops, pubs and restaurants. We do not hold figures for numbers benefiting from Jane Ellison: The information is shown in the following that measure in the Warrington North constituency. table: However, based on local authority reports of the amount Selective reduction abortions performed under ground E by gestation, of relief awarded, we estimate that 1,020 properties will residents of England and Wales, 2013 benefit within the boundary of Warrington borough Gestation weeks Total council. Under 13 25 The support package also included a 50% discount 13 to 19 39 for businesses taking on long-term empty shops, the 20 to 23 7 doubling of small business rate relief for another year, a 24 and over 24 2% cap on RPI increases for 2014-15, and allowing Total 95 businesses to spread their rates payments over 12 months. 271W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 272W

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse categories of drink are controlled for, the average ABV decreased by 0.04 percentage points from 7.26% in 2011 Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for to 7.22% in 2012. This generated the reduction of 253 Health (1) what steps his Department plans to take to million units of alcohol. address the health effects of alcohol on the population This takes into account a downward pressure from in the next year; [201585] an overall reduction in the volume of product sold, a (2) with reference to the answer to Baroness Hayter slight upward pressure from a shift in market share of Kentish Town of 1 April 2014, Official Report, towards higher strength products (wine and spirits) and House of Lords, column 53WA, on alcohol, what a downward pressure from an overall reduction in the action his Department is taking to address the strength of drinks within product categories. predicted 0.8 per cent increase in alcohol consumption. The first interim monitoring report has been placed [201584] in the Library.

Jane Ellison: The answer to Baroness Hayter of Kentish Autism Town of 1 April 2014 made clear that estimated changes in alcohol consumption are relative to the effects of the Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for previous alcohol duty rates policy.Changes in consumption Health if he will take steps to include specialist autism will be subject to a number of factors, of which changes training for community care assessors as a requirement in duty rates are one. in the Care Act 2014 Part 1 regulations. [201528] The Government’s Alcohol Strategy aims to cut the number of people drinking at harmful levels. Norman Lamb: The Care Act will require local authorities In November 2012, the Home Office launched a to ensure all assessors are appropriately trained to carry consultation on five key areas with the aim of reducing out assessments. This builds on the statutory guidance alcohol-fuelled crime, antisocial behaviour and alcohol- Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives which followed related health harm. the 2010 Adult Autism Strategy for England, and which required autism awareness training to be available to all The Government response, published in July 2013, staff working in health and social care and specialist provided an analysis of the responses and set out the training for those in key roles that have a direct impact next steps that the Government will take: on access to services for adults with autism. The Department Targeted national action, ending sales of the cheapest alcohol is currently consulting on the regulations and statutory by introducing a ban on selling alcohol below the price of duty guidance that will support the implementation of the and VAT, and strengthening the ban on irresponsible promotions in pubs and clubs. Care Act, and we will remind local authorities through this of this requirement in Implementing Fulfilling and A challenge to industry to increase its efforts, building on what Rewarding Lives. has already been achieved through the Public Health Responsibility Deal. This includes tackling high strength products; promoting Due to the complexities of assessing people who are alcohol responsibly in shops; improving education around drinking; deafblind, regulations under the Care Act will require and supporting targeted local action. their assessments to be carried out by a specialist assessor. Support local action on alcohol-related harm, identifying a One of the questions in the consultation document is number of high harm local alcohol action areas and take action whether specialist assessors should be required to carry with them to strengthen local partnerships; improve enforcement; out the assessment of people with other conditions, and share good practice based on what works locally. The Minister such as autism, and to explain why this should be the for Crime Prevention announced the 20 successful areas on 13 case. Based on the evidence we receive through the February 2014. consultation we will consider if this requirement should be extended to other conditions. Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to his Department’s First Interim Report on the Responsibility Deal on Alcohol, Breast Cancer published in April 2014, what evidence his Department holds that the reduction in alcohol sales of 253 million Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for units is as a result of industry action. [201586] Health (1) what guidance his Department gives to clinical commissioning groups on commissioning Jane Ellison: Identifying a change in alcohol by volume breast cancer services; [201405] (ABV) was the methodology agreed by the Responsibility (2) how clinical commissioning groups are held to Deal Monitoring Group as the best way to measure account for the performance of services against each of progress towards delivery of the Responsibility Deal the 13 statements of the National Institute for Health pledge, made by alcohol producers and retailers, to and Care Excellence breast cancer quality standard. remove 1 billion units of alcohol from the market by the [201409] end of 2015 principally through improving consumer choice of lower alcohol products. Jane Ellison: The majority of treatments for cancer The first interim monitoring report of progress, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy (for all cancers), considered the extent to which the number of units of and services for rarer cancers are commissioned nationally alcohol sold in the United Kingdom changed between by NHS England. Commissioning is informed by a 2011 and 2012 (a reduction of 1.3 billion units) and the range of clinical reference groups established as a primary portion of that change that can be attributed to changes source of advice on best practice, service standards for in the average alcoholic strength of products (a reduction commissioned providers, and forward strategy and of 253 million units). When shifts between different innovation. 273W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 274W

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (3) what the minimum level of service provision in (NICE) quality standards define clinical best practice hospitals is for patients who have cancer of unknown for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer to help primary. [201752] clinicians ensure that patients are given information about the treatment options available and help in choosing Jane Ellison: NHS England would expect that service the best option to suit them. provision for patients with cancer of unknown primary The Health and Social Care Act (2012) places a duty (CUP) takes into account National Institute for Health on NHS England to have regard to NICE quality and Care Excellence guidelines. standards. NHS England would expect clinical Services for people with cancer are subject to assessment commissioning groups (CCGs) to take into account and assurance through the National Cancer Peer Review NICE quality standards when commissioning breast Programme. Assessment of compliance is made against cancer services. Commissioning for Quality and Innovation measures. No assessment has been made of the performance of The Department does not collect information centrally services against the breast cancer quality standard. However, on the proportion of hospitals in England which have compliance with quality standards generally could be implemented a multidisciplinary team for CUP. monitored through a range of mechanisms depending on the specific quality standard, for example the 30 Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for national clinical audits funded by NHS England, the Health what focus Genomics England plans to give in Best Practice Tariff, Commissioning for Quality its selection of cancer types for genetic sequencing to Improvement Initiatives arrangements and the CCG (a) cases of unknown primary and (b) other less Outcome Indicator Set. These levers are designed to common cancers with high mortality rates. [201858] drive quality improvement in the national health service using quality standards where appropriate. NHS England’s Jane Ellison: Genomics England has taken expert National Clinical Directors actively promote existing scientific advice on the choice of cancers based on the NICE quality standards. clinical benefit from whole genome sequencing and the At the request of NHS England, the Healthcare availability of sufficient samples. The sequencing of Quality Improvement Partnership will shortly begin cancer is at the pilot stage and Genomics England will commissioning a new national breast cancer clinical take account of the information from the pilot and audit. There is an expectation that national clinical information regarding areas with unmet diagnostic need audits, where appropriate, support the implementation in determining future priorities for cancer and rare of NICE clinical guidelines and quality standards. The disease in delivering the Prime Minister’s 100,000 Genomes new national clinical audit will be in place by the end of Project. 2014-15. Chlamydia Cancer Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of 16 to 25-year-olds in Health (1) what responsibilities for cancer policy that England had a Chlamydia test in 2012-13. [201877] were previously within the remit of his Department are now held by Public Health England staff; [201406] Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the (2) how many full-time equivalent staff Public requested format. Health England employed to work on cancer policy at The proportion of 15 to 24-year-olds, the target age a national level in each of the last two financial years. group of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, [201403] who had a Chlamydia test in each upper tier local authority in England for the most recent year for which Jane Ellison: Public Health England is not responsible data are available (2013) has been placed in the Library. for policy on cancer, but does ensure the delivery of The proportion of 15 to 24-year-olds, the target age several cancer related functions including NHS Cancer group of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, Screening Programmes, Be Clear on Cancer campaigns, who had a Chlamydia test in each upper tier local cancer screening quality assurance, the National Cancer authority in England for 2012 has been placed in the Intelligence Network and the National Cancer Registration Library. Service. National strategic oversight and policy on cancer screening, early diagnosis and cancer informatics remains Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for with the Department with 3.5 whole-time equivalent Health what steps his Department is taking to encourage posts. re-testing of all young adults who test positive for Chlamydia; and how many young adults are being Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for re-tested after receiving treatment for Chlamydia. Health (1) what proportion of hospitals in England [201881] have implemented a multidisciplinary team for cancer of unknown primary (CUP) as stated in the National Jane Ellison: In August 2013, following an evidence Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on review and professional and public consultation, the CUP; [201748] National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) (2) what assessment he has made of the quality of the updated recommended case management for those testing implementation of National Institute for Health and positive for Chlamydia to include the routine offering of Care Excellence guidelines on management of metastatic re-testing, around three months after treatment. A position malignant disease of unknown primary; [201750] statement was published which summarises the consultation 275W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 276W process and key feedback received, sets out considerations Tests done through online services cannot be specifically for local implementation and outlines resources to be identified in the dataset and are reported to the Chlamydia developed by the NCSP: Testing Activity Dataset as “other”. www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re-testing/ NCSP%20Position%20Statement_Re- Dementia testing%20of%20Positiv e%20Chlamydia%20Cases_August%202013_FINAL.pdf Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Local authorities are responsible for the commissioning Health what steps he has taken to encourage and of Chlamydia screening and the NCSP provides the support research into non-drug dementia therapies; following resources to support commissioners to encourage and if he will make a statement. [201477] re-testing after a Chlamydia diagnosis: Norman Lamb: A range of steps are being taken to Discussion guide for healthcare professionals: encourage and support research into non-drug dementia http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re- therapies. Research spending on dementia has increased testing/Chlamydia%20re- by nearly 50% since 2010-11, and is on course to meet testing%20discussion%20guide%20March%202014.pdf the Government’s target of doubling public sector research Models of existing practice: funding on dementia to £66 million by 2015. During the http://www.chlamydiascreening.nhs.uk/ps/resources/re- second year of the Prime Minister’s Challenge, research testing/Chlamydia%20re-testing%20guidance%20- funders have implemented and enhanced initiatives to %20Models%20of%20Practice%20March%202014.pdf generate the research evidence needed to make a step A local audit tool is also in development. change in prevention, treatment and care. Research on Public Health England monitors re-testing rates at non-drug therapies represents a significant part of this seven to 14 weeks following a diagnosis using data from effort. the genitourinary medicine clinic activity dataset In December 2012, £22 million of National Institute (GUMCAD) and the Chlamydia testing activity dataset. for Health Research (NIHR) funding was announced Rates of re-testing following a Chlamydia diagnosis are for 21 successful research projects that will pioneer calculated quarterly. The most recently available data dementia diagnosis and ground breaking treatments. are for diagnoses made between July and September Subsequently the Government allocated £20 million for 2013. Re-testing rates are reported separately for GUM research on living well with dementia (projects commencing and tests in other settings, as individuals cannot be in early 2014) with the NIHR and the Economic and identified between systems due to the anonymous nature Social Research Council awarding funding research grants of GUM clinic attendances. focused on improving quality of life for people with Re-testing rate at seven to 14 weeks after a diagnosis, dementia and their carers. This research programme among 15 to 24-year-olds, for those diagnosed between represents the world’s largest social science research July and September 2013: programme on dementia and care, comprising six major GUM clinics: 11.8% research studies to support living well with dementia Other settings: 13.1%. initiatives and identifying effective interventions, in the clinic, in the nursing home, and in everyday life. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for The NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research Health how many 16 to 25 year olds in each local Programme is now also calling for further applications authority area (a) were tested for Chlamydia and (b) for research funding on dementia services, to address tested positive for Chlamydia in 2012-13. [201882] key priorities identified following a James Lind Alliance and Alzheimer’s Society priority setting partnership Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the between patients, carers, researchers and clinicians (held requested format. in 2013). This was broad and included all aspects of patient experience and care. The number of Chlamydia tests and diagnosis in each upper tier local authority in England, 15 to 24-year- In addition, one of the NIHR Biomedical Research olds, for the most recent year for which data are available Centres (BRCs) and Units (BRUs) with dementia-related (2013) has been placed in the Library. research themes, the NIHR Oxford BRC has a theme focusing on cognitive health. For this, the BRC has The number of Chlamydia tests and diagnosis in brought together an alliance of multi-disciplinary each upper tier local authority in England, 15 to 24-year- researchers to produce an integrated programme of olds for 2012 has been placed in the Library. translational research in cognitive health, aiming to produce benefit for patients by harnessing the lifelong Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for adaptive ability of the brain to protect against the onset Health how many Chlamydia tests were supplied by of dementia and to limit the impact of dementia on (a) pharmacies, (b) GPs, (c) sexual health clinics and people’s lives. (d) an online service in 2012-13. [201883] Within the award of 13 new NIHR Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Jane Ellison: The number of Chlamydia tests by there is also considerable focus on research into non-drug testing service type and upper tier local authority, 15 to approaches to dementia care. 24-year-olds, in England for the most recent year for which data are available (2013) has been placed in the David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Library. Health with reference to his Department’s corporate The number of Chlamydia tests by testing service plan 2014-15, what steps he is taking to meet the type and upper tier local authority, 15 to 24-year-olds, priority of improving treatment and care of people with in England for 2012 has been placed in the Library. dementia. [201539] 277W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 278W

Norman Lamb: On 26 March 2012, the Prime Minister Genito-urinary Medicine: Scotland launched his Challenge on Dementia. The Challenge sets the commitment to increase diagnosis rates, raise Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for awareness and understanding and double funding for Health what assessment he has made of the decision of research for dementia by 2015. the Scottish Government to suspend the use of On the 28 February 2014, the Secretary of State for transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse and stress Health announced his ambition for improving dementia urinary incontinence. [201884] care and support for people with dementia, their family and carers. This signalled the importance of a tailored Norman Lamb: The Department, NHS England and plan of care as part of a package of high quality, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency personalised dementia care and support. have been working with the clinical community to address the concerns that have been raised about transvaginal The Co-chairs of the three Champion Groups supporting mesh implants. A working group, which includes patient delivery of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia, representatives and is chaired by NHS England, has have reported their progress to the Prime Minister on been set up to identify ways to tackle them. The Department the second year of the Challenge. They have also set out is not currently aware of any new evidence which would their ambition for driving improvements in year three support a suspension of procedures involving vaginal of the Challenge and beyond. mesh in advance of that group’s work being taken Since the launch of the Challenge, we have also made forward. significant progress across all three strands of the challenge, but there is still work to be done. Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome

