Tuesday Volume 555 11 December 2012 No. 84

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Tuesday 11 December 2012

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2012 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 131 11 DECEMBER 2012 132

the upside by taking a public sector stake and having House of Commons the public sector on the board; and at the Budget we will set out a control total for PFI 2 liabilities. Tuesday 11 December 2012 Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): The Chancellor says that things are getting better, but Essex The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock county council has issued a social impact bond on which it proposes to pay 12%—six times the price of PRAYERS gilts—and the Government are putting £20 million into subsidising this financing. Why are the Government wasting money like that at a time of austerity? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Osborne: I think that most people in the House—I BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS thought this was the case in all parties—welcome the innovative work being done on social financing and social CITY OF LONDON (VARIOUS POWERS)BILL [LORDS] impact bonds. Sir Ronald Cohen is one of the leading (BY ORDER) advocates of this and has been advising the Government. Second Reading opposed and deferred until Tuesday It is all about trying to get new forms of financing into 18 December (Standing Order No. 20). improving our society. I would have hoped she would have welcomed that, rather than criticising it.

Mr Andrew Tyrie (Chichester) (Con): Many on the Oral Answers to Questions Treasury Select Committee are already concerned that Whitehall Departments might again find themselves addicted to the “get something now, pay later” culture that bedevilled PFI the first time round. What is also TREASURY concerning us is that a number of the proposals set out by the Government—I refer, in particular, to page 13 of The Chancellor of the Exchequer was asked— the document produced—look more like motherhood and apple pie than something substantive enough to Private Finance Initiatives offset that Whitehall pressure. Will the Chancellor assure the House that, excluding value-for-money considerations, all accounting incentives to remove PFI from balance 1. Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): What sheets will now be closed off to Departments? plans he has for future private finance initiatives. [132493] Mr Osborne: I say to the Chair of the Treasury Select The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): Committee that we will set out at the Budget—of course, Last week, the Government announced the details of a he will want to scrutinise this carefully—a new control new approach to replace the private finance initiative total for the off-balance sheet liabilities of PFI. We with private finance initiative 2, which is a more transparent already now publish the whole-of-Government accounts approach to securing investment in public infrastructure. so that people can see the liabilities built up under the The Government will become a shareholder in future previous Administration. The country now has more projects. We can all see now that the public sector was than £280 billion of PFI debt, of which only £40 billion sharing the risk under PFI. We will now ensure that we has been paid off, so he is absolutely right to hold our also share in the rewards. feet to the fire to ensure that we properly account for this and remove perverse incentives in Whitehall. We Mr Leigh: I looked at PFI for nine years on the Public want the private sector investing with us in public Accounts Committee. I am sure people will agree that it services, however, so it is important that we have the was a good system that was scandalously misused to rip right regime. off tomorrow’s taxpayers for the sake of today and to rip off the public sector in favour of the private sector. Mr Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry North West) (Lab): How can the Chancellor assure the House that, if he is The House will be pleased that the Chancellor is not to use PFI 2 to pay for large infrastructure projects, we trying to get rid of PFI, but trying to improve it in those will not repeat the mistakes of the past? areas where it can be improved. What does he mean, however, when he says that the Government will take a Mr Osborne: I sat on the PAC under my hon. Friend’s stake in the projects? How will he do that? It will need chairmanship and I remember our investigations into more than a director on the board, which I heard him various hospital and prison schemes that had gone wrong. say. As we saw it, there were three problems. First, contracts were very inflexible, so it cost a huge amount to do Mr Osborne: We propose to take a public sector share things such as change light bulbs or clean hospitals and and put in an equity stake on behalf of the public the like. Secondly, the private sector got all the upside of sector. It will be a minority stake, but it means that we the projects and made more money than expected. will share in the upside, and, of course, in order to keep Thirdly, there was no control on the overall off-balance an eye on our investment, we will have a director on the sheet total. We are addressing all three: we are creating board representing the public sector, which was not more flexible and transparent contracts; we will share in the case in previous projects. 133 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 134

Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD): [Interruption.] The shadow Chancellor from a sedentary Cumbria’s health service is under immense pressure position said, “That’d be a good idea,” but he was going because of PFI deals going back a decade and more. to put the rate up when we came into office. We have cut What can the Chancellor do to go toe-to-toe with the the rate to 20% and increased the annual investment private sector to renegotiate existing PFI deals to ensure allowance. that more money goes to front-line health services? Chris Skidmore: Does the Chancellor agree that Mr Osborne: We are seeking to renegotiate existing increasing the annual investment allowance from £25,000 contracts to get better value for money for taxpayers to £250,000 will make a huge difference to local small and local communities. I have a figure here showing businesses and lead to additional and vital job creation that in north Cumbria the public were being charged in the private sector? £466 to replace a light fitting under the PFI contract that was signed. That is completely unacceptable—it is Mr Osborne: I think it will help, alongside the reduction people being ripped off. That is what we are seeking to in the small company rate. I am pleased that the Federation end. of Small Businesses said we had listened to the concerns of members, and the chambers of commerce were also Business and Job Creation supportive. Over the next two years this measure will encourage investment from small and medium-sized 2. Mr John Baron (Basildon and Billericay) (Con): businesses, although all businesses that invest will benefit. What steps he is taking to support business creation. [132494] Andrew Jones: As someone who has set up small businesses myself, I think that encouraging small business 3. Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): What steps he creation is part of the solution to the country’s economic is taking to encourage private sector job creation. problems. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is a [132495] sign of the strength of the private sector in this country that we have seen new businesses created in such record 7. Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) numbers and that this has been one of the factors in (Con): What steps he is taking to support business generating the 1 million-plus private sector jobs created creation. [132499] since the election?

9. Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): What steps Mr Osborne: It is welcome that more than 1 million he is taking to encourage private sector job creation. jobs have been created in the private sector. We now [132501] have record female employment, which is also welcome, while the number of those on out-of-work benefits has The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): fallen by 190,000, which is something I hope everyone Some 1.2 million private sector jobs have been created would welcome. since the first quarter of 2010. Last year more new businesses were created than in any other year on record. Mr Speaker: I call Richard Graham. Not here. In the autumn statement we took further steps to support job creation and business creation by reducing the Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab): corporation tax rate to 21%, extending the small business May I congratulate the Chancellor on his U-turn on rate relief scheme to support 500,000 small businesses capital allowances for manufacturing industry? When and increasing by tenfold the annual investment allowance did he realise that his previous stance of dismissing to £250,000. them as complex reliefs was wrong and at total variance with the Government’s stated aim of supporting Mr Baron: The Labour Government more than doubled manufacturing? When did his conversion to supporting the national debt. This Government have done well to these allowances take place, as long called for by Labour reduce the deficit by 25%, but this still means that we Members and the Engineering Employers Federation? are adding to our debt, albeit at three quarters the pace. Financial repression and quantitative easing will ease Mr Osborne: The first thing I would say is that we the debt somewhat through higher inflation, but may I reduced the small companies rate—which would have encourage the Chancellor, despite some positive measures gone up to 22% under the plans put in place by the last in the autumn statement, to be bolder in encouraging Labour Budget—to 20%. We have now introduced a economic growth, including by cutting small business £250,000 annual investment allowance for small and corporation tax, which is the only credible way— medium-sized businesses for the next two years. The right hon. Gentleman says that the Labour party had Mr Speaker: Order. We have got the gist of it; it was been calling for this. It had 13 years to introduce a simply too long. £250,000 annual investment allowance. There were all those Budgets that the shadow Chancellor wrote and he Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend is right that the deficit did not put it in place. is how much we add to the debt each year. That is why we have to bring the deficit down—it has come down by Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The 25%—but he is also right that we have to have a Chancellor will know that the all-party parliamentary competitive private sector. We have to have a private groups on Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire and on sector-led recovery, which is why we have increased the manufacturing welcome the change in attitude towards annual investment allowance, for example. He recommends the capital allowances. However, businesses in Yorkshire a cut in the small company corporation tax rate. are saying that they are looking for some leadership and 135 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 136 some light at the end of the tunnel, and they ended up Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend makes a good point. feeling thoroughly depressed after watching the autumn Obviously,everyone is frustrated when they see multinational statement. When is the Chancellor going to show more companies breaking the tax laws or interpreting them in leadership? Let us see some light at the end of the such a way that they basically avoid paying corporation tunnel. tax. That situation is not acceptable. We are putting more money into the enforcement of the rules and Mr Osborne: I have to say that the reaction to the working with countries such as France and Germany to autumn statement from the business organisations of change the international rules so that we can have a Britain was very positive. It was warmly welcomed better situation in the future. It would not work if we because we are maintaining control of the public finances, just acted unilaterally, because these are by definition which is a prerequisite for stability and recovery, and multinationals. That is why we have to work with other because we are taking steps to cut the corporation tax countries. rate and increase the annual investment allowances. I still do not know whether Labour supports the cut in Child Poverty corporation tax. Its Front Benchers have been sending out confused messages on that over the past couple of 4. Yvonne Fovargue (Makerfield) (Lab): What recent days. Perhaps we will hear from the shadow Chancellor assessment he has made of the effect of the Government’s when he gets to his feet. fiscal policies on the level of child poverty. [132496]

Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): The Chancellor 13. Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): What recent knows that business success is key to getting our economy assessment he has made of the effect of the Government’s growing, to getting the deficit down and to creating fiscal policies on the level of child poverty. [132505] jobs. Will he therefore tell us what was the judgment of the Office for Budget Responsibility on the impact on The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): growth of the measures that he announced in the autumn The Government have protected vulnerable groups as statement last week? far as possible while undertaking the urgent task of tackling the record fiscal deficit that we inherited. Work remains the best and most immediate way out of poverty, Mr Osborne: The Office for Budget Responsibility and we have continued to prioritise work incentives said that there was a measurable impact on growth in through welfare reform and increasing the personal the short term, and of course we have to pay for this in allowance. the long term, so it has taken that into account. I have always said that we want to improve the long-term Yvonne Fovargue: The total cost to a two-child family supply potential of the British economy, and one of the on the minimum wage of the freeze in child benefit, the most encouraging signs is that the UK, which was 1% increase in working tax credit and the VAT increase becoming a less and less competitive place to do business, over four years will be £5,033. The extra tax allowances is now back in the world’s top 10 competitive economies. and the child tax credit will save them only £1,770, leaving them with a net loss of £3,263. How many more Rachel Reeves: I am not surprised that the Chancellor children do the Government expect to be in poverty as a does not want to answer my question, because the result of those cuts? OBR’s assessment is that his measures will add just 0.1% to UK gross domestic product by 2018. That must Sajid Javid: I know that the hon. Lady cares deeply also be set against the fact that growth has been downgraded about the issue and she has done a lot of good work this year, next year and every year of this Parliament. Is with vulnerable families in the past. She will be concerned, it not the truth that the Chancellor has no plans for jobs as I am, that under the last term of the previous and growth, and that that is why the Government are Government child poverty, as defined by the Department set to borrow an extra £212 billion during the course of for Work and Pensions, increased by 200,000 to 3.9 million. this Parliament, breaking the fiscal rules that he gave to This Government believe that there should be a relentless this country? focus on the causes of poverty, such as worklessness, so I hope that she will join me in welcoming the fact that Mr Osborne: When the Labour party was in office, its the number of people employed today in Britain is at a approach led to the economy shrinking by 6% of GDP. record high. We have set in place plans to ensure that the deficit it left us is dealt with and that our economy is more Mr Hanson: He cannot get away with that, Mr Speaker; competitive. I would have thought that the hon. Lady it is complete nonsense. Will he confirm—yes or no—that would welcome the fact that we have over 1 million new people on the minimum wage will be worse off at the jobs in the economy and a record rate of small business end of this Parliament because of the tax and benefit creation. That is something to celebrate in our economy. changes than they would have been from the tax savings my hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Yvonne Mr Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) Fovargue)mentioned a moment ago? Cuts on child benefit (Con): May I welcome the Government’s announcement and on working families tax credit will make people in the autumn statement to put more resources into poorer: will he confirm that? ensuring that multinationals pay their fair share of tax? That is a key measure to help UK-based business creation. Sajid Javid: I am not going to take any lectures May I also suggest that the Chancellor consider introducing on child poverty from the right hon. Gentleman— a requirement on multinationals to disclose in advance [Interruption.] significant connected party transactions as a way of speeding up transfer pricing inquiries? Mr Speaker: Order. The Minister must be heard. 137 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 138

Sajid Javid: The right hon. Gentleman was a senior Penny Mordaunt: With the introduction of the tapered member of the previous Government, who, over 13 years, removal of child benefit with one parent earning between presided over an increase in the number of workless £50,000 and £60,000, will the Minister give further households to a record 3.9 million. In his constituency, consideration to how we can support families at this in the last Labour term, the number of youth jobseeker’s difficult time? allowance claimants increased by 148%. I hope that he will join me in welcoming the fact that such claims are Mr Gauke: My hon. Friend is right to highlight the down by 19% under this Government. fact that we have introduced a range of measures that will have an impact on all parts of society, including the Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): May I ask the Minister highest earning 10% to 15% through the child benefit to confirm that the previous Government’s child poverty changes. Of course, we look to do whatever we can to targets were missed by 600,000, that according to the support families. That includes providing free early latest figures child poverty fell last year by 300,000 and learning for three and four-year-olds and extending the that universal credit will reduce child poverty further, 15 hours a week of early years education and care from by up to 350,000? 2012-13 to all disadvantaged two-year-olds.

Sajid Javid: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Is Government are relentlessly focused on eradicating poverty cutting maternity pay part of the Government’s strategy and the measures he has talked about, such as universal to support stable families? credit, increase work incentives and help people back into work. Mr Gauke: I will be interested to know whether the hon. Gentleman will support the benefits uprating Bill. George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): Is it not the He is shaking his head, so I take it that we have finally truth that the best way to tackle child poverty is to have got an answer on the Labour party’s position. parents in work? Does my hon. Friend agree that the creation of 1.2 million new private sector jobs, the Work Programme (Funding) taking of more than 1 million of the lowest paid out of tax and the abolition of the rise in fuel duty planned by 6. Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): What the previous Government make the average family more assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the than £125 better off and does more for child poverty funding arrangements which he agreed with the Secretary than any scaremongering by the Opposition? of State for Work and Pensions for the Work Programme. [132498] Sajid Javid: That is right. If we can deal with worklessness, we can help deal with poverty. In the past two years, The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): 1.2 million private sector jobs have been created—more The Work programme is the biggest single payment-by- than were created on a net basis by the previous results programme Great Britain has ever seen. The Government over 10 years. funding arrangements I agreed with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions ensure that providers are Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- paid to find sustained job outcomes for those who are op): Last month, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said or are at risk of being long term unemployed. For the that more than 6.1 million people in poverty are in very first time, providers are paid in part through the working households. Does the Minister believe that a benefit savings that they generate. real-terms cut to in-work support for the lowest paid helps to tackle child poverty and will he agree to publish Sheila Gilmore: The Chief Secretary wants us to look a child poverty impact assessment alongside the Bill on at the cheapness of the scheme to providers, but buying benefits uprating? cheap can be a false economy if the product does not work. The price here is being paid by people staying in Sajid Javid: As I have said, we will not take any long-term unemployment, not getting jobs and still lectures from the Opposition on child poverty. I used being on benefit. Is not the Work programme a failure? the previous Government’s figures. She talks about workless households, but they increased by 200,000 during Danny Alexander: No, I do not believe it is. The hon. Labour’s last term in power and I believe that the policies Lady refers to costs, and she will know that the flexible the Government have in place to deal with the root new deal, which the Work programme replaced, cost causes of poverty are the right ones. £7,495 per job outcome; that compares with costs of about £2,000 under the Work programme. It is a great Transferable Tax Allowances (Married Couples) deal more cost-effective. The hon. Lady will also be aware that 56% of those first Work programme starters 5. Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): What have come off benefits and that up to September this consideration he has given to the introduction of year, there have been 200,000 job entries, as reported by transferable tax allowances for married couples. [132497] providers, so there is a sense of progress in the Work programme, too. The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David Gauke): The Government’s commitment to introducing Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): a proposal to recognise marriage through the tax and Does my right hon. Friend agree with the CBI, which benefits system remains firm. We want to show that we has said that the Work programme has already helped value commitment, so we will consider a range of to turn around the lives of thousands of people and is options and advance proposals at the appropriate time. delivering real value for money for the taxpayer? 139 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 140

Danny Alexander: Yes, I do agree. The fact that the trying to find work? I can tell him that I meet young job outcomes are more stretching than previous schemes people, day in, day out, who are desperately trying to before providers get paid and that they are paid only for find work, so will he look at the unique case for having results—not just for activity—of course means that it is an enterprise zone for Corby and east Northamptonshire, harder for them to start with, but the fact that there extending by one the number of enterprise zones that have been 200,000 job entries under the scheme up to the Government have created? September 2012 speaks for itself. Greg Clark: I welcome the hon. Gentleman to the Long-term Youth Unemployment Chamber. When he organised a day think tank, he and I had some very productive exchanges. I should be happy 8. Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ to meet him to discuss the situation in Corby, which is Co-op): What recent assessment he has made of the an enterprising town with the potential to create many effect of the Government’s fiscal policies on the level of jobs. As he will know, under the “city deals” system I long-term youth unemployment. [132500] am responsible for devolving powers to places throughout the country, and I am keen to receive more applications. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): I have made a recent assessment of the impact of fiscal Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): A significant policies on youth unemployment rates. With few exceptions, factor for young people seeking work in rural areas is European countries with the highest deficits also tend the cost of transport and fuel. I therefore welcome last to be the countries with the highest youth unemployment week’s announcement, and also the news that the Treasury rates. In this country, a big increase in the deficit under is considering extending the rural islands fuel discount the previous Government went hand in hand with a big to some especially rural parts of the mainland. Such a increase in the rate of youth unemployment. Under this change would make a huge difference to some of the Government, the deficit is now coming down, and so is poorest communities in the United Kingdom, and would youth unemployment—including, as the hon. Lady knows, encourage growth in employment. in her own constituency.

Meg Hillier: Overall in my constituency, the number Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is absolutely right: that of claimants on jobseeker’s allowance in October was is one of the reasons why we were determined to reverse, the 22nd highest of all constituencies. Among 18 to and then to cancel, the fuel tax increase proposed by the 24-year-olds, the rate was 10.4%. That is far too high. Labour party. As for the rural scheme that he mentioned, My constituency has regular visits from the occupants we are having conversations with the European Commission of No. 10 and No. 11 Downing street to extol the in order to establish whether we can proceed with it. virtues of Tech City, but what is the Treasury doing to make sure that my constituents are able to get any of Cost of Living the jobs created, especially when the Work programme is also failing them? 10. Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): What steps he Greg Clark: The hon. Lady was a Minister in the last is taking to reduce the cost of living. [132502] Government, and she will know that in her own constituency there are fewer young unemployed people 15. Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): What steps now than there were in the last year of the Government he is taking to reduce the cost of living. [132507] of whom she was a member. I am surprised that she has not taken the opportunity to refer to the fact that the The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): rate of youth unemployment in Hackney South and The Government continue to take steps to support Shoreditch has fallen by 20% over the last 12 months. households. We will increase the personal allowance further to £9,440 in April 2013 to support hard-working Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): May individuals. That cash increase of £1,335 in 2013-14 is I tell my right hon. Friend that under the last two the largest ever. We have also cancelled the 3p fuel duty Labour Governments, the youth unemployment claimant increase that was planned for January, and announced a count in South West Bedfordshire rose by 180%, whereas third council tax freeze and a two-year reduction in the it has fallen by 6% since we have been in office? Does cap on rail fares. that not show that, in difficult times, although there is, of course, further to go, we are moving in the right direction? Sir Tony Baldry: I just want to make sure that I have got my figures right. Am I correct in thinking that Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That under the Labour Government fuel duty rose by 20p, is why it is important for us to maintain the course, pay and that had they remained in power, they would have down the deficit and build confidence in the labour planned for it to rise by 13p more than it will rise under market. We know what happened under the previous this Government? Government: in their last two years, long-term youth unemployment doubled. Danny Alexander: As usual, my hon. Friend has his facts absolutely right. The action taken on fuel duty by Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): Is the Minister this Government means that in April next year, pump aware that recent independent surveys show that Corby prices will be approximately 13p a litre lower than they and east Northamptonshire is one of the most difficult would have been had the last Government remained in places in the country for a young unemployed person office. 141 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 142

Graham Evans: I welcome the announcements in the taxation. Does the Chief Secretary agree that one of the autumn statement, particularly the announcement of most important things that the coalition Government an increase in the personal allowance, which will take will do is lift millions of people out of income tax 2.6 million people in the north-west of England out of altogether, and, by April next year, deliver a broad income tax altogether. Will my right hon. Friend reassure income tax cut of £600 a year in relation to the level in us that he will continue to raise the allowance to ensure April 2010? thatitalwayspaystowork? Danny Alexander: Like my hon. Friend, I want to Mr Speaker: In relation to the cost of living? build a strong economy and a fair society where everyone has a chance to get on in life. The commitment to raise Graham Evans: Indeed, Mr. Speaker. the income tax threshold was a commitment that he and I and all our colleagues made at the general election, Danny Alexander: Ensuring, through increases in the and we are delivering on it in Government. There is a personal allowance, that low and middle-income workers tax cut for working people cumulatively over this in particular can keep more of the money that they earn Parliament, and next year it will be worth £50 a month rather than handing it over to the Exchequer helps to people on low and middle incomes. That is real help those people to deal with pressures related to the cost of for hard-working families at what is a difficult time. living. I can certainly assure my hon. Friend that I will continue to push that policy, along with my Liberal Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Average Democrat and Conservative colleagues. At the time of wages in Scotland have fallen by 7.4% under this Chief the last general election I made a key promise to lift the Secretary, and from next year 182,000 couple-families income tax threshold to £10,000, and I intend to deliver in work with children will stand to lose money through that promise as soon as possible. [HON.MEMBERS:“ Like tax credits. Why are this Government always standing the promise about tuition fees?”] up for millionaires while hammering the strivers?

Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The— Danny Alexander: I will not take any lectures on millionaires from the Labour party, which thought it Mr Speaker: Order. Labour Members are shouting appropriate that a millionaire private equity fund manager their heads off, and the hon. Gentleman cannot be should pay less on his income than the person who heard. Let us hear from Mr Davies. cleans his office. Labour’s record on taxing the wealthy, dealing with tax avoidance and closing tax loopholes is Geraint Davies: The incomes of the top 10% in Britain nothing to be proud of, and the hon. Gentleman should have risen by 11% in the last two years, but we heard in stop raising that point. the autumn statement that they would be cut by only 0.5%. Does Chief Secretary not agree that those people are in a fantastic position to take on increases in the Tax Avoidance cost of living, unlike the poorest 40%, who are being unnecessarily smashed by this Government? 11. Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): What steps he is taking to discourage tax avoidance by Danny Alexander: The hon. Gentleman should recognise wealthy people. [132503] that the top 10% make up the part of the population that is contributing most to dealing with the financial The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David problems caused by the Labour party—the mess that Gauke): In seeking a fair contribution from the wealthy, we are trying to clean up—both in cash terms and in the Government’s first priority is to tackle those who terms of a share of their incomes. He should welcome avoid or evade tax. The autumn statement contained a the fact that this Government are doing more than any number of new measures to ensure that, including previous Government to ensure that the wealthiest in repatriating £5 billion in unpaid tax from Switzerland society contribute most to sorting out the financial and new investment in Her Majesty’s Revenue and problems that he and his colleagues created. Customs to enable it to expand its anti-avoidance activity, in particular the specialist unit that supervises the Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): In the compliance of affluent individuals. interests of transparency, will the Chief Secretary and his colleagues make public an impact assessment relating Stephen Gilbert: People in Cornwall expect the wealthiest to child poverty before the welfare uprating Bill is laid to pay their fair share of tax, so I welcome the Government’s before Parliament, not least because it would help us to planned offshore tax evasion strategy, which is much understand the impacts of the cost of living and benefit needed to track down funds that have been squirreled freezes on low-paid working families? away and undertaxed. Will it cover British overseas territories as well as Crown dependencies, and what is Danny Alexander: The Department for Work and the Minister’s assessment of the potential revenue? Pensions will, of course, publish an impact assessment in the normal way when the Bill is published. Mr Gauke: Yes, it would. My hon. Friend gives me an opportunity to highlight the progress we have made in Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): The most particular with the Isle of Man in ensuring there is significant way in which any Government can help much greater exchange of information. The net is closing people with their household budgets is to put more in on those who wish to evade their taxes. Whether in money in their pockets and purses, particularly money Switzerland, Lichtenstein or the Isle of Man, it is that they have earned themselves and which is subject to becoming ever harder for them to evade paying taxes. 143 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 144

Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): Does Greg Clark: As you well know, Mr Speaker, dark the Minister think that HMRC losing an extra 10,000 pools allow one party to keep important details from staff will make it harder or easier to tackle tax avoidance other parties, which is a fair description of the economic and evasion? policies of the Labour party. I say to the hon. Lady that the providers of pension funds are very clear that to Mr Gauke: It is important to focus on the number of over-regulate the dark pools would lead to a reduction HMRC staff working on tax evasion and tax avoidance. in people’s pension pots. They have said that over the Let me give two statistics: between 2005 and 2010 that course of a 40-year pension fund this would require the number fell by 9,000, but between 2010 and 2015 it will pension fund holder to work an extra year. That is not increase by 2,500. in anyone’s interest.

Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con): Does the Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): Will my Minister have any explanation as to why Labour never right hon. Friend update the House on the progress introduced a general anti-abuse rule when in government? the Government are making in implementing the recommendations of the Kay review of equity markets Mr Gauke: That is a very good question, but I and long-term decision making? am afraid I cannot give an answer to it. What I can say is that we have today published draft legislation for a Greg Clark: I certainly commend John Kay for the general anti-abuse rule and it will come into force next clarity of his review, and we are taking steps, both in Europe year. and domestically, to implement his recommendations. Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) Public Sector Net Borrowing (Lab): The Government’s shares for rights scheme is not only unpopular with the business community, but the 14. Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): What the level of head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies warned in the public sector net borrowing was in (a) the first seven Financial Times today that it will months of 2012-13 and (b) the equivalent period in “foster a whole new avoidance industry”, 2011-12. [132506] and the Office for Budget Responsibility believes the tax avoidance loophole it will create could cost up to The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): £1 billion. Does the Minister agree with the OBR According to the Office for National Statistics, public estimate? If so, why is he pressing ahead with a policy sector net borrowing for the first seven months of that is unpopular with business and could cost the 2012-13 was £73.3 billion, excluding the transfer of the taxpayer £1 billion? Royal Mail pension assets. Public sector net borrowing for the equivalent period in 2011-12 was £68.3 billion. Mr Gauke: First, it is not unpopular with business. Business groups have welcomed it, and the fact is that Nia Griffith: Will the Minister explain to the many some aspects of our employment law can stand in the families in my constituency, who are very angry at an way of job creation. The OBR estimates that within the autumn statement that has left them with less money to scorecard period this policy will cost £80 million in spend in the local economy, why borrowing has been 2017-18. We believe it is the right move in order to revised up by more than £200 billion compared with the ensure we have a more competitive environment. Chancellor’s plans two years ago? What will it take for Dark Pool Trades him to realise that we need jobs and growth before we can get the deficit down? 12. Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) (Lab): If he will take steps to open up dark pool trades on the Sajid Javid: I think that the hon. Lady submitted that question before the autumn statement, not expecting UK equity markets to greater transparency. [132504] the Office for Budget Responsibility to confirm that the The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): deficit is going to keep on falling. She risks becoming, The regulation of dark pools is subject to the markets in like her friend the shadow Chancellor, an economic financial instruments directive, which is currently undergoing arsonist. He has created an economic inferno but is legislative review. The Government are negotiating to more interested in throwing stones at the firefighters. ensure that all dark pools are subject to regulatory What her constituents want to know is that the deficit oversight and that appropriate transparency measures is coming down, and it is down by a quarter. That is are applied to them. However, we believe that dark creating jobs and confidence, and that is what this pools provide a valuable service to pension funds and country needs. other investors and that regulation should not prohibit Capital Infrastructure Projects that.

Natascha Engel: Dark pools have that name for a 16. Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): What reason: they are murky and not transparent, allowing assessment he has made of the importance of capital financial institutions to buy and sell shares without infrastructure projects in helping rebalance the economy. anybody seeing what they are doing. Why will the [132508] Minister not just apply the same rules to dark pool trades as are applied to the open stock market, where The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): everybody can see exactly what is sold, when it is sold, Investment in infrastructure networks is a major to whom it is sold and at what cost? determinant of growth and productivity, but historically 145 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 146 such investment in this country has not kept up with Jim McGovern: Constituents who have contacted me the needs of a growing population. That is why this said that they are struggling and that they have been Government have increased capital expenditure compared waiting for more than a year for the FSA review, during with the previous Government’s plans, including with which time the banks have taken no remedial action the extra capital we announced last week. In fact, public whatever. What can the Minister do to help the victims investment as a share of GDP is now higher on average of mis-selling now? in this Parliament than it was under the previous Government. Greg Clark: I am glad the hon. Gentleman has asked me that question. I agree that customers who have been Dr Huppert: I thank my right hon. Friend for that, mis-sold products need quick redress, so I have pushed and I was delighted to see in the autumn statement the FSA and it has agreed to implement a six-month extra capital investment, especially in housing, rail, maximum time scale for the banks to complete the cycling, science and broadband, particularly in Cambridge. review and provide the redress. I have also asked the What plans does he have to improve the energy banks and they have agreed to stop payments on these infrastructure, including storage, to provide more certainty products for businesses facing financial difficulty. for investors? Topical Questions Danny Alexander: That is an extremely good point, because on 29 November we introduced the Energy Bill, T1. [132518] Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East setting out the contracts for difference, which will deliver Falkirk) (Lab): If he will make a statement on his a stable financial environment of incentives, particularly departmental responsibilities. for investment in renewables. Alongside that agreement, we set out the level of support consumers will pay for The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): low-carbon generation—the so-called levy control The core purpose of the Treasury is to ensure the framework—which will triple support for renewables stability and prosperity of the economy. I can announce between now and 2020, ensuring a great deal of investor today that Budget 2013 will be on Wednesday 20 March. confidence in that area. Along with gas investment, as set out in the autumn statement, that will help to bring Michael Connarty: I thank the Chancellor for probably forward massive investment that this country needs. the most complete answer he has given today, at a time when every city in our countries has food kitchens 18. [132510] Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) feeding the poor and in London people are queuing up (Lab): There is a tendency for coalition infrastructure to get second-hand reject food from stores and Pret A schemes to be news-ready many years before they are Manger. I know that the Chancellor borrowed £425 million shovel-ready. Another tendency is unfairness; three from the good causes fund of the lottery for the Olympics, out of the four road schemes in the autumn statement and the National Audit Office has said there is an last week were in the south, including one helping estimated £377 million profit from the Olympics. Could port access in Thurrock. When is the port city of Hull he now return that to the good causes so they can give it going to get the A63 upgrade that is central to our to the charities looking after the poor in our country, regeneration? which he clearly is not?

Danny Alexander: The hon. Lady ought also to have Mr Osborne: It is a credit to those who delivered the noted that the autumn statement announced the complete Olympic games that they came in under budget. The dualling of the A1 between London and Newcastle, Olympic underspend is money which, if we spent it, which is a very important scheme, and the upgrades for would add straight to the deficit. It is not a pot of the A160 to Immingham, a very important port on the money sitting in some Government bank account. That Humber estuary. That work has been accelerated under would be a difficult decision to take and would have to the new scheme introduced by the Department for be balanced alongside other decisions, but I make a Transport. I would have thought that she would welcome broader point: we are trying to sort out the economic that, rather than criticise it. problems that this Government inherited. The problems that the hon. Gentleman talks about are problems Interest Rate Swap Mis-selling caused by the deepest recession and the biggest financial crisis of the 21st century, and perhaps one day a Labour MP will get up and apologise for it. 17. Jim McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab): What steps he is taking to tackle interest rate swap mis-selling. T6. [132523] Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) [132509] (Con): As somebody who has had a long interest in exempting some of the poorest people in this country The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): from tax—incidentally, an idea I held long before the The Government have been clear that the mis-selling of Liberals pinched it from me—I congratulate my right financial products is wrong, and we support the Financial hon. Friend on almost achieving this target in his autumn Services Authority’s ongoing work to tackle the issue. statement. When economic circumstances allow, could The Treasury and the FSA have established monthly he be even bolder? round-table discussions with the banks and the business groups to ensure that these concerns are addressed. We Mr Osborne: I am proud to be part of a coalition will continue to work with all parties involved to ensure Government of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats that the banks provide the appropriate redress. who have delivered that policy and are delivering it. 147 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 148

A very substantial increase next year will mean that T9. [132526] Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) individuals are £229 better off in real terms as a result (Con): Unlike suppliers, who are in a position to judge just of the increase in April, so that is to be welcomed. whether to continue giving goods and services to a As for when we get to £10,000, I have just announced company in difficulties, many consumers are not so well the Budget date and we will have to wait for that Budget informed. Is it not time we amended administration law for tax decisions, but even if the £10,000 allowance were to make savers and gift voucher holders preferred creditors? to increase with our current CPI forecasts from the OBR, it would hit £10,000 in 2015. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): My hon. Friend makes a good point about the protection Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): In the of individuals using saving or voucher schemes, and I autumn statement, the Chancellor announced a real-terms commend her work on raising awareness about that cut in tax credits and benefits over the next three years important issue. I know that she raised the issue recently and the Government say they will ask the House to vote during Business questions and received a response from on that, so can the Chancellor tell the House the answer the relevant Minister. If it would be helpful, I will speak to two questions? First, what percentage of families hit with the Minister and raise her ongoing concerns. by these cuts to tax credits and benefit are in work? Secondly, as a result of the autumn statement tax and T2. [132519] Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) benefit changes, including the change to the personal (Lab): May I welcome the funding in the autumn allowance, will the average one-earner couple in work statement for building future schools, or what we call with children be better off or worse off? Building Schools for the Future? May I also welcome the extra allowances for capital investment, or what we call capital allowances? Why did we have to wait two Mr Osborne: It is good to see the shadow Chancellor years and have a double-dip recession for those good back. Of course tax credits go to some people in work, Labour policies to return to government? but we are also helping those people with a personal allowance increase, and working households will be £125 better off. Perhaps he can answer a question, if The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): that is allowed, Mr Speaker: how will Labour vote on The hon. Gentleman will recall that the Building Schools the Bill? for the Future scheme was expensive and inefficient and that we had to scrap it because it was unaffordable. It was one of the many unaffordable promises that he and Mr Speaker: It is very important that the public are his colleagues made before the election in order to get not misled, however inadvertently, by a member of the people’s hopes up, yet still the former Chief Secretary Government. This is not an occasion for shadow Ministers left a note stating, “There’s no money left.” to answer questions. In our system, they ask questions and Ministers are expected to answer them. That is the Mr David Ruffley (Bury St Edmunds) (Con): It is situation. manifestly in the interests of the British taxpayer that foreign sovereign wealth funds invest in national Ed Balls: I will answer, though, Mr Speaker, but infrastructure projects. Will the Chief Secretary indicate before I do it is important that Members on both sides what progress is being made in that respect? of the House know the answers to the questions I asked the Chancellor. First, 60% of families hit by his tax and Danny Alexander: Significant progress is being made benefit changes are in work. Secondly, according to the in that respect. We have seen significant investment in Institute for Fiscal Studies, as a result of the autumn Thames Water, for example, by overseas investment statement measures a working family—the average one- funds. We announced in the autumn statement some earner couple—will be £534 a year worse off by 2015. funding for junction 30 of the M25, which is part of Those are the very families who pull up the blinds and ensuring a significant investment from people in Dubai go to work. Every Tory constituency has, on average, in a major port facility near London. No doubt there over 6,000 of those families who will lose out. In answer will be further such announcements to make in future. to his question, we will look at the legislation, but if he intends—[Interruption.] He asked me a question and I Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): am going to answer it. If he intends to go ahead with In my constituency, the claimant count is just short of such an unfair hit on middle and low-income working 3,000, double what it was five years ago. Does the families while giving a £3 billion top-rate tax cut, we Treasury accept that it is the rise in long-term unemployment will oppose it. Why is he making striving working and the failure of the Work programme that has resulted families pay the price for his economic failure? in the benefits bill rising so much this year?

Mr Osborne: As I have said, working households will Danny Alexander: No, I do not accept that. As I said be £125 better off. The right hon. Gentleman quotes the in answer to the hon. Member for Edinburgh East Institute for Fiscal Studies, which has been very clear in (Sheila Gilmore), who has taken a great interest in these its response to the autumn statement that people who matters, the Work programme is a great success in are in work and paying the basic rate of tax will do getting people off benefits and into job starts, but not better. The reason we are having to take these difficult necessarily through job outcomes. Over 1 million jobs decisions on public sector pay, on benefits and the like is have been created in the past two and a half years, so because of the mess he created. When will he stand up that there are now a record number of people in and say, “I’m sorry we borrowed too much and spent employment in this country. He should welcome that, too much. We’ll never do it again”? not criticise it. 149 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 150

Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I thank Ministers Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op) rose— for listening to the pleas of MPs explaining the plight of pensioners with self-invested pension plans that were Mr Speaker: Order. I do not require any help from affected by the cap on drawdown. Will the announcement the hon. Gentleman; he should concentrate on the in the autumn statement to lift that cap come into force pursuit of his own duties to the best of his ability. I in time to protect their pension income in this financial would say to the Chancellor that if the written ministerial year? statement has been made it is not entirely obvious to me why we need its terms to be repeated before the Chamber. Sajid Javid: I thank my hon. Friend for that question; [Interruption.] Order. I will use my discretion. The I remember that he raised this issue last time at oral right hon. Gentleman can have a few seconds more, but questions. He has been a great campaigner on it, and I then I really must proceed with topical questions, for commend him for that. I am pleased that he welcomes which allowance will have to be made. the decision to raise the cap to 120%. That will be in the next Finance Bill. We are consulting with stakeholders Mr Osborne: Mr Speaker, 152,000 customers have about the easiest way to bring it in, and we will try to do been affected. These are people with loans of less than so as soon as possible. £25,000. The cost to UK Asset Resolution is estimated at £270 million. UK Asset Resolution has ordered a full T4. [132521] Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) inquiry into what happened in 2008, and we will come (Lab/Co-op): Thanks to Jobs Growth Wales, an innovative to the House with more information when we have it. I start-up in my constituency called Boulders Climbing wanted to bring this news to the House at the very first Centre, which I recently visited, has taken on a new opportunity, and I find it pretty extraordinary that the member of staff. Will Ministers join me in congratulating Opposition do not want the public to hear it. the Welsh Government on their scheme and explain why they cancelled funding for the future jobs fund? T7. [132524] Teresa Pearce (Erith and Thamesmead) Danny Alexander: The future jobs fund was a massively (Lab): New research from Which?—[Interruption.] expensive programme that saw more than half of participants return to benefit after completing it, and it Mr Speaker: Order. Whatever discontent there may was largely in the public sector. Of course I welcome the be on either side of the House about this matter, it scheme that the hon. Gentleman mentioned; if it has would be a courtesy to hear Teresa Pearce. created a job in his constituency, that is welcome. The truth is, though, that the biggest problem we have in this Teresa Pearce: Thank you, Mr Speaker. country is clearing up the mess that Labour left, and New research from Which? reveals that nearly half of that is why we have to find better, more efficient ways of front-line bank staff believe that pressure selling still doing things. dominates the culture of banking. Will the Minister join me in calling for banking remuneration and incentive Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): The Treasury structures to be changed to reward ethics and service, has today made a written statement alerting Parliament rather than aggressive selling targets, in order to help to to a newly discovered error made by Northern Rock—an change the culture of banking? error made, I hasten to add, under the previous Government, starting in 2008—that could cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds. Does my right hon. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): Friend agree that this is yet another example of the The hon. Lady is absolutely right that one of the real previous Government’s total failure to regulate the banking problems in banking over recent years was that the system properly costing this country dearly? Could people who had a trusted relationship with their customers he—[Interruption.] saw them as sales targets rather than as people to be helped. That needs to change. The Financial Conduct Authority is very clear that these kinds of incentives Mr Speaker: Order. May I gently explain to the hon. have to go. Gentleman two things? First, topical questions are supposed to be brief, and secondly, they are supposed to relate to the policy of the current Government, not that of the Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): I previous one. A short one-sentence reply will, I am sure, congratulate my right hon. Friend the City Minister on suffice—no? reassuring us that he intends to require the Prudential Regulatory Authority and the FCA to promote new Mr Osborne: Will you allow me, Mr Speaker, to spend bank competition. Does he agree that full account a little time on this? We put down a written statement at portability could offer the biggest game changer for half-past 11 today because of an error originating in bank competition, and that an amendment to the draft 2008, when Northern Rock was in public ownership. Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill could achieve Some customers with certain types of mainly unsecured that? loans were not given all the mandatory information in their statements to which they were entitled by law. As a Greg Clark: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for her result, interest payments on these loans are not legally question and for her campaigning on this issue. My enforceable. UK Asset Resolution, which manages Northern hon. Friend the Economic Secretary and I will meet her Rock—[Interruption.] Can I just make this point? One to discuss her proposals. The draft Bill responds to the hundred and fifty—[Interruption.] Vickers report. He said that if portability reforms were not adequate we could take further steps, so we have a Mr Speaker: Order. vehicle to do so. 151 Oral Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Oral Answers 152

T8. [132525] Natascha Engel (North East Derbyshire) me that, in spite of criticisms from those on the Opposition (Lab): Perfectly viable businesses up and down the Benches, he will not veer from the 1% commitment that country are going bust while the Government meet the he made last week? Financial Services Authority and the banks on an ongoing basis to try to come to a conclusion on Mr Osborne: My hon. Friend has that reassurance. interest-rate swaps, so I have a suggestion that might We have discovered an extraordinary thing today, namely focus their minds and make them arrive at a decision that Labour will vote against yet another measure to more quickly. Why will the right hon. Gentleman not deal with the deficit. Labour would have a higher benefits take steps to allow a moratorium on paying back loans bill as a result of that decision and it will have to explain that include interest-rate swaps? That would make that to the hard-working people of this country. everybody come to a decision very quickly and help perfectly viable businesses during the recession. Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): I listened carefully to the Chancellor’s answer to the Greg Clark: In answer to an earlier question, I said question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for that I have written to all of the banks and asked Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Michael Connarty) about them—and they have agreed—to forbear on charging food poverty, but he did not actually answer it. Is he businesses where these matters are in dispute and if the ashamed that, under his watch, by the end of this year a company has financial problems. I am also speeding up quarter of a million people across the country will have the process to resolve these issues once and for all. The accessed emergency food aid? matter is rightly of concern to many businesses right across the country and I will do everything I can to help. Mr Osborne: We are dealing with the economic mess that the previous Government left behind, when Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): The beer unemployment rose, the economy shrank by 6% and duty escalator was brought in by the previous Government people were put into poverty. That is the cause of these in a very different economic situation. Many CAMRA problems and Government Members are dealing with members will come to Parliament tomorrow. The Economic them and clearing up the mess that that man—the right Secretary said that he would reflect on and consider the hon. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls)—left issue. How is he getting on? behind.

Sajid Javid: My hon. Friend has been an assiduous Mr Speaker: Last but not least, Mr Bob Blackman. campaigner on this issue and I welcome the strength of his campaign. I am still reflecting and considering. I am Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): The Government aware that campaigners will come here tomorrow and moved swiftly to compensate the victims of the Equitable intend to meet a couple from my own constituency. Life scandal, who were ignored by the Labour Government. The one set of people who were excluded from the legislation were the pre-1992 trapped annuitants. I know [132527] Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Eleven T10. that the Minister has been considering this issue. Will jobseekers are chasing every vacancy in Blaenau Gwent. he update the House on what consideration will be Does the Chancellor think that the Work programme given to those weak and vulnerable people who just will prove to be good value for money? want some safety for the rest of their lives?

Mr Osborne: Yes, I do, and the CBI has welcomed it. Sajid Javid: My hon. Friend has campaigned well on I hope that the hon. Gentleman welcomes the fact that this issue and I recently met representatives of the we have record employment in our country—a record Equitable Members Action Group to discuss it. The number of women are working—and that youth Government are focused on delivering the current scheme unemployment has fallen recently as well. efficiently and effectively.

Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con): Benefits Several hon. Members rose— have increased at twice the rate of earnings since the onset of the financial crisis. Could the Chancellor reassure Mr Speaker: Order. I am sorry to disappoint colleagues. 153 11 DECEMBER 2012 Points of Order 154

Points of Order Ed Balls rose—

12.35 pm Mr Speaker: The right hon. Member for Morley and Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): On a Outwood (Ed Balls) is itching to raise a further point of point of order, Mr Speaker. order, but I ask him to hear what I have to say first. This cannot be a debate; there are a couple of points of Mr Speaker: Exceptionally, I will allow a point of order to which I am giving a reply. My response, whether order, for reasons that will be apparent. Members like it or not, is as follows. First, I feel sure that the Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls: May I have your guidance, Mr Speaker? Is it intended to be helpful to the House. It is not for me to in order for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pre-empting impugn motives, and I do not do so. However, was it a a written statement, to slip out news during topical good idea to handle this matter via the device of topical questions about Northern Rock that could well have questions in the way that it was done? The answer is no, fiscal implications, including for Government borrowing, it could have been better done. I am sure that the hon. in a way that is designed to avoid any proper scrutiny or Member for Braintree (Mr Newmark) was doing his questioning from the Opposition? Is this not just another best, according to his own lights, but it was unwise to example of the Chancellor refusing to answer questions deal with it in that way. in this House? Would it not be in order for the Chancellor or another Treasury Minister to make an oral statement Secondly, I simply make the point—[Interruption.] It in this House today and be properly scrutinised, rather may be topical, but that does not necessarily mean that than once again playing fast and loose with the public it should be raised at topical questions. My understanding, finances and Parliament? which is very easily explained, is that although something is a topical matter, it does not mean that it should be the Mr Speaker: I will hear the Chancellor the Exchequer subject of a topical question if the Government have on this matter, and then I will give a verdict. tabled a written—

The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr George Osborne): Mr Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con) rose— Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. There was no pre-empting of the announcement. It was laid as a written statement one hour ago. I thought that it would Mr Speaker: No, I do not require any assistance from be appropriate to illuminate the written statement in the hon. Gentleman. He should do his own job to the oral questions, as Ministers frequently do from the best of his ability. I am giving a verdict on the matter. Dispatch Box. There is, of course, a debate on the The Government have laid a written ministerial economy this afternoon, during which we can answer statement. If they had wanted to make an oral statement, questions. It relates to errors that took place in Northern they could have made one. They did not do so, but Rock in 2008 that have affected a number of customers. made a written ministerial statement. I repeat: I am sure Customers will be receiving letters from Northern Rock. that the Chancellor meant well. That is the kindest As I said, I thought that it would be helpful to illuminate thing, in the circumstances, that I can reasonably say. the details of the written statement, but apparently that There is nothing further to be said on this matter now, is not the case. but we may well return to it. 155 11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 156

Equal Marriage Consultation to be under no compulsion to conduct same-sex marriages. As the Prime Minister said, we are 100% clear that if 12.39 pm any church, synagogue or mosque does not want to conduct a gay marriage it will not—absolutely must The Minister for Women and Equalities (Maria Miller): not—be forced to hold it. With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a Part of our response will include a quadruple lock, statement on the Government’s proposals to enable same-sex putting into English law clear and unambiguous protections. couples to marry. Copies of the consultation response I will go into the detail of those locks, but I first want to will be available in the Libraries of both Houses. reiterate comments I made yesterday on Europe. I know Not long ago, talk of marriage as one of the building that many hon. Members are worried that European blocks of society was dismissed by some as out of date. courts will force religious organisations to conduct same-sex Of course, those of us in this House who have taken a marriages. The law is complex, but that complexity is closer interest know that marriage remains something absolutely no excuse for misunderstanding the facts. to which most people aspire. Therefore, far from being a Case law of the European Court of Human Rights, and peripheral issue, the future of marriage should concern rights set out in the European convention on human us all. rights, put protection of religious belief in this matter Today we are setting out how the Government will beyond doubt. extend marriage to same-sex couples. The consultation The Government’s legal position has confirmed that, has been the subject of much debate both within and with appropriate legislative drafting, the chance of a outside the House, and I am immensely grateful to the successful legal challenge through domestic or European many hon. Members who have taken time to discuss the courts is negligible. I have therefore asked the Government’s proposals with me, adding their voices to the 19 petitions lawyers to ensure that that is the case. Our response sets received by the Government and the record 228,000 out clear safeguards—a quadruple lock of measures to individuals and organisations who responded to the protect religious organisations. The Government have consultation. always been absolutely clear that no religious organisation For some, this is a contentious and radical reform, or, will be forced to conduct same-sex marriages. The system indeed, a reform too far. Historical facts, however, show of locks will iron-clad the protection in law, adding to that over the generations marriage has had a long the existing protections in European legislation, so that history of evolution. In the 19th century inequalities those who do not want to conduct same-sex marriages prevented Catholics, atheists, Quakers and many others will never have to. from marrying except in the Anglican Church. When First, we will write on to the face of the Bill a that changed, was it accepted without protest? No, I am declaration that no religious organisation, or individual sure it was not. In the 20th century when the law was minister, can be forced to marry same-sex couples or to changed to recognise married men and married women permit that to happen on their premises. Secondly, I will as equal before law, was that accepted without fierce amend the Equality Act 2010 so that no discrimination protest? No. In each century Parliament has acted— claims can be brought against religious organisations or sometimes radically—to ensure that marriage reflects individual ministers for refusing to marry a same-sex our society to keep it relevant and meaningful. Marriage couple or for refusing to allow their premises to be used is not static; it has evolved and Parliament has chosen for this purpose. to act over the centuries to make it fairer and more Thirdly, the legislation will make it unlawful for religious equal.We now face another such moment—another organisations or their ministers to marry same-sex couples such chance in this new century. unless the organisation has expressly opted to do so. As For me, extending marriage to same-sex couples will part of this lock, a religious organisation will have to strengthen, not weaken, that vital institution, and the opt in as a whole, and each individual Minister will then response I am publishing today makes it clear that we have to opt in too. Therefore, if a religious organisation will enable same-sex couples to get married through a has chosen not to conduct same-sex marriage, none of civil ceremony. We will also enable religious organisations its Ministers will be able to do so. However, if an that wish to conduct same-sex marriages to do so, on a organisation has chosen to conduct same-sex marriage, similar opt-in basis to that available for civil partnerships. individual Ministers are still under no compulsion to That is important for the obvious reason that it would conduct one unless they wish to do so. be wrong to ban organisations that wish to conduct Finally, because the Churches of England and Wales same-sex marriages from doing so. have explicitly stated that they do not wish to conduct I am under no illusions and I am fully aware that the same-sex marriage, the legislation will explicitly state proposals set out today to allow same-sex couples to that it would be illegal for the Churches of England and marry are contentious. I am also clear that there should Wales to marry same-sex couples. That provision recognises be complete respect for religious organisations and and protects the unique and established nature of those individual religious leaders who do not wish to marry Churches. The Church’s canon law will also continue to same-sex couples. The Government must balance the ban the marriage of same-sex couples. Therefore, even importance of treating all couples equally and fairly with if those institutions wanted to conduct same-sex marriage, respect for religious organisations’ rights to their beliefs. it would require a change to primary legislation at a We must be fair to same-sex couples and the state later date and a change to canon law—additional protection should not ban them from such a great institution. that cannot be breached. Equally, however, we must be fair to people of faith, It is important to address directly other concerns and the religious protections I will set out will ensure raised by religious institutions. Other legal cases, including that fairness is at the heart of our proposals. Churches those involving the provision of services such as bed and have a right to fight for and articulate their beliefs and breakfast or the wearing of religious symbols, have no 157 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 158

[Maria Miller] faiths who want to be able to treat all loving couples equally and who show powerfully that the debate on bearing on the legal situation regarding marriage, because same-sex marriage should not become polarised between most religious marriage is a commitment made before Church and state. There are very different views between God—it is at the heart of religious belief. There is clear and within faiths. protection under article 9 of the European convention I agree that freedom of religion is important. The on human rights and clarity in case law that the European Minister is right that no Church or religious organisations Court of Human Rights considers same-sex marriage should be required to hold same-sex marriage and that to be a matter for each individual member state. respect for freedom of religion should be built into the Faith has underpinned British society for centuries, proposed legislation, but we will need to look at the and it is important to me that equality before the law is details of the proposals because it is important that she seen in the same way. The proposals will allow both to does not become too defensive about this. Freedom of co-exist without threat or challenge to the other. People religion also means that those faith groups, such as the of faith hold views that must be respected. That is why I Quakers, the Unitarians and others who want to be able have been absolutely clear that I would never introduce to celebrate same-sex marriage should be able to do so. a Bill that encroaches or threatens religious freedoms. It Those who argue that marriage should never change are is with those strongly held views in mind that the out of touch with public feeling. Based on that argument, proposals presented today have been designed. civil marriage would never have been introduced in the I believe the proposals strike the right balance—protecting 1830s, married women would never have been given the important religious freedoms while ensuring that same-sex right to own property, no one would be able to remarry couples have the same freedom to marry as opposite-sex after a divorce and the law would not have been changed couples. By making marriage available to everyone, we to outlaw rape within marriage. will ensure that it remains a vibrant institution. Our It is deeply disappointing that some in the House changes will allow more people to make lifelong yesterday wanted to link same-sex marriage with polygamy commitments and enjoy the benefits of an institution or to suggest that it was somehow an affront to those in that has for centuries lain at the heart of our society. so-called normal marriages. I hope that those who have opposed the plans in the House and some Church leaders will think carefully and not repeat some of the 12.48 pm hysterical language they have used before. These proposals Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) include considerable respect for freedom of religion, (Lab): Thank you, Mr Speaker—it is good to be here freedom of belief and freedom for those who wish to again. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to introduce continue to oppose same-sex marriage within their own same-sex marriages, but I am at a loss about why she organisations. I hope, however, that they will now respect could not have made all those points in the House the majority of us in the House and beyond who wish to yesterday, especially as most of them were made by support same-sex marriage and will not try to veto Ministers to the press on Friday. everyone else. No one faith, group or organisation owns I agree with the Minister that we should support marriage. same-sex marriage. When couples want to get married Surveys have found that seven out of 10 people and to make the long-term, loving commitment it entails, support extending civil marriage to same-sex couples we should celebrate and not discriminate. Marriage is and that six out of 10 people of faith support extending more than a historic tradition; it is about how the state it too. Marriage has never been a rigid, unchanging and society today view and value long-term commitment. institution. It is only when marriage loses its relevance We should not prevent people from getting married and to communities or is seen as outdated or unjust that it gaining recognition from the state on grounds of gender risks becoming weakened or forgotten. I hope that the or sexuality, and Parliament should not say that some Minister will accept the support for these measures, loving relationships have greater value than others. promote them with confidence, not be defensive about the changes, and urge everyone to support the reforms, While Labour was in government, we changed the which will strengthen marriage and support equality law many times to tackle outdated prejudice and too. discrimination against lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and transgender people. Many of those measures were Maria Miller: I welcome the right hon. Lady’s support controversial at the time but are now taken for granted for the statement. She is right to highlight the widespread even by those who opposed them at the start: an equal support for what the Government have outlined outside age of consent, ending the ban on serving in the armed this place and on both sides of the House. forces, ending discrimination in adoption and fertility It is important to pick up on the right hon. Lady’s treatment and abolishing section 28. Year after year, we point about showing respect for both sides of the argument. changed the law and argued for the justice and common As we participate in these or any discussions, none of us sense of each of those changes, and opponents were should try to polarise the debate. The language we use proved wrong—the sky did not fall in. This is the next and the stance we take are looked at far and wide—people sensible step. To deny same-sex couples the chance to will be looking at how we deal with these issues—so I marry and have their relationship recognised by the hope that hon. Members will appreciate and echo in state as of equal worth to other loving couples would be their comments the respect that I am showing to religious unfair and out of date. institutions and to people in same-sex relationships. I The Minister will know that I have argued for some think I made it clear that it is up to religious institutions time for those Churches and religious organisations to decide how they deal with these matters. That is not that want to be able to celebrate same-sex marriage to being defensive; it is about respecting those important be able to do so. I have met religious leaders from many religious beliefs. 159 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 160

Several hon. Members rose— Maria Miller: I thank the hon. Lady for her support. As I outlined in my statement, we have seen marriage Mr Speaker: Order. Very many Members are seeking evolve over generations to ensure it remains relevant to catch my eye, and I am keen to accommodate them, and vibrant, and these proposals do that again for our so brevity is of the essence. century, while putting in place that quadruple lock, those safeguards and the clear articulation of our respect Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): The Secretary for religious belief, so that we strike the right balance of State has outlined a major social change that many between the rights of same-sex couples and those of of those whom we represent find unacceptable. Such religious institutions. significant change should be allowed to evolve, rather than be pushed through. Will the Minister agree to seek Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) (LD): I an electoral mandate before proceeding? warmly welcome the Government’s announcement. My right hon. Friend has struck the right balance between protecting religious freedoms and extending legal equality Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right that many of to the LGBT community some 43 years after the Stonewall these matters evolve over time. Our consultation has riots. Does she agree that, despite the noises behind me, allowed us to listen to the many and varied views and it will be much less than 43 years before people wonder reflect those views in the proposals. On an electoral what all the fuss was about today? mandate, the Conservative party’s commitment was set out in the contract for equalities, which sat alongside Maria Miller: I understand my hon. Friend’s sentiments; our manifesto at the election, and which laid out the I do, however, understand what the fuss is all about. importance of considering the case for changing the People have deep-seated religious convictions and beliefs. law. If we are to go forward successfully with these measures, we need to ensure that our respect is clear. I will meet Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Does religious institutions later today to talk about these the Minister agree that, given that respect for freedom things in more detail and ensure that they are happy of religion is vital, it is right that faith groups that wish with the locks we are putting in place. to marry same-sex couples should be allowed to do so? Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): Given that the Maria Miller: I can give the hon. Lady a simple right to marriage is now being extended, albeit in quite answer: yes. a limited form, should not the right to enter into a civil partnership be extended to those heterosexual couples Nick Herbert (Arundel and South Downs) (Con): I who perhaps do not like the religious connotations of welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement. She correctly marriage? says that this proposal commands widespread support in the country, as all opinion polls show, but, just as this Maria Miller: I understand the hon. Lady’s point, but measure is about safeguarding the rights of one minority, we do not feel that there is significant demand for the is it not also important jealously to guard the rights of extension of civil partnerships in the way she describes. another—those who choose in conscience not to agree What we want to ensure is that marriage is extended to and those Churches that do not wish to conduct such same-sex couples. ceremonies? Does she agree that those who were concerned Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con): I had the about the proposal, in the belief that Churches would privilege of chairing the Civil Partnership Bill through be forced to conduct such ceremonies, need no longer Committee in the House of Commons. Throughout the be concerned, now that they understand that there is a passage of that legislation, clear undertakings were given lock and that no Church will be forced to do so? that it was not the thin end of a wedge, that it would not lead to marriage and that it satisfied all the necessary Maria Miller: My right hon. Friend has done a great legal and equality demands of the time. I accept that the deal of work in this area, and we listen to him with great present Government cannot be bound by a previous interest. He is right that the quadruple lock I have Government, but it will require a degree of faith—I use outlined today should give clear reassurance to hon. the word advisedly—if we to move forward down this Members and anybody outside listening that there is a road. The Minister said that 60% of the general public considerable and thought-through way of ensuring that are in favour of this measure. The letters I have handed ministers and religious organisations are under no to Ministers suggest that 98% of my constituents are compulsion to undertake same-sex marriages, if they opposed to it. Will she publish the figures? believe that it does not accord with their faith. It is absolutely right that we respect the stance taken by Maria Miller: I think my hon. Friend might have religious organisations and that we put in place safeguards mistaken what I was talking about. I did not quote a at a domestic and European level to ensure that those figure in that respect, although I would always be happy safeguards are effective. to share with him any such figures. There are important differences in perception of civil partnerships and marriage. Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab): What we are putting forward today is about ensuring As chair of the all-party group on equalities, I very that the universally understood and recognised idea of much welcome the Minister’s statement. Does she agree marriage is available to more people. That is something that this is not a matter of redefining marriage, but of we should celebrate. I hope I can convince him, through extending it to a group that currently does not have that the quadruple lock I have announced, that the sort of right? It is a matter of equal rights in our society in the protections that he and his constituents would look for 21st century. are very much to the fore of our minds. 161 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 162

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): Marriage has changed repeatedly assured us that civil partnerships would not over the centuries, has it not? For centuries, the Church lead to same-sex marriage. Then, the consultation that of England’s doctrine was that the primary purpose of we have just had specifically excluded religious marriage marriage was the procreation of children, but many between same-sex couples. Now, the Government assure heterosexual couples either are unable to have children us that human rights legislation is clear. It is not: the or choose not to have them. Marriage today is, for very Minister should read the verdict of Aidan O’Neill, QC, many people, about many other things—companionship, who says the only absolutely safe defence for Churches sharing one’s life, mutual support and so on. As I said is to get out of same-sex marriages. How can she to the Minister yesterday, I find it difficult to believe legislate for something she has not consulted on? that any Christian, including many Anglican bishops and clergy, would not want that for every member of Maria Miller: I am sure that my hon. Friend would their parish. Will she therefore consider not putting not want me to answer for the hon. Member for such an ultimate lock on the Church of England, so Rhondda—I am sure the latter can answer for himself that there is freedom for the Church of England? Those on any undertakings he might have given when he was a in the Church of England all voted to keep slavery for Minister. What I am trying to do is ensure that marriage 30 years, but eventually they changed their minds. is accessible to more people and that clear safeguards are in place. If my hon. Friend wants to talk to me in Maria Miller: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will detail about those safeguards, I am happy to do that. I take time to lobby his previous employer on these know that he, like me, wants to ensure that marriage is matters. Obviously it is for individual religious institutions special. The provisions we have brought forward today to look at that. The Church of England can come will ensure that it remains that way. forward with a change of view at any point in time and we can consider the appropriate actions to be taken. Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): I welcome the move to equalise marriage. It is important Mrs Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham) (Con): that we make the change to allow same-sex couples to I thank the Minister for her statement today, but many mark their love and commitment through marriage. people in Chesham and Amersham are desperately That equality is welcome, but I also support my hon. concerned about the Government’s proposals. What Friend the Member for Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy). can my right hon. Friend say to my constituents, who I know an opposite-sex couple who would have welcomed genuinely feel that the Government are challenging a civil partnership, a form of commitment that some their deeply held religious beliefs and, despite her many people want. It is disappointing that it was not considered; assurances today, do not believe that they are being it should be in future. heard by her or that their religion is truly being protected? Maria Miller: The hon. Lady will know that that was Maria Miller: I reassure my right hon. Friend that we a question in the consultation. There was not the demand have absolutely heard loud and clear the concerns that in the consultation for the change she describes, but it is have been raised. Hence, we have brought forward our also important to note that our priority is to allow proposals today with a quadruple lock, which will same-sex marriage, not to overhaul marriage law. That provide the reassurance that I know that many people— is where I want to keep the focus. whether her constituents or others—have been calling for, so that only when an organisation has opted in Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): I welcome my right would it be able to consider undertaking same-sex marriages, hon. Friend’s statement and in particular the change in and even then ministers can still decide not to do so. the Government’s position as a result of the consultation The amendments to the Equality Act and the provisions on lifting the proposed proscription on religious relating to the Church of England all work together to organisations conducting same-sex marriages. May I provide, I hope, the sort of reassurance that my right issue her a word of caution? It might be better to leave hon. Friend is calling for. religious institutions to manage their own internal discipline on whether they take part in this, rather than our Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): I support the legislating for it. Minister’s statement today. Can she explain the reference in her statement to the “Churches of England and Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There Wales”? She continued: “That provision recognises and is no way in which the Government want to become protects the unique and established nature of those involved in the philosophy of our religious institutions. Churches.” The Church in Wales was disestablished in It is ultimately for them to take their stance, whether it 1920, so will she explain in what sense she referred to it is the Church of England making it clear up front that it as an established Church in her statement? does not wish to be involved in this—although it has the right to change that position over time if it wants—or Maria Miller: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s comments any other religious institution. and his support. I was recognising the different obligations on the Church of England and the Church in Wales and Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): Does ensuring that the protections there reflect those obligations the Minister feel that she is competent to act as God—to in full, but if he wants to go into any other details, I change and challenge the definition of marriage, between hope we can do so in the Bill Committee. one man and one woman?

Mr Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): During the Maria Miller: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman passage of the civil rights legislation, the Government would not want me to comment on the first part of his and the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) question, because that would be inappropriate. What I 163 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 164 am doing is ensuring that marriage is a vibrant and Pete Wishart (Perth and North Perthshire) (SNP): I relevant institution in our country today, and I am sure am sure that the Minister will want to acknowledge the he will want to support that. In regard to the part of the initiatives on this issue in the Scottish Parliament. I am country that he represents, the Northern Ireland particularly proud that Scotland is leading the way on Government are clearly taking a different view, and we equal marriage. What discussions has she had with the respect that. We should all show respect for both sides Scottish Government about the necessary amendments of the argument. to UK-wide equality legislation to ensure that celebrants in Scotland would be protected from legal action if they Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): I congratulate were to speak out against, or refuse to take part in, my right hon. Friend on delivering consultation results same-sex marriage ceremonies? that are reminiscent of a Liberian presidential election. I believe that these proposals are a constitutional outrage Maria Miller: That, too, is an important detail that and a disgrace. There is no electoral mandate for these has to be got right. We are pleased that we have put policies. Will she explain what popular support she has forward our proposals now. I think that the Scottish received for erasing the words “husband” and “wife” Government might well be putting forward theirs shortly. from our laws and customs, as set out in her Department’s We have already started to have discussions at official equality impact assessment? level to ensure that those kinds of issues are dealt with. It is important that this measure should work across the Maria Miller: I know that my hon. Friend has deep-seated devolved responsibilities, and it is a priority to ensure views on this matter, and in saying what I am about to that that happens. say, I am in no way trying to move him away from them. The consultation was very clear: we were talking about Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Is how we were going to implement this proposal, not the Minister following developments in Denmark? The whether we were going to implement it. We clearly set it Churches there have sought exactly the kind of exclusion out in the contract for equalities that we were going to that this Government are seeking, but it has been ruled consider the case for a change in the law, and that is illegal. If that ruling also pertained in this country, what exactly what we have been doing. Also, I would ask him triple or quadruple lock could she possibly offer to not to pursue the issue of changing the usage of the Churches in that regard? words “husband” and “wife”, because the Government have absolutely no intention of doing that. Maria Miller: I draw the attention of my hon. Friend— she is also a learned Friend—to the case law that is building up in the European Court of Human Rights. It Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ has become clear that this is a question that is determined Co-op): Since 2004, many of my constituents have at local level. Our proposals will make clear in law the registered their civil partnerships. If and when the law intentions of Parliament and the Government at local changes, some of them might want to get married, in level, and we believe that that will put the protection of either a civil or a religious ceremony. Would that religious belief beyond doubt in this matter. require them to dissolve their civil partnership, or would there be a mechanism in the law to enable them to commute it or have a marriage in addition to their civil Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): Further partnership? to the point that the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) has just made, may I point out that there is strong support across Scotland for the Maria Miller: That is just the sort of important detail principle of equal marriage that the Minister has set out that many people will want to hear more about. I can today, with 64% of people—people in poor Scotland, tell the hon. Lady that there will be a facility for people rich Scotland, urban Scotland and rural Scotland— who are in a civil partnership to convert it to a marriage, supporting it? Will she make it clear, however, whether although there will be no compulsion to do so. I look the Scottish Government have asked this Government forward to perhaps hearing her further comments as we for the provisions in this legislation to apply to Scotland discuss the Bill in Committee. if it is passed by this House?

Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): How Maria Miller: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s will the legal protections that the Minister has described articulation of the support of the people of Scotland apply in those denominations in which authority resides for the measures that this Government have brought not with a central organisation or with ministers but forward today, and I thank him for that. The ways in with the local congregation? Will she bear it in mind which we would ensure clear read-across between the that the fear of having to engage in litigation, even if Scottish provisions and those made by Westminster are it is unlikely to succeed, is a genuine one in many just the sort of details that we will be discussing. He Churches? would of course not wish me to pre-empt such a consultation by starting those discussions before making Maria Miller: My right hon. Friend also asks a a statement like this to the House. thoughtful question. The reason we are putting in place changes to the Equality Act 2010 is that we want to Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I was up late ensure that people are not fearful of the potential last night reading “An invitation to join the government litigation that could occur without those changes. In of Britain”, the Conservative manifesto; “A future fair answer the first part of his question, those issues would for all”, the Labour manifesto; and this wonderful work be for local congregations and local representatives of “Change that works for you”, the Liberal Democrat religious institutions to deal with. manifesto, as well as “The Coalition: our programme 165 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 166

[Mr Peter Bone] that our proposals will ensure that the Church of England can continue to hold those religious beliefs without fear for government”. There is no mention in those political of their being undermined. bibles of redefining marriage; it is not even hinted at. How dare the Minister suggest that she has any right or Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): any mandate to bring in this legislation? The Minister just spoke about the special protection for the Church of England. The Church of England plays a Maria Miller: My hon. Friend obviously has very special role in this country as our established Church, strong views on this. As I have said, I respect those so is she satisfied that it is once again opting out of views, but I ask him to ensure that he balances them equalities legislation? with a respect for others who might not agree with him. It is clearly set out in the contract for equalities that sat alongside our manifesto that we would consider the Maria Miller: The spirit of our debate today has been case for a change in the law, and that is exactly what we one of trying to find a way to ensure that we can are doing today. I think he should be celebrating this provide protection for religious belief. I urge the hon. development, and I really hope that I can convince him Lady to think about that carefully, because in the context that the quadruple lock will provide just the kind of of the provision of our quadruple lock it is important assurances that he seeks. that we provide for that change in the Equality Act if we are to give the certainty that, as other hon. Members Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Does the Minister have highlighted, is so important. accept that, as well as providing for civil marriage, the state has for some time recognised and registered marriages Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Will my right conducted under the sacramental privilege of various hon. Friend accept that the great majority of people in Churches? That legal capacity for Churches has always this country—62% according to ComRes—regard marriage respected their own rules of ritual eligibility, and has as being between a man and a woman, a situation that been qualified only by the provision that there be no has persisted for centuries; that neither she nor the lawful impediment, such as a close blood relationship, Prime Minister, and neither the Deputy Prime Minister one party already being married or the couple being of nor the Leader of the Opposition, has any mandate the same sex. Will she confirm that her proposal is whatsoever to inflict this massive social and cultural essentially to remove the lawful impediment to marrying change on our country; that the consultation exercise a couple of the same sex, and that it will in no other way has been a complete sham; and that the Government encroach on the sacramental privilege of any Church or had made up their mind in advance what outcome they interfere with any Church’s rules of ritual eligibility? wanted and failed to take into account the 600,000 people who signed the Coalition for Marriage petition? Maria Miller: I can give the hon. Gentleman an absolute assurance that our proposals will do exactly Maria Miller: I hope I can reassure my hon. Friend what he is asking for, which is to ensure that there is no and neighbour in Hampshire that we have absolutely compulsion on religious institutions or individuals to looked not only at the consultation responses but at the undertake same-sex marriages. I ask him to look closely petitions we have been given, although they are not part at the details of the quad locks that we have set out in of the consultation response because they were not part our statement today. Of course we will be working with of the consultation. It is important that we consider religious institutions to ensure that those locks work as both sides of the debate, understand the strength of they need to do, because it is our intention to provide feeling and make provisions for people’s religious beliefs. the kind of safeguards that he is talking about. I do not ever want to try to trade statistics in this place, because the subject we are dealing with is even more Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): On the principle of important than that. It concerns respect for people’s this matter, I sometimes think that we are talking at differences, and we have an obligation to ensure that cross purposes. For me, there is absolutely no dispute those differences can be protected in law. that the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): Downs (Nick Herbert), my hon. Friend the Member for I welcome the statement and indicate my support for Reigate (Mr Blunt) and I were all created equal in the this change. Is it the Government’s intention that same-sex image of God. That is not the issue. For the Church of couples have the option of a civil partnership or a marriage, England, the uniqueness of marriage is that it embodies or will marriage simply become the standard means for the distinctiveness of men and women, so removing any couple to affirm the status of their relationship? that complementarity from the definition of marriage is to lose any social institution where sexual difference is explicitly acknowledged. Maria Miller: As a result of looking at the consultation responses, we believe that to protect those who have Maria Miller: My hon. Friend has articulated incredibly entered into a civil partnership we should continue to clearly the position of that particular religious institution, have that option available. There will be an option. and I fully respect that view. We have accordingly put in place a clear protection, particularly for the Church of Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): I England. The important thing to state here is that that am prepared to support this measure on the grounds of view is not held across the board, and other religious equality before the law, provided that religious freedom institutions would certainly differ from it. It is important is protected. Will my right hon. Friend comment on that we have that respect in place, however, and I believe my remaining worry that teachers of particular faiths, 167 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 168 whether they are in faith schools or non-faith schools in Maria Miller: Yes, although it will now be important the state sector, might be expected to teach something to work with religious institutions to ensure that there is that goes against their conscience? happiness about the safeguards.

Maria Miller: I would expect my hon. Friend to bring David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP) rose— up another important issue, and he did. I can reassure him that nothing will change in what children are Mr Speaker: Was the hon. Gentleman in the Chamber taught. Teachers will continue to be able to describe at the start of the statement? He was. We must hear their own belief that marriage is between a man and a him. I call Mr David Simpson. woman while, importantly, acknowledging that there can also be same-sex marriages. In faith schools in David Simpson: Further to a previous question, if a particular, people will want to ensure that the beliefs of school teacher who teaches religious education believes that faith are clearly and well articulated for children. that the Bible teaches that this act is wrong and tells her pupils that, will she be protected? Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I have had the single largest postbag that I have had as an MP on this Maria Miller: The answer is absolutely yes, if that is issue from those who are opposed to it. The churches the individual’s belief. That is particularly important for are opposed and my constituents are opposed—99.9% faith schools, but as we would expect from all our of the people in the area I represent are opposed to this teachers, we would want to ensure that such a belief was legislative change. The Minister suggested in her answer expressed in a balanced way. to an earlier question that the 550,000 people who signed the Coalition for Marriage petition were ignored or Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) sidelined. She will understand why many of us look on (LD): I am a member of a party that supports equal that with suspicion. Why was the Coalition for Marriage marriage, but the Minister none the less must take into petition excluded from the headline figure? Is it not a account that this was in no election manifesto, that it case of some people being more equal than others? was not in the coalition agreement and that many members of my constituency, my church and my party Maria Miller: The hon. Gentleman is obviously right feel that much more work must be done to see whether to say that there are strong feelings and I absolutely it is possible to redefine civil marriage separately from understand what he is saying. I can reassure him that we the traditional definitions of religious marriage. She have considered all petitions and all responses to the therefore needs to proceed very carefully and cautiously, consultation—more than 200,000 of them—which has engage with the faith leaders to seek their agreement taken a while. I remind him of the starting point for the before proceeding, and proceed with draft legislation consultation, however: it was not whether we would before moving speedily to get something on the statute proceed with this measure, but how we would proceed book. with it. On that basis, I have made proposals today that I believe will provide the sort of safeguards that his constituents have been raising. Maria Miller: My right hon. Friend obviously has strong views on the question. My priority is to allow Several hon. Members rose— same-sex couples to marry and not to overhaul marriage law, but he is right to say that we need to work with Mr Speaker: Order. A great number of hon. and right religious leaders. I will start those discussions as soon as hon. Members are still seeking to catch my eye and I the statement has finished. want to accommodate them on this very important matter. I hope they will help me to help them by being Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): As all brief. Perhaps we can be given a textbook example of marriages now are between different-sex people, it is the genre by Mr Bernard Jenkin. surprising that only 61% regard marriage in such a way—it should be 100%. Like my hon. Friends who Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): disagree with me on this, I would hope that 200 years I commend my right hon. Friend for the sensitive way in ago I would have been part of the Clapham sect, and I which she is approaching the issue and welcome her think it would be a good idea to have a joint opinion statement and the legislation she is proposing. Does she poll from the Freedom to Marry campaign and the agree that it is legislation not to change the society in Coalition for Marriage asking a yes/no question. We which we live but to recognise how society has already could then work from the same figures, which would changed, and that we should afford the freedom to probably show that two thirds of the population want marry to every citizen in this country? this legislation to go through. I support that.

Maria Miller: In the tradition of brevity, yes. Maria Miller: I would suggest that it is the role of Parliament to debate such issues. I would not want to rely Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): I have long on opinion polls to determine such an important issue. wanted to see a society in which couples who love each other, whether they are of the same sex or the opposite Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): We all represent a sex, can demonstrate that love and commitment in front great many young constituents, although they are perhaps of their family and their friends and for that commitment not our most active correspondents on this issue. Life is to be recognised by society. Does the Minister agree very tough for many young gay people, so does the that all of us who want to see such a society should be Minister agree that this is an important way of sending very proud of her announcement today, which is a out a signal to them as they grow up in our society that major strike for civil rights and equality in our country? we value and treat them equally? 169 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 170

Maria Miller: I certainly hope that that will be one be clarity on this issue—that no changes to the laws of result from what we are talking about today. adultery are proposed and that same-sex couples will have the current laws of adultery available to them if Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): The those laws apply. If they do not apply, there will also be Government are hiding behind triple locks and quadruple grounds of “unreasonable behaviour” for individuals to locks on what may or may not happen in churches. Let seek divorce if the behaviour falls short of adultery. I me point out that although there are religious and civil believe that this reflects the current situation for civil ceremonies, there is only one marriage, and many people partnerships. of all faiths and no faith are deeply offended—I repeat, deeply offended—by these proposals. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): In April this year, when the Scottish National party produced a consultation Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is absolutely right that that allowed anonymous responses, the Conservative there is one marriage—there are different ways into it, party said: but there is just one concept of marriage. The locks that “Nothing the SNP now assert on the basis of a rigged consultation we propose are very much about listening to people’s to which SNP members can contribute anonymously and as many concerns, but not just listening, as they are also about times as they like will command confidence”. acting and ensuring that the safeguards are effective. Why, then, in the case of this consultation, in which 60% of the respondents were anonymous on a matter Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): My right hon. that was not in the manifesto and when my constituents Friend well knows that schools are required to teach do not want this to happen by a factor of 25:1, are the children about family life. Given that the Government Government pressing ahead with it? are proposing to redefine marriage, which is at the heart of the matter, I echo other Members in asking what Maria Miller: I can perhaps reassure my hon. Friend concrete safeguards the Government propose to put in that the consultation we undertook was carried out place to protect Christian teachers who teach that marriage correctly and properly, and that proper safeguards were should only be between a man and a woman. put in place to avoid any multiple submissions. I urge my hon. Friend to consider the fact that while many Maria Miller: I reiterate and underline what I said people who do not agree with the Government’s position earlier—that nothing we have announced today will may contact him about their views, there may be many change how children are taught. Teachers will be able to others who do agree with it but whose voices are not as describe their belief that marriage is between a man and strong. a woman, but as with all teaching, we would of course expect that to be done in a balanced manner. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): Given that the proposals are clearly based on the principle of equality, does it not Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): I warmly make the refusal to offer civil partnerships to heterosexual welcome what my right hon. Friend has said today, but couples completely incapable of coherent explanation some of my constituents and some of my closest friends and thus subject to obvious legal challenge in the future? on these Benches have real concerns. Is not the message today that we must find a way to ensure that those Maria Miller: We are saying that we have not identified churches that do not wish to conduct same-sex marriages a need for opposite-sex civil partnerships and, as I have do not have to, but that while they rightly demand that already said, my priority is to allow same-sex couples to their religious freedom is protected, they cannot deny get married without undertaking a complete overhaul others who wish to conduct these marriages the opportunity of either civil partnerships or marriage law in general. to do so? Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): I love being Maria Miller: I could not agree more with my hon. married. Surely it cannot be right in this day and age to Friend, who I think has articulated the position absolutely deny the symbolism around marriage to our constituents correctly. That is the Government’s position. on the basis of their sexuality. Does the Minister join me in looking forward to a day when all faiths, not just Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Yesterday I the Church, guarantee full equality to all women and to asked the Minister about polygamy, and she was unable all people whatever their sexuality? to answer my concerns. Is she aware of the campaigns now taking place in Canada to legalise polygamy, since Maria Miller: I understand my hon. Friend’s sentiment marriage was redefined there in 2005? and, on a personal level, I have a great deal of sympathy with what she says. As a House of Parliament, however, Maria Miller: I think I did answer my hon. Friend’s we need to respect the fact that not everybody is in the question yesterday by saying that marriage in this country same position on these issues. I believe there are important is between two people. merits in offering marriage to more and more people, and I hope every Member will join me in celebrating the Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Now importance of marriage in our society today. that the state wishes to redefine marriage, will it redefine adultery and non-consummation? Mr Robin Walker (Worcester) (Con): As a supporter of the institution of marriage, I welcome in principle Maria Miller: Again, that is an important detail, the Government’s desire to extend it to more people which I am sure will be looked at further when the Bill is through equal civil marriage. However, I and many of examined in Committee. I can say clearly to my hon. my constituents are deeply concerned that the extension Friend—the consultation document says that there must of this legislation into the religious domain could increase 171 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 172 the risk of costly legal challenges to the Churches and Maria Miller: Let me emphasise again that we have religious groups. Can the Minister offer any clear assurance read all the petitions and all the submissions to the that the Government’s legal advice is not only that such consultation, and reassure my hon. Friend that every challenges would fail but that the Churches can be single one of those submissions has validity. However, I protected from extra costs that might be imposed? must also remind her that our starting point was not whether we would introduce these measures, but how Maria Miller: I reiterate that the triple lock is designed we would do so. While the strength of feeling is clearly to make sure that changes in the Equality Act 2010 there, other Members have mentioned organisations work at a local level so that churches and, indeed, that and individuals who support these measures, and we individuals do not face the prospect of challenge and must ensure that we take a balanced approach. that any challenge will be directed at the Government. Even more important, case law and the European Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I am afraid convention ensure that we have put beyond doubt the that that answer simply is not good enough. I put it to protection of religious belief in this matter. These are the Government that their professed deep-seated and the sort of concrete reassurances that I am sure my hon. heartfelt commitment to equality does not appear to Friend and his constituents would welcome. have applied to the consultation itself. Can the Minister Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): A explain to the very fair-minded residents of the Kettering year ago, the Prime Minister described the United constituency why the views of the overwhelming majority Kingdom as a Christian country. Does my right hon. of respondents have been rejected, including a massive Friend, whom I greatly like and admire, recognise that petition with more than half a million signatures? this legislation will mark a significant moment as this country will be passing a law that is directly contrary to Maria Miller: I know that my hon. Friend speaks what Jesus said about marriage in Mark chapter 10 and powerfully for the people of Kettering, and I know that Matthew chapter 19? he will want to stand up for the wide range of views that undoubtedly exist in his constituency. I assure him Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right that, as I that all those views have been considered, and that they outlined in the statement, this is a significant moment. have helped us to form our response today. We have We have faced other such significant moments in the proposed a quadruple lock to protect religious institutions, evolution of marriage, and Parliament has been a radical but it is also important for us to represent people who campaigner on this issue over the centuries. I hope that may even live in his constituency: gay couples who want my hon. Friend, who I know takes a thoughtful approach to be able to celebrate their love and commitment to to this matter, will agree to look at the quadruple lock each other through marriage. that I proposed today. I would certainly be happy to sit down with him and talk about it further if he has any Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): I warmly welcome further anxieties. my right hon. Friend’s statement and this important Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Notwithstanding legislation. On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending my right hon. Friend’s comments, can she explain how the installation of the Rev. Pat Bateman as vicar of All the Bill will guarantee that my constituents, including Saints church in Ilkley. Several religious leaders who teachers or public sector workers who disagree with the attended the ceremony expressed a fear that they might state’s new definition of marriage, will not fall foul of be forced to conduct gay marriages in their churches. employment laws for expressing their personal views in Can my right hon. Friend reassure them that that is not the workplace? Will it not just be a lawyer’s paradise? the case?

Maria Miller: I can understand why my hon. Friend Maria Miller: I welcome my hon. Friend’s support. I wants to raise that question today. Recent case law, can certainly reassure him that it will be for religious which we would not want to go into on the Floor of the organisations and, indeed, individual ministers to discuss House, has highlighted how individuals who have raised the issue themselves, and to examine the protections their own views on the issue of equal marriage have that we have introduced in order to ensure that no experienced problems. What I have been reassured about, ministers or religious organisations will be forced to however, is the fact that those issues have been resolved conduct same-sex marriages if they feel that that does and the courts have been very clear that individuals are not accord with their own religious beliefs. entitled to their private views on this matter and that those views should not be held against them. Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con): The Minister Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con):I understand that has said today that she has given a clear articulation of the head of the Government Equalities Office told protection for religious freedoms by introducing a quadruple representatives of the Roman Catholic Bishops’Conference lock. However, she has also said that there is a “negligible” that each signatory to the coalition for marriage petition chance that that will be challenged. Can she tell us what would be counted as an individual response to the the risk of a challenge is in percentage terms? Government’s consultation. Because of that assurance, many supporters of traditional marriage focused on Maria Miller: I remind my hon. Friend that it is not that petition. Why did it not happen? Was it because just the quadruple lock that will provide that protection. including those half a million and more signatures The case law of the European Court of Human Rights, would have shown a substantial majority against plans and the rights in the European convention, put the to redefine marriage—something that is also confirmed protection of religious belief in this matter beyond by my constituency postbag? doubt, and I ask him to focus on that. 173 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 174

Mr John Leech (Manchester, Withington) (LD): I to think about how, not whether, we should implement warmly welcome the Minister’s commitment to the the proposals. That is what I ask my hon. Friend to introduction of equal marriage. I also welcome the focus on. quadruple lock guarantee which will ensure that churches that do not wish to conduct such ceremonies do not Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): Can my right hon. have to do so. We must accept, however, that the Friend unequivocally guarantee freedom of conscience consultation process has been divisive. Does she that we and speech to my constituents, at work and elsewhere, should now seek to reassure all those churches that they allowing them to disagree publicly with the redefinition have nothing to fear from the legislation? of marriage without sanction by their employers?

Maria Miller: I hope I can convince my hon. Friend Maria Miller: As I said earlier, a case involving an that the consultation was absolutely fair, but he is right individual who articulated a view about equal civil to say that we now need to work not just with the marriage has already gone to court. I think that the churches but with religious institutions throughout our courts have upheld the view that individuals are entitled country to ensure that the safeguards that are clearly to their private views, and that their jobs can be safeguarded necessary are effective. on those grounds.

David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): Many Macclesfield Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con) rose— residents have expressed concern about the legislation. Having known the Minister for many years, I am aware Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman has that family and marriage are very important in her own perambulated around the Chamber. If he assures me life. What those residents want to know is how churches that he has at all times remained within it, we must hear and faith groups will be protected not just from human him. It is a very curious approach, but it is not of itself a rights laws but from equalities legislation. That is what breach of the Standing Orders of the House. [HON. worries them. MEMBERS: “He has been hiding.”] He has been hiding! Let us now hear from Mr Alec Shelbrooke. Maria Miller: The people of Macclesfield are well represented by my hon. Friend, and I know that the Alec Shelbrooke: I am most grateful to you, Mr. Speaker. importance of family ranks high in his life as well. I can I have indeed moved around. I was not going to get assure him that the amendments that we will introduce involved, but I just want to say this to the Minister. The to the Equality Act 2010 will provide protections in fact is that the vast majority of my constituents simply local law to ensure that individuals, and indeed religious do not believe that the European Court of Human institutions, need have no fear of action being brought Rights will not take this further. I think that a great against them on equality grounds. I hope that he will be many Members on this side of the House would support able to convey those reassurances to his constituents. the Bill if we withdrew from the European convention on human rights and introduced a British Bill of Rights. That, by the way, was in the Conservative manifesto. Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): Although the debate is still divisive, I welcome the balance struck by Maria Miller: I know that my hon. Friend never hides my right hon. Friend’s proposals to make marriage—which his views—although he may have been hiding himself so many of us value hugely—available to all who want from you in the Chamber today, Mr. Speaker—but I to be married, while protecting the freedoms of those ask him to join me in trying to move away from the who disagree. The last of the four important proposed hyperbole that has been employed in campaigns that we legal locks recognises the opposition of the Church of have all witnessed in recent months. When the facts are England, and will make it illegal for same-sex marriages looked at, the safeguards are clear. I remind him—at to be conducted in C of E churches. Can my right hon. the risk of repeating myself unduly—that the case law Friend confirm that it will be possible for Roman Catholic of the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the and evangelical churches to opt out in a similar way if European convention, clearly puts the protection of they so wish? religious belief in this matter beyond doubt, and that is the Government’s legal position. Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right to say that what we are trying to establish today is a balanced Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): The Minister herself approach. I can tell him that the various mechanisms described the institution of marriage as a building that I have outlined today will provide protections that block of our society, but last year nearly 50% of all both the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical babies were born to couples who were not married. Church have identified to me at both national and local Given that marriage rates in Spain and Holland collapsed level. after the introduction of same-sex marriage, does she not fear that in this country even fewer couples intending Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Will the Minister to have children will choose to marry? please tell the House how many respondents to the consultation were resident outside the United Kingdom? Maria Miller: I respect my hon. Friend’s views on this, and share his concern that many people today do Maria Miller: The hon. Gentleman will know that not view marriage as relevant to them. I hope all Members there were more than 200,000 responses to the consultation, will take this issue very seriously, because we should and that people outside the United Kingdom were encourage more people to see marriage as an important given an opportunity to participate. We collected all the way to cement their relationships and show commitment information and examined it in detail, and it helped us and responsibility, and so strengthen our society. I do 175 Equal Marriage Consultation11 DECEMBER 2012 Equal Marriage Consultation 176 not think that what my hon. Friend has said would proposing. It is right that following this statement we happen in the UK, however. I think our proposals will should work collaboratively, and I would be happy to be welcomed and will serve to promote the relevance of meet any Member who wants to discuss these matters in marriage today. more detail.

Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): I do not agree How many people of the Muslim faith—and of the with the redefinition of marriage, and nor do the majority Sikh and Hindu faiths—responded to the consultation, of the constituents of South Dorset. Other than arrogance and how many were for this proposal and how many and intolerance, what right have the Minister and the were against? I must tell the Minister that in my constituency Government got to stamp their legislative boot on concerns have been raised with me about this redefinition religious faith? by people from the churches, the mosques and the gurdwaras. I ask her to take that on board. Maria Miller: My hon. Friend represents the people of South Dorset extremely well. He rightly vigorously Maria Miller: My hon. Friend is right to suggest that puts forward his own views, and I respect that. However, this issue is important for not only the Churches, but for the state has had a stake in the institution of marriage faith groups across the board. That is why the protections for more than 170 years, and I therefore believe it is I have outlined will work across the board. This is not a right that the state asks itself whether it is right to numbers game, but I am happy to look at whether we exclude people from the institution of marriage simply can provide the detailed information that my hon. Friend because they are gay. I do not believe that is right, which requests. is why these changes have been proposed and the Government are presenting our response to the consultation. Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): I welcome the tone in which the Minister delivered the statement. One Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I congratulate concern, however, is that there has not yet been any the Minister on her comments. The state should not bar mention of what changes will be made to the Marriage a couple who want to marry just because of their Act 1949, which guarantees the rights of individuals to gender, and the state should not bar a religious body get married in a place of their choosing where they live that wishes to do so from conducting same-sex marriages. or where they have a residence, and that many religious Will she also look, however, at providing in England institutions—particularly those with relatively small legally binding humanist weddings, which work so congregations—will be forced against their will to host successfully in Scotland? marriages. Maria Miller: That is a detail I am happy to look at. It is not part of our proposals today, but, in the spirit of Maria Miller: My hon. Friend must look at the collaboration, I will be happy to talk to my hon. Friend quadruple lock I have announced today for the reassurance about it. he seeks. Under that, there is no way a religious institution or individual would be forced to do what he says. I have Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): I already acknowledged the particular situation of the have listened to the Minister’s remarks on the legal Church of England, which is why we have taken specific robustness of this possible change in legislation and measures to protect it. redefinition of marriage, but I am somewhat sceptical. Why has she not made public the Attorney-General’s Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): I would specific advice on this matter? like to reassure the House that, as an unmarried heterosexual woman, if these measures go through I will certainly Maria Miller: As I am sure my hon. Friend knows, consider the institution. The heart of the matter, however, any advice the Government receive is privileged information. is whether it will be possible to allow same-sex marriages, I have set out the Government’s legal position, which is whether civil or religious, and still protect those religious straightforward and clear, and I hope it will provide my organisations that do not wish to participate. What can hon. Friend with the reassurance he seeks. the Minister do to reassure Members who might be sceptical that that will be possible? Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the Minister, the shadow Minister and all colleagues. Some 62 Back Benchers Maria Miller: I believe that we can provide local were able to contribute in 60 minutes of Back-Bench reassurance through the law, and I have already outlined time. That shows what we can do when we put our the European situation. By working together with religious minds to it. I warmly thank the Minister of State for her organisations, we can build confidence in what we are statement. 177 11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 178

Northern Ireland in violence should be in no doubt of the determination of the Chief Constable and the PSNI to apply the full force of the law—those engaged in violence should be 1.55 pm well aware of that fact. I have also discussed with the The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa Chief Constable the threats to elected politicians. Again, Villiers): With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to I am in no doubt as to the extreme seriousness Matt make a statement about recent events in Northern Baggott, like the rest of us, attaches to those unacceptable Ireland. threats. I assure the House that the PSNI is doing all it Over the past week a series of protests has taken place can to enable elected politicians to carry out their duties relating to the decision taken by Belfast city council on and serve their constituents. the flying of the Union flag. A number of these have For our part, the UK Government will continue to witnessed violence, rioting and attacks on police officers. give their fullest backing to the PSNI. That is why, in Yesterday evening, a masked gang threw a petrol bomb the face of the deteriorating security situation we inherited, inside an unmarked police car; a young policewoman the Government secured an exceptional additional narrowly escaped very serious injury. That is now being £200 million from the Treasury reserve. We will continue treated by police as attempted murder. to do all we can to assist the Chief Constable in keeping As I made clear in the House last Wednesday, there the people of Northern Ireland safe and secure, whether can be absolutely no excuse or justification for this kind from so-called dissidents or from those responsible for of thuggish and lawless behaviour. It is despicable. We this week’s events. condemn it unreservedly, and it must stop immediately. Yet responsibility for solving the underlying issues I welcome the motion passed unanimously yesterday in that have led to the violence does not rest solely with the the Northern Ireland Assembly, which unequivocally police or with the UK Government, and it is right that condemned local politicians in Northern Ireland take the lead in “rioting and the campaign of intimidation, harassment and violent trying to reach agreement on a way forward. In tackling attacks on elected representatives” these issues, I believe that everybody has a responsibility and reaffirmed to consider very carefully the impact of their words and deeds on wider community relations. “the absolute and unconditional commitment of all its Members to respecting and upholding the rule of law and the pursuit of Once again, the trouble we have seen in Belfast and their political objectives by purely legal and political means”. elsewhere underlines the urgent necessity of working Let us be very clear: no one can be in any doubt towards a genuinely shared future for all the people of about the Government’s support for the Union and its Northern Ireland. We have made it clear that where the flag, but the people engaged in the kind of violence we Executive take the difficult decisions needed to deliver have seen in the past few days are not defending the that, they will have the Government’s full backing. It Union flag. There is nothing remotely British about would be a huge lost opportunity if Northern Ireland what they are doing. They are dishonouring and shaming politics were to continue to be defined by questions of the flag of our country through their lawless and violent identity. There is a pressing need to focus on the wider activities. They discredit the cause that they claim to issues of the economy, jobs and delivery. support. They are also doing untold damage to hard-pressed The scenes of the past few days have been deplorable, traders in the run-up to Christmas, and they undermine but we should not let them detract from the positive progress those who are working tirelessly to promote Northern that Northern Ireland has made in recent years. That Ireland to bring about investment, jobs and prosperity. was highlighted last Friday by the visit to Belfast of US In addition to outbreaks of violence, appalling threats Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. She rightly pointed have been made against elected politicians, including a to the many difficult decisions taken by local politicians death threat to the hon. Member for Belfast East (Naomi and the leadership they have shown in bringing us to Long). I know that the whole House will join me in where we are today. I am sure that those politicians will expressing our complete solidarity with the hon. Lady not allow the achievements that have been made to be and her colleagues in the Alliance party and all the undermined by lawless violence of the kind we have people who have been threatened and intimidated over seen over the past week. I am also sure that this House the last week by this disgraceful conduct. The right of will remain united in support of their efforts to move elected representatives to go about their daily business the peace process further forwards towards a genuinely without the threat or fear of intimidation is one of the shared future for all in Northern Ireland. hallmarks of our democracy, and these threats are nothing less than an attack on democracy in this country. 2.2 pm Throughout this crisis, I have stayed in close contact Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): I thank the Secretary with the Chief Constable for Northern Ireland. Some of State for coming to the House to make this statement 32 police officers have been injured in the line of duty and for advance sight of it. Let me say why I, and the during the last week, and I want to take this opportunity Opposition, called on her to do so. There have been to pay the warmest of tributes to the brave men and eight consecutive nights of violence in Northern Ireland. women of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, who A Member of this House has had her life disgracefully once again find themselves in the front line in countering threatened, and her Alliance party has seen its and tackling violence, and once again they have shown representatives intimidated and subjected to violence, themselves to be fearless guardians of the rule of law and its property attacked. whenever, and from wherever, it comes under attack. I Violence against the police has escalated, to the extent received a further update from the Chief Constable this that an attempt was made to murder a female officer morning. He informed me that about 38 people have last night by breaking the window of a police car and now been charged in relation to this disorder. Those engaged throwing a petrol bomb inside while she was still in the 179 Northern Ireland11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 180 vehicle. Dozens of officers have been injured after coming House of Commons and said that. Northern Ireland under sustained attack over the course of the week. A matters; it is important. I hope that we see this awful few days before, another murderous attack on the police violence ended and that we can look forward to a 2013 was narrowly avoided only when a vehicle carrying a in which Northern Ireland is showcased on the world rocket was apprehended in Derry. It cannot go on, and stage as the great place it truly is. Westminster’s voice must also be heard. This violence would not be tolerated in London, Cardiff or Edinburgh, Mrs Villiers: I thank the shadow Secretary of State and it should not be tolerated in Belfast. A clear and for the measured tone of his response. Like him, I strong message must be sent from this place today that believe that violence of the sort we have seen over the says this violence is wrong, unacceptable and without past week is unacceptable in Northern Ireland, just as it justification. would be unacceptable anywhere else in the United May I join the Secretary of State in once again Kingdom. In particular, I fully agree with him that paying tribute to the Police Service of Northern Ireland these attacks on the police are absolutely despicable and for its dedication and bravery? I spoke earlier to the should not be tolerated. Justice Minister, whom I also met a few days ago in The hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the arrests Belfast. What discussions has the Secretary of State had recently made in Londonderry in relation to an explosively with him and the Chief Constable about resources and formed projectile device. They were very significant the police’s capacity to deal with this disorder, and the arrests and Northern Ireland is a safer place as a result continuing national security threat? Will she update the of their having taken place. He asked about my contacts House on what her latest security assessment is? with the Justice Minister. I believe I have spoken three The homes of public representatives have been vandalised times to the Justice Minister since these events started and attacked. Local councillors, who are doing their to unfold. I have also spoken to Deputy Chief Constable best on behalf of the communities they serve, and their Judith Gillespie and spoken three times to the Chief families have seen their homes targeted and vandalised. Constable to make sure that I am fully aware of their I am sure I speak for the whole House when I say that concerns. I know that the Justice Minister continues to whether we are talking about a Democratic Unionist work extremely hard to ensure that the police have all party councillor in Dungannon, two Alliance councillors the resources they need, and the UK Government are and their family in Bangor, or the husband of a Sinn entirely supportive of him in his efforts to do that. Fein councillor in Armagh, such violence is wrong and The shadow Secretary of State asked for an update must stop. I stand shoulder to shoulder with public on the general security situation. The threat level from representatives in Northern Ireland, for democracy and dissident terrorism remains at “severe”, meaning that against violence. When a Member of Parliament is an attack is highly likely. The PSNI continues to focus threatened and attacked, I view it as a threat to and strongly not only on these disturbances, but on all attack on all of us and everything we stand for. activities undertaken by paramilitaries and all terrorist Will the Secretary of State tell me what assessment activities in Northern Ireland. He particularly asked me she has made of the involvement of loyalist paramilitaries about the investigation of loyalist paramilitary involvement in the rioting? Does she view their actions as a threat to in the disturbances, and I was discussing that with the national security? What discussions has she had with Chief Constable this morning. It appears that some the Prime Minister about this? Has he discussed the loyalist paramilitaries attended some of these events. ongoing violence with the First Minister and Deputy There does not appear to be evidence of organised First Minister, or the Justice Minister? orchestration by paramilitary groups, but I am sure that I know there are underlying issues and I am realistic the PSNI will be reviewing this carefully and will continue about the challenges we face. I have been with Unionist to investigate it as part of its wider investigation, which and loyalist political representatives to visit areas in is extremely serious in relation not just to the disorder, Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland, and I want but to the disgraceful threats received by elected to say this: hon. Members and others from Northern representatives. Ireland are doing a really difficult job in these circumstances The shadow Secretary of State asked me whether I in these communities. I do not doubt their sincerity, have discussed this matter with the Prime Minister. I integrity or hard work. They are dealing with frustration have been keeping the Prime Minister fully informed on and anger, and they need support in helping to channel this; a copy of my statement was sent to him, I discussed that away from violence and towards politics. I will do this matter with his chief of staff this morning and he is what I can to help, and I make that offer in republican following events very closely. The shadow Secretary of and nationalist communities, too. But violence is never State also asked about my contact with Northern Ireland justified and it is wrong. It is damaging those communities politicians. I spoke this morning to the First Minister and until it stops we cannot even begin to discuss or do about this situation specifically, and I have had a whole anything about the longer-term issues that need to be series of meetings; pretty much every discussion I have resolved. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with Northern Ireland politicians since being appointed had with political representatives about supporting work Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has focused on in these communities? Will she consider bringing political building a shared future and dealing with sectarianism, leaders together to see what can be done and what because that is one of the crucial challenges we face as a support the UK Government can give to any initiatives nation, in the United Kingdom in general and in Northern in these areas? Ireland in particular. I care deeply about Northern Ireland and its people, The shadow Secretary of State was right to focus on and I know the Secretary of State and all other hon. and express concern about frustration and anger. It is Members do, too. I think it was exceptionally important essential that that frustration is channelled only into today that we came together as the United Kingdom legitimate protest and into the political process as well. 181 Northern Ireland11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 182

[Mrs Villiers] of national security, but whether or not one applies that in this case, it is unacceptable for these attacks and The history of Northern Ireland shows what incredible threats to take place. progress can be made once people abandon violence With reference to the Prime Minister and the Justice and promote the peaceful and democratic resolution of Minister, as Northern Ireland Secretary I remain happy differences across the community. to meet the Justice Minister whenever he would like, and I am happy to pass on again his request to the Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): As a Prime Minister for a direct meeting with him. I have Unionist who believes that the Union flag should fly every sympathy with the hon. Lady’s call for generous over every public building in the United Kingdom, may leadership. Again, the successes of the past 20 years I join the Secretary of State in condemning the violence demonstrate that generous leadership and being prepared that we have seen in the Province? I join her also in to compromise can lead to tremendous benefits right paying tribute to the members of the PSNI and in across the community, and I have every confidence that sending our sympathies to those who have been injured. the political leadership in Northern Ireland is capable I pay great tribute to the hon. Member for Belfast East of that form of generous leadership on flags, as it has (Naomi Long), who has shown great courage and been on so many other issues. determination at this time. She is a very valuable member of the Select Committee—a Committee that is working Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): May I reiterate my hard to try to help improve the economy of Northern support and admiration for the brave men and women Ireland. Does the Secretary of State agree that nothing of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and condemn could do more to undermine those efforts than the the mindless thugs who are betraying the name of violence that we are currently seeing on our television Unionism, which I support? Does the Secretary of State screens every day? agree that every brick and petrol bomb that is thrown damages inward investment, job creation and tourism Mrs Villiers: I thank my hon. Friend for giving me in Northern Ireland? another opportunity to express my concern and sympathy for the hon. Member for Belfast East and all the others Mrs Villiers: Yes, I agree that significant economic who have found themselves in a similar position, not damage is being done as a result of these riots, which is least Sammy Brush, the DUP councillor. another reason why it is urgent that they cease. I completely agree with my hon. Friend, the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. This is Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): Does the Secretary of absolutely the last thing Northern Ireland needs. At a State agree that although the priority must be to end the time when so much effort is going into reviving the appalling violence, the Alliance party genuinely tried to private sector in Northern Ireland and boosting its find a compromise on a very difficult issue? Does she economy, to promote inward investment and to promote accept that it is important for her, as the United Kingdom Northern Ireland as a great place to live, to work and to Secretary of State not only to talk to the political leaders invest, it is hugely damaging to see scenes of riot and in Northern Ireland—that is vital—but to engage in disorder on our TV screens. That is another reason why conversation with leaders of local government in Northern it is imperative that no matter how strongly people feel Ireland, to try to stop the violence happening elsewhere? about flags, they express themselves only through democratic means and never by violence and disorder. Mrs Villiers: I agree that it is very important for me and for my Minister of State to engage with local Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): I thank the government on these and other issues, and with the wider Secretary of State for her statement, and I join her in community as well. It is essential that councillors from condemning last night’s wanton and gratuitous attempt Belfast city council are able to take decisions on issues to murder police officers who were guarding my such as flags without being intimidated, and without constituency office and for whom I have the utmost having a riot outside their door. It was a disgraceful admiration and respect. That attack is no different from start to a sad series of events that a council was prevented previous murder attempts by dissident republicans against from taking a vote on the issue. It is down to the council the security services. to take its own decisions on these matters. Can the Secretary of State therefore confirm that this violence is being treated as a matter of national security, Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): I wholeheartedly and advise when the Prime Minister will meet the support the Secretary of State’s statement today and Northern Ireland Justice Minister to discuss the security endorse, from my own perspective and that of my party, situation in Northern Ireland, as has been requested? the dignity with which the hon. Member for Belfast Finally, does she agree that if we are to have a shared East (Naomi Long) has dealt with the very challenging future capable of dealing with emotive and charged scenarios of the past 10 days for her and for the Alliance issues such as the flying of flags, it will require strong, party that she represents. I represent a constituency courageous and above all generous leadership, willing whose Member of Parliament, Ian Gow, was murdered to give a little of their own position in order to gain the many years ago by the IRA. He is still fondly remembered greater prize for the whole community? across the whole party political spectrum in Eastbourne. I seek reassurance from the Secretary of State—it is Mrs Villiers: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her particularly relevant to what the hon. Member for question. However one chooses to label these attacks, Belfast East and some other politicians have been going whether one calls them terrorism or criminal activities, through—that both the UK Government and the devolved they are utterly unacceptable. There is a technical definition Government will work closely together to ensure that 183 Northern Ireland11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 184 elected politicians in the north of Ireland continuously causing the chaos? If she agrees, does she think that the and continually have the appropriate levels of security Deputy Prime Minister’s threat to block the draft for their protection? Communications Data Bill will help or hinder those who have to keep order in such circumstances? Mrs Villiers: Yes, I can certainly give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. Mrs Villiers: The right hon. Gentleman, who is a former Minister, will appreciate that, regardless of what Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): At the happens to the proposed Bill, there are already opportunities outset, on behalf of my right hon. and hon. Friends, I for the police to look at social media: they can do that in unreservedly condemn those who have engaged in violence a public way, as everyone else does. I can assure him that on our streets and assure those injured or affected by the PSNI is carefully monitoring social media within such violence, including the police, of our support. I the parameters of what it is allowed to do by law. also unreservedly condemn any threat against the hon. Member for Belfast East (Naomi Long) and her colleagues. Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): I agree entirely I certainly know what that is like because the IRA tried with the Secretary of State’s claim that this is nothing not only to attack my property, but to assassinate me less than a fundamental attack on democracy. Part of and my complete family because I wanted to hold to the being a democracy is accepting that sometimes we do Union flag. However, does the Secretary of State agree not get what we want. Opposition Members know that that it is not right to demonise those who wish to very well, as every day of the week we have to accept protest peacefully against a decision to remove the things we do not like, and the same was true for Government Union flag from Belfast city council? That flag is the Members when they were in opposition. Can we be very very core of the Unionist identity and many people of clear, on behalf of everyone in this House, that there is Northern Ireland died in order to keep it aloft in our no way that the people leading the riots will succeed and Province. Can the Secretary of State therefore assure that we will support the people in Belfast in carrying me that the PSNI has every resource that it needs to out their democratic mandate in what they have agreed maintain law and order and to facilitate peaceful protest? to do properly? Mrs Villiers: I very much welcome the hon. Gentleman’s Mrs Villiers: I welcome that firm statement, which I forthright condemnation of what has gone on. Clearly, am sure that everyone will endorse. Such decisions need he has a special perspective on this, having himself been to be taken on the basis of democracy and consent, and a victim of such terrible threats in the past. It is a indeed decisions on matters as sensitive as flags need to fundamental part of our democracy that people have be taken after calm reflection. It is important that a real the right to protest peacefully. That cannot, of course, effort is made to take into account the concerns of justify the terrible scenes that we have seen on our people right across the community. There is a way television screens over the past week. forward. Northern Ireland has demonstrated that it can Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con): Everyone in the House resolve seemingly intractable problems that have divided will have seen how communities across the United people for 800 years, so I am sure that they can find a Kingdom have fought hard over the past few years to sensible way forward on flags as well. reclaim the Union flag as an identity for everyone who lives in this country—something that we saw so splendidly Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I thank this summer in the jubilee and the Olympics. Is my right the Secretary of State for her statement. In condemning hon. Friend not frustrated that in this year when the the levels of unrest on the streets of Belfast and the flag really did become a symbol for everyone who lives assault on democracy and on our hon. Friend the in this country, no matter from what background they Member for Belfast East (Naomi Long) and others come, it is being so abused at present? across Northern Ireland over the past few days, does she agree that parties that agreed to designated days for Mrs Villiers: It is a concern that we see our Union flying the Union flag at Stormont should not have flag being abused. Like my hon. Friend, I shared the joy exaggerated the significance of having the same policy that I think everyone felt with fantastically successful at Belfast city hall and that the consequences of such events this year, such as the Queen’s jubilee and the agitation, including the distribution of inappropriate Olympics, where the Union flag played such a wonderful literature door to door in east Belfast, have contributed central role and such a positive one. That is another considerably to the unrest on the streets? reason why those who persist in that course of conduct should stop immediately and confine their activities to Mrs Villiers: As I have said, the important approach peaceful participation in the democratic process, rather is to recognise that those decisions are very sensitive than seeking to hold people to ransom by rioting and and that different people in Northern Ireland view flags threatening them. in completely different ways. I think that the guiding principle should always be that those decisions should Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): I, be taken with care and thought after dialogue and with too, offer my full support to my hon. Friend the Member a mind on the impact on community relations and an for Belfast East (Naomi Long). The Secretary of State understanding of their impact on people who have referred to her conversations with the Chief Constable different views right across the community. of the PSNI, who has indicated that the violence has been stoked up by individuals using social media. Does she Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): Does the Secretary of agree that in order to identify those responsible it is State accept that for many hard-working, decent, pro-Union essential that the police, with proper authorisation, can people there is a feeling that a shared future sometimes access relevant details of the communications of those looks like a dripping away of their British identity? 185 Northern Ireland11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 186

[Kate Hoey] the people on the ground, not the politicians, feel deeply threatened by the turmoil that goes on at street level Does she accept that the Taoiseach and the Irish about identity, which leads to continued violence by Government continually stand up for the nationalist IRA paramilitaries and the clear ability in loyalist community and their idea of a united Ireland? Will she, communities to round up people on the streets and as Secretary of State, stand up more for the pro-Union create violence. I urge the Secretary of State, apart from community and the fact that this is the United Kingdom, helping me get to the truth about the McGurk’s bar and will she help by condemning the fact that a children’s bombing, to get on the ground, talk to people and stop playground has been named after an IRA gunman? lecturing them from above.

Mrs Villiers: It is my job, as Northern Ireland Secretary, Mrs Villiers: I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I to stand up for all the people in Northern Ireland. I say and the Minister of State do talk with people on the to the hon. Lady what I have said many times: this ground about these matters—it is a crucial part of being Government are not neutral on the Union, and neither effective in our roles. With regard to the matter of am I. I am very supportive of the Union and Northern identity, the important thing is to remember that one of Ireland’s place within it. She invites me to get involved the fundamental principles of the Belfast agreement in the dispute about the naming of a playground. It is was the need to recognise that people in Northern for the council involved to take that decision. I repeat Ireland view their identities differently. The agreement what I have already said: it is very important that recognised the ability of individuals in Northern Ireland decisions on sensitive matters, whether playgrounds or to define themselves as British or Irish, and indeed flags, are taken in a measured way with appropriate some may choose to define themselves simply as Northern attention to community relations and the consequences Irish. The politics of identity is fluid and changing, but of those decisions on the wider community, including a key part of the Belfast agreement was recognition of on people whose views are very different from those of an individual’s right to define their identity in whatever the people taking the decisions. way they choose. Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): If I am reading the Secretary of State correctly, I agree that it is completely Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) insensitive and foolish for people to think that they can (Lab): I want to add my voice to those that have name play-parks after murderers and terrorists and expressed solidarity with the hon. Member for Belfast remove the national flag from Northern Ireland, or East (Naomi Long) and with those brave public servants reduce its flying, and think that there will be no who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. consequences whatsoever. Sadly, we have seen that identity Will the Secretary of State provide some reassurance and the struggle for identity have consequences, and I about discussions she might have had with the Justice condemn the violent consequences that have occurred. Minister in Northern Ireland and the Chief Constable In giving meaning to the words in her statement, that on the violence and whether they have all the resources nobody can be in any doubt about the Government’s needed to deal with it? support for the Union and its flag, will she go to Northern Ireland at her earliest convenience and reiterate Mrs Villiers: I have discussed both matters with the again and again the view that Ulster’s Britishness is not Justice Minister and the Chief Constable on a number diminished whatsoever? of occasions over the past few months. The Chief Constable is on record as indicating previously that he Mrs Villiers: As I have said, I have repeated on many has the resources necessary to police Northern Ireland, occasions the Government’s support for the Union and and that is in no small part because of the £200 million for Northern Ireland’s place within it. The question of that this Government allocated from the Treasury reserve Northern Ireland’s future is settled on the principles of to the PSNI to support its efforts to keep people in the Belfast agreement; it will only ever be decided by Northern Ireland safe and secure and to combat the democracy and by consent. When it comes to the politics terrorist threat. The Chief Constable has not raised of identity, I think that it is very important that when resourcing with me, but I am always open to conversations decisions are taken, whether on flags or other issues, the about that. Indeed, I am working with him on what will very different traditions, perspectives and perceptions happen once the four-year period of the £200 million of identity in Northern Ireland are taken into account, that has already been allocated expires and on what but I will never be in doubt about my support for the future arrangements might be made. Union or about the UK Government’s support for it. On conversations with David Ford, I am always Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): happy to listen to his concerns, and if he feels that I fear that in many of these replies to the questions on further resource issues need to be addressed, I am the statement the idea of identity in Northern Ireland is happy to discuss them with him. being treated as somehow a theoretical construct. Last Thursday, when you, Mr Speaker, assisted by calling me Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): I commend the Secretary to speak on the 41st anniversary of the McGurk’s bar of State for her statement and join her in offering support bombing, what was revealed to me was that the people to my colleague, the hon. Member for Belfast East who had researched a book on the bombing and come (Naomi Long), to all her party colleagues who have here to launch it are deeply locked in the past. Clearly endured attack, and to representatives of Sinn Fein and those people from west Belfast still feel a deep bitterness the DUP who have endured attack. That empathy comes towards the United Kingdom and the involvement of from a party that has suffered attack from loyalists and its armed forces in their community. Similarly, in my republicans. Does the Secretary of State agree that no work in the peace process over there, I have found that national flag, whether the Union flag or the tricolour, 187 Northern Ireland11 DECEMBER 2012 Northern Ireland 188 should be used or abused as a visual aid to sectarianism further and faster in addressing the sectarian barriers or as a partisan prop in the way that has happened all and moving towards a genuinely shared, cohesive and too often in the past? integrated society. Does the Secretary of State recognise that in circumstances Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- where Northern Ireland will be moving towards having op): I, too, express solidarity with the hon. Member for 11 new councils under a carve-up determined by Sinn Belfast East (Naomi Long) on the difficult issues that Fein and the DUP, there is a danger that the whole issue she is facing. of flags being determined at council level will be played The Secretary of State said that the Chief Constable out in those new council chambers in a very difficult and had not asked for additional resources, but I understand dangerous way? Does she further recognise that there that Terry Spence, the chair of the Police Federation for needs to be real dialogue among all parties about how Northern Ireland, has called for 1,000 extra officers in we handle and manage that situation, in relation not the PSNI to help deal with the possibility of further only to flags but to the sensitive issue of the naming of terrorist threats. Given the recent events, does the Secretary public amenities run by councils, including play spaces, of State intend to pursue that, particularly with the which in my view should be neutral and apolitical? Treasury in light of the additional resources that have been supplied previously? Mrs Villiers: Given the sensitivity of issues relating to Mrs Villiers: As I said, I am working directly with the national flags, yes, one does need to be cautious in Chief Constable on what will happen in the period after terms of how the flag is approached in political debate. the current additional four-year spending uplift of Certainly, any kind of inflammatory approach to these £200 million comes to an end. I am also working with issues is not helpful. The key lies in dialogue and him and others on the preparations for the G8 summit learning from past successes in the peace process where to ensure that the PSNI have all the appropriate resources. many more intractable issues have been resolved and So yes, this is something that I keep a very close eye on. compromises have been found. There is a real opportunity It is always difficult in these times when we need to deal for the political parties, working together, to find a with the deficit, but we are determined to ensure that resolution on this. I welcome last night’s statements the PSNI have all the support they need to keep Northern from the DUP and the Ulster Unionist party that they Ireland safe and secure. want to start such a dialogue. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the Secretary of State for her statement. In the early hours of Saturday Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): I, too, express morning, the Alliance councillor in my constituency solidarity with the hon. Member for Belfast East (Naomi had her home attacked. I visited her, first, to give her Long), who has shown great courage and dignity in the support, but also because she is a personal friend. I have light of the attacks that she has suffered, and with all worked with her on many constituency issues for the our colleagues from Northern Ireland—our valued betterment of the whole community. She had the living colleagues in this place—who operate in a political room windows, porch windows and bedroom windows environment in the north of Ireland which perhaps smashed in her home, which she has lived in for 24 years, some of us can never fully understand. What is the and her car windows broken as well, in what can be Secretary of State going to do to make sure that this described as a cowardly and shameful attack. This dialogue between the political parties takes place? It is single lady, who lives on her own, said to me that it will all very well for us here in this House to express our cost some £5,000 for her windows to be fixed and had condemnations of violence, but what needs to be done some concern about how that was going to happen as on the ground is to ensure that the political parties Christmas approaches. What steps can the Secretary of agree that they will operate with statesmanship and not State take to ensure that the £5,000 is made available for just through rhetoric. the replacement of her windows and, indeed, that there is help for everyone else who has had cars burned, windows smashed and houses damaged? Mrs Villiers: I am very happy to engage in whatever way would be found helpful by the Northern Ireland Mrs Villiers: I thank the hon. Gentleman for drawing parties. I echo the hon. Gentleman’s praise for hon. the House’s attention to yet another very sad case. I am Members from Northern Ireland and the tremendous particularly concerned about the number of women work that they do for all their constituents. Matters who have been targeted as a result of these threats—not relating to the flag raise difficult issues. This is an only the hon. Member for Belfast East (Naomi Long) opportunity for me, and indeed for the whole House, but a number of her Alliance local councillor colleagues. again to endorse the need to address sectarian barriers. That is of course a matter of very grave concern, There is very good work going on by the Northern particularly at a time when everyone says that we need Ireland Executive on things such as shared education—for to attract more women into politics. Few things would example, getting schools working together so that children provide more of a deterrent to entering politics than the have an experience of being educated alongside those idea that one’s front windows are going to be smashed from other faiths. A lot of work has gone into the and one is going to be intimidated. As I said, the PSNI Executive’s cohesion, sharing and integration strategy. are very focused on protecting those who are subject to There is the will to make the change. The Northern these threats. It is difficult for me to comment on Ireland parties have delivered phenomenal success in individual cases, but I am happy to discuss this one on a changing in the past, and it is now time to press ahead bilateral basis with the hon. Gentleman. 189 Northern Ireland 11 DECEMBER 2012 190

BILL PRESENTED Planning Applications (Community Right of Appeal) ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND REDUCTION IN ENERGY COSTS BILL Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) No. 23) Dr Alan Whitehead, supported by Mr Tim Yeo, John Hemming, Caroline Lucas, Martin Horwood, Sir Peter 2.37 pm Bottomley, Martin Caton and Joan Walley, presented a Chris Skidmore (Kingswood) (Con): I beg to move, Bill to promote energy efficiency and a reduction in energy costs; and for connected purposes. That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide that communities may appeal against planning decisions on collection of the signatures Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on of a required percentage of the electorate in the relevant ward Friday 18 January 2013, and to be printed (Bill 105). within a designated time period; and for connected purposes. I should inform the House of my own personal interests with regard to this Bill. Ever since I became the Conservative candidate for Kingswood, which lies principally on green-belt land between Bristol and Bath, I have campaigned with local community groups to protect green-belt land from the threat of over-development. The previous Government had the top-down regional spatial strategy under which over 10,000 houses were planned in that area. Local community organisations such as the fantastic Save Our Green Spaces group, which represents Oldland Common, Warmley and Siston, and Hanham District Greenbelt Conservation Society, worked tremendously hard on collecting signatures for petitions and letters opposing the regional spatial strategy, which thankfully this Government have removed. They have introduced the national planning policy framework, which has provided specific protection for green-belt land, and that is incredibly welcome. We were able to defeat planning applications from developers to build on green-belt land because South Gloucestershire council was on our side—it has now introduced its core strategy to protect green-belt land in Kingswood—but under the previous Government, each time the applications were defeated, the developer was allowed to appeal, and appeal again, gradually eroding local people’s faith in the whole planning process. Other applications have been made on non-green-belt land since 2010. Local residents have fought such applications for nearly a decade, particularly one by Tesco to build a large supermarket in Hanham. Local residents opposed the application for 10 years and every time they managed to defeat it, with the council’s support, Tesco would simply come back, appeal the decision and put in another application. This seems to be a David and Goliath-type situation in which the developers are Goliath and the residents are David. When the residents lose an application, as they did a couple of months ago when Tesco won over the council, which was afraid of the legal costs—I think that played a big part in its decision to allow the application to go through—do they have a right of appeal? No, they do not. The planning process remains dangerously unequal. We have taken away David’s sling, so he cannot even try to bring down the monster. This Bill would address that problem. To restore confidence in the planning system, we need to have in place a right of appeal for residents when an application goes through and the developer wins. I do not intend this proposal to be another piece of red tape, which is why I have suggested that it should involve certain percentages. For example, 50% of those registered on the electoral roll in the local authority ward would have to sign a petition within a designated time period of one 191 Planning Applications (Community 11 DECEMBER 2012 192 Right of Appeal) month—two months at most—to trigger an appeal to The Economy the Planning Inspectorate or even the Secretary of State. 2.45 pm That would be vital. I am sure Members will recognise that every single constituency has constituents who The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Danny Alexander): fight planning applications based on the claim that they I beg to move, represent the views of the silent majority. No one likes That this House has considered the matter of the economy. to be called a nimby—not in my back yard—but, for I am pleased that this House has the opportunity to want of a better word, that is what the press call them. discuss the economic challenges that our country faces. How do we define whether someone is a genuine nimby The statement delivered by the Chancellor last week who simply does not want a development to take place? was a statement for the world as it is, not a statement I am pro-development and keen to have thousands of about the world as we had hoped it would be, but in it houses built in south Gloucestershire on non-green-belt we took the tough but fair decisions needed to fix the land, which has been agreed in the core strategy, but a mess that we inherited, by bringing the deficit down, persistent minority will claim that they have majority maintaining our international credibility and creating a support and will continue to do so even once an application platform for jobs and growth. has gone through. If we introduce the appeal mechanism, We ensured that the burden was fairly shared, asking it would ensure not only democratic accountability, but those who have the most to contribute the most, bringing shut up those people who claim that they have support. the cost of our welfare system under control and further If they cannot get 50% of the electorate to subscribe to squeezing Whitehall bureaucracy. We also addressed a petition within a month, they will lose their case to issues to make life easier through these tough times by claim that they represent the majority. cutting income tax and fuel duty and putting more This Bill would help to restore confidence in the money back into the pockets of working families. planning system and to create a symmetric planning That is why the autumn statement has been welcomed system. The Conservative party’s “Open Source Planning” widely by the CBI, the British Retail Consortium, the Green Paper discussed introducing something similar in Institute of Directors, the British Chambers of Commerce, February 2010. The Government have yet to do so, but the Federation of Small Businesses, the Engineering I hope that the Under-Secretary of State for Communities Employers Federation and many others that have the and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member best interests of the British economy at heart. We for Grantham and Stamford (Nick Boles), who is listening inherited a mess, but we are clearing it up and building a and who kindly came to Kingswood to meet community stronger economy and a fairer society so that every groups—their members spoke of their frustration at the person in Britain is able to get on in life. lack of accountability and lack of the right of appeal As the Chancellor made clear last week, the road to for local residents—will take this on board and that it recovery is longer than we had hoped, but this Government will end up as a future programme. are committed to finishing the job and strengthening This is ultimately a question of fairness. The fact is the British economy. Despite the mess we inherited and that we allow developers to appeal planning decisions despite the headwinds from the eurozone and the impact and they often have big pockets and barristers on their of the banking crisis, we are making progress. The side, but where are we for the little man? We need to deficit has been cut by a quarter and, as the shadow stand up for residents who are genuinely concerned Chancellor himself rightly observed last week, the deficit about planning applications that will blight their local is falling in each and every year of the forecast. More areas for generations. It is not good enough to say, “The than 1 million private sector jobs have been created and council passed it and it is democratically elected, so you nearly 1 million young people have started apprenticeships, can vote them out in five years’ time.” The councillors and exports of goods to major emerging markets have may well be voted out, but the community as a whole doubled since 2009. will have to live with their decisions for generations to come. A community right of appeal would restore the Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Two years ago I sat local population’s confidence in a planning system that on the National Insurance Contributions Bill Committee, will allow them to become democratically engaged, so I which considered the national insurance contributions recommend this Bill to the House. holiday. The Government then promised that some Question put and agreed to. 400,000 employers would take up that scheme, but we were told by the Exchequer Secretary in a parliamentary Ordered, answer today that only 20,000 have done so. If the Chief That Chris Skidmore present the Bill. Secretary is not even good enough at forecasting the Chris Skidmore accordingly presented the Bill. development of his own schemes, how can we trust his Bill read the First time; to be read the Second time on forecasts for the economy? Friday 1 March, and to be printed (Bill 106). Danny Alexander: The right hon. Gentleman is right that take-up of that scheme has been much lower than we had expected. I think, therefore, that he would welcome the additional measures that we have taken in the autumn statement to support small businesses by, for example, continuing the small business rates relief holiday for another 12 months. The additional increases in capital allowances, which are particularly directed towards small and medium-sized enterprises, are precisely designed to encourage small businesses to invest. 193 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 194

Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): Will the for jobs and growth, he needs another five years. He still Minister give way? does not have a plan for jobs and growth, so it will always be five years. Danny Alexander: I want to make some progress first. I know that many Members want to speak and there is already a time limit on speeches. Danny Alexander: No, I do not agree with the hon. The forecasts are those of the independent Office for Lady’s analysis. Budget Responsibility, and I do not think that the There are still savings to be made in day-to-day Labour party’s trend of attacking it is welcome. administration costs. I am confident that the civil service can continue to produce more for less and provide Gavin Shuker: Will the Minister confirm that, under excellent value for money to the public. any measure, this Conservative-led Government will borrow more in the five years of this Parliament than The welfare system makes up more than £200 billion Labour did in 13 years? of public spending and cannot be immune from the effort to deal with the deficit. As a result of the financial Danny Alexander: It is transparent from the figures pressures that we are facing, we have had to take the presented by the Office for Budget Responsibility that difficult decision that we can uprate working-age benefits borrowing is higher than it forecast in 2010. If the hon. by only 1% in the coming three years. That figure Gentleman was being fair-minded, he would also draw the represents a rise each year, but it will be below the rate House’s attention to the analysis by the Institute for of inflation. It is not as high as some may have expected, Fiscal Studies, which suggests that if we had continued but it is what the country can afford. That is a tough with the path of spending set out by the previous choice, but an even-handed one, and it avoids some of Chancellor, we would be borrowing a further £200 billion the more punitive proposals that have been floated in —something that the country can ill afford. recent months. Most benefit claimants would love to work and are Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): The trying their best to find a job. However, we need to OBR, which is independent and gives interesting forecasts, recognise that in-work incomes have risen at half the has said that the unemployment count is likely to rise in rate of benefits since the financial crisis. Those who are each of the next four years. Will the right hon. Gentleman in work will be better off thanks to our income tax cuts. explain why that is? When we are increasing public sector pay by only 1%, it would simply not be fair to increase the benefits of Danny Alexander: The OBR has forecast that those who are out of work at a higher rate than those unemployment will be slightly higher next year and we employ to work for us. then fall in subsequent years. It also forecasts a rise in employment over that period. If the hon. Lady is looking Even while making those cuts, we have taken steps to for variances between reality and the OBR’s previous protect those who are most in need. That is why disability forecasts, it is fair to say that unemployment is now living allowance and other benefits specifically for the considerably lower than the OBR forecast a year ago. I most disabled and their carers will continue to increase hope that she welcomes that fact. in line with inflation. It is also why the basic state pension will increase by 2.5% next April, which is It is true that the OBR has lowered its growth forecasts higher than either earnings or prices, honouring our and that the recovery is slower than we would have commitment to the triple lock. The application of the liked, but we are on the right road and the announcements triple lock means that there will be a better rise in the that we made last week will help the country to make basic state pension than pensioners have seen before. further progress along it. I should add that the OBR Pensioners will see a cash increase of £2.70 a week in does not attribute the slower growth to the Government’s the basic state pension in 2013-14. fiscal policy, but to external pressures from the eurozone and other parts of the world, and to the long-term While we are protecting those in need, it is only right impact of the financial crisis, especially on our banking that we ask the most from those who earn the most. system. If the Labour party wants to accept the OBR’s That is why the higher rate threshold for personal figures, it also needs to accept its analysis. income tax will also be uprated by only 1% in 2014-15 As the House knows, savings had to be found and we and 2015-16. It is also why the annual allowance for have decided to reduce departmental resource budgets pensions tax relief will be reduced from £50,000 to by 1% next year and 2% the year after. We are confident £40,000, and the lifetime allowance from £1.5 million to that that will not impact heavily on front-line services. £1.25 million. That will raise more than £1 billion a year For example, according to the recently published “Digital by the end of the period and is something for which I, Efficiency Report”, if all Departments continued to for one, have argued for quite some time. The savings move their transactional services online and became from Whitehall, welfare and the wealthy, and the targeted digital by default, we could save £1.2 billion over the tax rises, are helping to cut the deficit in the medium next two years. If all Departments moved to the property term and to boost growth now. occupation benchmark of 10 square metres per person, Our capital spending plan will see £5 billion switched they could save a further £300 million each year. from current spending to investment in infrastructure, providing a better connected UK on roads, on rails and Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) online. We will provide £350 million for the regional (Lab): Does the right hon. Gentleman agree with the growth fund, enabling it to continue its success in following analysis? Two and a half years ago, he asked creating jobs throughout the country. We are rolling out for five years to balance the books, but without a plan rural broadband across the country and have announced 195 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 196

£50 million for the second wave of super-connected Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I cities across the UK from Portsmouth to Perth, via am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman. We will not Newport and Northern Ireland. have shouting across the Chamber and we will not have We have announced funding for a number of road wagging of fingers, even from a Whip. Have you finished, building and maintenance projects. We will be dualling Mr Jackson? the A30 in Cornwall—an improvement that has long been campaigned for, not least by my hon. Friend the Mr Jackson: I am sure that my right hon. Friend will Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson), who is in agree with my analysis of PFI. his place. I congratulate him on his efforts. We will also bring the A1 up to motorway standard all the way to Danny Alexander: My hon. Friend adds another item Newcastle. I have been made aware of the need to to the long list of items for which the people of this improve that road north of Newcastle, not least by my country deserve an apology from the Labour party. We right hon. Friend the Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed have had no such apology yet, but we live in hope. (Sir Alan Beith), and have asked my right hon. Friend Perhaps the shadow Chief Secretary will begin her the Secretary of State for Transport to work up plans speech with an apology for the many and various mistakes. for potential improvements north of Newcastle. [Interruption.] The capital projects will not only create jobs in the short term, but crucially will raise the quality of the country’s Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Let us try just once infrastructure and our growth potential in the medium more. By Whips, I mean Government Whips as well as term. Labour Members may be interested to know that Opposition Whips. Government Whips are not to shout during the previous Government’s time in office, we fell across the Chamber. Is that clear? from eighth to 33rd in the global league table for the quality of infrastructure. That is not good enough and Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham) (Con) indicated is why John Cridland of the CBI said last week that it is assent. “absolutely right to shift the focus from current to capital spending to boost jobs today and the UK’s competitiveness tomorrow.” Madam Deputy Speaker: Good. As colleagues will know, our plans will mean that as a share of the economy, the investment that the Government Danny Alexander: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. are putting forward in this Parliament is greater than I hope this debate will be conducted in a calm manner the average over Labour’s period in office. These investments, as befits the seriousness of the issues we are discussing. not just in roads, but in schools, colleges and flood defences, can only serve to help our businesses in the Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): Can future. the Chief Secretary to the Treasury tell the House of a single Tory or Liberal Democrat MP who objected to a Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): I am PFI hospital or school being built in their constituency pleased by the Chief Secretary’s recent conversion to under the Labour Government? investing in capital projects, such as building new schools. Now is perhaps an opportune time for him to apologise Danny Alexander: Not off the top of my head, but I to the schools in my constituency that had their Building dare say that hon. Members on the Government Benches Schools for the Future funding taken away. Can they can speak for themselves. I have, however, heard a expect it back? number of objections to the structure of PFI contracts. In fairness to the right hon. Gentleman, the PF2 model Danny Alexander: I have not had a recent conversion is not designed to abolish PFI and can play an important to capital expenditure. The hon. Gentleman will remember role in developing new projects. We want to strip away that in the spending review in 2010, we committed over some of the most egregious features such as facilities £2 billion a year more to capital expenditure than had management costs—a couple of years ago the Treasury been set out in the previous Government’s plans. In the was going to be charged several thousand pounds by autumn statement last year we added £5 billion and in the PFI holder for putting up a Christmas tree. That this year’s autumn statement we added another £5 billion issue was resolved but it is a small example of the for a range of projects. I hope that he will recognise that excessive costs involved. In Treasury questions earlier the Building Schools for the Future programme was today the Chancellor gave an example concerning the expensive and bureaucratic. The proposals that have cost of changing a light bulb in a hospital in Cumbria. been brought forward by the Department for Education I am sure that on reflection the right hon. Member are a better and more cost-effective way to meet at least for Holborn and St Pancras (Frank Dobson) would some of the needs in the school system in this country. agree that reforming PFI to strip out some unnecessary features such as facilities management costs and so on, Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): On the and having a simpler, clearer model in which the taxpayer subject of apologies, will my right hon. Friend invite can share in any gains, is a big improvement. I hope that Her Majesty’s loyal Opposition to apologise for the when he has looked at what is being proposed, he will debt millstone of the private finance initiative in the welcome it. national health service, which amounts to more than £63 billion? The right hon. Member for Morley and Mr Stewart Jackson: My right hon. Friend may wish Outwood (Ed Balls) is aware of that, because it was all to comment on the fact that another example of Labour about hiding the debt off balance sheet and ensuring prudence was spending £250 million on private contractors that our children struggle with it. [Interruption.] in the NHS for operations that were never carried out. 197 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 198

Danny Alexander: The Government are trying to amount of tax, day in, day out. Ensuring that people move to a system of payment by results. Too often the cannot avoid our tax system is a priority for the Government model of spending under the previous Government was so that the burden can be spread fairly. payment for absolutely no results—[Interruption.] I There has been a lot of recent interest in this area, will make some progress, despite the shouting from the particularly with regard to the tax payments of specific second row of the Opposition Benches. multinational companies. I will not comment on individual The Government know how important businesses are cases but I am sure that all businesses, large or small, to growth, and we are taking the necessary steps so that will take note of the reaction of the British people to businesses can increase employment and exports and recent events. Everyone understands that we must all lead the country back to prosperity. That is why we have work hard to get the economy going again and that announced, among other things, an extension of the businesses will play a key role in ensuring that growth. small business rate relief scheme that will benefit over The reaction also shows that people believe that those 500,000 small businesses. The extension of empty property at the top who earn or profit the most should also rate relief to newly built commercial property has been contribute the most. I agree with that—yes, we want a called for by Members across the House, and I hope it stronger economy, but we also want a fairer society. will enable commercial property development to move Measures announced by the coalition last week will forward in many parts of the country that have recently help millions of people across the country who are been blighted. working hard. I am proud that we will be increasing the income tax personal allowance by a further £235 next We have announced increased funding for UK Trade April. That will mean that 2.2 million people have been and Investment to support the growth in exports, taken out of tax by this Government, leading to around particularly in emerging markets, alongside a substantial 20 million people being nearly £600 a year better off new trade finance scheme that will significantly help from next April. That is £50 a month extra in people’s medium-sized exporters looking to win new markets pockets as a result of the Government’s measures on across the world. Most importantly, we have announced income tax and is, quite simply, the biggest income tax an increase in the annual investment allowance limit cut for working people in a generation—from the front from £25,000 to £250,000 for a time-limited period of page of the Liberal Democrat manifesto to the pockets two years—a capital allowance relief that I hope will of 24 million working people. send a signal to medium-sized manufacturers that now is the best time to invest in new plant and machinery. I I am also proud that the coalition Government are pay particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member cancelling the fuel duty increase that was planned for for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) and the Liberal Democrat next month. campaign for manufacturing that he has set up for arguing so cogently and strongly for that measure. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): Will the Chief Secretary The Government have also announced a further drop to the Treasury remind the House which page of the in corporation tax to encourage investment in the United Liberal Democrat manifesto the increase in VAT was Kingdom. From April 2014 the rate in Britain will on? stand at just 21%—significantly lower than current levels in France, Germany or the USA. We want the Danny Alexander: No, because it was not there. That world to know that the United Kingdom is open for was one of a number of difficult choices that we as a business and that companies that invest and employ Government have had to make to clean up the mess in people in this country are very welcome. At the same the British economy that was left by the hon. Gentleman time, however, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is and his colleagues. also receiving a further £77 million in this spending review period to ensure that where taxes should be paid, Emily Thornberry rose— they are paid—I am sure that even the shadow Chancellor welcomes that. That increase, on top of the £900 million I announced at the spending review, will mean that Danny Alexander: I will give way once more to the HMRC will bring in total additional revenues of £9 billion hon. Lady and then I will make some progress each year by the end of 2014-15. Our agreement with Switzerland to recover previously Emily Thornberry: Am I right in remembering—I unpaid UK tax is expected to bring in a further £5 billion think it was on page 14 of the Liberal Democrat over the next six years. We have signed a ground-breaking manifesto—a pledge to cut 7,000 tax inspectors? agreement with the United States on automatic exchange of information, setting a new standard in tax transparency. Danny Alexander: The hon. Lady will know that Today we are publishing the draft Finance Bill for 2013, HMRC has had to make efficiency savings along with which confirms the introduction of the UK’s first ever the rest of the Government. It had to make savings general anti-abuse rule in the tax system. That measure when the Labour party was in office and it continues to will act as a significant deterrent to all those engaged in have to do that. We have increased investment specifically abusive tax avoidance. It could have been introduced in the part of HMRC focused on tackling tax avoidance at any point in Labour’s 13 years in office, but it was and evasion—an area that saw underinvestment during not. That is an example of the failure to act on tax Labour’s time in office. As a result, 2,000 extra specialist avoidance and evasion that we saw during that time. tax inspectors—[Interruption.] My hon. Friend the This is not just a matter of finance; it is a matter of Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury bring me up to principle. Millions of small businesses and tens of date and tells me that the figure is 2,500. Those inspectors millions of people across the UK pay the proper are specifically focused on tackling tax avoidance in the 199 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 200 affluence unit and those units that focus on offshore Mr Angus Brendan MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) companies and all other tax avoidance schemes, and on (SNP): The right hon. Gentleman will know that the implementing the anti-avoidance rule. rebate scheme has been a success. When will mainland areas of Scotland be included? There are already such Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): Will my hon. schemes in continental mainland areas, so why is there a Friend give way? delay in its introduction in mainland Scotland? Areas such as Caithness, Sutherland and Argyll need it—and Danny Alexander: I will give way one more time and need it quick. then I will move on. Danny Alexander: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s Dan Rogerson: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, endorsement of the current scheme as a success. I hope not least for his response to Cornwall’s call for investment he will spread the word to his constituents and ensure in the A30 infrastructure project and his earlier kind words. that the credit goes to the appropriate place. Does he recall that when in opposition we had to watch To win the argument at European level for an extension the then Labour Government cutting and closing HMRC of the scheme, we must pass the same test and provide offices in a lot of regions around the country, and putting the same evidence to justify including such remote on the scrap heap a lot of skilled tax inspectors, the areas. We are working with local authorities in various benefit of whose experience we sadly no longer have? parts of the country to gather evidence to support our case. As the hon. Gentleman will recall, we must take Danny Alexander: As always, my hon. Friend makes a that evidence to the European Commission. If it approves good point. We need people with experience in compliance our proposal, it must in turn be approved by all 27 EU and enforcement, and we are expanding employment in member states. There are a number of hurdles and a those areas. That is the right thing to do and it should significant process to engage in to gather evidence. have been done a long time ago. The previous Government set out plans to increase Mr MacNeil rose— fuel duty above inflation last year, this year and again in 2013 and 2014. However, as a result of repeated action Danny Alexander: If the hon. Gentleman will forgive by this Government, pump prices will remain at least me, I will make progress. Many hon. Members wish to 10p per litre lower for the remainder of this Parliament speak in the debate. than they would have been had the Labour party remained There has been good engagement between the Treasury in government. and the FairFuelUK campaign, which has pressed its case very strongly. I welcome its engagement. Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): Slide 24 of the The Government are on the road to cutting the report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that, deficit we inherited, but we are also building a fairer including fuel duty changes and the changes to the society. The distributional analysis that we publish shows personal allowance and tax credits, a one-earner couple that that continues to be the case, despite the tough with two children will be £534 worse off on average as a choices we have made. It is worth pointing out that, result of the changes in the autumn statement. Will the under the previous Government, the Treasury never right hon. Gentleman confirm that? published detailed distributional analyses of its decisions, but under this Government the Treasury publishes them Danny Alexander: No, I cannot confirm that. I do not at every fiscal event. The analyses show that the top recognise those figures—[Interruption.] Labour Members 20% of households continue to make the greatest are waving bits of paper— contribution. In fact, the cumulative impact since the June 2010 Budget of tax, tax credit and benefit reforms Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. shows that households in the top 10% see the greatest The shadow Chancellor absolutely knows that he is not reduction in their income, both in cash terms and as a to throw papers across the Dispatch Box. It is no good percentage of net income or expenditure. him blaming his hon. Friend the Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves) for following his example. That Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): People in will not happen again. my constituency who cannot afford a car and who earn much less than most others tell me that the inflation Danny Alexander: That is another way in which the rate on the things they have to buy is several times shadow Chancellor is setting a bad example. Littering greater than the headline figure, which includes goods in the Chamber is not to be encouraged, and I am glad that they would just love to be able to buy. When will you, Madam Deputy Speaker, took a tough line on it. the Government recognise that inflation for the poorest The Government’s fuel duty measures will keep money people in our society is much higher than it is for the in the pockets of millions of fathers on the school run rest of us, and do something real? The Government or mothers driving to the office. As a highland MP, I have done some things, but when will they do something know the burden that fuel costs can place on people in that makes a difference to those people instead of remote areas. That is why we are piloting the fuel rebate cutting their food intake, which is exactly what is happening? scheme for motorists on the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly. I am keen to push for EU approval for an Danny Alexander: A range of goods is included in the extension of the scheme to other remote parts of the consumer prices index of inflation, which the Office for country that display similar characteristics. Of course, National Statistics constructs—it is an independent body that will be a long and difficult job, but I am determined and is responsible for constructing those baskets of to gather evidence to support the case. goods. Some items go up in price faster than others. 201 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 202

[Danny Alexander] insulted hard-working people and businesses up and down the country by failing to crack down on tax We are doing what we can and what the country can avoidance and evasion in 13 years in office. afford, but our priority must be to get this country back This Government face some of the most serious to a position in which we can pay our way in the world. decisions we have had to make in our recent history. We Nothing would hurt the poorest in society more than are recovering from a decade of debt, we inherited the losing control of our public finances, which I suspect largest deficit since the second world war, and we have would happen if the Labour party ever again gained the had to face a multitude of problems abroad. However, reins of power. we continue to take simple, sensible steps towards recovery. The quad discussed introducing a mansion tax, but a We continue to build a strong, sustainable economy and fair tax on homes worth more than £2 million was not to build a fair society. I commend the autumn statement agreed. However, the good news is that we have established to the House. a sensible, workable plan for raising additional revenues from the highest-value properties. If that does not happen in this Government’s term of office, it will be in the 3.17 pm Liberal Democrat manifesto for the next election. Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): The Opposition welcome this opportunity to debate the state of the Emily Thornberry: Hooray! economy, the Chancellor’s record over the past two and a half years and the measures he has introduced in the Danny Alexander: I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s autumn statement. Last Wednesday he came to the support—I take support from wherever it comes these days. House and admitted that he had failed—failed to get The Government have taken sensible further steps to the economy moving, failed to meet his borrowing restrict pensions tax relief. The decisions the Government targets and failed to listen to our advice and change are taking are not easy, but as a country we must live course. within our means. The scale of the problems this country First, though, let us go back to the heady first months faces means that the period of fiscal restraint must of this coalition Government—when they were still continue for longer. That is why the Government will getting on, when they were fraternising in the rose shortly set out spending plans for the financial year garden. In the 2010 spending review, the Chancellor 2015-16. I will carry out a spending round in the first six decided to implement a programme of unprecedented months of next year to set those budgets and ensure fiscal contraction. We said it was not the right time to that we continue to build a sensible long-term plan for cut demand, given that the economy was only just the country’s finances. We will need to find an extra recovering from the global financial crisis, and that the £10 billion of savings from Departments in the spending cuts went too far and were being implemented too fast. round. That will mean more difficult choices, but they are also responsible choices as the coalition continues to work to restore stability to the UK economy. Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con): Is it not true that we are actually spending more than we were two years We have heard this afternoon and in Question Time ago and that no real cuts have been made? What would that some criticise the autumn statement. The division the hon. Lady like to say about that? in British politics is very clear. Government Members live in the real world. We understand that times are tough and that there is no endless supply of money, and Rachel Reeves: There is one particular area where the recognise that the right and responsible action is to take Government are spending more money, and that is the difficult decisions to ensure we can live within our welfare, on which they are spending £13.6 billion more means. Labour Members appear to live in a fantasy during this Parliament, because more people are out of world. They still believe that they ended boom and bust, work or in part-time work and so receiving more tax despite the events of the past five years. They still refuse credits. That is a sign of the Government’s failure, not to apologise for the mess they created and fail to be of their success. honest with the British people about the tough decisions In the 24 months since the spending review, where that any party in government would have to take. have we got to? How much progress has been made? Is It will come as no surprise to hon. Members that the Chancellor’s plan working? The verdict is in. We I will not take advice from the Labour party, which wrecked now know that borrowing and debt figures have been our economy because it allowed the country to become revised up for this year, for next year and for every year too dependent on revenues from the City of London of this Parliament. The Government are borrowing and paid too little attention to the rest of the country. £212 billion more than they planned. They said that five Labour insulted pensioners up and down the country years of austerity would be difficult, but that it was by increasing the basic state pension by 75p, and insulted necessary to support our economy, and they said that it 5 million of the lowest-paid workers by increasing their might hurt, but that it would work. Well, it has not income tax bill with the abolition of the 10p rate. worked, but it has hurt, and we are no closer to clearing our deficit than we were two years ago. [Interruption.] Mr MacNeil rose— Hon. Members: Bye, bye! Danny Alexander: I will not give way—I will finish my speech shortly. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. The Labour party thought it was right that private Where is the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng) equity managers should pay a lower rate of tax on their going? Excuse me. He has just intervened on a debate. earnings than the person who cleaned their office, and Normally, one stays for a debate that one intervenes in. 203 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 204

Rachel Reeves: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. waste of time. [Interruption.] It is good to see the hon. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not like the answer to Member for Spelthorne in his place again. his intervention. Fair enough—I would not be pleased A year ago the IMF warned: to hear that my Government were spending an extra “If activity were to undershoot current expectations and risk a £14 billion on welfare because of their failure. period of stagnation or contraction, countries that face historically This year the economy will shrink by 0.1%. The low yields (for example…the United Kingdom) should also consider Chancellor’s two gap years—two years of painful cuts, delaying some of their planned consolidation.” more borrowing and no growth—are a shocking indictment At that time the IMF was predicting 1.6% growth this of a failed plan. He stands up and tells the nation that year; now the OBR tells us that the economy is more the British economy is healing and that he is equipping likely to shrink by 1.6% this year. Britain to win in the global race, yet over the 24 months since the spending review the UK economy has grown Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): Would the hon. by just 0.6%. In the same period, the US economy grew Lady like to comment on the 6.4% collapse in GDP in by 4.1% and the German economy by 3.6%. Helpfully, 2008, and at the end of her speech will she enlighten us the International Monetary Fund’s world economic all on what her economic policy will be? outlook data allow us to put together a league table of 184 countries based on total growth between 2010 and Rachel Reeves: Like other countries around the world, 2012, so we can now analyse our performance in the our GDP contracted during the global financial crisis. global race that he describes with this Government at Germany and the United States have managed to recover the helm. Of those 184 countries, where do Members that growth; we have not, because our Chancellor chose think Britain comes? We are 158th. It is a relegation a different course—austerity—when jobs and growth battle. We are behind Togo and Namibia, Albania and are needed to get the economy moving and the deficit Macedonia, but there is no need to worry—apparently down. Unlike this Government, we recognise that we we are hot on the heels of Mali, Samoa and Fiji! We are need to take action to stimulate jobs and growth. That the worst performing G7 country, apart from Italy. In is why we have said there should be a national insurance the global race, Britain is well and truly in the slow lane holiday for small businesses taking on new workers and with this Chancellor at the helm. a bank bonus tax to fund a programme of youth jobs, and that we should genuinely bring forward infrastructure Mr MacNeil: Does the hon. Lady agree that the investment and temporarily cut VAT to 17.5%. Those context she has rightly given the House is the reason the are the policies that would get the economy moving, get Scottish referendum on independence will be won in jobs back in our economy and help to bring the deficit 2014? down in a sustainable way.

Rachel Reeves: I will let the good people of Scotland Andrew Gwynne: The Government have placed great make their decision when the time comes, but I believe emphasis on the views of the Office for Budget that we are stronger together—stronger united than Responsibility. My hon. Friend will be aware from divided. reports in today’s media that Robert Chote of the OBR The worst aspect of the Chancellor’s two wasted has suggested that the UK need not fear of losing its years is the long-term damage being done to our economy. triple A rating. Does she see us losing our triple A Every month of inaction, every failed initiative and rating as a ringing endorsement of this Government’s every growth forecast downgraded is another hammer economic policies? blow to the work force, our businesses and our national infrastructure. The skills and motivation of British workers Rachel Reeves: Let us see what the rating agencies are going to waste, with one in three of our 2.5 million have to say in the new year. Of course we are on unemployed out of work for more than a year and negative watch, but it was not we who said the rating 3 million of those with jobs wanting to work more agencies should be the be-all and end-all. Indeed, they hours, but unable to find the work. In reality, we are were giving Lehman Brothers a triple A rating until that falling behind, and the Chancellor has nobody to blame— company crashed and almost took the global economy not the snow, not the royal wedding, not the eurozone. with it. It was the Chancellor who said that a triple A rating would be the watchword of his chancellorship, so I agree with the chief economist of UBS, George if it were to go, it would be a damning indictment of Magnus—[Interruption.] [HON.MEMBERS: “He’s gone!”] what this Government have presided over. Obviously the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng) does not want to hear what the chief economist What was the Government’s response to all the bad of UBS has to say. I will send him a copy of Hansard. economic news last Wednesday? Let us give credit where George Magnus said that the Chancellor’s excuse it is due. The Chancellor now agrees with us that we “falls under the category of ‘Sorry Miss, the dog ate my homework’”. should not go ahead with the fuel duty increase in January; he agrees with us that introducing regional pay He also said that in our public services would be costly and impractical; “the problem I think that the Chancellor has with the eurozone is he agreed with us that we should reverse the relaxation that we are just like them. We have this single-minded focus on of restrictions on pension tax relief for the very rich; he austerity and the lack of growth is basically crippling our ability agreed with us that it was a mistake to implement deep to meet our fiscal targets.” cuts to capital programmes such as Building Schools for I agree that the Chancellor and his economic plan are to the Future; and he agreed with us that cutting investment blame. Two and a half years of austerity, two and a half allowances risked damaging incentives for long-term years of this Chancellor, and what do we have to show wealth creation. We propose the creation of a British for it? We have no growth, more borrowing and a tragic investment bank to support small businesses, and the 205 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 206

[Rachel Reeves] Mothers across the country will be worried about the real-terms cut in maternity pay, worth £180, that the Chancellor has produced a pale imitation of that, but I Chancellor announced last Wednesday. That comes on am afraid that all these measures are too little, too top of other deep cuts that will hit pregnant women on late—robbing Peter to pay Paul. Smoke and mirrors low incomes, such as the abolished Sure Start maternity will not hide the lack of a real, purposeful growth allowance and the health in pregnancy grant. This is strategy. further proof that the Government are out of touch The chief executive of British Airways summed it up and simply do not understand the pressures families are yesterday when he said: facing, day in, day out. “I don’t see an agenda for growth.” I agree, and so does the Office for Budget Responsibility. Gavin Shuker: What assessment has my hon. Friend Taking into account all the Government’s measures made of the impact of the changes, particularly those from the autumn statement, the OBR has concluded relating to people on low incomes, on the overall growth that they will add just 0.1% to UK GDP over the next of the economy? It strikes me that they are exactly the five years. The economy is shrinking this year. Growth people we ought to be encouraging to spend right now. next year—forecast at 2.9% just two years ago—is now forecast at just 1.2%. Indeed, we have seen downgrades not just this year and next, but the year after. Rachel Reeves: My hon. Friend is right. It is a false economy to cut the incomes of the lowest paid, because Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Why does the Institute they will have less money to spend in their communities. for Fiscal Studies say that there would be £200 billion What really matters, however, is the real impact that the more borrowing under Labour’s plans? changes will have on their living standards and those of their children. Rachel Reeves: There is £212 billion more borrowing The Resolution Foundation has said that 60% of the under this Government’s plans. cuts to benefits and tax credits will hit working Families will continue to feel the Chancellor’s failure households—that is, those who are trying to get on in in their wallets and their homes. Average earnings will life. Given that the welfare bill is forecast to be £13.6 billion not outpace inflation until the second quarter of 2014. higher in this Parliament than the Chancellor thought it It will take even longer for families to recover the loss to would be—another target tossed aside—perhaps it is their living standards that this Government’s economic time for the Government to concentrate on getting failure has cost them. people back to work in order to reduce the welfare bill. The lack of growth and the increase in borrowing In February this year, the former employment Minister, under this Chancellor have meant that he has had to now the Secretary of State for Justice, said: come back and ask the country for more. And who are “The Work Programme is doing a good job and is on track. It the Government asking to bear the brunt of the past is helping long-term unemployed people into work.” two and a half years of failure? Luckily, Andrew Neil asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that question And only today the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said on BBC1 last Wednesday. He asked him whether that the scheme was going well, but we now know that for every 100 people who are unemployed, the programme “those who are on ordinary incomes are suffering a lot more than most”. has seen only two people back into work. If that is the Government’s idea of a programme that is on track, I The Chief Secretary to the Treasury replied: “That is would hate to see one that is not. absolutely right.” That was the only sense he spoke all day. It is no surprise that he is increasingly described as It is not surprising that OBR documents released last the Conservatives’ favourite Liberal Democrat in the week showed that the number of people claiming jobseeker’s Cabinet. Apparently, they regard him as easier to deal allowance was set to rise from 1.58 million this year to with and more persuadable. The Chancellor’s favourite 1.69 million in 2014, and that the number forecast for Liberal Democrat has finally told the country what we 2016 had been revised up by 340,000. That will be a have known for a long time: that this Government are third of a million more people receiving JSA compared asking ordinary families to foot the bill for their economic with the number forecast in March this year. mess. Let us not forget that the Prime Minister dismissed The facts speak for themselves. Analysis by the House the last Labour Government’s future jobs fund, which of Commons Library shows that a one-earner family helped 120,000 young people back into work, yet an on £20,000 with two children will lose £279 a year from impact analysis for the Department for Work and Pensions next April. Slide 24 of the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that we all gained £7,750 per participant through report shows that a two-income family with children wages, increased tax receipts and reduced benefit payments. will lose £534 as a result of the changes, including all This Government ditched a plan that worked for one the measures in the autumn statement. Slide 17 of the that has failed, so we will not be lectured by them on IFS assessment shows that middle and lower earners welfare or on job creation. will lose most as a result of the autumn statement, with the poorest 40% losing more than the richest 10%. How At the same time, one group of people continue to can that be fair? And this is all to pay for the Government’s gain from the Chancellor and the Chief Secretary’s £212 billion of extra borrowing. They are hurting those policies. If someone earns more than £1 million a year, who are trying to get on and do the best for themselves next year they will receive an average tax cut worth and their families. That cannot be fair. £107,000. It beggars belief that while taking from families 207 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 208 on low incomes with one hand, the Chancellor gives to The statement builds on the sound economic platform millionaires with the other—there is one rule for the that has been in place for some time now. The deficit very richest, another for everyone else. has been cut by a quarter and because of the tough action that had to be taken, the cost of borrowing is at Charlie Elphicke: The hon. Lady talks about the historically low levels. What is more, 1.2 million jobs Government favouring the richest, but if we look at have been created in the private sector—something that the distributional impact of tax and benefit reforms on was not mentioned by the hon. Member for Leeds West the IFS slides to which she has referred, we can see very (Rachel Reeves)—and more jobs are being created in clearly that the richest 10% lose £260 in net income the private sector than are being lost in the public whereas everyone else is far less disadvantaged. Does sector. That is true in the north-west, where I live, and she not agree that the richest are shouldering more of across the whole country. the burden? Last week’s policy announcements were well received Rachel Reeves: If the hon. Gentleman thinks that by businesses and it is easy to see why. There was a those on average incomes being worse off by £534 year further reduction in corporation tax from 28% to 21% is not very much, it is up to him to justify that to the in 2014 and a rise in the additional investment allowance people of Dover and Deal. Page 17 of the IFS analysis from £25,000 to a whopping £255,000 for two years. shows that the poorest 10% are 1.6% worse off, the That shows that, under this Government, Britain is second decile are 1.7% worse off, the third 1.3%, the definitely open for business. fourth 0.6% and the top only 0.5%. The four lowest The Government’s strategy for enterprise has strong deciles—those on the lowest and modest incomes—are foundations, much stronger than the so-called industrial being hit hardest by the changes in the autumn statement, strategies that have been debated for decades. Between while those at the top get off relatively unscathed. That the end of the second world war and the 1970s, is the reality and if he wants to put that slide in his Governments in this country and France tried to pick leaflets in Dover and explain it to his constituents, I am winners only to fail spectacularly. West Germany and sure that they would appreciate it. the reunified Germany were much more resistant to As I have said, it is one rule for the richest and that temptation. As Sir Geoffrey Owen of the London another for everyone else. The poor are expected to School of Economics recently wrote: work harder or else they will be made poorer, but “The German economic miracle that began in the 1950s was apparently the rich will work harder only if they are not the result of industrial policy, but underpinned by a broader made richer. It is the same old out-of-touch Tories and set of policies of which the promotion of competition and openness to foreign trade were probably the most important.” their Liberal Democrat accomplices. There are some who think that the Chancellor is a He went on to advocate a “horizontal” approach in master of political strategy; his autumn statement was which competition is promoted, innovation is encouraged clearly delicately put together. He said that borrowing and industrial change is positively facilitated—as this was down this year, but that is only by using money Government are doing. from the sale of 4G contracts, which has yet to happen. Hon. Members may have noticed how Sweden, which He said that his cuts were targeting the workshy, when was so bedevilled by high taxes, high spending and in reality they hit working people. He said that austerity massive inflation in the 1980s has coped well with the was necessary for us to compete with our global competitors current global economic challenges. Rather than picking when, after two years of austerity, we have fallen further winners, the Swedish Government, who have driven behind. He lived up to his reputation as a part-time forward a sector-by-sector approach, focused on Chancellor, because it was a statement that worried deregulation, and that has spurred on their success. more about tomorrow’s headlines than the economic They have identified ways to deregulate banking, transport, reality. For all of the Chancellor’s cynical political power production, telecommunications, postal services games and for all the smoke and mirrors, the real story and even food retailing. is being felt across the country. Living standards are Sweden’s Anders Borg is not the most conventional being squeezed, long-term unemployment is rising, of Finance Ministers. While I would not advise the borrowing is up, growth is flatlining: it is a story of a Chief Secretary to follow Mr Borg’s lead in sporting a failed Chancellor and his Lib Dem accomplice desperately ponytail and an earring, I think we can learn from trying to find a way out of the mess their economic Sweden’s approach. In a recent speech, Mr Borg explained: failure has got them into. “There was a very, very broad-based deregulation. Today, if you go to the OECD, going for growth report, they are looking at Several hon. Members rose— 8 different sectors, 6 out of those…have less regulatory burden than the US. So we have gone from being one of the heaviest Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I regulated economies of Europe to one of the least regulated when remind hon. Members that we will start with an eight- it comes to product markets.” minute time limit on speeches. As a result, Sweden’s economy is going from strength to strength. 3.37 pm In the UK, in “The Plan for Growth” published in David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): There is one form March 2011, the Government set out actions to clear of climate change that would be welcomed on both pathways in a number of important key sectors, including sides of the House, and that is the creation of a climate advanced manufacturing, digital and creative sectors in which enterprise can thrive and flourish. The autumn and, importantly for Macclesfield and north-east Cheshire, statement reconfirmed that this Government are committed life sciences. Both the Macclesfield and Tatton constituencies to ensuring that those conditions are in place and have are home to AstraZeneca’s largest operations in the made positive strides in that direction. UK, which account for an amazing 2% of UK exports. 209 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 210

[David Rutley] be proud to call its own, but matters have gone from challenging to absolutely disastrous. The Economist recently I am delighted that, working together with my constituency described France as a neighbour the Chancellor, Cheshire East council and “time-bomb at the heart of Europe.” AstraZeneca, we were able to secure funding from the This Government are right to take a different course, regional growth fund to create a bioscience park at the and the autumn statement is an important step on that Alderley Park site, which is a positive step for the highly journey. Putting the public finances in order and skilled work force in the area and a huge priority for the implementing a strategy for enterprise by breaking down local economy. barriers for business and opening the doors to new As with Sweden, deregulation is a critical step for our opportunities in export markets is the right approach, enterprise agenda. Sadly, under the last Government, and I commend it to the House. Britain fell from fourth to 89th in the World Economic Forum’s league table for countries with the lowest burden 3.45 pm of regulation. Their lasting legacy was not just the deficit, as it was also the burden of regulation. I am Mr Alistair Darling (Edinburgh South West) (Lab): I proud that, under this Government, we have been able hope that the hon. Member for Macclesfield (David to claw back 17 places in those rankings—but we are Rutley) will forgive me if, in the time available to me, I not complacent. The Minister of State, Department for do not follow him down the road of bulldozers or Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend anything else. I should begin by drawing the House’s the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon) is leading attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ the deregulatory charge. The autumn statement has Financial Interests. built on that momentum and taken the deregulatory I am sorry that the Chancellor is not present, partly agenda to a much higher level. The innovative one-in, because he used to kick up a real fuss whenever I did one-out strategy is being replaced with a one-in, two-out not appear in the House or was slightly delayed. It approach from January. In the spring, the second phase would have been nice if he had been here: I am sure that of the red tape challenge will be launched. This will give plenty of us would have liked to press him on the businesses another chance to highlight those regulations question of how on earth he can claim abject failure as that are holding them back from delivering more for the success, which is what he was trying to do last week. economy. Two years ago, it was not meant to be like this. Two The Government’s continuing commitment, refreshed years ago, the new Government said that they would be with the energy of a new ministerial team, will be vital able to balance the books by the end of the current in making progress in engaging Whitehall Departments Parliament, and that debt would be falling as a proportion in this critical task. Again, there are lessons to be of national income. In 2010, they said that all the learned from overseas—whether it be from New Zealand, problems we faced were entirely home-grown. They the Netherlands or even from Bosnia. My favourite compared this country mendaciously with Greece, and example is looking at what has been happening with the said that we would lose our credit rating, which they “Bulldozer” deregulation initiative in Bosnia, which may yet regret. In other words, they set about trashing was particularly progressive. After the Bosnian war, the confidence and blaming the last Government for everything. bulldozer programme was instigated by no less than That is despite the fact that the Conservatives supported Paddy Ashdown—one of our coalition colleagues—who every single penny of our spending until December was serving as a high-level diplomat in Bosnia at the 2008, and the Liberals were doing exactly the same until time. The programme identified 50 roadblocks or the evening of 10 May 2010, when they changed their regulations that were holding back the economy, and minds. changes were pushed through in 150 days. The bulldozer The new Government’s position was that it was all committee, working with local entrepreneurs and businesses the fault of the previous Government. How much has prioritised the areas for reform and worked with the that changed? Last week, they began saying that this Government to see them through. was an international crisis. They said that it had been caused by the eurozone; by the United States fiscal cliff; I think that we can learn from others who have by inflation. However, all three of those things were advocated intervention on behalf of business. I am not around in 2010, and were known about. The problem usually favourable towards that, but I think we can take that we have at present is that we simply do not have the a lesson from the Bosnian bulldozer approach, breaking growth that we were expecting, with the result that the down barriers to business—not intervening, but breaking Government have missed their debt reduction target down barriers before breakfast, before lunch, before tea and are experiencing serious difficulties in relation to and before dinner. I am pleased that the Government borrowing. I shall say more about that shortly. are taking a clear lead in that direction. The Chancellor’s problem is that the growth profile While the present Government are actively proceeding that is presented in the report from the Office for with their strategy for enterprise, the Labour party has Budget Responsibility, which was published last week, offered no apology for their shocking record in office, is remarkably similar to the profile that was published and has certainly offered no alternative. The truth is two years ago, but it is now running at least between that Labour has no clear plans for the economy, which two and four years late. If we do not achieve the growth is the single biggest issue facing the current Parliament. profile that is set out in the report, both our borrowing However, we can get a sense of what life would be like and our debt will be higher, because the two are completely under a Labour Government by observing what is interlinked. I see no evidence for believing that the going on across the channel. President Hollande’s socialist figures will be any more right this time than they were economic policy is one that the Labour party would two years ago. 211 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 212

It is interesting to note that the OBR assumes, just as more than they said they would not because we are the Treasury modelling used to assume, that somehow spending money on projects and so forth, but because we will always return to a 2.5% trend rate of growth. of failure—because our revenues are down. That is why That theology was being questioned when I was in the we have got this gap. Treasury, and I think that we will have to look at it When we eventually have a recovery, this country will again now. The Japanese are apparently contemplating need infrastructure. Over many years, we spent a lot of what would be the fifth recession in 15 years. I honestly money on transport and energy. That was the sort of do not think that those of us in the western world—and spending the Government say should not have been Japan is, economically, in the same position—can assume made, but we now know it was desperately needed, and that everything will bounce back as if nothing had we need to invest more in infrastructure, as well as get happened. This will have a profound implication for all debt and borrowing down. We must invest in education, the political parties in the House, as well as further too. afield. On energy, the Government’s policy is completely However, it is in relation to borrowing that I would contradictory. We are getting different signals every day have taken the Chancellor to task had he been here. of the week. On transport, I say again that it is not good During his speech last week, he made great play of how enough to have no airport policy until halfway through transparent he was being in taking into account the the next Parliament, when we will not be able to do money that he had managed to find as a result of anything as another election will be coming up. That is quantitative easing at the Bank of England and from not the right signal to send to our country, let alone the the Royal Mail’s pension funds. What he did not say outside world. was that he could claim that borrowing was falling this Investing more in infrastructure projects would be year only because he had banked the sale of the 4G one way to get confidence back. Confidence was trashed auction, which will bring in a very handy £3.5 billion—and, two years ago. If anyone were running a business now, furthermore, will have to bring it in before the end of would they hire more people or open a new production March if it is to score properly. That is the only reason facility? No, they would not, because it appears that the why he could claim that, because the figures show that economy will be bumping along the ground for another although borrowing has a downward profile, we are in five years or so. I again remind Members of what has fact borrowing £212 billion more than the Chancellor happened to Japan. People say, “We would never be like intended to borrow. We are borrowing much more, that,” but Japan has had non-existent growth for 15 years. therefore. The OBR report contains a number of findings that Mr MacNeil: Some commentators—at one time Ben ought to worry those on the Treasury Bench as well as Bernanke, and lately notably Paul Krugman—have talked the rest of us. For example, over the next few years a about higher inflation targets for Japan, and also for the very handy cumulative total of £73 billion will come in UK and other countries that are suffering a downturn. from the asset purchase facility—quantitative easing by What is the right hon. Gentleman’s opinion on that? the Bank of England. That money is not being created Does he, too, support higher inflation targets as a way because of increased revenues or increased economic of stimulating recovery? activity, however. It is basically a financial transaction that the OBR has said is okay to put in the books in this Mr Darling: There is a lot of debate about that issue. way, as opposed to scoring things differently which I do not have the time to address it in detail, but I have would have left a large hole in the economic figures. said—including in a programme that will be broadcast tonight—that I think the Bank of England needs to Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): The right hon. examine its role, because for a long time we have said its Gentleman is making a typically thoughtful speech. If job is purely to target inflation, yet central banks across he were the Chancellor, would he pursue the five-point the world are now also targeting growth, and perhaps plan the shadow Chancellor has proposed, given that it we should consider whether we should formalise that would cost £20 billion? Does he think there is the role. Mark Carney was an excellent choice as the next capacity to do that, and does he think it would be a Governor, and I hope he will think about that. sensible policy to pursue? Talking about Governors, the current Governor, Sir Mervyn King, made an important point in New Mr Darling: I will address that point later. It is an York last night when he talked about the G20, which important point, and I do not believe we should just sit had done so much at the height of the crisis in 2009, back and hope that growth returns. The shadow Chancellor showing the determination that people expected in order and many others both inside and outside the House to prevent the entire world economy from going over a also do not believe that the Government’s approach is precipice, and said that that spirit was now dead. He is right. absolutely right about that. It is important that we in We are heavily dependent on money that is coming in this country, along with President Obama, now that he from a financial transaction. In addition, the OBR has has been re-elected, look again at what we can do now found that by 2016-17 our revenues will be £30 billion collectively as part of the global community to try to less than it forecast in March. That is a huge gap, which get the world economy not only to resolve some of the will have to be filled. problems we face, but get growth going again. What should we do? Whenever the Opposition suggest That inevitably takes me on to Europe and the eurozone, that perhaps the Government could do a little more, the because it is a tragedy that a legal structure and an Government parties—the Conservatives and Liberal economic structure that could do something about getting Democrats—always say, “That’s all about borrowing growth going again is simply failing to do so. Greece is more.” This Government are borrowing £212 billion not sorted out yet; another attempt was made a couple 213 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 214

[Mr Darling] certainly not John Maynard Keynes himself, would have ever contemplated running a deficit of more than of weeks ago, but as far as I can see it leaves Greece with 3% when the economy was growing at 3%. even more debt than it had. Until the Spanish banks are bailed out, they will simply hold back the whole of the David Rutley: Will my hon. Friend confirm that even eurozone, and the sooner Spain goes to get the bail-out former Prime Minister Tony Blair felt, on reflection, it needs, the better it will be. Then we need to deal with that Labour was spending too much when it was in the question of austerity. Austerity on its own does not office? work. Those who are interested may wish to know that there is an interesting article by Olli Rehn, the economic Kwasi Kwarteng: Absolutely. The former Prime Minister Commissioner, in today’s Financial Times, in which he has said that on a number of occasions. I have been on just asserts that it is going to work, in the same way as record as saying that the first Labour Administration this Government assert that austerity is going to work— between 1997 and 2001 was, I freely admit, a very frankly, I do not see it. We need to use our engagement conservative fiscal Government. As the right hon. Member in relation to the eurozone and to the European Union for Edinburgh South West well knows, during those to try to persuade countries that unless they act together, four years the budget was never in deficit. We ran two in the same way as we did three or four years ago, years of surpluses and the budget in the other years was although in a slightly different context, we and the balanced. It was only after 2001 that the disaster occurred, eurozone countries are simply going to bump along on that the wheels spun off the car and we suffered under a the bottom for years. If that is the case, the human cost profligate traditional Labour tax and spend regime. I is that we are condemning tens of thousands, if not use the phrase “tax and spend” very gingerly, because hundreds of thousands, of people in this country, and the taxation never covered the spending. perhaps millions of people in the European Union, to unemployment and low standards of living. If we do That was precisely the reason why the Government that, future generations will never forgive us. ran those deficits—to pay for their projects, to pay for greater spending. They were required to borrow money. Several hon. Members rose— I remember that in 2001 one of their favourite columnists, Polly Toynbee, said that Labour would have to tax more Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I call in order to spend the money. At least that was an honest Kwasi Kwarteng. position. She was suggesting that Labour should try and balance the budget at a higher level of spending. I and my colleagues might want to balance the budget at 3.56 pm a lower rate of spending, but both Polly Toynbee and Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne) (Con): Thank you, those on the Government Benches would accept is that Mr Deputy Speaker. You have not been in the Chair for it is a road to disaster to borrow yet more money in the whole of the afternoon, but I am pleased to see you order to spend on grand projects or whatever utopia the there now. Government want to build in this country. We now have the consequence of this recklessness—of Government Clearly, we have stated our positions at the beginning Ministers at the time spending more and more money of this debate. The Labour Opposition have spoken and running 3% deficits. eloquently about the need for growth and Government Members have commented on the mess in our public finances that we inherited in 2010. The gravity of the Mr MacNeil: Can the hon. Gentleman tell us for how situation in 2010 should not be underestimated: our many years since 2001 the UK has been able to pay its deficit to GDP ratio in 2010 was higher than it had ever way? been in peacetime conditions. That was a function of probably the worst management of public finances that Kwasi Kwarteng: I can answer the hon. Gentleman this country ever had the misfortunate to live under. very directly. With reference to our public finances, we I am very pleased to follow the right hon. Member have been borrowing money every year—every single year. for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), who served at It is likely that even if we are able to eliminate the the tail end of that Administration as Chancellor of the structural deficit by 2018, this country will have seen Exchequer. To use a cricketing metaphor, he was very nearly 20 years of continual deficits. This is an appalling much like the night-watchman who is sent in when the legacy that Labour has left the country. Since the end team has collapsed to 70-8 and the light is pretty dim. of the second world war, we have never run 20 years of He did well in trying to steady the ship, but we have to continual deficits, which we will do as a consequence of look at the damage that had been caused in the public Labour mismanagement and old-fashioned incompetence. finances before he took over his post and at what the Labour Administration did not only from 1997, but in Charlie Elphicke: In his praise for the former Chancellor, particular from 2001 to 2007, during which time they has my hon. Friend noticed that the right hon. Gentleman ran a deficit in each consecutive year for seven or eight said in his memoirs not only that the Labour Government years before the crisis happened. No academic textbook overspent, but that they ran a parallel Treasury operation and no economic school of thought thinks that it is a while he was Chancellor trying to sort it all out as a good idea to run a deficit when the economy is growing. night-watchman, undermining his work while he was In 2004, the economy was growing at 3%; it was going trying to stabilise the ship? at full rate, jobs were being created and investment was taking place. What was the deficit then? It was 3%; even Kwasi Kwarteng: That is right. Many historians will under the Maastricht criteria, the previous Government be needed fully to plumb the depths of the goings-on of would have failed. No Keynesian in his right mind, and that Administration—the level of incompetence, the level 215 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 216 of secrecy, the high spending, the culture of fear that Kwasi Kwarteng: The right hon. Gentleman has talked prevailed in the Treasury for much of that time. It will me out and I must end my speech, but I am happy to need many people to investigate that. discuss the banks with him at any time. My point today It was always the function of the British Treasury, as is looking at— my hon. Friend well knows, to have a very conservative approach to public finances. It was always the tradition Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. that we in the British Treasury tried to match expenditure to income. 4.6 pm Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I am pleased to be Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): able to make a short contribution and, hopefully, offer a I am listening carefully to the hon. Gentleman, but I Scottish perspective on the argument. It will come as no think his historical facts are a little distorted. There has surprise to most in the Chamber that the Scottish been some sort of deficit in nearly every year that we National party does not support the general economic have had a Conservative Government since the end of policy of the coalition Government, who have now the second world war. If he looks at the period 10 years announced that austerity will continue until at least on from 1996-97, he will see that both the debt and the 2018, and possibly well beyond. On Sunday, the ever- deficit were lower after 10 years of Labour government. cheerful Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and What he is saying is simply not correct. Skills was warning of a triple-dip recession. Whatever Labour might be saying now, we also remember Kwasi Kwarteng: I appreciate the hon. Gentleman’s that prior to the 2010 general election the then Chancellor, intervention, but if he looks at the deficit and the the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West direction of travel and what happened in the 1980s, he (Mr Darling), said that the Labour Government, if will see that the deficit came down, again after a period re-elected, would impose cuts that would be deeper and of Labour mismanagement, every single year from 1979 tougher than those imposed by the Conservative to 1989, and that the budget was balanced in 1989. It Administration led by Mrs Thatcher. With that in mind, was only as a consequence of the recession that we went would the economic situation we find ourselves in be back into deficit, as a Keynesian economist would tell any different had Labour retained power? Somehow I him. doubt it, despite their sound and fury today. Let us look at what has happened over the past three We take a much more different tack on how to tackle years. The Government came into office when the eurozone the situation. History shows us that ever-deeper austerity was in crisis and there was a massive run on Greek will not lead us out of the current mess. We need to sovereign bonds. The Chancellor’s approach, quite rightly, invest for the future and ensure that there is capital was to make the deficit our No. 1 priority. That, in investment to create work for firms and for individuals effect, calmed the markets. Opposition Members might and to put money back into local economies. The First scoff at the bond markets, but they are very powerful. It Minister of Scotland was the first to advocate such a was particularly interesting to note that in the six weeks policy when the financial crisis hit us, and the Scottish before the general election British gilts were actually Government have pursued that policy within the bounds rising in value and yields were falling, because the of their powers under the devolution settlement. markets rightly believed that Labour would be turfed Indeed, since 2008 the Scottish Government have out of office. In anticipation of that happy event, and written to the UK Government at least eight times to before the quantitative easing, people started buying call for more capital investment, and there have been British gilts. four joint calls for that with the devolved Administrations The Chancellor’s approach to dealing with the deficit in Wales and Northern Ireland. In November 2008, the is exactly the right one, because it followed the insight First Minister announced that £100 million would be that we have to deal with spending. All countries in the brought forward to invest in tackling the housing crisis, western world have to do that. That is what the fiscal which had been caused by years of under-investment by cliff debate in America is about, because it understands previous Administrations. The Scottish Government that spending has to be on the table; the issue is the have pursued that enlightened policy despite the fact degree to which revenue should be on the table. It has a that the capital budget available to them has been cut by mature approach to public spending. It is only the 33% over the last few years. Labour party that lives in this Shangri-La world in The one piece of good news in the autumn statement which we can carry on spending and borrowing money was the Chancellor’s partial conversion to investment, with abandon and making the crisis even worse. as shown by the news of new capital investment. Scotland will receive around £330 million of that to allow the Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) Scottish Government to proceed with some of the projects (Lab): I think this is the most extraordinary rewriting of that are ready to go. It is not sufficient, but it is a start economic history I have ever heard in the Chamber. The and I welcomed it when it was announced. However, hon. Gentleman has not once mentioned the banks and had the Chancellor taken those steps earlier, we might the financial crash. Does he not realise that the public have been able to avoid the double-dip recession that sector deficit in 2007, just before the crash, was about the UK has suffered. 3%? It only rose— The Scottish Government have been doing everything in their power to kick-start the Scottish economy. In Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. The February, they announced a capital spending package hon. Gentleman will have no time to answer you, of £380 million until 2015 focused on housing, health, Mr Meacher, and I am sure that you want an answer. digital and maintenance programmes. 217 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 218

Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): Can the hon. creation of 300 skilled jobs as part of a £5 billion Gentleman confirm whether the capital housing budget investment in Scotland’s grid, and it is also investing has been increased or decreased under the Scottish £6.5 million in grass-roots skills development. Government? Anas Sarwar: The hon. Gentleman is talking about Mr Weir: The Scottish Government have been putting all this fantastic new investment which is happening in more and more money into capital investment. Scotland within the United Kingdom. Would that still [Interruption.] It has not been decreasing. They have be the case if Scotland were an independent country? been putting money into capital investments that matter, What would corporation tax be in an independent despite the overall budget from Westminster having country—20%, 15%, or the current level? been cut. The Scottish Government have been taking the action Mr Weir: The hon. Gentleman cannot tell me what that the former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for corporation tax will be here next year, never mind what Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), called for earlier. it will be in Scotland in a few years’ time. This investment In June, they announced a £105 million package of is taking place. He and his party keep saying that the investment for so-called shovel-ready projects. Conventional referendum is causing uncertainty, but all this investment capital investment has been boosted by a £2.5 billion is coming in now. People are investing in Scotland pipeline of infrastructure projects that is being delivered despite the scaremongering from the Labour party. I through the non-profit distributing model. The Scottish ask him to consider this: the real barrier to investment Government recognised long before the current Chancellor in the UK is not uncertainty about a referendum in did that the model of private participation in infrastructure Scotland but uncertainty about the referendum on Europe was fundamentally flawed, although Labour does not that Government Members and increasingly people in seem to have cottoned on to that yet. A total of £700 million his party are pushing for. has been switched from the resource to the capital budget to support capital investment. The Scottish Anas Sarwar: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Government are supporting a range of innovative finance initiatives such as the National Housing Trust. Mr Weir: No, I have already given way enough. It appears from what he said this afternoon that even There is uncertainty in politics and uncertainty on the former Chancellor has changed his original views Europe, but in Scotland we are pressing ahead. Despite and now supports the increase in capital expenditure on all the scaremongering from Better Together, investment infrastructure, although that has not prevented his Labour is still going on. Most recently, Areva announced a colleagues in Scotland from continually attacking it; substantial investment in wind. Beyond renewables, Diageo such is the way of politics, I suppose. Indeed, their has made significant investments in the whisky industry. leader has announced a cuts commission—an initiative A great deal of investment is going on. They are coming whose only backers appear to be their friends in the to Scotland because it is a good place to do business Better Together campaign, the Conservatives. and because it has a Government who are pushing forward and taking the steps necessary to create an Mr MacNeil: Has my hon. Friend noticed, as I have, environment to build up an economy that makes sure that the main cheerleaders for Labour in Scotland’s cuts that there is work, that puts money into local firms and are the Tories in Wales, who welcome them on board local economies and that puts people back in work. with the same ideological baggage? Those are the important things that people care about and that is what the Scottish Government are doing—that is why they are so successful—rather than following the Mr Weir: My hon. Friend makes a good point. The austerity model, which seems to be the only thing that Conservatives in Scotland have also supported the cuts this House can talk about. commission, so it appears that they are all cutters together rather than better together. That has all been done with the limited powers of devolution and without the key economic levers of The SNP Government in Scotland have been very power that would allow the Scottish Government to do active in ensuring that we rebalance our economy with even more. That will change when Scotland votes for investment in new green initiatives. The Government independence in 2014 and we will unlock the real down here often talk about that, but we have seen little opportunities to build a better Scotland, rather than be evidence of it. Indeed, the proposals in the Energy Bill locked into the austerity agenda of the UK parties. give cause for concern about the way in which this Government look at green investment and whether there is to be investment in new green energy or whether 4.15 pm the Treasury is winning the battle and we are going Chris Kelly (Dudley South) (Con): Thank you, down a different route. Mr Deputy Speaker, for calling me to speak in this This is important to Scotland because the renewables important debate, not least because I was otherwise due industries now support more than 11,000 jobs in Scotland, to serve on a Public Bill Committee. I draw the House’s and that figure is growing. There have been significant attention to my declaration in the Register of Members’ investments in green energy. Gamesa choose Leith for Financial Interests. its new UK offshore wind manufacturing plant, which I will restrict my remarks to how I see the autumn will create up to 800 jobs. Burcote Wind has announced statement benefiting and assisting the economy in my plans for a £l billion investment creating up to 600 new own region. Many businesses across the west midlands jobs. Global Energy Group has announced that Nigg are set to benefit from the plans laid out by my right skills academy will deliver training for up to 3,000 people hon. Friend the Chancellor last week. The 368,000 small over three years. Scottish Power has announced the businesses in the region, including many in my own 219 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 220 black country constituency, will benefit from the business Last week, the Chancellor announced further support bank, which brings together existing Government finance for local enterprise partnerships, which the Government plans and uses £1 billion to stimulate the market for created. That is the right approach because it promotes long-term capital. The decision to increase the annual local growth by ensuring that Government spending is investment allowance limit from £25,000 to £250,000 aligned with the priorities of local business communities. for two years, in addition to an extra £25 million per We have an excellent LEP in the black country, which is year for UK Trade and Investment’s assistance and ably chaired by the no-nonsense Stewart Towe of Hadley guidance on exports, will be of great help to an area Industries. I am confident that the Government’s approach such as mine, which is crammed with small and medium- will help to create the conditions that will enable the sized engineering and manufacturing firms. In addition, private sector to get on with creating more jobs in the the scrapping of the 3p rise in fuel duty, which means black country. that fuel prices will be 10p lower than they would have The Government are continuing to demonstrate that been under the plans of the Labour party, will help ease they are not afraid to take tough decisions in the face of the strain of transport costs for small and medium-sized tough economic times. A clear message is being sent out enterprises. that Britain is open for business and that Britain has a My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has demonstrated pro-business Government. once again that Britain is open for business. The reduction in corporation tax to 21% from April 2014 means that Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Before I call the UK will have the lowest corporation tax in the G7. the new Member for Rotherham, I remind everybody It is worth noting that the total amount raised in that this is a maiden speech. corporation tax for the year 2011-12 was £43.4 billion—20% higher than it was for Labour’s last year in office. Lower 4.20 pm corporation tax is working. It is resulting in the higher yields that the Treasury needs, while also contributing Sarah Champion (Rotherham) (Lab): Thank you, to increased private sector investment and employment. Mr Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to make my maiden speech during this important debate on the economy. Prior to the autumn statement, the black country chamber of commerce, which has many members in my My first job was in Rotherham and for the past four constituency, called for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor years I have been proud to manage Bluebell Wood to support a pro-business environment. In response to children’s hospice, also in Rotherham. In that role, I the measures announced by my right hon. Friend, the have had the pleasure of supporting many local families. chamber’s president, Paul Bennett, welcomed his actions However, Bluebell, like all hospices, is a charity and, to get British business growing: like everyone else, we are victims of the economic downturn. I am grateful that there is currently a national “The Chancellor’s Statement was encouraging for businesses review of all palliative care funding as it seems deeply and many of our members concerns seem to have been addressed”. unfair that children’s hospices get no statutory support. Meanwhile, Mark Hastings, the director general of We are facing big challenges to protect the NHS in the Institute for Family Business, described several of Rotherham. I am appalled that 750 jobs in our local the measures as “encouraging”. This qualified support hospital are under threat, under a Government who reflects the attitudes of many of the business people promised not to cut the NHS. The people of Rotherham whom I have spoken to recently in my own constituency— can be assured that, as their MP, I will do everything they recognise that this Government are on their side—and possible to fight those cuts and to save the vital services of those in the family business sector, in which I am on which so many people rely. involved as the founder and chairman of the all-party My immediate predecessor, Denis MacShane, was a group on family business. distinguished Member of this House for 18 years. He It is pleasing to see the Chancellor building on this achieved much good work for Rotherham by championing Government’s support for British businesses. Last year, the steel works and trade unions, raising money for we saw an increase of 250,000 in the number of private local medical charities and being vocal in his fight businesses, which included 226,000 new small businesses, against racism. However, he also made a mistake, for a good proportion of which were in the west midlands. which he has paid dear. I will build on all the good work It is obvious, but still worth pointing out, that every that he has done for the people of Rotherham. successful large employer in the private sector started Having read the maiden speeches of previous MPs off as a small start-up. Even JCB, which was started by for Rotherham, I note with regret that a generation ago, the inspirational J.C. Bamford and which I have had the in 1976, Stan Crowther’s principal concern was the privilege of visiting in Rocester, was once a small enterprise growing unemployment in Rotherham and especially in a small shed. I refer the House to my declaration in the plight of young jobless people. I am deeply saddened the register relating to the last election. that, 36 years later, youth unemployment is still a major This Government are cutting red tape and making it concern for the town. Across our nation, there are easier for budding entrepreneurs in this country to set almost a million young jobless people. In Rotherham, a up their own businesses, and that is clearly being borne staggering one in five young people are out of work. We out by the figures. All of that is in marked contrast to must all be worried about the danger of creating a the previous Labour Administration, who introduced workless generation—a generation without hope. the equivalent of six new regulations for every single Rotherham people have never been afraid of hard working day they were in power. It is estimated by the work. Until the 1980s, tens of thousands of Rotherham British Chambers of Commerce that those new regulations men worked long hours in the town’s steelworks and have cost British businesses almost £77 billion since coal mines. The pits have all but gone, and another 1998. round of redundancies at the steelworks was announced 221 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 222

[Sarah Champion] back to work by real action to kick-start the failing economy, not to cut benefits that people depend on to a few weeks ago. So what options are there for young survive. people when they leave school? The vast majority cannot Rotherham voters are also worried about the impact go to university any more as they cannot afford tuition and change that new immigrants might bring to their fees. Last week, the Prime Minister talked about the community. I know they are neither racist nor bigoted “bank of mum and dad”. That is not an option for most in raising those genuine concerns, but when opportunities young people in Rotherham. With education maintenance are few and times are tough we must understand that allowance scrapped and tuition fees trebled under this people get more protective of what they have. We need a Government, and with five people applying for every different approach; we need a grown-up debate to address job in Rotherham, what future are we offering our people’s concerns and put sensible policies in place young people? while recognising the richness that immigrant communities I recently visited Rotherham college of arts and bring to the UK. We need a better-funded UK Border technology: meeting the apprentices and staff was so Agency with stronger controls to combat illegal inspiring. This has to be the way forward. I will do all I immigration, but we also need help for those who come can to secure placements, training opportunities and to my surgeries and are being forced to wait too long for apprenticeships for Rotherham. With Tata Steel and legitimate immigration issues to be resolved. Rolls-Royce planning to make big investments in the Many of those proud to call Rotherham home are of area, we do have opportunities and our young people Kashmiri descent and their relatives came to Rotherham need to be ready to take them. to work in the steel industry or mines in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Their contribution helped to make Rotherham the The people of Rotherham are proud of their town, town it is today, which is why I will stand firmly with but they cannot understand why none of the good them in support of Kashmir’s right to self-determination. things are ever shared. Let me redress that. Seven out of I am also proud that peace and security in the middle 10 top Formula 1 racing cars are constructed of Rotherham east remains one of Labour’s most important foreign steel. Every five seconds, somewhere in the world, an policy objectives, and as a new MP I will continue to aircraft takes off or lands that is reliant on gear made work for the day when we see the creation of a viable from Rotherham steel. In recent years, Rotherham has Palestinian state that can live in peace alongside Israel. embraced growing industries in advanced manufacturing, Sadly, during the by-election a number of candidates finance and IT services. Rotherham Ready, which was tried to bring race and immigration into the debate in a launched in 2005, is internationally acclaimed for its divisive manner. I am proud that the people of Rotherham approach to integrating enterprise into learning for all politely sent them packing with a clear message: “We children aged four to 19. are one Rotherham.” This year, 18 new independent businesses opened in I believe in Labour’s one nation values of equality Rotherham town centre, as well as two national retailers. and fairness for all, and I thank the people of Rotherham The recent £7.5 million Clifton Park restoration is a for electing me as their representative to Parliament benchmark of excellence. Rotherham Show is the largest because they also believe in equality and fairness. During free show in the north of England and welcomed 80,000 the by-election I met Barbara, an 84-year-old great visitors during its two days in September. Rotherham grandmother, proud to be Rotherham born and bred. United’s stunning new home, the New York stadium, She is typical of all that is best in Rotherham and I want opened its doors to a sell-out crowd this year. Rotherham to serve people such as her. is the only place in the country affiliated to the Athena international programme, the main aim of which is to 4.28 pm secure balance in leadership worldwide. As the first ever woman to be elected as MP for Rotherham, I am Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD): It is a pleasure particularly pleased with that affiliation and I will work to follow the new hon. Member for Rotherham (Sarah to support more young women to reach their full potential. Champion), who, as she said, is the first hon. Lady to represent that constituency. We all remember our maiden I spent the past few weeks knocking on doors and speeches for a long time—if we are honest, probably talking to well over 1,000 Rotherham residents. As a longer than anyone else remembers them—and we learned vox pop goes, I think that is a pretty good sample, so let a great deal about Rotherham from the vivid and balanced me be their voice. Regardless of their politics, and picture that she painted of the challenges facing her without exception, everyone was polite and welcoming constituency as well as some of the good things that and they were passionate about Rotherham. Rotherham have happened in recent years. Perhaps I can extrapolate people work hard, but the message they asked me to that picture wider into today’s debate on the state of the give is that no matter how hard they work they are economy. As we know, the economy still faces deep-seated being hurt by an economy that is flatlining and a challenges, but none the less good things are happening Government who are helping the wrong people. Those at the same time. in the lowest-paid jobs who are trying to do the right The economy fell into a very deep hole in the last thing are seeing their working tax credits cut, yet at the couple of the years of the previous Government—it same time millionaires are handed a tax bonus. All in it contracted by more than 6%. We must be honest that it together? That kind of spin does not work with the is taking longer than any of us would have wanted to people of Rotherham. Rotherham people want work—they repair and recover from that deep economic damage, are strivers, not skivers—and they need just a little but, none the less, good things are happening. Some support so that they can put food on the table and do 1.2 million private sector jobs have been created since the best for their children. The answer is to get people the first quarter of 2010. Unemployment has consistently 223 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 224 fallen this year, and employment is at a new high. The We will have taken 2.2 million people out of income rate of unemployment in the UK is marginally lower tax altogether. Come next April, when our constituents than the rate in the US—7.8% versus 7.9%—and look at their payslips, they will see that they have considerably lower than the rate in the eurozone, which received an income tax cut of £600 since the Government is 11.7%. came to office. That disproportionately helps people My hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi who work part-time, particularly women who work Kwarteng)—my coalition colleague, who is no longer in part-time, and will also help young people. Youngpeople the Chamber—spoke at length about the public finances on the minimum wage, even at a full-time rate, will be and the state of Government borrowing. The OBR has raised out of income tax completely—they will no said that borrowing will fall by £1.5 billion from fiscal longer pay any income tax—while the income tax bill years 2011-12 to 2012-13. Borrowing has fallen throughout for an adult on the minimum wage will be halved from this Parliament, and the deficit, as a proportion of our £1,020 when we came to office to £520 now. That makes economy, has been reduced by a quarter in the first two a significant difference to people on low earnings. years of the coalition Government. Reducing that deficit Liberal Democrats also want fair taxes on the wealthy. fully to the point at which we have balanced the nation’s The coalition Government have increased capital gains books is taking longer than we would like, but the tax and stamp duty on expensive properties—[HON. trajectory is clear. MEMBERS: “What about the mansion tax?”] I am coming We still have a higher rate of borrowing than most of to that. We have hauled more people into higher rate tax our fellow EU member states, yet the Government can and clawed back pension tax relief—a person could put borrow at a lower rate than them. The UK Government £250,000 into their pension under Labour, but that can currently borrow on the international markets at a figure will be £40,000 under the coalition. The Liberal rate of 1.8%. Germany, practically the only nation that Democrats wanted a mansion tax, but we agreed not to can borrow at a lower rate, borrows at 1.3%—France proceed with it, in return for our Conservative coalition borrows at more than 2%, Spain at 5.24%, and Greece partners not pushing for punitive measures restricting at an eye-watering 15.2%. The UK Government, despite benefits. That means that the loopy idea—in my having one of the largest deficits in the developed opinion—of restricting housing benefit for under-25s is world, can borrow at those low rates because of not Government policy. international confidence that the country and our public We also need to do more, and the Government are finances are coming back on track. doing more, to tackle tax avoidance and tax evasion. However, hon. Members want more confidence at The Treasury has an affluence unit. We have a new home. We want more confidence among our constituents, treaty with Switzerland and we are tackling corporate whether they are in Rotherham or Bristol West, that the tax avoidance—I am sure that Starbucks, Amazon and Government are on their side and are doing what they others will be shamed into doing the right thing. The can for them in these difficult times. Constituents want Government are balancing the nation’s books, building confidence that the Government are holding down the a sustainable economy, restructuring the banks and cost of living and giving them more money in their introducing fair taxation. We have made much progress. pockets. We know the road is difficult, but now is not the time to be blown off course. For those reasons, I welcome the fact that the Government have again held down the cost of fuel by Several hon. Members rose— cancelling the 3p per litre rise in fuel prices that was due to take place on 1 January. Many of my Liberal Democrat Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Before rural colleagues welcome that initiative and campaigned I call the hon. Member for Croydon North (Steve for it, but it will also make a difference to the urban Reed), I remind hon. Members that his is a maiden poor whom I represent in Bristol. However, the measure speech. is enormously expensive—it will cost roughly £1.6 billion next year. At some point, politicians must face the fact that fuel prices are going in only one direction in our 4.36 pm lifetimes, and that we need to find a new way of taxing Steve Reed (Croydon North) (Lab): I am honoured to movement—I believe road user pricing is the way forward. stand in this Chamber as the Member of Parliament for The fuel duty increase cancellation and previous measures Croydon North. During the recent by-election, I spoke taken by the Government save the average private motorist to thousands of people across the constituency, and one about £40 per annum, but they could save a road of the things that most struck me in every part of the haulier—a small business person—up to £1,200 a year, community was the great warmth and affection for my which is a major advantage for many road haulage predecessor, Malcolm Wicks, and the profound sadness firms in the country. that people felt at his passing just a few short weeks ago. The Government have frozen council tax and capped Malcolm was a man of great integrity, a genuinely the increase in rail fares, but the biggest difference this decent human being, and a man with a sincere and Government have made is putting more money into lifelong commitment to social justice. He made a difference, people’s pockets by raising the income tax threshold—it improving support for carers, for children and for older will not surprise the House to hear me say that yet people. In Malcolm, the people of Croydon North had again. When the Government came to office, the income a true champion and a good friend. As many in the tax threshold was just under £6,500. As a result of the Chamber will know, Malcolm had a great sense of announcements in the autumn statement last week, the fun—he did not take himself too seriously—and that amount of tax-free pay that individuals can receive will much was clear to the office staff who walked into his increase to £9,440. That is an increase of £3,000 over office one afternoon to find him bouncing around the the first three years of the coalition Government. room playing air guitar with his good friend Keith Hill, 225 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 226

[Steve Reed] —burnt down, but they have been left struggling and in debt, instead of being helped to get back on their feet. the former Member of Parliament for Streatham. I Charlene Munro and her four-year-old son fled their know that Members on both sides of the House miss home when they saw hundreds of rioters approaching; Malcolm very much. they returned the next day to find it destroyed. Instead Until my election as a Member of Parliament, I had of getting the help they needed, they feel abandoned. the pleasure and privilege of leading Lambeth council. These are hard-working people—the backbone of their I am proud of the work I did there, alongside many community, strivers. I want to make a plea on their talented colleagues, to turn around a once failing council. behalf and on behalf of so many others like them that Lambeth children’s services were in the bottom 3% the promises made to Croydon North after the riots be nationally when I was elected leader, but were rated by met in full. The people who live and work there deserve Ofsted as the best in the country when I left. I hope that nothing less. that experience of transforming public services will be Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to conclude by of value to the House and the people of Croydon thanking you, Members on all sides and the staff of the North. House for the very warm welcome I have received here. At Lambeth, I pioneered the concept of co-operative I hope during my term of office to represent the people councils and co-operative public services. I believe that of Croydon North to the best of my ability. If, when I public services work better when they do things with finally leave this place, I have earned even a fraction of people rather than to people, and that means finding the respect and warmth that people felt for my predecessor, new ways to give people and communities more control Malcolm Wicks, I will have done well. over what happens to them. It means giving people the power they need to make the changes they want. We can 4.42 pm see the benefit of that in tenant-managed housing estates Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con): I congratulate that become better places to live, in community-led the hon. Member for Croydon North (Steve Reed) on a youth services that give young people a better chance in powerful maiden speech—I cast my mind back to the life, and in care services for older and disabled people nerves I felt during my first speech—which he delivered where the service user has the power and support to in an exceptionally articulate way. It is clear that his choose what they want, rather than be told what they local government experience—championing the future will get. of public service, along with understanding and delivering I pay tribute to the growing number of councils and much needed improvements—will be a great asset to dozens of other organisations nationally that are pioneering this House. I also congratulate the hon. Member for more co-operative ways of running public services so Rotherham (Sarah Champion), whose exceptional that they are more directly responsive and accountable experience in children’s services will be a vital asset to us to the people who use them. This is the future of public all in Parliament. services, and I hope to continue championing it here Let me turn to a few key messages in the autumn with my colleagues. Budget that I picked up on, having spoken to a number I would like to pay tribute to the constituency I of my constituents. On fuel duty, I pay tribute to my represent. Croydon North is one of the most diverse hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Robert Halfon), and vibrant places in the country. People have come to who has championed the campaign with huge support live there from across the world. The area’s greatest across the country and among MPs. It was absolutely strength is its diversity. Anyone who walks along the essential that we froze fuel duty, because it is the most London road, which runs through the constituency, will tangible tax there is. We all pay all sorts of taxes, and find restaurants, businesses, faces and languages from although people will have a rough idea how much every corner of the globe. In an age of globalised trade council tax, income tax or national insurance they and communication, that diversity is a resource to be pay—they will not know exactly—everybody knows harnessed for the good of everyone. I was heartened by exactly what it costs to fill up the car. That impacts on the fact that during the by-election those who sought to consumer confidence, which is something we desperately divide the community were rejected. People in Croydon need to protect in this country, so this move by the North understand that we best confront the challenges Government was welcome. we face when we stand together in solidarity. I also welcome the further move on the income tax Croydon North faces real challenges. It is a relatively threshold. It is a principle of ours to ensure that work poor area, and people living there feel let down because pays, and what better way to incentivise people than to the slow decline of the area over recent years has not leave more money in their pockets? By the end of the been addressed. Unemployment is too high, the streets Parliament, those on the minimum wage will be paying are not clean enough, and people worry that police are half what they were paying in income tax when we came being taken off the streets when crimes such as robbery to power. That stands in stark contrast to the 3.9 million are on the rise. There is real concern that the help and workless households we saw under the former Government. investment promised after last year’s riots have not Some 24.4 million people will benefit from the changes come through. Croydon was one of the areas worst hit we have made to the income tax threshold by an average by the riots, and Croydon North bore the brunt of the of £247 per person, but I would like to see a further mindless hooliganism, looting, burning and destruction change. Whenever any changes are made to pay-as-you- that so appalled the nation in the summer of last year. earn—whether by this Government or future Governments The Rozario family lost their home in a fire, but they —they should be shown on employees’ payslips. We get have not received any compensation because of a lack excited in these debates about such changes, but more of support from the public authorities. The Hassan often than not they fly past the public. If we are going family saw their business—the sole source of their livelihood to get the public to take ownership of the tax system, 227 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 228 those changes should be displayed clearly. I welcome I believe that that university education taught any the move to introduce an annual tax statement. I was entrepreneurial flair and risk-taking out of us. We need one of the 10 MPs who supported the private Member’s to encourage more young people who have boundless Bill on that subject. Any notification of changes to energy and enthusiasm, and enough cheek to question PAYE on people’s payslips would make a big difference. the accepted ways, to find new niche markets. I am also delighted to see further measures to support I have been working with New college and Swindon business. Before I became an MP, I was a small business college in my constituency to try to set up further owner in Swindon. We now have 4.2 million self-employed opportunities for young people. This will involve not people in this country, which is a record number. That only the traditional young enterprise scheme set up in shows that we are truly open for business. The cut in the main foyer in which the students sell to their friends corporation tax takes it down to the lowest rate in the but the opportunity to set up a pitch in the local market. G7, and the extension of the small business rate will They will have a wooden table and do three days’ make a huge difference to small traders. I would also trading. If they are not set up by 9 o’clock in the urge the Government to continue to look at the principle morning, they will lose that day’s trading. Those who of the rates system, because to a certain extent the are successful will then be offered cheaper pitches in the golden goose has been killed. High street businesses in summer holidays, after they have finished college, and particular are facing further threats from internet companies, we hope that they will be the next generation of which benefit from not having high street rate bills to entrepreneurs. Many famous business people, including pay. That is something that we must take into account. Lord Sugar, Richard Branson and the founders of The £250,000 annual investment allowance will also Marks & Spencer and the Superdry clothing brand, make a huge difference. I know that my hon. Friend the started on a market stall. If we can get those young Member for Dudley South (Chris Kelly) has championed people to take that risk, we can create the next wave of that cause for a long time. The need for this measure jobs, and I encourage the Government to do what they reflects the fact that businesses are nervous. For the first can on that front. time in history, businesses are holding more money in On the banks, we all welcome the fact that we still their current accounts than they are borrowing. That is have record low interest rates. That is due in no small partly because of the perception that they will be unable part to the fact that the tough decisions we have taken to borrow money, and they want to stay in control. I have protected our triple A credit rating. That has made hope that the increase in the annual investment allowance a huge difference to businesses that are borrowing money will open up the coffers, and that the effects of that will and to mortgage holders. However, we still need to do filter through to the election. more to encourage access to finance from banks. Whenever I talk to banks, they tell me that they have money and Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): Given the that it is available to borrow. Whenever I talk to businesses, warm welcome in the House, particularly on this side, they say that there is no such money. There is clearly a for all tax freezes and reductions, will my hon. Friend perception problem. urge those on our Front Bench to do more of that, so The Government should help to provide information that we can get the economy growing more quickly? on the funding that is available, whether from the Government, from the banks that say they have money Justin Tomlinson: I thank my right hon. Friend for or from the national loans guarantee scheme. I am told that important suggestion, which I endorse. We would time and again that everything possible is being done to all welcome such measures being taken whenever possible, communicate such information but that it is difficult to given the financial constraints that we inherited. get hold of the businesses that need it. That is not the I also welcome the extra investment in UK Trade & case, however, because once a year the Government Investment in relation to exports. The Office for Budget send out a business rates mailer to every business. It Responsibility has recognised the challenges involved in might simply say that they do not have to pay anything exporting to the eurozone. Honda, the biggest employer because the small business rate relief has been extended, in my constituency, has faced challenges in exporting but the Government still have to write to them to tell cars to a declining market, although the UK market has them that. My suggestion is that we should include experienced an 8.6% increase. We have seen our exports something in that mailer—we have already paid the to emerging markets double, however, and the investment postage, so the taxpayer will be no worse off—outlining through UKTI will make a big difference. I have attended what funding is available through the banks and through lots of events with the Government and with banks to the Government, what opportunities there are to employ encourage businesses to consider exporting to those and offer opportunities for apprentices and about the markets, and that extra help to remove barriers will business mentor scheme. Some 40,000 business mentors make a big difference. are there to help and I have seen them make a big difference when I met Mentorsme, an organisation that I want to make a plea for a greater push promoting has helped a number of businesses in my constituency. young entrepreneurs. The Government have launched Let us use the business rate mailer to spread the the £2,500 start-up loans. I have been working with opportunities that are available. Those measures will YoungEnterprise, Virgin Media Pioneers and the National make a big difference to us all. Association of College and University Entrepreneurs. Even the Scouts have a young entrepreneur’s badge Several hon. Members rose— now, and my wife and I had a very enjoyable evening helping to judge that. They even offered us free cake Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Before and cups of tea to try to influence our decision. I was I call the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Andy the only one of the 350 students studying business at my McDonald), I remind hon. Members that this is his university who went on to run their own business. maiden speech. 229 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 230

4.50 pm industries. By definition, glancing back over just a few generations, we in Middlesbrough can all trace our Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough) (Lab): I am greatly forebears to other parts of these islands and much honoured and feel immensely humbled and privileged further afield—right across the globe. In short, we all to be in this place, representing the town of my birth. came from somewhere else. The circumstances that have caused me to be here were of course most tragic and sudden and I wish to make Our magnificent Teesside university, which in very some comment about my immediate predecessor Sir Stuart recent times was awarded the title of university of the Bell, who sadly died on 13 October 2012. year, continues to draw students from all over the world Sir Stuart became MP for Middlesbrough in 1983 and contributes in no small measure to the development after beating a certain Tony Blair in the selection process of new industries, especially in the area of digital and represented the Middlesbrough constituency for technologies. That all adds to our diversity and the rich almost 30 years until 2012. Such a lengthy period of cultural mix of our town, and it is a joy for me to be at service is quite remarkable and he was duly knighted in the service of all the people of Middlesbrough of whatever 2004 for his services to Parliament, as well as being background, or whatever faith, or of none, in full awarded the Légion d’Honneur in 2006 for his contribution recognition of the common values at large in our to British-French relations. Seven successive general community as we work towards our shared values of election victories is a record that speaks for itself. social justice, understanding, peace and tolerance. Middlesbrough is still a comparatively young town, We have a real sense of community in Middlesbrough, and in the early part of the 19th century was nothing and we have a lot to be proud of, including our wonderful more than four farmhouses with a population of some James Cook University hospital and our schools, the 25 souls. It was the discovery of ironstone in the Eston majority of which have either been rebuilt or refurbished hills and the subsequent production of pig iron that saw over the last 10 years or so. We also have MIMA—the Middlesbrough’s Klondike-like growth over a relatively Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art—and, of course, few short years. Indeed, the first MP for Middlesbrough the magnificent, trophy-winning Middlesbrough football was Henry Bolckow. a German national until his club. Undoubtedly, however, we face very challenging naturalisation as a British subject in 1841. He is undoubtedly economic times. Our rates of unemployment are unenviably one of the founders of modern Middlesbrough. high, which is why I will conclude my speech with a plea. In 1851, at the time Bolckow opened his blast furnaces on Teesside, the population was 8,000; by 1871 it had Although the entire House will undoubtedly agree grown to 40,000. In 1853, the town received a charter of with me that it is never acceptable for an individual to incorporation and Bolckow became its first mayor and reject the genuine opportunity of work, it seems to be the town’s first MP when it was granted the status of a increasingly part of the accepted orthodoxy that those parliamentary borough in 1868. I have been labouring who suffer the indignity of unemployment do so as a under the misapprehension that I was the first locally result of the lifestyle choice that they make. That is a born MP for Middlesbrough, but I discovered that gross and offensive misrepresentation. Penry Williams beat me to it when he was first elected as In a town where more than 10 people currently chase a Liberal MP in 1910. However, I think I can lay claim each and every job that comes along, it is a most cruel to being the first Labour MP for Middlesbrough to slight and insult to say, as some assert with unremitting have been born in the town. regularity, that all such people are somehow by definition I could not let this occasion pass without mentioning scroungers. To all those who would say such things, I one of my most notable predecessors, namely Ellen make this plea: if they are fortunate enough to be in Wilkinson, otherwise known as “Red Ellen”, who first employment or to have other means and if they can won the Middlesbrough East seat in 1924. She was of heat their homes and support their families, they should course a leading light in the women’s suffrage movement tread carefully on the sensitivities of those who cannot and, having lost Middlesbrough East in 1931, went on make such boasts. Such attacks on the powerless and to become the Labour MP for Jarrow, holding ministerial impoverished serve only to reaffirm their sense of alienation office as well as taking part in the famous Jarrow and desperation, which in turn fractures our society and march. It was lovely during the course of the election to offends against the finest of British traditions that in meet Bob Carter of Bellamy court in Pallister park, times of hardship, we protect, support and care for one who is well into his 90s and was a runner for Ellen another. Wilkinson. He was vote-catching in that last election. It is my belief that the overwhelming majority of the The town motto is “Erimus” which means “We shall British people expect us in this House to speak up for be” and is a direct response to the motto of the Brus working families that are having their budgets squeezed family who owned the site on which Middlesbrough is and for young people who are struggling to find their built. Their motto “Fuimus” means “We have been’” first job. In recent weeks, I have talked to thousands of and the town motto was chosen to signify the town’s people in Middlesbrough, so I know that people are will to grow and become great from its foundation. It anxious and scared for the future of their families. To encapsulates the energy, ambition and aspiration of the make matters worse, there is a sense that some politicians people who came from all over the British isles and are determined to set community against community beyond to seek employment in the burgeoning industries and neighbour against neighbour. It is my fervent belief of the mid and late 19th century. that we must strenuously resist the temptation of such Since those times people have continued to come politically expedient arguments, and as an alternative from far and wide to work in our world-class industries we should engender a real sense of one nation so that of steel, bridge and shipbuilding, petro-chemicals and we can rebuild our country and restore fairness so that oil and gas, and now in our digital and renewable energy everyone has a stake and not just a privileged few. 231 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 232

4.57 pm We need a massive investment in the aerospace industry, Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): I congratulate the but one of the big problems with the doubling of the new hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) industry over the next 20 years is the provision of staff on his interesting and excellent maiden speech. with the necessary skills. Over the last 30 years, various Governments ignored apprenticeships—and the last I listened to the autumn statement with a lot of Government were just as bad as their predecessors. I am interest because I, a simple mere Back Bencher, was able glad that the coalition Government are investing in to put forward a proposal to the Chancellor of the apprenticeships, but the wreckage of 20 or 30 years Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, cannot be turned around in two years. Apprentices need suggesting that industry would blossom and grow if we to be given more time in which to learn the job, and I included in the autumn statement something to help am delighted that that is happening. with capital allowances. I was delighted to see that such a measure was included in it. Industry needs confidence The last Government wanted 50%, of students, or to grow and it needs confidence to start to invest. I even more, to go to university and study subjects which, believe that this major part of the autumn statement in the main, were no longer applicable. What we want is has not much been picked up around the country. for young people either to go into apprenticeships or Companies in Burnley, to which I spoke prior to the jobs or to go to university to study the subjects of the autumn statement, assured me that such a measure future rather than the past: subjects such as high-tech would help them to invest in brand-new plant and manufacturing, including high-tech food manufacturing. equipment, so I shall follow up to see if they have When I visited the British Aerospace apprentice school delivered on that. in Warton, I met the apprentice of the year, a young Some plant and equipment could be made mainly in lady who had been on BAE’s apprentice scheme. She the UK, but some of it will come from abroad. The had been told by her college not to be an engineer but to main point, however, is that the companies investing in go to university and study something else, because she this plant and equipment will need more people to work was far too clever to be an engineer. It refused even to on the new pieces of kit. They will also become more advise her on what an engineer was. efficient and deliver more profits—and hence provide more tax. That will obviously help the country along. Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (Lab): Another interesting feature of the autumn statement I have been at a meeting of the all-party parliamentary that was not published anywhere else was the increase apprenticeships group in the last couple of hours. About from 100% to 120% in the Government Actuary’s 30 apprentices were present. One of them, a woman Department rate for self-invested personal pensions. We who is now at Vauxhall, said that her school had spent have tied pensions to the triple lock, so that the vast all its time trying to persuade her to try to get into majority of old age pensioners will receive an increase university rather than becoming an apprentice. It was that is way above the inflation rate. However, this is a clear from what she was saying that those at the school major step that will benefit those who have made their thought that it would be higher in the league table if own arrangements through various SIPP and self- people passed A-levels and went to university rather administered pension schemes. They will now be able to than entering what that woman said was a very fulfilling spend more of what they have invested in pension career. That seems to be the pattern in many schools funds, rather than the Government’s holding it back, today. and that will create growth because they will start to enjoy spending money that they have saved over many years. Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful for that intervention, and I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman. I am the The main thing that we must do is invest in chairman of the all-party group on apprenticeships. manufacturing. I used to be in manufacturing myself: I Unfortunately, I have been sat here in the Chamber worked in the aerospace industry. Over the next 20 years, today waiting to speak, instead of being at that all-party the airlines of the world will spend some $7 trillion on group meeting, and I am sorry I missed hearing from new aeroplanes and helicopters, and, as the second-biggest those apprentices. manufacturer in aerospace equipment, we must get involved. That will mean a growth of 5% in the industry The hon. Gentleman may recall that two Airbus every year, so over 20 years we will have to double our apprentices came to a previous meeting. Both of them capacity to produce aerospace components. Well over had turned down the chance to go to Oxford university 100,000 people already work directly in the industry, in order to be apprentices at Airbus. Both of them said, and the supply chain employs even more. The country “We’ve come to Airbus, and it has taken us through its must get involved, and in order to do that we must apprenticeship programme and paid for us to go to expand. university.” Both of them were proud to say they had Another aspect of the autumn statement that was not bought new cars and were happy to pick up their picked up by any of the newspapers was the £100 million friends, who had gone to university and now had not that the Chancellor has put into the aerospace supply got jobs, and to take them out on a Friday night. chain. In Lancashire, the North West Aerospace Alliance We must encourage young people to go to university has bid for a national aerospace supply chain centre to via companies such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and BAE be built somewhere in the north-west. I hope that it is Systems. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is built in Burnley, but as long as it is built somewhere in wrong for schools to advise young people to go to the north-west, I shall be delighted. I am sure that you university just to ensure that their figures for pupils would love to see it built in Chorley, Mr Deputy Speaker, attending university go up. That is outrageous, and it but I suspect that it will go to BAE’s new industrial park needs to be looked at. I have argued that case for quite in Samlesbury. some time. 233 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 234

Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): First, I want to talk about the poor, because my poor may I apologise for not having been in the Chamber for constituents believe they are being punished for the long? failure of this Government and their reckless welfare I urge the hon. Gentleman to pick up on the issue of reform. I also want to talk about the rich and how they how schools deal with people who want to be apprentices. are being let off the hook—again, that is because of the The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee has just Government’s failure to make sure we collect all the tax undertaken a report on the subject, and that theme we are owed. Why did the Government, when they first came up time and again. It is in all our interests to came into office, cut the number of tax inspectors by ensure that what has been described does not happen. 7,000? The ambition was to cut the number of tax We had too much elitism in the past, and we do not inspectors to an all-time low of 56,100. I remember that want it continuing in the future. I wrote to the Chancellor in November 2010 saying that that would be counter-productive. When the Government are cutting the staff who prevent tax avoidance and Gordon Birtwistle: Once again, I agree with the right evasion, how can my constituents believe that tackling hon. Gentleman. It is always a great moment when the it is a priority? Indeed, in answer to a parliamentary right hon. Gentleman rises and speaks in this Chamber— question, the Government admitted that every new tax even though he has only just turned up. inspector brings an additional £600,000 a year into the Exchequer. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): On a point The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David of clarification, Mr Binley is not a right hon. Member. Gauke) indicated dissent. He has been in the Chamber a little longer than suggested, too. Emily Thornberry: The Economic Secretary shakes his head, but I am just quoting what was said in the Gordon Birtwistle: I apologise. The hon. Member for Government’s answer to a parliamentary question. He Northampton South (Mr Binley) must have been so is welcome to intervene if he wishes to correct me. quiet that I had not seen him in his place. I agree that the schools and colleges in this country Mr Gauke: As the hon. Lady has invited me to make must no longer downgrade apprenticeships, and must this point, I will do so. If someone looks at the number no longer say to students, “If you don’t pass, you’ll be of people working for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs an apprentice.” That is an outrageous statement for in enforcement and compliance—not the other areas; schools to make. It is time they woke up. I must say that there are a lot of processing jobs—they find that under it is also time that this Government’s Department for the previous Government’s plans it fell by 9,000, whereas Education woke up to the fact that going to university is under this Government’s plans it will increase by 2,500. no longer the be-all and end-all, because there is far more to life than going to university. Emily Thornberry: The fact is that 7,000 jobs have gone under this Government’s plans, and the gap between I am a little upset that the Secretary of State for what we collect and what we are owed is estimated to be Education does not think a right lot about careers £35 billion, which is twice the housing benefit bill. advice, because I believe that careers advice in schools is Independent research commissioned by the Public and crucial. Youngpeople need to be told about, and shown, Commercial Services Union reckoned that the real figure what is available these days outside the school gates. was more like £120 billion, which is six and a half times The Secretary of State and his Department must realise the housing benefit bill. Whatever the true sum, the fact that and advise schools that careers advice is crucial to is that without a sufficient number of tax inspectors we young people’s futures. Perhaps even more importantly, cannot ensure that the rules apply to everyone. Everyone it is crucial to the economy of this country, because if should pay tax; it should not just be for the little people. we do not train people for the jobs of the future, we will Paying one’s taxes should not be some sort of charitable all go down the pan.5.3 pm gesture, and I have little understanding as to why it was seen as appropriate for this Government to continue to Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (Lab): cut back on tax inspectors. If we are to have rules, they The autumn statement showed that this Government’s need to be applied. The Exchequer Secretary says that handling of the economy has been a profound failure. It there were many processing jobs, but presumably people shows what happens when a Government do not have in that job need to make sure that the sums add up, that any plan for jobs and growth. If they do not have a plan everything has been claimed that should have been for jobs and growth, they come back after two and a claimed and that everything has been paid that should half years and say, “Actually, we need another five have been paid. Without that essential processing we years,” and if they still do not have a plan for jobs and will never know whether or not tax avoidance has been growth, they will come back after another two and a taking place—this is not just about major companies; it half years and again say they need another five years, happens throughout the system. At a time like this, we and so it will go on, because borrowing is up and debt is need to make sure that everyone plays by the rules. If up and economic growth is down. The Government everyone does that and if the rules apply to us all and have wasted two and a half years. People simply do not we have a fair society, we have the very one nation that buy it any more. The Business Secretary said that the Labour Members have been talking about. Government’s credibility hinges on whether or not they Of course, the rules also apply to those who claim eliminate the deficit. After the autumn statement it is benefits and of course if someone can work, they must clear that the credibility of this Government, supported work. That is what unites this whole House. What does by the Liberal Democrats, is in tatters. not unite this House is the language used by Government 235 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 236

Front Benchers—the language of “scroungers”. Such for double-speak. Eighty per cent. of market rent in my language is simply offensive, as the highly eloquent constituency could not be afforded by ordinary people maiden speech by my new hon. Friend the Member for in my constituency. I went on to the Rightmove website Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) so well set out. Such this morning and looked at the prices of three-bedroom language is a smokescreen that covers up a great deal of flats in my constituency. Does the hon. Gentleman what this Government are actually doing. Although know how much the rent for a bog-standard three-bedroom they talk about scroungers and those who stay in bed, flat in my constituency would be? Four hundred pounds keep the curtains closed and do not go out to work—the a week. How much is the housing benefit cap? Three remarks are highly offensive—they do not address the hundred and forty pounds a week. There was only one issue, which is that many, many people who are out of flat on Rightmove that was under the amount of the work want to work, but the fact of the matter is that cap so how can people in my constituency, who will be people cannot go from welfare into work if the work is subjected to the housing benefit cap, afford to continue not there. to live in Islington? Furthermore, many of the changes that this Government There is an argument that the poor should not be are making and announced in the autumn statement living in Islington, but I respectfully disagree. My will affect those very people who work. I want to go on constituency should be a mixed constituency and should to address the issue of not just those who are poor and have rich and poor. Generations of poor people who not working, but that of those who are working in my live in my constituency should be allowed to continue to constituency and are dependent on benefits. Sometimes live there. Furthermore, the housing benefit cap is one I feel as though I live in a different world where Government atrocious measure that this Government have introduced, Members believe that only those who are out of work but we wait for the next, which is universal credit. There claim benefits. In fact, many people who work depend will be a cap of £500 a week for a four-bedroom flat in on benefits. Surely that is a conundrum. Many people my constituency. There were 69 that were under the meet me on the street and say, “How can the welfare £400 current housing benefit— benefit bill be going up if a million additional people have got work?” The truth is self-evident. Many people Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. who are now working work part-time or are self-employed rely on housing benefit and tax credits, the very things that the Minister will be cutting as a result of the 5.18 pm autumn statement. Let us use the terms that he uses, such as the strivers. Those very strivers are having their Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): It is a pleasure support system cut away by this Government. Even in to follow the hon. Member for Islington South and the hon. Gentleman’s offensive terms, that cannot be Finsbury (Emily Thornberry). I agree with her on one justified. point: everyone should pay tax, but more of that later. I want to talk specifically about housing benefit May I pay tribute to those who made their maiden because the issue affects my constituents particularly. I speeches, and welcome them to this place? I remember hear Government Members say, “Why should it be that mine all too clearly; it is a nerve-wracking moment for people on average earnings receive less than people on all of us. benefits?” That has a certain ring to it and I know that In the eight minutes that I have, I do not want to look the Conservatives are out of touch, but surely some of back or play the blame game with the Opposition, other them must know someone who rents a flat and who than to remind the country of their profligate years, but understands that housing benefit goes not to the tenant, enough said: we have to look to the future and how we but to the landlord. It is because rents have gone up so get ourselves out of this mess. Let me go back over much in London and the south-east that the housing some basic principles which, it seems to me—maybe I benefit bill continues to rise. In the past two years, am getting this horribly wrong—many in the House private rents in London have gone up by 25%, according have forgotten. Baroness Thatcher, a lady for whom I to London Councils. In those circumstances, how can it have huge respect and admiration, was brought up, as be justified to attack housing benefit, to put an arbitrary the House knows, in a grocer’s store. Her economic cap on housing benefit, or to believe that housing principles, like most of her principles, were very simple benefit should be the same level in London as it is and on the whole they were sound: “You spend what anywhere else in the country? How can that be fair? you earn. You borrow too much and you go broke. It is not the fault of my poor constituents that their Eating into capital is the road to ruin.” She believed in a rent is high. It is the fault of my Government and of light-touch, low-tax Government. Conservative Governments who did not build enough We had the chance to be radical when we came to housing. There was a time when Conservative and power, but regrettably, linked to the Lib Dems as we are, Labour Governments used to compete with each other that was never going to be a reality. Taxes, both business as to how much affordable housing they could build. In and personal, remain at punitive levels. They curtail the 1970s, four fifths of the housing budget was spent incentive, reinvestment, aspiration and jobs. Employers’ on building new homes and one fifth on housing benefit. national insurance contributions are a classic example. I Now it is completely turned on its head and we continue run a business, albeit a small one, and pay nearly 15% to pay the price of failure. We must build more housing for each person I employ. That is madness, and it is and we must not simply dance on a pin, analysing what certainly not based on Conservative or free-marketeer affordable housing means. principles. My advice to those on the Government The Minister represents a party that defines affordable Front Bench is to scrap employers’ national insurance housing as costing 80% of market rent. He and his contributions if they want to see unemployment fall party should get some sort of George Orwellian prize and businesses thrive. 237 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 238

[Richard Drax] apprentices, nurses, doctors, hospitals and schools could be looked after if we had all the money that is going The deficit is down, which I welcome, but borrowing abroad? is rising, as we have heard, and state expenditure remains Let us not forget the defence of our country and our unacceptably high, with savings in real terms at negligible armed services, which are being slashed to an unforgivable levels. So we print more and more money—it is called level. We have a bloated welfare bill; it has been discussed quantitative easing—tons of it, in fact, and down the in this place again and again. Then there is the NHS, plug it has gone. But at some stage it will spill over into where all sides bury their heads in the sand. That bill the bath and we will start to spend it. Inflation will rise will go on rising and rising to unaffordable levels. There and interest rates will inevitably have to rise to combat may be—I am sure there is—another way, but no, we do it. At that stage, we will see pain on an unprecedented not do that; we ring-fence it instead. level in this country. We need a country where the entrepreneur—the business In the meantime, we pile more and more taxes on the man and woman—can fly free of red tape, punitive tax better-off, who already face punitive rates, while those rates and burdensome regulations from the EU. In at the bottom are taken out of tax altogether. Why? The South Dorset, I have a young Marine who has set up a hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury said company called Ovik Solutions. He makes armoured that everyone should pay their taxes fairly. If we take vehicles based on old Land Rover chassis. Riot-proof those on the lower end out of tax altogether, what and bomb-proof, they are currently serving in Northern incentive do they have to put away their rubbish or to Ireland—120 of them. One can see the white vehicles—they contribute to their fire or police service? are his. The company is going from strength, from employing two people to 15. Ovik will provide British jobs, Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): The hon. based on British engineering and ingenuity, in Britain. Gentleman’s view of economics seems to miss the fact How ironic that its inspiration, Jaguar Land Rover, that when Governments invest, jobs are created, more is now owned by India and production is moving to China. money comes into the Treasury and less goes out by What lessons have our Government learned? Here we way of wasteful benefits. What has gone wrong in the are, on our knees, and what do we do? We appoint the last two and half years is that the Government have right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) as pulled the plug on investment, which now, rather belatedly, the Business Secretary. This man is no friend of business; they are trying to put back in a small way. By the way, he is a friend of those who say “Tax, and tax, and tax, some people might not be paying income tax, but they and tax.” We do not need a man of that ilk in charge of are paying council tax towards the very services he has our business. just mentioned. Another crazy move, brought in by the Opposition when in government, involves our brewing industry. I Richard Drax: Unfortunately, the Government have am of course talking about the beer duty escalator—it invested; the hon. Lady is absolutely right. Governments, is absolutely mad; jobs are going in their scores every particularly during Labour’s 13 years in office, invested year—and it is possible for no other reason than that to such an extent that we are now in the mess we people like to drink beer. This is a home-grown industry currently find ourselves in. It is not for Governments to that we are singularly doing an awful lot to destroy. play economics; it is for business men and women, What must we do? We must deregulate, we must lower entrepreneurs, small businesses and retailers to generate taxes, and we must cut state expenditure. Yes, there will our economy. I hear again and again from people on all be pain—of course there will—but I am convinced that sides that the broadest shoulders should bear the biggest in the longer term, if the private sector is allowed to load and that we are all in it together. We are not, and flourish, as it has done, much to this Government’s we never will be, and we fool ourselves and do a credit, with the creation of 1 million new jobs, then we, disservice to those struggling to make ends meet if we and it, will create the wealth and the jobs that we need. think otherwise. Let us not forget that the better-off, whether businesses or individuals, play a useful role in our economy. Except for a few notable occasions, they 5.27 pm pay tax. They create jobs and buy goods, which generates Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): jobs, and in many cases they take their wealth responsibly May I say what a pleasure it is to follow the maiden and give back in countless ways, so let us stop killing the speeches by our new colleagues, my hon. Friends the golden goose. Members for Rotherham (Sarah Champion), for Croydon The simple fact is that we must cut state expenditure. North (Steve Reed), and for Middlesbrough (Andy The EU is a classic case. Some £51 million a day goes to McDonald)? I think that I speak for everyone on the that unaccountable, Soviet-style bureaucracy, the same Opposition Benches when I say that they were superb EU that mislays ¤5.2 billion every year, according to the contributions and that the arrival of six new Labour European Court of Auditors. Yet they want more, and MPs, in all, has given us a tantalising glimpse of what we give it to them. We boast about giving 0.7% of our life will be like in 2015 when Labour again has a GDP in overseas aid. Do not get me wrong: I am all for parliamentary majority. charity, but charity should start in this country, particularly There is no doubt that the economy is the defining now that so many of our constituents are struggling. issue of this Parliament and that the deficit reduction Let me give an analogy, the farming analogy, as I call it. plan is the defining measure by which this Government If a third-world country needs to learn how to farm, we will be judged. In that context, last week’s autumn do not send it millions of pounds that go into the statement showed us that it is shocking how far they pockets of some genocidal maniac; we send a farmer have fallen short, on the basis of their own yardstick, in and we teach them how to look after themselves. How many terms of the progress they have made so far. In the 239 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 240 emergency budget after the election, the Chancellor Deficit reduction is not the only promise that the told us that he would need, first, four and then five Chancellor has broken. As well as telling us that austerity years to sort the deficit out. He said that we could not would be the solution, he famously promised that we afford to do it any slower and ease the pain, as Labour are all in this together. We are not all in this together. wanted. He said that it would be painful but it would be The Government have given a £3 billion handout to the worth it. Last week, two and half years in, with hundreds richest people in the country, yet a family with two of thousands of people made unemployed and the children where one parent earns a relatively modest stripping out of the Army, the police, council services income of, for example, £20,000 are the ones who lose and everything else, he told us: “I need another five out. years.” He told us that we have almost nothing to show Furthermore, the Government’s claim that the 50p for the pain our constituents have endured so far. tax rate meant that millionaires fled the country does Whether people are supporters of the Chancellor or not stand up to scrutiny. A simple look at the figures not, the fact is that every time he comes to the House to shows that the overall number of taxpayers remained report on his progress, he has to tell us that the economy almost unchanged between 2009-10 and 2010-11. Following has not grown as he had hoped since the last time he the introduction of the 50p rate, there may have been a was here; that he is planning, more often than not, to deterioration in declared incomes above £1 million, but borrow more than the last time he was here; that that was without doubt the result of the wealthy forestalling spending on public services will be cut more than the their income from one tax period to another. The last time he was here; and that future growth will be less Government should have kept the rate for the next tax than he expected the last time he was here. Crucially, we year to ascertain exactly what it brought it in, because, now know that without the Treasury’s accounting tricks, goodness knows, we needed the money. borrowing would be higher this year than last year. This It is the same unequal story right across the country: is a Chancellor who has failed, but it is our constituents it is Labour-run councils, particularly those in the north who have to pay the price of that failure. of the country, that bear the brunt of the cuts. On average, Labour-run authorities have seen their budget Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Austerity has wreaked cut by £107 per person, which is three times higher than havoc in areas such as Wigan precisely because the public the figure for Conservative town halls. Councils will not and private sectors are so interdependent. The huge receive detailed information for their 2014-15 budgets cuts to the public sector have had an appalling impact until later this month, but nationally they know that on the private sector as well. Does my hon. Friend share they will face cuts of £445 million in that financial my disappointment that the Chancellor has refused to year. Councils such as Tameside face an anxious wait to acknowledge that and refused to change course, as we see whether that reduction will be applied equally or have urged him to do? Having listened to the hon. whether councils such as ours will again have to suffer Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax), it seems to disproportionately. me not only that the Government refuse to acknowledge The situation in adult social care in particular is of that, but that they simply do not understand it. great concern to me. I meet people in my surgeries who are in severe need of help, but simply not enough money is provided for social care in this country to meet Jonathan Reynolds: I completely agree. It is self-evident. that need. I have met people with caring responsibilities The economy has grown by just 0.6% in the past two for adults and children who have told me of their sheer years and this year it has shrunk by 0.1%, with talk of desperation at the prospect of their respite care being the UK yo-yoing back into recession for the third time taken away. We need to do something urgently to properly as the recovery continues to falter. support those people. Without any significant growth, the Chancellor will On unemployment, in my constituency 10 jobseekers fail to meet his own targets. Borrowing is only lower this are now chasing every advertised vacancy. A good year because the Chancellor has included on the balance portion of them are over 50 years old and starting to sheet the £3.5 billion from the auction of 4G. That wonder if they will ever work again. Long-term would make sense if the 4G mobile spectrum had unemployment is rising across the country and nearly indeed been sold for that amount, but the auction has 1 million young people are out of work. That is the not taken place yet. That means that the Chancellor has principal cause of the Government’s borrowing problems balanced the books with money that he simply does not and the OBR forecasts that the claimant count will have. If I asked my bank manager to accept that I had continue to go up. paid off a chunk of my mortgage as long as she factored The Work programme was the Government’s attempt in the sale of my car, but that I had not actually sold it to get people off welfare and into work, but a successful yet, she would laugh at me. We should be no more welfare-to-work programme is not possible if there is convinced by the Chancellor’s actions. no work available. According to the Government’s own Without the addition of the estimated windfall from statistics, just two out of 100 participants were still in the 4G auction, borrowing this year would actually be work after six months, which means that the chance of £2 billion higher than last year. Despite the promises getting a job was higher if people did not take part in that the austerity measures would stabilise the economy, the scheme. Members should contrast that with the this year the Government will borrow more—£212 billion success of the future jobs fund, run by the previous more—than they had planned. Coalition MPs frequently Government and spearheaded by the former Member warn us of the dangers of borrowing too much, but of Parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde, James Purnell. they never seem keen to take their own medicine. The Unlike the job-hunting support offered through the Government’s deficit reduction plan is not working and Work programme, the future jobs fund provided six it is simply mismanagement to pretend otherwise. months’ real work for every participant. It also had 241 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 242

[Jonathan Reynolds] But Mrs Thatcher had no excuse. The windfall takings from privatisation and North sea oil amounted to long-lasting results: in Tameside, half of those who £155 billion. Practically every other country in the took part went on to secure permanent employment. Of world that had such a windfall established a sovereign course, if we are to cut the deficit, we need to get people wealth fund to be invested over a long period. Instead, back into work—that is vital—but the turnaround is these Tories who claim to be careful with money blew not just about the nation’s finances; it is also about an the lot. individual’s pride. I therefore urge the Government to look again at the success of the future jobs fund as they Kwasi Kwarteng: Will the right hon. Gentleman give try to move forward from the failure of the Work way? programme. For those who want to work, but have been failed by Frank Dobson: No, I shall not give way for the time the lack of jobs and the impotence of the Work programme, being because I cannot make up my mind whether the there was even worse news last week. The Chancellor hon. Gentleman is here or not. announced that they will be made poorer in real terms The hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) because their benefits will not be increased in line with ought to remember that Mrs Thatcher abolished inflation. That will cause hardship not just for the apprenticeships. She did not invest in research, improving unemployed, but for a great many people in work. We engineering, infrastructure or retooling British industry. heard today in Treasury questions that the majority of Her real legacy was to introduce the almost total dominance the people who will be affected are in work. of banking and finance into our economy. What a If that had been done as part of the Chancellor decade and a decade and a decade we got out of that! asking us to tighten our belts, it would be one thing, but The bankers’ bonus has become one of the greatest the autumn statement in its totality represents a net scandals of all time. The British Bankers Association, giveaway for the next three financial years. It was not the trade group of these respectable bankers, actually the Chancellor asking for more from the British people. ran the LIBOR rate rigging so that people could make The Chancellor can afford a tax cut for millionaires and money. The payment protection insurance scams were a cut in corporation tax, but he asks people who get out intended to make money—they were not a charitable of bed and go to work on low wages to pay for it. That effort. Barclays was involved in the LIBOR scandal, is a disgrace. in the PPI scandal and in sanctions busting, and it The autumn statement is proof that the economic managed to lose £7 billion in the crash. Its auditors, policies of the Conservative Government are simply not PricewaterhouseCoopers, apparently did not notice any working. We cannot cut the deficit effectively unless the of that. It should have noticed, because the bank was economy is growing, and the Government are not doing not involved in those things as a charity; it was getting a enough to foster economic growth. Today, while we talk percentage of every transaction and one would have about taxes, growth, double dips and triple dips, let us thought its auditors might have spotted that. not fall into the trap of thinking that this is a debate The magnificent HSBC was involved in the LIBOR purely about numbers; this debate is and should be and PPI scandals, and we now know it was involved in firmly rooted in the increasing struggles of the people sanctions busting in Iran, Burma and North Korea. It we all represent: the growing number of people who are has been involved in the financing of gunrunners and in accessing food banks, those who are choosing between money laundering from drug barons in Mexico. To eating and heating, and those who live with the fear that facilitate the Mexican drug barons it opened not six, 60, their homes may soon be repossessed. Those people are 600 or 6,000 but 60,000 secret accounts for Mexicans in the economic reality of our country and we owe it to the Cayman Islands, and it received a percentage from them to run our economy better than we are doing at each. HSBC was not in it as a charity; it was in it to get present. money. Presumably, some of the bankers were paid bonuses 5.36 pm for the profits they made from sanctions busting, Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab): As gunrunning and money laundering, yet HSBC, the former one of the ancients, I must say that I was heartened by masters of the universe, lost £27 billion in the crash and the maiden speeches of my hon. Friends the Members its auditors, KPMG, did not get a sniff of it—not a for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), for Croydon thing. That is a disgrace and is damaging our economy North (Steve Reed) and for Rotherham (Sarah Champion), and the reputation of British businesses trying to get who brought a great deal of cogency and compassion to work abroad. People say, “Have you got one of these the debate. I look forward to their participating yet dodgy auditors? Have you got a dodgy banker on your more. team? It’s not very helpful if you have.” That is a real I have been struck, yet again, by the extent to which problem. the thinking of Conservative Members is utterly dominated To make up for the mess that the bankers caused—and by the myth of the Thatcher legacy: that she transformed continue to cause—ordinary people in this country are the British economy and that it was saved from ruin expected to skimp and save. My hon. Friend the Member through competition, deregulation and privatisation. for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) One can expect Tories to think that, but a lot of shares the problem I have in my constituency of housing commentators in the newspapers and on television and benefit. She will, therefore, be familiar with stories such radio clearly take the same view. It is entirely erroneous. as that of the woman who came to my advice service on The annual economic growth under Mrs Thatcher was Friday and lives in a council flat that was sold under the exactly the same as that under the Governments of Jim right to buy. She is expected to pay £485 rent to the Callaghan and Harold Wilson who preceded her. private landlord who now owns that flat, but has been 243 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 244 told that her benefit will come down by £160 a week, detrimental effect on the domestic user. Does she agree meaning she can no longer live there. Perhaps more that one way to help the Northern Ireland economy importantly—even to decent, what used to be one-nation would be for the Government to get to grips with Tories—her nine-year-old daughter who is doing well at smuggled fuel from the Irish Republic, which loses them primary school will not be able to live in that flat any tens of millions of pounds? more, and neither will her 19-year-old son who is doing an apprenticeship. They will be driven out under what I first described—I know the Deputy Prime Minister does Ms Ritchie: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his not like this description—as a policy of social cleansing. intervention. Like him, I believe that fuel laundering and smuggling is a major problem. It needs to be The chair of the Tory party—when he isn’t Mr Green— addressed by the Treasury, and by the Department of says that people should not be able to live in places they Finance and the Revenue Commissioners in the south cannot afford, but what about the people in my constituency of Ireland. who sweep the streets, keep the hospitals clean, work as nurses, drive buses and make the city work and a We have record youth unemployment in Northern civilised place? They are exactly the people who are Ireland, and local businesses face a climate of extremely being driven out by the benefit changes, and I hope to low consumer confidence and no prospect of growth. God my party will vote against them. We had the highest rate of youth unemployment in the last quarter for which figures are available—some 18%. More recently, we heard the terrible news of the closure 5.43 pm of Patton, a major construction firm, with the loss of more than 150 jobs. Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I begin by congratulating my hon. Friends the Members for The Government have spoken repeatedly of rebalancing Rotherham (Sarah Champion), for Croydon North (Steve the economy, but talk of their flagship policy—the Reed) and for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald) on devolution of corporation tax—was notable only by its making their maiden speeches today. absence from the Chancellor’s statement last week. It is I commend the Treasury for coming to its senses and critical that the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive cancelling the proposed increase in fuel duty. It seems are granted more economic levers that we can use to there is at least some acknowledgement of the need to rebuild our economy. The Government’s decision has encourage growth in the economy rather than cut a been a long time coming, but it is crucial for our medium path to perpetual stagnation. The move will put money and long-term planning that they make it as soon as back in people’s pockets, encourage local businesses possible. and hopefully spur growth in the local economy, particularly The Chancellor listened to our concerns about the in rural areas. Social Democratic and Labour party adverse impact of the carbon floor price and the exemption Members called for that measure, like many of our will deliver a degree of much-needed support to local colleagues from other parties who take their seats in the business. However, such news does not remove the House of Commons. reality of the broader economic picture. As the Northern However, that was a brief moment of hope in an Ireland Finance Minister has indicated, the result will otherwise dismal autumn statement. Statistics show likely be more cuts being implemented by the Northern that this is the slowest recovery from a financial crisis in Ireland Executive, particularly with regard to welfare history. The OBR downgraded growth to minus 0.1%. payments. Since the statement, the City of London has cast doubt on the Chancellor’s assertions that the economy will Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): I commend return to growth next year, stating that falling revenues the hon. Lady for her speech. Does she agree that banks from North sea oil and poor manufacturing figures need to be more sympathetic in lending to small and could push the UK into an unprecedented triple-dip medium-sized businesses if they are to prosper, because recession. of the challenges they face? In the light of that, the only commitment the Chancellor will have no problem meeting is his promise to extend austerity until 2017-18. The only reason the borrowing Ms Ritchie: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his figures look slightly healthier than expected is the sleight- intervention. I agree that the banking regime in Northern of-hand, last-minute inclusion of the 4G spectrum auction Ireland is stringent at the moment. We have a unique windfall. On that topic, will the Chancellor or the situation in Northern Ireland. Some of the banking appropriate Minister confirm, as I was told in response institutions are owned by the south of Ireland, but to a written question recently, why Northern Ireland some have direct links to the Royal Bank of Scotland will not receive Barnett consequential funding as a and Danske Bank. So there is that sort of mix as well. result of that sale? Suffice it to say that small and medium-sized enterprises are facing difficult economic challenges, and to have Against such a backdrop, it is hard to see how anyone banks unwilling to lend or provide the necessary credit could argue that the Chancellor’s economic strategy is at this difficult time is not helping economic growth. bringing the economy back to a position of strength. That needs to be explored by the Treasury and, in the Quite simply, austerity is not working, including for case of Northern Ireland, in some instances, directly people in Northern Ireland. with the Department of Finance in Dublin. David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): At the beginning of the hon. Lady’s speech, she mentioned the cancellation Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Does the hon. of the 3p increase—it is a good thing the Chancellor did Lady think that one way of boosting the economy not go ahead with that because it would have had a would be to encourage the construction industry, which, 245 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 246

[Jim Shannon] yet to occur, and by the £5 billion tax deal with Switzerland. Let us look at the Chancellor’s much lauded as all Members know, has had particular problems? “largest tax evasion settlement in UK history”. Does she think that the banks should be more sympathetic It is anticipated by the Chancellor to bring in more than to the construction industry in particular? £5 billion over the next six years, although the OBR described that clearly as “highly uncertain” because of Ms Ritchie: I agree that the construction industry, the lack of information about the value of the assets along with agriculture and tourism, is a vital economic held by UK citizens in Switzerland. Indeed, the Treasury lever in Northern Ireland, but, owing to the economic has stated: challenges of the recession, many people employed in “The final stage of the ratification process is expected to be the construction industry have found themselves without concluded shortly, but there remains a possibility that the Swiss work and many businesses have gone to the wall. They government will have to hold a referendum on the agreement… did not meet with a sympathetic reception from the This is therefore a significant fiscal risk to the forecast.” banking institutions, but they need assistance because The Treasury added: they are necessary to pump-prime our local economy. “The estimated revenue raised by this measure is also highly The Chancellor’s welfare plans will remove more uncertain as there is little hard information about the value of than £4 billion from the welfare budget by uprating UK individuals’ financial assets in Switzerland, and how these benefits by just 1% a year until 2015. With a legacy of individuals will respond to the policy.” physical and social neglect from the troubles, this will Apart from those settlements, by 2015-16 three years of remove the necessary level of support from many of our higher borrowing will push up public sector net debt by people and a substantial sum of money from the local £67 billion, or 4%. The Chancellor’s own rules state that economy. Instead of addressing their own shortcomings, public debt as a share of national income must fall by the Government are vilifying the poor and those on 2015-16. To pass that test, the growth in public debt welfare as a smokescreen for their own appalling economic must be lower than growth in cash or nominal GDP. record. That will place those most needy and vulnerable In March, the OBR massaged its nominal GDP in the current economic climate in an even more precarious growth forecast up to 5.7% in 2015-16 alone, in order situation and will hurt not just the unemployed, but just to exceed the 5.3% rise forecast in public sector net those who rely on in-work benefits. It is nothing more debt. Now the OBR has slashed its GDP growth forecast than a real-terms cut for those most in need by the same for that year to 4.6%. No matter how much the Chancellor Chancellor who handed out a tax cut for the wealthiest likes to fudge and fiddle the figures, he cannot massage in society at the last Budget. It would seem that some of down the 5.9% hike in debt forecast by the OBR for us are more “all in this together” than others. 2015-16. The chances of his meeting the terms of his The autumn statement might have been politically own debt rule have taken only two and a half years to more surefooted than the Chancellor’s last Budget, but be completely destroyed by the growth-strangling policies I fail to see what it will do to address the core problems he now wishes desperately to reverse, as we saw with the facing the economy. It might reassure some Tory voters U-turn on capital allowances. The Chancellor says he here, but I do not think that my constituents or the has missed his debt rule by a fraction and that he will people of Northern Ireland will find much to cheer retain the 2015-16 debt target, even though it will now about. I fear that we will be having this same debate, be impossible to hit. with similarly poor economic figures, come the next The public finances are now difficult to compare with Budget. those under previous Budgets because the statistics are affected by large transfers of cash or classification 5.52 pm changes. In fact, the Chancellor’s raid on surplus funds sitting in the Bank of England originates from his Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland) quantitative easing programme. The OBR says the surpluses (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friends the Members for are temporary, so although the Chancellor’s cash grab Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), for Croydon North flatters headline public borrowing figures by some (Steve Reed) and for Rotherham (Sarah Champion), £12.3 billion in 2013-14, future Governments will have who gave three excellent speeches and demonstrated the to repay the Bank of England an estimated £6 billion to great capabilities and talent coming into the parliamentary £7 billion in 2021-22 for this Chancellor’s record purchasing Labour party and which we hope to see more of in 2015. of our own bonds. Without that cash grab, the Chancellor The economy has been weakened by poor decisions would have broken not just his fiscal rule—which he by the Chancellor leading to declining growth, so borrowing clearly has—but his debt target for 2016-17 and his is higher, which means that the public debt is worse. deficit promises. While public spending totals are similar to those in the Here we are, going into 2013, and all the Chancellor March Budget, tax revenue forecasts are far more can say is that we need another five years to deal with pessimistic. The Office for Budget Responsibility suggests the deficit problem. That is exactly the same statement that by 2015-16 tax receipts will be £662 billion instead he made in June 2010—a stagnant sentence for a stagnated of £692 billion. That is a 4% overestimation, as corporation economy, stifled by a part-time Chancellor. This is an tax, income tax and VAT at 20% have not brought in autumn statement following autumn statements and and will not bring in the tax take expected. That £30 billion Budgets for the last two and a half years, all of which shortfall translates into a £30 billion rise in public have failed to meet any of the stated aims of the sector net borrowing. Chancellor’s original objective. Two and a half years In every year except 2012-13 borrowing is higher, and later, we are still five years away from the total eradication the gap grows over time. This year’s figures are flattered of the deficit. This Government will have accrued more by the £3.5 billion sale of the spectrum for 4G, which is debt in five years than in the entire 13 years of Labour’s 247 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 248 rule. Under this Chancellor’s watch, in 2015 the UK will genuine, sustainable, long-term growth. He failed miserably unfortunately hold the worst public sector net deficit in on both counts. On the first test, the International the west, according to OBR and IMF figures. Monetary Fund, the OECD, the Federation of European Was the autumn statement a growth strategy? No. Is Employers, the CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce this a deficit and debt-reducing strategy? No. Is this a and the Federation of Small Businesses have all been strategy for borrowing? Yes it is, and on the backs of the telling him that he simply must inject growth into the low and middle-income workers—borrowing for failure, economy and stop endlessly hacking away at public not for investment. expenditure. Just how desperately such actions are needed is shown by the fact that the Chancellor’s own forecast Richard Drax: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? in his 2010 Budget that cumulative public sector net borrowing over the next four years would be £322 billion Tom Blenkinsop: I am sorry, I will not. has now been increased to a staggering £539 billion. That is an increase of £217 billion. The key point is that Can the Chancellor guarantee that we will borrow at that increase is almost wholly attributable to the failure a low interest rate because we will still have a triple A of the economy to grow. That is the significant point rating? No. The very cornerstone on which this coalition behind this debate. is premised has been utterly flawed. As a result, a recovering economy in May 2010 has been so damaged that we have witnessed a double-dip recession, with the Kwasi Kwarteng: Will the right hon. Gentleman give strong likelihood that it will become a triple-dip recession— way? something that the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills had to admit only this Sunday Mr Meacher: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, was a distinct possibility. In essence, the Chancellor is because he was kind enough to give way to me at the on the brink of exchanging the triple A credit rating he end of his speech. inherited from Labour—and which he prized most of all—for a potential triple dip of his own making. Kwasi Kwarteng: I am glad to see that some courtesies are still observed in the House. Does the right hon. 5.58 pm Gentleman accept that this country and this Government have a problem with current spending levels, or does he Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) believe that we can carry on increasing spending indefinitely? (Lab): I cannot help but begin by noting that, with nearly two hours to go, there is not a single Tory MP rising to defend the Chancellor’s policies. That speaks Mr Meacher: Of course I believe that there is a for itself—I cannot remember the last time it happened. problem with the level of debt and the level of the public sector deficit; everyone accepts that. The issue is how it should be dealt with. I believe that the way this George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con) rose— Government are dealing with it is profoundly self-defeating. Mr Meacher: No, I am not going to give way; I have The Chancellor has failed in the sense that, according not even started. I am just observing what has happened. to the OBR, despite an output gap that remains incredibly high at 3.7%, the net effect of all his measures in the I congratulate my three new hon. Friends the Members autumn statement will be to raise the general growth for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), for Rotherham rate by a footling 0.1%. That is an extraordinary judgment (Sarah Champion) and for Croydon North (Steve Reed) on the Chancellor. on what I thought were quite remarkable speeches— confident, informed, quite amusing in places and The Chancellor also failed his second test, which was committed. When I first came to this House—a long to shift the economy on to a more sustainable long-term time ago—new Members took their listeners on a tour footing, moving away from his over-dependence on of their constituencies, touching on the buildings, the finance—a move we all agree with—and towards a people and the history, but saying nothing about politics. much stronger industrial and manufacturing base. Eighteen That was not the protocol. I am glad that that rule has months ago, he announced with great fanfare the march of gone. We heard passionate speeches today that were all the makers. That never happened, however. He has now about politics, including the national health service, promised a £40 billion guarantee for private infrastructure child care services and the defence of the unemployed. I investment, but the problem is not one of too little think that all three of my new hon. Friends will make a credit; it is one of too little demand for credit. The latest big contribution to this House. figures show construction plummeting ominously, largely because of its great dependence on the public sector, Richard Drax: I do not want to touch on the economy, which the Chancellor is shrinking. Moreover, UK but may I just say that if what the right hon. Gentleman manufacturing will this year suffer the biggest deficit in has just described was indeed the case, is it not rather traded goods in its entire history—a deficit of roughly sad that that protocol was not observed? £110 billion, or 7.5% of gross domestic product. That is utterly unsustainable, and if that trend is not reversed, it Mr Meacher: I obviously made a mistake in giving will inevitably lead to an almighty crash in British living way to the hon. Gentleman. standards before long. As the Chancellor acknowledged, he had two main objectives in his autumn statement/mini-Budget. One Gordon Birtwistle rose— was to generate the growth that has certainly eluded him for the past two and a half years; the other was to Mr Meacher: I will not give way again, as I do not rebalance the economy and lay the foundations for have much time left. 249 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 250

[Mr Meacher] 6.8 pm George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con): It is pleasure Why is the Chancellor not meeting his own tests? It is to rise and to prove the right hon. Member for Oldham because he is obsessed with a neo-liberal ideology that West and Royton (Mr Meacher) wrong through my forbids any public sector lead role in the economy. In passionate defence of the Chancellor, not that he needs fact, the Chancellor is crucifying Britain today on a it, and my welcome for the autumn statement. cross of dogma. What should a sensible steward of the British economy do now? He should do two things: I am old enough to remember the 1970s and when the reinstate the capital spending programmes cancelled in economic history of that period is written, I think it will the great drive towards deficit reduction, with special be rather simple: in 1979 a Conservative Government priority given to house building, energy and transport inherited bankrupt public finances and put them straight renewal and green technology; and set up a national with an enterprise economy. A Conservative Government investment bank with its own portfolio of investment sorted out the mess of the European currency-inspired projects, focused on key infrastructure and cutting-edge recession of the early 1990s and gave the future Labour technology. Government a golden legacy in 1997. After two years of sound public finances following the previous Conservative How will that be paid for? There are three options. Administration’s public spending commitments, the previous Instead of any further £50 billion tranche of quantitative Labour Government embarked on an unprecedented easing being used to consolidate bank balance sheets, as spending spree—a boom disguised under various labels, has happened every time up till now, the Chancellor such as cool Britannia—that left this generation with an should divert at least a portion of it towards generating historic debt legacy for which we, our children and our 1 million or more jobs by investing it directly in industrial grandchildren will be paying the bills for many years to and manufacturing projects. Or he could levy a capital come. gains tax charge—I know that this would not be welcome on the Government Benches—on the colossal gains Sheila Gilmore: One of the problems with the hon. made by a minuscule proportion of the mega-rich, Gentleman’s retelling of history is that the Labour which The Sunday Times, a Murdoch paper, believes to Government paid down national debt so that it was have been in the order of £155 billion in the past three lower after the first few years of that Government than years. Or he could justify—yes, I think he could—a it had been at the end of the previous Tory Government. temporary increase in borrowing, of, say, £150 million to raise £30 billion at an interest rate of 0.5% on the George Freeman: I am grateful for that intervention. reasonable grounds that with such a weak economy but If the previous Labour Government paid down the cyclically adjusted net borrowing forecast at only 3% debt, why have we inherited this historic debt legacy—a this year, he has given himself enough leeway to delay legacy, it is worth reminding the House, that sees us tightening. Those are the three options, and not to do paying debt interest payments that are set to rise to any of them is a culpable negligence for which he will £76 billion a year, which is more than the amount spent not be forgiven. on more than three Departments? This is a historic legacy, for which the Labour party should be ashamed. On the Chancellor’s second objective of rebalancing the economy, several measures need to be taken urgently. First, British manufacturing clearly needs a larger flow Kwasi Kwarteng: I was wondering what my hon. of qualified skilled workers. The academic underpinning Friend thought about the fact that the previous Labour of the STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering Government ran consistent deficits from 2001 to 2007—even and maths—should be steadily increased; a viable and while the economy was growing. effective post-14 vocational route, with a much stronger work component, should be established in schools; and George Freeman: My hon. Friend makes an excellent employers should be made to take responsibility for point, principally about the structural deficit. The public on-site training. Secondly, the bane of short-termist are not daft: they know the difference between a bank lending to British manufacturing must be tackled Government who spend more each year than they receive by giving incentives to develop a long-term ongoing and one who wilfully disregard the underlying causes of relationship between banks and their customers, as is the deficit, which were and still remain for us to tackle—the done very successfully in the German Mittelstand. problem of an ageing society for the NHS, the public Thirdly, the supply chains, which are crucial to any sector pensions bill and the out-of-control welfare state. successful manufacturing economy but which have been I shall say something shortly about the Government’s broken up by privatisation and foreign sell-offs over the important reforms in that regard. past 30 years, urgently need to be restored to achieve I welcome this autumn statement, which begins the a secure base for SMEs. Fourthly, the sacrifice of process of tackling once again the toxic debt legacy left key industrial sectors and companies to uninhibited to us by the Labour party. I welcome the fact that a acquisition in the international markets—Pilkington, Conservative Chancellor in a coalition Government has P&O, Corus, BT, O2, Smith Electronics, Cadbury and been able to deliver substantial savings—£33 billion in BA; it is a very long list and a laissez-faire policy that no the welfare budget, £60 billion savings in interest repayments other major country in the west would ever allow—should and £70 billion savings on the cost of government in be reversed if Britain’s economy and its survival are to Whitehall—allowing us to create the incentives for work, be secured. taking a million of the lowest-paid employees out of tax altogether, raising the tax threshold and abolishing All those things need to be done, because the alternative Labour’s planned fuel duty rise, with the net result that under present policy is semi-permanent continuation of over the last two years we have seen the creation of a condition of semi-slump. more than 1.2 million net new jobs in the private sector. 251 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 252

Frank Dobson: Does the hon. Gentleman not think it The net growth figures are low at present, but that rather odd that the Government are unprepared to give disguises a very important and profoundly positive any estimate of how many of those “new private sector change. We have rightly taken money out of the public jobs” are ones that have been outsourced by the public sector in order to rebalance the economy and bring our sector? Has it not been estimated that even in the field public finances under control. The fact that the net of further education, the total approaches 200,000? growth figures are positive is a sign of the profound growth that is beginning to happen in the private sector, and which bodes well for our public finances in the long George Freeman: I am grateful for that intervention term. because it gives me the chance to make the fundamental point that Labour Members seem constantly unable to I welcome the Government’s plan A-plus, which is grasp—that every penny they spend from this Dispatch intended to restore our public finances and get the Box is money that has to be taken off this country’s deficit under control, and I welcome the fact that the citizens in tax, and that they will receive it only if it is annual deficit is now down by 25%, although there is earned by the private sector. It is the private sector that more to be done. The plan is also intended to free up ultimately earns the money that the public sector spends. money to be invested in infrastructure. More than £20 billion This Government’s rebalancing programme to restore has been committed to infrastructure projects that are our public finances will allow us once again to spend on long overdue, and last week £600 million of extra the public sector sustainably with moneys earned by the investment in science and the knowledge economy was private sector. That is one of the most crucial and announced. I shall say more about that in a moment. important reforms made by this Government, and I The truth is that we need a plan A-plus plus plus, but we welcome it. do not need the plan B espoused by the Opposition. That B stands for borrowing, it stands for the bankruptcy Yes, the Office for Budget Responsibility has made of our public finances, and it stands for Balls. clear what the Chancellor has consistently said—that this will be a long a fragile recovery and that it has Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty) (Con): My hon. been made worse by the crisis in the sclerotic eurozone, Friend said earlier that he remembered the 1970s. I with the debts of the 2008 recession now being wonder whether he remembers the late 1960s, when Viv clearer than they were at the time. That has become Nicholson, the pools winner, said that she would “Spend, clear not least because we now have the OBR—another spend, spend.” She eventually went bankrupt. Does my of this Government’s important reforms—putting some hon. Friend agree that even she would be embarrassed transparency and honesty at the heart of Government by the Opposition’s approach to spending and debt? statistics. That is not always comfortable, but it is an important— George Freeman: My hon. Friend has made an excellent point. One must choose one’s advisers carefully. When Frank Dobson: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? taking advice from rock stars, one should listen to the music, but not spend accordingly. “Spend, spend, spend” is exactly what the last Government did, and we are all George Freeman: No, I have already given way to the paying the price now. right hon. Gentleman. I entered the House after a 15-year career starting Of course we are in the process of a long and slow companies in the life sciences sector—which involves recovery, but the evidence—in terms of new jobs, the some of the most exciting parts of the country’s economy: data on private sector growth, and the business community’s medicine, agriculture and the clean technologies—in strong support for this statement and the measures Cambridge, Norwich, Scotland and some of the northern previously announced by the Government—suggests cities, and in London. I believe that that sector represents that the policy of rebalancing the economy is right and a hugely exciting opportunity for the country as we working. We must have an economy that is led by the rebalance our trade away from the sclerotic eurozone private sector. We need to do more to support industry and towards the faster-growing emerging nations of the and the knowledge economy, which this Government world—some of the BRIC economies, and the “next 11” are doing, and we need to do more to support regional that were identified by Jim O’Neill in his seminal paper. growth outside Greater London and the south-eastern Those economies are growing at a rate of 7% or 8% a area. year, which, compounded over 10 years, amounts to It is an irony of the last Labour Government that, 100% growth. They are the vibrant markets of tomorrow, despite preaching the language of regional economics, and we have an opportunity to support them with our what it came down to was a vast tax transfer through knowledge economy and our life sciences. Today that the regional development agency structure. In my own means helping them to develop the basics of public field, more than £15 billion was spent on business health care, such as nutrition, food security and medicine, support, but according to the Richard report, only 0.5% but tomorrow they will quickly grow and develop much of that was received by businesses on the ground floor, more sophisticated needs and markets. as it were. The last Government embarked on a major The life sciences sector is crucial to our economic boom in regional spending, but it was not sustainable. recovery and to a sustainable model of economic growth, One of the sadnesses of this crisis is that many of the and I strongly welcome the support for it that has come people who were offered jobs during that boom in the from the Chancellor and his team. Last week a further public sector are paying the price now. That is not their £600 million was announced for our science base, which fault; it is the fault of those who were running the is already paying dividends—in the last year alone, economy at the time, and I for one am waiting for them more than £1 billion has been invested in early-stage to say sorry. life science ventures funds in this country—and 253 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 254

