Monday Volume 567 2 September 2013 No. 41

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 2 September 2013

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2013 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

(FORMED BY THE RT HON.DAVID CAMERON,MP,MAY 2010) PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. William Hague, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. George Osborne, MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt Hon. Danny Alexander, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS—The Rt Hon. Vince Cable, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, MP LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE—The Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt Hon. Eric Pickles, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt Hon. Justine Greening, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Michael Moore, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—The Rt Hon. Edward Davey, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Maria Miller, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES—The Rt Hon. David Jones, MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Hill of Oareford, CBE

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Innovation and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE AND PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE—The Rt Hon. Vince Cable, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Willetts, MP (Minister for Universities and Science) The Rt Hon. Michael Fallon, MP § Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint (Minister for Trade and Investment) § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Jo Swinson, MP § Matthew Hancock, MP § (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills) Viscount Younger of Leckie Cabinet Office— MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND PAYMASTER GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Francis Maude, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Oliver Letwin, MP (Minister for Government Policy) The Rt Hon. David Laws, MP § PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES— Nick Hurd, MP Chloe Smith, MP Joseph Johnson, MP § Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Eric Pickles, MP SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi § MINISTER OF STATE—Mark Prisk, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Nick Boles, MP The Rt Hon. Don Foster, MP Brandon Lewis, MP Baroness Hanham, CBE ii HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES—The Rt Hon. Maria Miller, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Hugh Robertson, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— Edward Vaizey, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITIES Helen Grant, MP § Jo Swinson, MP § Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Philip Hammond, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Andrew Robathan, MP The Rt Hon. Mark Francois, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Dr Andrew Murrison, MP Philip Dunne, MP Lord Astor of Hever, DL Duchy of Lancaster— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER—The Rt Hon. Lord Hill of Oareford Education— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP MINISTER OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Laws, MP § (Minister for Schools) PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Matthew Hancock, MP § (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Skills) Edward Timpson, MP Elizabeth Truss, MP Lord Nash Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Edward Davey, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Gregory Barker, MP The Rt Hon. Michael Fallon, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Baroness Verma Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Owen Paterson, MP MINISTER OF STATE— David Heath, CBE, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Richard Benyon, MP Lord de Mauley Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. William Hague, MP SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Baroness Warsi § MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. David Lidington, MP (Minister for Europe) The Rt Hon. Hugo Swire, MP Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Mark Simmonds, MP Alistair Burt, MP Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP MINISTER OF STATE— Norman Lamb, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Anna Soubry, MP Daniel Poulter, MP The Rt Hon. Earl Howe HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont. iii

Home Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Theresa May, MP § MINISTERS OF STATE— Mark Harper, MP (Minister for Immigration) The Rt Hon. Damian Green, MP (Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice) § Jeremy Browne PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— James Brokenshire, MP Lord Taylor of Holbeach, CBE International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Justine Greening, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Alan Duncan, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—Lynne Featherstone, MP Justice— LORD CHANCELLOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt Hon. Lord McNally The Rt Hon. Damian Green, MP (Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice) § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Helen Grant, MP § Jeremy Wright, MP Law Officers— ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The Rt Hon. Dominic Grieve, QC, MP SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Oliver Heald, QC, MP ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—The Rt Hon. Lord Wallace of Tankerness, QC Leader of the House of Commons— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND LORD PRIVY SEAL—The Rt Hon. Andrew Lansley, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Tom Brake, MP Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Mike Penning, MP Privy Council Office— DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt Hon. Nick Clegg, MP Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Michael Moore, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. David Mundell, MP Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Patrick McLoughlin, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Simon Burns, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Norman Baker, MP Stephen Hammond, MP Treasury— PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt Hon. David Cameron, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt Hon. George Osborne, MP CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Danny Alexander, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Greg Clark, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—David Gauke, MP ECONOMIC SECRETARY—Sajid Javid, MP COMMERCIAL SECRETARY—Lord Deighton, KBE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt Hon. Sir George Young, MP LORDS COMMISSIONERS— The Rt Hon. Desmond Swayne, MP Anne Milton, MP David Evennett, MP Stephen Crabb, MP § Robert Goodwill, MP Mark Lancaster, MP iv HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

ASSISTANT WHIPS— Greg Hands, MP Karen Bradley, MP Joseph Johnson, MP Nicky Morgan, MP Robert Syms, MP Mark Hunter, MP Jenny Willott, MP Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. David Jones, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Stephen Crabb, MP § Baroness Randerson Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt Hon. Iain Duncan Smith, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Mark Hoban, MP Steve Webb, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Lord Freud Esther McVey, MP Ministers without Portfolio— The Rt Hon. Kenneth Clarke, QC, MP The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP The Rt Hon. John Hayes, MP Her Majesty’s Household— LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Earl Peel, GCVO, DL LORD STEWARD—The Earl of Dalhousie MASTER OF THE HORSE—Lord Vestey, KCVO TREASURER—The Rt Hon. John Randall, MP COMPTROLLER—The Rt Hon. Alistair Carmichael, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt Hon. Greg Knight, MP CAPTAIN OF THE HONOURABLE CORPS OF GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS—The Rt Hon. Baroness Anelay of St Johns, DBE CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN’S BODYGUARD OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD—Lord Newby, OBE BARONESSES IN WAITING—Baroness Garden of Frognal, Baroness Northover, Baroness Stowell of Beeston, LORDS IN WAITING—Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Earl Attlee, Lord Gardiner of Kimble, The Rt Hon. Lord Wallace of Saltaire, Lord Popat § Members of the Government listed under more than one Department

SECOND CHURCH ESTATES COMMISSIONER, REPRESENTING CHURCH COMMISSIONERS—Sir Tony Baldry, MP HOUSE OF COMMONS THE SPEAKER—The Rt Hon. John Bercow, MP CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Lindsay Hoyle, MP FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—Nigel Evans, MP SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt Hon. Dawn Primarolo, MP PANEL OF CHAIRS Mr David Amess, MP, Hugh Bayley, MP, Mr Joe Benton, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, Mr Peter Bone, MP, Mr Graham Brady, MP, Annette Brooke, MP, Martin Caton, MP, Mr Christopher Chope, MP, Katy Clark, MP, Mr David Crausby, MP, Philip Davies, MP, Jim Dobbin, MP, Nadine Dorries, MP, Sir Roger Gale, MP, Mr James Gray, MP, Mr Mike Hancock, MP, Mr Dai Havard, MP, Mr Philip Hollobone, MP, Mr Jim Hood, MP, The Rt Hon. George Howarth, MP, Sir Edward Leigh, MP, Dr William McCrea, MP, Miss Anne McIntosh, MP, Mrs Anne Main, MP, Sir Alan Meale, MP, Sandra Osborne, MP, Albert Owen, MP, Mark Pritchard, MP, Mrs Linda Riordan, MP, John Robertson, MP, Andrew Rosindell, MP, Jim Sheridan, MP, Mr Gary Streeter, MP, Mr Andrew Turner, MP, Mr Charles Walker, MP, Mr Mike Weir, MP, Hywel Williams, MP SECRETARY—Simon Patrick HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION The Rt Hon. The Speaker (Chairman), Sir Paul Beresford, MP, Mr Frank Doran, MP, Ms Angela Eagle, MP, The Rt Hon. Andrew Lansley, MP, John Thurso, MP SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION—Robert Twigger ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Joanna Dodd ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE AUDIT COMMITTEE Alex Jablonowski (Chairman), Ms Angela Eagle, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, John Thurso, MP, Stephen Brooker, Barbara Scott SECRETARY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE—Ben Williams LIAISON COMMITTEE The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Beith, MP (Chair), Mr Graham Allen, MP, The Rt Hon. James Arbuthnot, MP, Mr Adrian Bailey, MP, The Rt Hon. Kevin Barron, MP, Dame Anne Begg, MP, Mr Clive Betts, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Malcolm Bruce, MP, Mr William Cash, MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP, Mr Ian Davidson, MP, DavidTCDavies, MP, The Rt Hon. Stephen Dorrell, MP, James Duddridge, MP, Mrs Louise Ellman, MP, Natascha Engel, MP, Dr Hywel Francis, MP, The Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP, The Rt Hon. Margaret Hodge, MP, Mr Bernard Jenkin, MP, Miss Anne McIntosh, MP, Andrew Miller, MP, Mr George Mudie, MP, Richard Ottaway, MP, Mr Laurence Robertson, MP, Mr Graham Stuart, MP, John Thurso, MP, Mr Andrew Tyrie, MP, The Rt Hon. Keith Vaz, MP, Mr Charles Walker, MP, Joan Walley, MP, Mr John Whittingdale, MP, Mr Tim Yeo, MP CLERKS—Andrew Kennon, Philippa Helme MANAGEMENT BOARD Sir Robert Rogers, KCB (Clerk of the House and Chief Executive), David Natzler (Clerk Assistant and Director General, Chamber and Committee Services), John Pullinger (Director General, Information Services), Andrew Walker (Director General, HR and Change), John Borley, CB (Director General, Facilities), Myfanwy Barrett (Director of Finance), Joan Miller (Director of Parliamentary ICT) (External Member), Alex Jablonowski (External Member), Barbara Scott (External Member) SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD—Matthew Hamlyn SPEAKER’S SECRETARY—Peter Barratt SPEAKER’S COUNSEL—Michael Carpenter SPEAKER’S CHAPLAIN—Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS—Kathryn Hudson PARLIAMENTARY SECURITY DIRECTOR—Paul Martin

2 September 2013

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT

IN THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND [WHICH OPENED 18 MAY 2010]

SIXTY-SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 567 FIFTH VOLUME OF SESSION 2013-2014

Mr Dunne: Chinooks, along with other helicopters, House of Commons already regularly operate from royal naval vessels. Some specific training is needed to qualify crews to enable Monday 2 September 2013 them to operate from ships, but no specific engineering work is required for Chinooks to embark on or fly from ships, so no marinisation programme is needed. But as The House met at half-past Two o’clock Chinooks cannot fit in the hangar on any of our existing vessels, they embark for specific operations or exercises rather than for long deployments. PRAYERS Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): The Government of Yemen have specifically requested support, as far as air [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] power is concerned, in order to defeat al-Qaeda. As the Minister knows, there was an attempt to assassinate the Prime Minister of Yemen over the weekend. What support can be given to Yemen, as far as heavy-lift Oral Answers to Questions helicopters are concerned?

Mr Dunne: As the right hon. Gentleman knows, helicopter support into the Gulf is not easy to do from DEFENCE the UK—or even from our sovereign bases in Cyprus. In direct response to his question about helicopters, I The Secretary of State was asked— am afraid that I cannot enlighten him. Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): I want to ask the Secretary Heavy-lift Helicopters of State why there has been no response whatsoever to my letters to him and his Ministers dated January, 1. Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con): February, April, June and July 2013, or to my letters to What assessment he has made of the adequacy of his the head of the Military Aviation Authority, dated Department’s heavy-lift helicopter capability. [900040] January, February, April and June, about a number of serious concerns raised by my constituent, Christopher The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Jackson, relating to the safety of the Sea King helicopter (Mr Philip Dunne): Over the next 10 years, the Ministry fleet and the conduct of a number of individuals involved of Defence will spend over £12 billion to ensure our in ensuring the safety of the fleet, which I understand is helicopter capability remains up to date. The Chinook now the subject of a police investigation. I would be remains our heavy-lift helicopter. We currently have a grateful if the Secretary of State investigated what has fleet of 46 aircraft—the second largest fleet in the happened, and may I receive responses by return? world—with 14 new aircraft coming into service from 2014, bringing the total to 60. We regularly review the Mr Dunne: I am obviously not able to speak for the requirement for all of our helicopter capability. head of the Military Aviation Authority, which has its own organisation within the MOD, but I would be Harriett Baldwin: I thank the Minister for that answer. happy to look into the matter. I have not heard from the What steps have been taken to develop a naval capability hon. Lady directly myself; I will take that on board and for the Chinook helicopter? write back to her. 3 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 4

Nuclear Deterrent stage. Our current way of managing our equipment programme is to enter into contracts with industry at 2. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) the point at which projects are mature enough to enable (Con): What assessment he has made of the cost and us to secure the best possible value for money for the credibility of a nuclear deterrent based on a cruise taxpayer. Entering into a contract at this stage, when missile system. [900041] the project is relatively immature, would not represent value for money. The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): A range of cruise missile-based systems were examined Trident Alternatives Review as part of the recent Trident alternatives review. The evidence showed that any cruise missile option was 3. Mr Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North) (Con): more vulnerable and had significantly reduced reach What conclusions he has drawn from the Trident compared with a Trident-based deterrent. Additionally, alternatives review about alternatives to a UK nuclear it would be more costly, requiring the design and deterrent based on Trident. [900042] development of a new warhead, as well as a new missile. 9. James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): Oliver Colvile: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, What conclusions he has drawn from the Trident but will he give me a commitment that in any future alternatives review about alternatives to a UK nuclear negotiations with our coalition partners after the next deterrent based on Trident. [900048] general election, if by some misfortune no single party should gain an outright majority, our party would 11. Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): What retain a continuous-at-sea deterrent with four nuclear conclusions he has drawn from the Trident alternatives submarines? review about alternatives to a UK nuclear deterrent based on Trident. [900051] Mr Hammond: The Government’s position is that we will maintain continuous-at-sea deterrence, and to do The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): that we are preparing to go ahead at the main-gate The review demonstrates that no alternative system is as decision in 2016 with the delivery of replacement capable as a Trident-based deterrent, or as cost-effective. submarines. I fear I would be straying beyond my remit if I were to speculate on negotiations that may or may Mr Wallace: Does my right hon. Friend agree that not take place after the next election. one of the dangers of the alternatives to Trident is that of mistaken identity? An intercontinental ballistic missile Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): What is the leaves a very distinct signature on launch, whereas the Secretary of State’s latest estimate of the cost of replacing alternatives could be confused with conventional weapons, both the warheads and the submarine system, ahead of and hence trigger an escalation rather than a de-escalation the main-gate decision in 2016? Has he given further of conflict. consideration to the possibility of us not renewing Trident in order to help bring about a nuclear-free Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. world more rapidly rather than re-arming ourselves and The Trident alternatives review makes clear that that is thus delaying the possibility of a nuclear-free world? just one of the many drawbacks of a cruise-based system. The other primary drawbacks are the risk, the Mr Hammond: On the last point, I think that history time scale for development, the likely cost, the lack of teaches us that unilateral abandonment of nuclear weapons range, and the vulnerability of the weapons system. is not the way to bring about a more rapid elimination of those weapons, much as we would all like to see that James Morris: Will the Secretary of State confirm happen. I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the estimates that, when maintenance is taken into account, the cost produced in the 2006 White Paper for the cost of differential between four boats and three boats is minimal, replacing the existing submarines with a four-boat solution and that we should press ahead with a full replacement were between £15 billion and £20 billion—in terms of for Trident because it is in our national interest to do the 2006 economic conditions—and they remain so? unchanged. Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend has conflated two Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): In order different questions. The Trident alternatives review states that the Secretary of State does not keep having to tell categorically that Trident provides the best value and us that he must not go above his pay grade, will he carry the best capability for the United Kingdom. As for the the message back to No. 10 that as Labour Front separate question of how many boats are needed, the Benchers say they are willing to sign up to two of the Government are determined to maintain continuous-at-sea four boats before the next election, and as the majority deterrence, and the best advice at present is that that of people in this House would like to have that main-gate will require four boats. The cost differential between decision implemented at least in part, why should we three and four boats is about £1.7 billion in net present not go ahead so that we cannot be blackmailed by the value terms, or about £50 million to £60 million a year Liberal Democrats in the event of a hung Parliament over the life of the project. after the general election? Christopher Pincher: My right hon. Friend has already Mr Hammond: I understand my hon. Friend’s point made a powerful case for Trident and for continuous-at-sea of view. He has on other occasions raised the issue of deterrence, but does he agree that other potential deterrents entering into a contract for the submarines at an early that have been mooted, such as an airborne deterrent, 5 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 6 would also be expensive to implement? Moreover, an Armed Forces (Scotland) airborne deterrent would be prey to a pre-emptive strike—which means that it would be no deterrent at 4. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): all—and would be considered objectionable by many What assessment he has made of the contribution people who do not want nuclear armed planes landing made by armed forces based in Scotland to the and taking off on their doorsteps. collective defence of the UK. [900043]

Mr Hammond: Indeed. The nature of the United The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Kingdom, which is a relatively small and densely populated (Dr Andrew Murrison): Defence of the UK is planned, land mass, is one of the factors taken into account by organised and resourced to meet the needs of the UK as the Trident alternatives review, and one of the reasons a whole. Units based in Scotland are an integral part of why the idea of land-based ballistic missiles was ruled the UK armed forces and, as such, make a vital contribution out at an early stage. The review states clearly that all to national defence. Scotland, as part of the UK, plays alternatives to Trident are less capable, higher-risk and a key role in all aspects of its defence, and benefits from more expensive. That strikes me as a pretty categorical the full range of UK defence capabilities and activities. conclusion. It is perfectly clear that we are better together in defence, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman and the vast majority Mr David Hanson (Delyn) (Lab): Can the Secretary of those in this House will agree. of State tell the House how much taxpayers’ money has been spent on the Liberal Democrat vanity project that Mr Bain: Support for Scottish separation has fallen is the Trident alternatives review, given that, by and this morning to just 29%. Does the Minister agree that large, both the Conservative part of the coalition and one reason for that is the lack of credibility of the the Labour Opposition support the outcome and knew nationalists on defence? Has he received any communication what it would be? from the Scottish Government on how they propose to fund a standing army of 15,000 troops with a defence budget one tenth the size of this Government’s? Mr Hammond: I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the work on the review was conducted in-house, led Dr Murrison: The data that the hon. Gentleman has by the Cabinet Office and supported by the Ministry of reported to the House come as no surprise to me. The Defence, and that the principal cost involved will have straight answer to his question is no; we hear all sorts of been civil servants’ time. If he submits a written question rumours, but we await a White Paper from the Scottish to me, I will ask the Department to produce the best Government—apparently, it will arrive at the end of estimate that it can make of the time involved. this year—laying out more precisely than we have had thus far what they plan to do for national security and Mr James Arbuthnot (North East Hampshire) (Con): defence. It sounds, however, from the data that he has Does my right hon. Friend agree that if we opted for an brought to the House that that will be highly hypothetical. alternative to Trident, we should probably have to be out of the submarine building business altogether, and Troop Numbers (Afghanistan) that that would pose a real risk to the national security of the country? 5. Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): What progress he has made in drawing down the number of Mr Hammond: My right hon. Friend has made an UK troops in Afghanistan to around 5,200 by the end extremely good point. It seems often to be forgotten by of 2013. [900044] those who advocate an alternative that we must make a choice about whether to sustain a submarine building industry in the United Kingdom. I, for one, believe that The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Andrew it is essential to the UK’s strategic interest for us to Robathan): As the Prime Minister announced on maintain a submarine-building capability, and that further 19 December 2012, UK force levels will reduce from points to the use of a submarine-based continuous-at-sea 9,000 to 6,000 from this autumn, and to about 5,200 by deterrent. the end of 2013. That figure may, of course, fluctuate and occasionally exceed this total due to temporary surges into theatre. Our force level reduction is in line Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): The with the draw-down plans of our NATO allies and Government’s Trident alternatives review covered a large reflects the progress of the Afghan national security number of options and was described in this House by forces in assuming overall security responsibility for the the Chief Secretary to the Treasury as the “most country. comprehensive study” of our nuclear deterrent policy. Will the Secretary of State enlighten the House as to Bob Blackman: I thank my right hon. Friend for that why the alternative being put forward now by the Liberal answer. Clearly, I put on the record my salute to all Democrats of two boats conducting irregular unarmed those brave servicemen and women who have given patrols was not considered as part of that comprehensive their lives or been injured, and those who place their review? lives on the line every single day, in support of our security. The worst thing would be if we withdraw our Mr Hammond: The review considered a three-boat troops from Afghanistan and then have to go back. Will alternative and a four-boat alternative; it did not consider he inform the House on what progress he is making on a two-boat position, as that was not considered a credible getting the ANSF to take over from our brave servicemen deterrent. and women? 7 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 8

Mr Robathan: As my hon. Friend will know, the focus is aware, we are testing a GoCo—Government owned, of our armed forces is now on encouraging the ANSF contractor operated—model in the market. Separately, and training, helping and mentoring them. We are very we are working up the best public sector option we can, encouraged by the progress that we see. For instance, a which we are referring to as DE&S-plus. The commercial major operation took place in the summer in the Logar competition for a GoCo provider is well under way and and Nangarhar provinces, involving a large number of I am pleased to confirm that two consortia are participating Afghan troops. It was very successful and it also in this work. The invitation to negotiate was issued to demonstrated the increasing capability of the Afghan each on 24 July and officials have commenced negotiations air force, so we are on track. Despite the scepticism of to develop the GoCo option in more detail. some, the ANSF are looking on track to assume responsibilities overall. Mr Cunningham: Under the current plans, the MOD would be liable for claims against the contractor should Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): a GoCo model be chosen, meaning that the taxpayer Will the Minister also update the House on whether any takes a large amount of risk. Would the MOD consider decisions have been made on the post-2014 UK contribution making the contractor liable for all claims instead? to Afghanistan and when he will be able to share any likely numbers? Mr Dunne: The MOD is in the early stages of negotiations on the contract for a GoCo and, as I have Mr Robathan: I cannot share the exact numbers with said, is at the same time working up a DE&S-plus the hon. Lady. What I can say is that our focus will option. We will not make a decision until we have definitely be on the Afghan national officer academy, received bids from the consortia, which we expect to which is just outside Kabul. We are very much concentrating conclude in the spring of next year, and we will compare on that, but of course we need to consider force protection that against the DE&S-plus option. Only at that point and other issues, and the actual details cannot yet be will it be appropriate to consider the question that the given. hon. Gentleman asks.

Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire) (Lab): At a time Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): I appreciate when some commentators outside the House doubt the that for sound commercial reasons the Minister will not utility of UK military force, it is crucial that those from want to share with the House the details of the value- all parts of the House again put on the record our for-money assessment of DE&S-plus and the GoCo. Is respect for the remarkable contribution that our men he able to tell the House whether that process has been and women are making in Afghanistan. completed and, if it has, what the broad conclusion is? Let me return to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Feltham and Heston (Seema Malhotra), Mr Dunne: As I have just said to the hon. Member for on which the Minister attempted an answer but did not Coventry South (Mr Cunningham), until we receive the give enough details. Will he say to the House in more bids for the GoCo option we will not know either detail what he understands to be the current commitment the costs of implementing that option or the benefits for UK equipment being retained in Afghanistan post-2014? the MOD will receive. The final value-for-money case When will the Government be in a position to share can be completed only once that information is available with the House the precise number of UK military to us. personnel who will remain in theatre post-2014? Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): Proposals Mr Robathan: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for DE&S include greater involvement of the private for his comments about our armed forces, which, sector, as we know. We also know that a very large number notwithstanding any excitements last week, are still of private companies already contribute significantly to doing an extremely good job in Afghanistan. I pay MOD projects. However, in the light of the very recent tribute to them as well. public failures and the fact that the GoCo tender process Our focus after the end of next year will most definitely is under way, will the Minister tell the House what be on the Afghan national army officer academy outside discussions there have been across Government and Kabul. I am afraid that I cannot yet give the right hon. with the Justice Secretary specifically about companies Gentleman or the House details of equipment that we that have been found to overcharge, or worse, and their might be leaving behind or anything like that, but we ability to do business with the Government and MOD expect to announce it by the end of the year. in the future?

Defence Equipment and Support Mr Dunne: I can confirm to the hon. Lady that a review across Government is being undertaken into the competition currently being managed by the MOD. We 7. Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): expect it to report relatively soon. On the question of What progress his Department has made in the the company that she did not mention specifically but assessment phase for reform of Defence Equipment referred to as having difficulties with the Ministry of and Support. [900046] Justice, we are aware of those discussions. The company is a member of one of the consortia and it will be up to The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence the consortium to decide whether it is appropriate, in (Mr Philip Dunne): The Department continues to make the light of the outcome of the review, for that company good progress in the assessment phase for the reform of to remain in it or not. It will be up to the consortium to Defence Equipment and Support. As the hon. Gentleman replace it, if it wishes, with another. 9 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 10

Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Ministers will have Mr Hammond: Tempting though it is to go down the to make a decision about whether to consolidate DE&S route that the hon. Gentleman sets out, the reality is at Donnington or at Bicester. Unless and until they that the processes that must be undertaken to reach a make that decision, it will not be easy to persuade the mature main-gate decision that is properly informed by private sector to invest in much-needed new logistics the evidence simply could not be shortened to the equipment and 21st-century warehousing at either location. available time scale. We are aiming for 2016, by when we will have a robust basis on which to contract and to Mr Dunne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for conduct the value-for-money assessment. pressing the case for his constituency interest in one of the most significant logistics sites the MOD operates. It Syria is our view that it is not appropriate to prejudge the outcome of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the logistic commodities and services transformation 10. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): exercise, the DE&S-plus exercise or the Defence Support What recent assessment he has made of the security Group exercise, all of which have an involvement in situation in Syria; and if he will make a statement. both Donnington and Bicester. Once we are clear which [900049] entity we are working with on each exercise, we will be best placed to judge where the locations should be The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): consolidated. The conflict in Syria is of grave concern to the international community and the use of chemical weapons by the Trident Replacement Syrian regime is, I think, regarded as abhorrent by everyone. The UK will continue to press for a political solution to end the bloodshed and we are urging the 8. Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): Whether Syrian regime to enter the Geneva process towards a his Department has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis negotiated transition. of a Trident replacement; and if he will make a statement. [900047] Miss McIntosh: I thank my right hon. Friend for his The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): reply. Clearly the security situation will have the greatest A cost-benefit analysis of possible nuclear deterrent impact on Syria’s near neighbours, so what discussions systems was carried out for the 2006 White Paper, “The have he and other members of the Cabinet had with Future of the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent”. those near neighbours and the Arab League, as well as This demonstrated that a submarine-launched ballistic NATO and the EU? missile system based on Trident was the most cost-effective solution to the UK’s requirement. The recently published Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend might have seen that “Trident Alternatives Review” supports the judgments the Secretary-General of NATO made a statement only made in 2006 and demonstrates that the renewal of the this morning about this matter. I assure her that we have current Trident-based system is the most cost-effective the closest possible contact and dialogue with the regional and capable nuclear deterrent for the UK. players—the Arab League, the Gulf Co-operation Council, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. We are acutely conscious Sir Edward Leigh: Just because Trident is obviously of the risks and threats that the situation in Syria the best new nuclear deterrent, surely we should still present to them. I should also mention that we are the worry about, and be aware of, costs. Given that submarine second largest donor of humanitarian assistance to try programmes have a history of vast cost overruns—50% in to alleviate the shocking refugee crisis in Syria. the case of the Astute class programme—will the Secretary of State assure the House that he is keeping a close eye Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Is it not on costs and that he is broadly confident that he can the case that, although the civil war in Syria started in deliver Trident on time and on budget? early 2011, a UK firm was granted a licence to sell chemicals to the regime in 2012, and that was stopped Mr Hammond: We have not yet contracted but, as I only because of tougher EU sanctions? Is there any said in response to the question asked by the hon. murderous regime anywhere with which we are not Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn), we believe willing to do business? This illustrates what I have said that the costs of replacing the Trident deterrent will fall about Syria. If that process had not been stopped owing within the estimates set out in the 2006 White Paper. I to EU sanctions, chemicals would have been sent that should say to my hon. Friend that we have made significant could have made the gas that was used against civilians strides to reform the way in which the submarine enterprise there. is conducted, and we believe that the MOD has a much firmer control of the enterprise’s cost base than has Mr Hammond: The hon. Gentleman makes a case previously been the case. with a great deal of passion, but without much detailed understanding of what he is talking about. Export John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/Co-op): licences were granted for some industrial chemicals that Is the right hon. Gentleman keeping an open mind could have been used in a process that might be involved about the timetable? If experts and the industry tell him in the production of poisonous gases. Those export that there could be a more cost-effective solution for the licences were revoked—no such chemicals were exported. taxpayer if the main-gate decision were to come earlier However, I should explain that the problem that we all than the scheduled date of 2016, will he be alive to that, face is that a significant number of industrial chemicals rather than sticking to the current agreement within the have perfectly legitimate industrial uses—in this case, I coalition? believe, in metal-finishing activities—and we have to 11 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 12 maintain the right balance between ensuring that we are what, if any, circumstances, following changes in Syria not providing materials that could be misused and or internationally, the Government would bring back to allowing normal trade to be conducted. Parliament the issue of UK military involvement in Syria? Sir Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): Much has been made in the media about the potential impact of Mr Hammond: If I may say so, it is a bit rich for the last week’s vote on the relationship between the United right hon. Gentleman, who last week trooped into Kingdom and the United States. Does my right hon. the Lobby behind the leader of his party, giving rise to Friend not agree that whatever disagreements there the very situation in which we now find ourselves, to might be on the particular issue of Syria, the strength of demand that I tell him precisely in which circumstances the relationship between the United Kingdom and the we might revisit this issue. I have already said to the United States is absolutely essential, and it rests, much hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) more importantly, on intelligence and a shared belief in that we believe that Parliament has spoken clearly on a nuclear deterrent? this issue, and is unlikely to want to revisit it unless the circumstances change very significantly. Mr Hammond: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Our relationship with the United States is central to our Military Covenant defence and security, and I am confident that, whatever happened last week, the depth, strength and history of 12. John Glen (Salisbury) (Con): What steps his that relationship mean that it is a resilient one. The Prime Department is taking to strengthen the military Minister has spoken to the President since last Thursday, covenant. [900052] and I am confident that as a result of that conversation the relationship between the United States and the The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mr Mark United Kingdom will continue, and will remain strong Francois): As my hon. Friend knows, the armed forces and resilient. covenant is important for this Government and it is a personal priority of mine. We are taking a number of Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): steps to strengthen it. These include the continued Given that the security situation in Syria is likely to promotion of the community covenant scheme, with deteriorate or certainly change, will the Secretary of more than 370 local authorities now signed up—that is State tell the House why last Thursday’s vote, whereby more than 80% of all the local authorities in the UK; in essence the House did not agree to two motions, the recent announcement by the Chancellor of the should not be revisited in future? Exchequer of £10 million per year to support the covenant; and the launch of the corporate covenant, which allows Mr Hammond: As the Prime Minister, the Chancellor businesses and charitable organisations to demonstrate of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary have already their public support for the armed forces community. made clear, this is a democracy. Parliament has spoken, and we take it that Parliament has spoken very clearly. John Glen: Over the next few years, a considerable We cannot keep coming back to Parliament with the number of pupils from military families will be educated same question. I think that the circumstances would in south Wiltshire and around Salisbury. Will the Minister have to change very significantly before Parliament confirm that the MOD will work proactively with local wanted to look again at this issue. authorities, including Wiltshire, to ensure that pupil premium funding is spent in an optimal way and that Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): I warmly best practice is shared? welcome the Government’s policy of not intervening militarily in Syria, but may I seek assurances from the Mr Francois: Yes, I believe I can. The service pupil Secretary of State that every action will be taken by premium was increased in April this year from £250 to the Government and by friendly Governments around £300. I can assure my hon. Friend that as units move the world to make sure that perpetrators of atrocities in under re-basing, whether from Germany or within the Syria are outlawed, and that should they seek to leave United Kingdom, we continue to work with the Department their country they will stand trial and any wealth and for Education, providing specialist information, advice money they have forfeited? and support through our own directorate for children and young people to local authorities and schools to Mr Hammond: Our position remains that there needs secure maximum benefit from the service pupil premium to be a robust response to the illegal use of chemical for service children. In my hon. Friend’s particular case, weapons. The House of Commons has ruled out military we will of course ensure that we involve the military-civil participation in any such response, but we will pursue integration partnership in Wiltshire, which does very every diplomatic, political and other channel to continue good work in this area. to deliver the robust message that my right hon. Friend calls for. Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire) (Lab/Co-op): The Army Families Federation has launched an Mr Jim Murphy (East Renfrewshire) (Lab): I want to investigation into the effect of the bedroom tax on return to the issue raised by my hon. Friend the Member armed forces families, which I know may come as a for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart). On Thursday, surprise to the Minister as it took him some time to after the vote, the Prime Minister ruled out UK involvement accept that armed forces families would be affected by in military action in Syria. The Government of course the bedroom tax. Will he clarify whether the families of will remain engaged diplomatically and on aid policy, armed forces personnel who stay in single living but will the Secretary of State spell out for the House in accommodation on base in the UK are to be exempt 13 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 14 from the bedroom tax in the same way as are the Dr Murrison: I have to refer the hon. Gentleman to families of students living away from home? At present my earlier remarks. These projects have been going since there are inconsistencies in the way this policy is being 2011—they are in their infancy—so it would be remarkable applied and it is undermining the armed forces covenant. if demonstrable savings were to be volunteered at this point, but we are confident that there will be savings, Mr Francois: I recently had the privilege of attending which is in large part why we are doing this, and they the Army Families Federation conference in Germany, will be forthcoming as we go further with pooling, where I spoke on a number of matters, and a number of sharing and smart defence. questions were raised with me by service personnel. I do not remember that issue being raised with me by the Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): Army Families Federation when I was in Germany, so it Will my hon. Friend update the House on what progress may be an issue that the federation has raised with the is being made on initiatives to deepen co-operation with hon. Lady, but it certainly did not raise the matter with other northern European countries? me when I was at its conference.

Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): The Minister rightly Dr Murrison: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that pointed out that the armed forces covenant is not just question. He will be aware of the Northern Group. for the Ministry of Defence. With that in mind, what Within both NATO and the European Union it is regular liaison and discussions are held with the Department important to identify groups of like-minded countries, for Communities and Local Government to ensure that such as the Northern Group, with which we can work the community covenant is more than just a photo call? particularly well. It seems to me to be expedient to work with the grain of such countries in order to lever in Mr Francois: The hon. Gentleman mentions the effect. My right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary will community covenant, which gives me an opportunity to discuss that shortly in Vilnius. repeat the fact that more than 80% of local authorities have signed it, including, I am pleased to say, all those in Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): On defence sharing, his and my county, Essex. He talked about co-operation the UK provides military training to senior military between Government Departments. As he will know, a officers from countries around the world. The MOD specific Cabinet sub-committee chaired by the Minister has confirmed to me in parliamentary answers that over for Government Policy meets regularly to make sure recent years that has regularly included senior army that we are properly co-ordinated between Departments officers from the Assad regime. Does the Minister regret in evaluating the covenant. The hon. Gentleman may be that? pleased to know that that committee is due to meet again in the near future. Dr Murrison: I cannot really comment because I just do not know. I would be very surprised if that was the Smart Defence case, but we can certainly look into it. The hon. Gentleman is right that we provide training and exposure to a wide 13. Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): What smart range of countries, looking all the while at the probity defence or pooling and sharing initiatives the UK has and integrity of their regimes. Clearly nothing is perfect joined; and what estimate he has made of savings to the in this world, but we put huge effort into ensuring that public purse arising from such schemes. [900053] those who benefit from our training courses go back to their countries and use the information they have gained The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence to good purpose and in a way that we in this House find (Dr Andrew Murrison): I am delighted to be able to say acceptable. that the ultimate answer to the hon. Gentleman’s question is 42, as the UK currently participates in 40 NATO smart defence initiatives and two of the European Defence Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): Agency’s pooling and sharing projects. I am happy to Does the Minister believe that the principles of smart write to him with a list, if he would like it. Capability defence are best served through multilateral organisations, development is a long-term process. Many of these such as the European Defence Agency or NATO, or on projects are still in their infancy and as such we are a bilateral basis, such as the Lancaster house agreement? unable to quantify meaningfully direct savings to the He said that he will write to my hon. Friend the Member UK, but savings there certainly will be. There are clear for York Central (Hugh Bayley). Will he share that benefits for the UK in seeking collaborative opportunities information with the entire House by placing details in and encouraging other partners to do the same, particularly the Library? working in small groups where it is expedient to do so. UK-Dutch amphibiosity, 40 years old this year, is a very Dr Murrison: Absolutely. I am more than happy to good example. write about the 42 programmes and place a copy in the Library. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman’s binary Hugh Bayley: Indeed, I would like the Minister to proposition: namely, that we should choose to operate write to me. I support what the Government are doing either on a bilateral or multilateral basis or through to try to buy at lower cost collaboratively with allies, but supranational organisations. I believe that both have the Government’s defence expenditure, according to their part to play. Working with the grain of other public expenditure statistical analyses last year, was in countries, in the way I have described, seems to me to real terms £4.9 billion less than when Labour was in offer great opportunities for levering in effect. I have power in our last year of office. What proportion of cited UK-Dutch amphibiosity, which we should all be that £4.9 billion has been saved through smart defence? celebrating in this 40th anniversary year. 15 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 16

Defence Exports employers and representative bodies such as the CBI and the Federation of Small Businesses. I have been 14. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) encouraged by the constructive support we have received. (Con): What steps he is taking to increase defence We know that the only way to implement our plans exports. [900054] successfully for the future reserves is to maintain an open and honest discussion among the Department, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence reserves and their families, and employers. That is what (Mr Philip Dunne): This Government are working tirelessly we have done to date, and it is precisely what we shall to support economic growth, and responsible defence continue to do in the weeks and months ahead. exports make an important contribution to that. From the Prime Minister and Ministers across other Departments Pauline Latham: I thank the Minister for that answer. to service chiefs and Ministers in the Department—indeed, Will he join me in paying tribute to the many reservists I was in Korea and Japan during the recess—all are who have served with distinction in both Iraq and engaged in supporting our allies in looking at acquiring Afghanistan, including one young man in my office, top-quality British military equipment. Hugh Orton, who has completed a three-month internship and who has done valuable service overseas? Stephen Metcalfe: I thank the Minister for that answer. My constituency has a number of defence and aerospace Mr Francois: I wholeheartedly join my hon. Friend in contractors, so will he join me in welcoming the 62% paying tribute to our reservists, including her member growth achieved last year in defence exports and tell the of staff. Our reservists are essential members of our House what support he has received from other armed forces who have served and continue to serve Departments to ensure that that growth continues? with great distinction and gallantry on deployed operations. Since 2003 more than 25,000 reservists have been mobilised Mr Dunne: Of course I join my hon. Friend in welcoming for operations alongside their regular counterparts, with the 62% increase in defence and security exports in a number paying the ultimate price. In the Territorial 2012, which is up to £8.8 billion, and in a global market Army alone, more than 70 operational awards have that grew by only 45%, so we are increasing our market been earned since 2003. share. As I indicated earlier, we have had support from other Government Departments. The Home Office, in Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) (Lab/ relation to security, the Cabinet Office and No. 10, Co-op): The Minister is of course right to pay tribute to through the Prime Minister, are engaged. I point out to the contribution of reservists, but could he indicate to my hon. Friend and to the whole House that next week the House what protection he will put in place to ensure the defence and security international exhibition, which that reservists are not discriminated against by employers is expected to be the largest of its type in Europe this when they go for new jobs? year, will take place in the O2 Centre here in London, showcasing to over 30,000 visitors and 100 foreign Mr Francois: We are already providing additional delegations the best of British on offer. support for employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, to assist them to find people to fill in if their Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): members of staff are deployed as reservists on operations. Notwithstanding the growth of the industry, does the We also plan to give greater notice to employers, so they Minister accept that the recent debacle over parts of should have greater regularity in when their employees chemical weapons being sent to Syria shows that this are deployed for service. We have discussed this in great Government still have not learned the lessons from depth with employers. They are not convinced that we Matrix Churchill and must be much more joined up should legislate specifically on this issue, although of between the Department for Business, Innovation and course we keep an eye on it as we go along. Skills and the MOD? Topical Questions Mr Dunne: I think that the hon. Gentleman misunderstands the nature of the export application T1. [900000] Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) that was declined for Syria recently, as described by my (Con): If he will make a statement on his departmental right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. We have a very responsibilities. clear policy for export controls that is supervised by BIS. I should have referred earlier to BIS’s excellent The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): work in responsible defence exports through the UK My first priority remains the success of operations in Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation. Afghanistan. Beyond that, my priorities are to deliver the sustainable transformation of the Ministry of Defence, Reserve Forces to build confidence within the armed forces in the Future Force 2020 model, to reinforce the armed forces 16. Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): What covenant, to maintain budgets in balance, and to deliver discussions he has had with employers following the equipment programmes on time and to budget so that publication of the White Paper on reserve forces. our armed forces can be confident of being properly [900056] equipped and trained.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Mr Mark Mr Bellingham: I thank the Secretary of State for Francois): The proposals in the “Future Reserves 2020” that helpful statement. Does he agree that the current White Paper published in July were the result of a full crisis in Syria brings into very sharp relief the crucial and open consultation with stakeholders, including importance of the strategic bases in Cyprus, particularly 17 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 18

RAF Akrotiri? Does he agree that it is essential that the T3. [900002] Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Government do not just retain those bases but invest in Southwark) (LD): Following the answer to the first their facilities and infrastructure? topical question and in the light of last Thursday’s decision, what conflict-resolution role does the Mr Hammond: The Government reviewed the utility Secretary of State envisage for our troops based either and position of the sovereign base areas in 2010-11 and in Cyprus or more widely in the middle east and north concluded that they played an important part in Britain’s Africa region? defensive arrangements. We intend to continue to invest in them and to maintain them on the current basis. Mr Philip Hammond: As I have made clear, we accept the will of Parliament that there will be no British T7. [900006] Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): When military involvement in any action against Syria. That will the Government make a decision on the number of does not mean that we are not continuing to press for a F-35s that will be procured as part of the arrangement diplomatic solution and for the convening of the Geneva with Lockheed Martin, and is the Minister able to peace conference to try to reach a negotiated transition guarantee that the work-share allocation for the United in Syria. No one has yet suggested that any such transition Kingdom and BAE Systems will not be reduced in the would involve any military role for the UK. Until such a future? conference convenes and makes progress, any such question is purely hypothetical. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Dunne): I can confirm that it is our intention, Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Why was the in the remaining months of this year, to place our first intelligence document published by President Obama order for the first operational squadron of joint strike on Friday so much more comprehensive, detailed and fighters. As far as the work-share component is concerned, compelling than the one the Secretary of State published as long as other countries maintain their orders and we just the day before? If the Secretary of State was not in maintain ours, we intend to retain the 15%. possession of the same information, which I find difficult to believe, why did he not wait until he could put all of T2. [900001] Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): the facts before this House, instead of forcing Members In July the Secretary of State announced that the to make a decision when it was too soon and we were Territorial Army centre in Stratford-on-Avon would not in possession of the facts? close and made assurances, through a Minister, that tenants of the centre, such as the local ambulance association, would not be left homeless. The Minister Mr Hammond: First of all, I did not publish a document. also made assurances that the facilities would be The chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee wrote provided for the local cadets and that recruitment to to the Prime Minister summarising the judgment of the the historic 867 Signal Troop based there would not be UK intelligence community. That was done in an negatively impacted. Two months on, could the atmosphere in which we were extremely conscious of Minister update my constituents and me about plans the parallels with Iraq 2003 and extremely cautious for the New Broad Street centre? about presenting any argument to Parliament that relied or depended on intelligence information that we could not publish or produce. I think we made the right The Minister for the Armed Forces (Mr Andrew judgment in presenting our argument cautiously, relying Robathan): I can tell my hon. Friend—who is quite right only on information that was available and could be to be concerned about these things, and I understand examined by Members of the House of Commons. his constituents’ point of view—that the long-term future of the centre in Stratford-on-Avon has yet to be determined and that there will be re-provision for any T4. [900003] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): cadet units and any lodging units when that happens. Ministers’ summer reading will have included the report We have yet to decide what the wider defence uses might of the Committee on Arms Export Controls, including be for the site. If there is no long-term defence use for its concerns about export licences for dual-use items to the site it will be disposed of in accordance with standard Syria. In responding to that report, will the Minister procedures, but without, I hope, any bad impact on the confirm that British exports will not have contributed cadets or other lodging units. to the military strength of the Assad regime?

Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): A Mr Robathan: I am glad to answer that question leading commentator in Australia recently characterised because it allows me to provide a rather more full the Syrian conflict as not “goodies versus baddies”, but answer than was given to the somewhat hysterical outburst rather “baddies versus baddies”. Does the Secretary of from the hon. Member for Walsall North (Mr Winnick). State share that simple assessment of our political and The licences that are mentioned in the newspapers military dilemma? today, which I think are those that concern the hon. Gentleman, are two standard individual export licences Mr Philip Hammond: Simple assessments of complex that were issued in January for sodium fluoride and situations rarely paint the whole picture, but the hon. potassium fluoride. As everybody in the House will Gentleman has a point. The opposition is not a single, know, sodium fluoride is used in the fluoridisation of homogenous force. There are various elements within it, drinking water and in toothpaste—I suspect that we some of which are deeply unpleasant in their objectives will all have some today.Potassium fluoride has applications and methods. in the metallurgical industry and in the manufacture of 19 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 20 pesticides. When it was considered that those substances T6. [900005] Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): What could be precursors in some other application, the chance is there of our reintroducing a maritime patrol licences were withdrawn. Nothing has been exported. aircraft in the near future?

Luciana Berger (Liverpool, Wavertree) (Lab/Co-op): Mr Dunne: As I believe my hon. and gallant Friend The head of Britain’s armed forces, General Sir Nick knows, the air ISTAR—intelligence, surveillance, target Houghton, has admitted that he faces a “huge challenge” acquisition and reconnaissance—optimisation study is in maintaining morale and performance. Figures that looking at our defence requirements and capabilities in were released just the other month show that the proportion air-based ISTAR, including maritime patrol, to inform of service personnel who feel that their morale is low decisions as part of the strategic defence and security has gone up to 30%. That is a shocking situation. What review in 2015. A range of options is being considered, will the Government do about it? including unmanned air systems for maritime surveillance. If he is available next week to go to the ExCel centre—rather Mr Philip Hammond: If the hon. Lady cares to read than the O2 centre which I mentioned earlier—for the the original interview that General Sir Nick Houghton Defence and Security Equipment International conference, gave to the in-house magazine, she will see that there is a I am sure that he will see some of those systems on display. slightly different slant in that story to that in some national newspapers. The Chief of the Defence Staff Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): Have the was saying that we have perhaps not communicated our Government taken the opportunity to thank the Americans vision of Future Force 2020 and what it offers to the for so thoroughly dumping on their oldest ally, the people in our armed forces as well as we could or should French, in favour of the long grass of the Congress have done. That is why I included in the list of my when it comes to Syria? priorities that I gave a few moments ago the communication of the challenges and opportunities of Future Force Mr Philip Hammond: I think we have to be clear in 2020 to our own people. these matters. The British Government can speak for what Britain will or will not do; other allies have to make their own decisions, and just as we have asked T5. [900004] Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): them to respect our political processes and constitutional Given that for four centuries, Scotland and the Scottish norms, so we have to respect theirs as well. people have played such a glorious part in the defence of our United Kingdom, and that from the battles of T8. [900007] Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Malplaquet and Blenheim to the sands of north Africa Parliament as a whole owes a huge debt of gratitude and the mud of Flanders we have shed blood together, over 25 years to the armed forces parliamentary scheme would it not be a good idea if Armed Forces day 2014 and its founder, Sir Neil Thorne. Under your instructions, was held in Scotland? Mr Speaker, and those of the Lord Speaker and the Secretary of State, the scheme will be relaunched next The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Tuesday at 5 o’clock in Room 14 under new management, (Dr Andrew Murrison): I absolutely agree with my hon. and I am glad that Sir Neil Thorne has agreed to Friend. Indeed, Armed Forces day was held in Scotland become life president of the new scheme. Will the in 2011. He will remember that it was held in Edinburgh. Minister recommit the assets and determination of the I am delighted to tell him that on 28 June 2014, Armed Ministry of Defence to the scheme, and ensure it Forces day will be held in the great city of Stirling. I takes forward this brilliant opportunity of educating spoke to the Provost, Councillor Mike Robbins, about parliamentarians about the ways of the armed forces? that and he was absolutely delighted. The Ministry of Defence and the city of Stirling will work together to Dr Murrison: Absolutely, and I congratulate my hon. ensure that it is a first-rate event. Friend on becoming chairman of the trustees. I know he has put a lot of effort into that, and it will be a great Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): What success. I add my tribute to Sir Neil Thorne, who has is the strategy in Syria? Listening to the speeches in last done a wonderful job over more than a quarter of a Thursday’s debate, it became very clear that no one had century in bringing together this wonderful scheme spoken to the new leadership in Iran or to the new which so many right hon. and hon. Members have leadership in China about their position on the Security participated in and benefited from. The Ministry of Council. What is the strategy or are the Government Defence values that highly and will, of course, commit just giving up on defence and foreign affairs? resources to ensuring it is a success. I am sure the House will agree it is important that the scheme should evolve, Mr Philip Hammond: We will take no lectures from and right hon. and hon. Members will want the sort of the hon. Gentleman on the last point. As I have said transparency and governance arrangements that have several times today, notwithstanding the vote last Thursday, now been brought in. I am clear that under the guidance which made it clear that we will not engage militarily in of my hon. Friend and parliamentary neighbour, the a response to the shocking use of chemical weapons, we scheme will go from strength to strength. will continue to explore every avenue to influence the outcome through diplomatic and political means. I Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab): suggest to the hon. Gentleman that if he makes himself Beyond the dialogue that has taken place with the available here tomorrow, he will have the opportunity to United States Government on how to respond to the ask the Foreign Secretary that question at Foreign chemical weapons attack in Damascus on 21 August, Office questions and to receive a full answer about the will the Secretary of State confirm that work will continue level of engagement with the leaderships of Iran, Russia, on how to respond were Syria’s chemical weapons to China and the many other countries that are involved. fall into the hands of al-Qaeda affiliates or Hezbollah? 21 Oral Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Oral Answers 22

Mr Philip Hammond: That is a very good question have a programme of embedded UK pilots training and, of course, a completely separate issue. If the large with US navy marines on those aircraft. Progress is stocks of chemical weapons held by the Syrian Government good on that programme, and we expect the first squadron were to fall into the hands of non-state actors, that of aircraft to come to the UK fully formed in 2018, with would represent a very serious threat to the region and pilots who have been trained and prepared in the United indeed to the wider international community. I confirm, States. as the House would expect, that we have had and will continue to have dialogue with international partners John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): Post-conflict about what we might collectively do if such a situation Commonwealth applicant Burundi desperately needs were to arise. assistance in rehabilitating soldiers and ex-combatants from the civil war, including disabled and child soldiers. T9. [900008] Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) Will the Secretary of State use his good offices to come (Con): I understand that a Fleet Air Arm pilot recently up with a scheme with the Department for International landed an F-35 on an American aircraft carrier. Will Development gainfully to employ some of the great my right hon. Friend please confirm that, and also expertise that our ex-service personnel, who are about update the House on the implications of any effect last to increase in number, could use to assist them? Thursday’s vote had on training with the Americans? Mr Hammond: I will certainly talk to my right hon. Mr Philip Hammond: As my hon. Friend says, I am Friend the International Development Secretary and delighted to confirm that a British-piloted F-35B—the see whether DFID could look at that. I will also ask our short take-off and vertical landing version of the F-35 own conflict prevention and reconstruction unit to consider aircraft—has completed a successful landing on USS whether there is anything that the UK military could do Wasp, which was, I think, off the coast of Virginia. We to help in that situation. 23 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Points of Order 24

Points of Order Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The events of last 3.34 pm week have created a historic constitutional precedent that future decisions on war and peace will be subject to Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green) (Con): On the decision of the House. That has implications for a point of order, Mr Speaker. On 29 August, during the other constitutional conventions, one such being the debate on chemical weapons in Syria, the hon. Member tradition that the Government do not reveal their legal for Bradford West (George Galloway), who is not in his advice in those matters. That is normally a very sensible place, denied— convention, but if the Attorney-General is the adviser to the Government and to the House of Commons, that Mr Speaker: Order. Just before the hon. Gentleman creates a problem in giving independent advice to the proceeds, I must first seek his confirmation that he has House. Can you, Mr Speaker, use your offices to resolve made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the hon. that problem, either by obtaining independent advice Member for Bradford West (George Galloway) is aware on future occasions, or by approaching the Government that this matter is being raised in relation to him in the to change that convention? Chamber this afternoon.

Mike Freer: I can confirm that I spoke to the office of Mr Speaker: The right hon. Gentleman raises an the hon. Member for Bradford West to advise him that I interesting constitutional point, which I readily accept would raise this point of order. is worthy of further reflection and consideration. My During the debate on chemical weapons in Syria, the best advice to him is that, if he wishes to pursue the hon. Gentleman denied accusing Israel of supplying matter and for the House to have an opportunity to chemical weapons to al-Qaeda, and yet in the week reach a judgment about it, he should, in the first instance, before the debate, on Iranian-funded Press TV, he was approach the Chair of the Select Committee on Political clearly recorded accusing Israel. I would be grateful for and Constitutional Reform with a view to that Committee a ruling on whether he has misled the House. undertaking a study of, and making recommendations in relation to, the issue. There should then be an opportunity Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for for the House, before too long, to come a view about it. his point of order and for his reassurance that he made I hope that that is clear and helpful. contact with the hon. Member for Bradford West, or his office, in advance of raising it. Let me just reiterate the Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): On a point factual—constitutional, if you will—position. All hon. of order, Mr Speaker. You will have noticed that the and right hon. Members are responsible for what they Defence questions Order Paper was dominated by questions say in this Chamber. If they make a mistake, it is their about the Trident successor and the Liberal Democrat- responsibility to correct it. The hon. Member for Finchley demanded alternatives review. Given that the delay to and Golders Green (Mike Freer) is a sufficiently astute the main-gate decision cost this country £1.4 billion in student of the procedures of the House to be aware of extending the life of the existing submarines, is there the many channels that are open to him to pursue the any way in which I, within the rules of order, can set on matter. I feel sure that he will be tenacious in pursuit of the record that, present for those questions, were no his opportunities. He will, I am sure, readily accept both more at any one time than two or three out of nearly that I have not heard the interview in question, and that 60 Liberal Democrat MPs? it is not for the Speaker to adjudicate upon the factual accuracy of the content of Members’ speeches. I feel sure that he will pursue the matter in one or more of the Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman has, not for the first ways I have outlined. time, found his own salvation. I noticed during Question Time that, when he put his inquiry to the Secretary of Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): State, the Secretary of State, with his customary courtesy, On a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I clarify for the and no world-weariness, observed that the hon. Gentleman record that, in the Opposition day debate on 10 July, I had made his point before. I could have told the Secretary did not intend to suggest that I regarded either Pat’s of State that the hon. Gentleman has, in my recollection, Petition or We Are Spartacus as extremist groups? made the same point in relation to Trident, or a number of the same points, for the best part of the 30 years that Mr Speaker: That is commendably clear and pithy, I have known him. On most occasions, he has done so and we are grateful to the hon. Gentleman. on a daily basis. 25 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Private Members’ Bills 26

the importance of legislation that has as much support Backbench Business as any Government legislation in both Houses once it has received Royal Assent? Private Members’ Bills Mr Walker: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for 3.40 pm those observations. First, we are sticking with Fridays because a year ago the House took a view that it wanted Mr Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): I beg to Back-Bench business to remain on Fridays. It would move, not be for the Committee to suggest moving such Bills That this House has considered the publication of the Second from Fridays 12 months after the House decided not to Report from the Procedure Committee, Private Members’ Bills, HC188. go down that route. Thank you for calling me to make a short presentation As for calling the business Back-Bench Bills as opposed on the Procedure Committee’s report, Mr Speaker. I to private Members’ Bills, that is again entirely for the thank members of the Committee for their forbearance; House to decide. These are just recommendations; we we all worked extremely hard to produce the report. are not going to force them on the House or demand Some are more enthusiastic about its content than that it adopt them. It is entirely for the House to come others, but it is a testament to the collective will of the to a view on the many recommendations in the report, Committee that we have produced something in this and I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will put his vexed area that we can somewhat unite behind. arguments forcefully at that moment. The right to move Back-Bench legislation is a great privilege that I and many other colleagues value enormously. Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): We need to ensure that that privilege is exercised robustly, May I say what an excellent job the Chairman does of and with force and purpose. The Government, of course, chairing the Procedure Committee? However, given the have the absolute right to stop any proposed legislation number of people in the Chamber to hear his eloquent that they feel they cannot live with getting on to the remarks, does he not think that it would be helpful if statute book. That is the reality of government and the the Government found sufficient time at the earliest report does not try to challenge it. However, the current opportunity for the whole report to be debated at some system for private Members’ Bills borders on the dishonest. length? Many people are losing confidence in the system, and I believe it is right to reform it. Mr Walker: I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I know that the Leader of the House is positively chomping at Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I would go further the bit to find time for the report to be debated, because than the hon. Gentleman and indeed the report, although he is a great reformer and is entirely reform-minded. it contains some useful comments. The present system Indeed, I feel that I am presenting these reforms today is not just a farce; it is completely and utterly dishonest. with his support, which is extremely exciting and very It wastes Members’ time and misleads the public about welcome. what we do on a Friday. May I suggest that he avoids the concept of “Back-Bench legislation”? When the right Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): Before any hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs Gillan) chomping starts, does my hon. Friend agree that although was on the Front Bench as Secretary of State for Wales, most private Members’ Bills are Government sponsored, she introduced good legislation. In his terms, she would as he mentioned, that is the choice of the private have been Front Bench, not Back Bench. Member?