As part of its presidency of the G8, the United Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Kingdom led an all-out global fight back against dementia. with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official It started with a summit in London on 11 December, Report, column 129W,on haemolytic uraemic syndrome, bringing together health and science ministers from all if he will place in the Library copies of the communications the G8 countries, world-leading experts and researchers, with (a) the Advisory Group for National Specialised leaders of the global pharmaceutical industries and the Services of 17 January 2013 and (b) the National Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Institute for Care Excellence of 7 February 2013; and if (OECD) to accelerate progress towards effective treatments he will make a statement. [201480] and cures. Since the Summit the Prime Minister has appointed Norman Lamb: The information requested has been Dr Dennis Gillings, CBE, Ph.D. as a World Dementia placed in the Library. Envoy. Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health The Department has also established the Dementia with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official Steering Group (international). It will provide leadership Report, column 128W,on haemolytic uraemic syndrome, and engagement across national Government on the whether the National Institute for Health and Care UK’s contribution to delivery of the commitments within Excellence appraisal will share NHS England’s response the 2013 G8 Dementia Summit Declaration and to its request for advice with third parties with an Communiqué. interest in the evaluation of eculizumab; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the NHS England’s response to this request. [201519] General Practitioners Norman Lamb: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has advised that it will publish Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS England’s response to its request for further advice Health how many general practitioner practices were in the evaluation of eculizumab (Soliris) for atypical (a) refurbished and (b) replaced in each of the last 10 haemolytic uraemic syndrome following consideration years. [201710] at the next meeting of the evaluation committee. After the meeting a copy of NHS England’s response will be Norman Lamb: Prior to April 2013, granting funding placed in the Library. for the refurbishment and replacement of general Health Professions: Crimes of Violence practitioner premises was the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs). Information pertaining to this period is not held centrally and could be obtained only at David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for disproportionate cost. Health how many attacks on healthcare professionals there have been in the last three years. [201536] Responsibility for funding general practice premises development has now been transferred to NHS England. Norman Lamb: NHS Protect collates figures annually Between 1 April 2013 and 1 April 2014, more than on reported physical assaults against national health 100 business cases for premises development were approved service staff in England. by NHS England. NHS England has now published Information on the number of reported physical assaults Principles of Good Practice that set out how area teams in the last three years is contained in the documents should review and prioritise business case proposals, ‘Tables showing the number of reported physical assaults and since 1 April 2014 a further 46 business cases have on NHS staff in 2010-11, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’, been approved. ‘Tables showing the number of reported physical assaults 279W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 280W on NHS staff in 2011-12, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’ Hepatitis and ‘Tables showing the number of reported physical assaults on NHS staff in 2012-13, broken down by Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State health body’ which have already been placed in the for Health (1) if he will make an assessment of the Library. implications for his Department’s policy of the conclusion The tables provide information on the number of of the report by HCV Action, entitled Health and reported physical assaults against NHS staff, but do not Wellbeing Boards and Hepatitis C, published in May specify the number of attacks on health care professionals. 2014, that 52 per cent of Health and Wellbeing Board joint strategic needs assessments in England make no mention of hepatitis C; [201560] Heart Diseases (2) what steps his Department is taking to ensure that areas with a high prevalence of hepatitis C include Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for measures to tackle the virus within their joint strategic Health (1) on what date NHS England intends to start needs assessments. [201563] patient recruitment into each of the complex invasive Jane Ellison: Officials from the Department, Public cardiology Commissioning through Evaluation projects; Health England (PHE) and NHS England are currently [201479] discussing how hepatitis C services might be strengthened, (2) whether NHS England plans to limit the number including how local Health and Wellbeing Boards can of patients that can be recruited into the complex be encouraged to include hepatitis C in their Joint invasive cardiology Commissioning through Evaluation Strategic Needs Assessments, where appropriate. The projects in any one year; [201561] findings of the HCV Action report will help to inform those discussions. (3) what funding has been allocated to each of the invasive cardiology Commissioning through Evaluation PHE is developing local profiles that include indicators projects in each of the next five years; [201540] of performance for hepatitis C which are aimed at local authorities and Health and Wellbeing Boards. These (4) how many patients and for how many years NHS profiles include a summary of the issues around hepatitis England plans to recruit into each of the complex C including those most at risk, as well as questions for invasive cardiology Commissioning through Evaluation Health and Wellbeing Boards to ask about local provision projects. [201562] of hepatitis C services. PHE has produced a fact sheet for the Local Government Association on hepatitis B Jane Ellison: NHS England is currently progressing and C to support their scrutiny and oversight role. three commissioning through evaluation (CtE) schemes relating to invasive cardiology. A maximum full year Medical Records: Databases annual budget of £9 million has been allocated, but the period of budget allocation will depend on the final Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for length of the schemes themselves, which will be tailored Health pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2014, Official with the assistance of National Institute for Health Report, column 492W, on medical records: databases, Care Excellence (NICE) to capture sufficient evaluative whether the What about Youth? trial survey had data over the scheme period. support under section 251 of the NHS Act 2006; and whether the data has now been deleted. [201908] NHS England has allocated funding to each of the schemes based on early estimates of patient numbers Dr Poulter: The Department commissioned the Health and the key evaluative questions to be answered by the and Social Care Information Centre to carry out the end of each scheme. Patient numbers will need to be “What about YOUth?” trial survey. A trial survey to contained within these parameters. test some of the processes and methodology was undertaken NHS England is currently assessing a significant and this ran from November 2013 to February 2014. number of applications from providers who have expressed Ipsos Mori was commissioned to carry out the trial an interest in acting as a participating centre in each of survey. The trial survey did not have section 251 of the the three schemes. Once this process is complete, and NHS Act (2006) support and the data have now been the selected centres are confirmed, we will be able to deleted. complete contractual arrangements and confirm a “go Medical Treatments live”date with each centre. Unfortunately we are therefore unable to give a specific date for patient recruitment to Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health start at this stage. what assessment (a) his Department and (b) the NHS England expects CtE schemes to typically run National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for two to three years but the final length of each of the (NICE) have made of the effectiveness of NICE’s invasive cardiology schemes is not yet finalised as they approach to appraising highly specialised technologies. are being tailored with the assistance of NICE to capture [201420] sufficient evaluative data over the scheme period. The length of the schemes may also be influenced by early Norman Lamb: We have made no such assessment. findings from the evaluation or by the publication of The first topic to be evaluated through the National research data exploring similar parameters. The numbers Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) highly of patients to be seen by each of the schemes is not yet specialised technologies programme, eculizumab for atypical finalised since it will depend on the final tariff negotiated haemolytic uraemic syndrome, is currently in progress. with participating providers, and the length of each NICE has advised that it has not yet reviewed its scheme. process for evaluating such technologies. 281W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 282W

Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Jane Ellison: Data is not available at the level of (1) with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official detail being requested. However, information is shown Report, column 152W, on prescriptions, what the most in the following table on the spend on upper gastrointestinal plausible cost per quality adjusted life-year was for and “other″ cancers for the period stated. each technology appraisal conducted by the National Estimated expenditure on upper gastrointestinal cancers and “other” cancers, Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the last two 2008-09 to 2012-13 years; what the estimated eligible patient population £ billion (2012-13 prices) was for each appraised indication; on which appraisals 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 end-of-life criteria were applied in each final Cancers and 0.24 0.28 0.20 0.20 1.55 determination; and on what date each such appraisal tumours—Upper was (a) initiated and (b) concluded; [201482] gastrointestinal (2) with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Cancers and 2.21 2.57 2.95 3.00 0.63 Official Report, column 151W, on prescriptions, in tumours—Other Source: which technology appraisals the National Institute for Programme budgeting data, NHS England. Health and Care Excellence appraisal committees have considered the range of the ICERs in the last It should be noted that the data are not a reliable 24 months; and which ranges have been so considered. source for making year on year comparisons due to [201518] changes to the data collection methodology.

Jane Ellison: The information requested has been Further, not all expenditure can be allocated to a placed in the Library. disease based category—therefore some expenditure will be allocated as “miscellaneous”. General practitioner expenditure is also not included within the estimates. Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 6 May 2014, Official Report, column 152W, on prescriptions, above what Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State period of time the costs of providing the information for Health what funding his Department has allocated requested become disproportionate. [201483] for research into pancreatic cancer in the most recent period for which figures are available. [201703] Norman Lamb: Based on calculations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the information Norman Lamb: The Department is fully committed requested by the hon. Member could only be provided to clinical and applied research into cancer prevention, for the four years from June 2010 without incurring diagnosis and treatment. The Department’s National disproportionate cost. Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for health, including pancreatic cancer. These applications Health what steps he has taken to ensure that are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, non-pharmacological treatments are subject to the with awards being made on the basis of the importance same level of scrutiny as medicinal treatments. [201587] of the topic to patients and the national health service, value for money and scientific quality. Norman Lamb: The National institute for Health and The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) is a Care Excellence (NICE) produces evidence-based guidance United Kingdom-wide partnership between the and advice for health, public health and social care Government, charity and industry which promotes practitioners on both pharmacological and non- co-operation in cancer research among the 22 member pharmacological treatments. AH work undertaken by organisations. An analysis of spend data submitted by NICE is subject to the same high level of scrutiny NCRI partners covering the period from 2002 to 2011 is consideration. available on the NCRI website at: www.ncri.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013-NCRI- Mental Illness Cancer-research-spend-in-the-UK-2002-2011_data-package.xlsx This analysis includes data for all cancer research, for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health site-specific research and for individual sites including pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2014, Official Report, pancreatic cancer. Between 2002 and 2011, the proportion column 102W, on mental illness, when the National of site-specific funding spent on pancreatic cancer research Centre for Social Research will report on its findings for almost doubled. the 2014 Adult Psychological Morbidity survey. [201520] In August 2011, the Government announced £800 million investment over five years in a series of NIHR Biomedical Norman Lamb: The 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Research Centres and Units, including £61.5 million Survey is due to report by end of March 2017. funding for the Royal Marsden/Institute of Cancer Research Biomedical Research Centre, and £6.5 million Pancreatic Cancer funding for the Liverpool Biomedical Research Unit in gastrointestinal disease (which has a major focus on Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State pancreatic cancer). Some research they conduct is relevant for Health what funding his Department allocated for to multiple cancer sites. the treatment of pancreatic cancer in each of the last The UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database five years. [201702] currently has 15 studies in pancreatic cancer listed. 283W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 284W

Valuation of Life and Health Interdepartmental Group schemes. Since May 2010, the Department has routinely published details of all expenditure including funding Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health provided through departmental schemes and programmes. if he will place in the Library a copy of his Additionally, the Department’s annual report and accounts Department’s submission to the Inter-departmental also provide summary information on a range of Group for the Valuation of Life and Health review and programmes that include direct and indirect support to evidence submitted to the series of interviews with his all businesses. The most recent annual report can be Department’s personnel conducted by researchers from found at: the University of Leeds and published in 2008. [201404] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bis-annual-report- and-accounts-2012-to-2013 Norman Lamb: The Inter-departmental Group for the Valuation of Life and Health (IDGVLH) is a group Apprentices of economists from different Government Departments set up in December 2007 to consider technical issues Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for relating to the valuation of impacts upon life and health Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprentices risks. The Terms of Reference of the group included have been hired under his Department’s new contract survey of approaches to the valuation of such risks and for procurement. [201526] production of draft guidance for submission to HM Treasury. Although membership of the Group was sought Jenny Willott: The Department for Business Innovation from any Department with an interest, membership is and Skills does not hold central records of apprenticeships personal and not departmental. Hence the submissions created as a direct result of contracts that it has awarded. to the IDGVLH and responses to the survey that it commissioned are those of the individual members as Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, experts in this field and in the operational practice of Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships his their departments, and do not necessarily represent the Department has created during the last four years. views of their departments. Records of the interviews [201599] conducted by the University of Leeds (other than what is incorporated into the report itself) were not kept by Jenny Willott: BIS has created a total of 69 the Department. apprenticeships during the last four years.

Apprentices: Greater London BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Mary Macleod: To ask the Secretary of State for Adult Education: Harrogate Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeships have been started in (a) London, (b) the London Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Borough of Hounslow and (c) Brentford and Isleworth Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in constituency since May 2010. [201804] Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency were enrolled in adult skills training in each of the last 10 Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of years. [201901] apprenticeship starts by geography is published by academic year in a Supplementary Table, entitled ‘Breakdown by Matthew Hancock: Information on the number of geography, equality and diversity and sector subject adults (19+) participating in government-funded further area: starts 2002/03 to 2012/13’, to a Statistical First education and skills by parliamentary constituency is Release (SFR): published in a Supplementary Table, entitled ‘FE and https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data- skills: overall achievement by geography and equality library-apprenticeships--2 and diversity—2002/03 to 2011/12’, to a Statistical First https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Release (SFR). Data by parliamentary constituency are attachment_data/file/298401/apprenticeships-starts-by- available from 2005/06 onwards. geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fe-data- library-further-education-and-skills Bankruptcy: Harlow https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/284026/ Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for January2013_OverallFEandSkillsParticipation.xls Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses in Agriculture: Government Assistance Harlow constituency have been declared bankrupt in each of the last 10 years. [201692] Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Jenny Willott: Figures are not available at the level of Department spent on business support to farmers, detail requested. excluding Common Agricultural Policy payments, in Official statistics covering corporate insolvencies for each financial year from 2010-11 to 2013-14. [201945] England and Wales are not available at sub-national level, as the data supplied to the Insolvency Service Matthew Hancock: There are a number of business does not include location information. The latest national support schemes available to small businesses, including level figures are available at: farmers. However, the Department does not collect data https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- on individual spend to farmers on its business support statistics-january-to-march-2014 285W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 286W

Official statistics covering individual insolvencies are Following a public consultation, which closed in March available at the level of parliamentary constituencies, this year, this Government has introduced legislation but do not separately identify bankruptcies where the via the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill individual was self-employed. The latest figures, covering to ban the use of exclusivity clauses in contracts which the period 2000 to 2012, are available at: do not guarantee any hours. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/insolvency- statistics-individual-insolvencies-by-region. An update to this publication, covering the calendar Disabled Students’ Allowances year 2013, will be published as a statistical release on Thursday 10 July 2014. Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Comet Group Innovation and Skills what funds his Department will make available to universities as a result of transferring Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for responsibility for the disabled students allowance to Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has them. [201739] made of the cost to the public purse of the collapse of Comet arising from (a) former employees’ redundancy Mr Willetts: Higher education institutions already payments, (b) payments to the administrator for its have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled fees and (c) payments to the administrator for students under the Equality Act 2010. The recently creditors. [201914] announced changes consider how the balance of responsibility between reasonable adjustments and support Jenny Willott: The Insolvency Service’s redundancy provided through disabled students allowances (DSAs) payments services have paid £12,767,464.67 in respect should change. DSAs will remain available for students of statutory redundancy payments, and a total of to complement the reasonable adjustments provided by £18,482,220 so far for all statutory entitlements to 4,838 the institution. former employees of Comet Group plc. Payments of fees to the administrators and in respect The Government also provides annual funding to to any distribution to the general body of creditors are higher education institutions through the teaching grant. not made from the public purse. These come out of The student opportunity fund is part of the overall funds within the insolvency estate from the realisation teaching grant allocated to higher education institutions of the company’s assets. by HEFCE. This funding element to support disabled students rose to £15 million for 2013/14, an increase of Companies: Ownership £2 million on the previous year and has been maintained for 2014/15. There are no plans to transfer additional Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, funds. Innovation and Skills what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that the proposed beneficial ownership registry will properly identify the real controlling parties Disabled Students’ Allowances: Warrington of all companies listed. [201641]

Jenny Willott: The Small Business, Enterprise and Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Employment Bill will make provision for the Innovation and Skills how many people in (a) Warrington implementation of a central registry of company beneficial and (b) Warrington North constituency are in receipt ownership information. The legislation will set out the of disabled students’ allowance. [201850] obligations and sanctions that will apply to companies and others to ensure that the central registry contains Mr Willetts: Information on students awarded and information on the ultimate owners and controllers of paid Disabled Students’ Allowance is published annually UK companies. by Student Loans Company (SLC) in the Statistical Conditions of Employment First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education England’. The latest statistics are available at the following Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for link: Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has http://www.slc.co.uk/media/694170/slcsfr052013.pdf made of the effect of the use of zero hour contracts on A further breakdown for Warrington North constituency workers’ wellbeing. [201365] and Warrington LEA has been provided in the table for the academic year 2012/13. Equivalent figures for the Jenny Willott: No assessment of the effects of zero academic year 2013/14 will be available from November hours contracts on worker’s wellbeing has been made 2014. by this Department. However the Workplace Employers Relations Study (WERS) found that overall well-being Students in receipt of disabled students allowance1 from Warrington LEA and Warrington North constituency, academic year 2012/13, effective date: 13 of employees increased between 2004 and 2011 despite November 2013 the recession. Overall job satisfaction also increased Number of applications paid and is very high by international standards. Application Type Zero hour contracts have a place in today’s labour Post market, supporting business flexibility, making it easier Full-Time Part-Time Graduate to hire new staff and providing pathways to employment Area Application Application DSA Total for young people. Warrington LEA2 190 10 10 210 287W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 288W

Students in receipt of disabled students allowance1 from Warrington LEA and Higher Education: Student Wastage Warrington North constituency, academic year 2012/13, effective date: 13 November 2013 Number of applications paid Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Application Type Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of Post retention rates at learning providers with designated Full-Time Part-Time Graduate [201552] Area Application Application DSA Total course status.