[George Freeman] The arguments against borrowing are pathetic. Borrowing has become the fig leaf of the Tory party; it covers any GlaxoSmithKline has announced a £500 million investment failure, and the failures have been fairly substantial. The in an advanced manufacturing facility. The strategy is Government are obsessed; they have a piggy-banking working, and I encourage the Government to stick to it. fear of borrowing. We cannot, however, pay off debt I am the Member of Parliament for Mid Norfolk, a and deflate the economy at the same time. rural area which, in recent decades, has been viewed as Where else are we to get this stimulus if not from something of a rural backwater, and has received all too Government borrowing? Individuals and families are little investment. In our region, the dualling of the A11, burdened with debt, as are companies. They are not the investment in the Cambridge-to-Norwich rail link spending; they are trying to pay off debt. Spending and between the two life science clusters and the £90 announced stimulus will come only if the Government borrow recently for support for our research and innovation more, therefore. There is no problem with that. Interest centres have all been extremely welcome, and are already rates are at record lows, and our credit is good at present, having positive effects locally. I was in Cambridge on so we can borrow, and we should borrow to spend. Monday with the Prime Minister, launching the new We should borrow to build housing. We should have cancer genomics centre. a big housing drive, and most of it should be public There is a spirit of optimism afoot in our region. housing for rent. That is what we need, because people That speaks for the success of this strategy, which I cannot afford to buy.We should subsidise jobs if necessary, welcome and commend to the House. too. We must borrow, spend and stimulate. That is the only way out. 6.19 pm We need more quantitative easing, which I hope will Austin Mitchell (Great Grimsby) (Lab): It is a pleasure bring the pound down. The pound is now up 8%. When to take part in this debate, during which we have heard the Governor of the Bank of England starts saying in three excellent maiden speeches. All of them were very his speeches that the pound is too high, it must be impressive, so it is clear that we oldies will have to pull horrendously overvalued because no Governor of the our socks up. As I listened to the speeches, I abandoned Bank of England has said that before. The value of the my long-standing hope of reaching the shadow Cabinet, pound needs to fall, to boost exporting industry. because the competition will clearly be too strong. The Government have been very clever at apportioning However, much of the debate, including the last speech blame for the situation the country is in. First, they from the Government Benches, has been disappointing, blamed Labour, although our borrowing was essentially as it has been too much about who got us into this mess to save the banks, and I am sure the current Government and not enough about how we can get out of it. We are would not have wanted us not to save the banks, would undoubtedly in a mess: we have a fiscal deficit; we have they? If they did not want that, Government Members a massive debt burden; we are in the grip of deflation; should say so now. The Government then blamed demand is very low; we have just had a double-dip scroungers lying in bed as the strivers go off to work—that recession and we are heading for a triple-dip; unemployment is a very touching picture. They then blamed the size of is far too high; GDP is 4% down on 2008, because, the benefit bill, which we now gather must be cut still unlike most countries, we have not made that up that further—although not until 2015, after the election, it shortfall; the balance of payments gap is now gaping, should be noted. Now they are blaming the eurozone. It standing at 7.5% of GDP; and our manufacturing has certainly has problems but it must be pointed out that shrunk too much to pay our way in the world. By any the deflation here and the deflation in the eurozone are definition, that is a mess. both being done for ideological reasons. The ideological The question is: how will we get out of this mess? The reason in Europe is that people do not want to give up Government’s policy shows no sign of getting us out of on the euro. They cannot afford it to break up, so they it. It was described at the start as an expansionary fiscal have to keep trying to make the unworkable work. That contraction, which is an oxymoron—more “moron” is depressing the European economy, because it is producing than “oxy”. Their aims have been impossible to achieve deflation in all the Mediterranean economies. That because every increase in unemployment means a reduction deflation in those weaker economies—the uncompetitive in tax revenues and an increase in spending to support economies—in turn produces a fall in demand for German misery, and the Government are therefore not cutting goods; they cannot afford the BMWs and the Mercs debt. The Chancellor says, “We’re cutting debt to keep any longer, so Germany becomes depressed. We perhaps our triple-A rating.” Such a rating goes to a healthy feel a touch of schadenfreude about that, but it spreads economy with prospects, which our economy is not, depression right round Europe. and next year we will lose our triple-A rating. Interestingly, Our depression is caused by the Chancellor’s ideology the Government are now saying that that does not and his horror of borrowing. We know how to get out matter. We will lose that rating because of the disastrous of this recession but for ideological reasons no Government state of our economy. are doing what they should do to get of it. The same is The only answer is to have growth. It is a simple way true in the United States, where President Obama is of paying off the debt. The only way to pay off the debt being held back from giving any stimulus and cutting is to get growth into the economy, and the only way to taxes for the mass of the population by the Republican get growth into the economy is to stimulate the economy. desire to cut taxes only for the wealthy. That has produced A few years ago, President Obama put in a $780 billion the fiscal cliff on which the American economy is now stimulus through his national recovery Act. We must hanging. have such a stimulus, too—although Labour has been So there is no prospect anywhere—no certainty—of very cautious on that—and it can only be paid for by expansion, and if there is no possibility of growth and borrowing. There needs to be more borrowing. expansion, people and companies are not going to 255 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 256 invest. All the pious hopes that the hon. Member for benefit cuts since those of the national Government in Mid Norfolk (George Freeman) has just given us about 1931 and aiming his harshest measures at the most a resurgence of companies are in vain, because companies vulnerable in our society. will not invest as there is no prospect of profit and no Our economy is suffering from the slowest journey prospect of success. That is the trap we are all in, and we out of recession since the 1870s. As a result of the are there because of piggy-banking ideology, ignorance extreme austerity measures that the Chancellor has about real economics and simple bad economics in introduced, it will now take nearly seven years to repair practice, which is killing growth and blighting the lives the lost output from this recession, compared with just of our young people. four years during the great depression in the 1930s. We What do the Government have to offer at the end of were told two and a half years ago that a policy of this debate? It is pathetic to see that Government Members expansionary fiscal contraction would restore confidence, have not even bothered to turn up to defend the but instead nearly 4% of output has gone, the Chancellor’s Government; Labour Members have had to do all the supplementary target on debt falling as a share of GDP attacking and the speaking, because Government Members by the end of this Parliament has gone, and many have had to be dragged in. All the Government have to economists, including at Citigroup, expect the loss of offer is more debt, more misery, more cuts—£10 billion Britain’s triple A credit rating within the next 18 months, to £15 billion of them—and more fracking. This the retention of which the Chancellor made his principal Government are one of the best fracking Governments criterion of credibility. in the world, holding out great hopes that it will provide No wonder that on The New Yorker website last a new regenerative miracle. That is all they can offer. week, the Chancellor’s policies were dismissed as an What they cannot offer is hope, prospects, improvement, example of what the US should avoid—a commitment growth. to the deflationary economics of the 1930s, with the Reaganite trickle-down economics of the 1980s and the even harsher Benthamite economics of the 1830s. Instead 6.27 pm of uniting this country in a crusade against long-term Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): and youth unemployment and what Beveridge called Regrettably, the economy is on course for a lost decade the social evil of idleness, this Chancellor wants to under this most paradoxical of Chancellors: reckless on divide society by demonising the unemployed in a way one hand, but complacent on the other; a historian, but that no Government have done since the time of the with precious little grasp of learning its most obvious Poor Law in 1834. lessons; and a tactician, but now pursuing the basest Despite the Bank of England running the loosest strategy of all in politics—attempting to divide and rule monetary policy in several generations and owning by separating those on middle incomes from low-wage three tenths of our national debt through the use of its Britain, and the poorly paid from the unemployed. His asset purchase facility, the OBR predicts that joblessness Conservative predecessors, people such as Winston will rise by as much as 340,000 over its forecast period. Churchill, Harold Macmillan and Iain Macleod, would So we can see that the US economy, having adopted a surely recoil in horror if they could they see what this different policy from the austerity of this Government, Chancellor is doing to the reputation of the party that yet described by the Nobel laureate Paul Krugman in once proudly stood for the principle of one nation, but The New York Times yesterday as does no longer. “still, by most measures, deeply depressed”, There is no social group that this Chancellor will not has grown nearly three times as fast as the UK, and exploit for perceived political gain, but he stands exposed according to the Congressional Budget Office, will have in this debate: he has no idea of how to regenerate the a deficit next year of 4%, compared with a deficit of missing growth in the UK economy; he has no clue on 6.1% in this country, and UK debt will be nearly 18% higher how to undo the damage he is doing to ordinary families’ in 2015-16 as a share of GDP than that forecast by the living standards and slumping real wages; and he has no OBR in 2010 on the EUROSTAT measure. concept that his policies on welfare represent no more than a throwback to the worst excesses of harsh Victorian Make no mistake, this Chancellor’s policies on taxation, Toryism. benefits and spending are cutting the incomes of the poorest tenth of households by 2.7%, at a time when the OECD forecasts that we will see barely half the rise in Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Does economic demand that will be seen in America next my hon. Friend not recall that when Government Members year, and barely a third of that the year after, despite the were in opposition, in the good years, as we might call looming fiscal cliff. Despite the stream of measures them, they took the credit, but they will not take the unveiled in the autumn statement, the OBR’s verdict on credit for getting us into this mess in the bad years? their usefulness was as unerring as it was deadly for the Chancellor’s reputation—just a 0.1% rise in GDP over Mr Bain: I thank my hon. Friend for that. What I do the next two years, at the same time as the OBR remember is that when the right hon. Gentleman was downgraded growth by 1.7% over the same period. shadow Chancellor he backed every single penny of the Increasingly, we see that this Chancellor’s legacy will public spending plans of the Labour Government until be to turn the long-term prospects of the UK economy the financial crisis hit. Indeed, he had the sauce to call into those of a low-wage, low-skill, low-investment and them “eye-wateringly tight” on occasion in this House. low-productivity economy. On wages, this Government What we see is a Chancellor with a plan aimed at cannot answer positively the question posed by millions winning marginal seats at the next general election at of ordinary people across the country: am I better off any cost, but bringing in the cruellest sequence of now than I was four years ago? The Government cannot 257 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 258

[Mr Bain] particularly interested in his speech because he mentioned two things that are close to my heart: football and art. It answer positively the question: am I better off now than sounds as though I ought to visit Middlesbrough in the I was eight years ago? The reality is that with the not-too-distant future. median wage across the UK having fallen by a shocking I should also mention the speeches made by other 7.9% in real terms in this Chancellor’s first two years in right hon. and hon. Members, particularly my right office, and by 7.4% in Scotland, people are worse off hon. Friends the Members for Edinburgh South West now than they were 10 years ago. The Resolution (Mr Darling), for Holborn and St Pancras (Frank Dobson) Foundation, in evaluating the effects of the autumn and for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher), my statement, predicted that real wages in 2017 will be no hon. Friends the Members for Islington South and higher than they were in 1999. This Government have Finsbury (Emily Thornberry), for Stalybridge and Hyde made the wrong choices on who to help at a time of (Jonathan Reynolds), for Middlesbrough South and poor consumer confidence and weak demand. When East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop), for Great Grimsby they could have helped households with the cost of (Austin Mitchell) and for Glasgow North East (Mr Bain) child care, which is rising in Scotland by 6% a year, and the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie). boosted female employment and cut inequality, they They all demonstrated why there are problems with decided to hurt the poorest 40% of the public harder, as what the Chancellor did in the autumn statement, and a share of their income, than they will hurt the richest every one of them took the opportunity to make 10%. Lone parents who are in work and on tax credits, suggestions, to pick up on the problems and to represent of whom there are 115,000 in Scotland, will be worse their constituents. off by an average of £300 a year by 2015, according to the Resolution Foundation. Three quarters of the cuts When the Chancellor came to the House last Wednesday in tax credits will hurt precisely the strivers the Chancellor to deliver his autumn statement, he was clearly determined purports to back. to have no repeat of the omnishambles Budget that unravelled last time around. He was determined this The Chancellor’s legacy on investment is equally time to avoid pasties, churches and caravans. There was dire. Business investment is now lower than the Office a bit of hilarity and laughter on the Government Benches for Budget Responsibility forecast a year ago, with while he delivered his statement, but I must say to the manufacturing investment having dropped by 6.7% in Minister and to Government Members that many millions the last quarter compared with a year ago. Despite of people across the UK do not feel much like celebrating funding for lending, there is precious little evidence that or laughing because of the bad news the autumn statement demand for lending in the economy is rising. Net lending brought them. by the banks to small and medium-sized businesses fell by a further £2.4 billion in the three months to August The hon. Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi Kwarteng), this year, according to the Bank of England. who is now back in his place, having been removed to the naughty step for a period of time, talked about the The Government could have changed course in the gravity of the situation. I am not sure that he really autumn statement and acted to stem the £20 billion rise understands the gravity of the situation facing families in the benefits bill during this Parliament by getting in my constituency who are struggling on part-time more of the 1,320 long-term jobless in my constituency hours and who have seen their working tax credits cut. back to work by cutting VAT and adopting more active Nor do I think that Government Members really labour market policies than their failing Work programme. understand the problems faced by the woman with They could have bolstered construction and housing by chronic health problems whom I met recently, who is building as many as 100,000 homes across the UK by panicking that she is going to be forced to move house allocating the 4G proceeds to productive use rather because of the bedroom tax, or the plight of young than simply trying to cook the books with them. They people desperate to get a start in a real job. could have done that, but they did not. They have let the country down, and that is the legacy not only of the In the middle of what one journalist described last Chancellor, but, sadly, of the entire Government. week as “jiggery-pokery” and the hon. Member for South Down spoke of earlier as “sleight of hand”, the harsh reality is that the economy is set to shrink and 6.36 pm growth forecasts are downgraded yet again. Over the Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab/Co- past two years, the economy has grown by just op): I start by thanking my hon. Friends who made 0.6% compared with the 4.6% that the Government their maiden speeches. We heard some excellent promised. Nearly 1 million young people are out of contributions, which gives the Opposition hope that work. Prices are forecast to carry on rising faster than when we return to government we will have some extremely wages for at least another year, until 2014. Debt figures good people representing their constituencies. In particular, are revised upwards this year and for future years. The my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Sarah Government are set to borrow £212 billion more than Champion), who made a very dignified speech, brings a they planned. The Chancellor has failed on his own wealth of experience from her background in the children’s fiscal rule and the Prime Minister’s pledge to balance hospice movement and will be a great asset to Parliament. the books by 2015. So much for the Chancellor claiming My hon. Friend the Member for Croydon North (Steve to be healing the economy. Reed), who has direct experience of local government, Last Wednesday the Chancellor made a big song and and indeed of a co-operative council, will also bring us dance about how borrowing is forecast to fall. As we experience. We heard a passionate speech on the plight have heard repeatedly since then—indeed, several hon. of the unemployed from my hon. Friend the Member Members commented on it today—the only reason he for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), who talked about has been able to claim this is that the Government have his home town and the people he represents. I was added the 4G mobile spectrum auction to this year’s 259 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 260 figures even though Government delays mean that the same day that the Government gave a £3 billion handout auction has not happened yet. Without the receipts to the richest people in the country, it is clear that his pencilled in from the 4G sale, borrowing would be promise has been broken. forecast to be £2 billion higher this year than last year. Constituents across the length and breadth of the Government Front Benchers may try to brush off those UK may well have given the Chancellor the benefit of figures, but Labour Members are not going to let the the doubt, but many of them are now coming to realise Chancellor get away so easily, because they are the real that he is more interested in tax breaks for millionaires figures that expose the reality behind his failed economic than in getting people into real jobs. I suspect that the plan. As we have heard in speech after speech, the fact 6,000-odd people in each Tory constituency who will be is—I hope that Ministers are listening to this—that the affected by that will wake up to the reality and that Government’s policies have failed to bring growth back many of them will not repeat their vote for the Conservative to the economy. party or, indeed, vote for the Liberal Democrats come The Chancellor claimed that he would cut the welfare the next election. bill, yet it is forecast to be some £13.6 billion higher in While the Chancellor is playing games and making this Parliament than he boasted two and a half years the worst-paid workers pay for the costs of his failure, ago. Again, rather than face up to reality and change Labour will continue to fight to make sure that the course, he has decided to carry on regardless and instead voices of those whom he is hitting hard are heard. make hard-working families shoulder the cost of his Opposition Members are proud to represent the voices failure. Speaker after speaker has highlighted how the of those people—the workers and the strivers. We will impact falls on precisely the people the Government say keep pushing the Chancellor to change course, to cut they want to support. Most working-age benefits, including VAT temporarily, to bring in a bank bonus tax to fund a child tax credit and maternity pay, will rise by only job guarantee for young people, genuinely to bring 1% for the next three years—a real-terms cut. Child forward infrastructure investment, properly to reform benefit is to go up by only 1% for two years from the banking system, to introduce a national insurance 2014—another real-terms cut. contributions holiday scheme for small businesses, and We do need to reform and modernise our welfare to come up with a real strategy for growth, not just a system. People who can work should work if the jobs strategy to cover the cost of failure. are available for them; there should be no ifs or buts To repeat the words of my right hon. Friend the about that. However, that is not what the Chancellor is shadow Chancellor earlier today—I say this to my right about. He is trying to characterise this as the workers hon. Friend the Member for Holborn and St Pancras versus the workshy and trying to get the public to (Frank Dobson) and others who raised this point—we believe that it is about the strivers versus the shirkers. will look at the Government’s proposed legislation, but That might make for some soundbites but it does not do if they intend to go ahead with such an unfair hit on anything to help the decent people who are out of work middle and lower-income working families while giving through no fault of their own, who are desperate to get a £3 billion top-rate tax cut, we will oppose it. a job, who want to pay their way, and who will do everything they possibly can to do so. 6.47 pm As we have heard, six out of 10 households who will The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David be hit by these real-terms cuts to tax credits and benefits Gauke): This has been a passionate and thoughtful are actually in work. The House of Commons Library debate. I begin by congratulating the three hon. Members has shown that the decisions in the autumn statement, who made their maiden speeches this afternoon—all together with all the other changes to tax and benefits three were of the highest standards. The hon. Member that take effect in April, mean that a one-earner family for Rotherham (Sarah Champion) spoke with great on £20,000 a year with two children will lose £279 a pride and passion for her constituency. The hon. Member year. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury did not seem for Croydon North (Steve Reed) brought his local to recognise those figures when my hon. Friend the government expertise to the debate, and his understanding Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves) spoke earlier, of the area he represents was most impressive. He also but perhaps the Exchequer Secretary will have something spoke movingly about his predecessor, Malcolm Wicks. more to say about them. The hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), Not only is this hitting hard-working people and who is the first Middlesbrough-born Labour MP, spoke families who are striving to do the right thing, but with great pride about his constituency. I imagine that research from the Library shows that 81% of the revenue being the MP for one’s home town must bring a particular from the key additional direct tax, tax credit and benefit pleasure to delivering a maiden speech and representing changes in the autumn statement will come from women— one’s constituency.He also spoke warmly of his predecessor, £867 million of over £1 billion raised. The Chancellor Sir Stuart Bell. I congratulate them all and wish them has added a mummy tax to his granny tax. Women are well in the House of Commons. I am sure they will being hit three times harder than men by a Cabinet with make many further eloquent and passionate speeches three times more men than women—perhaps no surprise from the Opposition Benches over the years ahead. there. I also thank a number of my hon. Friends for their We heard a number of excellent contributions this contributions. My hon. Friend the Member for Macclesfield afternoon. Opposition Members spoke about the true (David Rutley) spoke about how it is necessary to get cost of the Government’s failed economic policies and growth in the economy and discussed ways of achieving the reality behind the measures announced in the autumn that. My hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Kwasi statement. The Prime Minister may have once promised Kwarteng) made a strong and persuasive critique of the that we are all in this together, but given that hard-working, previous Government’s record and, indeed, of the level striving families and workers were singled out on the of borrowing under them. 261 The Economy11 DECEMBER 2012 The Economy 262

[Mr David Gauke] The answer from the Labour party, essentially, is that we could solve all those problems simply by borrowing My hon. Friend the Member for Dudley South (Chris more. Very few Labour Members say that explicitly, Kelly) set out some of the benefits for businesses in the although the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Austin autumn statement, highlighting in particular the corporation Mitchell) was happy to say that that is the right approach. tax cuts and the annual investment allowance, which The Labour party says that borrowing is higher than we will benefit many west midlands businesses. My hon. would like, which it is, but its solution is to borrow Friend the Member for Bristol West (Stephen Williams) more. That makes no sense at all. made the point that it is right to reduce the deficit, even It is also not the case that the high level of borrowing though it is taking longer than we had envisaged. that we inherited—a record amount outside wartime—was My hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon purely to do with bailing out the banking sector. The (Justin Tomlinson) welcomed the cancellation of the shadow Chancellor may not accept this, but the fuel duty rise, which was due in January, and set out the International Monetary Fund tells us that the structural case for greater tax transparency. He was absolutely deficit before the crash was 5.2% of GDP—a hugely right to raise that and this Government are taking steps dangerous level. Any Government who ignored that to ensure that people understand the tax they pay. and failed to address it would be taking the most My hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Gordon enormous risk with the country. It is vital that we have Birtwistle) spoke about apprenticeships, of which there fiscal credibility. We could not have gone on as we were. are 1 million more as a consequence of the Government’s Had we not taken action and gone further than was set actions. He talked about help for businesses in the out in the plans of the right hon. Member for Edinburgh north-west, including in the aerospace industry. He also South West, we would have faced great difficulties. We spoke about the annual investment allowance. could not dismiss the risk of the UK being sucked into My hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset (Richard a sovereign debt crisis, and it would have been complacent Drax) made a strong and passionate speech calling for of us if we had done so. lower taxes. My hon. Friend the Member for Mid The Government have acted to bring the deficit down, Norfolk (George Freeman) set out the steps that the but at every step we have been opposed by the Labour Government are taking to turn around the economy, party. Most of us did not come into politics to raise and drew a parallel with the steps taken by Margaret VAT, but it was necessary to do that and we also had to Thatcher’s Government in the 1970s and 1980s. take steps to reduce departmental spending—again, that I will not go through the list of all the right hon. and was opposed by the Labour party. We had to reform the hon. Members who contributed to the debate, but I welfare system and find £18 billion of cuts, including thank them all. In particular, I acknowledge the speech the introduction of a welfare cap, and we had to make by the former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for changes to the child benefit system that hit the top 10% Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling). As ever, he brought or 15% of households. The Labour party opposed all great expertise to these matters. I did not agree with that and, as far as we can see, will not touch a penny of everything he said, but I thought that his was a far the welfare budget. That is not a great surprise given its better response to the autumn statement than some that record in office. In real terms, the welfare bill increased we have heard from Opposition Members, not least the by 40% in 13 years. Before Labour Members say that shadow Chancellor. that was a response to the crash in 2007-08, half of that increase—20%—occurred before the crash. In the good The right hon. Member for Edinburgh South West times the welfare bill was rising out of control. said that we live in difficult times. When there is clearly major disagreement between the parties in government Kwasi Kwarteng: What does my hon. Friend think and the Opposition about the correct response to the about the fact that spending between 1997 and 2007 difficulties, we should all acknowledge that growth is doubled in nominal terms—it went up more than 50% lower than we would like it to be and lower than the in real terms—and that the welfare bill more than independent Office for Budget Responsibility anticipated, doubled in that time? but we should also acknowledge that there are encouraging factors in the economy. We should all welcome the fact that private sector employment has grown significantly Mr Gauke: My point is that we could not continue in in recent months. The fact that the deficit is falling in that way. The difficulty with the Labour party’s record every year of this Parliament is to be welcomed. It is that it believes most problems can be solved by would be regrettable if the Labour party sought to throwing money at them. We have run out of money undermine the Office for Budget Responsibility in making and cannot afford to do that. That is why we are taking its independent assessment of the public finances. difficult decisions and the welfare uprating will be 1%—we now know that the Labour party will oppose that. We These are clearly difficult times, not just for the UK must get welfare spending under control. That measure economy, but elsewhere. Growth in the UK economy will save £2 billion, and if one looks at other measures next year has been revised down from where we had introduced in the autumn statement, one sees that working hoped it would be, but it is still likely to be greater than households—including those in the lowest decile—will the growth in Germany, France and the eurozone. The gain in 2013. key question is why growth is lower. The analysis of the Office for Budget Responsibility is very clear: it is because of the uncertainties created by the crisis in the Sheila Gilmore: Will the Minister give way? eurozone, because commodity prices are rising more than we would have liked and because the damage done Mr Gauke: I will press on because we are running out to the economy by the crash of 2007-08 was greater of time. If all measures to be introduced next April are than had been realised. taken into account, all working families gain, including 263 11 DECEMBER 2012 Business without Debate 264 those in the lowest decile. It is the right thing to do. We PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION ON have raised the personal allowance yet further and BANKING STANDARDS cancelled Labour’s increase in fuel duty next January. Ordered, Each time the average car is filled up, the motorist will That, notwithstanding the Order of this House of 16 July 2012, pay £5 less fuel duty than they would have done had we it be an instruction to the Parliamentary Commission on Banking implemented the Labour party’s plans. Standards that it should report on legislative action no later than As the Prime Minister and Chancellor have said, we 19 December 2012.—(Mr Swayne.) face a global race and must make ourselves more competitive. That means moving from current spending BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE to capital spending, which is why we will be spending Ordered, £9 billion more on capital in this Parliament than the Labour party would have done. Do Labour Members That, at the sitting on Thursday 13 December, notwithstanding paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 14, the Motion in the name support that switch from current spending to capital of Mr Andrew Lansley relating to Lay members of the Committee spending? That is why we can afford—and why it is on Standards shall have precedence over the business determined necessary—to reduce corporation tax from 28% to 21%. by the Backbench Business Committee.—(Mr Swayne.) The Labour party allowed our tax position to become uncompetitive. PETITION There is competition for investment. Businesses can choose where they locate and invest. To ensure they “Innocence of Muslims” choose this country, we need improved infrastructure and to control public spending. We must reform welfare 7.1 pm and public services and we need competitive taxes. The Government are prepared to take difficult decisions but Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): I should the Labour party consistently ducks those decisions like to present a petition on behalf of the chairman of and opposes every spending cut and reform. It opposes Stockton mosque, Councillor Mohammed Javed. It declares getting to grips with welfare spending and panders to that the petitioners are profoundly concerned about the every group, and the country will recognise that at the portrayal of the Islamic faith in the online video “Innocence next election. of Muslims” and calls for it to be banned. The petition Question put and agreed to. is accompanied by a larger one that was presented to my hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr Wright) Resolved, and I at a meeting last month, which was attended by That this House has considered the matter of the economy. hundreds of local community members from mosques across Teesside. The petition is signed by some 4,000 Business without Debate Teesside residents, mostly Muslims, who are shocked and upset about how their proudly held faith has been affronted in that way—their shock is shared by my hon. Friends the Members for Middlesbrough South and DELEGATED LEGISLATION East Cleveland (Tom Blenkinsop) and for Middlesbrough Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing (Andy McDonald). I hope the House will take the strength Order No. 118(6)), of feeling into account and stand with the hundreds of thousands of Muslims up and down the country who are calling for the Government to ban this appalling EXCISE film. That the Machine Games Duty (Exemptions) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, No. 2898), dated 19 November 2012, a copy of which Following is the full text of the petition: was laid before this House on 19 November, be approved.— [The Petition of Cllr Mohammed Javed, (Mr Swayne.) Declares that the Petitioner believes that the film, “The Question agreed to. Innoncence of Muslims” is disrespectful, offensive and Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing untruthful, and could incite hatred towards Muslims. Order No. 118(6)), The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of Commons urges the Government to take necessary measure PREVENTION OF NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION to ban the film, and introduce new legislation to prevent That the Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2012 (S.I., 2012, Islamophobia and the incitement of religious hatred against No. 2904), dated 20 November 2012, a copy of which was laid Muslims. before this House on 20 November, be approved.—(Mr Swayne.) And the Petitioners remain, etc.] Question agreed to. [P001149] 265 11 DECEMBER 2012 Israel and Palestine 266

Israel and Palestine Mark Hendrick: I think the hon. Gentleman is referring to one member, not members, of the PA, and it is not Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House the majority view among Palestinians. The majority do now adjourn.—(Mr Swayne.) view is that Israel should exist alongside them, and a two-state solution is what most people would want in 7.2 pm Israel and Palestine. Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co-op): On 29 November, The negative impacts of the E1 plan on the prospects the United Nations General Assembly voted to upgrade of a viable and independent Palestinian state, with East Palestine’s status to non-member observer. The Assembly Jerusalem as its capital, cannot be overestimated. If voted 138 to 9 in favour, with 41 nations abstaining, fully implemented, E1 would deny East Jerusalem its including the UK. The USA supported Israel and voted last remaining area for future growth and economic against upgrading Palestine’s UN status. development. In addition, the location of E1 and its massive size would assure Israeli control over the key The vote should be welcomed as a symbolic milestone junction area connecting the northern part of the west in Palestine’s ambition for statehood, rather than as bank to the south. “unfortunate and counter-productive”, as the US Secretary of State has chosen to describe it. Enhanced UN status Israeli ambassadors to the UK, France, Sweden, brings Palestine closer to the international community, Spain and Denmark were summoned to hear condemnation its organisations and values. The Palestinians can now of the plans, but no further action has been taken, take part in UN debates and potentially join bodies unless the Minister can give me an update. such as the International Criminal Court. By abstaining in the vote, Britain has made itself less Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Does my hon. Friend relevant to meaningful engagement in the search for agree that it should not be a surprise that the E1 peace. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Paisley development is going ahead, given that all the infrastructure and Renfrewshire South (Mr Alexander) warned the was in place for quite a while and that this announcement Foreign Secretary before the vote: comes on the back of all the roads and other infrastructure that already exists in that area, which is problematic in “Abstention tomorrow would be an abdication of Britain’s responsibilities.”—[Official Report, 28 November 2012; Vol. 554, itself? c. 231.] The UK did not stand on the side of progress but Mark Hendrick: The fact is that that infrastructure instead chose the politically expedient option. I would should not be in place and that Israeli settlements should be interested to know what the Minister believes was not be on Palestinian land—full stop. To say that it is a achieved by the UK abstaining from the vote and how result of previous illegal development, and that there that strengthens the goal of a two-state solution. should therefore be future development, is illogical. In response to the vote, Israel announced on 30 November that it will build 3,000 new housing units Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): Will the hon. in the west bank and East Jerusalem and withhold more Gentleman give way? than £75 million in customs duties. Israel’s response to the perfectly legal move of upgrading Palestine’s UN Mark Hendrick: I shall give way one final time. status is an illegal move to try and ruin a two-state solution and withhold Palestinian money. The proposed Bob Blackman: I think the key issue of settlements is housing units would be built in the Ariel, Elkana, Efrat one of the concerns. Does the hon. Gentleman not and Karnei Shomron settlements in the west bank, and accept that Israel has habitually given land for peace in in the settlements of Pisgat Ze’ev and Gilo in occupied a series of settlement destructions to enable a peaceful East Jerusalem, according to the Ministry of Housing solution to take place, and that the biggest obstruction and Construction. In the words of the Foreign Secretary, to peace is the failure of the Palestinians to sit down if implemented the plans would make the two-state and negotiate with the Israeli Government on a proper solution “almost inconceivable”, because in effect they peaceful solution for the whole region? would largely cut off occupied East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied territories. Mark Hendrick: The hon. Gentleman talks about Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It might come as giving land for peace, but the land Israel has given did no surprise that I have a slightly different opinion. Does not belong to it in the first place. The only land of any the hon. Gentleman feel that if there is to be peace in size that has been given is Gaza, but the Israelis have the middle east between Palestine and Israel, recognition made it plain that they do not want Gaza; they want as of the state of Israel has to come first? much of the west bank as they can take. While the building of settlements by stealth is going on, Israel claims to want peace but in the meantime does everything Mark Hendrick: Yes, I do. It is important that Hamas it can to build these settlements, which we know will be recognises Israel and that Israel is there to stay. an obstacle to peace. Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): It is not just Hamas. In August 2010, the Palestinian Authority’s Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Will the Minister for Tourism said that the Palestinian goal was hon. Gentleman give way? to bring about an end to Israel, so senior members of the PA also need to come clean and recognise the state Mark Hendrick: I will not, because I want the Minister of Israel’s right to exist, do they not? to have time to respond and I still have quite a bit to say. 267 Israel and Palestine11 DECEMBER 2012 Israel and Palestine 268

Despite vigorous efforts to win over European countries, The real tragedy of this tit-for-tat conflict is the human only the Czech Republic supported Israel on 29 November. collateral. The continued loss of lives on both sides is The move signals a widening gulf, not just between truly appalling. I am concerned that inertia has set in Israel and Europe but between Europe and the United and that the international community has become an States. Israel’s response might well be a bluff, given that observer of a tragedy that is regularly broadcast across bellicose rhetoric will play well with the settlement wing the world, with hope of finding a viable resolution lost. of Likud ahead of the elections on the 22 January. It Last month Israel launched a major offensive on Gaza has been reported that President Obama secured a —Operation Pillar of Defence, so-called—killing the commitment from Israel not to construct any units in military commander of Hamas in an air strike. After E1 back in May 2009. However, whether or not this continuous bombardment, a ceasefire was negotiated announcement is sabre rattling, it remains another chapter between the two sides. The UN confirmed that 158 in an intractable dispute that is at the heart of geopolitical Palestinians and six Israelis were killed. The fatalities instability in the region. It is also a further clear sign included a pregnant woman carrying twins, an 11-month- that Israel is not committed to securing a two-state old boy and two infants. The reality of these statistics solution. Israel is continually changing the facts on the on the ground is truly appalling. The UN Office for the ground, which is an obstacle to peace, and at the same Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported: time blames the Palestinians for not entering into talks. “On 4 November, Israeli forces stationed in an observatory Let us remember that settlements are not residential tower shot and killed a 23 year-old mentally-challenged Palestinian…It enclaves, but virtual military barracks—fortified castles was not until two hours later, following coordination with the Israeli military, that a Palestinian ambulance was permitted to that separate Palestinians from their schools, places of reach the area”. business and extended communities. They threaten the safety of Palestinians who venture near, consume the The fact remains that this is an uneven conflict. Some lion’s share of the region’s water and prevent normal 1,377 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza war from movement of people and goods. The result is ethnic 27 December 2008 to 18 January 2009, while 13 Israelis segregation and discrimination, with Palestinians treated died in the same period. More recently, statistics from as second-class citizens in the occupied territories that the OCHA for casualties and fatalities prior to 6 November belong to them. There are also more than 1.25 million show that 71 Palestinians were killed by Israel in the forgotten non-Jewish citizens of Israel—principally Muslims Gaza strip in 2012, with 291 injured. In the same and Christians—who are treated as third-class citizens. period, 19 Israelis were injured by Palestinian fire from Indeed, both Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela have Gaza and none were killed. compared Israel’s segregation of Palestine to apartheid. I call on the Minister to press the European Union and the Israelis to secure an end to the siege of Gaza. Michael Ellis: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Even our Prime Minister once described Gaza as a prison, so it is incumbent on our Government to demand the freedom of the prisoners who are being subjected to Mark Hendrick: I will not, because I have very little collective punishment because of the sins of a minority. time. When I questioned the Foreign Secretary on a statement last month, he refused to comment on what he regarded Michael Ellis: Just me. as proportionate. I can only take from that the embarrassment that he might feel if he tried to explain away Israel’s grossly disproportionate response to terrorist Mark Hendrick: Everybody says that, but then there rockets fired from Gaza. are lots of people. I should like briefly to talk about the Quartet’s road According to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of map for peace, which was first announced in 2002. My Humanitarian Affairs, Israeli settlers in the west bank first visit to Israel and Palestine was in 2002, when the consume approximately six times the water used by road map was a source of hope for peace. At that time Palestinians. There has been a threefold increase in the there were 50,000 settlers in the Palestine territories; number of settler housing units in 2012 compared with there are now more than 500,000, and peace seems 2011. The settler population was estimated at more much further away. Ten foreign ministers of the European than 520,000 last year. When I first visited Palestine in Union’s Mediterranean states—Bulgaria, Cyprus, Spain, 2002 the population was 50,000, so there has been a France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania and tenfold increase. The UN also estimates that there are Slovenia—sent an open letter to the then Prime Minister, around 540 internal checkpoints, roadblocks and other Tony Blair, in 2007, in which they stated unequivocally physical obstacles that impede Palestinian movement in and without any diplomatic nuance that they believed the west bank. The demolition of Palestinian structures the road map had failed. The letter stated: is on the rise, displacing more than 1,000 people in “We might as well admit it straight away”. 2011. The Palestinian economy is also severely constrained by Israeli restrictions on access to markets and natural It went on to say that this was resources. The annual cost of this has been estimated at “the recognition of a shared failure we can no longer ignore: the ¤5.2 billion, or 85% of total Palestinian GDP, which ‘road map’ has failed.” has led to the Palestinian Authority being dependent on It is clear that there is no credible plan on the table to large amounts of funds from the EU and other foreign achieve a two-state solution or peace, and I believe that donors. Between 1994 and 2011, the EU gave ¤5 billion the UK has a responsibility to work with our European to Palestine. However, the impact of Israel’s paralysing partners to create a credible plan and to use all the constraints on Palestinian access to markets and resources instruments at our disposal to bring pressure to bear on is too great to be covered by aid alone. The PA currently Israel. The settlements are illegal under international faces an acute budget crisis. law, specifically article 49 of the fourth Geneva convention 269 Israel and Palestine11 DECEMBER 2012 Israel and Palestine 270

[Mark Hendrick] activities in settlements. The newly ratified EU-Israel agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of and United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and industrial products is an example of the EU’s failure to 338. The United Nations, the International Court of insist on a firm distinction between Israel and the illegal Justice and the overwhelming majority of states share settlements. The Government need to raise this with the this view. Israel controls the borders, airspace and coastline European Commission. At the heart of the UK’s policy and has overwhelming control of life in the area. towards Israel is the contradiction between recognising The establishment of settlements has created a that the settlements are illegal, running counter to achieving discriminatory two-tier system in the west bank, with a two-state solution, and our continuing to trade with settlers enjoying the rights and benefits of Israeli citizenship the region through the EU. I would be grateful if the while the Palestinians are subjected to Israeli military Minister could share with the House any updates on law. This year, I had an opportunity to visit a prison in recent developments in the political situation in Israel the west bank, where I observed children as young as and Palestine. 14 being tried by a military court for throwing stones at I also want to press the Minister to assure me that his an Israeli defence force vehicle. One of the children Department will consider the following proposals for received a two-year prison sentence from military officers action against inertia: the suspension of appropriate who should not have been in a court in Palestine; strategic dialogue meetings with Israel to show that the indeed, that court should not have been on Palestinian UK is prepared to act in opposition to Israel’s settlement land in the west bank. policy; the use of Government advice to discourage In a recent report, the former EU Commissioner for businesses from purchasing settlement goods and from External Relations, Hans van den Broek, gives evidence all other commercial and investment links with settlements; of how EU member states have helped to sustain the a ban on the imports of settlement products, as called Israeli settlements. He stated: for by Ireland; the championing of the exclusion of all settlement products in the EU and European Free Trade “As settlement construction has continued and accelerated, Association from preferential market access by insisting however, we Europeans have failed to move from words to action. So far we have refrained from deploying our considerable political that Israel starts designating the origin of settlement and economic leverage”. products other than by “Israel”; the exclusion of settlements from bilateral agreements and co-operation instruments Will the Minister tell us what the UK Government are with Israel by means of explicit legal provisions and doing to apply pressure on Israel to cease settlement safeguards; the removal of organisations’ funding building, either bilaterally or multilaterally through the settlements from tax deduction systems, as happens in European Union? The Foreign Secretary has made it Norway; the prevention of financial transactions to plain that it is impossible for an EU of 27 countries settlements and related activities by means of applying unanimously to agree to economic sanctions against restrictive measures as a more comprehensive approach; Israel, but he has yet to say whether he would be in the issuing of guidelines for European tour operators to favour of sanctions against Israel in principle if agreement prevent support for settlement businesses; and no longer on sanctions could be found across the EU at some selling UK-supplied components that can be used in the stage in the future. I invite the Minister to comment on conflict. that point. As I have said, there is tragic complacency in the The most recent estimate of the value of EU imports international community and the UK about the latest from the settlements, provided by the Israeli Government developments in the Palestine-Israel conflict and an to the World Bank, is ¤230 million a year. That is observable lack of commitment from the key players approximately 15 times the annual value of EU imports towards securing a two-state solution. I believe that the from Palestinians. With more than 4 million Palestinians UK has an important role to play and we should not and over 500,000 Israeli settlers living in the occupied underestimate our influence, particularly in Europe, in territory, that means that the EU imports over 100 times leveraging more political and, more important, economic more per settler than per Palestinian. The most common pressure on Israel. That will require moral and political settlement products sold in Europe are agricultural leadership and action, but we should not shy away from products such as dates, citrus fruits and herbs, and that and I urge the Minister to use his office to promote manufactured products including cosmetics, carbonation peace in the region by pushing for a two-state solution. devices, plastics, textile products and toys. Despite its firm position that the settlements are not part of Israel, Europe has been accepting imports of those settlements’ 7.21 pm products with the origin designated as Israel. I believe The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign that the UK Government should lobby the EU member and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): I congratulate states to adopt our own policy of consumer labelling the hon. Member for Preston (Mark Hendrick) on securing for all settlement products and also for manufactured this important debate and apologise on behalf of my goods. Beyond the trade in settlement goods, some colleague the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and European-owned companies have invested in settlements Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for North and related infrastructure or are providing services to East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), who has responsibility them. Examples that have been reported include G4S. for the middle east and is, I am afraid, out of the country Adding to the contradictions at the heart of the EU’s on Foreign Office business. policy towards Israel’s illegal settlements, the EU has Right at the beginning of my speech, I want to failed fully to exclude settlements from the benefits of contradict the hon. Gentleman’s view that there is its co-operation programmes and bilateral agreements complacency at the heart of the international community with Israel. In several cases, EU public funds for research and in the UK Government. I can assure him that there and development have been used directly to support is no complacency at all. Indeed, the UK worked intensively 271 Israel and Palestine11 DECEMBER 2012 Israel and Palestine 272 to support Egypt and the United States in facilitating I understand the points he made. What we have to do the negotiations to stop the conflict. The UK is continuing is to look forward to try to bring together all the to provide international development support both to respective parties that are interested in trying to find a the Palestinian Authority and in Gaza, where it is satisfactory two-state solution. As part of that, a Palestinian providing health and social services to the population. state will, I hope, be a full member of the United That help is available for as long as it is required. Nations at some point in the future. I also want to make it clear that the settlements that the Israelis have built and are proposing are condemned Mark Hendrick: My third point is that a peace process by us. Settlements are illegal under international law has been mentioned, but there is not really a peace and undermine the possibility of a two-state solution to process to speak of at the moment. All we had were the Israel-Palestine conflict and those working for a meetings convened by the Egyptians to try to stop the sustainable peace. We look to Israel to take all necessary conflict in Gaza. We would all like to see a peace steps to prevent settlement construction. process continue and the Minister agrees with me about The Government’s central objective is to ensure a a two-state solution, but there is just nothing happening rapid return to credible negotiations in order finally to on the ground. achieve a two-state solution, which I believe all Members of this House want to see, irrespective of which side of the debate they are on. That has been and will continue Mark Simmonds: If the hon. Gentleman will be patient, to be the guiding principle that determines our policy I will come on, time permitting, to exactly what we are on this issue. We firmly support a negotiated settlement doing to try to stimulate, encourage and facilitate the leading to a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable peace process and get it back on track. It is not true, and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders however, to say that nothing is happening. There are, with agreed land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital for example, ongoing talks chaired by the Egyptians of both states and a just, fair and agreed settlement for between the Palestinians and the Israelis, albeit not refugees. That is the only way to secure a sustainable directly as the two sides are in separate rooms. The two end to the conflict and it has wide support in this House key elements coming out of that are, first, the need for and across the international community. We strongly Israel to ease the restrictions on Gaza, particularly so believe that achieving such a solution is firmly in the that economic activity can take place; and, secondly, the interests of the Israelis, the Palestinians and the wider need for Egypt to tackle the arms smuggling into the region. Sinai, which is Israel’s main concern about the rockets that are going into it. I have to acknowledge, however, that we are gravely concerned about the dangerous impasse in the peace We engaged intensively with the Palestinians before process, particularly over the last two years. We believe the vote in the General Assembly, and in advance of it that the window to a two-state solution is rapidly closing. we urged Israel to avoid reacting in a way that would That is why we took the stance we did on the Palestinian undermine the peace process and to return to the resolution at the UN General Assembly, which was negotiations. We made it absolutely clear that we would guided by the principle of how to create the right not support a reaction that sidelined President Abbas environment for a swift return to talks and the strongest or risked the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. We possible foundations for the peace process. have made it very clear to the Israeli Government that In support of that principle and objective, we sought their decision to build 3,000 new housing units on the a commitment from the Palestinian leadership immediately west bank and in East Jerusalem, to unfreeze the to return to negotiations—without preconditions. This development of the area known as E1 on the west bank was the essential answer to the charge that by moving and to withhold tax revenue from the Palestinian the resolution, the Palestinians were taking a path away Authority is not acceptable. The settlements plan in from negotiations. We also sought a reassurance from particular has the potential to alter the situation on the the Palestinian leadership that it would not immediately ground on a scale that threatens the viability of a pursue action in the UN agencies and the International two-state solution. Criminal Court. Our country, the UK, is a strong supporter of international justice and the International Michael Ellis: Does the Minister agree with me that Criminal Court, and we would ultimately like to see a provocative actions on both sides is unhelpful in such a Palestinian state represented throughout all the organs volatile situation, and that it is particularly provocative of the United Nations. However, we judge that if the of the Palestinians to have involved or threatened to Palestinians were to build on this resolution by pursuing involve the ICC in this context because that is clearly ICC jurisdiction over the occupied territories at this not going to advance peace on both sides? Does he stage, it could make virtually impossible a swift return agree that Israel has a right to protect its citizens? to negotiations, which is what we all want to see. Mark Hendrick: I thank the Minister for his generosity Mark Simmonds: I certainly agree that Israel has a in giving way. First, what is the point of upgrading right to peace and security, and a right to protect its Palestine’s status if it does not get the benefits of an citizens from rocket attacks, which were extremely prevalent upgrade? Secondly, if settlements continue as they are, during the fortnight leading up to the escalation of the it is unlikely that there will ever be meaningful discussions. conflict in Gaza. However, what the international Thirdly—I have forgotten the third point. community and the House need to focus on is how we are to get the Palestinians and the Israelis back around Mark Simmonds: As this is the hon. Gentleman’s the negotiating table, without preconditions, to find a debate, I will allow him to intervene again if he remembers satisfactory, lasting solution to the conflict that has his third point. dogged that part of the world for so many years. 273 Israel and Palestine11 DECEMBER 2012 Israel and Palestine 274

Graham Jones: I am grateful to the Minister for a series of meetings in the European Union in which giving way, as he has not much time left. When will we there has been collective agreement on the necessity to reach a point when the two-state solution is dead and a push further for EU concerted action to try to bring the one-state solution becomes a viable option? parties together. We need to ensure that not only the EU but the UN is engaged in the process, alongside the Mark Simmonds: I do not think that we are there yet, United States. The UK’s position, however, has been but, as I said earlier, I think that the door is beginning absolutely clear. We will engage with any Palestinian to close on the realistic possibility of a two-state solution. Government who show, through their words and actions, That is why it is essential for the international community that they are committed to the principles set out by to act now, and essential for the United States in particular President Abbas in Cairo. to engage with the peace process following the vote in I hope that Members will forgive me for not saying the UN General Assembly. My right hon. Friend the more. I am running out of time. I very much hope that Foreign Secretary has had a series of discussions with the House will continue to engage with this— the United States Administration in an attempt to persuade them to become seriously engaged with the peace process, and they are doing that. 7.32 pm The hon. Member for Preston asked what we were House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order doing with our European Union partners. We have had No. 9(7)). 1WH 11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 2WH

point—my theme—is the wording in the June 2012 Westminster Hall Foreign and Commonwealth Office report on the overseas territories, which declares: Tuesday 11 December 2012 “We would welcome greater engagement between the UK Parliament and the elected bodies of the Territories.” [DR WILLIAM MCCREA in the Chair] From the CPA’s point of view, that seems exactly right. Overseas Territories (Governance) We can be an instrument to ensure that that engagement Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting takes place. I would widen it to suggest that there could be now adjourned.—(Mark Simmonds.) be greater engagement between the Commonwealth as a whole and the territories. The report to which I have 9.30 am referred suggested that our Government should seek a form of observer status for overseas territories within Sir Alan Haselhurst (Saffron Walden) (Con): It is the Commonwealth. At the moment, they are only very good to be here under your chairmanship, Dr McCrea, members through the UK’s membership. There may be as I recall that you were the first representative of some difficulties about that, but the fact is that they are Northern Ireland in my time as Chairman of Ways and very much part of the Commonwealth family and I Means to join the Panel of Chairs. You have clearly believe that they should be given some form of status relished that appointment, and I know how much time that underlines the value that we see in their membership. you devote to it. The debate is timely, in that it is taking place It is a widely shared belief and one that is certainly at shortly after the UK and overseas territories joint the core of CPA activities that good governance is the ministerial council. The debate provides an opportunity key to advancing the well-being of any jurisdiction, for parliamentarians to offer their perspective on the large or small. We believe in the CPA that we can play a relationship between the United Kingdom and the overseas key role. The CPA exists not just to promote better territories and, indeed, the relationship of the overseas relationships, but specifically to enhance knowledge territories to the Commonwealth as a whole. I do not and understanding of democratic governance. Eight think that it needs stressing that there is great good will out of the 14 overseas territories are branches of the in this Parliament and, I guess, in the country as a CPA in their own right. The UK branch undertakes, on whole towards our overseas territories. I dare say that if behalf of this Parliament, parliamentary diplomacy people in general were asked, “Which are the overseas and parliamentary strengthening activities. It involves territories?” not everyone would be able to name them Members of Parliament and our officials, because our for sure, but there is a feeling that by their very nature expert Clerks are able to give guidance to those in the they have a close relationship with this country, so they overseas territories who are seeking to set up their own must be a good thing. I hope that the debate will further arrangements. There is a constant need for that engagement, underline that friendship and the support that exists at because a consequence of democratic elections is that Westminster for the territories. I recognise that that may there is sometimes quite a large turnover of elected not be without criticism from time to time, but friendship members, so someone will come into a Parliament or is devalued if there cannot occasionally be plain speaking. legislative assembly and suddenly say, “That’s great, but My hon. Friend the Minister and probably other now what do I do? How can I be an effective member of colleagues will be pleased to know that I will not this body?” Sometimes there is a need to be able to attempt a tour d’horizon. To do so would represent the reach out and talk to someone else. Those people need most enormous cheek on my part, because, of the not be exclusively from the UK by any means, but the 14 overseas territories, I have only as yet visited one, ability to have that guidance can be very useful. and that was 40 years ago. Admittedly, it was one of the As I said, eight of the 14 overseas territories are most inaccessible—St Helena. I was there with a Labour branches of the CPA. Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, colleague, Ray Carter, the then Member for Birmingham, Bermuda, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Montserrat Northfield, and our recommendation on returning was and the British Virgin Islands come under the Caribbean, that the island needed an airport. That has not happened Americas and Atlantic region. The Falklands, Gibraltar quickly, but it is very satisfying that there is now a and St Helena come under the British Islands and commitment to seeing an airport constructed. I hope Mediterranean region. I think that we ought to promote that I shall be blessed with a long enough parliamentary as standard the idea that there should be available to the life to be able to make a return visit to that splendid territories, first, the possibility of election observation island. missions and, secondly, post-election seminars. The hon. However, I am hoping, in the course of 2013, to up Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas my score with direct knowledge of the overseas territories, Docherty), who has been closely involved in that type of in that I am expecting to attend the British Islands and work, will probably wish to expand on that if he seeks Mediterranean region conference of the Commonwealth to catch your eye, Dr McCrea. Both those types of Parliamentary Association, which will be held in the activity ought to be seen as core activities. We should Falkland Islands; the executive committee of the CPA is not be entirely satisfied if that is not a service that is due to meet in 2013 in the Cayman Islands; and I also universally available to the overseas territories. It was hope to schedule at some point in that year a visit to therefore rather disappointing—I do not know whether Gibraltar. the Minister will be able to comment on this—that the I currently wear two hats that provide me with some Bermudian Government in the end decided that they credentials to initiate the debate, being the chairman of did not wish to take up that possibility. It ought to be the UK branch of the CPA and the chairperson of the seen as a non-threatening exercise that is of positive international executive committee of the CPA. My starting value in the territories involved. 3WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 4WH

James Duddridge (Rochford and Southend East) (Con): Another thing I came away with—and from the My right hon. Friend refers to the situation in Bermuda. anecdotes I hear from colleagues, I suspect that it is Is the issue the fact that it did not take election observers true—is the belief that there are tremendously warm from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association or feelings and a tremendous sense of loyalty towards this the United Kingdom, or that there was no independent country in our overseas territories, which we have not election monitoring during the elections or will not be perhaps rewarded as generously as we should. My visit in the elections coming up? to St Helena was a long time ago, but I doubt whether much has changed in that particular. It was very difficult to find a household on the island, however lowly or Sir Alan Haselhurst: We are certainly not trying to grand, in which there was not a portrait of Her Majesty impose; it is a matter of finding the right composition the Queen or her father on the wall. I do not think that for any mission of that kind, whether during or after an one could say that of our country. We take our loyalty election. The composition should be constructed according to the Crown for granted, but they were very proud to to what seems most appropriate. In fact, some Crown display it. We ought to remember that enormous good dependencies—the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey—have will in our dealings with our overseas territories, to see shown a willingness to offer, from the perspective of whether we can give them an enhanced sense that we themselves as small jurisdictions, the kind of assistance are thinking about them and are ready to do the right that might be valuable to our overseas territories. I want things to support them. to emphasise that it is not about the United Kingdom knowing best; there is wider experience that can be There is one specific that it would be wrong of me to drawn upon, as demonstrated by the mission to the overlook: air passenger duty. It impacts particularly Turks and Caicos Islands. hard on some of the island territories. I was one of a group of colleagues who sought to persuade the The CPA could also play a bigger part internationally. Government to review the present banding arrangement, At present, the nature of the CPA, and one of its which was perverse in its effect, particularly on territories complications, is that it is not an association simply of in the Caribbean. In the end, the review disappointingly states; provinces and states within a federal Government led to no change. There are special links between the arrangement can all be individual branch members, as territories and ourselves. APD should be looked at can overseas territories, small countries and so on. We again. have nearly 180 branches in membership. I cannot for the life of me believe there is no way to The small branches conference, which takes place help specifically. If we identify certain territories as every year, organised by the CPA, is a great experience considerably dependent upon us, cannot they be ring-fenced for our overseas territories. Not only do they meet with as a group, so that there could be some concession on an agenda expressly about the needs of smaller the amount of APD that applies? I hope that my hon. jurisdictions—they have some issues in common, but Friend the Minister might start to exercise a little discourse also issues peculiar to them—but there are topics relevant between his office and the Treasury to see whether, in to branches with populations smaller than 500,000. pursuit of demonstrating stronger support for the overseas Providing an arena in which they can realise that they territories, a concession on APD might be found. are not alone and that others around the Commonwealth and across the oceans have similar issues, is one of the If we are honest, the relationship between this country valuable services that the CPA provides. We should and the overseas territories, despite the warm words I intensify the efforts to help many such small jurisdictions. have used on this occasion, is not without its hiccups, but we need to be aware that underlying loyalty and Apart from what might be described as steady, perhaps support generally emanates from them towards this unspectacular, continuing work, how else might we turn country. As I have tried to emphasise, we owe them the warm words, which we frequently use when we more and we should look for every way to intensify the speak of the overseas territories, into solid action? closer engagement that the Foreign and Commonwealth There are calls for closer integration between the overseas Office professes to want to encourage. We should do territories and this country. Some other countries are everything we can to intensify that to our mutual advantage. very closely integrated with their overseas territories, which have direct representation in their legislatures and so on. That may be a more difficult question for the 9.48 am UK, but to illustrate to the overseas territories how seriously we take them, something more than an all-party Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): group—presided over with great vigour by my hon. I am grateful to have the opportunity to speak in the Friend the Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell)— debate. It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship might be appropriate. once again, Dr McCrea. I was trying to recall the last Returning to the island of St Helena, let me say that time that I had the pleasure, and I think it was when you there are parts of the world with which we have an were artfully chairing the Committee on the Budget historical association that deserve solid support. I mentioned Responsibility and National Audit Bill. You did so with that I came back from the island absolutely convinced some aplomb and I am sure you will bring the same of the need for better communication to give that small chairing ability to today’s debate. territory a fair chance for its population, because the I suspect that one or two observers will be slightly opportunities for work and wealth creation are limited confused, as they may have been expecting a debate on by the enormous difficulties in getting in and out of unmanned aerial vehicles. For the benefit of any observers the island. It has taken a long time, but I am delighted who are confused, that will be this afternoon at 2.30 pm. that there is a real prospect of air communication with The Minister has a diary commitment this afternoon the island. to give evidence to the Select Committee on Foreign 5WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 6WH

Affairs on, I think, overseas territories. I am grateful election mission, we jointly had the great honour and that he has been able to move things around to attend privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of the CPA on the debate today. Remembrance Sunday. It is worth reflecting on the fact I pay tribute to the right hon. Member for Saffron that when the United Kingdom sent out the call to arms Walden (Sir Alan Haselhurst). I have the pleasure and in two world wars, the overseas territories played a full privilege of serving under his chairmanship on the role in answering that call, just as your constituents, Administration Committee and as a member of the Dr McCrea, and mine did, as well as other dominions executive committee of the UK branch of the CPA. He and territories in the Commonwealth. It is perhaps eloquently set out the role of the CPA and the high unfortunate that the overseas territories do not always regard in which overseas territories are held by the get the recognition that they deserve for the full role Foreign Office and Parliament. they enjoy playing in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. I also pay tribute to the Minister’s predecessor, the hon. Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham). I have had the privilege of undertaking two observer His work was appreciated on both sides of the House missions—one to the British Virgin Islands in November and, indeed, in the overseas territories. He served with last year, and one to the Turks and Caicos, with the distinction for two and a half years as the Minister with hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East, last responsibility for the overseas territories. One of the month. Observer missions are vital to any vibrant great debates about Ministers is whether they are the democracy for the purposes of transparency, for providing Minister for the overseas territories or the Minister to comfort to all those participating, and, indeed, those them. I am sure that in his new role the Minister will watching around the world, and sharing best practice. navigate skilfully through those rocky waters, making As hon. Members will know, the itinerary of an observer both us and the overseas territories believe that he is mission includes, in the build-up to an election, meeting “our” Minister. I look forward to hearing his priorities all the political parties privately to give them the opportunity when he responds. to talk about their experiences of the election. We Parliamentarian that you are, Dr McCrea, you will be obviously seek reassurances that they are comfortable aware that the CPA is a unique institution. It is more that the election is free and fair. As someone who has than 100 years old, having been founded in 1911 as the stood for elected office, I think it useful to have such Empire Parliamentary Association, with six founder meetings before the election. From my experience, if members. They were the United Kingdom, Australia, there is a favourable result, we have a slightly more New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and—curiously— favourable view of the whole process than if there is an Newfoundland. I was not aware that until after the unfavourable one. It is therefore vital that those discussions second world war, Newfoundland was a separate dominion take place before election day, rather than afterwards. from the rest of Canada; I will not digress on the long We also take the opportunity to meet the governors—I history of how that came to be. will return to their role later—and election officials to As the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden mentioned, understand election ordinances and rules, and to see the CPA is now a much larger organisation, comprising their processes. Like the proverbial swan, although elections the Parliaments and Assemblies of not only members always appear to move serenely over the surface of the of the Commonwealth, but devolved institutions at water, underneath a vast amount of paddling, often to state and regional level around the world from Canada some purpose, is going on in the build-up. We undertake to the Seychelles, from Pakistan to Scotland and, indeed, press and media monitoring. On our most recent mission, Dr McCrea, the Northern Ireland Assembly, which is a the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East and full and active member of the CPA. You will also be I observed a political party rally in the Turks and familiar with the story that at last year’s CPA conference, Caicos Islands. That was an experience in itself; as he I confused Mr Basil McCrea with your son; they are will recall, it was difficult to get the PNP—the Progressive both Members of the Legislative Assembly. National party—tune out of one’s head, because it was As the right hon. Gentleman said, one of the CPA’s played over and over again. strengths is that it provides a unique platform for the I pay tribute to the Westminster Foundation for overseas territories. It is the only Commonwealth institution Democracy for its work in various countries, for example that recognises them in a formal capacity. From having in the build-up to the restoration of local democracy in spoken to several of those from the overseas territories Turks and Caicos. It visited several times to help build last week, when they were here for the joint ministerial election ordinances and confidence in the process, and council, one thing they are keen for—perhaps the Minister to put an electoral system in place. One very simple will reflect on this—is a more formal status within the thing was done there—or at least I would say that it was Commonwealth, perhaps as associate or observer members. simple. Previously, political parties could treat voters by At the moment, their only voice is Members of the supplying them with free alcohol and food both at House and of the other place, plus the CPA. I know rallies during the build-up and on polling day. Westminster that the premiers and chief ministers would like a more Foundation for Democracy helpfully made the proposal, formal opportunity, an issue which may be appropriate which was certainly taken up with enthusiasm by party for this debate. treasurers, to prohibit giving alcohol to potential voters The CPA, and of course the Commonwealth as a on polling day. In the United Kingdom, we look with whole, is linked by a common and shared identity. It is some bemusement at the idea that we could, in effect, not simply the fact that we have a common Head of treat voters, but it was standard practice for 30 or State—we all have Her Majesty the Queen as head of 40 years in the Turks and Caicos Islands. That is a simple the Commonwealth—but a shared history. When the example of how engagement by other Commonwealth hon. Member for Rochford and Southend East (James parliamentarians can help improve the democratic Duddridge) and I were in Turks and Caicos on an electoral process. 7WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 8WH

James Duddridge: I congratulate the hon. Gentleman and election officials for the work they have done with on his work in relation to the Turks and Caicos Islands the parties to stamp out such behaviour. However, it is and more broadly. Does he agree that we have as much not an uncommon problem in some parts of the world, to learn from some of the territories about governance which is why our missions are so important. as they have to learn from us? I remember coming back We also attend the counts and, in some cases, the from an election at which people queued up for hours, recounts. This is an area where there is still room for because they were so passionate about voting, and the improvement. It was heartening to talk to the new turnout was 95%, to a United Kingdom election at Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Dr Rufus which people told me on the doorstep that they could Ewing, about the matter; I know the Minister will want not be bothered to vote and turnout was 15% to 20%. to welcome him to his new role. On the island I mentioned, where there were only 30 voters, electoral officers took Thomas Docherty: I absolutely agree with the hon. two hours to count the ballot papers—even my returning Gentleman, who was a pleasure to work with on the officer would not take two hours to count 30 voters’ mission. He is right that turnout was 80% or above. choices. There is perhaps some room for a more efficient People queued for an hour before polls opened, and for system to be introduced. The count is a vital part of the three or four hours after they had officially closed, to whole process. It is critical that the voters feel, and can take part in the democratic process, which is a tribute see, that their democratic choices are reflected in the to them and their commitment to democracy. As the results. Although I may joke that the process is slow, hon. Gentleman will recall, I recounted to an election there was no real dispute that it was fair. There was no official that in my constituency if somebody was asked indication that anything untoward had happened to the to wait for two minutes, they would probably turn tail ballot papers between the close of the poll and counting. and go home. I cannot imagine such enthusiasm in the United Kingdom, so he is absolutely right. Clearly, there are differences in approach. For example, I want to pay particular tribute to Ms Juliette Penn, rather than bringing all the ballot boxes to one polling who is the returning officer for the British Virgin Islands. station or to one count, the territories often count the She is a formidable woman, who organises her elections votes in situ. They close their polling station at, say, with some efficiency. I regret to say that my local 6 o’clock and go straight to a count, and I can see the returning officer could learn quite a lot from her about advantage in that. In a new democracy, or one that is producing a result efficiently and with confidence. I establishing its confidence, there is a strong argument press the Minister to consider what more we can do to that there should be as little movement as possible of partner and work with electoral registration officers in ballot papers. To be fair, it makes for a long day for the overseas territories and those in other Parliaments election officials and campaign workers. Dr McCrea, and Assemblies, whether the Crown dependencies, the you and I have fought enough elections to know that devolved Administrations or local government. The our day does not begin when the polls open and end hon. Gentleman is entirely right; it would be incredibly when the polls shut; there is a little bit before and a little patronising and foolhardy to think that this was a bit after. one-way process of the UK teaching the overseas territories The CPA missions produce a report. If anyone is how to do things. Quite often, it is the reverse. interested, they are publicly available from the Foreign That leads me nicely to the on-the-day observing that Office. Both our report on the BVI and our preliminary we do. It is our goal to visit all polling stations on report on the Turks and Caicos, which I think the polling day, which in some places can be a logistical Minister has had an opportunity to look at, said that challenge. In some territories, there are a very small the process was fair and transparent and that the people’s number of electors on very small islands. One of our will had been adequately reflected in the results. While observers spent a day—I imagine not an unpleasant we recognise that some efficiencies can be introduced, it day—on an island that had 30 voters. He had to take a is fundamentally a robust system. good book with him to get through the 12 hours while That leads me to the ways we can help some of the the polls were open. However, there is a serious point. overseas territories strengthen their democratic processes. We are clear about what we are looking for; we want to As the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden has ensure that no treating of voters takes place and that no mentioned, there are a number of overseas territories in undue influence is placed on voters in the vicinity of the the Caribbean. I will not list them all because I am polling stations. As the hon. Member for Rochford and bound to forget one, which would be a terrible offence. Southend East will recall, we heard some fascinating It strikes me that we can do more, through the governors, tales from around the world. For example, in recent to encourage election officials to share good practice, years, voters were taking their mobile phones, which and I would be interested to hear the Minister’s views. It now have cameras, into the polling booth when they is surely not beyond the wit of the Foreign Office to cast their vote. They photographed their ballot paper, bring together the EROs for all the overseas territories which they duly took to the polling clerk and put in the to share common practice. Perhaps the Minister can box. They then went outside to a gentleman sitting in a outline what steps he is considering to encourage the car about 100 feet away from the polling station, showed returning officers from the BVI, the TCI and the Anguillas the picture of their ballot paper and received $100 or to observe the build-up to the Cayman elections that are £100 in the local currency. Things that we would find taking place next year and to offer suggestions. In that absolutely astonishing have been common practice in way, they can build an informal network so that as each some parts of the Commonwealth. election comes round, the returning officers learn from When we reviewed the last election in the Turks and each other. Caicos Islands, it was clear that such things were not The Minister will be aware of the role of the Crown happening, because robust processes had been put place. dependencies within the Commonwealth Parliamentary I pay tribute to the Governor’s office, the local police Association. On our mission last year to the British 9WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 10WH

Virgin Islands, we were delighted to be joined by such delegations. Territories and nations that do not representatives from the Isle of Man and Guernsey. It have election observers from elsewhere run the risk of struck me that on a practical level, they have more in opening themselves up to questions such as, “What is it common with the overseas territories. Like many of our they have to hide?” Perhaps the Minister can enlighten Crown dependencies, their strength lies in shipping me, but I think that there are very few countries in the registries, tourism and financial services. They also have world that do not have election observers; North Korea relatively small numbers of legislators in their Assemblies springs to mind. Perhaps he can think of a slightly more and Parliaments. exhaustive list, but I think it would be a very small list of countries. Any electorate that has elections coming James Duddridge: Earlier, the hon. Gentleman made up should ask why they do not have election observers the point that he would encourage the Minister for, or coming into their country or territory. of, overseas territories—hopefully both—to look at EROs I want to touch briefly on the role of governors. I pay regionally becoming more involved in the process. Does tribute to the two governors I had the privilege of he agree that one of the strengths of our mission was working with during elections: His Excellency Governor that it was chaired not by a politician from the United Boyd McCleary of the British Virgin Islands; and His Kingdom Parliament, but by Joe Bossano, a Minister Excellency Governor Rick Todd in the Turks and Caicos. from the Gibraltarian Parliament? It would be constructive Can I press the Minister to say a little bit about the role to have a cadre of politicians who were regionally of governors in helping to build the democratic processes? involved in peer-to-peer assessment of the elections, I particularly want to press him to say something about rather than simply relying on people to travel over Governor Todd. He will be aware, as I am, that there from Gibraltar or the United Kingdom, which is not has been a petition, which no one seems to be taking the most economic thing to do. Furthermore, we do ownership of, criticising the Governor. I would be grateful not have the same degree of expertise and the same if the Minister would place on record whether the understanding of those territories. Governor still has the full confidence of Her Majesty’s Government. Hopefully, he can put an end to the Thomas Docherty: The hon. Gentleman makes an speculation that has started up in some quarters in incredibly powerful and valid point. He is absolutely parts of the Turks and Caicos. right, and I pay tribute to Joe Bossano for the way he led the observer mission; he spoke very eloquently, and In the remaining time, I will move away from talking with some credibility, about the role of overseas territories, about the Caribbean specifically. I hope that the Foreign which, of course, include Gibraltar. We need to encourage Office will look at the CPA as a useful ally and partner not just EROs but the overseas territories’ politicians to in building the governance arrangements of the overseas work together where appropriate. Clearly, it is slightly territories. As I said, the CPA is a unique organisation. more challenging logistically for Members from the There is no other organisation in the world with a Falkland Islands to go to BVI, which, by my count, common identity and common history that brings together involves five stops or changes, plus a train journey from such an eclectic mix of assemblies and Parliaments, Brize Norton to Heathrow. The hon. Gentleman is right from sovereign nations through Crown dependencies, to say that we should be encouraging the territories of, devolved Parliaments and assemblies, and overseas say, the Caribbean and Bermuda to work together as territories. I would be grateful if the Minister could set parliamentarians, especially as many of the territories out what he thinks the CPA can bring as a partner to have slightly different electoral systems. Some have not strengthening the democratic processes. just districts but at-large, all-island systems which we do not have in the UK Parliament, although our colleagues My hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) in Scotland and Wales do to an extent. The different will be setting out the Opposition’s position on the electoral systems are one of the things that we UK territories shortly. In closing, I will just say that on politicians must get our heads around. The hon. Gentleman the issue of air passenger duty there is genuine concern is right to say that encouraging that involvement will be among our overseas territories that they are being a slightly more economical use of the FCO’s pound. discriminated against. I am sure you would agree, Dr McCrea, that it is a slightly bizarre situation that I am very keen that within the British Isles and because we measure by distance to a capital, if someone Mediterranean region branch of the CPA we have a flies to Honolulu they will pay far less in APD than if group of parliamentarians who develop their skills, they fly to an overseas territory in the Caribbean or to know what they are looking for and know how to write Kingston or to any other Commonwealth country. their reports. We are seeing the Minister next week and he is aware that one of the issues I am keen to talk to When the Minister met the premiers and chief ministers him about is how we develop skill-sets within this of the UK’s overseas territories last week the issue of Parliament, so that we have a group of colleagues who APD was raised, so I would be grateful if he could set are able to go to elections, whether in overseas territories, out how he found his first joint ministerial council—indeed, in Africa—if we are invited—or in Australia. the first JMC. Perhaps he could say a little about what It is worth bearing in mind that having election his priorities are for the coming 12 months and how he missions is now the norm rather than the exception. will evaluate success. I hope that he will also set out how Just last month, the United States had a delegation we go forward with the White Paper, which was relatively from overseas, including at least one Member of the uncontroversial, as far as a Government White Paper House of Commons, my hon. Friend the Member for can be uncontroversial—I say that in the nicest possible Preston (Mark Hendrick). I know that the hon. Member way. I would be very interested to hear how he intends for Rochford and Southend East has taken a great to take forward the ideas in the White Paper and the interest in Africa, and many African countries have submissions from the CPA and others. 11WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 12WH

[Thomas Docherty] for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) made the same point. In an era of turnouts of 12% or Finally, I wish the Minister all the best in his role. I 15% in some UK elections, we must not think that we know that he will find it deeply stimulating and challenging, are in a state of grace as far as dealing with elections is and we look forward to working with him in the months concerned. The enthusiasm of a novel election process, ahead. as we saw all those years ago in South Africa and as we see today in other places, tells us and the people of the 10.15 am UK that democracy is an important process, which needs to develop. We also need to bring that experience Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Thank you, Dr McCrea, from other places to the UK. for calling me to speak. It is a real pleasure to appear What we as parliamentarians can offer is the benefit under your chairmanship; I think I am doing so for the of our experience, and I strongly agree with my hon. first time. Friend’s point about electoral registration officers. In an I welcome the new Under-Secretary of State for era when communication is becoming easier because of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member the development of the internet, it is possible to maintain for Boston and Skegness (Mark Simmonds). I think relations that might not have been possible 40 years ago. that this is the first time we have had the opportunity to When the right hon. Gentleman visited St Helena, the debate with each other; I suspect that the topic of prospect of maintaining contact with individuals there today’s debate will not be the most controversial topic was so remote as to have been virtually impossible, but that we will address. that is now possible once a connection is made. I would It has been a real pleasure to attend this debate, and I like relations to be extended to not only parliamentarians pay tribute to the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden but the communities they represent in the UK, so that (Sir Alan Haselhurst) for securing it. He has kept me in we can pool our resources and secure the relationships order on many occasions in the past and it is a pleasure that are so necessary to building good governance and to hear him on the other side of the fence, talking about democracy in the overseas territories. this important issue. We have had a very interesting It is important that parliamentarians should be debate. involved. Increasingly, under the European Union, electoral I am a great fan of the Commonwealth Parliamentary observation tends to focus on European institutions Association, which is a tremendous institution in rather than Parliament. One theme I want to pursue Parliament. My own constituency of Wrexham has with the Minister is that I would like more parliamentarians benefited massively from the CPA, because we have to take part in electoral observation missions to developed a very strong link with Lesotho in southern Commonwealth countries and the overseas territories. Africa as a direct result of a visit that I paid there in Elected politicians bring a substantial benefit to the 2005. It led to very close links between schools in my observation process, and it is essential in a multi-party constituency and in Lesotho, which is a developing democracy that they play a role, although not an exclusive country. As a direct result of the CPA visit that I made, one, in electoral observation missions. It is unfortunate Wrexham hosted the Lesotho Olympic team. That sort that that role has diminished in recent years, and while of link, which is between not only parliamentarians but civil servants from a particular institution often go on constituencies and institutions within constituencies, is missions, politicians are sometimes excluded. what we should be working to try to achieve with the overseas territories. Thomas Docherty: Does my hon. Friend agree that One of the real challenges of modern parliamentary one key advantage politicians have is not only that we life is that the focus of MPs is very much on their own can talk candidly, face to face, with fellow politicians, constituencies or their own constituency work; sometimes but that we have extensive experience as campaign that work does not extend beyond the borders of the workers before we are elected and during the process of constituency, let alone of the United Kingdom. We all being elected? We can therefore see what the wider know that the overseas territories are an intrinsic and political party is looking for from a process. central part of our history. That has been very evident in this debate—they are part of what makes the United Ian Lucas: That is absolutely right. Elections in a Kingdom, and it is absolutely imperative that we recognise democracy are about competition between parties. that and continue to have a strong and developing Campaigning is incredibly important, and politicians relationship with them. are much more familiar with that skill than even the We have heard today about how those links are most experienced electoral registration officer. It is therefore carried forward through the CPA and, of course, through important that communication takes place, although other avenues. However, it is also the case that, because the far-flung nature of the overseas territories makes it of the disparate nature of the overseas territories and difficult for them to have the interactions that we have their geographical spread, it is very difficult for the developed over the years. We should build strongly on overseas territories and those developing knowledge our experience in that respect. of democratic institutions to secure regular experience of The other relevant issue—to be slightly more controversial elections of the type that we have. We have secured our —is financial transparency; I was pleased that it played experience in a country of 60 million people. an important part in the Foreign Office White Paper It is very important indeed that we work with the “The Overseas Territories: Security, Success and overseas territories to share our experience of elections. Sustainability”. The Government were clear about the I think it was the right hon. Member for Saffron Walden importance of financial transparency, which is of great who made the point that we can also learn from the importance at present to my constituents and others overseas territories, and my hon. Friend the Member across the country. 13WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 14WH

As democracy develops in the overseas territories, we Ian Lucas: The White Paper uses the word “partnership”, must ensure that the transparency that goes with a well which is something that we need to build on. Owing to functioning democracy is also evident in their financial the size of our country and our experience, we have and taxation affairs. When we work with the overseas resources and expertise that the overseas territories territories, and the British taxpayer makes a contribution cannot draw on; given our historical relationship and to assist them, we cannot have a situation in which our links, it is important to share that expertise and businesses and individual UK citizens might use them work with them. We need to build a strong relationship to avoid paying tax. We need to work with them to that will endure, although it will change as democracy ensure that international principles on fair dealing in and good governance develop. The Opposition are taxation matters are a central part of their developing committed to the continuing relationship with the overseas democracy. territories, to building good governance, to developing It is hugely important that the connection that the institutions and representation appropriate to each CPA has developed through visits over a number of individual territory, and to working with the Government years should continue. We should try to encourage in taking that important agenda forward. more Members of Parliament to take part in such visits. There are many new Members, some of whom have 10.30 am arrived here only in the past month or so, and they need to know the importance of engaging with the overseas The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign territories and with other countries beyond the UK and and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): It is a the important role that parliamentarians play in ensuring pleasure to serve under your guidance this morning, that good governance is spread across the world. Dr McCrea. I congratulate my right hon. Friend the I pay tribute to the right hon. Gentleman and my Member for Saffron Walden (Sir Alan Haselhurst) on hon. Friend for their hard work, for which they are not securing the debate and generously allowing the time to thanked often enough. There is huge respect abroad for be changed, and on the informed and articulate way in the work of the CPA and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, which he introduced it. I was keen to hear of his and our colleagues abroad value the commitment of prescient and visionary visit to St Helena all those years this Parliament—the mother of Parliaments—to developing ago. He will be delighted, as I think the whole House is, institutions in countries that are building a level of that the airport is predicted to open in 2016. I know democracy that we want to encourage. from his remarks that he is ambitious to visit many of the other territories, but I hope that he will find time to I am pleased to support the thrust of the White return to St Helena to benefit from the airport, once it is Paper, which was published earlier this year. Clearly, it open. I also congratulate the Commonwealth Parliamentary builds on the 1999 White Paper published by the then Association, which does an enormous amount of significant Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, under the previous work. In particular, I congratulate Andrew Tuggey on Government. The Opposition have noted the commitments his professional and detailed work to ensure that the made to the overseas territories, and we strongly support CPA is such a success in building relationships and applying the principle of self-determination to them. sharing knowledge between Parliaments. Long may that We want to ensure that they have a close link with this continue. country, but we also want, in an age of devolution, to ensure that they have sufficient autonomy to deal with I thank the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West their individual circumstances and to build a democratic Fife (Thomas Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member system appropriate to them. for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge), who, sadly, is no longer in his place, for the work that Sir Alan Haselhurst: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman they have done recently, particularly in the Turks and for his kind words. Does he agree that the serious Caicos Islands. I look forward to discussing with them discussion we are having gives the lie to the general the report, which I have seen, and how to pursue the mockery that occurs in the press whenever Members of lessons that they think can be learned. I also thank the Parliament try to improve relations with, and democracy hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) for his positive in, other parts of the world—particularly those closely and thoughtful contribution. associated with us? I want to respond to specific points made in the Ian Lucas: That is certainly the case. That work is debate, but also to take the opportunity, if Members often unseen; it is demanding and difficult and involves will bear with me, to respond to comments by the hon. much discussion and thought. Much assistance is given Members for Dunfermline and West Fife and for Wrexham to overseas territories, which have the difficult task of about the projection made at the joint ministerial council designing government—something that has taken last week. The JMC builds on the White Paper published 1,000 years in this place. It is hugely important to share in June, which sets out a strong and positive vision for our experience. the territories to build on their excellent facilities and ensure that, where appropriate, they can proudly retain Thomas Docherty: My hon. Friend is setting out a their links with the UK for present and future generations. compelling argument. Does he agree that lending our The White Paper sets out clearly the benefits and expertise to promote local development is about not responsibilities of the relationship for the territories just political expertise but civil service expertise? I am and the United Kingdom. As the hon. Member for thinking, for example, of the work the Department of Wrexham pointed out, it builds on work done by the Energy and Climate Change can do to help the Falkland previous Government as well, but we thought it important Islands as they prepare for hydrocarbon exploration, to set out in a White Paper the UK Government’s and the work the Department for Environment, Food and fundamental responsibilities and objectives to ensure Rural Affairs can do to help protect the fisheries and the security and good governance of the territories and the natural environment in the Caribbean. their peoples. 15WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 16WH

[Mark Simmonds] In the context of supporting the territories to develop, a key element is making links with the Commonwealth. I want to say a little about the priorities for the My right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden Foreign and Commonwealth Office in driving UK will be pleased to hear that that is a significant thrust of Government apparatus to support the development of our efforts, set out in the White Paper. As part of that the overseas territories. We should focus on three areas: approach, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth building stronger links with the UK; getting the territories came to the JMC and made a presentation. He received the support they need; and working together on good questions and responded to points that were made, and governance, financial management and economic planning, said that he greatly valued the part played in the life of where necessary. My priority in the first strand of the the Commonwealth by the overseas territories. I can work is to encourage more trade and investment to reassure him that we are working with the secretariat to benefit both the territories and the UK. I have already explore what more can be done. The territories already had the opportunity in my time as the relevant Minister participate in some areas—not just the CPA, important to visit the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the though that is. Some of them have participated in Turks and Caicos Islands. That allowed me to see for events aimed at supporting small island states, which myself what opportunities exist. Those are not just in have been particularly valuable as the territories have the sectors where some of the territories are already many challenges in common with other small island strong; there may be opportunities to assist them in states elsewhere in the world, including some governance diversifying their economic base, whether by expanding challenges. We continue to encourage the secretariat financial services, assisting with UK investment in tourism, to invite the overseas territories to participate in or using UK companies to help build and develop Commonwealth meetings. infrastructure. To that end, Lord Green, the Minister It might help if I explained why we are in the situation for Trade and Investment, and I discussed those issues we are in. We very much agree with my right hon. with territory leaders and a selection of business Friend the Member for Saffron Walden and the Foreign representatives last Monday in the Foreign Office, and Affairs Committee that there should be a more formal that meeting has the potential to be significantly productive. tie between the overseas territories and the Commonwealth The point that I want to emphasise is that building family, in the form of observer or some other status but, stronger links with the territories is not just down to the as Members will know, membership of the Commonwealth Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but is a cross-Whitehall has to be agreed by a consensus of all Commonwealth effort. Every Department has written a paper setting Heads of Government, and the membership category is out how it can help. Eight of my ministerial colleagues that of “sovereign state as full member”. In 2007, the met the territory leaders last week. The Department for Heads of Government endorsed the recommendation International Development is doing particularly valuable of the Commonwealth committee on membership not and significant work, particularly in St Helena, Montserrat to establish any other status. and Pitcairn, and through its temporary assistance in Officials have discussed different categories of the Turks and Caicos Islands. membership with Commonwealth members, and it will Another important area of work is the strengthening come as no surprise that at the joint ministerial council of political links with territory leaders. That was the last week territory leaders raised the matter with me, thrust of the JMC last week. We have upgraded the with other colleagues who were there and with the meeting to make it our annual summit, which enabled secretary-general. I have spoken to the Minister of State us to discuss a substantive and significant agenda and at the Foreign Office who has responsibility for the to agree for the first time a detailed communiqué setting Commonwealth to see if we can work together to find a out an ambitious programme of joint working for the solution. Indeed, the Foreign Secretary told the Foreign year ahead. If colleagues have not seen that joint Affairs Committee back in 2011: communiqué I would urge them to look at it, because it “We are exploring the possibility of creating observer or responds to the sensible and correct point made by the associate member status of the Commonwealth, from which hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife about many overseas territories would benefit. We are still continuing to the action points and work streams that will flow from explore that possibility.” the JMC towards the next one, across a range of areas. I see the focus of the UK Government in the year ahead Thomas Docherty: I am sure that the territories will as assisting the territories with their priorities, rather be heartened by that. It would, however, be remiss of than what we think their priorities should be. I took me not ask whether that was seen to be for Crown territory leaders to No. 10 Downing street to meet the dependences as well as for territories. Prime Minister—I understand that it was the first time that a British Prime Minister has met all the overseas territory leaders collectively—and the event was very Mark Simmonds: The constitutional relationships with well received and a positive time in all our diaries. overseas territories and with Crown dependences are The second goal in my list of priorities is to make very different, but the ongoing discussions should certainly sure that the territories have the support they need. involve both. That was a common theme in the speeches this morning. I want to move on to important issues that some We already provide significant development support, Members have raised: good governance, financial of which perhaps the most obvious example is the management and economic planning. We take very £350 million that we have provided for Montserrat since seriously the responsibilities for the security and good the volcanic crisis of 1995 to 1997, which destroyed the governance of the territories, and we believe that what capital and economy; also, £247 million has gone to is good enough for the UK should be good enough for St Helena to build the airport, and for other aspects of the overseas territories as well. One key aspect of the its development. White Paper was the commitment to strengthen training 17WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 18WH and exchanges between the public services in the territories official. In TCI, the official supported the practical and the UK. Our jubilee programme, which is worth planning for the preparation of the new electoral roll, £500,000, will fund some of the exchanges, with UK the training of election officials, and an arrangement civil servants going to overseas territories to assist in for the counting and announcement of results. building capacity and in training public servants through As I mentioned, we have set up the jubilee programme the civil service learning service, and overseas territories to support training and exchanges between public servants public servants being facilitated to come to the UK. in the territories and the UK, and a priority is to foster On 16 October, I opened the first meeting, in the and support networks of professionals across the territories. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, of the heads of I think that we will commend to the overseas territories public services, one purpose of which was to exchange the idea of a network of EROs, so that lessons can be best practice across a range of important areas for learnt and best practice put in place for future elections. further work including procurement, codes of conduct for Ministers, parliamentarians and public services, and The hon. Member for Wrexham was absolutely right e-government—an area in which we think we can do to speak about transparency in all financial matters. He significantly more together. However, as the hon. Member will notice that in the White Paper there are two or three for Dunfermline and West Fife rightly said, it is not just strands to that. The first is to ensure that overseas about overseas territories learning from us; there are territories have in place proper legislation for appropriate things we can learn from them. and prudent fiscal and financial management. The Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands have Democracy is flourishing in most overseas territories, that, as now do the Cayman Islands. The second strand and I am delighted that the new Turks and Caicos is to ensure that we have proper, transparent, competitive premier, Dr Rufus Ewing, was able to attend the joint tendering for procurement, so that there is no longer ministerial council last week. He was extremely warmly any opportunity for shenanigans. The UK Government welcomed, and he made a significant contribution to all have played a significant role in building capacity and in our debates. It is an excellent and positive development providing advice and training to enable that to happen. that democracy has returned to the islands after a difficult period. It is important also to recognise that all I turn to the specific point about responsible fiscal overseas territory constitutions are different. They have and tax arrangements. Given the discussions held last developed over time, most of them have been updated week, previous actions relating to the overseas territories and they are not necessarily set in stone; they need to be and the detail set out in the communiqué, both the UK debated and discussed over the coming years. and the overseas territories’ Governments accept the All Members who contributed to the debate mentioned requirements to comply with international standards election observers. We rightly encourage observers to on tax transparency and financial regulation. monitor elections all over the world, to promote Tackling financial crime is important, as was set out internationally accepted standards, and we encourage at the JMC. Bermuda, the BVI and Cayman have tax other confident and open democracies, including the information exchange agreements with the UK. The territories, to welcome observers. OECD, a global forum, says that the overseas territories I have to say that we are slightly disappointed that meet tax transparency standards. I have met on a couple Bermuda has not recognised the need for election observers. of occasions the impressive team that regulates the The Governor of Bermuda has suggested to the Premier financial services sector in the British Virgin Islands, that as a sign of a mature, advanced and open democracy and there is a real desire in that sector to ensure that it the country might invite an external independent team— keeps up to speed with international standards, which is perhaps a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association what it is doing. group—to observe its elections, but unfortunately the Overseas territories’ tax rates, of course, are their Government have decided not to do so. I raised the responsibility; individual territories have the right to set issue with the Bermudan Attorney-General and Minister the tax rates appropriate for them. On secrecy, which of Justice last week, and she assured me that she would the hon. Member for Wrexham alluded to, I would reflect our views to the Premier. Interestingly, the example argue that they are at least as compliant as major I gave her was the comparison with North Korea, which financial centres in meeting international standards. We the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife mentioned also have to be clear that revenues from the financial earlier. It is a positive sign, rather than a negative one, services sector make a huge contribution to ensuring to accept external election observers. that those overseas territories are self-funding, self- The hon. Member for Wrexham is absolutely right supporting and self-reliant. about the need for more elected politicians to be involved Finally, the significance and importance of the as election observers. Although civil servants play a relationship between the UK and the overseas territories significant and important role, politicians can often has never been higher up the political agenda. bring a slightly different perspective—perhaps over a longer period, including during the campaigning before the election and what may or may not happen immediately Thomas Docherty: The Minister is doing an excellent afterwards, depending on whether it has been successful. job of setting out in some detail the Government’s I support the hon. Gentleman’s train of thought in position on a range of matters. I appreciate that he has that area. to cover a large number of issues, but before he finishes The hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife may I press him to confirm that the Government have talked about the electoral registration officers—EROs—in full confidence in Governor Todd? The Minister will be the overseas territories, and particularly in the Turks aware that there has been media interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We have included a partnership in and Caicos about the work that Governor Todd continues TCI, and elsewhere, with an experienced UK election to do. 19WH Overseas Territories (Governance)11 DECEMBER 2012 Overseas Territories (Governance) 20WH