Mr Walker: I hear what the hon. Gentleman says, Mr Walker: My hon. Friend makes a fantastic point, and I thank him for putting his views so forcefully. He but if private Members felt that they had a genuine gave excellent evidence to the Committee and I will chance of getting their own legislation on to the statute come on to the points he raises and try to address them. book or that the Government would at least give it a Some 90% of the Bills now reaching statute that are proper hearing, we might begin to redress the balance. marked as Back-Bench Bills or private Members’ Bills are, in reality, Government hand-out Bills. Not all Sir Paul Beresford indicated dissent. Government hand-out Bills are to be despised, but there has to be a better balance. Mr Walker: My hon. Friend is shaking his head; I Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) think we shall have to disagree on this. (Lab): I thank the hon. Gentleman and the Committee for their first-class work. I have two reservations about John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): I thank the report, however, that I would like briefly to put to the Chairman for giving way and congratulate him on him. As one who was fortunate enough to see two his efforts in keeping the Committee working on this private Members’ Bills enacted thanks to the support of project. Does he agree that it is an opportunity to move colleagues in all parts of the House, will he explain to the balance of power in the constitution away from the me why the recommendation is still for such Bills to be Executive and towards the democratically elected legislature? debated on a Friday, the worst possible day for being We should look at the attendance last Thursday—not quorate? With regard to the end of the report—this only was the Chamber full, but the Gallery was too—to relates to the point made by my hon. Friend the Member see that where there is an opportunity for the will of the for Rhondda (Chris Bryant)—does the hon. Gentleman House to confront the will of the Executive, people will not agree that to call Acts “Back-Bench Acts” reduces turn up. 27 Private Members’ Bills2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Private Members’ Bills 28

Mr Walker: That is very much the flavour of this by those in the Whips Office—of all persuasions—and moment in time. I thank my hon. Friend for making therefore by Government Departments. I also very much that observation, but if hon. Members are happy that welcome the Committee’s proposal for the Government 90% of private Members’ Bills are in fact Government to have to state their attitude to a Bill on First Reading. handout Bills, there is a good argument for returning The Leader of the House suggested in his evidence to the 13 Fridays back to the Executive, because they seem the Committee that the Government spent a great deal to have no trouble filling them. of time forming a view of such Bills. If that is the case, We have come up with a number of recommendations things have obviously changed since 2010. Also, we that may or may not find support with the House. The must be able to come to conclusions on Bills, whether first suggestion relates to how Bills are selected for on a Friday or on any other day. debate. The current ballot system has much to commend it. Those entering have an equal chance of success and Mr Walker: The right hon. Gentleman has made it is not susceptible to manipulation. However, the some useful observations. In preparation for this afternoon’s ballot is totally random and does not discriminate debate, I wrote a very long, tedious and laborious between Members with serious intent to engage with speech, but I do not think that I shall have time to make the process of private Members’ legislation and those it. Instead, I shall demonstrate the clear thinking of the with a passing interest—such as myself, at times in my moderately informed by answering each of the points past—and a willingness to sign their name in the book that he has just raised. because it seems like a good idea at the time, as they are First, in my view and the view of most members of directed towards it in a Division Lobby by the Whips. the Committee, timetabling is an outstanding idea. We Therefore, we ask the House to consider a system have come up with a number of suggestions to facilitate whereby the responsibility is placed on Members to its introduction, in which either some or all of the gather support for their legislative initiatives. private Members’ Bills drawn in the ballot would be Those Bills with the greatest number of signatures timetabled. They would get a vote at the end of the drawn from across the House would take precedence. Second Reading debate, and there would be a facility on Members would be allowed to support only one Bill Report to table a timetable motion that could be debated with their signatures—this is very important—so once for 45 minutes and voted on if the House so wished. they had signed their signature away, they could not The House really needs to give serious consideration give it to anyone else, unless they withdrew it from the to our suggestions on timetabling. It is incumbent on Bill that they had already said they would support. The every colleague here to ensure that my hon. Friend the process of attracting support would start well before Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) and others spend the date of presentation and demonstrate the seriousness more time with their constituents on Fridays. As much of intent behind the Member’s proposed legislation. It as I enjoy listening to my hon. Friend on Fridays, I is hoped that those participating would cast their net believe that on occasions his time on those days could wide in seeking support and, of course, include Ministers be better spent in his constituency, where he would be and Whitehall at an early stage. welcomed with open arms. I know that you will be concerned about my mentioning my hon. Friend in this Mr James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I signed the way, Mr Speaker, but I spoke to him in the Tea Room report and very much support the idea behind it, but this morning and he told me, in his rounded Yorkshire does my hon. Friend not agree that that mechanism vowels, that he thought the report was a load of rubbish risks encouraging populism behind Bills, rather than and “cobblers”. However, we need to ensure that colleagues encouraging Bills that are worthy but obscure? have an incentive to turn up on Fridays, whether they are for or against a particular Bill, and that they at least Mr Walker: My hon. Friend makes a very good have a chance to make their views heard. If a Bill has a point. There is much to commend the current ballot timetable motion, one can then impose time limits on system, but it is incumbent on the Committee to put a speeches. series of proposals before the House so that it can come to its own view, because the House is populated by Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I want extremely wise people who have a lot of knowledge and to refer the hon. Gentleman back to the answer that he wisdom to impart in this area. It will be for the House gave to the right hon. Member for Coatbridge, Chryston to reflect on what it wishes to do. and Bellshill (Mr Clarke). The hon. Gentleman suggested that it would not be right to reconsider the moving of Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): I have been able to the debates on private Members’ Bills to the middle of read the Procedure Committee’s report since it was the week because Parliament had already discussed that issued this morning, and I greatly welcome it. Were it to proposal and rejected it. Perhaps he is crediting Parliament be implemented, it would result in a sea change in the with a little too much consistency. If we were to put that attitude of Members on both sides of the House to question to the House again, I think that it would attract private Members’ legislation, and their behaviour would a huge amount of support. Holding the debates and change as a consequence. However, achieving such a votes midweek, rather than on Fridays, would give real change in behaviour is not so much about the method status to private Members’ Bills. It would also give us a of selecting the Bills in the first place as about providing, better chance of ensuring that they are not talked out. through timetabling, a process by which decisions can be made. At the moment, any Bill that is even remotely Mr Walker: Any motions that we table are amendable, contentious ends up being kicked into touch as a result and if there is a desire in the House to consider a day of the activities of the Whips. This creates a dishonesty other than Friday for such debates, the House may do that verges on farce, and leads to institutional disingenuity so. It is not incumbent on the Procedure Committee to 29 Private Members’ Bills2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Private Members’ Bills 30 tell anyone to behave in a particular way. We have come up Mr Walker: The right hon. Gentleman has nailed with a set of suggestions, and the House is free to accept that with great perspicacity; that is exactly what the them, amend them or throw them out as it sees fit. report says. As I have now said on about four occasions in this rather long speech, it is for the House to come to Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): I a view on our recommendations and to amend them as may have missed it, but does my hon. Friend’s excellent it sees fit. report deal anywhere with the issue of one single Member shouting out “Object”, effectively killing or pushing Several hon. Members rose— into the very long grass a Bill that might have widespread public support? Did my hon. Friend and his colleagues Mr Walker: I want to make one important point look at that issue; does he have any thoughts on it? about Third Reading before taking any further interventions. One of the most important parts of our report is the Mr Walker: It is to be hoped that our recommendations suggestion to remove the vote on Third Reading from will ensure that when someone secures a position through the Friday proceedings and put it on a mid-week prime-time the ballot or whatever other system the House chooses, slot. That will serve two purposes. First, it will allow the that person will get a chance to put their legislation Government to take a view and if they want to kill a before the House and let it decide on its merits or Bill, they can stand up at the Dispatch Box and explain otherwise without having it talked out or ruined by a why they want to kill it and whip accordingly. It also single individual or a small minority. If, however, my means that the whole House—or those present, which hon. Friend has found a deficiency in our report, please will be almost the whole House perhaps on a Monday, point it out to me, the Clerk and others, because we Tuesday or Wednesday—can come to a view on that. If hope to bring these recommendations forward in the it is passed, it will pass with the will and support of the not too distant future and we want to make sure that House. what is put before the House has been properly tested. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): I thank Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): I thank my my hon. Friend for this very good report, although there hon. Friend for giving way and congratulate him and are a couple of things in it with which I do not agree. his Committee on putting together an excellent report, Some of the most controversial legislation has gone whose effect would be to empower Parliament and, by through this House as private Members’ Bills, so trying extension, voters. I think it is absolutely right that if a to restrict Second Reading through a timetable for fewer motion is to be defeated, it should be defeated as a than three hours would, I think, be damaging. I have in result of a Division—the collective will of the House, mind issues such as the legalisation on homosexuality, rather than the procedural trickery of one or two people abortion and similar issues. A greater move is being who are particularly good at it. I would like to add my made to have one Member present or address one Bill voice to the concerns expressed about Friday sittings, if on one day, but I am slightly concerned because I recall only on the basis that Friday is fine for people whose my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) constituencies, my own included, are relatively close to saying that when Parliament sits, constituents can expect Westminster, but exclusive when it comes to people their MP, if the MP so chooses, to be in Parliament. I representing seats miles away from London, such as my think that point should not be dismissed lightly. hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston), for whom giving up a Friday is a very big deal. Mr Walker: As my hon. Friend says, two and three quarter hours—one of the suggestions for timetabling Mr Walker: My hon. Friend has made a very good on Second Reading—does not sound a lot, but we have point, which has also been made by a few other Members to remind ourselves that most private Members’ Bills, if today. I must stress that it will be for the House to reach not all, are fairly straightforward. I appreciate that that a view. is not the case on every occasion, but they are often It worries me—and this came up in evidence—that a straightforward and short. Government Bills, which are Government, of whatever colour, shape or creation, will usually enormously complex and run to hundreds of occasionally say to a Member who promotes a private pages, get six and half hours, which is often truncated Member’s Bill “We are 100% behind your Bill—we by urgent questions and statements. I hear what my think it is a great idea which will go far, and we are all hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) there for you”, while, behind closed doors, geeing up a says, but that is why we have options in the report. One number of colleagues to run it into the sand and kill it suggestion is for timetabling to be limited to one Bill on off. I think that that is pretty outrageous and pretty a Friday. Again, it is for her and others to argue for and shabby. It is not peculiar to this Government or to against the system they favour, which can then be put to previous Governments; it is something that all Governments the vote. do. Governments enjoy exercising power. I do not propose Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) to take that power away, and I do not think that my (LD): The report is much to be welcomed. Could we Committee does either. We merely wish to see it exercised summarise the hon. Gentleman’s and the Committee’s openly and honestly, and for that reason I feel that this views thus: “Here is a package of proposals to make is a good report. sure we reach a view and decide on private Members’ Some Members have expressed concern about our Bills in the future, so that they do not get kicked into suggestion that private Members’ Bills should be called touch, but we are not against revisiting the time of the Back-Bench Bills in future. I think that “Back Bencher” week or the week of the month in which such Bills are is a term worthy not of derision but of great pride, and I looked at if the first set of proposals does not achieve therefore do not share their concern; but, as I have said, the sort of objectives that I hope we would all want”? if they cannot live with it, there will be a chance for a 31 Private Members’ Bills 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 32

[Mr Charles Walker] Postal Services (Rural Areas) decision to be made on the Floor of the House on what we should call what we hope will be an improved, 4.1 pm refined and enhanced process. Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): I beg I thank you for your patience and forbearance, to move, Mr. Speaker. That this House recognises the vital contribution that Royal Question put and agreed to. Mail makes to rural areas; notes that the six day a week collection and delivery service to rural and remote areas is invaluable to Resolved, local life; further notes that the relationship Royal Mail has with That this House has considered the publication of the Second the post office network is equally important for the continued Report from the Procedure Committee, Private Members’ Bills, survival of post offices; recognises that the impending privatisation HC 188. of Royal Mail will place a question mark over its willingness to maintain what may be loss-making services; and calls on the Government to provide more concrete, long-term protections for postal services in rural areas, remote areas and islands while ensuring that the postal universal service obligation in its current form endures. It is a pleasure to have an opportunity to introduce this debate on the future of our post office network in the event of the Government deciding to proceed with their plans to privatise Royal Mail. I thank the Members in all parts of the House who signed the motion that led to the allocation of time for the debate by the Backbench Business Committee. The motion expresses the view that the privatisation of Royal Mail will lead to uncertainty over the continued survival of many post offices, particularly in rural areas where there are often loss-making services, and calls on the Government to provide “more concrete, long-term protections for postal services in rural areas”. I represent a rural constituency with many small town and island communities, and I know that there is a great deal of concern among post offices in my area about the impact that privatisation will have on the services that they provide. Post offices are central to the life of many small communities in particular. They provide a number of vital services, enabling people to obtain cash and even to buy a pint of milk.

Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing this important issue to the attention of the House. My constituent Hugh Gaffney, who is a leading member of the Communication Workers Union, has on several occasions—along with others—brought to my notice the impact on pensions that will result if the Government proceed with their plans. He and other members of the union consider pensions to be not national liabilities but deferred income, and he has asked me to convey to the House the strong views that they have expressed. Not only are the union members unhappy, but Mr Gaffney feels that if the Government go ahead with their proposals it will be—as he put it—daylight robbery.

Katy Clark: I was contacted by Hugh Gaffney today. He and other members of the union have been lobbying Scottish Members of Parliament in particular. It is vital for many pensioners who live in small communities—and in communities of many different types—to have access to postal services, but such access is also vital for many other people living in small communities.

Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): My hon. Friend is making a very powerful case. The post office is often also the only shop in the area, and it is a place where an elderly person can feel safe because he or she knows the 33 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 34 person who works in the shop. If such people now have The Government have framed their argument for to travel to a much larger town, they will not benefit privatisation in such a way as to suggest that Royal Mail from the same sort of reassurance. is in imminent danger and that privatisation is the only solution, but that is not the case. Royal Mail is doing Katy Clark: My hon. Friend is absolutely correct; if very well at the moment, and profits more than doubled the post office was not there—and if the shop that is in the past year, to more than £400 million. That part of the post office business was not there—there is partly because the Government have taken over the would not be anything in many communities for many assets and liabilities of Royal Mail’s pension scheme, of our most vulnerable constituents. saving the company £300 million each year. I congratulate the Government on taking that step. Of course Royal Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): I appreciate the Mail needs access to capital for investment, but the opportunity to intervene in this debate, because in my urgency of the Government’s case seems to be driven constituency rural post offices are essential, as they more by a political timetable. There are many ways to obviously are in the hon. Lady’s constituency. Does she get access to capital. For example, Network Rail is a not recognise the Government’s wise decision to protect public body that is authorised to access private capital, 11,500 post offices, modernising 6,000 of them, and to without affecting Government borrowing. This House make sure that post offices that exist today will exist has the right to expect the Government to look at other tomorrow and always in the future? ways in which Royal Mail could get this access without going down the privatisation path. Katy Clark: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for The privatisation path is deeply unpopular, with not his contribution. As he will be aware, however, organisations only the public, but Royal Mail staff. When the such as the National Federation of SubPostmasters Communication Workers Union consulted its staff, it believe that what the Government have done is inadequate found that 96% opposed privatisation. Unite, which to ensure the future of our post office network, and I represents managers in Royal Mail, has also come out suspect we will be exploring such issues in today’s strongly against privatisation. The National Federation debate. I also recognise that he, too, has a very rural of SubPostmasters was originally sympathetic to some constituency and that this debate is of as great importance of what the Government were saying but it is now to his constituents as it is to mine. calling on them to halt the privatisation of Royal Mail, because of what it says is the Government’s failure to Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I congratulate provide new work to post offices. In the briefings that it my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Does has been providing to Members throughout the country, she recognise that the link between Royal Mail and which have been given to me by my constituents and individual post offices is crucial? We talk about “rural when I have visited post offices over the past few days, post offices”, but in my constituency, which borders the the NFSP says that no new work has been awarded to M4 and is a former coal mining constituency, all but post offices since May 2010 and that the new services three of the post offices are part of the rural network. that have been introduced are one-off transactions available only at a small number of post offices. It says that without the promised new Government work Post Office Katy Clark: My hon. Friend makes an incredibly Ltd and individual post offices do not have a viable important point, one that has been made to me by future and that a close relationship with Royal Mail is many who run post offices in my constituency. vital and will be jeopardised by privatisation. The post office is vital, not only for individuals, but One reason people are so opposed to privatisation is for many rural businesses—that is another point that the fear that the universal service obligation will be many people in my constituency have made. I believe under threat. The affordable six days a week service that that those who work for Royal Mail have a strong is so valued in the United Kingdom is expensive to public service ethos. They provide a vital service in provide, particularly in rural areas. Rural post offices many parts of the country, and in rural areas nobody and rural postal services are most vulnerable because else is going to provide it. There are real concerns about they are the most costly, and private parcel delivery the impact that the privatisation of Royal Mail will have companies routinely charge a high premium for delivering on not just Royal Mail itself, but our post office network. to remote or rural areas or to islands—or simply refuse I suspect that many issues associated with that will be to deliver at all. explored in this debate by many hon. Members from all A report by Citizens Advice Scotland in 2011 found political parties. that 83.8% of people surveyed living in remote parts of The background to this debate is, of course, the Scotland had been refused delivery altogether by a retailer Postal Services Act 2011, which was passed by this using a carrier other than Royal Mail and that increased House and allows not only for the privatisation of charges are normal. That is, of course, a problem not Royal Mail, but for competition for postal services. The just in Scotland but throughout many parts of the UK. Government have not, as yet, specified what form the sale of Royal Mail will take—whether it will be an Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) initial public offering or a sale to private equity—although (Con): The hon. Lady mentions the universal service they have said that an IPO is their preferred method of obligation. Is it not the case that the obligation is now sale. There is a great deal of concern throughout the better protected than ever as it has been written into country that the Government are rushing their timetable primary legislation by Parliament? for political reasons. They have said that the sale will take place within the 2013-14 financial year. If that is Katy Clark: There is not a short answer to that the case, we will be hearing further details on the question, but I will try to explore it. My point is that the privatisation very soon. legal protections are inadequate, as there is a great deal 35 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 36

[Katy Clark] London. It is able to win business because it can choose where, when and what to deliver. It does not maintain of uncertainty about where we will go. The 10-year the service and standards that Royal Mail undertakes to agreement that has been entered into is not good enough provide, and it undercuts the terms, pay and conditions and does not last long enough. I expect that we will of postal workers so that it can provide a cheaper explore those issues as we continue the debate. service. TNT employs workers on zero-hours contracts, which John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): Is it means that they are not guaranteed any hours. A journalist not true that the industry lost confidence in the Government who went undercover in a TNT workplace reported because of the failure to deliver the additional work how workers “hustled” each day to get work. The promised to the post offices? practice of organisations like TNT is to over-hire staff, meaning that staff are turned away each day without Katy Clark: That is indeed the case and that is very any work and therefore, of course, without any pay. much what the people running post offices are saying. I appreciate the difficulties—the Labour Government Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): The hon. Lady grappled with them, too—but I must say to the Government makes a vital point about how rural areas, especially that unless we deliver on providing new services to the remote rural areas, will be starved of a service. People post offices, change of this nature is unlikely to be on the island of Rathlin, which I represent, will be successful. All political parties and all levels of government forced to come to the mainland of Northern Ireland to —not just Westminster, but the Scottish Government collect their post, as will people in remote rural areas. and local government—must do a lot more in this area. Such a strangulation of service cannot be allowed to We need to consider ways in which we can ensure that happen. more services are provided in post offices to ensure a long-term future for them. Katy Clark: My constituents on islands such as Arran express the fear that they will no longer receive deliveries Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): I am grateful to and will have to go to a central point for collections, as the hon. Lady, who is being very generous in taking happens in many countries. interventions. Although I completely agree that post offices need access to more services, does she agree that Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind): The hon. Lady allowing greater flexibility in the Post Office Local has been generous in taking interventions and it has model about how services are delivered within the business been helpful to hear her responses. If the Labour party is important? A bakery in Frogmore provided such a were to win the 2015 general election—I know that an service, and the restrictions being placed on it seem awful lot of people hope that that will happen—what entirely unreasonable. Does she also agree that more practical steps would a Labour Government take not flexibility is needed in the funding for the Post Office only to ensure the survival of rural post offices, but to Local model? encourage them to expand?

Katy Clark: The hon. Lady is correct. Many people Katy Clark: I suspect that that topic could be the who are running post offices are being very innovative subject of a lengthy debate. I do not want to stray too in how they are trying to develop the system, but how far from the terms of the motion, but hon. Members on they operate is very much determined by how the Post both sides of the House have outlined fully in previous Office relates to them and how the commission is calculated. debates what needs to be done to ensure that post Many of the schemes proposed by the Government offices have a viable and successful future. The Government mean that they will get less commission in the future, have a role to play in that. I call on parties on all sides of which is another issue that many people who run post the political debate to do what they can, because we all offices are raising with me. have areas where we are in power and can ensure that As I said, there is a significant problem with the post offices get more work and receive more support. delivery of items in more rural areas unless Royal Mail The overall package of pay and conditions of not provides that service. Even in areas of my constituency only TNT staff in London but those employed on a where private companies are normally willing to deliver, similar basis by other private companies, which have as soon as there is a bit of bad weather only Royal Mail been able to operate in such a way only since the 2011 continues to provide a service. Act was passed, is significantly worse than that of the Although I will not have time to develop the point, Royal Mail work force. Ofcom is responsible for regulating another major problem is the fact that people in rural the sector. It has explicitly stated that it is regulating areas are disproportionately reliant on Royal Mail. TNT, but it has done nothing whatsoever about TNT Consumer Focus, which is now Consumer Futures, either cherry-picking services or undercutting wages found that users in rural areas were often more reliant and conditions. on traditional forms of communication, such as the The fear is that this is the face of future postal post, because of the limited availability of others. We services. Although TNT and others might wish to operate could have many debates about problems accessing in London and other profitable areas, they will not be high-speed internet in many parts of the country. interested in many other parts of the country, such as The Postal Services Act 2011 enabled other postal North Ayrshire and Arran. Of course, that means that service providers to enter the direct delivery, end-to-end Royal Mail will not be able to use the money it makes in market, which is already enabling private postal service profitable areas to subsidise—to cross-fertilise—services providers to cherry-pick services. For example, TNT in less profitable areas so that it can provide a national has set up a delivery service in west, central and south-west service. The Government say that they support the 37 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 38 universal service obligation, as the hon. Member for other key point. My constituency is bordered by the Hereford and South Herefordshire (Jesse Norman) south-west edge of the M25. It is close to London, but suggested in an intervention. it is rural or semi-rural. Many people will have seen the London Mayor in the recent broadcast of the Surrey Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab): I thank my cycle race, and some may even have seen Mayor Boris hon. Friend for giving way. She has been extremely puffing up Leith hill on his bicycle—not a Boris bicycle, generous, and I congratulate her on securing the debate. but his own bicycle—and the beautiful countryside that Did she, like me, see in the fly-on-the-wall documentary is to be found throughout my constituency. TNT’s habit of calling its delivery people back before I want, however, to concentrate on something that is they had finished their day’s work, thus returning mail on the table. The mainstay of my rural post office to the depot, so that it took longer for people to receive services—and this was touched on in the opening speech—is it? That is an ongoing practice, and it is encouraged. provided by sub-post offices. My constituency has two main towns and perhaps 30 villages. A considerable Katy Clark: My hon. Friend makes an incredibly number of villages have at their core a pub, if not two important point. pubs, and a village shop, which generally incorporates a If we proceed down this path, the pressures on future sub-post office. Between 2001 and 2012, Mole Valley Governments and the management of Royal Mail will lost a number of sub-post offices, which in turn threatened, be to reduce requirements, as they will need to compete sometimes fatally, the associated village shops. I understand on a level playing field with other service providers. that there are 11,800 post offices in the United Kingdom, They will have to ensure that the universal service and approximately 750 are what could be called main obligation is financially sustainable. If we go down the post offices. Logically, therefore, the remainder are sub-post path suggested by the Government, loss-making rural offices, of which 55% are in rural areas. In the United services will be the most vulnerable and will be the first Kingdom, 31% of those post offices are the only retail to go. outlets in the area, and 58% provide some of the very I appreciate the fact that the Government say that the few shops in village areas. universal service obligation is enshrined in law, but that Sub-post offices are absolutely key to my villages. covers only the bare minimum. Many of the requirements The viability of these sub-post offices is what I want to are set by Ofcom and can easily be changed. The concentrate on, and I shall look at one particular angle. regulator has recently consulted on user needs, including The Government can help us, because there is a move getting rid of first-class mail and thus next-day delivery, by Post Office Ltd to centralise a key front-office service: and moving from a six-day to a five-day service. That the system for the acceptance and checking of the may not happen now, but if privatisation goes ahead it printed photo ID market. Post Office Ltd is the front is more likely.The privately run PostNL in the Netherlands line in over-the-counter processing of digital photographs has put pressure on both the regulator and the Dutch for licences issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Government regarding the universal service obligation Agency, passports and other ID photos. This service is and there are now plans to drop Monday deliveries. being cramped by Post Office Ltd. It is being moved to There is no guarantee that the inter-business agreement the 750 main post offices, where Post Office Ltd is that has been entered into between Royal Mail and the installing at considerable expense what are called Cogent Post Office will continue or remain unchanged at the end cameras, which will take the photograph and transmit it of the 10-year period. I do not believe that the protections to the DVLA or Passport Office, as appropriate. that we have been offered are adequate, so I am asking I have in my constituency the head office of Photo-Me. the Government to halt the sale of Royal Mail to give This is a business with which many of us are familiar proper consideration to how rural services can be provided because there are a couple of Photo-Me booths downstairs. in the longer term, and to put in place stronger legal There are many such booths throughout our small protections for the universal service obligation. I believe towns and, in my area at least, some sub-post offices that cross-party support for the motion reflects a genuine have them. If the proposal to use Cogent cameras concern about the issue, and I urge the Government to proceeds, my constituents will have to travel from their look at the issue in detail, and to provide a detailed villages to a centre such as Guildford. It does not look response today. far on the map and it is not far as the crow flies, but my constituents do not fly. I am aware that the trend is for Several hon. Members rose— on-line services, but according to a recent estimate, 40% of households in my constituency do not have a computer, Mr Speaker: Colleagues will have noted the 10-minute let alone broadband. For many, the internet is so time limit on Back-Back speeches. I call Sir Paul Beresford. complicated that they prefer to use the printed form with the printed photograph. These folks will have go to Guildford, with some difficulty, or one of the other 4.22 pm 750 main post offices, rather than the 11,500 sub-post Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I noted the offices that could be available. That is inconvenient and time limit, Mr Speaker, and demolished about two takes time. It means time off work and, at various times thirds of what I intended to say. of the year for various people who work in rural areas, I congratulate the hon. Member for North Ayrshire this is impossible. and Arran (Katy Clark) on introducing the debate, and A proposal has been put to Post Office Ltd by the I agree with many of the points that she made. I chief executive of Photo-Me on behalf of a considerable particularly agree about the need to create opportunities number of photographers who currently produce ID for sub-post offices in rural areas to provide more photographs. There are about 1,500 independent services, and I intend to discuss exactly that and one photographers nationally, including well-known names 39 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 40

[Sir Paul Beresford] pensioners and others who do not have cars and are not online and for whom rural postal services are absolutely such as Photo-Me, Jessops and Snappy Snaps, and a vital. As my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire number of small outlets in small towns. The proposal is and Arran (Katy Clark) argued persuasively, the universal for the sub-post offices to have a relatively cheap scanner service provided by the Royal Mail makes a vital so that the sub-postmaster or staff can go through the contribution to life in remote and rural communities. transaction and scan the printed photograph into digital However, I think that that public service is currently form to be sent online to the DVLA, Passport Office or under threat from the combined effects of Government whichever Government Department needs it. privatisation and end-to-end competition from private For some years long and technical discussions, in postal operators such as TNT. which I have participated, have been taking place, first The hon. Member for Hereford and South Herefordshire with the DVLA, which now accepts that that would be (Jesse Norman) claimed that the universal service will possible and is a very good idea. We have now reached not be threatened because it is enshrined in law through the Post Office, which seems to have put up a brick wall. the Postal Services Act 2011, but that covers only the Having got technical acceptance from the DVLA, I bare minimum of the universal service. Many aspects of hope we can persuade Post Office Ltd to put this cheap the universal service are set by the regulator, Ofcom, and simple system into our rural post offices. I am and could easily be changed while remaining legally having difficulty with that. The benefits to the sub-post compliant. For example, Ofcom recently looked at various offices are obvious. They would provide a new, better ways the universal service could be changed to make it and increased service, which would also increase the cheaper to run. It considered getting rid of first-class footfall in sub-post office shops, which has a knock-on mail, and therefore the next-day service, reducing quality effect, similar to the system that supermarkets work. If of service standards and cutting delivery days from six a people want to go to the pharmacy in a supermarket, week to five. Thankfully, it did not proceed with those they have to walk past absolutely everything before they changes, but with a privatised Royal Mail those options get there and on the way back as well. They look and are likely to be raised again and again because of they tend to buy, so they use that service. It is vital, as commercial pressures. On 23 December 2012 The Daily the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran said, Telegraph reported that Conservative Ministers were that we keep those sub-post offices in shops going. thinking about future changes to the universal service obligation and that an all-Conservative Government Jesse Norman: My hon. Friend is making a powerful could perhaps seek to relax it. case on behalf of sub-post offices, a shining example of which is Hopes of Longtown in my constituency, which Privatised postal services abroad have been successful has a shop alongside it. Does my hon. Friend share my in pushing Governments and regulators to downgrade view that many of these sub-post offices are also rural the universal service. For example, as my hon. Friend sorting offices and that it is equally important to preserve the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran mentioned, that aspect? He may wish to join me in asking the the plans to drop Monday deliveries in the Netherlands Minister to dwell on that in future reflection and when were the result of pressure from the private company closing the debate today. PostNL. A privately owned Royal Mail would be under pressure to generate a return for shareholders and might Sir Paul Beresford: I thank my hon. Friend. I would similarly want to cut the burden of the universal service love to be able to do so, but as he knows, we are short of and lobby for similar changes here in the United Kingdom. time. He has made the point and the Minister appears Downgrading the universal service in that way would to be making a note of it. disproportionately affect consumers in rural areas. Services I am sure the Minister is as anxious as we are that outside the universal service would not be commercially rural post offices and sub-post offices continue. I would justifiable and would either become very expensive or be grateful for an opportunity for two or three of us not be sustained. working in this area to have a meeting with her to discuss progress or, rather, the lack of progress. The Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): Does chief executive of Post Office Ltd has offered to discuss the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is not only the matter with me. I accepted her invitation some consumers in rural areas who will suffer but businesses? weeks ago but I await notice of time and date from her. In fact, the whole local economy of large swathes of The importance and vitality of a rural post office and rural parts across these islands will be severely detrimentally postal service must not be underestimated. Having seen affected. the evidence in my constituency, I believe that the previous Government damaged that, but as many of Mr Hain: I completely agree with the hon. Lady, who their Ministers were urban they probably did not realise makes a valid point about the impact on businesses, it or they turned a blind eye. In essence, I am looking especially small businesses. forward to the Minister’s agreement and support at a Equally, if quality of service targets were downgraded meeting to try to persuade Post Office Ltd to see this as it would be the harder-to-reach locations that would be an opportunity to expand a service and increase footfall most affected. Ofcom’s recent review of user needs in the sub-post offices in our rural areas. suggested that removing Royal Mail’s air network in the name of cost-cutting could mean areas of Scotland, 4.30 pm Northern Ireland, south Wales and rural England seeing Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): I agree with many of first-class quality of service fall to just 50% to 75%. the points made by the hon. Member for Mole Valley The Government say that they have no plans to (Sir Paul Beresford). In the remote former mining villages change the universal service requirements in law for the in my constituency, up the valleys, there are many duration of this Parliament, but that is hardly a long-term 41 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 42 commitment, given that we are just two years away profitable post—to doorsteps across the UK. Evidence from a general election. Royal Mail privatisation is from Communication Workers Union members in the likely to place pressure on the Government to downgrade trial areas of London shows that Royal Mail’s postal those aspects of the universal service that hurt the volumes have been materially affected because of this bottom line. Private companies are primarily responsible competition. Loss of revenues on the scale that TNT is to their shareholders, and the public sector ethos behind working towards would have very serious consequences the Royal Mail’s universal service does not sit well for Royal Mail. It means Royal Mail missing out on the within that model. We need only look at private parcel most profitable business that would usually subsidise delivery companies to see what happens when profitability the high cost of delivering to remote and rural locations. rather than public service is the driving force. Such unchecked competition places the current universal As my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire service under significant threat. and Arran said, consumers in remote and rural locations are frequently charged extra. She pointed out that there Lady Hermon: The right hon. Gentleman may be are reports of £45 being charged for the delivery of surprised to learn that I agree with every word he has £25 phones. The Government say that Royal Mail faces said on this occasion, though that may not have been imminent danger and that privatisation is the only the case when he was Secretary of State for Northern answer, but that is simply not the case. The most recent Ireland. I think it would strengthen his argument if he financial results show that under public ownership its could throw a little light on the last part of the motion profits more than doubled in the past year to £403 million. which That demonstrates that Royal Mail can be profitable in “calls on the Government to provide more concrete, long-term the public sector, which is where most people—two protections for postal services in rural areas”. thirds of the public, not just the vast majority of staff—want Will he explain what concrete, long-term protections for it to remain. postal services in rural areas would be introduced if Privatisation of the letters service will also impact on there were a Labour Government in 2015? That would post offices in remote and rural locations. The post be enormously helpful. office network is reliant not only on Government subsidy but on the commercial relationship with Royal Mail Mr Hain: I am grateful to the hon. Lady. I mostly that allows its postal products and services to be sold agreed with her when I was Secretary of State, even if through that network. The current chief executive of she did not agree with me, but there we are. I would Royal Mail says that the commercial success of both want the next Labour Government elected in 2015 to companies is best served by their working closely together, ensure that the competition regime was fair and that but a new chief executive of a privatised Royal Mail Ofcom regulated the market to ensure that competitors may take an entirely different commercial view. There did not cherry-pick the most profitable parts of the are legitimate concerns that a privatised Royal Mail business. That is quite an easy thing to do, but it has to responsible only to shareholders would seek to sever be driven ultimately by Government policy. this relationship in line with its commercial interests. Royal Mail needs a level playing field where its That would have a disastrous effect on the entire post competitors also have an obligation to deliver up remote office network, but branches in remote and rural areas Welsh mountains, or to the Scottish islands or the would be at particular risk because of their low population Yorkshire dales. That is why Ofcom must use the powers density and their revenues. The last Postcomm annual it already has to introduce general universal service report on the post office network in 2010 found that conditions on competitors such as TNT which provide fewer than 23% of rural branches generated over £40,000 services that fall within the scope of the universal per annum, compared with 70% of urban branches and service. GUSCs do not require legislative change or two thirds of branches in deprived urban areas. ministerial approval, and they provide the best option for intervention on cherry-picking in the short term. The Government and Ofcom need to make sure that Requiring Royal Mail’s competitors to deliver to a the universal service obligation in its current form endures minimum area of geographic coverage for a specified and postal services in rural and remote areas are protected. number of delivery days and to a representative proportion This requires Ofcom to use the powers that it has to of the population would go some way towards ensuring tackle the end-to-end competition from private postal that competition was on much fairer terms. operators such as TNT UK. It also requires the Government to consider an alternative business model Ofcom could also seek to introduce a universal service for Royal Mail that would keep the postal service run in compensation fund through which rival postal operators the interests of the public and properly engage the work would compensate Royal Mail for the costs of providing force. The main problem is that the model of competition the universal service. Similar support funds are being under the 2011 Act has meant, in a privatised context, established in a number of other European countries to cherry-picking of the most profitable parts of Royal ensure the long-term viability of the universal service. Mail’s business—for example, taking the profitable parts Running Royal Mail as a not-for-dividend company, such as business mail, sorting it and then delivering it to such as, for example, Welsh Water, would provide a city centres, but dumping it back into the Royal Mail suitable alternative model, and that is entirely compatible network for delivery to the most remote and costly rural with the 2011 Act. The Government could choose that areas. That imposes a double burden on Royal Mail, model and I urge them to do so. taking revenue away and then forcing it to bear the Royal Mail’s recent profitability shows that it could extra cost. raise investment capital through its own profits, which TNT’s stated aim over the next five years is to increase would be a step towards becoming a self-financing, its end-to-end operations to a work force of approximately not-for-dividend company under the Act. Without changing 20,000 and to deliver business post—that is, the most ownership, Royal Mail could borrow from money markets, 43 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 44

[Mr Hain] Dr Whiteford: My constituency shares with the hon. Gentleman’s the unusual distinction of having no railway at a cheaper rate, as is the case with Welsh Water, even stations. It also has problems with its broadband provision. under the terms of the Act. That would be a much He is making the excellent point, which it is important better model for protecting rural postal services. Otherwise to emphasise, that such basic infrastructure makes the I fear that the future will be an end to door-to-door post office all the more vital to those communities. delivery in remote rural areas and the appearance of Does he agree that it is important to see the post office personal letter boxes in village centres, with the post as part of the essential infrastructure? office network all but disappearing. Dan Rogerson: Absolutely; the hon. Lady is quite right. 4.42 pm Many hon. Members have visited the North Cornwall Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): It is a pleasure constituency, including the Prime Minister. Some Members to follow the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain). I may have seen the pictures in the national media. disagree with some of his conclusions but share his [Interruption.] He is braver than I am; I would not concern for the rural network. He set out well the want to see pictures like that of me in the national potential problems that areas such as his and mine face. media. However, we welcome him and his contribution to the local economy. There are many hamlets within I also congratulate the hon. Member for North Ayrshire the 65 parishes, so we are talking about lots of communities. and Arran (Katy Clark) on securing the debate, which is If people visit the rural communities of North Cornwall, important and timely given that, as she said, the timetable they will see lots of cottages with the name “The Old for making progress on Royal Mail has been set out for Post Office” on them. That is a mark of how many post the financial year. Although that is what the motion offices we have lost. largely refers to, it is inevitable that Members have During the last Parliament, from 2005 to 2010, we spoken a lot about post offices, because they are so received a tough deal under the post office closure crucial to our constituents. I will be no different, because programme. For example, many of the villages around I want to discuss the importance of the post office Bude lost their post offices. They are still suffering from network, which is a key part of the proposals. I also that. I could point to a number of successful voluntary want to talk about issues relating to the universal service schemes that have brought back local community shops obligation that have already been raised by hon. Members. and post offices. The scheme in Blisland predates the The constituency of North Cornwall contains 65 parishes. closure programme. The community there came together During the previous Parliament, when we had a formal and provided an excellent facility that has an internet programme of post office closures, it had 70 parishes, so café as well as a shop and a meeting place. In St Tudy, it has shrunk since then. However, it is still a big rural where the post office closed, the community recently area without a single railway station and where people got together to apply for funding for a new building. rely on services that are close to them, wherever possible. That went up incredibly quickly, which is testimony to It is a huge source of anxiety to them if they feel that a the hard work of the community. In other places, the service that provides access to the wider world is going publican has provided the post office. The Tree Inn in to be withdrawn. Stratton, which again is near Bude, has brought the post office back to the community of that market town. We have also had issues with the provision of broadband, which the hon. Lady mentioned, and I am delighted that the coalition Government have made it a priority Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): I agree with to invest in that. Investment in Cornwall is at a particularly my hon. Friend on the importance of local post offices. advanced stage, because convergence programme money Does he agree that the Department for Work and from the European Union has allowed us to get ahead Pensions has an important role to play by giving business of the game. Many areas in my constituency were to the Post Office? It is essential that the Post Office so-called not spots where not only did they not have fast card account contract continues and that post offices broadband, but they did not have broadband at all and are used as places where people who do not have access were still on dial-up. That was a source of consternation to the internet can apply for universal credit. Does he to a few people who had decided to relocate to the agree that it is important that the DWP gives that work constituency to run a business, which was welcome, to the Post Office? only to find when they tried to connect to broadband Dan Rogerson: Ministers have felt under pressure to that it did not exist. I am delighted that we are making ensure that they provide a level playing field to all progress on that front. people who want to provide such services, but there is Postal services are vital too. That is partly due to the no question in my mind that only the post office network growth of online activity, including shopping. I am sure has the reach to provide services such as the Driver and that many hon. Members visit postal workers at Christmas. Vehicle Licensing Agency contract and to tick all the Rather scarily, this will be my ninth year of doing so. boxes in terms of accessibility. There has been a huge growth in the number of packages that the Royal Mail delivers on behalf of a number of Neil Carmichael: It is very generous of the hon. well-known companies that have hit the headlines and Gentleman to give way. On the services provided by been debated in this Chamber for other reasons, namely rural post offices, does he agree that the organisation’s their tax practices. That brings work to the Royal Mail strong brand is a good reason why it should introduce and shows again how important it is. If the universal banking and mortgages, as it is doing? Those are powerful service obligation were undermined, people would be reasons to maintain the network and justify the disadvantaged. Government’s confidence in it. 45 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 46

Dan Rogerson: The hon. Gentleman is right. We must Much of the motion is about postal services and it is look at the positives. The hon. Member for North right that the House debates such issues as we are the Ayrshire and Arran raised a lot of fears, some of which guarantors of the obligation to provide that service are natural, but we must look at how justified they are. across the country. I was struck by the comments of the We must ensure that we are not speaking in political right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain), who mentioned terms to draw the attention of the media and to provide Royal Mail’s applications to vary some of those conditions, a subject on which to campaign, but that we look at the and that the regulator, through discussion and consultation, reality. That is why I am delighted that the Government had decided that that was not the way to go. I do not have invested money in the network as part of the necessarily think that whether those services are in the programme. private sector—in whatever form—or in the public sector is the ultimate guarantee. That is for us in this House to Katy Clark: Does the hon. Gentleman accept that the provide, and the universal service obligation is now way TNT operates in London is the reality of what we protected in law. On the variation of those conditions, are likely to see in the future? we have a prominent role in consultations on whether such things should be changed. Dan Rogerson: The hon. Lady made good points rose— about employment practices, which I think will be of Mr Hain concern to people looking at employment in that sector. Katy Clark rose— However, we are talking about the universal service obligation, and we will probably not find TNT falling Dan Rogerson: I will give way first to the hon. Lady over itself to provide alternative services in many areas as it is her debate. of the rural network that we are talking about. I am confining my remarks primarily to the rural network, Katy Clark: Does the hon. Gentleman accept that we although I accept what she says about zero-hours contracts, are talking about a framework that will mean less which is a debate for another time. money is available for Royal Mail, which will mean it will not be able to provide the services we have all been Huw Irranca-Davies rose— talking about? Parliament must have a framework through which Royal Mail is able to survive and post offices to flourish. Is that not what we are debating? Dan Rogerson: Let me make a little progress and then I will give way. Dan Rogerson: Absolutely, and for some time regulators I was listing the sorts of approaches that people have in other privatised industries have been looking at what taken. In my constituency, the community at St Eval is viable and what is not—water bills are a massive issue was shaped by RAF and Royal Navy housing, and in my part of the world, and we have had a long debate Trevisker probably would not have been built were it about what is necessary for investment in the service, not for the service community. That community has what is an acceptable level of profit, and what will be now largely left, and the MOD shut down buildings, provided. Ofcom’s role is crucial. took away the old NAAFI and so on, which put the post office under threat. Again, the community came Mr Hain rose— together and put forward a good proposal with Cornwall Dan Rogerson: I apologise but I am afraid I do not council. It now has a lease on one of the former United have time to give way to the right hon. Gentleman. States navy buildings to keep those services in the community. That is vital and we are looking to the All parties must look at our future commitments to future of those services as the buildings get sold off. protect the universal service obligation. I sense that any Hopefully such proposals will play a part in shaping the party that signalled it was abandoning support for that future of that community. obligation would not prosper electorally, and those of us in rural areas will argue strongly that as we move into Interaction with other services is also important. A a new era for postal services those services must be lot of villages may have a small school that is clinging protected in law. We will campaign vigorously for any on, although there are of course pressures regarding the variations in that and interact with the regulator to viability of such schools, which we all want to protect. secure them. I think we can have a viable postal service The village pub may also be under threat, and those that will hopefully be a lot more protected than it was, services support each other. If families come to collect sadly, under the previous Government. children, they might go into the post office at the same time, or if they are going to the shop they might also go Several hon. Members rose— into the pub. Such things all support a viable set of services and businesses in the area, and the post office Mr Speaker: Order. It might be helpful to the House plays a big part in that. if I explain that the Chair will look to call the Front-Bench Post Office Local provides an exciting opportunity winding-up speakers at 5.40 pm, with a view also to for many businesses, and a new way of securing the being able to start the next debate, on cycling, which is future viability of the service. In some places, however, very heavily subscribed, no later than 6 o’clock. the sub-postmaster is looking to sell the business, and there is a concern that if they can sell it only as a local, 4.55 pm finding a buyer may not prove such an easy prospect. Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and We must get reassurance on that issue to ensure that in Lesmahagow) (Lab): I congratulate my hon. Friend the villages where a lot of community support has gone Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) on into the business, those gains are not lost as the post securing this debate. I wish, like others, to contribute office moves to the local model. because a large part of my constituency covers a rural 47 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 48

[Mr Michael McCann] door. The argument is about whether or not postal services are a proper candidate for selling off. I and area. I have two rural post offices out of a total of eight many other right hon. and hon. Members do not believe across the constituency, which is the lowest number of that the case has been made. Perhaps it is worth looking post offices of any Scottish constituency aside from at the debate from the other side. Glasgow North and one of the lowest in the UK as a Recent complaints from the head of Royal Mail, whole. Moya Greene, about remuneration for higher executives The post is a vital service in rural areas. It goes in the service, suggest that one priority for a privatised beyond merely putting mail through the letterbox. For postal service will be significantly better pay for those in example, people who are not naturally gifted at form-filling senior management positions. I am sure that Moya is can get help at competitive prices from the post office still smarting from having to agree to hand back the on a range of official documents, including passports, £250,000 she received to get on the UK housing ladder, driving licences and tax discs. The post office will check on top of the £127,000 she receives annually in relocation the photo and form for a new driving licence for £4.50; payments. Marie Antoinette’s riposte, “Let them eat by contrast, private companies offering similar services cake” comes to mind. Are those sorts of increases really online can charge up to £60 for passport checking. The what the country wants to see—and pay for—at a time difference is between a public service at a modest cost when most families have suffered a drop in income as a and the free market charging whatever it thinks it can result of the economic climate? get away with. The evidence does not back up the case for selling off When public services began to be privatised back in postal services, so what is the real reason behind the the 1980s, the mantra from many who occupied the Government’s enthusiasm for these projects? Government Benches at the time was that competition meant a better deal for the customer. However, let us Lady Hermon: I preface my remarks by saying that I look at some recent examples. The privatised Thames do not want the hon. Gentleman to breach confidentiality, Water makes profits of billions of pounds but surcharges but it would provide a helpful contrast to the pay, salary Londoners for upgrading the sewer infrastructure in the and bonus of the chief executive if he could give us city. The energy companies, including British Gas, have some idea of the income of the sub-postmasters in the put household fuel and electricity costs up to an post offices in his constituency. unacceptable level in recent years—not something they are keen to tell Sid about. The railway companies are Mr McCann: I am grateful for that intervention, but allowed to get away with above-inflation fare increases unlike our salaries, which are publicly available, I do not when passengers have to tighten their belts and suffer a know the salaries of individual sub-postmasters and drop in their incomes. There cannot be many people left sub-postmistresses in my constituency. However, I think apart from some on the Government Benches who we can say that their salaries will be a fraction of the believe that privatisation always means a better deal for money paid to the chief executive, who appears to be the general public. willing to increase the salaries of higher executives under Royal Mail privatisation plans. Mr Reid: The hon. Gentleman is right to criticise the The evidence does not back up the case for selling off private energy companies, but Royal Mail has been postal services, so we must ask what is the real reason guilty of excessive price increases. Royal Mail, which is for this project. For most of those on the Government under public control, put the price of a stamp up from Benches it is surely a dogmatic belief that, whatever the 36p to 50p last year. Both public and private organisations evidence, private is good and public is bad. I anticipate are equally guilty. that the argument that postal services do not really have the same status in this technological age as they may Mr McCann: Yes, but under Royal Mail, we maintain have had in the past may come up. We will be told that the concept of universal delivery. As the hon. Gentleman people have the alternative of going online or using has made clear, Royal Mail is profitable—it is earning e-mail, and so do not have to rely on postal services. the country money—which is why, instead of a having a However, my recent experiences in Blackwood, Kirkmuir one-off pre-election bonus through the sale of services, Hill and other rural areas in my constituency suggest the UK should enjoy a regular income from post office that that is a rash assumption. British Telecom and the services throughout the country. Scottish Government, supported by the UK Government, If privatisation is the trend, will there be other royal are rolling out programmes for so-called superfast privatisations? Can we look forward to the McDonald’s broadband. In rural Blackwood and Kirkmuir Hill, civil list, the Starbucks Duchess of Cambridge, or the however, a part of the community—a new development— Mitchells and Butlers Windsor castle? After all, the has been left out due to the rather bizarre claim that latter company already has hundreds of Windsor Castles, they could not be sure of demand. Those constituents so it would only be a consolidation of the brand. may get new broadband speeds in three, four, five or six I have said those things in jest, but there is a serious years’ time, so they cannot rely on the internet and point. A line must be drawn on how far privatisation is e-mail to conduct their business now. They have to allowed to go. Everyone, including the Government, resort to more traditional means. agrees that some things simply cannot be put up for That clearly demonstrates that communities in rural sale. Honours such as peerages fall into that category. areas, where it is most expensive and difficult to upgrade Parliamentary seats are legally immune from sale. The online services, are the most likely to have to rely on Prime Minister’s dinner table ought also to be exempt, postal services for the longest time. Yet if postal services although there are reports that donations to one are deemed to be too expensive, it will be in those areas Government party can get people through that front that services are most likely to be jettisoned by private 49 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 50 sector companies as uneconomical. That has certainly those services in rural areas. In a previous debate, the been the experience in New Zealand. In the UK, the Secretary of State made the point that the Royal Mail number of rural post offices has been cut by 2,765 since started as a letter service, but was now a package service 2000. I acknowledge that that cut is less than the cut to that also delivered letters, which is very true. That is the the number of urban post offices in the same period, key to the future of the Royal Mail service, but it is also but the accessibility criteria I mentioned earlier mean it why it is crucial that it remains in public ownership. is more significant, as rural offices are much further A reliable universal mail service is essential to businesses apart. Rural areas suffer in the provision of traditional in rural areas and to efforts to encourage the growth of Royal Mail and Post Office services and in the technological such businesses. If we are to re-energise small businesses revolution from which urbanised areas will be able to in the rural economy, they must have access to a full, benefit more or less immediately. reliable and, above all, reasonably priced postal service There are, of course, questions about access to services that ensures that they can send and receive packages for those who do not own cars and have to get to urban quickly and efficiently. Ministers have recently taken to centres, where postal services are more profitable and justifying the privatisation on the grounds that, as a more likely to remain. A recent Library note shows that public service, the postal service has to compete with the accessibility criteria already differ between urban schools and hospitals for scarce public funds. That is and rural areas, with urban post offices expected to be emotive, but completely the wrong way to look at the within 1 mile of the customer, but up to 3 miles away in service. The postal service must be recognised as an rural areas. There are bus services from rural areas—my important economic driver to the local economy and constituency is no different in that respect—but they one of the keys to building local businesses in the are by no means as frequent as those that urban users internet age. are familiar with. That self-evidently reduces access, The Government and local authorities are investing compared with being able to walk up the road to a local massive sums in bringing improved broadband to rural post office facility in one’s own village. areas. That presents a huge opportunity for building up Then there is the question of whether the public want the mail system. For example, the Scottish Government postal services to be sold off. The evidence from my have entered into a contract with BT that will ensure postbag is that many people are deeply concerned about that 95% of the population have access to fibre-optic the proposals and have shown support for the broadband by 2017. Obviously there is a long way to go, Communication Workers Union campaign. I, too, would particularly in the more rural areas, but we are getting like to mention Hugh Gaffney, who has been a regular there. That is an important development. Similar moves correspondent and has worked tirelessly on behalf of are being made in other parts of the UK—I recognise his union members in my constituency. However, nobody that the Government have made money available for has written to me to say that the sell-off is a good thing that. The extension of fibre-optic broadband will improve and should go ahead. I cannot find any reference to a the ability of small and medium rural businesses to Royal Mail sell-off in the 2010 Conservative or Lib operate over the internet and give an important boost Dem manifestos, so there can be no claim of an electoral to the rural economy. However, that will happen only if mandate for the proposal. they have access to a reliable and affordable postal In the face of public hostility to the idea and the lack service. of a clear mandate, surely the Government should As I have said, it is not only privatisation that poses a reconsider their proposals and withdraw them. At the threat to that service, particularly the “affordable”element. very least, they should defer the issue until after the There is absolutely nothing to prevent Royal Mail or its 2015 election and put it in their parties’ manifestos to new private owners from introducing zonal pricing in ensure that, before any decision is taken, there is a clear any service other than the universal service. There is and proper mandate for such a potentially far-reaching also absolutely nothing to prevent Royal Mail from act, because once services in rural areas have gone, there introducing, for example, a different first-class service— will be little chance of their returning and our country perhaps an inter-city first-class service serving the major will be a poorer place for it. urban areas at a lower cost than the universal service—in the face of the competition that will undoubtedly exist. 5.6 pm That could lead to a situation in which urban businesses had access to a lower-cost service than rural businesses. Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): Throughout the debates Such a move would not breach the obligation under the on Royal Mail, I have made it absolutely clear that I am Act. Indeed, it could be beneficial to large urban areas totally opposed to the privatisation of the system. That and larger users as competition developed, but it would, is not for any particularly ideological motive, but because as so often happens, leave rural areas out in the cold I am concerned about what will happen to postal services with a reduced service. I remind Members that Richard in rural areas such as those that I represent, which have Hooper’s original report made the point that large already suffered a reduction in services. businesses, rather than small ones, had been the beneficiaries The universal service obligation and the universal of the previous liberalisation of the postal service. That tariff are important to rural areas, but both are under process could be intensified by the privatisation of the threat, not only from privatisation, but because of other service, which would run against the very ethos of changes in the Postal Services Act 2011. The hon. the postal services, which was to ensure that all areas of Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) said, the country were served equally at the same cost. fairly, that we should not be too fearful of them, but Last year, Ofcom decided that price caps would be those fears are well based. The problem is that if they removed from all Royal Mail products except second-class come to pass, it will be difficult to put the genie back in mail. In my view, the result is that the only truly the bottle, once we have privatised Royal Mail and lost universal service is now second-class mail. First-class 51 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 52

[Mr Mike Weir] pointed out that an executive of TNT in the Netherlands has been reported as describing the universal service mail could be priced out of the reach of many people. obligation as With the price of a first-class stamp already 60p—one “a kind of Jurassic Park and we should be rid of it”. of the highest prices in Europe for such a service—how We do not yet know what form the sale of Royal Mail many people and, crucially, small businesses will continue will take. It could go out to the public, or it could to send first-class mail? There is nothing to prevent involve a sale to one of those companies. Either way, Royal Mail from raising the price of the service to such experience tells us that when industries are privatised, an extent that it ceases to be used. the chances are that they will fall under the control of I have raised the question of zonal pricing with one of the multinational companies. Let us look at what Ofcom, and it has confirmed in a letter to me that it happened in our energy industry. The only consumer does not have any powers to prevent Royal Mail from protection there is the regulator, and does anyone in this introducing a pricing variation related to user location, Chamber really feel that consumers have been protected as the Postal Services Act 2011 limits a regulator’s by the energy regulators? powers to universal services and access. That is the There are huge problems, and as I say, once Royal problem. Ofcom cannot prevent Royal Mail from Mail has been sold, it will be potentially too late to go introducing a price rise now, never mind if it were to fall back. At present, however, Royal Mail is making a into the hands of a private operator. Given its previous profit and there is huge potential for growing its services attitude to price capping, there is no guarantee that in conjunction with the roll-out of fibre-optic broadband. Ofcom would not allow unrestricted pricing for the Instead of selling it off, we should be constantly ensuring first-class service. that Royal Mail is treated as an integral part of our Even if Ofcom decided to use its powers, they would infrastructure, in the same way as roads for example, be insufficient to protect the universal service. Under and ensuring that it blossoms in public ownership. the Postal Services Act 2011, Royal Mail is obliged to I had hoped to say more about the post office network, continue the universal service provision, and it is the which is also very important in rural areas, but I am only organisation to fund it. The hon. Member for unfortunately running out of time. Post offices play a North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) spoke at length part in the delivery of mail, because they provide a about the fact that the Communication Workers Union pick-up and delivery point in many rural areas. No one had raised the question of cherry-picking. What will in the Chamber will be unaware of the torrid time that happen if services provided by others start to eat into the post office network has had over the past decade, those provided by Royal Mail and damage the universal when over 34% of post offices have closed. Although service? What powers does Ofcom have to deal with there is no closure programme at the moment, it does such a situation? Would the Government close down a not mean that post offices are not still struggling and, in competitor service? The answer is clearly no; they would some cases, closing. Over the last couple of months in not do that. my constituency, two of the remaining sub-postmasters The Postal Services Act sets out what could be done have decided to retire, and in the process the post offices in such circumstances, and it is worth noting that the have been transferred to other businesses. The service decisions would be taken by Ofcom in the first instance. has been reduced to a post office local service, and that It would make a recommendation and a Minister would means a lesser service for consumers. then decide whether to accept or reject it. If the service were in danger, Ofcom would have to consider the matter. It could decide to review the minimum requirements 5.16 pm of the obligation, which could result in a reduced service Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I would that would be disastrous for rural areas. It could also like to pay tribute to and thank Members, particularly decide on the establishment of a compensation fund. my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Importantly, however, such a fund would have to be Arran (Katy Clark), for bringing forward this important paid for by all users of the services and not by the debate on the Floor of the House through the Backbench companies that deliver the mail. That could give rise to Business Committee. serious difficulties. It could also lead to substantial price increases for consumers. The mail and postal service plays a key role in the lives of my constituents, and stands at the centre of Ofcom could also impose general service conditions much that is good in the local community. The local on all or some other providers. However, that is highly post office and the mail service are central to both the unlikely to be effective if, as seems likely, the other economic and the social life of South Down. Some competitors would be found only in relatively small 55% of post offices are in rural areas and 31% represent geographical areas and Royal Mail were the only provider the only retail outlet in their area—a situation with in rural areas. Does anyone really think that a future which I am very familiar in my constituency, particularly Government would legislate to ensure that TNT, for in hard-to-reach areas in the rural communities—a example, should set up a nationwide service in place of point to which my right hon. Friend the Member for the service that it provides at present? Neath (Mr Hain) has already referred. Ofcom could allow for the tendering of the universal The postal service plays a vital role in connecting our service, but does anyone seriously believe that that society: it is the central hub and is an essential part of would work, when the very reason for its being considered the rural infrastructure, especially for the elderly and would be the fact that Royal Mail could not manage it? many vulnerable people who may be excluded from If such an exercise were to be carried out, what would other forms of communication. Further cuts to our be the cost? The Communications Workers Union has postal service and network risk isolating many in our 53 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 54 society by creating a two-tier network that separates the 10 months, I have been pleased to be asked by the Post connected and the dislocated. Such a development would Office to open rebranded branches in my constituency, be bad for our society and for our economy. which have been open for more hours and have offered To express support of our existing position is not to a broader range of services. It is important for such say that we cannot develop and modernise the service services to be retained in hard-to-reach rural communities. for the 21st century, and we should indeed be looking at There is clearly a public demand for more of them to be ways to reinvigorate this institution as part of the drive provided, primarily through local post office branches. to develop and regenerate the rural economy—a theme In response to a recent ICM poll, 89% of people said to which I will return later. As many Members have that they wanted a face-to-face service, and 73% said mentioned today, however, the fear is that the privatisation that they preferred the post office. of the Royal Mail and its impact on the relationship I believe that, following the recent review of banking with the Post Office will place a further strain on the and financial services, the Government have missed an Post Office’s ability to survive, especially in rural areas, opportunity to put the Post Office at the centre of a and that it will not revitalise the service, as some have restructured retail banking sector. I believe that there is suggested it will, but leave it to wither on the vine. I am enormous potential for post offices to offer high-street worried that the inevitable market pressures from banking services that would provide income for the Post privatisation will place further strain across the postal Office while also bringing customers through the door services and that the parts that are not as profitable, to use their other services. That would apply particularly especially in remote or rural areas, will have to be in rural areas that are currently experiencing a wave of closed. We should not and cannot let this happen. bank branch closures. In Northern Ireland, Ulster bank, RBS, First Trust—part of Allied Irish Banks—and the Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): The hon. Bank of Ireland are closing branches in rural communities. Lady is making a powerful point and obviously represents If high-street banks were compelled, or encouraged, a constituency very much like my own. Does she agree to offer access to a wide range of transaction services in that there will be cases in which remote rural communities local post office branches, and to make customers aware need these services so much that, although it will not be of that, we could see a revolution in the functioning of possible for them to develop commercially, they will our post offices, and a revitalisation of the rural economy. need continued public subsidy? Will she join me in What we need from the Government is an approach asking the Minister to commit to— that aims to develop and support our postal services, bringing them into line with the 21st century while Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. May supporting their invaluable social function, but instead I ask the hon. Lady to sit down? Questions must be there is the fear that they will sell in haste and repent at brief. leisure.