Warrington North 100 * 10 110 2 Mr Willetts: No estimate of retention rates at alternative Constituency providers has yet been made. The designation conditions ‘*’ = Represents a number less than 5. 1 Disabled student allowance may be paid to the student or to a supplier on the that apply from 2014/15 onwards require alternative student’s behalf. providers to provide a data return to the Higher Education 2 Figures are derived from the post code of the applicant’s home address. Statistics Agency (HESA). This data once available will Notes: 1. The effective date is that of the November 2013 Awards Statistical First help inform BIS decisions on designations and enable Release. The figures are therefore provisional and do not include students who the Department to estimate retention rates across the were awarded DSA after November 2013. sector. 2. DSA Payments may be made at any point during the academic year or after the end of the academic year. 3. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals may not add to the sum of the components due to rounding. Insolvency

EU External Trade: Kenya Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, to improve competition in the Insolvency Practitioner Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of market. [201831] the potential effects on access of Kenyan products to the UK of (a) ratification and (b) non-ratification by Jenny Willott: The Government is taking a number of the East African Region of an interim economic partnership steps in this area: agreement with the EU. [201546] A measure in the Deregulation Bill will introduce the option for an insolvency practitioner to specialise in either corporate or Michael Fallon: Ratification of either an interim or individual insolvency. This will encourage new entrants into the comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) profession, which will benefit creditors without lowering standards; would mean the European Commission undertakes There are a number of red tape challenge measures in the procedures allowing Kenya to receive duty-free, quota-free Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill which will reduce access on its exports to the EU. Non-ratification of an costs and remove unnecessary processes in insolvency cases; EPA would mean that some Kenyan products would Also in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill face tariffs when exported to the EU from 1 October are measures which will strengthen the regulatory framework for 2014. Between 2008 and 2012, Kenyan exports to the insolvency practitioners to boost confidence in the regime; UK had an average annual value of $520 million. The Government has also been consulting on measures to Without an EPA, BIS officials have estimated that $300 improve the transparency and accountability of how fees are million of Kenyan exports would remain duty-free. charged by insolvency practitioners. $220 million of Kenyan exports to the UK would face tariffs costing around $14 million per annum. These Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for new charges would mostly affect exports of vegetables Business, Innovation and Skills how he plans to and cut flowers. measure the insolvency industry’s success in voluntarily Negotiations of EPAs have been ongoing for the implementing the recommendations of the Graham previous 12 years. UK Ministers are working closely Review. [201907] with partners in Europe and East Africa to encourage urgent ratification of a development friendly agreement. Jenny Willott: Teresa Graham’s review of pre-pack administration identified how existing practice in pre-pack Groceries Code Adjudicator administration did not in all cases deliver the best result for creditors and the wider economy, in particular where sales are made to a connected party. Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many complaints The Government hopes that the voluntary measures to the Groceries Code Adjudicator by farmers have recommended in Ms Graham’s report-all of which were accepted by Government-will be put into effect by those been (a) made and (b) upheld to date. [201941] concerned as envisaged by Ms Graham. Jenny Willott: The responsibilities of the Groceries After they have had time to have effect, the Government Code Adjudicator (GCA)—as set out in the Groceries will evaluate whether they have indeed addressed the Code Adjudicator Act 2013—do not extend to acting as concerns evidenced by Ms Graham and the resulting a complaints body. No formal complaints of the type outcomes. This will include for example whether the described have therefore been received. measures have increased transparency, returns to creditors, The Adjudicator has, however, received representations and more generally strengthened business confidence in from many farmers concerning their experiences when the pre-pack process. dealing with the large retailers covered by the GCA As recommended by Ms Graham, the Government regime; and information provided by farmers and by will be taking a backstop power in the Small Business, other suppliers will help to inform the GCA’s future Enterprise and Employment Bill so we will be able to activities. legislate in future if necessary. 289W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 290W

Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Jenny Willott: The Government is committed to Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has increasing compliance with minimum wage legislation held with the Insolvency Service on the implementation and effective enforcement of it. Everyone who is entitled of the recommendations made in the Graham Review to the minimum wage should receive it. Her Majesty’s on pre-pack administration. [201910] Revenue and Customs have 173 staff dedicated to the enforcement of the national minimum wage. Jenny Willott: Officials in the Insolvency Service The Government is already taking tougher action on regularly advise me on the full range of insolvency employers that break minimum wage law. We have made policy matters, including on pre-pack administration it simpler to name and shame employers that don’t pay when required. the national minimum wage and increased the financial penalty that employers pay for breaking the law. Low Pay Overseas Students: EU Nationals Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, to safeguard the economic position of people on low Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the pay. [904484] value of loans issued to students from other EU member states in the latest period for which figures are available. [201550] Jenny Willott: Our main labour market policy to improve the position of the low paid is the national minimum wage. We have asked the Low Pay Commission Mr Willetts: Statistics on student support expenditure to review and recommend minimum wage rates for 2015 are published annually by the Student Loans Company that maximise wages without damaging employment. (SLC) in the Statistical First Release ‘Student Support for Higher Education in England’. The latest statistics, We have also increased the focus on compliance and published in November 2013, are available at the following enforcement of the national minimum wage in order to link: ensure that those entitled to it, receive it. http://www.slc.co.uk/media/694170/slcsfr052013.pdf In addition to the national minimum wage we are The value of tuition fee loans issued to borrowers raising the personal tax allowance so that people take domiciled in the EU prior to their course was £166.5 home more of what they earn. million, whereas £4,117.1 million was issued to borrowers domiciled in England. These estimates include borrowers Minimum Wage under both the pre- and post-2012/13 student finance arrangements. Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Statistics referring to the academic year 2013/14 will Business, Innovation and Skills if he will carry out an be published in November 2014. assessment of the positive and negative effects of setting the minimum wage at £10 per hour. [201866] Postal Services

Jenny Willott: It is the role of the independent Low Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Pay Commission to make national minimum wage rate Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the proportion recommendations that maximises earnings, without of UK addresses end-to-end postal delivery companies damaging employment prospects. would need to cover before there is a threat to the The national minimum wage for those aged 21 and financial sustainability of the universal service. [201887] over is currently £6.31, rising to £6.50 from 1 October 2014. Given the remit of the Low Pay Commission, we Jenny Willott: Under the Postal Services Act 2011, can conclude that they would consider that a higher rate Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator would have a negative impact on employment. for postal services, the primary statutory duty to secure the provision of the universal service and to this end In its 2015 recommendations, the Government has Ofcom must have regard for the financial sustainability asked the Low Pay Commission to consider whether we of the universal service. are entering a new phase where real term increases in the national minimum wage can be afforded without Last year, following a consultation, Ofcom, as the damaging employment rates. independent regulator for postal services, set out its guidance on its approach to intervening in response to a material threat to the provision of the universal service. Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what resources have Ofcom has made clear that if its ongoing monitoring been allocated for enforcement action against regime, which keeps the situation under continual review employers who do not pay the national minimum wage. and allows for any new evidence, does not prompt the [904478] need for any earlier assessment, it will as a matter of course carry out a full assessment of the impact of competition on the universal service towards the end Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for of 2015. Business, Innovation and Skills what resources have been allocated for enforcement action against More information about Ofcom’s regulatory regime employers who do not pay the national minimum wage. can be found on its website: [904486] www.ofcom.org.uk 291W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 292W

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, learner numbers, we are reviewing the assumptions Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the time it within the RAB charge model. An updated estimate of would take for Ofcom to undertake a review of the the RAB charge on 24+ Advanced Loans will be published effects of end-to-end competition on the universal service. in July 2014 in the BIS Accounts. [201888] We do not estimate a separate RAB charge for non- English EU students. Jenny Willott: Last year, following a consultation, The actual cost of issuing student loans will be dependent Ofcom, as the independent regulator for postal services, on future macro-economic circumstances, in particular set out its guidance on its approach to intervening in earnings and we will continue to update our forecasts response to a material threat to the universal service. on a regular basis to take account of changes to short-term Ofcom has made clear that if its ongoing monitoring and long-term macro-economic assumptions. regime, which keeps the situation under continual review and allows for any new evidence, does not prompt the Trade Promotion: Northern Ireland need for any earlier assessment, it will as a matter of course carry out a full assessment of the impact of competition on the universal service towards the end of Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for 2015. Business, Innovation and Skills what steps UK Trade & Investment took to promote Northern Ireland businesses Ofcom’s comprehensive monitoring regime is forward at the International Festival for Business in Liverpool. looking, based on business plans of Royal Mail and [201733] other postal operators, and as set out in its guidance, appropriate intervention could be taken within six to Michael Fallon: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) nine months of identifying a potential risk to the provision has encouraged participation by UK businesses from of the universal service. More information about Ofcom’s throughout the UK at the International Festival for regulatory regime can be found on its website: Business (IFB). www.ofcom.org.uk UKTI officials briefed representatives from the three devolved Administrations, including Invest Northern Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Ireland, on plans and preparations for the IFB in September Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of 2013. UKTI subsequently facilitated meetings in London the change in mail volumes to the universal service and Belfast, between senior IFB managers and Invest provider in the NW postcode area as a result of Northern Ireland, to discuss the detail of Invest NI’s end-to-end competition. [201889] engagement with the Festival. All events at IFB have been, and are continuing to be, Jenny Willott: Under the Postal Services Act 2011, advertised and promoted to companies in Northern Parliament gave Ofcom, as an independent regulator, Ireland through the IFB and gov.uk/ukti websites. the powers and tools it needs to assess risks to the universal service and to take appropriate action if the provision of the universal service is ever at serious risk. Voluntary Work: Schools Ofcom has a comprehensive monitoring regime in place and it has the powers to take appropriate action if Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for it considers the universal service to be at risk. More Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking information about Ofcom’s regulatory regime can be to encourage businesses to free up their staff to found on its website: volunteer in local schools. [201737] www.ofcom.org.uk Matthew Hancock: In the Careers Inspiration Vision Statement, launched in September 2013, we stated that Students: Loans we believe employers and schools must do more in partnership together and that the best mentoring and Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, motivation comes from people in jobs. The revised Innovation and Skills what his latest estimate is of the statutory guidance to schools on careers reflects this. RAB charge for (a) student loans after 2012, (b) loans We have been working with key organisations that issued to part-time students, (c) loans issued to deliver inspirational careers activity. This, alongside the students in the Affiliated Loan Programme for improved National Careers Service, will make it easier Students, (d) Advanced-Learner Loans and (e) loans for businesses to identify opportunities to volunteer in issued to non-English EU students. [201551] schools and to recognise the benefits such as a more well-informed future workforce. Mr Willetts: We estimate the RAB charge on student loans issued after 2012 to be around 45%. We estimate the RAB charge for loans issued to part-time students to be around 65%. HOME DEPARTMENT We do not estimate a separate RAB charge for students Asylum at Alternative Providers. The 2012 impact assessment on the introduction of Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for 24+ Advanced Learning Loans stated that we anticipated the Home Department If she will ensure that all asylum this RAB charge would be 60% of the total loan amount. interviews are routinely audio and video recorded. Now that we are beginning to receive figures on actual [200379] 293W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 294W

Karen Bradley: The Home Office is required to allow Any failure of the critical service levels may result in claimants, with some exceptions, to have their asylum financial penalties. interviews electronically recorded on request. The request to record the interview is at the discretion of the claimant. Domestic Violence The invitation to interview letter advises eligible claimants to inform the asylum office if they wish the interview to be recorded, and to provide a minimum of 24 hours Mr Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for the notice of their request to avoid a delay on the day. For Home Department (1) what plans her Department has those in detention, at least three days notice must be to bring forward proposals to criminalise coercive provided. We recognise that digitally recording asylum control and psychological abuse for the purpose of interviews has the potential to bring benefits to both protection of victims of domestic violence; [201084] asylum seekers and to the Home Office and we are (2) what plans her Department has in response to the currently exploring this as an option for the future. HM Inspector of Constabulary Inquiry into police response to domestic violence in creating a culture Asylum: Housing change towards domestic violence. [201085]

Norman Baker: Last September, the Home Secretary Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the commissioned Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Home Department what steps her Department takes to to conduct a review of the response to domestic abuse ensure that accommodation provided by the COMPASS across all police forces. HMIC published its findings in contracts meets the Decent Homes Standards. [201006] March 2014, emphasising that the key priority is a culture change in the police so that domestic violence Karen Bradley: It is a statutory requirement that and abuse is treated as the crime that it is and that the social housing meets the Decent Homes Standard as police use the full range of tools already available to defined in the Housing Act 2004. them. All COMPASS contracts incorporate the requirements In response to the Review, the Home Secretary has of the Decent Home Standards for social housing as established a new national oversight group, which she is part of the contractual performance management chairing, and on which I sit, to oversee delivery against arrangements and are robustly monitored through three each of HMIC’s recommendations. Their first meeting key performance indicators which relate specifically to was held on 10 June. The Home Secretary has also property standards. written to chief constables making it clear that every Providers are required to inspect all properties on a police force must have an action plan in place by September monthly basis or at the point when a service user first 2014. occupies the property. In addition, the Home Office has There are a number of offences that make domestic a team of 17 contract compliance officers who also abuse illegal, including actual bodily harm, grievous closely monitor property standards as part of their bodily harm and assault. Assault can extend to non-physical contract compliance and assurance role. harm. This Government has introduced stalking and Any failure of the critical service levels may result in harassment legislation which can apply to coercive control financial penalties. and psychological abuse. However, the Government will continue to consider what measures will drive culture Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the change in the police in response to the findings of the Home Department what steps her Department takes to HMIC review. ensure that asylum seekers in COMPASS accommodation are able to register complaints quickly and easily. Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for [201007] the Home Department what recent steps her Department is taking to help end domestic abuse and Karen Bradley: The COMPASS contracts lay down violence against women. [201115] requirements for the management of enquiries and complaints received in respect of accommodation services Norman Baker: Domestic violence is a dreadful form provided to asylum seekers. of abuse and is not acceptable within our society. The COMPASS providers have a complaints service in coalition Government’s approach to tackling domestic place through which the asylum seeker, their representative, violence and abuse is set out in its Violence against the voluntary sector or local authorities can raise concerns Women and Girls Action Plan, updated in March 2014. or issues direct. Providers also provide asylum seekers In 2013, the Home Secretary commissioned Her with a detailed briefing on how they can raise a complaint Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to undertake a as part of the move in process. Asylum seekers can raise comprehensive review on how the police deal with a complaint in a confidential way, and with the assistance domestic violence and abuse. HMIC’s report exposed of an interpreter when required. significant failings. In response to the Review, the Home The complaints process is subject to performance Secretary has established a National Oversight Group, management under the Key Performance Indicators which she is chairing, and on which I sit, to ensure regime. Providers are required to report their performance HMIC’s recommendations are acted upon. The Group in terms of dealing with complaints on a monthly basis. met for the first time on 10 June. The Home Secretary In addition, the Home Office has a team of 17 contract has also written to chief constables making it clear that compliance officers who also closely monitor complaints every police force must have an action plan in place by made to providers or made direct to the Home Office as September 2014, to improve their response to domestic part of their contract compliance and assurance role. violence and abuse. 295W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 296W