Mark Simmonds: As the hon. Gentleman may have the wider Caribbean community. He will also be aware picked up in his visits to the TCI and, to a lesser extent, not only that there was a review of the operation of to the BVI and elsewhere, there are always tensions APD but that there was a meeting fairly recently, between between elected representatives and the Governors both representatives of the Caribbean high commissioners in terms of who has responsibility for what and the here in London and a Treasury Minister, to discuss perception—sometimes incorrect—that the UK APD further and to understand the issues. Government are not always on the side of the elected I suggested to both the territories’ leaders and to representatives in a particular territory. those elsewhere in the Caribbean that there had already In a spirit of partnership and friendship, we should been significant discourse between the Foreign and be listening to each other, but that does not always Commonwealth Office and the Treasury, and that discourse necessarily mean that we will agree. I have full confidence continues. Those Caribbean leaders need to provide us in all the Governors currently in place, and I said so with evidence of the negative impact of APD, particularly forcefully at the JMC last week. Governor Todd in on the tourist industry. Mixed messages and mixed particular has done a significant job in running the evidence are coming through so far. interim Government who were put in place after the elected territorial Government were suspended, back in Thomas Docherty: The Minister may not be aware August 2009. On 9 November when the elections took that the Eastern Caribbean economic union has seen a place, he put the TCI in a significantly stronger place, 20% drop in passengers from the UK since APD was across a whole range of areas, than the one in which introduced. In comparison, there has been a 1% drop in they were in 2009. passengers going to the east coast of the United States, Finally, I confirm that this significant area of policy although I might be wrong. There is clearly evidence will become increasingly important as we develop the that the Caribbean is being disproportionately hit by workstreams highlighted in the communiqué. I am delighted the current APD arrangements. that colleagues have expressed their positive desire to remain engaged and to make intelligent suggestions as to how we may develop the partnership even further. Mark Simmonds: That is interesting, because it is not uniformly the case. There was a drop back in 2009, Sir Alan Haselhurst: Before my hon. Friend concludes, but that has not remained consistent, nor is it consistent will he say whether he will take away the comments on across the board. There are countries in which tourism air passenger duty, which has a particularly perverse has gone back up, which is why it is a complex issue impact on the smallest territories? to analyse. We are aware of the issue, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden is right to Mark Simmonds: I apologise to my right hon. Friend. put it in the way that he did. We are still in listening I was not avoiding air passenger duty; I just did not see mode. the piece of paper I had written it on. My right hon. Friend will not be surprised to hear that I was lobbied vociferously both by the leaders of 10.57 am overseas territories in the Caribbean last week and by Sitting suspended. 21WH 11 DECEMBER 2012 Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs) 22WH

Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs) being familiar with the geography of the north-east, will know that Newcastle is 40 miles north of Darlington 11 am along a busy stretch of motorway. To reach the centre, staff would either have to drive past the Metro centre, Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): It is a pleasure to which is legendary locally as a congestion hot spot, or serve under your chairmanship, Dr McCrea. I thank travel via the Tyne tunnel, which has lengthy queues at my hon. Friends the Members for Sedgefield (Phil peak travel times. Increased regional congestion and Wilson) and for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) carbon emissions would be the unwelcome consequence for supporting me in preparing for this debate. of a move away from Darlington. Alternatively, staff Mowden Hall is the workplace of more than 400 civil could take a packed train, but the journey time—about servants who support the education and well-being of half an hour, in addition to travel time into and out of children and families across the country. On 13 November, Darlington and Newcastle town centres—would add I received a letter from the Department for Education about two hours to their working day. Other travel describing Mowden Hall as being in poor condition and options from Darlington to, for example, Longbenton requiring significant investment to remain in use. The in Newcastle and back include two hours and 20 minutes letter said that the Department would be selling the site on the train, four hours on the bus or two hours and and searching for an alternative in either Darlington or 20 minutes driving. Newcastle, which came as a surprise although not as a bolt from the blue. Those travel times would make family friendly working impossible. Parents would find it harder to fit their Before 2010, the Department had secured funding hours around existing child care arrangements, which and planning permission to build new offices in the would increase their costs dramatically. According to centre of Darlington. The relocation would have brought Tees Valley Unlimited, our local enterprise partnership, jobs into the centre of town, providing public transport the older, highly experienced work force would be less access and much-needed trade. The coalition Government likely to commute to Longbenton and less likely to find cancelled the project almost immediately after taking alternative employment locally. office, saying that they were committed to remaining at Mowden Hall. All seemed relatively well at the time, but Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): I congratulate my it did not ring true to me, given that the feasibility study hon. Friend on gaining the debate. My constituency for the new building highlighted the poor condition of takes in part of the borough of Darlington as well as Mowden Hall. It seemed pretty clear that at some point, part of south-east Durham. The issue is important not the Department would either have to move from Mowden just for the town of Darlington but for local and or invest heavily in it. surrounding areas. I receive letters and e-mails from To be helpful to the Department, I arranged for a people who work at Mowden Hall and places such as discussion between officials and a local developer, John Newton Aycliffe. They say that if Mowden Hall is Orchard of Marchday, which owns Lingfield Point in moved to Newcastle, there is no way that they will be Darlington. The Lingfield Point site was built immediately able to get there and have a family life. I agree with the after the second world war to house a wool factory by point that she is making. Patons and Baldwins, a leading British manufacturer of knitting yarn. At 2 million square feet, the site became Jenny Chapman: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the largest wool factory in the world. It is now one of his intervention. People who live in outlying areas of the largest employment bases in the Tees valley, employing Darlington such as Newton Aycliffe would have to get more than 2,000 people. The award-winning site is also into Darlington to catch the train. An hour and 10 home to the offices of significant north-eastern minutes would be an optimistic travel time for someone organisations including Darlington borough council, in that situation. the NHS, the Student Loans Company, NFU Mutual and the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. It is a I understand that the Department will be responsible stone’s throw from the Independent Safeguarding Authority for the relocation travel expenses of staff commuting to and can truly be described as a public sector employment an alternative workplace in Newcastle. What provisions hub. The business park even runs its own bus service to has the Minister made to cover those costs? I hear that and from the town centre every half hour, alongside the Department may be required to cover staff travel local bus services running to the site every 10 minutes. costs for some years. Can she confirm that that is the In March 2011, discussions with the then permanent case? secretary and his officials to assess the possibility of a Staff at Mowden Hall make a substantial contribution move to Lingfield Point were positive. Shortly afterwards, to my local economy. The most recent information that however, it became clear that any move was on hold and I have been able to obtain from Tees Valley Unlimited that the Department’s strategy, at least for the time suggests that nine are senior civil servants, 60 work at being, was to stay put at the deteriorating Mowden senior management grades 6 and 7, 58 work in operational Hall. It is not my intention to argue that the Department management, 240 are executive grade and 80 work at should retain Mowden Hall; a move is clearly justified. administrative level. Those are senior posts providing Nevertheless, the surprising element of the letter I received expertise to the education sector across the UK. on 13 November was not that the Department had Darlington is an attractive area principally because decided to move from Mowden Hall, but that it was of its low cost base and highly skilled work force. In considering moving its 480 staff members to Newcastle addition, the town has an excellent quality of life and instead. an easy commute to work. Its main advantage is a stable About 60% of the work force at Mowden Hall live work force and very low staff turnover, allowing for in Darlington. The rest commute from neighbouring continuity of the specialist knowledge that makes a Teesside, Durham and North Yorkshire. The Minister, difference to children’s education throughout the country. 23WH Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs)11 DECEMBER 2012 Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs) 24WH

[Jenny Chapman] to keep the jobs in the town. We are not making party political points about this. We have support from the The expertise at Mowden Hall has been built up over borough council and the local business community, the decades and includes school formation and investment, Public and Commercial Services Union and all political improvement and performance, school standards, school parties. The foremost regional newspaper in the country, resources, early years, extended schools, special needs, The Northern Echo, with its proud history as a campaigning safeguarding, international adoption, audit and free title, has lent its support to the campaign to keep jobs at schools and academies. I understand that a free school Mowden Hall. Its Save Our Jobs petition has already is to be created at the old Mowden Hall, which I attracted more than 1,000 signatures. There is no doubt support and look forward to. that the task of persuading the Department to stay in Darlington is a whole-town effort, undertaken with Mowden Hall has a talented, motivated and dedicated confidence in what we have to offer and an understanding work force with skills that cannot be acquired quickly. that these jobs are critical to the future economic success A move from Darlington resulting in large-scale staff of our area. departures would damage the Department’s ability to continue its business. Schools and children’s services The case for remaining in Darlington is persuasive. departments across the country rely on those skills. There are at least two high-quality alternatives in They are not easily, quickly or cheaply replaceable, and Darlington. This is a critical decision for our town. For they should be highly prized by the Department. It is business continuity, integration with Capita, retention particularly worrying that the current uncertainty of skills and the sake of the local economy, I trust that surrounding the future location of the Department’s the Department will decide to keep these jobs in Darlington. offices is causing some highly skilled staff members to consider departing from the service sooner than they 11.12 am otherwise would have. I would be grateful for an assurance from the Minister that staff at Mowden Hall will not be The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education required to make decisions about early exit before gaining (Elizabeth Truss): I thank the hon. Member for Darlington certainty about where they will have to work. (Jenny Chapman) for her excellent, insightful contributions to the debate and for tabling it. She made a persuasive I am grateful to the permanent secretary for meeting case, not just in relation to the specific roles in the me and representatives from Darlington, including council Department for Education, but for all employers to leader Bill Dixon and the leader of the Conservative locate their operations in Darlington because of the group, Heather Scott. Ministers and officials understand cost-effective nature of the location and the high level the pitfalls of a move away from Darlington, and I of skills in the local work force. I hope that message know that they will be mindful of the potentially damaging about the value of Darlington is heard more widely by impact of a move on the Department’s performance. I other potential employers who might think about locating know from those discussions that business continuity is in the north-east. a key concern of the Department in considering where to move the jobs. Staff turnover at Mowden Hall is low. I note the hon. Lady’s points about the specific skills The site has played a leading role in Government initiatives, of Department for Education officials in Darlington. I such as free schools and academies, and we are keen pay tribute to the staff who work at Mowden Hall in that that role continues in Darlington. Darlington for the contribution they make to the efforts of the Department. She outlined well how many different In addition to the 480 DfE jobs at Mowden Hall, areas are supported from the Darlington office, including there are a small number of Ministry of Justice and free schools, academies and early years, which is of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills staff. particular interest to me. Will the Minister say something about the future of The Secretary of State said that he wants the Department those posts? Some 500 staff at Mowden Hall are employed for Education to be the best Department in Government by Capita, servicing a DfE contract. Can the Minister and to be a place where the best, most talented people say what discussions she has had with Capita about its want to work. I agree that that is an important objective. future accommodation needs? Given the general economic climate, we need to ensure My principal arguments for keeping the Department’s that we are getting value for money and that we have a jobs in Darlington centre on the unnecessary costs of highly motivated and highly skilled work force. That is a relocation and the potential loss of skills to the Department. key objective for the Department. The DfE review Also of huge concern is the impact on the local economy considered how we can achieve that and proposed of the loss of such a large number of highly skilled jobs. fundamental changes to our ways of working, designed to make the Department the best it can be. Those Although it is more of an issue for me, as the local changes include greater flexibility in how we structure representative, than for the Minister, it is worth outlining and manage teams—I use video conferencing a lot to that Tees Valley Unlimited’s economic model forecasts communicate with Department officials located in other that the economic impact for Darlington is direct employees parts of the country—and focusing on outputs rather plus indirect employees times the median wage of £19,000 than processing things internally, which is what we want per annum, giving an annual economic impact figure the Department to do and what we are asking schools for Darlington of up to £21 million. It is estimated that and children’s services to do. around 70% of that sum is spent in the local economy. I am fortunate to work with excellent civil servants on Darlington’s unemployment rate is historically and the many areas of policy that I cover. Over the past two currently higher than other potential locations in Newcastle. years, the Department has achieved a great deal in The decision to leave Mowden Hall is the most important terms of the reform agenda. We are also working on issue facing Darlington today. There is cross-party support reforms to early years and right across children’s services 25WH Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs)11 DECEMBER 2012 Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs) 26WH and education. We in the Department need to set ourselves Once a shortlist of options is available, staff will be similarly high standards to those we ask of schools and consulted about the effect of a move on them individually, children’s services throughout the country. and support will be put in place to help staff with a Many of the changes I have outlined will be welcomed move if necessary. I hope that answers the hon. Lady’s by staff, because everybody, whatever job they do in question about whether staff are being asked: they will whatever walk of life, wants to know that they are only be asked to consider what they want to do once a having a positive impact on the real thing that they do, decision about a site has been made. If that is wrong, I which in our case is helping children in education and in shall write to her to confirm otherwise, but I believe the adoption process or in care. Staff will welcome the that to be the case. opportunity to spend more time on important front-line On the hon. Lady’s other questions, we will consult work. I recognise that other changes will be difficult, for on such things as travel costs and how staff travel costs instance, site closures and headcount reductions, but as will be paid for, enabling us to determine the Department’s a Department we have a duty to look for ways to secure relocation costs and, therefore, to put together an overall value for money for the taxpayer. budget. At present, we do not know exactly what travel As we outlined in our letter, Mowden Hall is no costs will be entailed. We will evaluate the costs of all longer fit for purpose; it is old and would require the different locations, once we are down to our final substantial investment to upgrade. The hon. Lady confirmed decisions, so travel costs will come into the final decision that she agrees, so we all agree. I welcome her support about the most appropriate site for relocation. for the proposed free school on the Mowden Hall site. The hon. Lady also asked about others with a role. I As the permanent secretary outlined, we are committed have not had a discussion with Capita—in reply to her to a presence in the north-east of England. We announced specific question—but I can certainly follow things up plans to identify a new site in the area on 13 November. with the permanent secretary and get her an answer. We are searching for a new location and are considering Nor do I have any information specifically about the the following criteria. Ideally, the site should be an Department for Business, Innovation and Skills jobs, as existing Government property. If that is not possible, it my responsibility is for roles connected with the Department should be new leasehold or should share premises with for Education. We are keen to ensure that the Department another Department or a local council. It must be is using its resources as efficiently as possible, but we are affordable and be well connected with transport, relating clear about not wanting to lose expertise that has to the hon. Lady’s well-made point about how staff are contributed to the Department’s success and that might expected to get to and from work and the travel difficulties be located in diverse geographical areas throughout the that people in the Darlington area may face. It must country, which is why we are anxious to maintain a have good quality facilities, and it must be available presence in the north-east. within reasonable time scales. We will do everything we Once we have gone through the process and know can to minimise impact on staff and local areas. I took where we are relocating, we will work with unions to on board the hon. Lady’s points, which I will feed into develop a support offer for staff. The move will affect our process and provide to the permanent secretary, staff differently; some might live closer than others to about the impact on local employment and the area’s the new site and some might have disabilities or be economy. carers or part-time workers, so we need to take that into I am grateful for the hon. Lady’s positive, constructive account. Our support offer will be responsive to individual approach in helping to establish a working group to circumstances and could, for instance, include elements identify potential sites in Darlington. Her positive such as flexible working arrangements. As I have already engagement is welcome. I have spoken to the permanent said, our Department is pretty forward-looking with secretary about this matter and he wants to continue the such arrangements; we are very much focused on what dialogue to ensure that she and other interested parties people contribute, because that is a more effective approach are involved in ongoing discussions, so that the decision to work, rather than encouraging presenteeism. We will does not just come out of the air, and people who continue that approach when we put our new proposals represent staff and residents in Darlington are involved into place. in the decision-making process and able to add value To conclude, I hope that the hon. Member for Darlington to it. continues her discussions with the permanent secretary The Department expects to develop a shortlist of and the working group. Her input has already been available property options in the region from January. I extremely valuable, and her concerns are being listened hope that the Darlington working group will be able to to in the Department. To be clear, vital departmental field a proposal for inclusion among the options to be functions and knowledgeable hard-working staff are considered. The hon. Lady made suggestions about two based in Darlington, and I am very grateful to the hon. locations, which in her view are high quality and should Lady for her assistance in finding a suitable building to be considered by the Department. I hope that she has which the Department could relocate. raised those suggestions with the permanent secretary or will do so in a forthcoming meeting with him, to ensure 11.23 am that he is aware of them. Sitting suspended. 27WH 11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 28WH

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Lethal force is a process by which we license to kill. Curiously, in this country that phrase is associated with James Bond more than with what our armed forces are doing. Politicians should spend more time thinking about [MR EDWARD LEIGH in the Chair] the use of lethal force, and when it is appropriate. We need to take the public with us, and it has been clear, 2.30 pm particularly when reading newspaper reports on the use of drones in Afghanistan, that in many ways we have Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): It not taken the public with us. In areas such as Pakistan, is a pleasure, Mr Leigh, to take part in this debate, not there is an argument that the fallout is greater than the least because Westminster Hall is not quite as cold as benefits. elsewhere. I thank The Times for pointing out what the two Front Benchers will say in the debate: apparently, Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): I the Labour spokesman will ask for new rules of engagement, congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this important and the Minister will not entirely agree with the notion debate. On the use of drones in Afghanistan, does she that our pilots are not sufficiently trained. I leave it to agree that we need clarity from the Government on them to say their piece, but there are some areas I will whether they are sharing location intelligence with the not touch on because nothing is to be gained from United States on drone strikes in Pakistan? If we want repetition. to win the hearts and minds of the public, we must carry I want to start by defining the parameters of this them with us, but when they see hundreds of lives lost in debate. The Library helpfully says that unmanned aerial drone strikes, they turn against the west and pose a vehicles—UAVs—are used by the UK armed forces and danger to our national security. are “more commonly known as drones. These are remotely piloted Ms Stuart: That is an argument, but I do not want to aircraft that range from simple, hand-operated systems to high go down that road. The hon. Gentleman has had an altitude, long endurance systems similar in operation to small Adjournment debate on that matter, which I read with aircraft. great interest, but I want to take in new territory.Parliament UAVs are primarily used to gather intelligence and provide a must explain why it does certain things, and take the surveillance and reconnaissance function for the armed forces. public with it. The 1868 St Petersburg declaration refers Only a handful of systems are capable of carrying weapons. The only armed UAVused by the UK Armed Forces is the Reaper and to the requirement it is only used in Afghanistan.” “to conciliate the necessities of war with the laws of humanity.” It is important to remind ourselves of those distinctions How to get that right is an ever-enduring struggle, and I and limited use. The Library continues: am not sure whether we have debated that sufficiently “Remotely piloted aircraft operate on the same rules of engagement here. That is why I am pleased to have this debate. We as manned aircraft. However the growth in the use of armed have become casualty-averse, and there is a debate to be UAVs, particularly by the United States, raises a number of moral, had about moral equivalence, and whether it is morally ethical and legal issues.” superior to deal with threats remotely instead of in It is the moral, ethical and legal issues that I want to hand-to-hand battle. I want so spend some time discussing examine more closely. targeted killing, which is the area of the drone debate We can see in Hansard some of the questions that are that causes greatest concern about whether it is right. being asked, and that the debate is about collateral A defence research paper on the ethics of targeted damage and loss of life, which some people find difficult killing defines it as to explain. A wider argument is that if a country has “a pre-mediated state sanctioned killing of a named individual armed forces, it uses lethal force, and it does so for a beyond the territorial and jurisdictional control of that state, in an benevolent purpose: defence. We have not had much international or non-international armed conflict or hostilities chance to talk about that, and I thought that such a against terrorist or non-state groups.” debate would be suitable in Westminster Hall. In other words, we are not talking about assassination To put the matter into context, I understand that, or illegal killing for purely political purposes, and that is depending on who is counting, between 76 and 80 countries what people find most difficult to get their head round. have UAVs, but only three—the United Kingdom, the Some people argue that military historians may view USA and Israel—use armed drones in military operations. 19 January 2010 as being as significant as August 1945, The Minister will be more aware than I am that this when the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, because country is investing extensively in that area, whether it is technology suddenly allowed a move to something that in the provision of specially designed headquarters for was not sufficiently explained or spelled out in the the Reaper station here or the Anglo-French initiative ethical framework under which we operate. Two things for Scavenger long-endurance UAVs, so there will be happened: one was the killing in Dubai; the other, much even further development. more importantly, was in Pakistan where a US unmanned That is combined with the strange situation that almost aerial vehicle killed six alleged militants in North Waziristan. no one in this country under the age of 30 has a defined That takes us to the legal and ethical dilemma that we sense of who or what the enemy is. During the cold war, must examine more closely. it was easy to define the enemy, which was another On the history of lethal force, it may be worth reading nation state. We now face warfare in which the enemy is “My Early Life” by Winston Churchill in which he no longer a nation state, but a group of individuals who describes a moment during a cavalry charge: are far away. The process is geographically remote, and “Suddenly in the midst of the troop up sprung a Dervish. How some of the warfare engagement is physically remote. he got there I do not know. He must have leaped out of some scrub That creates problems. or hole. All the troopers turned upon him thrusting with their 29WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 30WH lances: but he darted to and fro causing for the moment a frantic to make at the beginning of my speech is that for those commotion. Wounded several times, he staggered towards me over the age of 30 who grew up during the cold war, the raising his spear. I shot him at less than a yard. He fell on the sand, enemy was very visible—it was another nation state, and lay there dead. How easy to kill a man! But I did not worry very close to home—and the space of theoretical ethical about it. I found that I had fired the whole magazine of my Mauser pistol, so I put in a new clip of ten cartridges before argument tended to be much narrower than it is now, thinking of anything else.” when the war is happening on the other side of the The question these days is about the moral position of globe. We should face up to that, and given that the asking a man, or giving him the legal authority, to kill Government are intending to spend extraordinary amounts another within a framework that we find acceptable, of money on future investment, and that we have international because some people seem to think that if it is hand-to-hand co-operation, this place needs to be aware of what the combat, it has a greater moral force or value than if it is rules are. remote. I would argue that technology takes us to an I want, therefore, to draw the Minister further on a ethical area where the framework might have to be number of parliamentary questions that have been asked. configured slightly differently, but what the state is First, am I right in assuming that the United Kingdom asking of the individual has, in many ways, not changed has no plan to change the operational kill chain, as it is much. People are worried about remoteness, and it is called, to be anything other than within the military? If worth remembering some experiments that were done in that is so, does he agree that that ethical dimension must the 1960s in America, in the wake of the Adolf Eichmann play an enormously important part, as an institution of trial, about the perils of obedience. Individuals were the military, in their continued training, and will he give tested on how much pain they were willing to inflict on a commitment on that? Secondly, the Minister was someone just because they were ordered to do so. In a asked when Watchkeeper will see active service, and the military context, it is very important that we continue to answer was that it will be at some stage or another, but keep that in mind. we cannot yet tell. He said: The United Kingdom has always been clear that the “The Ministry of Defence remains committed to deploying chain of command, when it comes to killing or the use it to Afghanistan at the earliest opportunity.”—[Official Report, of lethal force, has always been retained within the 29 November 2012; Vol. 554, c. 461W.] military, whereas the United States and the CIA, as I It would be helpful to hear how early the earliest opportunity understand it, are much more prepared to use civilian is. intelligence as part of that chain of command. That Thirdly, there was a question about unmanned aerial causes its own legal and ethical problems, because there vehicles from the new aircraft carrier for surveillance is an argument about whether the civilians in that chain purposes. I know that there has been a string of questions relinquish their right not to be targeted under international about whether that is within the remit, and the latest I humanitarian law. heard from the Minister was: Rehman Chishti: On targeted killing and drones, the “Although not all would be suitable for carrier operations, the United Nations rapporteur, Christof Heyns, is now UK has previously conducted trials with a Scan Eagle UAV flown looking into extra-judicial killing in relation to the use from a frigate and is currently considering another such concept demonstration.” —[Official Report, 26 November 2012; Vol. 554, of drones by the United States. Does the hon. Lady also c. 30W.] think that that needs to be extended to see whether it can be applied to where the United Kingdom uses its drones? Has there been any progress on that? Above all, I would like to hear whether the Minister is Ms Stuart: I do not yet know, because I do not know contemplating any changes to the ethical rules, and if he what the outcome is, but to my mind, it is very significant does so, at what level will that happen? Will it just be that in the United Kingdom it is within the military within the military, and does he have any concept of a chain, whereas in the United States it is not. time scale? Will it go in tandem with the greater investment? I am not trying to get us to ask today, “Is that As unpopular a view as this may be, I think this is a particular application right or wrong?”. In the context technological development in warfare that—if used within of defence and us as parliamentarians, who are asking the right constraints and controls—is with us, and we an Army and a public to order the use of lethal force, I had better make the best of it. want us to debate what the framework should be, rather than concluding whether it is right or wrong. I am also worried that the further away in the globe something 2.47 pm happens, the easier it is—and the happier we seem to Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): I congratulate be—to jump to conclusions one way or another. my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on securing this important debate. As a Rehman Chishti: I thank the hon. Lady for giving way member of the Select Committee on Defence, she has again. My final point is with regard to the policy and the considerable knowledge of such matters and it is interesting criteria. Drones were operated by the United Kingdom to hear her views on the issue. on 7 October 2007 in Afghanistan, so it is for many years that we have not had the criteria, policy, rules and Unmanned aerial vehicles can play a crucial role in restrictions, whether under a different Government or keeping our servicemen and women on the front line this Government. I absolutely agree, therefore, that it is safe. We know that the military operate in a hostile vital for us to get it right. environment on the front line in Afghanistan, and convoys provide a target for rebels and improvised explosive Ms Gisela Stuart: Until we get that right, perhaps we devices. However, with the ability to scout their route all ought to become a little more articulate and explicit with surveillance drones, commanders on the ground about where and when we are prepared to say that can avoid potential hazards quickly. Drones can also something is right or wrong. One point that I was trying take the place of human pilots when carrying out dull, 31WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 32WH

[Nick Smith] from the hon. Lady and from the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith), I hope that the House will dangerous or dirty jobs, such as repetitive reconnaissance forgive me for expressing a few ill formed thoughts. That work, surveillance in hostile territory, or flying through may not take up much time, and we have plenty of time areas where chemical or biological weapons have been available. used. I congratulate the hon. Lady on raising the issue. She We can acknowledge that drones save the lives of is right to say that discussion about the ethics and many in our armed forces, but we must accept, as others morals surrounding the use of unmanned air vehicles is have said, that there are civilian casualties and deaths as great as or greater than discussion about the ethics from drones. That is principally an issue in Pakistan, and morals associated with armaments or any warfare and as “Panorama” reported yesterday, it affects real that exists. It is a huge ethical problem and one that people, young and old, and has an indelible and devastating needs to be addressed. She is right to say that so far we effect on their families and local communities. Therefore, have addressed it too little in this place, so I congratulate drones must be used in accordance with international her on raising it. I listened carefully to her and I commend law, with every effort made to minimise civilian casualties. the extremely subtle and intelligent way in which she approached the issue. I agree very much with every John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): I aspect of what she said. point to the Medact report that was launched a few months ago in the House of Commons—I was involved None the less, there is a series of misunderstandings in that—which says that the weapon is not damage-free in the world about the use of UAVs. The word “drones” for users. We now have significant medical evidence itself often brings into people’s minds an image of from monitoring the psychological effects of drones on something that is almost by definition worse than any those who are engaged in their use. Although it initially other kind of warfare. If we asked people out in the appears to have no effect, it undermines psychological street, “What do you think of the use of drones—unmanned well-being. vehicles firing weapons at civilians in Pakistan, for example?”, they would say, “That is absolutely disgraceful. It is Nick Smith: My hon. Friend makes a fair point. More scandalous. We must stop it. It is wicked. It is wrong.” research must be done in this field. It could be very There is a significant degree of misunderstanding in the important. public domain about the use of these vehicles. Therefore, Like regular manned aircraft, drones come in many it is right that we in this place should try as best we can shapes and sizes. I understand that the Global Hawk has to correct it. a wingspan of 116 feet, while the technology is developing There are two aspects to the ethical considerations. so quickly that we may soon see drones the size of First, there are those who say that the use of any weapon insects. What is going on is incredible. Things are moving of this kind at all is illegal and wicked and should not be very quickly. The US air force now has more flight hours allowed. That was said by perfectly good pacifists in this with drones than with manned aircraft. This innovation building for many hundreds of years. They would say will see all branches of the armed forces benefiting from that any weapon that potentially kills people is a bad the technology. It has been reported that the Royal Navy thing and should not be allowed, and we should disarm is investigating the development of marine drones to and turn our weapons into ploughshares, or words to detect mines in important shipping routes. that general effect. That is a perfectly legitimate, although Developments in the military sphere can also lead to in my view incorrect, stance. changes in routine or unpleasant jobs in civilian life. We The motto of my regiment, the Honourable Artillery read that old silos in Sellafield that were sealed off and Company, is “Arma pacis fulcra”, which is of course the left undisturbed since the 1950s are finally being examined Latin for arms are the balance of peace. I have always by scientists using drone technology. Who knows what held very strongly to that. We won the cold war not we could learn from those important investigations? because we disarmed, but because Margaret Thatcher Difficult or repetitive tasks, such as patrolling borders took a tough line by arming the United Kingdom and or monitoring weather patterns, could also be made supporting the United States in our nuclear deterrence. easier. That is why the Soviet Union fell. Arms were very much With important work being done on the front line and the balance of peace in that context. potentially life-saving developments in the pipeline, this Therefore, to those who say that in any conditions technology offers significant capability and may soon UAVsare by definition a bad thing, I simply say that the offer a range of important domestic applications, so it is same could apply to almost any weapon or piece of essential that we have an open debate about both the warfare that they care to mention. Of course, the tragedy ethics of drones and their practical deployment. This is is that people are killed in wars. An even greater tragedy an important debate, and I am glad that we are starting is that civilians are killed in wars. That is an unacceptable to have it. and unforgivable thing, but unfortunately it does happen. Therefore, one of the important things that we must do 2.51 pm in considering warfare is to work out ways in which Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I apologise civilian casualties—collateral damage, as it is rather to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) heartlessly called—can be minimised. We must find for having missed the first few moments of her very ways of minimising the damage to civilians and those interesting remarks. I was held up elsewhere. I apologise who are not involved in the conflict. for that to her and to the House. I also apologise to In addition to the belief that all weapons are a bad Mr Speaker because I did not intend to speak in the thing, there is a strange piece of psychology that people debate and therefore did not write to him on the subject. seem to have in their minds. The hon. Lady touched on However, having heard the very interesting contributions it in her interesting tale about Winston Churchill in a 33WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 34WH cavalry charge at, I think, Mafeking. Is shooting a man very technically, and minimise damage to civilians who from a foot or two feet away more or less ethical than may be nearby. That contrasts sharply with the use of firing a weapon in Nevada that kills people in Afghanistan? artillery, for example. One round takes out a good Most people would say that Churchill was courageous: square—1,000 metres by 1,000 metres—and who knows he galloped into the teeth of the enemy and fired. He what is in that good square? It contrasts sharply with the fought a person: he looked him in the eye and shot him. use of bombs of all kinds, which also involves very That is courageous. However, a technician fiddling with substantial collateral damage. The use of these weapons a computer in Nevada, who will potentially kill hundreds is very particular and very precise and for that reason of people, is somehow being cowardly. He is hiding must be supported. behind technology and saying, “We want no part of that; I’m doing it remotely.” John McDonnell: There is a problem with mythologising It was interesting to hear the intervention from the drones by saying that they are precision weapons that hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) can target individuals and not have an impact on innocent on the psychological effect that there may be on people civilians. We now know, from more detailed research, who are firing these weapons at remote distances. Of that in Pakistan, for example, at least 3,225 civilians course they are aware of what they are doing and of have been killed as a result of the use of drones. Therefore, course they will be affected by it for the rest of their it is also important not to exaggerate the clinical effect lives. The notion that because they are in a bunker in of these weapons. Nevada, they are somehow less affected by it than the chap on the front line is incorrect. The hon. Gentleman made an interesting point on that subject. Mr Gray: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct; every single civilian death that has occurred as a result Ms Gisela Stuart: I am very grateful that the hon. of the use of drones, or through any other act of Gentleman mentioned that point, because that is where warfare, is to be regretted. He mentioned that 3,000 civilians the institutional ethics of the training of our military have been killed through the use of drones in Pakistan, come in to ensure that there is awareness that on the but many times that number of civilians have been killed other end of every piece of machinery there is a human in Afghanistan, Iraq and many other theatres of war being and that therefore the relationship and the ethical across the world—collateral damage—by bombs and considerations must remain the same. It is a constant conventional warfare of one kind or another. The deaths battle of vigilance to ensure that that is never lost. are questionable, and I will come on to how UAVs are being used in Pakistan, in particular, across the border Mr Gray: The hon. Lady is absolutely right. It is from the theatre of war. terribly important that we train all our people in the Every death is regrettable. As the technology develops, military and working in foreign affairs and elsewhere it becomes more accurate and more reliable, so the risk that there are human beings at the end of the weapon, of collateral damage lessens, whereas conventional weapons whether that weapon is a knife used on the front line or a of warfare are no more accurate than they ever were. UAV from which a missile is fired remotely. Indeed, one could argue that because such weapons are On a recent visit to Afghanistan, I was chilled by the covering bigger areas, they are becoming less accurate, conversation I had with a 19-year-old sniper in The so the likelihood of collateral damage is greater. Rifles. I said to him, “How many kills have you had?”, The hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington brings and he said, “Thirty-seven confirmed kills, sir, and me to where and how such weapons should be used. about 40 or 50 others unconfirmed.” There was a young Most are used for surveillance, not as weapons. They are man of 19 who knew that he had killed 37 people—I not armed. They provide a fantastic resource for our think it was 37—and had probably killed 70 or 80. Is the forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere, with their ability to psychological effect on him any greater or any less than see what is happening on the ground over a large area the psychological effect on the man sitting in the bunker for an extended period. They can hover for significant in Nevada or wherever it may be who is called on to periods over an area, which a plane or helicopter could press the switch that finally fires the weapon from the not do. Their value as surveillance machines is incredible, UAV? even if they are not armed. We must be extremely proud There are two elements of concern. One is about the of the development of such technology and encourage it use of weapons themselves, which I think is a perfectly in every possible way. reasonable concern, although not one to which I would The hon. Gentleman is right to say that if we were to subscribe. The second is the question whether a remote look at a battlefield 50 years from now, we would be killing is somehow less brave or less ethically supportable likely to see a significant part of it dominated by UAVs. than an immediate killing. Again, I would not support They will be used extensively in battlefields in future, that particular angle. which I welcome for several allied reasons. The first That leads me away from the negatives that people reason is accuracy, which may not exist at the moment, might raise on the subject of UAVs to the positives. As I but I hope such weapons will become increasingly accurate said, it is terribly important that in all our warfare, in future. As the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston whatever we are doing, whether it involves planes, bombs mentioned, war is no longer nice and easy, state on state or UAVs, we seek to minimise civilian casualties. The use warfare—invade that country and we can sort them out. of UAVs and this extremely complex high technology is It was nice and easy to do in the Falklands war and nice precisely the thing that will reduce collateral damage. and easy to do in Gulf one, but warfare like that no We can, by using these things, spot a particular person longer exists. Civilians and all kinds of people are now from a very great height and track his movements. We mixed up in it. Wicked people often use civilians as know precisely who he is and can kill him very precisely, shields. Accuracy is terribly important. 35WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 36WH

[Mr Gray] I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on securing this important debate. Secondly, maximising the effect while minimising the She has brought to it the same level of expertise and cost is terribly important. Of course, we can pile in tens knowledge that we are lucky enough to draw on in the of thousands of foot soldiers, who will slog around large Defence Committee, where she is also a voice of moderation parts of the theatre of war—often without ever seeing the and reason. enemy at all—but it costs an enormous amount of money. The history of warfare is one of innovation and, some Of course, we can use conventional weapons of one sort would argue, progress, although I am not sure that the or another, but they cost an enormous amount of money. latter view is always valid. No one is clear about which By comparison, UAVs cost remarkably little because of the city states was the first to deploy ballistic weapons, they can fly for a very long time and never fire anything, but it is fair to say that those were first used to great or if they do fire, the weapons need not be as expensive effect by the Romans in defeating the Greek hoplite as conventional weapons often are. phalanxes between 300 BC and 100 BC; it was the first Thirdly, there is no question about it; they are much time that stand-off weapons were used on a large scale. safer for our own forces than most conventional warfare. To pick up the point eloquently made by the hon. If we send soldiers into the theatre of war to fire a tank Member for North Wiltshire, at that point stand-off or an artillery piece, take part in an infantry attack or, as weapons were still limited by the kinetic capacity of the Churchill did, gallop against the whirling Dervishes at thrower or archer. the battle of Mafeking—I think it was the Dervishes—we The first recorded use of gunpowder on the battlefield are putting our own troops in significant danger. The was in the 13th century. It was used in—I will try to worst that can possibly happen with UAVs is that they pronounce this correctly, Mr Leigh; I am sure that you will be shot out of the sky. Not a single person will be will correct me if I get it wrong—Ain Jalut in south-east killed if they are disabled, but that does not apply to any Galilee by the Egyptian Mamluks against the Mongols; other type of warfare. There are huge benefits to be my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) gained from the standpoint of the security and safety of was there at the time and will correct me if I am wrong. our troops. The Chinese are known to have invented gunpowder, I shall make my final point briefly. The hon. Lady is although we do not have an earlier record of their use of absolutely correct: such weapons in the wrong hands or it on the battlefield. used incorrectly could become terrible weapons of war. The Mamluks in Ain Jalut represent the first recorded We should never allow that to occur. It is vital that we use of hand cannons, and they were the first to cause the know precisely who is allowed to use them and under Mongol horsemen to turn back on their ride westwards. what conditions. What are the rules of engagement? That is significant because it is the first recorded indication What is the chain of command? Who has the authority that the capacity for ballistic weapon use need not be to use them and who does not? Is their use purely limited by the human kinetic ability to pull or throw. military or could other Government agencies use them We then go forward to the 16th century and the in future? If so, who will authorise that use? What uses decline in the use of pikes and halberds. Until the middle are they authorised for? Are they to be used entirely of the 17th century—probably the end of the civil wars against military targets? Are there conditions under in the British Isles and slightly later in continental which they could be used against a civilian target? If we Europe—the pike is still the weapon of choice for generals knew that a terrible dictator was driving along in his car, for turning the tide of battle. By the middle of the for example, would it be right to use a military UAV to 17th century, pikes are in decline and there is the rise of kill him? Possibly.Possibly not. We need to know precisely. the musketmen. The debate that the hon. Lady has opened is extremely important. UAVs are potentially enormously powerful Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): I think my and important weapons and vehicles. They could be of hon. Friend has inadvertently forgotten the effectiveness huge benefit to Britain as a war-going nation, but could of the archers. [Interruption.] be of huge disbenefit if they fell into the wrong hands or were used incorrectly. She is right that now is the time to Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): We want no obscene initiate a widespread, deep and ongoing debate about gestures. precisely what these things are, what they should be used for, what the rules of engagement are and who should be Mr Gray: It is not obscene at all. allowed to use them. If we do that, this afternoon will have been well spent. Thomas Docherty: I will not come between blue-on-blue discussions. I think a similar gesture was offered to the Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): The battle of Omdurman Prime Minister at last night’s 1922 committee discussion was in Sudan. Mafeking is in South Africa. I am glad on gay marriage. the hon. Gentleman is not driving a drone at the moment. My hon. Friend is right to mention archers; he is thinking particularly of 1415 and the battle of Agincourt. 3.5 pm Archery was an extension of the ballistic weapons used Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): in ancient times, but he is right to mention it. The I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate. archers were underpinned by the cavalry charge, at the It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr end of the battle, by King Harry’snoble British troops—many Leigh were Scots and Welshmen who, as ever, came to his —for the first time, I think—if only because you have rescue—who defeated the French. given the hon. Member for North Wiltshire (Mr Gray) a Let me talk a bit more about warfare between the history lesson. French and the British. 37WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 38WH

Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): Order. Are we slowly and the Prince of Wales—come into service at the end of arriving at the 21st century? this decade and the start of the next one, what provisions will be made to supply them with UAVmaritime capabilities? Thomas Docherty: We are, although I hope you will We also have the Type 26, which the Minister is currently bear with me, Mr Leigh. developing with the support of BAE Systems and the Chief of Defence Matériel. What capabilities does he If we go forward to 1745, we find the Duke of Cumberland envisage it, or indeed the Type 45, having in the next fighting in the battle of Fontenoy, during the war of the decade or two decades? Austrian succession. Despite the use of ballistic weapons, he invited his French counterparts to fire first, although How does the Ministry of Defence intend to support it is worth noting—this is the key point—that he had British industry on this issue? We have a long and moved some distance back before inviting them to fire inglorious tradition, as you will recall, Mr Leigh, of on his troops. As ever, the general was not in the firing developing absolutely first-rate aviation capabilities and line. then allowing them to wither on the vine. The example I think of most often is the Hawker Siddeley Harrier, Moving forward to the 21st century, we see that UAVs which was first developed by Britain in the early 1960s are a logical extension of the use of such stand-off as the successor to the Kestrel programme and which is ordnance, which the hon. Member for North Wiltshire now flown by the United States Marine Corps and the so eloquently discussed. As he said, if we look at the Spanish Navy. However, it is no longer used by the UK history of warfare, it is difficult to see a coherent argument armed forces—that is probably a debate for another pointing to a significant difference between the use of day—and the latter versions are not even developed by armed UAVs—it is important to note that the debate is British companies; I think that Boeing developed the about UAVs, not armed UAVs, although it has inevitably latter Marine Corps version. turned into a debate about armed UAVs—andthe archers How will the Ministry of Defence support British of Agincourt, the artillery of Fontenoy, the Mamluk companies that are assisting in the development of the gunners of Ain Jalut or the Roman archers of the 2nd next generation of UAVs, so that we do not repeat the century BC. However, in the modern world, our values mistakes that we have made far too often in the past? mean that our sense of moral repugnance at the death of What role does the Minister see for UAVs as a replacement any civilian or military personnel has come a long way for RAF pilots? Those of us on the Defence Committee since the Duke of Cumberland so graciously invited the regularly discuss the issue with Sir Stephen Dalton and French to fire first on his British forces. other leading members of the RAF, and so does the It is worth talking about not only armed UAVs but all-party group. To what extent does the Ministry of the important role played by unarmed UAVs. In an Defence believe that, as we move through this century, answer given on 30 October, Lord Astor said that only the fast-jet pilot will become obsolete, in much the same one of the five types of UAV that we currently deploy in way as we went from having bombers such as the Vulcan Afghanistan is armed. The Minister will correct me if I and the Victor, with crews of five or seven, to the am wrong, but I think that, of the 5,000 sorties that have modern Typhoon, with just one pilot? been carried out in the past 12 months, only a handful As technology improves, to what extent will the UAV have been carried out by the Reaper; the vast majority be an all-weather, all-year-round weapon? Current UAVs have been reconnaissance missions, using the ISTAR— are severely limited in their ability to operate; when intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and there is a severe gust, quite a lot of them struggle. Their reconnaissance—UAV, which is there to support our payloads are also severely limited in terms of reconnaissance troops. and ordnance. How does the Minister see the long-term I pay tribute to the hon. Member for North Wiltshire, future in that respect? who organised the all-party group on the armed forces I am conscious that my hon. Friend the Member for welcome for our brave men and women returning from North Durham will be setting out the Opposition’s Afghanistan and Libya. It is worth placing on the record official position, so I will close by reminding Members not only our thanks for the courageous work that our that when we talk about drones or UAVs, we are not personnel do in Afghanistan, but the fact that we remain talking about some sci-fi technology, with the weapons committed to giving them the best support we can in thinking for themselves. These weapons are no different their operations. I challenge any Member of the House from a Paveway or a Brimstone; it is just that, rather honestly to tell me that the support our armed forces than being dropped off a Typhoon or a Tornado on a have when they are under fire would be enhanced if we stand-off by a fast-jet pilot, they are being flown under removed the UAVcapability from the field of operations. the command of a living, breathing, serving member of The Minister with responsibility for procurement is Her Majesty’s armed forces. here, and I welcome him to his post; this is the first It will help the debate if we avoid wild flights of chance we have had to debate. I hope he will not mind fancy—Members will pardon the dreadful pun—and my saying that his predecessor is sorely missed by the remember that we are talking, I hope, about well-trained British defence industry and all of us who are interested members of the British armed forces, who have, and will in it; he had a real passion for, and a real knowledge of, continue to have, overall control of these vehicles. the field. However, I look forward to working with the current Minister in the remaining two and a half years before the general election. 3.18 pm Perhaps the Minister can answer a few questions that Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): It is a pleasure my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh. I congratulate raised in her opening remarks and which I will reiterate. my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston As the Queen Elizabeth class carriers—the Queen Elizabeth (Ms Stuart) on securing the debate. 39WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 40WH

[Mr Kevan Jones] As a matter of technology,UAVs can be more cost-effective in carrying out surveillance and other forms of projecting Any debate on the deployability of UAVs should be power. If we did not use their surveillance capacity in determined by military requirements, by the ethics of relation to convoy protection we would have many more the conflict and, above all, by facts. I agree with my hon. casualties in Afghanistan. I do not accept the argument Friend the Member for Dunfermline and West Fife that UAVs are more indiscriminate, when used in a (Thomas Docherty) that some of the supposed facts kinetic role, than conventional aircraft. Their ability to that are being circulated are getting in the way of the loiter for a long period gives more information to those proper debate that my hon. Friend the Member for who are deciding the targeting than is available to a Birmingham, Edgbaston initiated. manned aircraft. It would be wrong to give the impression My hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent that UAVs are a magic solution to all our defence needs; (Nick Smith) mentioned Afghanistan, and I would like but they are very important in the defence of the country. to put on record our admiration for, and thanks to, the The Opposition’s policy is clear. We support unmanned members of our armed forces who are serving there. technology as an important element of military capability Today’s technology and security issues are changing that complements our manned aerial capability, but at an ever more rapid pace. The technology that has with a desire to ensure that it is used in the right context. been developed was unforeseen a matter of years ago, The UK does not work on operations in isolation; it but so too were the threats and dangers that we now face works with allies—and not only on operations, but, as as a nation. Any threat that we face must be put in has been mentioned, in co-operation on development. It context, and the context and objectives for deploying would be interesting to hear what stage of development force must involve a number of criteria: the maximum has been reached after the new Anglo-French agreement strategic advantage over our enemy, protecting UK service on co-operating on the next generation of UAVs. As my personnel and—quite rightly—minimising civilian casualties hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston and acting at all times within humanitarian and international and other hon. Members mentioned, the use of UAVs law. Also, we should make sure that deployment is in by our most important strategic partner, the United line with our national interest and our right, as a nation, States, has caused public controversy. It is important to to self-defence. distinguish the UK’s use of UAVs from that of the United States. My hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): My hon. Friend and West Fife made the important point that most of makes a strong case for the use of UAVs, but does he our UAV deployment in Afghanistan is for surveillance accept that the continuing criticism of and controversy and is not armed, and that deployment of UAVs is only about the misuse, sometimes, of drones, particularly in within the borders of Afghanistan. However, we must parts of Pakistan, where there are high levels of civilian all recognise the threat that we, the United States and casualties, undermine the rightful case for UAVs when our other allies face from concerted Islamic terrorism they are in our strategic interest? and groups who seek to undermine our way of life and Mr Jones: I shall refer to Pakistan later, but having destabilise Afghanistan and other parts of the world. been there, and having been a Defence Minister, I accept A lot has been written and said about civilian casualties, that there is a big gulf between those who are democratically and all civilian casualties are a matter of great sadness elected in Pakistan, and the military. I do not accept that and deep regret. It is difficult to get the true picture and some of the actions being taken in northern Pakistan figures. I do not want to talk in statistics, because one are being done without the knowledge of the Pakistan life lost means a family is mourning a loved one. Our military. I accept that that creates tensions in Pakistan, major aim should be to do anything that can be done to but not the idea that some of those things are being minimise civilian casualties, whether from a strike by a done without any knowledge on the part of people in UAV or by any other conventional weaponry. I know authority there. Having spoken to politicians on my last from my time in the Ministry of Defence that the visit to Pakistan I know that they find that situation military take that very seriously. The hon. Member for difficult; however, that is a debate within the context of North Wiltshire (Mr Gray) mentioned artillery rounds the democratic accountability of the armed forces in and other things that are far more indiscriminate than Pakistan. I assure my hon. Friend that some intelligence some of the technology. and other targeting involve co-operation with the Pakistan military. In the context that I have outlined, our judgment is Thomas Docherty: My hon. Friend is setting out an that the UK’s current position on deployment of UAVs eloquent and articulate argument. He mentioned minimising seems to meet the criteria I have specified. However, we casualties, and the families left to mourn. Does he agree should keep that issue under constant review. It has that without the use of UAVsin Afghanistan the number already been said that it is important to distinguish the of families of British service personnel mourning a deployment of the UK’s UAVs from the deployment of loved one would undoubtedly increase? those of our allies. I understand that at present some 76 nations operate UAVs and, as has already been Mr Jones: With respect to the use of UAVsfor intelligence described, the UK deploys four types in Afghanistan. gathering and protection of convoys I certainly agree However, only one of those, the Reaper, has an armed with my hon. Friend. That brings me to the point that capacity. The main focus for our UAV technology in my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston Afghanistan is surveillance and support of our operations, and the hon. Member for North Wiltshire raised. To and I have seen at first hand the tremendous job it does people who are against war, we must be honest and say in protecting convoys and intelligence gathering, which that war is not a pleasant thing; people die in wars. is vital for the security of our and our allies’ armed There are individuals and groups active in Afghanistan forces personnel. and northern Pakistan who are bent on undermining 41WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 42WH not only the way of life of the United States but the one way towards reassuring people that there is a chain of that we take for granted. It is important that any use of command, as my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, force should be a proportionate response. Edgbaston said, for the individual who takes the decision. There has been a lot of talk about the United States There is also a perception that people sitting in Nevada and whether the UAV strikes in northern Pakistan are or Florida are killing indiscriminately with no thought legal.Theywereauthorisedpostthe11Septemberauthorisation of the consequences of what they are doing. I do not of the use of military forces and have been reinforced by accept that. Anyone who has met members of the armed the Obama Administration. When I was at the Ministry forces of this country or other countries knows that the of Defence there was a big debate about whether they decision to fire—whether that is Winston Churchill with would continue when President Obama took over about, his revolver,a UAVoperator or a pilot dropping munition—is and clearly they have. Article 51 of the United Nations not taken lightly. It is important that people know the charter, on a nation’s right to self-defence, is also relevant. full legal background. Unless someone has been involved We must remember that the individuals in question are in operations, they think it is strange that there is a legal not sitting around discussing philosophy; they are planning context before targetings happen. If we explained that terrorist strikes and atrocities across the world. In the in a codified system, it would help the debate on the use debate about whether we use force to counter those of a new and developing technology. individuals, I am comfortable about recognising the The Opposition support the use of UAVs. The technology existence of a threat: that has led to disruption of is important in relation not only to military capability, al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups, and it would not but to the development of our industry and technology have happened without that type of action. in that area. We are developing technologies that will We support the move by the United States to codify have applications other than military use. As has already the use of UAVs, which relates to the points made about been demonstrated in Afghanistan, the technology helps new technology. It is partly because of the controversy to protect and support our armed forces. that we need to do something. It is important that the In conclusion, I accept that some of the information UK examine whether we should have a code covering about what has happened in northern Pakistan is alarming. the contexts and limitations of usage, the process for The important thing is to understand the context and internal Government oversight of deployments, command how the deaths of some individuals have disrupted and control structures, and acceptable levels of automation. terrorist networks that were bringing danger not only to I accept that there is now someone at the end of a UAV, parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan but to the streets of but the next generation of UAVs may be completely London and the capitals of our allies. In terms of the autonomous, and we must ensure that such a change is general debate started by my hon. Friend, the use of within a legal envelope. weapons will never be something that people take lightly, and nor should they. If we can debate the use of UAVs One important point is that I am in no way criticising as no different from the use of any other military weapons the Government by saying that no laws are in place. I am and we put that into some kind of code, which we could well aware of the legal constraints on the selection of be open about, not secretive, it would do a lot to ensure targets, and that the same rules of engagement are used not only that we in this country are moral leaders in the as for manned flights. We should however explain UAVs use of weapons, but that the public have full confidence, to the public. With the new technology, trying to codify as they should, in the existing military chain of command. their use and explaining to individuals exactly how targets are selected, for example, and how UAVs are used for both surveillance and military purposes would 3.36 pm be a great step forward. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Dunne): It is a pleasure to serve under your Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): UAVs could be chairmanship, Mr Leigh, in a different capacity from used for piracy patrols on the east coast of Africa and when you chaired the Public Accounts Committee, on for fishing enforcement. Those two examples would which I was privileged to sit. clearly show that drones can have acceptable roles. I I congratulate the hon. Member for Birmingham, agree about their acceptability, and I believe that other Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on securing the debate. As all people can be persuaded to have the same opinion. speakers have said, it demonstrates the increasing interest among not only Members of the House but the public at large about the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, as Mr Jones: The hon. Gentleman is correct. Certainly, currently deployed in Afghanistan and as might be if we can have unmanned vehicles in the UK—once deployed in the future. As she said, only last month I agreement is reached with the Civil Aviation Authority—there responded to a similar debate, which had been secured may be many uses, as he says, including for security. by my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham and It would be helpful if we codified the operations. Am Rainham (Rehman Chishti). He made a brief intervention I arguing that no laws currently govern the situation? during the hon. Lady’s speech, and I am sorry that he is No, I am not. The rules are based on the Ministry of not with us to hear mine, because I will try to cover Defence joint doctrine note 2/11 on “The UK Approach many of the issues raised in this debate and since the to Unmanned Aircraft Systems,”but the MOD sometimes previous one in early November. has a tendency not to answer questions and to think that I start by setting out the context of how, where and it has to shroud such things in secrecy. Whether or not why the UK armed forces employ remotely piloted what is being said is true—in many cases, I do not think aircraft systems, or UAVs as they are regularly referred itis—theperceptionisthatthetechnologyisusedindiscriminately to. In this debate, I shall use the term RPAS—remotely and without control. Some type of code would go a long piloted aircraft systems—as the more accurate description 43WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 44WH

[Mr Philip Dunne] could be deployed in the future, which relates to a question that was raised by the hon. Member for Dunfermline of their capability, not only because that is what they and WestFife. It is not at present beyond the demonstration are, but because that is how they are commonly referred phase. to by the armed forces, particularly the RAF. Although the vehicles are unmanned, the system is guided by a Thomas Docherty: The Minister shows his skill by whole team of highly trained and skilled people. Pilots, guessing what I am going to press him to say. As part of sensor operators and analysts all make decisions in real the procurement work for the T-26 and the development time, just like the crew of a manned aircraft. Defence of the QE class, is it the intention of the Ministry of remains a human endeavour. As the hon. Member for Defence that it will in the future be using RPAS? Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) said, humans have taken stand-off weapons development Mr Dunne: The hon. Gentleman is seeking to jump through the generations and the centuries, but there has some way ahead. The aircraft carrier will not be deployed always been human involvement. in its full air strike capability until 2020. The main gate decision on the T-26 is not until the middle of the Mr Kevan Jones: Does the Minister agree that there decade, so he is asking me to foresee military capability are also lawyers in the chain of that decision-making several years away. He may not be surprised that we are process, who ensure that the targets selected fall within at least contemplating trialling some capability for future legal parameters? use at some stage. I will not be pressed further on that point, but I will address some of the issues that the hon. Mr Dunne: I will explain how the UK armed forces Lady mentioned. I want to continue setting the scene for use rules of engagement that are clearly defined and a few more minutes. informed by legal opinion, as the hon. Gentleman indicates. The Reaper system, which is the UK’s only armed RPAS technology is principally required and used by RPAS, is flown by professional pilots who remain in full our armed forces for surveillance and reconnaissance control of the aircraft at all times; they follow the law of tasks, as several Members mentioned, providing vital armed conflict and the UK rules of engagement in intelligence in support of our forces on the ground. exactly the same way as pilots of manned aircraft. While the utility of sensors is broadly similar to those Reaper, as with other forms of RPAS, is primarily used aboard conventionally manned aircraft, RPAS have the for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, but through ability to loiter for longer, building an intelligence picture technological advance it has been enabled to be armed that significantly enhances the situational awareness of with precision-guided weapons, thereby meeting a secondary commanders, forces on the ground and air crew. military requirement. The decision-making process leading to the identification RPAS surveillance and reconnaissance capability and and engagement of a target by one of the two weapons the requirement for ever better intelligence, precision systems available to UK Reapers is identical to that of and situational awareness are such that they are now conventionally manned aircraft, but the greater access vital to mission success, as has been clearly demonstrated to information through a combination of the aircraft’s in theatre in Afghanistan. The UK currently only deploys onboard sensors, ability to access off-board information RPAS for support of operations in Afghanistan. With and duration of missions enables them to be deployed the progress of technology and increasing appreciation before engagement. Reaper pilots are, arguably, the best of their military utility, the number deployed in Afghanistan informed and connected of all air crew in this operating has continued to increase, with further task lines of environment. They are well placed to provide battle-winning Reaper due to become operational next year. surveillance and engagement capability to meet UK To deliver operational RPAS capability for our forces ground forces’ needs. in Afghanistan, a number of UK RPAS are being used The Reaper was fielded in 2007 and as of 1 December, for development trials and training in the UK and in a despite more than 42,000 hours flown over Afghanistan, number of our partner nations. I confirm again that it has fired only 360 weapons—52 laser-guided bombs currently the operational deployment for RPAS is for and308laser-guidedHellfiremissiles.Of thoseprecision-guided the purposes of operations in Afghanistan, and that weapons on Reaper, the type employed is carefully selected UK RPAS are saving the lives of both British and in every engagement, which ensures that the most appropriate coalition service personnel and Afghan civilians on a munition is used to deliver the required effect, in a daily basis. In that respect, RPAS are no different from proportional manner, thus minimising the risk to civilians other aircraft. The same rules that govern the use of and their property. The sophistication of the weapons conventional military aircraft apply to RPAS. As I said, also provides the ability remotely to change the course UK RPAS are anything but unmanned. of the weapon post release, which is another example of the many steps taken by RPAS to avoid civilian casualties Ms Gisela Stuart: Just for clarity, can the Minister tell as collateral damage. us whether there are plans to use RPAS against pirate I am aware of only one incident where civilians have actions off the coast of Somalia? At the moment, he been killed by weapons deployed from a UK Reaper. As seems to be stressing that we are looking at the system in I mentioned last month, on 25 March 2011, there was a terms of Afghanistan and not further. strike on two pick-up trucks in Afghanistan carrying a significant quantity of explosives, which resulted in Mr Dunne: I was not intending to get into the wider the death of two insurgents and four Afghan civilians. deployment of RPAS, but it is the case that we are about That incident was highly regrettable. The subsequent to embark on a concept-of-use demonstration trial to report did, however, confirm that the actions of the see whether, for surveillance purposes, a maritime system Reaper crew had been in accordance with extant procedures 45WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 46WH and UK rules of engagement. Every weapon released by The hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston asked the UK’s RPAS is under the command of a professional about the military chain of command and whether it pilot bound by the UK rules of engagement. would be retained. We have no plans in the Ministry of Touching on a point raised by the hon. Member for Defence to operate any of our facilities outside the Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) about the military chain of command. The hon. Member for psychological considerations of operating the Reaper, Dunfermline and West Fife referred to potential civil the experience thus far suggests that far from being uses in the future for airborne surveillance equipment; detached from the reality of the situation, Reaper air the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon) referred crew are just as connected to the situation on the ground to off-shore fishing. It is conceivable that in due course as operators of other aircraft types. They have increased other Departments might find other uses for the technology, information available to them, a longer time to study the but I am not aware that it is something that the MOD is information and the ability to abort the mission even engaged in at present. after they have fired the weapon. The increasing specialisation of the role of flying RPAS is being considered by the Thomas Docherty: On Government thinking and working RAF for recognition as a distinct skill within the flying across Departments, can I press the Minister to say a bit service. more about what role he sees for UK companies in Of course Reaper is not the only RPAS operated in developing RPAS, and how the UK Government, through Afghanistan. To correct the hon. Member for North their various Departments, are supporting that procurement Durham (Mr Jones), there are in fact five types—not process? four—of unmanned aircraft systems in operation. As I have already mentioned, Reaper is the only armed version, Mr Dunne: Indeed, a number of Opposition Members but we have also deployed the Hermes 450, which has asked about that issue. The extent to which the Government already flown 65,000 hours for intelligence, surveillance are supporting UK industrial investment in this technology and reconnaissance purposes. It will be replaced by the is demonstrated by the commitments that we have made, more modern Watchkeeper, which again is for surveillance in particular for Watchkeeper, where a very substantial purposes and is not armed. In response to the question investment has been made for a British-designed, British-built put by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston capability. about Watchkeeper, training is already under way and We have also undertaken some collaborative work we expect the system to replace Hermes during 2013. with other nations. The issue of our collaboration with These and other smaller deployed tactical systems being the French was raised earlier. We have committed, through operated by Army units in Afghanistan form part of a a memorandum of understanding signed in July, to two mix of airborne ISR capabilities, of which they are but specific strands of that work. One is investing in the one, albeit increasingly important, component. They concept phase for a future combat air system; that is at complement the more traditional manned surveillance very early stages of the work stream, but work is beginning. capabilities provided by our other aircraft types. Looking The second was in relation to potential French interest further ahead, technological advances are likely to increase in procuring the Watchkeeper system. If British industry the level of automation in some systems, just as in other is able to export that system to the French in due course, non-military equipment, but I stress the point that the that would be a further success for it. We recognise that Government have no intention of developing systems British aerospace industry will take an increasing interest that operate without human intervention in the weapon in this capability, and through our procurement we are command and control chain. seeking to support that interest. Let me turn to the other specific points mentioned by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston. On the Jim Shannon: The Minister, in an earlier response, main thrust of her remarks on the moral and ethical said that there might not be a role for drones in the considerations, it would be instructive for her to look at MOD in its entirety, but there is a role through the Royal the joint doctrine note 2/11, if she has not done so Navy. The Royal Navy’s responsibility is for fishing already, to which the hon. Member for North Durham enforcement, through European regulation. There are referred. It was published in March 2011 by the Government, three ships set aside for that; I had the opportunity a few and was the first Government sponsored document to weeks ago to be on one, HMS Severn. Is there any go into the UK’s approach to unmanned aircraft systems. intention of introducing drones in the Royal Navy for It has a specific section on moral and ethical considerations, enforcement of fishing regulation? which inform the rules of engagement and the operations in which we are engaged at present. Mr Dunne: As I mentioned earlier, the Royal Navy is undertaking a short-duration capability concept demonstrator, Anas Sarwar: The Minister has quite rightly outlined to inform the future concept of use for tactical maritime the moral and ethical use of drones by the UK Government. unmanned air systems. We are not intending to test a What discussions have we had with our allies to ensure specific system, but a system will go through concept that they are applying the same principles? demonstration next year. The uses will be for the Royal Navy to decide, if it decides to procure a system in due Mr Dunne: As is standard procedure, I am here to course. answer for the UK Government use of unmanned air I think I have addressed the specific questions that the vehicles. Other countries that use such systems have hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston put to me. their own rules of engagement, as is the case for the UK. We do not publish rules of engagement for the sensible Ms Stuart rose— reason that to do so would risk prejudicing the capability, effectiveness or operational security of our armed forces, Mr Dunne: I will give the hon. Lady the opportunity and that is also the doctrine applied by other countries. to ask one more question. 47WH Unmanned Aerial Vehicles11 DECEMBER 2012 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles 48WH

Ms Stuart: Clearly we intend to keep the chain of Mr Dunne: The difficulty with a code is how it is command within a purely military concept, but some of differentiated from rules of engagement. For the reasons our very close allies do not. Do we have difficulties I have explained, we do not wish to publish specific rules working with other Governments whose chain of command of engagement, so having a code would head us down a is not purely military? direction of potentially having to publish more about our operational use than would be safe for us to do. Mr Dunne: As I have explained a couple of times, we are at present using RPAS on operations in Afghanistan, We already have procedures in place for the oversight and at present we have no other operational use in mind of all the military capabilities that we have deployed, for UK assets beyond Afghanistan. I think that is as far and the National Security Council will consider whether as I can go on that matter at the moment. forces should be deployed in the future. It operates with I will pick up on some of the comments made by the the benefit of the NSDR and NSDA, to use military hon. Member for North Durham. I am grateful for his acronyms— support for the continued use of unmanned aircraft systems. I am glad that he referred to the joint doctrine Mr Kevan Jones: The Minister has been captured document, because it begins to set out some of the already. issues that are of concern. However, I do not accept the need to undertake a codification of separate rules for RPAS. As I have already mentioned, and as the hon. Mr Dunne: I am in danger of falling into a trap that I Gentleman acknowledges, all aircraft operators must should not have set myself. follow national and international laws, together with the Finally, RPAS is not shielded in secrecy, which was rules of engagement. Those rules are the same whether the expression used in the article in The Times that was an air, sea or land-based platform is being used. Similarly, referred to earlier in the debate. During the last few we have well-established command, control and supervisory weeks, months and years, we have released significant frameworks for all our operational assets, so we do not details about our use of RPAS, but our use of RPAS believe at this point that additional measures are needed should not be confused with general MOD policy on for RPAS. I will just pick up on the thrust of why I think safeguarding information relevant to targeting and intelligence. he was suggesting that we need to take the public with us I hope that, on reflection, the hon. Gentleman will in our use of RPAS, which is something that I agree recognise that that is an overriding requirement and with. There is a greater role to be played by politicians puts to rest the need for any potential confusion with a and the military in explaining to the public the utility of system of codification, rules of engagement or secrecy unmanned systems from a military perspective, from the over the matter. safety perspective of our own personnel, which is obviously vital, and in minimising the risk of collateral damage Let me finish by restating that the UK complies fully when weaponised systems are used. As a Government, with its obligations under international law, as set out in we need to do more, and I welcome the help of the hon. article 36 of additional protocol 1 to the Geneva conventions, Gentleman in advocating the use of such systems to the to review all new weapons, and means and methods of public at large. warfare. That process applies to unmanned capabilities as well as to other manned weapons systems. Mr Kevan Jones: My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston said that we have to bring the I welcome the opportunity presented by the hon. public with us. The Americans are already looking at Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston to put on the codification. Would it not be a help to the MOD in record once again the Government’s clear view of the getting the arguments across? I accept that an anorak benefits of RPAS in minimising the risk to civilians, as like me reads those documents, but the average person well as to our own service personnel and other coalition in the street does not. If we had a clearly laid out code, it forces. RPAS provide vital intelligence to our forces on would give reassurance to individuals who are rightly the ground and I can only see their importance increasing, worried that this new technology is not under any type as part of our overall service capability. of control; that is not the case, so it will at least give them some reassurance. Mr Edward Leigh (in the Chair): Order. 49WH 11 DECEMBER 2012 Health Services (Cornwall) 50WH

Health Services (Cornwall) to be protected. It is well on the way to creating new structures, challenging as they are, that will shape how the NHS operates in Cornwall. 4pm A big challenge nationally is to ensure that the NHS Andrew George (St Ives) (LD): I am delighted to have really effectively puts patients before profit. The previous secured this debate on health services, which are important Government rolled out the red carpet for private health in Cornwall—and, I am sure, in the rest of the world as companies in Cornwall, as elsewhere, and gave them well. opportunities to profit their shareholders by delivering some of the less challenging elements of NHS work. I The national health service was created in 1948. It have questioned the basis on which tariffs will be awarded looks forward to its 65th birthday while facing the for procedures. After I raised questions with him about biggest challenges in its history, and nowhere more so the risk of cherry-picking, the new Secretary of State than in Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly. The previous told me, in a letter dated 30 October 2012: Labour Government set a demanding £20 billion efficiency gain by 2015, something not advanced for any other “Under these new rules, commissioners should adjust the tariff price if a provider limits the type of patients it treats…resulting in health system on the planet, and the present Government lower costs than the average of the tariff category. As a result, have introduced the biggest reorganisation since the providers undertaking only the more simple interventions—for NHS was created. example, because they do not have the proper facilities to handle As the Minister knows, I have argued, and voted, more complex cases—would be paid a suitably lower price.” against the Government on what is now the Health and That is certainly the case in Cornwall, where a number Social Care Act 2012. However, we must face up to what of private providers deal with some of the easier and less the Government have done, to ensure that, irrespective complex cases—for example, patients without anaesthetic of the wisdom or otherwise of the policies, the Act does risk and those without co-morbidities. If those providers not undermine our vital local health services in Cornwall are offered a lower tariff price the question that needs to and on the Isles of Scilly. be asked is whether that might have the unintended consequence of commissioners driving patients into the Along with the significant financial challenges, which arms of the private providers that cannot provide the are a great deal more significant in Cornwall and on the range of services that the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Isles of Scilly than in the rest of the country, I hope to Trust, for example, excellently provides for our local raise some of the many other challenges that the local community. NHS faces, including the consequences of the loss of the helicopter service to the Isles of Scilly. There is also fragmentation, which although a nationwide issue is a particular risk in a peninsula that depends on I want to mention the important campaign that Sandra core services and has no alternatives. Although patient Cousins, one of my constituents, launched a year ago, choice might well apply, and is welcome as a luxury following the tragic death of her daughter Mercedes beyond the core services, the risk is, of course, that it will Curnow, which led to the setting-up of the Mercedes not necessarily help services if it results in their fragmentation. Curnow Foundation. Mercedes died on 14 December On the role of the private sector, my hon. Friend the 2011, aged 23. She and her mother had sought to highlight Member for Truro and Falmouth (Sarah Newton) and I the need to strengthen the systems for detecting and have raised concerns with the Care Quality Commission treating cervical cancer in young women—particularly about what we detected had been going on with the those under 25, who are denied screening in many out-of-hours GP service in Cornwall. The CQC, in its circumstances. report in July, found—as the Minister will know because There are many other issues. Nationwide, there needs of the significant national ramifications—that there had to be a greater emphasis on registered nurse-to-patient been some manipulation of some of the data records, ratios in some acute settings, and the need in Cornwall is and inadequate staffing. The PCT, in its report on significant. There is the risk of regional pay, the need to 20 September 2012, identified that it had deliberately ensure adequate community hospital beds and primary altered data 250 times between January and June this care services, and the public health agenda, which must year, which had the effect of inflating its published ensure adequate levels of NHS dentistry. That might be response times. That is not particularly encouraging. far too many issues to fit into the limited time available. The problem is that in a very competitive environment I am very reassured that highly professional and there is an increased risk that that might happen. dedicated clinicians are already working hard to ensure Cornwall must ensure that it gets a fair share of the that our local health services are the best they can be in cake. Our allocation is significantly less than what the the circumstances. In 2013, the new service in Cornwall Government say we deserve—their stated target—and will, as in the rest of the country, be largely led by local they should take account of the underfunding we have general practitioners. I am delighted that the shadow had in recent years. For example, between 2006 and Kernow clinical commissioning group—“Kernow” is 2012 Cornwall has received £201 million less than its Cornish for Cornwall—chaired by Dr Colin Philip, was target. That is a significant amount, and I would be only this afternoon authorised by the NHS Commissioning surprised if anywhere else in the country had been Board to be responsible for the £700 million for commissioning allocated so much less than what the Government said it health services across Cornwall. should get. This year, 61 primary care trusts will receive The group is very open to working with the local a total of £1.3 billion over target, while 88 PCTs, one of community in ways that are extremely encouraging. For which is Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, will receive example, the Cornish campaign group 38 Degrees is £1.3 billion below target. already working with the group and suggesting amendments Added to that, Cornwall receives less money for each to its constitution to ensure that local health services are medical procedure within a national tariff, using the protected in ways that any local community would wish market forces factor framework as the index. The Royal 51WH Health Services (Cornwall)11 DECEMBER 2012 Health Services (Cornwall) 52WH

[Andrew George] were reassured by his response, and he will be writing to the south-west consortium. Indeed, those south-west Cornwall Hospitals Trust receives the lowest payment of MPs will be writing to the chief executives of the 19 trusts any acute trust in the country. It inherited debts from engaged in that consortium to encourage them to get troubles that originated in 2006-07, which rose to £46 million back to national negotiation. in 2008-09. Although repayments have reduced the debt I urge the Government to consider nurse staffing to £22 million, it will be passed on to the new quasi-independent levels. With all the stories about poor care and nursing foundation trust, which we hope will be established next in hospitals, few are prepared to consider the resources year. that are going into the hospital wards themselves. On Although we have had disappointing responses from many occasions, nurses are running around unable to Ministers so far, my hon. Friends the Members for fulfil all of their duties because there is an insufficient Truro and Falmouth and for North Cornwall (Dan number of them on the ward. There are mandatory Rogerson) and I are still arguing that the debt should be registered nurse-to-patient ratios in places such as Australia written off to give that foundation trust a clean slate on and they work well, with good outcomes. which to begin its work next year. The commercial helicopter service to the Isles of I entirely support and thoroughly endorse the trust’s Scilly ceased just over a month ago, and it is already response to the latest revelations with regard to concern having an impact on services to my constituents on the in the obstetrics and gynaecology department. I make it Isles of Scilly. Blood samples and patients are unable to clear, so that there is no equivocation or uncertainty, get over to the mainstream health services on the mainland, that I entirely endorse the actions the trust has taken and I hope the Minister is prepared to look closely at with the external review, and we hope that that will be that and perhaps work with the Department for Transport brought to a conclusion as soon as possible. The trust is to help find a solution. Cross-departmental co-operation certainly doing all it can to reassure patients in Cornwall. is required. The trust has high standards, and we entirely support Wehave low levels of NHS dental provision in Cornwall, the work it is doing. We hope that patients who may be and I am concerned that the local authority might put concerned will contact the trust. the director of public health not on the chief officers Sandra Cousins of the Mercedes Curnow Foundation board of the local authority, but under one of those has been working tirelessly. Although I have written to senior officers. There are major concerns across Cornwall Ministers on this issue over the past year and have that Peninsula Community Health, the community interest received helpful and instructive replies, a large number company set up last year, is unable to provide the necessary of young women are still dying, unnecessarily in my staff to staff community hospital beds. It is important view and certainly in the view of Sandra Cousins and that we front-load community and primary care to get her many supporters across the country. the balance right between those acute hospitals seeking Sandra is also concerned that, even where GPs are to discharge patients earlier than they are able and prepared to undertake a smear test—smear tests for avoiding unnecessary admissions to those hospitals. young women under 25 have to be authorised by a I am sorry that I have gone on for a minute longer doctor—laboratories, apparently, are not always following than I intended. There are many challenges, but the through by undertaking work on those tests. She argues biggest that we face—I hope the Minister will take this that laboratories must accept and follow through the on board—is Cornwall’s unfair funding deal: £200 million necessary tests. She draws a comparison with Australia, of missing money over the past six years alone. where the cervical screening limit is 18 and where, since 2009, the human papillomavirus vaccination has been 4.16 pm available for those up to 26 years old, which is much The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health higher than in this country. The mortality rate from (Anna Soubry): It is a pleasure to serve under your cervical cancer in Australia is half the UK’s. chairmanship, Mr Leigh. Sandra Cousins says: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for St Ives “I also feel regarding the hpv vaccination that it should be done (Andrew George) on securing this debate and on raising nationwide in schools. Cornwall is a prime example of low uptake what can only be described as a rich pot-pourri of topics of the vaccination, 49% compared to many counties that are 89%, relating to the state of the health service in his county because it is done at G.P. practice not in schools.” and to his constituents, whom he serves not only in She advances the case for schools, but she is also concerned St Ives and across Cornwall but on the Isles of Scilly. about the 18 to 26-year-old cohort, because HPV vaccination I assure my hon. Friend that the total revenue allocated ends at the age of 18 and there is no cervical screening to NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly increased by 2.8% for those under 25. Her daughter, of course, fell into in 2012-13, which is entirely in line with the 2.8% overall that cohort, and I certainly believe she has a strong case increase nationally.That represents an additional £26 million for advancing the points that she is making. to invest in front-line care in his local area. Indeed, the Of 20 cervical smear and HPV tests that the Mercedes total budget for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly is Curnow Foundation has funded, 18 were positive. Those £941.8 million for 2012-13. On top of that, I am advised women went on to have further investigations and treatment. that the local NHS expects to achieve efficiencies of 4%, Sandra Cousins cites other examples where that is an totalling £36 million, with those funds being made available issue that needs to be addressed in more detail. to support improved services to patients in Cornwall I have mentioned regional pay, and I am pleased that and the Isles of Scilly. MPs across the south-west met the Under-Secretary of I understand that the independent Advisory Council State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Central on Resource Allocation has been developing a new Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter) last week. We allocations formula. I am told that allocations to clinical 53WH Health Services (Cornwall)11 DECEMBER 2012 Health Services (Cornwall) 54WH commissioning groups for 2013-14 will be announced Andrew George: The Scillonian. by the NHS Commissioning Board later this month and that ACRA’s final recommendations are due to be published alongside those allocations. Anna Soubry: My hon. Friend knows it better than I. The company has enhanced its services to accommodate It is not for me to say whether Cornwall should NHS needs, and has committed to purchasing a second receive more or less money—it is difficult to think that aircraft to enable it to increase flights. I hope that those Cornwall could possibly ever receive less—but if there arrangements are of some assurance to him. are some inequities, I am sure my hon. Friend and his colleagues from the county will do their best, as they On registered nurse staff ratios and the skill mix, we always do, to put forward those arguments with full know that patient care in the 21st century is different force. I assure him that they will continue to be listened from what it used to be. Hospitals report that the type of to. demand that they face is changing. In particular, the average lengths of hospital stays are about one third shorter than they were 10 years ago. It is true that the Andrew George: The Government are clear that Cornwall number of nurses has been decreasing, but the total receives less money than they say it should. I gave the number of professionally qualified clinical staff in the figure earlier that Cornwall received more than £200 million NHS is rising. less than the Government said it should. Planning the number of nurses and the shape and size of the work force must be based on the needs of the Anna Soubry: Indeed, but it is for ACRA to come up people in our care. Services must be properly designed with a new formula, and it is hoped that that can be around the care and treatment that people need. Those advanced. The formula might, of course, be to the decisions could result in a need for nursing numbers to benefit of the county. change, but that must be based on properly redesigning There is a rich number of topics to address, and it is services, not just on affordability. Changes must be difficult to know where to begin, but I will start by decided at a local level, based on evidence that they will saying that I am disappointed that my hon. Friend chose improve patient care. It is important to use this valuable to vote against the Government’s excellent NHS reforms. staffingresourcewisely,inproperlyconstructedmulti-professional In his area, as he has already told us, the CCG was teams with appropriately blended skills focused on the authorised yesterday. I will give some examples of how care and treatment needed by patients, families and that movement of power and determination into the communities. hands of front-line professionals will benefit his constituents. The Government are committed to improving quality The CCG has secured more than £500,000 from the standards in the NHS. Our role is to clarify the standard Government’s dementia challenge fund to improve the of patient care demanded of the NHS through the lives of people in Cornwall living with dementia and mandate and to underpin it with robust external monitoring their carers. The funding will be spent on improving and validation by appropriate bodies. We are not here to dementia care in residential and nursing homes and in impose management solutions. the community, and increasing peer support in communities and hospitals. Those are just some of the things that that successful application for £500,000 will achieve. Andrew George: I am interested in what the Minister The CCG is also investing £300,000 to expand the acute says. However, is she saying that she and her fellow care at home programme. I have many other examples, Ministers are content that registered nurse staffing levels including four services in Cornwall that have been expanded are currently adequate in all settings within the NHS? through the “any qualified provider”scheme: psychological therapies, back and neck pain treatments, adult hearing Anna Soubry: With great respect, I could not possibly services and ultrasound and MRI diagnostic services. say either yea or nay to that, because I do not know what My hon. Friend raised concerns about the march of the they are, but I always look forward to the continuing private sector, but if there is such a march—I have no representations made by hon. Members urging Ministers evidence of it—it would seem that in his county, it is by to raise or change the numbers. no means to be feared; indeed, it is to be welcomed. I turn to the concerns expressed about the financial My hon. Friend mentioned the loss of the helicopter situation of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust. I from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly. I know that the hope that those concerns will now be allayed; the trust is service has ceased, and I understand the worry that that forecasting a surplus of £3.8 million for 2012-13, and is causes him and many of his constituents. I understand progressing well on its path to achieving foundation that the service previously fulfilled all non-emergency trust status. Yesterday, through a video link, I spoke to health transportation needs, but I am informed that one of the trust’s officers, who told me with much emergency transport is usually carried out by RNAS encouragement about plans for the future of the hospital Culdrose, so any interruption to routine travel affects and said that the trust believes that it is now on top of its only non-emergency appointments. The islands are also financial situation. By way of example, I asked specifically served by a passenger ferry, and the NHS has back-up about the trust’s preparations for winter, as it looks like arrangements in place to use a cargo ship if needed for we are going to have one of the hardest winters in this medical samples. country for a long time. I was heartened by not only the In response to the ending of the helicopter service, I trust but the PCT and others to whom I spoke about the am told that the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company, high level of preparedness in Cornwall and Devon, two which runs the fixed-wing aircraft Skybus and the passenger counties that are used to unusual snaps of weather, ferry Scillyonian—forgive me for not pronouncing it quick changes and sudden emergencies. I was left with a correctly— feeling of great confidence that those two counties are 55WH Health Services (Cornwall)11 DECEMBER 2012 Health Services (Cornwall) 56WH

[Anna Soubry] same issue with me. I gave her an undertaking that I am more than happy to meet with her and her constituents doing everything that they should to be ready. For what to discuss it further, and I extend that invitation to my it is worth in this short time, I urge all counties to be in hon. Friend the Member for St Ives and to his constituents as great shape as Cornwall and Devon are. who are campaigning. It may well be that the matter In my remaining few minutes, I will turn to one should be revisited. As I said, the advisory committee particular point. My hon. Friend may have raised others. considered the issue in 2009. The technology may have If I have not answered them, I will write to him. He changed—I know not—but it is certainly a matter that rightly talked about a foundation trust set up by one of needs to be considered, and I am more than happy to his constituents in memory of another of his constituents. meet hon. Members to talk about it and see whether I did not catch their names, so if he will forgive me, I will anything can be done. not make a hash of them, as it is a serious matter and a It would appear that I have dealt with all the items on young woman lost her life. I am told that 80% of eligible my list of notes, and so— women in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly took part in the NHS cervical screening programme in the previous Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): I am absolutely five years. That uptake has increased from the previous delighted that the funding formula is being reviewed, year and exceeds the percentage of women who took but a crucial question for us in Cornwall, when the part nationally. formula arrives at a solution saying how much Cornwall My hon. Friend’s point was about screening for women should get, is whether we actually get it. It has not under the age of 25. He said that it concerns him, and necessarily been a problem with the formula; it is that we asked why the age should not be reduced. In May 2009, have never reached the existing formula. It is about the advisory committee on cervical screening reviewed renewed determination that there will be a road of the screening age specifically and considered all the travel. latest available evidence on the risks and benefits of Anna Soubry: With 50 seconds remaining, this is a cervical screening in women aged between 20 and 24. perfect opportunity for any other Member to stand up The committee was unanimous in deciding that there and make exactly the same point. It is a good point, and was no reason to lower the age from 25, which happens it is about to be made again. to be in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations. The committee gave a number of Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): I am reasons, which I cannot read out given the time available. pleased that we have made a lot of progress through the I am more than happy to supply him with a list of those coalition—the gap has decreased from minus 7 to minus 2 reasons. —but a great enough rate of change to get Cornwall up That is not to say by any means that my hon. Friend to where it should be within this Parliament is essential and his constituents should cease their campaign to for the people of Cornwall. achieve better levels of screening and awareness among young women about the fact that cervical cancer can Anna Soubry: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s affect them even though they are young. I say that as the intervention. She makes a good point. Like others who mother of two daughters, one aged 21 and one 22. It have spoken in this short debate, she advances her may be of some interest to him that by complete coincidence, county’s cause eloquently and undoubtedly with some I was stopped today by my hon. Friend the Member for merit. I cannot make any promises, but I can ensure on Loughborough (Nicky Morgan), who approached me my return to the Department that the matter is raised because she too, unfortunately, had a constituent under yet again at the highest level so that we can see whether the age of 25 who died of cervical cancer. She raised the we can make some progress. 57WH 11 DECEMBER 2012 Tackling Corruption 58WH

Tackling Corruption Serious Fraud Office is responsible for enforcing the new legislation, but its budget has been cut from £52 million 4.30 pm in 2008, to approximately £33 million in 2012 and it is expected to be further reduced in forthcoming years, Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) which is a huge worry. Without sufficient funding, the (Lab): It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, SFO will not be able to do its job of enforcement, Mr Leigh. however good the legislation may be. Given the importance Sunday9DecembermarkedtheUnitedNation’sinternational of the issue at stake, I hope that the Minister will give anti-corruption day.This year, the UN Secretary-General, assurances that the SFO will have sufficient funding to Ban Ki-moon, called on us all to pledge to do our part implement the Bribery Act effectively. What steps are by cracking down on corruption, shaming those who the Government taking to ensure that that happens? practise it and engendering a culture that values ethical With at least 11 Departments and public bodies having behaviour. Those words are poignant when considering the remit of tackling corruption, there is clearly a need the general feeling in the public, who have been protesting for cross-departmental co-ordination and an overarching about fairness and ethical behaviour, particularly among anti-corruption strategy.The Prime Minister’s commitment multinational corporations. in June 2010 to make the then Secretary of State for According to the Christian relief and development Justice, now the Minister without Portfolio, the right agency, Tearfund, corruption hits the poorest sectors of hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), society the hardest. It reduces access to and quality of the Government’s anti-corruption champion was welcome. essential public services, such as education and health However, the role lacks clarity and after the summer’s care, prevents resources from reaching their intended reshuffle we heard little more about it. The all-party destinations, undermines trust and harms economic growth. group recently wrote to the Prime Minister about that In Africa alone, the cost of corruption has been estimated and, although it was reconfirmed that the right hon. and at nearly £100 billion a year,or £3,000 a second, representing learned Member for Rushcliffe will remain anti-corruption 25% of the continent’s GDP. champion, we have yet to see further details about the Tackling corruption is particularly important to ensure remit of the role or any cross-Government strategy to that money, whether tax, investment or aid, is used for tackle corruption at home and overseas. Will the Minister economic growth and to tackle poverty. For example, confirm when further details of the role of anti-corruption the 2009 extractive industries transparency initiative champion will become available and when we can expect report showed that in Nigeria there was a discrepancy of the production of a cross-departmental anti-corruption $800 million—equivalent to the health budget—between strategy? what companies said they pay to the Government and Some 3.5 billion people live in countries rich in oil, what the Government said that they received. That gas and minerals. Revenue from those sectors is often Government are rightly working to recover that money. one of the greatest sources of wealth generated within As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on developing countries. In 2010, for example, exports of anti-corruption—my fellow co-chair, my hon. Friend oil and minerals from Africa were estimated at $333 billion, the Member for Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar), is also nearly seven times the value of international aid to the in the Chamber—I say that we need much greater focus continent, which is currently valued at $48 billion. However, on this issue. The Prime Minister made it clear recently such wealth provides little benefit to the people living that, together, transparency and fighting corruption are there, especially the poor,in part due to lack of transparency. part of The UK has shown leadership in Europe in pushing “‘the golden thread’ of conditions enabling open economies and for strong EU transparency legislation, for oil, gas and open societies to thrive”. mining companies to publish what they pay, and has He announced, rightly, that he is putting transparency received cross-party support in the UK. We in the all-party at the heart of the G8. In addition, the UK Government group wrote to then Department for Business, Innovation have set themselves the ambitious target of becoming and Skills Minister, the hon. Member for North Norfolk the most open, transparent Government in the world. (Norman Lamb), to show our support for strong Government We will hold the Prime Minister to that statement. leadership in Europe on the matter. Nevertheless, more The Bribery Act 2010 is a strong piece of legislation. can be done. The recently passed US Dodd-Frank Act, The Department for International Development, created together with the EU transparency legislation, will cover by the previous Labour Government, came top in the all extractive industry companies listed on the US and recent ranking for aid transparency.The UK Government EU stock exchanges, including many from G8 and G20 came third in the 2010 open budget index for transparency countries, such as Australia, Canada, China and Brazil. in budgeting. The UK is also showing strong leadership in pushing for effective transparency legislation in the Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central) (Lab): I congratulate European Union, so that oil, gas and mining companies my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. It is publish what they pay to Governments. However, 2013 said that developing countries lose three times as much is an opportunity to continue this progress, because as in tax revenues as they receive in aid. We need to rush chair of the G8 and co-chair of the Open Government this legislation through so that we can start developing Partnership, the UK has a unique opportunity to harness such countries and they can start raising their own the energy and commitment of Governments, the private income to allow their economies to prosper. sector and citizens to ensure that resources are used to tackle poverty. Catherine McKinnell: That is the crux of the issue. The UK Bribery Act has, in many ways, set the The Government have rightly supported the previous standard globally. Now, effective implementation of the Labour Government’s calls for committing 0.7% of our Act requires sufficient resources for enforcement. The GDP in aid to developing countries, but until we get the 59WH Tackling Corruption11 DECEMBER 2012 Tackling Corruption 60WH