Ms Ritchie: I take the hon. Lady’s point. In remote Lady Hermon: Before the hon. Lady closes her remarks, rural areas, where there is little access to broadband, I am sure that she would like to join me in paying there must be an alternative in the form of the rural tribute to all those in Royal Mail and the postal services post office, with all its attendant services. in Northern Ireland who served the entire community, As we have seen with other privatisations, once the without fear or favour, through the awful years of the horse has bolted and the rationale of market practices troubles. We owe them a sense of loyalty and dedication has been enforced, it can be very difficult to reverse or now, when they feel that their jobs and their services are even moderate the impacts. Despite assurances to the in jeopardy. contrary, the end result is likely to be a reduced and more expensive service, and the fear is that rural services Ms Ritchie: I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention, will be the canary in the coal mine. with which I fully agree. I commend all those—past and We have received lukewarm reassurances that the present—employed in Royal Mail and postal services universal service obligation will be retained, but it is throughout Northern Ireland, because through the dark feared that once private owners are placed under financial days of the troubles they had to go to hard-to-reach and competitive pressure, they will re-examine it and communities, both rural and urban, in very difficult seek to change the terms of that important social compact, circumstances. They often risked their lives to ensure or be forced to contract their service. It would be that people had proper access to a postal service. It is completely unacceptable at any point for rural customers important that we commend them and that this House to have to pay more for that service. I ask the Minister records that. to reassure us today that that will never happen, and The postal service and the post office lie at the heart that we are not on a slippery slope towards the erosion of rural life and the rural economy. While remaining of the universal service obligation. I should also like to open to new opportunities, modernisation and reform hear from her a more detailed explanation of how the of these vital services, we must not let the driving logic Government and Ofcom will prevent a private operator of privatisation destroy part of the fabric of rural life. It from ever altering the terms of the agreement. is important to emphasise that the National Federation Let me reiterate that I do not oppose the modernisation of SubPostmasters, a representative of which I met of the service. Indeed, the initial plans for modernisation recently, has made it clear that in practice it is very met a degree of approval. It was hoped that more much not opposed to modernisation or to getting more Government functions and business would be returned services, but it is opposed to any contraction or withdrawal to the Post Office, and that the plans would return post of services. There has certainly not been enough to offices to the centre of local life and diversify the service counteract the fall in income from Government services to meet the needs of all in the community. Over the last from £576 million in 2005 to £167 million in 2010. I am 55 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 56

[Ms Ritchie] We still have not heard why the Government intend to privatise such a profitable institution as Royal Mail happy to commend the motion standing in the name of or why they appear to have ruled out the mutual option the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy of ownership. We still have no guarantees that the cost Clark). I fully support it, but we must show our of sending parcels to different parts of the country will determination to retain postal services and Royal Mail. be the same and we have no guarantees, shamefully— because there are no guarantees—that Royal Mail will stay where it belongs, in British hands. 5.26 pm Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): I am delighted We often speak in this place of the importance of a to speak in this important debate on the future of revival in private sector fortunes for economic growth postal services in rural areas, and it is a great pleasure to and we are absolutely right to do so, but in our rural follow the hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie). communities that highlights the importance of people I congratulate all hon. Members who proposed this being able to work at home from those communities. excellent motion, especially my hon. Friend the Member Whatever line of business they are in, the chances are for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark), who gave that that will mean parcels and mail. Imagine the this debate a lucid and thoughtful opening. disincentive to those communities if every single delivery ends up costing more—perhaps vastly more—than in The fact that the motion is supported so widely is an urban area. That would be even more the case if the hugely important and will, I hope, provide a clarion call daily delivery ended. The impact on rural staff and to the Government that those who represent rural and companies—and ultimately on the rural economy—would semi-rural seats will not stand for anything less than a be immense. genuinely universal service as regards Royal Mail and the Post Office. My postbag of postcards, letters and Let me move on to the post office. We cannot forget e-mails from people from across my constituency’s that in many rural centres post offices can be a hub for 240 square miles bears a clear message: keep the Royal the local community. We should invest in that and Mail public, with a genuine universal obligation, and support it. I want to pay tribute at this point to the post protect our post offices. My constituents are absolutely office diversification fund of the Labour Welsh Government, right to say that. Some who have written to me tell me which last year made a grant to Pontfadog post office in openly that they are supporters of the Countryside the beautiful Ceiriog valley to fund new lighting and Alliance, whereas others will be members of the signage, a new chiller for fruit and veg, sandwiches, pies Communication Workers Union or Unite. The majority and cakes for tourists, a photocopier and a notice are probably not aligned with any of those groups, but board. The post office, like many in the smaller villages, everyone speaks with one voice on this issue, which is so manages to combine being a village centre with being a critical to all rural and semi-rural communities, such as place of hospitality, a tourist information centre and so those in my constituency. At least one commentator has much more. We must support such initiatives and commit described the campaign to save Royal Mail and the ourselves to them and those like them in our rural areas. universal service obligation as “an unholy alliance of left and right”. We must think, too, about how we can support postal services in two other scenarios that are, I think, almost People coming together across the normal political exclusively rural. The first is when there is no longer a divides might be “unholy” in the tawdry little world of full post office but the Post Office is willing to retain a dog-whistle politics, but for most of us it is a sign of counter. How can we give more support to other retail strength. outlets, where they exist, or to other organisations? We I hope that hon. Members will now forgive me a must be more flexible in that regard and urgently need moment of lyricism. Is this situation not a case of an to do more to promote partnership working and to get Aesop’s fable being enacted all over again? Is it not the post office counters running. As long as there is the Notting Hill town mice, free-market rodents to every relevant security, we can and should be very imaginative last whisker, scoffing at their little country cousins, about where to place those counters. saying, “Come on, let’s get rid of the old-fashioned structure. We’ll do something more modern, more In the second scenario, the Post Office will want to sophisticated—more free market. In short, things will keep a post office open but no willing party will take on be so much better”? We all know what happened in the the post of postmaster, which means that we see temporary end: whether because of the couple of dogs in Aesop’s or, in some cases, long-term closures. We should be version or the vacuum cleaner in the 1970s one—it is open to different patterns of employment so that services odd what one remembers—the metropolitan order got never have to close for the lack of one post holder. its come-uppance and the country mouse gladly returned More must be done to ensure that those post offices to the security of a system that worked. stay open. Post Office Ltd should not be let off the I suspect that things are not quite as easy in this case hook in this regard: we would not say that it did not as they were in Aesop’s fable, because if the Government matter if a school or health service provider closed for go ahead with their plans for Royal Mail, the security of six months. the old system in rural areas simply will not be in place. Postal services—Royal Mail and the Post Office—are If Royal Mail as we know it is destroyed, it will not just undoubtedly vital to our rural communities, so I urge the wait around some imaginary corner. It was put beautifully Government to do more to support them. I urge them in an article in The Daily Telegraph last summer written to listen to the country mice in this place and reconsider by Vicki Woods, stating that their flawed and unpopular plans to privatise Royal “twisting lanes and long driveways may be a step too far for the Mail. privatised Royal Mail.” 57 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 58

5.34 pm the USO more expensive. A more expensive USO puts pressure on a privatised Royal Mail to cut costs, and the Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I thank the most expensive parts of its business are its rural operations. Backbench Business Committee for selecting the debate. I especially thank my hon. Friend the Member for Neither the Minister nor the Royal Mail can tell us North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark), who has been what will happen if everything goes wrong. If the USO dogged over many years in speaking against the privatisation becomes too expensive to deliver or if the privatised of Royal Mail and pointing out its impact on her rural Royal Mail just hands back the keys to the Government, constituency. I hope that hon. Members will forgive me as the private companies did when their contracts failed if I do not mention everyone who spoke because time on the east coast rail line, what will happen? The constraints mean that we must rattle through the debate. taxpayer will pick up the tab. The situation is compounded by the fact that the Royal Mail has much higher service With perhaps only a few weeks to go until the standards than rival deliverers. It therefore faces higher Government hammer the final nail in the coffin that standards that are more expensive to deliver, and pressure will seal the privatisation of Royal Mail, this has been a on its most profitable parts from rival companies operating crucial opportunity to debate the impact of that policy under lower service standards and employing staff under on rural communities throughout the country. Such worse working conditions, as my hon. Friend the Member communities have already been hit hard by the Government. for North Ayrshire and Arran said, to make their Whether through their astonishing abolition of the services cheaper still. Combined with that is an ever-more Agricultural Wages Board without a debate in the House expensive USO, pressure on the inter-business agreement or their inaction on rising travel and fuel costs, or with with the Post Office and the fact that the Government the disproportionate effect of the cost of living crisis on have no strategy on how to protect the USO in the long rural communities, the Government have been found term. Then there is the big question of the EU directive, wanting, and we now have the ideologically driven fire because will the UK be in the EU? Does the Prime sale of Royal Mail to save the Chancellor’s blushes. It is Minister want to repatriate in this area, and will that only a few months since the rural economy index concluded: create further uncertainty about the universal service “Rising unemployment, shrinking profits and plummeting obligation? This is a recipe for disaster, and the effects confidence in countryside businesses has thrown the rural economy will be hardest felt in rural areas. to the brink of a further recession”. It would be naive to think that any new owner of a There is a fear that the privatisation of Royal Mail and privatised Royal Mail would not aim to maximise other changes to postal services will accentuate that shareholder value. That will put pressure on reducing decline. costs and on services that might be considered uneconomic, such as reaching remote areas. Rural businesses might We should praise postal workers throughout the United well have to pay more to have their mail delivered, while Kingdom for their work. They get important mail and getting parcels from online retailers could come at a items to families and businesses up and down the country premium for householders. We have heard that a survey come rain, hail, shine or snow. We should especially by Citizens Advice Scotland found that 84% of people thank those workers in the most remote parts of the living in the remotest parts of Scotland have been country, which is why the motion is right to cite the refused delivery by a non-Royal Mail carrier. “vital contribution that Royal Mail makes to rural areas”. The importance of the post office network to rural Royal Mail’s profits, which are in excess of £400 million, communities is shown by statistics from the National are a testament not only to the hard work of its staff, Federation of SubPostmasters saying that 55% of post but to the partnership of management and staff working offices are in rural areas and that 31% are the only retail with the trade unions to make the Royal Mail service outlet in some areas. As the hon. Member for North the best that it can be. Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) said, such post offices are The universal service obligation of one price anywhere, often how rural communities access the wider world. six days a week, gives equity to rural areas and supports The post office network depends on Royal Mail for rural economies. We have only to look at the inequity of more than 30% of its income, so we can see why there pricing for delivering parcels to certain remote areas, are considerable concerns that the 10-year inter-business which many hon. Members cited, to see the potential agreement will fall. First, it was included in the Postal for rural economies to be hit hard should the USO Services Act 2011 only after Labour and stakeholder principle be undermined. pressure. Secondly, it can be reviewed in five years and, thirdly, it can be altered if there are material adverse The social aspect of the post office network in rural effects on either of the two companies. It is a vital link areas is critical. Post offices act as a focal point for in the sustainability of the post office network. communities and provide a vital service, especially for older The Post Office is in a precarious position. A recent people, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath survey by the National Federation of SubPostmasters (Mr Hain) said. Of course, they are also important to found that operating costs were rising; personal drawings the small businesses that use our postal services. for sub-post masters had fallen by 36% in four years; There are undoubtedly challenges, given that letter one in four sub-postmasters took absolutely no salary volumes are falling drastically and maintaining the from their post office income; and most sub-postmasters USO is expensive. However, the maintenance of the earned little or no income from financial or Government USO is at the crux of the debate. The Government services—the two areas that Ministers identified as cannot guarantee either the USO or the inter-business having “real growth potential”. Most importantly for agreement with the Post Office because they have no this debate, the Government have completely failed to real control over rival end-to-end operators cherry-picking deliver their pledge to make the post office the “Front more profitable services, which in turn makes delivering Office for Government”. Do hon. Members remember 59 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 60

[Ian Murray] The British public, who are against privatisation 2:1, recognise that, and the Liberal Democrat manifesto— that mantra? That has resulted in the NFSP withdrawing remember that document?—recognises it. The weakness its support and saying that the privatisation of Royal of the Government’s case is absolutely clear. I say this Mail could fundamentally impact on the viability of the quite seriously: Government Members who represent post office network, as it has become increasingly dependent rural constituencies should think carefully about on Royal Mail for business. privatisation of Royal Mail, which they support, and Then there is the impact on rural areas of the roll-out how it will affect not just their constituents but the of the Post Office Local programme. Groups such as businesses in their constituencies that rely heavily on the Consumer Focus—now Consumer Futures—say that post office network. Rural areas, more than most, rely there is a lack of analysis by the Government on how on our much-cherished postal services. The overwhelming the programme will ultimately work. The Countryside case is to keep Royal Mail in public hands and protect Alliance is concerned that the model could result in postal services for all our communities. many rural communities losing their post office or seeing further cuts in services such as manual cash 5.44 pm deposits and withdrawals, manual bill payment services, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, and on-demand foreign currency. That is particularly Innovation and Skills (Jo Swinson): I congratulate the worrying, given that the NFSP has shown that 43% of hon. Members for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy older people in rural areas use the post office to access Clark) and for Angus (Mr Weir) on securing this debate cash. on the future of postal services in rural areas, for which the Backbench Business Committee has found time. Mr Reid: I am pleased that the Labour spokesperson The hon. Lady mentioned in her opening remarks that is speaking up for rural post offices, because thousands there have been particularly strong representations on of post offices were closed under the last Government. the issue from parts of Scotland. It is lovely to return to We are not going to take lectures from Labour on these issues, as just a few weeks ago we had a good saving rural sub-post offices, given the thousands that debate in Westminster Hall on the future of postal they closed. services, particularly in Scotland. I welcome the opportunity to respond to some of the issues raised this afternoon. Ian Murray: The day I take lectures from a Liberal I will try to address as many as possible of the points Democrat in the Chamber is the day I leave the Chamber made during the debate, focusing especially, as has in utter shame. The key thing that the hon. Gentleman much of the debate, on Royal Mail and the universal tends to forget is the fact that privatisation of Royal service, particularly in the light of the forthcoming Mail will signal the final nail in the coffin for the post privatisation. It is important to scotch the myths that office network. The Government can trumpet mutualisation have grown up during some of the speeches in this as much as they want, but the fact that they have kicked debate. I will also make sure that my remarks focus on it into the long grass until 2016 shows how undeliverable the future of the Post Office because postal services it is. Why on earth are the Government talking about relate not just to the delivery of letters and parcels, but mutualisation for the post office, but are hellbent on to the wide range of postal services provided through privatising Royal Mail? Those two things are just not the post office network. compatible. By continuing to pursue a policy that is ideologically Huw Irranca-Davies: I thank the hon. Lady for giving driven, quite simply, Ministers and the Government are way so early. In scotching one of those myths, could she playing politics with the postage stamp. Let us be quite deal at the outset with the issue of the Liberal Democrat clear: this has nothing to do with postal services or the manifesto, which stated: impact on the public, but is meant to save the blushes of “49 per cent of Royal Mail will be sold to create funds for a discredited Chancellor. Why are the Government not investment. The ownership of the other 51 per cent will be listening to the voices of the coalition of opposition, as divided between an employee trust and the government.” mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd Is that an accurate reading of the manifesto, and is that South (Susan Elan Jones), including the Countryside what the Government are proposing? Alliance, the National Pensioners Convention, the Scottish Family Business Association, the National Federation Jo Swinson: The hon. Gentleman is obviously an avid of SubPostmasters, the Conservative right-wing think reader of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, perhaps tank, the Bow Group, the cross-party Select Committee unlike his hon. Friend the Member for East Kilbride, on Business, Innovation and Skills, and even the late Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Mr McCann)— Baroness Thatcher? A recent survey by the Communication Workers Union showed that 96% of Royal Mail staff Mr McCann rose— were against privatisation on a massive 76% turnout, despite the Government bribe to give them shares. If Jo Swinson: If the hon. Member for East Kilbride, the Government do not want to listen to all those Strathaven and Lesmahagow will let me finish the sentence people, why does the Minister not listen to her colleague, first, he may be fortunate and I may be able to give way the right hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon), to him. who took responsibility from her to privatise Royal Mail in the recent ministerial reshuffle? He said in a Indeed, we recognised in the Liberal Democrat manifesto letter to the CWU on 11 February 2009: that Royal Mail would need an injection of private capital. Clearly, in the current plans at least 10% is “I certainly do not support the...plans for privatisation.” guaranteed as worker shares. That is right and, importantly, Why does that Minister not even listen to himself? it is set down in the Postal Services Act 2011. Obviously, 61 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 62 the shape and format of the present proposals is not a I hope to reassure the House that the Government have carbon copy of what was in the manifesto. We are three long-term, concrete protections in place for postal services, years on from then and we are working within a coalition and indeed that the Royal Mail will have to continue to Government. provide the universal service. Many Members have raised that as a concern. Mr McCann: May I remind the Minister that the Liberal Democrat manifesto committed also to full public In setting out the background to how we got where ownership of the post office network? Can she explain we are today, it is important to remember that the how that sits with selling off the Crown post office Government are implementing a package of key reforms network through franchising and with the Government’s recommended in Richard Hooper’s independent review, plans to sell off most of Royal Mail, whereas the which was first commissioned in 2008 by the previous manifesto specified only 49%? Government. He set out three clear recommendations that needed to be implemented as a package if the Jo Swinson: It is very important to make the point Government wanted to secure the future of the universal that the post office network remains in public hands. postal service: that they should tackle Royal Mail’s We need to get it on to a sustainable footing. I should historic pension deficit; that responsibility for postal have thought the hon. Gentleman welcomed that. The regulation should transfer from Postcomm to Ofcom; opportunity to mutualise the post office network ought and that Royal Mail should have access to private to be welcomed not just on the Liberal Democrat and capital to support its ongoing modernisation. The previous Conservative Benches, but on the Labour Benches, as it Government accepted those recommendations in full, will ensure that ownership of such an organisation is but their Bill was subsequently dropped owing to market more widely available to stakeholders within it, including conditions. not just sub-postmasters, but customers and others. That mutualisation process is an important part of the The Postal Services Act 2011, which was passed a future of the Post Office. little over two years ago, enables the Government to The hon. Gentleman mentions the Crown network. implement the full package of recommendations. As In our post office network of almost 12,000 branches, the House will be aware, we have now relieved Royal the vast majority of which, as has been outlined eloquently Mail of its historic pension deficit—I am glad that the by many speakers in the debate today, are small sub-post hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran was able to offices. About 370 are Crown post offices in the busiest welcome that move—and established a new regulatory high streets and town centres. For those 373 offices to regime under Ofcom, with stronger powers to protect be losing more than £40 million a year, as they were the universal service. The third and final recommendation, when this Government came into office, is unsustainable. to give Royal Mail future access to private capital, is I hope the hon. Gentleman will recognise, therefore, now being progressed through the planned sale of shares that getting the Crown network as well as the rest of the in the company. That is a crucial element of the Hooper post office network on to a sustainable footing is essential package. It will be positive for Royal Mail as a business, to the future success of the Post Office. enabling it to respond to the changing needs and demands of postal users now and in the future. Most important, Mr McCann rose— it will help secure a sustainable universal postal service in the UK. Jo Swinson: I will give way, then I want to make some progress. Many Members have rightly mentioned that the universal postal service is crucial to the UK’s economy and social Mr McCann: Will the Minister concede that the fabric, particularly in rural communities, and the coalition Liberal Democrat manifesto did not make that distinction Government recognise that. That is why the overarching between Crown post offices and all the smaller ones objective of our postal market reforms is to secure that she has just mentioned? the future provision of the universal postal service, the six-days-a-week service at uniform, affordable prices for Jo Swinson: I am making the point clearly that the everyone in the United Kingdom, regardless of whether Government remain the key shareholder in Post Office they live in urban, suburban or rural communities. Ltd and therefore accept that the Post Office is in public hands. I concede that we are suggesting that when it Various references have been made to whether that is becomes financially sustainable it would be a positive a sufficient service or a minimum one, so I thought that future if the post office network could be mutualised, it would be helpful to state what it actually means and which would mean it would not remain in Government what is set down in the legislation, which will continue hands, but I would have thought that that was something to apply in the event of Royal Mail being sold: six-days- the hon. Gentleman welcomed. a-week delivery to the home or premises of every individual With regard to the motion, I understand that with in the UK; six-days-a-week collection from every access Back-Bench business we often have good debates on point—post boxes and post offices—in the UK; a uniform, various issues and that votes are not common. I agree with affordable tariff across the UK; the provision of a much of the motion, but hope to be able to reassure the registered items service at uniform tariff; the provision House on a couple of points. In relation to the claim that of an insured items service at uniform tariff; free postage “the impending privatisation of Royal Mail will place a question for the blind and partially sighted; and a free service of mark over its willingness to maintain what may be loss-making conveying qualifying legislative petitions. That is all set services” out in legislation, so regardless of ownership Royal and the reference to providing Mail will continue to provide that universal service. “more concrete, long-term protections for postal services in rural The ownership change does not change that; only areas”, Parliament can change those requirements. 63 Postal Services (Rural Areas)2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 64

Katy Clark: Does the hon. Lady not accept that what The hon. Member for South Down (Ms Ritchie) Members have been saying today is that the commercial talked about the important opportunity of high street pressures will be on both Royal Mail and the Government banking being provided through post offices, and I to reduce those universal service obligations if privatisation absolutely agree. It is pleasing that 95% of high street goes ahead? bank accounts can now be accessed through local post offices. That network is very important, particularly in Jo Swinson: It is up to Parliament to defend that areas where many of the banks have closed their branches. universal service. That lies in Parliament’s power. We I encourage hon. Members to bring that to the attention have protections in place through the 2011 Act because of constituents, as they might not be aware of it. Also, the Government recognised that that is an important the Post Office is currently undertaking a current account service. [Interruption.] Members heckle from a sedentary pilot in the east of England, so current accounts can be position, but I highlight that it was the coalition available from the Post Office as a financial services Government who enshrined the universal service in provider across the rest of the country. legislation, not the previous Government. I think that it is incumbent on all Members of Parliament to ensure Lady Hermon rose— that we protect that, because it can be changed only if Members of Parliament decide to do so. I can certainly Jo Swinson: I will give way, but then I will have to give an undertaking that I have no desire to do so. bring my remarks to a close. Perhaps Opposition Members are worried that they might feel under too much pressure and cave in; that is Lady Hermon: The Minister is very kind to allow me all I can imagine must be the cause of the concerns they to intervene when she has only a few minutes left. I must are raising. say that, despite the assurances she has given in the Chamber this evening, there will remain a nervousness Mr Weir: The Minister is ignoring the point that has and anxiety right across Northern Ireland about the been made consistently: the universal service might Government’s future intentions in relation to both Royal become endangered owing to privatisation and increased Mail and postal services. Will she kindly give a commitment competition. She can stand there and say that it is that a senior member of the Department will come to enshrined in legislation, but if Royal Mail can no longer Northern Ireland, visit rural and urban post offices and deliver, there is very little that Parliament can do to stop meet a representative group of postmasters and politicians? it collapsing; there are only Ofcom’s various processes, which, as I explained in my speech, are unlikely to work. Jo Swinson: I will certainly take the hon. Lady’s representation on board. I cannot give a commitment on when that can happen, but I thank her for the Jo Swinson: Of course, Ofcom, as the regulator, has a invitation. range of tools. The nub of the hon. Gentleman’s point— there is a sensible point that he is making—is that it is The 2010 spending review allocated a funding package vital that Royal Mail can continue to deliver as a of £1.34 billion to the post office network up to 2015, successful company, and one of the challenges it currently which is providing significant investment in the shape of faces is its lack of ability to invest. The postal service network and Crown transformation. The new Post Office market it changing rapidly—parcel delivery, in particular, Local models are proving very successful, as indeed are is very much a growth area, as other hon. Member have the Post Office Main models. More than 1,750 sub- outlined—and we need to ensure that the Post Office postmasters have signed contracts to convert their branches has the capacity to react to changing circumstances. and nearly 1,000 are open—the 1,000th is expected to That is why it needs to be able to access private capital open this week. These new offices are reporting high and why that is a way of protecting the universal service levels of customer satisfaction; many Members will be obligation, rather than the contrary. aware of that because more than 400 have at least one in their constituencies. Time is short and I would like to ensure that I I take on board the point made by my hon. Friend mention post office matters, but on the issue of profitability the Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) about and Royal Mail, which various hon. Members raised, I local branches. Where sub-postmasters wish to sell a will put into context the challenges it faces. Competitors going concern, it will be assessed on a case-by-case are investing significantly in their postal service markets basis, and if it is not viable for one of the new models it and in improving their technology to deal with that. For can be sold under the existing type of contract. example, Deutsche Post has invested more than ¤700 million over the past two years alone in its mail facilities and I welcome this debate, which has featured contributions infrastructure and is focusing on another ¤750 million from all parts of the House and from all four nations. of investment by 2014. That is the type of investment Postal services are indeed vital in rural areas, which is that Royal Mail, in its market, ought to be looking at why the coalition Government are investing £1.34 billion and that others in similar markets are looking at. That to improve and modernise the post office network and is why accessing private capital will be so important. putting Royal Mail on a sustainable future footing. The debate has also covered the post office network. I 6pm think it is important to point out clearly that Post Office Ltd is not for sale; as of 2012 it is formally separate Katy Clark: This debate has been a useful occasion from the Royal Mail Group and remains wholly owned for Members in all parts of the House to express to the by the Government. Issues of Government contracts Government the genuine concerns in all parts of the have been raised. I point out to hon. Members that Post United Kingdom about the implications should they Office Ltd has won 10 of the 10 Government contracts decide to proceed with the privatisation of Royal Mail it has bid for since 2010, and it has done so on merit. over the coming weeks. They have said that it is going to 65 Postal Services (Rural Areas) 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 66 happen in this financial year, and there is therefore a Cycling real possibility that we might be revisiting this issue very soon. I hope that the Minister has been listening very carefully to what has been said. She represents a 6.2 pm constituency with many rural post offices and will therefore Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I beg to move, have a strong constituency interest in the issue. That this House welcomes the recommendations of the All-Party Members in all parts of the House have spoken about Parliamentary Cycling Group’s report “Get Britain Cycling”; the wide range of organisations that have concerns. I endorses the target of 10 per cent of all journeys being by bike by hope that the Minister will look at what those organisations 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050; and calls on the Government to are saying, particularly the National Federation of show strong political leadership, including an annual Cycling SubPostmasters, which points out that no substantial Action Plan and sustained funding for cycling. new work has been provided to the post office service. It is a great pleasure to move this motion. I thank the Until that new work is delivered throughout the country, Backbench Business Committee for agreeing to schedule we should not be proceeding in this direction. a debate on this subject after the success of our very A number of Members have spoken about the well-attended debate last year in Westminster Hall, importance of the competition regime and the impact which showed just how many Members of this House that the new providers are having, particularly in London. care about cycling. We discussed all forms of cycling, I ask the Minister to see whether it is possible to ensure from sport to commuting, leisure, utility and all-access that the competition regime is on a level playing field so cycling. It was clear from that debate that Members that all providers are acting in a way that enables Royal agreed that cycling was an energy-efficient form of Mail to continue to provide a universal service. She has transport, a healthy way to get around, a cheap means not come forward with long-term, concrete protection of travelling, and fun as well. No one who was there will today. I hope that she will do so over the coming period forget the tale we heard of romance on a tandem. before any proposals are brought to this House to Since that debate, the all-party parliamentary cycling announce that the Government are going to proceed group, which I have the great pleasure of co-chairing with the privatisation. with the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin), Question put and agreed to. has conducted a detailed inquiry to make a series of Resolved, recommendations on what Government ought to do to get Britain cycling, and we are now debating the resulting That this House recognises the vital contribution that Royal report. To produce it, we spoke to a wide range of Mail makes to rural areas; notes that the six day a week collection and delivery service to rural and remote areas is invaluable to people. local life; further notes that the relationship Royal Mail has with the post office network is equally important for the continued Mr Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) survival of post offices; recognises that the impending privatisation (Lab): I am not at all surprised that this debate is so well of Royal Mail will place a question mark over its willingness to attended. I want to put on record the representations maintain what may be loss-making services; and calls on the that I have received from at least one constituent who Government to provide more concrete, long-term protections for postal services in rural areas, remote areas and islands while wants us to focus still more on cycling as part of an ensuring that the postal universal service obligation in its current improved environment. Does the hon. Gentleman agree form endures. that improving the road structure, pathways and so on is important not only because individuals want to take part in cycling but because it is a great attraction and opportunity for tourism in the areas we represent?

Dr Huppert: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his comments. I completely agree that there are huge benefits, some of which I will outline. He is absolutely right that tourism can benefit and that environmental concerns can be addressed. There are lots of benefits in getting Britain cycling.

Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to stress the benefits, but does he accept, as I hope most in the House would, that there are also associated tragedies? One thinks of Mary Bowers, who is still in a coma, and one thinks of the excellent campaign run by The Times, “Cities fit for cycling”. Does he accept that cycling is not only a marvellous, fit and healthy way to travel but should be protected and that cyclists should be safe?

Dr Huppert: Of course I agree with the hon. Gentleman. There have been a number of tragedies. Part of what we ought to do is to make sure that it is safe for people to cycle. In fact, it is fairly safe at the moment, but the perception is a problem. I agree that there are far too many tragic incidents such as that of Mary Bowers. 67 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 68

Several hon. Members rose— about £3 billion to the UK economy, but it is not always seen as significant as that. We all win by promoting Dr Huppert: Let me make a bit more progress and cycling and walking. then I will give way. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I applaud the We spoke to a wide range of people—not only cycling hon. Gentleman for securing this debate and the Members organisations, which I thank for their assistance throughout who added their name to the motion. Cycling can be the process, but the police, the freight industry, Living promoted not only in Cambridge but in extremely hilly Streets, the president of the Automobile Association, and mountainous areas such as the constituency of and many others. I thank them all, and particularly Ogmore, with the right investment by the local authority those parliamentarians from both Houses who served and the voluntary sector in things such as safe routes to on the panel, many of whom are here today, and Adam school, which link to safe routes to work, which then Coffman, who co-ordinated the entire process. There link to the Afan Argoed mountain bike track. were hundreds of suggestions for recommendations, and those and more analysis can be found in the companion Dr Huppert: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. report by Professor Phil Goodwin, together with transcripts Cycling can indeed be encouraged anywhere in the of the entire session. country; the area does not have to be flat and dry like Currently, only about 2% of trips are made by bike—a Cambridge. tiny fraction, well below the levels found in many countries. A huge range of short trips that could easily be walked Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): Ealing or cycled are driven. That is why we set a long-term has a very strong reputation as a cycling borough. ambition to try to increase that from 2% to 10% by 2025 Schools there are playing their part in training young and to 25% by 2050. That is entirely do-able and still people using travel plans. Eight schools in Ealing have below what the Dutch, for example, manage to achieve. travel plans that are considered outstanding. Does my hon. Friend agree that using travel plans is an imaginative Meg Hillier (Hackney South and Shoreditch) (Lab/ way for schools to train youngsters in cycling? Co-op): As the hon. Gentleman highlights, very few people cycle, but in my borough of Hackney we have a Dr Huppert: Travel plans are critical and the hon. far higher percentage—more than 10% of people regularly Lady is right to highlight the role of schools, because cycle. Does he agree that that is testament to what can training in schools makes a big difference. The Government be done with forward thinking, good planning and a have protected Bikeability funding. I received my own political will to achieve a change? Bikeability training during the summer from Outspoken! Cycle Training in Cambridge. I learned quite a lot from that and it would be good to see other people receive it. Dr Huppert: I thank the hon. Lady for her comment and for her work on the report. She is absolutely right Several hon. Members rose— that there are exemplars. In my constituency of Cambridge, about a third of trips are now made by bike. We are Dr Huppert: I will take one more intervention from a hoping to increase that to 40% with the money that has Government Member and one more from an Opposition been given by the Government through the ambition Member, and then I will make some progress. grant. Some places are showing that they can do this, and the rest of the country can as well. Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who I think now has the Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): My hon. Friend distinction of being fashionable. I am glad that page 15 is absolutely right that the Government must provide of the report refers to the bridge over the railway tracks funding, and they have been doing so, but it is also in Cambridge, which I funded and was delighted to be important for local authorities to be doing more. Let part of opening. On the issue of risk, does my hon. me quote what my constituent Adrian Lawson, the Friend agree that comparisons of risk per distance chairman of the Reading Cycling Campaign, said about travelled are ludicrous when comparing walking, cycling, Reading borough council: driving and flying? We ought to have risk per hour “We identified a lot of simple things that would make it exposed, which would give people a far greater sense of immeasurably better for cyclists. This was over a year ago. Not a the relative safety of cycling. single thing has happened.” Does that not show that we also need local councils to Dr Huppert: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right implement measures? and I thank him for his support for Cambridge cycling. Statistics can say all sorts of things. The most dangerous form of travel per trip is a space shuttle, and the safest Dr Huppert: Absolutely; local authorities have a crucial per passenger mile is also the space shuttle. That shows role to play. the extremes. If more people were to cycle and walk, we would all benefit. We would be healthier, saving huge amounts of Several hon. Members rose— money—billions of pounds—for the NHS. There would be less congestion on the roads, making travel times Dr Huppert: I am going to make some progress, faster and more reliable for those who are in cars. There because a lot of Members wish to speak in this debate. would be less pressure on city centre parking, helping Our report makes 18 recommendations on five key people to get to the shops and keep the economy going. themes. The first is for sustained investment in cycling The economy would grow. Cycling already contributes in order to improve the infrastructure. The European 69 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 70 standard is for funds to the order of £10 per person per Road travel is never perfectly safe and there is a lot we year, hopefully rising to £20 per person per year. That is can do to make it safer. Infrastructure is key, but we can the sort of level the Dutch have sustained and that is do other things, too. For example, 20 mph zones, which what we need to make the difference. It will not happen this Government support, are clearly beneficial, not overnight, but the benefits will substantially outweigh only for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, but for the costs according to almost every single study. the perceptions of safety for people who want to cycle Many of the improvements that would benefit cyclists, or take their children cycling. Some rural lanes could be such as improvements to road quality, segregated cycle appropriate for a 40 mph speed limit. tracks and junction changes, would also benefit pedestrians Hon. Members have talked about the number of and other road users. No conflict is necessary in improving tragic deaths. Sadly, too many of them have involved the infrastructure. cyclists and HGVs. Steps have been taken by the Mineral Products Association, Cemex and others, but we need Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab): Will to push further for better vehicle design and better the hon. Gentleman give way? controls, and encourage HGVs not to use busy roads at peak times. Crossrail has led the way on much of that. Dr Huppert: The hon. Lady has been patient, so I will take her intervention. Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire) (Con): Will my hon. Friend give way? Rushanara Ali: I thank the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. I want to draw the House’s attention to the Dr Huppert: I am sorry, but I want to make some death in my constituency in July of Philippine De more progress. Gerin-Ricard, a 20-year-old student who was tragically Road traffic laws are broken too often and they killed while cycling. In the previous year, two others should be enforced for all road users. When a serious were killed on the ring road. I fully support the hon. driving offence takes place, especially if it results in Gentleman’s point about the need for investment to death or injury, it must be treated seriously by police, make roads safer, for drivers as well as cyclists. What prosecutors and judges. Far too often the sentences can be done to reduce the number of minor and major proposed are, frankly, trivial. injuries, which have increased by 29% in the past year—a dramatic increase since the period between 2005 and We also need to encourage people to ride positively. 2009? Cycling should be seen as a safe and normal activity for people of all ages and backgrounds, as is the case in the Netherlands. Dr Huppert: The point of a lot of what I will say will be about how we can reduce that number. Some of that is about infrastructure and some is about measures such Several hon. Members rose— as making heavy goods vehicles safer, which I will come on to discuss in detail. Dr Huppert: I want to make more progress, but I will give way later. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Will Education will help. Bikeability should be available at the hon. Gentleman give way on that very point? all schools, and adults should also have the chance to learn to ride. We also need political leadership, and it is Dr Huppert: No. I want to make progress; otherwise I good to see the Transport Secretary enter the Chamber am afraid others will not have the chance to speak. at this point. We need not just nice words from senior We have to make sure that other local and national politicians—although I am pleased that the Prime Minister bodies, such as local authorities and the Highways wanted personally to announce the recent substantial Agency, allocate proportionate funds to cycling, so that extra funding—but sustained support, including a cross- major road schemes such as the A14 in my constituency departmental action plan, with annual progress reports, include appropriate cycle facilities along or across them. a national cycling champion, a clear ambition to increase Other Departments should also get involved: there are cycling and for Government at all levels to have a lead benefits to health, education, sport and business. They politician responsible for cycling. should step out of their silos and get involved. We need to make our roads and cities fit for cyclists. Several hon. Members rose— Planners need to give consideration to cyclists and pedestrians right at the start of all developments, whatever Dr Huppert: I will take one intervention from each they are. We also need new design guidance to provide a side of the Chamber. modern standard, not merely paint on a pavement, which annoys cyclists and pedestrians alike. Local Mr Sheerman: I congratulate the hon. Gentleman authorities can get on with the small schemes, as can the and his colleagues on securing this debate. He will know Highways Agency, which has agreed to our call for a of my long-term interest, as chairman of the parliamentary programme to reduce the barriers its roads can cause to advisory council for transport safety, in safety on the cycling. roads. Is he worried that at least a third of youngsters who get on a bike do not have any Bikeability training? Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Will Secondly, the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right about the hon. Gentleman give way? HGVs. What are we going to do about those whose steering wheels are on the other side of the vehicle, who Dr Huppert: No. I am not going to give way for a bit have terrible blind spots and who cause many terrible longer. accidents? 71 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 72

Dr Huppert: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his it. I thank in particular Chris Boardman MBE—an intervention and for the support that PACTS, along Olympic gold medallist, world champion, great man with many other organisations, has given to our report. and fantastic campaigner for cycling—for everything he I think that more training should be made available. It does to promote cycling in Britain and for supporting should not be compulsory, but we want to encourage our inquiry. Phil Goodwin and Adam Coffman pulled people to feel comfortable. There is a lot more we can the report together and organised the inquiry. do to deal with HGVs. I thank News International for sponsoring the inquiry. Its involvement came about as a result of The Times’ John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): I thank brilliant campaign for cycling, which has been a my hon. Friend for giving way. I have cycled in the UK breakthrough for cycling. I pay tribute to the current and in Holland. Does my hon. Friend share my concern editor, John Witherow, and his predecessor, James Harding, about meaningless bits of paint on pavements and trees and to Kaya Burgess, Phil Pank and Phil Webster, who in the middle of cycle routes, and does he agree that have worked so hard on this campaign. It is brilliant what we really need are segregated cycle paths? campaigning journalism at its best. Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I can That campaign, as we heard a moment ago, was see the hon. Gentleman is in free wheel, but I am going triggered by the tragic incident in 2011 that injured their to put on the brake. We said 10 to 15 minutes, so I am colleague, Mary Bowers, so badly that she has still not sure Dr Huppert will have finished in a couple of regained consciousness. The driver who hit her was minutes. getting directions over the phone at the time. Mary was in his direct line of sight for at least 10 seconds, but he failed to spot her. He was found guilty of careless Dr Huppert: We all benefit from improving the take-up driving, fined £2,700 and banned from driving for just of cycling. To quote the president of the Automobile eight months. I therefore welcome the review by the Association, Edmund King: Ministry of Justice of the all too often derisory sentences “Implementation of the Get Britain Cycling recommendations that are handed down to drivers when cyclists are killed would bring tangible business and economic benefits by reducing congestion, absenteeism, NHS costs and by producing a more or injured. We also need a comprehensive review of the creative and active workforce.” justice system, from beginning to end, to ensure that the police enforce the law properly and that the Crown There speaks the voice of the automobile, and I entirely Prosecution Service prosecutes people on stronger charges. agree with him. Despite these benefits, Governments for decades have Meg Hillier: Does my hon. Friend agree that if we not sufficiently supported cycling. There has been massive had a lower speed limit for all road users, it would make investment in road infrastructure, but little for cycling; life safer for cyclists and pedestrians? cyclists have often had small-scale provision, if any. Individual Ministers have tried, but they have not always received the support they need. I pay great tribute in Ian Austin: I agree with my hon. Friend. Our report particular to the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, recommended 20 mph speed limits in urban areas—for my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), which The Times has been campaigning. I pay tribute to who I believe is the longest ever serving Minister with the contribution that she made to the inquiry. It would responsibility for cycling. However, he is not able to not have been such a success and the report would not deliver as much as he or I would like. He has done have been written in the way that it was if she had not things such as announce extra money over the summer done so much work. for the local sustainable transport fund, but we need more and it needs to be sustained. Mr Jim Cunningham: Does my hon. Friend agree that a lot more can be done in schools to promote cycling Many Ministers face a culture that points the other proficiency, because safety is a very big element of this way—that focuses on car drivers only, to the detriment matter? Equally, should local authorities not do more of others and without realising that fewer cyclists will through traffic management schemes? result in more cars on the roads. I hope that one of the outcomes of our report and this debate will be to provide support for Ministers of all parties who want to Ian Austin: My hon. Friend is completely right. He make that difference—to turn welcome comments, such did a lot of work on this matter when he was the leader as those made by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime of Coventry city council, before he became a Member Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, into reality. of Parliament. On 12 August the Prime Minister said that cycling I do not want to criticise the Minister for cycling. He will be at the heart of future road developments. I hope is a good man, he fights hard for cycling and he is a keen we can make sure, through the impetus of this debate, cyclist himself. However, the Government’s response to the “Cities fit for cycling” campaign run by The Times, our inquiry was disappointing to say the least. The the excitement of the Olympics and the double Tour de Government have promised that France victory, that that will become a reality. “cycling will be at the heart of future road development” and their response stated: 6.18 pm “The Government is committed to turning Britain into a Ian Austin (Dudley North) (Lab): I thank the Backbench cycling nation to rival our European neighbours.” Business Committee for allowing this debate to take If the Minister answers one question in this debate, I place. I also thank everybody who took part in the want him to tell us how those two promises can be taken three-month inquiry and British Cycling, the CTC, seriously when the Netherlands spends £25 per head on Sustrans and the other organisations that helped us run cycling while the UK spends just £2 per head, and when 73 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 74 the highways budget in the UK is £15 billion, but the The Government need to ensure that cycling provision funds announced for cycling are just £159 million, with and safety are considered at the outset of all major no dedicated funding stream that allows local authorities developments. That is the central point in British Cycling’s to plan for more than two years. road safety manifesto. I am therefore pleased that the Our report makes a series of recommendations to shadow Secretary of State is committed to the introduction boost cycling from less than 2% of journeys in 2011 to of new cycle safety assessments for all new transport 25% by 2050. I ask the Minister why his Department’s schemes. Given that local roads and planning are the response did not commit the Government to that target. responsibility of local councils, it is a shame that the We also want a national cycling champion to lead a Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government drive for 10% of all journeys in Britain to be made by has indulged in populist calls for councils to ignore bike by 2025. As I said, the Minister fights hard for cycling and to do more to help motorists. cycling and has done a good job of putting it on the I am a cyclist and a motorist. Most of us are both. In agenda to the extent that it is. Although I do not want fact, cyclists are more likely to own a car than the to criticise him personally, I point to the fact that he is a general population, so let us have no more of the cheap, junior Minister from the junior party in the coalition, populist nonsense that tries to set drivers against cyclists. so it will always be difficult for him. We need someone We should all be working together to improve safety on with Cabinet-level clout to get different Departments the roads. working together. Finally, this debate is just the next stage of our campaign to get Britain cycling. We should use the inquiry Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): Promote him to and today’s debate to drive cycling up the agenda. It is the Cabinet! [Laughter.] fantastic that so many MPs are here for this debate on the first day back when there is a one-line Whip. Let us Ian Austin: Okay. I also want to ask the Minister why make cycling an election issue, with local cyclists getting the Government have not agreed to the appointment of candidates to sign pledges and with the parties competing a cycling champion. to produce the best manifesto for cycling. Let us continue the campaign to get Britain cycling. Unfortunately, my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Mr Smith) cannot be here because two 6.26 pm members of his family have health issues. He wanted to call for a more comprehensive cycling strategy. He Steve Brine (Winchester) (Con): I was fortunate to sit welcomes the £835,000 grant to improve the cycling on the “Get Britain Cycling” inquiry earlier this year. safety of the Plain in Oxford, but wanted to point out There was huge interest in what we were doing. When that that is a tiny fraction of the money that is needed to we started the inquiry, we were the best trending name bring Oxford’s cycle network up to an entirely safe on Twitter. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member standard. for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) for securing this debate We think that more of the transport budget should be and to Adam Coffman, who put so much work into spent on supporting cycling, with an initial rate of at making it a professional, Select Committee-style inquiry. least £10 per person per year. That would increase as In the short time available to me, I will focus on three the level of cycling went up. I welcome the recent areas: vision and leadership, which for me is where it announcement by the shadow Secretary of State for starts and ends; the design issue; and the summer of Transport that she would use a proportion of road cycling in my constituency. I am extremely proud of the spending to build long-term cycling infrastructure. Most report and believe that it stands up really well. Having of the spending that was mentioned in the Government’s read it again in writing these remarks, I think that it will response had already been announced. Why will the age well. We launched the report in April and the Minister’s Department not shift resources in that way? Government responded last week. In the light of everything that has happened since we produced the report, I think London has spent five times as much on cycling per that is more relevant now than when we launched it. person as the rest of the UK in the past 10 years. The benefits of that are clear from the huge growth in On leadership, it is no coincidence that one of the cycling in the capital. first points in the report is the need for “vision, ambition and strong political leadership”. Several hon. Members rose— As the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin) said, we recommend the appointment of a national cycling champion. I share his regret that that recommendation Ian Austin: I will not take any more interventions, was not accepted in last week’s Government response. It because I want to allow everybody else to speak. is all too easy to regard such things as somebody else’s Given the benefits of cycling to the economy and the responsibility. The Minister need not look further than huge savings it could bring to the NHS, there could be City hall, where Andrew Gilligan is the Mayor’s cycling huge benefits in the long run. Cyclists are fitter and champion, for a good example of how a cycling champion healthier than the population as a whole and less of a can work. demand on the NHS, so will the Minister say why the Department of Health, which has a budget of £1 billion, Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): I thank my hon. Friend last week committed just £1 million to cycling over the for his comments. Does he agree that leadership at a next two years? Making cycling safer in local residential local level is important? I have seen the difference in my streets would also help. That is why our report calls for borough as the political leaders have started to take this lower speed limits in urban areas. The campaign by The issue much more seriously and to engage much more Times calls for 20 mph to be the default limit in residential vigorously with local cycling campaigners. That really areas that do not have cycle lanes. makes a difference. 75 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 76

Steve Brine: It is funny that my hon. Friend should In my constituency we have made significant progress, say that, because my next line states that our report says for example with national cycle network route 23. However, that every local authority should appoint a lead politician somebody needs to grab the bull by the horns—or who is responsible for cycling. I want the report to give perhaps grab the highlighter pen—and sit down and put birth to mini Borises across the country. Bearing in those lines on the maps. Then the leadership can really mind that we did not launch the report until April, that shine through. Will that happen? Well, ultimately it is quite a short gestation period. requires the leader of the council to do that. Councillor I find it bizarre that we even needed to say that each Keith Wood, who leads the majority council in my local authority should have a lead politician. Winchester constituency, is interested in cycling and keen on cycling, had a cycling champion long before the report was but, as he knows, I want to see passion and more produced. This must not be about just giving somebody leadership from him on that issue. a new line on their letterhead. The cycling champion On design and planning, I am a passionate believer in must be a councillor who is at the heart of the segregated cycle routes, especially on main busy roads. I administration, as they should be at the national level. have seen them in other parts of the continent and they They must have the necessary political clout and authority have to make sense, particularly if we are hopeful of to drive things through with their colleagues at cabinet getting children to stay cycling, especially after they level and with the key officers and the chief executive. have got their driving licence. As those who have read it The cycling action plan should not be marked as will know, the report recommends a statutory requirement being in the cycling folder; it should be part of the that cyclists’ needs are considered at an early stage of all council’s health, tourism and economic strategy, and an new development schemes, and I welcome the new integral part of the council’s strategy should be to make national planning policy framework introduced in 2011. it work. How many MPs in the House have sent a copy It sets out clearly that including facilities for cycling and of the report, or an e-mail with the link, to their chief walking should be part of delivering sustainable executive or leader of their local council? How many development, but as we know, too often at present those know who the cycling champion is for their area and—more things are not included, which in my book is a wasted importantly—what they do? opportunity. What is set out in the NPF needs to catch up quickly and become the norm. I am not trying to be the lead councillor for cycling in my constituency—if I wanted to be a councillor, I could Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): have a far easier life. [HON.MEMBERS: “Ooh!”] I notice Will the hon. Gentleman give way? the double-hatters looking at me—how to win friends and influence councillors. I am trying to push the issue Steve Brine: I will not if the hon. Lady does not mind. up the agenda locally, working with the marvellous councillors I have in my constituency. I hope soon to sit I have one opportunity in my constituency right now down with councillors from Winchester and Hampshire where the developer, CALA Homes, has permission for county council, and start putting some lines on maps. 2,000 houses on the highly controversial—to put it mildly—Barton farm site. The developer was an early recipient of a copy of this report, and my challenge Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I think today is this: “Make us proud of your development at my hon. Friend is genuine in his praise for councillors Barton farm. Put cycling at the heart of your development, such as the lead member in Swindon, Councillor Keith not just in new cycle routes into and through the area, Williams, who is a triathlete and passionate cyclist. but by linking up with existing cycle connections. You Does my hon. Friend agree that with local leadership will make a lot of people very pleased with you, after such as that which I have described we will improve gathering planning permission in the way you did.” cycling facilities in towns such as Swindon? Department The report also states that local authorities should for Transport funding for improved links between west seek to deliver cycle-friendly improvements across existing Swindon and the town centre is an example of how roads, including small improvements and segregated cyclists will find things safer in the long term. routes. Of course they should. I am not a dyed-in-the-lycra person on this—imagine! I am realistic: Winchester’s Steve Brine: Yes, I agree. What I said about putting ancient Saxon streets will not suddenly all have segregated lines on maps is an expression I borrowed from Andrew cycle routes, but there are great opportunities in my Gilligan, who came to see the all-party cycling group on constituency to do that. the eve of launching the Mayor’s cycling strategy for Finally, the Highways Agency should draw up a London. One thing he took us through was that putting programme to remove the barriers to cycling. Junction 9 lines on maps is not easy; land belongs to Transport for of the M3, which the Minister knows, has received London or to the boroughs, and somebody had to try significant Government funding for pinch-point and pull that together. It was the leadership of the improvements that will be done later this year. We are Mayor and of Andy— increasing two lanes to three and bringing traffic closer to cyclists, which seems a missed opportunity. Therefore, Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Will my hon. my other challenge to the Minister and the Highways Friend give way? Agency is to see whether we can look again at junction 9 of the M3 on the edge of my constituency and come up Steve Brine: I will not because time is tight and I with something that is a compromise for cyclists and for know other hon. Members want to get in. The way in drivers. which Crossrail for cyclists was chiselled out is impressive In conclusion, the report is about getting Britain and a blueprint of what people should be doing—I cycling and much good stuff is taking place in my know what is being done in Swindon. constituency and across the country. The VC Venta 77 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 78 cycling club in Winchester has seen its membership rise country paths further inland. They are currently cut by 300% since the Olympics, and the Winchester CycleFest across by a railway bridge, and we want to use an this summer, which culminated in the Criterium high-speed adjacent railway bridge to connect the coastal path to cycle race through Winchester on 11 August, was fantastic. the country, so that the coast will be connected to the “Get Britain Cycling”—yes, we are doing it, but we castles and cathedrals in my constituency. must scale it up and this report is part of the blueprint I recently met Adrian Walls, a cycleways officer from for how we do that. Denbighshire county council, who is developing a mountain bike route in my constituency. He has not finished 6.35 pm yet—it will be probably be finished in about six weeks and will be a state-of the-art mountain bike route. Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): In 2006, four However, I do not think that the fantastic facilities I members of the Rhyl cycling club in my constituency have outlined in my speech are being used sufficiently. were killed in the worst ever cycling accident in British The task is getting pupils in our schools and colleges, history. They were Tom Harland, aged 14, Maurice and workers, to use those facilities—those multi-million Broadbent, aged 61, Dave Horrocks, aged 55, and Wayne pound investments—which I believe are under-utilised Wilkes, aged 42. Two years before that accident young in my constituency. How do we make the most of them? Tom Harland visited the House of Commons and I I have met council officers and enthusiasts, who have took him round. His father, John Harland, is a personal come up with a vision for a centre of cycling excellence friend of mine. The club and families involved were in my constituency, which will be tied in to the back-to-work faced with the decision of whether to crumple—both agenda. It will include cycle maintenance, and importing, personally and as a club—or whether to thrive. They assembling and selling cycles. That fantastic facility on chose to thrive and I would like to outline some of the our doorstep will be used to train local people, including successes for cycling in my constituency since 2006, unemployed people from some of the poorest wards in which I think could be replicated around the country. Wales. John Harland got together a group of people, including Hon. Members have spoken of tying the cycling agenda a chap called Gren Kershaw, who was the ex-head of to the health agenda. Denbighshire has high obesity our local health board, and they had an idea, a vision, levels. How do we get general practitioners to write cycling for cycling in my constituency, based around Marsh prescriptions? That has been done in other areas, including Tracks. In the intervening years, Marsh Tracks has in London—Brent and Tower Hamlets have done it. opened, and includes a five-star BMX track with an People who suffer from diabetes, arthritis and a range Olympic starting gate and a £1.2 million floodlit off-road of illnesses would benefit tremendously from cycling. If cycleway. It is now being extended with a mountain bike cycling prescriptions are available in Brent and Tower trackovera3kmarea.Those are fantastic cycling Hamlets— facilities. The local authority has developed miles and miles of off-road cycleways connecting the towns of Stephen Pound: And Ealing. Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Dyserth and Bodelwyddan, and connecting Rhyl college, the local hospital and St Asaph business park—all those key sites Chris Ruane: And Ealing. If it has been done in those are connected off road to the cycleways. places, why can it not be done throughout the country? If we have fantastic and safe facilities in my constituency, Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) why can we not use them? They are floodlit. We could (Lab): Will my hon. Friend give way? use them for 16 hours a day.