The Government is committed to ensuring that the Table 1: Comparison of Total Discounted RO and CfD Support Costs police and other agencies have the tools necessary to £ million tackle domestic violence, to bring offenders to justice Renewables and to ensure victims have the support they need to Obligation (RO) (20 Contracts for Difference rebuild their lives. On 8 March 2014, the Government £2012 years) (CfDs) (15 years) announced the national roll-out of Domestic Violence 1GW of Solar 772 529 Protection Orders following the successful conclusion PV (>5MW) of a one-year pilot in three police force areas including 1GW of 7,147 5,154 Wiltshire, as well as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Biomass CHP Scheme following the successful conclusion in September 2013 of a one-year pilot in four police force areas—once £ million again including Wiltshire. £2012 Renewables Contracts for Difference Obligation (RO) (11 (CfDs) (11 years) Marriage Certificates years) Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the 1GW of Biomass 2,620 2,325 Home Department if she will bring forward legislative Conversions proposals to allow mothers’ names to be recorded on Note: Estimates based on new capacity commissioning in financial year marriage certificates; if she will bring forward proposals 2016-17. Values are in £2012 real prices and discounted to the first to permit mothers’ names to be retrospectively added to year of generation (2016-17), using the Government’s 3.5% discount existing marriage certificates; and if she will make a rate. statement. [199641] It is not possible to directly compare renewables support Karen Bradley: We are currently considering how the costs (offered via the Renewables Obligation and Contracts information contained in the marriage entry can be for Difference), with support costs offered via the capacity updated to include this, and to reflect changes since the market, as support under the Capacity Market is offered coming into force of the Regulation of Marriages only for capacity and does not vary directly with the Regulations 1986, as well as the most suitable opportunity amount of generation produced by a plant. for doing so. Under the Capacity Market, all successful capacity will receive the clearing price of the auction in which Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the they bid. The first capacity market delivery year is in Home Department what assessment she has made of 2018-19. Our latest estimate of the average clearing the potential cost to her Department of including price over the first 15 years of the Capacity Market is mothers’ names on marriage certificates. [199697] £34/kW/year (in 2012 prices). For 1GW of de-rated Karen Bradley: The marriage certificate is an exact capacity this corresponds to £500 million over 15 years. copy of the marriage entry which is in a form prescribed in the Regulation of Marriage Regulations 1986. We are Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for currently considering how the information captured in Energy and Climate Change which levy control the marriage entry can be updated to reflect changes framework constraints that have required him to move since 1986, as well as including the names of mothers; an early administrative allocation model for Contract the costs of doing so and the most suitable opportunity for Difference auctions to an auction arrangement. for doing so. [201529] Michael Fallon: The reasons for introducing competition for Contracts for Difference earlier than previously ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE proposed are the potential to improve value for money Energy (including by managing expenditure within the Levy Control Framework cap) and drive innovation; and Dr Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for because the strong development of the renewables pipeline Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made has helped to create appropriate conditions for competition. of the support cost over 15 years of (a) 1gw of field In developing our proposals we have also been mindful solar generating capacity procured with renewable obligation of the final EU Guidelines on State aid for environmental certificate or Contract for Difference support, (b) 1gw protection and energy 2014-20 published on 9 April of biomass generating capacity procured with renewable 2014. obligation certificate or Contract for Difference support and (c) 1gw of gas fired power station capacity procured Energy: Prices with capacity market payment support. [201410] Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Michael Fallon: In order to make a fair comparison and Climate Change what estimate he has made of how between the RO and CfD, my officials have looked at much renewables subsidies (a) added to industrial the differences in support costs between the two support electricity bills in 2012-13 and (b) affected the mechanisms over the full support period (20 years for wholesale price of energy. [201623] the RO, 15 years for CfDs) for solar and biomass CHP. The Government also supports biomass conversions Gregory Barker: In March 2013 DECC published an under both the RO and CfDs. Given that the Government assessment of the impact of climate change and energy support for biomass conversion ends on 1 April 2027, polices on electricity and gas prices and consumer bills1. support costs for biomass conversions have been modelled The report estimated that, in 2013, support costs for over 11 years (from 2016-17). renewables added around 10% to electricity bills for 297W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 298W energy intensive user (8% in relation to the renewables and use in the UK and discusses the compatibility of obligation (RO) and 2% in relation to the small-scale shale gas production and use with UK and global feed-in tariffs (FIT)). climate change targets. The study concluded that with Increased deployment of low-carbon generation, the right safeguards in place the net effect on GHG including renewables, which typically have low generating emissions from shale gas production in the UK will be (and therefore operating) costs, helps to put downward relatively small. Indeed emissions from the production pressure on wholesale electricity prices. It is not possible and transport of UK shale gas are likely to be lower to split out the impact of renewable support policies on than imported liquefied natural gas and gas piped from these wholesale price effects from other drivers such as, outside Europe, which shale gas is expected to replace. for example, the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS). DECC’s Gas Generation Strategy (2012) and Heat However, the March 2013 report estimated that the Strategy (2013) both set out the important role gas has overall wholesale price impact of all low-carbon policies to play to maintain adequate capacity margins, meet was a reduction in the wholesale price faced by industry demand and provide supply-side flexibility while keeping of around 30p/MWh in 2013. emissions within the limits set out in the carbon budgets The Government recognises the particular to 2030 and beyond. We need further drilling and competitiveness issues faced by some industries in terms testing to establish how much shale gas will be recoverable, of their energy costs and has acted to mitigate the but it is likely that domestically produced shale gas impact of energy policies on those industries. This would contribute to the overall natural gas mix that is includes the announcement, as part of the 2014 budget used for both heat and electricity generation, replacing that the Government intends to compensate those energy- some imported and slightly higher carbon liquefied intensive industries most at risk of higher electricity natural gas. prices resulting from the RO and the FIT schemes. We Housing: Energy expect that compensation will begin in 2016-17, subject to EU state aid clearance. Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Available at: Energy and Climate Change what proportion of off-grid https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts- households in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and- bills (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland are located within 500 metres of the gas grid. [201481] Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps he has taken to assess Michael Fallon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer whether the whole of the reduction in costs levied for I gave him on 25 June 2014, Official Report, columns 235- investment in renewables has been passed on to 36W. consumers by energy suppliers. [201834] Radioactive Waste Michael Fallon: In December 2013 the Government announced a package of measures to reduce household Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy bills by an average of around £50 in 2014 compared to and Climate Change what research his Department has what they would have been. The package consisted of a co-sponsored with its US, French and German £12 government electricity rebate which will be delivered counterparts at the Sandia National Laboratory into to customers of all licensed domestic electricity suppliers the safety and security of spent nuclear fuel casks; and in autumn 2014 and 2015, proposed changes to the if he will publish details of the reports arising from Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which will result such research. [201317] in £30-£35 off bills, on average, this year and voluntary action by electricity distribution network companies to Michael Fallon: The Department of Energy and Climate reduce network costs in 2014-15, which will allow a Change has not funded any co-sponsored research with further one-off reduction of an average of around US, French and German counterparts, at the US Sandia £5 on electricity bills. All of the big 6 have announced National Laboratories into the safety and security of how they will be passing the benefits on to consumers. spent nuclear fuel casks. This is set out in an Energy UK publication available Renewable Energy here: http://www.energy-uk.org.uk/publication/finish/3-factsheets- Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and-guides/1106-eco-changes-major-energy-suppliers.html and Climate Change how much was spent on subsidies Fracking for renewable energy over the last three years; and what proportion of that amount was paid for by (a) Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy domestic and (b) industrial electricity bills. [201643] and Climate Change what assessment he has made of (a) the extent to which the future use of shale gas Gregory Barker: The total cost of the two existing could reduce carbon emissions and (b) how this could schemes to promote renewable electricity—the renewables contribute to the Government’s target for an 80% obligation (RO) and the feed-in tariffs (FIT) scheme—was reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. [201622] £1,300 million in 2010-11, £1,609 million in 2011-12 and £2,498 million in 2012-13 (figures not adjusted for Michael Fallon: In September 2013, DECC published inflation). a study by Professor David MacKay and Dr Tim Stone DECC’s methodology for estimating the impact of which gathered the available evidence on the potential energy and climate change policies on energy prices and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from shale gas production consumer bills assumes that the costs of supporting 299W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 300W renewable energy faced by energy suppliers are passed Secondment on in full to consumers (domestic and non-domestic). In the absence of firm evidence on differential cost Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for pass-through, it is assumed that costs are spread over Energy and Climate Change how many employees of UK electricity sales on an equal per MWh basis. the big six energy companies are currently seconded to Given the respective shares of total UK electricity his Department. [202242] consumption, this implies that households bear approximately one-third of the total UK costs of supporting Gregory Barker: There are currently no employees, renewables and that non-domestic consumers (which seconded from any of the big six energy companies, includes the commercial and public sectors as well as working in the Department of Energy and Climate industry) bear the remaining two-thirds. The precise Change. method of cost pass-through will vary between energy suppliers depending on their own tariff structure and approach to cost mark-up. Wind Power

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Renewables Obligation and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 167W, on wind power: electrical substations, what constitutes a nationally Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy significant infrastructure proposal (a) generally and and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 4 (b) in relation to onshore wind farms. [201521] March 2014, Official Report, columns 763-64, on the renewables obligation, when he intends to introduce Gregory Barker: The Planning Act 2008 defines what price competitions for Contracts for Difference; and can be included in an application for development what assessment he has made of whether the consent for a nationally significant infrastructure project economics of onshore wind will change once this new (NSIP). Electricity substations are not categorised as system is introduced. [201642] NSIPs in their own right but, under the Act, can be included in an application for development consent for Gregory Barker: The Government intends to move to such a project if they can be considered as associated auctioning of contracts for difference (CfDs) for at least development in England. those technologies classified as ’established’ (such as In addition, substations may be included in applications onshore wind) from the first allocation round in October for generating stations (including onshore wind farms) 2014. under the Act if they are integral to the main development. The Government Response to the consultation on our approach to competitive allocation of CfDs published Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy on 13 May 2014, set out our view that there is some and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 5 scope for further cost reduction in the onshore wind March 2014, Official Report, column 841W, on wind sector, and that the evidence from UK developers suggests power, what the equivalent figures for spending on that in the years to 2020, the most significant contributor subsidies for onshore and offshore wind were for (a) to reduced costs in the UK is likely to be a constrained 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and whether he expects to see and competitive allocation framework under which only an increase or decrease in the level of spending in each the lower-cost projects come forward. category in 2013-14. [201645]

Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Gregory Barker: The cost of supporting onshore and and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 4 offshore wind through the renewables obligation in March 2014, Official Report, column 764W, on wind 2010-11 and 2011-12 was as follows (figures not adjusted power, whether the Government’s decision that there for inflation): will be no further review of the renewables obligation scheme before it closes to new generation on 31 March £ million 2017 would stand it were found that (a) wind turbines 2010-11 2011-12 and (b) other particular renewables could be Onshore wind 398 483 [201648] competitive without subsidies. Offshore wind 254 371

Gregory Barker: The answer of 4 March 2014, Official Some small-scale onshore wind was also supported Report, column 764W, on wind power, explained that by the feed-in tariff scheme (FITs), but FITs costs are there is no further comprehensive banding review planned not available disaggregated by technology. for the renewables obligation (RO) scheme before it Outturn data is not yet available for spend in 2013-14, closes to new generation on 31 March 2017. but we would expect an increase in the total level of However, as a principle of responsible budget support for each technology as there was a higher level management, we keep under review whether any further of deployment. targeted actions or banding reviews for specific technologies may be necessary as a result of, for example, technology Mr O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy costs falling faster than expected. This helps to ensure and Climate Change what the average proportion of value for public money and protection of consumers time is that (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind turbines from unnecessary costs. produce energy. [201647] 301W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 302W

Gregory Barker: Information on the hours of operation increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities of individual wind turbines is not held centrally. from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private However, information on load factors, which express sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda the average quantity of electricity produced as a percentage and have reported that they delivered over 1.5 million of the maximum achievable (based on installed capacity) prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial are published in table 6.5 of the Digest of UK Energy workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over Statistics, and table 6.1 of Energy Trends; copies of 1,200 prisoners. In addition there are substantial numbers both these publications are available in the House Library of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks and on the gov.uk website. such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning. The March 2014 edition of Energy Trends showed Figures for public sector prisons are published in the average load factors for the last quarter of 2013 were NOMS Annual Report Management Information 36.9% for onshore turbines and 46.1% for offshore Addendum: turbines. Data for the first quarter of 2014 will be https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ contained in the next edition of Energy Trends, being attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf released on 26 June 2014. The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. JUSTICE Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult Acklington Prison prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their how many hours per week prisoners in HM Prison risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they Acklington spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each are to earn privileges. of the last three years; and what proportion of such Information on the proportion of prisoners classed prisoners were classed as unemployed on the latest date as unemployed is not available centrally and could be for which data is available. [201992] obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Jeremy Wright: Up until the end of 2011-12 information Blakenhurst Prison was collected on the average hours per weekday that prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each how many hours per week prisoners in HM Prison prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to Blakenhurst spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each 2011-12 have been placed in the Library of the House. of the last three years; and what proportion of such HMP Acklington merged with HMP Castington to prisoners were classed as unemployed on the latest date form HMP Northumberland in 2011-12. for which data is available. [201989] It should be noted that time in cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time Jeremy Wright: Up until the end of 2011-12 information where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the was collected on the average hours per weekday that cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average and out of the cell. Figures have been drawn from hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible administrative IT systems, which, as with any large to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each scale recording system, are subject to possible errors prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to with data entry and processing. 2011-12 have been placed in the Library of the House. Time unlocked was discontinued as a performance HMP Blakenhurst merged with HMP Hewell Grange indicator for prisons at the end of 2011-12 because it and HMP Brockhill to form HMP Hewell in 2008-09. was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons It should be noted that time in cell includes hours and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time of collecting the data. Indicators introduced into prison where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in in prisons provide a better demonstration of efforts to and out of the cell. Figures have been drawn from prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending. administrative IT systems, which, as with any large Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 scale recording system, are subject to possible errors could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. with data entry and processing. Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners Time unlocked was discontinued as a performance are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It indicator for prisons at the end of 2011-12 because it also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons work ethic which can increase their chances of finding and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline employment on release, a key element to reducing of collecting the data. Indicators introduced into prison reoffending. SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work The number of prisoners working in industrial activity in prisons provide a better demonstration of efforts to across public sector prisons increased from around prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending. 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. 303W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 304W

Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, (viii) Hunting are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It Act 2004, (ix) Night Poaching Act 1828, (x) Control of also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations work ethic which can increase their chances of finding 1997, (xi) Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, (xii) Pests employment on release, a key element to reducing Act 1954 and (xiii) Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in reoffending. each year since 2009. [201202] The number of prisoners working in industrial activity across public sector prisons increased from around Damian Green: The number of offenders cautioned 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are and defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an and found guilty at all courts for offences (all in England increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities and Wales from 2009 to 2013) under the Game Act from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private 1831 can be viewed in Table 1, under the Deer Act 1991 sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda in Table 2, under the Protection of Badgers act 1992 in and have reported that they delivered over 1.5 million Table 3, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial Table 4, under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over 1996 in Table 5, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in 1,200 prisoners. In addition there are substantial numbers Table 6, under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 in of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks Table 7, under the Night Poaching Act 1828 in Table 8, such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning. under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Figures for public sector prisons are published in the (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 in Table 9 and under NOMS Annual Report Management Information the Hunting Act 2004 in Table 10. Addendum: No defendants were proceeded against under the https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours and the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976. Data for worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 the Pests Act 1954 is held as part of a miscellaneous and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. group that cannot be separately analysed. Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges We are very clear that serious offences will always go national policy framework came into effect in adult to court where tough punishments are available to the prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected independent judiciary, who make their sentencing decisions to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate based on the individual facts of the case. a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges. Driving Offences: Insurance Information on the proportion of prisoners classed as unemployed is not available centrally and could be Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice obtained only at disproportionate cost. what representations his Department has received on increasing penalties for uninsured drivers since May Community Orders: Ashfield 2010. [201868]

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice, along with Justice how many people in Ashfield constituency convicted the Department for Transport, receives a large number of each category of offence received community sentences of representations from members of the public and in each of the last five years. [201706] Members of Parliament on driving offences, including those involving uninsured drivers. Identifying individual Jeremy Wright: Since 2010, crime has continued to representations on uninsured drivers could be achieved fall and fewer individuals are entering the criminal only at disproportionate cost. justice system for the first time. The Government is On 16 August 2013 the fixed penalty for driving committed to transforming the way that offenders are without insurance was increased from £200 to £300. dealt with in the community and has legislated so that The Government announced on 12 May this year all community orders must now have a punitive element that it intends to carry out a review of the offences and as well as requirements that are effective at preventing penalties available for a range of driving offences. This further offending. will include offences involving uninsured drivers. Information available centrally does not allow a breakdown of cases by parliamentary constituency. Crime Family Law