[Catherine McKinnell] in a way that the public can use, but the commitment is still limited and only includes the Executive’s budget international structures right—the transparency—to ensure proposal and audit report, while missing other key that that money goes to the right people and is spent in documents. Most importantly, the commitment does the right places, and that countries are able to protect not require member Governments to develop practical their own resources and tax revenues, we will not make ways of engaging their citizens and Parliaments in the the progress that we would like and aid will not have the process. As a result, the Open Government Partnership greatest effect. To win the argument on many fronts, eligibility criteria need to be strengthened, so that countries work must be done on the anti-corruption agenda and show year-on-year progress and reach the highest standards increased transparency to improve the efficacy of that of budget transparency, and to state clearly how citizens aid, which we are rightly committed to as a country. and parliamentarians can be involved in the budget process. For that to work, other key G8 and G20 countries Much more can be done. The UK has been a leader in need to commit to joining—fewer than half are currently spearheading and supporting the extractive industries members. Greater support is also needed to support transparency initiative, a mechanism by which companies civil society groups in using the information produced report the payments that they make to Governments, to hold their Governments to account. That could also host Governments report their revenues, and any discrepancies be done, for example, through DFID programmes. can be resolved. That has led to large differences being identified between payments made and revenues reported The process is comprehensive but crucial, and I will and, as a result, money has been recovered, as shown in welcome further information regarding the Government’s the Nigeria example that I mentioned. However, despite plans to support its development in the years ahead as supporting the EITI, the UK is not yet one of its part of their wider anti-corruption strategy. A cross- 36 current members; only one G20 country is. Although governmental commitment to fighting corruption, throughout many warm noises are coming from the G8 and G20 all Departments and across parties, is vital. I look forward Governments on the transparency agenda, it is questionable to hearing the Minister’s response to the various questions whether we can provide global leadership without putting and challenges that I have put to her today. our own houses in order. What plans do the UK Government have to use the G8 to encourage other rich countries to 4.43 pm pass transparency laws and to reach global standards on transparency for oil, gas and mining companies? Is there The Parliamentary Secretary,Cabinet Office (Miss Chloe an existing timetable that the Government are using to Smith): I thank the hon. Member for Newcastle upon sign up to the EITI? Tyne North (Catherine McKinnell) for this important debate and for rightly celebrating international anti-corruption Openandtransparentbudgetsystemspromotedevelopment day, which fell on Sunday.We might be somewhat belated, by enabling citizens in developing countries to help their but we are ensuring that we mark it in Parliament today. Governments to formulate budgets that reflect public priorities, to reduce money lost due to corruption, and Some interesting points have been made, which I will to hold their Governments to account on spending. endeavour to answer as best I can. I will provide an Such systems ensure the optimal use of resources gained update on the Government’s efforts to tackle international from tax, aid and investment, which is even more vital corruption, which, as the hon. Lady rightly said, have to now in times of austerity. For example, Mexico made go across Departments. I am sure that such efforts come details of agricultural subsidies to small farmers publicly with the strong good wishes of all parties. I also welcome available, showing a high concentration of recipients the presence in the Chamber of the hon. Member for among the wealthiest 10% of farmers, who received Glasgow Central (Anas Sarwar). He has not made a full nearly 20 times what the bottom 80% received. In 2007, speech today, but he is well known to the House as the under public pressure from the International Budget co-chair of the all-party group on anti-corruption. He Partnership, the local non-governmental organisation and the hon. Lady ought to be congratulated on their Fundar, and Congress, maximum and minimum limits work on that agenda. for farm subsidies were introduced and the recipient list I will mirror many of the concerns that have been was then cleaned up. In Uganda, public expenditure expressed this afternoon, and I lay out the reassurance tracking surveys led to a reduction in leaked funds from that the Government are committed to tackling corruption 80% to 20% in five years, from 1995 to 2000, which was at home and abroad. Corruption is a scourge that hurts connected to Government grants for school fees. Many individuals, businesses and social and economic development. Governments, however, do not have transparent budgets, Such injustice invariably hits the most vulnerable citizens and nor do they allow citizen participation in the process. the hardest, throughout the world, and it has a corrosive According to the 2010 open budget index, 74 out of the impact. Corruption can have a badly corroding effect 94 countries surveyed failed to meet even the most not only on society, the rule of law and democracy but basic standards of transparency and accountability.Only on the reputation of and trust in the state in general seven provided extensive information, of which the UK terms. In particular, if we look at people’s views of the was one. ease and cost of doing business, the effect can be seen Clearly, much more needs to be done at an international clearly in many places around the world. level. The UK has an opportunity to make sure that that The British Government’s view is that strong action happens through its role as chair of the G8 and co-chair to address corruption will help to move the vast resources of the Open Government Partnership. The partnership, involved to more productive ends. Instead of people’s with 58 member countries, had its first steering group resources being squandered to enable organised crime meeting under the UK chairmanship on 3 and 4 December, or to undermine the rule of law and those bonds of trust led by the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Countries to which I referred, we seek for them to be used to have committed to publish data on Government spending support trade, commerce and growth. 61WH Tackling Corruption11 DECEMBER 2012 Tackling Corruption 62WH

The UK has played a leading role in the international The UK fully recognises the importance of the longer-term fight against corruption, and I wish to make a few agenda, and Ban Ki-moon spoke about the millennium points about that today. I also take the opportunity to development goals on Sunday.That is another important welcome the correspondence that hon. Members have point to note in the record. There is had with the Prime Minister on the role of the anti-corruption “a golden thread of development” champion. Indeed, I have a copy of that correspondence with me. and we intend that to be a central tenet of our G8 presidency in 2013. The UK intends to champion an I am delighted to have the full support of the Minister agenda of transparency and accountability by changing without Portfolio, my right hon. and learned Friend the the nature of the debate on development and aid. The Member for Rushcliffe (Mr Clarke), as I address the issue power of open economies, open Governments and open today. I shall ensure that he hears the results of the societies can deliver that growth and prosperity that we debate, and I shall convey to him the points made by seek and, crucially, the bonds of trust. hon. Members in their desire for clarity on the breadth of his role and on his next steps. The hon. Lady asked about the extractive industries. I turn to what the UK is doing on the international The UK is leading efforts in the UK to require oil, gas stage. Over the past 20 years or so, there has clearly been and mining companies to publish key financial information progressive globalisation—not only of business but, for each country and project that they work on. In many crucially, of corruption. Wemust therefore internationalise ways, the UK’s work on transparency paves the way for the fight against corruption. The UK has taken part in the G8, and this is my point in answer to the hon. the need for broader and more sophisticated legislation Gentleman. and co-ordination. The Bribery Act 2010 represents The Department for International Development has what many consider to be the most comprehensive anti- made great strides over the last couple of years, as hon. corruption legislation in the world, as I think the hon. Members recognise. We are publishing data according Member for Newcastle upon Tyne North recognised. to the international aid transparency initiative. Through The Act clamps down on foreign as well as domestic those efforts we have been able to move in one year from bribery and addresses passive as well as active corruption. fifth to first place in the Publish What You Fund aid It acknowledges the international and multifaceted nature transparency index. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman of the challenge, and I hope and believe that it will will welcome that, and I know that both hon. Members provide a template to many other legislatures around will welcome the fact that the traceability of aid benefits the world. those for whom the aid is intended. We all agree on that, Some UK businesses might have been concerned when andourconstituentsthroughoutthecountrywanttransparency the 2010 Act came in so, as an aside, I reassure them that of Governments and a reduction in waste, fraud, and a legal system that provides a good reason not to pay corruption in the country’s aid budget. bribes saves businesses money and protects their reputations. They could also point out any corruption with hope of Anas Sarwar: We want transparency in how aid is redress if their competitors were not acting as honestly. delivered, but one frustration for our constituents is that Far from driving firms away, the Act ought to attract although they may believe in aid, they see corruption by and to deliver something of an ethical premium in Government officials coming the other way. We must respect of doing business. reform our institutions here to ensure that we do not aid The UK has played a prominent role in co-ordinating and abet corruption in other countries. international efforts. The hon. Lady mentioned the G20 anti-corruption working group, which the UK has co-chaired with Mexico and which has made progress on asset Miss Smith: The hon. Gentleman raises a wise point. disclosure, mutual legal assistance and the denial of If he will forgive me, I will allow a Minister from the entry to corrupt public officials. The success of the Department for International Development to respond group has been such that we have seen the bringing in more detail than I can today. together of global expertise from civil society and, crucially, Let me turn to what we are doing on enforcement and businesses. what we are doing in the UK, because both are vital. We are playing a key role in the tracing, seizing, recovering Anas Sarwar: I agree with all the Minister’s comments and return of illicit assets. That is important, and in so far, but can we tease out the details on what specific September the Prime Minister launched a taskforce to action the UK Government have taken, internationally work with the Egyptian Government to gather evidence or domestically, to clamp down on corruption? on stolen money, for example. That builds on the work of two police units that DFID has funded in that arena. Miss Smith: Without a doubt. I will carry right on Effective enforcement is central and essential in the and do exactly that, and I am happy to ensure that the trustworthiness of the whole process. Laws mean very hon. Gentleman has further information if I do not little if they are not enforced by every official who might manage to cover everything in the time available. come into contact with the process. The UK targets The UK is the lead chair of the Open Government foreign and corrupt officials who launder the proceeds Partnership, an international initiative that has attracted of corruption and bribery through our country, and I 57 other countries since its launch, which is an accolade will give an example. James Ibori, the former Governor to the UK’s lead chairmanship. It allows us to help of Delta state in Nigeria, became one of its richest men countries to build transparent governance structures by embezzlement. Following a British police investigation, which, because the battle is international, help the UK he was sentenced to 13 years in jail, which sends a clear as well, demonstrating that transparency is a central message to those who might seek to use the UK as a plank of any effort. refuge for criminal acts. 63WH Tackling Corruption11 DECEMBER 2012 Tackling Corruption 64WH

[Miss Chloe Smith] Miss Smith: I see the force of the hon. Gentleman’s argument. If he will allow me, I will ensure that in due In addition, the UK operates a comprehensive anti-money course he receives a fuller answer than I can give him in laundering framework which, in accordance with the the three minutes remaining. revised international standards of the Financial Action I want to add to some points about what has just been Task Force, helps us to combat money laundering and announced in the autumn statement. The Government terrorist financing. have reinvested more than £900 million in HMRC to tackle evasion, unpaid tax debts and avoidance. That Catherine McKinnell: Will the Minister clarify that allocation of extra resources to HMRC during this the action that she is outlining and has given examples spending review period will add a real element to what of is pursued under the Bribery Act 2010 and through we have discussed today.Our serious compliance activity the Serious Fraud Office? If so, will she clarify the SFO’s shows that the Government are committed to clamping funding situation, and whether it has sufficient resources down on tax avoidance wherever it is identified, and that properly to tackle corruption on an international scale, is an important plank in what we are talking about in an example of which she has given? the most general terms and in preventing corruption. The autumn statement announced the closure with Miss Smith: I am conscious that the hon. Lady asked immediate effect of some newly identified loopholes that question earlier, and perhaps I can return to it. that were being exploited, and that will protect hundreds I have just mentioned one case, and I can furnish plenty of millions of pounds for the UK. It also announced the more than what I have been able to give on my feet this introduction of the UK’s first general anti-abuse rule, afternoon. She will appreciate from her role on the Front which provides a significant new deterrent to abusive Bench that it will be hard for me to pre-empt future avoidance schemes and strengthens HMRC’s means of spending decisions, but we are putting a serious focus on tackling them wherever they persist. Finally, we are the new UK National Crime Agency, which I am about cracking down on the marketing of tax avoidance schemes to come on to. I hope that she will find reassurance in through proposals to introduce new information disclosure that. measures. As well as telling other countries to put their houses in order, the UK must put its house in order. We should Catherine McKinnell: The Minister is aware that very not be complacent. According to Transparency International’s little time is left for this debate. Apart from the measures work, we are perceived to be less vulnerable to corruption that she has just outlined on activities at HMRC, she has than some of our friends, such as the US, France and nottolduswhetherthereisacross-departmentalanti-corruption Ireland, but we remain behind other counterparts with strategy, or whether one is likely to be published. That whom we might seek to compete. We have subjected and would be useful information to have before we run out continue to subject our domestic systems to peer review of time in this debate. by the OECD, the UN convention against corruption and the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption experts. Miss Smith: I endeavoured to address that in my We are already working across Departments and law opening words. As the hon. Lady and the hon. Gentleman enforcement and prosecution agencies to see how we know, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister can make it easier for UK residents and businesses to without Portfolio is delighted to continue to be the identify, prevent and report bribery and corruption. We anti-corruption champion; there has been no change in need to improve the intelligence picture through a more that respect following the ministerial reshuffle in September. joined-up and co-ordinated approach that gives us a It is with his full support that I am here today answering clearer picture of the true nature and scale of domestic the hon. Lady’s questions. bribery and corruption. We can then use that to support It has been difficult to give a full overview of everything a stronger law enforcement response. the Government are doing, but that is what I have From next year, the new UK National Crime Agency endeavoured to do in this debate. I will convey to my will have a part to play, and while the details are being right hon. and learned Friend her desire for a fuller developed, it will seek to reduce the threat from corruption response. I am sure that the all-party group’s work, and bribery within the UK and internationally. which is supported across parties, will be well recognised, and I am sure that its desire for that strategy can be Anas Sarwar: The Minister is being generous in giving discussed in greater detail at a later date. way, and I thank her for that. What role will institutions Question put and agreed to. play as part of that framework? Clearly, our banks, whether consciously or subconsciously, are being used to funnel corrupt money through our institutions. Will 5pm they play a role in that framework? Sitting adjourned. 15WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 16WS

To clarify the tax treatment of banks’ tier 2 regulatory Written Ministerial capital instruments, as announced by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 26 October. This clarification will ensure that the coupon on tier 2 capital which is already in issue or Statements yet to be issued will be deductible for the purposes of a bank computing its profits for corporation tax purposes. This will provide banks and investors with certainty. Tuesday 11 December 2012 Make amendments to allow the Finance Act 2003 inheritance tax measures on the treatment of open-ended investment companies (OEIC) and authorised unit trusts (AUT) to work in the way that was originally intended. TREASURY Amend the restrictions on when companies resident in the European economic area can surrender losses from their UK branches as group relief from corporation tax in the UK. Introduce further minor simplifications to the remittance Finance Bill 2013 and Tax Policy Update basis rules as they affect exempt property where such property is lost, stolen or destroyed and works of art on public display, and clarify the interaction between the time limits The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David for the exempt property rules. Gauke): The Government consulted on a number of tax Ensuring that conditions imposed by a statutory body by policies, following their announcement in Budget 2012. which one company will leave a group at a pre-determined Today the Government are publishing the response to date will not prevent claims to corporation tax group relief. these consultations alongside draft legislation to be This targeted legislative amendment to the group loss relief included in Finance Bill 2013. This fulfils our objective rules will not remove the current loss-buying avoidance protection. to confirm the majority of intended tax changes at least three months ahead of publication. Draft legislation Ensure that a consistent time limit for repayment applies for all overpaid tax. This legislation will also correct an anomaly will be open for technical consultation until Wednesday relating to time limits for loss relief. 6 February 2013. In addition the Government are also introducing Details of the clauses published today are set out in today draft secondary legislation to: the overview of legislation in draft document, which Clarify the tax treatment of new core tier one regulatory also includes tax information and impact notes for each capital instruments which building societies have developed measure. All publications will be available on both the to ensure compliance with regulatory capital requirements HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) under the forthcoming capital requirements directive IV. As websites. building societies are mutual organisations their constitutions The Government are publishing draft legislation on prevent them from issuing ordinary share capital in the same policies announced at Budget 2012, including: way as other companies. This change to secondary legislation will ensure that these new instruments, which will perform a A general anti-abuse rule, to target abusive tax avoidance similar function to ordinary share capital, will also be taxed schemes; in the same way as ordinary share capital. Corporation tax reliefs to encourage investment in the production The Government have also tabled one further related of animation, high-end television and video games; written statement today: An “above the line” R&D credit to encourage investment in Draft legislation for Finance Bill 2013: Measures with effect research and development. on 11 December. A package of property tax policies including a new annual residential property tax to be payable by certain non-natural persons that own interests in dwellings valued at more than Finance Bill 2013 £2 million, and an extension of the capital gains tax regime to non-residential non-natural persons disposing of interests in UK residential property valued at over £2 million. The capital gains tax (CGT) will be payable only on gains accruing The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David on or after 6 April 2013. For consistency, the Government Gauke): The Government are announcing today measures are considering extending the CGT regime to also apply to that will have effect from 11 December 2012 or shortly disposals of high-value residential property by UK NNPs. afterwards and will be included in Finance Bill 2013. The Government would welcome views on the impact and implementation of this potential change by 18 January. Further details have today been published on both the HM Treasury and on HM Revenues and Customs Introducing a statutory residence test, abolishing ordinary (HMRC) websites, together with the draft legislation residence and eliminating the concept of “ordinary residence” for tax purposes as far as possible. and tax information and impact notes. The Government will also publish draft legislation The following measures will take effect from today: for policies announced in the 2012 autumn statement. Debt cap: Group treasury company election In addition the Government are also announcing a Legislation will be introduced to ensure that only the number of new measures for Finance Bill 2013. This financing expenses and financing income-related to treasury includes draft legislation to: activities are included in the election. If a company’s Give HMRC the power to implement a special accounting activities are all or substantially all treasury activities scheme for air passenger duty that will allow eligible operators and its assets and liabilities relate to those treasury to submit annual returns. activities then its financing income and financing expenses Make changes to the carbon price floor legislation to clarify can be included in the election. If a company’s treasury the tax point, taxable person and the treatment of auto- activities are not all of its activities then the election will generators and combined heat and power stations. only apply to its financing expenses and financing income Exempt universal credit from income tax. that relate to the treasury activities. 17WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 18WS

The legislation amends section 316 Taxation (International UK Swiss Remittance basis and Other Provisions) Act 2010 and will take effect for Legislation will be introduced to ensure that, where periods of account of the worldwide group beginning levies are made under the terms of the Swiss UK tax on or after 11 December 2012. cooperation agreement, those levies are not treated as Corporation Tax: Deferral of payment of exit charges remittances for UK tax purposes. To ensure that policy objectives behind the original agreement are delivered The Government are amending legislation to address in full, this legislation will be effective from 1 January the way in which HMRC collects corporation tax charges 2013, which is the date that the agreement is expected to levied on unrealised profits or gains when a UK resident come into force. company that is registered in a European economic area Amendments to Controlled Foreign Companies (CFC) (EEA) territory transfers its place of effective management rules to another EEA state (often described as an “exit charge”). This follows a decision by the Court of Justice of the The Government are introducing legislation to prevent European Union. The amendment will offer such a potential loss of tax by amending the new CFC rules companies the option to defer payment of the exit and limiting double taxation relief (DTR) in order to charge over a period of time provided that certain close avoidance and planning opportunities. In line conditions are met. The change is intended to protect with the new CFC rules the legislation will affect CFCs public finances, support businesses with cash-flow issues, with accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January and ensure UK law remains compatible with EU law. 2013. Part 9A Taxation (International and Other Provisions) The legislation will have effect to permit companies Act 2010 (TIOPA) will be amended to ensure that the to submit claims for deferral of exit charges that fall due new CFC rules apply to profits from all finance leases, from 11 December onwards. including those made by way of a hire purchase or VAT forestalling road fuel similar contract. Draft legislation sets out the Government’s intention Part 9A TIOPA will also be amended to ensure that to impose an open market value (OMV) on supplies of throughout the new CFC rules, questions of accounting road fuel made by taxpayers to employees and other treatment where accounts have not been prepared under connected persons where fuel is supplied at less than the either UK generally accepted accounting practice or OMV. international accounting standards are considered by reference to international accounting standards. The draft legislation will apply from 11 December. Part 2 TIOPA will be amended to limit the amount of However until the date of Royal Assent to Finance Bill DTR that can be claimed as a credit by a UK company 2013 affected taxpayers should declare output tax according or given by deduction to a UK company. The limitation to the invoiced value. After Royal Assent, to the extent will apply when one or more UK companies form part that the amount charged is less than OMV and any part of an arrangement whereby a loan is made from one of the fuel has not yet been made available, these CFC to another CFC, where the latter is the ultimate amounts will become incorrect and taxpayers will need debtor in relation to that loan. Where one or more UK to correct the under-declaration of output tax in the companies form part of a conduit in such an arrangement usual way. How to make corrections is explained in the DTR will be limited to the corporation tax due in notice 700/45, which is available on the HMRC website. respect of the UK corporation tax profits that arise In addition, the following measures will come into from that arrangement. The new limitation will apply to effect on 1 January 2013 and will be included in Finance a UK company that derives profits from such an Bill 2013: arrangement which involves CFCs with accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2013. Annual investment allowance (AIA) In addition the Government are introducing legislation To encourage investment and exports as a route to a to amend section 236(4) TIOPA with effect from 1 more balanced economy, the Chancellor announced on January 2013 to ensure the arbitrage rules do not apply 5 December 2012 a temporary increase to the AIA to merely as a result of the application of another territory’s support investment in the economy. CFC rules that are similar to those within part 9A Legislation will be introduced to temporarily increase TIOPA. the AIA limit on qualifying expenditure that effectively The Government have also tabled related written receives 100% relief from £25,000 to £250,000. The AIA statement today: is available to most businesses, regardless of size. The Draft legislation for Finance Bill 2013 and tax policy update. increase in the AIA will apply to qualifying expenditure incurred between 1 January 2013 and 31 December ECOFIN 2014. This measure supports investment by accelerating the rate of relief on investment in qualifying assets. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Greg Clark): Bank Levy A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council The Government have set out their intention that the was held in Brussels on 4 December 2012. Ministers bank levy should raise at least £2.5 billion each year. discussed the following items: The full bank levy rate will increase from 0.105% to Banking Supervision Mechanism 0.130% from 1 January 2013 to restore expected yield Ministers discussed the latest proposal for a single for future years and to offset the benefit of corporation supervisory mechanism (SSM). There will be a further tax rate cuts to banks. The half-rate for chargeable ECOFIN Council on 12 December that will focus on equity and long-term chargeable liabilities will be increased the SSM ahead of the European Council meeting of from 0.0525% to 0.065%. 13 to 14 December. 19WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 20WS

Revised capital requirements rules (CRD IV) Annual Report of the Court of Auditors on the implementation The presidency updated Ministers on the current state of the budget for the financial year 2011 of play of negotiations with the European Parliament The president of the European Court of Auditors, on the proposals for revised capital requirements rules Mr Vitor Caldeira, presented to Council the annual (CRD IV). report of the Court of Auditors on the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2011. The UK Economic governance—Two pack expressed its disappointment that the Court of Auditors The presidency updated Ministers on negotiations with were unable to give an unqualified assurance for the the European Parliament on two draft regulations aimed 18th consecutive year and that the error rate had increased at improving economic governance in the euro area. to 3.9% from 3.7% in 2010. The UK Government tabled a minute statement where: Code of Conduct (Business Taxation) “The UK reiterated its clear understanding that there would be no new commitments from the European Financial Stabilisation ECOFIN adopted Council conclusions on a report in Mechanism (EFSM) following entry into force of the European relation to the code of conduct (business taxation), Stability Mechanism (ESM) Treaty on 27 September 2012, recalling summarising the work of the code group under the the commitment in the European Council Decision of 25 March Cypriot presidency. Following a minute statement at 2011, which states that as the ESM is designed to safeguard the Coreper by Spain, the UK tabled a statement to confirm financial stability of the euro area as whole, Article 122(2) of the that the Government of Gibraltar have already begun TFEU will no longer be needed for such purposes. The Heads of State or Government therefore agreed that it should not be used work to ensure an element of their Income Tax Act for such purposes”. complies with the principles of the code. Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) The presidency updated Council on the European Commission’s proposal for an authorising decision on Financial Services the introduction of a FTT by some member states using the enhanced co-operation procedure. The UK will not participate in an enhanced co-operation FTT. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Sajid Javid): UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) has identified certain Credit Rating Agencies Consumer Credit Act (CCA) regulated loans in the The presidency updated Ministers on the political Northern Rock (Asset Management) (NRAM) portfolio agreement reached with the European Parliament on where the loan documentation is not compliant with the credit rating agencies 3 (CRA3) dossier. CCA requirements. In selected letters and customer Macro-economic Imbalance Procedure—Commission annual account statements, certain paragraphs of mandatory report wording were written incorrectly and compulsory information about the amount of credit was not included The European Commission presented its second alert in the statements. The CCA provides that a lender is mechanism report, which is the first stage in the macro- restricted in how it can enforce a debt and borrowers are economic imbalance procedure. not liable for interest, over the period during which the Annual Growth Survey 2013 lender has not provided the specified information. The period of non-compliance originates from changes to The European Commission presented the annual growth the CCA implemented in 2008 before the separation of survey for 2013. NRAM and Northern Rock plc. Issues related to the Economic and Monetary Union UKAR has undertaken an internal investigation and The European Commission outlined its report on a has consulted with legal counsel, the Financial Services “Blueprint” for economic and monetary union. Authority (FSA), the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), UK Financial Investments (UKFI) and the Treasury. Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact Following this, the UKAR board has recommended ECOFIN Council considered that Greece has taken making proactive restitution to affected NRAM customers effective action to correct the situation of excessive in receipt of non-compliant statements and default deficit; and adopted a decision granting Greece an notices relating to CCA-regulated loans. Based on additional two years to correct its excessive budget discussions with UKFI, the Treasury has no objections deficit in recognition that: to UKAR’s proposed approach and UKAR will issue the corrected documentation and take steps to remediate “effective action has been taken and unexpected adverse economic interest and other charges to affected customers. Where events with major unfavourable consequences for government finances occur after the adoption of the recommendation”. redress is required, this will be made by correcting a customer’s account balance to reverse the consequences VAT Quick Reaction Mechanism of them being charged any interest over the period in Ministers held an orientation debate on a proposed which the documentation is non-compliant. UKAR directive amending the common system of value added will contact potentially affected customers in writing tax as regards a quick reaction mechanism against VAT with further information. NRAM will be writing to all fraud, in particular on the issue of whether implementing existing customers in the next few days. There is no need powers under the proposal should lie with the Commission for customers to take any action at this time. or the Council. A number of member states, including Separately, the UKAR board has asked Deloitte to the UK, reiterated the importance of decisions on tax conduct an independent enquiry into the specific matters being made by the Council and being subject to circumstances of the issue and to make recommendations unanimity. The Council agreed that further work was on potential enhancements to the associated processes needed on this issue. and controls. 21WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 22WS

The cost to NRAM of remediating the interest charges As outlined in the written ministerial statement of on affected accounts is estimated at £270 million. As a 25 July 2012, Official Report, House of Lords, column result of the reclassification of UKAR by the Office of WS66-68, the decision to revoke the East of England National Statistics this year, UKAR was included within regional strategy has been made after a strategic the OBR forecast for public sector net borrowing (PSNB) environmental assessment and comprehensive consultation in 2012-13 in the autumn statement. The costs to UKAR on the environmental impacts of abolition. The reasons from remediation were not included in this forecast. for the decision to revoke the regional strategy rather The impact of these costs on the public finances is a than retain all or part of the strategy are set out in a decision for the independent Office for National Statistics. post-adoption statement, which has been placed in the This is likely to increase public sector net borrowing in Library of the House and is available online at: 2012-13. However it remains the case that borrowing https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strategic- will continue to fall in that year. environmental-assessment-of-revoking-the-east-of-england- UKAR has confirmed that NRA has the financial regional-strategy. resources to make the remediation. NRAM’s interim The order is laid under the negative resolution procedure financial results for the six months to June 2012 show a and will take effect on 3 January. statutory profit before taxation of £305 million and NRAM is expected to remain profitable in 2012. The remediation is not expected to delay materially the ultimate timing of the repayment of the NRAM CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Government funding, which stands at £19.6 billion as at June 2012. The Treasury continues to estimate that it will fully recover all the taxpayer support provided to Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council NRAM. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): A meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council was held COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT in Brussels on 26 to 27 November. The UK was represented at the culture and audiovisual and sport sections of the Council by the deputy permanent representative to the East of England Regional Strategy (Revocation) EU, Shan Morgan. Culture and Audiovisual The Council adopted a revised partial general approach The Secretary of State for Communities and Local on the proposal for a regulation establishing the creative Government (Mr Eric Pickles): The coalition Government Europe programme for 2014-20. This programme will have today laid in Parliament an order to revoke the follow on from the current Culture, Media and Media regional strategy for the East of England. All directions Mundus programmes. The revised partial general approach preserving policies contained in structure plans in the incorporated the text relating to the proposed new loan area to which the East of England regional strategy guarantee facility into the partial general approach relates are also revoked. which was agreed at the Council meeting in May. It did Following the passage of the Localism Act, the abolition not include the programme budget. of the regional strategy for the East of England is a The UK did not support the revised partial general major milestone for localism. approach. We cannot consider supporting the loan This Government have been clear from the outset guarantee facility until we are able to consider it in the that planning works best when the people it affects are context of the overall programme budget and in relation placed at the heart of the system. The abolition of to the amount of funding allocated to grant expenditure. regional planning across this region will give local councils These will not become clear until the negotiations on and local people right across the former East of England the multiannual financial framework for 2014-20 have government region more control of shaping the places been completed. In addition, the revised partial general in which they live. It reinforces our policy to enshrine approach—like the previous partial general approach, the local plan, produced with the involvement of local which the UK did not support—does not provide for people, as the keystone of the planning system. selection decisions, i.e. decisions about which projects The regional strategy imposed development upon will be awarded EU funding under the programme, to communities. Such a top-down process just built resentment. be subject to member state scrutiny through the formal Its removal means the issues that matter to local comitology arrangements. However, we are able to support communities in the region can take centre stage. Only other elements of the revised partial general approach. local people understand the unique priorities, aspirations The Cypriot presidency presented a progress report and heritage of an area. Local empowerment brings on the proposal for a decision establishing the European development by consensus; development that is more capitals of culture action for 2020-33. This action will sensitive to local characteristics, including to habitats follow on from the current European capitals of culture and the environment, and development that is good for action which ends in 2019. It envisages a further round growth. Matched with the duty to co-operate, a statutory in which each member state will have the opportunity to requirement upon local councils to work together to host a European capital of culture, with a selection and plan for cross-boundary development, we believe that a monitoring procedure similar to the current procedures locally-led planning system can better deliver the homes, but with some changes and improvements. In discussions jobs and infrastructure the country needs. in the Council working group, Member states have 23WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 24WS broadly welcomed the proposal but have identified a different measures to support the film industry but number of aspects which require further consideration. agreed with the UK that the uncertainty should not be The UK has contributed some ideas and suggestions prolonged. The Commission agreed that a new round of for amendments. discussions was required, but hoped that the text of the The Council adopted conclusions on cultural governance. communication would be finalised in January. These conclusions note the importance of research and statistics in cultural governance and in developing policies and strategies for the cultural and creative sectors; and they identify some key issues for future work and propose EDUCATION some actions for the Commission and member states to maximise the use and benefits of current work in these areas. The UK supported the adoption of these conclusions. EU Education and Youth Council The Council also adopted conclusions on a European strategy for a better internet for children and held a policy debate on the internet: a better and safer place The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills for children as a result of a successful interplay between (Matthew Hancock): I represented the UK at the Government and industry.The UK supported the adoption 26 November Education Council. The Council adopted of the conclusions. In the debate member states agreed two sets of non-binding political conclusions, on literacy, that co-operation between public and private players and the role of education in Europe 2020; and a was essential to deal with rapid technological change recommendation on the validation of non-formal learning. and ensure that children were protected online, and Ministers also discussed how the quality of teachers most also supported the Commission’s emphasis on can be improved at a time of scarce financial resources. self-regulation. In this context, the UK reported on the Literacy work of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and argued that more effective discussion and co-ordination Non-binding conclusions on action to improve literacy of member state initiatives was needed. The Commission were adopted. I intervened to acknowledge the importance welcomed the UK’s initiative to appoint a UK digital of literacy but expressed doubt about the added value champion. of EU-level action. Specifically, I questioned whether a proposed “Europe loves reading week” would be a good use of scarce resources, and whether Ministers really Sport knew enough about the costs and benefits of such an The Council adopted, without debate, conclusions initiative. on strengthening the evidence base for sport policy-making Education and training in Europe 2020 and on promoting health-enhancing physical activity. The Council also formally designated the three EU Non- binding conclusions on the role of education representatives to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and training in Europe 2020 were also agreed. While foundation board. accepting that education has an important role in promoting growth, I intervened to urge the Commission to move The Council did not adopt draft conclusions on away from a prescriptive approach in the education establishing a strategy to combat the manipulation of field that is characterised by target-setting. As an alternative, sporting results, because of a disagreement which could I cited the OECD’s approach to putting high quality not be resolved over a paragraph encouraging member analysis and data into the public domain, challenging states to put in place adequate measures to fight illegal policymakers with evidence from around the world, but gambling offers, notably those from third countries. leaving it to individual countries to draw their own The text was instead adopted as presidency conclusions. conclusions for policy design. The Council debated a proposal from the Commission Validation of non-formal and informal learning to establish a European week of sport and measures to get people “from the sofa to the playing field”. The UK The Council adopted a non-binding recommendation argued that the Commission’s proposal should present calling upon member states to commit to the recognition something “conceptually different” and also explained of non-formal and informal learning within national how virtual media is being used to drive physical activity qualification systems. The UK already has such systems and engage people, especially young people. in place at present. None of these items will have any direct impact on the Any Other Business UK, and there are no follow up actions. The French and Slovak delegations presented information Improving teacher quality and status on Marseille-Provence and Kosice respectively, which Ministers had a useful discussion on how the quality will be the European capitals of culture in 2013. of teachers can be improved at a time of scarce financial The French Minister raised concerns about the revised resources. draft cinema communication on state aid for films and The Irish Minister opened the debate, highlighting other audiovisual work. He argued that the Commission’s the “inconvenient fact” that Europe is no longer the proposed new rules on territorialisation could jeopardise best place to get a good education and that we are now the diversity of the European film industry and called in a period of technological change which demands for further discussion before any decisions were taken. better, more effective training and support for teachers. This was supported by a number of other member I cited key UK reforms to improve teacher quality, states. The UK intervened to support the latest Commission including our ambitious “Teach First” programme, and text and call for a speedy resolution of the issue. The initiatives aimed at making it easier for head teachers to Commission acknowledged that member states have tackle underperformance. 25WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 26WS

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE finance, agreed and first announced in 2010 as part of the current spending period, to add momentum to the negotiations at a key point during the second week. Doha Climate Change Conference This helpfully also secured public announcements by many other donors of the climate finance they were also delivering, demonstrating that showing leadership draws The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change others. (Mr Edward Davey): The annual conference of the Loss and damage associated with climate change parties (COP) to the United Nations framework convention A key concern of many developing countries was the on climate change took place in Doha, Qatar, from issue of “loss and damage”. By agreeing to establish an 26 November to 8 December. The United Kingdom was institutional process under the regime to address more represented by the Secretary of State for Energy and structurally loss and damage associated with the impacts Climate Change, the right hon. Member for Kingston of climate change in particularly vulnerable developing and Surbiton (Mr Davey), and the Minister of State, countries we headed off calls for an unbounded process Department of Energy and Climate Change, the right towards compensation. The arrangements will be established hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker). at the UN climate conference to be held at the end of What we agreed next year in Warsaw. After the success of last year’s Durban conference in What does the second commitment period of the Kyoto agreeing to negotiate by 2015 a new global legally protocol mean? binding agreement to come into force from 2020, while The second commitment period of the Kyoto protocol focusing renewed efforts before 2020 on raising ambition will start on 1 January 2013. It is a ratifiable amendment in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this year’s conference to the Kyoto protocol setting out the rules governing needed to make progress on both. It was never going to the second period. It will run for eight years, thus be a major breakthrough meeting, but I am pleased to ensuring no gap occurs between its end and the entry say that, following two weeks of intense negotiations, into force of the new global agreement in 2020. The EU the UK’s objectives this year were largely achieved. We will apply the amendment from 1 January 2013 even agreed a high-level work plan for negotiating the new though formal ratification by the European institutions agreement by 2015 and for enhancing the political space and member states is likely to take over a year. I shall for and breadth of recognition of efforts to raise ambition. bring forward the process of ratification to the House in In doing so, it was important to ensure the current 2013. regime would not fragment and that the rules and mechanisms within it can be developed further ahead of For the second period the EU has taken on an the new regime from 2020. To this end, we, with our emissions reduction commitment in line with its existing European partners, Australia and some others agreed target of cutting emissions by 20% by 2020 compared to to bind our existing actions on reducing greenhouse gas 1990, but has left the door open to stepping up this emissions into international law by entering a second reduction to 30% if the conditions are right—an important commitment period of the Kyoto protocol (KP2). We provision given the coalition Government’s commitment also secured agreement to further work on developing to work towards this step up of climate ambition in the the rules base around accounting, measurement, reporting EU. The reduction commitment will be fulfilled jointly and verification of effort by countries not in the KP2, by the EU and its member states, Croatia and Iceland. while also streamlining the three negotiating tracks The targets of all countries participating in the second working in parallel at Doha into one negotiation focused period will be revisited by 2014 with a view to considering on the new agreement and the need to raise ambition. raising ambition. This was a step forward on the way towards getting The EU and other countries taking on targets under back on track towards addressing the growing gap the second period will have continued access to the between current greenhouse gas emissions and a cost- Kyoto mechanisms from the start of the period, an effective trajectory of reducing such emissions that important element for businesses and market certainty would be consistent with limiting average global temperature across Europe. A limit on purchases of surplus emission increases to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. budgets (“AAUs”) from the first commitment period Climate finance and rules narrowing the potential for using such AAUs at all in the second commitment period will apply. The EU is the world’s leading provider of official Moreover, the decision includes political declarations development assistance and climate finance to developing by the EU and its member states and almost every other countries. In Doha the EU demonstrated that it is on potential buyer—Australia, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, track to provide the full ¤7.2 billion it has pledged in Norway and Switzerland—stating that they will not “fast start” finance for the period 2010-12 and assured purchase AAUs carried over from the first period. its developing country partners that climate finance will continue after this year. A package of decisions on The second period forms part of the transition to the finance encourages developed countries to keep climate global agreement taking effect in 2020. Including the finance in 2013-15 to at least the average level of their EU, the countries taking part in the second Kyoto fast start finance. The decisions also extend a work period account only for around 14% of world emissions—by programme on long-term finance for a year, with the 2020 this could be less than 10% of global emissions. aim of helping developed countries identify pathways This underscores the need for the future climate regime for scaling up climate finance to $100 billion per year by from 2020 to involve action by all. 2020 from public, private and alternative sources in Overall, the Doha conference represents a useful step return for continued meaningful action by developing forward. It has reaffirmed the commitment to a 2015 countries. I used the UK’s commitments on climate global agreement, given space and a process for focus 27WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 28WS on raising shorter-term ambition, and preserved the FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Kyoto protocol and a wider rules-based system that will help form the foundations of the new agreement. Lastly, I wish to pay tribute to the UK delegation to Turks and Caicos Islands the talks who worked tirelessly, including several times through the night, professionally and expertly across the range of issues, ensuring the UK played a leading The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign role in delivering the outcome. and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): My right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for International We continue to have much to do. Doha has kept the Development, and I wish to update the House about forward momentum that has been a feature of this developments in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), a process since the difficulties at Copenhagen in 2009. British overseas territory. But we need to take significant further action globally, and urgently, if we are to stand any chance of limiting On 9 November 2012 elections were held in TCI that global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. brought back a democratic Government to the territory. There was an impressive 84% turnout of voters. The Progressive National Party (PNP) won eight seats and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) seven seats. Dr Rufus Ewing, the leader of the PNP, was sworn in as ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Premier on 14 November. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association organised an election observer mission with participation from Gibraltar, countries from the Caribbean region Dairy Industry and the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) and my hon. Friend the Member for Rochford and Southend East (James Duddridge). The Minister of State, Department for Environment, The mission’s full report will be issued shortly, but I Food and Rural Affairs (Mr David Heath): This has been note their initial statement that a difficult year for domestic dairying and parts of the “the voters had a genuine choice from among the candidates. The industry have struggled. However, there is now a positive process was transparent and accountable and the results reflect way forward following the groundbreaking code of the will of the people”. practice on contractual relationships that the industry This election opens a new chapter for TCI. In August has put in place. Dairy farmers, processors and their 2009, the ministerial Government and the House of customers are now making use of the code to support Assembly were suspended after Sir Robin Auld’s better contracts and clear and transparent pricing. Commission of Inquiry identified a high probability of The Government are also taking further steps to systemic corruption in Government and the legislature support the dairy industry so that dairy farmers can and among public officers in TCI. Since then there has have a stronger position in the marketplace. been much progress. In a written ministerial statement From today a new £5 million dairy fund will be open on 9 December 2010, Official Report, columns 20-41WS, for business through the rural development programme UK Ministers agreed milestones for progress towards for England. To help business growth, the fund will elections. Over the last three years an interim Administration allow farmers to apply for £25,000 minimum grants to led by the Governor and supported by the UK Government support groups of dairy farmers. The grants could has implemented a wide-ranging reform programme to cover costs to establish new co-operation structures, meet the milestones, including putting the public finances such as producer groups and co-operatives, or to invest on the road to recovery, establishing a robust framework in technology to take advantage of new market for good governance, and strengthening the public service. opportunities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development Ministers DEFRA is also consulting on new rules that will last updated the House on progress against the milestones allow English dairy farmers to come together and form on 12 June 2012, Official Report, columns 20-23WS. producer organisations to sell their combined milk to processing companies rather than negotiate as individuals. I have just returned from a visit to the Turks and We are launching today a six-week consultation on how Caicos Islands and in this statement today, I wish to to implement the European Union’s dairy package in inform the House on the progress made by the interim England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will Government under each milestone in the run-up to the hold their own consultations. Currently farmers negotiate elections; with processors as individuals, but under the new EU Implementation of a new TCI Constitution Order, in rules, producer organisations, which are already widespread support of recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, in other European countries, could cover up to a third which underpins good governance and sound public financial of UK production and would negotiate on behalf of management. members. The new constitution was brought into force by the Dairy is our largest agricultural sector and there are Governor on 15 October, and elections held on 9 November real opportunities for UK dairying with growing global within the prescribed 30-day limit. Preparations for the demand for dairy products. Because of its strong natural elections were made in line with the revised elections dairying advantages, the UK is well placed to exploit ordinance. A new register of electors was compiled on domestic added value and export markets. The Government the basis of a registration exercise for all islanders. An will continue to support the development of a profitable, Electoral Boundaries Commission defined 10 new electoral thriving and competitive dairy industry. districts with broadly similar numbers of electors. Practical 29WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 30WS preparations were made for elections at 17 polling stations Implementation of a transparent and fair process for across TCI’s main islands. The interim Administration acquisition of Turks and Caicos Islander status adopted a statement of governance principles on 15 A revised immigration ordinance and immigration June. Under the new constitution, all organs of Government regulations were introduced in July. There is now no in the islands have a duty to give effect to the statement discretionary provision in law for the granting of Belonger of governance principles established under the constitution status. The newly elected Government will need to bring and the Governor has certain powers to ensure compliance forward an ordinance defining Turks and Caicos islander with the principles. status in line with the new constitution. An equality ordinance became law in October to Significant progress with the civil and criminal process clarify the rights of all members of the community, in recommended by the Commission of Inquiry,and implementation line with the non-discrimination provisions in the new of measures to enable these to continue unimpeded constitution. Thirteen people, including four former Ministers, Introduction of a number of new ordinances, including have been charged with corruption and other serious those making provision for: i) the electoral process and criminal offences. These cases are now before the courts. regulation of political parties: ii) integrity and accountability The plea and directions hearing has been delayed at the in public life: Hi) public financial management request of the defence and is now expected to be held in The political activities ordinance was introduced in April 2013. International arrest warrants and Interpol August to define acceptable political financing and red notices were issued in respect of the former Premier oversight. Work in this area was assisted by a visit in Michael Misick and the developer Cem Kinay, and July by UK political party members, organised by the Michael Misick was subsequently arrested in Rio de Westminster Foundation for Democracy, led by my Janeiro in Brazil on 7 December. His extradition to the hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Andrew Turks and Caicos Islands is being sought. The civil Percy). recovery team continued to recover property and redress loses arising from corruption. Some 52 separate recoveries The chief financial officer (CFO) ordinance was of Crown land totalling 2,447 acres have now been introduced in June 2012 to define this role within the made, and financial settlements totalling US$16 million restructured TCI Government, and as provided for in have been reached. the 2012 Constitution Order and under the arrangements for the $260 million UK loan guarantee. Implementation of a new Crown land policy Establishment of robust and transparent public financial The Crown land ordinance came into force in March management processes to provide a stable economic 2012. The Lands Commissioner has continued to implement environment and a strengthening of the TCI Government’s the reforms for land transactions, and assisted with the capacity to manage its public finances appointment of a new Lands Registrar. Substantial progress in the reform of the public service Financial management regulations for the public sector were amended in line with the public financial management Progress has continued. The public service has focused (PFM) ordinance and international good practice. A on raising the standard of policy development in public financial management framework document was preparation for transition to an elected Government agreed that sets out the key principles of good financial and providing support to new Ministers. The public management and the debt threshold targets agreed by service ordinance was introduced in October and defines the Secretary of State. Key requirements are that net the roles of Ministers and permanent secretaries, describes debt is less than 110% of revenue by end of 2015-16 and new discipline procedures and expects all staff to be less than 80% of revenue by the end of 2018-19, and subject to measurable performance management. The that debt service is less than 10% of annual operating general orders regulating the work of the public service revenue and liquid assets at least 25% of annual operating were updated and a new public service handbook issued revenue. to public servants. The public procurement ordinance was introduced in Conclusion October creating a central public contracts unit, and A solid foundation has been built for the return to defining the framework for future tenders and contracts. elected Government. Over the last three years an interim Reforms to the Audit Department in the TCI Administration, supported by the UK Government, Government split it into two distinct bodies: the National has implemented a wide-ranging reform programme to Audit Office, to operate outside ministerial control; and meet the milestones, including putting the public finances the Internal Audit Department to focus on internal on the road to recovery, establishing a robust framework Government controls, risk management and governance for good governance, and strengthening the public service. processes. The interim Administration has also modernised the management and delivery of public services, attracted Implementation of budget measures to put the TCI substantial inward investment and restored economic Government on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the growth. This programme of reforms has been a significant financial year ending March 2013 achievement. The TCI Government are working towards achieving The hard work is far from over. The TCI Government a budget surplus for the full year at the end of March benefit from a $260 million UK loan guarantee. We will 2013. The interim Government made good progress in keep vigilant to help ensure they meet their fiscal objectives stabilising the public finances. A recent mid-year forecast and can finance their borrowing independently and on indicated that the expected surplus remains in line with an affordable and sustainable basis from the end of the budget. 2015-16 without a UK guarantee. 31WS Written Ministerial Statements11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Ministerial Statements 32WS

A robust framework for the management of public will expect a record of sound fiscal policy as a necessary finances has been put in place. The constitution requires pre-requisite for the TCI Government to refinance the new Turks and Caicos Islands Government to formulate independently. and conduct macro-economic and fiscal policy for the In line with the overseas territories White Paper published sustained long-term prosperity of the people of the islands, in June 2012, the UK Government look forward to and to manage public funds according to established working with the newly elected TCI Government to principles of value for money, affordability and regularity promote good governance in order to help them attract and in the interests of long-term financial stability. The new investment, maintain economic growth and so deliver constitution provides the Governor with reserve powers sustained long-term prosperity for the people of the to ensure compliance with the principles of good islands. governance. It establishes a number of institutions to The UK will continue to support TCI to develop its protect good governance including an Auditor-General democracy and in its efforts to build on recent reforms, and a National Audit Office. particularly prudent financial management, economic A framework document has also been put in place growth and sustainable prosperity. that sets out the key principles of good financial management as well as the debt targets agreed by the JUSTICE Secretary of State. Key requirements are that net debt is less than 110% of revenue by the end of 2015-16 and Whiplash Claims less than 80% of revenue by the end of 2018-19, and that debt service is less than 10% of annual operating The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice revenue and liquid assets at least 25% of annual operating (Mrs Helen Grant): I am today announcing the publication revenue. The incoming Government will need to meet of the Government’s consultation “Reducing the Number the provisions of the framework document including and Costs of Whiplash Claims”. agreeing with the Secretary of State a fiscal and strategic Between 2006-07 and 2011-12 claims for personal policy statement (FSPS) which is a medium-term plan injury caused by road traffic accidents increased by that includes revenue and expenditure forecasts for at around 60%. Over the same period the number of least the next three financial years. The Turks and reported road traffic accidents fell by around 20%. Caicos Island Government must seek agreement to the FSPS before proposing a budget. The Government share the widespread concerns about such a disproportionate growth in whiplash claims and It is important that the new Government maintain a its cost to motor insurance policy holders, and is already credible and sustainable fiscal policy, including reducing taking forward work to tackle the issue. their net debt levels, so that they can refinance themselves The consultation considers two particular areas. The independently by the time the debt guaranteed by the first is whether independent medical panels should be UK Government is due to be repaid in March 2016. created and, if so, what model should be adopted. UK approval to the budget and fiscal plans will be The second is whether in respect of road traffic contingent on TCIG formulating credible policies to accident personal injury claims, the current small claims meet these key objectives. DFID are providing a chief threshold for pain, suffering and loss of amenity should financial officer whose authority and responsibilities be increased from £1,000 to £5,000, either for all personal are set out in TCI law and who is expected to ensure injuries or for whiplash injuries only. that fiscal plans are delivered. The Government accept that the growth in claims for We are confident that the above arrangements will whiplash injuries is complex, and the consultation considers ensure sufficient financial controls over the public finances what more can and should be done by all with an are maintained, including with the objective that a UK interest in the personal injury sector. loan guarantee is no longer required after March 2016. Copies of this Government consultation are available Achievement of this objective will depend on many in the Vote Office and the Printed Paper Office. The factors including the conduct of the Government of document is also available online at: TCI and the performance of the TCI economy. Lenders http://www.justice.gov.uk.

3P Petitions11 DECEMBER 2012 Petitions 4P

And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by John Petition Pugh, Official Report, 13 November 2012; Vol. 553, c. 1P.] Tuesday 11 December 2012 [P001133] Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, OBSERVATIONS Food and Rural Affairs: All 2,000 miles of canals and rivers that the Government have entrusted to the Canal & River Trust are open to navigation for pleasure. More than a quarter of our ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS major river and canal network is available for such use Navigation on unregulated watercourses and 40% (1900 km) of that available network is within 15 km of an urban area and therefore accessible to large The Petition of Douglas Malpus, Southport, sections of the population. Declares that the 1472 An Act for Wears and Fishgarths The Government believe that a balance needs to be affirms that between the statue of Magna Carta and struck between the different uses which our non-tidal 1472 there was a public right of navigation (PRN) on all waters serve and between the enjoyment of property rivers; further that the Petitioner believes, except where rights by landowners and the needs of others using the this has been modified by navigation acts, this remains waters. There can be sources of tension between those the last time Parliament expressed its will on navigation exercising fishing rights and canoeists and rowers using on unregulated watercourses and the current legislation the same waters for pleasure purposes. Conservation Rowland v. EA states that a PRN may only be extinguished requirements or water management structures can be by legislation or the exercise of statutory powers; further incompatible with unfettered navigational use. Structures that the Petitioner believes the statement in general, in and beside rivers created as a result of heavy industrial “there is no public right of navigation on non-tidal use can pose significant health and safety risks for users waters”, found in text books and commentaries is not with associated liability questions for those who own the law but restatements of inaccurate comments about them. River ecology may also need to be protected, for the law; further that the case law often presented as example when rivers are in low flow, during fish spawning authority Bourke v Davis was rejected by the House of season or where protected species are identified. The Lords in 1990 and therefore that the Petitioner believes Government therefore believe that those wishing to use there is no legal basis for the position currently held by privately owned unregulated waterways should work the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. with the relevant landowner to agree access. It would be The Petitioners therefore request that the House of inappropriate for me to seek to interfere in the question Commons urges the Department for Environment, Food of how private property rights are balanced with and Rural Affairs to adopt a policy for navigation on navigational use. However, I am confident that a voluntary unregulated watercourses which is consistent with current approach allows appropriate decisions to be made between legislation or explain by what authority the Department local people, according to their area’s own recreational, holds a contrary policy. business and conservation needs.

179W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 180W Written Answers to Charities Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Questions Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department allocated to (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) Shelter in (i) Tuesday 11 December 2012 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [132462]

Mr Prisk: The following tables shows the total allocations COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT of funding allocated to Centrepoint, Crisis, Skill Force and Shelter in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13: Advantage West Midlands Homelessness funding £ Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Communities and Local Government (1) what arrangements he has put in place to monitor the Centrepoint 0 0 0 activities of the joint venture company PxP since the Crisis 2,350,000 4,350,000 4,000,000 closure of Advantage West Midlands; [132672] Skillforce 0 0 0 (2) what assessment he has made of the assets held Shelter 3,223,365 2,437,460 2,494,069 by and the performance of the Advantage West Midlands joint venture company PxP since the closure Affordable housing of Advantage West Midlands; and if he will make a £ statement. [132673] 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

Mr Prisk: Advantage West Midlands’ financial interests Centrepoint 3,364,783 446,264 0 in the PxP West Midlands limited partnership was Crisis 0 0 0 transferred to the Home and Communities Agency in Skillforce 0 0 0 September 2011, along with the other land and property Shelter 0 0 0 assets from the former regional development agencies to form its economic assets programme. This funding was provided to Centrepoint (via the Since then, the Homes and Communities Agency has Homes and Communities Agency’s Affordable Housing put control systems in place to monitor and protect Programme) for the provision of affordable units in these financial interests. The agency’s executive director London; Crisis to help single homeless people access for the Midlands has been appointed to the board of stable accommodation in the private rented sector and PxP, and there is a nominated project officer who is Shelter to operate the National Homelessness Advice responsible for oversight and reporting on company’s Service (a partnership between Shelter and Citizens performance. Advice) and debt advice for the Home Owners Mortgage Support Scheme. From 1 April 2012, affordable housing The agency and its private sector partner are currently funding for London has been devolved to the Mayor of reviewing the strategic and operational direction of PxP London which is why the Centrepoint funding has to ensure prudent and efficient use of resources. ceased by my Department. Carbon Monoxide: Alarms Floods Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for representations he has received on making the Communities and Local Government how much installation of carbon monoxide detectors compulsory funding from the public purse was provided to (a) in all new build houses; and if he will make a residents and (b) agencies dealing with flooding in the statement. [132695] aftermath of each major flood in each of the last 30 years. [132250] Mr Foster: The Department regularly receives representations calling on the Government to extend Brandon Lewis: Records of payments in respect of requirements for carbon monoxide detectors. This includes flooding emergencies are neither held centrally for all of the report of the Communities and Local Government the period requested, nor does central Government pay Select Committee regarding building regulations applying grants directly to residents. to electrical and gas installation and repairs in dwellings. The UK’s current approach to emergency management Research carried out in 2010 concluded it would be is based on the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Since the disproportionate to require carbon monoxide alarms in passing of that Act, there have been two major (i.e. all new homes, but a requirement to provide them in Level 2) flooding emergencies: countrywide flooding in homes where new solid fuel appliances are being fitted summer 2007, and the Cumbria floods of autumn 2009. was justified. A Level 2 (serious emergency) is one which has, or We have no plans to introduce further requirements threatens, a wide and prolonged impact requiring sustained in this area. A detailed response to the Select Committee central Government co-ordination and support from report was published in July 2012. many Departments and agencies. 181W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 182W

Payments made in respect of those emergencies were: Local Government Finance Summer 2007 Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Due to the wide extent of damage DCLG provided Communities and Local Government which authorities an initial Flood Recovery Grant as part of the wider have raised recent concerns about the 2011 Census and package of immediate financial support for areas worst its outputs in their areas. [132274] affected by the June flooding. £10 million was made available (£5 million of capital funding and £5 million Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the revenue). Cabinet Office. An additional award of up to £10 million was made The information requested falls within the responsibility to support other local authorities affected by the further of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority exceptional flooding in July 2007. Both these grants to reply. were calculated by numbers of households affected. Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: The significant damage was sufficient that the UK As Director General for the Office for National Statistics Government applied for a grant from the EU Solidarity (ONS), which has responsibility for the England & Wales Census, Fund to help with costs of recovery. The European I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Secretary Parliament and the Council made the necessary budgetary of State for Communities and Local Government, asking which appropriations available to grant ¤162.388 million to local authorities have raised concerns about the 2011 Census and the UK. The EU Solidarity Fund, created in 2002, its outputs in their areas. (132274) grants aid to member states and acceding countries in Since the publication of the census population estimates in the event of a major natural disaster. Its annual allocation July, ONS has received queries from a number of local authorities, amounts to ¤1 billion. To qualify for aid under the a few of which were expressing concern but mainly seeking clarification. For example, some queries were asking for an explanation Solidarity Fund, countries must present an application of the difference with the previously published mid-year population containing a documented estimate of the damage. estimates, which have now been revised on the basis of the 2011 Cumbria 2009 Census. Others were asking about the comparisons which ONS DCLG provided a £1 million fund to the local authority, had published with administrative sources. known as Emergency Flood Relief due to the exceptional ONS has responded to these enquiries in an open and timely damage from the severe flooding. manner, giving explanations with strong supporting evidence, as well as clear guidance on the methodology and quality assurance The Bellwin scheme processes used. The local authorities that have expressed concerns, Bellwin provides emergency financial assistance to with whom we are still in discussion are: Tendring District Council, local authorities, to help them meet uninsurable costs Ceredigion County Council, St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council, Westminster City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough they incur when responding to a major emergency in Council and Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Through their area. It is limited by statute (Section 155 of the the ongoing dialogue and correspondence, ONS has not been Local Government and Housing Act 1989) to: presented with any clear evidence that contradicts the population “costs of immediate action to safeguard life or property or estimates resulting from the 2011 Census. ONS will continue to prevent suffering or severe inconvenience to inhabitants”. support all local authorities that have any question or concerns Government will reimburse authorities for 85% of eligible regarding the 2011 Census outputs. costs above a threshold (set at 0.2% of their annual I have full confidence in the Census population estimates, which are based on a robust and peer reviewed statistical estimation revenue budget). methodology, and an extensive quality assurance process involving Housing: Cumbria experts. The checks and adjustments that have been made in order to arrive at the Census estimates have been published in Quality Assurance packs for every Local Authority. John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for has made of the number of new homes for which Communities and Local Government if he will keep planning permission has been granted but construction the local government finance settlement open to an has not yet begun in (a) Barrow and Furness amending report should it be shown that the 2011 constituency and (b) Cumbria in the latest period for census has miscounted local authority populations. which figures are available. [132387] [132275]

Nick Boles [holding answer 10 December 2012]: The Brandon Lewis: Statutory powers exist to issue an number of homes where permission has been granted amending report on the Local Government Finance but where development has not yet started as at settlement for a particular year. 31 September 2012 is estimated at 245,565 units for England. This figure excludes most small schemes with Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for fewer than 10 units. A breakdown by constituency is Communities and Local Government whether not available. estimates of levels of short-term migration will be factored into the local government finance settlement We are undertaking a series of initiatives to help kick for the financial year 2013-14. [132276] start development on stalled sites, including the £570 million Get Britain Building fund and our reforms to unlock Brandon Lewis: It is not intended that an estimate of economically unrealistic Section 106 agreements. short-term migration be factored into the local government These are part of our broader policies to support finance settlement for 2013-14. Taking account of the house building as outlined in the written ministerial preference of the local government sector, the Government statement of 6 September 2012, Official Report, response to the Local Government Resource Review columns 29-34WS, and November 2011 ’s Housing Proposals for Business Rates Retention in December Strategy. 2011 announced that there would be only limited technical 183W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 184W changes to the funding formula for 2013-14. This was to Framework Review of the Agency to ensure it continues ensure stability at the start of the new Business Rates to meet the Government’s objectives. My officials meet Retention system. regularly with the Valuation Office Agency and the Valuation Tribunal Service to discuss all aspects of their Local Government: Disclosure of Information business rates work including the clearance of appeals. Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Non-domestic Rates: Scotland Communities and Local Government what the latest level of leakage against the 2010 rating list is over the Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for life of the list; and whether the Government is on Communities and Local Government what recent schedule to meet its target for the 2010 list. [132068] discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on business rates. [132154] Brandon Lewis: One of the Valuation Office Agency performance indicators is to contain reductions in the Brandon Lewis: Ministers and officials have regular 2010 rating lists to a maximum of 3.6% of the total discussions with the Scottish Government on a variety compiled list rateable value, over the entire life of the of issues related to the work of the Department. lists. The figure is published annually in their annual Religious Buildings: Greater London report; at end-March 2012 the measure was on target at 0.44%. At the mid point of 2011-12 to end September Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012, the measure was at 0.65%. The latest figure for Communities and Local Government how many end-November remains on target at 0.79%. applications for the building of (a) mosques, (b) New Towns: Sherford churches and (c) synagogues have been made in London in the last five years; and what the planned Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for capacity was of each such application. [132228] Communities and Local Government what steps his Nick Boles: Information on the number of applications Department is taking to assist South Hams, Plymouth made for the building of (a) mosques, (b) churches and Devon councils to deliver a new town at Sherford. and (c) synagogues is not centrally available. [132482] Senior Civil Servants Mr Prisk: The Government is determined to do all it can to ensure more new homes and communities are Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for delivered quickly. That is why the autumn statement Communities and Local Government how many and announced a programme of Government support to what proportion of senior civil servants have left (a) help progress development on locally-supported large his Department and (b) each of the public bodies for scale sites including supporting local capacity, working which he is responsible since May 2010; what the rate across Government to unblock barriers and providing of turnover of senior civil servants has been in (i) his access to a £225 million capital pot where appropriate. Department and (ii) each such body since May 2010; I have held productive meetings with local authority and if he will make a statement. [132177] and developer partners on a number of locally-supported large housing schemes, including Sherford. The Homes Brandon Lewis: The Department does not hold data and Communities Agency, on my behalf, are taking centrally for its public bodies. forward those discussions further to undertake what Since May 2010, 65 permanent senior civil servants support from Government may be needed. have left the Department. 12 of these were formerly from the Government offices for the regions; transferring Non-domestic Rates: Appeals across to the Department when they closed but subsequently leaving. Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for The rate of turnover of permanent senior civil servants Communities and Local Government (1) pursuant to in this period has been calculated at 45%. The high rate the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of turnover is due to the Department’s restructuring of State of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column process which completed in October 2011. That 20WH, on business rates, what additional resource will restructuring was undertaken in an open, fair and prompt be allocated to clearing the backlog of business rates way, starting at the highest levels of senior management. appeals in the Valuation Office Agency (VOA); and if Based on current budgets, the DCLG Group is making he will undertake a formal review into the systems and a 44% real terms saving against its running costs over procedures inside the VOA to ensure that such this spending review period by 2014-15. This equates to backlogs are reduced with immediate effect and savings of over £570 million by 2014-15. This includes thereafter maintained; [132064] savings of around £420 million from the closure of the (2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the Government offices for the regions. current procedures for non-domestic rates appeals in the Valuation Office Agency on the length of time Surveys taken for appeals being heard in the Valuation Tribunal. [132065] Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in Brandon Lewis: The Valuation Office Agency expects the Library a copy of the results of his Department’s to have cleared over 400,000 appeals in the two years up most recent staff survey; which organisation carried to next April and will continue to prioritise this area of out the survey; and what the cost of the survey was. work. HM Revenue and Customs regularly undertake a [132105] 185W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 186W

Brandon Lewis: From 2009 the Department has been The survey was delivered for the Scotland Office by part of the Civil Service Annual People Survey which the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice provide takes place each autumn. Our 2012 People Survey closed a generic version of the survey for each of the Scotland, in October and we are still receiving our survey results. Wales and Northern Ireland Offices to reduce the cost As yet we have not had the final confirmation of costs of the survey. The cost of the 2012 survey is not yet but have budgeted for £25,500 which includes the costs available. The total cost of the survey for the Scotland, for our executive agencies taking part. We will publish Wales and Northern Ireland Offices in 2011 was £4,073 our survey results by 31 January 2013 on: (excluding VAT). www.direct.gov.uk Winter Fuel Payments: Scotland Valuation Office Agency Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people received winter fuel Communities and Local Government how many times payments in Scotland in each of the last five years; and officials from his Department have met the Valuation what the total value of such payments was. [132235] Office Agency in the last six months; who attended those meetings; and if he will publish the agenda, Michael Moore: The following table shows the number minutes and outcomes of those meetings. [132066] of people who received winter fuel payments in each of the last five years in Scotland, and the total expenditure Brandon Lewis: The Valuation Office Agency is one in these years: of this Department’s key business partners and as such meets with the Department on a frequent basis. These Number of recipients1 Expenditure (£ million) meetings cover a range of topics including non domestic rates and council tax issues, the localisation of support 2007-08 1,058,550 182 for council tax and the Business Rates Retention scheme. 2008-09 1,083,690 236 The Valuation Office Agency is also represented on the 2009-10 1,105,760 240 Local Government Finance working group and agendas 2010-11 1,113,920 240 and meeting notes are available at: 2011-12 1,103,130 188 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/lgrr/lgfwg.htm Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Governance and Security. The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible SCOTLAND for the administration of winter fuel payments. Information on expenditure on winter fuel payments for Scotland Internet and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) can be found in the ‘Expenditure by Local Authority’ tables Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for published at: Scotland how much has been spent on (a) strategy and http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/la_expenditure.xls planning, (b) design and build, (c) hosting and infrastructure, (d) content provision and (e) testing and evaluation for his Department’s websites in each of the last two years; and how much has been allocated ATTORNEY-GENERAL for each such category of expenditure in 2012-13. Fraud: Fines [132135]

David Mundell: The total amount of expenditure on Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General the Scotland Office website for the past two years is what the five largest fines for fraud resulting from provided in the following table: Serious Fraud Office corporate prosecutions have been since 1988; and in each such case (a) which company £ was fined and (b) in which year the fine was levied. [133112] 2010-11 4,923.25 2011-12 4,404 The Solicitor-General: Corporate fines are not the only successful outcome for Serious Fraud Office (SFO) The amounts noted include an annual hosting and cases in relation to companies. Up until 2008, all successful licence fee of £4,200. This fee has been paid to cover the SFO prosecutions were of individuals. The following period from February 2012 to March 2013. table shows the fines and civil recovery orders (CROs) in SFO cases involving corporates since then. Surveys Case Penalty1 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the 2009 AMEC plc £4.94 million CRO results of his Department’s most recent staff survey; 2010 BAE Systems plc £500,000 fine which organisation carried out the survey; and what 2008 Balfour Beatty plc £2.25 million CRO the cost of the survey was. [132102] 2011 De Puy International £4.8 million CRO Ltd David Mundell: The Civil Service People Survey 2010 Innospec Ltd $12.7 million fine 2009 Mabey and Johnson £3.5 million fine co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office took place in October. Ltd Departments are due to publish their results by 31 January 2012 Mabey Engineering £131,000 CRO 2013. A copy will be placed in the Library at that time. (Holdings) Ltd 187W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 188W

the rate of turnover of senior civil servants has been in Case Penalty1 the Law Officers’ Departments since May 2010; and if 2011 MacMillan Publishers £11.3 million CRO he will make a statement. [132180] Ltd 2011 M W Kellogg Ltd £7 million CRO The Solicitor-General: The information requested is 2012 Oxford Publishing Ltd £1.9 million CRO contained in the following table: 2008 Severn Trent Water Ltd £2 million fine 1 Figures are rounded SCS who left the Overall rate of Department since May turnover3 If a company is to be prosecuted, it is usually necessary Department 20102 (percentage) in SFO cases to demonstrate that the controlling minds of a company were knowing participants in the criminality Treasury Solicitor’s 11 39 Department1 being alleged. It is therefore far more common to prosecute SFO 9 83.48 individuals rather than corporates. CPS 20 115.8 Other outcomes are also possible. In 2010, BAE 1 Includes AGO and HMCPSI data as TSol fulfil the personnel functions for Systems plc agreed to make a £29.5 million payment for both organisations. 2 Includes those transferring to other Government Departments, or other the benefit of the people of Tanzania, following a public bodies or those regarding. settlement with the SFO and the US Department of 3 Turnover defined as the number of SCS leavers (headcount) in the period Justice. This year, Oxford University Press (owners of expressed as a percentage of the average headcount of SCS staff during the Oxford Publishing Ltd) unilaterally offered to contribute period. £2,000,000 to not-for-profit organisations for teacher Sick Leave training and other educational purposes in sub-Saharan Africa. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Attorney-General what the average number of working days lost per person ICT through ill health was in the Law Officers’ Departments in each of the last five years. [132531] Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many The Solicitor-General: For the last three years I refer (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by the and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were lost or former Solicitor-General, my hon. and learned Friend stolen from the Law Officers’ Departments in (i) the Member for Harborough (Sir Edward Garnier), on 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a 9 July 2012, Official Report, column 12W. statement. [132199] The figures for the preceding two years are contained in the following table. The Solicitor-General: The information requested is contained in the following tables. Average working days lost Department April 2007-March2008 April 2008-March 2009 Mobile Other IT 2010-11 Computers telephones BlackBerrys equipment CPS 9.4 8.5 TSol1 6.7 7.2 Crown 5128 0SFO 8.1 11.2 Prosecution 1 Figures for the Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution service Service Inspectorate arc incorporated in the TSol data as such information was not Serious Fraud 133 5recorded separately for this period. Office Data is on the average number of working days Attorney- 001 0 General’s Office lost due to ill health is routinely published in Treasury 100 2respective departmental resource accounts which are Solicitor’s laid annually in the House of Commons. Copies of Department resource accounts relating to the Law Officers’ Departments over the past five years can be found in the Library of Mobile Other IT the House. 2011-12 Computers telephones BlackBerrys equipment

Crown 034 0 Prosecution TRANSPORT Service Serious Fraud 01311 Cleaning Services Office Attorney- 000 0John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for General’s Office Transport what discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Treasury 200 6Department and (c) his officials have held with (i) ISS, Solicitor’s Department (ii) Carlisle Cleaning, (iii) Churchill Cleaning and (iv) Initial; and what the subject has been of those The HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has discussions in each of the last 12 months. [133132] not recorded any thefts or losses of IT or communications technology during the past two years. Norman Baker: Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations are published quarterly and can Senior Civil Servants be found at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/ministerial-transparency/ Mr Thomas: To ask the Attorney-General how many #meetings and what proportion of senior civil servants have left The discussions held by officials with the above the Law Officers’ Departments since May 2010; what organisations is set out below: 189W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 190W

(i) ISS (ii) Carlisle Cleaning (iii) Churchill Cleaning (iv) Initial

DfT Central - - - See note 1 DSA - - - Various discussions relating to the removal of Initial’s equipment from Agency premises following the conclusion of a number of contracts. DVLA - - - - HA - - - - MCA See note 2 - See note 2 See note 2 VCA - - - See note 3 VOSA See note 3 - - - Notes: 1) The Government Car Service has held various operational discussions during the year with Lancaster Cleaning, who are owned by Initial-Rentokil. 2) Maritime and Coastguard Agency officials have had discussions with (i) ISS, (iii) Churchill Cleaning and (iv) Initial regarding current, and potential future, cleaning service provision to the Agency. 3) Various discussions relating to operational matters.

Driving Under Influence IT equipment were lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for statement. [132185] Transport what estimate his Department has made of the likely increase of incidences of drink driving over Norman Baker: The numbers of (a) computers, (b) the Christmas period. [132001] mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment that were reported as lost or stolen for Stephen Hammond: Campaigns like the Department the years in question is shown below. The figures relate for Transports THINK! drink drive TV campaign and to the entire department, including its agencies and the tough enforcement over past Christmas periods have shared service centre. (Other IT equipment has been for pushed down Christmas drink drive levels. While we example USB sticks, encryption tokens, and hardware not anticipate there being any significant increases in such as monitors and keyboards). drink driving over this Christmas period we will be making every effort to ensure this is a reality. 2010-11 Item Lost Stolen

Driving: Insurance Computers 4 16 Mobiles 14 3 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Blackberrys 16 8 Transport what steps he is taking to assist young Other IT Equipment 44 8 drivers to find insurance. [132267] Total 78 35

Stephen Hammond: While it is up to young people to 2011-12 arrange their own insurance, in February the Prime Item Lost Stolen Minister hosted a summit to explore what action might be undertaken to lower costs. The Department is committed Computers 2 7 to working with the insurance industry, young people, Mobiles 9 1 and other key partners to reduce the level of risk to Blackberrys 18 2 young drivers and, in turn, their insurance premiums. Other IT Equipment 51 12 Total 80 22 East Coast Railway Line By way of comparison, the figures for 2009-10 are as follows: Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had with Item Lost Stolen (a) East Coast Trains and (b) Network Rail on improving public performance measures on the East Computers 1 22 Coast Mainline route; and if he will make a statement. Mobiles 34 12 [132403] Blackberrys 21 7 Other IT Equipment 30 6 Norman Baker: Ministers and officials regularly meet Total 86 47 with Network Rail and Train Operators to discuss rail performance issues. East Coast and Network Rail have Motor Vehicles: Testing worked hard to improve performance, and as a result East Coast performance has significantly improved this year. In the most recent four-week period for which Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for figures are available (14 October - 10 November 2012), Transport how many vehicles fail their MOT and are East Coast PPM MAA stands at 87.7%, up from 83.3% subsequently scrapped annually. [132344] a year ago. Stephen Hammond: The total number of annual MOT ICT vehicle failures is shown in the following table from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency’s Effectiveness Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Report. However, the Department for Transport do not Transport how many (a) computers, (b) mobile hold estimates of the number of these vehicles which telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of are subsequently scrapped. 191W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 192W

(a) East Coast Trains and (b) Network Rail on Tests Fails preparations for inclement winter weather; and if he 2010-11 28,278,321 8,460,362 will make a statement. [132402] 2009-10 27,609,056 8,444,117 2008-09 27,070,607 8,038,100 Norman Baker: Ministers and officials regularly meet with Network Rail and Train Operators to discuss rail Procurement performance issues, including managing the effects of severe weather. The industry has well-established plans Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for for dealing with winter weather, and these are currently Transport whether performance of a company in being implemented around the network as conditions delivering a previous contract with his Department for require. rolling stock is taken into account when future Last week I spoke to senior management at Network contracts are awarded by his Department. [132353] Rail to reiterate the need to take precautionary actions to minimise disruption to services by winter conditions. Mr Simon Burns: Past performance of bidders was taken into account in relation to the Thameslink rolling Roads: Accidents stock contract, and it is likely that it will be taken into account in any future rolling stock contracts that the Department may procure, particularly given the provision Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for in the draft Procurement Directives which expressly Transport how many accidents occurred involving facilitate this. drivers from the EU who did not have the correct insurance in the last five years. [132093] Railways: Freight Stephen Hammond: The information requested is not Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for held by the Department. This is because the Department Transport what level of investment (a) Network Rail does not collect information on whether drivers were and (b) freight operating companies have made in the insured or not as part of the accident data set. Strategic Freight (Rail) Network in each year since 2007. [133068] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the number Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not hold the of motor accidents involving young people. [132227] figures in the format requested. The 2007 statement of funds available for control Stephen Hammond: There is ongoing work to reduce period 4 made provision for £200 million of Network the risks of accidents involving young drivers. The Rail investment in the Strategic Freight Network (SFN) Department is considering several options to ensure up to 2014, in addition to any Transport Innovation that newly qualified drivers are properly prepared and Fund (TIF) funding that might be agreed. An additional drive safely. £55 million for the SFN was made available in the 2011 We will continue to work with young people, the autumn statement. In addition, the SFN has been allocated insurance industry and other key partners on the £205 million from Productivity TIF since 2007. Network development of any policy interventions we may take Rail is on course to have put all this investment in place toward in the future. by the close of control period 4 in 2014. The freight operating companies do not invest in the Senior Civil Servants SFN; their investment decisions are made on a commercial basis and relate to rolling stock and terminals. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of senior Transport how much funding has been allocated from civil servants have left (a) his Department and (b) the Transportation Innovation Fund to the Strategic each of the public bodies for which he is responsible Freight (Rail) Network since 2007. [133069] since May 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants has been in (i) his Department and (ii) Mr Simon Burns: The Strategic Freight Network has each such body since May 2010; and if he will make a been allocated £205 million from Productivity Transport statement. [132165] Innovation Fund since 2007. Norman Baker: The number of senior civil servants Railways: Snow and Ice who have left the Department for Transport and each of the public bodies as well as the rate of turnover of the Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State senior civil servants since April 2008 is shown in the for Transport what recent discussions he has had with table below.

Department for Transport Public Bodies

Period No of Leavers Staff Turnover No of Leavers Staff Turnover

01/04/08-31/03/09 30 15.46% 2 12.74% 01/04/09-31/03/10 12 5.97% 0 0% 01/04/10-31/03/11 42 24.00% 2 12.27% 01/04/11-31/03/12 26 16.25% 3 17.34% 193W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 194W

Department for Transport Public Bodies Period No of Leavers Staff Turnover No of Leavers Staff Turnover

01/04/12-30/11/12 6 3.66% 2.6 12.75%

Severn River Crossing Transport

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions (a) he and (b) officials in Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for his Department have had with Ministerial colleagues Transport what expenditure (a) his Department and on management of the Severn river crossings once they (b) its public bodies have made on (i) light rail, (ii) pass into Government ownership. [132400] heavy rail, (iii) bus and (iv) roads in (A) Yorkshire and Humber and (B) London in each year since 2007; and Stephen Hammond: Ministers and officials have had if he will estimate the likely level of expenditure for some internal discussions on the Severn Crossings, including each year to 2015. [133125] the need to recover costs incurred by UK taxpayers in relation to the Crossings after the current concession agreement ends. Norman Baker: The Treasury publishes Public After the end of the current concession there will Expenditure Statistical Analyses, showing departmental remain an amount of Government debt outstanding spending. This can be found at the following link: relating to the Crossings. The exact amount is still being http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/9802.htm worked through, but could be over £100 million. The Government has been clear that it will need to continue The following table shows expenditure by the Department to toll after the current concession ends in order to for Transport and its public bodies on railways, bus recover costs incurred by UK taxpayers in relation to services and national roads in Yorkshire and the Humber the crossings. and London in each year since 2007/08.

Expenditure by the Department for Transport and its public bodies (£ million) 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12

Yorkshire and the Humber Railways1 Department for Transport 348.0 321.5 421.9 374.4 413.5

Bus Services Department for Transport 47.8 48.1 50.0 40.7 43.6

National roads Department for Transport -2.7 5.1 5.9 2.1 1.2 Cycling England 0.0 0.0 3.5 1.0 0.2 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 20.9 21.9 16.5 12.0 11.4 Driving Standards Agency 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 Highways Agency 136.4 239.4 352.9 324.0 296.5 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 2.1 1.2 2.2 0.3 1.0 Vehicle Certification Agency 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

London Railways1 Department for Transport 878.6 596.3 1,052.4 1,047.6 1,125.9

Bus Services Department for Transport 88.7 90.1 93.7 108.5 112.5

National roads Department for Transport -4.7 9.7 8.3 3.2 1.5 Cycling England 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 16.5 17.5 15.4 11.7 10.4 Driving Standards Agency 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 Highways Agency 24.9 20.5 25.6 20.0 20.5 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 3.0 1.6 2.8 0.4 1.3 Vehicle Certification Agency 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 1 Includes expenditure on all types of railway 195W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 196W

The Department has not made any estimate of the Asylum: Housing likely level of expenditure in these regions for future years. While the Department’s estimated expenditure David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for in each year up to 2014/15 is set out in the spending the Home Department what the total amount paid out review 2010, it is not allocated on a regional basis at this in utility bills was for asylum seekers in National stage. Asylum Support Service accommodation in the most The Department’s estimated spending in each year recent year for which figures are available. [132651] up to 2014/15 set out in the spending review 2010 can be found at the following link: Mr Harper: Accommodation for asylum seekers is http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_chapter2.pdf provided on behalf of the UK Border Agency by G4S, SERCO and Clearel. Payment is made to the suppliers Transport for London by way of a daily unit rate which includes provision of utility services. The total amount paid by each supplier Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for is not made available to the UK Border Agency. Transport how much funding his Department expects to allocate to Transport for London (a) in total and Asylum: Yorkshire and the Humber (b) for capital investment in each year between 2010 and 2015; and if he will make a statement. [133181] Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Stephen Hammond: Following the Prime Minister’s Home Department whether the private sector announcement on 7 October 2012 in relation to rail accommodation to be delivered by G4S to re-house fares, the Department has increased the amount of asylum seekers in Yorkshire as part of G4S’s contract GLA Transport Grant for the remainder of the current with her Department has opened. [132236] spending review period, as follows: Mr Harper: G4S were awarded the contract for the £ million (cash) provision of accommodation and transport services for 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 asylum applicants on 9 March 2012. Since this time, there has been a period of transition during which General 1,943 1,954 1,873 1,639 asylum applicants have been moved from the Investment 861 881 904 928 previous housing providers to G4S accommodation. Grant This transition period is now complete and all asylum GLA 2,804 2,835 2,777 2,526 Transport applicants in the Yorkshire area are accommodated Grant by G4S. These figures do not include funding for Crossrail, payments made under the Bus Service Operator’s Grant, Borders: Personal Records or funding for the East London Line extension to Clapham Junction. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the The Department for Transport (DFT) grant is split Home Department when the UK Border Agency’s nominally into a general and an investment grant, e-borders system will be operational. [132278] reflecting the importance the Government places on major projects such as the Tube upgrade. However, Mr Harper: The e-Borders programme is a fully following devolution agreement in July 2003, it is operational system and each day helps to protect the for the Mayor of London to decide transport UK against terrorist attack, serious crime and abuses of priorities in London and to allocate his budget (including the immigration system. the grant funding received from the Department) The programme is currently tracking around 55% of accordingly. inbound and 60% of outbound passenger and crew No decisions have yet been taken on how to implement movements; this equates to approximately 138 million the changes announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer passenger movements a year on over 4,253 routes. Border in the autumn statement. This will include any resulting Force met the public commitment of receiving data for changes from the introduction of the Business Rates 100% of aviation routes starting outside the EEA for Retention scheme. DFT ministers and officials will passengers and crew by April 2012. consult the Mayor and Transport for London before making a final determination. Dual Nationality

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for HOME DEPARTMENT the Home Department (1) how many UK citizens hold dual nationality with France; [131981] Arrests: Children (2) how many UK citizens hold dual nationality with the Republic of Ireland; [131982] Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the (3) how many UK citizens hold dual nationality with Home Department what the average cost is of arresting the US. [131983] a child in England and Wales. [132848] Mr Harper: No statistical information is available Damian Green: This information is not collected centrally. showing whether UK nationals hold another nationality. 197W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 198W

Dyfed Powys Police: Helicopters Entry Clearances

Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times the Dyfed Home Department how many applications for a Tier 2 Powys police helicopter has been deployed in the Dyfed General visa were (a) granted and (b) refused by the Powys area in each year since 2007; [132454] UK Border Agency in each of the last 10 years. (2) how many of the occasions in which the Dyfed [132345] Powys police helicopter has been deployed in the Dyfed Powys area have involved (a) the transport of dogs, (b) assistance to someone in need of medical treatment Mr Harper: Tier 2 of the Points Based System was and (c) flying over hilly terrain or sea cliffs in each year introduced in November 2008. since 2007. [132455] Figures for the number of Tier 2 General entry clearance visas issued and refused from 2008 to 2011 Damian Green: This information is not held centrally. appear in the following table.

PBS Tier 2 General1 entry clearance visas issued and refused (main applicants), 2008 to 2011 Issued Refused

2008 17 23 2009 8,556 1,648 2010 9,914 1,613 2011 7,762 567 1 PBS Tier 2 was introduced in November 2008. Corresponding dependants cannot be separately identified. Source: Table be.01, Immigration Statistics July-September 2012

The latest Home Office immigration statistics on Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the entry clearance visas including the Points Based System, Home Department how many visa applications were are published in the release Immigration Statistics release, (a) granted and (b) rejected for each type of visa in which is available at: each of the last 10 years. [132352] http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ immigration-q3-2012 Mr Harper: Figures for the number of entry clearance A copy of the latest release, ’Immigration Statistics visas issued and refused by types of visa from 2005 to July-September 2012’ has been placed in the House 2011 appear in the following tables. Library.