Chris Ruane: Yes, because I want the extra minute. Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): My hon. Friend is outlining the need for co-operation to achieve an outcome across Catherine McKinnell: I thank my hon. Friend for his policy areas, from health and local government to sport generosity. He is making a powerful speech. Many and recreation. That will be achieved only if there is a constituents have asked me to come to this debate to cross-Government message from the top. The message make representations on their behalf, and in particular needs to be not only on cycling, but on sport, and on on behalf of their children. As cyclists, my constituents recreational and physical activities across the board. worry not only for themselves and their safety, but for that of their children, and many of them have asked me Chris Ruane: All hon. Members would have been sent to press the Minister on making cycle urban infrastructure to swimming lessons when they attended school. Cycling development compulsory as part of the legislation on lessons should be on a par with those. cycling and urban planning. Does my hon. Friend agree? Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): Will my hon. Friend give way? Chris Ruane: IthinkIhavelostthatminute—[Laughter.] My hon. Friend owes me 15 seconds but I agree with Chris Ruane: I am afraid I will not. her and will come to the education side of that point in People are much more likely to cycle than they are to a moment. go to their local baths. The profile of cycling therefore We were also successful in getting £4.5 million for a needs to be raised in education, which needs leadership purpose-built cycling bridge over Foryd harbour in my from the top. Departments should talk to Departments, constituency. That will be part of the Sustrans national including the Department of Health, the Department coastal cycling network around the UK. On 26 September for Education and the Department for Transport. We I will meet Network Rail to see whether we can get a could train young people properly and to cycle safely. disused railway to connect the coastal path to the One idea we discussed in recent meetings was having a 79 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 80

[Chris Ruane] lives and cuts injuries. Last year, I called on the Department for Transport to issue a definitive and independent safe area where people can take toddlers as young as report on the benefits and costs of introducing a law two or three years old to teach them how to cycle. In requiring children to wear cycle helmets. Would he centres such as the one we are developing in Rhyl, we welcome such a report? could teach 90-year-olds to regain the confidence to get back on their bikes. We should advocate cradle-to-grave Mike Thornton: There is a difficulty with wearing cycling. cycle helmets. I tried to get my daughter to wear one, A lot has been done in my constituency and a lot and she stopped cycling. I do not know whether I did more needs to be done. Cycling could transform tourism the right or wrong thing in trying to force her to wear a in many areas. My home town, Rhyl, is a seaside town. helmet. I worried a bit less, but she stopped cycling. The Prime Minister said a few weeks ago that it was neglected—he has visited only once, for 10 minutes, in Ian Austin: It is interesting that the hon. Gentleman his whole life. We are having £200 million-worth of says his daughter stopped cycling when she was forced investment in my home town, including a £17 million to wear a helmet, because that is exactly what happened new harbour with a £4.5 million dedicated cycle bridge. in Australia. When a law requiring people to wear The potential of cycling tourism is massive. helmets was introduced there, cycling numbers plummeted. We can make cycling safe by getting more people to do Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): I agree with the it. The more people cycle, the safer it is. That is how we hon. Gentleman. My constituency has had Government make cycling safer in Britain. money for our “Pedal Peak” project. We look forward to welcoming an influx of cyclists of all abilities who Mike Thornton: I admit that I do not know the answer. will come to enjoy the benefits of the Peak district. My brother came off a bicycle and was badly injured because he was not wearing a helmet. I am in two minds Chris Ruane: The hon. Gentleman is right. about the argument, but I understand both sides. We want cyclists of all abilities and ages, including the people who learned to cycle when they were children Chris Ruane: You’re a Liberal. What do you expect? but who have lost their confidence. Millions of people will not go back on a bicycle because they have lost that Mike Thornton: I am also a father and a brother, so confidence. We have a chance of developing throughout what do you expect? the country facilities such as those in my constituency to give back that confidence. We are fortunate in the borough of Eastleigh to have more than 44 km—30-odd miles—of dedicated cycling I reflect on the terrible tragedy we experienced in routes. It is difficult to have such routes because of the 2006. It was a bad thing that happened, but good came criss-crossing motorways, railway lines and watercourses. of it. My hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Steve Brine), my constituency neighbour, has mentioned some 6.44 pm of the problems. Part of the Sustrans cycle network Mike Thornton (Eastleigh) (LD): I congratulate my 24 is routed directly behind my constituency office in hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) Leigh road—hon. Members will remember that from a on securing this fantastic debate. He has long been a certain election. National cycle route 23, which was also vocal advocate of cycling, and I pay tribute to his mentioned by my hon. Friend, stretches from Reading to tireless work. I congratulate all members of the all-party the Isle of Wight. National cycle route 2 runs along the group, who have done such a fantastic job. I will not coastline all the way to St Austell in Cornwall—my hon. speak for very long—I do not have long, so that is okay Friend the Member for St Austell and Newquay (Stephen and I am sure hon. Members are pleased about that. I Gilbert) has left the Chamber. We are immensely proud shall emphasise the health and economic benefits, which to have Dani King, one of our gold medal winners. hon. Members have mentioned, and describe my experience With all that, hon. Members might think that cycling of cycling. in Eastleigh would be on the up. Unfortunately, the I used to cycle a lot when I was less well off and gave number of people cycling to work has continued to up when I could afford a car, but I have cycled into my stick at around 2%. One would think it would be a lot local town of Eastleigh for shopping and other things. better, especially when one considers how effective the It does not feel that safe. One of my best friends, a borough’s environmental and green policies have been physicist by profession, has cycled all over the country. under the leadership of Councillor Bloom. His comments and knowledge are invaluable. The uncertainty principle applies to his cycling, too. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): I thank the hon. I remember disagreeing with my daughter on whether Gentleman for giving me the opportunity to intervene she should wear a helmet. Helmets are contentious. in this important and popular debate. Does he agree Some say that wearing a helmet is good and some say it that the link between cyclists and the public transport is bad. Whatever one’s views, one must admit that network is the real issue in getting people to cycle to parents, rightly or wrongly, feel their hearts in their work, and that we should make it easier to store bikes in mouths when they see their child go out cycling. That is places such as railway stations? That would encourage probably one of the constraints on children cycling. people to link up with public transport.

Alok Sharma: My hon. Friend makes an important Mike Thornton: I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. point on wearing cycle helmets. Independent studies I have noticed that it is sometimes difficult to get a have shown clearly that wearing cycle helmets saves bicycle on to a train, which is a great shame. Taking a 81 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 82 bicycle on a train should be encouraged as much as 6.52 pm possible. Perhaps there should be more areas for bicycles on trains and buses, and for locking up bicycles. Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mike Thornton). I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) for Dudley North (Ian Austin) and the hon. Member (Con): Will my hon. Friend give way? for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), the co-chairs of the all-party group, of which I am a member, on the report. It is sponsored by The Times, which I congratulate too. I Mike Thornton: May I keep going? should declare that The Times is still in Wapping in my We need more areas where people can leave their constituency, so there is a little bit of self-interest there. bicycles safely when they go to work. Other national newspapers—The Guardian and The Independent—have been trying to catch up and are The report of the all-party group on cycling sets out supporting the campaign. My comments will be made perfectly why the status quo is maintained. Nearly half as a Londoner and as a London cyclist, and will not of all Britons own or have access to a bike, but we do necessarily reflect issues in other parts of the country. not use them. Safety is the No. 1 concern. We are still frightened for ourselves and our children, even if not I invited my constituents, through the social media of for a rational reason. Extending 20 mph zones, as the Twitter, Facebook and the East London Advertiser,to report proposes, is therefore extremely important. contribute to the debate by raising issues that they thought I might want to mention. I was staggered by As other hon. Members have mentioned, we need to the response—more than 50 people e-mailed or tweeted do something about HGVs. We cannot always blame issues that are of importance to them. I am very limited HGVs for not seeing cyclists. We need to ensure better for time and cannot name them all, but I will list some visibility and sensors to minimise the risks to cyclists, of them. Before doing that, I want to thank the cycle and make cyclists realise that they cannot necessarily be firms in my constituency, in particular Bikeworks, a seen. That is particularly difficult with children, who do social entrepreneurial group that does great work and not have the same road sense as grown-ups. made a running repair to my bike in half an hour last Many of my constituents have told me how dangerous Wednesday morning to get me back on the road, and road surfaces are. Trying to swerve around a pothole or also Halfords and Evans, which are national organisations street furniture can cause all sorts of problems. My hon. that support cycling in Tower Hamlets and in the Friend the Member for Winchester mentioned indicative community. lines that do not tell us anything. When one comes into I will run through the list of issues raised by my Winchester—it is outside my constituency, so I apologise— constituents: keeping cycle routes clear when there are there are some nice pictures of bicycles. One says, “Yes, roadworks and parking problems; cycle superhighways that’s a lovely picture of a bicycle. What good on earth not being up to the necessary standard—my hon. Friend is that doing?” Segregated bicycle lanes, as has been the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Rushanara mentioned, are vital. Ali) raised the incident of the Aldgate East fatality—with I agree entirely that new developments should be just a coat of paint on a road and nothing more; and cycle-proofed. Cycling should be incorporated into all lower speed limits, an issue raised by my hon. Friend the planning policies. When there is a new development—we Member for Dudley North. Cycle training and education are getting one in my constituency—it should be cycle- in schools was mentioned by several hon. Members. proofed. I think we would all agree that that will pay for That is critical. I am doing an Industry and Parliament itself. The report states that cycling demonstration towns Trust Fellowship on logistics. I spent some time with saw a 27% increase in cycling from 2005 to 2009. The TNT, which trains its postal delivery people to ride financial benefits were estimated to be nearly £64 million, bikes. When they have down time, they partner local from a cost of £18 million—a particularly strong piece schools to train the kids there. If TNT can do it, the of evidence. The report also shows that every pound question to the Minister is this: is Royal Mail doing it? spent on cycling can save the NHS £4—again, economics There must be other companies out there that could wins the argument. contribute, too. I welcome the Prime Minister’s recent announcement to increase funding for cycling, but the lion’s share will Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): Royal Mail is go to eight select cities, seven of which already exceed doing that. It has a cycle workshop in my constituency, the national average for cycling. In addition, the funding which maintains 500 bicycles used by the Royal Mail in has been earmarked for only two years. The announcement the Greater York area. was welcome, but what about the rest of us? My constituents in Eastleigh could do with some dosh. We need a Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for nationwide commitment to increase the per head cycling the extra time he has given me; I knew that somebody budget. I think we are looking for £10 per head by 2025 would respond positively on behalf of Royal Mail. and up to—what is it?—£50. That is vital. Questions have been raised about HGVs and the fear What I have heard today is a remarkable degree of factor, a road deaths investigation board and improved consensus among cycling organisations, cyclists, local statistics on serious injuries and fatalities. The Home authorities and hon. Members about what needs to be Office and the Department for Transport have always done. That is extremely positive. We must ensure that resisted a fatalities inquiry board for road traffic fatalities we capitalise on that and that something is done. I fully because there are just too many of them, but we have to support the motion and the report’s recommendations, raise the bar and look more seriously at investigating and I thank the group for its hard work. more thoroughly the fatalities on our roads. 83 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 84

[Jim Fitzpatrick] cyclists to say, “We should show a better example in the way we behave, to ensure that drivers behave in the way Other issues raised include: congestion charging and we want them to.” road closures to force traffic to surrender more space to In conclusion, my wife Sheila and I visited Amsterdam cyclists; advanced stop areas; earlier green lights for and Copenhagen recently. There is less racing, more cyclists; blitz enforcement of transgressors—whether sensible cycling and a much wider demographic; there is car drivers or cyclists—in advance areas; cycle storage; a different culture. We must have that more varied and mandatory helmets. I know that many people are cycling demographic in our country. My hon. Friend opposed to making helmets mandatory. I am in favour, the shadow Secretary of State recently asked two questions but it is not going to happen. The evidence against it of the Government. First, why do we have annual road coming from Australia and America is somewhat time- and rail budgets to 2021, but not one for cycling? limited. If we get our kids using helmets in schools, they Secondly, why do we not have cycle safety assessments, will graduate into wearing them. similar to economic and equality impact assessments, for all road schemes? Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): No one who is My final question is about something that is raised in favour of cycling should be against encouraging people the report—I am not quite clear about the Government’s to wear helmets, but will my hon. Friend accept that the response—which said that we should have champions. overwhelming evidence—not just in Australia, but from all over the world—is that where cycle helmets have Dr Huppert: The issue with cycle helmets is that been made compulsory the impact on cycling has been although they might save some lives, the countervailing negative, and therefore the overall public health impact loss of life from people not cycling and being less fit has been negative? massively outweighs that. Indeed, one academic analysis suggested an extra 250 or so deaths a year net. Jim Fitzpatrick: I hear what my right hon. Friend says and there is a cultural question here. I am sure we Jim Fitzpatrick: I am grateful for that intervention. all watched the 100th Tour de France this year. All the That discussion needs to be had, and I am happy to way down the decades of historic footage, none of the ensure that we are raising it tonight. cyclists was wearing helmets. Every Tour de France My final question to the Minister is this. The report rider now wears a helmet. That is professional leadership. says that we should have national, regional and city They are in the game of minimising and mitigating risk, champions. It is not clear from the Government’s response and they give a lead to all cyclists. whether he is the national champion or not. If he is not, he should be. When will he recruit his regional and Dr Huppert rose— city-wide teams? 7.1 pm Jim Fitzpatrick: If I have time at the end I will certainly give way to the hon. Gentleman, but I want to Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): First, the good get through the points raised by my constituents. news: if people start cycling in middle age, they will have a fitness level that makes them effectively 10 years The last two negatives raised related to fatalities and younger. Hon. Members should think what that would punishment to fit the crime. We all hear tragic stories achieve for everybody in the Chamber. Not only that, from constituents about punishments that do not fit the but the life expectancy of those people will increase by crime. On the conversion of wider pavements, Boris two years, so the benefits-to-risk ratio is around 20:1. Johnson certainly has done that in London, particularly Therefore, whatever else happens in this debate and our on the Embankment. discussions about reducing the risks and improving the What I find fascinating is the counter-culture that safety of cyclists, let us not forget the benefit and the joy comes through from my cyclist constituents. They of cycling, and persuade as many people as possible to complained about bad cycling behaviour and said that get cycling. the cycle demographic in our country is mainly young, If we are to get Britain cycling, we have to consider white, aggressive and male. That is why we do not “go the persuasive arguments and the benefits. For instance, Dutch” and why many people are put off cycling: they problems with obesity are currently costing the NHS see a race track and do not want to join it. We need to around £5 billion a year. Even if cycling does not address that problem, and the only way we are going to necessarily make people skinny—I am speaking from do so is through enforcement against those who cross personal experience—it is better to be fit and a little bit red lights and pedestrian crossings. flabby than not fit and a little bit flabby. However, this is People complained about cyclists who disregard the not just about the physical health benefits; it is also rules by wearing earphones; running red lights; crashing about mental health benefits and the effects that have pedestrian crossings; not signalling whether they are been shown on brain ageing among people who manage turning left or right; not warning when they are overtaking; to keep fit. The health economic assessment tool, or riding on pavements; using mobile phones; speeding on HEAT, which is adopted by the World Health Organisation, the Thames path; not ringing to alert pedestrians or shows a £4 benefit for every £1 spent. Will the Minister other cyclists that they are overtaking on tow paths; say in his response whether such an assessment has been swearing at pedestrians—some cyclists, like some drivers, made for, say, High Speed 2? I cannot help thinking that think that they are entitled to a free run at the road; not we would leave a far happier, more lasting and healthier dismounting in foot tunnels; not having lights; not legacy for Britain if we spent just a fraction of what we having bells; and not wearing high-visibility clothing. are spending on HS2 on this issue—or possibly even on Cyclists are not perfect. We have to give a lead to both. 85 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 86

Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con): I Dr Wollaston: I certainly agree with that. Indeed, if am listening carefully to what my hon. Friend is saying. hon. Members want to see evidence of how cycling What she said about the miracle improvements to one’s makes people look 10 years younger, they only have to health is fascinating. A lot of money will be spent in look at the Chief Whip. [Laughter.] [HON.MEMBERS: the conurbations and in London, but does she agree “He’s only 80!] He does not look a day over 80. that it is important that rural areas are not neglected Of course segregated cycling routes are the best option, in the great drive to get more people cycling? Does and of course they are expensive, but sometimes they she also agree that cyclists are obviously at a big are not as expensive as they look. In many areas we see disadvantage on small rural lanes? We need more rural examples of small groups of individuals being allowed speed limits and more investment in safer highways in to stand in the way of low-cost options to create off-road rural areas. routes. We need to get to grips with that.

Dr Wollaston: I thank my hon. Friend. Rural speed Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): limits are important. In fact, the introduction of networks Will my hon. Friend give way? of 40 mph speed limits on rural roads had a great benefit in Holland. There is a lot of evidence to support Dr Wollaston: I am sorry, but if my hon. Friend will their use, but this is about money. I welcome the £10 a forgive me, I have taken two interventions. head in the eight cities that will benefit and the spending In my area, the South Devon Railway, which was in, for example, the Dartmoor national park in my part given a bridge that was built half with public money, of the world, but that is not what the report called for. has treated the River Dart as though it were some kind Our report called for £10 a head nationally and for us to of moat and has prevented the sharing of that bridge. think of the benefits—a real, lasting legacy—that that Such situations are simply unacceptable. That bridge could achieve. must be the only one in Devon that keeps communities However, this is also about speed, as my hon. Friend apart rather than brings them together. I call on the pointed out. Let us look at the benefits we would see if South Devon Railway and those involved in all such we had 20 mph speed limits in urban areas. Too often, examples around the country to recognise that they highways departments look at accident data before have an opportunity to increase the sum of human making decisions about speed limits. However, we all happiness. In Totnes, the South Devon Railway has an know that parents will not let their children cycle in the opportunity to create a link that would join up the first place if they do not feel they are safe, and the national cycle network and, in so doing, increase the perception of safety is strongly linked to the speed at footfall for its business. I think we all recognise that which the traffic is travelling. We should look at speed cycling has enormous benefits beyond health, with economic limits across the board. I recently visited Falcon Park in benefits for communities. I hope that the South Devon Torbay, which is a park home development with many Railway will listen to this debate and take a generous elderly residents who cannot walk down the road, let step forward by helping us to create that link. alone cross it, because of high-speed traffic. In any I would like to deal briefly with the issue of cycle other residential area, the speed limit would have been helmets, which has been brought up today. I agree with reduced to 30 mph. the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) that the trouble with making them compulsory would be a This is not only about 20 mph limits in towns and net reduction in cycling. Of course, it is sensible for cities on a network of roads; it is about reducing speed anyone who has a helmet to wear it, but what would across the board and assessing our priorities. Whom do happen to the wonderful Boris bikes scheme in London we prioritise? Are we prioritising vulnerable road users if we made the wearing of them compulsory? No one like pedestrians and cyclists, or are we prioritising the would use it. Yes, if people have a helmet, they should motorist and speed? We need to change our priorities wear it, but they should not be put off if they do not. completely to achieve that. It does not take a great deal Most important, they should not feel that they need of money to reduce speed limits—everyone recognises special kit. Cycling is for everyone. The statistics show that there is a financial imperative—but the issue is not that it will make us live longer and be happier, so let us just reducing the speed limit, but enforcing it. We heard remember the joys of cycling. Let us get Britain cycling shocking evidence in our inquiry about a level of and find the money to make that happen. complacency towards enforcement. What discussions have taken place across Departments to ensure that welcome changes in the issuing of fixed penalty notices 7.10 pm for careless driving will be extended to penalising people Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): As a previous chairman who breach speed limits directly? It is immediate of the all-party parliamentary cycling group, in what consequences that will drive change. seems like the distant past of the 1997 Parliament, I am delighted by the profile that cycling has gained in the Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): I past 16 years. I believe that this is the best-attended am sure that, like me, my hon. Friend is delighted to see debate on cycling that the House has ever had, and I the Government Chief Whip in his place. He must be understand that, outside this place, we are witnessing the grandfather of parliamentary cycling. On enforcement, the biggest ever pro-cycling demonstration that this does she agree that although motorists should absolutely country has ever seen. do the right thing and obey the rules, it is also incumbent I have always cycled. As a youngster, my bike gave me on cyclists to obey rules, and that a small minority of independence and the freedom to roam. I cycled to cyclists give most cyclists a bad name on occasion by school, I have always cycled to work and I use my bike not obeying the Highway Code? daily in Exeter and in London. It is simply the best form 87 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 88

[Mr Ben Bradshaw] places that were already part of the Government’s separate city deal programme. That ruled out cities such as of transport. When asked why I am still slim at 53, Exeter from applying, which means that now, under this when I eat so much, I tell people that the answer is Government, only a quarter of the amount of money is simple: my bike. My elderly Dawes Audax is the most being invested in cycling in Exeter than when Labour important thing in my life, except—I should add, as he wasinpower. is outside with the demonstrators—my husband. I deeply regret the abolition of Cycling England, and When I first worked in London in 1991, I cycled to I believe that the Government do, too. It was the body work because it was the quickest and most reliable way that drew all the disparate cycling organisations together to get there. It helped to keep me fit and to keep my and it was a vital co-ordinating voice and deliverer of carbon emissions down, but I felt like a bit of a freak. It policy. I also think that the Government were fatally was a very unusual thing to do. I remember fighting in mistaken to go soft on road safety, in abandoning this place during the 1997 Parliament for a single cycle Labour’s road death reduction targets and declaring route through Kensington Gardens. It was a hard battle, their ridiculous war on speed cameras. but we won. When I suggested to my local authority in Exeter that it should apply to the then Labour Government I am encouraged that the noises coming out of the to be one of their cycle demonstration towns, I was Government more recently on road safety have been told, “You won’t get anyone cycling here, it’s too hilly.” more sensible, but I am still concerned that they are not Well, Exeter did apply, and we got the extra investment. speaking with one voice. If they are serious about Between 2006 and 2011, cycling rates in Exeter rose by a cycling, why are they allowing the Secretary of State for fantastic 50%. Communities and Local Government to make the ludicrous suggestion that vehicles should enjoy a free-for-all by parking on double yellow lines, without even mentioning Stephen Pound: Does my right hon. Friend agree that, the impact that that would have on cyclists, pedestrians were his council to introduce a 20 mph speed limit, and road safety? The Secretary of State went on to say there could be even more dramatic improvements? that the only people who were bothered about cycling were the “elite”. I do not know whether his animus Mr Bradshaw: I fully accept what my hon. Friend towards cycling is a result of some deep Freudian says. There is actually a 20 mph limit through much of consciousness that he is probably the Cabinet member Exeter, but the problem is that the Conservative county who would benefit the most from cycling’s health-giving council and, I have to say, Devon and Cornwall police, and girth-narrowing magic, but his comments are signally do not enforce it. This problem has already been raised unhelpful and they should not go unchallenged if the by several Members, and it needs to be stressed further. Government are really serious about cycling. It is vital to have 20 mph limits, but they must be enforced. Not only has cycling increased by 50% in Exeter, but Steve Brine: Does that not underline the point that we more than 20% of school children there now cycle to made in our report about the need for a national cycling school, whereas hardly any did before. In London, too, champion with real—dare I say it—weight behind him, the situation has been transformed. Thanks to the to force the right way of thinking through every level of congestion charge and other policies initiated by Ken Government? Livingstone, there has also been a cycling revolution here. It warms my heart to see banks of cyclists at all the Mr Bradshaw: Yes, and the hon. Gentleman might main junctions at commuting time, particularly young even be that person in the future. He is absolutely right. women and even parents with child seats and trailers. During the hearings, I told the inquiry that when I was However—and this is the hub of the report we are a Minister, the only time we really got pedalling on this debating today—in spite of the progress that we have issue, to excuse the pun, was when the Secretaries of made in the past 16 years or so, we are still far behind State in the Department of Health, the Department for the best practice of the rest of northern Europe, and Culture, Media and Sport, the Home Office and the without sustained investment and political leadership Department for Transport—all the important Departments from the top, we will never catch up. —were committed to it and were working together to I am delighted that the Labour party has today make things happen. Otherwise, nothing would happen. launched its Labour for Cycling campaign. I hope that That leads me to my final point. Time and again, those on my Front Bench will sign up fully to implement when our Committee was taking evidence on cycling, the recommendations in our report, but we need the our witnesses came back to the importance of long-term, Government to act as well. Without that, we will not see sustained investment and joined-up political leadership. the growth in cycling of recent years sustained; nor will We need more than a Prime Minister who cycles to we see a reversal of the worrying recent trend of increased work for a photo opportunity while his limo drives cyclist deaths and injuries on our roads. behind him with his papers. We need a Prime Minister, I am pleased with some of the things that the and the whole Government from him down, who will Government have announced and done. The recent make it clear that cycling is a priority across Government. commitment to supporting cycling in a number of selected It is cheap, and it will save lives, improve health and towns and cities is welcome, but it is basically a smaller-scale boost productivity. It will also reduce congestion, air version of Labour’s cycle demonstration towns programme, pollution and carbon emissions. This is a no-brainer, and instead of happening in a few places, it should be and the infinitesimal cost of doing it would be more happening everywhere. It would take only a fraction of than recouped in the form of a happier, healthier, safer, the annual roads budget to achieve that. I would also greener, cleaner, thinner and more productive nation in like to know why the scheme was available only in a very short time indeed. 89 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 90

7.17 pm did their best to try to rectify them, because they make it so difficult for cyclists. Secondly, I have mixed views John Stevenson (Carlisle) (Con): First, I should like on fellow drivers when cycling along the roads. I shall to congratulate the all-party parliamentary cycling group come on to that later. on its report. I have to acknowledge a slight sense of guilt, as I should be a fully paid-up member of the group. I appreciate that many Members will speak about the I shall try to rectify that afterwards. I fully support its report, its views and its recommendations, but I want to broad aims and the ambitions of the recommendations make two specific observations and suggestions, both of set out in the report. It is good to see cycling being which will, I suspect, be highly controversial. First, debated and very much on the agenda. cyclists must take responsibility for their own safety. We must ride our bikes sensibly and appropriately. It is vital Cycling has many virtues. It has health benefits, it is for cyclists to respect other road users, especially cars sustainable and environmentally friendly, it has many and lorries, as well as pedestrians and other cyclists. I economic benefits and it is a wonderful social activity. also believe that we cyclists should wear a helmet. Quite simply, it is an effective means of transport. It is encouraging to see the Government taking a greater On that last point, I would go further. Some have interest in cycling, getting involved in the debate and campaigned to make it compulsory for children to wear putting some funding into cycling. helmets. I believe that that should be extended to everyone: everyone who uses a bike should use a helmet. If adults Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): I support what are seen to wear helmets, that will encourage children to my hon. Friend is saying. The Government have put do so, but I see no reason why that should not be made funds into a cycling bridge over the River Thames in my compulsory in the interests of safety. I appreciate that constituency, but the big problem is that the local there are counter-arguments and that some take the authority does not join up the cycle networks. It thinks view that it would reduce the number of people taking that simply putting white paint on the roads is enough up cycling. I am of the view that safety is important and to create safe cycleways, but that is not good enough. that, gradually, the opposition to wearing helmets would be overcome as people became used to the idea. We John Stevenson: Indeed. We should remember that have all got used to wearing safety belts in cars and this is not just about funding coming from the centre; helmets on motorbikes. we should not always be looking to central Government to take the lead. Local government also has a critical Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Does my role to play, as my hon. Friend has just pointed out. Its hon. Friend agree that it would be a good idea to activities can encourage or discourage cyclists, and the encourage training for children in schools to encourage resources that it is willing to provide are important. cycle riding and explain how best to be safe on the Local authorities can provide innovation and leadership roads? Even if the children were not to go on to cycle or in their own communities to improve the opportunities drive cars themselves, it would still teach about the risks for cycling. of poor or dangerous cycling while cars are on the road. Would my hon. Friend encourage such teaching in Andrew Bridgen: Does my hon. Friend support the schools? massive transformation that has happened in my North West Leicestershire constituency, where redundant coal John Stevenson: Absolutely; I completely concur. mines have been transformed into part of the new My second point, which I think will be seen as national forest and are criss-crossed by numerous well-used equally controversial, is that I am not convinced by the and attractive cycle paths, particularly the Hicks Lodge arguments about speed limits, enforcement or the education national forest cycle centre, which allows thousands of of drivers. Yes, it may be a laudable aim, but I question families to have traffic-free cycling each year? whether enough drivers would pay attention to those speed limits in practice, which would be necessary to John Stevenson: It is good to know that these things make cycling a much safer occupation or leisure activity. are happening, and it demonstrates the role for both I fully accept that many drivers are responsible and take national and local government in improving cycling. care when cyclists are around. They drive appropriately I would describe myself as an irregular but enthusiastic and safely, keeping their distance, slowing down, giving cyclist with a tendency to go for the long cycles rather cyclists a wide berth and so forth. On my cycling trips, I than the daily commute. Prior to the general election of noted many car drivers who did precisely that, taking 2010, I made a pledge to my local constituents that if I their time and being patient with cyclists. Equally, however, were elected, I would cycle from my constituency to a large number of drivers think cyclists are a nuisance London. After being elected, the very first question I on the road, so they drive too close or too fast and received from a reporter was, “And when do you intend endanger cyclists. From my experience, that is far more to cycle to London?” I finally carried out that cycle, and common than we would like to think. this year I took an even longer cycling trip from Land’s I therefore believe that there should be a simple End to John O’ Groats. On both those trips, the experience change in the law. In the event of an accident, there was very good. I got a bit fitter, lost a little weight and should be a presumption in favour of the cyclist over found it to be a great social activity, doing it with the driver. Clearly, any driver of a car has the right to friends. It is a great way to see the diversity of our own rebut such a claim and we have to accept that there are country and, indeed, to raise a little money for charity irresponsible cyclists who take inappropriate care and along the way. attention when they cycle. However, I believe that such I want to make two serious observations coming out a change in the law would mean that car drivers, lorry of those two cycle trips. First, there were potholes drivers and other motorists would take far greater care everywhere, and it would be helpful if local authorities and would make every effort to keep their distance from 91 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 92

[John Stevenson] Mr Bellingham: I agree with the hon. Gentleman about Holland. Indeed, I have holidayed there many a cyclist. All of a sudden, cyclists would become road times, too. Local councils there are very much aware of users of whom motorists would have to be very careful the need to ensure that new schemes are cycle-friendly. and wary, as their insurance claims could be affected Is he aware that in some areas, including mine, there are and there would be the potential for criminality. Such a problems with community infrastructure funding schemes? presumption is, in fact, accepted in some European These can result in very safe school cycling routes being countries, and I see no reason why it could not be converted into a dedicated bus route, with no alternative introduced in this country. cycle route being put in place. Does he agree that when If we want to reduce the number of accidents, we these community infrastructure funding schemes are need to alter the approach that many drivers have to put in place, alternative like-for-like cycle-friendly cyclists. We have to get to the stage where cycling is seen arrangements should be made? as safe, and I believe that the only way to do that is to make car drivers far more aware of the dangers of Simon Danczuk: That is an excellent point, and it hitting, affecting or coming into contact with cyclists. If leads on to my next one. I have been cycling in the we want to make cycling safe and therefore encourage United Kingdom, primarily in Rochdale, for just six others to start cycling, we have to change the relationship months now, and I have encountered many good examples between the driver and the cyclist. With those two of provision for cycling. The Rochdale canal, for example, simple changes to the law, we could effectively do that; has a great cycling path, but even that can be seen to be cyclists would be encouraged to cycle safely by wearing falling into disrepair. The work was done some years a helmet, and they would be given confidence in the fact ago and needs re-doing. Kingsway business park, a new that drivers would be taking far more care when they development, caters very well for cyclists, but not all pass them on the road. new schemes have cycling provision designed into them. I congratulate the all-party group once more on its The hon. Gentleman makes an important point about report. It will be interesting to see whether it will take the need for that to happen. up the two ideas that I have set out. Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): My hon. Friend is making a powerful case for action of the sort 7.25 pm that has already made a real difference in my community. Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): I am pleased to Our Waltham Forest cycling campaign, and work done follow my right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter by the local authority under the leadership of Councillor (Mr Bradshaw). I thank the all-party parliamentary Clyde Loakes, have given cyclists an insight into what cycling group for this excellent report and for securing makes for a good system, and as a result they have been this debate. able to give feedback to the council. Does my hon. Friend agree that we should learn at a national level I am speaking in this debate not just because many of from such partnerships between local community cycling my constituents have urged me to take part, but because groups and councils? I believe I bring a particular perspective to it as a recent convert to cycling. Hon. Friends have advised me that the hon. Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) might have Simon Danczuk: My hon. Friend is right, and I agree had to inform me in advance that she was going to with my right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter that describe me in the Chamber—as middle-aged, overweight we need to discuss with local authorities, in consultation and desperately attempting to get back in shape. That is, with cyclists and other road users, how better road indeed, one of the reasons why I took up cycling. layouts and better systems for cyclists can be designed in our towns and cities. That is crucial, because there is As the report says, still a long way to go, certainly in places such as “Britain needs to re-learn how to cycle.” Rochdale. That is exactly what I have been doing, by cycling on Unlike the hon. Member for Winchester (Steve Brine), holiday in Holland. I have holidayed with my family in I hold local councillors in high esteem, and I have good Holland for the last five years, and learned much more things to say about them. There has been much talk in about cycling for leisure purposes. That has encouraged the report and in the Chamber about the need for me, but before I started cycling again, I must admit that political leadership on cycling, and that is exactly right. I shared the disregard for cyclists that many people Let me now put on record something that I have never have. It was a wholly inappropriate view, but I admit to put on record before: a Liberal Democrat councillor in having had it. The report makes it clear that we need to Rochdale has done an excellent job in championing change our attitudes towards cyclists, and I am one of cycling. [HON.MEMBERS: “Withdraw!”] I will not withdraw those who was guilty of needing to do so before I that remark. Councillor Wera Hobhouse really pushed started cycling again. the boundaries in persuading the local authority to do I will not rehearse all the arguments about why it more for cycling in Rochdale, and that does credit to is beneficial to cycle in Holland or issues relating to her. She is still a councillor, but is no longer in a position segregation, prioritising cyclists and all the rest of it. of power. We need such local champions, as well as national Another important point—my hon. Friend the Member champions. We need political leadership to ensure that for Dudley North (Ian Austin) referred to this—is that cycling is given a fair shout at a local level. many more cyclists in Holland are also drivers, and I pay tribute to the all-party parliamentary group, many more drivers are also cyclists. Much greater priority and strongly support the campaign that it has is therefore given to cyclists. initiated. 93 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 94

7.31 pm I also found that, in many instances, the cycleway was in pretty poor condition, with very unclear markings. It Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): One of the objectives had probably been constructed three or four years of today’s debate is to increase the proportion of journeys earlier. Local authorities need to invest in ensuring that that are made by bike, and to persuade people to use the markings on cycleways are clear. On more than one their bikes more regularly. That makes me part of the occasion, overgrown trees rendered the cycleway useless target market. Unlike my hon. Friend the Member for and forced me out on to the road. Carlisle (John Stevenson), I am not a regular cyclist. I would describe myself as a fair-weather cyclist who One or two Members have mentioned vehicles parked cycles infrequently on country lanes for the purpose of in cycleways. Again on more than one occasion, I was exercise or enjoyment. forced on to the road by an illegally parked car or van. I agree with what has been said about the need for Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Let me make this flexibility on the part of car users who are currently announcement immediately: I am going to dust off my causing difficulties for cyclists. old bike and get cycling. That will help me to live for I took my life in my hands on a slip road on a dual two more years. carriageway. There was fast traffic to my right, and as I progressed along to the slip road, to my left, coming up Mark Pawsey: The debate has already achieved part on the inside. Fortunately it was a quiet day, but I of its objective, Madam Deputy Speaker. We have a should hate to be on that road in different circumstances. new cyclist on our Benches. However, if we are fully to Provision should be made for cyclists on slip roads off realise the objectives set out in the motion, people such dual carriageways. I also felt very uncomfortable on as me must be encouraged to ride their bikes more. roundabouts, which I know have caused concern to the all-party group. I hope that the debate will result in The inspiration that led me to use my bicycle more better designed road schemes that make allowances for came during the recess. A couple of weeks ago, on a cyclists. Thursday, I read an article in The Times by Dame Kelly Holmes, encouraging Members of Parliament to ride our bikes before participating in the debate. I had Nicola Blackwood (Oxford West and Abingdon) (Con): intended to drive the six miles or so from my home to Will my hon. Friend give way? the constituency office, but that day I decided to cycle. I should add that the weather was very good during Mark Pawsey: I have already given way twice, so I August, and that the sunshine made my decision a great shall continue, if I may. deal easier. There has been some discussion today about the use I have a number of observations to make following of helmets. I made my decision about whether to wear that experience. Travelling down Dunchurch road in one when I hired a bike in the Lake district. When I told Rugby in a cycle lane, I noticed that other cyclists were the young gentleman who served me that I should be still on the road. I asked myself why those guys were more than happy not to bother with a helmet, he said still on the road when I was going down the cycle lane, “Sir, how many brains have you got?” I know that there which is half on the footpath. Then I realised that there is a Member who goes by the nickname “Two Brains”, were “Give way” lines on the side roads, and that I was but it is not me, and I found the sales assistant’s case having to give way to the cars that were coming out of very persuasive. them. Had I been on the road, I would not have had If we are to make progress towards achieving the that problem. The other cyclists were making much aims of this debate, the targets should be not people faster progress than I was. Perhaps the Minister will making my journey of six miles or so, but people explain why cars coming out of a side road have priority making journeys of up to three miles in towns such as over the cyclists on a cycle way. the one that I represent. It is far too easy—indeed, instinctive, for people who need to travel from a suburb Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Could such as Hillmorton or Bilton to the centre of Rugby, a local authorities perhaps be given more discretion to journey of no more than a couple of yards, to get into depart from national guidance and come up with their cars. Those are the people whom the cycling imaginative solutions that will work in their own areas? campaign needs to target. We have already heard about the health and cost benefits that accrue to those who Mark Pawsey: I should certainly like cyclists to be decide to cycle, and the benefits to the environment if given more encouragement to use cycleways when they more people do so more generally. are provided. Planning has also been mentioned. Rugby borough I encountered another problem on that occasion. I council has launched a green travel plan. During the had some constituency duties to fulfil. It was a warm recess, I visited a business that had been forced by the day, and it occurred to me that I ought to carry an extra plan to include a cycle shed in the development that it shirt, so I put one in a rucksack which I carried on my had built recently, but regrettably there was not a single back. I still arrived soaked in sweat, not looking much bike in it. It is clear that the policies need to be “joined like a Member of Parliament. I tweeted about the up”. experience and received some useful advice on Twitter, There are, however, some fantastic cycleways in my namely that I should put some panniers on my bike so constituency. Last Thursday, the mayor officially reopened that I need not stick a rucksack on my back which a 173-year-old railway viaduct that had previously been would make my back wet. I now know that if I am to derelict. It had been 60 years since trains last travelled use my bike regularly, I shall need to invest in some on the route. It was opened by Sustrans, using a grant panniers. from the Big Lottery Fund, as a new cycleway linking 95 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 96

[Mark Pawsey] 80 km in 10 days. I do not think I could do that in this country. I certainly do not think I could do it easily in northern parts of the town to the railway station and London, because I simply would not feel secure enough town centre. That is a fantastic initiative that supports about the safety of a five-year-old and a seven-year-old Rugby’s regeneration strategy, and I am sure that the on their bikes on the cycleways. Parents up and down route will be used by many more cyclists. the country want this report to be taken seriously, We have heard about cyclists sharing their road space because they want to see their children cycling. with other users, and in particular about the problems Nobody has touched on this next point, but I am created by heavy goods vehicles. One Member asked concerned that the cycling proficiency training, which whether something could be done about them. Their many hon. Members will recall from when they were impact on cyclists is taken seriously by the logistics younger, seems to be patchy across the country; it varies industry and the country. I draw the attention of hon. from school to school, and from local authority to local Members to Cemex, a company in my constituency that authority. We have raised this debate about helmets, but ships cement around the country.At last year’s Conservative we also have to invest in proper cycling proficiency party conference—I hope it was at other conferences, training if we want cycling to increase among young too—Cemex parked one of its vehicles and allowed people. people to get into the cab so that they could see exactly the blind spot that lorry drivers suffer from when driving. I hope that more and more logistics companies will do Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): precisely that; another one did it at a fête I attended. Will the right hon. Gentleman accept from me that one superb way of commencing on the cycling pathway is to I thank the all-party group for bringing about this have an electric bicycle? I have one and they are a debate and I look forward to progress on cycling in the wonderful way of commencing cycling and getting people years to come. interested in it. They have not received much attention in this debate until now, but I urge him to plug the 7.40 pm advantages and merits of electric bikes. Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab): I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and my Mr Lammy: The hon. and learned Gentleman makes hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin) a very good point. I knew nothing about electric bikes on all their work in the all-party group. I also congratulate until I saw some in Holland just a few days ago. I my constituent Adam Coffman on all he has done to thought that perhaps I should get one, but as I want to raise the issue of cycling in our national life. In these get rid of this girth I decided against it. debates it is easy to get a sense that people are paying lip service to cycling, but the profound and cultural change we need in this country has not yet happened and now Nicola Blackwood: I wish to take the right hon. has to arrive. It is important that we recognise that the Gentleman back to his point about cycling proficiency. debate about cycling, certainly here in London, is being Would another point of transition for introducing cycling held against the backdrop of people having to wrestle proficiency be when young people go to university, with issues of not only quality of life, but the cost of when they often get back on bikes having not been on living—petrol prices, transport costs, and rises in bus them since they were young children? That can lead to and tube fares. Transport costs beyond London mean dangerous situations and, often, to road deaths. that people want cycling to be a serious option. For many of the reasons hon. Members have raised, Mr Lammy: The hon. Lady makes a good point. and for some that I will touch on, cycling does not feel Those people are getting on bikes for cost-saving reasons, like a realistic option. I think that hon. Members want but they are doing so in towns and cities, where the the Government to get behind the vision behind this prioritisation we need on cycling is not there. The report to make it one. We need long-term commitments resulting deaths and serious injuries should be of great and aims, not simply the short-term and headline-grabbing concern. initiatives we have had in the past. The target of a 10% Nearly half of all car journeys made in London are modal share for cycling by 2025 is good, but that will under 2 miles long. That is an easily bikeable distance, not happen by itself. Shockingly, just 6% of people in so we have to ask why so many people are not choosing Britain cycle for more than 30 minutes once a week and to bike. As the hon. Lady indicated, in London alone only 2% use a bike to get to work. more than 500 cyclists were seriously injured in just one Hon. Members will recall that, sadly, the Labour year, which is a rise of 22% on the previous year’s figure. party lost the election in 2010. It has been said about It is right that the current Mayor has done much to Ministers, “You know you’re no longer a Minister when encourage cycling in London, and he should be you get into the back of a car and it does not start.” I congratulated on getting behind cycling. His appointment found myself in that situation, but at that point, when of a cycling tsar has also been very important, but I was 30-whatever, I was not a driver. When I hit 40, I targets for reducing cycle casualties have been consistently decided that I would learn to drive and I could be found missed. The number of cycling casualties in London driving up Barnet high road trying to do so. On my has increased every year since 2008, which is only partly third attempt, I recently got my driving licence—[HON. explained by the cycling participation rates. Nationally, MEMBERS: “Hear, hear.] But I hate driving, and I have 122 cyclists were killed on British roads last year. So not really been back in a car since. road accidents are still proportionately involving cycling, What I like doing is cycling. I, too, took my family to despite the incidence of other road accidents falling. Holland this summer on a cycling holiday. I took a That issue has to be addressed and it can be done only if five-year-old and a seven-year-old, and we did about we challenge the culture of cycling and do not have a 97 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 98 transport policy that sometimes feels like just a motorists’ the tip of the iceberg. The number of people in the policy. We need a policy that is prepared to put both House today and the report demonstrate that the UK is pedestrians and cyclists alongside motorists. going in the right direction on the cycling agenda in a Remarks have been made about the share of investment range of areas, including health, business and carbon in cycling. Those remarks need to be taken seriously if emissions. We have a way to go but the starting gun has we are to get the shift that the Minister has said he fired. wants and that I suspect he will say he wants, as it feels a I had not ridden a bike for 40 years until about four long way off for those of us who want cycling to get up weeks ago, when Bespoke persuaded me to get on a to where it needs to be. Investment and participation bicycle for what I was told was a short ride—but it campaigns are crucial, but they will go only so far. lasted two and a half hours. The hon. Member for Ministers must treat British roads as existing not just Totnes (Dr Wollaston) said that cycling takes 10 years for cars, but for cyclists. Much greater priority also off a person, and as I had not ridden a bike for 40 years, needs to be put on safety, which means proper investment riding it for two and a half hours certainly took 10 years in cycling paths, borough to borough, road to road, and off my life. I could barely stand afterwards. The good new radical solutions that promote cycling. news for hon. Members who, like me, have not cycled I welcome this debate, although it is only really the for a long time is that it really is like riding a bike. I got very beginning on this subject. I hope that the House on and after a few wobbles I was away. will return to it, but I hope that we will see the step What are the challenges? We know what they are. The change that we need in this country over the coming right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) made a months. strong and valid point about the fact that the previous Government invested a lot of time and money in cycling and they deserve a lot of the credit for pushing the 7.48 pm agenda. The difference is that my Government inherited Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): It is a pleasure an economic crisis that means that challenging decisions to speak after the right hon. Member for Tottenham must be taken, but I encourage the coalition to focus on (Mr Lammy). I applaud this debate and this outstanding this report, which contains a lot of good recommendations report by the all-party group, and I applaud my hon. that would not cost a lot of money. I am confident that Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and proper investment in the recommendations put together the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin). A by the all-party group would offer a substantial economic number of colleagues who have been here much longer benefit and help to transform the lives of many people than I have mentioned how well attended this debate is. in the UK who, like me, should not wait 40 years to get Since then, about 15 or 20 hon. Members have left the back on a bike. Chamber and will be back later. Despite that, seeing the There are challenges. That takes us back to the question number of people still in the Chamber, I would guess of Holland versus the UK. Holland has a different that it is probably double the number of Members who infrastructure. The UK is an old country that has not would have attended only five years ago and probably been designed for cycles so I appreciate the challenges triple the number who would have attended 10 years faced by any Government. I know that the Minister ago. That shows the enormous strides that have been responsible for this issue, the Under-Secretary of State made in the cycling debate over the past few years. I for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes support that agenda for a number of key reasons. (Norman Baker)—he is a neighbour of mine—has The first reason is the business case. In Eastbourne, been passionate about cycling and bikes for as long as I we have a strong cycling group called Bespoke, which is have known him, which is 11 years. There is no stronger tremendously enthused and involved in driving the cycling champion of cycling in the Government. When he agenda in the town. I support that. Eastbourne is a winds up, I look forward to hearing what further initiatives wonderful seaside town that has bucked the economic the Government will introduce to keep things moving in trend over the past few years, with unemployment going the right direction and to build on the momentum that down, apprenticeships going up and regeneration in the has been established over the past 15 years so that town centre through £70 million of private spend. I am cycling really takes off. There are more people in the keen to drive that agenda using cycling, because, like Chamber than I have ever seen at a Backbench business many other parts of the UK and along its coastline, debate and that demonstrates not just the strength of Eastbourne is a lovely place for a cycling holiday. The feeling in the country but that the time has come for right hon. Member for Tottenham mentioned going to political leadership. I look forward to hearing the Holland with his family and I went there myself only a Government’s response. few months ago. He is right that the level of cycling and the safety there are astounding, because, obviously, it 7.54 pm has been part of the culture for 40 years. We are catching up, but I am convinced that as we drive the Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): cycling agenda in towns such as Eastbourne—getting It is a pleasure to take part in the debate and I welcome more families and tourists in as we improve the cycle both it and the all-party group’s report. It is good to see paths—it will make a substantial difference to their cross-party agreement on such a positive issue, and I economic turnover. hope that when the Minister responds he will give us the Nationally, we have gross cycling product of about assurances we are all looking for. £2.9 billion and 3.7 million bikes are sold in the UK, a So far, Ministers and the Department have been full 28% increase on last year. Some 23,000 people are of warm words of support to give the impression that employed directly in cycling in the UK. Cycling offers a this country is freewheeling towards becoming a major and substantial benefit to UK plc, but that is just cycling nation on a par with, say, Holland. I am afraid 99 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 100

[Chi Onwurah] Chi Onwurah: My right hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Comparisons are odious, but sometimes they are that we are not even ambling in that direction; we need essential. Everyone in the Chamber would agree that sustained action and leadership from Ministers if we there is neither the focus on nor the strategy for cycling want to achieve that in a reasonable time frame. that exist for other areas of transport. I hope that the Many hon. Members have spoken of the benefits Minister will set out how he intends to address the clear of cycling to individuals, to children, to society, to cities lack of leadership. and to the environment. At the end of July, Newcastle The report notes that successfully increasing cycling Gateshead hosted its first sky ride. It was an amazing in many towns requires not just leadership and political success, with 7,800 people attending, and shows just will but investment. The report notes the relative how many people in Newcastle and Gateshead want to underfunding per head for British cycling, which many get on their bikes if they can feel safe doing so. The hon. Members have spoken about today, but the north-east has some of the lowest cycling levels in the Department for Transport’s response to the report was UK, with just 8% of people cycling once a week. We disappointing, as it did not deal with long-term funding. also—this fact is perhaps related—have higher than On most other issues, the buck was passed to local average levels of obesity and lower levels of physical authorities and there was no commitment to appoint a activity in adults. I pay tribute to the work Newcastle national cycling champion. That is not the leadership city council is doing and to its commitment to supporting that we need. I welcome the fact that Newcastle was cycling. awarded £5.7 million from the cycle city ambition fund, In Newcastle, we are lucky to have strong cross-party which was on top of £1.3 million from the cycle safety political leadership on cycling. We have an enthusiastic fund, but those amounts are relatively small compared cycling champion, Councillor Marion Talbot, who chairs with those received by European cities. our cycling forum, which brings together the many As several hon. Members have said, it is not just the different voices for cycling in our city. There is, however, amount of funding that is important. Whatever the a lack of such strong political leadership at a national level. spending per head, Government investment must be The abolition of Cycling England, set up under the continued, steady and sustained if councils such as previous Labour Government, means that there is now Newcastle are to plan to achieve their goals and all the also no dedicated pot of money and, equally, no focal associated benefits we have heard about. While much of point for cycling. We have ad hoc announcements and the legwork in getting Britain cycling does and should re-announcements, and then repackaged re-announcements. fall to councils, there is plenty that the Government can When separate pots of money are released seemingly at do to support them. Newcastle is working hard to make random for cycling and infrastructure, it makes it difficult the city’s road cycle-friendly and installing better cycling for local authorities such as Newcastle to plan cycling infrastructure. It is one of the leading local authorities development. The abolition of Cycling England means on 20 mph zones, with the majority of residential areas that there is no obvious means for councils to share and much of the city centre now covered by that limit. ideas and the great best practice we have heard about The Department’s response to the report rightly says today other than through the mysterious cycle stakeholder that things such as planning cycling routes and speed forum, which is yet to be mentioned but which has limits are local matters, but what about putting in place apparently met three times in the three years it has national standards for cycle infrastructure design or existed—for what purpose, nobody seems to know. educating more people with design skills? What about reviewing sentencing guidelines for careless and reckless Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con) rose— drivers? Chi Onwurah: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will enlighten Investment is important, although having a long-term us. pot is almost as important as the amount that goes into it. Above all, however, Transport Ministers and their Graham Evans: I am most grateful to the hon. Lady colleagues across Whitehall must step up and show for giving way. She talks about the abolition of Cycling national leadership if we are to meet the goals set out in England, but surely the Local Government Association the report. is one of the best mechanisms for sharing best practice on cycling. Several hon. Members rose—

Chi Onwurah: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. contribution, but the Local Government Association Some 19 speakers still wish to participate in the debate, has many issues on which to share best practice. I agree so I shall reduce the time limit to five minutes in the that it provides an excellent forum for that, but the hope that we will be able to get everyone in. By all means strength of Cycling England was that it did exactly make interventions, as they help the debate, but if a what its name said—it was about cycling in England. Member has already made a speech, perhaps they will Having lost that organisation, we need something to bear in mind the fact that others are waiting to do so. fulfil that role. 8.2 pm Mr Lammy: My hon. Friend is making an excellent speech. Does she agree that we do not see the initiatives Graham Evans (Weaver Vale) (Con): I am delighted and half-policies such as those she is talking about in to speak in this important debate. As a fairly recent the Government’s transport policy on trains, buses, cars convert to cycling, I have personal experience of its many and roads? That is why we need a proper integrated benefits, although I am also conscious of its dangers, strategy. especially for those who, like me, are new to the sport. 101 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 102