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were (a) cautioned, (b) proceeded Justice (1) what estimate he has made of the cost to the against and (c) convicted of an offence under the public purse of the recent increase in the number of provisions of the (i) Game Act 1831, (ii) Deer Act 1991, parties representing themselves in court in private (iii) Protection of Badgers Act 1992, (iv) Wildlife and family law cases; [201855] Countryside Act 1981, (v) Wild Mammals (Protection) (2) what assessment he has made of the causes of Act 1996, (vi) Animal Welfare Act 2006, (vii) Conservation changes in the number of parties representing themselves (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and Conservation in court in private law family cases. [201801] 305W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 306W

Simon Hughes: Litigants in person have always been Damian Green: Three bids were received in response a feature of the justice system. Data on disposals in the to the advertised Grant for Coordination and Delivery financial year prior to April 2013 indicate that in 64% of Support to those Bereaved by Homicide. These were of private family law cases there was at least one party from Victim Support, Refuge and Johnston and Blockley. without recorded legal representation. We are closely monitoring the performance of the Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice family justice system. The number of family cases where what criteria were used to determine the winning one or more parties present themselves is published in bidder for the Grant for Coordination and Delivery of Courts Statistics Quarterly: Support to those Bereaved by Homicide advertised by www.gov.uk/government/collections/court-statistics-quarterly his Department on Contact Finder on 12 February 2014. [201913] Judges are trained to help people with no legal representation and are accustomed to doing so, including Damian Green: We held a competitive process for the by explaining procedures and what is expected of the grant and the successful bidder was selected on the parties. We have taken steps to help people who either basis of delivering the best quality service. The award want to represent themselves in court or have to do so, criteria were made available to all potential bidders at which include publishing a revised guide for separating the start of the commissioning process and are listed as parents and more training for judges. The link to the follows. guide is: 1. Health and Safety http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/ GetLeaflet.do?court_leaflets_id=2756 2. Equalities 3. Capability Homicide: Victim Support Schemes 4. Delivery Structure 5. Managing Transition Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 6. Recruitment and Training how many victims bereaved by homicide have received 7. Service Delivery support from the National Homicide Service in 8. Managing the Grant England and Wales since May 2010. [201874] 9. Efficiencies 10. Expenditure Profile Damian Green: Victim Support, who run the national Homicide Service, report that since the service became Mediation operational on 1 March 2010 until 24 June 2014 it has provided support to 5,687 victims bereaved by homicide. Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness what estimate he has made of the number of peer of the role of the professional not-for-profit mediation support groups supporting victims bereaved by sector in increasing the take-up of mediation by separating homicide in each year since May 2010. [201875] and divorcing couples; [201786] (2) what assessment he has made of the potential Damian Green: Since 2011 the Ministry of Justice has effectiveness of the commercial solicitor sector and the funded a number of peer support groups to provide professional not-for-profit National Family Mediation support to families bereaved by homicide. In the 2013-14 network in ensuring a future increase in take-up of financial year the Ministry of Justice is supporting 13 family mediation by divorcing couples; [201782] peer support groups. From October 2014, the new national (3) what assessment he has made of the effect of Homicide Service will incorporate peer support for introducing a free non-means tested initial mediation those bereaved since the current service became operational information and assessment meeting on the take-up of in 2010. In addition, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed mediation; [201790] that it will continue to fund the 13 peer support groups (4) what his policy is towards funding the Help with until October 2015 and will work with these groups and Family Mediation scheme; [201797] others to develop funding arrangements from October 2015 onwards. (5) what assessment he has made of the reasons for recent changes in the provision of not-for-profit Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice mediation; [201799] whether the Grant for Coordination and Delivery of (6) what steps he plans to take to address changes in Support to those Bereaved by Homicide advertised by the number of mediation providers in England and his Department on Contract Finder on 12 February Wales. [201800] 2014 was a grant or a public contract. [201911] Simon Hughes: There has been a significant decrease Damian Green: The advertised Grant for Coordination in referrals to publicly funded family mediation since and Delivery of Support to those Bereaved by Homicide April 2013 when the legal aid reforms were implemented. is a grant, not a public contract. This is in part due to fewer people visiting solicitors who previously would have directed clients to mediation. Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Before April 2013, attendance at a Mediation Information what bids were submitted for the Grant for Coordination Assessment Meeting (MIAM) was a pre-requisite for and Delivery of Support to those Bereaved by Homicide legal representation for people eligible to obtain public advertised by his Department on Contact Finder on 12 funding. We introduced a statutory MIAM in April February 2014. [201912] 2014 as part of the Children and Families Act. This 307W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 308W placed a legal obligation on an applicant to attend a Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for MIAM for the purpose of considering mediation, before Justice (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that family being permitted to issue court proceedings in certain mediation fees remain affordable; [201798] private family law matters (children and financial disputes). (2) how much has been spent on legally aided family Legal aid remains available for mediation (and for mediation in each of the last four years for which legal help with mediation) for those who meet the figures are available. [201796] eligibility criteria. We are keen to encourage mediation as an alternative to court both for those eligible for Simon Hughes: Statistics on the volume and value of public funding and for privately funded cases. family mediation funded through legal aid are contained within legal aid statistics: April 2013 to March 2014: We are aware that a small number of mediation services have closed or are in difficulty. The Legal Aid www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/322466/legal-aid-statistics-2013-14.pdf Agency (LAA) is constantly monitoring the situation to make sure there is sufficient provision for client access Tables 7.1 and 7.2 contain family mediation data between to mediation services. While a decline in demand is a 2006-07 and 2013-14. contributory factor in mediation service closures, another An extract of the legal aid spend on family mediation significant factor is poor and unsustainable business is included in the following table: models. There is some evidence that a number of the mediation services which have closed following legal aid MIAMS MIAMS expenditure Mediations Mediations reforms were vulnerable to closure before the reforms volumes (£) starts (£) took effect. 2010-11 26,388 6,276,568 14,186 6,997,924 I have convened a Family Mediation Task Force, 2011-12 31,338 7,796,253 15,357 6,917,892 chaired by David Norgrove, which has considered many 2012-13 30,662 8,053,106 13,609 6,307,518 of the issues raised by the Member of Parliament for 2013-14 13,354 3,182,662 8,400 4,291,680 Exeter, including how to reverse the fall in referrals and engage the second party in the mediation process, and The large drop off in 2013-14 was due to removal of incentivising mediators and lawyers to work in partnership mandatory MIAM for onward legal aid funding, which to support clients through the resolution of their dispute meant that solicitors were no longer referring to mediation. in compliance with the new legislation. A number of We introduced a statutory MIAM in April 2014 as part short-term financial options have been considered as of the Children and Families Act which places a legal well as the long-term view for the future of dispute obligation on an applicant to attend a MIAM before resolution services. being able to issue court proceedings in certain private The task force report will be published imminently. family law matters (children and financial disputes). The Government will respond to the report in due It is too early to say what impact the introduction of course. statutory MIAMs has had on referral numbers but anecdotally we have heard from mediators and the judiciary that referrals are increasing and the message is Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for getting through to the public. Justice (1) what steps he is taking to inform the public of the availability of legal aid for family mediation; Family mediation is not regulated by this Department [201795] but legal aid remains available for mediation for those who meet the eligibility criteria. (2) what steps he is taking to inform the public of the benefits of mediation. [201794] Prisoners

Simon Hughes: We are delivering a wide-ranging Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice programme of activity to improve public awareness and (1) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP to make sure that advice agencies are providing the Kirkham spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of correct information about family mediation. This includes the last three years; and what proportion of such being very clear that legal aid is still available for mediation, prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date and for legal support for mediation. for which data is available; [201816] We have taken action to update and improve information (2) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP on our own websites and gov.uk and we have included Brixton spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of an article about mediation in the Citizens Advice Bureau the last three years; and what proportion of such (CAB) newsletter—aimed at advisers—to clarify that prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date legal aid does remain available for mediation. for which data is available; [201814] We have also written to the mediation profession (3) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP setting out some of the work we are doing and we Birmingham spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each continue to work very closely with the Family Mediation of the last three years; and (B) what proportion of such Council (FMC) to raise the profile of the court and that prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date of the profession. This has principally included funding for which data is available; [201815] and working with the FMC to develop an improved (4) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP website which can be used as a public signpost to Erlestoke spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of mediation and information services, and developing a the last three years; and what proportion of such marketing ’toolkit’ to support mediators in promoting prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date their services to prospective clients. for which data is available. [201896] 309W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 310W

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for in prisons provide a better demonstration of efforts to Justice (1) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending. Belmarsh spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 the last three years; and what proportion of such could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners for which data is available; [201820] are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It (2) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a Wellingborough spent (a) in cells and (b) working in work ethic which can increase their chances of finding each of the last three years; and what proportion of employment on release, a key element to reducing such prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last reoffending. date for which data is available; [201817] The number of prisoners working in industrial activity (3) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP across public sector prisons increased from around Wetherby spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are the last three years; and what proportion of such available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities for which data is available; [201818] from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private (4) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda Warrington spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each and have reported that they delivered over 1½ million of the last three years; and what proportion of such prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over for which data is available; [201819] 1,200 prisoners. In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks (5) how many hours per week prisoners in HMP such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning. Whatton spent (a) in cells and (b) working in each of the last three years; and what proportion of such Figures for public sector prisons are published in the prisoners were classed as unemployed on the last date NOMS Annual Report Management Information for which data is available. [201821] Addendum: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf (1) how many hours per week prisoners in HM Prison The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours Blantyre House spent (a) in cells and (b) working in worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 each of the last three years; and what proportion of and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. such prisoners were classed as unemployed on the latest Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges date for which data is available; [201988] national policy framework came into effect in adult (2) how many hours per week prisoners in HM prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected Prison Bedford spent (a) in cells and (b) working in to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate each of the last three years; and what proportion of a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their such prisoners were classed as unemployed on the latest risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they date for which data is available; [201990] are to earn privileges. (3) how many hours per week prisoners in HM Information on the proportion of prisoners classed Prison Aylesbury spent (a) in cells and (b) working in as unemployed is not available centrally and could be each of the last three years; and what proportion of obtained only at disproportionate cost. such prisoners were classed as unemployed on the latest date for which data is available. [201991] Prisons: Crimes of Violence Jeremy Wright: Up until the end of 2011-12 information was collected on the average hours per weekday that Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average Justice (1) how many incidents of assault there were hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible against prison staff at HM Prison Oakwood in (a) to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; [201176] prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to (2) how many incidents of assault there were against 2011-12 have been placed in the Library of the House. prison staff at HM Prison Featherstone in (a) 2011-12, It should be noted that time in cell includes hours (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; [201177] when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time (3) how many incidents of assault against prison where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the staff at HM Prison Brinsford there were (a) in cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; [201180] and out of the cell. Figures have been drawn from (4) how many incidents of assault there were against administrative IT systems, which, as with any large prison staff within the boundaries of prisons in (a) scale recording system, are subject to possible errors 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14. [201306] with data entry and processing. Time unlocked was discontinued as a performance Jeremy Wright: We do not tolerate violence of any indicator for prisons at the end of 2011-12 because it kind in prison and take any instance extremely seriously. was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons We are working closely with the police and CPS to and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline develop a new joint approach to report crimes in prison— of collecting the data. Indicators introduced into prison this includes pushing for prosecutions when our staff SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work are attacked. We are comprehensively reviewing how we 311W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 312W manage violence in prisons to introduce further and have reported that they delivered over 1.5 million improvements to ensure prisons are safer places for prisoner working hours in commercial and industrial everyone. workshops in 2012-13 which provided work for over The number of assault on staff incidents at each 1,200 prisoners. In addition there are substantial numbers establishment is published annually in the Safety in of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks Custody Statistics bulletin. The latest figures are in such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning. Table 3.15 of the Assaults in Prison Custody 2002-13 Figures for public sector prisons are published in the tables which can be found at: NOMS Annual Report Management Information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safety-in- Addendum: custody-statistics-quarterly-update-to-december-2013 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Figures for the number of assault on staff incidents attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf in prisons in England and Wales are published in the The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours main Safety in Custody bulletin, also found at the link worked is not available centrally for 2011-12 and 2012-13 provided. These national figures are published quarterly and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. with the latest bulletin covering calendar years. The Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges next publication on 31 July 2014 will cover periods national policy framework came into effect in adult April to March. prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected Prisons: Employment to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for are to earn privileges. Justice how many hours per week prisoners in HM Prison (a) Hull, (b) Holloway, (c) Hollesby Bay and Information on the proportion of prisoners classed (d) Hindley spent (i) in cells and (ii) working in each of as unemployed is not available centrally and could be the last three years; and what proportion of prisoners obtained only at disproportionate cost. in each such prison were classed as unemployed on the Probation Trusts most recent date for which data is available. [201847]

Jeremy Wright: Up until the end of 2011-12 information Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice was collected on the average hours per weekday that how much has been spent on non-disclosure or compromise prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average agreements for former employees of probation trusts hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible since 1 January 2014. [201230] to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures for each prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to Jeremy Wright: There have been no non-disclosure or 2011-12 have been placed in the Library of the House. compromise agreements included as part of the departure packages of the trust chief executives who have taken It should be noted that time in cell includes hours early retirement. The terms of departure for other former when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time trust staff were agreed through their own local where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the arrangements. cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in and out of the cell. Figures have been drawn from Wellingborough Prison administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) with data entry and processing. if he will meet the hon. Member for Wellingborough to Time unlocked was discontinued as a performance discuss HMP Wellingborough; [200825] indicator for prisons at the end of 2011-12 because it (2) if he will reopen HMP Wellingborough to was not used in the day-to-day management of prisons increase prison capacity; [200826] and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the frontline of collecting the data. Indicators introduced into prison (3) what decisions he has made about the future of SLAs in respect of rehabilitation, resettlement and work HMP Wellingborough. [200827] in prisons provide a better demonstration of efforts to prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending. Jeremy Wright: As this Government has made previously Figures for time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 clear, we will not take any steps to dispose of the could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. mothballed HM Prison Wellingborough because it is a Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners sensible measure to retain reserve capacity. I have no are engaged purposefully whilst they are in custody. It immediate plans to change that status. also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a My office will be in touch to arrange a meeting to work ethic which can increase their chances of finding discuss this matter further. employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending. The number of prisoners working in industrial activity TREASURY across public sector prisons increased from around Carbon Emissions 8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are available) to around 9,700 in 2012-13. This delivered an David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private the savings to the public purse of reductions in carbon sector prisons have also been supporting this agenda emissions leading to a low carbon economy. [200653] 313W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 314W

Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf Parents’ income will be checked against information of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. HMRC holds. Automated links with DWP systems will The Climate Change Act (2008) commits the UK to tell HMRC which parents are claiming universal credit reducing emissions of GHGs and the accompanying or have applied to do so. Impact Assessment sets out that within the context of The vast majority of checks will be automated and global efforts to limit climate change the benefits to the not require contact with the parent. UK will be greater than the costs. However, the Department has not made specific estimates of the savings to the public purse from a move to a low carbon economy as Dover Priory Station the precise fiscal impact of carbon emission reductions will depend on the mix of policies used. Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the For this reason individual assessments of the fiscal Exchequer what representations HM Revenue and impacts of policies have been made and published Customs has made to Mapeley regarding the sale of a where appropriate. In addition, it is worth noting that in portion of land on the western perimeter of the Priory the coalition Agreement, the Government committed Court site, Dover, to allow Network Rail to construct to increase the proportion of tax revenue accounted for new parking facilities for Dover Priory railway station. by environmental taxes. [201484] Child Benefit Mr Gauke: Previous replies have explained that further discussions in relation at Priory Court in Dover are a Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer matter for Mapeley who own the land. While HM whether hours of care during overnight stays and holidays Revenue and Customs (HMRC) occupy the property are included in calculations of payments to recipients of under the STEPS contracts and will consider any reasonable child benefit. [201836] proposals, resolution of commercial considerations are for Network Rail and Mapeley. Mr Gauke: Child benefit is a payment in recognition of the costs of bringing up a child. It is paid at the Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the weekly standard rates of £20.50 for the eldest or only Exchequer how much the Mapeley Group paid for the child and £13.55 for each additional child. estate at Proxy Court, Dover; and where the company Child Benefit: Warrington which paid for the estate is based. [201922] Mr Gauke: Previous replies have explained that the Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Department’s freehold interest in the site at Priory how many families in Warrington North constituency Court, Dover (also know as Custom House) was sold to are in receipt of child benefit at the most recent date for Mapeley Limited as part of the STEPS contract in which figures are available. [201740] 2001. When the Department sold the properties, a price was paid based on the value of the whole estate, not Mr Gauke: The latest information on the number of individual properties. families receiving child benefit, by each parliamentary constituency, local authority and region is available in The question of ownership of former HMRC properties the HMRC snapshot publication “Child Benefit Statistics (now owned by Mapeley STEPS Ltd) is dealt with in Geographical Analysis. August 2013”. This can be found the Public Accounts Committee’s Thirty Second report, at: ″HM Revenue and Customs’ estate private finance deal ″ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ eight years on , which was published on 8 April 2010. attachment_data/file/286668/Child_Benefit_statistics_ geographical_analysis_August_2013.pdf Table 6 has this information by parliamentary Infrastructure constituency. Richard Burden: To ask the Chancellor of the Children: Day Care Exchequer how much the Government has invested in national infrastructure as a percentage share of gross Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Chancellor of the domestic product in each year since 2000. [201660] Exchequer with reference to paragraph 5.43 of Delivering Tax-Free Childcare: the Government’s response to the Danny Alexander: The Government do not publish consultation on design and operation, published in outturn or forecast data for expenditure on infrastructure March 2014, whether HM Revenue and Customs will projects as a proportion of GDP. (a) check declared earnings total and (b) run checks The Office for Budget Responsibility publishes historical with the Department for Work and Pensions to confirm data on public sector gross investment (PSGI) as a that parents have not begun claiming universal credit, percentage of GDP—this can be accessed at the following for all parents reconfirming their eligibility at the end of address: every quarterly entitlement period. [201846] http://budgetresponsibility.org.uk/pubs/ Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs will be able to PSF_aggregates_databank_Jun_2014.xls check parents’ details via automated system checks in Further information on infrastructure investment can order to confirm that those who seek to reconfirm for be found in the National Infrastructure Plan 2013, Tax-Free Childcare remain eligible for the scheme. which is available on the Infrastructure UK website. 315W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 316W

Interest Rate Swap Transactions departments to end check-off payroll deductions for trades union subscriptions. [202194] Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all participating banks completed Mr Maude: Departments are required to recover the all customer review assessments for the sale of interest cost of check off. rate hedging products by the deadline set by the I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave during (a) Financial Conduct Authority (FCA); and what Cabinet Office Orals on 25 June 2014, Official Report, (b) fines and other measures the FCA plans to impose column 302W, to the right hon. Member for Newcastle on banks which missed the deadline. [201895] upon Tyne East (Mr Brown). Andrea Leadsom: All nine participating banks have now completed their assessment of customers that joined Pancreatic Cancer the FCA review of interest rate hedging products before March 2014. This is within the projected FCA time scale. Dr Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Minister for the Unemployment: Young People Cabinet Office what the recent trends have been in survival rates for pancreatic cancer. [201701] Mark Durkan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the on the level of youth unemployment in the UK of the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have tourism VAT rate. [201704] asked the authority to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, dated June 2014: Mr Gauke: No specific assessment has been made of As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I the effect on the level of youth unemployment in the have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question UK of the current levels of VAT that apply to the asking the Secretary of State for Health what the recent trends tourism sector. have been in survival rates for pancreatic cancer (201701). ONS publish one- and five-year cancer survival estimates for England, for a range of cancers including pancreatic cancer. CABINET OFFICE The latest one- and five-year survival estimates available are for persons diagnosed in 2007-2011 and followed up to 2012. These Civil Servants: Qualifications are provided in Table 1, with figures for each preceding period back to 2000-2004, with follow-up to 2005. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Although pancreatic cancer survival estimates prior to the Office how many civil servants have been sponsored to period 2000-2004 are available, these are not in a consistent time undertake an MBA or other business qualifications in series so have not been included in Table 1. the last five years; and how many such people passed The latest published figures on cancer survival in England are such a qualification. [201876] available on the National Statistics website at: www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/cancer-unit/cancer-survival/ Mr Maude: The information requested is not held index.html centrally. The Office for National Statistics produces statistics on cancer Government Departments: Trade Unions in England. The Scottish Cancer- Registry produces statistics on cancer in Scotland. Statistics on cancer in Wales are produced by the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit. The Northern Hywel Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Ireland Cancer Registry produces statistics on ″cancer″ in Northern Office if he will retract his request to government Ireland.

Table 1: One and five-year age-standardised net survival estimates (percentage), for pancreatic cancer, males and females in England: Patients diagnosed 2000-04, followed up to 2005 to patients diagnosed 2007-11, followed up to 20121, 2, 3, 4 One-year relative survival Five-year relative survival Period of diagnosis and follow up (percentage) (percentage)

2000-04, followed up to 2005, England Male 14.5 2.7 Female 14.9 2.4

2001-06, followed up to 2007, England Male 15.3 2.8 Female 15.9 3.1

2003-07, followed up to 2008, England Male 16.2 3.1 Female 17.3 3.3

2004-08, followed up to 2009, England Male 16.7 3.8 Female 18.5 3.4

2005-09, followed up to 2010, England Male 17.4 3.6 317W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 318W

Table 1: One and five-year age-standardised net survival estimates (percentage), for pancreatic cancer, males and females in England: Patients diagnosed 2000-04, followed up to 2005 to patients diagnosed 2007-11, followed up to 20121, 2, 3, 4 One-year relative survival Five-year relative survival Period of diagnosis and follow up (percentage) (percentage)

Female 19.1 3.8

2006-10, followed up to 2011, England Male 18.0 3.9 Female 19.6 4.4

2007-11, followed up to 2012, England Male 18.8 4.7 Female 20.7 5.4 1 As cancer survival varies with the age at diagnosis, the relative rates for all ages (15 to 99) have been age-standardised to control for changes in the age profile of cancer patients over time, thus making them comparable with previously published figures. 2 When age-standardised survival estimates cannot be provided, the un-standardised estimate is provided instead, in italics. 32Pancreatic cancer is defined as C25 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10). 4 Adult patients aged 15 to 99.

Performance Appraisal Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK supports the target to, by 2020, substantially strengthen Mrs Lewell-Buck: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet capacities for data collection and statistical analysis Office what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all relevant to sustainable development with a focus on other staff employed by his Department received each generating timely and high-quality data disaggregated, level of performance rating in their end of year performance as appropriate, by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, assessment for 2013-14. [202049] and rural/urban location. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by Mr Maude: Performance ratings have not been finalised the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 for Cabinet Office staff for 2013-14. June. The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role. Developing Countries: National Income

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy International Development if she will make it her to support the adoption of a target that by 2030 countries policy to support the adoption of a target to ensure progressively introduce broader measures of progress that adequate policy space is given to developing beyond gross domestic product into national accounting, countries by the international organisations to establish with supportive statistical capacity building in developing and implement their policies for poverty eradication countries in Open Working Group negotiations on the and sustainable development in Open Working Group negotiations on the sustainable development goals. sustainable development goals. [201425] [201890] Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the UK supports the target that by 2030 countries progressively Justine Greening: As we have already made clear, the introduce broader measures of progress beyond gross UK agrees with the importance of ensuring that developing domestic product into national accounting, with supportive countries design and own national policies for poverty statistical capacity building in developing countries. eradication and sustainable development. Language on This language is included in the most recent draft goals the adequate policy space is included in the most recent and targets list released by the co-chairs of the Open draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of Working Group (OWG) on 2 June. the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June. The final targets in the post-2015 development framework The final targets in the post-2015 development framework will however be subject to international negotiations in will however be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role. role. Sustainable Development

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make it her policy WORK AND PENSIONS to support the adoption of a target to substantially strengthen capacities for data collection and statistical Child Support analysis relevant to sustainable development by 2020 with a focus on generating timely and high-quality data disaggregated, as appropriate, by income, age, race, Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for ethnicity and rural urban location in Open Working Work and Pensions whether hours of care during overnight Group negotiations on the Sustainable Development stays and holidays are included in calculations of payments Goals. [201865] to recipients of child support. [201837] 319W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 320W

Steve Webb: Where the Child Support Agency or Information for Northern Ireland is the responsibility Child Maintenance Service work out how much of the Department for Social Development. Northern maintenance should be paid, a reduction can apply Ireland statistics and can be found at: where parents share the care of a child. http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/stats_and_research/ For a reduction in the amount of child maintenance benefit_publications.htm to be considered, a paying parent must provide overnight The information requested for Ashfield parliamentary care for the child in the case for at least 52 nights per constituency is not readily available and could be provided year. Overnight care can take place on a weekly basis, or only at disproportionate cost. in blocks of nights/weeks. However a parliamentary constituency breakdown for CTB was produced as a one-off exercise for January Children: Day Care 2011 and this is published at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107093842/ Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd1/hb_ctb/ hb_ctb_parlc_jan11.xls for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2014, Official Report, column 344W, on children: day care, what assumptions on the number of families Employment claiming support for childcare in (a) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17, (c) 2017-18 and (d) 2018-19 have been built Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for into the universal credit programme. [201909] Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the comparative employment outcomes of people in Steve Webb: We announced our plans for the receipt of (a) employment and support allowance and implementation of universal credit on 5 December, and (b) incapacity benefit; and if he will make a statement. these were set out in a written ministerial statement. [201892] The WMS can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/ Esther McVey: 720,000 more people are now being cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/131205m0001 supported to prepare or look for work as a result of the .htm#13120551000006 incapacity benefit reassessment process. Official statistics on universal credit were most recently The structure of employment and support allowance published on 11 June and can be found at: provides much more support than the incapacity benefit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit- regime to those who it is reasonable to expect to take statistics-apr-2013-to-31-march-2014 steps to return to work.

Children: Maintenance Employment and Support Allowance

Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects his Department to have and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2014, closed all outstanding Child Support Agency cases. Official Report, column 628W, on the employment and [201808] support allowance, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the findings of the recent Steve Webb: The process of closing Child Support Mind report entitled Fulfilling Potential? ESA and the Agency cases begins in 2014 and the current planning fate of the Work-Related Activity Group. [201857] assumption is that it will take around three years to complete. Esther McVey: Our Department is fully committed to providing personalised support for people with health Council Tax Benefits conditions. Jobcentre Plus and the work programme are successfully helping claimants into work. We are determined to do even more to help ESA Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for claimants into work. We are trialling new approaches to Work and Pensions how many people in (a) Ashfield extend our knowledge about what works and inform constituency, (b) Nottinghamshire, (c) East Midlands future policies. and (d) the UK received council tax benefit in each of the last five years. [201708] We have set up the work programme building best practice group to help share what works and we are Steve Webb: Most of the information requested is driving providers to improve performance for this group. published and available for each month from November Our Disability and Health Employment Strategy also 2008 to February 2013 and can be found in Table 10 of sets out a range of interventions to further shape positive the publication at: attitudes, encourage employers to see the value of disabled https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit- people in the work force and better target support to and-council-tax-benefit-caseload-statistics-published-from- where it will make the most impact. november-2008-to-present Last year the Prime Minister launched the Disability Council tax benefit (CTB) was replaced in April 2013 Confident campaign which targeted over 1,100 local by the local council tax reduction scheme and in England and national employers, aiming to increase their confidence the Department for Communities and Local Government in employing disabled people. We received hundreds of is now responsible for these statistics. The Scottish and pledges from companies in their quest to improve Welsh Governments have similar responsibility. employment outcomes for disabled people. 321W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 322W

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Esther McVey: Information is not available in the Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had format requested and could be produced only at with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the costs of disproportionate cost. administering employment and support allowance between 2014-15 and 2018-19. [201891] Housing Benefit Esther McVey: The Secretary of State has regular meetings with the Chancellor to discuss all departmental Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work policies. and Pensions (1) what the value of the average claim for housing benefit made by those (a) out of work, (b) Home Visits self-employed and (c) employed was in each of the last five years; [198960] Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what the value was of housing benefit paid to Work and Pensions (1) how many home visits his claimants who were (a) out of work, (b) self-employed Department made in (a) 2009, (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) and (c) employed in each of the last five years; [198955] 2012 and (e) 2013; and for which purposes; [201893] (3) what proportion of housing benefit claimants (2) how many recipients of (a) employment and were (a) out of work, (b) self-employed and (c) employed support allowance, (b) housing benefit, (c) income in each of the last five years. [198959] support and (d) jobseeker’s allowance received a home visit in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012 and (v) Steve Webb: The available information is in the following 2013. [201894] tables:

Table 1: Housing benefit recipients by employment status: Great Britain, 2009-10 to 2013-14

Caseload (thousand)1

Not in employment

Not receiving means-tested out of As at Receiving means-tested out work benefits (pensioners and Proportion in employment September: In employment of work benefits other working age) Total (percentage)

2009 527 2,067 1,944 4,539 11.6

2010 702 2,142 1,953 4,797 14.6

2011 835 2,174 1,925 4,934 16.9

2012 934 2,227 1,880 5,041 18.5

2013 1,019 2,192 1,811 5,022 20.3

Table 2: Average housing benefit award by employment status: Great Britain, 2009-10 to 2013-14

£ (per week)

Not in employment

Not receiving means-tested out of work Receiving means-tested out of work benefits (pensioners and other working As at September: In employment benefits age) Total

2009 76.54 92.01 71.62 81.58

2010 84.68 94.06 73.54 84.42

2011 86.92 96.08 76.64 87.01

2012 87.75 97.55 80.19 89.32

2013 89.51 95.87 82.64 89.87

Table 3: Housing benefit outturn expenditure by employment status: Great Britain, 2009-10 to 2013-14 £ million, real terms (2014-15 prices) Not in employment Not receiving means-tested out of work Receiving means-tested out of work benefits (pensioners and other working In employment benefits age) Total

2009-10 2,591 11,208 8,275 22,074 2010-11 3,438 11,460 8,161 23,060 2011-12 4,092 11,667 8,257 24,016 2012-13 4,558 11,965 8,335 24,858 323W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 324W

Table 3: Housing benefit outturn expenditure by employment status: Great Britain, 2009-10 to 2013-14 £ million, real terms (2014-15 prices) Not in employment Not receiving means-tested out of work Receiving means-tested out of work benefits (pensioners and other working In employment benefits age) Total

2013-14 4,958 11,383 8,122 24,462 Notes: 1. In employment expenditure is based on instances where either the claimant or their partner has recorded earnings (which could be part-time or full-time) including pensioners, estimated using administrative data from local authority systems. 2. A small number of claimants on passported benefits who receive housing benefit may also be working, or have a working partner. These claimants are not identified in the data. 3. “Out of work benefits” refer to income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and income-based employment support allowance. 4. Annual expenditure is calculated using quarterly averages of claimant numbers and claim amounts, aligned to out-turn expenditure from local authority subsidy returns. 5. Total out-turn expenditure for 2013-14 an estimate, based on SHBE data and the 2012-13 out-turn expenditure; this is subject to revision as local authority subsidy returns are made. 6. Expenditure figures may differ from previous published figures due to a change in methodology and data sources. 7. Housing benefit caseload and average weekly amounts information can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk Source: Single Housing Benefit Extract (SHBE) and local authority subsidy returns

It is important to note that the increase in the housing claimants whose claim has been stopped on the other benefit caseload in employment is driven by a number support options available. [201736] of factors, including: The overall increase in the number of households renting, Esther McVey: All advisers have access to comprehensive whether or not in receipt of housing benefit. and clear procedures, guidance and extensive learning Recession-related impacts such as previously unemployed HB which equips them to advise claimants who may have claimants moving into work and losing eligibility to passported their entitlement to benefit ended, including alternative benefits but continuing to claim HB, where as a consequence of sources of financial assistance. the complexity of the benefit system it is possible that in some cases these households may not have made a claim for HB had Where a benefit doubt is identified and the case is they not had a spell on out-of-work benefits. A key feature of being referred to a decision maker, claimants are given universal credit is its smoothing of this type of transition. information (verbally and in writing) about the doubt The information requested for those who are self- in question, what happens next, what they can do if employed is not readily available and could be provided their claim ends and the availability of jobseeker’s only at disproportionate cost. allowance under the hardship provision. Information on numbers in employment do not include Once a decision is made and entitlement ends, a those housing benefit recipients whose claim is passported: formal notification is issued to the claimant, which that is those receiving income support, jobseeker’s allowance includes information about the availability of jobseeker’s (income-based), employment and support allowance allowance under the hardship provision. (income-based), or pension credit (guaranteed credit). Where the Department for Work and Pensions is This is unlikely to have a significant impact on the unable to help claimants they will be signposted to trends shown in the tables. other types of support in their areas, including local authorities. Independent Living Fund Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for and Pensions what penalties are incurred by jobcentre Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to ensure staff who fail to inform jobseeker’s allowance claimants that adequate support exists for those affected by the whose claim has been stopped of the other support abolition of the Independent Living Fund beyond the options available to them. [201738] year of guaranteed funding made available to local authorities. [201841] Esther McVey: We aim to ensure those who are eligible are fully aware of hardship provision, know Mike Penning: Last year’s spending review determined how to make an application and have the right support budgets for 2015-16 only. This applies to all aspects of from Jobcentre staff throughout the process so that Government expenditure not just ex-ILF funding. Budgets they can receive payments. In the event that Jobcentre for later years will be determined in a later spending staff do not comply with any guidance, local Jobcentre review; the timing of this is not known but it is likely to managers may take appropriate steps in accordance be after the next general election. with DWP’s policies and procedures. Following the closure of the ILF it will be the responsibility of the Department of Health and the National Insurance Contributions Office: Newcastle devolved Administrations to ensure that they reflect the Upon Tyne needs of ILF users in future funding bids.