Entry clearance visas issued and refused, by type of visa (including dependants), 2005 to 2011 Entry clearance visa issued 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Work 243,466 249,634 205,826 184,712 155,691 160,739 149,221 Study1 191,584 211,114 213,052 231,975 303,363 285,544 261,405 Student visitors2 15,834 23,215 33,144 42,238 37,703 49,191 61,381 Family 66,324 70,119 64,389 53,544 49,473 53,716 45,677 Dependants joining/ 28,421 27,559 42,088 41,460 17,480 15,357 14,148 accompanying Other3 1,519,795 1,646,623 1,504,137 1,400,681 1,431,664 1,580,095 1,741,059 Total 2,065,424 2,228,264 2,062,636 1,954,610 1,995,374 2,144,642 2,272,891

Entry clearance refused 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Work 36,205 35,575 31,693 40,728 25,445 19,875 12,506 Study1 86,536 91,458 93,807 98,653 103,268 90,458 50,939 Student visitors2 986 1,626 4,458 7,730 7,466 8,195 12,399 Family 13,941 14,294 15,801 15,113 13,452 14,848 11,430 Dependants joining/accompanying 4,484 4,980 6,995 6,309 2,879 3,337 2,957 Other3 316,899 330,852 316,729 260,086 275,815 242,871 232,773 Total 459,051 478,785 469,483 428,619 428,325 379,584 323,004 1 The student visitor category was introduced in 2007 and may include individuals previously recorded as visitors, so for consistency and comparability over time they have been excluded from study-related totals. 2 Student visitors are allowed to come to the UK for six months (or 11 months if they will be studying an English Language course) and cannot extend their stay. 3 Mainly visitors. Source: Table be.01, ‘Immigration Statistics July-September 2012’

Comparable data are not available for earlier years. 199W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 200W

The latest Home Office immigration statistics on sharing best practice. The Government supports the entry clearance visas, are published in the release European Asylum Support Office (EASO) which leads Immigration Statistics release, which is available at: this work, focusing in particular on assistance to Greece http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- and the development of an ‘early warning’ system to statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ prevent future migration crises. immigration-q3-2012/ A copy of the latest release, ’Immigration Statistics Illegal Immigrants: Deportation July-September 2012’ has been placed in the House Library. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is Entry Clearances: South Sudan taking to actively remove illegal immigrants from the UK. [132016] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for visas Mr Harper: The UK Border Agency takes swift action the UK Border Agency has received from residents of to enforce the removal of persons who do not have any South Sudan in the latest period for which figures are legal right to stay in the United Kingdom and who have available. [131986] failed to leave voluntarily. The UK Border Agency works to remove all identified illegal migrants from the Mr Harper: The UK Border agency has not received UK and encourages illegal immigrants to return to any applications from South Sudan nationals. This is their country of origin voluntarily. Action will be taken because the nationality recorded on the computer system against those who have no lawful permission to remain is taken from that printed on their passports and it in the UK and illegal immigrants who fail to depart will might be that most nationals still have Sudanese passports. be arrested, detained and have their removal enforced. The Agency works in partnership with other law Entry Clearances: Syria enforcement bodies to identify and remove illegal migrants, such as the ongoing work with the Metropolitan police Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the delivered through Operation Nexus. Home Department whether visa concessions are being offered to Syrian nationals in the UK whose leave to Immigration remain is due to expire; and whether such concessions are consistent with the treatment offered to Libyan Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for the nationals. [133201] Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of (a) immigrants to the UK and (b) foreign Mr Harper: On 15 October 2012 limited visa concessions nationals awarded British citizenship in each of the last were introduced for Syrian nationals who are currently five years; what the country of origin was of the 10 in the UK and have valid leave. The concessions are countries with the largest number of people in each intended to allow greater flexibility for this group when such category; and if she will make a statement. either extending their visas or switching into a different [132599] immigration category but do not significantly change the underlying requirements of any visa category. They Mr Harper: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will be in place until March 2013 but may be extended produces estimates of long-term international migration further, subject to review. These concessions are consistent (LTIM). ONS uses the UN definition of a long-term with those previously offered to Libyan nationals but migrant which is a person who changes their country of reflect the learning from the operation of that concession usual residence for a period of 12 months or more. and the differences in country situation. LTIM data is primarily based on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). EU Immigration Long-term international migration (LTIM) estimates are available on the ONS website: Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for the http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference- Home Department what her policy is on future UK tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-280889 participation in the Common European Asylum Table 2.01a ″LTIM Citizenship 1991-2011″, provides estimates [132650] System; and if she will make a statement. of immigration to the UK in each of the last five years. Table 3.20abc ″IPS Top Countries of Last or Next Residence Mr Harper: The Government do not support the by Citizenship, 1975-2011″, provides estimates of the top 10 creation of a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) countries of last residence in each of the last five years. as a whole. We believe that this focuses member states The Home Office published statistics of persons granted on “paper based” legislative solutions for problems British citizenship by previous nationality are given in which really need to be addressed through practical the tables. co-operation. Nonetheless we support two elements of CEAS: the Dublin and EURODAC Regulations and Grants of British citizenship—top 10 countries of previous nationality have opted in to both. These reduce abuse of the asylum 2007 system by tackling “asylum shopping”. Number It is firmly in the UK’s interests that other EU India 14,507 member states have well functioning border and asylum Philippines 10,844 systems. We believe that this is best achieved through Afghanistan 10,554 practical assistance to help member states build capacity, South Africa 8,149 improve the quality of their asylum systems and by 201W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 202W

Grants of British citizenship—top 10 countries of previous nationality 2011 2007 Number Number Sri Lanka 5,886 Pakistan 8,143 Iraq 5,742 Somalia 7,450 Iran 5,540 Sri Lanka 6,496 Bangladesh 5,149 Nigeria 6,031 Total grants 177,785 Zimbabwe 5,592 Source: Home Office Statistics, Migration Statistics. Iraq 5.479 Derived from table cz.06 of ’Immigration Statistics July-September Total grants 164,637 2012’. The latest Home Office immigration statistics on 2008 persons granted British citizenship, from which the Number citizenship data in this reply are derived, are given in table ’cz.06’ of the statistical release ’Immigration Statistics India 11,835 July-September 2012’. This publication is available from Pakistan 9,442 the Library of the House and from the Home Office Iraq 8,894 Science website at: Somalia 7,163 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- Zimbabwe 5,707 statistics/research-statistics/immigration-asylum-research/ Afghanistan 5,539 immigration-q3-2012/ Philippines 5,382 South Africa 5,266 Immigration: Africa Turkey 4,641 Nigeria 4,531 Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Total grants 129,377 Home Department if she will make it her policy that children educated in the UK having arrived from 2009 Africa and with no status or passport on reaching their Number majority should be able to apply for UK citizenship. [133153] India 26,541 Pakistan 20,945 Mr Harper: The Government will not introduce the Bangladesh 12,041 suggested policy. There are a number of routes in the Philippines 11,751 Immigration Rules which enable individuals to obtain South Africa 8,367 residency in the United Kingdom. Generally permanent Somalia 8,139 residents of the UK are eligible to apply to naturalise as Zimbabwe 7.703 British citizens after 12 months free of immigration Turkey 7,207 control. Nigeria 6,953 Whether any individual may remain in the UK is China 6.041 considered on a case by case basis in accordance with Total grants 203,789 the immigration rules. The fact that an individual was educated in the UK, in whole or in part, is not determinative 2010 of any application. Number

India 29,405 Members: Correspondence Pakistan 22,054 Philippines 9,429 Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Bangladesh 7,966 Home Department if she will arrange for the hon. Nigeria 7,873 Member for Walsall North to receive a reply from the China 7,581 Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency to her letter South Africa 7,446 of 29 October 2012 about a constituent, ref B28233/12. Zimbabwe 6,301 [132145] Somalia 5,817 Mr Harper [holding answer 10 December 2012]: The Afghanistan 5,281 UK Border Agency replied to the hon. Member on Total grants 195,046 3 December 2012.

2011 Metropolitan Police Number India 26,290 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Pakistan 17,641 Home Department how much funding her Department Nigeria 7,932 has allocated to the Metropolitan police (a) in total Philippines 7,133 and (b) for capital investment in each year between China 6,966 2010 and 2015; and if she will make a statement. South Africa 6,351 [133180] 203W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 204W

Damian Green: The information requested is as follows: Information that the public needed about PCC candidates (a) The Home Office has allocated the following was available to everyone either via: total resource payments to the Metropolitan police: www.choosemypcc.org.uk or a free phone number (0800 1 070708) which the £ public could ring to order a free printed copy of the 2010-11 1,259,313,871 candidate information. 2011-12 1,375,321,319 By the end of the election day, on 15 November, 2012-13 1,369,047,898 thereusb had been more than 1.8 million visits to Notes: www.choosemypcc.org.uk. In addition 120,361 candidate 1. Figures are only available on a financial year basis and do not information leaflets were dispatched. include police funding provided by the Department for Communities and Local Government. An evaluation of the awareness raising campaign is 2. Allocations for 2013-14 and 2014-15 have not been made. currently being conducted. 3. The above figures do not include counter-terrorism funding. The Home Department does not break down the counter-terrorism budget beyond what is already published for reasons of national security. It Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the has been the policy of successive Governments not to reveal these Home Department pursuant to her answer of details. 25 October 2012, Official Report, column 1011W, what (b) The Home Office has allocated the following the cost of the advertising campaign for police and separate capital payments to the Metropolitan police: crime commissioner elections was for (a) television, (b) radio, (c) print, (d) online and (e) other media. £ [130108]

2010-11 55,641,159 2011-12 33,695,787 Damian Green: Costs for the police and crime 2012-13 34,118,023 commissioner advertising campaign are shown in the Note: table: Capital allocations for 2013-14 and 2014-15 have not been made. £ Overseas Students: Syria Television (including costs of online 1,141,270 on-demand TV as well as standard TV Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the media) Home Department if she will permit students from Radio 167,501 Syria to work during their time in the UK; and if she Print media (including costs of press and 604,517 will make a statement. [131930] outdoor media) Online media 267,017 Mr Harper: As a result of the exceptional situation in Other media 1— Syria we have allowed Syrian students in the UK to 1 No further media costs have been incurred extend the period of their visas. The immigration rules allow a student studying at Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the degree level or higher at a Higher Educational Institution Home Department (1) what estimate she has made of (HEI) to work for 20 hours per week during term time the returning officer costs for the election of 14 and without limit during vacations. Where the student November 2012 for police and crime commissioners is studying below degree level at a HEI or is studying at (PCCs) by PCC area; [130864] a publically funded Further Education institution they are able to work for 10 hours per week during term time (2) if she will publish the amount to be reimbursed to and without limit during vacations. There are no plans returning officers by her Department following the to alter the current provisions for Syrian students in election held for police and crime commissioners in the UK. November 2012, by police area. [131241]

Police and Crime Commissioners Damian Green: The cost estimates, including the maximum amounts claimable, are set out in full in the Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections (Local Returning Home Department what assessment she has made of Officers’ and Police Area Returning Officers’ charges) the availability to the public of information provided Order, 12 September 2012, which is available on the by her Department for the elections of police and crime legislation.gov.uk website. commissioners. [129456] The following link to the Order is provided for ease of reference: Damian Green: The Home Office ran a police and http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/2378/contents/made crime commissioner (PCC) advertising campaign from 6 to 24 October. The purpose of the campaign was to increase people’s awareness and understanding of the Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the PCC role as well as direct the public to further information Home Department pursuant to the answer of about candidates standing in their area. The campaign 26 November 2012, Official Report, columns 36-7W, on reached 84% of the adult population in England and police and crime commissioners, what the cost to the Wales (excluding London) through television advertising public purse was of the (a) telephone helpline, (b) alone. website, (c) postage and (d) other costs. [130939] 205W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 206W

Damian Green: The costs to the public purse (excluding Force Candidates Salary (£) VAT) for making police and crime commissioner candidate information available to the public were as follows: Dyfed-Powys Christopher Salmon 65,000 (a) Telephone order line Essex Nick Alston 85,000 Gloucestershire Martin John Surl 65,000 The final cost of the 0800 1070708 telephone number Greater Manchester Tony Lloyd 100,000 was £73,384.05 which covers the period 5 October up Gwent Ian Johnston 70,000 until 4 pm on 14 November. This figure includes initial Hampshire Simon Hayes 85,000 set up and development of the service, call charges, Hertfordshire David Lloyd 75,000 costs for call handling and transcription of messages Humberside Matthew Grove 75,000 left via the automated order line. Kent Ann Barnes 85,000 (b) Website Lancashire Clive Grunshaw 85,000 The cost of the website was £91,729.35. This figure Leicestershire Clive Loader 75,000 includes all website development, design and build, Lincolnshire Alan Hardwick 65,000 testing and hosting costs for the website up until Merseyside Jane Kennedy 85,000 24 November. Norfolk Stephen Bett 70,000 (c) Postage North Wales Winston Roddick 70,000 North Yorkshire Julia Mulligan 70,000 The cost of posting the information booklets was Northamptonshire Adam Simmonds 70,000 £49,592.60. Northumbria Vera Baird 85,000 (d) Other costs Nottinghamshire Paddy Tipping 75,000 In order to make candidate information available to South Wales Alun Michael 85,000 the public, there were other costs incurred as follows: South Yorkshire Shaun Wright 85,000 Print: The cost for setting up the print system, printing and Staffordshire Matthew Ellis 75,000 enclosing the candidate information leaflets was £136,250.36. Suffolk Tim Passmore 70,000 This includes printing standard and large format booklets and Surrey Kevin Hurley 70,000 producing and printing alternative formats (Braille, audio). Sussex Katy Bourne 85,000 Data management: The cost for developing the data management Thames Valley Anthony Stansfield 85,000 system to process requests for leaflets received via the order line Warwickshire Ronald Ball 65,000 and website was £17,220. West Mercia Bill Longmore 75,000 Leaflet design costs: The cost for designing and artworking West Midlands Bob Jones 100,000 41 regional candidate information leaflets was £6,020. West Yorkshire Mark Burns-Williamson 100,000 Wiltshire Angus Macpherson 70,000 Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance she has issued to police and crime commissioners on the appointment of Police: Surveillance deputies. [131945]

Damian Green [holding answer 6 December 2012]: Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the The Government have not issued any guidance to police Home Department (1) pursuant to the answer of and crime commissioners on the appointment of deputies. 26 November 2012, Official Report, column 38W, on police: surveillance, whether it is Government policy Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the that it is not acceptable for undercover police to engage Home Department if she will publish for each police in sexual activity with members of the public and that authority area (a) the name and salary of the elected this is not authorised conduct; [131490] police and crime commissioner and (b) the names, (2) with reference to the contribution by the then salaries and titles of any deputies or assistants such Minister of State at the Home Department on 13 June commissioners have appointed. [131946] 2012, Official Report, column 104WH, what the reasons are for any change in Government policy on Damian Green [holding answer 6 December 2012]: undercover policing since June 2012; and if she will The information requested in part (a) is provided in the make a statement. [131608] following ‘Salaries Analysis’ table. The information requested in part (b) needs to be Damian Green: There has been no change in the addressed to police and crime commissioners. Government’s policy on undercover policing. The then Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, my right Force Candidates Salary (£) hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert), made our position clear in the Westminster Avon and Somerset Sue Mountstevens 85,000 Hall Adjournment Debate on 13 June 2012, Official Bedfordshire Oily Martins 70,000 Report, column 104WH. Cambridgeshire Graham Bright 70,000 We are working with the police and others to implement Cheshire John Dwyer 75,000 the recommendations of the independent HM Inspectorate Cleveland Barry Coppinger 70,000 of Constabulary report earlier this year into the use of Cumbria Richard Rhodes 65,000 long term undercover officers. As for inappropriate Derbyshire Alan Charles 75,000 sexual conduct, when police officers conduct themselves Devon and Cornwall Tony Hogg 85,000 in ways that breach their own professional standards Dorset Martyn Underhill 70,000 then this is a matter for the police in accordance with Durham Ron Hogg 70,000 their professional standards. 207W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 208W

Smuggling: Tobacco Until those arrangements are in place, the current complaints handling system for claims management Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for companies will remain in operation and consumers can the Home Department how many boats were continue to lodge complaints with the Claims Management intercepted smuggling tobacco into the UK in the last Services Regulator. There is no delay nor is there any year for which figures are available. [132019] increased consumer detriment. Mr Harper: In the year up to the end of October 2012, Border Force Cutters seized tobacco and tobacco Courts: Interpreters products from 39 vessels of all types. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many spot checks have been performed CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT by his Department’s procurement specialists on Public Appointments Capita’s interpreter verification and vetting procedures; and what other steps he has put in place to Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, ensure that those procedures are (a) sufficiently Media and Sport when her Department last assessed rigorous and (b) applied consistently; [132484] (a) the utility and (b) the value of psychometric (2) how many Capita interpreters are currently testing in its recruitment and selection of candidates assessed on Tier (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3; and how many for public appointments on advisory boards. [132779] Tier 3 interpreters have been deployed in courtrooms Mr Vaizey: The Department has not carried out an or tribunals since January 2012; [132485] assessment of psychometric testing for ministerial public appointments. Courts: Interpreters (3) what changes he has made to his Department’s Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, services procurement process as a result of the findings Media and Sport what her Department’s policy is on of the National Audit Office’s report on the Ministry the payment of travel expenses to candidates in respect of Justice’s language services contract published in of their attendance at assessment centres and September 2012. [132644] interviews when pursuing applications for selection to a public appointment. [132780] Mrs Grant: The Department has undertaken three Mr Vaizey: The Department’s policy is to reimburse sample audits. On each occasion a random sample of reasonable costs, if claimed by candidates who have 30 interpreters has their qualifications and vetting attended an interview for a ministerial public appointment. documentation physically checked, in accordance with the tier to which the interpreter is currently assigned. This is in addition to the spot checking of management JUSTICE information. There will be a further sample audit in Abu Qatada December. The number of interpreters available in each tier is set Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice out as follows, as at 29 October 2012. This was confirmed how much his Department has spent on legal aid in by Capita during its evidence to the Public Accounts respect of Abu Qatada. [131875] Committee: Jeremy Wright: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is the body with operational responsibility for legal aid Tier Number of interpreters Number of languages covered in England and Wales. The LSC have not received final Tier l 677 1332 claims from Abu Qatada’s solicitors, but have confirmed Tier 2 303 640 that they had provided £515,778 in legal aid funding to Tier 3 132 281 Abu Qatada as of 5 December 2012. Claims Management Services Tier 3 interpreters constitute 11.7% of the total. It should also be noted that the final decision on the use of Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for a Tier 3 interpreter is for the judge hearing the particular Justice (1) whether his proposal to extend the case where it is being considered. Currently tier 3 interpreters jurisdiction of the Office for Legal Complaints to cover are used in approximately 2% of cases. complaints against claims management companies will The Ministry of Justice carries out due diligence on apply from April 2013; [133110] all commercial bodies with which it contracts. We have (2) what assessment he has made of the likelihood of noted the NAO’s comments and we will look to learn any consumer detriment of delaying the extension of from them in future exercises of this nature. the Office for Legal Complaints jurisdiction to cover complaints against claims management companies Courts: Middlesbrough beyond April 2013. [133055] Mrs Grant: The Government announced in August Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012 that the Legal Ombudsman will assume responsibility Justice (1) how many cases have been dealt with by East for claims management complaints handling in 2013. It Middlesbrough Community Justice Court in each year has been, and still is, our intention that these arrangements since its inception; [131839] will be in place by the end of 2013 when all the necessary (2) how many cases were heard by Teesside Youth operational, financial and regulatory arrangements are Court in (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, (d) 2011 and in place. (e) 2012 to date. [131885] 209W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 210W

Mrs Grant: The Ministry of Justice holds statistical Police and Crime Commissioners information in relation to the number of cases dealt with in magistrates courts at individual local justice Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for area level. Both East Middlesbrough Community Justice Justice how many staff of his Department were Court and Teesside YouthCourt operate within Teesside working on the analysis of powers, funding and Magistrates Court and their case data are therefore responsibilities for police and crime commissioners on captured as a part of Teesside Magistrates Court data. (a) 1 September 2012, (b) 1 October 2012 and (c) The following table presents figures for the number of 1 November 2012. [131505] criminal cases dealt with in Teesside Magistrates Court between 2009 and the second quarter of 2012, The data collection system for magistrates courts changed in Damian Green: On the dates specified the core Police 2008, so comparable data are only available from 2009 and Crime Commissioner (PCC) team consisted of onwards. seven members. This team also worked on other aspects such as parliamentary work, correspondence and ministerial Completed criminal proceeded in magistrates courts, England and support. A separate team leading on Police and Crime Wales, 2009-12 Panels and PCC partners (i.e. councils and Criminal Number of Justice Bodies) had five members on the dates specified. proceedings in Teesside Magistrates Total number of Court1 proceedings Reoffenders 2009 20,688 1,912,632 2010 18,582 1,797,359 Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2011 18,332 1,734,579 what assessment he has made of the effectiveness in 20122 9,348 837,932 reducing reoffending of anger management 1 Both East Middlesbrough Community Justice Court and Teesside programmes for offenders on supervision. [131807] Youth Court are located within Teesside Magistrates Court and there are no data available for each specific court. Jeremy Wright: The two main programmes that have 2 Provisional figures and subject to change. Figures are only available from January to June 2012. Full details for 2012 will be published in been provided to date to offenders on community sentences June 2013. are CALM and ART. Evaluations of both programmes Source: have been undertaken both by NOMS and by independent Completed Proceedings, HM Court and Tribunals Service Performance researchers, and have consistently found reductions in Database (OPT) reoffending. The impact is considerably greater for those Fraud: Shares offenders who complete the entire programme. Anger management is built into many other programmes for offenders and is also addressed where required within Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for structured supervision sessions. Justice what proportion of the money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has been recovered CALM—Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage following the discovery of (a) boiler room and (b) it—is delivered in both prison and the community. A recovery room scams since implementation of that Act. study of the equivalent Anger and Emotion Management [133097] Programme in Canada found that the three-year reoffending rate for programme participants was under 10% compared Mrs Grant: Both the HM Courts and Tribunals Service to a rate approaching 30% for the comparison group. and other Government databases hold information by Substantial reductions in both general and violent category, the most relevant of which does not allow the reoffending were observed, but only for higher-risk identification of offences at the level requested. offenders who completed the programme. Consistent with our knowledge that low-risk offenders do not benefit from intensive interventions, low-risk offenders Magistrates: Tees Valley did not reoffend less after completing the programme. At the three-year follow-up, there were clear differences Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for in both general and violent recidivism between treatment Justice how many magistrates who currently sit at completers, non-completers and the untreated comparison Teesside Magistrates’ Court are (a) male, (b) female, group. (c) black, Asian and minority ethnic, (d) disabled and ART—Aggression Replacement Training—is delivered (e) aged under 35 years old. [131886] in a number of probation trusts. An unpublished internal study in England and Wales in 2000 found a one-year Mrs Grant: There are 265 magistrates sitting at Teesside reconviction rate for ART completers of 20.4%, compared Magistrates Court. The following table shows the number to 34.5% for an untreated control group. An independent of those magistrates falling within each of the categories published study in 2008 carried out by the university of specified in the question: Leicester found that after a 10-month follow up period 39% of offenders who completed ART had reoffended, Number Percentage compared to 51% of untreated offenders. Male 132 49.8 A Home Office study in 2007, which combined CALM Female 133 50.2 and ART, found that attending an anger management BAME1 14 5.2 programme led to an overall reduction of almost nine Declared disability 12 4.5 percentage points from the predicted reoffending rate. Aged under 35 7 2.6 For those who completed the programme, the reduction 1 Black, Asian and minority ethnic was much greater—over 14 percentage points. 211W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 212W

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice well-matched short custodial group—an estimated (1) what the reoffending rate is for offenders sentenced 7.5 percentage points over the 12 month follow up to intensive alternatives to custody in the pilot areas in period. This difference was statistically significant at the the latest period for which figures are available; 10% level. This gives an indication that those on IAC [131810] orders (as with other community orders) had lower (2) what comparative assessment he has made of the reoffending rates than those receiving short-term custody. reoffending rate for intensive alternatives to custody This research is available on the MOJ website, located pilots and that for similar offenders who received on the following webpage: custodial sentences of less than 12 months in the latest http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/publications/research- period for which figures are available. [131811] and-analysis/moj-research/iac-impact-evaluation-research- summary.pdf Jeremy Wright: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) proven Sentencing reoffending data does not identify offenders subject to Intensive Alternatives to Custody (IAC). However, the Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for MOJ has published an initial analysis to compare Justice (1) how many (a) violent criminals and (b) sex reoffending rates for offenders receiving IAC with a offenders have received indeterminate sentences for well-matched control group of offenders who received public protection in each of the last 15 years; [132288] other court orders in 2009 and offenders from short custodial sentences who were discharged in 2009. (2) for what offences an indeterminate sentence for public protection has been given in each of the last six The one-year proven reoffending rate of a matched years. [132290] group of offenders was 54.8% for the IAC compared to 50.0% for court orders. There was no statistically significant Jeremy Wright: The sentence of imprisonment for difference between IAC and other court orders in terms public protection (IPP) was created by the Criminal of impact on reoffending. Justice Act 2003 and implemented for offences committed The one-year proven reoffending rate of a matched after 4 April 2005. Offenders given imprisonment for group of offenders was 56.1% for the IAC compared to public protection at all courts by offence group in 63.6% for short-term custody. This indicates a lower England and Wales, from 2005-11, can be viewed in the level of reoffending in the IAC group compared with a following table:

Offenders given imprisonment for public protection at all courts by offence group, England and Wales, 2005-111, 2 Offence group 20053 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Violence against the person 137 544 644 614 357 394 281 Sexual offences 48 328 400 375 298 328 300 Burglary 12313731253025 Robbery 164 355 406 320 213 162 133 Theft and handling of stolen goods 1 7 3 2 — 3 2 Fraud and forgery — — 1———— Criminal damage 32 86 86 78 54 44 48 Drug offences 2 — 3 3 — 1 — Other indictable offences 30 95 127 115 54 57 30 Indictable motoring offences — 1————— Total 426 1,447 1,707 1,538 1,001 1,019 819 ″-″ Nil 1 The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Imprisonment for public protection became available from April 2005. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Young Offender Institutions who have been subject to disciplinary procedures. However, it is not possible to extract detailed information Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for any disciplinary procedures resulting from complaints how many staff have been subject to disciplinary from young people detained in either young offender procedures following complaints by young people institutions or secure training centres. Nor is it possible detained in (a) young offender institutions and (b) to identify any disciplinary sanctions given to staff secure training centres in each of the last three years; of working in the young people’s estate in general. those, how many procedures have resulted in formal sanctions or disciplinary action being taken; and how WORK AND PENSIONS many actions related to issues arising from incidents of Copper restraint for each. [132939] Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Jeremy Wright: The National Offender Management and Pensions whether the Health and Safety Service holds high level information centrally on staff Executive’s recommendation on the use of copper for 213W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 214W the control and treatment of Legionella, as set out in Executive to submit an application for the UK to its Accepted Code of Practice L8, is still current. derogate from the ban on the supply of copper as a [133195] biocide under the EU Biocides Products Regulation to prevent the ban coming into effect on 1 February 2013. Mr Hoban: The Health and Safety Executive do not [133197] recommend any particular control methods for the treatment of legionella in water systems. Mr Hoban: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) The HSE Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 which is currently planning to apply to the European Commission is still current and valid provides guidance on a number for an essential use derogation to allow continued supply of treatment programmes to control legionella in water and use of copper-based water disinfection systems for systems, including advice on how to treat water in hot Legionella control. If granted, supply and use could and cold water systems, using ionisation methods (i.e. continue for an interim period while those supplying the electrolytic generation of copper and silver ions). such systems prepare their case to support their products The ACOP is clear that there are a number of legionella under the Biocides Directive (98/8/EC). management systems available and that the duty holder However the timing of securing any such derogation is responsible for selecting the system appropriate for is dependent on the European Commission’s processes. their given situation. HSE will thus, in parallel, work with suppliers and users The ACOP (L8) is currently being reviewed as part of to discuss whether, and what, contingency arrangements a wider review of HSEs ACOPs and the revised version may be required if a derogation is not in place by will need to reflect the impact of decisions made in 1 February 2013. Europe around the use of copper for the control of legionella in water systems. Incapacity Benefit

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will apply for a UK derogation, on Chris Skidmore: To ask the Secretary of State for the grounds of essential use, from the ban on the Work and Pensions for how many claimants of supply of copper as a biocide under the EU Biocides incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance the primary diagnosis included alcohol abuse, drug Products Regulation. [133196] abuse or obesity in each financial year between 1997-98 Mr Hoban: Yes, the Health and Safety Executive is and 2009-10; what the total cost of those benefits was currently planning to apply to the European Commission in each year; and how many people with such a on behalf of the UK for an essential use derogation to primary diagnosis had been claiming those benefits for allow continued supply and use of copper-based water five years or more. [130572] disinfection systems for Legionella control. If granted, supply and use could continue for an interim period Mr Hoban: The specific information requested is not while those supplying such systems prepare their case to readily available prior to 2001, and could be provided support their products under the Biocides Directive only at disproportionate cost. (98/8/EC). The following tables give the most readily available information from 2001 to 2010. Caseload at the end of Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work February of each year is given as representative of the and Pensions if he will direct the Health and Safety financial year:

Incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) caseload (in payment): Primary health condition by duration of current claim: February 2001 to February 2010

Primary health condition by duration of current claim—caseload in payment

Alcoholism Drug abuse Obesity

As at February Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and each year Total years over Total years over Total years over

2001 16,220 9,870 6,350 7,310 5,600 1,710 960 430 520

2002 17,000 9,850 7,150 8,490 6,420 2,070 980 410 570

2003 17,660 9,730 7,930 9,420 6,940 2,480 980 370 610

2004 18,570 10,080 8,490 9,850 7,030 2,820 990 370 620

2005 19,140 10,170 8,970 10,020 6,840 3,190 990 370 620

2006 19,450 9,990 9,460 10,100 6,420 3,680 990 370 620

2007 20,010 10,210 9,800 10,100 5,910 4,190 1,030 410 620

2008 20,470 10,490 9,990 10,350 5,780 4,570 1,060 410 650

2009 19,700 9,590 10,120 9,760 4,940 4,820 1,060 410 650

2010 17,330 7,140 10,190 8,620 3,580 5,040 950 300 650

Source: DWP accounting and statistical data. 215W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 216W

Incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) caseload (credits only cases): Primary health condition by duration of current claim: February 2001 to February 2010 Primary health condition by duration of current claim—caseload in payment Alcoholism Drug abuse Obesity As at February Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and each year Total years over Total years over Total years over

2001 21,830 15,540 6,290 27,710 23,250 4,450 670 440 220 2002 23,490 15,800 7,700 30,890 25,100 5,790 710 440 270 2003 25,200 15,830 9,370 33,810 26,410 7,400 740 410 330 2004 26,760 16,030 10,730 35,660 26,770 8,890 790 430 360 2005 28,330 16,480 11,840 37,640 27,260 10,380 830 430 400 2006 29,510 16,500 13,010 38,440 26,600 11,830 890 430 460 2007 30,970 17,100 13,870 39,330 26,150 13,180 930 460 470 2008 32,600 18,190 14,410 40,940 26,520 14,420 990 480 510 2009 31,550 16,700 14,850 37,130 21,680 15,440 1,040 500 540 2010 27,420 12,050 15,370 31,220 14,640 16,580 950 390 560 Source: DWP accounting and statistical data.

Incapacity benefit (IB)/severe disablement allowance (SDA) expenditure: Primary health condition by duration of current claim: February 2001 to February 2010 £ million Primary health condition by duration of current claim—annual expenditure Alcohol abuse Drug abuse Obesity As at February Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and Under 5 5 years and each year Total years over Total years over Total years over

2001 58 35 23 24 18 5 4 2 2 2002 62 35 27 27 20 7 4 2 2 2003 67 36 30 33 24 9 4 1 2 2004 69 36 33 37 26 10 4 1 3 2005 74 38 36 40 28 12 4 1 3 2006 78 39 39 42 28 14 4 1 3 2007 83 41 43 44 27 17 4 2 3 2008 87 42 45 45 26 20 5 2 3 2009 87 42 45 46 24 21 5 2 3 2010 83 39 45 43 21 22 4 2 3 Notes: 1. Expenditure is estimated using the relevant average weekly payment of incapacity benefit (IB) or severe disablement allowance (SDA). 2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £ million. 4. Credits only cases are those where the claimant is not entitled to receive any incapacity benefit (IB) but receives a credit towards their national insurance. 5. Primary health condition: Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. 6. To qualify for incapacity benefit (IB), claimants have to undertake an assessment of incapacity for work called a personal capability assessment. The medical condition recorded on the claim form does not itself confer entitlement to IB/SDA. 7. Medical condition is based on evidence provided at the start of the claim and may not represent a claimant’s most recent medical condition. Where someone has more than one diagnosis or disabling condition, only the predominant one is currently recorded. 8. Incapacity Benefit was replaced by employment support allowance (ESA) for new claims from October 2008. Source: DWP accounting and statistical data.

NORTHERN IRELAND (2) how many people who work in Northern Ireland Consultants live in the Republic of Ireland. [131989]

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: My Department does not keep these Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent staff statistics. My hon. Friend might wish to contact the were employed on consultancy contracts in her Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency to see Department on the latest date for which figures are if it holds the information he requires. available; how many such staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; and if she will make a ICT statement. [132213] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: My Department did not employ any Northern Ireland how many (a) computers, (b) staff on consultancy contracts on 30 November 2012, mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys and (d) other the latest date for which figures are available, and no pieces of IT equipment were lost or stolen from her such staff were employed on the same date in 2011. Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; and if she Employment will make a statement. [132187]

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mike Penning: No computers, mobile telephones, Northern Ireland (1) how many people who work in Blackberrys or other items of IT equipment were reported the Republic of Ireland live in Northern Ireland; lost or stolen from my Department during 2010-11 or [131988] 2011-12. 217W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 218W

Pay Mike Penning: Each occurrence of sick leave in my Department is managed on a case-by-case basis in line Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for with existing policies and procedures. No specific assessment Northern Ireland how much was paid in (a) year end has been made of the difference in the proportion of and (b) in-year bonuses to officials in her Department working days lost due to ill health between officers at in each of the last two years. [132857] AA grade and at SCS grade, or of the use of mindfulness- based therapies. Mike Penning: During the reporting year 2010-11, a Surveys total of £22,200 was paid to officials in my Department in respect of performance related pay at the end of the Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for reporting year; and £13,650 was paid during the course Northern Ireland if she will place in the Library a copy of the year under the Reward and Recognition scheme. of the results of her Department’s most recent staff The corresponding figures for the reporting year 2011-12, survey; which organisation carried out the survey; and were £15,100 and £11,775 respectively. what the cost of the survey was. [132101]

Senior Civil Servants Mike Penning: The Civil Service People Survey, coordinated by the Cabinet Office, took place in October Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012. Departments are due to publish their results by Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of 31 January 2013. A copy of the results for my Department senior civil servants have left (a) her Department and will be placed in the Library at that time. (b) each of the public bodies for which she is The survey was delivered for the three Territorial responsible since May 2010; what the rate of turnover Offices (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) by the of senior civil servants has been in (i) her Department Ministry of Justice who provided a generic version of and (ii) each such body since May 2010; and if she will the survey in order to keep costs to a minimum. While make a statement. [132167] the costs of the 2012 survey are not yet available, the total cost of the survey for the Scotland, Wales and Mike Penning: Since May 2010, 11 senior civil servants Northern Ireland Offices in 2011 was £4,073 (excluding left the Northern Ireland Office and its public bodies. VAT). Of these, four retired; two returned to their parent organisation as their period of secondment/loan to the NIO came to an end; two began secondment/loan with FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE other organisations; one left at the end of a fixed term contract and two transferred to the Northern Ireland African Union civil service. The monthly breakdown is as follows: May 2010: One retired; One went on loan to another Government Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Department; Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent June 2010: One left at the end of their fixed term contract; discussions he has had with the Chairman of the June 2011: One went on loan to another Government Department; African Union. [132007] September 2011: One left at the end of their secondment; Mark Simmonds: The Secretary of State for Foreign October 2011: One left at the end of their loan; and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the November 2011: One retired; Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), wrote to December 2011: One retired; congratulate Dr Zuma on her recent appointment to March 2012: One retired at end of loan period; the position of African Union (AU) Commission September 2012: Two, already on secondment, left the Department Chairperson. The Minister for Africa briefly met Dr Zuma when they opted to transfer to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. at the UN General Assembly in September before she In 2010, there were 13 senior civil servants in the took up her position and plans to attend the AU Summit NIO; the rate of turnover at that time would be calculated in January. In addition, UK officials have engaged with at 23%. In 2011, there were 11 senior civil servants in Dr Zuma on a number of occasions when she has met the NIO; the rate of turnover at that time would be AU Partners or UN Security Council members on key calculated at 45%. As of 30 November 2012, we have African issues. employed 13 senior civil servants in the NIO; the rate of turnover at that time would be calculated at 23%. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to address the African Union. [132226] Sick Leave Mark Simmonds: The Secretary of State for Foreign Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), wrote to 9 November 2012, Official Report, column 804W, on congratulate Dr Zuma on her recent appointment to sick leave, what assessment she has made of the the position of African Union (AU) Commission difference in the proportion of working days lost due to Chairperson. The Minister for Africa plans to attend ill health between officers at AA grade and at SCS the AU summit in January. In addition, UK officials grade; and what assessment she has made of the use of have engaged with Dr Zuma on a number of occasions mindfulness-based therapies in reducing the proportion when she has met AU Partners or UN Security Council of working days lost in her Department. [132705] members on key African issues. 219W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 220W

British Indian Ocean Territory introduce new resources whenever there is a business need to do so. be that in the form of permanent staff or Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for honorary consuls. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on the maintenance of UK assets on the British Mr Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Indian Ocean Territory in each of the last three Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many (a) financial years, by sector. [132011] A and (b) B grade staff of his Department he plans to employ in overseas UK Missions from 2013 onwards; Mark Simmonds: The British Indian Ocean Territory [131841] (BIOT) Administration spent £11,330.33 in financial (2) by what proportion he plans to reduce the year 2011-12, £8,137.04 in financial year 2010-11 and number of A and B grade staff of his Department £6,230.59 in financial year 2009-10 on the maintenance based overseas from 2012; [131842] of UK assets in BIOT. All costs relate to the maintenance (3) how many (a) A and (b) B grade staff of his of official vehicles in the territory. Department have been deployed overseas in UK Missions in each year since 2010. [131891] Counter-terrorism Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is changing the way we support the work of our Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for diplomats in our overseas missions. In the majority of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much places overseas, we will no longer require UK-based funding from his Department’s counter terrorism staff to perform administrative activity. As a result, programme has been spent in each country in the last some of these positions will be localised; some will be year. [131766] abolished because we will do things differently; and some of them will be reconfigured into other jobs. Alistair Burt: Our overseas counter terrorism (CT) priorities are driven by a comprehensive analysis across The FCO had the following number of A and B staff Government of the threat to the UK and our interests. serving overseas: We are rigorous in ensuring that our CT priorities and 565 on 31 March 2010 projects reflect current analysis of the threat. This means 509 on 31 March 2011 our spending, and our intensive diplomatic efforts, are 469 on 31 March 2012 concentrated in countries and regions such as Pakistan, 354 of these positions are in scope for the band A and Afghanistan. Yemen, Somalia and East Africa. The CT B programme. We aim to reduce the number of A and B programme budget for financial year 2012-13 is £36 million. positions, in scope for the A and B programme, by 85%. Given the sensitive nature of our CT activities, however, By 2015, there will be approximately 50 positions remaining. we cannot provide details of actual spend on activity in particular countries. EU Internal Trade Democratic Republic of Congo Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK’s Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State priorities are for the completion of the single market. for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy [133003] is on the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo’s mandate; Mr Lidington: The UK, along with likeminded member and if he will make a statement. [131907] states, is taking a lead to drive forward work on deepening the single market. This includes pushing for completion Mark Simmonds: The UK fully supports the UN of the single market in digital, services and energy. For Organisation Stabilisation Mission (MONUSCO), the example, we are supporting the proposals on the digital primary objective of which is to protect civilians in the single market in the Commission’s recent Single Market Democratic Republic of Congo. We are discussing in Act II, but are also looking to go beyond them where New York how we can ensure MONUSCO has what it we can. needs to continue to protect civilians and to assist in This also means improving the operation of the single bringing about an end to the current crisis. market by reducing the regulatory budget. We have secured agreement that there will be an assumption that Diplomatic Service micro businesses will be exempt from EU regulations and, most recently, the Secretary of State for Business, Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is Twickenham (Vince Cable), has, along with 12 member taking to increase the number of honorary consul- states’ Ministers, proposed a 10 point plan to deliver generals in those countries where there is no permanent smarter regulation in the EU. UK diplomatic representation. [131804] The Government is firmly committed to expanding opportunities for UK businesses through free trade Mark Simmonds: We regularly review the services agreements. Such an agreement is now in place with offered by our global network to ensure they continue South Korea, negotiations are ongoing with Canada, to meet our customer and business needs. This includes the Philippines and other countries, and just last month reviewing how we deliver on the key aspects of our the EU agreed a negotiating mandate for discussions work overseas, and the resources required to do so. We with Japan. 221W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 222W

Israel Alistair Burt: The Government has taken its role as co-convenor of the Conference on a Middle East Weapons Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign of Mass Destruction Free Zone very seriously. We have and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his provided support to the work of the facilitator Finnish Department has made of the likely effect of an EU Under Secretary Laajava, with whom UK Ministers have met on a number of occasions to discuss progress. trade boycott on Israel. [132239] Officials have travelled to the region, and our embassies have worked to promote constructive engagement. We Alistair Burt: The British Government has made its have funded and participated in a series of related civil position on boycotts and sanctions clear. We do not society organised events over the past two years. believe that imposing sanctions on Israel or supporting anti-Israeli boycotts would be productive. However, we Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for will continue to make our views on the full range of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment issues absolutely clear to Israel. he has made of whether Israel can occupy Gaza and the West Bank indefinitely or whether there will come a Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign time when they become part of de jure Israel. [132089] and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to not recall the ambassador to Israel. [132821] Alistair Burt: Gaza and the West Bank were not lawfully part of the state of Israel at its creation or at Alistair Burt: We have not recalled the UK’s ambassador any point thereafter, and we consider that the level of to Israel. However, I formally summoned the Israeli control that Israel retains over the territories amounts ambassador to the UK on 3 December to convey the to occupation under international law. The Supreme depth of our concern about the Israeli Government’s Court of Israel has found that the West Bank is held in decision to build 3,000 new housing units in east Jerusalem belligerent occupation, by Israel, and, furthermore, the and the west bank, to unfreeze planning in E1 area and International Court of Justice has held that the West to withhold tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority. Bank and East Jerusalem are occupied territories, to We have called on the Israeli Government to reverse which the Fourth Geneva convention applies. UN Security these decisions. Council Resolution 242 stresses Any decision about any other measures the UK might “the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war and take will depend on the outcome of our discussions the need to work for a just and lasting peace in which every state with the Israeli government and with international partners in the area can live in security”. including the US and EU. The continued occupation of Gaza and the West Bank is not sustainable. We continue to press for-an urgent return to credible negotiations in order to secure Mali a two state solution. This is the only way to deliver a lasting peace. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign has received on the African Union’s Economic and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Community of West African States plan in northern Department has made of the level of Iranian Mali; and if he will make a statement. [132006] involvement in the provision of advanced weaponry to Hamas. [132237] Mark Simmonds: We received a copy of the joint Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)/ Alistair Burt: Iran does provide support, including African Union (AU) Strategic Concept on 10 October. weaponry, to militant groups such as Hamas. Such The Strategic Concept provides a framework for further support is unacceptable and in direct contravention of regional action in Mali. It outlines proposals for supporting the UN embargo on the export of weapons by Iran the Malian armed forces in returning Northern Mali to (UN Security Council Resolution 1747). Iran’s support Government control and combating terrorist and affiliated to these groups directly undermines prospects for peace groups through training and other forms of assistance. in the region and further undermines the Iranian It also underlines the importance of a complimentary Government’s claim to the international community, political track in Mali to support reunification. and its own people, that it supports stability in the We are considering what support we can offer to middle east. ECOWAS and AU efforts in Mali, in conjunction with international partners and through the EU and UN. Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign The UN Secretary-General’s Report on the Sahel, which and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his should guide the UN response to the Strategic Concept, Department has made of the effect of the steps taken will be discussed by the Security Council in New York by the Israeli Prime Minister to initiate a series of on 10 December. confidence building measures on the position of the Palestinian Authority. [132238] Middle East Alistair Burt: We have urged both sides to engage in negotiations for a two state solution and avoid any Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for actions that undermine the peace process. We have Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he made clear to the Israeli Government we would not has given to the proposed conference on a Middle East support any actions which sidelined President Abbas or Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone. [131767] risked collapse of the Palestinian Authority. In this 223W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 224W regard, we have condemned the Israeli Government’s Angola decisions to build 3,000 new housing units in East Anguilla Jerusalem and the west bank, to unfreeze planning in Argentina the area known as E1 and to withhold tax revenue from Armenia the Palestinian Authority. We have called on the Israeli Ascension Government to reverse these decisions. I formally summoned the Israeli ambassador to the UK to the Australia Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 December, to Austria make our concerns known. Azerbaijan Bahrain Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Bangladesh and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Barbados Department has made to the Palestinian Authority to return to direct peace talks with the Israeli Belarus Government without preconditions. [132240] Belgium Belize Alistair Burt: This is a point that we have underlined Bermuda to the Palestinian Authority on a regular basis. The Bolivia Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Bosnia and Herzegovina Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond Botswana (Yorks) (Mr Hague), also discussed these issues with President Abbas in advance of the recent Palestinian Brazil resolution at the UN General Assembly on 29 November. British Virgin Islands Brunei Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Bulgaria Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he Burma has received on the number of civilian casualties on Cambodia both sides of the recent hostilities between Israel and Cameroon Gaza. [132969] Canada Alistair Burt: We received regular reports from our Cayman Islands missions in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during the recent Chile Gaza conflict drawing on local reporting and wide China ranging contacts. We understand that 158 Palestinians Colombia and six Israelis were killed. Congo, Republic of the Omar al-Bashir Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Costa Rica Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Cote d’Ivoire Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is Croatia on the International Criminal Court arrest warrant of Cuba Omar al-Bashir; and if he will make a statement. Cyprus [132221] Czech Republic Mark Simmonds: We continue to make clear to the Denmark Government of Sudan and the international community Dominican Republic that we expect compliance with the arrest warrants for Ecuador all those indicted by the International Criminal Court, Egypt and that equally we expect other Governments which El Salvador are parties to the Rome Statute to stand by their legal obligations as we do. In common with other EU countries, Eritrea we have a policy of avoiding any official contacts with Estonia those indicted by the International Criminal Court, Ethiopia unless such contact is essential. Falklands Fiji Overseas Workers Finland Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for France Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which countries Gambia staff of his Department are permanently based. Georgia [132911] Germany Ghana Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has employees permanently based in 160 countries and Gibraltar overseas territories. These are as follows: Greece Afghanistan Guatemala Albania Guinea Algeria Guyana 225W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 226W

Holy See Saudi Arabia Hungary Senegal Iceland Serbia India Seychelles Indonesia Sierra Leone Iraq Singapore Ireland Slovakia Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories Slovenia Italy Solomon Islands Jamaica South Africa Japan South Korea Jordan South Sudan Kazakhstan Spain Kenya Sri Lanka Kosovo St Helena Kuwait Sudan Kyrgyzstan Sweden Laos Switzerland Latvia Taiwan Lebanon Tajikistan Liberia Tanzania Libya Thailand Lithuania Trinidad and Tobago Luxembourg Tristan da Cunha Macedonia Tunisia Madagascar Turks and Caicos Malawi Turkey Malaysia Turkmenistan Mali Uganda Malta Ukraine Mauritius United Arab Emirates Mexico United States of America Moldova Uruguay Mongolia Uzbekistan Montenegro Venezuela Montserrat Vietnam Morocco Yemen Mozambique Zambia Namibia Zimbabwe. Nepal Three new embassies in the following countries are Netherlands expected to open spring 2013: New Zealand Haiti, Paraguay and Somalia. Nigeria Embassies in Syria and Iran are closed at present. North Korea Norway Pay Oman Pakistan Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Panama Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Papua New Guinea Department’s annual spending was on salaries and bonuses for staff as a (a) net amount and (b) Peru percentage of the total in each of the last five years. Philippines [132152] Pitcairn Poland Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Portugal (FCO) annual spend on salaries as reported in its annual report and accounts in each of the last five years was: Qatar Romania £ Russia 2007/08 390,497,000 Rwanda 2008/09 368,712,000 Saint Lucia 227W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 228W

and Blue Nile and to start a process of national reform, £ taking into account the needs and aspirations of all of 2009/10 386,713,000 the people living within its borders, and from all religious 2010/11 390,809,000 backgrounds, within an open and democratic framework. 2011/12 379,941,000 Turks and Caicos Islands These figures include the costs of salaries for all UK based staff including those employed at Wilton Park Executive Agency and all locally engaged staff directly Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for employed by embassies and high commissions overseas. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent The amount spent on performance related payments reports he has received on the (a) status and (b) (bonuses) to UK based staff has been deducted from progress of the civil recovery programme in the Turks these figures. It is not possible to split the figures into and Caicos Islands. [132003] separate amounts or identify performance related payments made to locally engaged staff due to disproportionate Mark Simmonds: The civil recovery team, provided cost. by Edwards Wildman Palmer UK LLP, are supporting The amounts spent on performance related payments the work of the Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney-General. in each of the last five years was: The civil recovery team continues to recover property and redress loses arising from corruption. Some 52 £ separate recoveries of Crown Land totalling 2,447 acres have now been made, and financial settlements totalling 2007/08 7,746,152 US$16 million have been reached. 2008/09 7,571,836 2009/10 6,815,907 2010/11 6,417,883 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent 2011/12 6,241,528 discussions he has had with businesses in Turks and These figures are for UK based staff including the Caicos on the introduction of VAT in that country. Wilton Park Executive Agency. [132009] The spend on salaries as a percentage of net operating cost in each of the last five years was: Mark Simmonds: During my recent visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands on 26-28 November, I met a number Percentage of businesses and business organisations. At many of my meetings, VAT was one of the topics discussed. 2007/08 20.1 Decisions on the implementation of VAT are a matter 2008/09 17.1 for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. My 2009/10 16.5 answer of 19 November 2012, Official Report, column 2010/11 17.1 C277-78W, to the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire 2011/12 16.7 (Mr Donohoe), sets out the British Government’s position. The spend on performance related payments as a percentage of net operating cost in each of the last five Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for years was: Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the funding of the Special Investigation and Percentage Prosecution Team in Turks and Caicos; and if he will make a statement. [132010] 2007/08 0.0040 2008/09 0.0035 Mark Simmonds: It is the responsibility of the Turks 2009/10 0.0029 and Caicos Islands Government to fund the Special 2010/11 0.0028 Investigation and Prosecution Team. 2011/12 0.0028 In his reply of 25 April 2012, Official Report, column 945-46W, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Sudan Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) made reference to the grants made exceptionally by the British Government in financial Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for years 2010-11 and 2011-12 to assist the Turks and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Caicos Islands Government with the costs of the criminal assessment he has made of the relationship between investigation and associated prosecutions. Sudan and the UK; and if he will make a statement. The Governor made a statement on 29 October on [132004] the continuing work on the civil and criminal processes: www.turksandcaicosislands.fco.gov.uk/en/news/ Mark Simmonds: The UK wishes to see Sudan develop ?view=PressS&id=827913882 into a stable, democratic and prosperous nation, that addresses the needs of all its citizens, and lives in peace in which he pointed to a planned decline in staffing with its neighbours. The UK’s relationship with Sudan levels in the Special Prosecution and Investigation Team is based on the pursuit of these objectives. To this end, and a consequent reduction in costs. we will continue to encourage Sudan to address the We would expect future costs to be met by the Turks causes of the conflicts in Darfur, Southern Kordofan and Caicos Islands Government. 229W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 230W

Western Sahara DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Sick Leave Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Moroccan Mr Ruffley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Ambassador on the Western Sahara; and if he will the average number of working days lost per person make a statement. [132155] through ill health was in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years. [132532] Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply on behalf of for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has not made any the Cabinet Office. representations to the Moroccan ambassador on Western Sahara. However, Ministers in this Government and Analysis of the average working days lost for the our ambassador in Rabat regularly discuss Western Cabinet Office and its agencies is published on a quarterly Sahara with the Moroccan authorities: I discussed Western basis on the Cabinet Office website at: Sahara with Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, Youssef http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/absence-data Amrani, when I visited Rabat between 26 and 28 June. Aggregated figures for the whole civil service are This Government strongly supports UN-led efforts published on the civil service website at: to encourage Morocco and the Polisario Front to agree http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/improving/health-and- a long-lasting and mutually-acceptable political solution wellbeing/sickness-absence that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Advantage West Midlands Department is taking to promote good governance in the self-declared sovereign state of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. [132223] Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the cost of transferring ownership of Bilston Alistair Burt: Western Sahara is a disputed territory Urban Village in Wolverhampton from Advantage and the UK regards its status as undetermined. The West Midlands to the Housing and Communities UK’s focus is on supporting UN-led efforts to encourage Agency. [133158] Morocco and the Polisario Front to agree a long-lasting and mutually-acceptable political solution that provides Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the for the self-determination of the people of Western Department for Communities and Local Government. Sahara. This mandate will support the promotion of good governance in the territory. The site was transferred under a statutory transfer scheme signed in August 2011 which, under machinery of government transfer processes, means that the Homes Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for and Communities Agency took over the full responsibility Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has for the site from Advantage West Midlands as if the any plans to visit the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Homes and Communities Agency had been the owners Republic. [132224] of the asset since its acquisition. There was, therefore, no stamp duty, legal or other transaction costs incurred Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and by the Homes and Communities Agency or Advantage Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member West Midlands in this transfer. for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), has no plans currently The budget for the project was transferred to the to visit the territory of Western Sahara. Officials from Homes and Communities Agency and no additional the British embassy in Rabat visit Western Sahara on a costs were incurred by the agency that would not have regular basis, most recently in October, to discuss human been the liability of Advantage West Midlands at the rights concerns, including with the local authorities. time of transfer. I also refer the hon. Member to my answers of Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for 6 December 2012, Official Report, columns 891-92W, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent on how the new stewardship arrangements are delivering assessment he has made of the UK’s relationship with value for money for taxpayers and meeting the legal the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; and if he will commitments we have inherited from the last make a statement. [132225] Administration.

Alistair Burt: The British Government does not have Apprentices: East of England direct contact with the Polisario Front. It strongly supports UN-led efforts to encourage the parties to the negotiations, Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Morocco and the Polisario Front, to agree a long-lasting Business, Innovation and Skills how many and mutually-acceptable political solution that provides apprenticeship places there were in (a) Southend, (b) for the self-determination of the people of Western Essex and (c) Hertfordshire in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011 and Sahara. (iii) 2012 to date. [130974] 231W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 232W

Matthew Hancock: The following table shows the trade finance, bank lending, overdrafts and trade credit. number of Apprenticeship programme starts in Southend Many of these sources are informal and unregulated on Sea, Essex and Hertfordshire local education authorities. and Government does not produce aggregate statistics Final data are shown for the 2009/10 and 2010/11 on their entirety. academic years and provisional data are shown for the Data publicly available from the Bank of England 2011/12 academic year. specifically on lending by Monetary Financial Institutions Provisional data for the 2011/12 academic year provide shows that the monthly growth rate of net lending an early view of performance and will change as further (excluding securitisations) to non-financial corporations data returns are received from further education colleges varied over the last year as follows: and providers. They should not be directly compared with final year data from previous years. Figures for Percentage 2011/12 will be finalised in January 2013. November 2011 0.3 Apprenticeship programme starts in Southend on Sea, Essex and Hertfordshire local education authorities, 2009/10 to 2011/12 (Provisional) December 2011 -1.7 2009/10 (final) 2010/11 (final) 2011/12 January 2012 0.6 (provisional) February 2012 -0.2 March 2012 -0.1 Southend on 640 1,150 1,170 Sea April 2012 -0.3 Essex 6,410 10,930 11,590 May 2012 -0.7 Hertfordshire 3,320 6,440 6,670 June 2012 -0.2 Notes: July 2012 -0.4 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. August 2012 -0.2 2. Geographic breakdowns are based upon the home postcode of the learner. 3. Figures are based on the geographic boundaries as of May 2010. September 2012 0.0 4. Provisional data for 2011/12 should not be directly compared with data for October 2012 0.0 earlier years. Source: Individualised Learner Record 12 month growth rate as at October -2.8 Information on the number of apprenticeship starts 2012 by geography is published in a supplementary table to a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest To incentivise banks and building societies to boost SFR was published on 11 October 2012: their lending to UK households and non-financial http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statistical firstrelease/ companies, the Bank and HM Treasury launched the sfr_current http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statistical Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) on 13 July. FLS firstrelease/sfr_supplementary_tables/Apprenticeship provides funding to banks and building societies for an _sfr_supplementary_tables/ extended period, at below current elevated market rates, with both the price and quantity of funding provided Arms Trade: Exports linked to their performance in lending to the UK non- financial sector. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which countries the Charities UK has sold defence equipment to in each financial year since 2000-01 by value. [132654] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Michael Fallon: Information on arms export licences Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding his to all countries is published in the Annual and Quarterly Department allocated to (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, Reports on Strategic Export Controls. These reports (c) Skill Force and (d) Shelter in (i) 2010-11, (ii) contain detailed information on export licences issued, 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a refused or revoked, by destination, including the overall statement. [132459] value, type (e.g. Military, Other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. They are available to Jo Swinson: Core BIS has not paid any amounts to view at: (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/eng/fox/sdb/ Shelter in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13 (up SDBHOME to the end of November 2012). Currently this includes information up to 30 June 2012. Information covering 1 July to 30 September 2012 will Consultants be published in January 2013 and information covering 1 October 2012 to 31 December 2012 will be published in April 2013. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many full-time Business: Loans equivalent staff were employed on consultancy contracts in his Department on the latest date for Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for which figures are available; how many such staff were Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he employed on the same date 12 months ago; and if he made of changes in the rate of net lending to will make a statement. [132219] businesses in the last year. [133102] Jo Swinson: This information is not held centrally Michael Fallon: Business lending comes from a variety within the Department and could be provided only at of sources, including providers of asset, invoice and disproportionate cost. 233W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 234W

Exports: Iraq Number of HEFCE fundable students split by mode of attendance Thousand Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010/11 2011/12 Business, Innovation and Skills which exports from the Total 1,359 1,389 construction and equipment sector account for Iraq’s Source: sovereign debt to UK Export Finance. [132241] HESES and HEIFES The Department sets a limit on the number of students Michael Fallon: UK Export Finance, formally the starting full-time undergraduate and PGCE study through Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), has the Student Number Control for English Higher Education published information, available in the House Library, Institutions. It does not set limits for the stock of about sovereign debts payable to ECGD, including full-time and part-time students. 2012/13 data will become details of sovereign debts related to Iraq that arose as a available when institutions make their HESES returns result of its default on the payment of exports supplied to HEFCE in mid-December. in the 1970s and 1980s. The information shows that 69% of the value of debt related to exports from the construction and equipment sectors. It is not possible to ICT provide details of individual export transactions, where such information exists, as this would incur disproportionate Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for cost. Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys Fireworks: Safety and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132181] Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps have been taken to educate people about the dangers of Jo Swinson: During the financial year period 2010-11 fireworks. [132409] and 2011-12, the number of items considered lost or Jo Swinson: The Department has taken no recent stolen is listed as follows. It is not possible to differentiate proactive steps to educate people about the dangers of between lost or stolen items. All IT items issued by the fireworks, however, information about fireworks safety Department are encrypted and once reported as stolen is readily available on the BIS website: or lost are disabled to ensure no data is compromised. www.bis.gov.uk/policies/consumer-issues/product-safety/ firework-regulations Type Lost/stolen The range of materials held there is accessible to the (i) 2010-11 public and is used by local fire and rescue services, (a) Computers BIS networked laptop 8 police forces, schools and local authority enforcers to BIS laptop 1 promote firework safety messages. Included in the literature are school information packs, posters aimed at children (b) Mobile phones BIS mobile phone 5 and teenagers, and a guide and posters for retailers. (c) BlackBerrys BIS BlackBerry 24 (d) Other IT Items BIS Remote Service (RSA) 32 Detailed guides on ’’Giving your own firework display’ token and ‘Working together on firework displays: A guide to BIS Remote Service (RITE) 35 safety for firework display organisers and Operators’ token are available on the Health and Safety Executive website BIS 3G Token/Card/Dongle 2 at: BIS issued Braille note taker 2 www.hse.gov.uk USB Memory Stick 2 Higher Education: Admissions (ii) 2011-12 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Computers BIS networked laptop 7 Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) funded, (b) Mobile phones BIS mobile phone 4 (b) off quota and (c) private student places for (i) (c) BlackBerrys BIS BlackBerry 35 full-time students and (ii) part-time students there were (d) Other IT items BIS Remote Service (RSA) 19 in (A) 2010-11 and (B) 2011-12; how many such places token he expects there to be in each remaining year of the BIS Remote Service (RITE) 35 comprehensive spending review period; and if he will token make a statement. [132069] BIS 3G Token/Card/Dongle 2

Mr Willetts: Information on the number of Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) Local Economic Partnerships: Greater London fundable full-time and part-time students are shown in the following table. The Department does not set targets Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for or limits for the number of off quota or private student Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has places. made of the number of jobs the London local economic partnership has created (a) in total, (b) in Number of HEFCE fundable students split by mode of attendance North West London, (c) in South West London, (d) in Thousand North East London and (e) in South East London 2010/11 2011/12 in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2011-12; how many such jobs will Full-time HEFCE fundable 972 1,017 be created in 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. Part-time HEFCE fundable 387 372 [132147] 235W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 236W

Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation London enterprise panel declined an award from the and Skills has made no estimate of the number of jobs first round of the Capacity Fund and has been allocated that the London enterprise panel created in 2010 to £76,800 for the period 2012-15 from the second round 2012, nor has any estimate been made of how many of funding. jobs will be created by the London enterprise panel in 2012-13. Marketing Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his evaluation of Business, Innovation and Skills how much his the London local economic partnership is; and if he Department and the public bodies for which it is will make a statement. [132148] responsible spent on marketing and advertising in 2011-12 by (a) programme, (b) policy and (c) scheme; Michael Fallon: The Department for Business, Innovation and what estimate he has made of such spending in and Skills has made no evaluation of the London each such category in 2012-13. [126275] enterprise panel. As partnerships of business and civic leaders, local enterprise partnerships are first and foremost Jo Swinson [holding answer 1 November 2012]: Our accountable to their local community and local businesses. 2011-12 annual report and accounts shows that total In the case of London, the London enterprise panel is expenditure on advertising and publicity by BIS and its an advisory panel to the Mayor of London. partner organisations (but excluding UK trade and Investment) amounted to £19 million in 2011-12 (£18 million Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2010-11). Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding his Department has allocated to London for its local In 2011-12 the BIS family (excluding UKTI) had economic partnership in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and £20.8 million of expenditure on advertising and marketing (c) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [132257] approved within ERG spending control processes. Within this total ail spend over £100,000 was approved by the Michael Fallon: In order to help local enterprise ERG in accordance with the Government-wide spending partnerships understand the issues facing businesses controls. Expenditure under £100,000 was approved by in their areas and to allow them to develop and prioritise BIS and its partner bodies in line with guidelines issued action plans, the Department for Business, Innovation by ERG. and Skills has made available a £4 million Capacity The £20.8 million 2011-12 expenditure is broken down Fund (£1 million per year over four years). The in the following table

Policy group area Expenditure (£ million) Additional information where total includes new spend over £0.5 million

Knowledge and Innovation 9.5 £2.4 million on communicating the reforms to student finance £1.1 million on promoting science in society £1 million on the National Careers Service Business and Skills 7.2 £2.6 million on the “Make it in Great Britain” showcase £1 million on Business in You campaign £0.7 million on the World Skills event £1.5 million on the National Apprenticeships Service Market Frameworks 3.2 £1.9 million Insolvency Service statutory press advertising Other 0.9 — Total 20.8 —

In 2012-13 we are currently forecasting expenditure Details of expenditure by policy Group for 2011-12 of c.£26 million—all of which will be subject to the and forecasts for 2012-13 are provided based on the Government’s spending controls processes, including data we hold with respect to the Efficiency and Reform approval by ERG where expenditure is over £100,000 Group (ERG) spending control processes. There are and approved by BIS and its partner organisations in small discrepancies between these figures and those line with guidelines issued by ERG where expenditure is shown in our accounts, for example, because the ERG under £100,000. approves budgets and the accounts show actual spend. The ERG process seeks to ensure the highest standards There are also some definitional differences. Information of value for money are maintained. We have identified a at the level of detail covering individual schemes is not number of priority communications activities connected held centrally and could not be provided except at with promoting growth for the financial year 2012-13 disproportionate cost. including: National Trading Standards Board Supporting policies designed to boost enterprise and manufacturing; Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Continuing to inspire public and business confidence in science Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding the and increased study of STEM subjects; National Trading Standards Board received for (a) Promoting skills and training; 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) each future year of the Supporting the construction of a positive environment for comprehensive spending review period; and if he will business, employees and consumers. make a statement. [132074] 237W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 238W

Jo Swinson: The National Trading Standards Board as retirement, resignation, end of fixed term contract or (NTSB) began operating on 1 April 2012. The Department transfer to other Government Departments. The turnover has allocated the NTSB £9,679,000 in grant funding for of senior civil service level staff in core BIS since May 2012-13. The NTSB have been given an indicative budget 2010 has been 43%. of £11,049,000 for 2013-14. We have not yet agreed The Department does not hold records on non- budgets for subsequent years. departmental public bodies. In 2011-12, a grant of £70,000 was made available to put in place arrangements for the transition of BIS-funded Students: Finance consumer enforcement projects to the NTSB, in preparation for operation on 1 April 2012. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many full-time Parking equivalent students were on (a) taught postgraduate and (b) research degree programmes funded by the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Higher Education Funding Council in (i) 2010-11, (ii) Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what contracts for 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a providing car park management services to his statement. [132075] Department are held by private companies; [132555] (2) what the total value is of any contracts between Mr Willetts: Information on the estimated number of his Department and private companies for car park Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) management services in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and fundable postgraduate taught (PGT) full-time equivalent students is shown in table 1. Research degree programmes (c) South Lanarkshire local authority area. [132556] are not included in table 1 as they are reported as non-fundable on the Higher Education Students Early Jo Swinson: The total value for providing car park Statistics (HESES) survey. This is because they are management services is nil. funded through quality-related (QR) research funding There are no specific contracts held with private rather than the teaching funding method. 2012/13 data companies for providing car park management services is not currently available; it will become available when to the Department. The Department has a total facilities institutions make their HESES returns to HEFCE in management contract with a commercial company to mid-December. Different sources have been used to manage the BIS properties which includes the management provide information on the number of postgraduate of staff car parks for BIS staff. research full-time equivalents, as shown in table 2. Post Offices: Closures Table 1: Estimated number of taught postgraduate full-time equivalent students 2010/11 2011/12

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for HEFCE fundable taught 88,000 92,000 Business, Innovation and Skills how many post offices postgraduate in (a) Essex, (b) Greater London and (c) England All taught Postgraduate 222,000 231,000 students and Wales closed in each year between 1997 and 2010. Note: [131058] The number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) has been estimated using FTE ratios from columns 4 and 4a in HESES. Source: Jo Swinson: The information requested is an operational HESES and HEIFES matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Paula Vennells, the chief executive officer of Post Office Ltd, Table 2: Number of postgraduate research (PGR) FTEs (English Institutions) to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of Number her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Eligible PGR FTEs in 2010-11 39,654 However, the hon. Member will be interested to note funding the Government has made a number of commitments Eligible PGR FTEs in 2011-12 42,686 that maintain and modernise the Post Office network, funding including a specific promise that there will be no programme Eligible PGR FTEs in 2012-13 41,360 funding of branch closures. In 2011/12 there was a net national Source: reduction of just two branches in a network of more Eligible PGR students in years 1 to 3 of full-time study (and part-time than 11,800, meaning the Post Office network is at its equivalent) taken from the 2009 and 2010 HEFCE Research Activity Surveys most stable for over a quarter of a century. and 2010/11 HESA record Surveys Senior Civil Servants Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what Library a copy of the results of his Department’s most proportion of senior civil servants have left (a) his recent staff survey; which organisation carried out the Department and (b) each of the public bodies for survey; and what the cost of the survey was. [132104] which he is responsible since May 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants has been in (i) his Jo Swinson: BIS participates in the annual Civil Service Department and (ii) each such body since May 2010; People Survey co-ordinated by the Cabinet Office, which and if he will make a statement. [132161] measures the attitudes and motivations of our staff. The 2012 Civil Service People Survey ran from 1 October Jo Swinson: Since May 2010, 90 senior civil servants 2012 to 31 October 2012. The Department 2012 results have left core BIS. Their reasons for leaving were recorded will be made available online by 31 January 2013. There 239W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 240W are currently no plans to place a copy of the results in In addition the OFT receives notification of investigations the Library. The cost of the 2012 survey for BIS is by trading standards officers of offences under the estimated to be £12,361. Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 using civil enforcement powers in the Enterprise UK Membership of EU Act 2002. In the period March to April 2010/11 there were 278 such investigations and 170 in the period Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for March to April 2011/12. Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Union of Jewish Students Department has made of the potential cost to the UK and UK business of the UK not being part of the EU Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for single market. [132090] Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from the Union of Michael Fallon: The Government maintains the view Jewish Students; what response his Department gave to that membership of the EU (and hence the single such representations; and if he will make a statement. market) is in the best interest of the UK. Access to the [R] [131232] single market provides UK-based businesses with tariff-free access to a market of around 500 million customers and Mr Willetts: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I worth approximately £11 trillion in 2011. gave on 10 December 2012, Official Report, column Being part of the single market enables the UK to 30-31W. influence the rules that govern it, instead of being subject to decisions that would otherwise be out of the UK’s control. Between 1992 and 2008, the single market CABINET OFFICE is estimated to have raised EU GDP by 2.13% and Carers created 2.77 million new jobs, and it is estimated that these benefits could be doubled with the removal of the John Robertson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet remaining trade barriers. Office if he will estimate how many carers are (a) in European markets count for under half of UK exports and (b) not in the labour market in (i) Glasgow North of goods and services (47% in 2011). In order to meet West constituency, (ii) Glasgow, (iii) Scotland and (iv) the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s target of doubling the UK. [133282] exports to £1 trillion by 2020, the UK will need to increase exports to the EU as well as to other developed Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the and emerging global markets. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Department has made of the value of trade arising have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question. from the UK’s membership of the EU single market. ONS compiles Labour Market Statistics following International [132091] Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions for areas smaller than the UK from the Annual Population Survey (APS). Michael Fallon: Membership of the EU single market Unfortunately, the APS does not collect data on the number of provides UK-based businesses with tariff-free access to carers. a market of around 500 million customers and worth Charities approximately £11 trillion in 2011. European markets count for under half (47% in Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2011) of UK exports of goods and services, worth Office how much funding his Department allocated to approximately £234 billion in 2011. The 2004 and 2007 (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) enlargements of the EU have had a positive effect on Shelter in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and the UK’s trade with new member states (doubling exports if he will make a statement. [132463] to the EU12 since 2004 to £16.6 billion). The UK has recorded a trade surplus in services with the EU since Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Office has not directly funded 2004. In 2011, the UK recorded a net surplus of any of these groups in the years specified. £15.9 billion. Consultants Unfair Practices Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many full-time equivalent staff were Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for employed on consultancy contracts in his Department Business, Innovation and Skills how many prosecutions on the latest date for which figures are available; how there were under the Consumer Protection from Unfair many such staff were employed on the same date Trading Regulations 2008 in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement. 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132072] [132201] Jo Swinson: The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) received Miss Chloe Smith: In 2011-12 alone, through the reports from local authority trading standards officers work of Efficiency and Reform Group, Government of 308 prosecutions under the Consumer Protection Departments reduced their spend on consultancy by from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 in the period 85%, saving £1.035 billion compared to 2009-10. This is March to April 2010/11 and 342 in the period March to in addition to £870 million saved on consultancy in April 2011/12. 2010-11. 241W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 242W

Consultancy is recorded through contracts rather Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the than the number of FTE staff. responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have Any contract for consultancy where the estimated asked the authority to reply. value of the contract exceeds £20,000 must obtain the Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: approval of the Minister for the Cabinet Office. As part As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I of this Government’s transparency programme, details have been asked to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions of these expenditure approvals are published on: 1) how levels of immigration from Commonwealth categories have changed in each of the last five years. [131987], and 2) how www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk many seasonal workers have entered the UK from (a) inside and and (b) outside the EU for work over the Christmas period in each of the last five years. [131990] www.data.gov.uk The Office for National Statistics {ONS) produces estimates of Additionally, all new contracts over the value of £10,000 long-term international migration (LTIM). ONS uses the UN and payments of over £25,000 are published on Contracts definition of a long-term migrant in that a person who changes Finder: their country of usual residence for a period of 12 months or www.gov.uk/contracts-finder more. LTIM data is primarily based on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). Long Term International Migration (LTIM) estimates are Immigration: Commonwealth available on the ONS website: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference- Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-280889 Cabinet Office (1) how levels of immigration from Table 1 provides a summary of immigration from the Commonwealth categories have changed in each of the Commonwealth countries in each of the last five years. This has been taken from Table 2.02 ″LTIM Country of Last or Next last five years; [131987] Residence, 1991-2011″, which provides estimates of immigration (2) how many seasonal workers have entered the UK by country groupings. from (a) inside and (b) outside the EU for work over ONS does not collect any information specifically on seasonal the Christmas period in each of the last five years. workers entering the UK for work over the Christmas period. [131990] Table 2.02, Series MN

Long-Term International Migration, time series 1991 to 2011, country of last or next residence Thousand Commonwealth Old Commonwealth New Commonwealth New South Other Indian All All All Australia Canada Zealand Africa All African Subcontinent Other

United Kingdom Inflow 2007 354 200 65 31 6 10 17 135 24 95 16 2008 366 196 68 29 10 9 20 128 31 80 17 2009 368 204 56 29 8 8 11 148 31 101 16 2010 383 219 57 30 9 11 7 162 23 121 19 2011 363 204 51 26 9 8 8 153 19 122 12

England and Wales Inflow 2007 330 187 60 29 6 10 15 126 23 88 16 2008 329 183 61 27 6 8 19 122 29 78 16 2009 339 188 46 25 7 6 7 143 30 97 16 2010 353 205 53 28 7 10 7 152 21 114 17 2011 336 191 46 24 8 7 7 145 18 116 11 Notes: 1. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 2. Please note: From 2004 onwards, All, New and Other Commonwealth exclude Malta and Cyprus. Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), Home Office, Central Statistics Office (CSO) Ireland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

Internet Mr Hurd: The information requested is published at: www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/ websitemetrics2011-12.pdf Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet and Office how much has been spent on (a) strategy and planning, (b) design and build, (c) hosting and www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ infrastructure, (d) content provision and (e) testing websitemetrics2010-11 and evaluation for his Department’s websites in each of The introduction of GOV.UK is expected to save an the last two years; and how much has been allocated estimated £36 million a year. And eventually when all for each such category of expenditure in 2012-13. departmental sites are converged into GOV.UK, we [132128] expect annual savings of between £50 and £70 million. 243W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 244W

Senior Civil Servants could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Available information for entire days of flying lost in the period Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet requested is shown in the following table. Office how many and what proportion of senior civil Flying days lost by each RAF station servants have left (a) his Department and (b) each of 2011 20121 the public bodies for which he is responsible since May Weather Other Weather Other 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants has been in (i) his Department and (ii) each such body RAF Benson 0 0 0 0 since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. RAF Coningsby 0 0 1 0 [132179] RAF Cranwell 24 5 21 8 RAF Leeming 1 0 1 0 Mr Maude: The following table sets out the number RAF Leuchars 5 0 0 1 of senior civil servants (SCS) who left the Cabinet RAF Linton-on- 1170 Office and turnover of senior civil servants in the year Ouse to the dates shown. It is worth noting that the proportion RAF 3010 of SCS turnover since 2010 is considerably less than it Lossiemouth 2 was in 2007-08 and in line with the average turnover RAF Lyneham 0 0 n/a n/a from 2005 to 2010. RAF Marham 2 0 1 1 RAF Odiham 0 0 3 1 The nature of much of the work in the Cabinet Office RAF Shawbury 0 0 0 0 means that there is a high requirement for expertise to RAF Valley 1 0 1 0 be brought in from Government Departments, other RAF 0010 parts of the public sector, and in some cases the private Waddington sector, to work on changing priorities. Of those senior 1 To date civil servants that left the Department since 2010, 47% 2 Closed June 2011 moved elsewhere within Government. Weather-related reasons which can preclude routine flying in peace-time include low cloud base and high SCS turnover wind, snow, ice and freezing fog. Certain stations with a SCS leavers (percentage) key operational role have an enhanced level of snow 2010-11 47 23 and ice-clearing equipment enabling them to return to 2011-12 61 28 flying operations more quickly. Other reasons for lost Year to October 2012 28 12 flying days can include spilt fuel or debris on runways, bird activity, power outage, designated flight safety The UK Statistics Authority employs three senior days. civil servants who have remained in post since May 2010. Devonport Dockyard Surveys

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Office if he will place in the Library a copy of the Defence how many nuclear-powered submarines can be results of his Department’s most recent staff survey; berthed simultaneously at HM Naval Base Devonport. which organisation carried out the survey; and what [131580] the cost of the survey was. [132103] Mr Dunne: Up to eight operational submarines can Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office in common with be accommodated at the wharves and jetties at Her other departments will be publishing survey results on Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport. A further its departmental website. The Cabinet Office results four operational submarines can be accommodated at together with the results of its agency, the Government mooring buoys and anchorages, which are used for Procurement Service, will be published by 31 December temporary berthing in the Naval Base waters. Additional 2012 at: operational submarines can be accommodated at Babcock www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk Marine’s collocated dockyard. The Cabinet Office survey was administered by ORC There is also capacity at HMNB Devonport for further international and approximately 60% less was spent on nuclear-powered submarines that have left service and surveys than in 2008-09. The cost for my department’s are in afloat storage. survey in 2012 is estimated at £28,337 excluding vat. European Fighter Aircraft DEFENCE Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Air Force for Defence whether it remains his policy that any Typhoon aircraft to be based at RAF Lossiemouth will Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State not require a new air defence training area. [132414] for Defence how many flying days were lost as a result of (a) adverse weather conditions and (b) other factors at each RAF station since 1 January 2011. Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the [132419] answer given by the previous Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on centrally or in the same format by all RAF Stations and 15 September 2011, Official Report, column 1302W. 245W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 246W

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State There are no plans to update the comparative costs of for Defence what items of mission-specific Typhoon operating the Typhoon from the respective sites over infrastructure have been installed at RAF Leuchars 25 years. since 12 September 2011; and how much each such item cost. [132415] Germany

Mr Robathan: The project costs of mission specific Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Typhoon infrastructure where funding has either been Defence what discussions his Department has had with committed or installed at RAF Leuchars since 12 September other Government departments on the withdrawal of 2011 are shown in the following table. British military bases from Germany. [131902]

Type of infrastructure Cost (£) Mr Robathan: Ministers and Ministry of Defence Reinstate Southern Aircraft Surfaces 100,000 officials continue to have regular dialogue with their Pavement (Funding committed and works colleagues in other Government Departments on a ongoing to be complete by January 2013) range of issues including basing. Southern Hardened Aircraft Shelters 158,000 Upgrade to accommodate 1 Sqn (includes Pilot Briefing Facility) (Funding committed and works ongoing to be complete by March Gibraltar 2013) Southern Hardened Aircraft Shelters Door 90,000 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Repairs (complete) Defence how many reports have been made of illegal Note: All figures have been rounded to the nearest £000. incursions of Spanish vessels in the territorial waters of Gibraltar in each of the last two years. [132356] Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value for Mr Robathan: There were 67 recorded instances of money per training flying hour of Typhoon aircraft unlawful incursions by Spanish state vessels in British (a) currently based at RAF Leuchars and (b) to be Gibraltar territorial waters during 2010 and 23 in 2011. based at RAF Lossiemouth. [132416] There have been 197 between 1 January and 30 November this year. Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. and learned One of the Ministry of Defence’s roles in Gibraltar is Member to the answer my predecessor, the hon. Member to help maintain the United Kingdom’s sovereignty for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey), gave on 5 September over British Gibraltar territorial waters. In support of 2011, Official Report, column 76W. this, the Royal Navy challenges unlawful maritime incursions. These challenges are subsequently pursued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office through Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish Government. for Defence with reference to the answer of 18 October 2011, Official Report, column 883W, on RAF Lossiemouth, whether a decision has been made on the Guided Weapons date of transfer for Northern Quick Reaction Alert duties between RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth. Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for [132417] Defence whether the Royal Navy plans to purchase Future Air-to-Surface Guided Weapons (a) heavy and Mr Robathan: I have nothing further to add to the (b) light; and if he will make a statement. [131360] answer given by my predecessor, the hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey), on 18 October 2011, Mr Dunne: Main investment decisions are planned Official Report, column 883W. for both missiles in 2013.

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Military Bases: Scotland for Defence with reference to the answer of 5 September 2011, Official Report, column 84W, on the Mr Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for European Fighter Aircraft, whether (a) the estimate of Defence when he expects to make a decision on the the cost to the public purse of transferring the future of Dreghorn and Redford Barracks in Typhoon force from RAF Leuchars to RAF Edinburgh and on the development at Kirknewton; Lossiemouth and (b) the estimate of the cost to the and if he will make a statement. [132146] public purse of operating the Typhoon force from (i) RAF Lossiemouth and (ii) RAF Leuchars over a Mr Robathan: The Chancellor’s autumn statement of 25-year period have been refined further during 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns 871-82, has detailed planning for the implementation of the Basing introduced some additional factors that will need to be Review; and if he will make a statement. [132418] taken into account—such as new arrangements for accessing private finance, which could be used to support Mr Robathan: Planning for the transfer of the Typhoon the Basing strategy. The Secretary of State for Defence, force from RAF Leuchars is ongoing. An assessment my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and study is under way to identify and refine the infrastructure Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has therefore taken the costs of operating the Typhoon force from RAF decision to postpone the planned announcement until Lossiemouth. next year. 247W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 248W

Military Exercises RAF Leuchars Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the Bowline 13 Exercise will take place; Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State what the purpose of the exercise is; and if he will for Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 December estimate the (a) number of personnel that will be 2011, Official Report, column 868W, on RAF Leuchars, whether work to determine what alterations involved and (b) cost to the public purse. [131570] are required to RAF Leuchars to transform it to an Mr Dunne: Exercise Bowline 13 will be held at the operational Army base and the cost of such alterations Royal Naval Armament Depot at Coulport. It is a Level has been completed; and if he will make a statement. 1 Nuclear Emergency Response Exercise and is conducted [132150] on a three-yearly cycle under the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations Mr Robathan: The Chancellor’s autumn statement legislation. 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns 871-882, The exercise will involve approximately 600 personnel introduced some additional factors that will need to be for varying lengths of time, most for a short period. taken into account in the future basing strategy for There will be no additional cost to the public purse Defence, such as the new arrangements for accessing resulting from this exercise as it will be conducted Private Finance. The Secretary of State for Defence, my during normal working hours. right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), has therefore taken the Military Intelligence decision to postpone the planned announcement on Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for basing until next year. Defence what progress his Department has made on It is therefore too early to confirm what specific the replacement for full-spectrum signals intelligence. alterations would be required at a site or what the [129665] associated costs would be as these are dependent upon the types of Army units which will occupy the site. Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has a range of current and planned signals intelligence capabilities across Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State the maritime, land, and air domains. I am withholding for Defence (1) when he plans to make an the information as its disclosure would, or would be announcement on the future use of RAF Leuchars by likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security his Department; [132420] of the armed forces. (2) what his plans are for the future of the units Nuclear Weapons: Testing currently based at RAF Leuchars; and if he will make a statement; [132421] Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department’s policy is on publication (3) whether he has taken a decision on whether to of information on levels of (a) gamma, (b) beta, (c) retain an operational runway at Leuchars in the event other radiation and (d) radiation recorded on film of the transformation of the base into an Army base. badges at British nuclear test sites; who within his [132426] Department takes the decisions on which such information should be published; and according to Mr Robathan: The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my what criteria any such decisions are taken. [130774] right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne) autumn statement on 5 December 2012 has introduced Mr Dunne [holding answer 29 November 2012]: some additional factors that will need to be taken into Documents relating to British nuclear tests have been, account—such as new arrangements for accessing private and continue to be, opened to the public through the finance, which could be used to support the Basing National Archives in accordance with the Public Records strategy. The Secretary of State for Defence, my right Act 1958. Individual requests for information are handled hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of (Mr Hammond), has therefore taken the decision to Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information postpone the planned announcement until next year. It Regulations and the Data Protection Act 1998, as is therefore too early at this time to confirm the future appropriate. of any specific site or unit. In addition to what is set out in legislation, there is internal Ministry of Defence guidance on recognising Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State and handling the release of information which triggers for Defence with reference to the answer of 19 October Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights. 2011, Official Report, column 993W, on RAF This right covers the release of information that relates Leuchars, what (a) sustainability and (b) other to concerns an individual may have about the impact on environmental studies have been carried out as part of their health or exposure to a potentially hazardous the ongoing re-basing process. [132422] situation. Decisions on the release of such information are Mr Robathan: Sustainability appraisals and associated made by the officials handling individual requests, with action plans are being developed for all sites affected by approval through their line management chain, and are basing changes, including RAF Leuchars. It is too early made in accordance with the relevant legislation. at this time to comment on specific details. Information on radiation levels and radiation dose levels at the British nuclear tests is routinely released where Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State those records are held, as there are no pressing national for Defence whether an Air Traffic Control radar security reasons for withholding such information. service will be retained at RAF Leuchars. [132424] 249W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 250W

Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the GCE A-level: Females answer given by my predecessor, the hon. Member for North Devon (Sir Nick Harvey), on 11 June 2012, Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, column 110W. Education what estimate he has made of the number of female A level students likely to be drawn into RAF Lossiemouth and Leuchars prostitution. [131697] Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions aircraft from Mr Timpson [holding answer 5 December 2012]: The RAF Lossiemouth were (a) scrambled and (b) Department for Education has made no such assessment. launched during the period of time in which RAF We do not, however, recognise prostitution as an appropriate Lossiemouth undertook the Quick Reaction Alert term to use in relation to girls who are still legally North role when resurfacing work was undertaken at children and who are being sexually exploited. Child RAF Leuchars; [132423] sexual exploitation is child abuse and is a very serious (2) on how many occasions RAF fighters were (a) crime which the Government are committed to tackling. scrambled and (b) launched from (i) RAF Leuchars Schools: Admissions and (ii) RAF Coningsby to intercept aircraft in each of the last five years. [132425] Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan: I refer the right hon. Member to the Education what recent discussions his Department has answer given on 12 December 2011, Official Report, had with headteachers in (a) English cities and (b) columns 473-74). RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) other areas where there is recent high levels of pupil aircraft have been launched from all QRA bases on 25 turnover on the potential effect of such turnover on occasions in 2012 as at 6 December 2012. teaching and learning in schools. [132096]

Type 22 Frigates Mr Laws: The Department for Education has not recently held discussions with head teachers about levels Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for of pupil turnover and its potential effect on teaching Defence what assessment he has made of any capability and learning in schools. gaps in maritime surveillance following the withdrawal of the Type 22 frigates; and what steps his Department We believe that every pupil, including those who are is taking to address any such gaps. [129664] mobile, should be stretched and challenged in order to reach their true potential, and the Government’s approach Mr Dunne: The Type 22 frigates were fitted with is to give head teachers greater power and control to equipment that provided maritime surveillance capabilities drive improvement in their schools. Schools are best in a number of areas. Maritime surveillance is delivered placed to know what works for them, and are accountable from a range of platforms in a layered approach: capabilities for the progress that children make. in these areas can be provided by other Defence assets. We are introducing, in response to recommendations made by Lord Bew in June 2011, new indicators to the 2012 performance tables which will show the attainment EDUCATION and progress of “non-mobile” pupils who have been in Charities the school throughout the previous two academic years. These can be compared with results for the whole Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for cohort, including mobile pupils. Education how much funding his Department allocated to (a) Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for and (d) Shelter in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) Education whether his Department has made a recent 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [132460] assessment of the potential effect of pupil turnover on Mr Laws: The Department has not made funding schools results and Ofsted ratings. [132098] available to Centrepoint, Crisis or Shelter in these financial years. Mr Laws: The Department has not made any recent The Department made the following funding available assessment of the effect of pupil turnover on school to Skill Force Development: results or OFSTED ratings. However, the Department has estimated the effect of moving schools on pupil Financial year Amount (£) results. Our most recent analysis estimates that a pupil moving school after the start of year 6 will get a tenth of 2010-11 177,640 a key stage 2 national curriculum level lower, when 2011-12 717,166 controlling for other factors. 2012-13 1,030,000 It is estimated that a pupil moving school after September of year 10 will have a reduction of at least one grade in Early Intervention Foundation each qualification taken at the end of key stage 4, when controlling for other factors. Mr Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he expects to announce his decision on We recognise these effects and, in response to the outcome of the Early Intervention Foundation recommendations made by Lord Bew in June 2011, tender; and if he will make a statement. [125902] additional indicators in the 2012 performance tables will separately show attainment and progress of pupils Elizabeth Truss: [holding answer 30 October 2012]: who have been in the school for at least two academic Shortly. years. 251W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 252W

In addition, Her Majesty’s Inspectors are given a will determine its impact on consumers. We intend to stability index that provides an indication of pupil consult on the scope of the exemption, including who turnover compared to the average of schools nationally. will be eligible, in spring 2013. The redistribution of Secondary Education: Work Experience costs and how this affects domestic consumers will be a key consideration. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what support his Department provides to Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy work placement training programmes in secondary and Climate Change what assistance he plans to schools dealing with non-conventional work- provide to energy-intensive industries after 2015 when experience placements. [131460] the Electricity Market Reform spending envelope for compensation expires. [132833] Matthew Hancock: From September 2013 funding reforms will make it easier for schools to offer students Gregory Barker: The Government announced its work experience. The introduction of 16-19 study intention to exempt Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs) programmes will also set clearer expectations on schools from the costs of Contracts for Difference (introduced to arrange work experience or other work-related learning through Electricity Market Reform) on 29 November such a student enterprise projects. Studio Schools and 2012. This is intended to be an exemption from costs, University Technical Colleges are already pioneering not a compensation package. Subject to state aid clearance, work with employers to develop students’ specialist the exemption would come into force when Contracts skills. BIS and DFE also encourage links between employers for Difference are introduced. and schools through its work with Local Enterprise Separately, the package to compensate EIIs for the Partnerships and employer organisations. indirect costs of the Carbon Price Floor and EU Emissions Teachers: Retirement Trading Scheme (ETS), and the additional Climate Change Levy rebate is worth around £250 million over Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for this spending review period. This is not part of Electricity Education what consideration he has given to Market Reform. introducing a winding-down scheme for teachers The funding for all Government schemes is dependent approaching retirement age. [132156] on the outcome of spending reviews by HM Treasury. The current review runs to financial year 2014-15. Any Mr Laws: The Teachers’ Pension scheme (TPS) is a spending beyond this will be the subject of negotiation defined benefit occupational pension scheme for teachers with HM Treasury. and lecturers in England and Wales which provides a range of benefits for members and their families. The Energy: Prices scheme in Scotland (the Scottish Teaches’ Superannuation scheme) is administered by the Scottish Public Pensions Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Agency on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Energy and Climate Change what estimate his The TPS has a range of provisions available to employers Department has made of the price differential between and individuals approaching retirement. In addition to (a) dead tariffs and (b) live tariffs for domestic energy normal age retirement these options include phased supply. [132674] retirement, where a teacher can draw some of their pension whilst continuing to work; actuarially adjusted Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold this benefits, where the teacher can leave teaching and draw information, but Ofgem has carried out extensive analysis all their benefits with an adjustment for early payment; of the domestic retail energy market during its Retail and premature retirement, which allows the employer Market Review and discovered there are over 650 dead to offer early retirement with or without enhancement. evergreen tariffs, of which one third are more costly In addition employers and teachers can purchase additional than the current standard variable rate tariff offered by pension, to assist those who are retiring early. These the supplier. provisions will continue as part of the reformed TPS to This analysis was based on information provided by be introduced in 2015. suppliers at a particular point in time. Differentials vary between suppliers and will also vary over time.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of households on Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy dead tariffs for their energy supply. [132675] and Climate Change what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that the exemption of energy- Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold these intensive industries from new long-term contracts for data. difference will not fall disproportionately on low- income fuel consumers. [132828] Energy: Wholesale Trade

Mr Hayes: DECC is committed to helping those Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for households who are in fuel poverty and recognise the Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral need to help more of the most vulnerable to keep their statement of 29 November 2012, Official Report, homes warm at an affordable cost. column 392, on energy policy, what steps his The scope of the exemption for Energy Intensive Department is taking to increase (a) liquidity and (b) Industries from the costs of Contracts for Difference transparency in the wholesale energy market. [132683] 253W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 254W

Mr Hayes: Industry has already taken some steps to Gregory Barker: The breakdown of spend for the last address the problem of low levels of power market two years for the Department’s websites is published on liquidity and transparency, leading to better conditions the Cabinet Office website: in the day-ahead market. However, forward market http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ liquidity remains a particular concern. websitemetrics2010-11 Ofgem is leading reforms in this area and are currently The Department has allocated the following amounts consulting on measures aimed at locking in recent progress for 2012-13: and promoting further improvements to improve both Strategy and Planning: £41,500 liquidity and transparency across the wholesale market. Design and Build: £328,000 Given the significance of liquidity and transparency Hosting and Infrastructure: £169,200 in promoting competition and supporting independent Content Provision: £48,000 market participants the Government will be seeking Testing and Evaluation: £41,000. powers in the Energy Bill to act should Ofgem and industry be unable to secure the progress that is necessary. Natural Gas: Kettering Fossil Fuels: Prices Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for of the number of off-gas grid households in the Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral borough of Kettering. [133001] statement of 29 November 2012, Official Report, column 388, on energy policy, what the evidential basis Mr Hayes: The exact number of households who are is for the statement that Government policies stand to off the gas grid is not held centrally. reduce the UK’s sensitivity to fossil fuel price strikes by approximately 30 per cent by 2020 and by around 60 Estimates have been produced based on information per cent by 2016. [132678] held from two administrative sources; these are the Gemserv database on the location of electricity meters, Mr Hayes: Assuming the question refers to the statement and data from xoserve and independent gas transporters that “Government policies stand to reduce the UK’s on the location of gas meters. Subtracting the number sensitivity to fossil fuel price spikes by approximately of gas meters from the number of electricity meters 30% by 2020, and by around 60% by 2050”, the evidence produces a broad estimate of the number of off grid base is the DECC-commissioned 2011 Oxford Economics properties. However some households can have more report, ‘Fuel Price Shocks and a Low Carbon Economy’. than one electricity meter associated with their property This can be accessed at the following web address: (for instance, a supply for communal facilities such as stairwell lighting or a lift). Additionally, the standard http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/tackling-climate- change/international-climate-change/5276-fossil-fuel-price- gas industry definition of domestic use uses a consumption shocks-and-a-low-carbon-economy-.pdf threshold, with any consumer using less than 73,200 The key findings of this study are that the impact of a kWh of gas per year being classed as a domestic user; it 50% increase in oil and gas prices (resulting from a is estimated that—Great Britain wide—this definition supply shock) reduces UK GDP by around 1% in 2010; allocates around 2 million small business users as domestic. and, under the low carbon scenario of reduced energy Furthermore a small number of meters (less than one demand, by around 0.7% in 2020 and less than 0.4% third of one percent) do not have sufficient information 2050. This indicates the impact on UK output from oil associated with them to be able to allocate them to a and gas price shocks could be reduced by around 30% specific area. The underlying data on the number of gas in 2020 and 60% in 2050, compared to a 2010 baseline. and electricity meters in each local authority are available on the Departments website at: Internet www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/ regional/electricity/electricity.aspx Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/energy_stats/ Energy and Climate Change how much has been spent regional/gas/gas.aspx on (a) strategy and planning, (b) design and build, (c) The following table shows, for 2010, the number of hosting and infrastructure, (d) content provision and domestic electricity meter points, the number of gas (e) testing and evaluation for his Department’s meter points where consumption was less than 73,200 websites in each of the last two years; and how much kWh, and the difference between the two figures. This has been allocated for each such category of indicates around 3,700 households in the borough of expenditure in 2012-13. [132118] Kettering are off the gas grid.