The Evans household has become an enthusiastic cycling to support the points that he is making, as well as to family with new bikes for the children and not-so-new make wider points about health and fitness and to bikes for mum and dad. I was interested to hear the promote businesses in the community? debate about helmets because I insist that we all wear helmets although, for some reason, when I put my Graham Evans: I agree with my hon. Friend and helmet on, the children point and laugh—I have no idea thank him for that wonderful intervention. I hope that why. those people on the Tour have their passports ready to There is a fantastic grass-roots movement in my go into Yorkshire and, importantly, to come out of it. constituency to encourage residents to get on their I welcome the Government’s cycle safety fund to bikes. I give credit to the Northwich Guardian’s Pedal redesign junctions. However, while they are encouraging Power campaign for drawing my constituents’ attention sensible planning, there is no single, consistent and to the importance of cycling. Its cycling ambassadors, enforceable design standard for bicycles regarding new with profiles ranging from teenage pro bikers to blind development. As an aspect of planning, surely that nonagenarians, show my constituents that a bike is for should be as obvious as putting on a helmet before everyone at any stage of their lives. I welcome the getting on a bike. As is the case for many hon. Members, all-party cycling group’s “Get Britain Cycling” report house builders are building thousands of new homes in and its target of one in 10 journeys being by bike by my constituency, but their designs suggest that little 2025. Road safety is also important to me, and I shall be thought has been given to making roads accessible via a presenting the Drug Driving (Assessment of Drug Misuse) bike. Given that the county of Cheshire is relatively flat, Bill—my private Member’s Bill—to the House for its perhaps its councils could be a beacon to show all Second Reading on 18 October. authorities how cycling can be a pleasure for all. The benefits of cycling are clear, with better health We should examine speeds in residential areas for the being the obvious starting point, as a regular cyclist in benefit of not only cyclists, but pedestrians. The Department mid-adulthood has the fitness levels of someone 10 years for Transport has made it easier for councils to impose younger. We have heard many comments suggesting 20 mph areas, which is a great step forward for locally that we all want to be 10 years younger. focused safety, but now is the time to consider whether When we consider Britain’s transport system, it is there should be a default limit of 20 mph for residential clear that there must be a better way. Most of us find areas, with councils given the discretion to change that. ourselves sitting in long traffic jams when we make the Such a measure could reduce the number of road incidents. quick run down the road to the shops to pick up some Heavy goods vehicles pose a major risk to cyclists. milk and a loaf of bread. Some 66% of all trips made in Nearly half of all cycle fatalities in the capital are due to Britain are less than five miles. However, if one factors HGVs, although those vehicles make up only 5% of the in the process of getting to the destination and then overall traffic. Better awareness of cyclists, restrictions hunting down a parking space, that seems daft, given during peak traffic times and more international that one could reasonably often nip down to the shops co-operation on HGV design would clearly be important on a bike. There are also economic arguments in favour steps, so I welcome the Department’s ongoing work in of cycling because regular cyclists are associated with that area. lower health costs, while the cost of congestion goes The Government have made significant investment in down and productivity increases. cycling, with £148 million invested by 2015, but it has What is stopping people cycling? The main reason is been clear from listening to hon. Members’ speeches safety. The Department’s “British Social Attitudes Survey that cohesive thinking and cross-departmental work 2012: public attitudes towards transport” showed that will encourage cycling even more. I welcome the excellent 48% of cyclists, who were defined as someone who had work of the all-party cycling group and I hope that the cycled in the past year, agreed that it was too dangerous debate demonstrates how, with a proactive attitude, we for them to cycle on the roads, whereas the figure for can ensure that cycling becomes an important part of non-cyclists was 65%. It is also worth noting that there British life. is a significant gender divide regarding cycling safety because 60% of women said that it was too dangerous 8.8 pm compared with 53% of men. I am therefore proud to be involved in Northwich Breeze rides, which are designed Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): The House has a specifically to introduce more women in the area to fairly rigid dress code, and I think I inadvertently broke cycling and to improve their confidence in safety. it earlier today because, for the first time in my career, I wore a pair of cycle clips in the Chamber. That was not What can be done to improve safety? There are basic because I was trying to celebrate the debate, but because steps that everyone should take when getting on a bike. I had rushed here from one of my two bicycle visits Putting on a helmet and ensuring that reflectors and today so that I would be in time to ask my question proper lights are fitted are all ways of making someone during Defence questions—[Interruption.] I got no answer, safer and more visible. It is only logical that local but that is the nature of parliamentary questions. I authorities should take simple and automatic steps to make the point because I have been cycling to Parliament improve— and to meetings near Parliament for more than 20 years. As other Members have observed, in that period there Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): Next year’s Tour de has been a huge growth in the number of people who France will come to my constituency on two consecutive cycle—not just the number of people working in the days. It will go through villages such as Addingham and Palace of Westminster but the number of people in Stanbury, and green parts of my wonderful constituency. general on the roads of London. That increase has not Does my hon. Friend agree that that is a great opportunity just happened—it occurred as a result of public policy 103 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 104

[Hugh Bayley] My hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin), my and public spending. That is the first thing that I would hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Dr Wollaston) and say to the Minister: we need an increase in Government other members of the all-party parliamentary group spending to promote cycling and make the roads safer have done a brilliant job and produced a fantastic for cycling, but it needs to be long-term and predictable report. I need to declare the fact that I cycle to work in funding, which is why I particularly welcome the proposal London. I can cycle from Fulham, where I live, to that there should be spending by his Department on King’s Cross, pretty much all on a cycleway. It is much cycling measures at the rate of £10 per capita. quicker than going by car. In Northumberland, I live There are environmental and health benefits from near Stamfordham, where we see more bicycles than cycling. It is a convenient and time-saving way to travel cars travelling around and about. There is no question short distances. No one has mentioned the fact that it is but that the Northumberland economy depends to a a cheap way of travelling. For MPs, there is one more large degree on cycling tourism and the economic benefit advantage. I sometimes use a car in my constituency, that it brings. I therefore support the motion wholeheartedly, and when I do, no one notices me driving round. but while cities such as Newcastle have benefited from However, when I am cycling round my constituency over £5 million, the benefit to some rural areas, whether people notice me all the time. They point, they probably Northumberland or other counties, is significantly less. laugh, but at least they see that I am in my constituency— We need equality of funding across all parts of the that is a tip for Members on both sides of the House. country so that we may all benefit, rather than simply Between 2008 and 2010, York received £3.68 million the towns that have been allocated money thus far. as one of the 12 cycling cities designated by Cycling England. It had a number of goals, including increasing Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): Like the hon. the use of cycling by 25% from 10%—a relatively high Gentleman, I welcome the report to get Britain cycling. level—at the beginning of the period to 12.5%. In fact, He is right about rural areas. Does he agree that we it increased the use of cycling by twice the target—by need innovative solutions to help to provide opportunities 50%—to 15%. Interestingly, in York, as many women to make it easier to cycle in rural areas, such as the two cycle as men, and that is a goal that we ought to try to tunnels greenway in Bath, from which many of my roll out nationally. constituents benefit, and the canal towpaths that run Under the scheme, we pledged to increase commuter through my constituency? Otherwise, hedge-lined country cycling by 10% from 12% at the beginning of the period roads between towns can be quite intimidating. to 13.2%. Although there was no national survey of the number of people who commute to work by cycle, Guy Opperman: I endorse that entirely. Indeed, when looking at the big employers in York, the increase in I asked my constituents for their comments, one of that period ranged from 17% to 35%. Achieving an them, Ted Liddle, wrote on behalf of the mountain increase depends on whether employers provide incentives biking club: such as safe cycle parking, cycle workshops where people “Other than a few parking stands, in Tynedale there has been can repair punctures for instance, and cycle loan schemes. no cycling investment” The House could do a lot more for the people who work in the past 10 to 12 years. here, and I hope that that is something the all-party group will press for. There are exceptions, but if we do not have innovative I welcome the proposal in the report for a goal of ways forward and local cycling champions we will struggle. increasing cycle use to 10% by 2025, but we need I endorse earlier comments about the fact that we need different goals for different local authorities. The hon. individual Borises or cycling champions in some shape Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert), who introduced or form who champion cycling in their counties and the debate, has in his city a cycling participation level regions. It is easy, given that Yorkshire has the benefit of far above 10%, and so does my own city. We will not the Tour de France next year, to make the case. Everyone achieve 10% national usage unless we set challenging in the north welcomes that. goals for those local authorities that are in the lead. Finally, greater efforts should be made to employ Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): My hon. trained personnel in local authorities to supervise the Friend has discussed the need for cycle routes in rural safety of transport schemes, and for institutes such as areas. We do not have the luxury of going along the the— embankment to create the Boris highway. We have to make sure that we have cycle routes such as old railway Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. lines and so on that can be used successfully. We are working on precisely that on the Seaton to Colyford 8.14 pm route. However, I very much welcome the debate so that we can have cycling in rural areas. Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Who knew, ladies and gentlemen, that this debate was sponsored by the Dutch tourism board? Many of us seem to have taken a Guy Opperman: Indeed. Not only that, but this debate Dutch cycling holiday. I am here to stand up for cycling is making converts. Our hon. Friend, the eminent colonel in Northumberland, which features everything from from Beckenham, has assured the House that he will get Hadrian’s cycleway and the coast-to-coast tour to the back on his bike, which I am confident is not a penny delights of Kielder and the castles cycle route. farthing. I congratulate wholeheartedly the cross-party group, which has done a fantastic job—this is probably one of Bob Stewart: To the best of my memory, it has the finest Back-Bench debates that we have ever had. pneumatic tyres and a chain. 105 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 106

Guy Opperman: The mind boggles: to know is to fear. over many years—political commitment in which, I am Those of us who are students of the film industry will pleased to say, the Labour party over the decades has hark back to the comment, “If you build it, they will taken the lead, and which, to be fair, is now widely come.” That is the case in relation to cycling. It is easy shared across the political parties in Edinburgh, just as for too many civil servants, Ministers of all types, local it is in the Chamber today. authorities, county and parish councils to think that As my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South investment in cycling is not worth the money, the effort, (Ian Murray) pointed out—and I should mention that the criticism by drivers and pedestrians and the sheer we were joined by my hon. Friend the Member for difficulty of persuading people to get out of their Edinburgh East (Sheila Gilmore) in Pedal on Parliament beloved vehicles. However, if we build the type of facilities this year—we have also had a very effective grass-roots that we all require in our local areas, cycling improves. campaign, first in the form of Spokes, the Lothian cycle We need only look at the success of places such as campaign, of which I have been a member for many Seville, as eloquently set out in the report, where between years. That campaign has consistently and in a well- 2007 and 2010, cycling went up from 6,000 journeys to informed way put pressure on local government and 60,000 journeys. We need only look at the changes in central Government to deliver both cycle spending and New York or Holland, sponsored as we are by the the integration of policies in wider planning and transport Dutch tourism board, where 27% of journeys are by activity, to give cycling a higher profile. We have also bike, compared with 2% in this country. That is patently seen the very successful Pedal on Parliament initiative, the result of investment, support and local champions. which started in 2012 with a couple of thousand people I suggest we look at the health benefits. Many have lobbying the Scottish Parliament at the end of a cycle outlined the fact that we have an obesity crisis, and a ride, and which in May this year ended up with 4,000 great deal more work needs to be done on that. We people in a very impressive lobby of the Scottish Parliament. should look at the benefits in terms of the cost of living, and we need to consider both the climate change and Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Does my the tourism and economic benefits. I emphasise the hon. Friend agree that one of the significant things at need for local champions—not just the local larger that event was the reaction of those who were there to a champion of a county, but individual parish and county spokesperson from the Scottish Government who gave councillors who could make a difference locally. If we only warm words—compared to the local council, which can start doing that and start working with health and has committed 5% of its transport budget, to rise by 1% wellbeing boards and the like, there is great potential to each year to 9%—because cyclists know that words are turn the topic from a fringe issue that we passionately not good enough? debate to a mainstream way of life and way of travelling to work. Mark Lazarowicz: Absolutely. My hon. Friend points to the commitment of Edinburgh council not just to 8.20 pm maintain a 5% level of all transport spend, both revenue and capital, on cycling but to increase it year on year by Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ 1%, which is a major commitment. In a briefing to some Co-op): It is pleasure to be able to speak in this debate. of us earlier, Chris Boardman said that it was the first A few minutes ago my hon. Friend the Member for city in the UK to make that commitment. That contrasts York Central (Hugh Bayley) made the point that if we with the poor record of the SNP Scottish Government are to increase cycle percentages, the starting point will in supporting cycling. It is interesting that the success of vary from place to place. Some places already have a the Pedal on Parliament campaign in Edinburgh has very high percentage, but others have a much lower had the effect of shaming the Scottish Government into percentage. I am pleased to say that Edinburgh has a putting more money into cycling. That is a tribute to good record of encouraging cycling over the years. In such campaigning work, which is so important at the our case 10% of journeys to work are now undertaken grass roots. by bike, whereas 10 years ago the figure was only 3%, so we have seen a 300% increase, which shows what can be I do not want to make jibes at other political parties done when there is consistent political commitment and in what has otherwise been a non-partisan debate, even a spending commitment from the local authority, which if those parties are not represented in the Chamber has certainly been the case in Edinburgh. today. In Edinburgh we have now seen a cross-party consensus on cycling policies. Although it is true that Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): My hon. Friend our Labour colleagues on the council made a commitment highlights the increase in cycling in Edinburgh. Will he to increase the spending on cycling year on year, it is join me in paying tribute to Spokes, the Edinburgh being done now with the support of the minority party cycling charity, which has done so much to help that in the Edinburgh council coalition, the Scottish National increase, and also the volunteers who organised Pedal party. So let us hope that the SNP at Scottish Government on Parliament 1 and 2? There were 4,000 cyclists at the level will follow the example of its colleagues on Edinburgh Scottish Parliament just a few months ago, and I completed council. the second one myself, on a tandem. As has been mentioned a few times in the debate, some of those who organised the Pedal on Parliament Mark Lazarowicz: Indeed. I saw that with my own campaign to lobby the Scottish Parliament had personal eyes, and I took part on a more conventional bike in experience of death and serious injury to cyclists on our that Pedal on Parliament. The point that my hon. roads. The increase in deaths and serious injuries to Friend makes is a good one. One reason we have seen an cyclists in England over the past five years has been increase in Edinburgh in the percentage of journeys replicated in Scotland. We have seen a similar increase undertaken by bike has been the political commitment over the past five years. Let us not forget that as well as 107 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 108

[Mark Lazarowicz] that they will do better if they are open for business to everybody, including those who might not be such being in every case a personal tragedy for the families serious cyclists. and friends of those involved, every cycling death or serious injury has the effect of discouraging people who Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Will my might otherwise come back to cycling, because they do hon. Friend give way? not realise the wider relative or absolute safety of cycling compared with most forms of transport. Jane Ellison: I will give way, but only once. There are many reasons why it is vital to have targets to bring down the toll of death and serious injury to Mr Turner: One thing to consider is that in the UK cyclists on our roads, and I have no doubt that if the there are around 25,000 bicycles but in Germany there measures proposed in the “Get Britain Cycling” report are 360,000, and the difference is that many of those were implemented, they would dramatically reduce the bicycles are electric, which can help even the elderly to number of cyclists killed and injured on our roads. cycle.

Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): Does the Jane Ellison: I thank my hon. Friend for that intervention. hon. Gentleman agree that of particular importance is Electric bikes have had a few honourable mentions in the need to address the role of HGVs in cyclists’ deaths? the debate so far, although I am not an expert. I believe that around half such deaths in London are In London, cycling is set to double over the next caused by HGVs. It is surely time, as part of the 10 years. However, as was pointed out earlier, cities such programme, to push for a much more energetic uptake as London were not designed for cycling; it is a very old of the technology measures that would make HGVs city. We must therefore take every opportunity offered much safer and much less dangerous to cyclists—sensors, by redevelopment to make it more suitable for cycling. mirrors, side bars and so on. That surely should be a We are certainly seeing some innovative thinking in my priority. borough, as I mentioned earlier.

Mark Lazarowicz: Absolutely. I know that in some of Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Will the e-mails and letters that I have had from constituents my hon. Friend give way? in the run-up to this debate, a number of cases have been highlighted where people or their relatives have Jane Ellison: I am afraid not, as so many Members been the victims of HGVs in that way. That must be have prepared speeches and want to get in. dealt with as a priority. It can be done quite easily now Wandsworth has come a long way. One of the pleasures with current technology and I hope that the Minister of the summer was going to a meeting of the Wandsworth will give some indication in his response as to how these Living Streets campaign and seeing the genuine engagement changes can be introduced. They are UK-wide measures between it and Councillor Russell King, the cabinet and therefore relevant to all of us in the Chamber, from member who covers strategic transport issues. I certainly whichever part of the UK we come. see that as a positive movement since I first came to Battersea in 2006. 8.27 pm In last year’s debate I talked about the need to champion engineering solutions, something we have Jane Ellison (Battersea) (Con): I am grateful to have always been good at in Britain. Again, my council is the opportunity to speak in the debate and very pleased working with Transport for London to bring forward that the Backbench Business Committee could find the plans for Dutch-style roundabouts, one of which is time for it. It follows a very successful and over-subscribed planned for my constituency. Elsewhere in London we debate in Westminster Hall last year and perhaps illustrates are seeing other plans for engineering solutions, such as the point that very over-subscribed debates in Westminster bike boxes and signal control junctions with advanced Hall can transfer to the main Chamber and attract even stop lines. ASLs help motorists and cyclists by providing more speakers, as today’s debate has done. an area for cyclists to wait in front of traffic when the I speak as an occasional cyclist daughter of a serious lights are red, making them more easily visible to motorists veteran road-racing cyclist father. I want to talk today and giving them the space to move off when the lights about London in particular and some of the measures turn green. We are also seeing plans to introduce Dutch-style that have been adopted here. segregated sections of cycle superhighway to increase I will first say a bit about why cycling is so important safety—we have heard a lot about Holland in this in my constituency. There was an enormous reaction debate and paid tribute to its great cycling efforts—which last year in Battersea to The Times’ “Cities Fit for will see one of the longest continuous segregated sections Cycling” campaign. The average age of people who live through the heart of London and on to Canary Wharf in Wandsworth is 32, so that is probably also typical of and Barking. It will be very interesting to see how that my constituency. Many people cycle to work and for develops and whether it could be replicated in other pleasure, and from quite a wide demographic range, cities. although I agree about the need to widen it, which will The Mayor of London is looking to spend significant set up a virtuous circle. As an occasional cyclist, I know sums of money on cycling. The need for leadership has that it can be very off-putting to go into a cycling shop been mentioned, and Members on both sides have been with an old bike and hear three young men in Lycra generous in paying tribute to him for his leadership on leaning against the counter saying, “Poor old girl”—I cycling. London’s cycling budget will double to almost am never quite sure whether they are talking about me £400 million over the next three years, roughly two and or the bike. I encourage all cycling shops to remember a half times what was previously planned. He is investing 109 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 110 almost £1 billion in London cycling over the next 10 years The Government’s response to “Get Britain Cycling” as part of the “Vision for Cycling” published in March. does not provide any assurance of funding for cycling That will mean spending £145 million a year on cycling infrastructure in future. It is a shame that when Ministers by 2015, which equates to roughly £18 per head, which recently set out annual budgets for road and rail investment is similar to the amount spent in Germany and almost for the next eight years they failed to do so for cycling on a par with the debate’s favourite country: the infrastructure. Netherlands. It is good to see both Dutch-style engineering Secondly, 20-mph speed limits should be adopted on coming to London’s roads and Dutch levels of spending residential roads as standard. Hounslow Cycling makes per head on cycling. the very effective point that we should not have to fight With regard to enforcement, one of the debates we campaigns in each neighbourhood to get safe speed are having locally is whether 20 mph zones can be limits and good-quality cycle lanes and design standards enforced. We are at least seeing TfL, the Met police and governing how roads are built. This should not be done the City of London police stepping up the enforcement for cyclists; it needs to be done with cyclists, whose of safety zones for cyclists and clamping down on input at the design stage can have a real impact on the people who jump red lights. I hope that we will return to quality of the result. We know that 20-mph speed limits this topic and have regular cycling debates. I hope that can make a big difference. In 2009 the British Medical in a future debate we can look at some of the other Journal published a review of road casualties in London issues that affect cycling, such as planning and residential between 1986 and 2006 having found that 20-mph zones developments with safe cycle storage, which is a problem reduced casualties by over 40%. in flats. In particular, there are high levels of cycle theft. Thirdly, it is important to have a national cycling I have constituents who have lost five, six, seven or even champion—a proposal that has not been accepted so eight bikes in a few short years. I hope we can visit those far. Perhaps the Minister might want to say whether topics in future. that is still the case. Fourthly, we must ensure that where we have rules they are effectively enforced. Some of the Several hon. Members rose— behavioural changes that we need, such as cyclists not going through red lights, must be looked at in the Mr Speaker: Order. A further 13 right hon. and hon. interests of their safety as well as that of others. Members are on my list. I am keen to accommodate Cycling has the potential to be a huge British success them but can do so only, I am sorry to say, by reducing story. We can see many more Olympic gold medallists the time limit, with immediate effect, to four minutes. coming through if we encourage good behaviours, start Members can help me to help them to help each other. them young, and make sure that everyone feels they can cycle in future. 8.34 pm Seema Malhotra (Feltham and Heston) (Lab/Co-op): 8.38 pm I congratulate the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and my hon. Friend the Member for Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) Dudley North (Ian Austin) on their leadership and (Con): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for drive on this issue. This has been a refreshing debate. I Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on securing this debate through am delighted to continue my support for safety for the Backbench Business Committee. I thank him for cyclists, inspired, as were many other Members of the inviting me to serve on the panel. I suspect that I ended House, by The Times’ “Cities fit for cycling” campaign. up doing so for one simple reason—that I am a reluctant Cycling has many advantages: increasing health, providing cyclist. Although I occasionally cycle, the reason I am a fitter population and work force; saving energy; reducing reluctant is that I do not think it is a particularly safe the degradation of road surfaces; reducing congestion activity. I fully support The Times’ “Cities fit for cycling” and air quality; and, last but not least, it is also jolly campaign following the case of Mary Bowers, who is good fun. still in a coma. I also fully support the implementation It is great to speak today on what could be the cusp of of the targets that the Government need to make sure a big change in Britain to transform life and the experience that there is strong political leadership at local and of roads for future generations—to get Britain cycling national level and that cycling is safe. not just in individual pockets of the country and to Over the recess I spoke to a number of people in my have a holistic vision. I congratulate the all-party cycling Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport constituency. Anne- group on its excellent report, which advocates the dream Marie Clark, who rides with the Plymouth Yogis, suggested of having 10% of all journeys made by bike by 2025. I that the Government should make it compulsory for am glad that it does not mince its words on the need for people to wear helmets. She was appalled that hirers of leadership to start with politicians because we, as politicians, Boris bikes are not offered helmets. The Mayor of have to think long term in supporting cyclists with a London may want to look at that. She also highlighted shared commitment across Whitehall, councils, schools, Plymouth’s notorious potholes, and I am delighted that employers, and public transport providers. the Government and the council are working together I pay tribute to Hounslow Cycling, particularly to to fix them. Anyone who lives in my constituency who Tim Harris and Brian Smith, who have been strong wants to have a photograph taken with me and Pothole advocates and campaigners for improved facilities for Pete alongside a pothole is welcome to contact me in cyclists. Their excellent strapline is “Looking for a order to arrange it. mini-Holland in Hounslow”. Together with Hounslow The chairman of Plymouth’s cycling campaign, Stuart council they have an exciting longer-term vision for safer Mee, said that one of the biggest impediments to getting cycling, but they have raised some issues that I would on two wheels is the traffic. He said that all too often like to share with the House. First, there is funding. cycle routes stop at junctions and do not take cyclists to 111 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 112

[Oliver Colvile] not simply providing more funding, but making sure that the billions we spend on our roads have funds where they want to go. In Plymouth some routes end earmarked within them for cycling and meeting the abruptly at difficult junctions. He added that cycling needs of cyclists. That will be an important step towards can make Plymouth healthier. Several cyclists who watched achievements similar to those of the Dutch. me do a little bit of cycling through the streets of When I invited comments from my constituents on Plymouth during the sky ride picked up on my comments today’s debate, I got a huge response. There were a during the last cycling debate, when I made it clear that number of common themes. They pressed for more if cycling were made safer and I took it up I could put segregated cycle lanes and for more available and consistent into effect the title of Tom Vernon’s wonderful, well-known cycle lanes that are not used for parking for large parts radio programme, “Fat Man on a Bicycle”. of the day and that do not disappear on the approach to Regular health activities can save a lot of money. It is difficult junctions or hazardous roundabouts. They argued interesting to note that a child born in Devonport—a for road infrastructure to be better designed and for really deprived community—is expected to live 14 years speed bumps that do not have gaps at the side. They less than a child from the city suburbs in the constituency argued against routes that follow illogical directions. of my hon. Friend the Member for South West Devon They pushed for the maintenance of cycle routes with (Mr Streeter). regard not only to their quality, but to their visibility to All parties on Plymouth county council are supportive cyclists and motorists. They argued not only for safe of this report. It is interesting that the cabinet member routes to schools, public buildings and places of work, for transport on my patch told me recently that over the but for more secure places for people to leave their past four years there has been a 30% increase in cycling. cycles when they get there. The Sustrans Connect2 project has done an enormous I would like a response from the Minister on one amount to try to connect the west of the city to the city specific point when he winds up: the role of cycling centre. It would be helpful to have a conversation with a within an integrated approach to transport. I am pleased Minister from the Department for Work and Pensions that south Yorkshire has received funding from the in order to make sure that it can provide bicycles to Government for a tram-train pilot, which will see the those who cannot get to employment opportunities on introduction of a continental model with vehicles that the other side of the city. run on both tram and rail tracks. That is a significant Finally, I want cycle manufacturers to produce cheaper development for us and a potential model for the rest of and more basic cycles. I want to buy one, but I do not the country. It is important that we get it right. Part of want to pay £1,000 for it. I want one a bit like the one that is ensuring that cyclists are able to take their bikes Paul Newman rode in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance on to the tram-trains so that both modes of transport Kid”; I may then notice rain drops falling on my head. can be used on a journey. I have raised that issue with the South Yorkshire passenger transport executive because decisions need to be taken now at the stage of system 8.42 pm design. The Department is also a key stakeholder, so I Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): I join colleagues ask the Minister to join me by confirming in his closing in congratulating the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr remarks that he will seek to ensure that bikes can be Huppert) and others, not only on securing this debate, carried on to tram-trains in that important pilot. but on the excellent work in producing the “Get Britain There is clearly strong cross-party support for the Cycling” report done by the all-party group on cycling. report and I hope that this debate secures a transformation I represent a city that has hills, which can make in the UK. cycling a bit of a challenge, certainly for those of us who are recreational cyclists. Even in Sheffield, however, cycling rates have doubled over the past eight to 10 years, 8.46 pm but we have a long way to go compared with—for a change, I will not mention Holland—hilly Helsingborg Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): We have learned in Sweden: 26% of daily commutes into its city centre some fascinating things today, notably that the Emperor are made on a bike, compared with less than 1% in Hadrian created his great wall not to keep the Picts out Sheffield. of England, as many of us thought, but to provide the Northumberland tourism board with a cycleway. Having said I would not mention the Netherlands, I will do so briefly, although I hesitate to do so. I spent a I join the wave of enthusiasm for this debate and its few days in Tilberg, a fairly ordinary city in central two sponsors, the hon. Members for Cambridge Netherlands, last year. I was struck by the fascinating (Dr Huppert) and for Dudley North (Ian Austin), but I consequence of the impact of a planning approach that will risk sounding a curmudgeonly note by giving their gives as much focus to the needs of bikes as to those of report, “Get Britain Cycling”, only two cheers rather cars. It provides a contrast to the picture of British than three. The reason for that is the report’s specific cycling painted earlier by my hon. Friend the Member recommendations. First, I would like the title to be “Let for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick). In Tilberg Britain Cycle”, rather than the more prescriptive “Get I saw a town in which elderly couples, families and Britain Cycling”. young people all saw bikes as the preferred form of I am not mad about more Government action plans transport for commuting, shopping or an evening out. and annual reports—they are not best sellers on the It was a transformational experience. whole. I am not convinced that appointing cycling tsars As the “Get Britain Cycling” report highlights, we in central and local government and in devolved authorities need to do a number of things to transform the situation “responsible for cycling” will add to the numbers who in the UK, of which, clearly, one is funding. That means get on their bikes. Can we all not be responsible for our 113 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 114 own cycling and, like the best missionaries, let our turnout and commitment shown in this debate, which is happiness encourage others to get on their bikes, without a sign that the report has already had some impact. having tsars? When my constituents contacted me they cited simple The report recommends national targets. Just as I do mistakes and missed opportunities in public policy and not want to see Gloucestershire Royal hospital bristling planning that have held back cycling and prevented the with targets and performance indicators but bereft of growth of its popularity. It is difficult to disagree with compassion, so I do not want to see cycling targets that sentiment, as the “Get Britain Cycling” report without the fun. Besides, most of the statistics are highlighted. Such neglect has prevented cycling from extremely dodgy.How, for example, does the hon. Member becoming as popular as it might have been, and that is for York Central (Hugh Bayley) know that as many often used as justification for the lack of attention women as men cycle in York? Who compiles the statistics? cycling policy receives. As we have heard, cycling To quote British Cycling, undoubtedly brings significant health and environmental “Better measures of cycle use at a local level have been introduced benefits, but without political leadership at national recently…but these only give an indication of self-reported cycle and local level it is hard to see how it can move from use, not distance travelled or numbers of trips.” being a mere afterthought to an acknowledged major I therefore believe that the statistical measurements and means of transportation. targets that are suggested by the all-party group at best Having listened to the whole debate, I believe it is are optimistic and at worst delude us that we can important to acknowledge that things are not as good measure cycling precisely. as they need to be. A lot of Members have highlighted Instead, I would like today to be a celebration of great practice in their areas, but if we give the impression cycling by all of us who have enjoyed cycling. Before the that we are satisfied with the status quo, that would be end of this Parliament, I will celebrate 50 years of wrong. Toget things right, the Government, local authorities cycling by going back to my first commercial journey, and transport bodies must ensure that the needs of which I made to pick peas four miles from home. There cyclists are properly taken into account. For the benefit was a wonderful steep hill—more fun going down than of any of my constituents reading this speech, I up—very few cars and that great sense of freedom and acknowledge that my local authority has not always fun that one gets from being on a bike. That is my focus met expectations in that regard, but I will say, if I can, for this debate: freedom and fun, not traffic jams and how we are trying to correct that. road rage, from which so many other travellers seem to The “Get Britain Cycling” report offers a number of suffer. practical solutions to address those problems. One is I believe the Government have been given a bit of a the cross-departmental cycling action plan. That sounds hard time this evening about their expenditure, because as if it comes straight from “Yes Minister”, but the goal it seems to me that £128 million in five years is good of ensuring that cycling is embodied at top levels of news. I am particularly pleased with the local sustainable strategic planning and the political agenda is the right transport fund, which for a few hundred thousand one. Taking things a step further, local and central pounds will make a huge difference in Gloucester—my Government have appointed lead politicians for cycling, constituency—with improved routes, signs, cycle racks which again must be a good thing. For example, if we and even a cycle hub. I look forward to road testing those look at the commitment shown to cycling in London on new routes in a few weeks with an excellent representative a cross-party basis over many years, we see what can be from our county council, our local bike action group achieved with a strong strategic plan coupled with the chairman, Toby, and BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter, political will to make it successful. Across my constituency Mark Cummings. We will also look at some of the and the Greater Manchester area, I am pleased to say problem areas, and if the all-party group or the Minister that action is being taken to help get Britain cycling. know of a good solution to roundabouts, please let me As I said, I recognise that in the past people have know the best practice. come to me with legitimate complaints because they felt Our time has been sharply curtailed, so in conclusion: we have not taken advantage of our position as a yes, cycling makes life better for all, but I urge the Greater Manchester borough that sits between Manchester all-party group not to become obsessed with statistics city centre and the Peak District national park, and we and to focus more on cycling being fun for all. Let the have not used cycling fully enough to address that area’s Government expand their programme for the big cities poor public health. Now, however, Transport for Greater to the small cities. That will be good value for money Manchester, in partnership with constituent local and great news for places such as Gloucester. authorities, is implementing a bold strategy that combines central Government funds with local money to make significant changes. As well as looking at investment in 8.50 pm the road network to make cycle-friendly changes to Jonathan Reynolds (Stalybridge and Hyde) (Lab/Co-op): roads and junctions, it is trying to provide facilities I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak specifically for the use of cyclists who wish to ditch their in this debate on a topic that is important to me and a car and cycle to work. Tameside council has taken the great many of my constituents, and in the curtailed time lead in that, trying to build a cycling hub in the centre of available I will say something about the need to make the borough of Ashton-under-Lyne. Once open, it will cycling a mainstream transport option and address the give commuting cyclists the chance to lock up their future funding of cycling. bike, get changed and have a shower before heading to Cyclists in my constituency have made it clear that work. they feel cycling, which they are passionate about, has Such ideas lead to the major issue at the heart of this not been taken seriously enough by policy makers. debate which is how we fund and allocate money to However, I think they will genuinely appreciate the transport projects, and the role of cycling within that. 115 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 116

[Jonathan Reynolds] There is also conflict with the many junctions on the road way. I am thinking in particular of Heron lane in To make things happen there must obviously be a Timsbury, where the markings are not clear. Road users strong commitment from the Government. I welcome seeking to access the A3057 often meet speeding cyclists the money that has been announced, although there are on the cycleway who believe they have priority, when in concerns about the loss of Cycling England. If we are fact the motorist has priority. There are many near to catch up with our European neighbours—we have misses, which provokes anxiety for motorist and cyclist heard a lot about Holland today—we must clearly move alike. towards that £10 per head target, as the APPG report I am not suggesting that better signage is a panacea. recommends. In rural areas, opting for red or—dare I say it?—blue 8.54 pm tarmac is incongruous, and does not fit well with the countryside. It is important that we look for tailor-made Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) solutions and that we are innovative in junction (Con): I add my congratulations to the hon. Member improvements. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and the all-party group on I should conclude with one suggestion from a cyclist, securing this important debate, which has provoked a who said that we need a similar legislative framework to great deal of interest from my constituents. I have had a that of Italy—hon. Members will be pleased that he large number of e-mails, although it is worth noting that identified Italy rather than the Netherlands. In Italy, the only one of them came from a woman. My hon. Friend presumption is that the liability for any accident is with the Member for Weaver Vale (Graham Evans) and the the motorist and not with the cyclist. hon. Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley) commented on the cycling gender gap. It is interesting to note—this One of our great Olympians, Laura Trott, said at the comes from the Breeze website—that more than three weekend that: times as many men as women participate in cycling. “It’s not always the car’s fault…Cyclists need to help themselves”. In Hampshire, the Bikeability scheme is run by Of course, she is right. Mountbatten school in Romsey. It gave evidence to the all-party group and has contributed to the “Get Britain 8.58 pm Cycling” report, which is an excellent report containing Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I welcome brilliant ideas. Annually, the Hampshire schools cycling the opportunity to speak in the debate. I commend the partnership delivers in excess of 12,000 cycle courses hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) and my throughout Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin) in more than 300 schools. There is a commitment within for introducing it on behalf of the all-party group on the partnership to make cycle training available to all, cycling. and to make both bikes and helmets available to those who do not have them. There is a belief that cycling I confess that I am not an avid cyclist, but I freely is an essential life skill, and that every young person acknowledge the health, social and economic benefits should receive a safe grounding in cycling skills and of cycling. In fact, cycling can become not only an road use. economic tool in town centres, but a regeneration tool. Test Valley borough has, for the past 16 years, run the It can help to reduce congestion and pollution in town Test valley tour, an off-road cycling event that encourages centres. Those factors have already been acknowledged participants from serious cyclists down to the weekend in the report. The health, economic and social benefits pedaller to enjoy the Hampshire countryside. This weekend, of cycling are, as the report highlights, well documented as part of the borough’s Olympic legacy project, a new and range from reducing air pollution in our cities to BMX track is being opened in Valley park. There is not promoting spending in small businesses along commuter only a competition-standard track, but a learner track, cycling routes and improving, through exercise, the to ensure that all levels of cyclist can get involved. It is general health of our population. important to remember that cycling is about not just There is a growing attitudinal change among the mountain and road bikes; people can participate in a public, who are ahead of us in many ways in understanding broad range of cycling. It is not just about getting from the benefits of cycling and in recognising that this issue A to B, which much of the debate has focused on; must not be framed as a debate of cyclist versus the car cycling can be fun for its own sake. driver. This attitudinal change is sadly yet to happen It would be wrong to suggest that all is rosy in within Government. The Department for Transport’s Hampshire. The experience of off-road cycleways and response to the report demonstrates that when it states: of the conflict with road junctions is the same as we “Cycle spending that makes a tangible contribution to other have heard from many hon. Members. Test Valley works Government departments, such as Health, Education, Sport and hard to ensure that there is a network of off-road cycle Business, should be funded from those budgets, not just the DfT.” routes, but the one that always comes to my attention is While that statement is undoubtedly true, by presenting the route running alongside the A3057. Often, we see it as a bold opening statement it is clear that the cyclists on the road rather than the cycleway, which Department is perhaps trying to pass the buck. Perhaps frustrates motorists. However, when I drill down with the Minister, in his closing remarks, will assuage my cyclists as to what the problem is, they tell me not only fears and prove that that is not the case. that we need capital investment to provide cycleways, If we are to make gains in preventive health for our but that cycleways need maintaining. They say that the population and make cycling safer, it is imperative that small stones they find if the cycleways are not swept can the Government’s attitude changes and a pro-cycling, be lethal to the thin tyres of road bikes. Indeed, the cross-departmental approach is developed. I used to be tarmac surface of the road is often better for serious a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, where athletes wishing to train and get up to good speeds. one of my colleagues is currently bringing forward a 117 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 118 private Member’s Bill to introduce more 20 mph speed ever single cash injection for cycling. The Liberal Democrats limits. I am conscious of what the hon. Member for have long campaigned for more people to be able to ride Battersea (Jane Ellison) and my right hon. Friend the out with confidence on our nation’s roads. This Government Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) said—that they are are a good supporter of cycling. However, we cannot successful only if they can be enforced—but there is no afford to be complacent on this issue. The all-party doubt that people want to see them happen, particularly group’s report offers us the chance to support cycling in housing estates. and ensure that the Government continue to work hard The money committed by the Government to cycling to promote the needs and safety of cyclists, alongside projects was dedicated to the financing of specific those of other road users. I wholeheartedly support worthwhile projects. Reference has been made in the today’s motion. I hope the Government will build on debate to the fact that there needs to be a more equitable the good work they have already done by taking forward spread of that money, so that the benefits of cycling can the report’s recommendations. be seen. Only a few weeks ago, as part of the world police and fire games, my constituency hosted mountain 9.6 pm bike trials that require considerable skill and involve a Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): We have already heard high level of risk, but they have much investment in this evening about the health and environmental benefits training. of cycling, through the reduction in pollution, congestion Hopefully, this debate will highlight the issue of cycling and pressure on city parking, and about the economic and encourage the Government. benefits from a cheap form of transport. In recent years we have seen some fantastic recreational facilities provided, 9.2 pm such as the coastal path in my constituency and a fantastic cycle path that goes from Llanelli up to Tumble Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): I congratulate along a disused railway that has a very gradual gradient. my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on introducing the debate, and all members of the However, this evening we are not just talking about all-party cycling group on their excellent report, “Get recreational facilities; we are talking about how to get Britain Cycling”. I support the report’s recommendations, people cycling much more in their everyday lives, and in particular for an annual cycling action plan and for not just on holiday. It needs to be practical and safe for sustained funding for cycling. people to go by bike wherever they need to go—whether to work or to the shops, the doctor’s, the leisure centre Liberal Democrats have long recognised the positive or the cinema, and so forth. That means making routes benefits of cycling. It assists in tackling road congestion, everywhere safer and more pleasant for cyclists. We reducing air pollution and supporting our economy. need proper investment—at least £10 a head, as the Not only is it a fast, cheap and green mode of transport, report suggests—to ensure the infrastructure. We need it promotes a healthier lifestyle too. It is a sobering fact the political will to prioritise spending on cycling. We that only 2% of journeys in the UK are made by bicycle. need joined-up thinking across Departments. We Our European neighbours put us to shame in this need thinking at the initial stages of planning for any regard. It is also important to note that approximately infrastructure, but we also need to look at retrospective half of all journeys made by car are only a few miles. measures. Surely we can encourage people to make some of those journeys by bike. I am pleased that targets are included There have been some adaptations in our cities, but in the motion, and I hope that the Government adopt there is a lot more to do. Some of our out-of-town them. shopping centres, for example, are a disgrace when it comes to providing for pedestrians and cyclists. There is In 2010, the gross contribution of cycling to the UK a lot of work to be done there. We need to think economy was almost £3 billion. According to calculations, imaginatively about some of our rural roads. How do if we encourage more people to cycle we could save the we get better visibility? How do we warn that there are UK economy a few hundred million pounds through cyclists about? How do we make some well-used stretches reduced road congestion and about £70 million to of rural roads, on which people want to get from one £80 million through less pollution. facility to another, practical on a bicycle? We have My hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman heard about encouraging children and young people Baker), the Minister for cycling, has been a champion through training programmes in schools, but we also of cycling for many years. I am pleased that he has need training programmes for young adults—possibly continued that attitude in government and done a good at university—and for adults when they start work. We job supporting cycling. For example, last March the talk about encouraging people to cycle, particularly Department for Transport published its door-to-door young children and school pupils, but we also need to strategy, which set out how the Government are encouraging be aware that designated cycle areas, such as along people to combine different methods of transport in canals or old railway tracks, might not be suitable if their journeys and increase the number of journeys they are not well lit and visible. Those areas need to be made by bicycle. In April, my hon. Friend the Minister in the public domain and within easy contact of a lot of for cycling announced £40 million of funding, which is people; otherwise they will not be suitable for use by being used at 78 locations to make roads and junctions children going to school. safer for cyclists. All those schemes are due to be There are all sorts of ways to encourage people, completed within 12 months. whether though special events, such as “Get your bike In August, the coalition Government announced a out” days, or giving them opportunities to have their dramatic boost for cycling funding. The Prime Minister bikes looked at, maintained and working again, and showed the Government’s commitment by making the getting back into the habit of going by bike. We also announcement himself, which represents the biggest need to sort out the issues with other forms of transport. 119 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 120

[Nia Griffith] local growth in jobs and the economy. We are trying to do that in Belper, particularly through the sale of local Although there has been a lot of progress, there are still food and local products. Furthermore, Transition Derby times when people cannot take their bikes on trains and is trying to stop people using their cars one day a week, awkward incidents when there seems to be no joined-up which is not too much to ask people to do. thinking. Those are not the only benefits that could come from I would like quickly to mention the Welsh Government’s extending the cycleway to the south. The added value of Active Travel (Wales) Bill, which will go through stage providing a safe cycleway from the Derwent valley into three of the legislative procedure on 1 October. The Bill Derby is that it would also serve the needs of numerous aims to encourage non-recreational active travel routes commuters living in the towns and villages in the valley, for walking and cycling, which are used by people especially Belper, Milford, Duffield, Little Eaton, Allestree for work, school or shopping. The Bill would require and Darley Abbey. It would provide a safe, healthy, local authorities in Wales to produce and distribute carbon-free alternative mode of transport that would comprehensive maps showing all the active travel routes reduce congestion and pollution. The benefits of such in their areas and, most importantly, to make continuous expenditure to leisure users and city communities is improvements to the range and quality of active travel self-evident, and I therefore ask the Minister to consider routes. They will be expected to make year-on-year adding to the current proposals for cycleways in national improvements, either by expanding the number of facilities parks and to fund an extension of the cycle route from or by upgrading existing ones. Matlock—he will be familiar with Matlock, as it is in On that note, I would like to ask the Minister, who the constituency of the Secretary of State—down to has now heard the tremendous cross-party support for Derby through the Derwent Valley Mills world heritage increased investment in cycling, whether he will try to site. convince his colleagues across Government that this is the right way forward, and that we want better investment 9.13 pm as well as clear, directional thinking and the real political Caroline Lucas (Brighton, Pavilion) (Green): I warmly will to put cycling right at the heart of Government. welcome the recommendations in the “Get Britain Cycling” report, and I want to add my congratulations to the all-party parliamentary cycling group on the work that 9.10 pm it has done on it. The benefits of increasing cycling to Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con): I congratulate public health, air quality, congestion, the local economy the Government on providing the extra money to support and people’s overall quality of life are huge and undisputed, the development of new, safe cycle routes that are and the report provides a comprehensive set of steps separated from traffic. Many people are saying that towards achieving a bold vision. there should be more money. Yes, we can always spend A cycling revolution is not just about incremental more money, but the Government have shown great growth in a few areas of the country. As the report sets leadership by making this money available. I was especially out, we should be aiming for pleased that some of it has been directed towards “a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of people who national parks, including the Peak District national cycle, because they see it as a safe and normal activity.” park to the north of my constituency. Many people So, although the warm words about cycling and the spend their leisure time there, yet it is still very dangerous extra funding are important, I have been disappointed for families to cycle along many of the area’s roads. by the Government’s rather half-hearted and complacent My constituency lies across the Derwent Valley Mills responses to so many of the other recommendations. It world heritage site, the cradle of the industrial revolution has been striking to hear the breadth of support from which kick-started modern economies, the development all parts of the House for more priority to be given to of technology and, ultimately, globalisation. However, cycling, and I hope that the Minister will now take it is still not possible for a family to cycle safely across another look at the merits of being more proactive in the heritage site from one historic site to the next. Part making the cycling revolution a reality. of the heritage site falls within the national park, but Sitting here this afternoon, I was impressed to hear the part in my constituency and in Derby, to the south, so many local examples of good practice, and I would does not. I would like to ask the Minister to provide like to add a few of my own from Brighton and Hove. some funding to enable the extension of the proposed Brighton and Hove is a very cycle-friendly city, so let me cycleways down through the world heritage site, via the highlight a few of its fantastic local initiatives. These historic mills at Belper, Milford and Darley Abbey, to powerfully illustrate some of the tremendous benefits the Silk Mill museum in Derby, which many people do that could be unlocked by acting on the report and not realise was the world’s first multi-storey factory. through meaningful political leadership at national level, The tourism business that could be generated by too. attracting people throughout the world to share the For example, Brighton and Hove Albion football interpretation of the world’s industrial heritage should club is constantly encouraging, promoting and facilitating not be underestimated. Once the new velodrome in cycling to the stadium, which is about five miles from Derby South has been completed and opened, even the city centre. “Bike train” rides are organised by more cyclists will be attracted to the area. Germany, experienced volunteers to help cyclists to take up a Austria and Italy have already harnessed the potential good amount of road space and benefit from safety in of attracting cycle tourists to increase their tourism numbers. All that helps cut air pollution, so it is not just income, which has the benefit of being spent mostly in those on the bikes who are reaping the health benefits. I local villages and towns, either in the small-scale catering have taken part in bike train rides on a number of industry or on buying regional products, thereby supporting occasions and have experienced how incredibly helpful 121 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 122 such schemes are, particularly for getting less confident about its ambitious plans to improve and encourage people on a bike and ensuring that they enjoy the cycling there. As part of that national park is in my experience by making it feel normal and safe. constituency, I was delighted to hear that cycling in the Secondly, there is to be an exciting new cycling hub at park is being given a £7.5 million boost to enhance the Brighton railway station, which was approved in July by cycle trail network. This will put an estimated 3.5 million the city council. This will increase the number of bike people within reach of the Peak District national park spaces by 420 to a total of 670, and provide shower and cycle network, either by bike or following just a short changing facilities, a bike shop, a café, a cycle repair train ride. outlet and bike hire—with these all in one place right at Cycling has gone ballistic in my part of West Yorkshire. the station, which is great for new and experienced My personal passion began with a series of country-wide cyclists alike. charity bike rides with Huddersfield Town football club. Thirdly, we recently introduced a new 1.8 km cycle The “Keep it Up” campaign has raised just short of lane that separates bikes from motorised traffic along £1 million for the Yorkshire air ambulance, as hundreds Old Shoreham road. People feel much safer, cycle journeys of Huddersfield Town fans have been sponsored to have rocketed by 30%, and it has been praised by many. cycle to and from opposing teams’ football grounds. Such “Copenhagen-style” improvements are crucial for Well done to all of them! cyclists to feel safe, especially those who are new to The grand départ will go through my constituency on cycling or less confident. Sunday 6 July next year. A huge number of cyclists are In response to requests from residents, the city council already out on the route, B and Bs are booked up, and is now consulting on a second phase of a programme to cycling-related festivals and events are being planned. introduce 20 mph speed limits. Again, this is not just The Government are backing the Tour de France in about cyclists, but about improving the street environment Yorkshire with £10 million of funding. However, there for all road users, including car drivers, by reducing the will not be just one day of the Tour in Yorkshire, number and severity of collisions and casualties, improving because there is now a legacy project called “Get Yorkshire traffic flows and making the city a safer and better place Cycling”—a 10-year strategy which will unlock potential to live in. A default speed limit of 20 mph is a key in the fields of health, the economy, the environment, recommendation of the report, which I think Ministers transport, tourism and community engagement. should not dismiss so quickly. Changing speed limits is As well as investment, cycling safety is paramount, not expensive, and if we are serious about “cycle proofing” and has been foremost in the minds of many people in all roads, adequate long-term funding is needed for my constituency this summer. John Radford of Meltham schemes such as new cycle lanes. is a popular cycling champion, but he is now fighting Finally, let me say a few words about the great for his life following a collision with a car. He suffered environmental gains—both for local air quality and cutting severe head injuries and had to be airlifted to Leeds carbon pollution—that would follow from the UK general infirmary, where he remains critically ill. John is becoming a true cycling nation. I end by emphasising chairman of Huddersfield and District cyclists touring that there are also very good economic and social reasons, club, and has been working tirelessly to promote cycling which would alone provide ample grounds for full locally and nationally. implementation of all the report’s recommendations. Cycling is a community. Last month I joined 200 of For example, according to a Sustrans report last year, John’s friends to take part in a six-mile ride to show our 1.5 million people are in transport poverty. These people support and help to raise cash for the Yorkshire air are unable to get to jobs, shops, health care or school ambulance, which flew him to hospital. The ride was because they cannot drive or run a car, while public organised by Councillor Martyn Bolt, the mayor of transport is inaccessible and they cannot use bikes Kirklees. I know that all Members will want to send either. More investment in bikes would help them their best wishes to John and his family. tremendously. Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): Will the hon. 9.17 pm Gentleman give way? Jason McCartney (Colne Valley) (Con): As one of the panel members of the all-party parliamentary cycling Jason McCartney: I will not, because I have only group’s report “Get Britain Cycling”, I am delighted to 30 seconds left. take part in today’s debate. I am delighted, too, because British Cycling is continuing to work with Ministers I am undertaking the parliamentary sports fellowship and the likes of Sustrans and the CTC to push for with British Cycling for the coming year. change. This is not just about safety. Cycling needs to sit I fully support the report’s aims, especially the target at the heart of transport policy, and as it becomes more to have 10% of all journeys made by bike by 2025 and and more popular, we need to make it safer as well. 25% by the year 2050. The motion also calls for the We need better collaboration between Government Government to show strong political leadership, including departments. Mr. Speaker, let’s “Get Britain Cycling”. an annual cycling action plan and sustained funding for cycling. I would particularly like to welcome the latest Government action, which includes making it easier for 9.21 pm councils to install cycle facilities, cycle proofing of road Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Some of my infrastructure and stumping up £148 million of new constituents who urged me to take part in the debate funding between now and 2015. may have been surprised when I wrote back to say that, In fact, along with my right hon. Friend the Secretary although I would put in for it, I could not guarantee State for Transport, I was at the headquarters of the that I would be able to speak, or able to speak for long. I Peak District national park over the summer, hearing think that, in general, the British public underestimate 123 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 124

[Sheila Gilmore] 9.25 pm David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): I did not learn the the extent and seriousness of the House’s interest in joys of cycling in Holland or even in Hexham; I learned cycling. Debates on the subject have been greatly over- them in the constituency of the Minister when I was a subscribed, at least during the time for which I have young teenager. However, I have gained a far greater been a Member of Parliament, and I think that that is a appreciation of cycling since becoming the Member of huge step forward. Parliament for Macclesfield. At the elite level, we are It is a pity that a debate which has been so well fortunate to have the national cycling centre in Manchester, supported will not receive much publicity. It will not, I and Team GB were often seen training on the junction suspect, feature on the front pages of many newspapers, between the Cheshire plain and the Peak district, where despite our best endeavours. That is probably because it we in Macclesfield are so fortunate to live. We saw them is too consensual. The British public, or perhaps the cycling up the Cat and Fiddle road and clearly setting media, are sometimes a bit odd in that respect. We are the standard on how to take elite sport forward. always being urged to be more consensual, but when we My area is also privileged to have Dame Sarah Storey, are more consensual, we tend to be ignored, and what our most decorated Paralympian of all time, who lives we say is not considered very important. I hope that at in Disley. It is only fitting, but I am delighted that least some attention will be paid to this debate, because—as Disley parish council is unveiling a commissioned sculpture was pointed out by the hon. Members for Totnes in her memory in a few weeks’ time and celebrating her (Dr Wollaston) and for Gloucester (Richard Graham)—it tremendous accomplishments with an amazing cycling is important for us to mention not just the problems but day in the village. We are also fortunate enough to have the fun and enjoyment of cycling. an incredible cycling club, Macclesfield Wheelers, which sets an incredibly high standard with its legendary It is also important for people to realise that Members cycling trials between Macclesfield and Congleton. It is of Parliament are human beings who “get” cycling. The also setting a really high standard as advocates for its hon. Member for Rugby (Mark Pawsey) said that we pastime and passion, and the club has certainly helped might not look like MPs if we turned up sweating from me to gain a greater understanding of what needs to cycling, but MPs are people as well. When I was first a happen to take cycling forward. councillor and cycled around my ward all the time, my What most encourages me is the number of people constituents initially thought that I was a touch eccentric, taking to cycling on their own initiative, whether it is but as they got to know me, they realised that that was getting out into the Peak district—many MPs have actually a very sensible thing to do. Cycling gets us to spoken about that—enjoying Macclesfield forest, getting where we want to be very quickly and efficiently, especially out on the Middlewood way with their families or just in cities. Sadly, in rural areas cycle use is falling rather taking the bike to go to the shops. The public in Britain than rising, and that is clearly an issue that we should get cycling. They understand its benefits, and not only think about. because of the Olympics and the Tour de France, with the great successes of Sir Bradley Wiggins; they are When I was a young trainee solicitor, I was asked to seeing the health and well-being benefits of cycling. deliver an offer. Housing offers had to be delivered by a deadline of noon, and this was before the days of fax Jim Shannon: One thing that has perhaps been omitted and e-mail: they had to be delivered physically. When from the report is the issue of safety helmets for children my boss said that the offer must be delivered by 12 o’clock, under the age of 15. Does the hon. Gentleman feel that I said “I will just go and get my bike”, but he threw me their use should be compulsory for people of that age in the car keys and insisted that I take the car. Of course, order to prevent accidents, because that is when the taking the bike would have been much more efficient. greatest number of accidents takes place? Once you get the car to the destination, assuming that was in time, there would be nowhere to park it, and in David Rutley: That subject has been well debated parking it five minutes’ walk away, absolutely nothing today. There are pros and cons, but the overwhelming has been gained. People have to understand that. suggestion from people here is that if we make helmets compulsory, fewer people will cycle. We are trying to Even in a city such as mine, where generally, as I say, “Let’s get people cycling.” This is not about having indicated in an intervention, a lot of money is being a health and safety-fest; it is about encouraging people spent on cycling and there is a lot of support for it, the to get out cycling and seeing the health and well-being proposal for how to deal with Princes street once the benefits, which are profound. They are also lifelong, trams arrive and start working was, disappointingly, to unlike those associated with football, rugby or some of have an only one-way cycle route, along that prime the other sports we are keen to support. street of the city. One argument for that was that the alternative route, which would have had a two-way cycle The other thing we should note is that cycling also route, was on one of the big national cycle routes and gives a real boost to the local economy, particularly in people would want to go through it. I greatly admire rural areas. Cycling is vital as it provides revenues for people who do long-distance cycling, but I am not one countless B and Bs, guest houses, cafés, pubs and, let us of them; for many of us we are talking about a daily not forget, local cycling shops, which seem to be springing event, and people want to go from A to B easily. up in many villages. Given those important benefits to Perhaps Edinburgh council is listening, along with other tourism, I am delighted to join my hon. Friend the councils, because they have to make it easy for us to get Member for Colne Valley (Jason McCartney) and colleagues to where we want to be, as that will encourage a lot of from elsewhere in highlighting what the Peak District people to get cycling. national park is doing to get more people cycling through its cycling festival, which I believe is taking place next 125 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 126 weekend. I have also been out cycling with the Secretary Transport Minister, delivered real policies that saved of State for Transport on the Monsal trail. That just lives. I am very sorry to have lost his expertise as a shows that he is absolutely committed to, and understands Member of our Front-Bench team. However, I know the importance of, cycling. that he will continue to make a considerable contribution As co-chair of the all-party group on mountaineering, on this and many other issues in the future, albeit from I am passionate about campaigning to get people out the Back Benches. and active outdoors. Normally, this is about getting I am clear that supporting cycling is a hugely cost-effective them out and active on two feet, through the “Britain way of improving our personal and national quality of on Foot” campaign, but I recognise today that it is vital life. When nearly a quarter of all car journeys are for to get people active on two wheels as well. It is fantastic less than a mile, making cycling a more attractive option to see the degree of participation in this debate. has great potential to cut congestion and boost the I am delighted that the Government are taking action economy. With families facing a cost of living crisis, in this area. Many have talked about the important making more journeys by bike is a good way to reduce funding for cycling ambition grants, which will have the impact of rising fuel costs on the household budget, profound benefits for cities such as Manchester and and as a cost and time-effective way of staying fit, to national parks such as the Peak District. I am pleased which many Members have attested this evening, cycling that more steps are being taken to encourage the setting has real health benefits. Of course, it also benefits the up of 20 mph speed limit zones and to make it easier for environment, helping us to cut emissions and reduce them to be established. However, I was talking to transport’s contribution to climate change, which remains Macclesfield Wheelers and its chairman, Peter McGuckian, significant. earlier today, and there is more that needs to be done. We must improve signage to ensure that people feel The message is being heard, with 20% more people safer on the roads when they are out cycling. He also cycling than a decade ago, yet if one goes to the talked about the importance of setting up more advanced Netherlands—as I also have as part of our policy stop positions, which are vital for cyclists. He also asked review—it is apparent how much further we still have to me to urge that motor-related offences against cyclists go. In Holland, a third of all trips to and from rail should be taken much more seriously than they have stations are by bike compared with 2% here. I have seen been in the past. for myself the fantastic facilities for cyclists at stations Let me conclude by focusing on the potential for cycling. in Holland, where there are not just bike spaces but My mother is Danish, so I understood the importance undercover staffed storage with people on hand to of cycling from an early age. For many people it is not repair and maintain bikes while owners are at work. It is just a sport, an outdoor activity or a mode of transport—it a matter of investment—10 times more is spent per is part of people’s lives. There is real potential to make head of population on cycling in Holland than in the this a way of life that will benefit countless people. UK—but it is also about attitude and commitment. I am sorry to say that we have not seen the commitment from the Government that we need to see to increase 9.30 pm cycling and to make it safer to cycle. Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): This Immediately on taking office, Transport Ministers has been a excellent debate with positive contributes abolished Cycling England and, more importantly, its from 33 colleagues on both sides of the House. The £60 million annual budget and the cycling city and clear message is that Parliament wants to see greater towns programme that we established. Since then, policy support for cycling, not just from the Government but after policy has set back the progress that we were from all parties. That is the call to which I want to making. Targets to cut deaths and serious injuries on respond on behalf of the Opposition this evening. our roads were abolished, even though they brought First, let me pay tribute to the all-party group on focus to efforts to improve safety. The THINK! road cycling. The “Get Britain Cycling” report is excellent, safety campaigns have been degraded, road traffic police well-argued and persuasive and has had a considerable numbers have fallen and support for speed cameras has influence as we have reconsidered our approach to been axed, which has made enforcement much more cycling as party of Labour’s policy review. I congratulate difficult. Longer HGVs have been given the green light, the hon. Member for Cambridge (Dr Huppert) on despite the Department for Transport’s analysis of securing and opening the debate on behalf of the all-party consequential increased road casualties. group, but I also particularly want to pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin). This summer we heard the long-awaited promise that He also made an excellent contribution to the debate, of axed funding for cycling would be restored, but headlines course. Less visible, but absolutely vital, is the energy about the figure of £148 million turned out to be spin. with which he has sought to persuade my colleagues The reality is an average of just £38 million a year until and I that we must make a much greater commitment to 2016, with the rest to be found by local authorities, cycling and that we must go significantly further than which is a third less than the previous Government’s the important progress that we started to make in investment. With only one tenth of the population government. benefiting, that is simply too little, too late, after three wasted years. Finally, let me mention my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick). He not It is clear that we need a step change in the Government’s only made a customarily informed and passionate commitment to cycling. There should be a long-term contribution today, but has been a powerful advocate commitment that is supported by all parties and that for both cycling and improving safety on our roads for will last across Parliaments. I shall briefly set out clear many years—advocacy that, coming from a respected proposals for what should form the basis of that new 127 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 128