Jobseeker’s Allowance Andy McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work that the centralisation in Newcastle of national and Pensions what guidance he has issued to jobcentre insurance services for the North East does not have a staff on information to provide to jobseeker’s allowance negative effect on service for users. [200846] 325W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 326W

Esther McVey: Measures taken ensure that dedicated Steve Webb: Interim evaluation from the first six centralised teams are able to offer both earlier and months of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects increased numbers of appointments to individuals of was published in December 2013 and can be found at: the north-east. Measures are also in place to ensure https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ mobile visits to employer sites are completed when attachment_data/file/265257/direct-payment-demo-figures- necessary. dec-2013.pdf DWP has developed three levels of safeguards for tenants and landlords based on findings from the Direct Personal Independence Payment Payment Demonstration Projects and continuous improvements through our test and learn approach in Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for live service. Work and Pensions what his policy is on offering interim We make an initial judgment on each claim as to payments to claimants of the personal independence whether the claimant is at risk of default and if so, we payment while the backlog of applications is cleared. can put them on managed payments immediately. In the [201878] majority of cases Direct Payments will apply and we have two safeguards in place: Mike Penning: We are committed to ensuring personal (1) We will review the initial decision if we are advised that independence payment claimants receive high quality, arrears have reached the equivalent of one months rent. objective, fair and accurate assessments. Any delays (2) We will move to payment to the landlord if we are advised experienced by new claimants will not affect the date that arrears have reached the equivalent of two months rent. from which they are awarded PIP, as successful claims Universal Credit: South East will be backdated. There is no policy or legislative basis on which to provide interim payments. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when universal credit will be rolled out to Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Brighton, Kemptown constituency and (b) the Work and Pensions what the current waiting time for South East; and if he will make a statement. [201619] an Atos Healthcare-provided assessment for a personal independence payment claim is in (a) Hull and (b) Esther McVey: I refer my hon. Friend to the written nationwide. [201879] ministerial statement made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member Mike Penning: The information you have requested is for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), not available. on 5 December 2013, Official Report, column 65WS—link to WMS: Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/ Work and Pensions what recent evaluation he has cmhansrd/cm131205/wmstext/ undertaken of the performance of the firms undertaking 131205m0001.htm#column_65ws personal independence payment evaluations on behalf The statement sets out our plans for UC Delivery. We of his Department. [201880] are progressing well against the plan and from 23 June 2014 expansion of the UC live service across the whole Mike Penning: The Department’s contracts with Capita of the North West of England began. and Atos Healthcare for the delivery of assessments for https://www.gov.uk/government/news/north-west-universal- personal independence payment include a full set of credit-expansion service level agreements setting out the Department’s expectations for service delivery. We are closely monitoring Written Questions their progress against these and are taking action to drive up performance where this does not meet the Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for required standards. Work and Pensions how many parliamentary questions We are aware that, in many cases, it is taking longer tabled to his Department in the last parliamentary than we would like for claimants to have their assessments Session did not receive a substantive answer by the time with Capita and Atos Healthcare. To ensure they deliver of the 2014 Prorogation; and when each such question we are working closely with our suppliers to speed up was first tabled. [201548] the process for claimants. Esther McVey: The Department provided substantive answers to all parliamentary questions in the 2013-14 Universal Credit parliamentary Session.

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER effect of universal credit on landlords who have claimants as tenants; what the results were of the direct Official Hospitality payment demonstration projects on the effect of paying housing benefit direct to tenants; and if he will reduce Ian Austin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the two calendar month rent arrears trigger point much the recent reception at Admiralty House to before a landlord can go directly to his Department for celebrate the Tour de France cost; how this cost was direct payment. [201714] met; and who provided the staff for this event. [201745] 327W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 328W

The Deputy Prime Minister: Information on the costs We have surpassed our target for trainees entering of receptions I host is published under the Government’s chemistry teacher training in each of the last three transparency rules. The costs of the reception at Admiralty years, recruiting 121% of the target in 2011/12, 108% in House to celebrate the Tour de France will be published 2012/13, and 127% in 2013/14. under these rules at: In addition, the latest annual School Workforce Census www.gov.uk/government/collections/ministers-transparency- (2013)1 shows that 80.4% of chemistry teachers who publications teach pupils from years 7 to 13 have a relevant post The Cabinet Office provides staff for all regular A-level qualification, up from 72.7% in the 2010 census.2 receptions. Data for the number of chemistry SKE courses for 2009-13 is in the table. Post ITT SKE courses were Ian Austin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which available only from the academic year 2011/12. SKE parliamentarians were invited to the reception held to course data for 2013/14 is not yet available. celebrate the Tour de France at Admiralty House on 18 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce- June 2014; and on what basis they were selected. in-england-november-2013 [201746] 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce- in-england-november-2010-provisional The Deputy Prime Minister: All members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Tour de France were Number of pre ITT Number of post ITT invited to the reception held to celebrate the Tour de Academic chemistry SKE courses chemistry SKE courses France at Admiralty House on 18 June 2014. year undertaken undertaken 2009/10 577 n/a Ian Austin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he 2010/11 522 n/a will publish the invitation list for the reception held to 2011/12 574 87 celebrate the Tour de France at Admiralty House on 18 June 2014; and on what basis each such organisation 2012/13 399 91 was selected. [201747] Colleges of Education: Greater London The Deputy Prime Minister: The invitation list was compiled based on advice from the Tour de France hub, Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Welcome to Yorkshire and from the All Party Parliamentary Education how many years the longest serving head Group on the Tour de France. We do not routinely teacher on the panel which assessed the Institute of publish the full invitation lists for receptions. Details of Education proposal to establish a university training the cost of receptions and number of attendees are school in Holborn and St Pancras had been a school published on a quarterly basis. head. [201869]

Voting Behaviour Mr Timpson: The panel that considered the Holborn University Training School proposal and conducted the Jim Sheridan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister interview with the Institute of Education possessed a what assessment he has made of the proportion of collective experience in school headship of over 32 years, people that voted in the most recent nationwide elections; covering secondary and primary phases. and what steps he is taking to encourage more people to vote at future elections. [201720] Music: Education

Greg Clark: Turnout across the UK at the European Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Elections 2014 was 35.4%, slightly higher Education what criteria underlay his Department’s than 34.5% at the previous election in 2009. decision that the Arts Council will in future be The Government is committed to maximising electoral responsible for the funding of music in schools; and registration to help support the highest possible turnout what criteria will be used to evaluate the outcome for in elections. schools of that decision. [201859]

Matthew Hancock: Schools are responsible for providing music education to their pupils, using the funding they EDUCATION receive for curricula and extra-curricula provision. It is for schools to decide how to spend this, including on Chemistry: Teachers music. In addition, we are providing £171 million to 123 new Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for music education hubs across 2012-15 to provide core Education how many chemistry teachers undertook a roles, such as ensuring that every child aged five to 18 chemistry subject knowledge enhancement course in has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument through each of the last five years. [201219] whole-class ensemble teaching, and to progress from that, to sing, to play in ensembles, and to perform. Mr Laws: There are two types of subject knowledge The hubs have been overseen by Arts Council England enhancement (SKE) courses: (ACE) on our behalf since they were set up in August pre initial teacher training (ITT) SKE, to support recruitment 2012, and we have confirmed that ACE will continue to of trainee teachers in shortage subjects; and carry out this role until at least March 2016. Arrangements post ITT SKE, to support work force challenges in schools. beyond this point will be subject to review. 329W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 330W

The Department for Education is monitoring the Beavers: Devon performance of the hubs on an ongoing basis, through annually collected data and a new Hubs Advisory Group. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for In the first year of the music education hubs, nearly half Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his a million children were given the opportunity to learn a Department plans to take to control the population of musical instrument for the first time and hubs provided wild beavers in Devon; and whether such plans include or supported 15,000 choirs, orchestras and bands. More an option for culling. [201514] than a third of those children who learned a musical instrument for the first time have continued learning to George Eustice: We intend to recapture and rehome play. the wild beavers in Devon and are currently working out plans for the best way to do so. All decisions will be Pupil Numbers made with the welfare of the beavers in mind. There are no plans to cull beavers. Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schoolchildren graduated from Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) a comprehensive, (b) a grammar, (c) a secondary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions and (d) an independent school in the last academic his Department has had with Natural England on the year. [201675] control of the population of wild beavers in Devon. [201515] Mr Laws: The Department for Education publishes pupil results at the end of key stage 4, which signals the George Eustice: DEFRA, Natural England and the end of compulsory education. Information on the key Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency stage 4 results of pupils by admission basis and school have discussed the need to recapture and rehome the type is published in the ″GCSE and equivalent results in population of wild beavers in Devon and also the England, 2012 to 2013 (revised)″1 Statistical First Release. process for doing so. The relevant tables have been placed in the House Library: Common Agricultural Policy 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gcse-and-equivalent -results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State (National tables: SFR01/2014 document, Table 3a and b). for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment has been made of the regulatory impact of the changes to the CAP on farmers. [202110] Pupils: Safety George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to my previous David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for answer of 23 June 2014, Official Report, column 63W. Education what steps he is taking to ensure that primary school children are safe inside the school building and Educational Testing Service in the surrounding area. [201537] Mr Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Mr Laws: All schools have a legal responsibility to Food and Rural Affairs what current contracts (a) his provide a safe and secure environment. Under health Department and (b) each of his Department’s executive and safety legislation, schools are required to conduct a agencies or non-departmental public bodies hold with health and safety risk assessment and put in place an the Educational Testing Service or any of that organisation’s appropriate policy to ensure that staff and pupils are subsidiaries. [202169] not exposed to risks. This applies to activities on or off the school premises. Dan Rogerson: Neither core DEFRA, nor its Executive Schools are also required to undertake a range of Agencies or non-departmental public bodies hold any employment and criminal record checks when making contracts with the Educational Testing Service or any of appointments and supervise visitors to the school building. its subsidiaries. Guidance is made available to schools to help them meet these legal requirements. Flood Control: Thames Gateway

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS assessment he has made of the level of flood protection in the Thames Gateway. [201972] Animal Welfare: Circuses Dan Rogerson: The Environment Agency’s Thames Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Estuary 2100 Plan, which covers the area known as the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to ″Thames Gateway″, sets out the current levels of risk to bring forward legislative proposals on the use of wild the area and the plans to protect areas at risk from tidal animals in circuses. [201835] flooding until the end of the century. Following the winter storms, the Environment Agency George Eustice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer reassessed the condition of all flood defences on the I gave on 10 June 2014, Official Report, column 113W. Thames and the level of flood protection they offer. 331W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 332W

Floods CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Battle of Waterloo: Anniversaries contribution by the Prime Minister of 18 June 2014, Official Report, column 1116W, what assessment he has Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for made of the cost of flooding damage to (a) farmers Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government and (b) small businesses from the beginning of the has to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of financial year 2013 which will become eligible for Waterloo. [201741] support from his Department’s (i) Farming Recovery Fund and (ii) support for fishermen schemes; and what Mrs Grant: Planning for the commemoration, in estimate he has made of the number of additional 2015, of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo claims made under each such scheme as a result of this is being carried out by Waterloo 200, an umbrella extended eligibility. [201508] organisation which is overseeing the anniversary. More information can be found on its website at the following Dan Rogerson: There are no plans to extend eligibility link: for either of these two schemes. Both of these schemes build on existing EU schemes where the EU rules www.waterloo200.org prevent any changes in eligibility that would allow those In the June 2013 budget, the Chancellor announced flooded before 1 December 2013 to apply. funding circa £1 million will be allocated to restore the site of the battle. Horses: Animal Welfare The previous Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller), was also pleased to announce Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for in October 2013 that at least £10 million will be made Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his available by the Heritage Lottery Fund over the next Department plans to take to address the problem of four years to fund projects marking some of the UK’s horse abandonment. [201775] most important anniversaries and commemorative events, including the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. George Eustice: There are many underlying issues which result in horses being abandoned and neglected. In some cases it seems owners are struggling to cope Billing with the costs involved in keeping a horse. In other cases, irresponsible breeders and horse traders are deliberately placing horses on land to secure grazing for Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for their animals at no cost to themselves. Culture, Media and Sport how many creditors had In the Government’s view the way to address these remained unpaid by his Department on 1 June 2014 for problems is to tackle the perpetrators directly. Antisocial (a) 45, (b) 60, (c) 75 and (d) 76 days and over. behaviour orders have been successfully used in Wales [201614] and in Bristol to address fly-grazing, and there is likely to be an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 Mrs Grant [holding answer 25 June 2014]: The number where a horse is abandoned. The Anti-social Behaviour, of creditors that remained unpaid by the Department Crime and Policing Act 2014 brings forward new for Culture, Media and Sport at 1 June were: streamlined measures to tackle antisocial behaviour, of which the practice of fly-grazing of horses is a prime Number example. Where fly grazing is a particular problem, we (a) 45 days and over 12 encourage the local authorities and police to work together with landowners, farmers and welfare charities (b) 60 days and over 9 to identify the culprits and address their behaviour (c) 75 days and over 5 directly using these powers. In a number of cases and to (d) 76 days and over 5 encourage joined up working, protocols have been drawn up by some local authorities to summarise the action that can be taken under existing legislation. DEFRA is Civil Partnerships supplementing that guidance with advice on the new measures in the 2014 Act which comes into force later Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State this year. for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government plans to publish its report on its consultation on the Members: Correspondence future of civil partnership in England and Wales. [201825] Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he intends Mrs Grant: The report on the conclusions of the to reply to the letter of 3 June 2014 from the hon. review of civil partnership in England and Wales is Member for Bishop Auckland. [201784] published today and is available on the Culture, Media and Sport website at George Eustice: I replied to the hon. Member on https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation- 24 June 2014. on-the-future-of-civil-partnership-in-england-and-wales 333W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 334W