Number of estimated off-grid households in Kettering, 2010 Gas meters recording Domestic electricity less than 73,200 kWh Local administrative unit code Local authority area meters (thousand) (thousand) Difference (thousand)

34UE Kettering 41.6 37.9 3.7

Natural Gas: Prices statement of 29 November 2012, Official Report, column 388, on energy policy, what the evidential basis Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for is for the statement that global gas prices were 50 per Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral 255W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 256W cent higher between 2006 and 2011 than between 2001 pressed for the current derogation to be maintained, and 2006. [132677] and both Council and Parliament have agreed this should be done. I expect a necessary amendment to the Mr Hayes: The statement should have referred to UK legislation to be finalised later this month. wholesale gas prices rather than global gas prices. A revision to clarify this is being issued by the Department Consultants to the Annual Energy Statement page 8, paragraph 1.10, which reads: “Energy costs are a big factor in most households’ expenses, Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for and rising global gas prices, which were 50% higher in the five Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many years from 2007 to 2011 than in the previous five years”. full-time equivalent staff were employed on The National Balancing Point (NBP) is the virtual consultancy contracts in his Department on the latest point on the UK’s gas transmission system where wholesale date for which figures are available; how many such gas is traded. The average NBP spot price in the five staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; years from 2007-11 was 43.5 pence per therm. The and if he will make a statement. [132207] equivalent figure for the preceding five years from 2002-06 was 28.5 pence per therm implying a period-on-period Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA employed two people increase of 52.7%. on consultancy contracts as at 31 October 2012, compared Wind Power with six people on 31 October 2011. This excludes the number employed as interims or as specialist contractors. John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will discuss with his Dogs European counterparts the de-rating of wind turbines. [133284] Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Gregory Barker: I have no plans to discuss de-rating Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to of wind turbines with my European counterparts. publish his response to the tackling irresponsible dog ownership consultation. [132295]

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Mr Heath: We will be publishing our response to the Animal Welfare: Circuses consultation, together with the way forward, shortly. The Government is serious about tackling irresponsible Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for ownership and we want to make sure that any proposals Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to will deal with the problem effectively. publish a draft bill on banning wild animals in circuses. [131215] Eggs: Labelling Mr Heath: As set out in the written ministerial statement by my predecessor, the right hon. Member for Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for South East Cambridgeshire (Sir James Paice), on 12 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent July 2012, Official Report, columns 43-44WS, it is our discussions he has had with representatives of food intention to publish a draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny industry bodies and the UK egg industry on the this Session. implementation of a production method labelling scheme for foods with egg as an ingredient to identify Common Fisheries Policy (a) food products manufactured from eggs produced in non-compliant systems in the EU and (b) egg Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for products manufactured from eggs produced by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent conventional cage production systems outside the EU. progress he has made on securing agreement in the [132980] European Parliament on a discard ban under the Common Fisheries Policy; [129220] Mr Heath: The ability for consumers to make (2) what recent progress he has made on securing informed choices about the food products they buy is agreement in the European Parliament on UK control important to the Government. This has to be balanced over its 12 nautical mile territorial waters under the against the realities of production cost and consumer Common Fisheries Policy. [129228] support. Richard Benyon: Since the agreement of the general The Government supports accurate voluntary labelling. approach on the reform of the Common Fisheries The significant swing in recent years to free range egg Policy (CFP) by Fisheries Ministers at June Council I and chicken production is a good example of how the have been working to influence the European Parliament’s voluntary approach can be successful. There is no legal negotiations on the dossier. Discussions on this in the requirement for broiler or laying hens to be reared as European Parliament are currently at the committee ’free range’, yet producers recognise the added value to stage and we do not expect to receive a clear view from be gained from doing so and being able to label their the Parliament on the reform package until early next products accordingly. year. The Government will continue to work with animal With regard to access in the 12 nautical mile zone, the welfare organisations, the food industry and consumer derogation in the current CFP that restricts access to groups to ensure the right balance between demand for this zone was due to expire on 31 December 2012. I have additional labelling, and additional costs to producers. 257W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 258W

Flood Control The autumn statement announced an extra £120 million for flood defences in England during this spending Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for period which is within the allocations for the 2013-14 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the cost and 2014-15 financial years. to the public purse has been of the provision of Funding levels have been set to 2014-15. We do not sandbags to high-risk flood areas in 2012 to date; anticipate changes to these figures. Spending beyond [131993] 2014-15 will be the subject of future Government spending (2) how many sandbags the Government has reviews. provided for use against flooding (a) nationally and Central Government expenditure includes DEFRA’s (b) in Greater London in 2012 to date. [131994] own direct expenditure, DEFRA grants to the Environment Agency, plus capital grants to individual local authorities Richard Benyon: Decisions to deploy sandbags are and internal drainage boards. made at local level and we do not hold this information centrally. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his partnership funding for flood defences was spent in (a) Department spent on flood defences in each of the last 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [132346] 30 years; by what proportion such funding changed in each of the last two years; and by what proportion he expects such funding to change in each of the next five Richard Benyon: During the three years before years. [132249] Partnership Funding was introduced (2008-09 to 2010-11) a total of £13 million of external contributions were received towards flood and coastal risk management Richard Benyon: The following table sets out spending projects in England, In 2011-12 the Environment Agency by DEFRA and its predecessors on flood and coastal received £5.4 million of external contributions. The erosion risk management in England from 1996-97 to Flood and Coastal Resilience Partnership Funding policy 2011-12, and current budget forecasts for 2012-13 to was introduced in May 2011 in order to increase levels 2014-15. of external investment from 2012-13 onwards. In its Records prior to 1996-97 are not held centrally as first year of operation the new policy brought forward allocations were administered at a regional level. up to £72 million in external contributions, with this sum expected to increase further as part of this second Central Government spending (£ year of operation. million)

1996-97 101.9 1997-98 87.1 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for 1998-99 78.3 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 1999-2000 75.5 estimated ratio is of the amount spent on flood defences to the amount saved in avoiding future 2000-01 71.4 damage. [132665] 2001-02 84.7 2002-03 128.4 2003-04 135.5 Richard Benyon: The capital investment programme 2004-05 415.4 for flood and coastal erosion risk management across 2005-06 514.8 England in the three year period up to March 2010 2006-07 505.2 avoided on average £8 in future flood damages for each 2007-08 456.7 £1 invested. The Environment Agency currently forecast 2008-09 568.2 a similar average benefit to cost ratio in terms of flood 2009-10 627.9 alleviation that will be achieved over the current spending 2010-11 664.1 review period. 2011-12 573.0 2012-13 559.9 2013-14 574.5 Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for 2014-15 612.7 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of capital expenditure on From 2004-05, block grant from DEFRA to the flooding infrastructure from each funding source in Environment Agency largely replaced the previous system each year from 2012 to 2017. [132733] of central Government grants to individual local authorities. This accounts for the large increase in spending between 2003-04 and 2004-05. Richard Benyon: The following table provides yearly totals of the planned expenditure on capital flood risk In 2011-12, an additional £22.3 million funding was management needs in £ million up to 2014-15. Spending spent on flood risk management following reprioritisation beyond 2014-15 will be the subject of future Government of DEFRA budgets. spending reviews. Central Government expenditure includes In 2012-13, an additional £5 million is being spent on DEFRA’s own direct expenditure, DEFRA grants to flood risk management following reprioritisation of the Environment Agency, plus capital grants to individual DEFRA budgets in year. local authorities and internal drainage boards. 259W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 260W

Floods: Insurance Funding announced Grant in aid capital in the 2012 autumn Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for allocation (£ statement (£ Financial year million) million) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made on discussions with the Association of 2012-13 266 0 British Insurers on affordable insurance cover for 2013-14 259 35 people who have been affected by flooding and those 2014-15 259 85 living in areas with a high flood risk. [132248]

The grant in aid allocation to the Environment Agency Richard Benyon: We remain committed to ongoing for this year has increased from £259 million to £266 million discussions with the Association of British Insurers, on following internal reprioritisation of DEFRA capital behalf of their members, and others about what replaces budgets. the Statement of Principles agreement. However, it is not our policy to conduct negotiations in public. A The autumn statement announced an extra £120 million range of options are on the table; we need a lasting for flood defences in England during this spending solution that ensures affordable insurance bills for those period which is allocated for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 at flood risk but does not place unsustainable costs on financial years. wider policyholders and the taxpayer. In addition to the capital expenditure set out above, regional flood and coastal committees raise a levy for Floods: South West additional capital and revenue works within their regions. Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Internal drainage boards (IDBs) also raise a levy to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his support additional works within their districts. In its Department is taking to tackle flooding in Devon and first year of operation, partnership funding brought Cornwall. [132483] forward up to £72 million in local contributions for the 2012-13 to 2014-15 period. The second annual investment Richard Benyon: Our thoughts are with all those who cycle under partnership funding is currently under way, have been affected by the flooding episodes of this with early indications suggesting the. level of external summer. Currently 99% of Environment Agency assets contributions for the current period has grown further. (defences, sluices, weirs or pumps) in the South West are at target condition in high consequence systems, where Floods the Environment Agency’s assets protect many properties from flooding, Following the flood events, of summer 2012, the Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment Agency has inspected its flood defences in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment the South West for any damage, and repairs have been he has made of the number and scale of flooding undertaken where necessary. incidents in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and whether he has assessed the This year (2012-13), Risk Management Authorities potential link between the number of incidents and (the Environment Agency, local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards) are investing £20.4 million in flood global warming. [132480] and coastal erosion risk management projects in the Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency estimates South West, with a target of reducing flood risk to a that 1,885 properties in England and Wales were affected further 1,668 properties. Over the previous three years, by flooding in November, making a total of 7,318 for £125 million of Flood Defence Grant in Aid has been 2012 so far. used in the South West to manage and reduce flood risk. It is too soon to make any assessment of the potential link between the number of recent flooding incidents Floods: Wales and global warming. Although it is possible to assess Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the statistical likelihood of climate change influencing Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his specific extreme events, this analysis takes several months. Department will take steps to assist the residents and More frequent extreme rainfall events, with increasing businesses of St Asaph and Rhuddlan who have flood risk, are one of the likely effects of climate experienced flooding. [132479] change. Government-funded research at the Met Office Hadley Centre suggests that human influence is having Richard Benyon: I would like to take this opportunity a marked impact on some types of extreme weather, to express my sympathy to all those who suffered in the including floods such as those which occurred in autumn recent flooding events. 2000. DEFRA will keep such evidence under review. Flooding is a devolved matter and this issue would DEFRA has made an assessment of anticipated changes best be raised with the Minister for Environment and in river flows and sea levels based on UK Climate Sustainable Development in the Welsh Assembly Projections 2009. Guidance has been provided on how Government. these changes should be taken into account by flood ICT risk management authorities when apprising flood defence schemes. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for The Government laid the Climate Change Risk Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) Assessment before Parliament in January 2012. This is computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) BlackBerrys an independent research project that analyses the key and (d) other pieces of IT equipment were lost or risks and opportunities that changes to the climate stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) bring to the UK across 11 key sectors. 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132193] 261W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 262W

Richard Benyon: Property lost or stolen is recorded as £ ‘losses’ for core DEFRA. The following table shows 2010-11 2011-12 unrecovered losses of items for the financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12. Testing and evaluation 11,139 — Total 438,957 176,355 Description 2010-11 2011-12 Core DEFRA has not apportioned expenditure in Computers 10 12 2012-13 against these categories, and will continue to Mobile telephones 3 0 allocate resources flexibly as requirements dictate. Core Blackberries 4 9 DEFRA’s total web costs in 2012-13 are expected to be Other IT equipment 10 11 in line with the 2011-12 figure. How this is allocated may, in particular, be subject to the needs of transitioning Insects core DEFRA’s corporate web publishing to the new GOV.UK website over the remainder of this financial Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for year. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of Parking wild insect pollinators in the UK in the last decade. [132834] Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Richard Benyon: In 2011, DEFRA and a range of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what other funders published the UK National Ecosystem contracts for providing car park management services Assessment. This reviewed the available evidence on to his Department are held by private companies; pollinator declines and concluded that since 1980 wild [132563] bee diversity had declined in most landscapes. Over the (2) what the total value is of any contracts between same period, some hoverfly and butterfly species had his Department and private companies for car park increased in abundance, but many of those with more management services in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland and specialised feeding or habitat requirements had declined. (c) South Lanarkshire local authority area. [132564] The drivers of the observed declines included disease, habitat loss and the use of some pesticides. Richard Benyon: Car parking for core DEFRA sites Natural England has recently initiated a review of the is managed via core DEFRA’s Facilities Management status of groups of invertebrates in England, including Contract with Interserve (FM) Ltd. To provide costs bees, moths, butterflies, beetles and mayflies to identify within this contract associated specifically with car priorities for conservation action. parking management would incur disproportionate cost. The Status and Trends of European Pollinators (STEPS) Core DEFRA does not have any Contract Car Park project, funded by the European Commission, has published Management Services covering Scotland or South a number of papers on the status of pollinators in Lanarkshire local authority area. Europe and the UK. These are available on the project website at Plastics: Recycling www.step-project.net Internet Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for answer to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 801W, on been spent on (a) strategy and planning, (b) design plastics: recycling, by what mechanism the packaging and build, (c) hosting and infrastructure, (d) content recovery note (PRN) system influences the amount of provision and (e) testing and evaluation for his plastic packaging waste collected by local authorities; Department’s websites in each of the last two years; what assessment he has made of the effect of the PRN and how much has been allocated for each such price on local authorities’ collection of plastic category of expenditure in 2012-13. [132124] packaging waste; and if he will make a statement. [130315] Richard Benyon: Information on website expenditure is collated by the Cabinet Office and has been published Richard Benyon: The Impact Assessment supporting at the consultation on new recovery and recycling targets http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/ for packaging waste for 2013-17 looked at the impact of websitemetrics2010-11 increased packaging recovery note (PRN) costs and The relevant figures for core DEFRA for the last two revenues and the likely impact on levels of collection. years are: The packaging recovery note PRN system provides a mechanism by which additional funding is generated to £ support the collection and recycling of packaging waste 2010-11 2011-12 materials. As PRN prices rise, reprocessors will receive

Strategy and planning 22,795 — more revenue which they are expected to invest in Design and build 161,144 159,270 increasing capacity for collection and reprocessing of Hosting and infrastructure 184,050 17,085 packaging waste. This could take the form of increased Content provision 59,829 — support for waste collectors, including local authorities, to collect more material. 263W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 264W

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for A copy of core DEFRA’s results for the 2011 CSPS Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the can be found at answer to the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside of http://archive.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/who/documents/ 23 October 2012, Official Report, column 800W, on staffsurvey2011.pdf plastics: recycling, what investigation he has made as to Core DEFRA will publish the results of this year’s whether local weight-based recycling targets discourage survey on our website by the end of January 2013. local authorities from collecting lighter materials such The cost to core DEFRA for participating in the as plastic packaging; what estimate he has made of the 2011 survey was £11,882 plus VAT. We have not yet effect that weight-based recycling targets will have on received notification from the Cabinet Office of core the packaging recovery note price once new national DEFRA’s share of the costs of the 2012 CSPS, but we recycling targets are introduced for plastic packaging; expect to pay a similar amount to 2011. what plans he has to work with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to ensure that Waste Management local and national recycling targets are co-ordinated to Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for deliver improvements in collection and recycling of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate plastic packaging waste; and if he will make a his Department has made of likely levels of growth in statement. [130316] the waste sector in the next 12 months. [132392] Richard Benyon: There are no recycling targets on Richard Benyon: Britain’s waste and recycling sector local authorities, weight-based or otherwise. Centrally was valued at over £12 billion in 2010-11, employing imposed targets were removed to enable local authorities between 104,000-150,000 people. For 2012-13, short-term to focus on local priorities. growth figures are forecast as waste management growth River Rom in sales of 3.0% and recovery and recycling of 3.9%. Growth figures for 2013/14 for these two sectors are Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for forecast as 3.1% and 4.0% respectively. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent The 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England sets us work his Department has carried out on the River on the path towards a zero-waste economy where materials Rom. [132230] are valued and nothing of value is discarded. It will support the sector’s transition from focusing on disposal Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency undertakes to landfill to greater reuse, recycling and recovery of maintenance work, such as managing vegetation growth waste material. and removing obstructions, on the River Rom. This reduces flood risk by ensuring the channel has the capacity to carry flood flows after heavy rainfall. The Environment Agency cuts back vegetation once a year HEALTH during winter, with the next round of work due to be Autism carried out before March 2013. Once a year the Environment Agency also sprays Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State herbicide on Japanese Knotweed growing in, or next to, for Health what progress he has made in implementing the river. This is to control the spread of this invasive his Department’s autism strategy; and if he will make a species and to prevent it from damaging concrete sections statement. [132401] of the river bank. It last undertook this work in October Norman Lamb: The Government will review the 2012. 2010 adult autism strategy “Fulfilling and Rewarding Once a month, the Environment Agency checks the Lives”, from April to October next year. This is an river to remove any debris likely to obstruct flow. Between opportunity for the Government to review progress, these checks, if it receives a report from a member of take stock and consider where further action is required the public of any obstruction that may increase flood to realise the vision of improving the lives of people risk in the river it deals with it as a matter of urgently. with autism. In a memorandum to the Committee of The Environment Agency is currently working with Public Accounts of 17 July 2012, the National Audit Thames 21 on a Catchment Plan for the Rivers Rom Office stated that considerable progress had already and Beam to identify and address the main issues with been made in the two years since the strategy was the watercourses in this area. published. Surveys Care Homes: Birmingham

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in Health how many (a) private, (b) voluntary and (c) the Library a copy of the results of his Department’s independent residential homes in Birmingham fall most recent staff survey; which organisation carried within the ambit of the Care Quality Commission’s out the survey; and what the cost of the survey was. inspection regime. [131979] [132115] Norman Lamb: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) Richard Benyon: Core DEFRA participates in the has provided the following information. annual civil service people survey (CSPS) co-ordinated The CQC does not capture information on the type by the Cabinet Office, which measures the attitudes and of ownership of care homes registered with them and motivations of staff. All staff are invited to take part. therefore cannot provide a response on the number of The 2012 civil service people survey ran from 1-31 October residential homes in Birmingham that are private, voluntary 2012. or independent. 265W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 266W

However, as at 5 December 2012 there are 342 care Information about the Department’s work force, both homes in Birmingham registered under the Health and payroll and non-payroll workers, is published monthly Social Care Act 2008. Of these, 269 are residential and is available from the Department’s transparency homes and 73 are nursing homes. For the purpose of website: this answer, the CQC has defined Birmingham as the http://transparency.dh.gov.uk/tag/workforce/ local authority area. Contraceptives: Greater Manchester Charities Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health how many NHS community contraception how much funding his Department allocated to (a) clinics there are in (a) Denton and Reddish Centrepoint, (b) Crisis, (c) Skill Force and (d) Shelter constituency and (b) Greater Manchester in each of in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he the last 10 years. [132316] will make a statement. [132461] Anna Soubry: This information is not collected centrally. Norman Lamb: The Department has allocated the Primary care trusts commission contraception services following funding to Crisis. offered by national health service community contraception clinics and sexual health clinics. From 1 April 2013, Opportunities for Improving access to Crisis volunteering mental health these service’s will be commissioned by local authorities.

2010-11 144,745 36,745 English Language 2011-12 142,286 48,875 2012-13 0 100,401 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 287,031 186,021 Health how much his Department spent on English language classes for staff in each of the last 10 years. The Department has not made any payments to [132313] Centrepoint, Skill Force or Shelter in 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold central It should be noted that funding for 2012-13 represents records of expenditure on English language classes. To the latest allocations and additional funding could be gather the relevant information would incur allocated in the remaining months of the financial year. disproportionate costs, as it would involve searching records held locally by directorates. Consultants Eyesight: Testing Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent staff were employed on Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for consultancy contracts in his Department on the latest Health how many pensioners in Denton and Reddish date for which figures are available; how many such constituency aged over 60 had free eye tests in each of staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; the last 10 years. [132318] and if he will make a statement. [132209] Dr Poulter: Information is not available in the format Dr Poulter: The core Department does not employ requested. National health service sight test data are management consultants or their staff. They contract not collected by constituency. Some information can be for the delivery of consultancy services from companies provided at primary care trust (PCT) level from 2007-08. and do not keep central records of the number of Estimated numbers of NHS sight tests for persons management consultants used by those companies to aged 60 or over in Stockport PCT and Tameside and deliver the service for each contract. Glossop PCX are shown in the following table:

Stockport PCT Tameside and Glossop PCT Size of patient eligibility Size of patient eligibility Number sample used (percentage Number sample used (percentage)

2007-08 26,238 2 26,634 2 2008-09 26,969 2 25,977 2 2009-10 30,320 100 22,511 2 2010-11 29,062 100 18,464 1 2011-12 28,677 100 21,339 2 Notes: 1. Patient eligibility is based on a sample of General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) claim forms collected. This can result in anomalies in the data, depending on the sample used. This is particularly apparent when comparing year on year PCT level data. 2. From 1 April 1999, eligibility for a free NHS sight test was extended to everyone aged 60 or over. Patients may qualify for an NHS sight test on more than one criterion. However, they would only be recorded against one criterion on the form. Patients are more likely to be recorded according to their clinical need rather than their age. For example, a patient aged over 60, with glaucoma is likely to be recorded in the glaucoma category only. The count by eligibility is therefore approximate. Patients may also have had more than one sight test in the specified time period. Source: Annex D of the ‘General Ophthalmic Services Activity Statistics—England, 2011-12’ report, available on the Health and Social Care Information Centre website. 267W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 268W

General Practitioners who are diagnosed with CHD and usually remain on the register long term—a measure of prevalence rather Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health than incidence. how many complaints from each region he has received The QOF also records the list size of each practice on lack of access to GP services in (a) 2010-11 and (b) and number of practices per primary care trust (PCT) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [133199] in each release. The available information is set out in the following Dr Poulter: The Department receives a wide range of tables: correspondence on general practitioner (GP) services. To identify the number of individual complaints by England Number of region in each year would therefore incur disproportionate general Number of cost. practitioner patients on (GP) CHD Prevalence General Practitioners: East of England List size practices register (percentage)

2004-05 52,833,584 8,486 1,893,184 3.58 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2005-06 53,211,253 8,406 1,900,640 3.57 (1) what the average distance travelled for an out-of- 2006-07 53,681,098 8,372 1,898,565 3.54 hours GP appointment was in (a) Suffolk, (b) 2007-08 54,009,831 8,294 1,892,432 3.50 Bedfordshire, (c) Cambridgeshire, (d) Essex, (e) 2008-09 54,310,660 8,229 1,886,406 3.47 Hertfordshire and (f) Norfolk in each of the last three 2009-10 54,836,561 8,305 1,885,089 3.44 years; [132321] 2010-11 55,169,643 8,245 1,877,518 3.40 (2) what the average waiting time for an out-of-hours 2011-12 55,525,732 8,123 1,875,548 3.38 GP appointment was in (a) Suffolk, (b) Bedfordshire, Stockport PCT (c) Cambridgeshire, (d) Essex, (e) Hertfordshire and Number of (f) Norfolk in each of the last three years. [132407] Number of patients on GP CHD Prevalence Dr Poulter: The Department does not hold the List size practices register (percentage) information requested. 2004-05 289,559 54 12,724 4.39 My hon. Friend may wish to approach the primary 2005-06 289,556 54 12,609 4.35 care trusts concerned who might hold this information. 2006-07 290,374 53 12,615 4.34 2007-08 291,255 53 12,378 4.25 Health Education: Harrow 2008-09 292,488 53 12,313 4.21 2009-10 297,736 54 12,232 4.11 Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2010-11 298,190 52 12,113 4.06 how many people in the Harrow primary care trust 2011-12 299,243 51 12,006 4.01 area received advice from the NHS on (a) healthy eating, (b) stopping smoking, (c) managing long-term Tameside and Glossop PCT Number of conditions and (d) losing weight in (i) 2010-11 and (ii) Number of patients on 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132253] GP CHD Prevalence List size practices register (percentage)

Anna Soubry: This information is not held centrally. 2004-05 233,387 41 10,269 4.40 The hon. Member may wish to contact the trust responsible 2005-06 232,519 40 10,251 4.41 for this information, which in this case is Harrow Primary 2006-07 235,363 40 10,353 4.40 Care Trust. 2007-08 236,571 40 10,258 4.34 Heart Diseases and Liver Cancer 2008-09 237,465 40 10,213 4.30 2009-10 238,915 44 10,117 4.23 2010-11 240,153 43 10,014 4.17 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011-12 240,654 43 10,040 4.17 Health how many (a) men and (b) women in each age group were diagnosed with (i) coronary artery disease Information concerning the number of men and women and (ii) liver cancer in (A) Denton and Reddish diagnosed with liver cancer in the Denton and Reddish constituency, (B) Greater Manchester and (C) England constituency, Greater Manchester and England and and Wales in each of the last 10 years. [132317] Wales in each of the last 10 years has been provided in the following tables. These data have been provided by Anna Soubry: Data on the numbers of men and the Office for National Statistics, which collects cancer women in each age group who were diagnosed with incidence data for both England and Wales. coronary artery disease in Denton and Reddish However, because liver cancer is a rarer form of constituency, Greater Manchester and England and cancer, with small numbers reported, statistics presented Wales in each of the last 10 years are not collected by both age and sex for small geographical areas (e.g. centrally. constituencies) are potentially disclosive. To ensure that However, the Health and Social Care Information the identities of individuals diagnoses with liver cancer Centre holds data from the national Quality and Outcomes are protected these statistics have been aggregated for Framework (QOF) publication, which collects the number the last 10 years for the Denton and Reddish constituency of people recorded on general practice disease registers. and presented with 10 year age bands, as opposed to the For coronary heart disease (CHD) this relates to patients five years norm, in Greater Manchester. 269W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 270W

Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of liver cancer1 for men and women by age group, Denton and Reddish parliamentary constituency, 2001-10 combined2,3 Age group 0to64 65to69 70to74 75to79 80to84 85+

Men847963 Women 4 4 2 4 5 3 1 Cancer of the liver is coded as C22 according to the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10). 2 Based on boundaries as of November 2012. 3 Cancer incidence figures are based on newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. These numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer. The 10 year period is combined. Source: Office for National Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of liver cancer1 for men and women by age group, Greater Manchester, 2001-102,3 Men Age 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

All ages 88 94 75 88 114 100 118 129 148 167 0 to 54 17 8 11 13 10 15 19 20 21 23 55 to 64 17 17 15 20 27 16 26 25 22 42 65 to 74 29 30 22 26 28 36 45 39 42 51 75 to 79 14 20 12 15 19 17 16 20 25 23 80 to 84 2 12 7 9 16 8 8 18 22 13 85+9785148471615

Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of liver cancer1 for men and women by age group, Greater Manchester, 2001-102,3 Women Age 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

All ages 62 49 50 61 68 82 73 68 94 104 0to5447585511745 55to647479111512161119 65 to 74 18 7 13 6 12 18 18 19 22 20 75to7979781211971920 80 to 84 13 11 9 15 17 19 10 9 18 13 85+1311915111413102027 1 Cancer of the liver is coded as C22 according to the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10). 2 Based on boundaries as of November 2012. 3 Cancer incidence figures are based on newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. These numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer. Source: Office for National Statistics Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of liver cancer1 for men and women by age group, England and Wales, 2001-102,3 Registrations Men Age 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

All ages 1,369 1,526 1,542 1,596 1,785 1,905 2,004 2,118 2,266 2,344 Under 5 13 9 10 1 7 7 9 10 6 7 5to90114110103 10to141411212211 15to192405246023 20to241116540121 25 to 29 10 3 2 7 6 3 8 12 8 8 30 to 34 12 10 7 9 6 6 10 14 6 12 35 to 39 9 8 11 9 13 19 8 13 17 15 40 to 44 28 25 34 27 27 37 33 33 45 33 45 to 49 47 54 56 50 64 56 56 75 78 85 50 to 54 90 84 88 79 98 117 106 97 128 130 55 to 59 121 108 131 137 172 158 191 185 199 197 60 to 64 151 153 158 187 195 202 249 242 255 282 65 to 69 188 217 254 225 243 232 274 301 291 338 70 to 74 215 275 240 248 307 309 330 360 382 359 75 to 79 233 264 259 297 270 329 314 346 358 348 80 to 84 128 182 171 192 229 246 244 244 277 283 85+ 120 124 118 106 138 174 164 182 211 239

Registrations Women Age 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

All ages 989 1,005 943 1,052 1,118 1,124 1,212 1,234 1,372 1,406 Under 5 866468115103 5to90002001001 271W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 272W

Registrations Women Age 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

10to140023103122 15to193431410511 20to240263331225 25to293100106262 30to3433312346876 35to39783941281366 40 to 44 12 15 10 11 12 16 21 21 20 14 45 to 49 12 24 24 22 28 26 21 30 34 29 50 to 54 33 33 34 47 39 45 35 40 56 56 55 to 59 50 62 54 53 70 62 66 69 66 75 60 to 64 76 66 58 69 76 94 122 112 111 127 65 to 69 102 113 113 112 128 131 123 132 123 135 70 to 74 153 147 124 166 151 166 171 159 196 191 75 to 79 209 154 162 164 188 187 194 204 233 229 80 to 84 167 180 185 205 205 165 205 201 218 241 85+ 151 187 156 169 199 204 218 230 281 283 1 Cancer of the liver is coded as C22 according to the International Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10). 2 Based on boundaries as of November 2012. 3 Cancer incidence figures are based on newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. These numbers may not be the same as the number of people diagnosed with cancer, because one person may be diagnosed with more than one cancer. Source: England data Office for National Statistics; Wales data Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit

Hepatitis Hospices: Greater London

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to instruct the National how much funding was allocated to hospices in Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to establish London in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how much a quality standard and guidelines for the treatment of such funding has been allocated in 2012-13; and if he hepatitis C. [133111] will make a statement. [132149]

Norman Lamb: The National Institute for Health Norman Lamb: The Department does not provide and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been asked to develop revenue funding to hospices that provide care for adults; a clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of that is the responsibility of local national health service hepatitis C. The clinical guideline is expected to inform commissioners. the development of the quality standard on “liver disease (non-alcoholic)” that was referred to NICE as part of The Department did allocate £39,906,158 capital funding the quality standards library in March 2012. NICE has to adult and children’s hospices across England in not been asked to develop a separate quality standard 2010-11. Table 1 shows which hospices in London received on hepatitis C. capital funding and how much was received. The hospices in London receiving funding are all adult hospices. The total capital funds made available for hospices across John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health England in 2010-11 was £40 million. what steps his Department is taking to ensure full and open access by those most economically disadvantaged In addition to the above, hospices are eligible to apply to hepatitis C (a) screening and (b) treatment services; for project funding via the Innovation, Excellence and and if he will make a statement. [133113] Strategic Development (IESD) Fund and the Social Enterprise Investment Fund (SEIF). £40,740 was received by St Francis Hospice (Romford) under the IESD Anna Soubry: From 1 April 2013, clinical commissioning allocations. The funding received by hospices from the groups (CCGs) will work with local authorities and SEIF is set out in Table 2. The SEIF is still considering other local partners in Health and Wellbeing Boards, to applications for 2012, and therefore the 2012-13 figures ensure the heeds of local people are appropriately assessed, are not available at this time. and that those needs are captured in a health and wellbeing strategy, which will inform commissioning Table 1: Capital grants allocated to hospices in London in 2010-11 Grant received plans, for securing services to meet those needs. Organisation name Activity type (£) CCGs will have a statutory obligation to arrange for Greenwich and Bexley Cottage In-patient unit/Refurb 252,257 the provision of health services it considers necessary to Hospice meet the requirements of those patients for whom they Harris HospisCare with St Day care unit/Refurb 95,747 are responsible. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 Christopher’s will require CCGs to act with a view to securing continuous Marie Curie Cancer Care Hospitality/Refurb 120,440 improvement in the quality of services provided to Hampstead individuals in relation to the prevention, diagnosis or Meadow House Hospice Therapy centre /New 300,000 building treatment of illness, including hepatitis C. 273W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 274W

Table 1: Capital grants allocated to hospices in London in 2010-11 annual children’s hospice and hospice-at- home grant. Grant received Hospices have received funding in the years 2010-11, Organisation name Activity type (£) 2011-12 and 2012-13. Further details are available at: North London Hospice Day care unit/New 750,000 www.dh.gov.uk/health/2012/06/childrens-hospice-grants/ building Revenue funding may also come from NHS commissioners. North London Hospice In-patient unit/Refurb 196,317 London-based hospices in receipt of the Department’s St Christopher’s Hospice In-patient unit/Refurb 445,289 funding are shown as follows: St Francis Hospice (Romford) Bathroom/Refurb 346,000 St John’s Hospice (London) . In-patient unit/Refurb 600,000 £ St Joseph’s Hospice (London) Viewing room/Refurb 546,000 Grant for: St Luke’s Hospice (Harrow) Reception/Refurb 277,217 Hospice 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 St Raphael’s Hospice Sutton Bathroom/Refurb 500,000 Haven House Children’s 200,000 199,752 199,752 Table 2: Organisations awarded funds from the SEIF in 2011-12 Hospice, Woodford Green, £ Essex Total Richard House Children’s 330,017 329,769 329,769 Organisation investment Revenue grant Capital grant Hospice, E16 Shooting Star, Middlesex 213,237 212,989 212,989 Greenwich and Bexley 169,948 20,000 149,948 Community Hospice Total 743,254 742,510 742,510 John Taylor Hospice 915,113 541,443 373,670 CIC Children’s hospices and the wider children’s palliative St Catherine’s Hospice 150,000 — 150,000 care sector received a further one-off non recurrent (Lancashire) Ltd grant of £19 million in 2010-11 to support local projects Note: (from a total of £30 million made available). The £19 million The data above comprises only those organisations that are known to be was on top of the annual recurrent funding of £10 hospices because the service category “hospice” is not identified separately in the SEIF. The table does not therefore include other organisations providing million, to which we are committed until a transparent hospice care that may have been funded. and fair per patient funding system is established in The Department provides revenue funding for children’s 2015. The London-based organisations in receipt of hospices through the Department’s £10 million recurrent this funding are in the following table.

Organisation applying Project title £

ALD Life, London Practical Information Leaflets: dealing with diagnosis 3,883 Brent Community Services Training and equipment for children and young people 29,000 Camp Simcha, NW4 Family Retreats 30,000 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital; Great Ormond Street Improving access to palliative care 41,685 Hospital NHS Trust; University of London Institute of Child Health Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust Development of practical guidance in neonatal unit 63,000 Children’s Home Care Team (CHCT) Sutton Hospital Better Care for End of Life Children 4,000 Coombe Trust Fund, SE13 Children’s Special Care Rooms and Transportation 79,000 Demelza Hospice Care for Children (SE London) Blood transfusion training 33,870 Demelza Hospice Care for Children (SE London) Peer facilitated, interactive workshops for young people 66,838 Demelza Hospice Care for Children (SE London) Development of KPI measurement tools 46,349 Diana Children’s Community Team, Children’s Bringing together stories -Groups for Adults and Children anticipating and 7,000 Community Nursing Service, NHS Newham Community experiencing death Health and Care Services Enfield Community Services Training, resource pack, staff development and equipment 65,000 Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Formalised structure for delivering paediatric palliative care services 105,000 Foundation Trust Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Changing the culture of care in Tertiary Centres 128,138 University College London Institute of Child Health Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, University Developing a home Patient Controlled Analgesia.(PCA) service 31,911 College London Institute of Child Health Greenwich Community Health Services Meeting the Holistic Needs of children in Greenwich 62,000 Haven House Children’s Hospice Square Table Discussion 2,067 King’s College, London Development of a person-centred case-mix classification 149,815 Life Force Paediatric Palliative and Bereavement Care Volunteer training to support bereaved parents 1,700 Team, NHS Islington, SLOW (Surviving Loss of Our World), Islington Parent Support Group for bereaved parents Life Force Team, NHS Islington, Great Ormond Street Spiritual support for children and young people 53,773 Hospital NHS Trust, University College London Royal Free and University College London Institute of Child Health Life Force Team, NHS Islington Bereavement Training for Staff 11,000 Life Force Team, NHS Islington Discharge Planning 17,000 Life Force Team, NHS Islington Syringe drivers for NCL network 17,000 NHS Ealing, Children’s Commissioning Collation of data 37,000 Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice Promoting health, independence, and tackling inequalities 50,500 Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice Square Table Discussion 8,165 275W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 276W

Organisation applying Project title £

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice Psychosocial support for children and families 71,700 Outer North East London Community Services - Home based play service 5,000 Specialist Children’s Community Services (Waltham Forest) Richard House Children’s Hospice Awareness for non-English speaking families 18,000 Richard House Children’s Hospice Training for staff and volunteers in managing grief 22,500 Richard House Children’s Hospice Piloting of a rapid response home care 344,570 Richard House Children’s Hospice Appointment of a community liaison officer (three months) 9,165 Richard House Children’s Hospice Projects including developing London-wide training and education strategy 135,523 Richard House Children’s Hospice Family hand-held medication record pilot 58,770 Richard House Children’s Hospice Safeguarding Training 13,540 Richard House Children’s Hospice Square Table Discussion 1,900 Teenage Cancer Trust Service Development 15,052 The Margaret Centre Psychological Support Service, Development of a six-month Child-Parent Relationship Therapy pilot 29,000 Whipps Cross University Hospital Trust scheme The Margaret Centre Psychological Support Service, Development of six-month pilot scheme for facilitated support for 31,000 Whipps Cross University Hospital Trust professionals Wandsworth PCT Training in grief and loss 17,000 Total 1,917,414.

From April 2012-13, the Government made an additional Dr Poulter: The following table gives details of the £720,000 available to new children’s hospices services. departmental losses and thefts for the financial years The London-based hospices in receipt of this funding 2010-11 and 2011-12. are in the following table: April to March Hospice £ Departmental losses and thefts 2010-11 2011-12

Demelza House Children’s Hospice, Eltham 121,181 Computers 10 11 Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, Barnet 121,181 Mobile telephones 6 4 Total 242,362 Blackberrys 44 32 Other IT equipment 26 16 Hospitals: Admissions Total 86 63 NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CfH) is part of Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department’s Informatics Directorate. However, Health which NHS acute trusts have not met the there are a number of fundamental differences between national commissioning for quality and innovation the Department and NHS CfH including suppliers of requirement to risk assess 90 per cent of in-patients equipment used. It is therefore deemed appropriate to upon admission to hospital in the latest period for display the figures for NHS CfH losses and thefts which figures are available. [132136] separately to the rest of the Department.

Anna Soubry: Six NHS acute trusts did not meet the April to March national commissioning for quality and innovation goal NHS CfH losses and for Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment thefts 2010-11 2011-12 in Q2 2012-13 (July-September 2012). Details are as follows: Computers (Laptops) 10 5 Mobile telephones 729 (includes all mobile Percentage of admitted devices) patients risk-assessed for Organisation name VTE Blackberrys (not used) 0 0 Other IT equipment 0 0 Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS 89.6 Total 17 34 Trust Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust 80.9 Midwives Croydon Health Services NHS Trust 89.4 Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust 85.7 Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation 88.3 Trust Health (1) how many student midwives were in receipt Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 89.6 of a bursary in the last five academic years; what the average bursary paid to a student midwife was in each ICT such year; and what the total cost was to his Department of such bursaries; [132264] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (2) what the average cost was of training a midwife in how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) the latest period for which figures are available; BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment [132329] were lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11 (3) what the total cost to his Department of training and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. student midwives was in each of the last three years. [132191] [132330] 277W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 278W

Dr Poulter: Midwifery degrees are generally a three £ year course, for which the tuition and student support Standard Outer London Inner London costs are funded through the Multi Professional Education and Training (MPET) budget issued to strategic health 2010-11 9,018 9,469 9,740 authorities. 2011-12 9,181 9,640 9,915 2012-13 9,374 9,842 10,123 The number of midwifery students who held a bursary, the average bursary paid to those students and the total In addition to the above costs, most midwifery degree cost of all bursaries paid to student midwives in each of students will also be eligible for a student loan. This the last five academic years can be found in the following loan is provided by the Department for Business, Innovation table: and Skills. There are several other ways midwives can be trained Average amount and where an existing NHS employee is seconded on to Number of paid per bursary Total amount 1 2 2 a midwifery programme, the student would be entitled bursary holders holder (£) paid (£) to a salary, rather than student support. These salary 2007-08 3,996 5,813 23,228,490 costs are not collected centrally. 2008-09 4,265 5,715 24,373,689 NHS: Staff 2009-10 4,777 5,765 27,539,804 2010-11 5,218 5,722 29,854,947 Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011-12 5,345 5,799 30,997,396 Health how many (a) hospital doctors, (b) nurses, (c) 1 Includes nil award holders (European Union fees only students and students GPs, (d) GP practice nurses, (e) nurse practitioners, whose living allowance element of the bursary has been reduced to nil after (f) modern matrons, (g) community matrons and (h) income assessment). managers there were in the NHS in (i) 2010 and (ii) the 2 Includes the basic award and all supplementary allowances and one off payments. latest period for which figures are available. [132312] Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest pound. Dr Poulter: The annual workforce census shows the 2. Information on the total cost of training student midwives is not available as number of staff employed by the NHS in England at 30 the Department does not monitor training spend to this level of granularity. September each year. The following table shows the Source: NHS Business Services Authority number of staff employed at 30 September 2010 and 30 September 2011. The tuition costs for midwifery degree and diploma The monthly workforce statistics show the number of students are paid by the national health service based staff employed by the NHS in England but exclude on the national benchmark price. The benchmark price general practitioners (GPS) and GP practice staff. The for both midwifery degree and diploma courses over the latest figures for August 2012 are shown on the table. last three years are shown in the following table: Nurse practitioner numbers are not collected centrally.

Selected NHS staff in England as at 2010, 2011 and August 2012 Full-time equivalents 2010 2011 August 20121

Hospital doctors 97,636 99,394 100,599 GPs (excluding retainers and registrars) 31,356 31,391 n/a GP practice nurses 13,167 13,573 n/a Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 309,139 306,346 304,566 Of which: Modern matrons 4,769 4,396 4,159 Community matrons 1,552 1,469 1,391 Managers and senior managers2 40,094 36,613 35,550 “n/a” = not available 1 As from 21 July 2010 Health and Social Care Information Centre has published experimental, provisional monthly NHS workforce data. As expected with provisional, experimental statistics, some figures may be revised from month to month as issues are uncovered and resolved. The monthly workforce data is not directly comparable with the annual workforce census; it only includes those staff on the electronic staff record (i.e. it does not include primary care staff or bank staff), it also includes locum doctors (not counted in the annual census)—the figures presented in this column are for August 2012, and are the latest available from this source. They are not fully comparable with census data. GP practice staff (all general practice staff other than GPs) are collected manually by primary care trusts and collated and published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre in the annual census. The collection form does not include a breakdown of nurse practitioners, these staff are included in the GP practice nurse category and cannot be identified separately. 2 Managers and senior managers have responsibility for budgets, staff, assets or significant areas of work and report to directly to the executive team. Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Note: 1. 2010 and 2011 data is taken from the annual workforce census taken on 30 September each year. GP data is not taken from the NHS electronic staff record system and is currently only available annually. 2012 census data are expected to be published March 2013.

Nurses (A) 2010-11, (B) 2011-12 and (C) 2012-13; and if he will make a statement. [132070] Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many commissions there were in (a) total and (b) Dr Poulter: The number of training commissions in each region for (i) health visitors, (ii) school nurses, (iii) each strategic health authority (SHA) between 2010-11, district nurses and (iv) community psychiatric nurses in 2011-12 and 2012-13 are shown in the following tables: 279W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 280W

Nursing training commissions by SHA 2010-11 to 2012-13 2010-11 actual commissions NHS NHS NHS NHS Yorkshire NHS NHS South NHS NHS North North and the NHS East West East of NHS East South South East West Humber Midlands Midlands England London Coast Central West England

Health visitors 35 78 59 44 56 82 88 31 36 36 545 School nurses 17 30 28 12 23 24 35 15 9 19 212 District nurses 31 51 28 14 43 0 52 0 17 0 236 Community 040 0 4000008 psychiatric nurses

2011-12 actual commissions NHS NHS NHS NHS Yorkshire NHS. NHS South NHS NHS North North and the NHS East West East of NHS East South South East West Humber Midlands Midlands England London Coast Central West England

Health visitors 83 207 157 159 187 236 141 95 131 210 1,606 School nurses 15 39 21 0 26 0 49 14 20 26 210 District nurses 22 34 18 0 42 0 42 0 19 0 177 Community 070 0 0000007 psychiatric nurses

2012-13 planned commissions NHS NHS NHS NHS Yorkshire NHS South NHS NHS North North and the NHS East NHS West East of NHS East South South East West Humber Midlands Midlands England London Coast Central West England

Health visitors 79 251 230 237 377 296 374 292 180 210 2,526 School nurses 12 40 20 0 22 0 50 28 20 20 212 District nurses 37 49 43 0 40 0 68 0 20 0 257 Community 06000000006 psychiatric nurses

Nurses: Greater London NHS hospital and community health services; district nurses for London strategic health authority area by organisation1 and specified dates2 Full-time equivalent Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health London strategic health September September August how many (a) district nurses and (b) Macmillan authority 2010 2011 2012 community nurses were employed by the NHS in each Brent Teaching PCT 48 — — primary care trust area in London in (i) 2010-11, (ii) Bromley Healthcare — — 41 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and if he will make a Bromley PCT 46 44 3 statement. [133198] Camden and Islington NHS 11— Foundation Trust Dr Poulter: The information is not available in the Camden PCT 6 11 — format requested. Data on Macmillan community nurses Central and North West London ——19 NHS Foundation Trust is not available as it has not been possible to separately Central London Community —4251 identify community staff as opposed to other Macmillan Healthcare NHS Trust nurses. City and Hackney Teaching PCT 21 3 1 The number of district nurses working in the London Croydon Health Services NHS —8323 strategic health authority area by NHS organisation for Trust September 2010 and 2011 and the latest available data Croydon PCT 16 — — at August 2012 is shown in the following table. Ealing Hospital NHS Trust — 114 102 Ealing PCT 27 5 5 Data for September 2012 has not yet been published. East London NHS Foundation —7051 Trust NHS hospital and community health services; district nurses for London strategic health authority area by organisation1 and specified dates2 Enfield PCT 77 1 — Full-time equivalent Greenwich Teaching PCT 60 1 1 London strategic health September September August Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS —3942 authority 2010 2011 2012 Foundation Trust Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 3 0 0 1,093 1,037 1,026 Haringey Teaching PCT 47 — — Harrow PCT 41 — — Barnet Primary Care Trust (PCT) 74 13 — Havering PCT 101 162 — Barnet, Enfield and Haringey —1516Hillingdon PCT 11 12 1 Mental Health NHS Trust Homerton University Hospital —109 Barts and the London NHS Trust — 28 — NHS Foundation Trust Barts Health NHS Trust — — 21 Hounslow PCT 1 1 1 Bexley Care Trust 2 — — Islington PCT 28 1 5 281W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 282W

NHS hospital and community health services; district nurses for London Information, on the prevalence of obesity and overweight 1 2 strategic health authority area by organisation and specified dates in children aged two to 15 by Strategic Health Authority Full-time equivalent (SHA) is available in Table 11.3 of the ‘Health Survey London strategic health September September August authority 2010 2011 2012 for England—2010: Respiratory health’. This information is available at: Kensington and Chelsea PCT 50 — — www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse10report Lambeth PCT 25 — — Information on the prevalence of obesity and overweight Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust — 61 53 in children by government office region, local authority Lewisham PCT 59 9 10 county/unitary authority and local authority district/former Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 71 — — district is available in the National Child Measurement Newham PCT 68 — — Programme (NCMP) in tables 3A and 3B in. the excel North East London NHS 13 14 236 Foundation Trust file accompanying ‘National Child Measurement North West London Hospitals 111Programme: England, 2010/11-school year’. However, NHS Trust this information is only available for children in Reception Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust 12 66 64 year (four to five years) and year 6 (10 to 11 years). Richmond and Twickenham PCT 74 87 83 www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health-and- Royal Marsden NHS Foundation ——16lifestyles/obesity/national-child-measurement-programme- Trust england-2010-11-school-year South London Healthcare NHS —1— Trust Information on the prevalence of obesity and overweight Southwark PCT 19 — — in adults aged 16 and over in England is available in St George’s Healthcare NHS 30 34 38 Table 4 of the Adult trend tables from ‘Health Survey Trust for England—2010 trend tables’. This information is Sutton and Merton PCT 14 18 — available at: Tower Hamlets PCT 31 — — www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse10trends Wandsworth PCT 3 9 JO Information on the prevalence of obesity and overweight Whittington Hospital NHS Trust — 69 110 in adults aged 16 and over by Strategic Health Authority Your Healthcare 15 13 12 (SHA) for 2010 is available in Table 10.3 of the ‘Health ‘—’ Denotes zero 1 Figures are provided for district nurses by organisation in London as it is not Survey for England—2010: Respiratory health’. This possible to associate NHS trusts with specific PCT areas. information is available at: 2 2010 and 2011 figures are from the annual workforce census, as at 30 www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse10report September. 2012 figures are from the Provisional Monthly Workforce Statistics, as at 31 August. September 2012 figures are not yet available. Copies of the ‘Health Survey for England—2010 Note: trend tables’ and the ‘National Child Measurement As part of the ongoing changes that have been affecting the organisational structure of the NHS many services have clustered into larger regional units to Programme: England, 2010/11 school year’ have already provide a more consistent approach to care in their local health economy and to been placed in the Library. benefit from the savings such as shared management teams that this offers. In the case of London these changes have been present for some time and this can The ‘Health Survey for England—2010: Respiratory be seen in the increases and decreases in staff numbers across the PCTs and health’ report has been placed in the Library. trusts. As a further consequence of the restructuring of the NHS a few NHS organisations New data on levels of obesity and overweight are due have continued to exist within the Electronic Staff Record database with small to published from the National Child Measurement numbers of staff as a result of the impact of Transforming Community Services and the resultant system mergers and demergers which are still ongoing. Programme on 12 December and the Health Survey for Data Quality: England on 20 December. The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy Roaccutane lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Sources: Health what recent assessment he has made of the 1. Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census possible link between the Roaccutane form of the drug 2. Provisional Monthly Workforce Statistics isotretinoin and mental health disorders. [132015] Obesity Norman Lamb: The Medicines and Healthcare products Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Regulatory Agency continuously monitors the safety of what proportion of (a) children and (b) adults are (i) all medicines on the market. Clear warnings about the obese and (ii) overweight when measured by body mass risk of mental health disorders, including depression index according to the most recent health survey and suicidal thoughts and behaviour, have been present figures in (A) Bury St Edmunds constituency, (B) for many years in the Patient Information Leaflet for Suffolk County Council area, (C) the East of England Roaccutane provided with the medicine and the product and (D) England. [132327] information for preservers. Roaccutane and all brands of oral isotretinoin are Anna Soubry: Information is not available in the subject to annual European safety assessments which format requested. review all safety data including suspected adverse reactions Information on the prevalence of children (aged two reported in association with isotretinoin, published literature to 15) who are obese and overweight in England is and studies. These assessments include the detailed available in Table 4 of the Child trend tables from assessment of adverse reactions affecting mental health. ‘Health Survey for England—2010 trend tables’. This This year’s European safety assessment which was information is available at: led by the United Kingdom, concluded that the current www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/hse10trends product information reflected the available knowledge 283W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 284W regarding the risks of depression, suicide and other Anna Soubry: As part of the venous thromboembolism mental health disorders and that no further amendments (VTE) Prevention Programme the VTE Board is developing to the product information were required at that time. a VTE commissioning toolkit to support Clinical These important safety issues remain under close Commissioning Groups deliver a systematic, high quality monitoring throughout Europe and will be reconsidered approach to VTE prevention across the whole patient if new data become available. pathway. The toolkit will be published by April 2013. Senior Civil Servants Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency readmissions made Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health within 28 days of discharge from hospital were due to how many and what proportion of senior civil servants patients contracting venous thromboembolism in each have left (a) his Department and (b) each of the of the last five years. [132138] public bodies for which he is responsible since May 2010; what the rate of turnover of senior civil servants Anna Soubry: This data is not available. has been in (i) his Department and (ii) each such body since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for [132171] Health (1) if he will take steps to mandate venous thromboembolism risk assessment and provision of Dr Poulter: The number of senior civil servants (SCS) prophylaxis for high risk patients on admission to who have left the Department since May 2010 is 86. hospital; [132139] This represents 33%, of workforce SCS based on the (2) if he will take steps to reduce the number of cases SCS workforce in May 2010. The annual turnover rate of hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism of SCS at the end of May 2010 was 17%, compared presenting following discharge from hospital. [132261] with annual turnover of 16%, as at the end of November 2012. Anna Soubry: A number of steps are already being The Department’s executive non-departmental public taken to reduce incidence. Levers comprise the NHS bodies do not employ civil servants. The Medicines and standard acute contract, which includes not only risk Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does assessment of all adult inpatients, but also root cause employ civil servants. Information about the SCS in analysis of incidents of hospital-associated thrombosis; MHRA is presented in the following table: and inclusion in the NHS litigation authority risk management standards. In addition trusts that have Turnover failed in the past to provide the mandatory data return Dates Headcount Leavers (Percentage) for risk assessment have brought to the attention of the 5 May 2010 to 4 May 122 11 9 regulator (Care Quality Commission). 2011 The Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Prevention 5 May 2011 to 4 May 129 14 11 2012 programme is embedding best practice in core clinical 5 May 2012 to 5 134 6 5 practice by a combination of tools and incentives. NICE December 2012 Clinical Guideline 92 and the VTE Prevention Quality Standard, together with statements from the ‘4 Professions Thromboembolism Group’ provide the clinical best practice guidance. Incentivisation of the risk assessment for all adult admitted Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for patients through the Commissioning for Equality and Health whether he plans to include a venous Innovation (CQUIN) scheme, .with a goal of 90%, has thromboembolism prevention measure from the NHS been in place since June 2010, and across the NHS this Outcomes Framework, for consideration as a quality goal has been achieved for the last three quarters for premium payment for clinical commissioning groups. which data are available. [132085] Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Anna Soubry: The Health and Social Care Act 2012 Health whether he plans to include venous makes provision for the NHS Commissioning Board to thromboembolism prevention as a national reward clinical commissioning groups that commission commissioning for equality innovation goal in the effectively and so improve the quality and outcomes of NHS in 2013-14. [132258] patient care with the payment of a quality premium. Further rules around the payment scheme will also be Anna Soubry: The national commissioning for equality set out in secondary legislation in due course. The innovation goals for the NHS in 2013-14 will be set out detailed design of scheme within this framework, including in the NHS. Planning Guidance for 2013-14, which is which indicators will be included, will then be a matter due to be published later in December. for the NHS Commissioning Board. Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to include an indicator on Health (1) what steps he is taking to ensure that venous thromboembolism prevention in the primary care professionals are aware of the risks of commissioning outcomes framework. [132259] venous thromboembolism to their patients; [132086] (2) what steps his Department is taking to improve Anna Soubry: It is for the NHS Commissioning Board the diagnosis and referral of venous thromboembolism to make decisions on how it will hold clinical commissioning occurring in patients within the primary care setting. groups to account for their performance, and we understand [132137] they will be publishing details soon. 285W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 286W

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for No current Health Minister has met with any Australian Health if he will take steps to improve (a) NHS Health Minister to discuss standardised packaging of workforce and (b) patient information on the tobacco products. However, contact is maintained at importance of venous thromboembolism prevention. official level with the Australian Department of Health [132260] and Ageing regarding tobacco control. The Government have an open mind on whether Anna Soubry: Improving awareness and information, standardised packaging should be introduced. To inform both for staff and patients, has been a high priority for responses to this consultation and any subsequent policy- the Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Board since the making, the Department of Health in England VTE Prevention programme began, and the board has commissioned a systematic review of the evidence on provided leadership and co-ordination across key activities plain tobacco packaging. The review was supported for both national health service staff and patients: through the Public Health Research Consortium (PHRC), Information for the NHS workforce has been developed a network of researchers funded by the Department’s through the National VTE Exemplar Centres Network, Policy Research programme. The review was undertaken whose work includes developing and sharing VTE by academics at the University of Stirling, the University guidelines, education and audit materials. An online of Nottingham and the Institute of Education, London. training module has been completed by over 11,000 The resulting report has been peer-reviewed in accordance participants. The network is multi-professional, with the Department’s Research Governance Framework10 incorporating the VTE Prevention National Nursing and is available on the PHRC’s website at: and Midwifery Network, and working closely with the http://phrc.lshtm.ac.uk/project_2011-2016_006.html UK Clinical Pharmacy Association—Haemostasis, Anticoagulation and Thrombosis group. The PHRC report represents the work and views of the authors, not necessarily those of the Department. The VTE ‘4 Professions’Group, comprising the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives has provided professional leadership, INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT releasing a position statement on 20 September 2012 supporting VTE prevention. The position statement Developing Countries: Poliomyelitis has been placed in the Library. Patient information leaflets, one designed for all patients Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for on admission to hospital, and one for obstetric patients International Development what assessment she has are in development with support from Lifeblood: The made of the incidence of polio in (a) Nigeria, (b) Thrombosis Charity and the Association of British India (c) Pakistan and (d) Afghanistan; and if she will Pharmaceutical Industry VTE Group. The leaflets will make a statement. [132256] be templates to enable trusts to incorporate relevant local information. Justine Greening: The global polio eradication initiative Tobacco: Packaging (GPEI) reports weekly on the number of cases of polio worldwide. They report that as of 28 November 2012 Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for there have been 110 cases in Nigeria, 56 cases in Pakistan Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for and 31 cases in Afghanistan so far this year. In January Barnsley Central of 28 November 2012, Official 2012, India (previously classed endemic) passed one Report, columns 377-8W, on smoking: young people, year without recording any new cases of polio and there when he expects his Department to have finished have been no new cases recorded so far in 2012. considering the consultation responses, evidence and Public Appointments other information on standardised packaging of tobacco products; if he will provide a timescale for his announcement of the Government’s proposed course Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for of action on standardised tobacco packaging; whether International Development how many public he has held discussions with his counterpart in appointments (a) regulated by and (b) not regulated Australia on the (i) reason he believes that policy action by the Office of the Commissioner for Public on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring Appointments have been made by her Department additional public health benefits, over and above those since 2007; and in how many such cases the services of expected to accrue from existing tobacco control recruitment consultants were retained. [132774] initiatives and (ii) extent to which the UK can make use of the work done in Australia prior to the Mr Duncan: The number of public appointments implementation there of a ban on standardised made by DFID from 2007 is detailed in the following packaging; and if he will make a statement. [132234] table: Anna Soubry: The Department has received many Independent Commonwealth Commonwealth thousands of responses to the “Consultation on Commission Development Scholarship for Aid Impact Corporation scheme standardised packaging of tobacco products” from a (ICAI) Group (CDC) (CSC) range of interested parties. The Department is in the process of collating and analysing these responses. We (a) Regulated 4314 will give full and proper consideration to all of the by OCPA responses received, as well as to the evidence, and other (b) Not 000 regulated by relevant information, before making any decisions on OCPA future policy for tobacco packaging. 287W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 288W

The services of a recruitment consultant were retained Child Benefit will continue to be paid to all families in the support of the recruitment of public appointments who claim and are entitled to it. The tax charge will to CDC only during this period. only apply to people on an income over £50,000 who claim child benefit or whose partner claims child benefit. Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for This charge will increase gradually for taxpayers with International Development when her Department last an income between £50,000 and £60,000. assessed the (a) utility and (b) value of psychometric testing in its recruitment and selection of candidates Business Creation for public appointments on advisory boards. [132775]

Mr Duncan: DFID does not have a central policy on 20. Mark Menzies: To ask the Chancellor of the the use of psychometric testing in the recruitment of Exchequer what steps he is taking to support business candidates for public appointments on advisory boards. creation. [132513] It is for each public body with the support of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments to determine Sajid Javid: I refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor the most appropriate selection methodology for each of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for individual appointment. Tatton (Mr Osborne), earlier response to questions 2, 3,7 and 9. Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department’s policy is on the payment of travel expenses to Autumn Statement candidates in respect of their attendance at assessment centres and interviews when pursuing applications for 21. Mr Bellingham: To ask the Chancellor of the selection to a public appointment. [132776] Exchequer what representations he has received on his Autumn Statement. [132514] Mr Duncan: DFID does not have a central policy for the reimbursement of travel expense to candidates attending Mr Gauke: The Treasury received a number of assessment centres and interview for selection to public representations from a variety of organisations in the appointments. The policy for such payments is for the run up to the autumn statement. As was the case with non-departmental public body or arm’s length body previous administrations, the Government does not that has the vacancy to determine. provide details of these representations.

Financial Services: New Entrants PRIME MINISTER Sick Leave 22. Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage new Mr Ruffley: To ask the Prime Minister what the entrants to financial services. [132515] average number of working days lost was per person in (a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies in Greg Clark: The information is as follows: each of the last five years. [133144] This Government are committed to the creating a transparent, stable and competitive banking sector. Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Cabinet Office. The Government announced in June that the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England would review the prudential Analysis of the average working days lost for the and conduct requirements for new entrants to the banking sector. Cabinet Office and its agencies is published on a quarterly This is an excellent opportunity to take positive action to basis on the Cabinet Office website at: remove barriers to entry and expansion in banking and I look http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/content/absence-data forward to publication of the review in the new year. Aggregated figures for the whole civil service are published on the civil service website at: Job Creation: Private Sector http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/improving/health-and- wellbeing/sickness-absence 23. Mr Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage private sector job creation. [132516] TREASURY Danny Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the Child Benefit Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton (Mr Osborne), earlier response to 19. Mr McKenzie: To ask the Chancellor of the questions 2, 3, 7 and 9. Exchequer how many parents will lose child benefit as a result of the changes coming into force in January 2013. [132512] 24. Mary Macleod: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage private Mr Gauke: In 2012-13 HMRC estimates that 1.1 million sector job creation. [132517] families will be affected by the new high income child benefit charge. Those affected may not all be parents as Danny Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the child benefit can be claimed by any adult who is responsible Chancellor of the Exchequer’s earlier response to questions for a child. 2, 3, 7 and 9. 289W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 290W

Annuities ICT

Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he is taking in respect of the level of how many (a) computers, (b) mobile telephones, (c) annuity rates offered to pensioners; [132251] BlackBerrys and (d) other pieces of IT equipment (2) what recent discussions he has had with pension were lost or stolen from his Department in (i) 2010-11 providers on the level of annuity rates which they offer. and (ii) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [132061] [132184] Sajid Javid: The Government is committed to ensuring Sajid Javid: The following computers, mobile telephones, that everyone has the information and tools they need BlackBerrys and other pieces of IT equipment have to make responsible and informed decisions at retirement been lost or stolen from the Department in the financial and supports the Association of British Insurers’ new years 2010-11 and 2011-12: Code of Conduct for Retirement Choices, due to be implemented by 1 March 2013. The code, complemented Items lost or stolen from the by the impartial information offered by the Money Department Recovered Advice Service and the Pensions Advisory Service, will 2010-11 help ensure that many more retirees maximise their 12 laptop computers 4 assets by effectively exercising the ‘Open Market Option’ 1 mobile phone 0 and considering the best annuity for their needs. 10 BlackBerrys 2 Treasury Ministers have discussions with a wide variety 11 other pieces of IT equipment 0 of organisations in the public and private sectors. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the 2011-12 Government’s practice to provide details of all such discussions. 8 laptop computers 5 0 mobile phones n/a Consultants 17 BlackBerrys 2 29 other pieces of IT equipment 3 Mr Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer All the laptop computers involved in these incidents how many full-time equivalent staff were employed on were encrypted devices which are not accessible without consultancy contracts in his Department on the latest a security token and more than one password. The date for which figures are available; how many such BlackBerrys are also password protected. staff were employed on the same date 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement. [132218] No tokens or passwords were left with these items, and so there was no data loss, and steps were taken, as Sajid Javid: HM Treasury hold multiple consultancy soon as the theft of these electronic items were reported, contracts. Suppliers of services to these contracts are to ensure that they provided no means of access to any responsible for providing adequate levels of resources of the Department’s IT systems. to deliver the outcomes as contractually agreed. In order to determine full time equivalent staff deployed Interest Rates by suppliers for all such contracts, the information required could be provided only at a disproportionate Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer cost. if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit banks from placing savers in accounts which offer Financial Services interest rates excessively below market levels. [132060]

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Sajid Javid: The Financial Services Authority currently Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce the UK’s has responsibility for regulating the conduct of financial dependence on the financial services sector. [132220] services firms offering savings accounts. This responsibility will be transferred to the Financial Conduct Authority Sajid Javid: Increasing reliance on the financial sector from 1 April 2013. and on borrowing in the private and public sectors The Government wants consumers to be able to get drove growing imbalances in the UK economy during the best from their savings, and encourages savers to the pre-crisis decade. This Government is rebalancing shop around to get the best deal. The Money Advice the economy towards strong, sustainable growth that is Service has been established to provide information and more evenly shared across the country and between generic advice on money matters, including helping industries, through a radical programme of supply-side people understand how to make decisions about their reforms, as well as providing financial support for businesses savings. At Budget 2012 it was announced that the creating jobs and growth. For example, autumn statement Money Advice Service would develop and introduce of 5 December 2012, Official Report, columns 871-882, web-based resources to show consumers when ISA bonus announced a temporary increase in the Annual Investment rates are ending. Allowance limit from £25,000 to £250,000, and a further £5 billion of capital investment in infrastructure to Pensions underpin the UK’s long-term competitiveness. The Government also announced an extension to the Advanced Katy Clark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative of £120 million what powers he proposes that the Financial Conduct to increase the UK manufacturing sector’s competitiveness Authority will have over private pension providers. and repatriate supply chains nationally. [132062] 291W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 292W

Sajid Javid: The Financial Conduct Authority will be past five years has been the fall in equity prices relative to gilt responsible for the conduct regulation of all non- prices. That fall in the relative price of equities was not caused by occupational pension providers. They will also be QE, and stemmed in large part from the reluctance of investors to responsible for the prudential regulation of non- hold risky assets, such as equities, given the deterioration in the economic outlook, almost certainly as a result of the financial occupational pension providers other than insurance crisis.″ companies, banks, systemically important investment firms, and firms passporting into the United Kingdom The paper concludes that: from other European member states. If a retail pension ″Without the Bank’s asset purchases...[there] would have [been product is based offshore, the FCA will regulate the a] significant detrimental impact on savers and pensioners along with every other group in society.″ marketing and distribution of this by a UK firm. The Financial Conduct Authority will be able to apply the Petrol: Expenditure full range of its powers in support of this role. These include: Steve Rotheram: To ask the Chancellor of the authorisation powers; Exchequer what proportion of income was spent on powers to make rules and issue codes and guidance; petrol by those earning an annual salary of between new product intervention powers; (a) £10,000 and £20,000, (b) £20,000 and £30,000, (c) £30,000 and £40,000, (d) £40,000 and £50,000 and (e) enforcement powers; over £50,000 in the latest period for which figures are powers to agree or impose schemes for providing consumer available. [133072] redress. Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Sandra Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Cabinet Office. Exchequer if he will (a) review the income limits on drawdown pension policies and (b) consider The information requested falls within the responsibility reinstating the link between the income cap and the of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority Government Actuary’s Department rate. [132242] to reply. Letter from Glen Watson, dated December 2012: Sajid Javid: The Government announced in the autumn As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I statement that it will increase the capped drawdown have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor limit for pensioners of all ages with these arrangements of the Exchequer, asking what proportion of income was spent from 100% to 120% of the value of an equivalent on petrol by those earning an annual salary of between (a) annuity in FB13. £10,000 and £20,000, (b) £20,000 and £30,000, (c) £30,000 and £40,000, (d) £40,000 and £50,000 and (e) over £50,000 in the latest The Government keeps all aspects of its policies period for which figures are available. (133072) under review. As data on expenditure is only available at the household and not the individual level, the figures given in Table 1 below refer to Miss McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the household disposable income and expenditure on petrol refers to Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect total household expenditure on petrol. Disposable income has of quantitative easing on pensions; and if he will make been used as it is the income measure which most accurately reflects a household’s spending power. Disposable income, is a statement. [133002] defined as income from wages and salaries, self-employment, occupational pensions, investments and other non-government Sajid Javid: The independent Monetary Policy sources, plus cash benefits, less direct taxes. Committee’s (MPC) policy tools, including Bank Rate Table 1 shows household expenditure on petrol as a percentage and quantitative easing (QE), are macroeconomic policy of household disposable income for each of the above bands. The tools designed to affect the economy as a whole, in table also displays the equivalent figures for diesel and both petrol order to meet the 2% inflation target over the medium and diesel combined. term. Estimates of income and expenditure are taken from the Living Costs and Food Survey (LCF), which is a sample survey The Bank of England’s paper “The Distributional covering approximately 5,000 private households in the UK. The Effects of Asset Purchases” published on 23 August LCF has been used for this response because it collects both 2012 notes that: income and expenditure data. ″The main factor affecting the valuation of defined benefit The estimates provided, as with any involving sample surveys, pension schemes and defined contribution pension pots over the are subject to a margin of uncertainty.

Table 1: Percentage of banded household disposable income spent on petrol, 2010-111, 2 Expenditure on petrol as a Expenditure on diesel as a Expenditure on petrol and Band of household disposable percentage (%) of disposable percentage (%) of disposable diesel as a percentage (%) of Number of households income (£) income income disposable income (million)

10,000 to 20,000 3.2 1.0 4.2 7.70 20,000 to 30,000 3.6 1.3 4.9 5.79 30,000 to 40,000 3.1 1.3 4.4 3.90 40,000 to 50,000 3.0 1.4 4.4 2.28 Over 50,000 2.2 1.1 3.3 3.64 1 Household disposable income is income from employment, occupational pensions, investments and other non-government sources, plus cash benefits, less direct taxes. 2 Figures may not sum due to rounding. Source: Effects of Taxes and Benefits and Living Costs and Food survey, Office for National Statistics 293W Written Answers11 DECEMBER 2012 Written Answers 294W

Smuggling: Tobacco The announcement includes a range of activities, including additional tax specialists to tackle tax evasion Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the and avoidance by wealthy individuals and multinationals Exchequer how many people at ports and airports have and improving HMRC’s CONNECT computer system been intercepted with tobacco above the allowed duty so that the department is able to better identify areas of limits in the latest period for which figures are compliance risk. available; and how many such people were believed to Therefore the £77 million investment package will be professional criminals. [132020] fund a range of activities including over 250 tax professionals. Sajid Javid: It is not possible to provide details of the By 2014-15 it is expected that HMRC will bring in number of people stopped at ports and airports with around £22 billion in additional revenues that would tobacco above the allowed duty limits, or how many otherwise have gone unpaid an increase of around such people were believed to be professional criminals. £9 billion since 2010-11. Limits only apply to people travelling from outside the European Union. There are no limits to the amount Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the of tobacco products that travellers from the European Exchequer what the number of tax inspectors Union can bring into the UK, as long as they are for employed by HM Revenue and Customs was in each of their own use and transported by them. the last 15 years; and what was estimated to be the To the extent that the Government are able to provide average revenue, or range of revenue, which each information, the UK Border Force made 28,750 individual obtained per year through their work. [132294] seizures of cigarettes at ports and airports in 2011-12, totalling 455 million cigarettes and 11,533 seizures of Mr Gauke [holding answer 10 December 2012]: HMRC hand-rolling tobacco totalling 508 tonnes. was created by the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise in 2005 and ″tax inspectors″ is no Social Security Benefits: Expenditure longer a role within the merged organisation. Data from before 2005 can be provided only at disproportionate Mr Reid: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer cost. It follows that it is not possible to ascribe the what estimate he has made of the likely reduction in average revenue or range of revenue obtained each year spending on each of the working age benefits and tax through such work. However, in 2011-12 there were credits in each of the next five financial years due to his circa 17,000 tax professionals in HMRC who carried uprating policy decision announced in the Autumn out a range of duties—from answering queries from Statement. [133114] customers to tackling non-compliance with taxation obligations, and of the £474.2 billion collected £16.7 billion Sajid Javid: The fiscal impact of the decision to was due to compliance activities, an increase of £2.8 billion up-rate most working age benefits and tax credits by 1% over the previous year (HMRC Annual Report and from April 2013 is set out in Table 2.1 of the autumn Accounts 2011/12). statement document 5 December 2012, Official Report, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/annual-report-accounts- columns 871-882. Further details of forecast benefit 1112.pdf and tax credit expenditure are set out in Tables 4.22 and 4.23 of the Office of Budget Responsibility’s Economic Frank Dobson: To ask the Chancellor of the and Fiscal Outlook, published on 5 December. DWP Exchequer whether his Department has made an will shortly publish the Benefit Expenditure tables setting estimate of the number of people employed in the City out forecast expenditure for the range of DWP benefits. of London advising individuals and organisations on tax efficiency. [132305] Tax Avoidance Mr Gauke: We do not hold the information requested. Mr Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many extra tax inspectors will be employed as a result of the £154 million now being Taxation: Business devoted to increasing efforts to counter tax avoidance; and how much extra revenue he estimates will be raised Mr Raab: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in total and each year for the next 10 years as a result. what steps he is taking to reduce taxes on small [132292] businesses. [132511]

Mr Gauke: As the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Gauke: The autumn statement announced a number the Chief Secretary to the Treasury recently announced, of steps to support small business, including a temporary the Government will invest a further £77 million in HM increase in the annual investment allowance limit from Revenue and Customs in the current spending review £25,000 to £250,000 for two years and the doubling of period to expand its tax avoidance and evasion activity. small business rate relief until March 2014. This follows This investment is to tackle the unacceptable minority previous steps taken including reducing the small profits that choose to avoid paying their fair share, sometimes rate to 20%, in place of the previous Government’s breaking the law. plans to raise it to 22%. ORAL ANSWERS

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. TREASURY ...... 131 TREASURY—continued Business and Job Creation ...... 133 Private Finance Initiatives...... 131 Capital Infrastructure Projects...... 144 Public Sector Net Borrowing ...... 144 Child Poverty ...... 136 Tax Avoidance ...... 142 Cost of Living...... 140 Topical Questions ...... 146 Dark Pool Trades...... 143 Transferable Tax Allowances (Married Couples).... 137 Interest Rate Swap Mis-selling ...... 145 Work Programme (Funding)...... 138 Long-term Youth Unemployment...... 139 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 21WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL East of England Regional Strategy (Revocation) ... 21WS AFFAIRS...... 27WS Dairy Industry ...... 27WS CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 22WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 28WS Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council ...... 22WS Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 28WS JUSTICE...... 32WS Whiplash Claims...... 32WS EDUCATION...... 24WS EU Education and Youth Council ...... 24WS TREASURY ...... 15WS ECOFIN...... 18WS Finance Bill 2013 ...... 16WS ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 25WS Finance Bill 2013 and Tax Policy Update...... 15WS Doha Climate Change Conference...... 25WS Financial Services ...... 20WS PETITION

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 3P Navigation on unregulated watercourses...... 3P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 186W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Fraud: Fines...... 186W National Trading Standards Board ...... 236W ICT ...... 187W Parking ...... 237W Senior Civil Servants...... 187W Post Offices: Closures...... 237W Sick Leave ...... 188W Senior Civil Servants...... 237W Students: Finance ...... 238W Surveys ...... 238W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 230W UK Membership of EU...... 239W Advantage West Midlands ...... 230W Unfair Practices ...... 239W Apprentices: East of England ...... 230W Union of Jewish Students ...... 240W Arms Trade: Exports...... 231W Business: Loans...... 231W Charities ...... 232W CABINET OFFICE...... 240W Consultants...... 232W Carers ...... 240W Exports: Iraq...... 233W Charities ...... 240W Fireworks: Safety ...... 233W Consultants...... 240W Higher Education: Admissions ...... 233W Immigration: Commonwealth...... 241W ICT ...... 234W Internet ...... 241W Local Economic Partnerships: Greater London..... 234W Senior Civil Servants...... 243W Marketing ...... 236W Surveys ...... 243W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 179W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— Advantage West Midlands...... 179W continued Carbon Monoxide: Alarms...... 179W Plastics: Recycling...... 262W Charities ...... 180W River Rom...... 263W Floods...... 180W Surveys ...... 263W Housing: Cumbria ...... 181W Waste Management...... 264W Local Government: Disclosure of Information...... 183W Local Government Finance ...... 182W New Towns: Sherford...... 183W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 218W Non-domestic Rates: Appeals ...... 183W African Union...... 218W Non-domestic Rates: Scotland...... 184W British Indian Ocean Territory...... 219W Religious Buildings: Greater London...... 184W Counter-terrorism ...... 219W Senior Civil Servants...... 184W Democratic Republic of Congo ...... 219W Surveys ...... 184W Diplomatic Service...... 219W Valuation Office Agency ...... 185W EU Internal Trade...... 220W Israel...... 221W Mali ...... 221W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 207W Middle East ...... 221W Public Appointments ...... 207W Omar al-Bashir ...... 223W Overseas Workers...... 223W DEFENCE...... 243W Pay...... 226W Air Force...... 243W Sudan...... 227W Devonport Dockyard...... 244W Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 228W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 244W Western Sahara ...... 229W Germany...... 246W Gibraltar...... 246W Guided Weapons...... 246W HEALTH...... 264W Military Bases: Scotland ...... 246W Autism ...... 264W Military Exercises ...... 247W Care Homes: Birmingham ...... 264W Military Intelligence...... 247W Charities ...... 265W Nuclear Weapons: Testing...... 247W Consultants...... 265W RAF Leuchars ...... 248W Contraceptives: Greater Manchester...... 266W RAF Lossiemouth and Leuchars ...... 249W English Language ...... 266W Type 22 Frigates...... 249W Eyesight: Testing...... 266W General Practitioners ...... 267W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 230W General Practitioners: East of England...... 267W Sick Leave ...... 230W Health Education: Harrow...... 267W Heart Diseases and Liver Cancer ...... 267W EDUCATION...... 249W Hepatitis ...... 271W Charities ...... 249W Hospices: Greater London...... 272W Early Intervention Foundation...... 249W Hospitals: Admissions ...... 275W GCE A-level: Females...... 250W ICT ...... 275W Schools: Admissions ...... 250W Midwives...... 276W Secondary Education: Work Experience ...... 251W NHS: Staff ...... 278W Teachers: Retirement...... 251W Nurses...... 277W Nurses: Greater London ...... 279W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 251W Obesity...... 281W Energy...... 251W Roaccutane ...... 282W Energy: Prices ...... 252W Senior Civil Servants...... 283W Energy: Wholesale Trade...... 252W Thromboembolism...... 283W Fossil Fuels: Prices...... 253W Tobacco: Packaging ...... 285W Internet ...... 253W Natural Gas: Kettering ...... 254W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 195W Natural Gas: Prices...... 253W Arrests: Children...... 195W Wind Power ...... 255W Asylum: Housing ...... 196W Asylum: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 196W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Borders: Personal Records ...... 196W AFFAIRS...... 255W Dual Nationality...... 196W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 255W Dyfed Powys Police: Helicopters...... 197W Common Fisheries Policy ...... 255W Entry Clearances...... 198W Consultants...... 256W Entry Clearances: South Sudan ...... 199W Dogs ...... 256W Entry Clearances: Syria...... 199W Eggs: Labelling ...... 256W EU Immigration ...... 199W Flood Control...... 257W Illegal Immigrants: Deportation ...... 200W Floods...... 259W Immigration...... 200W Floods: Insurance ...... 260W Immigration: Africa ...... 202W Floods: South West...... 260W Members: Correspondence ...... 202W Floods: Wales...... 260W Metropolitan Police ...... 202W ICT ...... 260W Overseas Students: Syria ...... 203W Insects...... 261W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 203W Internet ...... 261W Police: Surveillance ...... 206W Parking ...... 262W Smuggling: Tobacco...... 207W Col. No. Col. No. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 286W TRANSPORT—continued Developing Countries: Poliomyelitis ...... 286W Driving: Insurance ...... 189W Public Appointments ...... 286W Driving Under Influence...... 189W East Coast Railway Line ...... 189W JUSTICE...... 207W ICT ...... 189W Abu Qatada ...... 207W Motor Vehicles: Testing ...... 190W Claims Management Services...... 207W Procurement...... 191W Courts: Interpreters...... 208W Railways: Freight ...... 191W Courts: Interpreters...... 208W Railways: Snow and Ice...... 191W Courts: Middlesbrough...... 208W Roads: Accidents ...... 192W Fraud: Shares...... 209W Senior Civil Servants...... 192W Magistrates: Tees Valley...... 209W Severn River Crossing ...... 193W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 210W Transport ...... 194W Reoffenders...... 210W Transport for London ...... 195W Sentencing...... 212W Young Offender Institutions...... 211W TREASURY ...... 287W Annuities...... 289W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 215W Autumn Statement...... 288W Consultants...... 215W Business Creation...... 288W Employment ...... 215W Child Benefit...... 287W ICT ...... 216W Consultants...... 289W Pay...... 217W Financial Services ...... 289W Senior Civil Servants...... 217W Financial Services: New Entrants...... 288W Sick Leave ...... 217W ICT ...... 290W Surveys ...... 218W Interest Rates ...... 290W Job Creation: Private Sector...... 288W PRIME MINISTER ...... 287W Pensions...... 290W Sick Leave ...... 287W Petrol: Expenditure ...... 292W Smuggling: Tobacco...... 293W SCOTLAND...... 185W Social Security Benefits: Expenditure...... 293W Internet ...... 185W Tax Avoidance ...... 293W Surveys ...... 185W Taxation: Business ...... 294W Winter Fuel Payments: Scotland ...... 186W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 212W TRANSPORT ...... 188W Copper...... 212W Cleaning Services ...... 188W Incapacity Benefit ...... 214W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 131] [see index inside back page] Chancellor of the Exchequer

Equal Marriage Consultation [Col. 155] Statement—(Maria Miller)

Northern Ireland [Col. 177] Statement—(Mrs Villiers)

Energy Efficiency and Reduction in Energy Costs [Col. 189] Bill presented, and read the First time

Planning Applications (Community Right of Appeal) [Col. 190] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Chris Skidmore)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

The Economy [Col. 192] General debate

Petition [Col. 264]

Israel and Palestine [Col. 265] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Overseas Territories (Governance) [Col. 1WH] Mowden Hall, Darlington (DfE Jobs) [Col. 21WH] Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [Col. 27WH] Health Services (Cornwall) [Col. 49WH] Tackling Corruption [Col. 57WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 15WS]

Petition [Col. 3P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 179W] [see index inside back page]