[Maria Eagle] should be supported to deliver 20 mph zones, which should increasingly become an effective default in most commitment and I hope that the Minister will respond residential areas. positively to each of them so that we can begin to forge Fifthly, we must ensure that children and young the cross-party consensus that cycling needs and deserves. people have every opportunity to cycle and to do so First, we must end the stop-start approach to supporting safely. The Government should not have ended long-term cycling, which means that we need long-term funding of funding certainty for the Bikeability scheme, nor axed the infrastructure needed for dedicated separate safe the requirement for school travel plans. Those decisions cycling routes. Ministers recently set out annual budgets can and should be reversed. Sixthly, we need to make it for rail and road investment up to 2020-21, but they easier for cycling to become part of the journey to failed to do so for cycling infrastructure, which means work, even when the commute is too far to do by bike that while there is a £28 billion commitment for roads, alone. Employers can play an important role in providing we have only a one-off £114 million from central access to showers, changing facilities and lockers. However, Government for cycling, and that is spread across three our public transport providers need to step up and do years. It is time for a serious rethink of priorities within much more too. Instead of the Government’s approach, the roads budget with a proportion reallocated to deliver which has been to propose a weakening of franchise a long-term funding settlement for cycling infrastructure. obligations, we should toughen up the requirement to provide station facilities and on-train space for bikes in The priority for investment to support cycling must rail contracts. be dedicated, separated infrastructure to create safe Seventhly, we need to ensure that justice is done and routes. The focus has too often been on painting a thin seen to be done in cases where collisions lead to the death section at the side of the road a different colour. Genuinely of cyclists and serious injuries. I welcome the recent separated cycle routes are vital not only to improve commitment from Ministers to initiate a review of safety but, as we have heard from many hon. Members, sentencing guidelines. It is vital that this is a comprehensive to build confidence and to encourage those who are not review of the justice system and how it protects vulnerable used to cycling to make the switch to two wheels. It is road users, and it should be concluded without delay in also important that a commitment to new infrastructure this Parliament. We are certainly willing to work with does not become an excuse not to improve the safety of Government to implement sensible changes that may be cyclists on roads where there is no separation. The proposed. priority should be redesigning dangerous junctions where almost two thirds of cyclist deaths and serious injuries Finally, we need tough new rules and requirements due to collisions take place. We need a much greater use on heavy goods vehicles that are involved in about a of traffic light phasing to give cyclists a head start. fifth of all cycling fatalities, despite the fact that HGVs make up just 6% of road traffic—there is clearly an Secondly, we need to ensure that we do not repeat the issue there. We should look at the case for taking HGVs mistakes of the past, so I propose a cycle safety assessment out of our cities at the busiest times, as has happened before new transport schemes are given the green light. elsewhere in Europe, including in Paris and Dublin. As In the same way in which Departments have to carry a minimum, we should require safety measures on all out regulatory impact assessments and equality impact HGVs, including sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, assessments, there should be an obligation to cycle-proof extra mirrors and safety bars, as well as better training new policies and projects. We need new enforceable and awareness. I have previously suggested to Ministers design standards and measures to ensure compliance. that the £23 million that is expected to be raised annually from the new HGV road-charging scheme could be Thirdly, we need national targets to cut deaths and used to support the road haulage industry to achieve serious injuries to be restored, but they should sit alongside that. I hope that that idea will be taken seriously and a new target to increase levels of cycling. The number of considered by Ministers, along with all those clear cyclist deaths is tragically at a five-year high. Of course, proposals. Taken together, I believe that that would be a targets alone are not the only answer, but they help to significant improvement in the Government’s current focus minds and efforts, so Ministers are wrong to reject approach, and it is something that all parties could them. However, it is vital to ensure that targets do not support across the House. perversely lead to local authorities and others seeing the way to cut deaths and injuries as discouraging cycling. Cycling has the potential to be a huge British success In fact, cycling becomes safer when more cyclists are on story, but it needs a new approach and a shared commitment the road, so we should learn from the success that has across Government, councils, schools, employers and been achieved in European countries that have set clear public transport providers. Most of all, it needs Ministers goals to increase levels of cycling alongside the policies to cut the spin and instead give cycling infrastructure necessary to achieve that. greater priority within the existing transport investment plans that they have set out. It is time to end the Fourthly, we should learn from Wales and extend to stop-start approach that is getting in the way of progress England its active travel legislation, which sets out clear and agree a cross-party, long-term commitment to cycling. duties on local authorities to support cycling. Local authorities are central to devising, prioritising and delivering 9.42 pm measures to support cycling, so it is important that additional support from central Government is matched The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport by clear obligations. To assist councils, we should provide (Norman Baker): I welcome the fact that the debate has them with a best-practice toolkit to boost cycling numbers taken place. It follows the very successful debate in that is based on what we learned from the cycling city Westminster Hall, which was also engendered by the and towns programme and evidence from abroad. Councils all-party group on cycling. I pay particular tribute to 129 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 130 my colleague, my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge Norman Baker: I entirely agree. As one Member said (Dr Huppert), and the hon. Member for Dudley North earlier, cycling must be for everyone. It is the Government’s (Ian Austin), for their leadership of that group, and, intention to make sure that that message goes out loud indeed, to all members of that group for a very good and clear. report. I welcome the fact that this has been a well-attended debate, and that the contributions from Members from Mr Bradshaw: Will the Minister give way? all parts of the House have, almost without exception, been positive and constructive. I am particularly pleased Norman Baker: I will, briefly. to hear the news of individual MPs taking up cycling. That is now on the record in Hansard, and doubtless their constituents will hold them to that commitment. Mr Bradshaw: The Minister said a moment ago that this is the most pro-cycling Government ever. What is The Government wants more people to cycle more his response to the disgraceful comments of the often, more safely. We are determined to drive that Communities Secretary that cycling was an obsession of forward. We have a good record to date, but I want to the elite and that he wanted to make a free-for-all for make it clear that we want to go even further. I believe motorists to park on double yellow lines? that we have the most pro-cycling Government that the country has ever had, and we are determined to go even further. Norman Baker: I think the Communities Secretary is capable of answering for himself. Cycling is good for the environment, good for individual health, and good for the economy. It is good for the I want to mention the funding arrangements which environment, because it cuts carbon emissions, noise this Government has put in place. If people believed and air pollution. It is good for individual health, and I some of the earlier comments, including from the right am delighted both that the former Health Minister, the hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw), they would hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), has attended think that this Government had not been funding cycling. the debate, and by the contribution that the Department That is quite untrue. In fact, we are funding cycling of Health has made towards to cycling efforts in more than the Labour Government did. Between 2005 government, including the financial contribution that it and 2010 the previous Administration spent £140 million— has made to some of our projects. NHS reforms provide £200 million with match funding—on cycling. Under an opportunity at local level for the public health function this Administration, £278 million—£375 million with to be discharged in conjunction with the transport match funding—will be spent in our five-year period. function in a way that simply was not possible before. That is almost double what the Labour Government spent in the previous five years. When Opposition Members Cycling is also good for the economy. Last week, I complain that there is not enough funding, a little more was in Cambridge, where 47% of adults cycle at least humility would not go amiss. once a week. I congratulate the three councils there: I entirely agree with the comments made by hon. Conservative Cambridgeshire county council, South Members that it is important not to neglect rural areas. Cambridgeshire district council, and my Lib Dem colleagues That is why the Government has committed £600 million on Cambridge city council, who are working together to the local sustainable transport fund, which equates to promote cycling. The lesson there is that whereas the to £1 billion with match funding. That local sustainable population of Cambridge has risen from 105,000 to transport fund has funded 96 projects, 94 of which have 125,000 in a decade, car travel is flat because the councils cycling elements. A further £100 million capital and have incentivised cycling. If the three councils together £78 million revenue funding has been allocated for the had not done that, there would be gridlock in Cambridge LSTF in 2015-16. We have seen £44 million committed as a consequence. So the lesson is that those who want throughout this Parliament to support cycle training for to help the local economy will help the local cyclist. schoolchildren. I might say to the shadow Secretary of Those who advocate anti-cycling policies damage the State that the first thing we did on cycling as a coalition local economy. Government was to commit to Bikeability funding It is worth pointing out that a 20% increase in cycling throughout the whole Parliament to give the certainty levels from 2010 to 2015 could save the economy which she says she wants. £207 million in reduced traffic congestion and £71 In addition to all that, £159 million has been announced million in reduced pollution levels. Members on both since the beginning of 2012—£94 million to increase sides of the House who have drawn attention to the cycling in eight cities and four national parks, £20 million economic value of cycling are absolutely right to do so. to deliver safer junctions outside London, £15 million to enable cycle parking at rail stations, £15 million to Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): My hon. provide more safe cycling links between communities Friend knows that there will be a huge boost to tourism and £15 million for junction safety in London. In times in Yorkshire from the Tour de France next year. I did of plenty, the allocation to cycling measures was not get the chance during the debate to mention that in £200 million. In times of hardship, we have had £370 Otley, which is part of the route, and the birthplace of million from this coalition Government. Lizzie Armitstead who won the first medal in the London 2012 Olympics, we also have a lot of work Hugh Bayley: I am concerned that much of the going on at grass-roots level. My constituent Joseph money spent on cycling measures under the previous Cullen is working very hard to get ordinary people Government and the present one is spent badly because cycling. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is as important the planners and engineers who design road systems do to get ordinary people cycling as it is to train Olympians not understand cycling well enough. Will the Minister of the future? meet the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Royal Town 131 Cycling2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Cycling 132

[Hugh Bayley] on. To pick up on a point the shadow Secretary of State made, I am happy to say that no incidents involving Planning Institute and others to try to create a professional cyclists and semi-trailers have been reported since the qualification for cycling planners, and then to insist that trial began. local authorities use such people in designing their systems? Sir Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): My hon. Friend may be aware that I have had discussions with Norman Baker: The local sustainable transport fund some of the HGV trailer manufacturers and know that schemes—there are 94—were all subject to expert analysis, they would be very willing to see additional safety including by those from local authorities and others measures and happy to work with the Department to who know about cycling, but if the hon. Gentleman achieve that. Will he join me in welcoming that initiative thinks that it would be helpful for him and me to meet and see how that can be progressed very quickly indeed? particular people, I would be happy to do so. He should phone my office and we will sort it out. Norman Baker: I certainly welcome that, and I welcome I also want to mention a key recommendation that, the constructive response we have seen already from the to my surprise, was not touched on much in the all-party Freight Transport Association, for example. That comment group’s report: cycle-proofing—although the shadow is very welcome and I am sure that my colleague, the Secretary of State referred to it in her comments. The hon. Member for Wimbledon, is aware of that and can “Action for roads” Command Paper, published in July take it on board and move forward appropriately. this year, made it plain that we want to cycle-proof our As I said, any one death on the road is one too many. road network and minimise situations where major Figures for London show that between 2008 and 2012, roads are a barrier to walkers and communities. All new 53% of all pedal cycle fatalities were a consequence of roads and improvement schemes on the strategic road direct conflict with HGVs, so there is a serious issue network will be designed with cyclists, as well as motorists, that we are very much aware of, as I think is the Mayor. in mind. There is almost £5 million for 14 schemes We are taking steps to deal with it through a number of identified in the strategic road network where the changes. It is also important to note that cycling in Government will fund significant improvements to remove London has increased by 173% since 2000, and figures barriers to cycling, with a further £15 million for such for cycling deaths and injuries have to be borne in mind improvements in 2015-16. Officials are currently planning in relation to the big increase in cycling that has taken a conference on cycle-proofing roads later this year, place. which will involve council chiefs, directors of highways and planning, representatives from local economic Jane Ellison: On the point about HGV safety, tomorrow partnerships and national parks and so on to ensure morning I am visiting the regeneration site at Battersea that we have the expertise and can work out how best to power station, where the developers, owners and cycle-proof our roads, streets and communities. constructors are running a specific day of cycle awareness training with HGV drivers and cyclists. Does the Minister Steve Brine: I know that the Minister did not want to welcome such moves where developers take responsibility move on without responding to my challenge in respect for HGVs moving in and out of their sites? Perhaps that of junction 9 of the M3 and the Highways Agency, so I is a way forward. just want to give him a chance to do so. Norman Baker: That is exactly the right response, and Norman Baker: I congratulate the hon. Gentleman I hope that it will become common practice across on getting that point into the debate twice. I do not have industry and across the country. a specific answer, but I will write to him subsequently. I want to respond to some of the comments made by Indeed, if there are any other specific comments that Members. In the previous cycling debate, the hon. Member Members have made that I cannot respond to, I will try for Dudley North (Ian Austin) called for the Prime to do so in writing subsequently. Minister to lead and take action. The hon. Gentleman We are looking at the feasibility of a new national was very nice to me today but lamented the fact that I cycleway broadly to follow the HS2 corridor, which was, he implied, dealing with this without support. That would link people, communities and local stations to is not the case. There is support from all my colleagues the countryside and tourist attractions and benefit those in the Department for Transport and from different living along the corridor. We are looking for these Departments across Government, and the Prime Minister opportunities to improve cycling. himself made a statement in August. That clearly indicates I also want to touch on the safety of cycling, which of the importance that the Government as a whole attaches course is very important. The Transport Secretary and to the matter. If any colleagues across Government others have made it clear that any death on the roads were not taking it seriously, I am sure that the Prime involving a cyclist is one too many. We are determined Minister’s appearance in August will ensure that they to take what action we can to minimise the number of take it more seriously than they did previously. cycling deaths. That is why I have made it possible for There have been a number of suggestions that we local authorities to install Trixi mirrors at junctions should have a cycling champion. The hon. Member for without having to apply to the Department for Transport Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick) talked about and why my colleague the hon. Member for Wimbledon that. I am very sorry that he is no longer on the Front (Stephen Hammond) has been so assiduous in trying to Bench, by the way. He has been a very good Minister in deal with the problems of HGVs and to ensure that his time, and a shadow Minister as well—not just the some of the points mentioned by Opposition Members Member for Poplar but a popular Minister. He asked are properly dealt with through mirrors, cameras and so whether I am the national champion for cycling. I hope 133 Cycling 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 134 that I am a national champion for cycling, but so are my far more still to do. I hope that the support expressed in right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, this debate will add extra weight to the call on all our my other colleagues in the Department for Transport, parties for this Government and all future Governments and the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. to try to do their best to get Britain cycling. We want to make sure that this is owned across Government It is also fantastic that while so many right hon. and by all Departments. The danger of having one person hon. Members have been here, outside a huge number— identified in the role is that others do not feel the need some 5,000—cyclists organised by the London Cycling to participate in the same way. I am not particularly Campaign have been showing their support for what we keen to use the word “tsar”, by the way. The history of are doing and trying to help to get Britain cycling. I am tsars at the end of imperial Russia is not a happy one, pleased that the Cambridge Cycling Campaign has and we can probably do without it. been involved in all that. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Totnes I am really delighted that we have had this debate. I (Dr Wollaston) for drawing attention to the health hope that it will give an impetus towards improving benefits of cycling. We used the World Health Organisation facilities for cyclists, and also for pedestrians and economic assessment tool in assessing the cycle city and consequently for drivers and all other road users. I national park bids and the grants we subsequently gave. commend the motion to the House. She mentioned 20-mph speed limits. I hope that she will Question put and agreed to. welcome, as others have, the fact that this Government have made it easier for local councils to introduce Resolved, 20-mph limits, which I campaigned on for a decade That this House welcomes the recommendations of the All-Party before they finally became reality under this Government. Parliamentary Cycling Group’s report “Get Britain Cycling”; She asked about enforcement, which several other Members endorses the target of 10 per cent of all journeys being by bike by 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050; and calls on the Government to properly raised. The hon. Member for Wimbledon and show strong political leadership, including an annual Cycling I had a meeting with Suzette Davenport, who is a lead Action Plan and sustained funding for cycling. member on this for the Association of Chief Police Officers. She has agreed to rewrite the guidance for ACPO on the enforcement of 20-mph limits, and I hope Business without Debate that that will appear before long. I have to say that there were a couple of churlish DELEGATED LEGISLATION comments. The hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Central (Chi Onwurah) complained about the Order No. 118(6)), Government’s approach. I should point out that she has had £10 million in two local sustainable transport tranches, £5.7 million through a cycle city ambition grant, and PUBLIC BODIES £1.24 million for cycle safety funding. That is £17 million That the draft Public Bodies (Abolition of the Registrar of for Newcastle and she was the most ungrateful Member Public Lending Right) Order 2013, which was laid before this here today. The second most ungrateful Member was House on 9 May, be approved.—(Nicky Morgan.) the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), [Relevant document: First Report from the Culture, Media and who said that the Government were doing nothing and Sport Committee, Scrutiny of the draft Public Bodies (Abolition of forgot to mention that the scheme at Brighton station the Registrar of Public Lending Right) Order, HC 506.] that she identified—the cycle rail fund—and the cycle Question agreed to. lanes on Old Shoreham road and Lewes road are paid Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing for from the Government’s funding. Order No. 118(6)), I am delighted that this has been such a good debate and that so many people have turned up to contribute. I REGULATORY REFORM confirm that the Government takes this matter very That the draft Regulatory, Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 seriously, and we will make further progress. In the (Amendment of Schedule 3) Order 2013, which was laid before spirit of coalition unity, let me say that I have something this House on 24 June, be approved.—(Nicky Morgan.) in common with Norman Tebbit—we both want people Question agreed to. to get on their bikes.

EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS 9.58 pm Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Dr Huppert: It has been fantastic to have such a great Order No. 119(11)), debate with so many right hon. and hon. Members contributing. The passion expressed has been really FREE MOVEMENT OF WORKERS fantastic. The support for the cross-party report, “Get That this House takes note of European Union Document Britain Cycling”, is very welcome and I am very pleased No. 9124/13 and Addenda 1 and 2, a draft Directive of the to see it. European Parliament and of the Council on measures facilitating At our conference in two weeks’ time, my party will the exercise of rights conferred on workers in the context of debate adopting this as part of our party policy and freedom of movement for workers; notes that the proposal seeks then in our manifesto. I hope that other parties will do to prevent discrimination against EU nationals when seeking work in another Member State; further notes that this proposal is the same, because it would be marvellous if at the next intended to facilitate the exercise of existing rights, in particular election they all offer some serious improvements on by requiring Member States to provide adequate judicial or cycling. For years—for decades—Governments have administrative means of redress, to designate a body or bodies for not done enough. We are doing more now but there is promotion and support of equal treatment of workers and their 135 Business without Debate 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 136 family members, to encourage social dialogue and to disseminate Charitable Support Work information on free movement rights; and supports the Government’s approach of seeking to ensure that no EU legislation is adopted Romanian Orphanages) that creates new free movement rights or imposes unnecessary Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House bureaucratic burdens.—(Nicky Morgan.) do now adjourn.—(Nicky Morgan.) Question agreed to. 10 pm Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) (Lab): I am grateful for the opportunity to raise in the House an issue that has, surprisingly, been subject to very few debates over the years, namely the plight of Romanian orphans, children and young adults living in institutions and, in particular, the charitable support work for them over many years. Few of us will ever forget the awful images in the 1990s of the horrors of Romanian orphanages, which were exposed following the collapse of the Ceausescu regime in 1989. The world was stunned by the television and newspaper images of half-starved, abandoned children tied to their beds. Aid agencies rushed to help and Governments throughout the world condemned what they saw. I am sure that many Members will know someone who answered the call to offer help to those children and young adults. One such person was a constituent of mine, a lady called Linda Barr. Although we called the institutions in the images orphanages, the reality was that most of the children in them had parents, but those parents were simply not able to afford to feed and care for their large families. The aim of the Ceausescu regime had been to increase the population of Romania to 30 million by 2000, with women required by law to have at least four children—a number that was later increased to five. Families who had fewer than three children were taxed heavily. That policy weighed heavily on the Romanian nation, and the long-lasting consequences of such a policy cannot easily be rectified. The orphanages were staffed by the minimum number of people required to keep the institution operational, but no consideration was given to the developmental needs of the children. Children in the institutions grew up without any mental stimulation or physical activity, without any loving human touch and often without sufficient food, clothing or health care.

Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving way; I spoke to him earlier about my intervention. He has mentioned the number of charitable organisations. Does he recognise the good work done by churches in my constituency, such as my own Baptist church in Newtownards, and many others across the United Kingdom, which made immense contributions to help the Romanian children?

Mr Brown: Absolutely. I fully recognise that. That is not really a debate I wish to have this evening, but I recognise everything that was done by communities throughout the UK and further afield. Charities from other countries wanted to help the plight of Romanian children and young people at the time and they still do that work. For the young adults, the consequence of growing up in state institutions has been an even more difficult adult life. Upon reaching adulthood, most of them were unprepared for jobs or higher education. Some former orphans joined the military or entered the secret service 137 Charitable Support Work 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Charitable Support Work 138 Romanian Orphanages) Romanian Orphanages) and some attempted to fit into society, but most found I recognise that the mayor and the director general of themselves homeless. It should be recognised that post- sector 2 are upset and angry at the documentary shown Ceausescu, great improvements were made by the on Romanian Antena 3, “The Irrecuperable Romania – authorities and support for the children and young Bucharest”, which was broadcast on national television adults came from many parts. The improvements were in May of this year, but there was absolutely no need for made possible in no small measure by the work of the them to accuse members of the RAP Foundation, through many organisations and charities that developed within media releases, of having “occult intentions” or to say Romania and across the world, as the hon. Member for that Strangford (Jim Shannon) mentioned. “the Scots should go home and look after their own sick people”. In my area, Linda Barr, who has worked with children I do not know many of those involved with the RAP and young adults in Romania for more than 20 years, Foundation, but I assure the Minister that I would trust along with her colleagues in the health service, set up those I do know implicitly. Two local people, Linda the Dumfries Hospitals Romanian Support Group and Barr and John Glover, have both received awards through then established the RAP Foundation. I know that the the honours system for their charitable work. Minister is very much aware of the work of the foundation. Former employees of one of the homes told members It has successfully developed direct working links with of the foundation that severely disabled young people colleagues in Romania to advance the education of are kept tied to their beds, and many are showing signs children and young people with disabilities in the country, of severe malnutrition. Beatings and other forms of particularly in Bucharest, and to relieve their suffering physical and mental abuse were also described—I really and distress. thought we had got past what we witnessed under In July 2007, the foundation officially opened its first Ceausescu. Examples are given of residents lying on supported accommodation apartment, providing a family- their backs and being force fed by nurses. Patients’ style home for four young people: Aurel, Florin, Razvan mouths are open while food is stuffed in so quickly that and Virgil. The foundation works with its project partner, they try desperately to resist. Two female residents have the Romanian Angel Appeal, and other agencies to recently died of pneumonia in the institution after support the apartment and to develop similar projects. allegedly being denied emergency medical care. After having viewed what was televised, Professor For 17 years, the foundation has arranged for children Michael Kerr, professor of learning disability, psychiatry and young adults from Bucharest to go on seaside and honorary consultant in neuropsychiatry at Cardiff holidays of a lifetime on the Black sea coast. However, university, provided his independent professional opinion: as the Minister is aware from the correspondence that I “All the individuals with a disability seen on camera appear to have sent him, this year’s holiday was in danger of not be seriously, most probably dangerously, underweight. Such a going ahead. It would appear that because concern was degree of underweight needs urgent assessment as it is associated expressed by members of the foundation and others with a very high mortality. As all the individuals show such over the treatment of a number of young people with underweight there must be serious concerns that the cause is disabilities in the Gheorghe Serban district of Bucharest, systemic. That is related to dietary practices or environmental the general directorate of social assistance and child stress.” protection of sector 2 sought to put in place what can Professor Kerr recommended an urgent assessment be only be described as a number of hurdles to prevent this made by specialists outside the current care team and year’s holiday from taking place. It delayed agreeing to said: the holiday to the extent that the original bookings had “In fact, refusal of entry to such assessors would simply to be cancelled. It demanded that the RAP Foundation increase the gravity of my concern”. be registered as a “provider of social assistance”, even The RAP Foundation has funded all the work it has though its work as a sponsor does not require such undertaken in Romania over these years, and has never registration and despite its long-standing collaboration at any time sought financial support from the authorities with the Romanian Angel Appeal, which is a well-known in Romania. It is funded through charitable donations non-governmental organisation working in Romania raised from people of all ages who live in Scotland and that is registered as a “provider of social assistance”. south Wales. What is so distressing is that after the The general directorate also sought to block members Ceausescu regime, the country made significant progress, of the RAP Foundation from attending the holiday as so much so that in September 2005, Baroness Nicholson volunteers. of Winterbourne, the European Parliament’s rapporteur Due to the foundation’s persistence and, I have no for Romania, went so far as to claim: doubt, the work of the British embassy in Romania “Romania has profoundly reformed—” after I raised the issue with the Minister, a way was from top to bottom— found to allow the holiday to go ahead this year. I place “its child protection system and has evolved from one of the on the record my thanks to the Minister and the British worst systems in Europe to one of the best.” ambassador and his staff for their assistance. This year’s holiday was another major success for the young In an accession report published prior to November people, but it was not without its difficulties. Sadly, this 2005, European Union observers were positive regarding is the second year in which the RAP Foundation has the child care system in Romania. found the authorities in Sector 2 unwilling to be The Minister has indicated that he would be prepared co-operative. It saddens me to say that when the young to meet representatives of the RAP Foundation, and I people eventually set off on this year’s holiday, the suspect they would wish to take up such an offer if it is comment was made that it seemed as if it was the first made. The foundation is delighted at the progress that it time that many of the young people had been out in the and so many other charities have been part of over the fresh air since the previous year’s holiday. years, to bring a better quality of life to children and 139 Charitable Support Work 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Charitable Support Work 140 Romanian Orphanages) Romanian Orphanages) [Mr Russell Brown] I was delighted to see that FARA’s chairwoman, Jane Nicholson, was awarded an MBE earlier this year for young people resident in those orphanages and institutions. her work in Romania. It is worrying, however, that after all the progress, Other charities operate to help not only orphaned excellent work and support experienced in other parts children but children more widely within Romania. of Romania, the Gheorghe Serban sector is not being as Those charities include The Little People, which helps open as many organisations would wish it to be. children with cancer; Hospices with Hope, which has This debate was secured by me with a degree of been building palliative care facilities; Light into Europe, reluctance, and I recognise that our Government have which works with the blind; and Nightingale’s, which no control over what happens in institutions in any works with orphaned children and young adults who other country. I hope, however, that the Minister will have HIV.That is just a snapshot; it is not an exhaustive recognise that all that is being requested by many charities, list of what the British charity sector does in Romania. and the RAP Foundation in particular, of authorities in Like the hon. Gentleman, I pay tribute to Baroness the Gheorghe Serban sector of Bucharest, is for them to Nicholson of Winterbourne for her energy and dedication be open and allow an independent team to look at what in championing at the highest level the fight to improve is happening within the facilities under their control. I conditions for children in Romania. look forward to the Minister’s response, and I hope he The UK Government, too, are active. We have supported will be in a position to report back to the House on this and worked with the Government of Romania to improve matter in the coming months. conditions in their state-run facilities for both vulnerable children and adults. To give a few examples, our embassy 10.14 pm in Bucharest, with Romania’s National Authority for the Protection of Children’s Rights, has facilitated The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I workshops for 90 practitioners from all over Romania thank the hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway on handling disabled children in their care. We have also (Mr Brown) for raising the important issue of conditions helped to foster links between Romanian and British in Romanian orphanages. You will know, Mr Speaker, non-governmental organisations through a networking that the promotion and protection of human rights are event held at the Romanian Prime Minister’s office. The at the heart of UK Government foreign policy objectives. fact that the Prime Minister of Romania was willing to All hon. Members would agree that orphaned children host such an event indicates that the Romanian have a right to be cared for appropriately and with Government, at the highest levels, recognise that there compassion, and that we in government should do what have been and continue to be problems with the conditions we can to support work to that end. I am grateful for for children in at least some Romanian orphanages, and what the hon. Gentleman has said about the efforts that the Romanians are determined to continue to drive made by the British embassy and the team under through further improvements. Ambassador Martin Harris. I will ensure that the hon. Earlier this summer, the Romanian Ministry of Labour, Gentleman’s comments are relayed to the team. through its national agency for social inspection, carried The hon. Gentleman remarked on the fact that we out an inspection of 51 neuropsychiatric recovery and first became aware of the unspeakable conditions that rehabilitation centres throughout Romania. As part of prevailed in Romanian orphanages in 1989, when the that exercise, it visited the two facilities with which the regime of President Ceausescu was overthrown. Thousands RAP Foundation has had such difficulties, including of children lived in appalling conditions in state institutions. the Gheorghe Serban centre. Gheorghe Serban received It is good to be able to say that, since that time, a large 19 specific recommendations for improvement from the number of substandard institutions have been closed, Romanian inspectorate, including the need to provide and that many of the remaining institutions have improved more space for patients and more nutritious food. The both their services and their standards. As the hon. inspector’s report says that the centre is currently undergoing Gentleman has said, there is work to be done, but we maintenance to improve living conditions. I understand, should acknowledge the progress that has been made too, that the state secretary from the Romanian Ministry and the part played in that by British charities, which of Labour visited the centre in June this year and was have actively worked towards such improvements in made fully aware of the situation. Romania ever since the revolution. Let me turn to the work of the RAP Foundation and Charities from this country have provided support start by paying tribute to the dedication and leadership and facilities to Romanian orphanages, and have helped that Linda Barr has shown over so many years. If the to raise awareness, both nationally and internationally, hon. Gentleman would like to bring a delegation from of the poor conditions still encountered there. I shall the RAP Foundation to see me, he would be welcome to refer to the list of such charities. The Hope and Homes do so. RAP works to reduce social exclusion, to support charity for children has its largest programme in Romania, higher standards of care and to increase the skills and and has worked with national and local authorities opportunities for disadvantaged children and young there to improve services in certain orphanages, and to adults in Romania, particularly in the capital city, Bucharest. close substandard ones where appropriate. It has worked The Government appreciate enormously the RAP with the Romanian Government and its partners, Absolute Foundation’s work in two care facilities in Bucharest Return for Kids. Hope and Homes has pledged to end sector 2. institutionalised care for children in Romania by 2020. For many years, the RAP Foundation, together with Other British charities operating in the field include its Romanian partner, the Romanian Angels Association, SOS Children’s Villages, the Foundation for the Relief has been taking disadvantaged children and young adults of Disabled Orphans—FRODO—Children in Distress on much needed and very well received summer breaks and Muzika. FARA has worked in Romania since 1991. to the Romanian Black sea coast. I was concerned when 141 Charitable Support Work 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Charitable Support Work 142 Romanian Orphanages) Romanian Orphanages) I heard earlier this year of the possibility that the local I have asked the British Embassy to continue to authorities might refuse permission for this year’s holiday support the work of RAP and to try to mediate dialogue to take place. I subsequently instructed the British between the foundation and the social services in Bucharest ambassador to meet the local mayor as a matter of Sector 2. I very much hope that, following the successful urgency. That meeting took place on 24 July, and on the holiday this year, the relationship will be put back on following day the mayor granted permission for the the right footing and developed further in an effective holiday to go ahead. I was very pleased to hear that manner, and above all in a way that provides the greatest Linda Barr wrote to the British Embassy on 26 August possible opportunities to the children, whose interests to say that their party was at the Black sea enjoying the should lie at the heart of all our considerations. holiday, and was in high spirits. In conclusion, I am aware that the scale and complexity I know too, as the hon. Gentleman has told the of the problem of Romanian orphanages have been House, that the RAP Foundation has had difficulties reduced significantly since the 1989 revolution, but with Social Services—the DGASPC—in Bucharest sector 2, there is still cause for concern about the standards of in gaining access to two facilities, especially the Gheorghe care in some Romanian facilities and a lot still to be Serban centre. Under Romanian law, services within done. The efforts of the Romanian Government—combined state institutions can be provided only by a registered with the contribution and support of British and provider of social care. That means that RAP has no international charities, and with the encouragement of legal right to insist on access to these institutions. As the the international community to improve the situation— hon. Gentleman said, it has traditionally worked through remain necessary to ensure that the work to drive up its Romanian partner, the Romanian Angels Association. standards continues. It is also the case that while the central Government in I would like once again to thank the hon. Member for Romania have responsibility for overall policy regarding Dumfries and Galloway for raising this important issue state institutions, including orphanages, individual and to reassure him plainly not only that we will continue institutions fall under the responsibility of local government to monitor the situation closely, but that we stand ready within Romania. For that reason our judgment is that to take action where it is needed, at whatever level in difficulties are usually best tackled, at least in the first Romania is most appropriate. instance, by direct contact between our embassy team Question put and agreed to. in Bucharest and the local mayor and others at local authority level, because they are the people who have direct responsibility for the surveillance and management 10.25 pm of those Romanian state institutions. House adjourned.

1WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 2WS

The table shows the year in which exits took place Written Statements and payments were made rather than where any accruals have been made. Therefore the information is not directly Monday 2 September 2013 comparable with what is published in the SFO’s annual accounts. It does however include the provision in the accounts to meet ongoing liabilities generated by the agreements. Under the old Civil Service Compensation ATTORNEY-GENERAL Scheme, individuals taking early retirement had their pensions paid by their employer until they reached the Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) normal retirement age. This could include a pension made up of up to six and two thirds years for staff over 50. Details of these associated costs are published in the The Solicitor-General (Oliver Heald): I regret to inform SFO’s annual accounts. the House that a written answer I gave on 10 January 2013, During the period 1999 to 2012 the Crown Prosecution Official Report, column 415-16W, to the hon. Member Service (CPS) made five posts redundant at a total cost for Angus (Mr Weir) was incorrect. The hon. Member of £994,849. These were all senior posts and were part asked the Attorney-General how many civil service of a programme to reduce headcount in the CPS. The posts have been made redundant by the Law Officers’ breakdown by year is as follows: Departments in each year since 1999; and what has been the cost of redundancies in each such year. Number of Redundant Posts Cost

The data concerning the Crown Prosecution Service 2009 3 £707,436 were incorrect and reported that no posts had been 2010 2 £287,413 made redundant. This was due to a database recording 2011 0 0 error which has now been identified and corrected. In 2012 0 0 fact the Crown Prosecution Service did make a small Total 5 £994,849 number of senior posts redundant and an additional table showing the missing data is included in the revised During this period the CPS reduced staff headcount answer below. All other information provided in the from 8,940 at 31 December 2009 to 7,442 at 31 December original response was correct. The revised answer is as 2012. This was primarily achieved through applying follows. robust recruitment controls for vacancies that arise During the period 1999 to 2012 there were five through normal attrition, and in utilising the civil service redundancies declared and made in Attorney-General’s provision for voluntary early release (VER). The following Office, Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service table shows the number of staff released under VER Inspectorate, and the Treasury Solicitor’s Department during this period and the cost. (TSol), at a total cost of £185,788.90. No breakdown by year is given so as to preserve confidentiality. Number of early exits Cost (£ million) In addition the Government Property Lawyers office in Taunton was closed in 1999 and a number of people 2009-10 158 9.315 would have been transferred elsewhere, accepted voluntary 2010-11 126 8.740 exits or made redundant. TSol does not hold information 2011-12 469 20.711 on numbers of staff declared and subsequently made 2012-131 233 11.830 redundant or the costs of such an exercise. 12012-13 numbers and cost as of 2 January 2013 are provisional. The following table shows the number and cost of paid early exits from the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in each year since April 2005, including redundancy and COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT early retirements. Data prior to that date are no longer held and details about cost are not held prior to 2008. The cost of exits is not given where the number of exits is fewer than five, in order to protect the personal data Summer Recess (Department’s Work) of the individuals concerned. Under the old Civil Service Compensation Scheme, which was replaced in 2011, most individuals under 50 The Secretary of State for Communities and Local received what were known as early severance terms, Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I would like to update while those over 50 took early retirement. hon. Members on the main items of business undertaken by my Department since the House rose on 18 July Number of early exits Cost (£ million) 2013. Supporting local high streets 2005-06 1 1— 2006-07 2 1— High streets are the hearts of our communities, hubs 2007-08 2 1— of local businesses and drivers of growth. 2008-09 16 3.389 In order to remain so in the 21st century, high streets 2009-10 3 2— must become thriving centres of culture, entertainment 2010-11 1 2— and social activity: not just the place to shop but the 2011-12 1 2— place to be. They also have to be distinct to be successful 1Not held. and that character can only come from within the 2Fewer than five exits. community. 3WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 4WS

This Government are determined to support those for hard-working families, more cheap parking spaces local efforts so businesses can flourish and communities for people to park their car and takes pressure away prosper by creating the conditions for that to happen from on-street parking. following some of the recommendations in the Portas In August my Department announced new guidance review. Already we have increased the business rates (published 9 August) on change of use making it clear discounts for small shops, introduced planning reforms that the public should be able to rent a single parking for the high street; committed new Government investment space without planning permission, provided there is and set up 350 town teams, which are seeing some great no public nuisance to neighbours, or other substantive results. Since the summer recess we have taken a number concerns. We will be making further announcements on of further steps. car parking in due course. On 23 July my Department announced proposals to Small firms and shops are at the heart of our high bring property owners into the business improvement streets and local communities, and we are supporting districts scheme so they can play an active part in them to help the economy grow. On 14 August my regenerating trading areas. To boost the scheme a new Department released new figures showing that the level £500,000 loan fund will enable the set up of more of small business rate relief has trebled since the general business improvement districts. Business improvement election, because of Government initiatives. Rate relief districts mean local companies can pool funds, deliver in England has risen from £333 million in 2009-10, to projects to improve town centre safety, support local £507 million in 2010-11, to £784 million in 2011-12 and traders, establish parking initiatives and help maintain now to £900 million in 2012-13. the high street. Today, I am announcing that starting this month Fairness in the fire service dedicated teams of local experts will train and mentor Members will be aware that the Fire Brigades Union towns on how to adapt their high streets to changing has announced a “yes” vote in its ballot on potential consumer behaviour. The training is to be targeted at strike action over reforms to the firefighters’ pension the leaders of every town team across the country. scheme. The union has not yet set out whether it intends Training will: to commence industrial action, but we have been working closely with local fire and rescue authorities, who have a encourage towns to carry out high street health checks; statutory responsibility for contingency planning, to agree what the town centre “offer” will be to residents and make sure preparations are robust. We are satisfied that visitors; they are. explain how to make best use of planning powers and new community rights to take over closed pubs or shops; and We all hold our brave fire men and women in the highest regard. The offer to firefighters is one of the detail how neighbourhood planning should be used to decide most generous available in the public sector. A firefighter what local areas should look like in the future. who earns £29,000, and retires at sixty after a full career, On 6 August the Department published plans to will get a £26,000 a year pension, which includes the extend permitted development rights to ensure better £7,000 state pension. A firefighter would need to double use is made of existing buildings. The proposals will their level of contributions to get the same pension allow local people to transform empty premises not in from a private provider. prime retail locations, or disused agricultural buildings into much-needed homes, nurseries and free schools. The normal retirement age has been sixty since 2006, one in three firefighters already has a retirement age of New planning guidance published on 28 August calls 60. An independent review, commissioned with the for councils to deliver more town centre parking spaces, agreement of the fire brigades union, found that 100% tackle the blight of ugly street clutter and reduce aggressive of firefighters who remain physically active can still be “anti-car” traffic calming measures like road humps. operational at age 60. The new practice guidance, covering design, town The retained fire service, many of whom will not take centres and travel plans, will state that councils should part in this strike action, play a vital role in protecting reflect the important role appropriate parking facilities the community across most of England, and it is only can play in rejuvenating shops and high streets. It also right and fair that their efforts are recognised. sets out how town hall planning rules should not be used to tax drivers or justify development of crude On 23 July my Department announced proposals to traffic calming measures, such as poorly-sited bollards correct a long standing anomaly that discriminated and road humps. against retained firefighters employed between 2000 and 2006. Providing similar pension terms for retained This Government are working to ensure that town firefighters to those enjoyed by whole-time firefighters hall parking policies and practices also support local employed at the same time will introduce fairness into high streets. The Government have scrapped Whitehall the system and provide a level playing field. Subject to rules that previously told councils to increase parking the consultation, legislation will be laid in Parliament charges and adopt aggressive parking policies. On 31 July to give effect to the new pension arrangements. my Department released statistics revealing that councils are forecast to make £635 million profit from parking Supporting hard-working families staying together charges and fines in 2013-14 and called upon councils Many hardworking families benefit from living in to take a fairer approach to charges. properties with self-contained annexes that allow them Across the country, assisted by internet “matching”, to house or care for extended family members. The households are renting out their spare or unused dedicated current council tax system unfairly penalises those with off-street parking space in and near town centres, train family annexes with a second bill for the annex on top stations and sports grounds. This provides a small income of their main property. 5WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 6WS

On 26 August my Department announced plans to Some members will be interested to note that over remove this unfair council tax surcharge to help support the summer months fans of Manchester United and extended families. Proposals include a new national Liverpool footballs clubs successfully listed their team discount for all family annexes (not just those for older stadiums. people), as a quick and easy way to remove this council Protecting Community Pubs through Community Rights tax surcharge from the system, saving an average £485 a year on a typical £2,427 combined yearly bill. This Government are doing everything they can to With both an ageing population and young people support and safeguard community pubs from closure. finding it difficult to get on the housing ladder, the On 12 August my Department announced that 100 pubs Government want to remove barriers to extended families had been listed as assets of community value, giving living together. Ministers believe the tax cut will ultimately communities the opportunity to buy their treasured save taxpayers’ money by helping reduce adult social local pub if it comes up for sale using the community care costs in the long-term. It will deliver against the right to bid. Government’s commitment to help more people live The great British pub is recognised around the world independently. The reforms will also increase housing as a quintessential part of British culture and it will supply and support the construction trade. now form part of the Great Britain campaign, which My Department has also consulted on the intention promotes the best of Britain to the world. to remove the community infrastructure levy on self-build Increasing housing supply and building more homes properties, which include all extensions, family annexes and home improvements. In addition the Government The tough decisions have been taken to tackle the are considering the removal of section 106 levies on deficit by this Government and their programme is now such annexes and extensions. delivering a sustainable increase in housing and providing real help to hard-working people. Protecting local services In the last two years almost a third of a million Councils make up a quarter of all public spending and additional homes have been delivered, and 150,000 they have a vital part to play in tackling the inherited more affordable homes have been built. Figures released deficit from the last Administration. New statistics published on 13 August show that since the launch of the Help to by my Department on 29 August show councils have Buy equity loan scheme in April 2013 there have been trebled their cash reserves over the last 10 years and by 10,000 reservations for new build homes—this is giving over 20% in real terms since 2010-11. Reserves now confidence to house builders to deliver and build more stand at over £19 billion—an increase of £2.6 billion in new homes. the last year alone. In addition figures from 15 August show there were Local authorities should consider whether such 29,510 new homes started between April and June this substantial reserves are needed. While it is sensible for year—6% higher than the previous quarter, and a third local authorities to maintain a healthy cushion, such higher than the same time last year. This increase was substantial reserves are completely unnecessary and should seen across the country, with 178 of the 326 councils in be tapped into to ensure councils can protect front-line England reporting an increase in house building starts services and keep council tax down for hardworking over the year. people. Councils should also be making creative use of reserves to address short-term costs, such as restructuring Latest figures on the Right to Buy released on 22 August or investing now to realise savings in the longer-term. show a total of 2,149 properties were sold between April and June this year, four times more than the Supporting coastal towns 443 sold during the same period in 2012. The total of This Government are committed to supporting our new homeowners under the reinvigorated Right to Buy seaside towns and on 23 August, the coalition Government now stands at over 8,000. Sales have generated £129 million announced that next year’s coastal communities fund in gross income, which will be recycled back into the will be worth £29 million, an increase of 5%. This will development of new affordable homes for rent. help coastal towns make the most of their potential by We know how important housing affordability is for diversifying their economies and industries so they can many people and on 27 July my Department announced become year-round success stories. a multi-million pound boost to build thousands of new The projects approved in the first year alone are forecast affordable homes across the country. Sixty-nine different to deliver over 5,000 jobs and create 500 apprenticeships. housing associations and developers will each receive a share of £220 million to deliver almost 14,000 new Colleagues will also want to join me in welcoming the affordable homes outside London. Work on the new first steps towards the reopening of Hastings pier after properties will be started by March 2015 and completed it was saved from disrepair and abandonment by a local by 2017. community group. Hastings and the pier charity have benefited from £14 million Government, lottery and On 5 August my Department announced the extension council support. While attending a ceremonial opening of the £17 million Right to Build fund to include any I was able praise the Hastings pier charity behind the community project. Communities who want to make a campaign to save it. change in their area, such as creating a new playground, renovating an empty home or making plots available for The Localism Act 2011 has created new powers that house building will be able to access the money they give communities like Hastings the ability to list local need to develop plans and make it happen. The fund assets and protect them from sell offs. These rights are is available for communities outside London until helping to save many treasured assets across the country. March 2015. 7WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 8WS

Reducing homelessness An effective planning system needs to be supported by practical guidance. On 28 August my Department This country has some of the strongest protections launched a new online resource that will make planning for families in the world to guard against homelessness, guidance much more accessible and easier to keep up to and the Government have invested £470 million. The law date. is clear that families must only be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation as a last resort, and then for It also includes a new affordability test for determining no more than six weeks. how many homes should be built; advice for councils to open up planning hearings and plan positively for an On 1 August my Department announced £1.9 million ageing population; and guidance on new neighbourhood for seven councils to help them support the housing planning and protections for local green spaces. needs of the most vulnerable of families. On 9 August my Department outlined strengthened Ending the scourge of bin blight powers councils can use to take decisive action, including On 16 August my Department announced measures pre-emptive injunctions, to protect vulnerable land in to tackle “bin blight”—the daily obstacle course of wheelie advance from unauthorised encampments; possession bins and recycling boxes clogging up front yards, gardens orders to remove trespassers from land; police powers and driveways. New guidance on both housing design to order unauthorised campers to leave land. and planning will require suitable provision to be made As part of the Government’s commitment to protecting for proper waste storage in new homes. This will help the nation’s green spaces, these powers will protect green avoid bins dominating residential streets or contributing belt land and the countryside from illegal encampments. to increased odour and roadside litter, and problems New temporary stop notices now give councils powers with rats, mice, flies and urban foxes. to tackle unauthorised caravans, backed up with potentially unlimited fines. This Government have strengthened These actions build on this Government’s decisions councils’ powers so they have the confidence to take to abolish bin taxes, stop unfair bin fines being issued decisive action. on family homes and scrap Whitehall directives demanding fortnightly bin collections. My Department’s £250 million Strengthening community bonds weekly collection support scheme has protected the This Government have continued to support local weekly bin collection for 6 million families and supported efforts to bring communities closer together. 41 innovative reward schemes showing recycling can be On 27 July, as the holy month of Ramadan drew to a increased without using punitive fines and taxes. close, mosques across the country opened their doors Improving housing standards and welcomed those from all faiths and none to join in the fast-breaking meal of the iftar—the special daily On 30 July my Department published new “Part L of meal that is consumed at the end of each day when the Building Regulations” as set out in the written fasting finishes. The aim was to dispel any myths about ministerial statement in the House of Lords, Official the practices of Islam and to bring communities closer Report, column WS165-66—this will mean a 6% cut in together. The Prime Minister and other Ministers attended carbon emissions for new build homes, and a 9% cut for “The Big Iftar” events across the country and I can non domestic buildings. report to members it was a fantastic way of enabling The measures, which include energy saving features people of different religions, and those of no faith, to such as better fabric insulation and more efficient heating visit a local mosque and learn about their role in the and lighting, will come into force in April 2014. community. On 20 August my Department published proposals It is also our duty as citizens to remember the British to scrap burdensome and confusing locally applied housing and Commonwealth troops who lost their lives fighting standards. Essential safety and accessibility rules will in the great war and this Government are determined to not be changed, but a mass of additional housing make sure their bravery for king and country is not standards that councils applied locally created a patchwork forgotten. of different standards which will now be reduced from On 5 August my Department announced that special over 100 to fewer than 10. This will help free up the commemorative paving stones will be laid in the home industry, support growth and get high-quality homes towns of all those in the United Kingdom awarded the built. Victoria Cross for valour “in the face of the enemy” during the conflict. A national competition will be Involving local people in planning decisions launched to design the paving stones so people from all Planning always works best when local communities comers of the United Kingdom can get involved. have the opportunity to influence the decisions that The Government will be setting out more of their affect their lives. To achieve this my Department is plan to commemorate the 100th anniversary shortly. streamlining the planning system to make it simpler, This will include the most appropriate way to commemorate more accessible and more efficient. Commonwealth and overseas Victoria Cross winners. To address local communities concerns that insufficient No hero will be forgotten. weight is being given to environmental considerations On 23 August I endorsed the Flag Institute’s new like landscape, heritage and local amenity when determining guide for communities to design their own flags. The wind farm applications my Department published on new guide outlines how community groups, councils, 29 July new strong planning practice guidance to make sports clubs and other organisations can design and it clear that the need for renewable energy does not register an official flag. My Department flew some of automatically override environmental protections and the nation’s newest flags—East and North Ridings of the planning concerns of local communities. Yorkshire—in celebration. 9WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 10WS