Direct Selling Also, there are various steps that consumers can take to block nuisance calls from getting through to them. Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Most telecom service providers offer a range of services, Culture, Media and Sport how many companies were usually for a small charge or for free, that can help to fined more than once for making nuisance calls by (a) reduce the need to answer such calls. These include the Information Commissioner’s Office and (b) Ofcom ‘Calling Line Identification Display’, ‘Anonymous Call in each of the last three years. [201463] Rejection’ and ‘Choose to Refuse’. BT’s ‘Choose to Refuse’ service allows consumers to block numbers by Mr Vaizey: The Information Commissioner’s Office specifying numbers that they do not want to receive (ICO) and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) have calls from. Also, ’Caller Display’ enables a consumer to issued monetary penalties totalling more than £1.9 million choose to ignore calls including those that withhold since January 2012 for nuisance calls, however no company their number and ‘Anonymous Call Rejection’ blocks has been issued with a monetary penalty more than incoming calls that withhold their number; although once by either ICO or Ofcom for making nuisance calls. this may include some calls that consumers may want to receive. Additionally, telephone handsets and plug in Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for devices are commercially available from the internet Culture, Media and Sport how many companies were and high street shops that can help to block unwanted fined for making nuisance calls by (a) the Information nuisance calls. Commissioner’s Office and (b) Ofcom in each of the last three years. [201464] Film

Mr Vaizey: The number of monetary penalties issued Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for for making nuisance calls by the Information Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Office of of investment from overseas sources in film production Communications (Ofcom) in each of the last three in the UK in each year since 2010. [201595] years is set out in the table. Also, both the ICO and Ofcom take informal enforcement action to ensure that Mr Vaizey [holding answer 25 June 2014]: DCMS companies about whom they have concerns are brought and the BFI do not hold data on the total investment into compliance more quickly. From January 2013 - from overseas sources in film production in the UK. June 2014, ICO engaged with over 20 organisations, However, the BFI collects data on the total expenditure which were responsible for making nuisance calls and as on core filmmaking activities by international film a result recorded substantial reductions in complaints production companies on productions made in the UK. for five of these organisations. Ofcom’s informal action Expenditure on core filmmaking activities includes pre- against 25 organisations making silent and abandoned production, principal photography and post production phone calls has resulted in complaints linked to the but excludes any expenditure incurred on development, telephone numbers used by 22 of those organisations distribution or other non-production activities. The total stopping or reducing significantly, while three cases are UK spend in each year since 2010, is set out in the table: ongoing. The power to issue monetary penalties of £500,000 for ICO came into force in January 2012, Inward investment UK spend while Ofcom’s power to issue a monetary penalty of (£ million)1 £2 million became effective in October 2010. 2010 1,011 2011 2012 2013 Total (£) 2011 1,070 2012 623 1 ICO - 1 3 360,000 2013 868 Ofcom - 2 1 1,560,000 1 Rounded to the nearest £ million 1 ICO has also issued monetary penalties to two companies for SMS Source: spam text messages in 2012 and 2013. BFI Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department Floods has taken to tackle unsolicited marketing telephone calls originating from outside the UK. [201555] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the contribution Mr Vaizey: Unsolicited marketing calls originating by the Prime Minister of 18 June 2014, Official Report, from outside the United Kingdom (UK) made by or on column 1116W, what assessment he has made of the behalf of UK companies are legally required not to call cost of flooding damage to small businesses in the UK a number that is registered with the Telephone Preference from the beginning of the financial year 2013 which Service (TPS), which is provided under the Privacy and will become eligible for support from the (a) support Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) 2003. for tourism and (b) flood relief fund for sport schemes; Protection is also provided under the PECR if consumers and what estimate he has made of the number of have previously notified the caller that they do not wish additional claims made under each such scheme as a to receive such calls and for automated recorded messages result of this extended eligibility. [201509] calls, which require prior consent. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers complaints and Mrs Grant: We have not made an assessment of the can issue a monetary penalty of up to £500,000. Calls cost of flooding damage to small tourism businesses or made from abroad by overseas companies fall outside sport schemes from the beginning of the financial year the jurisdiction of the UK. 2013. This would be very difficult to ascertain. 335W Written Answers26 JUNE 2014 Written Answers 336W

The Government’s tourism package on flood support, Public Libraries announced on 1 March 2014, was not grant based. The package included a tactical recovery marketing programme Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for designed to encourage UK residents to take short breaks Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has and trips leading up to Easter, and also funded business made of the adequacy of local authority funding for support workshops and drop in clinics for tourism and the staffing of libraries. [201277] tourism related businesses. Destination Management Organisations could choose to take the opportunity to Mr Vaizey: Public libraries are funded and run by run the workshops on behalf of VisitEngland, providing local authorities and it is for each local authority to the advice for those businesses affected by flooding in determine at a local level how much they spend on the winter floods. There are no plans to extend the libraries and how to manage and deliver the service, package of flood support. including decisions about expenditure on staffing. Sport England has had a number of funds in place to help clubs upgrade and improve their facilities and Public Libraries: Lincolnshire pitches that date back before April 2013. Clubs affected by flooding from April 2013 would be very welcome to Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for apply to these funds to get more people playing sport. Culture, Media and Sport if he will make representation Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund has invested to Lincolnshire county council on its decision to invite over £91 million to modernise over 1600 local sports volunteers to run some local libraries in Lincolnshire. clubs and its Protecting Playing Field fund has invested [201278] over £22 million into 399 projects to protect and improve over 1000 pitches. Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a statutory duty Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to Media and Sport pursuant to the contribution made by superintend and promote the improvement of the public the Prime Minister of 18 June 2014, Official Report, library service provided by local authorities in England. column 1116W, what extra resource his Department The Department is aware of the proposed changes to will provide to deal with extended eligibility for claims library service provision in Lincolnshire having received made under the (a) support for tourism and (b) flood a number of representations from local residents. A relief fund for sport schemes. [201510] legal challenge to the decision taken by Lincolnshire county council to reconfigure its library services is to be Mrs Grant: The Government’s tourism package on considered by the High Court on 8/9 July and this flood support, announced on 1 March 2014, was not Department will consider matters further in light of the grant based. The package included a tactical recovery outcome of the judicial review. marketing programme designed to encourage UK residents to take short breaks and trips leading up to Easter, and also funded business support workshops and drop in WOMEN AND EQUALITIES clinics for tourism and tourism related businesses. Destination Management Organisations could choose Written Questions to take the opportunity to run the workshops on behalf of VisitEngland, providing the advice for those businesses Alison Seabeck: To ask the Ministers for Women and affected by flooding in the winter floods. There are no Equalities how many parliamentary questions tabled to plans to extend the package of flood support. the Government Equalities Office in the last parliamentary Sport England has had a number of funds in place to session did not receive a substantive answer by the time help clubs upgrade and improve their facilities and of the 2014 prorogation; and when each such question pitches that date back before April 2013. Clubs affected was first tabled. [201547] by flooding from April 2013 would be very welcome to apply to these funds to get more people playing sport. Mrs Grant: All parliamentary questions tabled to the Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund has invested Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which over £91 million to modernise over 1600 local sports includes the Government Equalities Office, in the last clubs and its Protecting Playing Field fund has invested parliamentary session, received a substantive answer by over £22 million into 399 projects to protect and improve the time the House prorogued on 14 May 2014. over 1,000 pitches. 3MC Ministerial Corrections26 JUNE 2014 Ministerial Corrections 4MC

An error has been identified in the written answer Ministerial Correction given to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) on 24 June 2014. Thursday 26 June 2014 The full answer given was as follows:

John Thurso: So far during the financial year 2014-15 HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION PICT has employed 57 contractors, of whom 14 have been supporting services for Members. Further details Parliamentary Information and Communications cannot be provided without identifying individuals. Many Technology Service are on short term contracts. None has had a contract terminated early. Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for The correct answer should have been: Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, which contractors John Thurso: So far during the financial year 2014-15 have been hired by PICT during the current financial PICT has employed 61 contractors, of whom 15 have year; and which such contractors have had their contracts been supporting services for Members. Further details terminated due to poor performance. [201451] cannot be provided without identifying individuals. Many [Official Report, 24 June 2014, Vol. 583, c. 135W.] are on short term contracts. None has had a contract Letter of correction from John Thurso: terminated early.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 26 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 445 BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Apprenticeships ...... 456 Regional Growth...... 450 Employment Support: Young People ...... 451 Regulatory Burden: Businesses ...... 454 Energy-intensive Industries ...... 455 Small Businesses ...... 458 Foreign Direct Investment...... 454 Small Businesses and Self-employed People ...... 453 Life Sciences ...... 450 Topical Questions ...... 459 Manufacturing...... 458 Vocational Training...... 448 National Minimum Wage...... 456 Workplace Insecurity ...... 445 Regional Growth...... 447 Zero-hours Contracts...... 446 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 26 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 21WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 32WS British Business Bank ...... 21WS Al-Muhajiroun...... 32WS Detention of Persons with Statutorily Extended COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 23WS Leave ...... 33WS Openness of Local Government...... 23WS Immigration Removals (New Restraint System)..... 34WS National Fraud Authority...... 34WS CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 24WS Potential Miscarriages of Justice...... 34WS Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 ...... 24WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 36WS Parliamentary Oral Question (Correction)...... 36WS DEFENCE...... 24WS Gifting Package (Republic of Kazakhstan)...... 24WS NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 36WS Service Complaints Commissioner’s Sixth Annual Hallett Inquiry ...... 36WS Report...... 25WS PRIME MINISTER ...... 36WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 25WS House of Lords (Appointments)...... 37WS Energy Savings...... 25WS Intelligence Services Commissioner (Annual Report) ...... 36WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 26WS Afghanistan Monthly Progress Report...... 26WS TRANSPORT ...... 37WS EU-Georgia Association Agreement...... 27WS HS2 Safeguarding Directions...... 37WS EU-Moldova Association Agreement ...... 27WS TREASURY ...... 22WS EU-Ukraine Association Agreement...... 28WS Tax Policy ...... 22WS HEALTH...... 29WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 38WS Health Council...... 30WS Child Poverty Strategy 2014-17 ...... 38WS Liverpool Care Pathway...... 30WS Defined Ambition Pensions ...... 39WS Standardised Tobacco Packaging...... 29WS Health and Safety Executive (Triennial Review)..... 40WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 26 June 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 258W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Apprentices...... 258W EU External Trade: Kenya...... 287W Groceries Code Adjudicator ...... 287W Higher Education: Student Wastage ...... 288W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 283W Insolvency...... 288W Adult Education: Harrogate ...... 283W Low Pay...... 289W Agriculture: Government Assistance...... 283W Minimum Wage ...... 289W Apprentices...... 284W Overseas Students: EU Nationals ...... 290W Apprentices: Greater London ...... 284W Postal Services...... 290W Bankruptcy: Harlow ...... 284W Students: Loans ...... 291W Comet Group...... 285W Trade Promotion: Northern Ireland...... 292W Companies: Ownership ...... 285W Voluntary Work: Schools ...... 292W Conditions of Employment...... 285W Disabled Students’ Allowances ...... 286W CABINET OFFICE...... 315W Disabled Students’ Allowances: Warrington ...... 286W Civil Servants: Qualifications...... 315W Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE—continued FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 253W Government Departments: Trade Unions ...... 315W Bahrain ...... 253W Pancreatic Cancer ...... 316W Bangladesh...... 254W Performance Appraisal ...... 317W British Indian Ocean Territory...... 255W Burma...... 255W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 268W Counter-terrorism ...... 256W Affordable Housing: Nottinghamshire...... 268W Egypt ...... 258W Homelessness...... 268W Palestinians ...... 258W Housing: Harlow ...... 269W Non-domestic Rates: Warrington...... 269W HEALTH...... 270W Private Rented Housing: Children...... 270W Abortion ...... 270W Public Buildings: Disability...... 270W Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse...... 271W Autism ...... 272W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 332W Breast Cancer...... 272W Battle of Waterloo: Anniversaries ...... 332W Cancer ...... 273W Billing ...... 332W Chlamydia...... 274W Civil Partnerships...... 332W Dementia ...... 276W Direct Selling ...... 333W General Practitioners ...... 277W Film ...... 334W Genito-urinary Medicine: Scotland...... 278W Floods...... 334W Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome ...... 278W Public Libraries...... 336W Health Professions: Crimes of Violence ...... 278W Public Libraries: Lincolnshire ...... 336W Heart Diseases ...... 279W Hepatitis ...... 280W Medical Records: Databases ...... 280W DEFENCE...... 262W Medical Treatments...... 280W Armed Forces: Asperger’s Syndrome ...... 262W Mental Illness ...... 281W Armed Forces: Cadets...... 263W Pancreatic Cancer ...... 281W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 263W Valuation of Life and Health Interdepartmental Navy ...... 264W Group ...... 283W Type 26 Frigates...... 264W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 292W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 326W Asylum ...... 292W Official Hospitality ...... 326W Asylum: Housing ...... 293W Voting Behaviour ...... 327W Domestic Violence ...... 294W Marriage Certificates ...... 295W EDUCATION...... 327W Chemistry: Teachers...... 327W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 317W Colleges of Education: Greater London ...... 328W Developing Countries: National Income...... 317W Music: Education...... 328W Sustainable Development...... 317W Pupil Numbers...... 329W Pupils: Safety ...... 329W JUSTICE...... 301W Acklington Prison...... 301W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 265W Blakenhurst Prison...... 302W Electoral Commission...... 265W Community Orders: Ashfield ...... 303W Electoral Register...... 265W Crime...... 303W Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad...... 266W Driving Offences: Insurance...... 304W Electoral Register: Northern Ireland...... 266W Family Law ...... 304W General Election 2010...... 267W Homicide: Victim Support Schemes...... 305W Written Questions ...... 268W Mediation ...... 306W Prisoners ...... 308W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 295W Prisons: Crimes of Violence ...... 310W Energy...... 295W Prisons: Employment...... 311W Energy: Prices ...... 296W Probation Trusts ...... 312W Fracking...... 297W Wellingborough Prison ...... 312W Housing: Energy ...... 298W Radioactive Waste...... 298W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 259W Renewable Energy...... 298W Civil Servants: Recruitment ...... 259W Renewables Obligation...... 299W Educational Testing Service ...... 259W Secondment ...... 300W Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission...... 260W Wind Power ...... 300W Parades ...... 260W Senior Civil Servants...... 260W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Trade Promotion...... 260W AFFAIRS...... 329W World War I: Anniversaries...... 261W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 329W Beavers: Devon ...... 330W PRIME MINISTER ...... 259W Common Agricultural Policy ...... 330W Northern Ireland...... 259W Educational Testing Service ...... 330W Flood Control: Thames Gateway...... 330W TRANSPORT ...... 261W Floods...... 331W Educational Testing Service ...... 261W Horses: Animal Welfare ...... 331W Large Goods Vehicles ...... 261W Members: Correspondence ...... 331W M1 ...... 261W Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY ...... 312W WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Carbon Emissions...... 312W Children: Maintenance ...... 319W Child Benefit...... 313W Council Tax Benefits...... 319W Child Benefit: Warrington...... 313W Employment ...... 320W Children: Day Care ...... 313W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 320W Dover Priory Station...... 314W Home Visits ...... 321W Infrastructure...... 314W Housing Benefit ...... 322W Interest Rate Swap Transactions ...... 315W Independent Living Fund ...... 323W Unemployment: Young People...... 315W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 323W National Insurance Contributions Office: WOMEN AND EQUALITIES ...... 336W Newcastle Upon Tyne...... 324W Written Questions...... 336W Personal Independence Payment...... 325W Universal Credit...... 325W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 318W Universal Credit: South East...... 326W Child Support ...... 318W Written Questions ...... 326W Children: Day Care ...... 319W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 26 June 2014

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CONTENTS

Thursday 26 June 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 445] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Business of the House [Col. 465] Statement—(Mr Lansley)

NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile) [Col. 482] Statement—(Mr Jeremy Hunt)

Pension Schemes [Col. 498] Bill presented, and read the First time

First World War (Commemoration) [Col. 499] Motion—(Dr Murrison)—agreed to

Shop Closures (South Shields) [Col. 569] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Migration Statistics [Col. 129WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 21WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 253W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 3MC]