The Government have relaxed the rules on flying Ibbotson for a further two years. The reappointments flags without official permission, enabling communities have been conducted in accordance with the Office of to express their pride in local identities, heritage and the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ (OCPA) traditions without falling foul of petty bureaucracy. code of practice. Tackling antisocial behaviour The public should be able to enjoy public spaces, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS their parks, streets and town centres, without nuisance or annoyance. Spitting on Britain’s streets is not socially Bovine TB acceptable. On 19 July the London borough of Enfield was given The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and provisional approval by the Secretary of State, following Rural Affairs (Mr Owen Paterson): Following the National their application, to make byelaws that prohibit antisocial Farmers Union’s (NFU’s) statement of 27 August, I spitting across the borough due to the significance of would like to confirm to the House that culling is now the problem in the local area. under way. The cull will be carried out in two areas Standing up to unnecessary EU red tape (Somerset and Gloucestershire) over a period of six A proposed EU regulation seeks to impose the EU weeks. I understand the pilot cull is proceeding to plan flag on standardised birth certificates, marriage and and those involved are pleased with progress to date. death certificates on UK citizens. While the European The aim of the pilot cull is to test how an industry-led Commission has suggested that this would be “voluntary”, badger control programme can be delivered effectively, on the 9 August Ministers warned of the risk of “mission humanely and safely. Monitoring will be carried out to creep” and “state building” as happened with driving test that controlled shooting meets these assumptions. licences. There is simply no need for the EU flag to be The outcome of the pilot cull and an analysis of the on these documents. monitoring will be published. The evidence will considered More broadly, this Department has a track record of by Ministers in deciding whether or not the policy pushing back against heavy-handed requirements to should be rolled out more widely. display European Union symbols. We also have a proactive The decision to pilot a badger cull is not one that has policy of promoting and championing the United been taken lightly, but it is based on the best available Kingdom’s national and traditional identities. scientific evidence and the experience of other countries. Planning for shale gas No country has successfully dealt with TB without The coalition Government believe shale gas has the tackling the disease in both wildlife and cattle. It is vital potential to provide the UK with greater energy security, that we learn from the experience of the Republic of growth and jobs. Effective exploration and testing of the Ireland, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. UK’s unconventional gas resources is therefore key for We will be evaluating the outcome of this pilot cull understanding the potential of this industry. The carefully in deciding whether or not to roll this policy Government are creating the right framework to accelerate out more widely. shale gas development in a responsible and sustainable Culling is only one part of a broader, comprehensive way. TB eradication strategy for achieving TB-free status in As the shale gas industry develops, the Government England over the course of the next 25 years. Since July, want to ensure an effective, locally-led planning system I have been consulting all interested parties on the is in place. On 19 July a written ministerial statement strategy. It sets out a full range of measures, including was made in the House of Lords, Official Report, disease surveillance, pre and post-movement cattle testing, columns WS149-150, setting out the publication of removal of cattle exposed to bovine tuberculosis (bTB), planning practice guidance for industry, minerals planning culling and vaccination trials. It also focuses on the authorities and local communities on how shale gas development of new techniques such as badger and (and other onshore oil and gas) developments should cattle vaccines and new diagnostic tests that could one proceed through England’s planning system. Alongside day offer new ways of tackling the disease. its publication, the Government indicated that they BTB is the most pressing animal health problem in were minded to amend existing secondary legislation in the UK. The disease is getting worse and is spreading relation to application requirements and fees for onshore across the country. In the last 10 years, bTB has cost the oil and gas development. Today, I am publishing for taxpayer £500 million. It is estimated that this will rise comment a limited number of proposed changes relating to £1 billion over the next 10 years if the disease is left to making a planning application. unchecked. This pilot cull is a necessary part of a wide All the associated documents and press notices have range of actions that we need to take if we are to free been placed in the Library of the House. the cattle industry from the burden of this devastating disease. We wish to see healthy cattle living alongside healthy wildlife. DEFENCE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Armed Forces Pay Review Body (Public Appointments) Gibraltar The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): I am pleased to announce that I have reappointed two The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth members of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body Affairs (Mr William Hague): Since 26 July, attempts by commencing March 2014. I have invited Mr Paul the Spanish Government to exert pressure on Gibraltar Kernaghan to serve a further three years and Sir Richard and its people have increased significantly.Disproportionate 11WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 12WS and time-consuming checks have been introduced at the Despite these actions, the border delays, incursions Gibraltar/Spain border, leading to delays of up to seven and threatening rhetoric continue. The Government’s hours. Other concerning actions have occurred, such as aim is to de-escalate the tension, so that Gibraltarians ambulances being searched and prohibitions placed on can go about their business unhampered and free from the transport of sand and materials used to manufacture intimidation. At the same time, we will continue to concrete across the border. The Government of Spain protect the rights and interests of Gibraltar and the have in addition publicly made a series of threats of United Kingdom. further action which would harm Gibraltar’s interests. On 7 August the Foreign Secretary again confirmed In parallel, Spanish state vessels have continued to to the Spanish Government our commitment to a make multiple illegal incursions into British Gibraltar diplomatic solution, repeating the offer made in April territorial waters (BGTW), a situation which has been 2012 for ad hoc talks involving all relevant parties while ongoing since April 2012. remaining strongly committed to the Trilateral Forum of Dialogue between the UK, Gibraltar and Spain. These actions and threats are wholly unacceptable. The impact of the border delays has been felt most We will continue to press the Spanish Government to severely by local citizens, both Gibraltarians and the de-escalate the situation and to remove the additional thousands of Spanish commuters who benefit from checks at the border. We will also continue to work very employment in Gibraltar. As well as having to endure closely with the Government of Gibraltar. On 28-30 August, long delays in hot weather, people crossing the border Chief Minister Picardo visited London for meetings have reported aggressive behaviour by the teams of with the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary. guardia civil officers brought from other parts of Spain We will continue to respect the wishes of the people to conduct the enhanced checks. There have been disturbing of Gibraltar, and will take whatever action is necessary reports of Gibraltar-licensed cars being burnt or otherwise to safeguard Gibraltar, its people and its economy. vandalised in Spain. The ban on importing certain materials is having an impact on infrastructure projects and the reduction in the number of people able to cross HOME DEPARTMENT the border has reduced retail sales, having a negative impact on Gibraltar’s economic prosperity. National Crime Agency (Contingencies Fund) These measures are disproportionate and obviously politically motivated, having been introduced immediately The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr Jeremy after the lawful creation by the Government of Gibraltar Browne): The National Crime Agency will be a new of an artificial reef in BGTW. They are also unlawful non-ministerial Department created by the Crime and under EU law: the creation of the reef was legal and is Courts Act, which achieved Royal Assent in April 2013. part of the Government of Gibraltar’s long-term marine The agency will become operational on 7 October 2013. environmental management plan designed to improve There is a need to meet the cash requirement for the fish stocks and regenerate habitat. The use of inert National Crime Agency from 7 October. Although concrete blocks to create artificial reefs is consistent Parliament has already approved the specific enabling with international best practice and with the Government legislation, the resources to fund the National Crime of Spain’s own approach to artificial reefs. Agency are currently within the Home Office baseline. The National Crime Agency will have its own estimate The heightened rhetoric from the Spanish Foreign in due course. Minister is also concerning. It is clearly intimidating for As an interim measure, parliamentary approval for the people of Gibraltar and indicates that there may be resources of £422,000,000 for this new expenditure will worse to come from the Spanish Government before we be sought in a supplementary estimate for the Home see an improvement in the situation. Office. Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated The Government have responded to these developments at £198,700,000 will be met by repayable cash advances robustly and in concert with the Government of Gibraltar. from the Contingencies Fund. We summoned the Spanish Ambassador on 2 August. Our Ministers have protested in the strongest terms to their counterparts, including the Prime Minister, Deputy JUSTICE Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, emphasising that Britain will not stand by in the face of continued Reforming Mesothelioma Claims hostility and stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Gibraltar. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice We have asked that the European Commission urgently (Mrs Helen Grant): My right hon. and noble Friend the sends a monitoring mission to the border to investigate Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, Lord McNally, the delays, and following the Prime Minister’s call, we made the following written ministerial statement: welcome President Barroso’s confirmation that a mission I am today—Wednesday 24 July 2013—announcing the publication will be sent this month. In partnership with the Government of the Government’s consultation “Reforming mesothelioma claims”. of Gibraltar, we are continuing to collect evidence of It is a tragic fact that around 23,000 deaths from mesothelioma the disproportionate unlawful border measures, and are predicted to occur between 2014 and 2024. Mesothelioma is will share this with the European Commission before an aggressive and terminal occupational disease caused by exposure to asbestos, with sufferers having a median life expectancy of their monitoring mission arrives. We are also keeping seven to nine months from diagnosis. Despite this, there is evidence under review the option of taking direct legal action that around 50% of claims for compensation take over 12 months against the Spanish Government, via a complaint to the to settle, which means that victims may die before their claim is European Court of Justice. paid out. 13WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 14WS

The Government recognise that there is a special and urgent The health and well-being of those over 70 has improved case for reforming the way mesothelioma claims are dealt with. significantly since the age limit was last set 25 years ago The proposals in the consultation build upon the significant work and it is right that this should be reflected in a higher taken forward by the Mesothelioma Bill, currently before Parliament, upper age limit for jury service. Data from the Office for and seek to increase the pace and improve the efficiency of the claims process so that an early payment of compensation is made National Statistics show that, on average, people in to sufferers and their dependants. England and Wales can expect to be “disability free” The consultation considers introducing a dedicated mesothelioma until they are 75. We believe that it is fair to expect pre-action protocol (MPAP) supported by an industry funded people below this age to sit as jurors. secure claims gateway. It also seeks views on both the principle Over the age of 75, an increasing number of people and structure of a fixed recoverable cost regime which aims to would find it difficult or impossible to sit as jurors and reflect the greater speed and efficiencies gained by the proposed would therefore seek to be excused from jury service. MPAP. Rather than put them through the process of applying As part of that consultation, we will carry out the review of the for excusal, and spend taxpayers’ money dealing with mesothelioma provisions required under section 48 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. this additional administrative burden, we are increasing the upper age limit to 75. The Government accept that the handling of mesothelioma claims is a complex and sensitive issue, and are keen to hear views Existing statutory provision allows anyone summoned on our proposals and any further ideas from all interested parties. for jury service, including, in future, those over 70, to Copies of this Government consultation have been placed in seek to be excused, where there is a good reason for this. the Vote Office, the Printed Paper Office and the Libraries of While the main motivation for increasing the upper both Houses. The document is also available online at: http:// age limit is to make juries more representative of all the www.justice.gov.uk. people who are playing a full part in their communities, we do expect some savings to result from a reduction in Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Bill the number of jurors in full-time employment. This will reduce the number of employers who have to pay staff who are on jury service, and the costs to Her Majesty’s The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice Courts and Tribunal Service of paying for loss of earnings. (Mrs Helen Grant): My right hon. and noble Friend the The only costs involved in implementing this policy will Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, Lord McNally, be minor changes to our systems, and to the relevant made the following written ministerial statement: forms and guidance. The Government are today—Tuesday 30 July 2013—publishing its response to the consultation on the Inheritance and Trustees’ Raising the upper age limit for jury service to 75 will Powers Bill. involve amending the Juries Act 1974 by taking primary The consultation paper sought the views of respondents on legislation through Parliament. We expect this legislation proposed reforms concerning intestacy and family provision. to be introduced early next year. Respondents were asked for comments on the draft Bill and the explanatory notes, for views in relation to an additional ground of jurisdiction for family provision claims, and views on the impact TRANSPORT assessment. The overall response was supportive of the proposed reforms Able Marine Energy Park and did not raise any significant doubts about the accuracy of the impact assessment. Differing views were expressed over the proposed additional ground of jurisdiction and this issue is dealt with in The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport detail in our response. Although the Government have not accepted (Norman Baker): I refer to the application made by the additional ground of jurisdiction that attracted the most Able Humber Ports Ltd on 16 December 2011 under support among consultees the Government have robust reasons section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 regarding a proposed for reaching the decision they have and these are detailed in the response. development known as the Able Marine Energy Park comprising a quay of solid construction on the south The Bill itself was today introduced into the House of Lords under the special House of Lords procedure for non-controversial bank of the River Humber at Killingholme, together Law Commission Bills. with an ecological compensation scheme on the opposite bank at Cherry Cobb Sands. I have been appointed by Jury Service (Age Limit) the Secretary of State to decide this application. The original deadline for the decision on this application under section 107 of the Planning Act 2008 was 24 May The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Damian 2013. On 21 May 2013 I made a statement to the House Green): Trial by a jury of one’s peers is a crucial and as required by that section announcing that I was long established feature of our justice system and jury setting a later deadline of 24 July 2013 for the decision. service is one of the most important civic duties that On 25 July 2013 I decided to set a new deadline for the anyone can be asked to perform. Currently the Juries decision of 28 August 2013 to allow time for further Act 1974 specifies that the upper age limit for jury consideration of the application and informed the applicant service in England and Wales is 70. The upper limit was and other interested parties accordingly. last amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1988, which Since my last statement, I can inform Parliament that raised it from 65 to 70. the Crown Estate advised the Department on 22 August The previous Government consulted on changing the 2013 that an agreement for a lease of the land required age limit. We have spent time considering the responses for the project had been reached with the applicant and to that consultation, and the views of those who have that the Crown Estate was consequently giving consent written to us (and asked parliamentary questions) about in accordance with section 135 of the Planning Act 2008 this. We have now come to the conclusion that the age for the above order to include compulsory acquisition limit should be increased. and other provisions in relation to that land. 15WS Written Statements2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Statements 16WS

On 28 August 2013 the Department for Transport The then Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. issued a letter to the applicant and other interested Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), parties informing them that I am minded to give made a statement in February 2011 confirming that an agreement development consent for the project as recommended for building the station box at Woolwich had been finalised— 16 February 2011, Official Report, column 88WS. Since then by the panel which examined the application. However, Berkeley Homes has proceeded with construction of the box, in before reaching a final decision I have asked the applicant line with that agreement. This work was completed ahead of to provide further information about the likely effectiveness schedule in March this year and the box has now been handed of the ecological compensation scheme and to provide over to Crossrail Ltd. assurance that the project will not jeopardise any future Government had always made it clear that completion of the operations on the Killingholme branch railway. station would be conditional upon receiving sufficient funding In order to allow time for the applicant to respond to contributions from those developers and businesses that stand to the Department’s letter, for interested parties to consider benefit from a Crossrail station at Woolwich. and comment on the applicant’s response, and for the The instruction to complete the station, therefore, follows the Department to assess all those responses, I am setting conclusion of an agreement to fund the fit-out works. a new deadline for the decision on this application Crossrail Ltd is receiving fixed additional funding of £54 million. under section 107(3) of the Planning Act 2008 of This is made up of contributions from the royal borough of 18 December 2013. Greenwich, through local developer contributions and a grant from the Greater London Authority; Berkeley Homes, the site developer; and Transport for London, whose contribution will be Crossrail Station at Woolwich repaid through the additional farebox revenue generated by the station. The remainder of the funding will be provided by Crossrail The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport Ltd. Crossrail Ltd had made budgetary provision for works that (Stephen Hammond): My noble Friend, the Earl Attlee, were required to allow trains to run through the station box. This made the following written ministerial statement in the will be reallocated to the works required to complete the station. Lords on 25 July: A fully operational station at Woolwich will support the regeneration of this part of south-east London, supporting the I am pleased to inform the House that the Crossrail sponsors local borough’s growth ambitions as well as significantly improving (the Department for Transport and Transport for London) yesterday connectivity and access to job opportunities. It will also provide instructed Crossrail Ltd to complete the Crossrail station at jobs during construction. Woolwich. This instruction will allow the station at Woolwich to open alongside the rest of the central section of the Crossrail Crossrail Ltd will now begin the process of procuring the route, currently scheduled to happen in December 2018. fit-out works and will be publishing an OJEU shortly. 1P Petitions2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Petitions 2P

is not sustainable. No business, including the Post Office, Petitions can continue with a situation where some of its high street branches cost substantially more to run than they Monday 2 September 2013 generate in revenues. In the case of the Lupus Street Crown branch, it costs £1.84 to generate every £1 of income. OBSERVATIONS The Government note that within their broader strategy for eliminating these unsustainable losses and achieving break even for the Crown network by 2015, Post Office BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Ltd has identified a group of branches where they see no prospect of eliminating the losses at a local level Proposed closure of Post Office on Lupus Street under the current operating and cost structure. The (London, SW1) precise reasons will vary from location to location but commonly include factors such as high property costs The Petition of residents of Churchill and neighbouring and sub-optimal location to attract the necessary increase wards in the Cities of London and Westminster constituency, in custom and business to make them profitable. Declares that they object to the plans by the Post The Government note that in the case of Lupus Office management to close its office at Lupus Street, Street, Post Office Ltd is proposing to merge operations Pimlico, London SW1 by March 2015 as it would be to with the nearest alternative Crown branches at Vauxhall the serious inconvenience of local residents and to the Bridge Road and Eccleston Street, which are within half detriment of the community. a mile, and a mile of Lupus Street branch respectively. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Government note that Post Office Ltd has however Commons urges the Government to intercede on their made it clear that, under each proposal, the full range behalf to require that the Post Office maintain this of post office services would continue to be available in important facility in its current form and location and close proximity to the existing Crown branch. Furthermore, desist from its plans to close it. before any changes are made to the existing service provision in Pimlico, there will be a twelve week local And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mark public consultation under the terms of a Code of Practice Field, Official Report, 17 July 2013; Vol. 566, c. 1270.] agreed between the Post Office Ltd and Consumer [P001198] Futures. The public consultation focuses on specific Observations from the Secretary of State for Business, and detailed proposals for relocating the service provision, Innovation and Skills, received 19 August 2013: including such matters as ease of access, and responses are carefully considered by Post Office Ltd before a The Government note the views of the petitioners final decision is reached. about the future of Lupus Street Post Office branch, which is currently directly operated by Post Office Ltd, and is known as a Crown branch. The Government note that the implementation of the Crown Transformation Programme is an operational HEALTH matter which is the responsibility of senior management at Post Office Ltd. The Government, as shareholder, do not play any role in decisions relating to individual post Cannock Hospital office branches. In considering the future provision of Post Office services in Pimlico, it is important to note The Petition of residents of Cannock Chase, the wider context of Post Office Ltd’s proposals to Declares that the Petitioners support Cannock Hospital franchise 70 Crown post offices and to merge or relocate and wish to ensure that it becomes a centre of excellence a small number of other Crown branches. for elective surgery, fully used, and with a secure and The Government note that the 2010 Spending Review professionally managed future, within the NHS. contained a clear commitment to modernising the post office network and safeguarding its future, and allocated The Petitioners therefore request that the House of a £1.34 billion funding package to provide for significant Commons urges the Department of Health to ensure investment across the post office network. A condition Cannock Hospital becomes a centre of excellence for of this funding package requires Post Office Ltd to elective surgery and has a secure future. continue to maintain a network of at least 11,500 And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by branches, to comply fully with the access criteria, and Mr Aidan Burley, Official Report, 18 July 2013; Vol. 566, with no programme of branch closures. c. 1415.] The Government note that the 373 branches of the [P001216] Crown network have incurred heavy and historic losses, totalling £37 million in 2012-13. Eliminating these Crown Observations from the Secretary of State for Health, losses is a key element of Post Office Ltd’s strategy to received 22 August 2013: provide for the long-term sustainable future of the This issue is the subject of a local consultation exercise, network, and the Government support the business in led by the Trust Special Administrators (TSAs) at Mid delivering that strategy. Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. I am asking Monitor, The Government note that the current losses incurred which appointed the (TSAs), to ensure that the views of by the Crown network contribute to around a third of the petitioners are taken into account when making the losses sustained by the network as a whole and this their decision. 3P Petitions2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Petitions 4P

Proposed Closure of Suffolk Court Care Home Observations from the Secretary of State for Health, received 22 August 2013: The Petition of a resident of the UK, This issue is the subject of a local consultation exercise, Declares that the Petitioner objects to the proposed led by the Trust Special Administrators (TSAs) at Mid closure of Suffolk Court Care Home in Yeadon; further Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust. I am asking Monitor, that with the increase in numbers and age of older which appointed the (TSAs), to ensure that the views of people in our community, Suffolk Court is a vital resource, the petitioners are taken into account when making providing security and practical care for those unable to their decision. be sustained at home by community services; further that closing Suffolk Court would undermine services to the elderly and vulnerable in Yeadon. The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of TRANSPORT Commons call upon Leeds City Council to reassess its priorities and keep this essential service open. A controlled crossing on Ashby Road (Daventry) And the Petitioner remains, etc.—[Presented by Greg The Petition of residents of the UK, Mulholland, Official Report, 19 June 2013; Vol. 564, c. 1022.] Declares that the Petitioners believe a controlled crossing should be installed outside the Falcolner’s Hill/Parker [P001188] E-ACT Academy/Dolphin Day Nursery on the Ashby Observations from the Secretary of State for Health, Road. received 18 July 2013: The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Local authorities are responsible for providing social Commons urges the Government to install such a controlled care services, including residential care, in their areas. crossing. Local authorities are autonomous public bodies and it And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Chris is a matter for the local authority concerned to decide Heaton-Harris, Official Report, 17 July 2013; Vol. 566, how best to meet the need for social services, including c. 1270.] residential care, in its area. It would not be appropriate [P001215] for Government Ministers to intervene in such matters, provided of course that local authorities are acting Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport, lawfully. received 12 August 1213: It is for the local authority concerned to decide how The design, installation and maintenance of pedestrian best to meet the need for social care services. Local crossings are matters for local highway authorities, in authorities are entitled to review their direct provision this case Northamptonshire County Council. They have of residential care and other services to see if they can powers to establish crossings on their roads, as well as a achieve a higher quality of care and better value for duty under section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation money. Act 1984 to “secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of vehicular and other traffic (including Ministers do understand how traumatic it can be for pedestrians)”. frail, older and vulnerable people who have to be moved from residential care homes which have become their Local authorities would need to consider local factors true homes. In considering changes to the extent of such as pedestrian numbers, road layout, traffic flow their direct provision of residential care, local authorities and speed and accident records in deciding whether a should ensure that, if care homes have to close and crossing is necessary, and if so what type to provide. residents have to move, such moves are handled sensitively, The Department for Transport has published guidance with full account taken of the welfare and wishes of on the assessment and design of pedestrian crossings, in residents and staff of the homes concerned. two Local Transport Notes (LTNs): LTN 1/95: The Assessment of Pedestrian Crossings LTN 2/95: The Design of Pedestrian Crossings Services for Stafford Hospital Both publications are available on the Department’s The Petition of residents of Stafford and surrounding website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/ area, publications/local-transport-notes. Local authorities are free to make their own decisions Declares that the Petitioners believe that the Trust about the design of the streets under their care, provided Special Administrators, Jeremy Hunt and any other they take account of the relevant legislation. It would individuals responsible for the future of Stafford Hospital be inappropriate for the Government to seek to intervene should support the hospital and save its acute services. in the process of local democratic accountability. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Department of Health to ensure Cambridge to Fenland Train Service that Stafford Hospital retains a 24/7 A&E department, The Petition of residents of North East Cambridgeshire, level 3 critical care and emergency service and full maternity services. Declares that at present the population of March has no access via public transport to evening entertainment And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jeremy and activities in Cambridge; further that the population Lefroy, Official Report, 9 July 2013; Vol. 566, c. 330.] growth rate, faster than for the East of England region [P001194] and England overall, experienced by Fenland demonstrates 5P Petitions2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Petitions 6P the need for better public transport; further declares in late 2014, seeking to secure a quality and affordable that another Petition on this subject has been signed by service that best fits the needs of the people of eastern more than 700 residents of North East Cambridgeshire. England and the requirements of the regional economy. We will consider the firm plans for the new Greater The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Anglia franchise following this consultation. Commons urges the Government to require a late train service from Cambridge to March in the next Greater Before specifying requirements for additional services Anglia franchise. or station calls, the Department would need to be satisfied that there was a strong value-for-money business And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Stephen case for doing so. The Department needs to ensure that Barclay, Official Report, 15 July 2013; Vol. 566, c. 885.] resources are allocated where they will deliver the greatest [P001197] benefit. Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: As such, I am afraid the Department is not currently in a position to commit to specifying additional services The Government are currently developing the from March to Cambridge at this point in time. We will specification for the Greater Anglia Direct Award due of course consider any proposals received during the to run from July 2014 to October 2016 when the new upcoming consultation. full East Anglia franchise will begin. The Petitioners may also wish to share their views The Direct Award is focused on setting the correct with Abellio directly as well as the short-listed bidders baseline and allowing for the opportunity to assess for the 2016 franchise when these are announced. This options for the future franchise while avoiding prejudicing is because the future franchise may well allow a certain the terms of the 2016 competition. amount of flexibility for train companies to operate Looking ahead, the Government will begin to consult services over and above those which the Department on the specifications of the new full East Anglia franchise specifies in the contract.

1W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 2W

Written Answers to £ million

2012-13 11.4 Questions 2011-12 50.2 2010-11 42.7 2009-10 10.3 Monday 2 September 2013 2008-09 3.5

The sums recovered by the Serious Fraud Office from convicted criminals as a result of confiscation orders ATTORNEY-GENERAL increased from £3,328,273 in the financial year 2011-12 to £3,874,030 in the last financial year. The SFO also Billing recovers money from those associated with criminal or unlawful conduct and it is this sum that has declined. Nick de Bois: To ask the Attorney-General how many creditors to the Law Officers’ Departments owed Serious Fraud Office more than £10,000 remained unpaid for more than (a) 30 days, (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days and (e) Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how more than 90 days in each of the last three years. many severance packages the Serious Fraud Office [166366] (SFO) agreed to in 2012-13; how much each such package was; and for how long each recipient had The Attorney-General: The information requested is worked at the SFO. [166212] contained in the following tables. Treasury Solicitor’s Department (TSol)1 The Attorney-General: In 2012-13 three senior civil Number of creditor invoices over £10,000 paid more than 30 days after servants left the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and received receipt severance payments. Between Between Between Between A fourth individual who was operating at SCS level 31 to 46 to 61 to 76 to Over 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days 91 days on a fixed term contract also left the SFO and received a redundancy payment. 2010-11 39 15 5 4 14 The details of the exit terms for all four individuals 2011-12 55 6603were contained in a written ministerial statement dated 2012-13 34 85574 December 2012, Official Report, column 51WS. 1 Tsol data also cover the Attorney-General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate. In addition eight junior graded staff left the SFO Serious Fraud Office through a voluntary exit scheme at a total cost of Number of creditor invoices over £10,000 paid more than 30 working £570,000. Those individuals had between six and 29 years’ days after receipt service in the SFO and the wider civil service. Between Between Between Between 31 to 46 to 61 to 76 to Over Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General whether 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days 91 days the Serious Fraud Office subsidises the connecting costs 2010-11 78 10 4 2 7 of any of its employees. [166213] 2011-12 53 7331 2012-13 22 10 2 1 2 The Attorney-General: The expiry of the lease on the Serious Fraud Offices in Elm Street required new premises Crown Prosecution Service to be found. In December 2011 the current location of Number of creditor invoices over £10,000 paid more than 30 days after receipt Cockspur Street was identified. In March 2012 the then Between Between Between Between Chief Executive and Executive Board agreed a scheme 31 to 46 to 61 to 75 76 to Over to pay excess fares for a period of three years from the 45 days 60 days days 90 days 91 days date of the move in November 2012 to staff who 2010-11 347 179 101 71 142 incurred additional travel costs as a result of the transfer. 2011-12 251 144 56 52 150 The additional travel cost is the difference in cost between 2012-13 172 79 60 28 88 their previous journey to work and the most cost effective and reasonable means of travel to the new workplace. Proceeds of Crime This is subject to tax and national insurance. 38 staff have had a claim for excess fares approved. The SFO has four investigative staff who are contracted Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General to work at locations outside London. The SFO does not what the reasons are for the decline in assets recovered subsidise any of their commuting costs but pays their from convicted criminals by the Serious Fraud Office travel on the occasions when they are required to attend between 2011-12 and 2012-13. [166218] meetings at another location, in line with the SFO’s travel and subsistence policy. The Attorney-General: The Serious Fraud Office deals with a small number of large value cases each year and Serious Fraud Office: Redundancy and severance so the sums recovered from criminals vary greatly and arrangements year on year comparisons are an inaccurate measure of performance. Nick Smith: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant A single large case can distort the figures. The sums to the Tenth Report of the Public Accounts Committee, recovered over the past five years are as follows: Session 2013-14, HC 360 on Serious Fraud Office: 3W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 4W redundancy and severance arrangements, whether the The Attorney-General: The Law Officers’ Departments police will be asked to investigate the unauthorised are not considered to be ″public bodies″ under the redundancy and severance payments made by the former provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993 (sections 6 director of the Serious Fraud Office. [167086] and 21) and are consequently not required to publish a Welsh language scheme. The Crown Prosecution Service The Attorney-General: The director of the Serious (CPS) does however have an approved Welsh language Fraud Office is aware of his obligations. If any evidence scheme. The original scheme was revised in August of potential criminal offences were to come to his 2008. The CPS has reported and continues to report on attention, he would report them to the appropriate a yearly basis in relation to the operation of the scheme authorities. to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s office. The scheme was reviewed in June 2013 and can be accessed Nick Smith: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant at: to the Tenth Report of the Public Accounts Committee, http://www.cps.gov.uk/wales/assets/uploads/files/ Session 2013-14, HC360 on Serious Fraud Office: CYNLLUN%20IAITH%20GYMRAEG%20- redundancy and severance arrangements, what assessment %20WELSH%20LANGUAGE%20SCHEME.pdf he has made of the unauthorised redundancy and severance Written Questions payments made by the former director of the Serious Fraud Office in relation to misconduct in public office. Chris Ruane: To ask the Attorney-General (1) how [167085] many questions answered by the Law Officers’ Departments included fewer than four pages of statistics in the Official The Solicitor-General: The Public Accounts Committee Report for the last month; [166695] (PAC) considered the redundancy and severance (2) if he will make it the Law Officers’ Departments’ arrangements. The Attorney-General and I have accepted policy to ensure that all answers provided by the Law the conclusions of the PAC report. It will be for the Officers’ Departments containing tables of statistical director of the Serious Fraud Office, as accounting data which would not require more than four pages in officer, to take forward any relevant actions. the Official Report are published in full rather than by The position regarding the redundancy and severance reference to a hyperlink. [166719] agreements is set out on pages 30-31 of the Serious Fraud Office’s annual accounts for 2011-12 which are The Attorney-General: The Office of the Leader of available online at: the House has issued guidance to Departments on publishing statistical data or referring to websites in http://www.sfo.gov.uk/media/223353/ answers and the Attorney-General’s Office aims to annual%20report%20and%20accounts%202011-12.pdf follow this guidance. The guidance itself can be found Nick Smith: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant at to the Tenth Report of the Public Accounts Committee, http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to- Session 2013-14, HC 360 on Serious Fraud Office: parliamentary-work redundancy and severance arrangements, what steps he Between 17 June and the 17 July 2013, 32 of the is taking to recover the unauthorised redundancy and written questions answered by the AGO included statistical severance payments made by the former director of the data tables which were published fully in the Official Serious Fraud Office. [167087] Report.

The Solicitor-General: I refer the hon. Member to the PRIME MINISTER response the Attorney-General gave to the hon. Member Burma for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) on 18 July 2013, Official Report, column 787W. The Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant director of the Serious Fraud Office has written to the to the answer of 12 July 2013, Official Report, column 444W, recipients of the unauthorised ex-gratia payments to on Burma, what the outcomes were and what actions request they repay the money. No repayments have been were agreed as a result of his discussions with President received so far. Thein Sein on (a) progress on political and economic reform, including the need for responsible trade and Wales investment, (b) the UK’s concerns about Kachin and Rakhine states, (c) human rights and (d) the release of Guto Bebb: To ask the Attorney-General whether the remaining political prisoners. [166561] Law Officers’ Departments provide services to people The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the resident in Wales or usually resident in Wales. [166097] written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. The Attorney-General: The Law Officers’ Departments Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) provide the same services to people resident in Wales as on 17 July 2013, Official Report, column 109WS. they do to people resident in England. Lynton Crosby Welsh Language Michael Dugher: To ask the Prime Minister with reference to the answer of 4 March 2013, Official Guto Bebb: To ask the Attorney-General whether the Report, column 847W, on Michael Dugher, on how Law Officers’ Departments have a current Welsh many occasions Mr Lynton Crosby has been registered language scheme; when that scheme was adopted; and on the access control records as a visitor to Downing whether it has been reviewed since May 2011. [166079] Street since November 2012. [166655] 5W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 6W

The Prime Minister: I meet Lynton Crosby in my Nobel Peace Prize capacity as Leader of the Conservative Party. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on Mr Binley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which 16 May 2013, Official Report, column 332W,to the hon. representatives of the Government attended the most Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson). recent Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. [166973]

The Deputy Prime Minister: No representatives of Written Questions the Government attended the recent Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo. Chris Ruane: To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many questions answered by No. 10 Downing Street Trident included fewer than four pages of statistics in the Official Report for the last month; [166712] Alison Seabeck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all which people, service personnel and organisations were answers provided by No. 10 Downing Street containing consulted during the Trident Alternatives Review. tables of statistical data which would not require more [166592] than four pages in the Official Report are published in Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply as the full rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166737] Minister responsible for the Trident Alternatives Review. The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the The review was led by officials in the Cabinet Office, answer I gave to him on 12 July 2013, Official Report, drawing upon advice from military and civilian experts column 445W. Where my answers refer to a hyperlink from within Her Majesty’s Government, primarily from the relevant page is provided to the Member and a copy the Ministry of Defence and from the Foreign and is placed in the Library of the House. Commonwealth Office, on an as-required basis. They I also refer the hon. Member to section 7.32 of the included experts from policy, intelligence, scientific, Guide to Parliamentary Work. The full guide can be capability and cost areas and senior military and civilian accessed online at: staff. www.tinyurl.com/ParliGuide Thomas Docherty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister Readily available information and published sources what estimate he has made of (a) the total monetary 7.32 Members are advised that questions must be seeking cost and (b) how many full-time equivalent staff information that is not readily available elsewhere in the public worked on the preparation of the Trident Alternatives domain (including in answers to identical or similar questions in a Review. [166602] previous session). Increasingly, this is the case as more and more information is available on government websites, though not necessarily in the format requested in the question. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish a detailed account of the total costs of the Trident Alternatives Review. [166557]

John Woodcock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER what the cost of the preparation of the Trident Alternatives Review was. [166599]

Danny Alexander: I have been asked to reply as the Commission on the Consequences of Devolution for the Minister responsible for the Trident Alternatives Review. House of Commons The costs of the review were met from within existing departmental budgets. They were limited to: the time Hywel Williams: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister spent by officials in the Cabinet Office leading the on what date the Government will respond formally to review, which over the past year consisted of two full-time the McKay Commission; and whether the response will staff and a senior civil servant; the time spent by experts form a package of proposals related to financial providing advice on an as-required basis, primarily powers for Wales. [166018] from the Ministry of Defence and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and to any incidental travel Miss Chloe Smith: The Government are considering costs associated with attending meetings. the McKay Commission’s report seriously and These costs are not centrally recorded and could be constructively and intend to respond in the autumn. provided only at disproportionate cost. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander)’s written ministerial statement on 17 July 2013, Official Report, columns 100-101WS, WALES described further work that will take place before the Government respond to the Silk Commission’s report Apprentices on fiscal powers for the National Assembly for Wales. The two Commissions were launched separately and Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for have carried out important work in their own right. The Wales what strategies he has to create apprenticeships reports cover different issues, and the merits of each in his Department; and what plans he has to promote will be considered in their own right. such strategies. [165901] 7W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 8W

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office fully supports the David Mundell: No creditors to the Scotland Office Government’s apprenticeships strategy, employing two owed more than £10,000 remained unpaid for more apprentices of its own. Wales Office staff have also than (a) 30 days, (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days recently provided professional support for the civil service and (e) more than 90 days in each of the last three wide apprenticeship assessment centres. years. Billing Regulation Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many creditors to his Department owed more than Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for £10,000 remained unpaid for more than (a) 30 days, Scotland what the title is of each regulation his (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days and (e) more Department (a) introduced and (b) revokedin(i) than 90 days in each of the last three years. [166383] 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a statement. [165919] Stephen Crabb: None. David Mundell: The Scotland Office is responsible for Cwm Taf Health Board managing a programme of Orders under the Scotland Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Act 1998. Generally, these Orders make changes to the what representations he has received on the cost of (a) law in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or the upgrading Cwm Taf Health Board to the status of reserved law of the UK which are outwith the legislative university and (b) creating additional Professor or competence of the Scottish Parliament. Many of these Chair titles at that university; whether he has had changes are consequential to provisions made in Acts of discussions with the First Minister on these matters; the Scottish Parliament. The Orders do not in themselves introduce or revoke regulations. and if he will make a statement. [166327] Mr David Jones: I have not received any representations Scottish Youth Parliament on the costs of (a) upgrading Cwm Taf Health Board to the status of university or (b) creating additional Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for professor or chair titles at that university. This is not a Scotland what meetings he has had with members of matter that the First Minister has raised during our the Scottish Youth Parliament; and what matters were regular meetings. discussed. [165830] Regulation David Mundell: Both the Secretary of State and I Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales have met representatives of the Scottish YouthParliament what the title is of each regulation his Department (a) at events that we have attended in a ministerial capacity. introduced and (b) revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) Scotland Office officials met with a representative of 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if he will make a the Scottish Youth Parliament in June 2013 to discuss statement. [165922] Scottish involvement in the UK Youth Parliament.

Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office has not introduced Written Questions or revoked any regulations in the period described. Written Questions Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many questions answered by his Department Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales included fewer than four pages of statistics in the Official (1) how many questions answered by his Department Report for the last month; [166713] included fewer than four pages of statistics in the (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all Official Report for the last month; [166716] answers provided by his Department containing tables (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all of statistical data which would not require more than answers provided by his Department containing tables four pages in the Official Report are published in full of statistical data which would not require more than rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166738] four pages in the Official Report are published in full rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166741] David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2013, Official Report, column 751W. Stephen Crabb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2013, Official Report, column 751W.

NORTHERN IRELAND SCOTLAND Billing Billing

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many creditors to his Department owed Northern Ireland how many creditors to her Department more than £10,000 remained unpaid for more than (a) owed more than £10,000 remained unpaid for more 30 days, (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days and (e) than (a) 30 days, (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days more than 90 days in each of the last three years. and (e) more than 90 days in each of the last three [166380] years. [166379] 9W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 10W

Mrs Villiers: The number of creditors to my Department (2) if she will make it her policy to ensure that all owed more than £10,000 which remained unpaid for the answers provided by her Department containing tables periods specified in each of the last three years were as of statistical data which would not require more than follows: four pages in the Official Report are published in full Number of creditors rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166736] More than: 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 July 2013, Official Report, column 750W. 2010-11 1 2 — — — 2011-12 — — 2 — — 2012-13 1 — — — — CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Apprentices Regulation Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many apprenticeships Northern Ireland what the title is of each regulation her Department offered to people aged (a) 16 to 18, her Department (a) introduced and (b) revokedin(i) (b) 19 to 21 and (c) 22 to 26 years old in each year 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to date; and if since 2010. [165869] she will make a statement. [165918] Hugh Robertson: DCMS is fully committed to the Mrs Villiers: My Department has introduced the apprenticeship scheme and, with The Royal Parks, has following regulations since 2010: agreed to provide at least five apprenticeships every year, going forward. Title Number Apprenticeships created by DCMS: 2010 (a) 2010—15 The European Parliamentary Elections (Northern Ireland) 2010/1175 (b) 2011—9 (Amendment) Regulations 2010 The Electoral Law (Polling Station Scheme) (Northern 2010/1532 (c) 2012—6 Ireland) Regulations 2010 We do not hold information for our arm’s length The Identification and Traceability of Explosives Regulations 2010/143 bodies. (Northern Ireland) 2010 We do not keep information on the ages of individuals who have undertaken apprenticeships with the Department. 2011 The Department is committed to supporting None — opportunities for young people and the new Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeships scheme, which is currently 2012 being piloted, will be available to those who are between The Identification and Traceability of Explosives (Amendment) 2012/123 18 and 21 years of age. (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2012 Allocation of Homelessness (Eligibility) (Amendment) 2012/429 Betting Shops Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 Culture, Media and Sport how many betting shops are The Identification and Traceability of Explosives Regulations 2013/48 located in each parliamentary constituency. [166665] (Northern Ireland) 2013 The Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) 1— (Amendment) Regulations 2013 Hugh Robertson: Gambling premises are licensed by The Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (Amendment) 1— local authorities and a breakdown by parliamentary Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 constituency is, therefore, not readily obtainable. However, 1 No number yet—due to be made soon. local authorities are required to make details of their gambling premises register publically available and provide My Department has responsibilities chiefly on a monthly update to the Gambling Commission. Details constitutional, electoral and national security fields; of the number of gambling premises, including betting they do not generally concern business regulation. shops, located in each local authority area are made My Department revoked The Identification and available on the Commission’s website Traceability of Explosives Regulations (Northern Ireland) http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/find_licensees.aspx 2010 and The Identification and Traceability of Explosives (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2012 by Broadband means of the 2013 regulations cited above. Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent progress she has Written Questions made on the super connected cities programme; and if she will make a statement. [166392] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many questions answered by her Mr Vaizey: The Super-Connected Cities Programme Department included fewer than four pages of statistics will improve digital infrastructure capability in the 22 in the Official Report for the last month; [166711] participating cities through support for businesses via a 11W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 12W broadband connection vouchers scheme, increased wireless Football League connectivity in city centres and a number of other innovative connectivity projects. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State All cities have now had plans approved and in early for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if she will meet August my Department launched a two-month market representatives of the Football League to discuss whether test for the connection vouchers scheme in five participating the owners of Coventry City FC have fulfilled the Super-Connected Cities (Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, criteria required by the Football League’s regulations in Manchester and Salford). order to play at another club’s stadium; [166587] The market tests will be reviewed in October with (2) if she will meet representatives of the Football roll-out to the other cities expected to follow soon after. League to discuss potential changes to the Football We will continue to work closely with all Super-Connected League’s regulations in order to avoid financial difficulties Cities to ensure that all elements of the programme are forcing football clubs to play away from their home delivered by 2015. town. [166589] Hugh Robertson: I meet regularly with the Football Broadband: Rural Areas League to discuss a range of issues. I also met with the hon. Member and the right hon. Member for Coventry Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for North East (Mr Ainsworth) to hear their concerns Culture, Media and Sport whether the BDUK rural about the situation faced by Coventry FC, and have broadband framework contract covers marketing and raised their specific concerns with the Football League communications for broadband services; and whether in writing, including the application of their own criteria local authorities will have any future role in delivering and regulations in regards to Coventry City FC. marketing and communication services. [154686] I will let the hon. Member know as soon as I receive an answer. Mr Vaizey [holding answer 13 May 2013]: The rural broadband framework contract includes options for Gambling: Lotteries a range of demand stimulation, marketing and communications activities. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she has made of the effect of the costs of recruiting society lottery Charities players on the amount that the society lotteries give to charities; [167042] David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what estimate she has made of (a) the money Culture, Media and Sport if she will publish a table raised for the good causes and (b) the annual percentage listing every charity which receives more than 25% of difference from society lotteries in each of the last five its funding from her Department. [167261]1 years for which figures are available. [167034] Hugh Robertson: The Gambling Commission’s industry Hugh Robertson: The following charities receive more statistics show that between 2009 and 2012 money than 25% of their funding from the Department for raised by society lotteries for good causes increased Culture, Media and Sport: from £100.57 million in 2009-10 to £103.46 million in Arts Council England 2010-11, £132.05 million in 2011-12 and £151.94 million British Film Institute in 2012-13. Balancing the long-term potential future British Library income to the good cause from introducing a new player against the initial recruitment cost is a matter for British Museum the society lotteries concerned. However, for each lottery Churches Conservation Trust draw they must ensure that those short-term costs do English Heritage not cause the overall amount given to the good cause to Geffrye Museum fall below the statutory minimum of 20% of their ticket Horniman Museum sales and that any expenses (including those related to player recruitment) are reasonably incurred. Imperial War Museum National Film and Television School Legal Costs National Gallery Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for National Museums Liverpool (National Museums and Galleries Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department on Merseyside) spent on external lawyers’ fees in the last year for which National Portrait Gallery figures are available. [162511] Natural History Museum Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Hugh Robertson: The Department spent £2,480,812 on external lawyers’ fees in the last financial year (2012-13). Royal Armouries Royal Museums Greenwich (National Maritime Museum) Library Services Science Museum Group Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Sir John Soane’s Museum Media and Sport what recent assessment she has made Victoria & Albert Museum of the effect of reductions in funding for local authorities Wallace Collection. on the provision of library services in England. [166919] 1.[Official Report, 6 September 2013, Vol. 567, c. 7-8MC.] 13W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 14W

Mr Vaizey: Local authorities have a statutory duty for a comparable period ending 2011, and £314,956,910 under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to for the period ending 2010 (although the time period is provide a comprehensive and efficient library service not directly comparable). The Northern Ireland and taking into account local needs and within available Western Scotland region showed total ticket sales of resources. My Department monitors and assesses proposals £209,233,909 for 2009; no corresponding scratch card and decisions being made about changes to library sales figures are available. services by local authorities across England. Publications Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she spent on subscriptions to academic journals published has had with executives from the Science Museum by (a) Reed-Elsevier, (b) Wiley-Blackwell, (c) Group regarding the future of the Museum of Science Springer and (d) any other academic publisher in each and Industry (Manchester). [159632] of the last five years. [154490]

Mr Vaizey [holding answer 17 June 2013]: A list of Hugh Robertson: The Department generally uses ministerial meetings since May 2010 is available on the on-demand services for online access to individual journal Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) articles and subscriptions to journals are only taken out Transparency website, which can be found at this web on an exceptional basis. The Department has recorded address: direct spend in the last five years on subscriptions to www.transparency.culture.gov.uk academic journals of: Reed-Elsevier: Nil Music: Disability Wiley-Blackwell: £907.90 in 2008-09 Springer: £535.23 in 2009-10 John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Subscriptions to other academic journals are made Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she through the same agents used to supply newspapers and has had with disability groups about young people’s other periodicals. Detailed billing information is not experiences regarding watching live music. [166630] held to identify costs by title/publisher and therefore information on spend with other academic publishers Mr Vaizey: This Government fund Attitude is Everything, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. via Arts Council England, which improves deaf and disabled people’s access to live music by working in Sports: Scotland partnership with audiences, artists and the music industry. I met with representatives from this and other organisations Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, in 2012 to discuss improving accessibility at live Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the entertainment venues. proportion of (a) under-16 year olds, (b) 16 to 25 year More generally, section 20 of the Equality Act 2010 olds, (c) 25 to 40 year olds, (d) 40 to 60 year olds and requires service providers (those who provide a service (e) over 60 year olds who take part in recreational sport to the public or a section of the public), which includes in (i) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, (ii) music venues, to make a ‘reasonable adjustment’ so that Renfrewshire and (iii) Scotland. [166679] disabled people are not placed at a “substantial disadvantage” compared to non-disabled people. Hugh Robertson: This is a devolved matter and is the responsibility of the Scottish Government. National Lottery Telephone Services Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value was of sales of National Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Lottery scratch cards in Northern Ireland in each year Culture, Media and Sport when she expects Ofcom to between 2009 and 2012; and what the value was of publish detailed proposals on simplifying non-geographic National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland in numbers; and how she expects the proposals to be each such year. [166826] implemented by (a) government, (b) other public bodies and (c) other UK businesses and organisations. Hugh Robertson: Sales figures for national lottery [155753] games in Northern Ireland are not recorded separately, and when combined with wider regional sales figures, Mr Vaizey: On 15 April 2013, Ofcom set out its are not available in a directly comparable format for the detailed policy proposals to simplify non-geographic years requested due to changes in the way that regional numbers. Its main proposals included making freephone sales are recorded. Since 2009, sales figures for national 080 and 116 numbers free to call from all landline and lottery games in Northern Ireland have been recorded mobile telephones. Also, revenue sharing ranges, 084, in a single sales area with Northern Scotland. Prior to 087, 09 and 118 numbers, where a portion of the retail this they were included in the Western Scotland region charge is passed back to the receiver of the call, will statistics. National lottery ticket and scratch card sales have a common simplified structure. The proposals are are combined into a single sales figure. Sales figures for subject to a final consultation on the legal instruments, the combined Northern Ireland and Northern Scotland which will put them into effect, and this process is region show total ticket and scratch card sales of expected to be completed by July 2013. Following the £366,733,369 for the year to March 31 2012, £351,521,650 confirmation of the legal instruments, there will be an 15W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 16W

18 month implementation period. Government, other Mr Duncan: The protection and promotion of the public bodies and UK businesses and organisations will rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) be required to implement the changes by the end of the people forms part of the UK’s international human 18 months. Ofcom has already started discussions with rights agenda. DFID works closely with the FCO who industry and Government Departments to explain the lead the UK’s work internationally on LGBT rights. changes and the impact for them. DFID raises human rights issues in dialogue with Written Questions: Government Responses partner Governments, and supports LGBT groups to raise awareness in communities, to combat violence, harassment and exclusion, and to challenge discriminatory Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for practices and laws. The UK supported the strengthened Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to answer Commonwealth Charter which opposes all forms of Question 160538, tabled on 12 June 2013 for answer on discrimination. 20 June 2013. [164022]

Mr Vaizey: I refer the hon. Member to the written Crown Dependencies ministerial statement tabled on 4 July 2013, Official Report, column 60-61WS. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) if she plans to meet representatives from the Crown dependencies to explore how to develop further the value those territories contribute LEADER OF THE HOUSE to the UK economy; [166614] Written Questions (2) what plans she has to strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and Jersey. [166615]

Chris Ruane: To ask the Leader of the House (1) how Mr Duncan: No Crown dependency qualifies routinely many questions answered by his Office included fewer for DFID’s support under the International Development Official Report than four pages of statistics in the for Act 2002. the last month; [166710] (2) if he will make it his policy to ensure that all Development Framework: Post 2015 answers provided by his Office containing tables of statistical data which would not require more than four pages in the Official Report are published in full rather Pauline Latham: To ask the Secretary of State for than by reference to a hyperlink. [166735] International Development what plans her Department has to engage parliamentarians in developing policy on Mr Lansley: My Office has answered no questions the Post-2015 Development Framework; and if she will which include statistical data in a table format within ask the Prime Minister to meet parliamentarians to the period starting on 18 June 2013 and finishing on 18 discuss their role in that process. [166841] July 2013. The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons Mr Duncan: DFID welcomes the engagement provides guidance to all Departments on the practice of parliamentarians have had on this agenda, including answering parliamentary questions. The guidance advises two Westminster Hall debates this year on Post-2015 that the answer should give the Member the factual and a number of all-party parliamentary group events, information requested (including supplying paper copies as well as the valuable role played by the International of the website pages), with an additional line in the Development Committee. The Secretary of State for answer indicating that the information is available in the International Development, my right hon. Friend the House of Commons Library. Member for Putney (Justine Greening), intends to speak to APPGs after the summer recess and to continue to The full Guide is available on the Cabinet Office engage with Parliament over the next two years of website at: negotiations on this important agenda. http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to- parliamentary-work G8 Summit A copy of the guidance relating to referring to websites has already been placed in the Library and the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons intends to review Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Guide to Parliamentary Work later this year. International Development what assessment has been made of the likely effects of the outcomes agreed at the G8 Summit in June 2013 on developing countries; and if she will make a statement. [166591] INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Mr Duncan: At the Lough Erne summit, leaders Commonwealth discussed how the G8 can support the development of open economies, open governments and open societies Mr Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for by advancing trade, ensuring fairer taxes and promoting International Development what steps her Department greater transparency. The commitments made at the G8 is taking to encourage Commonwealth member states summit will see the G8 working in partnership with that criminalise consensual, private same-sex sexual developing countries, business and civil society to make conduct to repeal such legislation; and if she will make progress on these global issues and, in doing so, help a statement. [166693] developing countries to establish a thriving private sector, 17W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 18W create jobs and raise the revenues required to control Pakistan: Human Rights their own future. A range of partners, including developing country governments, made commitments in support of Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for this agenda at the G8 ‘Open for Growth’ event on International Development whether her Department 15 June. has attached conditions to UK bilateral aid to Pakistan We have also used our presidency to tackle hunger. that would protect the human rights of (a) the Hazaras The Lough Erne Communiqué endorsed the commitments and (b) other persecuted groups in Quetta. [166933] that were made at the pre-summit ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event, which will prevent at least 1.7 million infant Mr Duncan: The UK’s aid programme in Pakistan is deaths, save an additional 20 million children under-five strictly dependent on securing results and value for from stunting, and improve the nutrition of 500 million money for all our projects, and the Government of pregnant women and young children by 2020. Another Pakistan’s own progress on reform at federal and provincial pre-summit event on Social Impact Investment will help levels. DFID assesses the Government’s progress in key to accelerate the growth of this market, therefore increasing areas through the UK’s Development Partnership investments targeted at enterprises that benefit the poor discussions, including protecting the human rights of as consumers, suppliers, producers or employees. all Pakistanis. DFID and the FCO also regularly raise human rights issues with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels. Montserrat Pakistan: Victims of Terrorism Dr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent (a) technical assistance her Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has provided and (b) representations her International Development whether her Department Department has made to the Montserrat Government has allocated funding in its aid budget for supporting with regard to that Territory’s Conservation and victims of terrorism in Quetta, Pakistan. [166932] Environmental Management Bill. [166461] Mr Duncan: The UK provides support to Balochistan Mr Duncan: Although environmental management is through the World Bank-administered Multi Donor an issue devolved to the Government of Montserrat, Trust Fund. This helps restore damaged infrastructure, DFID takes a keen interest in it. As part of the Strategic improve government services and develop livelihoods in Growth Plan for Montserrat, DFID has supported the conflict affected areas of Pakistan. creation of an appropriate legal and institutional framework for environment management as a key reform priority. Palestinian Healthcare System DFID will provide further technical support for work on environmental and climate change management under this framework. Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what reports her Department has received I expect the Bill to enact the Conservation and on the work being undertaken by the Hadassah Hospital Environment Act, a fundamental milestone in establishing in support of the Palestinian healthcare system; and if such a framework, to be passed in August. her Department will provide support to extend such medical programmes for the purpose of encouraging peaceful coexistence. [167061] Nepal: Judicial Reform Mr Duncan: We welcome efforts by Palestinian and Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Israeli medical professionals to collaborate more closely. Development, what the (a) objectives, (b) project partners, The UK is supporting a project implemented by the (c) intended beneficiaries and (d) allocated funding Peres Centre and Palestinian Red Crescent Society through from his Department is of the Security and Judicial the Conflict Pool. This places Palestinian doctors and Reform Project in Nepal; and how his Department healthcare professionals in Israeli hospitals for training. plans to measure the impact of that project. [166894] Over the course of the project, Conflict Pool funds will support the training of up to 50 doctors in hospitals Mr Duncan: DFID plans to support a new justice and across Israel. security programme from late 2013. The main objective Hadassah hospital is one of the participating of the programme will be to help the poorest and most establishments. Since the project began, six doctors vulnerable people in Nepal to secure better justice. As have begun work in Hadassah hospital, and more will the project is still in its design phase, the implementing train at Hadassah hospital in the future. partners have not yet been identified but, these are likely to be a mixture of national justice sector institutions and non-governmental organisations. The intended results Syria are to make the police more responsive to the communities they serve, to support a well-functioning and independent Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for justice system and to tackle sexual and domestic violence. International Development pursuant to the answer of It is envisaged that up to £35 million will be set aside to 11 June 2013, Official Report, column 280W, on Syria, fund this programme. The impact of the programme if she will make representations to the United Nations will be measured by regular collection of data on the to specifically assess the needs of (a) disabled and (b) justice system and by measuring the impact on beneficiaries. young refugees from Syria. [166680] 19W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 20W

Mr Duncan: In the recently revised Regional Response Written Questions Plan to meet the needs of refugees and others affected by the Syrian crisis in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for and Egypt, the UN outlines how the co-ordinated International Development (1) how many questions humanitarian response will meet the needs of the most answered by her Department included fewer than four vulnerable. Data are available on registered refugees pages of statistics in the Official Report for the last and those pending registration, allowing humanitarian month; [166708] actors to target the most vulnerable groups including (2) if she will make it her policy to ensure that all minors and disabled persons, as well as other vulnerable answers provided by her Department containing tables groups including elderly persons and female or child-headed of statistical data which would not require more than households. four pages in the Official Report are published in full Meeting the needs of the most vulnerable people rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166733] affected by this crisis continues to be a priority for the UK, both in our humanitarian programme and in the Mr Duncan: From 17 June to 17 July DFID answered representations we make to the wider international 10 parliamentary questions that contained statistics in community. The Secretary of State for International the form of a table. All were fewer than four pages in the Development called for this most recently in her meeting Official Report. DFID strives to provide answers that with the heads of UN agencies and during her visit to are accurate, clear and concise—this includes providing Lebanon in early July. statistical data in full. In instances where the data requested are of substantial length and are in the public Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for domain DFID will provide Members with a hyperlink. International Development what assessment she has made of the effect of Syrian refugees coming into refugee camps in (a) Lebanon, (b) Jordan, (c) Iraq and (d) Turkey on the resources and needs of long-term HOME DEPARTMENT refugees already present in these countries. [166681] Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Mr Duncan: There are now over 1.8 million refugees Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the in the region including (a) 629,000 in Lebanon, (b) Home Department what discussions she has had 502,000 in Jordan, (c) 413,000 in Turkey, (d) 161,000 in with the Welsh Government regarding introducing Iraq and (e) 95,000 in Egypt. Some live in camps close minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Wales. [166689] to the border, but the vast majority are living in host communities or rented accommodation. Refugees are Mr Jeremy Browne: The alcohol consultation covered crossing the border in an increasingly poor state, often England and Wales and received approximately 1,500 with little more than the clothes on their backs, while responses, including a response from the Welsh Assembly refugees who have been present in these countries for a Government. We have considered all of these carefully longer period of time are running out of resources and and published our response and next steps on 17 July becoming increasingly vulnerable. 2013. The UK has recognised the increasing needs of all those affected by the crisis, including the immediate Armed Forces needs of those refugees who have recently crossed the border, as well as the long-term needs of refugees Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home already present and the increasingly vulnerable communities Department what recent work her Department has that are hosting them. That is why, at the G8 summit, commissioned on armed forces servicemen becoming the Prime Minister announced that the UK was doubling involved in far right groups while they are still serving its funding for the crisis, pledging a further £175 million, or once they have left the military. [167017] and bringing our total funding to date to over £348 million—the largest sum the UK has ever committed to Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home a single humanitarian crisis. Of this new funding, £50 Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for million each will go to Jordan and Lebanon, including Maidenhead (Mrs May), has not commissioned any funding for longer-term initiatives. work to look at this issue specifically. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has guidance on the appropriate behaviour Tibet and activities of serving personnel, including their involvement in the affairs of political organisations, parties or movements, or participation in political marches Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for or demonstrations. The MOD will follow up any International Development what level of aid her misconduct and will assist relevant authorities to investigate Department provides to the Tibet Autonomous Region any allegations of criminal activity. and other Tibetan regions in China; and what the main areas of focus are of such programmes. [R] [166629] Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a Government Mr Duncan: DFID does not have a bilateral programme working group on armed forces servicemen or former in the Tibetan region. It is included within a small servicemen involved in far right groups. [167018] number of regional programmes looking at helping people adapt to the effects of changing river flows, such Damian Green: There is currently no Government as in the Mount Kailash area. working group looking specifically at this issue. 21W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 22W

Arrest Warrants Surrenders, 2012-13 Number

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Bulgaria 2 Home Department how many people wanted by UK Cyprus 2 police have been (a) arrested in other EU member Czech Republic 2 states under an EU arrest warrant, (b) returned to the Denmark 0 UK, (c) prosecuted and (d) convicted of an offence by Estonia 0 a UK court since April 2010. [162403] Finland 1 France 9 Mr Harper [holding answer 2 July 2013]: I have been Germany 5 informed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) Gibraltar 2 that between the financial years 2010-11 and 2012-13, Greece 0 431 people were arrested in other EU member states, Hungary 0 pursuant to a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued Ireland 24 by the UK. In the same time period, 397 people were Italy 6 surrendered back to the UK pursuant to an EAW. Latvia 2 Information relating to the number of prosecutions Lithuania 0 and convictions is not held centrally. SOCA, and the Luxembourg 0 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (for Scotland), Malta 1 are the designated central authority for processing EAWs Netherlands 15 involving the UK. The involvement of these agencies in Poland 6 the extradition process ends at the point of surrender Portugal 4 back to the UK, as the person is then subject to the Romania 4 normal criminal justice system. Slovakia 3 Slovenia 0 Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Spain 31 Department how many people were extradited to the Sweden 0 UK under a European arrest warrant in 2012-13; and from which EU member states they were extradited. Total 123 [162566] Asylum Mr Harper [holding answer 1 July 2013]: I have been informed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the that 123 people were extradited to the UK under a Home Department how many people granted asylum European Arrest Warrant in 2012-13. in the UK in each of the last five years were from (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. [166502] The countries they were extradited from can be seen in the following table: Mr Harper: The following table shows how many Surrenders, 2012-13 people granted asylum in the UK in each of the last five Number years were from (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. Grants Austria 0 consist of asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary Belgium 4 leave and indefinite leave to remain under private and family life rules.

Total asylum grants at initial decision, for main applicants 2008-12 Country of nationality Total grants Grants of asylum Grants of HP Grants of DL Other grants1

2008 Afghanistan 988 100 12 876 — Iraq 397 181 7 209 —

2009 Afghanistan 1,381 156 8 1,217 — Iraq 253 95 5 153 —

2010 Afghanistan 762 158 4 600 — Iraq 128 55 8 65 —

20112 Afghanistan 388 110 2 276 — Iraq 80 43 3 34 —

20122 Afghanistan 288 142 3 139 4 Iraq 53 38 2 10 3

1 Other grants includes indefinite leave to remain under private and family life rules. 2 Provisional data. 23W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 24W

The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home statistics on asylum decisions within the Immigration Department how many local community projects received Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration direct Government funding to implement the Prevent Statistics January to March 2013 is available from: Strategy in each year since 2011. [166756] https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/ series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release James Brokenshire: The Home Office provided and also from the Library of the House. Government funding to 17 projects in 2011-12, 75 projects in 2012-13 and 52 projects for the current financial year 2013-14. In many cases this funding was provided to British Nationality local government to support local community projects.

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Counter-terrorism: Meetings the Home Department under what circumstances an individual who holds a permanently unspent criminal conviction is allowed to become a British citizen. Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home [166878] Department how many meetings she and her officials attended with colleagues in the Department for Mr Harper: When considering applications for British Communities and Local Government to review the citizenship, criminal convictions form part of the assessment Prevent Strategy in each year since 1 January 2011. of whether a person is of ‘good character’. Prior to 13 [166784] December 2012, these were considered in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Generally, where James Brokenshire: The Prevent Oversight Board, a conviction was unspent, the application was refused. which advises ministerial colleagues on the effectiveness For applications made on or after 13 December 2012, of the Prevent strategy and its local implementation, the requirements were amended to reflect the exemption and whose membership includes colleagues from the of certain immigration and nationality decisions from Department for Communities and Local Government, section 4 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. has met four times since its inception in spring 2012. Now they are considered in line with the table outlined More broadly, my ministerial colleagues, officials, as follows. and I maintain a close working relationship with colleagues This represents a tightening of the requirements where in the Department for Communities and Local Government a person has been sentenced to a period of imprisonment. and have regular meetings about specific issues relating We have also reduced the amount of discretion open to to Prevent. I am unable to give an exact figure for the caseworkers to grant in spite of a conviction. large number of meetings we have convened and attended. However, in exceptional circumstances citizenship may be granted where the application would normally be Crime refused. In particular, where a person has been convicted of an offence which is not recognised as such in the UK (eg proselytising, homosexuality). Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 17 July Sentence Impact on citizenship application 2013, Official Report, columns 688-90W, on crime, if she will publish the equivalent data for 2012-13. [167031] 4 years or more imprisonment Refused regardless of when the conviction occurred Between 12 months and 4 years Refused, unless 15 years have Mr Jeremy Browne: The presentation of detections imprisonment passed since the end of the sentence data changed for 2012-13 and the data in the following Up to 12 months imprisonment Refused, unless seven years have table are not directly comparable with those contained passed since the end of the sentence in the previous answer. Non custodial sentence Refused if the conviction occurred within the last 3 years For the year ending March 2013 figures, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published headline national crime figures that included centralised (Action Fraud) recording of fraud and a separate series which excluded Counter-terrorism fraud. Due to the staggered move of recording fraud offences by forces to Action Fraud, the number of Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the offences, detection numbers and rates are shown excluding Home Department how much funding was given to fraud offences to allow for consistent comparisons. The local community groups to promote the Prevent 2011-12 figures excluding fraud are also included in the Strategy in each year since 2011. [166755] new table. Following a public consultation in October 2011, the James Brokenshire: Since 2011 the Home Office has Home Office announced the cessation of the collection given £4,531,870 to fund local community groups to of crime statistics at Basic Command Unit (BCU) with implement the Prevent Strategy: £1,788,735 was provided effect from April 2012. Prior to that date, detections in 2011-12; £1,297,952 in 2012-13; and £1,445,183 has data were available at BCU level (which equates to been approved in 2013-14 so far. In many cases this London boroughs in the Metropolitan police force area) funding was provided to local government to support but from 2012-13 onwards are only available at police local community projects. force area level. 25W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 26W

Offences recorded and sanction detections by police force area (excluding fraud)1 2011-12 2012-13 Number of Sanction Number of Sanction Number of sanction detection rate Number of sanction detection rate Police force area offences recorded detections1 (%) offences recorded detections1 (%)

Avon and Somerset 111,792 34,116 31 96,964 31,134 32 Bedfordshire 39,330 9,536 24 34,825 8,766 25 British Transport Police 52,404 16,390 31 51,648 15,814 31 Cambridgeshire 49,839 14,358 29 44,845 12,492 28 Cheshire 58,118 15,056 26 55,785 13,602 24 Cleveland 42,767 16,123 38 38,886 14,651 38 Cumbria 25,548 10,002 39 22,791 8,530 37 Derbyshire 59,672 16,243 27 50,286 13,573 27 Devon and Cornwall 89,403 24,762 28 83,440 21,489 26 Dorset 43,916 9,501 22 39,525 8,542 22 Durham 34,738 12,907 37 29,626 10,971 37 Dyfed-Powys 20,554 10,305 50 18,636 10,303 55 Essex 102,108 27,407 27 97,419 23,962 25 Gloucestershire 33,694 6,892 20 29,227 6,510 22 Greater Manchester 199,745 55,155 28 177,153 45,736 26 Gwent 38,020 13,612 36 33,781 11,555 34 Hampshire 124,646 34,753 28 105,484 30,093 29 Hertfordshire 59,594 20,880 35 51,024 19,065 37 Humberside 70,379 21,389 30 62,284 18,849 30 Kent 97,940 31,594 32 96,548 28,830 30 Lancashire 96,712 35,729 37 91,390 32,815 36 Leicestershire 65,569 15,961 24 57,233 17,193 30 Lincolnshire 43,130 11,440 27 36,832 9,869 27 London, City of 5,925 2,122 36 5,482 1,610 29 Merseyside 94,378 30,792 33 88,625 27,713 31 Metropolitan Police 778,260 171,884 22 733,204 160,037 22 Norfolk 41,429 13,559 33 37,491 13,229 35 Northamptonshire 47,503 10,712 23 45,553 9,882 22 Northumbria 73,589 31,690 43 66,295 27,484 41 North Wales 41,902 12,917 31 37,187 10,551 28 North Yorkshire 37,727 12,101 32 34,121 10,308 30 Nottinghamshire 75,547 25,236 33 66,959 20,055 30 South Wales 85,378 28,162 33 82,599 27,113 33 South Yorkshire 98,831 27,228 28 91,439 23,879 26 Staffordshire 63,390 18,502 29 57,456 15,990 28 Suffolk 44,262 11,064 25 38,963 9,895 25 Surrey 59,068 12,233 21 50,537 12,716 25 Sussex 92,998 24,125 26 88,195 23,331 26 Thames Valley 143,066 35,291 25 127,818 31,790 25 Warwickshire 32,910 5,897 18 28,951 6,055 21 West Mercia 66,963 16,731 25 58,769 15,099 26 West Midlands 185,158 41,133 22 164,519 38,118 23 West Yorkshire 179,365 44,637 25 159,510 39,456 25 Wiltshire 34,963 8,341 24 33,015 8,378 25 Total 3,842,230 1,048,468 27 3,502,320 947,053 27 1 For the year ending March 2013 figures, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published headline national crime figures that included centralised (Action Fraud) recording of fraud and a separate series which excluded fraud. Due to the staggered move of recording fraud offences by forces to Action Fraud, crime detection numbers and rates are shown excluding fraud offences to allow for consistent comparisons.

David Anderson Employment

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had Home Department how many times she has met David with employers on the minimum wage and illegal Anderson QC to discuss terrorism since 1 January immigration. [166682] 2013. [166757] Mr Harper: On 9 July a consultation was published James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers and officials on measures to reform the civil penalty scheme to have meetings with a wide variety of international prevent illegal migrant working. Officials are currently partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the engaging with employers on the proposals. public and private sectors, as part of the process of The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills policy development and delivery. (BIS), has responsibility for policy and legislation in 27W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 28W relation to the national minimum wage and HM Revenue displays police recorded crime volumes of homicides and Customs (HMRC) enforces this on behalf of BIS. and various categories of violence against the person, Home Office Immigration Enforcement works closely while Table A1 displays estimated volumes from the with HMRC and other Government Departments and Crime Survey of England and Wales, including the agencies, to ensure a comprehensive and effective response category of wounding. to employer breaches of workplace compliance Illegal Immigrants requirements, including the employment of illegal migrant workers and breach of the national minimum wage. Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the Firearms: Licensing number of illegal immigrants in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, (b) Renfrewshire, (c) Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland and (d) the UK in each of the last five years. the Home Department what assessment she has made [166683] of the effect on public safety of (a) banning the private storage of firearms in domestic dwellings, (b) Mr Harper: Government estimates on the illegal migrant undertaking annual mental health checks on firearms population at local or national level are not available. certificate holders and (c) creating a publicly-available Given the clandestine nature of illegal migrants, any register of individuals with access to firearms; and if estimation is extremely difficult and there would be she will make a statement. [166422] considerable uncertainty around any estimates. Legal Costs Damian Green: Firearms control in the UK is among the toughest in the world. This shows clearly that gun crime will not be tolerated by this Government nor Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the wider society. Home Department how much her Department spent on external lawyers’ fees in the last year for which The Home Affairs Committee in its report on firearms figures are available. [162518] control, published in December 2010, concluded that the storage of weapons at central locations would not James Brokenshire: In financial year 2012-13 the Home reduce the risk of theft. The Committee also considered Department spent £16,584,000 on external lawyers’ fees. that annual health checks on certificate holders would be both resource intensive and disproportionate. The Members: Correspondence Government support these conclusions. Our assessment is that a publically-available register Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the of those with access to firearms would compromise Home Department when she expects that a reply will be public safety and could lead to the theft of legally held sent to the letters dated 24 April 2013 and 4 June 2013 weapons. from the hon. Member for Harrow West to the UK Border Agency regarding Mr Hiren Patel of Harrow. Homicide and Wounding: Costs [166774] Mr Harper: UK Visas and Immigration wrote to the Mr Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for the hon. Member on 18 July 2013. Home Department, what estimate she has made of the annual costs from homicide and wounding since 2005; Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for and how this figure for 2013 is broken down. [167080] the Home Department when she intends to reply to the letter to the Minister of State for Immigration dated 18 Mr Jeremy Browne: The Home Office does not estimate June 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, the annual costs of homicide or wounding. Gorton with regard to Mr Paul Mendy. [166967] The social and economic costs associated with crimes, including homicide and wounding, in 2010 prices, are Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on published in the following location: 24 July 2013. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unit-costs-of- Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for crime-and-multipliers-revised the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Further detail on costs of crime estimates, including letter to the Minister of State for Immigration dated 10 more detailed breakdowns of the unit costs, and a June 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, methodology for uprating values to the current year, Gorton with regard to Mr Adeel Farrukh. [166970] can be found via the following links: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110218135832/ Mr Harper: I replied to the right hon. Member on rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors217.pdf 24 July 2013. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100413151441/ Passports http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/rdsolr3005.pdf Crime volumes are published quarterly by the Office Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the for National Statistics. Home Department what steps she has taken to (a) Table A4 in the latest publication shut down and (b) raise awareness of websites which http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference- purport to offer passport renewal services on behalf of tables.html?edition=tcmpercent3A77-314526 the Passport Office. [162963] 29W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 30W

Mr Harper: Her Majesty’s Passport Office monitor Damian Green: Home Office Ministers and officials the claims made by private companies which charge for have meetings with a wide variety of international services that cannot guarantee the issuing of a passport partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the and can result in the customer paying additional and public and private sectors, as part of the process of unnecessary fees. Where a company may be in breach of policy development and delivery. Details of these meetings the law, the case would be referred as appropriate to the are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis Advertising Standards Authority or Phonepayplus or and are subsequently published on the Cabinet Office to the relevant trading standards authority. website. We have asked the Advertising Standards Authority to request websites that are operating within the law to Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for make clearer and more prominent that they are not the Home Department what assessment she has made acting on behalf of HM Passport Office; that the issue of additional pressures placed on policing in Cardiff as of a passport cannot be guaranteed; and that the passport a result of (a) the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic fee is payable only when submitting an application to Games and (b) other major sporting events in the last HM Passport Office. year. [166492] Phonepayplus has also been informed of our concern Damian Green: The safety and security operation for about websites that may result in the person paying the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games was a success. unnecessary and costly fees. Additional funding was provided to the police, including The website www.gov.uk is the only provider of the to the former South Wales Police Authority, to ensure British passport and passport applicants should use the that they were able to take on additional responsibilities official government website. without affecting core services. No specific assessment has been made of the impact of any other major Police and Crime Commissioners sporting event in Cardiff in the last year. Police: Finance Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if her Department will bring forward Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for proposals to bring into line the rules restricting people the Home Department pursuant to the Oral Answer of convicted of an imprisonable offence standing for election 15 July 2013, Official Report, column 766, on resourcing to the post of police and crime commissioner with the for South Wales police, what comparative assessment rules for other public offices. [166818] her Department has made of the level of funding for policing in (a) Cardiff, (b) Belfast, (c) Edinburgh and Damian Green: A person is disqualified from standing (d) London. [166352] for election as a Police and Crime Commissioner if they have at any time been convicted of an imprisonable Damian Green: The Home Secretary is responsible offence, regardless of whether they were sent to prison for policing in England and Wales only. It is therefore for that offence. This high standard was set because not possible to comment on funding for policing in Police and Crime Commissioners will hold police forces, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Policing London comes whose duty is to uphold the law, to account. We will with many additional yet specific responsibilities. Such consider whether any changes to rules on disqualification responsibilities are not present to the same extent in are needed before the next elections for Police and Cardiff. Crime Commissioners in 2016. Stop and Search Police: Cardiff Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department how many stop and search actions the Home Department pursuant to the Oral Answer of have led to arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000 in 15 July 2013, Official Report, column 766, on resourcing each month since January 2010. [166795] for South Wales police, when the last occasion was that funding for policing in Cardiff was reviewed. [166351] Damian Green: Data on arrests resulting from stops and searches held by the Home Office cannot identify Damian Green: In February 2012, the Chief Constable the legislation under which each arrest was made. However of South Wales police submitted a formal request for data on searches made under the now repealed section additional funding to reflect the fact that the force is 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 do include data on ‘terrorism- responsible for policing the capital city of Wales. The related’ resultant arrests, broken down by quarter (monthly request and accompanying report was carefully considered, data are not reported to the Home Office). but the Policing Minister concluded that Cardiff did Available data show that between 1 January 2010 and not face the same challenges and responsibilities as 31 December 2012 (latest available) there was one those that come with policing London. The Policing terrorism-related arrest resulting from 23,994 searches Minister set out his decision not to provide additional under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000, in the funding in a letter to the chief constable in May 2012. January to March 2010 quarter.

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Treaties the Home Department when she last met the (a) Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales and (b) Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chief Constable of South Wales to discuss funding for Home Department how many (a) mutual legal assistance policing in Cardiff. [166398] treaty requests and (b) mutual legal assistance treaty 31W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 32W requests for communications data were made to the US Work Permits: Shipping in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [166911] Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether UK work permit legislation Mr Harper: Mutual legal assistance (MLA) can be applies to non-EEA seafarers offered work on a vessel used to obtain communication data for evidential purposes. registered under a flag of convenience working on The following table shows (a) the number of MLA routes between ports in the UK and Ireland. [166922] requests the UK Central Authority (UKCA) in the Home Office (the central authority for all MLA requests Mr Harper: UK work permit legislation does not for England and Wales and Northern Ireland) sent to apply to non-European Economic Area crew members the US in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 calendar years, and of vessels working routes between UK ports and ports (b) the number of those requests which included a in the Republic of Ireland, irrespective of the flags request for internet or telephone data: under which the vessels are operating.

Total Data Written Questions

2010 88 47 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2011 105 65 Home Department how many questions answered by 2012 114 77 her Department included fewer than four pages of Note: statistics in the Official Report for the last month. 2010 only includes requests from 1 February 2010 when the current [166707] US-UK MLA treaty came into force. This information has been provided from local Mr Harper: The Home Department’s answers to management information and has not been quality parliamentary questions are a matter of public record assured to the level of published National Statistics. As and can be found in the Official Report. such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change. Written Questions: Government Responses

UK Border Agency Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to question 161181 tabled on 18 June 2013 for answer on Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for 20 June 2013; and what the reasons are for the time the Home Department how much was paid out by UK taken to answer. [166642] Border Agency in adverse legal fees in immigration cases related to incorrect or contested National James Brokenshire: I refer the hon. Member to the Referral Mechanism decisions in each of the last three reply I gave on 17 July 2013, Official Report, column 696W. years for which figures are available. [166925]

Mr Harper: The Home Office holds overall figures for legal expenditure, but there are not held in a format WOMEN AND EQUALITIES that separately records costs relating to the National Food Referral Mechanism (NRM). This information could be provided only at Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Minister for Women disproportionate cost. and Equalities what proportion of all food procured Details of the former Agency’s total litigation expenditure for the Government Equalities Office was sourced from are contained in its annual Resource Accounts at: (a) British producers, (b) small and medium-sized http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ enterprises and (c) producers which met British buying aboutus/annual-reports-accounts/ standards in the latest period for which figures are available. [164767] USA Mrs Grant: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which includes the Government Equalities Office, Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the does not procure any food. Home Department when she last spoke to the US Secretary of Homeland Security. [154839] Regulation

James Brokenshire [holding answer 13 May 2013]: Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for Women and Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with Equalities what the title is of each regulation the a wide variety of international partners, as well as Government Equalities Office (a) introduced and (b) organisations and individuals in the public and private revoked in (i) 2010, (ii) 2011, (iii) 2012 and (iv) 2013 to sectors, as part of the process of policy development date; and if she will make a statement. [165913] and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are passed to the Cabinet Mrs Grant: The following list sets out the title of each Office on a quarterly basis and are subsequently published statutory instrument made by the Department for Culture, on the Cabinet Office website which is available here: Media and Sport in respect of the requested years. The https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/home-office- machinery of Government change brought the Government ministers-gifts-and-hospitality-oct-2012-to-dec-2012 Equalities Office (GEO) under control of the Secretary 33W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 34W of State for Culture, Media and Sport in September Code of Practice for Electronic Programme Guides (Addition 2012. This list also covers the period when GEO was of Programme Services) Order 2011 under the control of the Secretary of State for the Communications Act 2003 (Maximum Penalty for Contravention Home Department. of Information Requirements) Order 2011 None of these statutory instruments has been revoked Digital Economy Act 2010 (Appointed Day No. 1) Order 2011 in its entirety. There may be amendments and revocations Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act 2007 in force to the provisions contained within them but (Prescription of Information) (Amendment) Order 2011 there is no central record of what provisions may have Electronic Communications (Universal Service) (Amendment) been modified and this information could be obtained Order 2011 only at disproportionate cost. Electronic Communications and Wireless Telegraphy 2010 Regulations 2011 Equality Act 2010 Codes of Practice (Services, Public Functions Apportionment of Money in the National Lottery Distribution and Associations, Employment, and Equal Pay) Order 2011 Fund Order 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2011 Audiovisual Media Services (Codification) Regulations 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2011 Audiovisual Media Services (Product Placement) Regulations 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 7) Order 2011 Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 8) Order 2011 Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Public Authorities and Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Order 2011 Communications Act 2003 (Disclosure of Information) Order 2010 Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 Community Radio (Amendment) Order 2010 Football Spectators (Seating) Order 2011 Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (England) (Amendment) Order 2010 Gambling Act 2005 (Gaming Machines in Adult Gaming Centres and Bingo Premises) Order 2011 Ecclesiastical Exemption (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (England) Order 2010 Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Order 2010 Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 (Appointed Day) Order 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2010 Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 (Commencement Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2010/1966 No. 4) Order 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Consequential Amendments, Saving and Horserace Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004 (Commencement Supplementary Provisions) Order 2010 No. 5) Order 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Qualifying Compromise Contract Specified London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Advertising Person) Order 2010 and Trading) (England) Regulations 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2010 Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Equality Act 2010 (Obtaining Information) Order 2010/2194 (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 4, Savings, Consequential, Media Ownership (Radio and Cross-media) Order 2011 Transitional, Transitory and Incidental Provisions and Revocation) Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 2010 (Revocation) Order 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 4, Savings, Consequential, National Lottery etc. Act 1993 (Amendment of Section 23) Transitional, Transitory and Incidental Provisions and Revocation) Order 2011 Order 2010 (Amendment) Order 2010 Natural History Museum (Authorised Repositories) Order 2011 Football Spectators (Seating) Order 2010 Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Gambling Act 2005 (Operating Licence Conditions) (Amendment) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Regulations 2010 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 2) Order 2011 Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act 2009 (Commencement) Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 3) Order 2011 Order 2010 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 4) Order 2011 Legislative Reform (Licensing) (Interim Authority Notices etc) Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 5) Order 2011 Order 2010 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 2011 Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and permitted temporary activities) (Forms and notices) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 Sports Grounds Safety Authority Act 2011 (Commencement) Order 2011 National Lottery (Annual Licence Fees) Regulations 2010 Transfer of Functions (Big Lottery Fund) Order 2011 [Order National Lottery Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2010 in Council] Olympics, Paralympics and London Olympics Association Rights Wireless Telegraphy (Fixed Penalty) Regulations 2011 (Infringement Proceedings) Regulations 2010 2012 Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) (No. 2) etc. Broadcasting (Local Digital Television Programme Services Regulations 2010 and Independent Productions) (Amendment) Order 2012 Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) etc. Regulations Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Overseas Relationships) Order 2012 2010 Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 2) Order 2010 (Dissolution) Order 2012 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 3) Order 2010 Digital Economy Act 2010 (Appointed Day No. 2) Order 2012 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 2010 Digital Economy Act 2010 (Appointed Day No. 3) Order 2012 Welsh Language (Gambling and Licensing Forms) Digital Economy Act 2010 (Transitional Provision) Regulations 2010 Regulations 2012 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Age Exceptions) Order 2012 Categories of Gaming Machine (Amendment) Regulations 2011 Equality Act 2010 (Amendment) Order 2012 35W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 36W

Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 9) Order 2012 Education and Training Equality Act 2010 (Commencement No. 10) Order 2012 Football Spectators (Seating) Order 2012 20. Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Gambling (Licence Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Defence what steps he is taking to maintain the Regulations 2012 education and training of the armed forces. [900060] Gambling (Operating Licence and Single-Machine Permit Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 Mr Mark Francois: The outstanding reputation of Gambling Act 2005 (Amendment of Schedule 6) Order 2012 our armed forces is due in no small part to the standard Licensing Act 2003 (Personal licences) (Amendment) of training they receive. This training prepares personnel Regulations 2012 for their operational role and therefore lies at the core of Live Music Act 2012 (Commencement) Order 2012 what we do. We remain one of the largest providers of Local Digital Television Programme Services Order 2012 apprenticeships in the UK, and offer training and education Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) (No 2) Order 2012 opportunities that develop our people within their armed forces career, and make them highly employable when Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) Order 2012 they choose to make the transition to civilian life. Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) (No. 2) Order 2012 Territorial Army Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2012 Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) (No. 2) 21. Mr Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulations 2012 Defence what plans he has to improve the effectiveness Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) of the Territorial Army; and if he will make a Regulations 2012 statement. [900061] Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No. 2) Order 2012 Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) Order 2012 Mr Robathan: The Secretary of State for Defence, my Video Recordings (Labelling) Regulations 2012 right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced on 3 July 2013, Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Apparatus) (The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) Regulations Official Report, columns 49-53WS, the Government’s 2012 commitment to our reservists, including those serving Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (Directions to OFCOM) Order 2012 in the Army. He confirmed our clear intent to deliver a challenging and rewarding experience for the Reserves, 2013 combined with an enhanced remuneration and support Authorisation of Frequency Use for the Provision of Mobile package. Satellite Services (European Union) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 The Territorial Army is to be renamed “the Army Reserve” to better reflect their future role as part of an Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 integrated whole force and we are growing their trained strength from 19,000 to 30,000 as we implement the Football Spectators (Seating) Order 2013 Army 2020 construct. In so doing, the Army Reserve Legal Deposit Libraries (Non-Print Works) Regulations 2013 will be restructured and rebalanced to enable it to Licensing Act 2003 (Descriptions of Entertainment) (Amendment) deliver the roles required of it in the future and increase Order 2013 the capability of the integrated force. Mobile Roaming (European Communities) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 This is a generational opportunity to revitalise the Reserves. The new offer to potential reservists and New Parks for People (England) Joint Scheme (Authorisation) Order 2013 employers is in place, and the conditions are now set for a sustained recruitment campaign to build the numbers Olympic Lottery Distributor (Dissolution) Order 2013 we need. In support of this, we are investing £1.8 billion Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) Order 2013 in equipping our Reserves with access to modem equipment and better training.

DEFENCE Training and Equipment: Reservists

Transport to Work 22. Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the £1.8 billion of announced funding for 18. Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State training and equipment of reservists will be spent. for Defence what steps his Department is taking to [900062] encourage the use of environmentally friendly and cost-effective forms of transport by service personnel Mr Robathan: Reserves make an essential contribution travelling to work. [900058] to national security. In future their contribution to our defence capability will increase as they become an integrated Mr Francois: Although service personnel are free to part of the whole force required for almost all operations, choose whatever method of travel to work they see fit, both at home and abroad. The additional £1.8 billion the Department has various policies in place to encourage will be used to increase and develop the trained strength environmentally friendly and cost effective travel. These of the reserves and to enhance their capability. It will be include travel warrants for use on public transport, the spent to increase recruiting and improve retention, to provision of free departmental transport and home to enhance training at all levels, and to provide more and duty allowance for using a bicycle. better equipment. This investment has already begun 37W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 38W and will enable the Reserve Forces of all three services Armoured regiments will also have a role to play in to play greater roles as integral elements of the whole the Adaptable Force Brigades and will continue to force. provide a valuable and powerful capability for the Army of the future under the command of 1st (UK) Division Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme based in York. The three armoured regiments assigned to the Adaptable Force are: 23. Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (Swanton Morley) Defence what his policy is on the future of the armed The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) forces parliamentary scheme; and if he will make a (Leuchars) statement. [900063] The Light Dragoons (Catterick)

Dr Murrison: The Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme Middle East has offered parliamentarians a valuable insight into the work and lives of our Armed Forces for more than 25 years, and the charitable governance framework recently Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for agreed with the scheme’s stakeholders provides the basis Defence what recent assessment he has made of the to ensure its long-term sustainability in today’s world in UK’s power projection capabilities in the middle east. which the public rightly demands full transparency and [900057] accountability for all organisations interfacing with Parliament, especially those with commercial funding Mr Robathan: The UK remains capable of power arrangements. I pay tribute to Sir Neil Thorne, the projection in the middle east, using a variety of capabilities. scheme’s author and director, congratulate my hon. Friend for becoming Chairman of the new scheme, and Troop Numbers: Afghanistan assure him that the Ministry of Defence will work with the new Board of Trustees to ensure the scheme’s Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for continued success. Defence what progress he has made in drawing down the number of UK troops in Afghanistan to around Post-conflict Peace Building 5,200 by the end of 2013. [900059]

24. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I Defence what training his Department provides to enable gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for service and ex-service personnel to assist in post-conflict Harrow East (Bob Blackman). peace building with (a) injured and (b) other former combatants. [900064] Armed Forces: Injuries Mr Francois: Primary responsibility for stabilisation across Government rests with the Stabilisation Unit, an Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for integrated civil-military tri-departmental unit funded Defence with reference to the Statement by the Chancellor by the MOD, the FCO and DFID. The Stabilisation of the Exchequer of 26 June 2013, on Spending Review, Unit is also responsible for managing the Civilian what proportion of the money accrued through the Stabilisation Group, a database of deployable civilian implementation of fines relating to the Libor interest experts and civil servants, which includes ex-service rate fixing scandal will be used for injured personnel. personnel in a range of specialisations. Responsibility [162525] for training personnel who will participate in post-conflict stabilisation activities rests primarily with the Stabilisation Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 1 July 2013]: Unit. I am unaware of any training that exists specifically The LIBOR funding announced in the 2013 Spending along the lines of the hon. Member’s question. Round is in addition to the £35 million in LIBOR fines already being used to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Armoured Regiments How this new funding will be allocated between different elements of the covenant has yet to be determined. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Proposals will be submitted to the Ministry of Defence’s Defence what his policy is on the future order of battle Armed Forces Covenant Team for consideration and of the armoured regiments; and if he will make a agreement by the Covenant Reference Group, which statement. [900055] reports to the Minister for Government Policy, my right hon. Friend the Member for West Dorset (Mr Letwin). Mr Robathan: Under the Army 2020 structure, six armoured regiments will form an integral part of the Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence three Reaction Force Brigades and will come under the how many former members of the armed forces who command of the 3rd (UK) Division based in Bulford as have seen active service have been diagnosed with (a) follows: traumatic brain injury and (b) post concussion syndrome. [166163] Household Cavalry Regiment (Windsor) The Royal Dragoon Guards (Catterick) Mr Francois [holding answer 18 July 2013]: The The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own & Royal Irish) information is not held in the format requested. The (Tidworth) Clinical Commissioning Groups, run by general The Royal Lancers (Catterick) practitioners, are responsible for the local health care of The King’s Royal Hussars (Tidworth) veterans once they have left service, but there is limited The Royal Tank Regiment (Tidworth) data on NHS treatment of veterans. 39W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 40W

The Ministry of Defence statistics on serving personnel is under assessment. Ship-borne Rolling Vertical Landing show that the number of those who have seen active is also being developed as an additional manoeuvre to service in Iraq or Afghanistan, and have suffered an maximise the number of unexpended weapons that the injury that was classified as a Traumatic Brain Injury F-35B is able to recover to the Queen Elizabeth Class (TBI) between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2013 was Carrier. 686. This includes all levels of TBI—mild, moderate and severe—and this also covers post concussion syndrome. Military Aircraft As of 1 June 2013, 285 of those service personnel were no longer serving. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Billing Defence when the first Rivet Joint aircraft will enter service. [166268] Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Dunne: The first Rivet Joint aircraft is planned to Defence how many creditors to his Department owed enter service in 2014. more than £10,000 remained unpaid for more than (a) 30 days, (b) 45 days, (c) 60 days, (d) 75 days and (e) more than 90 days in each of the last three years. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for [166370] Defence if he will estimate (a) the unit cost per Rivet Joint aircraft and (b) the cost of training the aircraft Mr Dunne: The number of invoices for over £10,000 crew in Nebraska. [166269] remaining unpaid by the Ministry of Defence after more than 30 days is shown in the table. The delays in Mr Dunne: The unit cost of a Rivet Joint aircraft is settling invoices are normally due to the incorrect approximately £180 million. The cost of training Rivet presentation of bills. Joint air and ground crew is some £18 million over the financial years 2010-11 to 2013-14. Invoices paid after: Financial Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for year 30 days 45 days 60 days 75 days 90 days Defence whether the pilots of the Rivet Joint aircraft will be qualified to refuel the aircraft via a flying boom 2010-11 719 355 207 243 224 while airborne. [166270] 2011-12 966 444 210 151 322 2012-13 1,464 612 348 193 341 Mr Dunne: Yes. The Department is a signatory to the Prompt Payment Code and in each of the past three financial years has Nuclear Submarines achieved 100% payment, or close to 100% payment, of Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence correctly submitted invoices within 30 days. In 2012-13, pursuant to the answer of 19 June 2013, Official 92% of correctly submitted invoices were paid within Report, column 719W on HMS Tireless, on how many five days. occasions radioactive emissions were vented to the atmosphere from nuclear powered submarines at Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Devonport Dockyard in each of the last five years; what quantity of radioactivity and which radionuclides Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for were emitted in such fashion in each of the last three Defence what (a) current and (b) future armaments in years; what the permitted levels of discharge are under the UK inventory will be able to be used in the Joint such circumstances; and which regulatory agency sets Strike Fighter’s (i) internal weapons bays and (ii) such limits. [162431] external pylons. [166271] Mr Dunne: I will write to the hon. Member with the Mr Dunne: The current weapons within the UK information requested. inventory that will be able to be used on the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) are a combination of internal and external Substantive answer from Philip Dunne to Paul Flynn: loads consisting of: I undertook to write to you in answer to your parliamentary question of 2 July 2013, Official Report, column 602W, about Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM); radioactive emissions that were vented to the atmosphere from Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM); nuclear powered submarines at Devonport Dockyard. Paveway IV. Due to the nature of the maintenance work conducted within Future integration of weapons from the UK inventory the dockyard, the reactor compartment of each submarine undergoing is subject to negotiation and agreement with the F-35 maintenance is considered to be an aerial discharge point (a location programme. where venting into the atmosphere outside the submarine may take place) when relevant work is being conducted. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for The quantity of radioactivity discharged is monitored, but the discharge is treated as continuous and is not accounted for as Defence what assessment he has made of the ability of individual discharges. These are accounted for in terms of “collective the Joint Strike Fighter 35B to land vertically with a days”, each of which is a day where there is a discharge into the full armaments load. [166273] atmosphere from one submarine. Discharges from multiple submarines on one calendar day would therefore be recorded as multiple Mr Dunne: The F-35B is currently within the collective days. development test phase of the overall programme, and The total number of collective days in the last five years is as as such the ability to land vertically with a full payload follows: 41W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 42W

Reserve Forces Collective days Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 2008 1,201 how many recruits were attached to each of the (a) 2009 1,523 35 Territorial Army centres and (b) three Naval 2010 1,119 Reserve centres identified for closure in each of the last 2011 1,497 five years; how many new recruits enlisted at each such 2012 1,245 centre in each such year; and if he will make a There are no specific limits for discharges into the atmosphere statement. [164735] from submarines, but annual limits for discharges into the atmosphere from the dockyard as a whole are set by the Environment Agency. These are shown in the following table, measured in Megabecquerels Dr Murrison: The requested information will take (MBq), the standard unit for measuring radioactivity: some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member. Substantive answer from Dr Murrison to Mrs Moon: Radionuclide Annual limit (MBq) I undertook to write to you in answer to your parliamentary question on 12 July 2013, Official Report, column 420W, about Tritium 4,000 the numbers of recruits attached to closing Reserve centres. Carbon-14 43,000 The roles and capabilities that our reservists will provide as Argon-41 15,000 part of the Future Force 2020 will be different from today and, as Other Beta/Gamma emitters 0.3 a consequence, the way in which we organise and train them will The total quantities of radioactivity discharged to the atmosphere also have to change. This will impact on the force structure and from submarines in the dockyard in the last three years are as the basing lay-down of our reserve forces. follows: As announced on 3 July 2013, the Army has taken the opportunity to review its basing lay-down for reserve units to reflect this structural change, optimise recruitment, and facilitate effective Total radioactivity discharged (MBq) integration and training between paired regular and reserve units. As a result, 35 Territorial Army Centres (TACs) will be vacated. 2010 0.03 2011 0.01 Information on the number of Army reserve personnel recruits attached to, and new recruits enlisted at, each of these centres in 2012 5.28 each of the last five years is not held in the format requested. The figure for 2012 comprises 0.02 MBq of routine discharges However, information on the approximate personnel strength for and 5.26 MBq of discharges resulting from testing of a new each of the centres is provided as follows: reactor core, which is why the figure is higher than for previous Army reserve (TA) personnel in surplus locations at 1 April 2013 years. Number I should like to add that the discharge from HMS Tireless is not included in the tables above, as this took place at Her Ardwick Green TAC 100 Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport, not the dockyard. This was the Argyll Road TAC 1— only such discharge at the Naval Base in the last five years; the Armagh TAC 70 quantity of radioactivity released has been confirmed as being Ashington TAC 30 less than the 50 MBq limit set by the Defence Nuclear Safety Belleview Bks 1— Regulator. Berwick-upon-Tweed TAC 1— Consistent with my answer on the coolant leak of 14 May Bothwell House TAC 10 2013, Official Report, column 153W, I am withholding details of Caernarfon TAC 1— the radiological inventory of discharges as their disclosure would, Carmunnock Rd TAC 60 or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or 1 security of the armed forces. Clapham TAC — Coltman House TAC 40 Duncombe Bks 40 1 RAF Lyneham Dunoon TAC — Eden Armoury TAC 40 Keighley TAC 1— Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Keith TAC 1— (1) what plans he has to demolish the chapel of rest of Kidderminster TAC 20 the former RAF Lyneham; [166607] Kirkcaldy TAC 1— (2) what will happen to the fittings and London Rd TAC 1— accoutrements of the chapel of rest at former RAF McDonald Rd TAC 40 1 Lyneham. [166608] Myrtle Street TAC — New Broad Street TAC 1— Newport TAC 10 Mr Francois: The site upon which the Chapel of Rest Northallerton TAC 1— at Lyneham sits has been designated for new single Redhill TAC 60 living accommodation in support of the new Ministry Seabrooke House TAC 1— of Defence Technical Training College. St John’s Hill TAC 60 The chapel itself was a temporary structure while a Stanney Lane TAC 1— new facility was being built at RAF Brize Norton. As Stockton Road TAC 60 such it is unconsecrated and deliberately has no fittings Swaffham TAC 1— or accoutrements other than a commemorative plaque. Townsend Avenue TAC 80 The plaque will be placed in the new garden of Ubique Bks 80 remembrance at the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Walsall TAC 1— Engineers Museum at Lyneham. Washington TAC 20 43W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 44W

Army reserve (TA) personnel in surplus locations at 1 April 2013 In regular Number Base Location Total at base attendance Wick TAC 1— Queensferry TAC 2— 110 40 1 Zero or rounded to zero. Llandaf North TAC Cardiff Notes: 1. The figures in the above table should be considered estimates. The accuracy of Cwrt-Y-Gollen TAC 2— the underlying data is yet to be fully validated and is under investigation. 2 2. Figures are for trained and untrained TA personnel. They exclude full-time Argyll Road TAC — 150 100 reserve service (FTRS) personnel. Maindy Barracks Cardiff 510 250 3. Called-out reservists may be shown against an administrative base and not Morfa TAC Swansea 60 20 their actual stationed location. 4. Data are sourced from the Joint Personnel Administration and have been Morgan St TAC Cardiff 60 40 rounded to the nearest 10. Pontypridd TAC Pontypridd 30 20 On the subject of the three Naval Reserve establishments, I can Prestatyn TAC Prestatyn 40 30 confirm that they are not closing, but relocating to other nearby Raglan Barracks TAC Newport 200 130 sites. Individuals currently attending these establishments will be transferring to the new locations and will not be lost to the The Castle Monmouth 40 20 strength. The Grange TAC Swansea 60 40 1 Rounded to zero I hope this information is helpful. 2 Indicates brace Notes: Reserve Forces: Cardiff 1. The figures in the above table have been rounded to the nearest 10 and should be considered estimates. The accuracy of the underlying data is yet to be fully validated and is being reviewed. Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for 2. Army Volunteer Reserve figures are for trained and untrained Territorial Defence pursuant to his answer of 12 July 2013, Official Army (TA) including Groups A, B, C and therefore includes Mobilised TA, Officer Training Corps (OTC) and Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS). Report, column 420W,on reserve forces: Cardiff, whether They exclude Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS), Regulars and Gurkhas. the HMS Cambria facility will remain at its current 3. Maritime Reserve figures comprise the Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal location bordering Sully and Barry. [166357] Marine Reserve and are for trained and untrained personnel and include Mobilised Reserve, High Readiness Reserves (HRR), Additional Duties Commitment (ADC) and FTRS. Mr Robathan: HMS Cambria is currently planned to 4. Called-out reservists may be shown against an administrative base and not remain in its present location until 2016 when it will their actual stationed location. move to a new site in Cardiff. A naval presence will Security however remain in Barry for the foreseeable future, although it is too early to define what this will be. Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Reserve Forces: Wales Defence how many security passes issued on Ministry of Defence sites have been given to those directly Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence employed by his Department. [166446] what the name is of each reserve force base of each service in Wales; how many reservists attend each such Mr Francois: This information is not held centrally base regularly; and if he will make a statement. and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. [164519] Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Robathan: Detailed in the following tables are the Defence how many security passes issued for access to names of each reserve force base in Wales, the total sites owned by the Ministry of Defence have been given number of reservists at each base or group of bases and to those not directly employed by his Department since the number of reservists which attend each base or May 2010. [166528] group of bases regularly. Regular attendance figures have been determined by the number of reserve personnel Mr Francois: This information is not held centrally who were eligible to receive their bounty within the 12 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. months previous to 1 April 2013. Shipbuilding In regular Base Location Total at base attendance Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Maritime Reserve Defence pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2013, Official Report, column 505W, on shipbuilding, HMS Cambria Barry 90 60 whether information regarding the future size and skills mix of the workforce would be information required by Army Volunteer Reserve the proposed Single Source Regulations Office as part Abertillery TAC Abertillery 70 30 of the annual reporting process by companies. [R] Brecon Powys 30 20 [166510] Bridgend TAC Bridgend 10 10 Carmarthen TAC Carmarthen 90 40 Mr Dunne: As part of the new single source procurement Dalton TAC 2— framework, suppliers will be required to provide a number Colwyn Bay TAC Colwyn Bay 70 20 of reports to the Ministry of Defence and the Single Caernarfon TAC — — — Source Regulations Office. This will include information Cwmbran TAC Cwmbran 130 60 on manpower, split by equipment project, at key industrial Cwrt-Y-Gollen Territorial Crickhowell 1— 1— facilities used on qualifying single source contracts; and Army Centre (TAC) direct and indirect manpower at each business unit Glamorgan St TAC Swansea 80 50 where single source procurement is a significant element Hightown TAC Wrexham of that unit’s business activity. 45W Written Answers2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Written Answers 46W

Strategic Sealift Service agreement has yet to be determined. This is dependent, in part, on the sale of the two redundant vessels. The Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence MOD will receive a percentage of the sale receipts from (1) what assessment he has made of the potential cost Foreland Shipping. to the public purse of the decision to sell two of the Overall the MOD is expected to accrue significant roll-on-roll-off vessels procured under the Strategic savings over the remaining period of the PFI agreement Sealift Service private finance initiative in 2002; as a result of the decision to reduce the number of [166238] contracted vessels. (2) on what date the decision was made to sell two of Type 26 Frigates the roll-on-roll-off vessels procured under the Strategic Sealift Service private finance initiative in 2002; and John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for what recent discussions of this decision he has had with Defence what his plans are for the Type 26 Frigates in representatives of Foreland Shipping; [166240] Clyde shipyards over the next five years. [166132] (3) what the total procurement cost is for the two charter vessels procured under the Strategic Sealift Service Mr Dunne: The Type 26 Global Combat Ship programme private finance initiative in 2002 which his Department is currently in its Assessment Phase. As is the standard proposes to sell; [166241] practice with equipment projects, the build programme (4) what estimate has been made of the cost to the will not be set until the main investment decision has public purse of the sale of the two charter vessels been taken, expected around the middle of this decade. procured under the Strategic Sealift Service private Written Questions finance initiative in 2002; and for what period funds for maintenance of these vessels have been budgeted. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence [166242] how many questions answered by his Department included fewer than four pages of statistics in the Official Report Mr Dunne: The movement of cargo by sea is primarily for the last month. [166699] provided through the private finance initiative (PFI) strategic sealift service. The review of the Ministry of Mr Francois: 80. Defence’s (MOD) strategic sealift requirement, in autumn 2011, concluded that better value for money would be Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for achieved if the number of vessels contracted as part of Defence if he will make it his policy to ensure that all this PFI was reduced from six to four. This reduction answers provided by his Department containing tables became effective on 27 April 2012 following detailed of statistical data which would not require more than discussions between MOD officials and representatives four pages in the Official Report are published in full of Foreland Shipping. rather than by reference to a hyperlink. [166724] All six vessels are owned by Foreland Shipping under Mr Francois: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the PFI agreement. They were not purchased or maintained given by the Leader of the House of Commons, the by the MOD. right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), Any remuneration between the MOD and Foreland on 12 February 2013, Official Report, column 649W, to Shipping as a result of the change made to the PFI the hon. Member for West Bromwich East (Mr Watson).

1MC Ministerial Corrections2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Ministerial Corrections 2MC Ministerial Corrections Mobile Phones Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Monday 2 September 2013 Defence which company holds the largest contract to provide mobile telephony services to his Department; how much was paid under the contract in the last year for which figures are available; how many individual DEFENCE services are covered by the contract; when the contract was awarded; when the contract will next be renewed; and for how long. [155653] Business Services Association [Official Report, 20 May 2013, Vol. 563, c. 499W.] Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Letter of correction from Philip Dunne: Defence on what occasions (a) he, (b) Ministers and An error has been identified in the written answer (c) officials in his Department have met representatives given to the hon. Member for Airdrie and Shotts (Pamela of the Business Services Association. [165782] Nash) on 20 May 2013. [Official Report, 18 July 2013, Vol. 566, c. 952W.] The full answer given was as follows: Letter of correction from Andrew Murrison: Mr Dunne [holding answer 16 May 2013]: The majority An error has been identified in the written answer of mobile telephones supplied to the Ministry of given to the hon. Member for Plymouth, Moor View Defence (MOD) are provided by Vodafone through (Alison Seabeck) on 18 July 2013. an enabling arrangement through the Defence Fixed The full answer given was as follows: Telecommunications Service (DFTS) contract with British Telecom. The MOD paid a total of £5.3 million (including Dr Murrison: We have no records of any meetings VAT) for mobile services in financial year 2012-13. between the Secretary of State for Defence, my right A variety of services are covered by the Vodafone hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge contract but at the simplest level they can be divided in (Mr Hammond), or Ministers and representatives of to voice accounts and data accounts. At the end of the Business Services Association. March 2013 there were 34,924 voice accounts and 8,517 We are not aware of any officials meeting with data accounts. representatives of the Business Services Association but The Vodafone element of the DFTS contract was a definitive answer could be provided only at renewed following competitive processes in 2011 and is disproportionate cost. due to expire in 2015. Renewal of this contract is The correct answer should have been: currently an element of a wider re-procurement activity for Defence Core Network Services. Dr Murrison: The following table lists the meetings the The correct answer should have been: Business Services Association (staff or members or both) has held with MOD Ministers and officials this year: Mr Dunne [holding answer 16 May 2013]: The majority of mobile telephones supplied to the Ministry of Date Person Topic Defence (MOD) are provided by Vodafone through 11 DIO official, Stakeholder Update on DIO an enabling arrangement through the Defence Fixed February Communications workstreams, NGEC Telecommunications Service (DFTS) contract with British 2013 Manager—NGEC, DIO programme and Project Telecom. The MOD paid a total of £5.9 million (including HESTIA VAT) for mobile services in financial year 2012-13. 24 April Right hon. Mark Corporate Covenant A variety of services are covered by the Vodafone 2013 Francois MP, Minister of introductory meeting State for Defence contract but at the simplest level they can be divided in Personnel, Welfare and to voice accounts and data accounts. At the end of Veterans March 2013 there were 34,924 voice accounts and 8,517 29 April Steve Rice, Head of Update on NGEC data accounts. 2013 NGEC Programme, DIO Programme and Project HESTIA The Vodafone element of the DFTS contract was renewed following competitive processes in 2011 and is 15 May Major General John Future Reserves 2020 2013 Crackett, Assistant Chief due to expire in 2015. Renewal of this contract is of the Defence Staff currently an element of a wider re-procurement activity (Reserves and Cadets) for Defence Core Network Services. and Brigadier van der Lande, Head of Reserve Forces and Cadets 10 June Right hon. Mark Briefing on Corporate JUSTICE 2013 Francois MP Minister of Covenant State for Defence Magistrates’ Courts: Salford Personnel, Welfare and Veterans 28 June Right hon. Mark Corporate Covenant Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 Francois MP , Minister signing ceremony Justice how the theft of a network server from Salford of State for Defence magistrates’ court in January 2012 took place; who Personnel, Welfare and stole the server; what the value of the server was; how it Veterans was recovered; what action has been taken against the 3MC Ministerial Corrections2 SEPTEMBER 2013 Ministerial Corrections 4MC thief; what documents were on the server; whether such Files recovered from non user-accessible areas of the documents (a) related to court staff, defendants, server contained personal and sensitive data, including victims or witnesses and (b) included personal or court documents and e mails, but a detailed forensic confidential matters or matters related to evidence; analysis and audit did not identify any access to the files what steps have been taken to inform those affected; for during the time the server was not under the control of what reasons he believes that the information has not MOJ and therefore no action has been taken to inform been accessed; for what reasons the theft was not those affected. reported to the police and the Information The matter is still under investigation by the ICO and Commissioner’s Office (ICO) until June 2012; when he we await their report. expects the ICO to report; and if he will make a The correct answer should have been: statement. [165660] [Official Report, 18 July 2013, Vol. 566, c. 829W.] Mrs Grant: The theft of a network server from Salford magistrates court occurred during the IT decommissioning Letter of correction from Helen Grant: process undertaken by contractors during the closure of An error has been identified in the written answer the court. Following a police investigation, there was given to the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) insufficient evidence to identify who stole the server and on 18 July 2013. secure a conviction and no charges were brought. The estimated value of the server was £1,200. The full answer given was as follows: The theft came to light on 3 May 2012 when the server was put up for sale on eBay still bearing the Mrs Grant: The theft of a network server from Salford contractor’s logo/asset tag. Arrangements were made magistrates court occurred during the IT decommissioning by the contractor to recover the server on 9 May 2012. process undertaken by contractors during the closure of Once the facts were established, the incident was reported the court. Following a police investigation, there was to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on insufficient evidence to identify who stole the server and 14 June 2012. secure a conviction and no charges were brought. The Files recovered from non user-accessible areas of the estimated value of the server was £1,200. server contained personal and sensitive data, including The theft came to light on 3 May 2012 when the court documents and e mails, but a detailed forensic server was put up for sale on eBay still bearing the analysis and audit did not identify any access to the files contractor’s logo/asset tag. Arrangements were made during the time the server was not under the control of by the contractor to recover the server on 9 May 2012. MOJ and therefore no action has been taken to inform Once the facts were established, the incident was reported those affected. to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) on The matter is still under investigation by the ICO and 14 June 2013. we await their report. ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 2 September 2013

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 1 DEFENCE—continued Armed Forces (Scotland) ...... 6 Smart Defence ...... 13 Defence Equipment and Support...... 7 Syria...... 10 Defence Exports...... 15 Topical Questions ...... 16 Heavy-lift Helicopters ...... 1 Trident Alternatives Review ...... 4 Military Covenant...... 12 Trident Replacement...... 9 Nuclear Deterrent ...... 3 Troop Numbers (Afghanistan)...... 6 Reserve Forces ...... 15 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Monday 2 September 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 1WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 10WS Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) ...... 1WS Gibraltar...... 10WS

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 2WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 12WS Summer Recess (Department’s Work)...... 2WS National Crime Agency (Contingencies Fund) ...... 12WS JUSTICE...... 12WS DEFENCE...... 9WS Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Bill...... 13WS Armed Forces Pay Review Body (Public Jury Service (Age Limit) ...... 13WS Appointments)...... 9WS Reforming Mesothelioma Claims...... 12WS

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL TRANSPORT ...... 14WS AFFAIRS...... 10WS Able Marine Energy Park ...... 14WS Bovine TB...... 10WS Crossrail Station at Woolwich...... 15WS PETITIONS

Monday 2 September 2013

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 1P HEALTH—continued Proposed closure of Post Office on Lupus Street Proposed Closure of Suffolk Court Care Home..... 3P (London, SW1)...... 1P Services for Stafford Hospital ...... 3P TRANSPORT ...... 4P HEALTH...... 2P A controlled crossing on Ashby Road (Daventry) .. 4P Cannock Hospital...... 2P Cambridge to Fenland Train Service...... 4P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 2 September 2013

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 1W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT—continued Billing ...... 1W Charities ...... 11W Proceeds of Crime...... 1W Football League ...... 12W Serious Fraud Office ...... 2W Gambling: Lotteries...... 12W Serious Fraud Office: Redundancy and severance Legal Costs ...... 12W arrangements ...... 2W Library Services ...... 12W Wales ...... 3W Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester ... 13W Welsh Language...... 3W Music: Disability...... 13W Written Questions ...... 4W National Lottery...... 13W Publications ...... 14W Sports: Scotland...... 14W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 10W Telephone Services...... 14W Apprentices...... 10W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 15W Betting Shops...... 10W Broadband ...... 10W DEFENCE...... 35W Broadband: Rural Areas ...... 11W Armed Forces: Injuries...... 38W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme ...... 37W Stop and Search ...... 30W Armoured Regiments...... 37W Treaties...... 30W Billing ...... 39W UK Border Agency ...... 31W Education and Training ...... 36W USA...... 31W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 39W Work Permits: Shipping ...... 32W Middle East ...... 38W Written Questions ...... 32W Military Aircraft ...... 40W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 32W Nuclear Submarines...... 40W Post-conflict Peace Building...... 37W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 15W RAF Lyneham...... 41W Commonwealth ...... 15W Reserve Forces ...... 42W Crown Dependencies ...... 16W Reserve Forces: Cardiff ...... 43W Development Framework: Post 2015...... 16W Reserve Forces: Wales ...... 43W G8 Summit ...... 16W Security...... 44W Montserrat...... 17W Shipbuilding...... 44W Nepal: Judicial Reform ...... 17W Shipping...... 45W Pakistan: Human Rights...... 18W Territorial Army ...... 36W Pakistan: Victims of Terrorism ...... 18W Training and Equipment: Reservists...... 36W Palestinian Healthcare System ...... 18W Transport to Work ...... 35W Syria...... 18W Troop Numbers: Afghanistan ...... 38W Tibet ...... 19W Type 26 Frigates...... 46W Written Questions ...... 20W Written Questions ...... 46W LEADER OF THE HOUSE...... 15W Written Questions ...... 15W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 5W Commission on the Consequences of Devolution NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 8W for the House of Commons ...... 5W Billing ...... 8W Nobel Peace Prize ...... 6W Regulation ...... 9W Trident ...... 6W Written Questions ...... 9W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 20W PRIME MINISTER ...... 4W Alcoholic Drinks: Prices ...... 20W Burma...... 4W Armed Forces ...... 20W Lynton Crosby ...... 4W Arrest Warrants ...... 21W Written Questions ...... 5W Asylum ...... 22W British Nationality ...... 23W SCOTLAND...... 7W Counter-terrorism ...... 23W Billing ...... 7W Counter-terrorism: Meetings...... 24W Regulation ...... 8W Crime...... 24W Scottish Youth Parliament ...... 8W David Anderson...... 25W Written Questions ...... 8W Employment ...... 26W WALES...... 6W Firearms: Licensing ...... 27W Apprentices...... 6W Homicide and Wounding: Costs...... 27W Billing ...... 7W Illegal Immigrants...... 28W Cwm Taf Health Board ...... 7W Legal Costs ...... 28W Regulation ...... 7W Members: Correspondence ...... 28W Written Questions ...... 7W Passports...... 28W Police and Crime Commissioner ...... 29W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES ...... 32W Police: Cardiff ...... 29W Food ...... 32W Police: Finance...... 30W Regulation ...... 32W MINISTERIAL CORRECTIONS

Monday 2 September 2013

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 1MC JUSTICE...... 2MC Business Services Association ...... 1MC Magistrates’ Courts: Salford ...... 2MC Mobile Phones ...... 2MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. The Bound Volumes will also be sent to Members who similarly express their desire to have them. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Monday 9 September 2013

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CONTENTS

Monday 2 September 2013

List of Government and Principal Officers of the House [Col. 1]

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 1] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Defence

Backbench Business Private Members’ Bills [Col. 25] Motion—(Mr Charles Walker)—agreed to Postal Services (Rural Areas) [Col. 32] Motion—(Katy Clark)—agreed to Cycling [Col. 66] Motion—(Dr Huppert)—agreed to

Charitable Support Work Romanian Orphanages) [Col. 136] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 1WS]

Petitions [Col. 1P] Obsversations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 1WA] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Corrections [Col. 1MC]